Jeffersonville, IN | VanKleef Heating & Air Conditioning

Author: Rosie Baker

  • How to Avoid Airflow Issues with Your Furnace

    Louisville heating and coolingThe cold, brisk winter months are not the time to discover that your  HVAC has shut down or is struggling to work. You may find yourself shivering, layering up clothes, and trying to crank the heat up, all to no avail. Unusual odors may begin to fill the air and unfamiliar noises may sadly signal the fact that your furnace is in trouble. The general reason this happens is usually the same: neglect. Homeowners can neglect a variety of maintenance issues that eventually can lead to system failure.
    The indoor unit of the furnace houses the air handler. Inside the air handler the blower, filter, coil, condensation pan, and ductwork extensions are held. Neglect can affect any of these major areas, but here are a few of the most common areas where neglect can cause problems.

    • Dirty Blower – Inside the air handler, dirt can build up and collect on the fan blades and the motor. The accumulated dirt causes friction, which leads to wear and tear on the motor and reduced efficiency. Cleaning the fan blades and motor drastically improves performance.
    • Full Filter- Filters are designed to protect the air handler from dirt and pollutants, but if the filters become overloaded with debris, they will create tremendous problems for the blower and coils. Filters must be changed regularly.
    • Dirty Coil – Inside your handler there is a cooling coil that absorbs heat from the inside of your home, but if it gets dirty, operating efficiency will decrease and there will be much less capacity for proper cooling.
    • Leaky Ducts – Ducts that are not properly connected or insulated allow conditioned air to leak out and become key contributors to poor airflow. Heat and air will continually escape before it reaches your living spaces.

    If you want to keep your air toasty warm this winter and blowing in the right direction, let VanKleef Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc., your Kentuckiana heating company, service your furnace and keep your air warm inside.
    Call VanKleef Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc @ (812)280-0510 for furnace repair in the Kentuckiana area.

  • Why MERV Ratings Matter

    MERV Ratings and my air filterMERV is short for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value. Every air filter has a rating like this that tells you how well it will filter the air passing through it. When you are comparing lower MERV rated filters to those of a higher rating the difference is clear. Literally, it is clear. If you can see your hand on the other side of a new filter do you think it is capturing most of the dust particles or very few? Very few is the correct answer. The higher MERV rated filters are often white in color and have the texture of fabric. They are engineered to still let air pass through efficiently, yet they capture much greater amounts of dust particles.
    The higher the MERV rating will not necessarily require more frequent filter replacement. Most high MERVrated filters recommend they be replaced every 3-6 months in comparison to the lower MERV rated filters that recommend and average of 2-3 months between replacing. According to Nordic Pure, a air filter manufacturer,  MERV 12 rating represents the best balance between airborne particulate removal of dust, pollen, airborne pathogens, etc. and overall HVAC system efficiency. You do not have to go the high in MERV rating to enjoy good air quality. Read the chart on every filter you consider for information on what types of particles they are able to capture.
    Here is the decision you will have to make, how important is the air quality in my home to me? Higher MERV rated filters work a whole lot better and they cost a little more. The lower MERV rated filters will cost less but will allow much more dust and other particles into your home. Here is a link with a MERV Chart that shows what particles get filtered at different MERV ratings. Take a look at it and call us with your questions regarding your air filter. We would be glad to make recommendations.
    Cleaning or replacing your air conditioning filter at the recommended intervals ensures your air conditioning system is always operating at peak efficiency and delivering cleaner air. Typically filters should be washed or replaced every 1 to 3 months.
    812-280-0510
    VanKleef Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc.

  • How UV Light Kills Bacteria, Virus, and Mold Spores

    When you are cooling your home, your HVAC system draws in warmer air and passes it through a chilled coil. As the warmer air cools it is also being dehumidified which causes condensation. As the air cools, water vapor can build up on the piping on the inside of your system. Mold loves places that have two specific features: wet and dark environments. When you combine wet and dark you get a place where mold can grow. VanKleef Heating and Air Conditioning has partnered with York, Lennox, Trane, and more products and they have a solution to the possible problem of mold growth UV light.
    Here’s how it works: all living things are composed of DNA, and UV light destroys DNA by going after the nucleic acids. When exposed to UV light, nucleic acid bonds break and this kills the spores. Not only does UV take care of but it will work on bacteria and viruses in the same way by going after the DNA. UV helps you have safer air to breathe, but it also promotes your overall system efficiency. (A thin buildup of pollutants on your system’s indoor coil, just two-thousandths of an inch thick, can reduce airflow by as much as 9 percent, according to York HVAC – Johnson Controls.)
    Here are some common health issues associated with airborne impurities like mold spores, viruses, and bacteria:

    • sinusitis
    • upper respiratory issues
    • ear and throat infections
    • nose and throat irritations
    • frequent runny nose and congestion
    • memory lapse
    • headaches
    • lethargy

    If you think you may have mold growth inside your HVAC system, we can test it by removing the cover of your cooling coil compartment and visually inspect for the presence of mold. If mold is present you will want to have the coil compartment cleaned and will want to seriously consider having a UV light system installed. Remember that the mold spores, bacteria, and viruses can not be seen with the naked eye, but UV light will kill them all. You can buy test kits that will tell you if mold spores are present in your indoor air. Not all of them are accurate so a visual inspection of your cooling coil would be more advised.
    Louisville HVAC Maintenance

  • Repair or Replace Your HVAC System? 8 Things Everyone Should Know

    So here is the dilemma. When should you consider replacement over repairing your current HVAC equipment? The good news is there are measurable tools that VanKleef Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc. has come up with to help you gauge what is best for you. There are eight key things you should consider.
    The age of the system and any current repair costs should be factored. When you are looking at your repairs you can narrow your focus to the most recent five years to determine what you have spent and the frequency of problems. You may have recently moved into your home and have a warranty on the HVAC system that can be utilized. We can help you determine how you should leverage any warranties you currently have for your home’s heating and cooling system. If your system is older, the odds are that the efficiency ratings are pretty low. When you compare older system SEER and AFUE ratings to new YORK brand HVAC systems, the technology gap is significant. New systems have much higher efficiency ratings and can make a huge impact on your monthly savings in comparison to your older HVAC system. You also want to look at what type of refrigerant your current system uses and whether the cost of continued future servicing makes financial sense.
    The Top 8

    1. Age of your HVAC system
    2. Cost of repair
    3. Under warranty
    4. Number of recent repairs
    5. Your system’s energy efficiency rating outdoor (SEER)
    6. Your system’s energy efficiency rating indoor (AFUE)
    7. Refrigerant type
    8. Years expected to be in home

    We have created an easy worksheet that you can download and fill out. Weighing all eight factors will help you know which decision would be best. If you are a homeowner who is not familiar with your HVAC system, and you need help determining the age, SEER, AFUE, or the refrigerant type of your system, give us a call. We would be glad to assist you. We can assist you in filling out the worksheet and help you determine your overall score. Always keep in mind that we offer free estimates on new systems and we offer financing. Thank you for choosing VanKleef Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc. and we look forward to serving you in the future.

  • Ways to Save Money on your Heating Costs

    Louisville Heating Louisville HVACIt’s in there. You can see it. It’s glaring through the stack of mail inside the mailbox; the utility bill. You pull off a corner, take a deep breath, try again and suddenly rip it open like a stuck bandaid. Your blood pressure soars. The heat has only been on for a month, but your heating bill looks like a small house payment.
    Help restore your blood pressure to normal and conserve energy this winter with these cost saving ideas:
    Purchase a Power Monitor These items are not very expensive, but they are extremely helpful in determining how much energy your home is using and which items are draining the most power.
    Turn it Off Stick to this basic rule always. If you’re not using it, turn it off. Plugged in electronics such as computers, lights and monitors all use energy while plugged in. Make sure all of these things are turned off when going to bed.
    Use Power StripsConnect as many electronics as you can to a power strip and when they are not in use, switch the strip off. Even a plugged in electronic not in use drains electricity.
    Utilize technology Most newer electronics and appliances come with built-in power management options. Always check your settings to be sure you are using the energy saving’s or water saving’s settings on washers, dryers, air conditioners, computers and heating and air conditioning systems.
    Avoid OverchargingOnly charge MP3 players, phones, cameras and batteries until they are fully charged, then unplug the charger. Keeping the line-up of electronics constantly plugged in wastes energy.
    Get the LED OutTime to get with it. Incandescent bulbs are a thing of the past and are not as energy efficient. Switch over permanently to LED bulbs or compact fluorescent.
    Wash with Cold Water Your clothes won’t be upset with you. They will still be clean and not using hot water can help stop runs in color on fabric and prevent shrinkage.
    Don’t let Old Man Winter steal your joy or your money. Remember, knowledge really is powerful when you put practical ideas to work.