Tag Archives: air conditioning repair

HVAC System Maintenance Check List for Spring

Spring is on the way, and the long, hot Alabama summer won’t be far behind. That means it’s time for Mobile area homeowners to think about getting their HVAC systems ready to handle the warmer weather. If you’re not sure just what needs to be done to ensure your system runs smoothly throughout the cooling season, here’s an HVAC system spring maintenance checklist that can help.

Schedule a Tune-Up

Having preventive maintenance performed by a qualified HVAC technician is an item that should be at the top of the pring maintenance checklist. This simple step is the best insurance against HVAC system problems throughout the cooling season, and it will help keep your utility bills low by making sure your system is running efficiently.

Have Ductwork Inspected

Leaky ductwork can cost you in terms of home comfort and energy bills. If yours hasn’t been looked over lately, having it done as part of spring maintenance is a good idea, ensuring that ducts are properly sealed and insulated before the cooling season begins.

Upgrade the Thermostat

Programmable thermostats offer increased comfort and energy savings, so if you haven’t installed one, you should. With a programmable model, you can take advantage of the eight or more hours you’re gone to set the thermostat for increased energy savings. Simply program the thermostat to return to your desired temperature right before your return; you’ll never feel the difference, but you’ll notice the impact on your monthly bills.

Clean the Outdoor Unit

While you’re waiting for that service call, you can get a head start on spring maintenance by cleaning up any debris that’s collected around your system’s outdoor unit. Cleaning the outdoor coils is a simple task you can do as well, just shut off the power and hose it down.

Change the Air Filter

This simple DIY task should be tackled monthly. Check the air filter each month, and as soon as dust and dirt has begun accumulating, replace the filter with a clean one. A dirty air filter blocks necessary airflow, causing the cooling system to work harder to maintain the same temperature.

Learn more about spring HVAC system maintenance available from Keith Air Conditioning, Inc., or contact us today at 251-476-3610 to schedule an appointment for your home!

Heat Pumps Are the Latest Air Conditioning Options

For Mobile area homeowners who want a highly efficient and cost-effective source of residential cooling, heat pumps offer benefits that standard air conditioners can’t match. The following brief introduction can help you understand how a heat pump can keep your home comfortable throughout cooling season at a lower cost and with less use of energy.

Basic Heat Pump Function

Heat pumps work by moving heat from one place to another. For cooling operations, they pull heat out of your home and disperse it into the air outside. This is accomplished with a liquid refrigerant that circulates between the indoor and outdoor units of the heat pump. Indoors, the refrigerant is evaporated into a gas. As it changes state from liquid to gas, it absorbs heat. The gaseous refrigerant circulates to the outdoor unit, where it’s condensed back to liquid form. The gaseous refrigerant releases the heat it contains during this second change of state. The liquid refrigerant moves back to the indoor unit and the cycle begins again.

Heat Pump Benefits

Heat pumps are extremely energy efficient, which means they use less energy to produce excellent levels of cooling. They require minimal amounts of electricity to power the functions that generate cooling, which reduces overall demand on your local utility company. Their high rate of efficiency means that heat pumps are much less costly to operate on a month-to-month basis.

Heat Pump Types

Most heat pumps are air-source models, which means they use the air around the equipment as the source of heat transfer and release. Geothermal heat pumps use the ground outside your home, or a nearby body of water, as the medium for heat capture and release. Ask your local trusted HVAC contractor if a geothermal model would be right for you.

Learn more about Keith Air Conditioning’s heat pump options, or contact us today at 251-476-3610 to schedule an appointment for your Mobile area home!

Savings are Hidden In Your Utility Bill

Keeping an energy efficient home is no easy feat, but it doesn’t have to be an expensive one. Have a look at your utility bill and follow these five common sense tips to make your home more efficient and cost effective.

Update Your Heating and Cooling System

How long has it been since you installed your last HVAC system? If the answer is 10 years or more, it may be time to consider an upgrade. Today’s HVAC systems are more energy efficient than ever before, offering a tremendous savings over older systems. For example, you can save money (as much as 20 percent) on cooling costs by replacing an old air conditioning with a brand-new model.

Change Those Light Bulbs

If you haven’t swapped out incandescent bulbs in your home for newer and more energy-efficient bulbs, you’re missing out on the savings. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), switching from incandescent to compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) can help trim lighting costs by half. Switching to newer LED bulbs offer even more savings, plus you’ll get greater longevity from them.

Say Goodbye to Old Appliances

If you think old light bulbs can suck down energy, just wait until you see what old appliances can do. Switching your old standard appliance with an Energy Star-labeled appliance can help you save money each year on energy costs. Some Energy Star appliances are even eligible for tax credits from your state or federal government.

Beef Up Insulation

Poor insulation leads to drafty houses, which leads to bigger heating and cooling bills. Unfortunately, many homes are short on insulation. Inspecting and fortifying your insulation can help lower energy costs over the long run.

Keep Up With Regular Maintenance

Maintenance is the key to affordable operation in an energy efficient home. Seasonal maintenance can help keep your home in excellent shape while catching potential problems before they spiral into expensive ones.

For more advice on saving money and creating a more energy efficient home, call us at Keith Air Conditioning, Inc. We’ve proudly served the Mobile and Baldwin counties since 1964.