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 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 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 July 20, 2015

When exploring ways to improve the efficiency of your homes heating and cooling systems, a mini split air conditioner should be near the top of every list. While mini splits don’t suit every home or business’s needs, the immense benefits they offer make them worth learning about and giving an earnest consideration. It is important to know the basics about a mini split air conditioner, so that you can make an intelligent decision when purchasing one.

What Is A Ductless Mini Split Air Conditioner?

Ductless mini split air conditioners aren’t that different from traditional air conditioners in basic mechanics. Like a conventional system, you have a compressor and condenser outside of your home or business, where the noise and hard work occurs. Inside your building however, the differences become apparent. In place of bulky ductwork pushing cooled or heated air, a mini split air conditioner system has small copper pipes pumping refrigerant to independent wall mounted blowers. Ductless mini split air conditioners serve as year-round HVAC solutions, offering cooling in the warm months and heating in the cold months.

The Benefits of a Ductless Mini Split

• High Efficiency. By eliminating ducts, mini-split systems lose far less cold air than a forced air system and use less power in doing so.
• Zone-Based Cooling. With a central air conditioning system, the best you can do to avoid cooling down particular rooms is to close vents, which is hardly an ideal solution. Ductless mini split air conditioners however cool or heat only the rooms you program them to.
• No Ducts. The copper pipes used for a ductless mini split system take up far less space than the ducts for a forced-air system, making them easier to install, viable for more locations, and less visually conspicuous.
• Quiet. Ducts are noisy, carrying the sounds from your compressor throughout your home. Window units are even worse, as they place the entire unit within a room for all to hear. Ductless mini split air conditioners however, offer a compromise.

Downsides

• Cost. The startup costs for a ductless mini split air conditioner typically run higher than the startup costs for the conventional alternative. Though you will save in the long term, you need to be able to make the initial investment.
• Installation Quality Matters. Any poorly configured HVAC system loses efficiency, but the loss can be massive with a ductless mini split. It’s incredibly important that your contractor installs your unit correctly. This can be avoided by using a trusted installation company.
• Visibility. There’s no easy way to hide the blower in each room. While most owners won’t find their indoor units visually offensive, it may be a challenge to match your unit to certain aesthetics of your home.
• Noise. While most find the sound of the interior units’ fans unobtrusive, some home and business owners might find the focused sound more distracting or unpleasant than the generalized roar of a duct based system.
• Slow Catch-Up. If you turn your systems off during the day, expect to be warm or cool for longer than you would with a traditional system—the nature of mini splits make them slower to achieve comfortable levels, starting from an uncomfortable state.

If you’re looking for unobtrusive high-efficiency cooling and heating, few options can compete with a ductless mini split air conditioner. You’ll need to carefully consider your own needs and expectations before making the final decision, but the advantages certainly outweigh the disadvantages. Ensure that you hire a quality company for the installation of your air conditioning system, and you will surely reap the benefits.

Posted by admin on October 05, 2015

Changing the home air filters in your ventilation system regularly will ensure that your home is filled with clean air, and comfortable to live in. You have probably heard many times that changing your home air filter is an absolute necessity, but never why it’s so important. To have the best understanding of home air filters, you need to know why changing them is so important, and the differences in air filter types that will affect your changing schedule.

Regular home air filter changing will help to avoid a multitude of health problems, including allergy flare ups and respiratory difficulties that worsen with air-borne contaminants. Home air filters have all of the air in the home pass through the system as it moves between vents, fans, and the like. These filters capture the debris in the air, so when the dust-filled air in the home goes into the filter, clean air comes out. A dirty filter not only reduces air flow, but forces the HVAC system to use up to 15% more energy than one with a clean filter.

How Often Should It Be Changed?

For your air flow system to work properly, the air filter should be changed every three to four months. There are many variables in how often it should be changed however, including the size of your home, amount of people in the home, and the quality of the filter itself. If someone in the home has asthma, allergies, or other respiratory issues, changing the filter on a monthly basis may actually be recommended.

Differences in Air Filters

Different home air filters have different efficiency levels. Efficiency is measured by the quantity of air-borne contaminants that an air filter removes from the air. Depending on how efficient your home air filter is, the changing schedule may have to also change.

Electrostatic Air Filters

These filters don’t block air flow to your ventilation system, and will not likely clog. However, they are not the best at removing air-borne contaminants, and should be used in homes where residents are not sensitive to dust.

Fiberglass Panel Filters

These filters trap easily trap large dust particles that accumulate and cause blockages and air flow problems. These filters needs to be replaced often due to the large quality of contaminants they accumulate.

Media Air Filters

These are the filters of choice for HVAC professionals, but are usually only supplied to professionals and cannot be found in stores. These filters have multiple layers of fibers so they catch the highest amount of air particles, meaning they will need to be changed regularly and not forgotten about.

Proper Maintenance

It is important that home air filters are changed regularly and fitted properly. Regular maintenance will ensure that any problems are caught early, and you’re well aware of how your system is running. For your home air filter needs and other HVAC requests, Climate Experts is here for you. Give us a call today and let us repair your air quality! 

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 December 01, 2014

Winter is approaching, which means lots of dropping temperatures, chilly weather, and heavy coats! While we’re getting excited for the coldest season, with holidays and gatherings, many of us are also looking to spend our money consciously. Saving for Christmas and holiday shopping, as well as budgeting, can be difficult during winter. Keeping warm means that we’re operating our heating units more often, which is a costly choice.

With the average Canadian spending $216 on their power bills each month, saving money and reducing the amount of energy we use is extremely important! Keeping a modest savings on how warm our homes are can save energy and lower the cost dramatically. How do you know what indoor temperatures will save the most money? If you’re asking “what temperature should I set my thermostat this winter?” then you’ll love our money saving tricks! Save your wallet and the environment by making simple swaps and transform the way you use your heating this winter! We’ve rounded up the top picks for simple savings to tackle any home and reduce your power bill, heating costs, and environmental impact to try this year. We guarantee you’ll love the results!

Drop the Temperature Wisely
We all know that when the heating units aren’t operating, we’re not using power. Think smart and change the schedule of your automatic temperature. During the week, or during work hours, lower the thermostat to the lowest set temperature or even turn it off. Your home can easily warm up when you arrive, and you won’t even miss the additional cost of keeping up the temperature when no one is there! Alternatively, create a schedule that starts heating up an hour before you get home to ensure it’s warm only when it needs to be. This change alone can drop your bill by at least 10%!

Stay Up to Date on Technology
Did you know that you can upgrade your heating units to be more efficient and use less power? An older heating unit can suck up more power than a modern one, so invest in a new and improved way to stay warm and spend less at the same time! Looking to upgrade to a tankless water heater? This will provide almost instant heat with less power! Prefer a scheduled way to use your heat? Try Comfort Control, a way to change your usage of heat and power in your home to ensure you’re only using it when you need it most!

Small Swaps Equal Big Savings
There are many small changes around the house you can make to feel instantly warmer:

• Leave the shades open during the day to let the sunlight in and it will slightly raise the temperature in the home. In addition, replace or update any sealants or weather stripping to be sure you’re keeping the cold air out.
• Install sweeps under doors to negate the effects of incoming cold winter air!
• Keep fleece and heat insulating fabric blankets around the home to warm you head to toe.
• Remember to close dampers on fireplaces when they’re not in use to prevent cold drafts from rushing in. 

Posted by admin on March 07, 2016

An oil furnace is slowly becoming outdated. Although some people rely on one because they do not have access to natural gas, those who do have the ability to get gas should do so. You don’t need to rush out and replace a brand new oil furnace however, there are some signs that indicate it’s time to upgrade to gas. 

1. Age of the Unit

One of the most important factors to consider is the age of the furnace. Obviously, you don’t want to spend thousands on a new unit if you just purchased one within the last five years. However, a furnace is only expected to last 16 to 20 years. If your furnace is in this bracket or older, it’s probably best that you replace. A furnace will begin to need repairs or replaced soon after it reaches the age of 20 and the repairs can get quite costly on an older piece. In this case, you should replace it with a newer energy-efficient HVAC device. 

2.  Recent Repairs

Evaluate when the last time you had your device fixed was. Take into consideration the type of repair and the cost of it. Once one repair is needed, it’s usually not long until another part of the furnace will need to be repaired. That’s when you need to decide if you’re willing to put more money into a furnace that’s probably going to need more repairs. When you’re taking into account, make sure you take into consideration the age of the unit. 

3. Replacement Parts

As your furnace ages and needs more repairs, you’ll find yourself needing to buy more parts. Unfortunately, the older your furnace gets, the more difficult it is to find the necessary parts. Additionally, these parts become more expensive as they become harder to find.  

4. Uneven Heating

Do you notice spots that are warmer than others or ones that are freezing cold? Do you find yourself always trying to find the right setting on the thermostat and nothing seems to make your home more comfortable? A good way to determine if replacing an oil furnace is necessary is if you notice that your current furnace isn’t heating the home evenly.  

Your home is your castle, but if your home feels cold and drafty like an actual castle, it might be time to upgrade to a gas furnace. The same applies if your energy bills are skyrocketing and you’ve already sunk a ton of money into your current furnace. These are factors to consider when replacing an oil furnace. 

For more information on replacing an oil furnace, contact us at Climate Experts today! 

Posted by admin on April 04, 2016

Fireplaces are a popular centerpiece of many living rooms, family rooms, and dens in residential homes. They provide homeowners with an additional source of heat that can cut down on energy expenses, a back-up “heater” during a power outage, and an attractive interior decorating element that entertains family and guests with the sights and sounds of a roaring flame.

When fireplaces become damaged, however, malfunction, or create a danger to those in the house, it is time to call in professional help. While you should first verify that the damper is not closed, that the propane/natural gas supply is sufficient, and that the pilot light is lit, beyond the most basic maintenance tasks, fireplaces are simply too dangerous to be done on a DIY basis.

Fireplace Repairs Best Left to the Experts

Some of the most important reasons why it is best to entrust fireplace repair jobs to well trained technicians are as follows:

Gas Fireplace Repairs/Maintenance

• Gas fireplaces can produce dangerous carbon monoxide gas and develop gas leaks that let the gas into the house. An annual maintenance check-up by a certified technician can detect and eliminate this danger, but if you suspect there may be a problem, do not hesitate to shut down your unit until a repairman can look at it.
• When gas fireplaces are dirty, improperly vented, or have the wrong settings, they can give off strong odors, have pilot light problems, and develop a sooty build-up on the glass screen. A professional will know how to optimally correct all of these issues in very little time.
• A popping or booming sound may indicate that the gas pressure needs to be checked and reset by a professional. He/she will use a manometer to gauge for the precise pressure. This simple fireplace repair can prevent your unit from running inefficiently and needing early replacement.

Wood-burning Repairs/Maintenance

• With wood-burning fireplaces, creosote and soot will eventually coat everything from the immediate fireplace interior all the way up the inner lining of the chimney/vent. Both creosote and soot are extremely flammable and must be periodically removed by a trained professional. Local building codes, in fact, typically require an annual inspection to ensure safety.
• If a wood-burning fireplace uses a masonry chimney, the combination of high temperatures and acidic gases can erode the mortar between the bricks on its way up and out, resulting in leaks. A professional can install a stainless steel liner to prevent this problem. 

Fireplace repair on both gas and wood-burning units is best left to the professionals because they have the tools and expertise to identify and correct the problem quickly. They have access to all replacement parts for a wide array of specific fireplace models should an ignition switch, flu, or other part become faulty. Using a professional will minimize the time spent without use of your fireplace, which is especially important during cold weather, as well as extend the life of your equipment and reduce liability risks.

Some DIY projects can save homeowners significant money and are worthwhile. Others, like fireplace repair, however, are simply not worth the risk. There are too many unknown factors to the uninitiated and too great a danger created by improper repair methods for fireplace repair to be safely done by the average person. The wiser course of action is to rely on experienced fireplace repair technicians to keep your fireplace functioning safely and efficiently for its maximum lifespan. Contact Climate Experts today to consult with a professional fireplace repair specialist!

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.