Kinnard Heating & Cooling

10 Easy Ways to Control Energy Use in the Spring

3/30/2021

Spring is synonymous with inflated energy bills that come with the increased need to keep homes well heated. Consequently, the search for ways to minimize your monthly bills without foregoing your family’s comfort is not unusual. If you are looking for ways to keep your energy bills in check, here are some steps you can take to control energy use while maintaining manageable energy costs during the spring season:

Schedule a pre-season system checkup
It is advisable to schedule a pre-season system checkup for your HVAC system during fall. This ensures that all its components are in good working order before the onset of the cold season. Most of the cooling and heating systems use the same components all year long subjecting them to increased tear and wear. Thus, a pre-spring season check is important in helping to deal with potential problems that could crop up during spring.

Change the furnace filter
Installation of a good air filter is an inexpensive and simple way of improving your system’s efficiency in addition to improving the quality of indoor air when all the doors and windows are shut most of the time. Be sure to check the filter’s Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV). This is usually on the package and runs from 1 to 20. The high the number means more efficiency in capturing air particles.

Use a Programmable Thermostat
Modern thermostats that are programmable are an asset in your quest to control energy use during spring. These thermostats can be set a little lower at night and times when you are not at home. They can also be set to restore the temperature back to a desired level of comfort when needed.

Install a higher efficiency furnace
Having an old furnace during spring means you will be losing out on efficiency. Today, many furnaces are more than 90% efficient. Generally, the industry standard for determining the efficiency of the furnace in conversion fuel is the Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) rating. This rating is usually indicated on the surface of the furnace. Ultimately, be sure to choose the right furnace size before installation because a big furnace might be large and less energy efficient. In addition, it may also result in loss of heat.

Install a humidifier
If you are using a forced air heating system, the air is bound to become too dry that moisture needs to be added in the air ostensibly to prevent health issues. In this case, you can consider adding a stand-alone humidifier on the HVAC system effectively saving you money.

There are numerous other ways of controlling your energy use during the spring. They include the following:

Sealing the area around doors and windows
You will do well to check for any drafts around windows and doors sealing them where possible. The area around outlets and switches should also be sealed. Sealing ensures that cold air does not find its way into the house, which causes the furnaces to work overdrive to keep the house warm.

Isolate the areas that are not insulated and improve insulation
Always ensure that the doors opening into the garage or the attic areas and basement are closed. You can improve the insulation of your home during any season of the year to reduce loss of heat thereby helping to control the use of energy, effectively lowering your utility bills.

Unblock heating vents
Be sure to move any drapes or furniture blocking air vents so that the heated air circulates freely. Ensure that that vents are open fully. Owners of traditional gas furnaces will particularly benefit from this as it will promote proper functioning of the heating system. However, if you have an alternative heating system then you can consider other ways of managing energy during spring.

Install storm doors and windows
Although some homes already have the double or triple pane windows, owners of older homes may have single pane windows that allow drafts. Installing storm windows is a good investment that will contribute to controlling your energy use in spring.

Close fireplace dampers
Fireplace dampers are seen as a major area where heat loss occurs. Therefore, closing them when they are not in use will help to prevent heat loss hence less energy will be used to keep the home warm.
If you are thinking of ways of saving energy during spring but do not know where to begin, you can consider giving us a call.

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Top 6 Reasons To Maintain Your Furnace

2/2/2021

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As the temperatures start to cool, you’ll want to know that your furnace is ready to handle the change in seasons and the unpredictable winter ahead.
We know that you try to not think about your heating system very often, in fact, it’s the furthest from your mind…until you need it and it won’t work. That’s why it’s important to keep your furnace properly maintained so you don’t have to think or worry about it.
Here are the top seven reasons to maintain your furnace:

1. Not breaking down on our watch – Be the favorite person in your house by not having your furnace ever break down! Routine maintenance reduces the chance of a breakdown because we will clean your unit inside and out. (Did you know that nine out of 10 heating and cooling system failures are because of a buildup of dust and dirt inside?)

2. Last longer, be stronger – The longer your heating system can last, the more money you can save. The Department of Energy has even said that “proper maintenance extends the life of your furnace or boiler and saves you money.”

3. Keep costs low, savings high – A properly maintained heating and cooling system will run at optimum capacity, meaning it can prevent an increase in your utility bill that a poorly running HVAC system may cause.

4. Safety for your family – Because furnaces burn fossil fuel, it can omit harmful gasses into your home like carbon monoxide, this can be very dangerous for your family. A yearly maintenance check will ensure that your furnace is properly exhausting the gasses outside (a cracked heat exchanger can compromise this function).
Your Kinnard Heating & Cooling technician can test the safety and efficiency of your furnace with our state-of-the-art Combustion Analyzation Equipment that measure the amount of bi-products from combustion in your gas or oil heating system. This testing is included with your Kinnard Heating & Cooling maintenance or tune-up service.

5. Breathe cleaner – A dirty furnace will recirculate dirty air in your home. A cleaner furnace will recirculate clean air. Which sounds better to you?

6. Save time, save money – Getting your furnace maintained now means you won’t be waiting on a repairman on the coldest day of the year because your furnace broke down, along with several others in the area.
Schedule your furnace maintenance now, before the cold weather hits. Contact Kinnard Heating & Cooling today and be ready to handle whatever Mother Nature throws at us this winter!

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10 Things to Consider When Buying A New Furnace

2/2/2021

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Plan ahead when making a new furnace purchase.

When winter rolls around there is nothing more important than your home heating system. That is why when you go to buy a furnace it is important that you take the time to learn about the different options available to you. Characteristics of your new furnace, such as efficiency, size, and type, all have implications on the amount of money you are going to spend to operate the unit during the peak heating season, as well as how long your system is going to perform at peak levels.

For example, you should always go with the most efficient furnace that you can afford. Furnace efficiency is a measurement of how much of the energy put into a furnace is converted into heating power for your home — measured in AFUE (the Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency).
Minimum-efficiency furnaces must reach 80 percent AFUE in order to comply with regulations. At the other end of the spectrum, the iQ Drive® modulating gas furnace reaches 97 percent AFUE. With the iQ Drive gas furnace, only 3 percent of the energy you put into the unit escapes up the flue. Essentially, you are using less natural gas to heat your home, which can lower your monthly utility costs.
Here are a few more things you should keep in mind when purchasing your new home furnace:
System TypeCentral heating and cooling systems can be laid out two different ways. You can have either a split system or a packaged system.
Split systems are what people commonly associate with heating and air conditioning — comprised of a condensing unit, furnace and coil that sit on top of your furnace. However, many people who don’t have basements, crawl spaces and attics have to choose a system that can provide the same heating and cooling capabilities of a split system without having to find the room for a cumbersome indoor component. If this is the case in your home, you may want to explore your packaged system options.
These systems contain your heating and cooling components in one, convenient outdoor unit. If you currently have a split system, but want to free up some extra space in your home, you can always switch to a packaged unit. The same works for people who currently have packaged systems, but would like to switch to a split system. Your local contractor will be able to recommend the heating system that is right for your home.
Fuel SourceWhether you want gas, electric or oil heating, there are options available. However, there are several important things you should know about each type.
Gas furnaces run off of natural gas and are the most economical way to heat your home when temperatures drop below freezing.
An oil or propane furnace is a powerful source of heat as well, but it requires more room for storage, is dirtier than a natural gas furnace, and can be significantly more expensive to operate (depending on oil prices). However, it is an alternative to a gas furnace in areas that don’t have gas lines — particularly older homes.
The third choice, the electric furnace, is also an alternative to natural gas furnaces, but they can be a drain on the bank account. Electric furnaces must create original heat from electricity, which can significantly run up your meter.
A most economical solution is the electric-powered heat pump. These systems transfer heat from one air stream to another — using less electricity. They also act as an air conditioner during the summer. So, for some homeowners, a heat pump can meet all heating and cooling demands.
Zoning SystemsDifferent parts of your home may get hotter or colder faster depending on a number of construction and location factors. If your thermostat is located near one of these areas, you could experience hot and cold spots throughout your home, or you could be using more energy than necessary to keep your home at a set temperature.
A zoning system helps solve both of these problems. These systems divide your home into groups called "zones.” Each zone is controlled by a separate thermostat. Additionally, dampers within your ducts can open or shut off access to different zones in order to even out temperatures throughout your home and make sure you are using just the right amount of energy to keep your home comfortable.
Indoor Air QualityIf you have a furnace in your home, you most likely have a furnace blower that distributes heated and conditioned air throughout your home. Inside your ducts, you could have additional indoor air quality systems that help generate clean air for your home.
Make sure that when you are having your furnace serviced or a new furnace installed, you have your contractor take a look at the filters. Your furnace filter should be changed approximately twice a year (right before the heating season and then again right before the cooling season). You will breathe easier knowing you have a clean filter.
Variable Speed BlowersThere are two types of furnace blowers — the variable-speed blower and the fixed-speed blower.
Variable-speed blowers can be beneficial if you want premium home comfort. Variable-speed blowers are able to do just what the name implies — vary the speed of your blower as it distributes air through your home. This means the air being distributed through your home can be a more consistent temperature and the unit will operate quietly.
Installation QualityIt is dangerous to compromise quality installation for savings when it comes to furnace installation. An improperly installed furnace can face performance issues, which can be taxing on your wallet in the long run.
Heating systems are complicated — meaning not just anyone is going to be able to install a heating system in your home. If you are investing in an efficient system, you should be able to expect the rated efficiency and a poorly installed unit may not be performing at its efficiency potential.
Furnace PricingAlthough the actual furnace will comprise the main chunk of your installation costs, there are other things that need to be taken into consideration when budgeting for a new furnace.
Other costs associated with furnace installation include: the size of the unit, additional fixes that may need to be made to the air distribution system, the costs of labor, indoor air quality features, and more.
Think of furnace costs as an investment in your home comfort. If you just throw a new system in your home without exploring your system options, you may be losing expected efficiency or could be compromising the quality of your indoor air.
Correct Sizing MattersHaving a correctly sized system is important for overall home comfort. Although a bigger furnace is going to be more expensive, you don’t really have a choice in the matter.
When your contractor comes to your home to give you a quote, they should perform a Manual J load calculation to find out the system size you need (measured in BTUs or tons). This calculation takes your entire home into account — from square footage to window efficiency.
If your contractor gives you a quote over the phone, without looking closely at your home, that is a big red flag. Systems that are too small or too large will never heat your home properly, could always be running, or burn out sooner than expected.
WarrantyEach Frigidaire furnace, air conditioner and heat pump comes with a 10-Year Limited Long Parts Warranty when the unit is registered. This warranty covers the costs of parts if the unit were to require a repair within that 10-year period.
However, the costs of labor and refrigerant are not included. Make sure to talk to your contractor and ask whether they offer a labor warranty, like the Contractors’ Preferred Protection Plan, to round out your system warranty coverage.
Rebated and IncentivesInvesting in high-efficiency equipment offers other perks in addition to utility bill savings. High-efficiency heating equipment can qualify for local utility incentives and rebates that can result in money back in your pocket. Check out our current promotions and talk to your local contractor to find out whether the new furnace you want qualifies for any incentives.

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Five Things To Check When You Have No Heat

2/1/2021

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If you’re having trouble with your furnace, heat pump or heating system here are a few simple tips to try before setting up a service appointment.

1. Check to make sure that the thermostat is set in the HEAT position.
2. Make sure that the temperature setting on the thermostat is set HIGHER than the current indoor temperature.
3. Ensure that there’s power to the furnace:
Try turning the fan to “ON” on the thermostat to test for power to furnace.
If no action, reset the breakers at the electrical panel, especially if the thermostat is showing a blank reading.
4. Is there any air coming out of your vents?
Check all return air grilles and registers. Make sure they are not blocked by furniture and are open and blowing air.
5. Check to see if your filter needs to be changed.
They should be changed about once a month to ensure peak performance in your comfort system. When thinking about changing your filter don’t forget to include any time that there is a high volume of foot traffic.
Holidays and times when doors will be open more often might require you change the filter more, as well as pet dander.

We also offer our exclusive Energy Savings Program. When you sign up, your filter will be changed at each tune up. To schedule, call today 920-465-6689 or 920-743-3333.

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