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.

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 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 October 06, 2014

Many do it yourself home repair projects are easy on your time, wallet and your skills. Changing your home’s furnace filter is one project that you can do on your own, and won’t even take up an entire Saturday morning.  

Since the changing the filter is critical to furnace maintenance because it keeps it running efficiently and adds to the life of the furnace, it is worth learning how to install a furnace filter. Here are the steps you need to install yours. 

1. Choose a new filter

Before you think about how to install your furnace filter, decide on the type of new filter that you want. The purpose of the filter is to protect the motor from dirt, so a disposable fibreglass filter with pleats will do. But there are other options to consider. 

You can choose filters that remove even more dust, pollen, and other particles from the air. These filters are electrostatically charged. Or you can select thicker filters that are more durable, remove even more particles and are more expensive. You can discuss the best options for your furnace with your furnace repair and replacement company.

If you are unsure of the size of filters required, there should be a sticker either on the furnace or in the filter casing that gives you the measurements. 

2. Find and remove the filter

Take a minute and familiarize yourself with your furnace and find the filter. The filter is located in the filter air box in the cold air return duct. The cold air return duct should be toward the bottom of the furnace.

Once you find the cold air return, look for the filter casing. How you install a furnace filter will depend in part on how the filter is attached. The filter will be either behind a small door, or it will be visible because it slides into a slot.

Turn your furnace off as a safety precaution, then remove the old filter. 

3. Switch out the filters

Once you find the filter, either open the door and take it out, or slide it out of the area holding it. 

When putting in the new filter, it will have arrows on one side that line up with the air flow. To make it simple, the arrows should be pointed toward the furnace. So slide or place the filter, arrows facing the furnace, into place. 

Follow these steps to ensure that your filter change was done correctly. A filter incorrectly put in can restrict the flow of air and force the furnace to work too hard. Check your filters monthly and replace them when dirty.

4. Turn on the furnace

Once the new filter is in place, turn the furnace back on and you’re finished!

If you have any questions about how to install a furnace filter, or you would like an appointment for furnace repair or replacement, please contact Climate Experts.

Posted by admin on April 20, 2015

Making sure that you have the right home heating system installed is essential to ensuring that your home is as comfortable in the winter as it is every other season. Having the right home heating system installed will keep your home heated without spending vast amounts on your electrical bill in the process. Utilities can easily go far over their allotted budget, and this can stem from poorly running equipment.

Of course, the investment into a new house heating system is an obvious concern. You can always go back on your investment if you realize you have made the wrong choice, but this chance will be both expensive and time consuming. Unless you are willing to run up the costs by making a mistake and realizing it too late, it is important that you make sure that your first choice is also the right choice for you and your family.

Factors Used to Evaluate Your Heating Options

Here are some of the most important factors that should be considered when choosing between home heating options:

• Your home heating system must be capable of heating the space. To come up with the heat requirement for your home, you should speak with a HVAC expert, who will have the tools needed to calculate exact numbers.  Using factors such as; local climate, insulation value, the amount of ventilation, and the number of square feet that needs to be heated, the exact number of space you need heated can be confirmed.
• You need to consider all of the costs associated with your home heating options. In other words, this means considering the combined total of sale price and installation cost, plus the costs needed to use it over time. These costs should take into account factors such as the home heating system’s fuel costs, maintenance needs, and length of useful lifespan. If you fail to take such factors into account, you will misjudge the real cost of the home heating options available.
• You need to examine the kinds of home heating systems that are available for your home. This means examining based on their fuel and their heat distribution systems, both of which will have enormous impact on their performance, relative to their costs. Be warned that some home heating systems run on fuels that are not available for some houses. For example, some homes have no gas lines, meaning that natural gas home heating options must be eliminated from consideration for them.

How These Factors Can Be Used to Evaluate Your Heating Options

You could look into your home heating options on your own, however it will be both easier and less time-consuming if you take the time to speak with an expert.

This will you both time and money, as they will be able to examine exactly what type of system will work best for your home, and eliminate uneducated mistakes. This ensures that you will be able to find the right home heating system for your home, and be comfortable again much sooner.