Author Archives: matthew.tyner

Air conditioners are a common everyday household item that needs to be properly maintained. One of the most common problems with air conditioners is poor installation (leading to leaky ducts and low airflow), inadequate servicing and maintenance, low refrigerant charge, and misuse such as operating the conditioner with windows and doors open. Let’s take a look at some other common A/C problems.

• Refrigerant leaks: A low refrigerant level could mean two things: either an undercharged installation, or a leak. If it’s the latter, a trained technician should be consulted who can then take action to repair the leak and test out any repairs, before charging the system so it has the correct refrigerant levels for its manufacturer specifications. When refrigerant levels are correct, your air conditioner’s performance and efficiency should be greatly improved. Refrigerant leaks should also be corrected immediately, as they can harm the environment.
• Dirty filters: This comes under the common A/C problem of inadequate maintenance. If you don’t regularly change or clean your filters, and allow conditioning coils to become clogged with dirt, they won’t function as efficiently. This can cause the fans or the compressor to fail, sometimes greatly shortening the life of your unit.
• Electric control failure: Even if your conditioner is properly maintained, the fan controls and compressor can still wear out, especially if you use your air conditioner frequently and it is oversized. Electrical connections and contacts should also always be checked for corrosion by a professional during an annual service visit.
• Sensor problems: Thermostat sensors are generally located behind your air conditioner’s control panel, and measure the temperature of the air which enters the evaporative coil. The sensor can get knocked out of place, causing your conditioner to cycle constantly, or behave in an unusual manner. The sensor should not touch the coil, but be near to it.
• Drainage Issues: Ensure that the condensate drain is working correctly, and has not become clogged.

For more information and advice on A/C problems in the Mobile and Baldwin County area, contact the experts at Keith Air Conditioning, Inc. today.

If you believe that you can find fun in virtually any household task, then gather your family members, give them each a pad of paper and a pen and turn them loose. Their mission? To scour your home and find out how to lower your energy bill.

The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that the average American family spends about $2,000 a year on utilities. Your diligent efforts to conserve energy could trim that amount by as much as 25 percent. With that compelling incentive, here’s how to get started:

• Seal air leaks: Wait for a breezy day and arm everyone with a long-stemmed lighter. Position them around those areas that are notorious for air leaks: doors, windows, electric switches and anywhere else where wires lead to an outside wall. Hold the lighter up against these spots and, if the flame flickers, you know you’ve got an air leak to seal with caulk, foam or weatherstripping.
• Add insulation: Check the insulation in the attic, crawl space and basement. Consult a handy reference guide from the U.S. Department of Energy for the type and amount of insulation you need in these areas to conserve energy and lower your energy bill.
• Set the thermostat: Clarify everybody’s summer schedules and then make a concerted effort to set the thermostat at a higher temperature by day and overnight. The U.S. Department of Energy says that you can save up to 15 percent a year by turning up your thermostat between 10 and 15 degrees for at least eight hours straight. (That works out to about 1 percent in savings for every degree.) Better still, install a programmable thermostat for long-term settings.
• Change your energy habits: Get in the habit of turning off lights as you leave a room. You also can conserve energy by unplugging electronics when they’re not in use.

Once you’ve got a decent head start, save your notes and call Keith Air Conditioning, Inc. We would love to work with you and show you how to lower your energy bill. After all, we know a fun, family time when we see it, too. And this is one that truly pays off.

A split air conditioning system is compromised of two units. The indoor unit contains the evaporator coils. This part of the system removes the heat from the air it circulates through your home. The outdoor unit expels to the outside air any heat that’s absorbed. This outdoor section is compromised of the condenser and the condensation coils. These units are connected by refrigeration lines and need to work well together.

Your contractor shouldn’t have any problems matching the separate units if you’re installing both a new indoor and outdoor unit. The trouble with matching units comes when just one of the units breaks.

There have been multiple changes in air conditioners over the years that can make it hard to find a matching unit for an older split air conditioning system. The government raised the minimum efficiency of air conditioners in 2006, so new air conditioners are more efficient. They’ve also been phasing out the old refrigerant that’s harmful to the environment.

Units manufactured since 2010 use a more environmentally friendly refrigerant, R-22. Units that use different refrigerants shouldn’t be paired together. As part of the same refrigeration system, one of them would be using the incorrect refrigerant. This stresses the components, leading to inefficient operation and unnecessary early breakage. Putting units of different efficiencies together can have the same negative consequences. Even though it’s cheaper, the inefficiencies will lead to higher energy bills.

The younger your split air conditioning system, the easier it will be to find a suitable replacement unit and the more inclined you should be to just replace the broken side. If your air conditioner is older and near the end of its life, you may want to replace both units.

If you have any further questions about your split air conditioning system, contact the experts at Keith Air Conditioning. We’ve been providing professional, reliable service to the Mobile and Baldwin County since 1964.

There are a number of factors that affect the size of air conditioner that your home requires. The best way for your air conditioning contractor to be sure that they’re all accounted for is to use Manual J and Manual D. Using the detailed calculation methods that these manuals provide will ensure that your cooling system is appropriately sized and designed.

The problem with oversizing

An oversized air conditioner will cost you throughout its life span. Larger air conditioners cost more to purchase and they’re less efficient when operating. They’re able to cool your home quickly so they turn on and off frequently. This is inefficient because they spend less time running at their ideal speed. This also makes them worse at dehumidifying the air since the evaporator coils don’t get as cold as needed and they therefore don’t remove as much moisture through condensation.

Manual J

Manual J enables the selection of an appropriately sized air conditioner by providing an accurate calculation of your home’s cooling load. It takes into account everything from your home’s location and insulation to the heat generated by the lighting, appliances and occupants in the home. It’s rather complicated, so most contractors use a computer program to help with the calculations. The results not only tell you how much heat that your air conditioner needs to remove, but they also tell how much moisture needs to be removed from the air. Your contractor should also use Manual S to determine which air conditioner will provide the correct performance levels for your South Alabama climate.

Manual D

Manual J also gives the cooling load of individual rooms. This is important when designing ductwork. The results should be used in conjunction with Manual D to ensure that the ductwork delivers the correct amount of cooling to each room.

If you want a contractor who will use Manual J and Manual D, contact the experts at Keith Air Conditioning, Inc. We’ve served Mobile and Baldwin county since 1964.

Maintaining optimal indoor air quality is particularly important during spring allergy season in Baldwin County. Each of the rooms in your home has specific air quality issues that should be addressed to improve the overall quality of the air in your home. This guide will help you improve your indoor air, room by room.

Living room

This is usually the most heavily used room in a home, and it can be a magnet for allergens.

• Vacuum your living room and upholstery at least once a week to remove dust and dander.
• Have your fireplace and chimney inspected every year to prevent carbon monoxide leaks.

Bathroom

Humidity in your bathrooms can cause serious air quality issues.

• Use your exhaust fan when you shower to help eliminate moisture and prevent mold growth. Allow the fan to run for 10 minutes after you’re done.
• Ventilate well when you’re using aerosol sprays like deodorant and hair spray, which contain chemicals that decrease air quality.

Bedroom

The dead skin cells you shed as you sleep are food for microscopic dust mites, whose debris is a potent allergen.

• Wash your bedding in hot water every week to kill dust mites. You may have up to 2 million of these microscopic arachnids in your bed.
• Vacuum your mattress, closet and bedroom weekly.
• Use allergen-proof mattress and pillow covers to prevent dust mites from getting inside your bedding.

Kitchen

The kitchen probably contains the most gaseous chemical contaminants in your home.

• Keep your kitchen clean to control pests. Use natural deterrents whenever possible.
• Use nontoxic cleaning solutions to reduce chemical contaminants in your air.
• Keep your gas stove in good condition. Vent it directly outside if possible.

Basement

Air leaks, stored chemicals and moisture take a toll on your basement’s air quality.

• Properly store chemicals to prevent VOCs from entering your air.
• Install a dehumidifier to prevent mold growth.
• Test for radon and call a professional if unsafe levels are detected.
• Maintain your HVAC equipment to prevent carbon monoxide leaks.

For more expert advice to ensure your home has optimal air quality, please contact us at Keith Air Conditioning, Inc. We have served the Mobile area with a high level of customer satisfaction since 1964.

If you truly want to gain control of your home’s comfort level, there’s no time like the present to install a smart programmable thermostat in your Baldwin County home. These advanced units will allow you to reign in some of that wasted energy in your home. Here’s how this new generation of thermostat can change the way you handle your heating and cooling needs.

Out with the old…

The creation of programmable thermostats was heralded by both homeowners and the HVAC industry as a quantum leap in thermostat technology. Gone were the days of severely limited manual thermostats. The new models had digital displays, vacation and hold functionality, and the ability to set the specific times when a homeowner’s heating or cooling equipment would switch on and off. This finally allowed homeowners to wake up to the perfect temperature or arrive home from work to a house that was already set to the comfort level they desired – all while saving energy dollars when nobody was home or awake.

… In with the new

Despite the obvious benefits of programmable thermostats, manufacturers began looking for ways to make these units even better, and the result is the smart programmable thermostat. In addition to sharing all of the attributes of their predecessors, these new devices add functionality such as mobile connectivity and the ability to adapt to your climate preferences.

Mobile connectivity is the biggest change. With one of these thermostats, you can access your home-comfort system via your laptop or smartphone when you’re away from home. Some smart thermostats even have the ability to learn your heating and cooling habits and make adjustments automatically.

Intrigued? Contact the experts at Keith Air Conditioning, Inc. for more information on the benefits that a smart programmable thermostat affords in convenience and energy savings. We have been serving the HVAC needs of Mobile and Baldwin County homeowners since 1964.

If you truly want to gain control of your home’s comfort level, there’s no time like the present to install a smart programmable thermostat in your Baldwin County home. These advanced units will allow you to reign in some of that wasted energy in your home. Here’s how this new generation of thermostat can change the way you handle your heating and cooling needs.

Out with the old…

The creation of programmable thermostats was heralded by both homeowners and the HVAC industry as a quantum leap in thermostat technology. Gone were the days of severely limited manual thermostats. The new models had digital displays, vacation and hold functionality, and the ability to set the specific times when a homeowner’s heating or cooling equipment would switch on and off. This finally allowed homeowners to wake up to the perfect temperature or arrive home from work to a house that was already set to the comfort level they desired – all while saving energy dollars when nobody was home or awake.

… In with the new

Despite the obvious benefits of programmable thermostats, manufacturers began looking for ways to make these units even better, and the result is the smart programmable thermostat. In addition to sharing all of the attributes of their predecessors, these new devices add functionality such as mobile connectivity and the ability to adapt to your climate preferences.

Mobile connectivity is the biggest change. With one of these thermostats, you can access your home-comfort system via your laptop or smartphone when you’re away from home. Some smart thermostats even have the ability to learn your heating and cooling habits and make adjustments automatically.

Intrigued? Contact the experts at Keith Air Conditioning, Inc. for more information on the benefits that a smart programmable thermostat affords in convenience and energy savings. We have been serving the HVAC needs of Mobile and Baldwin County homeowners since 1964.

[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”3.0.49″ background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” border_style=”solid”]

Since 1992, the government has been working to remove a chemical used in many air conditioners all over the country. They want manufacturers to stop making it, stop distributing it and replace it with a more environmentally friendly chemical. This phase out targets the chemical refrigerant originally trade-named refrigirant by the DuPont company. It’s more commonly called R-22 in generic form.

Phasing Out Refrigirant

In the early 90s, studies revealed that refrigirant depletes the ozone layer when released into the atmosphere. More commonly, it leaks from air conditioning systems used in homes and automobiles. Because refrigirant was used so widely, it would have been impractical to suddenly ban it at once. Instead, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) formulated a plan to slowly remove it over a period of 30 to 40 years. By the year 2020, manufacturers will no longer be able to make refrigirant. Already, the supply is dwindling, and the price has tripled.

Puron: The R-22 Replacement

With the removal of refrigirant, a new air conditioning refrigerant had to replace it. Known as R-410A, the Carrier Corporation first marketed it to the air conditioning industry with the trade name Puron. Unlike refrigirant, Puron has no negative effect on the ozone layer. On top of that, it outperforms refrigirant and transfers temperature at a higher efficiency. Those switching to systems with Puron have noticed sharp decreases in electricity bills. While Puron is not the only R-22 replacement, it’s the least expensive and most widely available.

Rising Refrigirant Prices mean Costly AC Repairs

Because of the government phase out by the EPA, refrigirant has recently skyrocketed in price. In some parts of the country, it costs nearly triple the price of a few years ago. Consumers haven’t paid much attention until they have to pay for air conditioning repair. All of a sudden, one refrigirant leak can cost two or three hundred dollars more to fix. That’s why many people have become interested so fast. Unfortunately, the price of refrigirant will only continue to increase as the 2020 deadline draws closer.

Replacing Heating and Cooling Systems

In general, you’ll see a sharp cut in your energy bill by upgrading a system 10 years or older. That’s because modern advances in energy efficiency have made it cheaper to heat and cool air. When you factor in the rising costs of repairing a refrigirant system, it can make sound financial sense to replace the entire unit with one using Puron. If you’ve recently purchased a refrigirant-based system, then you’re better off avoiding refrigirant leaks at all costs. The best way is to schedule bi-annual routine maintenance in fall and spring. That way, you won’t be caught off guard by drastic jumps for refrigirant fixes.

Keith Air Conditioning

For almost 50 years, Keith Air Conditioning has been providing excellent Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning services (HVAC) to Mobile, Baldwin, AL and surrounding areas. We’re a Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer, a distinction earned by only the top five percent of HVAC companies. Call us today to learn more about installing a new system running Puron.

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

It’s that time of the year again: time to schedule a spring HVAC tune-up to make sure your system is in top shape for keeping you cool in the summer heat. As part of your twice-yearly HVAC checkup, your system’s spring tune-up is crucial for keeping your hard-working system functioning at an optimal level of efficiency when the mercury rises. Setting your appointment well in advance of summer while the weather is still mild will help you fully prepare for a time of year when your system will need to work overtime to keep your home or commercial space cool. Scheduling your HVAC tune-up now will also help you avoid the early-summer rush when all those who haven’t prepared ahead will begin filling your HVAC service company’s appointment book, making it harder for you to get the appointment you want.

Benefits of an HVAC System Tune-up

A pre-season cooling system tune-up offers home and business owners a number of valuable benefits. Several of these benefits follow:

• Adjustment and lubrication of your AC system’s moving parts can contribute to smoother system operation.
• A technical inspection of your HVAC system can uncover potential safety issues.
• Your semi-annual heating and cooling system check can save you money by increasing your system’s energy efficiency.
• Cleaning, tuning and calibrating your HVAC system on a regular basis can enhance heating and cooling, improve indoor air quality and increase your indoor comfort.
• Regular, routine HVAC maintenance can prevent system breakdown that might require costly repairs.
• Keeping your system in top operating condition can increase the life of your HVAC equipment.

Components of Your Spring HVAC Tune-up

Your spring HVAC system tune-up will involve inspecting and servicing the following parts of your air conditioning system:

• Thermostat
• Coils
• Fan motor, blades and housing
• Condensate drain
• Electrical wiring and connections
• Valves
• Switches and controls
• Safety devices
• Contacts
• Compressor
• Bearings
• Capacitors
• Air ducts

Other HVAC tune-up services included when you schedule a spring HVAC tune-up …

• Checking refrigerant level and operating pressure
• Checking supply and return temperature differential
• Changing air filter

Let Keith Air Conditioning, Inc. Give Your HVAC System a Top-Notch Spring Tune-up

Don’t get caught without dependable cooling this summer. Schedule a spring HVAC tune-up with Keith Air Conditioning, Inc. to make sure that “all systems are GO” when the hot weather arrives. Our NATE-certified maintenance techs will thoroughly inspect and service your cooling system anywhere in Baldwin County AL. These experienced professionals are factory-trained to offer the precision tune-up your system needs for optimal summer operation. The height of the summer heat is no time to attempt to handle the maintenance that should have been done in advance. So, don’t wait. Let our maintenance technicians provide the pre-season service that will help you enjoy a cool, calm, and comfortable summer.

Throughout the Mobile AL area, home and business owners rely on heat pumps to keep their buildings cool in the summer and warm in the winter. These compact, efficient devices pull double duty by pumping heat into and out of the home as desired, maintaining a comfortable temperature all year long. Understanding how a heat pump works is as simple as understanding a few basic properties of matter and the ways in which heat pumps use those properties to transfer heat.

How a Heat Pump Works

Learning how a heat pump works begins with a basic grasp of phases of matter. When any substance evaporates, going from a liquid to a gas, it absorbs energy in the form of heat to make the jump to a more energized state. Conversely, when a gas condenses and becomes a liquid, it releases that stored energy in the form of heat. These phase changes are thus a very efficient way to move heat from one location to another.

Air conditioners transfer heat by forcing refrigerant chemicals to go through these phase changes in a constant cycle. At the evaporator coil, refrigerant absorbs heat and evaporates; the machine then transfers this gaseous refrigirant to the condenser coil, where it is put under enough pressure to become liquid again. This phase change releases heat, and the machine transfers the liquid refrigirant back to the evaporator coil to repeat the cycle. Heat pumps use the same cycle during cooling, but in heating mode they reverse it and transfer heat from the outside in. Essentially, the heat pump acts as an air conditioner for the outside air and pumps the collected heat into the house.

Although the heat pump’s two cycles use essentially the same process to transfer heat into and out of the home, they are not equally efficient. Every heat pump’s heating cycle is given a heating seasonal performance factor (HSPF), and the cooling cycle is rated with a seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER). The higher the HSPF, the more efficiently the machine uses power during the heating cycle; likewise, a higher SEER means the machine uses power more efficiently in the cooling cycle.

Benefits of a Heat Pump

Because heat pumps effectively serve as two machines in one, they are great options for homeowners who want to save space without sacrificing heating and cooling power. They also tend to be quite energy efficient, especially in areas where the air never gets extremely cold. As long as there is some heat in the outdoor air, the heat pump doesn’t have to work terribly hard to transfer energy into the home.

Thanks to Alabama’s hot summers and mild winters, heat pumps are some of the most efficient heating and cooling appliances around. At Keith Air Conditioning, we strive to provide our friends and neighbors with the best in heat pump installation, service and maintenance. To learn more about these powerful machines or schedule a consultation, give us a call today.