Monthly Archives: February 2018

Is your HVAC system running, but you do not feel any warm air coming through your vents? The blower fan may be the issue. Blower fans are critical to HVAC systems. They push hot or cold air throughout your ductwork and the house, so if they stop working, it needs to be addressed as soon as possible. There are a number of reasons why the blower fan may have an issue, including bad belts, capacitors and motors. Here are seven things to consider:

1. Is there power to the indoor unit?
   Make sure the power switch or circuit breaker is not off. These can be located in a few places, such as on the unit itself, on a wall or your main breaker panel.
2. Is your air filter blocked?
   You do not want a dirty, clogged air filter. Turn on the fan and see if you feel air coming out of the vents.
3. Do you see ice?
   In air conditioning mode, check the indoor unit for ice around the evaporator coil and refrigerant lines. If the fan is not working, the coil could freeze. With a frozen coil, air will not pass through until the ice melts. You should shut off the air conditioning immediately.
4. How old is the belt?
   Over time with a belt-driven blower motor, the belt will wear out, crack or break altogether.
   
5. Did the fan relay go bad?
   When the fan relay (which powers the fan) goes bad, the fan will no longer work.
   
6. Is it the capacitor?
   When a capacitor is weak, shorted or has gone bad, the motor will not run.
   
7. Is it the motor itself?
   The bearings can seize up, or the motor just goes bad over time.

Homeowners can resolve issues #1 and #2 (the power and the air filter), but the rest of the issues listed above will require a professional HVAC technician’s expertise.

When it comes to the life of your HVAC system and needing repairs, you might want to consider investing in an HVAC maintenance plan with Keith Air Conditioning which provides two complete inspections each year for one low price. This is perfect to schedule one for the air conditioner in the spring and one for the furnace in the fall. One of our NATE-certified HVAC technicians (North American Technician Excellence) will work on your HVAC system. The NATE certification means the HVAC technician has surpassed rigorous requirements for excellence in HVAC maintenance, repairs and installation of all types of HVAC systems. If you need a repair, you will be at the top of our priority list, and you can receive 24/7/365 emergency air conditioner and heating repair services at no additional charge when needed. You also get a 15 percent repair discount on all parts, a one-year guarantee and priority service on the installation of a new system if ever needed. Read more about our maintenance plans.

If you have reason to believe your blower fan is not working, contact Keith Air Conditioning at 251-517-4437 to schedule an appointment with one of our HVAC technicians. For more home heating tips, check out this article from the U.S. Department of Energy.

We recommend taking care of your HVAC system for so many reasons, but did you know one of the reasons is to prevent sickness? Believe it or not, your house may be making you sick! Here are five ways you can care for your HVAC system (and your family!) to prevent sickness this winter and spring.

• Change your air filter regularly
  Changing your air filter on a regular basis is one of the easiest ways you can take care of your HVAC system and your family’s health Not only does a clean air filter help your HVAC system keep working properly, efficiently and safely, but a clean air filter helps keep your HVAC system and ductwork clean. When your air filter is dirty, it restricts airflow and causes your HVAC system to work harder. When it’s working harder, it is also harder to trap airborne pollutants from your home’s indoor air – pollutants like viruses, allergens, dust mites, dead skin, mold, pet dander and more. We recommend investing in a high-quality air filter and replacing it once a month for optimal efficiency and filtration.  If you use a washable air filter, clean it once a month during times of heavy use.
  

• Clean your air vents and grilles
  When your air vents and grilles are clean, you have better airflow and cleaner air moving throughout your house. Simply turn off your HVAC system and walk around your home to see which vents and grilles need to be cleaned. You might see a dusty grille or an air vent with pet hair on it. Whatever the case may be, remove the dirty vent cover or grille and use a vacuum, soft cloth, duster or brush to clean it. If you wash it with soap and water, be sure you completely dry it afterward before putting it back in place.
  

• Consider a professional duct cleaning
  Just like dirty air filters, vents or grilles, dirty air ducts lower the indoor air quality of your home and prevent your HVAC system from running most efficiently. To ensure proper duct cleaning and no damage is done to your air ducts, we recommend hiring a professional HVAC service like Keith Air Conditioning to perform this service instead of trying to do it yourself. Check out this blog post for more on how our duct cleaning works.
  

• Consider an air purifier
  Air purifiers help improve indoor air quality by neutralizing viruses, bacteria, mold spores, pollen, smoke, pet dander and chemical odors. With those pollutants neutralized, you have clean air to breathe. Check out the selection of air purifiers at a home improvement store to see which is right for your home, or you can even have one installed in your home by an HVAC professional.
  

• Schedule a maintenance appointment
  Make sure your HVAC system is working properly, efficiently and safely with regularly-scheduled maintenance appointments. Our HVAC technician will thoroughly clean the unit and inspect it to make sure no repairs are needed. A clean unit helps with clean air in your home.

Preventing illness in your home has a lot to do with taking good care of your HVAC system, so your indoor air quality is as clean and healthy as it can be. Check out the “Care for Your Air” guide from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for even more information on indoor air quality.

Keith Air Conditioning can assess your home’s indoor air quality, talk with you about air filters and air purifiers, service your HVAC system and perform duct cleaning if needed. Contact us at 251-517-4437 to get started today.

As winter comes to a close, it is time for spring cleaning! From dusting, vacuuming and mopping to washing windows, cleaning surfaces of all kinds, getting organized and donating old clothes, you will love starting fresh for springtime and the feeling of satisfaction you’ll have at the end of all the hard work. As you put together your to-do list, add these four items to help your HVAC system run longer and efficiently.

• Change your air filter
  Air filters help keep your HVAC system and ductwork clean, plus they improve indoor air quality by trapping airborne particles like allergens and dust. We recommend replacing your air filter once a month for peak efficiency and filtration, or if you use a washable air filter, clean it once a month during heavy use periods. This is especially important if you live in a high pollen count area.
• Keep windows and doors closed
  We know homeowners love to open their windows and doors in the spring to let the fresh air in. But the air isn’t so fresh. Opening windows and doors brings in outdoor allergens into your home and is especially rough for those who suffer from asthma or allergies. Keeping them closed also increases your HVAC system’s efficiency and costs you less money because air conditioning is not flowing right out of your house.
• Buy an air purifier
  Along with high-quality air filters and your HVAC system, an air purifier helps improve your indoor air quality by neutralizing airborne allergens and other pollutants in your home. Check out the selection of air purifiers at any local home improvement store or talk to one of our HVAC technicians about installing one in your home.
• Schedule a maintenance appointment
  We always recommend a maintenance appointment for your air conditioner in the spring. Your air conditioner works hard to keep your home cool when it is hot outside, so it is critical to take good care of it. When an air conditioner has been well taken care of, it can last around 14 years. During your maintenance appointment, the HVAC technician will clean and inspect the unit, noting any repair needs.. Consider investing in an HVAC maintenance plan with Keith Air Conditioning to make annual maintenance simple.

Bonus:
All the spring cleaning you are already going to do will benefit your HVAC system automatically! Cleaning your home regularly, including dusting, vacuuming, mopping and washing laundry, is a good way to remove allergens that we track in every day on our shoes, clothes, jackets, pets and more. Your air filter will still do its job of trapping airborne pollutants, but regular cleaning will give it a little less work to do.

For even more information on indoor air quality, check out the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) “Care for Your Air” guide.

Start fresh this spring and make sure HVAC maintenance is part of your spring cleaning to-do list. Contact Keith Air Conditioning at 251-517-4437 to schedule a maintenance appointment or to sign up for an HVAC maintenance plan.

Groundhog Day is an annual tradition celebrated in the U.S. and Canada every February 2nd. In Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, people gather every year for this superstition. If the groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, sees his shadow, it means we will have six more weeks of winter. If he doesn’t see his shadow, then spring will come early. Phil has predicted an extended winter more than 100 times since 1887 and an early spring just 17 times.

No offense to Phil, but we wouldn’t recommend waiting to hear his prediction for what the weather will be! Plan your spring HVAC maintenance now, so you’re not caught off guard with an HVAC system not ready for spring. Here is what you need to do:

Schedule a maintenance appointment
It is important to take care of your air conditioner because it works hard to keep you cool when temperatures are blazing outside. Regular maintenance appointments help ensure your air conditioning unit is in good shape. When an air conditioner has been well taken care of, it can last approximately 14 years. With regular maintenance, you give your system the best chance it has of working properly and efficiently for years to come.

During your appointment, the HVAC technician will clean and inspect the unit to make sure it is not in need of a repair. Air conditioning unit inspections include an examination of the fan, compressor, refrigerant lines, indoor coils and outdoor coils. The technician can also change your air filter if it is overdue.

Sign up for an HVAC maintenance plan
If you ever forget to schedule your HVAC maintenance appointments, consider investing in an HVAC maintenance plan to make annual maintenance simple. With a Keith Air Conditioning maintenance agreement, you will get two complete inspections every year for one low price. A NATE-certified professional (North American Technician Excellence) will work on your HVAC system. The NATE certification means the HVAC technician has surpassed rigorous requirements for excellence in HVAC maintenance, repairs and installation of all types of HVAC systems.

You will be at the top of our priority list if you need a repair, and for no additional charge, you receive 24/7/365 emergency air conditioner and heating repair services when needed. As a plan participant, you receive 15 percent repair discount on all parts and a one-year guarantee, plus priority service on the installation of a new system if ever needed.

Preventative HVAC maintenance gives you peace of mind your system has been taken care of and is good to go, so your family isn’t at risk for an emergency situation. You can also lower your energy bill by making sure your air conditioner is running as efficiently as possible.

Regardless of what Punxsutawney Phil “sees,” spring and summer will be here before we know it. It is never too early to plan ahead and get ready for warmer temperatures by making sure your air conditioner is ready to go.

Contact Keith Air Conditioning at 251-517-4437 to schedule an appointment or to sign up for an HVAC maintenance plan.