Author Archives: matthew.tyner

How to Stay Comfortable When Your HVAC System Is on the Fritz

When your HVAC system won’t produce the right level of air conditioning, you’ll want our technicians to fix the problem as quickly as possible. In the meantime, however, you don’t want to suffer through uncomfortable conditions inside your home. Try these strategies to stay comfortable in your Loxley, Alabama, home while your HVAC system is on the fritz.

Adjust Your Diet

The foods and beverages you consume can have a tremendous impact on how cold or warm you feel. When the mercury soars, stick with ice-cold drinks like juice, iced tea, and water. You can even put your glass in the freezer briefly to make your beverages extra frigid. Ditch hot meals in favor of cool alternatives, such as fresh salads and fruits. Of course, it is very important to keep hydrated. A cool glass of water will help to keep you comfortable and stave off the ill-effects of a hot house.

If you do use the stove, try to prepare meals with shorter cooking times to reduce the amount of heat being generated. A great option while the weather is still favorable is to take the cooking outdoors. Firing up the grill is a great alternative if you still desire a hot meal.

Look for Portable Alternatives

Table and floor fans can keep you cool when your air conditioner fails to work properly. Fans don’t actually chill the air, though. Instead, they create air movement, which makes you feel cooler even though the temperature of the room doesn’t change. Turning on ceiling fans can create an even greater cooling effect.

Use Window Treatments Wisely

Sunlight streaming through windows or glass doors will introduce additional heat into your home. On warmer days, use curtains, blinds, and shades to keep the sunlight out. Blocking the sun’s rays will help to reduce their effect on your indoor temperature.

Sometimes you have to use DIY solutions to stay comfortable during an emergency. We offer fast HVAC service if your system goes on the fritz. For more air conditioning solutions, give the experts at Keith Air Conditioning, Inc. a call today at 251-476-3610.

The How and Why of Air Filters

Your air filter plays an integral role in your HVAC system’s ability to effectively heat and cool your home. Air filters improve indoor air quality and protect the HVAC unit’s moving parts by removing particles from the indoor air. Learn why regularly changing the air filter in your Foley, Alabama, home is so important.

Remove Allergens From the Home

Air filters catch the larger pollutants in your home, such as dust and pet hair, so they don’t reenter the system. Consequently, those particles don’t get redistributed throughout your home. If anyone in your family suffers from allergies or asthma, your air filter becomes even more critical.

Reduce Wear and Tear

If your air filter gets clogged, air can’t pass as easily through the fibers. Your HVAC system has to work even harder to heat or cool your home, which means it incurs more wear and tear. The result is the need for increased repairs or even premature replacement of parts. Additionally, this increased effort from your system means more energy is consumed and therefore, you will incur higher utility bills.

Prevent Pressure Drops

Similarly, a dirty air filter can result in an airflow pressure drop in your HVAC system. The air doesn’t move as forcefully through the air conditioner, furnace, or heat pump, which means increased difficulty providing the right level of air conditioning. Your unit will have to work harder and might break down entirely if the situation continues.

Change Your Air Filter

Using the highest quality air filter possible that is recommended for your system will help to prevent major problems. Disposable air filters present the most common solution, but you can also find washable air filters that you can clean and reuse.

Your HVAC system contains far more expensive parts than the air filter, but the filter performs an essential function. To learn more about indoor air quality and air filters, call Keith Air Conditioning, Inc. today at 251-476-3610 to schedule an appointment with one of our technicians.

Know What to Expect from Professional AC Maintenance

Scheduling professional AC maintenance every year will help keep the system running smoothly for many years. It helps prevent breakdowns and keeps the unit running efficiently. A more efficient system means you keep your energy use and costs to a minimum in your Mobile, Alabama, home.

The Maintenance Check

Your HVAC technician will completely evaluate and clean your system. The following are some of the steps you can expect during a routine AC maintenance call:

Thermostat – Your technician will verify that the thermostat is working properly. A malfunctioning thermostat will result in inaccurate temperatures and cause your system to use more energy. If you have an older thermostat, the AC professional may recommend upgrading to a programmable thermostat.
Electrical Connections – All electrical connections will be checked and tightened. A faulty electrical connection can be potentially dangerous and put excessive wear on electrical components. Such damage could also increase your energy costs.
Moving Parts – A lack of lubrication can cause friction within the system and increase the amount of energy used. It also increases the wear and tear on the equipment.
Condensation Drain – If the drain is not working properly, it can back up and cause water damage, as well as increase humidity levels in the house.
System Evaluation – The AC technician should run the system through a complete cycle to ensure the system is starting, running, and stopping properly.
Clean evaporator and condenser coils – Dirty coils cause the system to have to work harder to keep your home’s interior temperature comfortable, which again, increases your energy bills and leads to the need for more repairs.
Refrigerant Levels – If the refrigerant is not at optimal levels, the system will need to work harder to keep the home cool.
Clean and adjust blower components – When the blower is not adjusted properly, it can reduce system efficiency by up to 15 percent. That leads to higher energy use and costs.

Schedule AC Maintenance and Save

Having annual preventative maintenance will increase AC efficiency and allow you to realize more savings on your energy bills. For reliable AC service, contact Keith Air Conditioning, Inc. at 251-476-3610. We are your cooling specialists serving Mobile and surrounding communities.

How to Save Energy With the Changing Weather

During the spring, the unpredictable weather makes it difficult to control the temperature in your Mobile, Alabama, home. Luckily, with a little planning, you can save energy while keeping your home comfortable this spring.

Indoor Temperature Challenges

The fluctuating temperatures can make it challenging to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures throughout the day. Mornings may feel cool while the rest of the day to late evening can feel hot and miserable. In such conditions, you might find yourself frequently adjusting the settings on your thermostat. Unfortunately, this behavior can cause your utility bills to increase.

Managing Indoor Temperatures

You can reduce the frustration of coping with wide temperature swings with a few simple tasks.

Programmable Thermostats

It is very important that you pay attention to your local weather forecast. With a programmable thermostat, you can program the thermostat to gradually cool your home according to the expected outside temperatures. If you don’t have a programmable thermostat consider upgrading now to improve efficiency.

Tips and Tricks

Save on your utility bills this spring by finding ways to help cool your home without turning down the thermostat.

Keep blinds and windows closed or only slightly open to reduce the effect of the sun’s rays on your home.
Use fans to help circulate the cooler air.
Try to complete chores that generate heat (such as cooking) as early in the morning or late in the day as possible.
If nights are milder consider setting the thermostat higher to reduce the number of times the AC cycles on.

Consult Your HVAC Pro

The experts at Keith Air Conditioning, Inc. can provide more information about efficiently managing the indoor temperature. Preventive maintenance helps your HVAC system to perform as efficiently as possible. A poorly performing system only increases your utility bills. With preventive maintenance, you can also find any small issues before they turn into big ones. Your HVAC technician will provide timely repairs and make sure your system is in good working condition.

To schedule preventive maintenance or to learn about more ways to effectively cool your home and save energy, call Keith Air Conditioning, Inc. at 251-476-3610 to speak with a qualified professional today.

6 Ways to Get Comfortable With Geothermal Heating

From cost savings to improved comfort to environmental sustainability, geothermal heating systems offer a host of benefits. Learn the many ways a geothermal heating system can help you to achieve optimal comfort in your Mobile, Alabama, home.

Lower Energy Consumption

One of the greatest benefits of a geothermal heating system is that it can keep you and your family comfortable while using much less energy than a traditional heating system. Unlike air-source heat pumps, which rely on cold outdoor air as an exchange medium, ground-source pumps benefit from relatively stable underground temperatures.

Standard heat pumps might be energy efficient, but the Department of Energy (DOE) estimates they achieve up to 250 percent efficiency on chilly winter days. In contrast, geothermal pumps reach up to 600 percent efficiency even on freezing winter nights. Altogether, geothermal heat pumps use about 50 percent less energy than traditional heating systems do, which means they can significantly lower your household energy consumption.

Significant Cost Savings

The relatively high upfront costs of geothermal heating systems, which can easily top $10,000, are enough to intimidate some homeowners. However, when they calculate the system’s total cost and energy consumption over time, most homeowners realize geothermal heating systems actually offer significant savings.

In fact, the DOE estimates that even with the installation cost and the unit purchase price, you can recover your original investment in as little as two years. Since this cost recovery depends largely on utility savings, in some situations, it can take up to 10 years for you to recoup your costs. In either case, you have the opportunity to earn back your investments at least a decade before you’ll need to start planning for a system replacement.

Environmental Sustainability

Geothermal energy is an environmentally friendly choice for several reasons. In addition to using less energy overall, geothermal heating systems generate far fewer emissions. In fact, geothermal energy doesn’t produce any carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, or other harmful gases that lead to air pollution.

Because they work well with zoning systems, geothermal heating systems can also ensure you don’t waste energy, even on the hottest or coldest days. Zoning systems allow you to cool or heat select rooms and areas in your home, so there’s no need to use extra energy conditioning your entire home.

Longer Lifespan

Some HVAC system components require regular replacement and even more frequent maintenance to run smoothly. Geothermal heat systems, however, don’t fall into this category.

Once installed, these heating systems rarely require maintenance, and they can keep your family cozy and warm almost without a second thought. Since geothermal heating systems have few moving parts, they are far less susceptible to breakdowns. Because the geothermal components do not reside outdoors where they are exposed to the elements, they also tend to be much more durable. In fact, the piping networks integral to geothermal heating systems can last up to 50 years. Moreover, most geothermal heat pumps last for at least 20 years.

Improved Indoor Air Quality

Many Alabama homeowners struggle with moisture levels in their homes, no matter the season. Geothermal heat pumps solve this problem by easily maintaining comfortable 50 percent humidity levels throughout the home. Not only will this increase your family’s comfort, but it will also improve indoor air quality. Overly humid air can cause dust mites, mold, and bacteria to thrive; managing indoor moisture levels leads to much healthier and more breathable air.

Unobtrusive Operation

If you’ve ever found a standard air conditioner to be overly loud or disruptive, you’ll be relieved to know that geothermal heating systems are celebrated for their unobtrusive operation. Because most of the system parts are located underground, with only a small, discreet indoor unit, they take up only a fraction of the indoor space that a traditional heating or cooling system uses.

Since geothermal heating systems don’t rely on large exterior units, they are also remarkably quiet, even when operating at full speed. This means your family can comfortably enjoy outdoor and indoor activities without the loud hum of an air conditioner in the background.

Ready to make the switch to geothermal energy? Call our geothermal heating experts at Keith Air Conditioning, Inc. today at 251-476-3610.

How to Troubleshoot 3 Common Heat Pump Problems

Heat pumps can be among some of the most reliable appliances in your Mobile, Alabama, home. But even the best models need troubleshooting occasionally. Discover ways to troubleshoot common heat pump problems, so that you can quickly restore comfort.

Lack of Operating Power

A heat pump that doesn’t seem to turn on might cause alarm, but you can often resolve this problem with a simple fix. Check that the thermostat is actually on. Then check that it has been set to the correct heating or cooling setting or temperature.

If the heat pump doesn’t eventually power up, check the circuit breaker and reset if necessary. If there is still no power, contact your HVAC contractor for help.

Insufficient Heating or Cooling

When your heat pump’s performance suffers, your home will typically feel uncomfortably warm or cold. Troubleshoot this problem by adjusting the thermostat by five degrees and then monitoring the temperature in your home.

If that adjustment doesn’t have an effect, make sure the vents are open and unobstructed. Next, check the heat pump’s air filter and replace the filter if it is clogged with debris.

Frequent Operating Cycles

To run as efficiently as possible, your heat pump should cycle on and off with relative consistency. Does your heat pump turn on often and switch off after a short cycle? These short running cycles could be signs that the thermostat isn’t calibrated properly or that the heat pump isn’t sized properly for your home.

First, be sure you’ve programmed the thermostat to a sustainable 68 degrees in winter or 75 degrees in summer. If adjusting the thermostat doesn’t get your heat pump working correctly again, call one of our specialists to assess the size of your heat pump and your home’s heating and cooling needs.

Your HVAC system is a complex machine. Many problems could have the same results. It is a good idea to enlist the services of a professional who has the knowledge, tools, and experience.

Do your heating system issues go beyond some of these common troubleshooting problems? Call Keith Air Conditioning, Inc. at 251-476-3610 to speak with one of our heat pump experts today.

3 Heating and Cooling Ratings You Should Know

If you are interested in upgrading your heating or cooling system, you’re going to come across some important acronyms as you compare systems. Understanding these HVAC system ratings will help you to narrow down your options to the best pick for your Loxley, Alabama, home.

Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio – SEER

If you are considering a new cooling system, the SEER will give you some important information about the unit’s efficiency. The SEER is calculated by dividing the cooling output over the course of a season by the seasonal electrical energy input. The higher the SEER rating, the more efficient your system. If you have an older system, it may have a SEER of six or lower. However, most systems manufactured today must have a minimum SEER of 14, and some rank in the 20s.

Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency – AFUE

Central furnaces and boilers are rated using the AFUE. This number represents the ratio of annual heat output to the total fossil fuel energy consumption over the same period. If a furnace has an AFUE of 90 percent, this indicates that 90 percent of the energy from the fuel is converted to heat in the home, while the remaining 10 percent escapes. A mid-range system generally has an AFUE around 80 to 83 percent. High-efficiency systems have an AFUE of 90 or higher.

Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value – MERV

MERV ratings are used for HVAC filters. The lower the number, the less filtration you’re provided. A MERV of four or lower will only filter out particles of 10 pm or more, like dust mites. A MERV between five and eight is most common for residential buildings, filtering out particles as small as 3 microns, like mold spores. Superior residential systems may have a MERV up to 12, which will stop particles 1 microns in size or larger, like lead dust, auto emissions, and Legionella.

If you are considering a new heating or cooling system installation in your home, contact Keith Air Conditioning, Inc. at 251-476-3610 to learn more about your options.

Choosing the Right HVAC System for an Energy-Efficient Home

HVAC systems don’t last forever, and when it’s time to install a new one, the decision can be difficult. With the introduction of new technology, there are many options for a new purchase or even technologies that can enhance the efficiency of your current system. Since your HVAC system performs a vital function in your Mobile, Alabama, home, and is a major investment. It is important to make an informed decision when making any type of upgrade. The following are a few factors to keep in mind when choosing a new HVAC system for an energy-efficient home.

Size

Not all HVAC systems heat or cool a home the same way. If you live in a smaller home, you don’t need an HVAC system with a high heating or cooling capacity because you will end up wasting energy. On the other hand, if you live in a large home or are installing a system into a large business, a small HVAC system may not have the capacity to keep the building at a comfortable temperature. Before deciding on a system, research the heating and cooling capacities. For the most effective solution, consult your HVAC technician.

Technology

When installing a new HVAC system, consider the current technology that can turn your system into a highly-efficient machine. Smart thermostats keep the temperature under precise control, allowing you to save as much as possible on your utility bill. Whole-home air purifiers provide additional filtration power to significantly improve your indoor air quality. These and other innovations will save you money while keeping you comfortable.

Advanced Options

There are many options for managing the temperature and indoor air quality in your home including ultra-efficient heat pumps and radiant heating. Depending on the size and location of your home, these options could save you more money than a standard HVAC system would.

If you would like to learn more about HVAC systems or would like to invest in a newer, more efficient model, give Keith Air Conditioning, Inc. a call today at 251-476-3610.

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

3 Reasons to Switch to a Programmable Thermostat

During winter, trying to regulate the temperatures in your Mobile, Alabama, home according to the fluctuating temperatures can be difficult. A programmable thermostat takes all the frustration out of maintaining a consistent home temperature. You can enter settings in advance according to your schedule. This efficient device allows you to save money and improve comfort.

Better Comfort

Adjust your programmable thermostat around your schedule, so the house is at the temperature you like best when you get up in the morning and when you get home from work in the evening. Instead of walking into a house that is freezing cold, or waking up and emerging from the warm covers to icy temperatures, let your programmable thermostat work for you. Correctly programming your thermostat will ensure you avoid these inconveniences.

Great Savings

Programming the thermostat according to your schedule is a smart way to save money. Instead of cooling an empty house all day, the programmable thermostat adjusts the interior temperature to an energy-saving level while you are away or sleeping. Then, it starts to provide heat gradually so that your home will be at the right temperature when you need it. Your home is always at the right temperature and you save money at the same time.

More efficient use of the thermostat means that you optimize the performance of your furnace. Reduced energy consumption is reflected on your utility bills.

Mobile Connectivity

Recent programmable thermostat models allow you to connect to them via your Internet-enabled device. That means you can alter your home’s temperature even when you are away. If you are running late or the weather changes unexpectedly, you can alter the thermostat’s programming without having to dash home. This extra control over the thermostat can save you more money while allowing you to make sure the temperature in your home is always exactly how you like it.

At Keith Air Conditioning, we are a Factory Authorized Carrier dealer and have a range of programmable thermostats for you to consider. If you would like to learn more or set up an appointment, call us at 251-476-3610.

Save Energy by Effectively Using Your Heat Pump

Whether you need cooling or heating, you can control indoor temperatures year-round with a heat pump. In the winter months, a heat pump for your Mobile, Alabama home can provide the efficient and cost-effective heating you need. To keep your energy consumption low all winter long, try these three tips for effectively using your heat pump.

Use a Programmable Thermostat

By converting from a standard thermostat to a programmable model, you can make a huge impact on your home’s energy consumption. These programmable devices allow you to set comfortable temperatures during the time the family is at home and then turn the thermostat back 10 to 15 degrees while you are sleeping or away from home. Just by making this small change, you can save up to 15 percent on your heating bill each year. When you are shopping for a programmable thermostat, be sure to select one that has multi-stage settings for heat pumps.

Your Heat Pump Manages Humidity

Maintaining comfortable humidity levels is a constant struggle in Alabama, but heat pumps like the Infinity 20 with Greenspeed intelligence usually do remarkably well at moderating humidity. It is beneficial to have a system that controls temperature and efficiently regulates humidity as well. This helps with better management of indoor air quality.

Change Air Filters Frequently

Overworking your heat pump and causing it to run inefficiently can lead to serious energy loss. To ensure that your HVAC system does not get clogged with dirt and debris, be sure to change the air filters regularly. It is best to replace or change filters as soon as they become dirty. How often you need to do this depends on the type of filter you use. Some filters need to be replaced monthly — others, every three months. You will also need to change them regularly during seasons of heavy use.

Need more tips for optimizing your heat pump? Contact the heating professionals at Keith Air Conditioning, Inc. at 251-476-3610 for more advice.