John A. Kinkaid Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc.

Duct, Duct, Goose – Don’t Act Silly When It Comes To Duct Cleaning!

Duct, Duct, Goose - Don't Act Silly When It Comes To Duct Cleaning!

Life is chock full of commitments and brimming with responsibilities. With so many things competing for your precious time, it’s easy to overlook the details of routine maintenance. This isn’t always a problem, as not all maintenance needs are equal, but when it comes to duct cleaning, there’s no place for procrastination and no give for goofing around. Make sure you’re not the odd one out when it comes to duct, duct, goose. Prioritize your air quality with the help of Kinkaid Heating & Air Conditioning today!

Of Symptoms & Sources

As humans, we can often be incredibly visual. Sometimes this translates into only approaching the problems right in front of us rather than remembering the devils hiding in the details. We’ll attack spots of mold, forgetting to counter the invisible conditions that caused it – we’ll often tackle the symptoms instead of the source. This can lead to big problems, as some of the most important functions that keep your house running smoothly are running behind the scenes. There are few better examples of these hidden household essentials than your duct system.

Unseen Shouldn’t Mean Unclean

When you spill juice all over the kitchen floor, do you leave it there to attract flies? When you drop crumbs on the counter, do you wait until the cockroaches come to clean up? Of course not! People usually take incredible pride in the interior parts of their homes – especially the things most visible to company. But what about the interior parts of your home that are less visible? 

Your air ducts are not only interior parts of your home – they’re pivotal parts! Their cleanliness is just as important as a clean kitchen counter or a stain-free carpet – arguably even more so, as they’re responsible for the air quality of your home and the healthy respiratory systems of you and your loved ones. It’s important to maintain the essential functions of your home, whether you can see them or not. When it comes to your air ducts, unseen should never mean unclean.

When It Comes To Duct Cleaning, Breathing Is Believing

Everyone’s heard the timeless saying, “seeing is believing.” When it comes to the cleanliness of your air ducts and the air quality of your home, we think the saying could use an update. “Breathing is believing” better captures the reality here. You may not be able to see the destructive dirt built up in your duct system, but you’ll be able to feel it with every sniffle, sneeze and runny nose. If you’re looking for air ducts so spotless that you can feel the squeaky clean, leave the task to the pros at Kinkaid Heating & Air Conditioning. With countless cleans under our belts, we’ll leave your ducts sparkling, your sinuses smiling, and your lungs laughing. Go with Kinkaid HVAC today!

5 Springtime Steps To Safeguard Your Summer A/C

Springtime is beginning to bud, and the increase in temperature is nothing if not a welcome change. But if you’re someone who prefers staying cool during the summer, be careful not to let spring’s mild weather lull you into a false sense of security; summer is hot on its heels! Fortunately, there are some simple steps you can take to secure your cool summer comfort –  before summer even begins! Read on for the 5 springtime steps to safeguard your summer A/C!

Check Up On Your Outdoor Unit

Fall and Winter can be seasons of intensity, and often leave yards littered with leaves, twigs and all manner of other debris. This scattered scene isn’t easy on the eyes, but it’s a lot harder on your outdoor A/C unit. Spring is a great time to check up on your outdoor unit, clearing away any debris that might interfere with its proper functioning. If your unit looks disheveled or unlevel, it’s best to call an HVAC maintenance pro to ensure that it hasn’t sustained any serious damage.

Conduct A Duct Cleaning

With no shortage of allergens floating through the springtime air, your sinuses don’t need any extra assailants! Don’t let dirty ducts add to the assault on your sensitive senses. Scheduling a professional duct cleaning before heavy summer A/C use ensures that accumulated dirt, mold and other health hazards will never make it out of the vents and into your home!

Fetch A Filter

HVAC filter replacement isn’t a suggestion; it’s a necessity! If you don’t routinely change your filter, your system may be suffering needlessly. A buildup of mold and dirt in your HVAC filter can significantly hamper A/C function, and put a damper on your Summer serenity. If you want air conditioning that’s all revved up and ready to go when the summer sun starts scorchin’, replacing your filter is a must!

Test Your A/C

The swelter and sweat of the first summer heat wave is a bad time to realize that your A/C doesn’t work; better to be proactive! Once cleaning and filter replacement are behind you, it’s time to take your cooling system for a test run. Adjust your thermostat to a reasonable summer setting and stay tuned. If everything cools down in a snap, you’re in the clear; if not, it’s time to call the pros in for some troubleshooting.

Routine HVAC Visits

One of the best ways to ensure that you’ll be spending the summer in cool, breezy comfort is to schedule routine visits from your local HVAC specialists. Regular inspections and maintenance guarantee that you’ll be all set to take a seat and beat the summer heat, and Kinkaid Heating & Air Conditioning has the A/C services you need to get the job done right. Don’t be undone by the summer sun – keep your cool and call today!

5 Signs You Need to Replace HVAC Unit

Winter is at the doorstep. As temperatures drop, many of us rely on our HVAC units to keep our homes warm and cozy. A heater on the fritz can take the “merry” right out of the cold months. In this post, our experts discuss 5 signs it’s time to replace HVAC unit Willow Grove homeowners should be on the lookout for. Let’s dive in. 

Replace HVAC Unit: 5 Warning Signs

Depending on the age of your unit, many heating problems can be solved with regular HVAC maintenance or professional HVAC repair. That said, it’s good to know the warning signs of a unit that’s on its way out. That way homeowners can plan for proactive HVAC replacement. 

Keep an eye out for the following:

The Age of Your Unit

On average, HVAC units last 12–17 years. Diligent maintenance can even keep a unit going strong for up to 20 years. If your HVAC system is 15 years or older, consider weighing the cost of frequent repairs against installing a new, energy efficient unit. 

Decreased Heating Efficiency

If you’re keeping up with regular HVAC maintenance but your old unit still struggles to heat or cool your home like it used to, it may be nearing the end of its lifespan. A qualified HVAC technician can evaluate your system and recommend the most cost-effective course of action. 

New or Unpleasant Odors

An aging unit may have greater difficulty filtering out air pollutants, or it may become more prone to harboring mold and mildew growth. If musty odors persist despite your best cleaning efforts, have a professional take a look. 

Refrigerant Leaks

When an old unit has a severe refrigerant leak, it can warrant extensive repairs. It’s always wise to weigh the cost of repairing an aging unit against installing a new one. 

New or Odd Noises

Some amount of operational noise is normal, but if you notice new, invasive or strange noises when your old unit runs, it could indicate that essential components like the blower or motor are struggling to keep up. An HVAC pro can let you know replacing a part will fix your troubles, or whether it’s time for an upgrade. 

HVAC Installation in Willow Grove, PA

The team at Kinkaid is proud to offer professional HVAC installation, HVAC repair and HVAC maintenance services. Our technicians will evaluate your home and make the best recommendations for your needs and budget.
Give us a call at (215) 657-1262 or visit us online to get started today. 

5 Ways to Cut Down Your Heating Bill

As the days get shorter and the weather turns cold, one thing is clear: winter is coming. Savvy homeowners are looking for ways to help lower their heating costs this season and we’ve got you covered. Read on to learn 5 ways you can lower your heating bill this cold season.

Looking for expert heating repair, Roslyn PA neighbor? The team at Kinkaid is ready to help. Call (215) 657-1262 or contact us online to get started. 

Lower Heating Costs with These 5 Tips

We all like to stay warm and cozy when temperatures drop, but that doesn’t mean our utility bills need to skyrocket. Homeowners can save big with the following cost-cutting tips:

Turn Down the Thermostat

Lowering the thermostat by just 2–3 degrees will help lower heating costs across the cold season. It’s also wise to lower your desired temp if you are away from home during the day or while you sleep at night. Programmable thermostats make it easy to synchronize temperature changes with your schedule. 

Check Windows and Doors

Air leaks in areas like windows and doors can cause heated air to escape outside or into unused spaces. Keep your heating system extra efficient by performing maintenance on window and door frames, such as updating weather strips or tightening loose hardware.

Seal Air Leaks

Air leaks can also occur in spaces like your air ducts. This allows warm air to escape into unused spaces like the attic before it reaches your living area. An HVAC professional can inspect your ductwork for leaks and seal any problematic areas before you start relying on your heat full time. 

Turn Down the Temp on Your Water Heater

Nothing beats a hot shower, but we don’t need scalding hot water. Lowering the max temperature on your water heater will help prevent your family from using excessively hot water.

Use Your Ceiling Fan

It may seem counterintuitive to run ceiling fans when the heat is on, but it’s wise to remember that heat rises. Homeowners can run ceiling fans on a low setting to help circulate warm air throughout your home more effectively. 

Get Professional HVAC Service From Kinkaid

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!

5 Tips to Lower Your Heating Bill

Keep cozy with blankets and socks for a lower heating bill!

Time to bundle up! Winter is fast approaching. Are you hoping for a lower heating bill this season? We all are! In this post, the experts at Kinkaid share five tips to help homeowners in Bucks County, PA save on heating costs when temperatures drop this fall.

1. Thermostat Settings

It sounds simple, but starting with a lower thermostat setting can reduce energy bills by up to 3 percent––per degree, per day. You can lower the temperature even more during the night for additional cost savings and opt for long sleeves, layered blankets and cozy slippers to stay warm. A programmable thermostat is a great way to save by allowing you to set a schedule for your system––simply program a lower temperature overnight and when you’re away from home for an extended period of time during the day. Of course, always ensure the environment remains comfortable for pets, children and the elderly.

2. Use Fans to Circulate Hot Air  

Heat rises, but a ceiling fan on a low setting can help circulate hot air back down and throughout the home.

3. Windows, Curtains, Shades and Blinds

Windows can contribute to up to 25% of heat loss in the home. It’s a good idea to open curtains, blinds or shades on south-facing windows during the day to let natural heat from sunlight in, and to close them at night to help insulate your house against the cold. Placing blankets over uncovered windows at night, or over drapes when temperatures drop (during a cold front, for example), can provide additional insulation. Lastly, installing heavy duty clear window treatments is a great way to help keep the cold out, especially on single pane windows.

4. Change Air Filters

Clean air filters promote proper air flow throughout the home and reduce strain on your system. This can extend the life of your furnace and improve indoor air quality.

5. Regular Maintenance

Scheduling a tune-up before you need your system most is a great way to save on energy bills. A certified HVAC technician can clean and evaluate your system. This helps ensure there are no loose or damaged parts, air filters are clean, and your system is operating at maximum efficiency.

Call on Kinkaid

John A. Kinkaid Heating & Air Conditioning 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 set up an appointment!

HVAC in a Time of COVID-19

The global pandemic caused by COVID-19 has changed the way most of us go about our daily lives. Home and business owners are left with questions like: Can COVID spread through HVAC systems?

Though it is difficult to measure, there is no definitive evidence that COVID-19 has been transmitted through an HVAC system. That said, there are several measures that can help curb the spread of the virus. Let’s take a look:

Humidity and COVID-19

Some research suggests that adding moisture to the air can damage the outer membrane of the virus. In fact, the lower levels of humidity most indoor spaces experience in the winter months create just the kind of environment that COVID-19 thrives in. The virus may also remain viable for longer periods of time in spaces with low humidity. This is an important factor to keep in mind, even in the summer, as increased humidity makes “droplets” less likely to linger in the air. An additional benefit to adjusting humidity levels is that it helps moisturize our mucous membranes, which can aid in the body’s ability to fight the virus.

The caveat of increased humidity is that too much moisture in the air can damage furnishings and finishes. It can also cause adverse health effects in some individuals. Consult with an HVAC professional to determine and set up optimal levels of humidity in your space.

Clean and Sanitize HVAC Equipment

Though it is unlikely that COVID-19 particles remain viable in an HVAC system for much time during lockdown, having equipment cleaned and sanitized has multiple benefits. It is a wise precaution if there have been confirmed cases of the virus in a space. In any event, cleaning your system lets it use less power, operate more efficiently and it keeps your equipment in good condition.

Ventilation

Increasing ventilation in a space by adding more outside air can help dilute any particles present. For more information on HVAC operations concerning the virus, check out this guide to building operations during the pandemic from the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers.

Call a Professional

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

Energy-Saving Tips for Throughout the Year

energy-saving tips

We’ve covered ways to help you save energy in the past. But there’s always other things to cover. For everything you can do to waste energy, there’s another thing you can do to save energy. So don’t break your bank by making some simple, but common mistakes. Keep costs down. Control your home’s temperature. Feel more comfortable. Check out some of the energy-saving tips that you can use throughout the year.

Energy-Saving Tips for Your Thermostat

First, let’s cover some basic tips about your thermostat. Most people know that it’s cheaper to maintain a room at a certain temperature than it is to constantly heat it up or cool it down. But what about beyond that? Consider the following:

  • Set your thermostat as high as comfortably possible during the summer. The less your A/C has to work, the more energy you’ll save.
  • It’s a myth that your home will cool faster (or heat faster) if you set the temperature lower (or higher) than you would normally. Instead, set it to the exact temperature you desire.
  • Avoid placing lamps or TVs near your thermostat. The thermostat will sense heat from these appliances, which can cause problems.
  • Also, keep your thermostat out of direct sunlight.

Use Daylight Effectively

Second, this brings us to the next energy-saving tip: using daylight effectively. Please, consider the following:

  • Install storm windows over your normal windows. This helps sunlight come in during the winter days, and helps keep sunlight out during the summer days.
  • Get effective window treatments that utilize the right shades or drapes. A quality window treatment not only helps your home look better, but also effectively saves energy.
  • In addition to a quality window treatment, close your drapes during cold nights to help seal in the heat.

Energy-Saving Tips for Appliances

Third, you can actually use your appliances to save energy! Here’s how:

  • DO NOT use your oven to heat your home. If you have a gas oven, that releases carbon monoxide into the air.
  • Install efficient lighting. Only about 10% to 15% of the electricity that incandescent lights consume results in light—the rest is turned into heat.
  • Wash only full loads of dishes and clothes. Consider air drying both dishes and clothing.
  • Take short showers instead of baths.
  • Use your ceiling fans effectively.

Use Kinkaid Heating and Air Conditioning

Finally, the best energy-saving tip we can give is to use Kinkaid Heating and Air Conditioning! For all of your HVAC needs, contact us today.

Is It Safe to Use Your Oven to Heat Your Home?

Safe to Use Your Oven to Heat Your Home

Nothing’s more frustrating than when your heater breaks and you have to wait in the winter cold to get it fixed. Sitting in your home, freezing and covered in layers of blankets can be hard to stand! Space heaters might help, but they can’t heat your entire home. And they can run up your electric costs! It seems like the easiest option would be to turn on your gas oven and leave it open for a while. Just a few minutes couldn’t hurt, right? In this week’s blog, we’ll answer the question, “Is It Safe to Use Your Oven to Heat Your Home?”

Is It Safe to Use Your Oven to Heat Your Home?

First, let’s make this short and simple: no. It is not safe to use your oven to heat your home. If you have a gas oven, leaving it open to heat your home releases harmful carbon monoxide throughout your home. Given some time, carbon monoxide can be fatal. Additionally, if you suffer from a lung condition such as asthma, emphysema, or other similar conditions, carbon monoxide can exacerbate your condition. And this might mean a hospital visit!

Now, you might wonder, “But didn’t they use ovens to heat their homes in the old days?” No, people actually used wood ovens to heat their homes. The oven would be connected to all sorts of pipes that ran throughout the home to keep it warm. But wood ovens do not use natural gas. Therefore, they do not release carbon monoxide.

Other Tips Besides Using Your Oven to Heat Your Home

Second, if you’ve chosen a subpar HVAC company who won’t be able to serve you for a while, consider these tips to help heat your home:

  • Open all your blinds, drapes, and curtains during the day. Close them at night.
  • Install storm windows on the outside of your home.
  • Close all your doors and focus on heating at least one room in your home.
  • Make sure your windows are locked and not just closed.

Go with Kinkaid Instead!

Since it isn’t safe to use your oven to heat your home, what else can you do? Call us at Kinkaid Heating and Air Conditioning! We’re the best HVAC company in the Philadelphia area. We’d love it if you reached out for a consultation. Don’t delay!

Best HVAC in King of Prussia

best hvac king of prussia

Those Geico commercials are right. Ok is just not good enough. If you want your car to work the best it can, you search for the best mechanic. If you need work done on your home, you search for the best. The same applies to your heating and air conditioning. The next best might not get the job done right. They might not get you the best deal, install it quite right, or do some of the little things to help you save money. So, without further ado, please let us show you why Kinkaid stands as the best HVAC in King of Prussia.

The Best HVAC in King of Prussia Has Experience

First, the best HVAC companies have the greatest experience. In other words, they’ve been around for a long time. At Kinkaid, we’re a family-owned company that’s been around for over 100 years. In order to be successful for that long, you need to gain customer trust and keep it. It’s one thing to do a job well the first time. But it’s quite another to consistently perform well so that our customers know they can trust us for years to come. Fortunately, we’ve been doing just that for over a century. Don’t believe us? Take a look at our history here.

Friendly and Knowledgable

Second, the best HVAC in King of Prussia will be both friendly and knowledgeable. It’s one thing for a company to have staff that know everything there is to know about their service or product. Of course you want that. Such a staff can provide unparalleled peace of mind because you can trust that they can get the job done right. However, if they’re rude or not sensitive to your needs, then what’s the good? On the other hand, if their staff shows tremendous kindness, but aren’t competent, that’s equally as useless. No, the best HVAC in King of Prussia has a staff that treats you with the utmost respect and knows the ins and outs of the business. Thankfully, Kinkaid gives you exactly that.

Kinkaid: the Best HVAC in King of Prussia

Finally, if you want to hire the best HVAC company in King of Prussia for your home or office, then hire Kinkaid Heating and Air Conditioning! With over 100 years of experience and the best staff in the business, we can provide everything you need. Contact us today!

Home Ventilation Strategies

home ventilation strategies

We all know the feeling. You walk into a room and you can just feel the still air. It’s uncomfortable, icky, and makes you want to leave. Yet, at the same time, no matter the temperature, a well-circulated room can feel so much better. But besides a fan or two, what are the best ways to ventilate your home? In this week’s post, we’ll discuss some of the best home ventilation strategies that you can use.

Home Ventilation Strategies: Ceiling Fans

First, ceiling fans serve as one of the best tools to ventilate your home. Fans you plug in can help circulate air in and out of windows, but do little to really help entire rooms. So how can you use ceiling fans to make the most of them? Well, you can use a ceiling fan in conjunction with your air conditioning. If you raise your set temperature by 4 degrees, the ceiling fan can help make up the difference. Furthermore, remember that fans cool people, not rooms. So, turning off the fan when you leave the room can help reduce costs. This is especially helpful for home ventilation strategies since circulating air doesn’t take nearly as long as actually raising or lowering the temperature.

Home Ventilation Strategies by Room

Second, let’s cover some key home ventilation strategies room-by-room so you can make the most of them.

  • Bedroom – Like we said above, turn off your fans when you’re not in the room. Additionally, if you can, install a ceiling fan in your bedroom.
  • Bathroom – When you shower or take a bath, use the fan to remove the heat and humidity from your home. Keeping the door open might also help.
  • Kitchen – Always use your vent fans when you cook and DO NOT use your appliances to heat your home.
  • Laundry room – Spot ventilation can be particularly helpful here. Your dryer, for example, can make the area stuffy. So be sure you have a proper fan installed.

Each of these home ventilation strategies will not only help individual rooms feel better, but also your home as a whole.

Learn More with Kinkaid

Finally, if you’d like to learn more about home ventilation strategies, or need a fan or unit installed, contact us at Kinkaid Heating and Air Conditioning! One of our friendly experts would love to help you.