How a Broken Furnace Can Contaminate Your In-Home Air

When we think about a broken furnace, we often think about it in the sense that the furnace is not working at all or as well it could be in order to heat your home fully. Certainly, this is a problem on colder nights; but a "broken" furnace doesn't always mean it isn't functioning, and not realizing that your furnace could be broken and still functioning could be letting dangerous pollution into your home.

Often, pollution from the furnace doesn't come from a problem, but rather a lack of maintenance. Every year, you should have a maintenance technician out to your home so that they can check the furnace and ductwork. As homes are typically not well ventilated during the winter, to keep out the cold; dust, carbon, and other contaminants often stick around. Said contaminates are blown and settle into the air or carpeting, thus affecting the overall air quality in your home. Much of the time, simply changing the air filter can prevent a lot of contaminants from entering the home. However, if you have breeches in the ductwork, then an air filter may not completely stop pollutants until that breach is fixed.

Of course, the major worry about a furnace polluting your air is the silent killer – carbon monoxide. Usually, the appliance functions to keep this out of the home, but one crack in the heat exchanger or the combustion chamber and it can enter the system, and then enter your home. Therefore, it is so crucial to have your furnace inspected every year or at least have a carbon monoxide detector installed in your home to catch a problem before it becomes deadly. While these issues can be costly to repair, they can prevent something devastating from happening. Your air quality could make your family sick, but carbon monoxide is on another level of danger.

If you want cleaner and healthier indoor air then please do not hesitate to contact us here at Kent Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc. - we're here to help!

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.

How an Air Conditioning Tune-Up Can Save You Money

As a homeowner, you might feel as if you are always paying for some type of home maintenance or repair. If this is the case, then you might not be particularly excited about calling an HVAC professional to come out and give your unit a tune-up. However, what you should know is that doing so can actually save you money. Here's why…

Ensure Your Air Conditioner is Operating Efficiently

It's no secret that your air conditioning system can cause your electric bills to increase during the hot summer months. You might not think that there is much that you can do about it, but having your air conditioner serviced by a professional can actually help. An HVAC professional can ensure that your air conditioner is in good shape and operating at maximum efficiency. This can help you save money on your electric bill.

Catch Repair Issues Early

Repairing a broken air conditioning unit is a top priority for many families, particularly in the heat of summer. However, it can be expensive. If you have your unit serviced yearly, though, your HVAC professional can catch potential repair issues and repair them before they get worse.

Avoid an Early Replacement

Just as with many things, an air conditioner that is not serviced regularly and that is not properly taken care of simply will not last for as long. This can lead to you having to replace your unit years before you would have even thought to consider doing so. If you have it maintained regularly, however, you can help safeguard that it lasts for years to come.

As you can see, you can actually save money if you choose to hire an HVAC professional to come out and service your unit once per year. If you have questions or service needs, we encourage you to contact us at Kent Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc.

Air Conditioning Check-Up

Just like we see our Doctor on a routine basis to make sure we are healthy, your AC unit needs checking-in on from time to time as well in order to make sure that all its parts are working as it should.

If you do not complete check-ups on your AC unit, you run the risk of it breaking down and therefore forcing you to suffer without air conditioning until the unit can be replaced. We suggest you do yourself a favor and avoid that happening. 

The cost of replacing an AC unit is far greater than that of simply paying for regular maintenance check-ups of your unit, which makes getting maintenance on a regular basis the smartest option. The ideal situation is to have your unit inspected and repaired at least once or twice a year.

However, it isn't going to be clear to everyone what this repair and check-up should involve. The following list should give you an idea of what to expect from an HVAC professional.

AC repair check-up
•    A comprehensive cleaning of the condenser coils in order to increase the efficiency which will then reduce the wear and tear that your system will suffer from.
•    Evaluate the level of the coolant in order to keep the performance at peak levels.
•    Lubricating the moving parts in order to eliminate friction and decrease the system's wear and tear to reduce your system's energy costs.
•    Inspect the ductwork for potential energy losses.
•    Perform an evaluation of the blower motor and belt to check if the system is still in good enough shape to continue performing at an optimal required level.

This list of suggestions should give you some idea of what to expect when you call in professional help for your AC unit. However, while this is not everything that needs to be done, it is a start! We suggest you also start off by giving us a call at Kent Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc.

The Importance of HVAC Maintenance

With summer quickly approaching, it’s more important than ever that your air conditioning system is in good working order. Many people fail to realize that even if your air conditioning system is operating seemingly without major issue that does not necessarily mean it is running at maximum efficacy and efficiency. The only way to ensure your system is at its best is through regular HVAC maintenance. Regular maintenance will help to keep your system running at peak performance and save you money in repairs and energy costs over time. Continue reading for more information on the importance of HVAC maintenance.  

·       Increases efficiency: Regular maintenance helps to ensure that your system is running as efficiently as possible. When your system is running at peak performance it isn’t forced to work as hard in order to keep your home comfortable. Because your system doesn’t need to work as hard, you’ll notice a significant decrease in your monthly energy or utility bills, especially during the summer months!

·       Alerts you to repair needs: Sometimes your system appears to be in good working order, but there are underlying issues that need to be addressed before they become major problems. Through regular maintenance, a professional can alert you to small repairs before they become bigger issues, saving you money in repairs and replacements and also helping to keep your system running smoothly.

·       Prevents emergencies: Unidentified repair needs can eventually lead to air conditioning and heating emergencies. The last thing you’ll want is to be without air conditioning on some of the hottest days of the year this summer because your system is on the fritz and your preferred air conditioning professional is booked solid for the week. Having your system inspected and regular maintenance performed can help you to avoid these kinds of situations.

·       Increases system lifespan: Not unlike your vehicle, your HVAC system is a complex interworking of parts that require regular tune-ups in order to stay healthy and operating effectively. You wouldn’t expect your car to continue running year after year without putting gas in, changing the oil, or having your tires rotated, so its unrealistic to assume that your air conditioning system could operate without tune-ups as well. Through proper maintenance, your system will not only work better but will also last you longer, which means you won’t need to pay to replace your system for a longer period of time.

HVAC maintenance is an important aspect of keeping your air conditioning system running efficiently and keeping your home comfortable. If you haven’t already had annual maintenance performed on your air conditioning system, now is the time! Give us a call at (219) 464-9181 or click here to visit our website.