Seen that "energy efficient" prefix with so many HVAC appliances and, in this case, Furnaces? What does that mean? And how do energy efficient Furnaces help save? Also, how a common homeowner can find out if his system is energy efficient? This blog will help find the answers to these questions.

The term energy efficiency refers to the system's ability to make the most use of energy. A high energy efficient Furnace utilizes almost all the energy provided while a less energy efficiency unit wastes a significant amount of energy provided. Evidently, energy efficient Furnaces help save on energy bills. While they are costlier than the conventional less efficient units, the longterm saving is promised along with better and swift comfort.
If you want to find out whether or not your current system is an energy efficient system, keep reading.

Check AFUE rating 

Every unit has an AFUE rating. AFUE mean, annual fuel utilization efficiency. The better the system is at utilizing the fuel, the less it will waste it and the higher will be the AFUE. So in the case of 98% AFUE, the system wastes only %2 energy which is almost negligible. Such units are very highly efficient units. The AFUE rating varies according to brands and then models within brands. Lower AFUE units which may be as low as 50% are lower in prices as well but then the utility bills go higher and higher.
Here another point needs to be kept in consideration and that is; a system's claimed AFUE doesn't mean the system will always run with the same efficiency. AFUE and SEER (in case of air conditioners) give the estimated highest possible efficiency. This efficiency drops partly due to age and partly due to lack of regular maintenance. So the first point to assess your Furnace's efficiency is to check its AFUE. The rest of the points are coming below.

Calculate age 

Done with checking the AFUE? Great with that. Now check how old your Furnace is. Did you know that unmaintained unit drops 5% in efficiency every year? If you have not been doing maintenance, you can calculate on your own how much the efficiency must have dropped. In the case otherwise, even if you have been performing maintenance but the unit is very old, it has still dropped efficiency and raised energy bills and this goes without saying. If you don't know what is an average lifespan of a Furnace, it's 15-20 years for Gas Furnaces and 25-30 years for electric Furnaces.

Analyse energy bills 

Thoroughly analyse energy bills of the ongoing year and the past year. Do they show a significant difference even when your usage has been the same throughout? Then this is an indicator of efficiency drop. The efficiency has dropped and the system is wasting more energy resulting in higher energy bills.

These 3 factors considered together can tell you a whole lot about your Furnace system's efficiency. And also about whether or not it's the time to go for an upgrade.

Did you find this blog helpful? How old is your Furnace? And what is its AFUE?
 

To do's and not to do's for HVAC system landscaping

- Be very vigilant towards maintaining your yard. After a thunderstorm, go to your yard and perform the necessary cleaning. Remove any twigs, leaves and clean the area around the HVAC unit immediately if not the entire area - At the time of clipping grass, it is highly recommended to point the grass clipping away from the compressor in order to not let the popped pieces into the unit - In the case of an upcoming wind, clear the area surrounding the HVAC unit. Wind can bang table, chairs etc in the unit resulting in damage - If you're planning vegetation in your yard, make sure it's 3 to 4 feet away from the compressor unit - While many people do not keep this in consideration, the unit should not be under the direct sun. The efficiency gets affected when the unit is under the direct sun. Also, in the winter season, the compressor unit should be covered to protect it from snow and pets. - On a routine basis, do not allow any pets or stray animals to accommodate the space near the compressor unit. Animal urine corrodes the metal very fastly. - When the compressor fan is running, do not cut the grass around it. The clippings can get stuck in the fan blades and or may clog the compressor coils - When mowing the lawn, make sure no twig or stone is in the way. A rapidly moving mower will throw them and in case it hits the compressor, you are ruined! - In order to keep maintenance, inspection and repair easy for yourself and the technicians, better not try camouflaging the unit with shrubs or plants - And needless to say that the surroundings of the compressor has to be well clear in the times it is being used. The unit needs space to exhaust the heat properly. When tightly packed, it cannot perform the job of exhausting the heat - Last but not least, always choose professionals to install the unit. It is because they know where and where not to install the unit. When the unit is installed in the right place, you don't have to worry too much about it later. And since the location matters a lot, choosing a wrong technician, who would choose the wrong location, will ultimately become a deal of loss for you. With proper maintenance and wisely made HVAC choices, you can manage to enjoy comfort throughout the year, save on monthly energy bills and also reduce the possibilities of sudden breakdown and frequent repairs. For now, you are well equipped to perform a safe and HVAC-friendly landscaping the next time.

The furnace is no less than a blessing in a season like winter and that too of Canada's when everything just freezes up. A lot of Canadian homeowners prefer to use Furnace as their primary home heating source in winter. Some other may prefer fireplace, heat pump or space heater but Furnace nonetheless remains the most widely used and the most favourite. However, when it comes to maintaining the appliance, there are very few people who are regular and concerned about performing in time maintenance of their Furnace unit. Even worse, a vast majority in addition to delaying maintenance keeps units in use even when they are in need of repairs realizing not that doing so is synonymous with calling upon serious dangers. This blog will highlight the dangers associated with using malfunctioning or unmaintained Furnace units.

- The scariest - Fire 

You do come across news mentioning house fires incidents throughout winters, don't you? And behind many of such incidents, there is a malfunctioning Furnace responsible. As the Furnace operates, it releases CO as a by-product. In normal cases, this by-product is designed to escape through the vents but an unmaintained unit can actually fail to expel the residual gas outside resulting in accumulation of the gas inside. Since CO is odourless and colourless, it is not possible to find it out even when it is there. And being highly flammable, only a slight fire is enough to turn your home into ashes.

- Silent death - CO 

As mentioned above, CO is poisonous and yet this poison cannot be suspected. Similar to the fire accidents, the next most common accident associated with Furnaces is the CO poisoning. This gas also called, "The Silent Killer can cause situations like extreme fatigue and loss of consciousness. In worst cases, death. While on one hand it is suggested to not use a malfunctioning Furnace, on the other hand, it is also important that a CO detector is installed in order to detect the CO presence well in time.

- Deteriorating IAQ 

Other than the above-mentioned consequencing of using a malfunctioning Furnace, one consequence is that of a bad IAQ. Even if your unit is not releasing CO, it is releasing dust and pollution whatsoever when not maintained. And the air that circulates in the entire home after passing through a dirty unit indubitably takes the pollution with it and spread it all around. Also, the dirty filters will result in the blockage of airflow burdening the system and once again, creating circumstances for a breakdown.

Moreover, a malfunctioning unit causes frequent repairs which results in unnecessary expenses and one problem gives way to another. So if you have been using a malfunctioning Furnace last winter, do not repeat the same mistake this time. Get the unit repaired by a certified professional and ensure that it is working properly. A properly working unit ensures safety as well as savings.

Are you facing any Furnace related issues? Do you want to learn some quick Furnace DIY troubleshooting? Explore our blog to find out more.

So every time you are told about a product, you are told why you need it in the first place. And what benefits would that product give you? We are about to share some useful information about UV Light Air Purification systems and would want you to know why investing in these air purification system could be a wise choice.

We say time and again that HVAC is not to be taken non seriously and that HVAC is a professional's to do. While there are many services that offer certified and experienced technicians, there are many that hire technicians on the basis of their interest and not on the basis of their HVAC knowledge. This puts homeowners at risk and they remain under risk even after taking regular maintenance or in time repairs. Below are some situations in which a contractor's incompetency puts home and the homeowners at risk. 

While many people out there would try to convince you to call a professional for every single HVAC repair and maintenance need, we won't. Because, the truth is, there are several issues that you can fix on your own and that too very easily. All that is needed is proper knowledge and proper precautions and there you go! \

How often should I clean my Air Conditioner? 

As the cooling season arrives, you see promotions of Air Conditioner maintenance, clean up and tune up services everywhere. While you might only think that it is just the HVAC companies making their business, you should also think of how often it is important to get your system tuned and cleaned up. Usually, people don't give their systems any checkup or cleaning until they actually begin to experience compromised efficiency. It is a known fact that Air Conditioner, be it a Split Air Conditioner or Central Air Conditioner ceases to work properly even only if its filters are dirty. But when we say, cleaning, the cleaning of the entire unit is meant. So a very basic thing to understand is; Cleaning is important and you should perform the cleaning of the units thoroughly before the efficiency gets affected. Now the question is, how would you know the system should now be cleaned without the system giving any indications? Well, the formula is simple;

Everything that gets used needs maintenance and cleaning. And we know that the cooling system in your home runs more than any other electronic or electrical appliances; almost all the time. So professionals suggest, keeping this constant use in consideration that every system, be it a central air conditioning unit or a split, should be thoroughly cleaned annually, preferably at the beginning of the season in which they'll be used the most. And this is true for all; residential as well as industrial units with the exception of situations in which a system is installed at such a place where it gets overly dirty or gets used unusually more. In that particular case, the unit can be cleaned twice during the season.

Security risks associated with delaying cleaning

As said already, AC's are among the most used appliances. And since they are electrical units, delaying of necessary cleaning and maintenance can lead to security risks. For example, the dirty condenser coils, dirty fan or other components may result in a fire break out. Also, when cleaning is not performed, insects and animals set their homes in or around the units causing a threat of electrical wiring damage. And did you know, the urine of animals can actually corrode the very metal of the outdoor AC unit?
This necessitates that a thorough cleaning is performed to keep the unit a safe cooling unit.

Some precautions when cleaning

It is always preferred to seek professional help when performing annual cleaning of the Air Conditioner units but if you are already convinced by all the do it yourself tutorials, do it yourself but don't forget to follow precautions;
- Do not use random cleaning agents. Always purchase a proper cleaner that is made with the purpose to clean AC units or even if you use some dishwashing or laundry detergents, make sure they won't damage the unit.
- People prefer using a high-pressure pipe to clean units assuming this will take less time and the difficult rubbing won't be necessary. The truth is; by using very high-pressure pipes, you can end up with damaged coils or twisted fan fins.
Keep the pressure limited.
- After using any soapy thing for cleaning, do not forget to pour clean water to clean all the soapy stuff

Before the summer sun gets really hot, give your Air Conditioners a thorough cleaning in order to enjoy ultimate coolness in summers. 
Need help? Connect any time; 1-855-245-4328

It can cause an utter distress to have hot and cold spots in your home when you are looking for absolute comfort. And guess what, this happens in the most severe temperatures. Fortunately, there are simple ways that can help resolve this air distribution problem and increase the HVAC system's efficiency. But before you get to know of resolving techniques, it is important to learn about why this temperature difference occurs.
The problem of hot and cold spots could take place because of;
- Improper zoning
- Improperly sized/designed/installed ductwork
- Duct leaks or failing insulation
- Wrong size of heating/cooling appliances

Any of the above-mentioned reasons can become the core factor in causing hot and cold spots in the indoors making summers and winters uncomfortable. Now let's discuss these causes in details and what you, as a common homeowner can do about fixing the hot/cold spots.

Improper zoning 

A zoning system allows heating/cooling of several zones/areas at different temperatures. This happens by changing damper settings of different zones in order to allow a certain airflow to a certain area and a different one to another. But since, zoning requires proper setting in the ductwork and the zones are controlled via thermostats so the thermostat settings matter as well. As mentioned, zoning is for multiple temperatures within the home, it is clear that you'll have different temperatures in different rooms but having a weird temperature that irritates is a different thing. And that is what we usually call hot and cold spots. There are two possibilities;
- A problem with the dampers
- Thermostat settings that might have gone wrong
Check the Thermostat settings of each zone. If the problem persists, call a pro to check the ductwork and dampers.

Improperly sized/designed/installed ductwork 

Some people think ductwork is just a ductwork. You can have a piece of foil and can just allow the airflow towards the indoor. It is not as simple as that. The size of the ductwork matters a lot. And not only the size, the design and the way it is installed also affects the airflow. So if you just had your ductwork installed and are now facing hot/cold spots problem, it could be a problematic ductwork. You can quickly make a google search to learn some basics of ductwork and then call a professional HVAC technician to discuss the problem.

Duct leaks or failing insulation 

The duct that comes to your room has insulation failure or some major leaks while the ductwork that extends to your daughter's room is all set, what do you think will be the outcome? Similar cooling/heating? Of course not. A major part of the cool/warm air reaching your room gets lost via the leaks and the uninsulated areas. What you receive is the residue. As a result, despite having one temperature for the entire home, a massive difference in the temperatures of yours and your daughter's rooms can easily be felt. Fix it!

Wrong size of heating and cooling appliances 

Did you know that many homeowners never think seriously about the size of the appliance they purchase? It is not only accommodation problem that matters so don't assume that having a large backyard, you can have a giant AC unit while your indoor is not a very large area. Size matters and it not only affects your energy bills, it affects the comfort as well. A very small size has a problem covering your indoor. So before your entire area cools, the system gets tired and leaves you with hot and cold spots. Similarly, an overly large unit trips too often creating a discomforting indoor.
If you are already done checking for all the other reasons, check if you are using the right appliance size.    

Are you facing hot and cold spots that are keeping you restless? Connect with us today and have your issue resolved at the most affordable service charges.

One of the major summer problems that homeowners face regarding home cooling is the affecting efficiency of the cooling appliances and the sudden rise in energy bills. As the temperature becomes a little hotter than usual, the Air Conditioners often begin to provide with compromised efficiency. And this inefficiency results in over usage of the appliances that further results in high energy bills. But did you know that these consequences are not the result of hot temperature alone, they are mostly the result of unmaintained appliances and wrong HVAC practices. We are highlighting some mistakes that you could be making with your Air Conditioner so that you could enjoy optimal cooling efficiency this summer.

1. Not cleaning/replacing filters

Dirty filters do more harm than you could imagine. Replacing of the filters once every three months is a must. And in the peak season, when the Air Conditioner runs constantly, it is necessary to replace filters monthly. Dirty filters get clogged. This clogging affects the airflow, freezes the evaporator coils, raise energy bills up to 5% and shortens the appliance's lifetime.
This summer, change/replace your filters before the Air Conditioner begins to give compromised cooling.

2. Programmable Thermostat matters!

The latest technology Thermostats helps save massively on energy bills. Did you know that Smart Thermostats if properly used can help lower cooling bills up to 15%? The reason of discomfort in summers could be an absence of a programmable thermostat. If you are still using a conventional knob or mercury Thermostat, you much be forgetting changing temperature in time regularly resulting in more energy usage and improper indoor temperature. Consider shifting to a Programmable Thermostat! 

3. Poorly positioned Thermostat and Vents 

Your Air Conditioner could be absolutely alright but the wrong you could be doing with it is through Thermostat. Since it is the Thermostat that controls your indoor temperature, any issues with it will automatically affect the entire HVAC system. A Thermostat wrongly positioned; in direct sunlight or close to a heat source etc would sense the wrong indoor temperature forcing the cooling system to run more vigorously and constantly.
Similarly, blocked vents and closed vents block the air flow resulting in a burdened motor and uneven temperature.

4. Annual service adds life

Agree with it or not but servicing the HVAC appliances from reliable and licenced professionals annually literally add to their life and of course efficiency. While there are many things that homeowners can do on their own in terms of Air Conditioner maintenance, there are certain things that only a professional can do with perfection. Once the Air Conditioner is serviced, cleaned and tuned-up annually, it gets a fresh start with better performance. So if you are skipping annual maintenance, you are making a grave mistake with your AC.   

5. Delaying repairs 

Postponing repairs don't save dollars. Doing so only add up to the cost that you will have to pay when the system will finally shut off and the problem would aggravate enough to need urgent repair. Delaying repairs affect the efficiency, obviously but it also cost you more, shorten the appliance lifetime and voids the warranty if any DIY repairs are performed. 
Doing DIY repairs or delaying the repairs? You are up to another mistake dude!

Maintenance matters and so do repairs and the right HVAC practices. The right practices can help save on energy bills, increase appliance lifetime and efficiency and moreover offer optimal comfort regardless of the seasons. 
Make this summer wonderful by following the right HVAC practices. 

Ready for the joys of Spring? It is around the corner, just reaching us. Thinking of Spring, you could think of all the pleasant things starting from the beautiful blooming of spring florals to the soulful sunlight, the happy chirping of birds and the freshness of the air. And hey! The Spring sales and rebates too. Among all these pleasant things come some unpleasant ones that sometimes, make spring a hard to bear season. Spring is also the season of pests, pollens and allergens. And if no prerequisite is taken regarding these tiny but very irritating little ghosts of spring, you could end up sneezing and taking anti-allergy meds the entire season. Most people who turn up saying they don't like spring are the people who fall sick in spring to any of the above-mentioned spring irritants. This spring, let the things go differently. We are helping you to create a checklist that will keep your indoors a safe and joyful place the entire spring. Before that, understand that the allergies and issues that pop up in spring are primarily a result of lack of proper cleaning and following improper practices for example; keeping doors and windows open at the wrong timings let the pollens into the home, using pest killers the wrong way make pests hide in the corner instead of dying or going out etc. So make sure you know what are the right to do's and not to do's.

Check#1: Duct duct duct! 

Ductwork remains in use throughout the winter and the Furnace runs almost constantly. The air that keeps circulating through the ductwork takes in dust and debris that sticks there with the inner walls of the duct. Over time, the dust piles make up creating a haven for pests. Dirty ducts also compromise indoor air quality. So as the winter ends and spring begins, it is the best time to go for Duct Cleaning since the ductwork would be doing a constant job in the Summer as well. So yes, perform Duct Cleaning!

Check#2: Carpet and curtain cleaning 

We don't do much washing in the winter, do we? But that long pending washing needs to be performed in spring. Carpets and curtains absorb dust and debris which may not always be observable but exit. To avoid allergies and bad indoor air quality, clean the carpet, curtains, cushions, rugs and other such items.

Check#3 Look for mould 

As the weather changes, the moisture in the air increases which sometimes causes mould growth in the cupboards, basement or ductwork. Don't let it go unnoticed and combat it as soon as it is seen. The mould growth in any part of the home will find its way to other parts of the home causing ugliness in the interior, odour and damage.

Check#4 Befriend houseplants

In order to maintain a healthy indoor air in spring and combat allergens, houseplants do a great job. If you're sensitive to allergies, put a houseplant at every 10 feet distance and this will make your indoor a safer like never before place in spring.

Check#5 HVAC Cleaning 

Spring gives you the time to let your cold feels go away and be ready for the blazing sun of the summer. It also gives you the time to pack your heating systems and prepare your cooling systems. So make sure you perform maintenance and cleaning of HVAC appliances and get your systems ready for Summer.

More Tips: 

* Be very regular in cleaning
* Installing an efficient Air Cleaner will ensure a 98.99% cleaner air
* Do not pack your home like an eggshell and neither keep the doors and windows open all the time Maintain a healthy ventilation by opening doors and windows in the early morning and late evening hours
* Spring increases the level of humidity. Unlevelled humidity can accelerate any chances of mould production. Keep the humidity maintained
* Call an HVAC professional to inspect the system and perform any necessary maintenance

Remember that it is important to keep a healthy indoor environment no matter what the season is. We spend so much time in the indoors. On estimate, more than 70% of a common man's lifetime is spent in the indoors. So, ladies and gentlemen! Brace yourself for Spring.
Happy blooming of flowers! 

Living in the second millennium, we should be thankful for the comforts that the technological advancements have brought for us. A lot of ease, a lot of relaxation and a lot of comfortability. As soon as a new technology is introduced, people rush to adopt it and eventually, it becomes part of life and part of everyday necessities. But there are some people, who love traditional and conventional ways and find them always superior to the newer outlooks introduced by technology. Take for instance; Fireplace. Despite that there are a lot of other options for home heating; Furnace, Boilers, Space Heaters etc, there are many Canadians that still think their home should have a Fireplace. And that is a wonderful home heating solution while also very natural in appeal and particularly the crackles that you hear, the aroma that you smell, takes you back in the times when there was only fire, and man to utilize it for cooking, heating, preying and protection. The latest Fireplace solutions are no doubt appealing and can work perfectly fine with the close and compact architectures that we have today, it is but nonetheless true that sometimes, maintaining a Fireplace can become a real headache. And when it comes to Fireplace odours, you might have to live a century to discover, recognize and resolve the odours. So here’s something for you to familiarize yourself with the reasons of Fireplace odours.