As we approach the cold weather, you’re probably bracing for some chilly nights. While it might seem like a no-brainer to use a space heater to warm you up, it might be time to reconsider! Although space heaters are quick and easy, they also come with a few drawbacks worth considering.

Proper use of a space heater throughout the winter is a must-do to keep you and your home safe. Keep reading to learn why you might need to reconsider using a space heater all winter long.

Space Heaters are For Small Areas

A space heater is designed to heat a very small area. It is not meant to be a replacement for your HVAC unit. Generally, space heaters are good to use in apartments or bedrooms. However, in the case of heating large spaces, a space heater won’t do the trick. Not only is it not effective for heating large spaces, but it’s also not efficient. Heating your entire home is a better all-over solution to keep the whole house warm all winter long!

Space Heaters Aren’t Always Safe

The safety of space heaters is questionable, as they’ve been known to fail. For homes with children and pets, it’s important to keep a close eye on space heaters while they’re operating. From electrical concerns to accidents, space heaters must be operated very carefully. If you plan on using a space heater, be careful not to fall asleep while it’s on.

A whole-home heating solution may be a better option to protect you and your family. John A. Kinkaid Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc has a team of knowledgeable experts that can help you find the best heating solution for your home. Call us today to speak with a representative about your heating needs!

Consider the Safety of your Home

When it comes to using a space heater, consider the safety of your home too. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, each year, approximately 1,700 house fires occur as a result of portable space heaters. Although you don’t need to rush to throw away your space heater just yet, consider a space heater as a last-resort option to heat your home. There are safer, more efficient ways to keep your home warm this winter!

Thanksgiving is a beautiful time of reunion, refreshment and fellowship. If it’s your turn to host the Thanksgiving dinner this year, it’s important to make your guests feel comfortable and content. Find the temperature sweet spot for complete comfort this Thanksgiving with 3 temperature tips from the HVAC pros at Kinkaid HVAC!

Cook The Turkey; Not Your Guests!

One of the most common temperature problems during the Thanksgiving celebration is an uncomfortably warm house. Ovens are cooking at high heat throughout the day, working overtime to get the turkey in tip top shape for dinner. But hours of high temperature cooking also affect the temperature of your whole house, easily increasing the temperature by several degrees in rooms adjoining the kitchen. The best way to deal with this dilemma is by lowering your thermostat a few degrees before the cooking begins, ensuring that your house is just the right temperature when the oven starts crankin’. 

Closed Door Policy

Some people experience the opposite problem. With all the guests coming and going in and out of the house, many struggle to keep the indoor temperature warm and cozy. Hustling and bustling nephews, nieces, children and grandchildren are notorious for leaving doors open, which can cause the indoor temperature to plummet in colder regions. Monitoring your doors and making sure they stay shut is a great way to keep the cold out and the warmth in.   

Think Smart, Get Cozy

In our age of smartphones and devices, temperature adjustments can be made with the simple swipe of a finger. Investing in a smart thermostat is a wonderful way to stay on top of shifting temperatures throughout the Thanksgiving festivities, easily adjusting in real time to reach a cozy equilibrium. Don’t make a trip every time you feel a dip; set up a smart thermostat and experience the crossroads of comfort and convenience!

Don’t Get Played – Choose Kinkaid!

Looking to throw a Thanksgiving celebration that’s memorable for all the right reasons? You may want to start with an HVAC checkup. The specialists at J.A. Kinkaid Heating & Air-Conditioning will make sure your system is up and running flawlessly so that your Thanksgiving will be all gobble and no squabble. Don’t be a turkey; go with Kinkaid today!

With winter fast approaching, you need to make sure that your house is prepared to deal with cold temperatures. You’re going to rely on your furnace a lot in the coming months, so you should have it inspected and cleaned now. A fall heater inspection and cleaning can help you avoid a problem and save you money in the long run!

Getting Your Furnace Inspected and Cleaned Can Save You Money

Regular furnace maintenance can pay off. Routine inspections and repairs can keep your furnace functioning properly, keep your monthly bills manageable, and help the system last longer.

Your furnace will gradually wear out over time. If a problem is caught at an early stage, it can be repaired, or a damaged part can be replaced. That will generally cost a lot less than fixing a major problem later.

If your furnace has parts that are damaged or worn, it will struggle to operate efficiently. That means it will require more energy to keep your house warm, and you’ll have to pay higher utility bills. A furnace that’s struggling to keep up will also wear out faster and need to be replaced sooner.

Replacing a furnace is an expensive task that homeowners typically want to avoid for as long as possible. Addressing problems before they become serious can help you get many years of use out of your furnace. With routine maintenance, you shouldn’t have to worry about buying a new furnace in the near future.

A Fall Heater Inspection and Cleaning Can Keep Your Family Safe

If your furnace fails on a cold winter night, your family’s health and safety can be put in jeopardy. There’s another significant risk that homeowners often don’t think of: carbon monoxide poisoning. If your furnace is damaged and the problem goes undetected, carbon monoxide can be released into your home, with potentially fatal consequences.

Schedule a Fall Heater Inspection and Cleaning

John A. Kinkaid Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc., has a team of highly trained technicians who can inspect and service the furnace at your Pennsylvania home and make sure that it’s ready to handle the demands of winter weather. We’re currently offering $25 off fall heater cleaning services. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.

Have you ever felt so sweaty and disgusting that you absolutely needed to take a shower? Finally clean and refreshed, you shut off the water, open the curtain, and step out. Instantly, the oppressive humidity attacks you again! It’s almost as if you’d never showered at all. 

High humidity is one of the most uncomfortable, relentless weather conditions out there, and can easily turn a typical day into a sweaty slog. With a palpable heaviness hanging in the air, it seems impossible to escape. But there’s actually an easy way to sidestep summer humidity and enjoy cool, tolerable air conditions. Find out how with the pros at Kinkaid HVAC!

Sidestep Summer Humidity: More Than Just Discomfort

When most people hear the word “humidity,” they associate it with intense discomfort, sweat and fatigue, but high humidity can actually pose an even greater threat than these. If your home is plagued by high moisture levels, it may just be a breeding ground for viruses, bacteria and mold. Unchecked, these unwelcome guests can grow in the damp atmosphere and lead to poor air quality and, eventually respiratory issues. High humidity in the home means more than just discomfort.

Looking For A Solution? No Sweat!

If you’re looking for a respite from a humid home and hoping to avoid the hazardous effects of moisture-dense air, a quality HVAC unit is a great way to get there. Known primarily for their heating and cooling capabilities, HVAC units actually play a key role in dehumidification as well. Evaporator coils within the unit condense the air in your home, remove the moisture, and send the excess out through a drain pipe. Basically, dehumidifying is a natural part of the cooling process. 

Still Breaking A Sweat? No Need To Fret!

If you already have an HVAC unit but still find yourself suffering from high humidity in your home, there are several potential culprits. Bad ductwork, dirty evaporator coils, and an oversized or outdated HVAC unit can all lead to poor humidity control. Though solutions vary depending on the problem, the best remedy for HVAC problems is to call a trustworthy, knowledgeable HVAC professional. Luckily, Kinkaid HVAC has all the experience you need to solve your humidity crisis and help you sidestep summer humidity. Call on us today; we’ll fix your problem without even breaking a sweat!

Though the usual draws of an HVAC system are its heating and cooling capabilities, its functions go far beyond simple temperature solutions. If you wrestle with allergies and asthma, you may be surprised to learn that your HVAC system can work miracles for softening your symptoms. You should also know that, if poorly maintained, the same system can worsen your seasonal suffering. Find out how your HVAC system can affect asthma and allergies with the pros from Kinkaid HVAC!

Focus On The Filter

Want to optimize your HVAC system to give you relief from your asthma and allergies? One of the best ways to do it is by focusing on your filter. Frequent maintenance will keep your filter clean and let your system work at its best, but even routine maintenance may not completely stop your sniffles. When it comes to filters, you really do get what you pay for. We highly suggest switching out your standard filter for a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. HEPA filters range in quality, rated on a “MERV” scale. The higher the MERV rating, the better the filter is at catching fine particles. MERV ratings go from 1 to 16, but a 10 or higher should be more than enough to keep allergens out and quality air in.   

The Price Of Procrastination

Because a clean, functional filter is pivotal for air purification, neglecting your filter is one of the worst things you can do for the air quality in your home; it’s a great way to ensure sneezing, sniffling and the worsening of your asthma and allergies. As is the case with most things in life, a little maintenance goes a long way. With routine attention, cleaning and quality filter choice, your HVAC system will perform beautifully for the long haul. On the other hand, if you put off filter care, your HVAC system will be forced to work much harder than it has to, limiting its effectiveness and lifespan. 

Your HVAC System Can Affect Asthma And Allergies – Let The Pros Clear The Air!

Asthma and allergies can make life a nightmare. Grogginess, fatigue and headaches turn every day into a gauntlet to get through instead of an enjoyable ride to experience. Maintaining your HVAC system will save you from needless suffering! Cleaning your HVAC filter is simple enough, but if you want a thorough, deep duct cleaning, the job is best left to the pros. Call on Kinkaid HVAC for the expertise you need to get the air quality you deserve. C’mon, let’s clear the air!

Spring is in full swing and summer is hot on its heels! If you’re the type who likes to cool off when things heat up, the time to figure out your summer cooling solution is now; not in the hellish humidity of summer’s first heat wave. The typical remedy for towering temperatures is an air conditioning unit, the most popular being either central A/C or a series of simple window A/C units. But running an A/C unit all summer long can take a massive toll on the utility bill, leaving homeowners wondering if the cool escape was worth the price. Fortunately, Kinkaid HVAC has some simple tips to take some of the pressure off your A/C unit. Without further ado, here are 3 tips to cool down your house without breaking the bank!

Does It Have To Be A Tundra?

It may seem obvious, but one of the best ways to lighten your utility bill during the summer is to set your thermostat at a reasonable level. Cranking your A/C unit to the max may feel incredible in the heat of the moment, but it’s not the only way to keep your cool, and all that excess comes at a high price. Instead, try adjusting the thermostat to a moderate coolness, something that takes the edge off the heat without turning your home into a tundra. Remember – even the smallest sacrifices on your thermostat can lead to big savings in the long run!

Mind Your Blinds!

Be careful not to underestimate the amount of heat that comes in by way of windows; it’s a surprising amount! One of the best ways to keep your home cool without blasting the A/C is to close your window blinds. If you’re interested in going a step further, why not invest in some blackout curtains for the ultimate barrier to summer’s withering rays? Blinds and blackout curtains are perfect shields from the hot summer sun, guaranteeing a noticeable drop in your indoor temperature.

Sun Down, Windows Up

Sometimes A/C is the best solution to the blistering heat of a midsummer day. But that doesn’t mean your unit needs to keep running all night long! Typically, the temperature drops significantly at sundown, reducing the need for high A/C with every degree dropped. Investing in screens for your windows and doors will allow you to keep them open during the comparatively cooler temperatures of a summer night, cutting a sizable chunk out of your utility bill. 

Hopefully, these tips will help keep you cool when things start heating up this summer. And don’t forget – for all of your heating, ventilation and air-conditioning needs, go with Kinkaid HVAC!

We love our pets, but all that fur can interfere with HVAC performance. Excessive pet hair and dander can clog up filters and air vents, impeding your unit’s efficiency and the air quality in your home. In today’s post, the experts at Kinkaid provide 5 HVAC tips for pet owners.

HVAC Maintenance with Pets

The following tips will help keep everyone happy and healthy:

1. Replace Air Filters

Dirty air filters keep your unit from running efficiently. Pet owners might need to replace air filters (or clean reusable filters) roughly every 30 days, depending on the number of pets in the home. HEPA-type air filters can be helpful to those who suffer from allergies.

2. Groom Your Pets.

Our pets tend to shed more in the spring and fall to prepare for a change in the weather. Regular grooming will help keep pet hair at bay. Extra attention during their shedding seasons will help ensure your HVAC unit keeps running smoothly.

3. Vacuum Often.

Managing pet hair takes on many forms. Vacuum carpets, couches and bedding frequently to keep pet hair out of your air filters and air ducts.

4. Adjust Your Thermostat.

Our pets are often less sensitive to temperature changes than we are. While it’s important to avoid extreme temperature changes with pets in the home, small changes can save you money over time. Set the thermostat 1–3°F higher in the summertime while you are away during the day to preserve your HVAC unit and save on utility costs. A programmable thermostat makes this easy.

5. Install Pet Doors Properly

Air leaks from pet doors that aren’t properly sealed during installation can drive up utility costs. Ensure pet doors are well caulked (sealed with a waterproof sealant) and secure them when they aren’t being used.

Get an Annual Tune-Up from Kinkaid!

The best way pet owners can prepare their A/C units for the spring and summer is to schedule an annual tune-up from Kinkaid. Our qualified technicians will clean your unit top-to-bottom and inspect it for loose or worn parts. We can also make maintenance recommendations based on your home and the number of pets you have. Kinkaid proudly serves Montgomery, Bucks, Delaware, Philadelphia, and Chester Counties. Contact us today to get started!