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 January 26, 2015

When a home-owner powers on their heating or cooling unit, they expect it to distribute temperatures throughout the home evenly and efficiently. Once the home thermostat is set, then insulation becomes the key to keeping a home warm during the winter, and cool during the summer.

Unfortunately, the same benefits that an air-tight home provides for insulation destroys its ability to ventilate properly. In a tight space, hot and cold air slowly seeps through the home; the more insulated the home, the slower the climate control system takes to work.

The natural solution to this problem is to open the windows or doors to improve ventilation. But as soon as the doors and windows are open, all the hot or cold air escapes, forcing the HVAC system to work harder with less results. Also, the excess or lack of humidity outdoors will either dry out the home’s air, or leave it unbearably muggy.

Providing the utmost efficiency for an HVAC system can be an infuriating process: that is until the homeowner invests in a heat recovery ventilation system.

This Paradoxical Problem is solved by Heat Recovery Ventilation:

To counteract this problem, heat recovery ventilation systems have become a common solution; especially when providing the most efficient heating during Canada’s harsh winters. What makes heat recovery ventilation so valuable is that it gives the climate control system the ability to breathe as if all the windows were open in the home, but with minimal heat loss. This saves inordinately on bills overtime, and provides a more comfortable internal climate.

Even during the summer, when conservation of heat is less important, the heat recovery ventilation will still provide the benefit of retaining moisture that would otherwise have escaped without it. This prevents nosebleeds and discomfort associated with refrigerated air-conditioners, which are known to sap the indoor environment of all its humidity.

How Heat Recovery Ventilation Works:

Providing optimal climate control is as much an art as it is a science. There are many sources of heat in your home. From hot water heaters to gas heaters, boilers and more. A heat recovery ventilation system recovers and recycles heated energy from the exhaust air stream of these heat sources and recycles it directly back into your home. As exhaust air passes through the system, its heat is captured by the heat exchanger, which then, in turn, heats in incoming, cool fresh air.

Tired of Inefficient Ventilation?

Are you tired of an exorbitant electricity bills, your home being too cold or dry, or suffering from poor air distribution? We are the Climate Experts, the Durham region’s foremost HVAC specialists. Contact us today for a consultation or pricing estimates for a heat recovery ventilation system installation.

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

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 December 08, 2014

In the simplest sense, the household furnace is part of a system used to provide heat to the interior of the home. The role of the furnace is to produce heat using fuel, which is then carried throughout the home.

That said, the exact mechanisms used to provide heat in the home can see significant differences. For example, heat is sometimes carried in either steam or hot water that is circulated through radiators, while other times, heat is carried in radiant energies. Likewise, furnaces can consume one of a number of fuels to produce their heat, with common examples including but not limited to coal, fuel oil, natural gas, and even wood.

How a Forced Air Gas Furnace Works

Like other furnaces, a forced air gas furnace is reliant on its thermostat to maintain the right temperature. When the thermostat senses that the interior of the home has fallen below a specified temperature, it starts up the forced air gas furnace.

In short, natural gas is piped in from the supplier to the combustion chamber, where it is lit. The natural gas is used to heat the cold air that has been retained in the combustion chamber, before being forced by a fan to flow throughout the home via a system of ducts. In heated rooms, the flow of hot air is controlled by the heat registers, much as how cold air is returned to the combustion chamber via the ducts by cold-air returns.

In contrast, the fumes that come about as a result of burning the natural gas are channeled from the combustion chamber and out into the environment using a flue pipe. Said pipe vents the fumes using either the roof or one of the walls of the home.

How a Furnace Works – Better or Worse

Of course, not all forced air gas furnace provide the same performance when it comes to heating the interior of the home. The exact mechanisms can come with important implications for the performance of the forced air gas furnace, which should concern you if you are interested in creating the best results while spending as little as possible.

For example, if you are interested in reducing your winter heating bills as much as possible, then you need to install a programmable thermostat. In short, a programmable thermostat lets you program specific temperatures for specific times of the day. This is useful because it lets you set a low temperature while you are not at home and then setting it high a little bit before you are due to arrive home. As a result, you save as much as possible on your winter heating bills without having to compromise on the comfort of you and your family.

Contact Us

To learn more about the function of your furnace, please contact us at Climate Experts. Our service representatives are prepared to provide all interested individuals with knowledge of how a furnace works and other relevant information needed to make the choices that will serve your family best. Securing skilled and experienced assistance with heating and cooling needs no more than a phone call to 1-855-241-7171.

Posted by admin on February 01, 2016

During the warmer months, you fight against humidity to keep your home from feeling hot and muggy inside. While humidity’s effects are not as readily apparent during the winter, it can still cause a number of health and comfort problems. These include an increased likelihood of catching colds and flus, dry and itchy skin, aggravated asthma, cracking and peeling of woodwork and paint, and a temperature that feels lower than it is, wasting energy by you to turning up the heat. To combat these problems, there are a number of steps you can take to keep your home humidity levels up.

Creative Ways to Increase Home Humidity Levels

• Air dry your dishes and clothes. The evaporating water will add moisture to your home and cut down on the energy you use on drying cycles.
• Skip running your bathroom exhaust fan when you shower. Instead, use a small fan to blow the humid post-shower air throughout your home
• Keep houseplants well-watered. Instead of letting them suck up all of the water, leave a little extra to be evaporated into your home.
• Use a spray bottle. In a pinch, you can increase home humidity levels by using a handheld spray bottle to spread a light mist around your home. Take care not to soak your furniture, walls, or flooring to prevent damage. The mist should evaporate quickly.

For Optimum Home Humidity Levels, Use a Whole Home Humidifier

The above tricks work for quickly adding humidity when your home starts to feel uncomfortable, but they won’t help you fully control your home humidity levels. Ideally, your home humidity levels should be between 30% and 50%. Without these imprecise tricks, you could quickly find yourself in a situation where your humidity is too high instead of too low.

To achieve maximum comfort and energy savings at the proper humidity levels, install a whole home humidifier. A whole home humidifier monitors the humidity levels in your home using a hygrometer and increases them as needed.

Depending on the size of your home and layout of your current HVAC system, your whole home humidifier may tie into your existing ductwork, or it may be installed as a standalone unit. Humidifiers use significantly less energy than furnaces, so once it’s installed, you should start to see your energy bills drop even as your comfort increases.

To learn more about whole home humidifiers or to request a free estimate, contact Climate Experts today.