John A. Kinkaid Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc.

How to Determine What Filter Size Your HVAC Unit Needs

One important task of being a homeowner is regularly changing your HVAC filter to ensure safe air quality in your home and to protect the unit’s lifespan. Depending on the model and type of unit you have, each HVAC unit will use a different size filter. 

Finding the appropriate filter and changing it per manufacturer guidelines is important to stick with. But how do you get started on replacing your filter? How do you determine which filter size you need? The experts at John A. Kinkaid will break down all of the answers to the most frequently asked filter questions in this guide below.

Start with what you know

If you’ve recently purchased an existing home, chances are the previous owners already have a filter in the unit. Removing this filter can help you to see its size and know which type of replacement to buy. If there is not a filter in the unit, look on the side of the unit. Most models will have the appropriate size listed, including width, length, and depth. If you know the model and manufacturer of the unit or have the owner’s model, this information should also be printed there.

Many of our customers wonder how frequently they will need to replace their HVAC filter. The answer to this question depends on your usage and specific needs. In general, it is a good rule of thumb to aim to replace your filter every 60 to 90 days.

Finding the filter on the unit

The filter in your HVAC unit typically goes in the return air intake. You should see a plate that covers the area that the filter should go into. For large homes, there may be more than one HVAC unit – so be sure to change the filter on both. If you cannot find the filter on your unit or have trouble replacing it, call John A. Kinkaid Heating and Cooling.

As experts in the field, our technicians will be happy to guide on replacing your HVAC filter. It is our goal to provide exceptional customer service for everyone we serve – helping you throughout each step of the way. Reach out to us today to schedule an appointment!

HVAC Considerations When Buying a New Home

When it comes time to buy a new home, there are plenty of questions you’re bound to have. From the age of the home to which school district it’s in, there are many things buyers know to look out for when shopping around. However, paying attention to the HVAC unit when considering a home is one thing that is often overlooked.

Most homebuyers are not experts in HVAC systems and aren’t quite sure of the right questions to ask. As such, we’ve designed a comprehensive guide of things to pay attention to. We’re experts in all things heating and cooling – and we’re here to help! 

Things to Look for in an HVAC System

On a house tour, one easy thing to pay attention to is the home’s duct system. A duct system impacts how well air blows around your home which could make or break its enjoyment. Circular ducts are often a top choice for efficiency and quiet operation, preferred over rectangular ducts. If ducts need to be cleaned, John A. Kinkaid Heating and Cooling can help!

A house inspection should always review the status of the HVAC system and involve an inspection of the duct. In this, you should be able to identify any potential problems or leaks within the duct system. 

winter hvac maintenance

Age and Efficiency 

If a seller disclosure is provided, be sure to carefully read through the portion about the HVAC system to see when it was installed and if there are any known issues with the unit. Newer HVAC systems installed within the last five to ten years are more likely to have better energy efficiency ratings, which can help keep your monthly energy bill down. Air conditioner, heat pump, and furnace energy efficiencies each are rated on their own scales.

If the home is a decent size square footage, a non-energy efficient HVAC unit could result in some expensive monthly energy bills. Don’t be afraid to ask the seller of the home to provide copies of monthly bills to help you better estimate your expenses.

We Can Help

Understanding the details of HVAC operation and maintenance doesn’t need to come naturally to you as a homeowner. As your trusted HVAC partner, John A. Kinkaid Heating and Cooling is here to help. To learn more about our services, contact us today!

3 HVAC Tips To Survive The Pre-Fall Fake Out

3 HVAC Tips To Help You Survive The Pre-Fall Fakeout!

Ah, August is at its end and you can almost taste the cool September air. But wait! Before you put away that window A/C unit or bust out the flannel sheet sets, there are a few things you should know. Just as summer doesn’t technically end until September 22nd, summer weather can make some ugly appearances throughout the month. It’s easy to get lulled into a false sense of security by the shifty temperatures of late summer, but it’s a mistake you don’t want to make. Here are 3 HVAC tips to help you survive the pre-fall fake out!

1. Keep Your Cool

We know it’s tempting to want a complete lifestyle change at the first gust of cold air, especially after some of the intense heat we’ve experienced over August. There’s something cathartic about new chapters, even if it’s just putting away the A/C unit and changing the sheets to signal a change in season. But the last thing you want is to be forced into a late summer scramble. Sweating through jeans and a hoodie as you fish the window A/C unit out of the attic and try to cool down the house during a surprise September heatwave is no fun. We recommend keeping your home’s cooling systems primed and ready to go until at least mid-September. This will leave you leaps and bounds ahead of any unwelcome September heat and humidity.

2. Clean, Mean, Cooling Machine

Regardless of your method of home cooling, chances are that it’s taken a bit of a beating this summer. Starting as early as May, your A/C unit has been going strong for close to 4 months now. It’s high time for a little TLC. We highly recommend putting a new air filter in your unit and cleaning it as best you can. This will keep it in tip-top condition for any hard-to-see heatwaves coming your way.

3. Wait On The Weatherproofing

The cool air of early September can easily make you want to head for the blankets and bundle up. But before you go as far as weatherproofing your home for the cooler months by changing out screen doors and opting for other more involved changes, you may want to wait a few weeks. Being caught off guard by intense September heat can be especially devastating if you’ve made strides toward cool-proofing your house. Far better to bundle up when the cold hits and be able to strip down when temps start to sizzle. Don’t turn your home into a September-long sauna. 

Call On Kinkaid!

Any doubts when it comes to A/C maintenance? Put them to rest by calling the best. Trust J. A. Kinkaid for the best troubleshooting, maintenance and repairs in the HVAC industry!

5 Signs it’s Time to Replace Your A/C Unit

Ambler AC repair

Many Ambler AC repair and maintenance tasks are quick and easy to DIY, such as replacing air filters. Others, not so much. It can be difficult to know when it’s worth investing in extensive A/C repairs and when it’s time to replace your HVAC unit outright. Read on for 5 signs it’s time to replace your A/C unit. 

A/C Replacement: 5 Warning Signs

Annual A/C tune-ups from a professional HVAC technician will go a long way toward extending the life of your unit and preventing major breakdowns. That said, all units reach the end of their lifespan eventually. Keep an eye out for these signs:

  1. Age of Unit

On average, HVAC units have a lifespan of 12–15 years. With proper care and maintenance, a quality unit might even last for up to 20 years. That said, if your unit is more than 12-years-old, it’s time to start thinking about and planning for a replacement. 

  1. Frequent Repairs and Breakdowns

If you find yourself dealing with frequent breakdowns and expensive repairs, a new unit may be more cost-effective in the long run. This is especially true as a unit ages, as it may become necessary to replace multiple component parts. These costs can quickly add up and may not be a wise investment in a unit that is already on the fritz.

  1. Loss of Cooling Efficiency

Even with repairs and regular maintenance, an older unit is likely to become less effective over time. As we fill our homes with modern, heat-generating appliances, aging units may no longer be able to keep up with cooling demands.

  1. Rising Energy Costs

An uptick in utility bills during the warm season could point to a unit in need of replacing. Older units may strain to keep up, using more energy in the process. In some cases, a unit that is improperly sized for the space that it’s in can use more energy than necessary. 

  1. Accessibility 

Those who intend on aging in place or residents who value easy access may want to consider installing a unit that makes regular maintenance tasks (like cleaning or replacing air filters) a breeze. 

Need Ambler AC Repair? Kinkaid Heating and Air Conditioning Can Help! 

Kinkaid has proudly served Montgomery, Bucks, Philadelphia and Chester Counties since 1917. We offer residential and commercial installation, maintenance and repair on all makes and models of HVAC equipment. Give us a call or contact us online to get started today!

Tips to Improve Indoor Air Quality

Since the Covid-19 outbreak, many of us spend more time than usual indoors or at home. Indoors, we rely on the air cycling through our HVAC systems. Although we tend to think of HVAC systems in terms of heating and cooling, we also depend on them as means of air quality control. In this post, we share tips to improve indoor air quality in your home.

Air Quality Matters   

Poor indoor air quality can cause health issues like headaches, allergy symptoms, asthma symptoms, fatigue, rashes and difficulty concentrating, as well as eye, nose, throat and lung irritations.

How to Improve Indoor Air Quality

Our heating and cooling systems are responsible for both filtering AND cycling air throughout our homes. As a result, inadequate HVAC maintenance is a major contributor to poor indoor air quality. To help keep air quality-related health issues at bay, consider the following:

  • Filters––change or clean reusable HVAC filters often. If you live in a home with pets or in an area prone to contaminants like dust or pollen, you’ll want to perform this task even more frequently. Air filters trap contaminants and keep them from reentering your home, but a dirty air filter can impede airflow. This causes your unit to run less efficiently and prevents ongoing air filtration. HEPA filters are specially designed to help improve air quality.
  • Clean Air Ducts––as air travels through air ducts, pollutants like dust, pollen and bacteria can be deposited along the way and build up over time. Insect or rodent infestations can lead to odors and decreased air quality. Additionally, if moisture enters ductwork, mold and mildew can cause health concerns. Having air ducts cleaned frequently helps avoids all of these problems.
  • Clean Coils––dirty coils inside of your unit will impede system efficiency. This not only costs you money and eventually leads to breakdowns, it also prevents air from properly cycling through your system and the filters you have in place.

Work with Kinkaid!

The best way to keep up with HVAC maintenance is to work with a professional. Annual tune-ups and inspections help keep your system clean and efficient. A qualified technician can also advise on how often to clean or replace air filters, depending on your situation.

Kinkaid proudly serves Montgomery, Bucks, Philadelphia and Chester Counties. We offer residential and commercial installation, maintenance and repairs on all makes and models of HVAC equipment. Contact us today to get started!

Prepare Your HVAC System for Fall

Kinkaid is the most trusted in HVAC Montgomery County, PA has to offer.

Your A/C unit worked hard all summer long to keep you cool, but now fall is upon us. In this blog post, the most trusted experts in HVAC Montgomery County, PA has to offer share tips on how to prepare your HVAC system for fall.

Change Air Filters

One of the most important things you can do is also one of the easiest. Air filters need to be replaced frequently or cleaned if they are reusable. Dust, pollen and other contaminants can build up and clog filters. This impedes airflow. Dirty filters also decrease indoor air quality and make your unit work harder than it needs to. Changing/cleaning filters before switching to heating ensures maximum efficiency, reducing strain on your unit.

Not sure whether it’s time to clean or replace an air filter? Hold it up to the light – the light should pass through easily. If your filter is blocking out light, it’s likely also blocking airflow. How often you need to replace/clean filters can vary depending on your household, where you live and how many pets you have. Doing so at least once every 90 days is generally a good rule of thumb.

Clean Air Vents and Registers

Air vents and registers can become clogged with debris like dust build-up and nesting materials from insects or rodents. Like dirty air filters, this can impede airflow and decrease indoor air quality. It’s a good idea to check these and wipe them down to clean off any contaminants that might end up circulating throughout your home.

Check Your Outdoor Unit

The fall may be adored for the way trees change color and shed leaves, but this presents potential problems for your outdoor unit. Debris from foliage can clog your system, which greatly impedes efficiency. In the fall especially, it’s important to clear away dead leaves, twigs or branches and cut back surrounding shrubbery to allow enough space around the unit for proper airflow. You can also rinse your unit off with a garden hose, just be sure it’s fully turned off at the source.

Schedule a Tune-Up

It’s a good idea to schedule a system tune-up in the fall, before you really start depending on your unit to heat your home. A professional HVAC technician can clean your system, inspect it for potential problems and replace worn parts before they cause problems.

Kinkaid proudly serves Montgomery, Bucks, Philadelphia and Chester Counties. We offer residential and commercial installation, maintenance and repair on all makes and models of HVAC equipment. Contact us today to get started!

How Do Air Conditioners Work?

how do air conditioners work

You walk into a hot, muggy, languorous room. It’s so stuffy, you can’t even bear it! But then you pop on the A/C and within a few minutes, the room is as cool as ice. If anyone living centuries ago experienced this, they might chalk it up to magic. So, how does this even happen? How do air conditioners work? Here, you can discover the answer to this question, and more, as we breakdown how do air conditioners work!

What Air Conditioners Do

First, in order for air conditioners to work at all, they have to do four things:

  • Control temperature
  • Manage humidity
  • Control air circulation and ventilation
  • Cleanse the air

Therefore, in order to do these things, air conditioners work in a closed system. In other words, they have to be closed off from the outside. Thus, air conditioners are designed to restrict airflow from the outside so that they can control the temperature, humidity, and circulation in the building. This is what makes air conditioning possible.

What They’re Made Of

Second, let’s take a look at the key components of an air conditioner to understand how it works. For instance, a basic A/C unit consists of three parts:

  • Compressor
  • Condenser
  • Evaporator

Now we can look at how these parts work together to cool air.

How They Do It

Third, if you want to know how do air conditioners work, you have to understand that it’s basically the cycle of taking a chemical called a refrigerant and turning it into a liquid, then a gas, then a liquid again. So, here’s a simply step-by-step breakdown of how this works:

  • Initially, the refrigerant reaches the compressor as a low-pressure gas. The compressor squeezes so it becomes a high-pressure, hot gas.
  • Next, this gas moves to the condenser. A fan pushes the hot air outside and the condenser cools everything down to turn the refrigerant back into a liquid.
  • Then, as the refrigerant makes its way into the evaporator, it becomes a gas again, produces cool air, and this gets pushed into your home or office.
  • Finally, this process makes the refrigerant turn back into a low-pressure gas. It returns to the compressor, and the process starts all over again.

If you’d like a more-detailed visual of this process, click here.

Stay Cool with Kinkaid!

Last, if you’d like more information on how do air conditioners work, or need one installed in your home or office, contact us at Kinkaid! We’ve offered superb service to customers for over a century. So give us a call today!

Home Heating Myths That Cost You Money

home heating myths

Most of us are looking to save a little money this winter. There are a lot of myths out there about how to save money on your home heating bills. Some of them are true, but some of them will actually cost you more money than they save. Here are 3 of the most costly home heating myths you should never test yourself, explained by the experts at Kinkaid.

Home Heating Myth 1: Use a fireplace to help heat your home

Yes, it is technically possible to heat part of your house with a wood burning fireplace. However, that beautiful fireplace you sit around with your family every winter won’t work as your main source of heat. It’s decorative, so it’s not actually designed to do anything practical. Even if you do have a practical wood burning stove, it would take an atrocious amount of wood to heat even one room of your house to a comfortable temperature for any reasonable length of time.

Wood burning stoves take constant care and maintenance above and beyond any other heating system. Open flames also require oxygen to burn. So, you’re taking what little warm air your home already has, burning it up, and shooting it out the chimney. There is also the added safety risk of the open flame. Dealing with any type of fireplace or wood stove is always riskier than any other heating method.

You really end up paying money to “save money.” Better to just pay a few extra dollars for a safer and more modern heating system.

Home Heating Myth 2: Changing the temperature constantly costs more money

This one might seem to make sense on the surface. The argument is that you shouldn’t turn the temperature down at night or when you are out of the house because it will take more energy to bring that temperature back up once you get home. For most home heating systems, this isn’t true. Turning the temperature down overnight and while you’re out of the house gives the system a break and makes it work less hard for long periods of time. This not only saves you money in the short term, it also reduces wear and tear on the system, potentially saving you money in the long term as well.

Home Heating Myth 3: If your HVAC is running fine, it probably doesn’t need a tuneup

The last thing you want is your HVAC system breaking down in the middle of the winter, leaving your family stranded in the cold. It is important to get your system a routine checkup every year to prevent any unnecessary emergencies. Your technician might identify issues that wouldn’t become apparent to you until it’s too late.

Contact us in the Willow Grove area at 215-657-1262 and in the Ambler area at 215-646-5577. Or, contact us online to request an appointment today!

6 Tips to Prepare for the Winter Cold

cold snow flakes

It may still be fall, but some of us are already donning our winter coats! It’s time to start preparing for the harsh, cold months ahead. Here are six simple tips to stay safe and warm this winter:

1. Replace furnace filters

Dirty furnace filters should be replaced on a monthly basis to ensure maximum furnace efficiency. This will also lower heating bills and extend the life of a furnace. When checking your furnace filter, you should hold it up to the light. If you can’t see through it, you should replace it.

2. Check furnace ducts for leaks

Leaky furnace ducts waste a lot of heat. Leaky ducts mean higher utility bills and a colder house. Sealing the leaks reduces the risk of dangerous gases like carbon monoxide. Some of your ducts are hidden in walls, ceilings, and floors. These obviously will be out of your reach, but sealing the ducts in the attic, crawl space, basement, and garage will go a long ways towards improving the performance of your system. Be sure to focus on the places where ducts, vents, and registers meets floors, walls, and ceilings. Mastic sealant or metal tape is more durable than duct tape for sealing the seams.

3. Insulate attics, basements, and crawl spaces

Attics, basements, and crawl spaces are parts of the house most often overlooked. Insulation keeps these parts of the house warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Attics, basements, and crawl spaces should be professionally insulated as these portions of the house are far trickier to insulate. It will not be cheap, but the savings are more than worth it.

4. Close the damper on the chimney to keep out the cold

The fireplace chimney is another part of the house that is so often overlooked when weatherproofing the house. Air escapes up the chimney when the fireplace damper is left open. After the fireplace has cooled, be sure to shut the flue. Leaving this open will leach heat in the winter and cool air in the summer. Either way, you will be losing money year round.

5. Install a programmable thermostat

A programmable thermostat can automatically lower the temperature in the house when you are away so you are not wasting money heating the house while you are not home. It can also raise the temperature again in time for you to come home to a nice warm house.

6. Get your HVAC system serviced by your local HVAC experts

Be sure to get your HVAC system serviced in time for the winter cold! The last thing you want is your family being left in the cold when your heating system breaks down.

Contact us in the Willow Grove area at 215-657-1262 and in the Ambler area at 215-646-5577. Or contact us online to request an appointment today!

Best Tips For Rainproofing Your Home

fall rain

This year has been a year for rain. It seems like the spring rains came and just never left! Here are some quick tips for rainproofing your home from the experts at John A Kinkaid Heating & Air Conditioning.

1. Clean and repair rain gutters

With all this rain, you need a way to funnel the water away from your home. That’s what rain gutters are for, but rain gutters get clogged over time with leaves and debris. It is important to periodically clean your gutters and repair cracks or holes. Damaged or clogged gutters can send rain water flowing down the side of your home. This can stain your walls, create mold and mildew, and wear away at your home’s foundation.

2. Check foundation for cracks

Checking the foundation of your home periodically for cracks is important. If water gets into the foundation of your home, it will create mold and mildew in addition to destabilizing the foundation. The water will wear away at the crack, widening them and creating new ones. If left, the foundation will start to erode.

3. Check for leaks

Leaks in your ceiling, walls, and roof can be just as dangerous as cracks in your foundation. Anywhere water enters your home is a potential place for mold and mildew to grow. The water will damage the structural integrity of your home and create unsafe living conditions. Your home will be more prone to developing leaks if the gutter system is not working properly.

4. Check the weather stripping around windows and doors

You don’t want any damp drafts getting in through cracks around your windows or doors. It is important to check the weather stripping around all windows and doors regularly and replace them when necessary.

5. Get your HVAC system serviced by your local HVAC experts

Be sure to get your HVAC system serviced. A high-functioning HVAC system will help filter out the damp, especially for those with allergies that may be set off by mold and mildew.

Contact us in the Willow Grove area at 215-657-1262 and in the Ambler area at 215-646-5577. Or contact us online to request an appointment today!