Posted by admin on December 29, 2014

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colourless, tasteless gas that can have deadly effects if it leaks into your home. CO poisoning causes hundreds of deaths in Canada every year, with high levels of gas killing in mere minutes.

There are several sources of carbon monoxide in the home. Most appliances produce very little, but those that are not functioning properly can produce life-threatening amounts. To protect your family, it is important you know what appliances may release CO and why.

Sources of Carbon Monoxide

Chimneys

Blockages from soot, leaves, or birds’ nests and cracked stonework can all lead to combustion by-products, the most dangerous of which is carbon monoxide.

Gas Stoves and Range Tops

Most gas stoves and range tops have no vents meaning there is a great potential of these appliances producing carbon monoxide should burners become clogged or dirty. Other factors that increase the risk of CO emissions include incorrect installation, defects, rust, or damage to the appliance.

Wood-burning Fireplaces

If you use your fireplace with the window closed or burn treated or painted wood or scrap lumber, carbon monoxide can accumulate inside.

Gas Log Sets

Gas log sets produce yellow flames that are less efficient and create more carbon monoxide than wood-burning fireplaces. Ventless fireplaces of this type are particularly dangerous as by-products are released straight into the room. Furthermore, as oxygen levels drop, CO levels increase. Gas log sets that lack a sensor to shut the appliance down when oxygen is depleted present an even greater danger to your family’s health. Have your gas fireplace maintained regularly by a professional to avoid any CO leaks.

Fuel-burning Space Heaters

Like gas log sets, many space heaters include sensors that shut off the appliance if oxygen levels become too low. However, space heaters are even higher risk than gas log sets as they may even produce carbon monoxide when there is plenty of oxygen in the room.

Furnaces

There are a number of reasons why a furnace may start to release carbon monoxide including a mechanical failure, a crack in the heat exchanger, problems with the flue, a clogged burner, improper installation, and flood damage. Yellow flames and a buildup of soot are both signs that your furnace requires maintenance.

Water Heaters

Water heaters show the same warning signs as furnaces and CO emissions are linked to many of the same causes including faulty appliances, incorrect installation, flood damage, and blocked burners or vents.

Gas Clothes Dryers

Your clothes dryer may release carbon monoxide if it is damaged, if it installed improperly, if the exhaust pipes are clogged with lint, or if the burner is dirty or blocked.

Vehicles and Equipment

Never leave your car or lawnmower running in the garage, especially if the door is closed, as CO levels can quickly rise to dangerous levels.

Furnaces are one of the main sources of carbon monoxide in the home. It is essential that you have your furnace repaired and maintained regularly to cut the risk of CO poisoning. For all your furnace service needs, contact us at Climate Experts.

Posted by admin on September 05, 2014

The water heater is an essential part of any home. It ensures that your family has hot water for dishes, bathing, laundry, and your other daily needs. When it isn’t working correctly, it becomes a big issue quite rapidly. Sometimes repairs can be done and things get back to normal relatively quickly. There are situations, however, where repairs aren’t going to be enough and you will find yourself needing a new water heater installation. 

First of all, you’ll want to do your research and make sure that you know what you’re getting when you invest in a new water heater. Get to know what’s out there and what is best for your home. Consider the size of your family and your home so that you don’t buy something that’s too small. Think about energy efficiency, too. If you have to replace it anyway, you might as well replace it with a unit that can save you money on your utility bills. Just remember that when it comes time to do the installation, you need to call a professional. 

HVAC and plumbing professionals are the only ones that you should entrust with water heater installation. This isn’t like any other appliance in your home. This is a serious installation and there is a lot that could go wrong. You have to make sure that the gas or electrical lines are properly ran and connected and that the water lines run accordingly. It also needs to be level and tested by a professional before use to ensure that it is installed right. There’s nothing worse than installing your own water heater and causing serious damage to your home from improper gas lines, electrical work, or even a simple bad pipe or connection that could result in water damage. 

Professionals are trained and certified in water heater installation. This is what they do for a living, and they know all of the ins and outs of what they are doing. If you get in touch with an expert, they can help you choose a suitable water heater, provide you with tips and advice on troubleshooting and operating the unit, and give you much more than just a standard installation. 

Everyone likes to save money. It’s natural to try to be a DIY hero because you want to save cash. Plus, it saves the hassle of making an appointment, setting up arrangements to be home, and so forth. Ultimately, though, it usually ends up costing more in the end because you didn’t trust it to professionals in the first place. If your water heater needs to be replaced, you really need to contact a professional and find the best local company to help with your water heater installation. Call us today to set up your appointment or visit our website to learn more. 

Posted by admin on January 19, 2015

Upgrading boiler heating systems is all about improving efficiency and safety. Unmaintained boiler heating systems can be dangerous for a number of reasons. The most common danger from outdated, unmaintained boilers is hot water leakage. Boilers use steam to spread heat, and they run the risk of leaking or otherwise expelling this hot water vapor, contact with which causes severe burns. However, boilers also can save you on energy costs if they are properly retrofitted to give you the best efficiency possible.

Efficiency Equals Money

Every winter, home owners crank up their boilers and pay too much to heat their homes. Efficiency is essential to saving money. You will need less energy to heat your house when winter sets in if your boiler has been upgraded. There are a few things you can do to improve your home energy efficiency, such as making sure that there is little wasted air in your house. Wasted air is heated air that escapes your house through doors and windows. All houses will have a certain amount of wasted air (and wasted energy), but two ways to cut down on wasted energy and wasted money are to invest in double paned windows and improve your door’s seal. An effective door seal keeps air from escaping through the door when it’s closed. Double paned windows provide another barrier against the cold air outside. Single pane windows are only composed of one pane of glass. Cold air comes through single pane windows very easily, meaning that you will need to use more energy to get your house to a comfortable temperature, costing you more money. Insulation has a great deal to do with energy efficiency as well. To make sure that you are paying the lowest amount possible to heat your home, see to it that that your insulation efficiently keeps the heat you’re paying for within the walls of your house, and is not escaping to the outside.

The Best Way to Raise Efficiency

The best way to raise the efficiency of boiler heating systems is to update them with the latest technology. Canadian Energy Efficiency Regulations measure boilers’ energy effectiveness with an Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) rating. The government requires all boilers and furnaces to display their AFUE so that consumers can compare the efficiency of new models. Oil fired hot water boilers are required to have an AFUE of 84%, while steam boilers are required to have an 82% AFUE rating. Unfortunately, older low-efficiency heating systems of any kind, boilers and furnaces, have AFUE ratings between 56% and 70%. Retrofitted boiler heating systems have an average AFUE rating between 90% and 98.5%. This is a huge difference, obviously, and a difference that could save you a chunk of your monthly heating bill.

The Canadian government recommends that the costs of repairing a boiler heating system be weighed against the cost of replacing the unit altogether. A new boiler system is sure to carry a high AFUE rating, and will solve any kind of safety or efficiency issues you may have with your older, but otherwise sound, system. Making the decision to repair or replace a boiler heating system comes down to analyzing the cost benefits of improving the efficiency of your boiler system by either replacing or repairing it.

Get Your Boiler Repaired

For more boiler heating systems, a repair and a retrofitting is the most cost-effective way to improve the heating efficiency in your home. Take the first step to saving money on your heating bills by calling Climate Experts to arrange a free estimate. Climate Experts Heating and Cooling Inc. offers the best heating services for all homes.

 

Posted by admin on January 05, 2015

Most homeowners have lots of questions when it comes to their HVAC systems.  One thing many homeowners want to know about are HEPA filters.  Since filter replacement is often done by homeowners themselves as the need arises, you need to be informed about them.  It is important to make sure you are using the right type of product to keep your system in good condition and running efficiently. 

What is a HEPA Filter?

Most people have heard of HEPA filters but may not know much about them. “What is a HEPA filter?” is a common question that can be answered very simply.  HEPA stands for High Efficiency Particulate Air filter. 

HEPA filters were originally developed for use in laboratories working with radioactive particles during WWII.  Today this technology has a variety of uses in the automobile and aerospace industries, hospitals and biomedical research facilities, nuclear power and fuel facilities, and in microprocessor and pharmaceutical manufacturing. HEPA filters are also used in residential and commercial applications in furnaces, air handlers, HVAC systems and other air filtration devices.

How they work

HEPA filters are mechanical filters that work when air is forced through them, as it would be in a forced air HVAC system.  As the name implies, HEPA filters are extremely efficient at trapping small particles that are suspended in the air.  They are more efficient than standard filters.  The filter media in a HEPA filter is denser than the media used in standard filters, so it is able to trap more and smaller particles. HEPA filters also have folds, giving it a pleated or “zig-zag” type of pattern.  This design gives the filter more surface area to trap particles, which makes it more effective.

To meet the minimum qualifications for HEPA, a filter must trap 99.97% of particles of .3 microns in size.  To put this in perspective, human hair is between 40 and 120 microns in size, and the human eye can see about as small as 40 microns.  Filters labeled HEPA-style or HEPA-type do not meet this standard.

What is a HEPA filter good for?

HEPA filters can help improve the air quality in your home.  Allergens like dust, pet dander, tobacco smoke, and pollen are extremely small, and will be missed by standard filters. Since HEPA filters trap these smaller particles, the amount in the air is significantly reduced.  This can often bring relief for allergy sufferers. HEPA filters are usually a bit more expensive but normally don’t have to be replaced quite as often as standard filters.

If you have questions about what is a HEPA filter and what can it do for the air quality in your home call Climate Experts today at 1-855-241-7171.

Posted by admin on September 04, 2014

Winter is coming — and no, we aren’t quoting any popular television shows! This means that you will be relying on your furnace a lot in a few months. But what if it isn’t working? Your furnace not heating would be a big problem for your indoor comfort during the colder months. Fortunately, we have a few tips for what to do when this happens:

Double check your thermostat

Before you convince yourself that your furnace not heating means that it is broken, double check your thermostat. You may have forgotten to change the temperature settings or may have missed a step required to get your furnace going.

Also, it could be your thermostat that is broken, so double check that it is functioning properly.

Make sure that your furnace is turned on

Many random occurrences could cause a furnace to be switched off. There is an easy fix for this; all you need to do is find where the shutoff switch and connected breakers are (they are usually located right next to the furnace). This could save you from a little bit of embarrassment and from having to spend money on a furnace repair service professional who shows up and just flips a switch.

Change your furnace filter

This is likely the most common issue related to a furnace not heating. All furnace filters are subject to dust buildup, which can severely restrict airflow. A telltale sign of a filter clog is a furnace that is attempting to heat your home with no hot air coming out.

Make sure that your fuel source is working

Double check that your oil or gas line is supplying your furnace with the fuel that it needs. You can double check this with your energy supplier. Also, find out if they can send out a technician to verify an energy supply line’s functionality (this is usually free).

Flush the drain lines

Furnaces, even high efficiency ones, discard several gallons of water through their drain lines every day. Mold, backups and other clogs that restrict the drain lines will force the furnace to cease functioning.

Flushing a drain line is usually a pretty simple task. Simply disconnecting a drain line and flushing it out with diluted bleach is usually more than enough to get the furnace going again (assuming that a drain line clog was the problem).

Check your ducts for debris

Air ducts can also get clogged enough to stunt your furnace’s ability to function. They can get backed up by anything from random foliage debris to small animals, which are drawn in by the heat.

Check your ducts for leaks

Duct leaks are a common problem with heating systems. In not cases, they force your furnace to work harder to heat your home (this increases your energy bill). Sometimes, however, a duct leak can be so extreme that your furnace stops heating your home properly.

Make sure you get your furnace checked for duct leaks as you search for the root cause of the malfunction.

Call in a repair service

Sometimes the cause of a furnace malfunction can only be determined by a professional. If you can’t figure it out, they can.

If all of the above fails, it may be time for a new furnace

If your furnace is not working for unknown reasons, then you will probably need a new one.

Is your furnace not heating? Call the team at Climate Experts today to schedule an appointment to service your furnace, or to replace your existing furnace with a brand new, high efficiency furnace.

Posted by admin on June 15, 2015

Do you know if your furnace is efficient? For many homeowners whose furnace came with their home when purchased, it is an important variable to consider when you are looking for ways to improve your energy use. You need to know what the furnace efficiency ratings (AFUE) tell you about how your furnace works and how to determine your furnace rating if it isn’t already posted on your furnace.

What do the numbers mean?

Your furnace efficiency ratings simply tell you how much it will cost to for you to heat your home; ratings fall between 50 and 100. If the rating on your furnace is in the higher range, you can expect that you will get more heat for the amount of energy used. In other words, this means that the lower the rating is, the less efficient your furnace is, and the more that it will cost to heat your home.

What the efficiency ratings measure is how much heat the furnace will produce compared to the actual amount of energy that is needed to produce that heat. For example, if your Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) rating is 90 percent, this means that 10 percent of the energy is lost, while 90 percent will become heat. However, this rating does not measure how much heat will lost through the walls or duct work in your home. In some parts of the home, up to 35 percent of heat can be lost.

How can you know that your furnace is efficient?

The federal government requires that each furnace have a sticker with the AFUE rating on it, however depending on the age of your model it may not. This rating appears on a yellow sticker that will have the percentage of heat utilized by your furnace, so you know how efficient your furnace is.

If you have an older furnace, then you might have to do some investigatory work to find out just how efficient your furnace is. Here are some things to look for:

• Continuous pilot light. If your pilot light is always on, this is an older furnace that is not efficient. They tend to be in the 56 to 70 percent range of furnace efficient ratings. The duct work on these machines is complicated, and usually entangled.
• Models that were built more recently and have a fan that controls the airflow also do not have a pilot light. These furnaces are likely in the 80 and 83 percent efficiency ratings range. 
• Models that have two heat exchangers with sealed combustion units usually have furnace efficiency ratings of 90 to 98.5 percent.

Your furnace efficiency rating is important, not only because it tells you how well your furnace operates but also how much money it should cost to heat your home. If you need an estimate to learn more about replacement furnaces to bring up your rating, please contact Climate Experts.

Posted by admin on October 20, 2014

When you have a home, you have to keep it running as efficiently as possible. Whether it’s a home for you, you’re a home builder or you need to replace the furnace for your business, furnace sales and replacement is pretty serious business. Beyond the shock of wondering if you really need a new furnace the first question you may be asking yourself is, “how much does a new furnace cost?” That’s an excellent question and one which deserves further scrutiny.

Furnace Facts: Before we get into costs there are a few things that individuals unfamiliar with furnace functions need to know. 

• Furnaces make heat through combustion in the furnaces burner
• Produced heat passes through an exchanger; air from air ducts is blown through thus warming it
• Furnaces blow warmed air to ductwork which sends air through the home

Some think that your home’s furnace only works to keep the air in your home warm. But a good furnace actually plays a critical role in the successful operation of your home air conditioning system. This is why you hear the term HVAC being used; heating, ventilation, and air conditioning are very closely related.

Furnace Benefits: When you have a furnace that is working as it should, your home remains comfortably heated. If you have ever had your furnace on the fritz you understand the frustration. One thing furnaces do well is obviously they warm the air when your home or business needs it. However depending on the type of furnace you have you are going to be benefiting from the furnace’s level of fuel efficiency. It’s actually called the Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency or AFUE. Current models have a 80% AFUE minimum. 80% means that for every dollar you spend in heating your space, .80 is dictated to the generation of warmth. Older model furnaces have a 60% AFUE or  lower. That may be one reason you are looking into getting a new furnace; your older one is working harder and harder to spit out less warm air. Current models have a 95% AFUE or better; that could be a definite component in deciding about which of the new furnaces you’re going to be getting.

Furnace Costs: So how much does a new furnace cost? Well some of these numbers may surprise you. On the lower end for a newer furnace you could be looking at somewhere around $2500. Higher end furnaces with better efficiency and features may cost you as much as $10,000. However you need to take into account just how your space is going to be heated, how often you would use it, and how long you plan to stay where you are. On a long enough time line the question “how much does a new furnace cost” becomes moot. You are where you are and you’re staying put. But even if you plan to sell and move in the future, buyers may ask about the new furnace and their realtor has to give them the full disclosure; investing in a good furnace can add significant value to your home.

You should always be thinking about your home and even when you are enjoying the warmth of the summer air, you know all too well that winter is close at hand. Replace your furnace and add value to your home or business. Call us now for a free estimate to see how much you can save!

Posted by admin on September 15, 2014

Many homes across the country utilize underfloor heating systems. Your everyday underfloor heating systems use either fluid flowing pipes (hydronic system) or electric resistance elements (electric systems). Both have their advantages, but you’ll find that hydronic radiant floor heating is a great system for maintaining a comfortable temperature in your home.

Hydronic systems for underfloor use localized floor heating for thermal comfort in residential homes. This method is also often used for melting ice and snow on sidewalks or and driveways, as well as larger applications such as landing pads. You can also find hydronic radiant floor heating systems used for conditioning the turf on soccer or football fields and to prevent frost in places like skating rinks or freezers.

Hydronic piping can also be put into a concrete slab called a poured floor system or wet system. You can install hydronic radiant floor heating underneath a floor covering (sometimes referred to as a dry system) or even attached directly to a wood sub flooring.

Hydronic radiant floor heating systems use a mix of propylene glycol or antifreeze with water to transfer heat in a fluid through something called a closed loop. What that means is it recirculates between the floor and the boiler, reheating the fluid once it’s dispersed heat into the system.

Hydronic heating can utilize a number of different power sources, including:

• boilers
• natural gas
• propane
• coal and oil
• electricity
• solar thermal
• wood and biomass
• bio fuels

Hydronic floor heating comfy on your feet – it facilitates warmth through otherwise cold flooring such as terazzo, tile, slate, and concrete.  It can also have a very lasting effect on the quality of your indoor air as well. Something else hydronic underground heating does is establish temperature conditions that are less likely to support things harmful to your health, such as mold, bacteria, dust mites, and viruses.

Hydronic radiant floor heating is an excellent alternative to traditional duct heating in a home, especially if you have hardwood or tile flooring, and it is less wasteful as well as safer for the environment. Take advantage of opportunities to reduce heating costs, protect the environment, and also keep your home more comfortable and the air quality higher by making use of radiant floor heating systems.

If you’re considering having hydronic radiant floor heating installed in your home, contact the Climate Experts team today. We can install and maintain your entire system!

Posted by admin on March 14, 2016

When you think of HVAC maintenance your first thoughts are likely about calling a professional repairman to do involved or complex work on your home’s HVAC system. However, not all HVAC maintenance is that involved. There are several types of HVAC maintenance you can do yourself that are safe, won’t damage your HVAC system, and can save you on money by not having to call an expert. Here are seven maintenance and overall usage tips you can do yourself.

Check Your Air Filters

By checking your air filters you keep your system running properly and efficiently. So make it a point to check your air filters once a month and replace them as needed. In general air filters need to be replaced every 30 to 90 days but your environment can affect this.

If You Have an Outdoor Unit Keep It Clean

Outdoor air conditioning and heating units can easily be covered up by leaves, sticks, pollen, and other debris. By keeping your unit clean you increase its efficiency and help prevent damage due to blockages. Plus with better airflow the motor is less stressed which increases the unit’s lifespan.  

Keep Vents and Registers Clean

Blockages in your vent system make your HVAC system less efficient which leads to longer usage cycles to keep the temperature under control. Not only does this wear your HVAC system down faster it also increases your power bill. So be sure your vents are clear of dust and debris and also make sure registers/grills are as well.

Listen For Odd Noises

Pings, bangs, and other odd sounds can be a sign something is wrong. Sometimes this something can be as simple as a blocked vent, a filter that needs changing, or a loose screw somewhere that needs tightening. By being aware that something is wrong you can perform minor HVAC maintenance before it becomes a much bigger problem.

Use Fans When You Can

One of the best preventive maintenance tips is to not overuse your system. Use fans to increase air circulation and keep cool on warm, but not necessarily hot, days. On chilly days wear a sweater before deciding to turn up the heat.

Keep the Thermostat at a Consistent Level

A bad habit many of us have is raising or lowering the thermostat to cause the unit to ‘kick on’ when it’s too hot or too cold. While nobody likes to be uncomfortable doing this puts more wear and tear on your unit’s motor which can shorten its lifespan.

A Note about Houses with More Than One Floor

Multi story houses have a reputation of being harder to heat and cool. While a larger building will certainly require more time and a bigger HVAC unit than a single story one there are ways you can make the process more efficient. Keep all vents on the 2nd floor open at 75 percent, make sure no vents are closed and that none are more open than others. This keeps the temperature even through the second floor.

As you can see there are several preventive maintenance and usage steps you can take to keep your HVAC system running efficiently and effectively. Doing so saves on repairs and keeps your system running better longer. However, be aware of when an issue is beyond your skill or comfort level. There is still HVAC maintenance and repairs that require a professional’s skill and experience. Always know when it’s time to consult an expert and remember you can get a free estimate before any work is done.

Posted by admin on March 23, 2015

You may not be aware of how dry the air is in your home until you spend a winter dealing with dry air related illnesses. From endless flu viruses to cracking skin, the health effects of dry air can be harmful. A home humidifier will improve the overall quality of the air, and in turn improve the health of all those living in the home. But you may be asking yourself, how does a humidifier work?

How Does a Humidifier Work?

A humidifier is an air treatment system that takes in dry air and releases the air back out with additional moisture. Rather than directly adding steam into the air, it emits a cool to lukewarm invisible mist of moisture. Different types of humidifiers use different technology to accomplish this, but they all have the same general process. These machines are also very easy to maintain, and can withstand years of hard work.

In contrast, steam humidifiers work by internally heating water and producing steam, which is then forced throughout your home. These humidifiers will reuse the moisture in the air before adding its own. Given that steam is inherently hot, these machines will warm the air in your home, making it more comfortable during the colder seasons.

By moisturizing the air, warm mist and steam humidifiers can actually keep you from raising the internal heat level in your house. Dry air can make a room feel colder, but this warm and moist air produced by the humidifiers will raise the temperature of the room, keeping everyone more comfortable.

What are signs of low humidity?

Now that you know how humidifiers work, it is pivotal to know the signs of low humidity.

• Dry skin, colds, etc. Low humidity dries out your skin and mucous membranes. This can lead to; chapped lips, itchy skin, a sore throat, flu viruses, nose bleeds, sinus problems and pressure. 
• Chills. With low humidity in the winter, your home will feel colder. People can mistake this cold temperature with a faulty thermostat, and increase the heat to fix the problem. If you notice the air
• Static electricity. Combined with the dry air, you may notice an increased level of static electricity throughout the home. Static appears when two surfaces touch, and one of them as a high resistance to electrical currents. Simply, if you see a spark from touching a metallic surface, this is static.

There are various other signs of low humidity that you may notice around the house, such as electrical problems or cracks in wooden furniture. It can even go as far as drying out and killing house plants, as a means to find any moisture possible.

What is the ideal humidity level?

The ideal humidity level should is between 30% and 50%. Humidity conditions above 50% can be dangerous, and you could create conditions that produce mold, bacteria, pests and dust mites. If the air is below 30% then you can expect to start seeing some of the aforementioned negative health effects of low humidity. You can easily measure the humidity level in your home with an inexpensive hygrometer, but it may be so apparent the test is avoidable.

Your home will feel more comfortable, your loved ones and you will experience fewer health problems, and you can all breathe easier with a humidifier. For a free estimate, please contact the Climate Experts