5 Benefits of Home insulation

Here are 5 surprising benefits of home insulation you can’t simply ignore.

Increased Comfort Level

Home insulation is about increasing the comfort level of your surroundings. 40% of the comfort level is attributed to the ratio of exchange of radiant heat between you and your surroundings. If the home insulation is done properly then the exchange of radiant heat is cut down, which results in increased comfort. This means Insulation helps in keeping the home warm during the winter season and cool during the summer. So, you and your family will no more rely on extra blankets, invest in additional fans or settle for a too-hot or too-cold home.

Money Saver

Yes, it’s true that a huge portion of our income is spent on energy bills. It is not in the case when proper home insulation is done. One time proper insulation helps save on energy bills for years long. An insulated home needs less cooling/heating as it is already keeping the home warm in winters and cool in summers. Resultantly, there's less use of appliances. This leads not only in saving but also give appliances a longer lifespan.

Environment-friendly solution

Proper home insulation is not only beneficial for you, your budget and your home but also for the environment. The less the appliances are used, the less they leave carbon prints and the safer the environment remains. In these times of high pollutions and global warming warnings, getting the home insulated and resultantly, using the appliances less can no doubt be a great contribution of individuals towards preserving the environment.

Properly insulated homes are also considered important for good health because extreme weather conditions can be combated. Extreme temperatures like heat and cold bring various diseases. An estimation by Harvard School of Public Health showed that if every family in the USA only, properly insulates their homes, every year there would be a decrease in;
110,000 sick days
240 premature deaths
6,500 asthma attacks

Sound Factor

Most of the time we want to control sounds in our surroundings such as music, noise etc. Home insulation is good in abosrbing sounds and helps in reducing the noise transmission through the building. This results in making your rooms a quieter place to relax or study.

Resale Value

This factor is ignored by many of us. If your long-term plan includes selling the home in a couple of years, then updating home insulation can play important role in fast selling and that too at a good rate.

From offering a comfortable indoor environment to reducing the energy bills, from increasing the home's resale value to preserving the environment, there are multiple benefits that the home insulation offers. Undubitably, this is one of those one-time investments that offer promising savings annually and year-round comfort. 

Is your insulation failing? Are you looking for a reliable HVAC service for insulation refill? Or are you looking for home insulation for the first time?
We can help! Call us today for Home Insulation, Insulation Refill or addressing any other insulation related concerns.


Gas VS Electric Furnace: What to choose?

With the arrival of winter, cold breeze begins and homeowners start preparing themselves for winter by getting ready the home heating essentials. While some have Space Heaters as their favourites, other prefer Fireplaces and yet some other instead of any other home heating element prioritize Furnaces. If you are one such homeowner who is in love with Furnace and the warmth it gives, this blog is for you.

Homeowners often find it difficult to choose between Furnaces; Electric vs Gas Furnace. Depending on the needs, the suitability varies. And here's what you need to learn about the VS game between gas and electric water heaters while keeping the factors of affordability, quality, durability and eco-friendliness in mind.

Which one is cheap to install, cheap to run?

It has generally been estimated that Electric Furnace is cheaper than that of gas to install. However, the fuel cost is higher in electric as compared to that of gas. But in areas where gas is not available people usually prefer electric furnaces. Similarly, those who have a tight budget also go for electric furnace rather than gas. Though it can raise electricity bills, people still prefer it because electricity is available most of the times unlike gas since gas outage is common in winters. So the cheap to install and cheap to run package is offered by none of the Furnace types. While one is cheap to install, the other is cheap to operate.

Which one is durable? 

Apart from cost-effectiveness, if durability is compared between the two furnaces, it is observed that electric furnace is more durable. They live longer as compared to the gas furnace. It is seen that electric furnace stays for 20-30 years; however, gas furnace stays for 10-20 years. If the monthly operational cost can easily be afforded, Electric Furnaces is a good option to consider keeping their durability under consideration.

Which one is more environment-friendly? 

The electric furnaces are more eco-friendly because they do not emit toxic emissions which can be lethal for human health and because they do not involve a risk of gas leakage. This makes them both safe for the indoor as well as the outdoor environment. In the case of Gas Furnaces, there's always a looming threat of CO poisoning which could lead to devastating effects. Electric Furnaces offer a safer option to avoid such risks while also keeping the planet green.

What to choose now?

As said above, depending on the needs and availability of the fuel, the suitability varies from home to home. While for some people, Electric Furnaces offer what they need for winter warmth, for others, Gas Furnaces are their first and last love and are the ones that they find both reliable and economical. However, giving a general judgement and the HVAC trends, Electric Furnaces seem to be a better option. And that is because;
- They are available are cheap rates
- They can easily be used in the case of the gas outage which is a common scenario in winters
- They are relatively durable
So, what do you say? Would you continue with Gas Furnace or have plans to switch to an Electric unit?


When is Ductwork replacement a good idea?

The warm air comes from the Furnace but how does it reach every room in the house? We know that for this, the ductwork needs to be thanked. Ductwork is a series of lines that takes the warm air from the Furnace and disperses it via supply registers in different parts of the home. The Furnace needs repair when it gets damaged and replacement when it goes beyond usage but what about the ductwork? Does the ductwork need replacement as well? If yes, how often?

Ductwork Replacement - Things you need to know 

- Replace when it goes beyond repair

Just like the Furnace has a lifetime and cannot be repaired after that, the same is true for ductwork. There comes a time when, similar to the Furnace repair, the repair of the ductwork becomes costlier than replacing it. At such a time, it is wise to replace as early as possible. But there's an important thing to note here; although a rough lifetime is given by professionals, the lifetime of any appliance, as well as the ductwork, depends on how regularly it is maintained and how professionally repaired. The same unit for one homeowner may fail earlier than it will for a homeowner living next door for the above-mentioned reasons. So in order to know whether or not it is the time to replace, calculating the lifetime is not enough. Take instead, a professional's opinion about the replacement of a ductwork.

- Installing a new Furnace? Replace the ductwork as well 

HVAC investments are investments that are meant to benefit for years long. And these benefits continue to be comfortably benefiting when the appliance purchased is purchased after consulting a professional and the necessary HVAC changes are made along with that. Upgrading one appliance and using is with an outdated accessory does not prove to be a good choice at all. If you are upgrading Furnace this winter and the ductwork is a years-old ductwork, better replace it along with the Furnace. This replacement made at a time ensures optimal comfort.

- Redo a faulty ductwork 

There are chances that you had upgraded the Furnace last years and upgraded the ductwork along with it as well but the desired comfort is still found nowhere. One reason this happens is when the installed ductwork is not the right sizing, the right type or just that the technicians were incompetent to perform the installation properly. So if you have a little flexible budget this fall then better spend it on replacing the ductwork. A faulty or leaking ductwork can result in high energy bills, inappropriate air-flow or burdening the blower. So make the replacement well in time instead of wasting money like that.

Are you looking for a ductwork replacement? Did your old contractor not perform a job well done?
We have professionals who can help you with your ductwork needs. Our professional technicians know how to install, maintain and repair ductworks of all types. Connect with us today and get a FREE quote anytime.


Preventive Maintenance tips for Fall

Fall has already given a ''Hey there" signal. Now that the children have gone to school and there is relatively lesser workload, this is the best time to prepare your system to fall and consequently for winter. September is the time to make some major changes to your system and also to make some big HVAC decisions. So here's what you should be doing in September and early October.

Replacement - Does your system need it?  

Every year, many homeowners plan to replace their years old HVAC units but then the huge figure of a several thousand dollar expense comes in the way that makes them change their minds. The same scenario keeps on repeating. But did you know, this postponing can actually cost you in very dangerous figures? Using outdated appliances is one of the reasons behind the HVAC accidents that take place. And if that worst scenario does not take place, the rise in energy bills and compromised efficiency is a must faced consequence. So this fall, let the nightmares of expense be put aside and think seriously about whether your system needs a replacement. An average lifespan of a Furnace is 15-20 years. If your system has already completed 20 years and it's an old model that keeps on seeking repairs, yes! it does need to be replaced. But in case, you are unsure of replacement, consider taking a professional's help to decide whether this fall is the time for your Furnace to go away or not. But do it!

Must maintenance to do's 

And you know quite well what are the must maintenance to do's. Change the filters, thoroughly clean registers of supply and return vents and give a thorough cleaning to your Furnace unit as well if you have a previous experience of doing so else, call a professional for help. As said, September and October is the best time to get your system ready by sufficing for all its basic needs. One reason why this time is the best time is that later on, as the climate gets colder, the HVAC needs escalate and everyone starts to call professionals. In such a rush, it is difficult to get an appointment. So yes! Do it now!

Reset Thermostat and Refill CO detector 

Since the temperature needs change in autumn, you need to reset your Thermostat if it is a programmable thermostat with limited programming features. Even a Smart Thermostat needs to be reset so that it gets to know of your new routines and needs. Other than that, don't forget to change the batteries of your CO detector and in case you have not installed one already, get it installed as early as possible. HVAC fires are among the most reported HVAC accidents in winters and they occur mostly in the absence of the CO detector. So yes once again! Get it installed, Now!
Are you ready for winter? What Autumn HVAC to do's have you performed already? And hey! Do you have a CO detector installed?


Here are the 4 things that you didn't know about Air Conditioning


- Air Conditioners don't create coolness, they just expel heat


- Air Filters don't just clean the air


- Your Air Conditioner also dehumidifies


- Regular maintenance is a must



AC Fan setting and mold production - The link

You may or may not be a summer lover but one thing we're sure of; none of you is a mould lover. Unfortunately, with summer comes mould; this is almost a one comes with the other formula if necessary preventions are not taken and healthy HVAC practices are not followed. The primary cause behind the production of mould is the humidity, the level of which goes up in the summer. Although Air Conditioners do help dehumidify the indoor air, you'll be surprised to know that this does not happen on its own and the Thermostat, if not set well, can actually make the Air Conditioner a contributor to the production of mould by not allowing it to dehumidify the air while it cools it off. We'll learn today about that Thermostat setting that goes wrong and leaves homeowners in discomfort.

The complexity of Fan ON-AUTO Setting

What most homeowners do is that they set the AC Fan on ''ON'' instead of ''AUTO''. When the Fan is set on ''ON'', it does not dehumidify the indoor and as a result, the humidity level soars. Professionals suggest maintaining a humidity level between 30%-50% but as the Thermostat is set on ''Auto'', humidity can rise to an extremely uncomfortable level of 70% or more. As a homeowner, you should understand in detail how the ''ON''setting prevents dehumidification. And here's the explanation for that.

How does the ''ON'' setting prevent dehumidification

The cooling cycle that the Air Conditioner follows makes use of the indoor warm air to cool it over the evaporator coil. As the warm air is cooled, the water vapours get collected in a condensation pan and exit through the condensate drain. But this happens when the Fan is set to ''Auto'' and it shuts off automatically after the cooling cycle. This way the water vapours that get collected over the evaporator coil get time to drip in the condensation pan. But hey! Here's what happens in the ''ON'' setting. The Fan setting when set to ''ON'' lets the fan run constantly. This way the evaporated vapours are pulled along the cool air taking all the humidity back to home. So moisture ends up where it started. This is why switching from ''ON'' and ''Auto'' is a really smart thing. 

What else do I do to prevent mould?

- To prevent mould, you need to fix the humidity causing factors. In order for the Air Conditioner to dehumidify the indoor properly, the formula is; the longer it runs, the better it will dehumidify. So check if your AC is the right size. Larger than required sizes trip frequently not allowing proper dehumidification.

- You can consider installing plants, make in time use of exhaust fans and also placing a silica bag somewhere in the indoor can do wonders especially if you have a small area to dehumidify. It will suck the moisture in the air.

- Last but not the least; if your Air Conditioner fails to combat humidity whatsoever, is an old unit or does not help dehumidify for whatever reasons, consider installing a separate whole home dehumidifier.
But before you go, remember, you're supposed to never set your Fan on ''ON'' for more than a day!


The importance of keeping healthcare’s HVAC maintained

We always emphasize on the importance of HVAC maintenance and one major reason of that emphasize is to make sure homeowners receive a risk-free heating and cooling? And what do we mean by risk-free? Well, appliances that are not maintained regularly as well as not used in the proper ways become a serious health and security risk. This danger is general but this is especially dangerous when such negligences are taken in the healthcare sector; hospitals, clinics etc. Let us discuss what dangers need to be coped in the healthcare HVAC.

High humidity and its impact on patients

We know that there is a particular level of humidity that is desirable. Anything above or down it is not suitable for health. Some researchers also draw a connection between high humidity and high chances of cancer. While high humidity affects all, it especially affects people with respiratory tracts issues. And generally, a high level of humidity becomes a severe risk for not only the patients but also those that work there or come to see patients since high humidity promotes the spread of bacteria.

Temperature fluctuation and its impact on people

It is incumbent on health care facilities to maintain a desirable as well as healthy temperature. It is for this reason that people planning to open a health facility should seriously think about their place's HVAC needs and the choices they'll make. And then, not the entire place requires the same temperature. Burn victims are in need of high humidity and a warm temperature while people with heart issues seek warm temperature with normal humidity and those with brain injuries and fever need to have cool temperatures. So these variations need to be maintained in the healthcare facility according to the particular needs of the patients. Ignoring these HVAC cares may result in sanctions and cancellation of certification.

Taking care of the healthcare HVAC systems

Just like residential HVAC systems, the healthcare HVAC also requires regular maintenance and in time repair. While some people running such facilities are regular, some other may be totally headless and the consequences of that have already been mentioned above. In order to maintain a healthy healthcare HVAC, the following practices should be followed;

- It is crucial to clean filters too often as the systems at such facilities run almost constantly

- Thoroughly clean the Air Cleaner units

- Give the HVAC system a thorough inspection and maintenance by a professional service at least annually

- Install efficient Thermostats that help maintain precise temperatures. Also, fix the Thermostat issues on an urgent basis

- Don't let water accumulate near the outdoor units. The mosquitoes (especially the ones that originate in clean water), once they are produced in water, will find their way into the inside of the healthcare facility which is once again harmful to all and especially for those already sick

Care needs to be taken whether it's a residential HVAC or a commercial HVAC. But maintaining a very appropriate HVAC system and indoor environment at the healthcare facilities is no doubt crucial for the better of the patients and for the good of those that own it.

If you own one such facility and have a hard time maintaining the HVAC system or the temperature and humidity, consult an HVAC professional today and fix the issues as early as you can. After all, your patients are at your facility to go back healed, and not to go back even sicker.


High-Velocity Air Conditioning - How does it work and where does it best fit?

So all of you who have always known the bulky large ductwork of the forced air cooling system, do you also know about the high-velocity air conditioning system? If not, this blog today is about high-velocity air conditioning, how it works and where it best suits and best fits. So let's begin;

High-velocity Air Conditioning - What is it? 

Basically, the formula of high-velocity air conditioning is; smaller ducts - higher velocity. While in the conventional ductwork system, the ducts are so large; at least 2 feet wide in any case, this ductwork is 2 inch in width. And as we read in high school physics, ''small area - high velocity'', the air that comes from this 2 IN wide ductwork is much faster and higher in velocity and therefore cools the indoor in no time. A medium sized room, for instance, takes only 40-45 seconds to get evenly cooled via a high-velocity air conditioning system inlet. Amazing! Isn't it?
As said, this system uses small tubes that are very properly insulated and flexible, this takes energy loss (compared to conventional ducts), accommodation problems and complex installation out of the equation. The installation as well can be made with almost zero virtual ugliness.     

Is this system suitable for my home? 

This system is for you if you have a small area, don't have a ductwork installed already and can't take the worries of maintaining a conventional ductwork. As due to flexibility, the dust and pollen etc can't make homes in the duct corners like they do in the conventional ductwork, no complex cleaning is required. So if you run from cleaning, this is for you. Also, if you have a home that is old and too congested to be overloaded with a large duct system or you hate even the presence of the split ac systems, high-velocity air conditioning could be just right for you.

The drawback of this system 

Before we end, here's a drawback of high-velocity air conditioning system. Since the inlets of this air conditioning system are very small in size, they create noise as very high-velocity air passes through them. Although certain noise reduction accessories are often sold with the system, they don't make it entirely noiseless. Some people, especially those who have severe noise irritations may find this very disturbing.

One important suggestion 

Being people of the HVAC field, we help homeowners learn about different heating and cooling systems. But as we tell them about the systems, it is also upon us to make them aware of the pros and cons of the systems. Please note that not all systems are suitable for all homes. Although we do tell generally what is best for what, a perfect compatibility tick can only be given after properly inspecting the location and the needs of the people living in that area. Therefore, we highly recommend homeowners to consult professionals before purchasing costly appliances or before making serious renovations.
If you find high-velocity air conditioning a compatible choice for your home, don't rely solely on your assumption; consult a professional before you go serious about it.


Ready your Furnace for hibernation

Finally, after a long and tireless operational season, it's the time for your Furnace to get some rest. Spring has already begun and Summer is just coming. While in many GTA areas, the weather is still cold enough requiring Furnace, many others have already turned their Furnace system off until the next season. But before you turn on your Air Conditioner by randomly turning the Furnace system off some day, this blog is a must read for you to learn how to properly set your home heating system for hibernation.

Follow these steps before turning your Furnace off until next season

- Cleaning around the unit 

As Furnace is an indoor unit and is usually installed in the basement, many people keep the surroundings of the unit piled with all the possible junk. Although this is usually not done when the system is operational, it is surely done by more than half of homeowners when the unit is not in use; in summers. Keeping the surrounding of the unit conjested creates a suitable space for insects and animals to hide. Also, placing any items on the top of the Furnace can damage its parts or the pipeline which could turn out to be of real danger. So before you shut it off, clean the surroundings and keep them clean whether or not the system is in use.

- Change filter before power off

Cleaning of the filters during the use is understandable but why clean them when the system is put to rest? Well, doing so helps protect the unit from the consequences of dust and debris. And as you turn the system on the next winter, it will be relatively cleaner making things easier for you.

- DIY or professional inspection 

Your unit could be facing a very serious problem and you, not knowing about it may turn it off without resolving it. This will for sure aggravate the problem when the system would remain off for a long period. Therefore, it is necessitated to perform a thorough inspection. If you think you are good enough at inspecting the Furnace yourself, do a DIY else better call a professional for a brief checkup to make sure the Furnace is not having any serious issues.

- Checking CO detector 

CO leak is not a winter only phenomenon. The gas can leak from the pipes even in summers as a result of a damage, corrosion or any other reason. If you don't have a CO detector installed, install one. While we are relatively careful about leaks in winters, this careful attitude is not followed in summers so there's more danger. If you have one such device already installed, check batteries to make sure the device is properly functional.

Why professional inspection could be safe and beneficial 

Calling a professional tech to ready your Furnace for hibernation mode could be beneficial in many regards. For example;
- A professional checks for leaks and damages both in Furnace, it's pipes and ductwork
- A professional makes sure all electrical connection are alright and also protects them from prospect summer damages
- A professional performs a thorough inspection reaching out to parts where you can't and also lubricates the parts which keep the unit super functional for next season

You might be too good at  HVAC things but an HVAC professional remains an HVAC professional doing something extra and better than you. So before saying goodbye to your Furnace until next winter, give it a gift; a professional maintenance.


Inspect your HVAC system yourself!


- Filter Inspection

- Ductwork Inspection

- Dents in metal if it is a metal ductwork

- Streaks of dust. They indicate leaking air

- Torn pieces of duct (if it's a flex duct)

- Removing duct tape

Inspecting the flame

Inspecting registers and grills

Inspecting outdoors units

Inspecting Thermostat and Detectors

Inspecting unusual signs and signals

Last note:
Have a great DIY maintenance!


A brief history of different methods of Central Heating

Having an inquiring mind is a blessing from God. If you are a person who thinks of whys and hows and wheres and whens, congratulations! You are a good learner and a man of knowledge since those that inquire are those that explore. So, let’s come to the point. Have you ever wondered while looking at your Furnace or Fireplace how the people of olden times used to comfort themselves in cold weathers? If yes, it is the time to get your answer. Today, we shall explore the human history to figure out what were the ways that our forefather had used for heating their homes (or caves, yes).

Fire – The earliest ‘’home’’ heating tool

So our ancestors didn’t have the type of homes that we have today. They had caves and huts. Archeologists believe that the earliest form of home heating was the very fire which was created by rubbing stones and burning woods. This fire was set up in the inside of caves and huts with some kind of opening in the roof for the smoke to escape. Later on, this form improved a little and men of the time used stones and other types of dwellings to place that fire into and they were the fireplaces that heated their homes.

Fireplace, Hearths, Stoves and Underfloor systems – Who used them and how and when?

Humans throughout different cultures invented different schemes of central heating. Archeologists have excavated 2500 B.C. old fixed hearths in Greece. The Fireplace Heating (crude) is said to have been only 800 AD old. This type of crude fireplaces became the widely adopted home heating method in Europe in the 1400’s AD. The designs were improved and a circulating fireplace was first formed in 1600’s while a combustion air fireplace was introduced in 1700’s. Similarly, the history of stoves tells that first ever metal stove was made only after 1400’s. Germany and Holland became central manufacturers of these stoves.

Radiant Heating and how it evolved?

Radiant heating or underfloor heating is as old as 1300 BC. Later on, Romans improved this method in 80 B.C. and made systems that not only heated floors but also walls. The old radiant heating methods also called the hypocaust method used stone floor supported with pillars over a chamber that had fire at one end. The heat would radiate and made the floor and the indoor warm. This kind of hypocaust systems totally vanished after the fall of Roman Empire.

Steam Heating – How old is it?

So you know Boilers as the modern steam heaters. The history of Boilers isn’t much old. It is said that steam heating idea originated in 1745 in England. In 1790’s steam heating was already being used in residencies of its pioneers. Initially, it was used to warm factories and mills but later used to heat homes.

Forced air/fan system – When did it begin?

So we have come all the way long to forced air systems (one of which we use in our homes today; Furnace). The first ever fan/blower heating system was designed in 1735 for British parliament. Benjamin Franklin designed a heat exchanger and fan combination in order to suffice for cooling purpose in addition to sufficing for heating purpose.

Thermostats – Why were they invented?

By the 19th century, there were a number of central heating methods in use throughout different demographics but the matter of concern was controlling the warmth. So in the 1800’s several devices were introduced at the same time and can be considered the earlier forms of Thermostats. The latest form of Thermostats are the Smart Thermostats that use WiFi technology and make the heating system controllable from any location in the world while also offer a very precise temperature control and temperature scheduling.

Modern world and modern heating

After the 1920’s the world became more democratic than it was before and so did the heating. As a result, a mutual corporation of inventors, manufacturers, engineers made heating appliances cheaper, reliable and easily accessible. Forced Air Furnaces, advanced fixed Fireplaces, Baseboards, Boilers and other heating elements were introduced and are still being introduced.

This is how mankind has taken his long journey of central heating. And this journey continues as we look forward to even more advanced forms of heating. Bon Voyage fellow humans!