Author Archives: matthew.tyner

How to Get a Better Thermostat Without Breaking the Bank

When you need a new thermostat, you don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars. Many budget-friendly models offer far more features than your grandparents’ thermostats, and they won’t deplete your savings. If the thermostat in your Daphne, Alabama, home could use an upgrade, follow these tips to make an economical choice.

Evaluate Your Lifestyle

Programmable options allow you to set the temperature throughout the day based on your schedule so that you cool your home only as needed. For example, you can program higher temperatures when you are away since there will be no need for cooler temperatures when no one is home. By doing so, you will be able to significantly reduce energy waste and leave more money in your wallet. If you haven’t yet done so, it is time to consider replacing your manual thermostat with a programmable model.

Look for Discounts

Like all products, thermostats occasionally go on sale. We often run promotions for various HVAC products, so keep an eye on our specials so that you can take advantage of a reduced price. Our prices are always affordable, but discounts and other offers will make it easier for you to achieve the comfort and efficiency you need in your home.

Buy Based on Features

Maybe you’re interested in using your thermostat to control your home’s zoned system, but you don’t need the unit to display the outdoor temperature and deliver the weather forecast. Make a list of the features you need in a thermostat, so you don’t spend on a model that offers more than what you want. Many options exist, so you’re sure to find a thermostat that fits your specifications.

We carry a variety of thermostats to suit every style and budget. Higher-end programmable or WiFi thermostats offer a lot of bells and whistles provide, but you will still save money with any programmable thermostat you choose.

A new thermostat can help you to save on energy costs and better control your HVAC system. To learn about our thermostats and installation process, call Keith Air Conditioning, Inc. at 251-476-3610.

3 Reasons to Switch to Central Air Conditioning

When it gets unbearably hot in Mobile, Alabama, you end up running your window ACs at full capacity for months. To effectively tackle Alabama’s heat and humidity, your window units are probably pretty powerful, and you’ve made do with them for years. Switching to a property with central air might seem too expensive when you have an existing window AC solution, but you’re missing out on key comfort components that central air conditioning provides.

Central Air Is Efficient

Window units are rarely as efficient as central air. They consume a lot of electricity and typically gaps around where the unit has been installed mean outdoor air gets inside and makes your unit work harder to cool the house. Central air conditioning systems with high SEER ratings will help you to save big on your electricity bills each year.

Heat Pumps Work Wonders in Alabama

Alabama’s mild winters make it a great area for homeowners to rely on heat pumps for heating and cooling needs. When you use a heat pump for central air conditioning, it removes the heat from the air in your home in the summer and transfers it to the air outside. In the winter, it does just the opposite. Heat pumps take care of both your heating and cooling from one unit.

Correct Sizing Makes a Difference

Chances are, those window units aren’t sized quite right for your home. Even if they’re off by just a little bit, it means you’ll have a harder time achieving a comfortable temperature and humidity level at the same time. When we install a central air conditioning system for you, we size the system, so it fits your home perfectly. The system runs at peak efficiency this way, and you stay extremely comfortable all summer long.

Central air offers a more consistent air conditioning experience. The team at Keith Air Conditioning, Inc. knows all about central air conditioning and is happy to answer your questions. If you’re not satisfied with your window units, whether because of high electricity bills or lack of comfort, give us a call today at 251-476-3610.

Does Your Home Need an Air Purifier?

Whether you’re a newcomer or a longtime resident of Daphne, Alabama, you’re bound to experience air quality issues in your home from time to time. If your HVAC system struggles to manage airborne contaminants like dust mites, pet dander, or even microscopic bacteria, an air purifier can provide the relief you need.

How Air Purifiers Work

As a very effective air cleaner, air purifiers are responsible for filtering out a range of pollutants in your home’s air supply. They rely on high-quality air filters with high minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) ratings to substantially improve indoor air quality. Many models specialize in capturing germs, pollen, and mold to make the air clean and easy to breathe.

How They Outperform Air Filters

All HVAC systems need air filters to keep dirt and dust away, and most of these have replaceable components that trap other airborne contaminants. Air purifiers go above and beyond regular air filters. Some models, like the Infinity Air Purifier GAPA, are capable of eliminating up to 95 percent of the pathogens as small as .30 micron in size. They emit an electrical charge that kills germs and bacteria upon contact. Since the system can process up to eight air cycles per hour, you can rely on it to purify your home’s air supply constantly. Tobacco smoke and viruses don’t stand a chance.

How They Work With Your HVAC System

You’ll find several portable air cleaners on the market, but at Keith Air Conditioning, we recommend air purifiers that work with your existing HVAC system. These whole-home air purifiers stay in one place and filter airborne contaminants each time your HVAC system cycles air in your home. They filter the air supply throughout every room in your home instead of focusing on single rooms or isolated areas.

Unhappy with the state of your home’s indoor air quality? We can help. Our technicians can assess your air quality and install the right air purifier for your home. Call Keith Air Conditioning, Inc. today at 251-476-3610 to learn more about our convenient products and services.

Should You Keep Your AC’s Fan in ‘On’ Mode?

As a Loxley, Alabama, homeowner, you’re no stranger to hot, humid summers. To beat the heat, you might be tempted to set your air conditioner’s fan to “on” at all times. Learn why always keeping your air conditioner on can compromise comfort and lead to high utility bills.

High Humidity Levels

Your air conditioner does much more than cool your home. It’s also responsible for maintaining a healthy and comfortable humidity level. When the fan is always on most air conditioners will cool quickly without properly dehumidifying the air. During an Alabama summer, high humidity can lead to dust mites, mold growth, and other indoor air quality concerns.

Dirty Air Filters

One of the benefits of running your air conditioner constantly is that you’ll cycle air through your home continuously. That means the HVAC system’s air filter will trap most of your home’s airborne contaminants, such as pet dander, dust, and mold.

With constant fan usage, however, it is possible that you will need to change air filters more frequently. The frequency with which your filter is to be changed will depend on the type of filter, but regardless of which filter you use, you will need to replace them more frequently when the system is set to “on” instead of “auto.”

Excessive Utility Bills

It should come as no surprise that keeping your air conditioner running at all hours of the day will lead to high utility bills. To enjoy the benefits of constant air filtration and superior comfort that come with constant fan operation, consider investing in an Infinity 21 central air conditioner.

This system relies on a variable-speed blower that enables it to run at a low level most of the time and turn up the cooling power when necessary. With innovative technology like this, you can easily set the air conditioner to “auto” and stay cool without racking up excessive utility bills.

If your air conditioner isn’t keeping you as cool as you want, we have just the solution you need. Call Keith Air Conditioning, Inc. at 251-476-3610 to learn more about our maintenance, repair, and installation services.

What Makes Smart Thermostats So Smart?

Smart cars, smart phones, and smart homes — we live in an era where technology sometimes seems to be smarter than us. Smart technology has made its way even into the HVAC industry. By keeping you connected to your home, smart thermostats have revolutionized how homes are managed and how homeowners experience comfort. But what makes a smart thermostat so smart, and how could it benefit homeowners in Mobile, Alabama?

What Is a Smart Thermostat?

The smart thermostat is an evolution of the programmable thermostat, so to completely understand the smart thermostat, we should first understand its predecessor. Programmable thermostats are just what they say they are. A regular, standard thermostat must be set manually, and if you want to save energy while you’re asleep or going out for the day, you have to change it manually every time. A programmable thermostat, however, allows you to program certain temperatures for certain hours of the day, according to your schedule. In the long run, this can save you up to around $180 a year.

Many programmable thermostats can be used with zoned air conditioning. Zones refer to different areas in your home in which one or more air handlers have been installed based on temperature needs or preferences in those areas. Zoning allows you to avoid energy waste cooling down rooms that are not often used.

Smart thermostats have all the features of a programmable thermostat, plus a few added goodies. First, smart thermostats come equipped with Wi-Fi connectivity. Thanks to this feature, you can manage temperature and humidity from your smartphone, as long as you have access to the Internet.

For example, let’s say that you’ve decided to stay an extra week on your vacation, but you already programmed your thermostat to begin cooling your home tomorrow morning when you expected to return home. You can access the smart thermostat’s app on your smartphone and adjust the programming from there.

In addition to Wi-Fi connectivity, smart thermostats also provide energy usage and send you reports. You will be able to generate reports for specified periods so that you can analyze energy usage over time and determine ways to save energy. With these functions, smart thermostats can make your home a more efficient living space.

Smart Thermostat Options

Have you ever browsed through the features on your phone and simply been overwhelmed by all the options? We understand the feeling. You could experience a similar feeling with the many different types of smart thermostats out there, so we’ve compiled a brief list of some of the most reliable smart thermostats in the industry.

Infinity Remote Access Touch Control SYSTXCCITC01-A

This smart thermostat comes with all of the bells and whistles. With it, you can manage everything from the temperature to the humidity, to indoor air quality in up to eight zones in your home. The Infinity thermostat will also provide filter replacement reminders to help you keep your HVAC system running in peak condition.

Côr Wi-Fi Thermostat TP-WEM01

The Côr Wi-Fi Thermostat features a technology called “smart setback.” With this feature, the thermostat will automatically adjust your temperature for greater efficiency and comfort. This thermostat also comes equipped with a constant four-day forecast, so at the swipe of a finger, you can always be ready for whatever weather comes your way.

Carrier Wi-Fi Thermostat TC-WHS01

The Carrier Wi-Fi Thermostat may be last on our list, but it’s certainly not least. In addition to the standard features, this thermostat has customized how you can adjust your energy usage with its Quick Save feature. This option shows you precisely when in the day you are losing energy and allows you to make quick adjustments. Maintenance reminders also help you to avoid missing HVAC care.

With the help of a smart thermostat, your home can be easily transformed into a more efficient and comfortable living space. For more questions regarding smart thermostats, or to have one installed in your home, give Keith Air Conditioning, Inc. a call today at 251-476-3610.

3 Reasons HVAC Maintenance is So Important

Ideally, you should have your HVAC system inspected by a professional technician before summer starts, to avoid an inconvenient breakdown. The hot, humid Mobile, Alabama, weather will make you feel miserable without air conditioning. A hot house is also dangerous for everyone, but particularly for children, seniors, and chronically ill people. Too much heat causes heat exhaustion, a high body temperature, and even death. Regular maintenance makes your system more efficient, helps prevent more expensive problems, and improves your indoor air quality.

Higher Efficiency

Maintaining your air conditioner will help you take care of any problems that could affect cooling efficiency and raise your utility bills. Low efficiency also forces your system to work harder, eventually shortening its life. Have your ductwork checked for leaks, and check your air filter at least once per month for the best airflow. You should also keep leaves, grass clippings, and other debris away from your outdoor HVAC unit.

Fewer Problems

Moving parts break eventually, and belts can crack. Other parts could need extra lubrication to keep them working. Low refrigerant levels or dirty coils could cause ice or frost on your air conditioner, which keeps it from cooling properly and could lead to major damage. An experienced professional can find and repair these problems before they get so severe that you need to replace your HVAC unit.

Better Indoor Air Quality

High humidity in summer encourages mold growth in your coils, ductwork, and condensate pan. Mold often has a musty smell, and it aggravates allergies and asthma. It can even cause flu-like symptoms. Dust, dirt, pollen, and other contaminants can also build up in your system and spread through your home. An HVAC technician will tell you if you need your ductwork or any other parts of your system cleaned as part of routine maintenance.

Keith Air Conditioning, Inc. is family owned and operated, with over 50 years of experience. Our preventive maintenance plan includes two HVAC inspections per year and discounts on air conditioning or heating repairs. Call us anytime at 251-476-3610 for expert service.

3 Tips for Keeping Guests Comfortable During a Summer Party

As summer kicks into high gear, you’re itching to throw the first summer bash of the season. A summer party is a chance to reconnect with friends, let your hair down, and celebrate the season — but summer can make your home warmer and less comfortable for entertaining. Fortunately, keeping guests comfortable during a summer party in Daphne, Alabama, is simple with these helpful strategies.

Schedule HVAC Maintenance

A well-tuned air conditioner functions more efficiently and more powerfully. Before you start whittling down the guest list, make an appointment with our HVAC contractors for a maintenance check. We’ll evaluate your air conditioner or heat pump and advise you of any issues. It’s better to get small issues repaired now than after your summer party. Plus, our knowledgeable techs can give you personalized advice for improved efficiency.

Serve Chilled Beverages and Snacks

When you drink cold beverages, you feel cooler. Consider serving frozen or iced treats, such as refreshing fruit smoothies so that your guests cool off even with the summer sun streaming through the windows. You can also help your guests stay comfortable with cold snacks. Fruit cups, summer salads, and cheese platters can contribute to greater comfort in the summer months than barbecue or chili con queso.

Set Up Fans

Ceiling and table fans don’t make the inside of your home cooler because they don’t affect the room temperature. They work by cooling body temperature. They can therefore go a long way toward making guests feel more comfortable. Set up fans in key areas of your home so guests can catch a breeze while they chat, dance, or watch sports. Set your ceiling fans to run counter-clockwise for that cooling effect in the hot months. You can also take fans outdoors if the party moves onto the patio. They’ll cool your outdoor space and help chase away pesky mosquitoes.

Many of us look forward to those great summer parties, but keeping guests comfortable is important if you want to make your party a hit. If you’re not sure your HVAC system is up to the task, give Keith Air Conditioning, Inc. a call today at 251-476-3610 to schedule an appointment.

3 Kinds of People to Avoid for Your AC Repairs

If your air conditioner malfunctions during the summer in Mobile, Alabama, you might be tempted to hire anyone who claims to repair air conditioners. But if you hire someone who isn’t a trained HVAC professional to fix your air conditioner, you could face expensive problems. Learn why you should avoid hiring an overconfident friend, uninsured handyperson, or a shady company making lowball offers for AC repairs.

The Overconfident Friend

If you mention your air conditioner is malfunctioning to a friend who claims to know about air conditioning, you may get a volunteer offer for help. Your friend may claim to have fixed similar problems before and tell you your problem is no big deal. Smart homeowners, however, would be wise to decline these offers.

The North American Technician Excellence (NATE) certification program trains technicians to meet HVAC industry standards. When you hire a NATE-certified technician, you can feel confident knowing that a professional is working on your repair job.

The Uninsured Handyperson

Open the newspaper and you’ll find announcements for people advertising their repair skills. Research and referrals will prove very important to make sure that decision doesn’t turn into a nightmare. Of course, anyone working on your system should have the right insurance and licenses. It is also important to ensure they have the right skills and experience.

On the job, someone who is uninsured may get hurt or cause damage to your home. Without insurance, the responsibility for these costs may become yours. Don’t take the risk — hire only a professional HVAC contractor.

The Contractor With the Lowball Offers

Unexpected repairs to your air conditioning system and demands on your finances may have you scrambling to find the lowest price for repairs. Selecting a contractor by competitive pricing is fine, but don’t fall for shady companies that give you a lowball estimate. Unscrupulous contractors make money by having you pay for expensive equipment, unnecessary services, or repairs that were never made.

You deserve fair and professional HVAC service. Keith Air Conditioning, Inc. has served Mobile, Alabama, and its surrounding communities since 1964. Our NATE-certified technicians are available 24/7 for emergency air conditioning repairs. Contact us at 251-476-3610.

3 Advantages of Zoned Air Conditioning

Cooling your Loxley, Alabama, home to a single temperature may not keep everyone in your family comfortable. By using easy-to-install zoned air conditioning, find out how you can customize the temperature in different rooms of your home to keep everyone happy while saving money on your energy bill.

How Zoned Air Conditioning Works

Zoned air conditioning is usually achieved with a heat pump system or a ductless mini-split system. These systems can both cool and heat your home. Heat pumps have two parts, an outdoor compressor unit, and an inside air handler. A small conduit connects these two units.

By connecting the outdoor compressor to multiple indoor air handlers, you can control the temperature in different zones in your home.

Customizable Comfort

Some family members may not appreciate having the living area set to the same temperature as the home office. With zoned air conditioning, specific areas of your home can each have a thermostat. With separate thermostats, your family members don’t need to fight over the thermostat settings.

Improved Efficiency

If your house has difficult-to-cool rooms, such as lofts or areas with large windows, you’ll appreciate zoned air conditioning. Heat pumps allow you to cool specific areas and leave lesser-used zones at a warmer temperature. Using zoned air conditioning consumes less energy than cooling the entire house, a choice that can save you money on electricity costs.

Easy Integration

Even if you already have an HVAC system in your Alabama home, you’ll be happy to know that zoned air conditioning, through a heat pump or ductless mini-split system, is still an option.

Heat pumps are unobtrusive and easy to install. Typically, the indoor air handler is mounted high on the wall and connected to the outside compressor with a three-inch conduit. The installation can be quickly and easily accomplished with a professional HVAC contractor, like the ones you find at Keith Air Conditioning, Inc. We will work efficiently so that your comfort is not affected.

Our service professionals at Keith Air Conditioning, Inc. can help you select the heating and cooling equipment that’s right for your Loxley, Alabama, home. Learn more about zoned air conditioning by calling us today at 251-476-3610.

Do Packaged HVAC Systems Do More for Comfort?

Packaged HVAC systems have become increasingly popular among homeowners — especially with limited space. Packaged units offer several advantages over split systems in certain Daphne, Alabama, homes, but do they increase your home comfort?

What Are Packaged HVAC Systems?

A split HVAC system features two separate cabinets for the air conditioner or heat pump, but a packaged system combines all components into a single cabinet. In most cases, we install packaged systems outside, which means you don’t have to find space for them inside your home. If you’ve embraced the tiny home craze, a packaged system likely represents your best choice.

These units offer other advantages as well. They cost less to install because there are fewer parts. It also takes less time to install a packaged system, and many options on the market offer significant energy and cost savings on a month-to-month basis. If you are interested in a packaged HVAC system, you need to know how it will impact your comfort levels.

Single Versus Dual Stage

Just like split systems, packaged HVAC units come in both single- and dual-stage varieties. A dual-stage unit offers superior home comfort because its fan can run at two speeds: low and high. During extremely hot Alabama summers, for instance, the fan might run at full speed. Then, when the temperatures start to drop a little in the fall, the unit will switch to the lower speed for maximum energy savings.

Since packaged units typically cost less overall, you might find it easier to fit the dual-stage system into your budget. You’ll gain the energy savings and increased home comfort that comes with multiple fan speeds, but you won’t have to dip as far into your savings account.

For instance, the Performance 15 Packaged Hybrid Heat System 48VR-B offers both heating and cooling in one convenient cabinet. Plus, it’s a dual-stage system that has a SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating of up to 15 and an 81 percent AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) rating.

Humidity Control

Humidity levels can get brutal during the spring and summer months. If you don’t control the humidity levels inside your home, you’ll feel warmer even if you haven’t increased the temperature on your thermostat. Many packaged air conditioning units feature filter drier system protection, which helps control humidity so you’re more comfortable during the summer.

If you’re switching from a window air conditioning unit to a central air option, you’ll see a radical difference in home comfort. Many homeowners resist upgrading to a new unit because they’re concerned about the cost. A packaged system requires a smaller initial investment, but it will remove more humidity from the air than a window unit.

Noise Levels

A split air conditioner or heat pump system features an indoor cabinet that contains the fan and evaporating coils. When the system cuts on, you might hear the motor. The noise can disturb your sleep or interrupt the quiet of your home, though noise levels for split systems will depend on the make, model, and condition of the unit.

Packaged systems don’t have an indoor cabinet. Everything is housed outdoors so you can’t hear the system cut on and off. You might still hear the air flow as it transfers through your ductwork and out of your vents, but the motor and associated noise won’t be a factor.

Is a Packaged HVAC System Best for Your Home Comfort?

As you can see, packaged air conditioners and heat pumps offer significant advantages in certain situations, but the comfort question depends on your circumstances. For instance, do you live in a smaller home with limited storage space? If so, you’ll benefit greatly from a packaged system over a window unit or other alternative. Similarly, you might like the reduced noise levels and the improved humidity control.

Our trained technicians can help you to evaluate different HVAC systems so you can choose one that will fit your family best. It comes down to personal preference, budget, and home features.

If you’re in the market for an upgraded heat pump or air conditioner, give Keith Air Conditioning, Inc. a call today at 251-476-3610 to schedule an appointment.