Jeffersonville, IN | VanKleef Heating & Air Conditioning

Category: Cooling

  • Hybrid HVAC Systems

    [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”no” hundred_percent_height=”no” hundred_percent_height_scroll=”no” hundred_percent_height_center_content=”yes” equal_height_columns=”no” menu_anchor=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” status=”published” publish_date=”” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”center center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” fade=”no” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ video_mp4=”” video_webm=”” video_ogv=”” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_loop=”yes” video_mute=”yes” video_preview_image=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=””][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ layout=”1_1″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” link=”” target=”_self” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_image_id=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” hover_type=”none” border_size=”0″ border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” border_radius=”” box_shadow=”no” dimension_box_shadow=”” box_shadow_blur=”0″ box_shadow_spread=”0″ box_shadow_color=”” box_shadow_style=”” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”no”][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”default” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=””]If we told you that you can save 30-50% on your heating and cooling in a single year, would you believe us? With hybrid systems this is a reality. Technology allows for such higher efficiencies now. You’ve probably heard of hybrid cars that use both gas and electricity. When a hybrid car gets too low on electrical power, the gasoline engine kicks in and gives the vehicle additional power when needed. Most hybrid vehicles get unbelievable mileage because so little fuel is needed and you can charge the batteries over night when not in use.

    Hybrid HVAC systems work much the same way. Heat pump technology is a great way to heat and cool your home. It extracts heat from the air and is an extremely efficient way to heat and cool except when the outside conditions are extreme hot or cold. That is why the hybrid HVAC systems are so great. When the outside conditions become extreme the hybrid system kicks in and heats the air with traditional electric or natural gas methods. The traditional mode only kicks in when the conditions are extreme and the efficiency of the heat pump is not effective. The ability for your system to switch when the weather requires it is where the real savings happen. Just like with hybrid vehicles, the gasoline is not used until it is needed to charge the battery or there is a sudden need for additional power.

    Now, just as hybrid cars cost a little bit more than standard gasoline-powered vehicles, hybrid heating systems cost more than their counterparts. But the cost savings are usually enough to convince consumers it is the better choice. Let’s say your hybrid system cost is 30% more than a traditional system and most systems are not replaced for 15-20 years. If you save the minimum of 30% annually on your bill, when would the break even point occur for you? Let’s say your annual heating and cooling cost is $1,500 and you save 30% each year, that would be an annual savings of $450. Hybrid systems average to be about $1,000-$2,000 more than traditional systems so you should break even between 1-2 years and then you reap all the savings benefits for the life of the system. Give us a call with your questions about your system and if a hybrid system is right for you.[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

  • Waiting To Replace Your HVAC System

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    So, you are considering selling your Louisville home but your air conditioner is not working well. Do you live with it thinking you won’t be in the home in a couple of years or replace it with an energy efficient air conditioner and furnace?
    Three reasons to replace that dinosaur system now.
    1 – If it’s more than ten years old, it’s up to 30% less efficient than today’s minimum efficiencies. You’ll save on energy consumption with a new system.
    2 – Utility rates increase every year. No matter how much we dislike it, LG&E gets their rated increase approved annually whether it’s electric or natural gas rates. Back to point number one, you’ll save money with a new system.
    3 – Let’s say you you do put your house on the market. The buyers will use the age and condition of your heating and cooling system as a negotiating point. A new HVAC system eliminates that point. Plus a stack of lower utility bills is on your side of the negotiating table.
    If you can afford to do it, purchasing that new system makes sense.
    Contact us today at 812-280-0510 VanKleef Heating and Air Conditioning to arrange an in-home consultation.

  • 3 Benefits Of Ductless Mini Splits

    If you’ve recently added some living space to your home by either remodeling or adding on, you’ll probably want to condition the air in order to use the space during the winter and summer. A ductless mini split heat pump is one of the easiest ways to add heat and cooling to a new space in your home, since these systems don’t use any air ducts to deliver air.
    Although the technology has been used abroad for years, it’ relatively new to the U.S. These systems are just like heat pumps, but instead of requiring a central air handler, the systems use separate units that blow directly into particular rooms or zones.
    Louisville furnaceThe major advantages of ductless mini splits include:
    Ease of installation – Unlike standard heat pumps, these systems require just a conduit to provide the power, refrigerant and drain lines to feed up to four indoor air handlers. The installer drills a three-inch hole through the exterior wall to run the conduit. The smaller systems can run off 120 volts, simplifying the wiring.
    Energy efficiency. Because no ducts are involved, no losses occur moving the air. Ducts can leak and lose heat or cold as the air travels through un-insulated ducts or spaces. Some mini split compressors can handle four separate air handlers for different spaces within your home, and each has a separate thermostat. When you’re not using a space, you can turn the handler off or set the temperature higher or lower, saving energy. Some of the mini split systems also use energy-efficient components, including variable-speed motors that use considerably less electricity to blow conditioned air than a single-speed motor.
    Design flexibility.The air handlers can sit on the floor or hang from ceilings and walls. Since most systems have remote controls, it’s easy to change the settings with the touch of a button from a distance.
    VanKleef Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc. 812-280-0510

  • I need some Freon again.

    Far too frequently, we receive the call from our  customers requesting more freon. Hmm. Not good. Air conditioning systems are sealed systems. They shouldn’t need a shot of ‘freon’ every year to keep it cooling.
    “What’s the big deal? Just fill ‘er up.” Well, it is a big deal when you look at all the problems caused by leaking HVAC systems.
    The first issues deal with detrimental effects on the system longevity.  Refrigerant (Freon, R-22, R-410a) circulates oil through the system. If you’re low on refrigerant, oil isn’t returned properly to the compressor.  Bearings don’t get lubricated. Compressor life is shortened. You pay more money.
    Refrigerant is also the cooling medium for the compressor.  Say what? Yes, really. The refrigerant passes across the compressor windings to keep it cooled. Compressor runs hot. Windings fail. You pay more money for a replacement compressor or a new system.
    The second issues deal with ineffective system performance. As the refrigerant leaks from your system, the indoor coil runs warmer and is unable to remove as much heat from the air. This makes the system have to run longer. Running longer results in higher utility bills. Eventually, the system won’t be able to remove enough heat to maintain set point, and you’ll be calling VanKleef Heating and Air Conditioning again.
    The other part of the performance issue is moisture removal. With a warmer coil, you are not sufficiently reducing the dew point of the air. With a higher dew point, more moisture remains in the air being returned to your rooms. Higher humidity levels in the home result in discomfort and you lowering the thermostat set point. The system runs even longer and you pay more money to the utility.
    So, before you call for that ‘shot of freon’ consider the long term effects on your wallet and comfort. The wise investment is to let VanKleef Heating and Air Conditioning find the leak and repair it.
    812-280-0510

  • 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.