When is a Heating Issue an Emergency?

Many HVAC companies offer emergency repair services for those truly chilly nights when the heat won't work or when there is something happening that may be a danger. However, higher rates can incur which leaves people wondering if their problem is really an emergency or if they can wait until the morning.

In truth, it all depends on the circumstances. If your heat shut off in the early hours of the morning, you may wake up to a chilly home, but typically you can wait until normal service hours to call a repair technician. However, the longer the heat is off, and the colder it is outside, will dictate an emergency. It is not just about you being cold either. Without heating, your home is at risk. If your home gets too cold, you may have pipes freezing, and bursting – thus causing even more damage.

So, if your heat stops early on of a very cold night, it can certainly be classified as being an emergency. However, usually heating emergencies come in the form of gas furnaces. A gas leak can be a deadly hazard. Furthermore, a damaged furnace could also cause carbon monoxide to leak in your home. If you hear strange noises coming from your furnace, or notice strange smells, you should immediately discontinue use and call for repair as it is always best to err on the side of caution. If it is particularly cold, you will then also want to make an emergency call to your HVAC company.

Most cases will allow you to be able to wait until normal service hours. And, it will also depend on the temperature when it comes to dictating whether it is an emergency. You will, however, want to mention specific issues to your HVAC company even when you do call during normal hours. This will allow them to prioritize your issue if their technicians are particularly busy, which can happen during the winter when everyone has furnace problems.

Find yourself in an HVAC emergency? Please call us immediately. Kent Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc. ensures that our emergency service is available 24/7/365.

3 Reasons to Hire a Heating Contractor

Living in a comfortable and secure home is what everyone wants. Comfort and security are some of the most important priorities that people have when it comes to their home. One thing that most homeowners worry about is whether the heating and air conditioning are ready for the upcoming season. Homeowners want their heating working correctly when winter is on the horizon. 

The key to having constant heat is ensuring that the heater is working properly for the winter season before it even begins. Getting the system checked out by a professional heating contractor is the best move. They’ll know what to look out for in terms of potential problems, and fix any existing issues. Keep reading to find out reasons why you should hire a heating contractor.

Routine Maintenance

One situation in which you should hire a heating contractor is when you are in need of routine maintenance. While a furnace can last for a long period of time, those that are looking to extend its useful life for as long as possible should hire a technician to come once per year before the winter season starts. Any of our trained HVAC technicians at Kent Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc. will be able to ensure whether or not your furnace or other heating system is working properly, safely, and efficiently.

Your Heating Bills Have Increased

Another situation in which you should call a professional contractor for furnace repair is if your heating bills are going up. While heating bills will fluctuate from one month to the next based on the temperature and other factors, if your bills are much higher than the prior year it could be an indication that your furnace is not working properly. A technician will be able to diagnose the issue with your furnace and make any necessary repairs to ensure it works efficiently again.

Odd Smells or Noises

The third situation in which you should call a technician is if you notice odd smells or noises. If your furnace seems to be emitting a smell of gas or something burning, it could be an indication of a more serious problem. In these cases, you will need to contact your technician immediately. It is also safest to turn off your furnace until the issue is resolved.

To schedule an appointment with one of our skilled heating professionals, contact us at Kent Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc. today and we’ll be happy to assist you.

4 Signs Your Furnace Needs New Air Filters

You rely on your furnace to warm your home, and neglecting to change your furnace filters can lead to problems down the road. Having that said, changing your furnace filters regularly can help to ensure that your furnace continues to run smoothly throughout the season. Keeping your furnace filters clean offers several important benefits that you won’t want to miss out on; here are a few: 

• Better indoor air quality and better health.
• Keep your furnace performing well and running more efficiently.
• Better airflow and comfort.

Not quite sure if your furnace filters need changing? Here are four signs that signal when it’s time to replace:

It's Been a Long Time. How often your filters need changing depends on several factors. For instance, they may need changing more often during periods of heavy use; if you have pets, or if someone in your household smokes, your filters may become clogged more quickly. Most filters should be changed at least every three months, while others need changing more often. To find out how often your filter needs changing, check the package and follow the manufacturer's recommendation.

Filters Look Dirty and Clogged. You may be able to tell if you need a new air filter just by looking at it. If the filter is visibly gray and you can see a build-up of dust and debris, it's time to replace it.

Your Home is Dusty. Your furnace filters remove allergens and dust from the air in your home. If your air filters are clogged, your home may become dustier than usual. Check your filters if you notice an unusual build-up of dust and dirt on your furniture.  

Higher Energy Bills. When your air filters are clogged, your furnace will run longer and work harder to maintain the temperature. This strain on your heating system leads to higher energy costs. If you've noticed a spike in your heating bill, it might be time to replace your air filters.

If you need assistance with your furnace, contact us today! We look forward to serving you.

Ideal Winter Temperatures for Your Thermostat

Everyone has their own favorite room temperature. But setting your heater's thermostat for different temperatures at different times throughout the day can do a lot more than keep your home comfortable. Here are three ideal settings to get the most comfort out of your heater without a large bill.

What temperature should your house be when you're awake and active?

68 degrees Fahrenheit is the generally accepted middle ground for winter heating as it will keep your home close to the stereotypical room temperature of 70 degrees. It isn't cold enough to make you want to stay curled up under a blanket, but it's also not so warm that it's uncomfortable.

What about when you're asleep or out of the house?

Lowering your thermostat during winter can drastically cut your energy spending. It is best to do this when you're asleep, because you can drop the thermostat a few extra degrees without discomfort, and when no one's in the house. If there are large stretches of time when nobody's home, set the thermostat to drop. As long as the internal temperature stays above fifty or fifty-five degrees Fahrenheit, the cold temperature isn't low enough to do damage. Simply program your thermostat on a set schedule.

Should you turn it off completely?

Unless you're going to have a stretch of warm days, you should keep your heating system on. Not only can letting your house's temperature drop damage the pipes, the energy savings you gain through a few hours without heating will be canceled out by the cost of reheating the whole house. As a general rule, maintaining a relatively consistent temperature (especially if it doesn't fluctuate frequently) is cheaper than cooling and heating cycles.

We encourage you to give us a call at Kent Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc. with any questions or service needs you may have.

Please Your Family With A Lennox iHarmony Zone System Heating Installation

The Lennox iHarmony Zone System allows you to control the temperature in your home by zone. This innovative system blends the reliable technology of an electronic thermostat with the computer programmed and Wi-Fi controlled heating and cooling equipment.

What This Means For You

With the Lennox iHarmony Zone System:

• You control the airflow to four different areas in your house
• Cool one room down while keeping the others heated
• Accommodate the various temperature preferences for the members of your family
• Allow individual control of each zone, the occupant can set the temperature how they like
• Monitor the system from one central thermostat
• Control the system by Wi-Fi from your phone, tablet, or computer

Why Your Life Will Be Better

Once you install the iHarmony Zone System, the days of moving from room to room for more comfort will be gone. No matter where you are in your house, you'll be able to change the temperature without getting up from your chair. Using a specially designed app on your phone, you can also heat up or cool your house down while you’re away. When you arrive home, your house will be at a comfortable temperature.

You will also be able to redirect airflow from empty rooms, saving you the cost of heating in Valparaiso IN or cooling rooms without having to go to each room and open or close the vent manually. The iHarmony Zone System is efficient and economical. Because of the flexibility the system offers, your energy bill could drop by up to 35%.

Contact Kent Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc. for more information or to schedule an appointment.

Cost of Comfort

With the economy the way it is and rising natural gas costs, we have to try and find a balance of cost over comfort. That’s why being energy efficient is so important these days because it can save you a lot of money on your energy bills.

At Kent Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc, we have several ways to check your system to make sure it is running at optimal performance and keeping more money in your pocket. There are also some small things that you can do to cut down on energy costs. Change your HVAC filters monthly during peak heating and cooling seasons. They only cost a few bucks to replace and a dirty filter makes your system work harder and longer. You can also look for any leaks around your windows or doors that could be letting the heat escape.

If you want to know more about what to expect come this cold season, read our free report “Predicting the Cost of Your Home Heating.” You can see more about the costs of natural gas and a way to cut down your energy usage by 20% from last year.

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.

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.

What Goes Up Doesn't Always Come Down

In grade school, we learned about the Law of Gravity – what goes up must come down. Unfortunately, that does not seem to apply to the cost of living.

I have not noticed the price of many things decreasing in years. Well, with the exception of the real estate market, but that may be the only one. Most people immediately focus on the cost of gas and other types of energy that have skyrocketed, but even the basic everyday items we need, like bread, milk, eggs, soap and shampoo have all risen in price and most have not come down.

I miss the days of doing something as simple as walking into a grocery store and not experiencing sticker shock. I cannot even imagine what prices for basic necessities will be in another 5 to 10 years.

Heating and cooling our homes is also a basic necessity and energy prices for running these units are out of control. We simply have to find ways to save money any way we can. I fear the cost of energy may not come down anytime soon.