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.

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!

When You Need to See It to Believe It

Have you ever noticed that people seem a little more cynical than they used to? They just can’t quite trust the claims they’re hearing. Or, have you noticed that advertisers keep trying harder and harder to separate you from your money? They just can’t stop making bigger claims.

I’d say one has to do with the other. The bigger the promises, the better the slogans, the tougher the selling… well, it just makes people wonder what to believe. We’re all familiar with the old saying, “If it’s too good to be true, it is.” But that doesn’t mean advertisers don’t keep trying to make us forget.

So what’s that got to do with you? And with me?

It’s just my way of saying I’d rather shoot straight with you on what you’ll get and what we’ll do for you. I promise you our best because I want to stay your friend for a long, long time. And for me, friendship starts by treating you right. Give us a chance, and you’ll see for yourself.

As a matter of fact, this info shows what we can do right now for your air conditioning and heating. Please take a look.

It’s Not Rocket Science, It’s Common Sense

There are many things we do each and every day to keep our body and minds working efficiently. We eat, drink, brush our teeth, comb our hair, exercise, take our vitamins (if we remember)... and so on.

We do these things because if we don’t, we know we cannot function properly. If we do not take care of our teeth, they will fall out. Without teeth, we are extremely limited in what we can eat. If we cannot eat, we certainly cannot function the way we were made to.

We know this about our bodies, and we also know to apply this same concept about other things we use on a daily basis. If we don’t take care of things properly, they will not work properly, but when it comes to our homes’ cooling systems, we act as if this logic doesn’t apply.

If they’re simply ignored year after year (unless there is a problem), they are not working efficiently and it is costing you money on your energy bills. It could also be affecting the air you are breathing inside your home.

To take care of your air conditioning system so it performs effectively and efficiently (and, of course, safely), you should have it serviced before each season of high use. If you missed your Spring Maintenance, it’s important to get this taken care of. The heat of Summer is here and your system will be working overtime to keep you comfortable.

It is just common sense to take care of the things you depend on, including your valuable home cooling system. Reading “Don’t Be Fuelish” can help you see more energy savings and lower utility bills this Summer.

U.S. Government Breaks Your A/C System

Most of us probably don’t think about the ozone day in, day out. But some folks do. And the groups and agencies who keep a close eye on environmental concerns have prompted some actions in recent years that will ultimately affect the operation of central air conditioners across this country.

The issue is the refrigerant, R-22, also known as Freon, which has been the predominant refrigerant used in air conditioners for the last 40 years. The federal government has begun a phase-out of equipment that uses this refrigerant because of concerns about ozone depletion. So, as of 2010, no new R-22-based equipment has been manufactured. Sure, the pre-2010 systems can still be operated and repaired, but you’ll still be looking at some logical limits.

The R-22 refrigerant can’t be produced or imported after 2020 (only recycled), and the reality is that will affect the cost and availability of this replacement refrigerant as well as the availability of replacement parts for equipment that is no longer being manufactured.

To learn more about this issue and how it could affect you, take a look at this info, Why Did the Government Secretly “Break” Your Home Comfort System?

Ready for the Winter?

Let’s face it: It seems like it’s getting colder every year. As the temperatures go down, we depend more and more on our home comfort systems. If you’ve got a well-maintained, fairly new, energy-efficient home comfort system, you’re probably thinking “No problem. I’ve got this.” But if your heating and air conditioning system has struggled to make it through the last few winters, then you may be thinking something quite a bit different.

Your system may be trying to warn you of a bigger problem. You may have noticed inconsistent comfort, or even more repairs than usual. Your energy bills could even be higher due to your home comfort system under-performing. These colder temperatures are going to put more strain on your system and consume even more energy.

And as if that is not enough, we are also going to see an increase in natural gas prices to go along with these lower temperatures. If your system is not working to its full capacity, it can end up costing you a lot come this winter.

If you want some help beating these high natural gas prices, then we have some good information that’ll get you through this price surge. Read “Beat Natural Gas Prices” to learn more.

Filtering Out the Clutter

Our homes really know how to collect stuff, don’t they? The amount of stuff may be in proportion to the size of the family. But most of us, in one way or another, keep bringing more stuff into a home that can only hold so much.

That’s probably a reason “spring cleaning” never goes out of style. Everyone needs a time to clear away the clutter and give our home some breathing space. So we start tending to the areas that need attention in order to get our homes back in good working order.

If you’ll allow me to switch to a home comfort analogy here, I would say that what is true for your home is true for your air conditioning system. It collects clutter in the form of dust, dirt and airborne particles.

Fortunately, your AC has a filter that captures a lot of this kind of airborne clutter. But, please be aware, your filter can only hold so much. Changing it regularly is important for the efficiency of your system and for the quality of your indoor air.

To learn more, take a look at this report, The Easiest Maintenance Step You Can Take.

Your Best Strategy for Three Big Gains

A lot of us in the technical trades would really enjoy being able to explain the ins and outs of air conditioning systems to anyone who will listen. Oh, we could fill your afternoon with tales of the forced-air distribution system and explain for your listening pleasure the difference between the evaporator component on the inside and the condenser component on the outside.

If you’re like most of our customers, however, you’re not into the full-length description of how your system works. But I can promise you, you’ll like knowing how your system can perform better.

So I’ll save my technical jargon for my coffee break with the techs. And for you, let me offer up the most important factor for increased energy efficiency, improved performance and lengthened operational life for your air conditioning system.

Regular maintenance.

Experts will tell you, your air conditioning system loses about 5% of its efficiency for every year that it goes without regular maintenance. And that’s just one way that skipping the maintenance routine can turn into a costly habit.

How Do You Know If It's Time to Replace Your Air Conditioner

Sometimes it seems like our homes are a moving target. Just as soon as you get one part of the house just like you want it, something needs tending to in another area. So, for most of us, we're always on the lookout for the next big thing that's going to show up – invited or not – on our "home maintenance" to-do list.

Now, when "air conditioning system replacement" comes up on that list, that's quite a significant situation. Home comfort systems are a sizeable part of your home investment, so it's never something to take lightly. But when it's time, three things should be on your evaluation list:

System Age – If your heat pump or air conditioner is more than 10 years old, you could save up to 20 percent on cooling and heating costs if you replaced it with a unit that has earned the Energy Star label.

Repair/Energy Costs – A home comfort system has what's called "operational" costs. If your system is racking up repair bills and guzzling up your energy dollars, you may be overdue for an efficiency upgrade.

Uncomfortable Environment – A home comfort system is supposed to create a comfortable home environment, right? Well, if you're not comfortable, take note. Are some rooms too hot or too cold? Does your home have humidity problems? This could be a sign of poor or improper equipment operation.

To learn more about improving energy efficiency in your home, take a look at this info, What Does Heat Have to Do with Cold.

How a 1987 Treaty Changed AC in 2010

Ever heard of the Montreal Protocol? Like many things that happen among and between nations, even if you haven't heard of it, we're talking about an event that could affect your life – or, in this case, your home comfort.
Offered up in 1987 for nations to sign and adopt, the Montreal Protocol was an international treaty that focused on a concern for how chemicals and other things in the atmosphere were depleting the ozone layer that was protecting life as we know it on earth. The treaty was amended in 1992 to set a timetable for phasing out chemicals known as HCFCs – which includes in this list a refrigerant that has been used in air conditioning systems since the early '70s.
Now, fast forward to today and what this means in practical terms for you: Air conditioners manufactured after 2010 can no longer use the refrigerant R-22 (also known by the brand name Freon) as the coolant of choice. While this refrigerant can still be produced and used to service existing equipment for the time being, in 2020, the production and import of R-22 will end, and it will only be available through recycled and reclaimed processes.
That means simply this: any air conditioning that uses R-22 is looking at a time limit. As you face repairs with any pre-2010 system, we'll be glad to talk with you about the best ways to extend the life of the equipment (hint: regular maintenance!), and when the time is right for replacement, we'll give you our best guidance there too.
In the meantime, to learn more about what's going on, take a look at this info, What Every Homeowner Should Know: Government to Take A/C Refrigerant Off Market.

The Once-a-Year Step for Everyday Comfort

You've probably heard of Poor Richard's Almanac even if you have never read it. This was a work by Ben Franklin back when the country was young, and it had a calendar, weather predictions and some wise sayings.

Well, if Ben Franklin were writing weather predictions for Northwest Indiana, he'd say, "It's going to be hot this summer." Seems to me, it happens every year around that time, and this year, we'll be true to the calendar again.

Yet, if only Franklin had had central air conditioning, I think he could have added some updated helpful advice like this:

"If you want something to last, you take care of it. If you want something to do its job, you make sure it's running well. If you want something to protect you in the night, you make sure it doesn't have any hidden dangers."

Why do I think that? Because here's what Franklin actually did say: "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

You've heard it, I've heard it, and we all know it's true.

So what ounce of prevention can you bring to your home comfort this spring? One simple step of a preseason checkup on your system can make a world of difference in your comfort all summer long. To learn more about the value of routine maintenance, take a look at this info, The Nutty Way to Solve a Problem Before It Happens.

Lost in Translation

How about a quick language test? Ever hear of the terms SEER and EER? Well, if it’s near dinnertime, you might think that SEER sounds like something you do to a steak, and EER sounds like corn just off the stalk. So maybe I’m just hungry, but I’m not talking dinner – I’m talking comfort.

And therein lies the problem. If you don’t share a common language, it’s hard to understand what someone is trying to tell you.

This concept is true in all sorts of ways – whether it’s English vs. French, or text message acronyms vs. correct spelling in complete sentences, or industry terms vs. what words people actually understand.

All industries seem to have an “insider language,” where words and technical terms are thrown around as if they should make sense to everybody. Sometimes they do, sometimes they don’t.


We see that often as our customers are trying to choose the most energy-efficient solutions for their home, but sometimes they feel like things are lost in translation. If that could be you, you might appreciate this brief report on, “The Language of Energy Efficiency.”

Taking Care of Your Investments

No, this is not an article on financial planning, but this is certainly an issue that could affect your financial well-being.

Your home comfort system is a big investment, no question about it. If you take care of this investment, it will take care of you - over a longer equipment life that is spent operating efficiently, saving you energy dollars and keeping you comfortable. Not a bad result for routine maintenance.

Yes, maintenance matters. But what does it involve? If you’d like to learn more, take a look at our free report, “A Quick and Simple Home Investment.”

Is Your Air Conditioner Trying to Hit the Snooze Button?

After a long hibernation, most of us would wake up slowly. Your air conditioning system could be feeling the same way. In fact, it could sputter in protest at the first sign of a warm day. But basically, all it’s probably trying to tell you is that it just needs a little care after all those months of neglect.

These “wake up” calls are the most important services we provide to customers - because that’s how we get you ready and prepared for those warm summer days. If your air conditioner could say “thank you” for the service, it probably would, but you’ll just have to feel the gratitude in the smooth cooling it provides.

In the meantime, if you’ve been wondering what’s on your air conditioner’s mind, this brief, helpful letter could make it pretty clear.