Monthly Archives: February 2017

HVAC Professional | Keith Air Conditioning

Which HVAC System is Best for My Home?

So you’re tired of the wasted energy and low comfort of your outdated HVAC system. But looking for a new HVAC system can be as daunting as looking for a new car. While there are many factors to consider, finding a new HVAC system is all about finding the technology that will best fit the needs of your Mobile, Alabama, home. After all, that conventional HVAC system isn’t the only heating and cooling technology out there.

Use this simple guide to find a heating and cooling system that meets the needs of you and your home and brings efficiency and comfort to your life.

Standard HVAC Unit

Don’t just dismiss the possibility of a new standard central HVAC system because you were disillusioned by your old one. If your original system lived out its prescribed lifespan, then you can bet that the technology in central heating and cooling has drastically improved in 10 years. The staples of this kind of heating are its power and the duct network that brings air to every room in the home. To present a bigger picture, here are some pros and cons of a standard HVAC system.

Pros:

  • Provides comfort in every room of the home.
  • Powerful heating and cooling. The system can maintain comfort even when the outdoor temperature is extreme.
  • Relatively affordable to install (although duct networks can be expensive if your home didn’t previously include ducts).
  • Maintains indoor air quality.

Cons:

  • Ducts can leak and reduce efficiency.
  • Not as efficient overall as other types of heating and cooling.
  • Can’t personalize temperature in individual areas of the home.

Ductless Systems

Ductless heating and cooling systems have grown in popularity in recent years, and with good reason. Since these units do not require a duct system, air handling units can be placed anywhere in a room: floor, wall, or ceiling.

Pros:

  • Lack of ducts makes system more efficient. Less air is lost.
  • Temperature control can be personalized depending on the area of the home. Not only does this increase comfort, but it also ensures efficiency in rooms where heating or cooling is less necessary.
  • Units require little maintenance.
  • Use less power than central HVAC systems.

Cons:

  • Air handlers only heat and cool the rooms in which they are installed. This means that any other area of the home will go without temperature control.
  • More expensive than central units (not including the duct network associated with a central unit).
  • Air handlers must be placed just right and configured to the size of the room, or short-cycling will reduce efficiency and raise utility costs.

Geothermal Heat Pumps

Geothermal heating and cooling has been around for a long time, but the improving technology continues to make this type of heating and cooling a very viable option for your home. Geothermal heating works by moving heat between your home and the relatively constant temperature of the ground. Heat is transferred through rods or pipes that must be placed deep in the earth.

Pros:

  • Considerably more efficient than other types of heating and cooling since heat is simply moved rather than produced.
  • Uses less electricity than both central HVAC and ductless systems.
  • Very minimal maintenance required and fewer issues with parts.
  • Longer lifespan than other types of HVAC.

Cons:

  • Very expensive to install. Because installing the rods requires digging up your yard, installation will likely cost more than it would to install other types of HVAC systems.
  • Heat pumps are not generally as powerful as a central HVAC system. If temperatures ever stray into an extreme end of the spectrum, a geothermal heat pump will be less efficient at maintaining a comfortable temperature.

Each type of HVAC system has its merits, and the worth of each system can only be determined by your needs. But don’t stress, because whether you’re just looking for efficiency or something that can always keep your entire home comfortable, there’s a system out there for you. If you have more questions about the various types of HVAC systems, or would like a new system installed, call Keith Air Conditioning, Inc. at 251-476-3610.

HVAC Professional | Keith Air Conditioning

When Do I Need HVAC Maintenance?

It’s easy to take care of the things you see everyday. That rattling dryer receives quick attention. Your cracked smartphone tempts you to buy a new one, or at least spend the money to replace the screen. The HVAC system in your Mobile, Alabama, home, however, is out of sight and easy to forget about. But that doesn’t make it any less important. If you pay attention to your HVAC system’s maintenance, you’ll reap the rewards in comfort, health, and cost-savings down the road.

How Often Should I Conduct Maintenance?

Your HVAC system doesn’t necessarily require a once-over every day (although you should watch and listen for anything out of the ordinary). What your system does need is a thorough checkup at least twice a year. Ideally, you should schedule these checkups during the spring and fall, in preparation for summer and then again for winter when your system will be working hardest. However, you should seek professional help immediately if your system is suddenly making strange noises or releasing foul odors. You can perform simpler (yet still important) maintenance tasks, such as changing the system’s air filter, about once a month.

The Benefits of HVAC Maintenance

You might be surprised by the difference in your home’s comfort following thorough HVAC maintenance. Maintenance from one of our experienced technicians improves your system’s efficiency and makes sure you’re getting your money’s worth in comfort. A well-cared-for system also maintains a healthy level of indoor air quality, which reduces you and your family’s chances of getting sick. In the end, your peace of mind and the money you’ll save every month in utility costs will more than counter the cost of HVAC maintenance.

Don’t put off HVAC maintenance for the sake of saving a few bucks. If you do, you’ll end up losing more money than you would have saved. Instead, trust your system to a reliable HVAC contractor. To discover the benefits of HVAC maintenance firsthand, call Keith Air Conditioning, Inc. at 251-476-3610.

 

Girl With Allergies | Keith Air Conditioning

Cut Commercial Cleaners, Cut Allergies

Your home is spotless. You’ve spent hours scrubbing and cleaning, and you’ve thrown in some air freshener as a final touch. The rest of Mobile, Alabama, would envy the cleanliness and fresh smell of your home. But if everything is so clean, why is your throat itchy? And why does your child get a headache whenever you clean? Commercial cleaners, unfortunately, are not everything they seem. Commercial cleaners contain chemicals that exacerbate allergies and other health issues. If you want your home to be both clean and allergy-free, consider cutting commercial cleaners for these more organic alternatives.

Commercial Chemical Cleaners

That synthetic citrus scent that you love is unfortunately one of the culprits. These “fragrances” actually emit dozens of chemicals, many of which are derived from petroleum products. The chemicals aren’t listed on the can or box, but are usually shrouded by a simple “fragrance” ingredient. Hazardous chemicals can be released by everything from dryer sheets, to laundry detergent, to (especially) air fresheners. When these cleaners or detergents are used, they can irritate the eyes and throat, cause headaches, and contribute to other health problems.

Alternatives to Chemical Cleaners

If you can’t use mirror cleaner, how will you get those stains off your mirror? How will you leave your home smelling fresh? Fortunately, nature has many alternatives to chemical cleaners. If you can’t live without your cleaners, then look for ones that are fragrance-free or naturally scented. Warm water and soap, however, is a natural alternative that usually gets the job done. If you need some extra scrubbing power, add some baking soda to the mix. For mirrors and windows, use a mix of water and vinegar.

To leave your home smelling as fresh as it would with an air freshener, use sliced lemons and some baking soda. Plants also absorb chemicals and odors.

Cleaning your home shouldn’t bring discomfort and irritation to you and your family. So cut those commercial cleaners, cut your allergies, and see what nature has to offer. For more help increasing the indoor air quality in your home, call Keith Air Conditioning, Inc. at 251-476-3610

Does Your Home Smell? | Keith Air Conditioning

Does Your Home Smell? Here’s How to Fix the Problem

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Does your home smell like the home of that nice old lady who had too many cats? Or maybe like someone has hung soggy socks by the air vents for a few weeks? Your home should never have unpleasant odors. Take these simple steps to remove bad odors and leave your Mobile, Alabama, house smelling fresh.

Identify and Remove Culprits

If the odor permeating your home reminds you of sweaty socks, you may have a mold or mildew issue. And if that’s the case, you need to determine the source — fast. Sniff around to find where the smell seems to be the strongest. If mold or mildew isn’t behind a wall or under the floor, you should be able to see it. Look thoroughly in dark, damp places, where mold is likely to grow.

Once you’ve identified the source of the unwelcome fungi, the next step is to show it who’s the boss. If molds have damaged a part of your home, you’ll need to have whatever was affected removed and replaced. If molds or mildew are just on the surface, scrub it with a mixture of one part bleach and four parts water, then rinse off the residue. Be sure to take all safety precautions. Wear gloves and a mask whenever you deal with molds.

Ventilate

Open doors or windows occasionally to let fresh air inside. In the past, people were hesitant to do this because of concerns about the quality of the outdoor air. However, outdoor air has been found to be significantly more polluted than outdoor air.

If you’ve been destroying mold and mildew spores with bleach, you need to get a breeze going. Open some windows and get fans going to move air throughout the rooms in your home. To prevent future mold and mildew growth, ensure damp and dark areas, such as laundry rooms and bathrooms, are well ventilated and dry moisture from condensation as soon as it appears.

Make your house feel fresh by eliminating unpleasant and harmful odors. For more help with improving the air quality in your home, call Keith Air Conditioning, Inc. at
251-476-3610