John A. Kinkaid Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc.

The Home Heating Mistake That is Costing You Money

number one home heating mistake

Most of us are looking to save money where we can on bills. You would be amazed how many simple mistakes you might be making that drive up the cost of heating your home. However, there is one mistake in particular that so many people fall victim to. Here is the number 1 most costly home heating mistake you should avoid, explained by the experts at Kinkaid.

The Number 1 Mistake: Cranking the temperature way up when you get home

It is becoming fairly common knowledge that turning the temperature down when you leave the house can save you money. However, it also seems to be a common instinct to crank the temperature up by many degrees as soon as you get home. This is probably the biggest mistake people make when trying to save money on their home heating bills. Some people think that cranking the temperature up to 90 degrees will heat the house faster than setting it at a more reasonable 75 degrees, so it seems more efficient. However, it isn’t!

The speed of heating your home does not increase exponentially according to the temperature you set. No matter what temperature you set the thermostat at, the speed at which your home reaches that temperature stays the same. The only difference is that if you crank it up high, that house becomes over heated, expending all that extra energy as you heat your entire house an extra 15 degrees past what you actually want. Then you crank the thermostat back down and suddenly you’ve bled all that energy out of the system for nothing.

Heat is money. Throwing out an extra 15 degrees every day is the same as throwing that money out the window. It’s even worse if you try to save money by turning down the heat over night, then cranking it back up when you get up in the morning. Now you’re wasting those 15 degrees worth of heat in the morning and another 15 degrees when you come home from work in the evening. The same principle applies to air conditioning in the summer. Energy is money.

It IS reasonable to turn the heat up and down by a few degrees depending on whether anyone is home. A temperature range that is comfortable for many people is between 65 and 72 degrees.

Cranking up your heat too much creates unnecessary wear and tear on your HVAC system

Extreme, unnecessary fluctuation of temperatures puts more wear and tear on your HVAC system. It is important to get your system a routine checkup every year to prevent any emergencies, so you don’t come home and find yourself with no heat at all. 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!

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!

4 Home Preparation Tips For Fall

While the heat of summer is still in full swing, the cool fall weather is not far off. The days are getting shorter and school is starting up again. Before you know it, winter will be here! It is always good to get a jumpstart on preparing your home for the colder months ahead. Here are some great tips for preparing your home for fall, brought to you by the experts at John A Kinkaid Heating & Air Conditioning.

1. Clean the Fireplace and Chimney

Most of us love a big roaring fire on those cold winter evenings, especially during the holidays with our family and friends. But cleaning out your fireplace and chimney before using it is a vital safety precaution. You never know what can get stuck up in the chimney and if there is a blockage somewhere, it can easily become a real fire hazard.

2. Check Your Weather Proofing

Heating your house during the winter can get expensive. One easy way to cut down on the cost is to check the weather proofing around your doors and windows. The last thing you want is for all that expensive heat to be seeping out through cracks around your doors and windows. So, check your weather stripping to ensure there are no drafts.

3. Home Safety Check

Replace the batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. The risk of fire increases over the holidays due to increased usage of candles and fireplaces in many households. Keep your family safe by being proactive. Always be sure that you have an emergency evacuation plan in place in the event of an emergency. Be sure to account for small children, elderly, handicapped, and pets when drawing up your emergency plans.

4. Get Your HVAC System Serviced This Fall by Your Local HVAC Experts

Now is the perfect time to get your HVAC system serviced to ensure that it is ready for fall. Don’t wait until the last minute! The last thing you want is for your HVAC system to fail in an emergency and leave your family out in the cold.

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!

For more advice on heating your house, check out our blog Four Common Heating Myths Put to the Test.

5 Home Cooling Myths

cooling A/C unit

Looking for some cool energy-saving tips this summer? Here are four home cooling myths put to the test by the energy experts at John A. Kinkaid Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc.

Myth 1: Fans Will Keep the Room Cool

False! Fans will not lower the temperature in the room at all. Fans can only circulate air. When set up properly, this air circulation has the effect of cooling the occupants in the room. However, the actual temperature of the room does not change at all.

Myth 2: If the room isn’t cooling fast enough, it’s time to crank up the A/C

False! Cranking the A/C only changes the thermostat (unless your A/C is equipped with a variable speed fan). This means that the temperature in the room will simply get too cold. However, it will not get cooler any faster.

Myth 3: A/C is the only way to stay cool

False! In the age of instant gratification, many of us have become dependent upon our trusty A/C units. We barely even consider any other options when it comes to cooling off on a hot day. But what did they do before A/C? You might be surprised at how many options there are. A combination of ventilation, dehumidification and fans can work wonders on all but the hottest of days.

Myth 4: When choosing an A/C unit, bigger is always better

False! It is vital to get the size of an air conditioner that matches the size of the space you are looking to cool. An A/C unit that is too large will cool the home too fast, creating fluctuation temperatures and forcing the unit to be turned on and off frequently so the temperature can even out. This creates undo wear and tear on the system as well as uncomfortable temperature fluctuations and hassle.

Myth 5: It is more efficient to leave the A/C unit on all day than to raise and lower the temperature

False! Just like in the winter, it is more efficient to reduce the output of your HVAC system while no one is home. In the summer, this means turning the thermostat up while you are away and programming it to only lower the temperature again in time for it to be comfortable when you return home.

Of course giving your HVAC system an annual tune-up with John A. Kinkaid Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc is another great way to ensure you stay cool and save money this summer! 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!

Save Money on Air Conditioning This Summer

save money on air conditioning

Summer is here and we finally have a break from all that cold. But that doesn’t mean homeowners can let their guard down when it comes to their HVAC systems. Many homeowners crank up the air conditioning when the weather gets hot, but this can get expensive. Here are a few important tips for saving money on air conditioning this summer.

Ensure Your House is Properly Insulated

That’s right! Just because it’s summer doesn’t mean insulation isn’t important. In winter, we insulate to keep the heat in. In the summer, that same insulation is vital to keep the heat out.

It is just as important to check all of your doors and windows for gaps that allow drafts through. We spend a lot of money on cooling our homes in the summer, so you don’t want that money steadily draining out through a crack under your door or window.

Seal Off Unused Rooms

Air conditioning is expensive. Depending on your system, you may be able to avoid using the A/C in rooms that you don’t use (or rarely use). If you have an A/C system that can be used to cool individual rooms, close off the rooms that are not frequently used, just like when you are trying to conserve heat in the winter. If there are cracks under the doors, seal them off with rags or towels.

Put Your Air Conditioning on a Timer

There is no need to leave the air conditioner on full blast when you are at work all day. Turning the air conditioning off, or at least significantly lowering the settings, while no one is home will save you a lot of money. If you have a pet that needs air conditioning while you are away, consider confining them to one room to reduce the need for air conditioning throughout the house.

Make Sure Your HVAC is in Working Order

Your don’t want to be in the middle of a heat wave and suddenly lose air conditioning just because you didn’t get the HVAC system inspected properly. Contact John A. Kinkaid Heating and Air Conditioning today to set up an appointment. Make sure your HVAC system is in the best condition, and provide your family peace of mind this summer.

7 Ways to Save Money and Stay Warm This Winter

stay warm this winter

Temperatures are dropping and winter is closing in fast. Here are some quick tips from the experts at John A. Kinkaid Heating & Air Conditioning on how to stay warm while saving money this winter.

1. Break out the storm windows

Storm windows are especially important for older homes that may not have properly insulated windows. A lot of heat can seep out through the cracks around old windows. A set of quality storm windows will help you cut down on that heating bill while staying toasty warm.

2. Turn on the ceiling fan

Most people know to turn on the fan during the summer. But did you know that the fan can also help during the winter? Hot air will rise, collecting at the top of the room. Reversing the fan pushes that hot air down, providing better circulation and keeping you and your family much warmer.

3. Before you turn up the heat, consider putting on some extra layers

Too many times we get in the habit of just cranking up the heat when we get cold. But before you start turning up the heat this winter, consider putting on a sweater and a pair of wool socks. You’d be surprised how much a little extra warm clothing can shave off your heating bill this winter.

4. Close off unused areas

Not using the guest bedroom? What about that attic? Or the basement? Close it off. There is no point in paying to heat parts of the house that aren’t even being used. Close the doors and stuff some old rags in the cracks under the doors to prevent the heat from the rest of the house from leaching out through unused rooms.

5. Take advantage of the sunlight

You don’t have to have solar panels or fancy equipment to take advantage of solar energy. You can use passive solar energy to help heat your house by opening all of your curtains and drapes during the day, then closing them at night to preserve the heat that was collected. It is a simple, but efficient way to shave a little bit more off that energy bill.

6. Cook up some heat

Do you love to cook? Turn down the heat in the kitchen when you’re cooking. The stove and oven will often give off enough heat to make up the difference. Every little bit you can save helps.

7. Don’t leave the heat on when you’re gone

Why would you pay to heat an empty house? Turn the heat down while you’re at work. If you have a pet who might get cold, only keep the heat turned up in one room.

5 HVAC Danger Signs – When You Need An Inspection

5 HVAC Danger Signs - When You Need An Inspection

Since your HVAC system is working almost all year round, you probably assume it’s designed to deliver safe heating and cooling forever and ever, right? Well, it certainly is not meant to be a dangerous machine, and if you’re taking good care of it, there shouldn’t be any cause for concern.

Unfortunately, no machine is perfect. Occasionally a problem will surface and some problems can be extremely dangerous to your health and wellbeing. That’s why you need a trustworthy HVAC company in Ambler who can tell you what to be on the lookout for.

Safety Tips from Your Go-To Ambler HVAC Company

Kinkaid is the Ambler HVAC company that wants to help you stay safe and keep you loving your HVAC system throughout its lifespan. That’s why we’ve come up with a list of danger signs, so you can tell when your HVAC system is not functioning properly:

  1. Burning Smell – A little bit of burning needs to happen in your furnace to make sure you home isn’t an ice box during the winter, but if you smell the burn, that’s no good. Sometimes, when you first turn your heater on in the winter, you’ll smell a little burning, but if it lasts more than 24 hours get professional help!
  2. Electrical Smell – If you smell something overheating, yet everything around the house seems to be safe, then you probably have an HVAC problem. This could be a motor issue or a case of bad wiring. It can lead to a fire, so take action as soon as you smell it!
  3. A Rotten Egg Smell – It’s one of the nastiest smells known to man, so it’s hard to miss! If the eggs in your fridge are good but it still smells rotten, you may have a natural gas leak. The leak can cause explosion, so call the gas company immediately and stay out of the house until it’s safe to re-enter.
  4. Moldy Smell – You know your house is spic and span, yet it still smells like it needs a good scrub. That means you might have a mold problem. Moisture from your air conditioning can build up in your vents and cause mold. Yuck! Mold is dangerous to breathe, so call your reliable Ambler HVAC company to get it taken care of.
  5. Puddles – Using your nose isn’t the only way to tell if you’ve got an HVAC problem! If you see a puddle of water, that’s bad, too. Take a look at your system and keep an eye out for extra water or moisture.

Call Ambler’s Favorite HVAC Company Today!

Don’t let any of these signs go unnoticed — call the #1 HVAC Company in Ambler as soon as you think you need help. We offer a variety of service plans and can get your system in tip-top shape for a great price!

Stay Warm and Save More This Winter!

February is without a doubt the coldest time of year for us Southeast PA residents. This short month can feel oh so long at times, what with record snowfalls and/or bone chilling winds. It’s important to keep warm and stay comfortable.

At the same time though, we realize that racking up a huge energy bill is highly unappealing. That’s why we’ve put together some of the simplest and smartest solutions to save more while staying nice and toasty in your home this winter!

Space-by-Space Heating

Start by taking this into consideration: is there a particular part of your home you spend the most time in? If so, consider investing in a space heater for this part of your house. Keeping toasty with a space heater in your most heavily populated room will allow you to turn down the thermostat.

Good House Keeping recently reported that putting your thermostat at 62 degrees and using a space heater where/when necessary can save you up to $200 a year! When it comes to choosing a space heater though, be sure to do your research. You’ll also want to follow proper space heater etiquette:

  • Keep it on a hard level surface.
  • Keep it three feet or more from flammable items like furniture or curtains that could block air intake and/or output.
  • Keep pets and kids away!
  • Do not leave on when no one is home!

Establish a Program

If you don’t have a programmable thermostat, it’s time to invest! Sure, you could remember to turn the thermostat down when you leave the house, but what happens when you forget? And you forget again? And then someone else in your house forgets? To avoid that whole mess, look to get a programmable thermostat.

It’s been shown that for every degree you set your thermostat back for over the course of eight hours,å you’ll save about one percent on your heating bill every year. It’s definitely worth investing in a new thermostat, wouldn’t you say?

thermostat save money

Photo Credit: cthoyes CC BY

5 Simple Solutions for More Savings

  1. Replace old, cracked or missing weather stripping around doors and windows.
  2. Add a sweep to the bottom of interior doors that lead to the outside.
  3. Caulk up gaps around window frames.
  4. Open blinds to let in natural heat from the sun, then close them at dusk to trap the heat.
  5. Use drapes to block window drafts.

Professional Help For Even More Savings

The worst thing to happen in winter, aside from Mother Nature dumping mountains of snow on us, is dealing with a malfunctioning heating system. For example if your furnace has a funny smell, the cause could be from a variety of things. You’ll want to contact a knowledgable, local heating specialist ASAP!

One way to hopefully prevent your heating system from experiencing issues in the winter, or anytime of year, would be to invest in an HVAC Service Plan. The benefits of a service plan are extensive, especially financially.

For all of your heating repair and heating installation needs, look to Kinkaid. We’re always available to help you stay as warm and cozy as possible in these cold, long winter months.

Contact:

215-657-1262

Willow Grove

215-646-5577

Ambler

1-866-HEAT-106

Toll Free

Email: John.Kinkaid.HVAC@Gmail.com