Monthly Archives: March 2015

Choose a Quality HVAC Contractor with NATE Certification

Keith Air ConditioningWhat is NATE Certification?

If you’ve been browsing through our website, you’ve probably noticed the North American Technician Excellence (NATE) badge that is located on the bottom right of each page. This small logo means a lot to our family and to our customers. The NATE program was created in 1997 and is the only national certification that’s supported by the entire HVAC industry, including manufacturers, contractors, utility companies and educators.

Finding a Qualified HVAC Contractor

Our family takes pride in offering quality products and services to customers in Mobile, Alabama, and the surrounding area. Maintaining our NATE certification is just one way that we provide extra comfort and assurance to our customers. This rigorous testing process assesses our knowledge of HVAC installation, air conditioning maintenance, specialty equipment and all aspects of the trade.

The certification is also essential for maintaining our status as a Carrier factory-authorized dealer, which allows us to supply genuine replacement parts and the brand’s top-rated heating and cooling systems. Here are a few reasons why customers and industry leaders prefer NATE-certified technicians.

  • They have 13 percent fewer callbacks.
  • They have fewer warranty-related repairs.
  • They are up-to-date on the latest standards and codes.
  • They are knowledgeable in installation and service practices.
  • They receive ongoing training to retain the certification.

 

Industry Certifications

The NATE certification that every HVAC contractor at Keith Air Conditioning, Inc. has earned is important for showing customers that we take the extra time to provide the highest level of service. This voluntary accreditation complements our mandatory state license, liability insurance and EPA certifications for handling refrigerant in an environmentally sound manner.

Whether you’re hiring us for HVAC installation or to perform air conditioning maintenance, you know that the job will be done right the first time. It means that we follow the latest guidelines and recommendations for achieving optimal performance. To learn more about our HVAC contractors and professional qualifications, visit our about us page, or call our Mobile office at 251-476-3610.

Spring Cleaning Includes Professional Air Duct Cleaning

Keith Air ConditioningPoor indoor air quality (IAQ) is a growing national problem caused primarily by negative pressure leaks and tight building envelopes. Without proper ventilation, a variety of harmful pollutants accumulate inside the ductwork attached to your HVAC equipment. If not adequately addressed, these contaminants continually recirculate through the system and can aggravate respiratory conditions such as asthma, allergies and COPD.

Our Air Duct Cleaning Services

A professional duct cleaning service will eliminate the dirt, dust, grime, pollen and mold that build up on the interior surface of your duct network over time. The duct cleaning process also removes contaminants from critical internal equipment components including:

  • The plenum
  • Heat exchanger
  • Condensate drain lines and pan
  • The interior of the air handler
  • Supply and return registers
  • Blower, housings and motors
  • The evaporator coil
  • VAV boxes

For every air duct cleaning remediation project, we send trained technicians equipped with cameras and mirrors to accurately assess the condition of your ductwork and HVAC equipment. If the system requires cleaning, the registers are sealed with a pressure sensitive tape, and access holes are cut into the supply and return duct lines.

When the ductwork is prepped, a powerful vacuum that meets NADCA standards is attached to the installed collar. Flexible forced air whips and mechanical brushes are used to agitate and dislodge any material that is stuck to the duct wall. The system is turned on, and the ductwork is placed into a substantial negative pressure. Dander, hair, debris and other impurities are pulled out of the ductwork and deposited into a sealed container.

The Benefits of Clean Ductwork

Periodic duct cleaning provides an excellent return on investment. Some of the more important benefits include:

  • Improved indoor air quality
  • Lower HVAC maintenance costs
  • reduced utility bills
  • Fewer furnace and AC repairs
  • Extended equipment life

 

Complete IAQ Services

To learn more about duct cleaning, HVAC maintenance agreements and our complete indoor air quality services, call Keith Air Conditioning, Inc. at 251-476-3610. We can schedule a free performance evaluation for your ductwork and HVAC equipment.

New Thermostats Can Improve HVAC Energy Efficiency

Keith Air ConditioningDid you know that the new indoor comfort control systems can save you money on residential energy costs? Adding a state-of-the-art thermostat to your Mobile, AL, heating and cooling system is almost like getting a total HVAC upgrade.

Programmable thermostats can help your HVAC to operate more effectively, thereby increasing indoor comfort. These thermostats can also ensure a consistent indoor temperature throughout your home. Last but not least, high-tech thermostats can reduce the load on your HVAC equipment, giving it a longer life.

Programmable Thermostats

High-tech thermostats can be set to deliver warm and cool air to precisely match your schedule. When temperatures are matched to schedules, the result is decreased energy usage. Proper thermostat selection and correct use will save even more on energy costs. There are three basic types of thermostat control systems:

    • Seven-day thermostats for schedules that change daily
    • Five-plus-two-day thermostats for those with different weekday and weekend schedules
    • Five-one-one thermostats for those with set weekday schedules and two different weekend schedules

 

Smart Functions

One of the many benefits of modern thermostats is set-it-and-forget-it convenience. After adjusting the thermostat to match your schedule, you are basically good to go. When your schedule changes, say for a vacation, you can use a hold/vacation setting to override your usual settings.

Some thermostats will remind you when it’s time to change the air filters and alert you to system dysfunctions. Other models can multitask by controlling not only temperature but also ventilation, air flow, humidity and indoor air quality. If you opt for a control system with mobile connectivity, you can control your Mobile, AL, indoor comfort system on your mobile or laptop from anywhere.

Maximize Energy Savings

According to Energy Star, for every degree you raise your indoor air temperature in summer and lower it in winter, you’ll save two percent on energy costs. Other money-saving practices include:

      • Set it and forget it; overriding your settings costs you money
      • Use the hold feature to deliver a constant indoor air temperature while on vacation
      • When you program the thermostat, maintain constant temperatures as long as possible
      • Install a thermostat in each zone of a zoned heating and cooling system

To learn more about HVAC upgrades with a programmable thermostat, check out Keith Air Conditioning’s lineup of state-of-the-art control systems and thermostats or call 251-476-3610.

HVAC System Maintenance Check List for Spring

Keith Air ConditioningSpring is on the way, and the long, hot Alabama summer won’t be far behind. That means it’s time for Mobile area homeowners to think about getting their HVAC systems ready to handle the warmer weather. If you’re not sure just what needs to be done to ensure your system runs smoothly throughout the cooling season, here’s an HVAC system spring maintenance checklist that can help.

Schedule a Tune-Up

Having preventive maintenance performed by a qualified HVAC technician is an item that should be at the top of the pring maintenance checklist. This simple step is the best insurance against HVAC system problems throughout the cooling season, and it will help keep your utility bills low by making sure your system is running efficiently.

Have Ductwork Inspected

Leaky ductwork can cost you in terms of home comfort and energy bills. If yours hasn’t been looked over lately, having it done as part of spring maintenance is a good idea, ensuring that ducts are properly sealed and insulated before the cooling season begins.

Upgrade the Thermostat

Programmable thermostats offer increased comfort and energy savings, so if you haven’t installed one, you should. With a programmable model, you can take advantage of the eight or more hours you’re gone to set the thermostat for increased energy savings. Simply program the thermostat to return to your desired temperature right before your return; you’ll never feel the difference, but you’ll notice the impact on your monthly bills.

Clean the Outdoor Unit

While you’re waiting for that service call, you can get a head start on spring maintenance by cleaning up any debris that’s collected around your system’s outdoor unit. Cleaning the outdoor coils is a simple task you can do as well, just shut off the power and hose it down.

Change the Air Filter

This simple DIY task should be tackled monthly. Check the air filter each month, and as soon as dust and dirt has begun accumulating, replace the filter with a clean one. A dirty air filter blocks necessary airflow, causing the cooling system to work harder to maintain the same temperature.

Learn more about spring HVAC system maintenance available from Keith Air Conditioning, Inc., or contact us today at 251-476-3610 to schedule an appointment for your home!