AIR CONDITIONING AND HEATING SYSTEM ONLINE SHOPPING
Technology has launched the shopping experience into a new level of convenience. Household internet shopping can include stocking up on toilet paper, baby food, light bulbs, cereal, clothes, kitchen sinks and even air conditioners or furnaces; these items can be delivered to your home with the touch of a button. Buying household basics online makes sense and frees up your around town errand time, which is valuable. However, purchasing HVAC equipment or parts online is not as cost effective as it seems. Air conditioning and heating system online shopping could cost 3x more money than purchasing the parts or equipment and labor directly through a contractor.
If you buy online and have a tradesman install it, the tradesman is not going to warranty a part he did not provide. After installation, if the part or equipment fails, there are more costs involved to diagnose and repair. Your choices are to pay the tradesman again to repair it or replace it with his or her stocked part at an additional fee. Or pay the tradesman to remove it so you can send it back to the supplier, wait for the new part to arrive, then call the tradesman back to repair it and pay him again. During this wait, you are likely inconvenienced and uncomfortable. When a contractor supplies parts and equipment, a warranty is included to cover potential failures for labor and parts. Contractors have established relationships with local suppliers for access to parts for a variety of manufacturers. Some parts and equipment installations require permits and inspections. Repairs and installations involve specialized tools for proper wiring, certifications, gas piping or proper refrigerant pressure readings, which should be followed with safety measures and city code compliance. There are pros and cons when purchasing online when you do not possess the skillset to install:
Cons: Pros:
-Does not include installation -Initial savings on product
-Does not include warranty
-Does not include code compliance
-Does not include EPA compliance
-Does not include safety measures
-Does not include guarantee right product was purchased
-No direct relationship with the supplier
-If part fails, have to remove it, return it, pay tradesman again
A $13 air conditioning capacitor online is not as simple as ordering a light bulb and screwing it into the fixture. The correct size of the capacitor needs to be obtained, correct installation and proper benchmark readings should be achieved for it to work properly. Mini-split heat pumps can be found online for $1,300.00 including shipping. Now what? Did you get a load calculation, order the right equipment size, line sets or permits? A skilled professional may charge $130 for a capacitor repair. A tradesman may charge $4,200 to install a mini-split system. It is not just about the value of the equipment or part online, it is the value of the skilled professional, city code compliance, inspections, EPA regulations, warranty, proper installation, achieving safe benchmark readings, convenience of his/her office on wheels, stocked parts and carrying a business license and insurance.
Skill is a developed ability. Tradesmen deliver comfort with their repairs and installations based on their training and have earned respect for their knowledge and education. For those DIY readers, be proud of your skill. It is valuable to be able to repair, manage and maintain your own household projects. If you do not possess the skills, the value of a skilled tradesman outweighs online shopping. When doing air conditioning and heating system online shopping, click on a local contractor website instead of the big box stores. If you need a skilled tradesman, schedule here:
AIR CONDITIONING CONDENSTE DRAIN LINE CLOGS
Air Conditioning condensate clogged drain lines are common in our humid Tidewater region and can cause costly water damage. It is important to keep your air conditioner regularly maintained to avoid this inconvenience. Drain lines clog when dust, dirt, algae, insects, grime, rust or insulation settles in the drain pipe. This causes water to back up at your indoor air handler equipment which overflows the drip pan and potentially leak through your ceilings, floors or walls. It can also allow for bacteria, mold and mildew to grow, circulating spores through your ductwork, affecting your breathing space. It is advised to turn your system off, then call a professional to clear the drain to prevent further home damage and system failure.
Consider preventing this inconvenience:
- Invest in an annual HVAC maintenance program. Kellam Mechanical loves the annual maintenance program since it pays for itself through energy savings, program benefits and discounts. Drain lines are inspected at each visit and cleared when there are signs of clogs.
- Schedule a professional technician install a float switch and EZ trap to automatically shut your system off when water is detected backing up.
Are you a DIY nut? Attach a wet/dry vacuum to the ¾ PVC primary drain line that exits the exterior of your house located close to ground level near your outdoor air conditioning or heat pump equipment. Ensure your vacuum has a good seal for effectiveness. Power up for 3-5 minutes. Examine the contents that were obstructing the drain line. You might be surprised with the lovely remnants. However, if you are DIY nut, the leftovers probably won’t faze you. Now your breathing air is cleaner and your system is in better operating status. If no junk has been extracted and you still have system failure symptoms, you may need further trouble shooting from a qualified technician.
If you have not thought about your comfort equipment maintenance in a while, now is the time! All mechanical equipment needs regular maintenance, so spending the money to maintain it is saving more than repair costs! Know someone who needs equipment maintenance? Tell ‘em Kellam!
AIR CONDITIONING REFRIGERANT LEAKS
As the summer heat progresses, homeowners discover their air conditioners are working longer and harder, which can lead to failures. The harder and longer their equipment runs, the more likely it will demand attention to be maintained. A common cause of failure is refrigerant leakage. Temperatures higher in your home incapable of satisfying the thermostat setting is a probable symptom related to refrigerant leaking. Properly trained and certified technicians can diagnose this issue quickly and simply add more refrigerant based on the measurement their gauges determine. This may just be a temporary fix, so it is advised to perform a leak test using bubble soap solutions or an electronic leak detector to pinpoint the leak location. Leak tests can be time consuming dependent on the leak location and size. We recommended performing the repair in addition to recharging the system with the proper level of refrigerant per the manufacturer’s specifications. It is important that the technician is EPA certified to ensure refrigerant is properly handled and complying with regulations. There are several causes for refrigerant leaking:
- Mother Nature: Coastal environments can contribute to advanced coil damage with sand and salt water corrosion. Storms are not friendly with air conditions or heat pumps delivering debris in the outdoor units, causing airflow restrictions and corrosion. Living on or the near coastal regions can expedite equipment aging and shorten the equipment life. Virginia Beach resort area, Croatan and Sandbridge specifically have seen equipment last only 5-7 years when not regularly maintained or coil coated. Air conditioners and heat pumps inland should experience a life span of 10-12 years. Copper coils are also subject to microscopic cracks from nature’s affects of formicary corrosion.
- Installation: Brazing joints incorrectly can create pinhole leaks that could likely cause slow leaks, taking several years to notice the uncomfortable affects.
- Manufacturer Processing: improper welding, packing or shipping may create holes as well.
- Inadvertent Damage: Nails through the line set in the wall when hanging wall décor, outdoor project mishaps: weed eating too close to equipment damaging lines, standing on equipment attempting to work on exterior improvements or materials/tools falling in unit causes damage, outdoor kids activities, power washing or animals/pets digging or clawing at equipment. Even an animal’s urine can corrode the components.
- Huffing: It has been reported from enforcement agents that teens have been caught huffing refrigerant to get high. This is dangerous and can cause brain damage, lung damage or even death. Refrigerant locking caps are a great solution to prevent refrigerant theft and save lives.
The cost of refrigerant has fluctuated tremendously over the past several years for R-22. We have seen R-22 rise to approximately $190 per pound for the consumer in the past 4 years. R-22 operated equipment is no longer manufactured, so there is a limited supply controlled by the EPA, so costs have risen. More efficient equipment has been designed in recent years requiring R-410 which is a more environmentally friendly product and in ample supply.
Best solutions to prevent discomfort and inconvenience due to air conditioning failures:
- Invest in an annual maintenance agreements with a qualified HVAC contractor. Research shows that annual maintenance reduces failure rates and saves you up to 30% on heating and cooling energy bills annually.
2. Change your filters monthly. Dirty filters can restrict airflow and cause system failure.
GO GEOTHERMAL
Geothermal technology delivers incredibly high efficient comfort; up to 80% more efficient than a conventional system. It uses the earth’s constant temperatures using wells 6 feet below the surface to heat and cool your space. These highly efficient systems use electricity to move air, not to produce it. According to the Environmental Protection Agency geothermal systems are “the most energy efficient, environmentally clean, and cost effective space conditioning system available today.” Geothermal systems do not use fossil fuels, so there are no combustible gas emissions, which reduces your carbon footprint and eliminates harmful health effects. Statistics also prove that Geothermal equipment has a lower failure rate than heat pumps, gas package units, air conditioners or furnaces. Installing a geothermal heating and cooling system in your home or business has many benefits.
1. It has a life span twice that of a conventional system.
2. It is less expensive to install and operate than 2 conventional systems replacements.
3. It is the highest efficient equipment, saving bucket loads on energy usage.
4. It is earth friendly.
5. Increases your property value.
6. Fewer repairs.
When considering replacing your Geothermal system or converting to Geothermal, call a qualified contractor. Kellam Mechanical employs technicians that are certified through Geothermal specific training classes to install, repair and maintain Geothermal equipment. Converting to Geothermal is a smart choice. Kellam Mechanical offers free quotes. Now is the best time to live greener and benefit from a time sensitive tax credit of 30% that expires 12/31/16.
KELLAM MECHANICAL NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED
Kellam Mechanical opened April 1, 1995. For 21 years Scott Kellam has dedicated his time and energy into the business he loves because he loves the HVAC industry. As a teenager in 1977, he learned the trade from his father and grandfather in their family owned and operated Heating, Air Conditioning and Electrical business and loved working there until he decided to start his own adventure. When you ask him what else he would do for a living if he were not in the HVAC business, he says with a puzzled look as if there is no other possibility “Nothing, I am right where I have always wanted to be.” Bringing comfort to the families in the Tidewater area of Virginia, where he was born and raised has always been Scott’s focus. Our 4 distinct coastal seasons have kept him quite busy through the years. Making customers comfortable and happy is only half of his goal. Making his family of employees happy and comfortable is the balance. There are many details involved in making a business successful and Scott Kellam has worked hard to balance all of them. With 25 employees to help Kellam Mechanical deliver quality customer service, he has an excellent support system. In addition to running a locally owned business for 21 years, Scott has also been heavily involved in the Virginia Beach community. He loves lending his time volunteering with The Virginia Beach Clean Community Commission, The Chesapeake Bay Foundation, The Virginia Beach Education Foundation and led the local Air Conditioning Contractors of America chapter as President from 2012-2014.
Many business men work very hard for many years without recognition, but Scott Kellam is an exception. He has been blessed to receive recognition on the state and national level. On September 7, 2016 Scott Kellam received the Contractor of the Year award representing the state of Virginia through the Plumbing, Heating and Cooling Contractor Association. This was an incredible honor to be recognized for our state, but an even more prestigious award followed. On October 21, 2016 he was awarded the National Contractor of the Year through the PHCC Association. Scott Kellam graciously accepted the award in San Antonio, Texas. This was a memorable event and has inspired Scott to keep working hard at maintaining his reputable local Virginia Beach company.
Scott’s reaction to this acknowledgement: “I am honored to be considered a top leader of this industry and many thanks to our loyal customers and employees that have been along for the ride to catapult Kellam Mechanical above the average HVAC business”.
DIRTY…IS…EXPENSIVE!
Dirt is the #1 reason for cooling and heating system failure. Repairs can be expensive, therefore dirty is expensive! Clean is efficient. Efficiency saves money and reduces inconvenient failures.
Three dirty reasons to have a qualified technician clean your cooling and heating system annually:
- Dirty filters. Filters covered in dirt, dust, grime, pet dander, cigarette smoke, dead skin, bacteria, germs, hair, and more yucky stuff affect the airflow and operation of your comfort system . These restrictors can contribute to equipment breakdowns, leading to repair costs. It is recommended that you change your disposable filters or clean your electronic air cleaners monthly.
- Dirty coils. Your outdoor comfort system coil can collect dirt, grass, dust and yard debris, all of which can lead to excessive equipment stress, and in turn contributes to compressor and refrigerant repair costs.
3. Unexpected, unwanted surprises. Other dirty things can make their way into your system, whether the equipment is located outside, in your closet, in the garage or in the attic. Service technicians have been surprised with some interesting critters during repair visits, from bugs stuck in the contactor which halts the equipment; mice chewing through ductwork causing air leakage, or dead in ductwork, which delivers decaying smells; squirrels that nest in attic air handlers; brown recluse spiders have been discovered in the outdoor unit; even a snake wrapped around an outdoor unit fan blade that caused the system to seize. Unless you are an outdoor wildlife fanatic, you might prefer a technician remove these critters, right?
Annual maintenance creates efficiency, reduces failure rates and lengthens the life of your equipment. All benefits equal money saved. System components need attention regularly. Compressors are the heart of the system and the filters are like the lungs so these vital components deserve to be protected and cared for. Kellam Mechanical’s annual maintenance program pays for itself through energy savings, program discounts and benefits, so schedule your maintenance appointment now. Know someone who wants reliable indoor comfort that saves money while critter free? Tell ‘em Kellam!
Green Gadget: Laundry Pro
For the love of laundry! Kellam Mechanical promotes green household products, so If you are tired of spending so much money on laundry detergent here is your new solution: Laundry Pro. This revolutionary green product replaces the need for detergent, bleach, fabric softeners, sorting and front loading washing machine cleansers, such as Afresh. It reduces landfills. It eliminates odors, chemical use, pollution, static, and shrinking clothes. Laundry Pro preserves fabric during the wash cycle, protects bright colors from fading and makes clothes softer. It is better for sensitive skin, reducing itching or redness from allergic reactions to detergents. It may be hard to imagine your life long routine changing; however, it is a money and time saver. Now you can pass the laundry detergent aisle at the store.
Installation is simple, requiring existing washing machine hookups and about 2’ x 2’ space to mount the device. Using cold water, Laundry Pro activates oxygen to remove dirt away from fabric fibers to prevent odor causing bacteria growth. It requires no maintenance, works with well or city water, made in Virginia and comes with a 2 year warranty. This product is smart! Oxygen, peroxides and other gases bubble into clothing to lift away dirt and odors. However, a stain removing product may be necessary for really tough stains. This USA engineered and manufactured product has a glowing blue light when operating and indicates when attention is necessary.
The average household of 4 spends about $500 annually on laundry costs including detergents, fabric softeners, machine cleansers and energy. Your earth friendly investment will give you a return in just over a year. Clean clothes for the kids and grandkids all while earth friendliness, saving money and time is a brilliant solution.
New Laundry Pro users rave about it!
“I was hesitant to try Laundry Pro because it uses no soap. However, I am now excited about the savings from laundry detergent expenses. My towels come out clean and fresh with no odors. I am a true believer after washing my teenage son’s dirty white shoes that came back to life brighter and almost looking new!” Kelly G., Virginia Beach, Va. Resident 
“Our son’s sensitive skin has improved since we started using the Laundry Pro. Laundry is much less of a chore for our family now. Our towels are softer today than when they were new. We feel good that we are not putting chemical back in to the environment by cleaning our clothes.” Stephen A., Chesapeake, Va. Resident
If you are ready for to be rescued from your laundry woes, call Kellam Mechanical now to have a qualified technician install Laundry Pro for you on the south side of Hampton Roads, Va. 757-430-0358. Know someone else who needs Laundry Pro? Tell ‘em Kellam!
Kellam Mechanical Celebrates 20th Year Anniversary
April 2015 is very exciting for me because Kellam Mechanical entered our 20th year in business providing comfort, safety and healthy solutions to Tidewater residents and businesses. I have enjoyed the heating and air conditioning industry for about 40 years. The saying is so true: time flies when you are having fun. I am proud of how many people in our community that Kellam Mechanical has brought comfort to for the past 80 seasons. I have made so many great friends along the way with my coworkers and clients, many of whom have become like family. They are the ones who have made us successful. Our Kellam Mechanical comfort crew makes coming to work fun because we all understand the culture of excellent customer service. Giving back to my community is a responsibility that I also enjoy. Community presence and environmental preservation is important to me and to the company and I love to share all of the fun activities I have injected into my lifestyle. I love the people I get to encounter and join forces with to make our daily living better. Kellam Mechanical promotes green products, such as geothermal high efficient comfort equipment, programmable thermostats and tankless water heaters to name a few, but we also like to promote green practices. As a team, we enjoy volunteering for the following local organizations and events:
Virginia Beach annual Earth Day
Virginia Beach annual Clean the Bay Day
Virginia Beach Clean Community Commission
Back Bay Restoration Foundation
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation
The first 20 years in business has been amazing and a blessing to bring so many people comfort. We look forward to delivering heating, air conditioning and electrical excellence for another 20 years.
Know someone who wants a contractor that has staying power? Tell ‘em Kellam for another 20 years!
Air Conditioning and Heat Pump Outdoor Clearance Distances
Did you know that lawn and landscaping maintenance can affect your indoor comfort? Proper airflow is essential for your heating and cooling equipment to operate correctly and safely. Restricted airflow can cause equipment to lose efficiency leading to higher monthly utility bills as well as failures which can result in expensive repairs. Keeping your comfort system annually maintained is a sound solution and smart investment. A skilled technician will perform tasks to keep your coils and burners clean and safe in addition to many other helpful tasks, but there are things that homeowners can do on a regular basis to ensure proper system operation. Changing filters monthly is necessary as well as keeping equipment clear of obstructions. To keep your outdoor equipment safe from airflow interference, it is best to allow for at least 2 feet of clearance around the unit from greenery such as shrubs, trees and ivy as well as roots, fencing, other equipment or structures. 4 feet of clearance should be allowed above outdoor unit installations. This space also allows a technician to access all sides of the equipment for repairs and maintenance. It is also important to install your outdoor comfort equipment free of exhaust or dryer vents because lint blown into the compressor can cause a clog and a failure. Overgrown greenery can creep its way into your outdoor compressor and cause it to fail so get your green thumb out there and maintain your yard around your air conditioner, heat pump or package unit for the sake of your indoor comfort.
The picture shown is proof that yard growth is damaging to this Virginia Beach compressor. Our NATE certified technician quickly discovered that the condenser fan motor failed because it was forced to work twice as hard to move air due to the restricted airflow from the bushes and the lack of space allowed between the house. This lawn condition will shorten the life span of equipment. Shrubbery moisture can contribute to unit coil damage causing rust and corrosion. It is also recommended to redirect rain water from dripping off the roof into the unit. In the winter months freezing excess water can seize the fan with ice build-up or damage it with ice failing into the unit.
Schedule a qualified Kellam Mechanical technician to assist with any annual comfort system maintenance or system relocation if you have current obstructions.
What it means to TELL ‘EM KELLAM!
Tell ‘em Kellam is part of the Kellam Mechanical culture. It represents prideful customer service and technical workmanship. People who have a positive experience tend to share it with others in their lives…family, friends, neighbors and coworkers. Referrals are the highest form of flattery and we welcome them. Testimonials are especially strong when they come from someone we know and trust. We place a large emphasis on delivering excellence to inspire our clients to “Tell ‘em Kellam”. How do we that? We represent professionalism through our courteous call takers, act with consideration for our client’s busy lives when scheduling, timely dispatch highly trained technicians who respectfully interact with clients, dress our technicians in clean uniforms, arrive in lettered vans and perform quality system repairs and replacements. Success for Kellam Mechanical is measured when we hear our clients “Tell ‘em Kellam”. When that happens we know we delivered comfort.
Society has embraced social media over the past few years and it has become the norm for consumers to refer to review sites to profile a business which influence purchases. In fact, surveys uncovered that 90% of consumers are influenced by online reviews. Those who have taken the time to post positive reviews have been inspired based on their expectations being met and frequently exceeded. Our testimonials and reviews speak for themselves and we appreciate the Kellam Mechanical staff that inspired our loyal clients to share their experiences. We even have a Tell ‘em Kellam referral program to show our gratitude for those who “Tell ‘em Kellam.
WebsiteTestimonial: June 2011
“Thank yous” to both of you, Sarah and Scott, for taking a personal interest in the lives of your customers. I can’t remember any other company that we do business with that takes such interest in their clients. Best wishes for a continuing successful business!!!
Bill and Judy C., Va. Beach residents
Superpages Review: August 19th, 2014
I highly recommend Kellam Mechanical for your heating, cooling and electrical needs. I just recently had my annual maintenance inspection and Jerry W. was very professional and knowledgeable when it came to explaining the process and answering questions about the best filters to use. His efficiency was a breath of fresh air in the hectic world we live in. Thank you to Jerry and the Kellam Mechanical team for taking care of my heating and cooling needs!
Tamela Hood, Chesapeake resident
Google Review: 12/13/14
Kellam Mechanical has been servicing my HVAC systems for 10 years. They have been most professional throughout these years. My most recent dealings have been with their technician, Jerry Wagner. Jerry is always friendly, courteous and thorough during his review of my system. He always discusses with me at the conclusion exactly how my system is working. It is his concern for making sure I am content as a customer that has caused me to ask Kellam Mechanical for Jerry to always be the technician that comes to service my units. Thank you Kellam Mechanical and Jerry Wagner for always making the maintenance of my heating and air conditioning a very pleasant experience.
Joe Riddick, Va. Beach resident
Know someone on the southside of Tidewater, Virginia that needs heating, air conditioning and electrical excellence delivered to their home or office?
