THE K&A BLOG
What’s new
in home comfort.
Updates, seasonal advice and honest answers from a Chesapeake HVAC shop — newest first. Subscribe with any RSS reader.
- Specialty systems
Geothermal heat pumps in Hampton Roads: how they work and how to care for one
What a geothermal system is doing underground, what needs service, and how to think about repair versus replacement when the indoor unit gets older.
- Specialty systems
Tankless water heaters: an honest guide before you switch
How tankless water heaters save energy, what sizing really means, why gas supply and venting matter, and the maintenance most people never hear about.
- Specialty systems
Whole-home dehumidification in Hampton Roads: when your AC is not enough
Why humid coastal homes stay clammy, what humidity level to aim for, and how whole-home, ventilating and crawlspace dehumidifiers fit in.
- Daikin
Inverter heat pumps and air conditioners, explained
What an inverter compressor does differently, why it helps with comfort and humidity, and why sizing and ductwork still decide how well it performs.
- For techs
Fall combustion analysis: reading what the analyzer is actually telling you
CO air-free, O2, stack temperature and efficiency — what each number means, where the probe goes, and which readings mean stop and investigate.
- For techs
Ambient CO testing: why I carry a low-level monitor into every house
Standard CO alarms are built not to sound at low levels. What UL 2034 alarms actually respond to, BPI ambient action levels, and how low-level monitoring changes the customer conversation.
- For techs
Clocking the gas meter: the two-minute test that tells you the truth
How to verify a furnace’s actual firing rate with a stopwatch and the meter dial — and why nameplate faith is not a commissioning method.
- Homeowner guides
Manual J, S & D: how your HVAC system gets sized
A home’s heating and cooling needs, the equipment selected, and the duct system should be designed together. Kirby walks you through the three steps.
- Homeowner guides
Carbon monoxide & home safety
Understand the sources, recognize the limits of symptoms and alarms, and know when to leave immediately.
- Homeowner guides
Low-level carbon monoxide: what your alarm may not tell you
A silent alarm does not establish zero CO. Understand alarms, supplemental monitors, and model-specific alerts.
- Homeowner guides
What happens during a combustion safety evaluation?
Understand the questions, equipment checks and documentation to discuss before a non-emergency visit.
- Homeowner guides
Told you have a cracked heat exchanger?
A serious finding deserves clear evidence, an explanation, and appropriate action.
- Homeowner guides
What your HVAC maintenance report means
Equipment details, measurements and findings should help you understand the work and the next steps.
- Homeowner guides
Static pressure and indoor air quality: fix the cause, not the symptom
Comfort and clean air start with airflow. Why we measure static pressure, size ductwork properly, prefer media filters, and solve mold at its source — instead of selling gadgets.
- Daikin
Daikin FIT: what to know before choosing a system
A compact outdoor design and inverter operation are part of the story. The right match for your home matters, too.
- HVAC updates
R-32 refrigerant: understanding the next generation
Why refrigerants are changing and what to ask when comparing new equipment.
- Homeowner guides
A simple plan for fall heating maintenance
A few practical steps to prepare for heating season, with guidance from the U.S. Department of Energy.
- Homeowner guides
Spiral duct vs. flex vs. rigid metal: an honest guide to your ductwork options
Three ways to move air through your home — spiral metal, flexible duct, and rectangular rigid metal. What each one does well, where each fits, and why installation quality matters more than the material.
- Homeowner guides
Why we recommend media filters (and what they do for your system)
A deeper filter cabinet gives your system real filtration surface area — cleaner air, lower pressure drop, longer filter life, and less strain on the blower.
- Homeowner guides
UV lights and air cleaners: what EPA testing found in the air afterward
EPA research shows ozone-producing air-cleaning devices can leave the air worse, not better — reacting with household chemicals to form formaldehyde, other aldehydes, and ultrafine particles.
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