4 Health Benefits of Air Conditioning

 Air conditioning has become more than an ordinary home appliance. By purchasing an air conditioner for your home, you can create a health-friendly environment. Besides providing personal comfort, this home appliance can improve your living standards by creating a clean, healthy, and safe environment. Below is a list of the top reasons you should consider having an air conditioner installed in your home.

Reduced Risk of Dehydration and Heatstroke

Dehydration occurs due to a lack of enough water in the body. One major cause of dehydration is sweating profusely. The more you sweat, the more you increase your exposure to dehydration. On the other hand, heatstroke occurs when your body begins to overheat due to hot temperatures in the surrounding temperature. A fully functional air conditioning unit will be beneficial in keeping you cool during the hot summer months.

Reduced Allergies

Air conditioning units can help to minimize your exposure to allergens by filtering the dirty air that might contain dust mites or pollutants. Plus, it also eliminates dampness that might result in the growth of mold. Failure to replace your air filters from time to time will only result in the cycle of the same dirty air in your home. 

Provides Comfort

Every homeowner has his or her comfort zone. Some are sensitive to heat situations, while others are sensitive to cold weather. With an air conditioning unit, you can customize your surrounding environment to suit your preferences. Installing this electrical appliance improves your health status and reduces stress by eliminating any possible discomfort.

Enhances Sleep and Boosts Productivity

A refreshing environment is ideal for sleeping as it lowers both your blood pressure and heart rate. Thus, allowing you to sleep comfortably without any distraction. Lastly, a room with the perfect room temperature and fresh air contribute to boosting your productivity and your well-being. 

Contact Kent Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc. to schedule a maintenance appointment for your HVAC system.

Does a Dusty House Mean HVAC Issues?

A layer of dust can even accumulate right after cleaning. Dust derives from many sources. Internally, the accumulation of dead skin flakes and pet dander creates dust. Externally, whatever is wafting into your home from the outdoors will create that annoying layer of dust. Every home is different. After about a year or so, you begin to figure out the rate at which your indoor space gathers dust. If you notice a sudden increase in dust accumulation within your home, it could be a sign of HVAC issues.

 

When Does Your HVAC Cause More Dust?

Two potential HVAC problems may be the cause for your dustier home.  

 

Starting with the simplest to fix one, when is the last time you changed your HVAC filter? The air filter is responsible for catching dust, debris, and allergens during intake before anything can travel into the system. However, as the filter gets dirtier, it becomes less efficient at this job. Instead, the filter is so full of dust that dusty air is all it can get, so it pumps it into your home. 

 

Solution: Professional HVAC companies and air quality associations recommend changing your filter every three months or even just every heating and cooling season change if you are forgetful.

 

The second cause is a little more problematic. As we mentioned earlier, dusty air can come from the outdoors. If a draft is coming from your vents, you most likely have a hole or gap is somewhere inside the duct system. This unfiltered air can cause lower air quality as well as force your system to work longer because the air is not the proper temperature.

 

Solution: Unlike a filter, this situation requires an HVAC professional to fix it.

 

Contact Kent Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc. to have your HVAC system evaluated and serviced. For as much time as we spend inside our homes, you must make sure your air quality stays free of extra dust, allergens, and debris.

The Importance of Heating Maintenance

 

Furnace or heat pump maintenance performed on the appropriate schedule can prevent costly repairs by as much as a whopping 95%! You'll also lengthen the life of your system, keep your home safer by preventing frozen pipes (or the opposite, fire hazards), keep your equipment under warranty, improve indoor air quality, create a comfortable home environment, and save up to 30% on utility bills. Fully operational heaters also have a less negative environmental impact.

 

What Occurs During a Maintenance Visit?

 

Central Furnaces 

If you have a central furnace, our maintenance visit will generally consist of these steps:

• Check and calibrate the thermostat
• Take temperature readings and ensure the furnace heats to the desired thermostat setting 
• Ensure the motors and bearings are lubricated
• Change the air filter if needed and advise you on a replacement schedule
• Make sure the voltage and amp-draw are correct
• Inspect the gas line and flue pipe
• Ensure the pilot light assembly is working correctly
• Check the safety controls
• Remove and clean the burners
• Inspect the heat exchanger for wear and tear or cracks
• Make sure there are no loose panels
• Check the fan switch
• Replace any worn belts
• Check pulleys and replace them if needed
• Inspect ducting for blockages, debris, and general condition 

 

Heat Pumps

A heat pump should also receive maintenance before the colder season begins. Our heating maintenance checklist for heat pumps includes the following:

• Bring refrigerant to the proper level
• Clean the condenser coil in the outside condensing unit
• Oil the outdoor fan motor and check balance
• Check the temperature sensors
• Inspect electrical wiring and components
• Check the amperage of electrical parts  
• Flush the condensate drain line
• Clean the evaporator coil and drain pan 
• Lubricate the blower motor
• Replace the air filter if needed
• And more, depending on your system

 

Trust the Pros for Heating Maintenance in Valparaiso, IN and surrounding areas

Nothing brings that warm, cozy feeling to your home like an efficiently performing heater. Contact Kent Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc. to schedule your heat pump or furnace service appointment. You will stay toasty all winter season!

Our Top Summer Air Conditioning Maintenance Tips

Now that summer has finally arrived, you will likely find yourself using your home's air conditioner frequently to keep your family cool. In order to ensure that your air conditioner runs reliably throughout the hot weeks that are still to come, it is critical that you perform maintenance on your HVAC system to keep it performing optimally. In order to reduce your chances of encountering problems with your HVAC system when you need it most, here is a look at a few critical air conditioning maintenance steps that you should take this summer. 

Change The Filter
While this may seem obvious, it is important that you do not underestimate how critical it is to replace your air conditioner's filter frequently. When your air filter is dirty, this restricts the airflow to your HVAC system, causing your air conditioner to have to work harder to cool your home. Not only can this lead to increased energy costs, but it can also put added stress on your air conditioner's components. This can cause your air conditioner to break down when you need it most, leading to costly repairs. You should then replace your air filter frequently as directed by your system's manufacturer (generally every 1-3 months).

Clean The Return Air Ducts
In addition to replacing your air filter, it is also important that you take the time to clean your return air duct covers. Duct covers that are clogged with dust and dirt will also block airflow to your air conditioner, which can reduce your AC system's efficiency and life expectancy. Try to make of habit of cleaning these return vents every time you dust your house. 

Schedule an AC Tune-Up
Of course, the best way to ensure that your air conditioner is ready for the coming summer months is to schedule an AC tune-up. During a professional HVAC tune-up service, an HVAC technician will inspect your air conditioner to make sure that it is running properly, and, if necessary, they will perform maintenance and repairs in order to ensure optimal performance this summer, which can save you money in the long-run.

Contact Kent Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc. for more advice on steps that you can take to maintain your HVAC system this summer.