Blog

  • Tips for hiring an HVAC-system contractor

    Louisville HVAC companyWhen the time comes to service, repair or install HVAC equipment in your home, you will be faced with the task of hiring an HVAC-system contractor. As in any industry, you’ll likely have many to choose from, with varying degrees of skill and experience. Here are some tips to help make your choice an easy one:
    Ask questions – How long have they been in the industry and the number of satisfied customers are two things you should inquire about before hiring an HVAC-system contractor. An established, experienced contractor has seen and done it all, and will have the references to back it up. Of course, a reference is only good if you follow through; be prepared, with a list of questions to ask each.
    Perform a license check – In Louisville, Kentucky, you can easily see if a potential hire is currently licensed, by performing a search at the website of the Kentucky Registrar of Contractors.
    Ask for References – Look up reviews on line.
    Inquire about guarantees  – Find out sooner rather than later,what kind of guarantee the contractor places on his work. A business that takes pride in its work and cares about customer satisfaction will provide you a written guarantee to prove it.
    Ask about permits – A reputable HVAC-system contractor will not only know which jobs require a permit, but will be responsible for obtaining them as well. Permits protect both parties, by ensuring that the work done is up to code standards.
    Get it in writing – Once they have performed a thorough evaluation of your home, or existing equipment, your contractor should be willing to give you a detailed, written estimate of the work to be done.
    If you are looking to hire an HVAC-system contractor that meets all of these requirements, please give us a call at 812-280-0510 VanKleef Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc.
  • Why Pre-season AC Check-up & Maintenance is Important

    It’s that time of year, and dirty and clogged coils are the number one reason for compressor failures which can cost homeowners up to $1,500 to repair. They also are the main reason home energy cooling costs climb in the summer. With rising utility rates, cleaning AC coils guarantees your system will operate as efficiently as it is designed for. Hidden problems like clogged condensate drains can cause cause basement flooding or unnecessary system shut downs.
    Our complete AC inspection and tune-up will clean outdoor condenser coils and check condensate lines and overall system operation. Take full advantage of the performance your AC system can offer by having VanKleef Heating and Air perform your spring AC inspection and precision tune-up for our internet-only special of $79. Say internet when you schedule your AC tune-up. We keep the Kentuckiana area, air conditioning running with optimal efficiency.
    Give us a call  (812) 280-0510. VanKleef Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc.

  • Why Every Consumer Should Know S.E.E.R.

    When shopping for a new HVAC system, consumers are asked what SEER they are wanting to install. So what is SEER?
    S.E.E.R. is the abbreviation for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. Every heating or cooling product has a S.E.E.R. rating. The higher the S.E.E.R. the greater the efficiency of the system. In layman’s terms your system will give you the same results and use less energy, and this will save you money. When you are researching what products may be right for you this is part of the cost benefit analysis you need to consider. It helps to see side by side comparisons of what kind of savings higher S.E.E.R. can deliver. Look at the chart below for some examples. If you spend $500 every summer on your cooling and you replace your old 8 SEER system with a 14 SEER system you can expect that bill to be reduced to $215. SEER ratings are in the 20s now but the cost of systems has to be considered.
    Contact us at 812-280-0510 and ask what would be best for you and your family! Louisville heating and cooling

  • Does a Programmable Thermostat Make a Difference?

    Digital Thermostat vs Manual ThermostatA manual thermostat is what most of us grew up with. If you are hot you turn the dial down. If you are cold you turn the dial up. When you leave the house for several hours you try and remember to set the temperature to a point where you will save a little energy.
    Why maintain the ideal temperature 24 hours a day if you are not there to enjoy it, right? You may be happy or satisfied with your manual thermostat. You may be intimidated by the thought of having to program a “smart” thermostat, but here are the facts.

    1. You will save money by using any type of programmable thermostat
    2. You do not always remember to adjust the manual thermostat
    3. It is very easy to replace a thermostat
    4. Learning how to use a programmable thermostat is easy
    5. You can change the thermostat from your cell phone or tablet.

    When you look at the life-time stats provided by www.energystar.gov, it is clear that “smart”  thermostats are the better choice. Using their data, they present a case study that shows consumers can save as much as $1,800+ over 11-12 years.
    According to Energy Star (2017) “What is a smart thermostat? A smart thermostat is a Wi-Fi enabled device that automatically adjusts heating and cooling temperature settings for optimal performance. Smart thermostats that earn the ENERGY STAR label have been independently certified, based on actual field data, to deliver energy savings. (https://www.energystar.gov/products/heating_cooling/smart_thermostats)
    Call us with your questions and we would be happy to help you find the perfect solution when it comes to your heating and cooling.
    VanKleef Heating and Air Conditioning 812-280-0510

  • Fixing your Furnace to Improve Your Indoor Air Quality

    [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”no” equal_height_columns=”no” menu_anchor=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”center center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” fade=”no” background_parallax=”none” parallax_speed=”0.3″ video_mp4=”” video_webm=”” video_ogv=”” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_loop=”yes” video_mute=”yes” overlay_color=”” video_preview_image=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” padding_top=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” padding_right=””][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ layout=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” center_content=”no” last=”no” min_height=”” hover_type=”none” link=””][fusion_text]Louisville furnaceDo you find yourself this time of year itching your eyes, feeling stuffy inside ,or sneezing each time your walk outside? In the Louisville area, this is a particularly difficult season for allergies including dust, pollen and mold. But did you realize that these particular allergens can also be a prominent problem inside your home?
    If you find yourself more tired, itchy, and irritated, you can help to improve your overall allergy symptoms and your overall health with a few basic improvements.

    1. Dehumidifiers – Sometimes the air in our homes can be overly damp due to leaking pipes or wet concrete basement floors. Dampness can promote mold and dust mite population. Dehumidifiers help alleviate the extra humidity in the air.
    2. Humidifiers -Just as you do not want the air at home to be too humid, you also don’t want it to be too dry, which is the tendency this time of year. Overly dry air is irritating to the lungs and can spread dust particles and pet dander that don’t have humidity to weigh them down. Another simple step to help add humidity to the air is to leave out a clean bowl of water or a fresh vase of flowers.
    3. HEPA filters – These filters added to your furnace help re-circulate, clean and dehumidify the air all at once. They also help to trap smaller allergen particles before they hit the air we breathe. Also remember not to sleep with the windows open which brings in more unfiltered allergens from the outdoors.
    4. Use exhaust fans to reduce moisture levels that may come from cooking, showers or clothes dryers.

    Other helpful ways to eliminate harmful allergens without spending a penny include: not smoking inside the house, remove all particle board furniture which is made with formaldehyde which is a toxic substance and eliminate any carpeting you can. Carpets collect dust and dander.
    Tackle your allergies from the inside out and eliminate harmful items that put you at higher risk. By making a few minor adjustments in the equipment of your furnace, you can breathe a sigh of relief with cleaner air inside your home.
    Call at 812-280-0510[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]