How Will You Know if Your Thermostat is Bad?

If you have been experiencing issues with your HVAC system, you may be wondering if perhaps your thermostat could be to blame. Of course, you would prefer the problem to be with your thermostat, as it is much cheaper to replace than your heater or air conditioner; but how can you know for sure which one is the problem? Here are just a few of the signs that can indicate problems with your home's thermostat.

First Things First, Your Thermostat Won't Work

One of the clearest signs that something is wrong with your thermostat is if you cannot get it to work properly. If it takes several tries to adjust your settings, then your thermostat may be beginning to fail. However, if your thermostat is completely unresponsive, or the screen is blank, then it has likely stopped working altogether.

Your Heater or Air Conditioner Won't Turn Off

A symptom that often baffles homeowners is when their heater or air conditioner runs constantly and refuses to turn off no matter what they do. This is generally a sign that your thermostat needs to be repaired or replaced, as either the wiring is broken, or the thermostat is miscalibrated, and your HVAC system isn’t receiving the signal to shut off.

Room Temperature and Setting Don't Match

A more subtle sign of problems with your thermostat is if the displayed room temperature, and the temperature you have set, do not match. For instance, if you have your thermostat set to turn your AC on at 78 degrees, but you hear your system turn on when it is only displaying 75 degrees inside your home, then something is clearly wrong with your thermostat. You will want to have this problem addressed as soon as possible, as it can become costly if your system runs more than it should.

Contact us to learn more about the signs which can indicate problems with your home's thermostat. Our team of professionals is here to help!

My Air Conditioner Is Leaking Water!

Life is good when your air conditioner is working perfectly and keeping the temperatures in your home favorable. But when you notice leaking around your air conditioner, this could send you into a frenzy. Questions running through your mind might be… Is my air conditioner broken? Can I fix it myself? Do I need a professional to check it out? Will air conditioning repair costs cause a dent in my pocket?

Well, don’t panic; a leaking air conditioner is a very common problem! Here are some of the reasons why your air conditioner may be leaking.

Filthy Air Filters

Constant airflow is a necessity for a proper air conditioning unit. Filthy air filters prevent easy airflow over the air conditioner's evaporator coil, thus causing it to freeze. When the evaporator coil eventually melts there will be excess water being released, meaning capacity may be beyond what the drain pan can accommodate. Thus, the result is a leaking air conditioning unit! To avoid this problem, be sure to clean your air filters or replace them regularly depending on the season.

Clogged Drainpipe

The air conditioning process results in the production of water. This water is directed out of your house through a drainpipe and onto a drain pan. If the drainpipe is clogged by dirt, mold, debris or sludge, it will cause water to back up into the air conditioner and eventually leak. Having an HVAC professional clear the blockage should fix your leaking air conditioner.

Damaged Drain Pan

Over time the air conditioner drain pan will develop cracks, holes, and/or rust. These damages can cause the water that has collected to leak from the air conditioning unit. Replacing the pan should address the problem.

Broken Condensate Pump

In instances where water from the air conditioning system must flow uphill out of the home, a condensate pump is used to get the task done. When this condensate pump breaks down, it will fail to pump out the water allowing it to collect and eventually leak from your air conditioner. In such cases, the condensate pump should either be repaired or replaced.

Low Refrigerant Levels

Low refrigerant levels will cause the evaporator coil to freeze due to the low pressure in the air conditioning system. Eventually, the humid air that has frozen will melt, and when it does, it will overflow in the drain pan. If your air conditioner cools with difficulty or produces a bubbling noise, this is a further indication of refrigerant issues.  Have an AC professional examine your air conditioning unit as soon as possible.

Improper Installation

If your new air conditioning unit has just been recently installed and it is already leaking water, then the most probable cause is that it was not installed correctly. Consult an AC installation and repair expert to have the unit installed appropriately.

We hope that you’ve found the information within this blog post to be helpful. If you feel that your problem requires professional attention to resolve, or you simply have a question that you need answered, please don’t hesitate to contact us here at Kent Heating and Air Conditioning Inc. for fast and reliable air conditioning repair services.

4 Benefits of Installing a Whole-Home Dehumidifier

When it comes to keeping your home comfortable and cool, the level of humidity is just as important as the temperature. A relative humidity level of 35 to 50 percent is usually ideal for the best comfort. If the humidity in your home is too high, a dehumidifier can provide a solution. A dehumidifier removes excess moisture from the air. Here are several benefits of installing a whole-home dehumidifier. 

Indoor Air Quality

Household allergens such as mold, mildew, and dust mites thrive in a damp, humid environment. A dehumidifier decreases the moisture that promotes the growth of mold and allergens. Your indoor air quality will improve, and your household will breathe a lot easier. Not only can an ideal humidity level reduce allergy symptoms, it can also slow down the spread of germs.

Increased Home Comfort

Humid air interrupts your body's natural cooling process. The humidity feels like it sticks to your skin, making you hot and uncomfortable.  With a dehumidifier, the air is kept at an ideal level of relative humidity. You'll feel a lot cooler and more comfortable, even when your air conditioner is not running.  

Energy Savings

When there is a lot of moisture in the air, your cooling system needs to work harder to maintain a comfortable temperature. A dehumidifier will help maintain the best level of humidity in your home, allowing your air conditioner to use less energy.   

Protection from Water Damage

Excessive moisture in your home can cause a buildup of condensation. This can damage your home's walls, ceilings, and furniture. You may need a dehumidifier if you notice peeling wallpaper or bubbling paint on your walls, warping furniture, or musty odors. A dehumidifier will remove the excess moisture and can help protect the house from water damage.

Contact us here at Kent Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc. for more assistance with your cooling system.

Is Fall a Good Time to Replace Your Air Conditioner?

Your AC breaking down is not something we typically plan for; it just happens. However, there are times where repair can tide you over towards a period where it would be better to replace your air conditioner in terms of service and finances.

For instance, if your air conditioner breaks down in the middle of July where temperatures are hottest, the one thing on your mind is replacing it as soon as possible. This puts you at a major disadvantage as you may feel pressured to make a choice right away; just so you can sleep comfortably in your own home again! Alternatively, if you are able to get it up and running with a repair, but your technician tells you that it is approaching the end of its life cycle, then you can pick a more opportune time to replace it before it happens to break down next.

When it comes to replacing your air conditioner, autumn is typically the best time in many regards. First, the temperatures are cooler, which gives you the time to shop around since there isn't that same urgency to cool your home. As we go from late August through October 1st, it is also considered the off-season for air conditioners. That said, you may be able to get an air conditioner at a reduced price and will have more dedicated service when a professional comes to install it.

If you can purchase your new air conditioner at the same time as a new furnace you were planning on, that can possibly pay you rewards in the form of excellent electric and gas utility rebates.  By purchasing a “matched” system, your efficiency will increase substantially, and not only does this secure your rebate, but it also lowers your monthly outlay for utilities from now on! That translates into the biggest savings available!

However, what you do need to keep in mind for a fall installation is that air conditioners need to be tested after installation. It can vary between models, but typically it needs to be above 65 degrees to turn on your air conditioner without risking damage to it. Therefore, winter isn't a more optimal time since technicians can't test the air conditioner to make sure it works after it is installed. However, companies maintain a “start-up list” so when the weather breaks to warmer weather, start-ups are completed, and there’s time to correct any issues.

If you have questions, or need service, please don’t hesitate to contact us here at Kent Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc. – we’re here to serve!

The Importance of Scheduling an Air Conditioning Tune-Up

Summer calls for spending endless hours relaxing in your backyard, swimming pool, enjoying cookouts, and even venturing off on vacation.  However, summer also means staying cool and comfortable during the scorching hot summer temperatures.  With that said your air conditioning system plays a major role in accomplishing this task, and if it’s not in proper working order, it will cause you and your family to endure a whole lot of uncomfortable days and nights. 

When your AC unit is not in use, dirt, dust, pollutants and other particles find their way into your AC systems motor and can disrupt its overall functionality and efficiency.  This is why having a proper cleaning and tune-up performed by our friendly HVAC technicians here at Kent Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc. is so important. Tune in to the information below for more reasons as to why a tune-up is necessary.   

For starters, a tune-up will help to lower your utility and energy bills.  AC systems can suck up enormous amounts of energy, causing your summer utility bills to increase and your wallet to decrease.  A properly maintained and cleaned AC system is not only energy efficient, but will keep your utility bills from skyrocketing and extend the lifespan of your system as well.

Additionally, a routine tune-up will prevent costly system repairs down the road! Our highly experienced HVAC techs are skilled and trained to identify problems early on that result in a poorly functioning AC system and to provide effective solutions long before they turn into costly HVAC repairs.  

Even if you have not noticed any concerns with your AC system this summer, our team of professionals highly recommends that you schedule an AC system tune-up to avoid any problems or breakdowns during the upcoming months.  To learn more about our AC tune-ups and other HVAC services, please feel free to contact us.  We look forward to serving you and to providing you with the highest quality HVAC products and services for your home and family season after season, year after year!

How an Air Conditioner can Make or Break Indoor Air Quality

Given new studies, the typical American devotes about 93% of their time inside. Needless to say, this is quite a substantial quantity of time, specifically when you ponder the effect your HVAC system has on indoor air quality. If a home doesn’t maintain a good IAQ, it could in turn disturb your status of healthiness. That being said, if you or a family member seems to continuously be sick, your HVAC system could be responsible for it. Keep reading for five signals that should not be ignored.

1. Mysterious Tiredness
   After a lengthy day, it's normal to be worn-out and sleepy. Though, if your fatigue combines with faintness, nasal congestion, headaches, skin that has become dry, and an inexplicable outbreak of rashes, it could potentially be a mark of 'sick building syndrome.' Though pollutants and toxins are frequently the cause of this ailment, it’s furthermore likely that your body is battling with insufficient air circulation, meaning the function of how your HVAC system operates is disturbed.
2. Breathing Concerns
   For the most part, those with asthma or breathing-related health concerns receive a diagnosis before the age of twenty. However, it isn't uncommon for adults to suddenly begin developing asthma symptoms. In some instances, your home's HVAC system could factor into sudden asthma symptoms in adults due to the micro-organisms or even black mold that may be growing throughout the system, specifically in the ductwork.
3. Shared Sickness
   
   We all know how easy it is to become ill when someone in our home or office is also sick. However, it is possible to prevent these types of recurrent illnesses by avoiding "stale air," which can appear when a building doesn't have proper circulation. Regularly replacing air filters, maintaining the system and considering an upgrade are all options to help with these types of issues.
4. Lack of Moisture
   Another way to tell if your air conditioner might be making you sick is by looking at your skin and other parts of your body. If you are plagued by dry skin and nasal passages, even during months where there is a lot of moisture in the air, you may find your HVAC system is to blame.
5. Body Pain
   
   For those who already suffer from joint and body pain, such as rheumatoid arthritis or other joint conditions, the cold atmosphere created by an air conditioner may make those ailments worse. Colds and other illnesses caused by an unfit HVAC system could also exacerbate these conditions.

These are just a handful of signs that your HVAC system could be making you and your family sick, and needs to be serviced by a professional. If you notice any of these concerns, make sure you talk with an HVAC professional quickly to get to the bottom of the problem. One of the best ways to avoid these types of issues is by keeping your HVAC system maintained, your evaporator coils clean and drip pans and drains empty.

Please don’t hesitate to contact us here at Kent Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc. – we’re here to help keep your home a healthy oasis for you and your family!

Signs That You Need an Air Conditioning Tune Up

When was the last time you got an air conditioning tune up? Was it within the last three months? Then you're all good. If it was longer than three months ago, you might need to give your air conditioning contractor a call. And if you can't remember the last time you got a tune up, then you can be sure that your air conditioner really needs it!

Going without an air conditioning tune up for a long time can harm your air conditioning system and shorten its life, thus costing you money in the long run. Here are five signs that your air conditioner needs a tune up:

1. You need to turn the thermostat lower to get the same degree of cooling. Don't keep turning the thermostat lower and lower to adjust to the way your air conditioning system is working. Give your air conditioning contractor a call instead.
2. Your air conditioner has not been used for a long time. Maybe your air conditioning system was completely switched off in the winter months and you're only just thinking about using it again. Instead of just switching it on, it might be a good idea to give it a tune up first.
3. You've made some structural changes to your house. People are always renovating their homes, knocking down walls, building new walls, etc. If you've been doing this, contact your air conditioning contractor to see if any changes are needed in your air conditioning system. At the very least, it will help to get a tune up.
4. You've made some changes to your electrical system. If you've installed new appliances and your electrical system is taking on a greater load, then you might want to call your air conditioning contractor and get a tune up. If your air conditioning system is functioning efficiently, this will save electricity and, hence, money.
5. Your electricity bill has been going up. If you are using your air conditioning system the same amount as you used to but your electricity bill has been going up, then you might want to call your air conditioning contractor and get a tune up, just to be sure that the problem doesn't lie there.

Have questions? Please don’t hesitate to contact Kent Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc.

Signs Indicating That You May be in Need of Air Conditioning Repair This Spring

While it may feel like winter wasn’t too long ago, the fact is that summer is already around the corner and your air conditioner will be the number one resource in keeping your home comfortable in the weeks to come! This makes it critical that you have any necessary repairs performed on your air conditioner now so that you do not encounter any surprises this summer. Yet, how will you know if your system needs repairs? Here are a few signs that you can look out for when you start running your air conditioner this spring, indicating that your system may need repairs. 

It is Blowing Hot Air

One of the clearest indicators that your air conditioner needs repairs is if you feel warm air blowing out of the vents when it shouldn't be. If you check that your system is set to cool and the thermostat is set to a low enough temperature but your system is still blowing warm air, then it is likely a compressor issue, or some other problem, is preventing your AC from making cold air. You will need to have your system professionally inspected and repaired in order to address the problem.   

There Are Unusual Sounds

When you start running your air conditioner, you will also want to listen for any strange or unusual sounds. Squealing, grating, or grinding noises coming from your AC are not normal and indicate severe problems that need to be addressed as soon as possible in order to prevent the unit from breaking down. These noises can indicate a variety of problems such as a belt that has slipped out of place or a broken component within your air conditioner.    

Your System Cycles Frequently

In order to keep your home comfortable, your air conditioner will cycle on occasionally to maintain the temperature within your home; however, your system should not cycle on and off on a constant basis. If you notice that your air conditioner is cycling constantly, this indicates that it is struggling to cool your home properly and will need to be repaired or replaced.

Have questions about your air conditioning? Don’t hesitate to contact our team here at Kent Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc. – we’ll make sure that you keep cool!