Choosing an HVAC contractor could be challenging, especially when a homeowner is doing it for the first time or has shifted to a place where he doesn't know much about the local contractors. And while it might seem a not so big deal, it is, because it is ending up with the right contractor that your appliance's right installation, its efficiency, and its warranty is dependant on but above all your wallet. All too often, homeowners hook themselves with the wrong kind of contractors resulting in them wasting thousands of dollars on HVAC related things annually. It is, therefore that wise persons are concerned about who they are choosing and research thoroughly before shaking hands with a contractor.
Below we share 5 hacks to ensure that the contractor you end up is a reliable contractor.

1. Don't trust phone quotes

Reliable contractors act reliably. If on the first interaction, a contractor gives a quote only by listening to the problem without first giving a in-house visit, don't trust. Such phone quotes are often given by people who are more interested in money than in getting your issue resolved. Also, certified and professional contractors find it a must to inspect the unit as well as a the situation and prefer to give in house quotes.

2. Your contractor is suggesting the same replacement model? Beware!

HVAC appliances like Furnaces and Air Conditioners expire after a long duration of 10 to 15 years and sometimes even more. During this time, a series of new models are launched which people upgrade according to their needs. If your contractor is suggesting you to replace the existing model with the same model, he is not being honest with you and most probably is trying only to rid himself of the old models which he has at his showroom. If he doesn't begin honestly, what would he do later? Time to look for some other nearby contractor.

3. Ensure the contractor is licensed

You will make a seriously bad deal if you choose an unlicensed contractor. The first thing, in this case, will be the voiding of HVAC warranty. Issues like faulty installation, overcharging, etc may as well arise. Licenced HVAC contractor have their licences displayed on their websites, social media pages or mention of them on their business cards.

4. Avoid one-brand contractors

These contractors want to make the most sales of the brand they are a dealer of. For example, a York dealer will not mention the latest Lennox models to you even if they are better, cheaper and more efficient. In this case, contractors intentionally make you choose not the best model. Hence recommended that when choosing a contractor, avoid those who are dealers of one particular brand.

5. Low-bidders are mostly the wrong people

Practically speaking, a company who has to pay salaries to its technicians, has to keep up with routine expenses and run the company, cannot afford to bid very low on the maintenance, tune-up, repair or installation costs. To keep up the quality, they have to charge for it. And here comes another sign; if the HVAC Contractor near me  is bidding very low and doing so very happily, he is either not licenced or at least not experienced enough. Pay for reliable and licenced services even if they are a little costlier. This will save you the pain later.

Have you ever had a bad experience with a trapper contractor? Were you able to identify him in time? If not, how did you get out of the mess?

On a winter morning, have you ever experienced lots of moisture on the windows? And not on the outside surface which is dew; this moisture is found on the inner side of the window and is called interior window condensation. Since this phenomenon has the potential to cause unease for the homeowners and also often leads to damaging the interior very badly, we have decided to educate you about it and share the possible prevention and solutions. So friends, let's begin.

Why does interior condensation occur? 

So why does interior condensation take place? It happens when the warm indoor air goes to the window panes and condenses there because of the low temperature of the window surface. The warm air has lots of moisture. And this is why this gaseous air molecules turn into liquid as soon as they hit the window.
In many situations, the condensation is so intense that the water drips heavily from the window pane and accumulates on the floor. The presence of too much moisture produces mould and spores near the windows and on the nearest walls. This damage can further spread to the rest of the home if necessary action is not taken.

Now that we know, interior condensation happens as a result of excessive moisture, it is the time to learn where this moisture comes from and how to reduce it?

How to reduce indoor moisture to reduce interior condensation? 

Do something with the Humidifier

Many homeowners use a humidifier in winter to combat the low levels of humidity in winter. But only a few monitor what level of moisture exactly is needed. As a result, the indoor humidity level is often more than required which is one of the causes of interior window condensation.

Be efficient with bathroom and kitchen fans

The kitchen and bathroom both produce plentiful of moisture; the hot water bath, the cooking and boiling in the kitchen. Ideally, this moisture should be expelled from the indoor by immediately turning the exhaust fan. It is better to keep the fan of kitchen and bathroom turned on when you're cooking or bathing. This way the moisture will not spread in the indoor.

Relocate your plants

Other than bathroom and kitchen, there are also some plants that release excessive moisture. If you don't know whether or not your plants are excessive moisture producers, you can google to find out. In any case, relocate your plants and take them a little away from the windows.

Ensure ventilation 

Ventilation is crucial regardless of what the season is. Preferably in the noon when it is not very cold, consider opening the windows so that the warm air can be replaced by fresh outdoor air.

Use ceiling fan

This is one crazy but effective solution. Run the ceiling fan in clockwise direction. This will let the moisture from the windows off on the floor.

Purchase a window insulation kit 

To resolve the issue once and forever, you can consider purchasing a window insulation kit. This when used from the inside prevents the issue of interior window condensation.

Do not take interior window condensation lightly. This can have drastic consequences on your interior and the side effects of excessive indoor moisture on the health should not as well be neglected.

Technology, as the time is passing, is offering us with more and more ease when it comes to routine stuff. Remember the times of creating warmth with woods and then dealing with all that smoke which would emit? Although the crackling sound of wood is such a nostalgia but we indeed feel relieved enough on getting rid of smoke and the mess that the wood or cool had caused. Ours is the time of vent free fireplace. The idea is to burn gases instead of wood or coal. This way the smoke is not produced and the heat caused by the fire remains in the indoor keeping it warm. But it is not as simple as that. While the usual mess and smoke is not produced, the by products of this gas burning produces some other gases which necessitate care and ventilation, after all. And there are clear dangers associated with vent free burning which the homeowners often ignore. Consider the following;

Dangerous by-products

The sulpher dioxide, carbon dioxide and most importantly carbon monoxide are the by-products of gas burning. When there is no venting at all, the only place these places are left with to go is your lungs. Although the manufactures of this technology defend that these vent free units have inbuilt censor to maintain safe levels of these gases, you must still be wise enough to find out that even low levels of these dangerous gases could be lethal. Pregnant women, infants and elderly get more affected. Interestingly, even the vent free product manufacturers themselves suggest homeowners to keep a window open when the unit is in use.

Production of Water Vapors 

Burning as little as 4 hours a day, a vent free product release up to 6 gallons of water in the indoor. Such high level of moisture can damage wood works, walls, other decoration and also promotes the production of mold and mildew.

Distinct odor causing headaches

Burning gases have a distinct odour. Some people find environments of vent free products very challenging since they complain of headache and flu like symptoms.

Stains on walls and soot 

The wood burning fireplaces are often rejected for their disadvantages of leaving black stains on walls. The gas burning appliances are no different. There are many so called vent free units, which cause stains and produce soot.

Not maintenance free either!

Another misinformation common among homeowners regarding vent-free products is that they are almost maintenance free. The truth is, a very careful installation, careful use and very routine maintenance is essential to keep the potential threats of such products minimum. Else, emergency situations and costly repair are the consequence.

Do you still want to use a vent free Fireplace? Okay! Then follow these 

- If you are bent to use a vent free fireplace, do not make it your sole heating source
- Get it installed, maintained by a professional
- Install CO monitors on every floor and regularly change their batteries
- Remember that ceiling fan, candels, drafts and a fully packed house can impact the proper functioning of the vent free products. So yes, keep a window slightly open!

Ever heard that employee performance gets better with air conditioned workplace? You've heard this because a lot of research has been done regarding this subject. While employees and their performances has long been a matter of research interest, little has been done regarding children performance in school and how air conditioned classrooms can impact the course of learning. It is only recently that researches in kids learning patterns have been linked with the level of cooling comfort provided.

Research outcomes on correlation between hot temperature and classroom performance

A recent study conducted by Western Sydney University reveals that there is a correlation between less or difficult learning and hot classrooms. And this raises a serious concern. Around the world, only a handful of schools offer air conditioned classrooms. This suggests that a major compromise on kids learning is being made by not providing them with ample cooling comfort.

The only study conducted in Australia on kids leaning and air conditioning also brought to light the fact that children prefer relatively lower temperature than adults which imply that they are more responsive to thermal discomfort. Australian kids preferred a temperature of 22.5 degree celsius which is less than what adults find comfortable. Since a teacher controls the indoor temperature in classrooms, it will not be surprising to know that most kids would be compromising with what the teacher finds comfortable while they feel discomforted with it.

"High School Students did not perform well during a relatively hot year", Research says

Another study by Harvard Kennedy School Associate Professor Joshua Goodman says that students performed relatively lower on a hot year than on a year with normal temperatures. Millions of American high school students were examined as part of the study and the revelation was as mentioned above; there was a significant difference in performance as the temperature changed. For every one degree increase in temperature, achievement of a pupil fell by around one percent.

What to do? 

Suggestions;

Improvement in cooling facilities at school 

The Harvard study as well as the Western Sydney University study concluded that there is a need to improve cooling facilities at schools be they by employing Air Conditioning or by the use of air coolers. The Harvard School study estimates that providing Air Conditioning to classrooms would cost roughly $25,000 per classroom annually. But also says that the investment will be worth the benefit that will be reaped by offering a comfortable classroom environment to kids thereby improving their learning.

Providing kids with sufficient cooling at home 

As a mother or father, you are certainly not in a position to bring changes to your kid's school infrastructure. However, what you can do is to ensure that your kid is in a sufficiently cool room at home as he is engaged in a learning activity, busy doing his homework or playing some mind games. Ensuring a comfortable temperature at home may not fully compensate for a hot classrooms but can certainly do enough good to your child's learning abilities. Keep kids cool when they are home by;
- Keeping a 22.5 degree temperature in the indoor or whatever your kids find comfortable
- Providing them enough liquids to maintain a stable bodily temperature
- Limit outdoor activity. Let them play games or do learning activities within the indoor.

Bottom Line: 

If you wish your child to grow sharp and smart, this is the time to be careful about everything that can hinder his learning and we have told what one of those things is; insufficient thermal comfort.

Did you know that one of the factors that affect Air Conditioner efficiency is the installation? A right installation performed is synonymous with optimal efficiency, least repairs and controlled energy bills while a faulty installation can mean all opposites; compromised efficiency, frequent repairs and uncontrolled energy bills. This is why HVAC professionals always endorse professional installation. However, Ductless Air Conditioner installation is relatively less tricky than the duct air conditioner so;
- If you are tight on budget
- A technician is not available 
or
- You have previous experience in the installation
you might consider trying a DIY. To ensure you perform installation like a pro, here are 7 important guidelines.
Note: Please note that performing a DIY installation voids the warranty. So if your system comes with a reliable and long warranty, better not waste it and avoid DIY. 

1. Analyse the strength of the wall

It is important to choose a strong wall for mounting the unit. A wall that is weak or damaged can result in banging your AC down on the floor on some summer afternoon. So the very basic thing is to ensure the wall chosen for mounting the unit has the capacity to hold its weight.

2. Measure the spacing carefully

The spacing around the unit is an important factor. For fair air flow, there has to be a space of almost 15 cm above and around the unit.

3. Consider height from the ground

The proper flow of air using a Split system has a lot to do with its height. Ideally, the unit should be mounted 7-8 feet above the ground.

4. Choose a location away from sunlight 

When choosing the location for the indoor and outdoor unit, it is important to choose a location where the direct sunlight does not hit. Placing either of these units under direct sunlight significantly drop their efficiency

5. Choose a flat placement 

The indoor unit of split ac is mounted, however, the outdoor unit is placed on the ground. But the guideline is not the place is directly on the ground. Choose a flat surface, preferably a slab which is non-metallic and is a good absorber of moisture and heat. This will save the unit from corrosion and premature wear and tear.

6. Don't over distance indoor, outdoor unit

Keeping the right distance between the indoor and outdoor unit is the key to losing the least amount of cooling. As the refrigerant flows between the units, there is always some loss of cooling. To keep this loss minimum, the distance between the indoor and outdoor unit should be no more than 15 meters.

7. Keep the right tilt angle 

Establishing a slight tilt when mounting the aluminium bracket for the indoor unit allows the indoor unit to also be at a slight tilt when mounted. This tilt helps to drain the condensate better and blocks the possibilities of indoor drainage.

Have you ever performed DIY installation of a Split Air Conditioner unit? How was that? And do you think performing a Do It Yourself for Split Air Conditioner can be cost-effective?

If you are buying a home and the home under consideration has ceiling stains, it is obvious that the sight will make you worried since ceiling stains immediately bring the thought of a leaking roof. Similarly, if you are selling or renting a home, a ceiling stain can impact the actual rate and may as well contribute to pulling buyers away. And let's say there's no such scenario of buying and selling, a home that you are living in should be in a good state. The ceiling stains, however, suggest that there is something wrong and this wrong could turn into a hefty expense. This blog is dedicated to helping you inspect and identify ceiling stains
Ceiling stains could be caused by a number of reasons. Here are the most common;

Stains below the bathroom exhaust fan 

The bathroom exhaust takes a whole lot of moisture out. And it does so via the duct attached to it. If the duct is not well insulated and does not have a proper airtight connection with a roof cap, the condensate will drip backwards and cause ceiling stains below the bathroom exhaust vent.
The fix of this issue lies in what causes it. The bathroom exhaust vent should be well insulated and well installed with an airtight connection in order to take the moisture outside, straightaway.

Stain on ceiling corners 

Stains on ceiling corners are what you see near the outside walls. And the most obvious reason for such type of stains is the ice dams. Air leaks in the attic or insufficient insulation in the attic allow the melting water of the ice dams to seep in. From the attic, it drips on the ceiling corners resulting in this type of stains which can start from a small spot and extend to a stain several feet in diameter.
In order to avoid or fix this kind of stains, there's ample need to check the insulation and fix the air leaks in the attic.

Random stains 

Random stains are stains that are basically not the roof stains. The frost that builds up in the attic when becomes unnecessarily more, it causes excessive condensation and as a result, water builds up at several places. This causes stains at random spots.
The fix for this type of stains is once again an insulation refill and fixing of the attic air leaks.

Ceiling leaks could turn out to be a matter of serious concern if immediate action is not taken. They may destroy the ceiling, parch the wallpapers badly and cause direct roof leaking. Since the signs are very easy to observe, it is imperative for you, as a homeowner, to take the signs seriously and call out a professional technician for resolving this issue of ceiling stains.

If you are fighting with ceiling stains issue or are looking for attic insulation, insulation refill, ductwork repair, ductwork inspection or a proper and professional ductwork installation, call us today 1-855-245-4328.

We have become so habitual to look up the prices online and that made developers design hundreds of apps dedicated to assisting us to compare prices and spec online before buying. The Internet is a blessing for people since it offers a wealth of knowledge and high transparency in pricing. Therefore, it is the second nature of homeowners to find the items online so they can get better and cheaper HVAC items. Below we explain why we don't recommend purchasing HVAC equipment and parts online.

The installation will always be smoother when it involves guaranteed parts certified by the distributor and a qualified installer that you can trust on.

It is difficult to find the right part for the job:

You may find the expensive replacements parts that your technician suggests in a fraction of amount on eBay and Amazon. Most of the companies do not prefer customers supplied items since every item which apparently looks similar won’t be compatible with your appliances. Generally, on the internet, the technical equipment will be either mislabeled or miscategorized to win a sale. 

Warranties are not trustable:

A new Furnace or Air Conditioner is a major financial investment for homeowners and in protecting that investment, warranties play a crucial role. Many resellers in the online market are non-certified distributors and do not honour any trustable warranties for HVAC parts and equipment. Besides this, “consumer - sourced parts” that are not covered by the manufacturer's warranty, can void your existing equipment warranty. Therefore, it is good for you to not take any risk.

Little to no resource for defective parts:

Unfortunately, consumers who buy parts over the internet may not have the eye for technical abnormalities. Moreover, if the equipment turns out to be defective, consumers who source parts from resellers have little or no recourse. Even in a best possible scenario (the seller provides a replacement at no cost), the consumer still pays more than twice the normal service cost: once for the initial installation, once again for the removal of the defective equipment and a final appointment for the replacement equipment installation.

You can Save hard-earned money in another way:

It is understandable that homeowners would consider purchasing their own equipment and parts for HVAC and can hire someone to install it. Purchasing online equipment, however, is not the right way to save. Instead, use that internet browser to search for heating and cooling equipment rebates in Ontario and other provinces of Canada  – including the IESO's Save on Energy rebates and manufacturer rebates through trusted names such as Lennox.

Cheaper Equipment Can cost Unexpected failures:

There is probably a reason for our inclination towards online purchasing - an expensive item is suddenly available for cheap, then how we can resist buying!  Although there are several exemptions for HVAC parts and equipment.
The equipment could have been opened previously.
The equipment could be falsified and lack the original manufacturer's minimum quality and safety standards. Such equipment can cause sudden appliance failures.

Have you ever purchase an HVAC spare part online? How was your experience and how durable it was?

No matter how much scientists try to prove the ‘winter blue’ a myth, we all know that we have gone through this at times. Staying active is very hard for a majority of people in winter. Not only is it a problem for adults but kids start acting up in this season too.
We always have the holiday breaks to enjoy but don’t you feel bad after you have broken all the new year resolutions? It makes people feel even more discouraged and low.
You just can’t let the start of your new year be ruined. Even if you could not stay very productive and energetic in the beginning, you can still buckle up and be productive and have fun. You can always have light indoors even if the day ends too soon outside in winters.



Spring Cleaning in Winter
While you cannot go out and have fun, you can still end up all your work inside your home. While you will be stuck with all of this later, you can end it now so you can enjoy outdoors freely in the bright sunshine. Not only will it end your work soon, but will also help you stay active in these months. A clean home and closet will help you stay in a good mood and feel more active the whole winter.  Not will it be only good for you but also the kids will feel happier inside.

Homemade Beauty Treatments

Is your schedule too busy the whole year? You never got time to try all the homemade remedies that you keep seeing on the internet? Well, this is your time to shine. While you have plenty of time inside your home, you can now start taking care of your skin and your hair. There is a lot of videos and tutorials available on the internet that you can try and they will keep you busy the entire winter. Productively!

Explore New Music

Snow outside! It's time to listen to something new. It is the right time that you catch up with the latest trends and create some new libraries. You can even keep doing this while doing other home chores to stay in a good mood. We already know that music is the best thing which can fix your mood.

Try New Dishes

You might be a very good cook already but at this time you can try the dishes you couldn’t the whole year. Bake cookies of new styles, try different soups or even cook a whole fancy meal for yourself and your family. It would not only enhance your cooking skills but you would also be able to interact with your family better by breaking the bread together.

Happy Hour

Every person deserves some time off from everything so that he can get to know himself better. Now it is the perfect time that you forget everything and relax. This time will not just help you relax but will also help you brainstorm. New ideas which would help you make your life better.

So this winter, how are you going to make productive progress?

While everyone else is busy purchasing Furnaces and tuning their home for winter, here we are talking about Air Conditioners. Is there a particular reason for this post? Oh yes, there is! But before knowing that reason, you should make sure whether or not your unit needs an upgrade.

Does my unit need an upgrade? 

To be sure of whether or not your unit needs an upgrade, the best way is to allow a professional technician to evaluate it. But since many homeowners are always trying to save, their preference is to not spend on a professional analysis and instead, make an analysis all on their own. For such homeowners, here are some useful tips;

- If your unit is old and has lately been costing too much, it is suggested to replace it. That is because even if you don't upgrade, you'll have to pay in the form of hefty energy bills whatsoever. And despite high energy bills, there will be compromised comfort. So if the bills have been unusually high lately, better replace!

- In addition to bringing hefty bills, one of the signs for a unit needing a replacement is when it breaks off frequently resulting in costly repairs. Once again, if you do not replace and drag the same unit, it will continue to create costly repair circumstances and your budget will continue to experience shocks. Better replace and relax!

- Even if the unit is not causing high energy bills or frequent repairs, an age of over 15 years is an indication of replacement in itself. While many people wonder why should they replace when the unit is running, the answer is; the running unit can stop anytime, most probably on the hottest noon possible. And why should you wait for a unit to bring high bills or frequent repairs and breakdowns? Why not replace well in time? Professionals suggest that it is better to replace a system when it crosses the age of 15 years. And should be replaced whatsoever if it exceeds 20 years.

Does it make sense to purchase Air Conditioner in Fall? 

And here we are at the point of concern. Why should an Air Conditioner be replaced in Fall or Winter? What sense does it make?
Here are some of the reasons that prove replacement is beneficial when it is done in an off-peak season:
- Goes without saying that in peak season the price tags suddenly go unusually high. And this is quite opposite in off-peak season.  In off-peak season, the prices usually drop. So one of the benefits of replacing AC for the next summer is savings. Savings, something that you love, don't you?
- Making a purchase in the off-peak season gives you the privilege of taking the wise decision. Many times, homeowners make purchases in a rush which often turns out to be an unwise purchase. Contrarily, when there's time to think, search, check reviews and consult a professional, the outcome is a unit that best suits your home and your needs.
- With a purchased unit at home, you can wait for the best time for installation and make some saving of installation as well.

If your Furnace is new/performing good and there's no other costly appliance purchase on the list but you have money to invest, invest in replacement of Air Conditioner. And make the purchase now!

In the midst of hot summer, who wants his Air Conditioning system to fail? No sane person ever wishes this for his home but guess what, not enough people take the prerequisites to avoid sudden appliance breakdowns. And usually, no HVAC appliance fails without showing some prior signs. Appliances do show some signs when they are in need of maintenance or repairs. When these signs are neglected, the result comes in the form of breakdown. This blog is to help you find out in time when your Air Conditioner needs help. There are a few easy to notice signs.

- Dropping efficiency

You can tell when you are uncomfortable even when the Air Conditioner is on. You can compare your current level of comfort from that of the last year and can easily decide that the AC is not as efficient as it used to be. This kind of significant change in efficiency in one year is an indication that there is something wrong with the system that needs to be fixed. If you did perform proper maintenance & cleaning before starting the unit, are following the same temperature schedules and the weather is not unusually hot, then there's something that requires an HVAC tech's help. So as soon as you suspect a noticeable drop in the unit's efficiency, call a professional as early as possible.

- A sudden rise in energy bills

Energy bills are always loathsome, aren't they? But they become equally shocking sometimes. That happens when there's a sudden rise in them. Your usage remains the same but the graph of monthly energy bills changes. Although Air Conditioners as they get older do start to consume more energy, this does not happen over the course of a month or two. So if your bills have suddenly started to become coarse towards you, there's an indication of something annoying the system. It could be dirty filters, leaking ductwork, problematic compressor or something else. Take also this sign seriously.

- Frequent Short Cycling

One of the indications of the Air Conditioner going through something serious is when it short cycles frequently. Short cycling is when the AC turns off and on. The possible causes of short cycling are dirty filter or compressor fan, frozen evaporator coils or electrical wiring issues. So as your Air Conditioner starts to short cycle frequently, consider calling a professional to inspect what's wrong.

They say prevention is better than cure. Every year, many homeowners have to face serious accidents or costly repairs and the reason behind is not performing maintenance or ignoring the repair signs that the system shows. We as HVAC professionals suggest homeowners to learn at least the basics of their HVAC appliances and especially about the signs of appliance sickness so that preventive measures can be taken in time.

If your Air Conditioner shows all or one of the above-mentioned signs then don't postpone calling out a professional for help.

Some hundred dollars spent on in time repairs are better than the thousands of dollars that you'll have to spend otherwise on worsen damages or entire unit replacement. Be wise towards your HVAC appliance.

So it becomes comfortable to travel when you've Air Conditioning in your car. You can travel with ease even if the sun is super hot out on the road. Similarly, as the winter becomes unbearable and it's snowfall everywhere outside, it becomes a nightmare to travel without some heat along. Heating in cars is another blessing that the technology has provided us in the recent years. But do both of these come for free or is their an extra price you have to pay for the heating and cooling to keep functioning in your car? In this blog, we'll explore the cost of Heating and Air Conditioning in cars.

So when you think of improving your indoor heating and cooling comfort, what is the first thing that comes to the mind? The heating and cooling appliances? You are right! They are of course the primary factor for increasing the comfort level but not the only factor. Many homeowners, never think of other factors that would sooner or later affect the indoor comfort and the efficiency of the HVAC appliances. Take, for instance, Ductwork. How many people when they purchase a new Air Conditioner or Furnace also get their ductwork inspected for repairs or perform its thorough maintenance? Or more importantly, how many people actually find out how that the system they are installing is suitable for their ductwork or not. Not taking these considerations into account results in indoor discomfort despite having expensive appliances installed. This blog is dedicated to the ways in which ductwork problems could become the primary factor to affect the indoor comfort.

Here's how ductwork deficiencies affect your comfort 

Energy Star says that it causes an energy loss of 20% - 30% to a home with having ductwork issues active. The common ductwork deficiencies include;

Design problems 

When it comes to ductwork, the design is extremely important. The ducts are, therefore, designed with customized designs keeping the home's particular need into account. Poorly designed ductwork bars the proper distribution of air resulting in hot and cold spots, overburdening of the system and frequent duct wear and tear.

Leak problems 

The duct leaks result in escape of conditioned air to the areas where it is not needed. This situation compromises the comfort but raises the energy bills because a lot of conditioned air go wasted. Also, another consequence of duct leaks is that it affects the IAQ. The duct and debris of the ductwork find their way out into the living place.

Insulation problems 

Since the conventional large ductworks cannot be accommodated, they are installed in the basement, attic or anywhere underground. As the temperature of these areas is always more than normal, the temperature of the ductwork can get affected too resulting in the appliances running for extra time and high energy bills.

Recipe to a perfect Ductwork 

The recipe for a perfect ductwork comes with fixing the above-mentioned ductwork problems. Here are some additional tips to not let your ductwork hinder the level of your comfort;
- Always hire professionals for installing a ductwork
- Before purchasing a new unit, make sure it is suitable for the ductwork type
- Perform regular maintenance to avoid duct leaks
- When any duct leaks are found, fix them instantly. The smaller the leak,  the quicker the air will escape
- Be very careful regarding insulation. Perform ductwork insulation if you have high temperatures in the basement, attic and underground. It is recommended to have the ductwork insulated at the time of installation
- If your ductwork is new and is constantly worrying you, there are chances that it is designed wrongly. Do not hesitate to consult a professional regarding redesigning the ductwork if needed. It is better to make an in-time investment than to continue to waste energy and compromise comfort.

Ever thought of lowering energy bills using landscaping? If not, you're not alone. Not many homeowners seriously think about how landscaping would affect the energy bills and end up building homes that almost suck energy; get very hot in summers and very cold in winters resulting in high energy bills. So here's a treat from us; We are helping you discover ways that will affect your energy bills and will pull their graph low. You don't necessarily have to apply these ways only when you are building a new home. Some simple additions to your currently in use home will make a massive difference. Let's begins

The power of shady trees

We have always read in the stories of the old times how people would take rest under the shady trees while taking long road journeys in hot summers. But the shades of the trees are all time beneficial. Did you know that homes with trees around them remain relatively cooler in summers? Grow trees strategically such that they cover the areas that get the direct sunlight. It is best to plant those trees that shed their leaves in winters so that the home gets the sunlight that is desireful in winters and keeps the heating bills in control.   
If you have space around the home and it is being used for no good reason, it's your time to plant some deciduous trees.

Install a Pergola or Trellis 

You may be living in a rented place or maybe shifting places often or can't really wait for the trees to grow. A good alternative could be grown trees that are simply installed by digging the place. Or to consider installing structures like trellis and pergolas. With a base of wooden, these structures, if added with fastly growing vines can add a great degree of coolness to your patio, yard and walls.

How about aqua cooling?

O yes! How about aqua cooling? Ever felt roaming in gardens, a cool breeze of air, as you pass by waterfalls, swimming pools or small fountains? The same effect can be added to your front yard, patio or even at some interior location of the home. The presence of water adds coolness in the air and as it circulates, it spreads the coolness in the home.

Avoid black 

By painting your door, roof or any other major exterior part of the home, what you invite in is a lot of heat. Since black absorbs all of the light rays, it is a bad idea with regards to HAVC to use black or similar darker shades on the exterior of the home. Doing so does benefit in winter but as long as summer is concerned, consider green and white. Also, to include an added effect of cooling, consider adding plants in the indoor and some useful shrubs on the driveways and sidewalks.

Did you find this blog useful? What landscaping hacks do you use to control the energy bills? Share some with us!

Every appliance that you install in your home will affect the entire home in one way or the other. For example, installing a Central Air Conditioning system and not maintaining the ductwork results in compromised indoor air quality. But this aspect is often neglected by homeowners. When installing a home comfort heating system, many homeowners keep their focus on the heating factors not weighing how that particular heating system will affect the indoor air quality. Just like different types of fuels are available to run the appliances and it is always recommended to go for more efficient, affordable and eco-friendly fuels, there are also several options for the heating systems to choose from. The same formulae should be applied to heating systems; choosing more efficient and most eco-friendly systems. While the conventional ductwork system heating is suitable for many home types, the Hydronic System remains an effective and affordable home heating method.

Furnace VS Boiler - What wins?

Furnace warms the air and blows it towards the ductwork in order to reach the rooms. As the homes are more tightly packed in winters, the same air is warmed again and again and every cycle makes the air decrease its quality because of passing through the ductwork and circulating all those pollutants produced either inside of the home or entered from outside.

Unlike that, Boiler boils water and the steam passes through the pipelines that are spread throughout the house. This steam is then delivered to the baseboard and is then supplied from there. Since the heat coming from the baseboards rise naturally, the process is slow and the heat is retained longer. The warmth caused is uniform.
Since every time new water is heated, Boilers offer a cleaner solution.

Impacts of Hydronic Heating

As said, hydronic heating is safe. Every time a new cycle starts, unlike the Furnace heating in which the same cycle and the same air is circulated again and again. One major benefit this offers is that it reduces the risks of air pollutants. It is a known fact that an exposure to polluted air even for a short period can result in allergies, asthma and other immune system issues. In addition to that, as Hydronic heating of Combi Boilers warm the indoor through steam, the air has moisture which combats the winter issues like insufficient humidity and static electricity.

One major issue that homeowners face is different temperature needs of homeowners. Since this problem cannot easily be combated with the Furnace system as shutting the vents off or partially closing them overburdens the ductwork, the Hydronic system does offer a solution for this as well. Individuals can control the supply of heat to their place.

A residential Boiler of good quality can last for almost 15 years. More efficient systems with proper maintenance can last even longer than that. This makes Boilers (Combi Boilers) kill three birds with one arrow. They heat water, heat the indoor while also humidify it.

All these benefits combine to make Boilers an efficient and healthier solution for home heating.

As homeowners begin to sense a compromised comfort in the indoor, the first thought goes towards the HVAC system. It is true that for most of the times, the reason behind compromised indoor comfort is the HVAC units but it is not always the case. Sometimes, the units are all okay but it is the ductwork that aches. Did you know that even small leaks and cracks can devoid you of 20% conditioned air rising the use of the appliances and the energy bills? It is, therefore, important to not be careless towards this issue and fix the problem as soon as it is observed.

All homes usually have one these three duct types;
They either have a metal sheet or an insulated flexible or insulated duct board. In the modern homes, the duct most commonly installed is of the flexible sheet. This, though easy to install and flexible to accommodate is hard to take care of. Not only that it is easily damaged but is also relatively less energy efficient. Whatever the duct type is, once it gets the leaks, the situation keeps on getting worse; the leaks widen and cracks expand resulting in more loss of energy and higher energy bills.
There are some signs that can help detect ductwork leaks;

Sings of a leaking ductwork 

* If your utility bills suddenly start to escalate and the HVAC units are working fine, it's the ductwork that you should check
* If there are rooms or areas of the home that are becoming difficult to warm/cool
* Indoor getting stuffy
* Air filters frequently getting dirty
* Dents or cracks in the ductwork
* Discolouring ceiling could also be an indication of leaking ductwork
* Home getting unusually dusty

These sings can help you find out the leaks and cracks. But you should also get to know of the primary causes of duct leaks.

Causes of Ductwork leaks? 

* Ductwork needs to be renewed after its lifetime is over. If you have an old home with an old ductwork installed, chances are you'll have leaks frequently
* Many people close the vents in the unused rooms. Doing so keeps the air trapped in the ductwork resulting in cracks
* If you have rats and rodents at home and a foil or flexible ductwork, you are at a constant risk. They can leave multiple cracks and leaks in your ductwork anytime
* A professional installation always matters. So if you had chosen a wrong tech who left loopholes, the loose connections in the ductwork would cause leaks
* Some ductworks need to have insulation in order to be properly efficient. Improper insulation may cause leaks

If you are suspecting a ductwork leak, do the following;
Take a piece of paper or burning candle and move it closer to the areas that you think have leaks. If the candle flickers or the piece of paper moves rapidly, there are leaks. Seal the leaks with a duct tape. However, there would be times when you'll find it difficult to find the leaks or to fix them on your own. When that happens, never overlook the matter and call a professional to check the ductwork to find and fix the problem. 

Ever experienced sudden slamming of doors and windows? A strange whoosh and whistle sound? Light objects automatically getting an outward flow? All of this, if it happens when you’re with the rest of the members may not scare you but imagine yourself completely alone at home and the doors and windows start to bang! Huh! Scary, very scary! The only thought that this occurrence will give you would be; ‘’I need to call a ghostbuster as early as possible’’. Interestingly, for such an issue, the right person to call is an HVAC professional. This type of occurrences take place as a result of improper air pressure. It could be a negative air pressure or a positive air pressure; anything but a normal air pressure. The symptoms may include;

We are living in the second millennium and technology today has made our lives much easier than the lives of those that have passed before us. So many facilities are just at one click and one-touch and the automatic lifestyle is taking the lead. But it needs to be understood that no matter how automatic the technology and devices become, the influence of human involvement will always be there and it is the use and control of technology by the man himself that will make the difference. Let's take the example of the home comfort heating and cooling appliances. Almost every home in Canada has some kind of HVAC appliance and there are many homes where the systems in use are of advanced level, however, the truth is; only a handful of homeowners are actually making the right and efficient use of the efficient appliances. As a result, a majority is facing the consequences in the form of high energy bills, frequent repairs and sudden unhappy accidents. So you see how human influence matters? We shall discuss today the ways by which you can make the most of your HVAC system. We shall tell you how to increase your home's HVAC efficiency in just 5 simple steps.

Step# 1 Replacing/Cleaning Filters and its influence

So here's something that doesn't take place with an ''auto'' button. Despite having the Smartest Thermostat and the smartest appliances, you will have to do this by yourself. And mind you, Filter cleaning/replacing may seem ordinary, it can put your entire system at risk. Studies say that 9/10 HVAC system failures are caused by dust and debris. Your filter is meant to trap the dust and debris but once its power diminishes by getting dirty itself, you are supposed to give it a power pack by cleaning/replacing. Ever noticed how your system suddenly becomes more efficient and the indoor air more soothing after replacing filters? That's the power of filter cleaning.

Step# 4 Become smart - Install smart appliances 

• Open doors and windows partially in the daytime when there's sun to let fresh air in
• Use a portable air cleaner if installing a Whole Home Air Cleaner unit isn't economical or impossible for whatever reasons
• Keep indoor plants to do the air cleaning for you

Biological Contaminants - What are they?

Are they harmful? Like how?

Ways to reduce exposure to Biological Pollutants