Hot Water Tanks vs Tankless Water Heaters

In the realm of home heating solutions, the debate between hot water tanks and tankless water heaters is a heated one. Both options offer unique benefits and drawbacks, making the choice between them dependent on various factors including efficiency, cost, and space requirements. This article delves into the nuances of each system, offering insights into how they operate, their pros and cons, and considerations for homeowners making this critical decision.

Understanding Hot Water Tanks

Hot water tanks, also known as storage water heaters, are the traditional choice for many households. These systems work by heating a reservoir of water, which is then stored until needed. When a hot water tap is turned on, water from the top of the tank is drawn off, and cold water enters the bottom of the tank to be heated, ensuring a constant supply.

Pros of Hot Water Tanks: Cost-Effective Installation: Generally, the initial installation… read more...

Central AC vs Ductless AC

Central AC vs Ductless AC

Summertime is around the corner, and your home should be ready! One of the significant decisions you’ll make in the summertime is how to cool off your home. Sure, you can get by with wall units and ceiling fans. But if you’re looking for a more efficient way to keep things comfortable indoors in the summer, then central AC or ductless mini-split systems might just be what you need!

Today we’ll take a closer look at both options so that by the end of this blog post, you’ll know which suits your needs.

Central Air Conditioner

A central air conditioner (AC) is an efficient cooling system that will keep your home comfortable, even on the hottest summer days. But how does it work? Let’s take a closer look at the inner workings of this often-overlooked appliance. 

Understanding the Basics of Central Air Conditioning 

A central AC works through a process … read more...

Can a Furnace Explode?

Can a Furnace Explode?

Can a furnace explode? If your furnace starts to make noises or keeps shutting off, you might be concerned about the possibility of an explosion. The same is true of carbon monoxide leaks, but these are much less dangerous than explosions. But that doesn’t mean you should be alarmed. This article will discuss three common reasons that a furnace might blow up. These include improper installation, carbon monoxide leaks, and noise. Then, you can decide whether or not a gas furnace is right for your home.

Gas-burning furnaces are safer than electric space heaters

When choosing a space heater, you should consider getting a gas-burning furnace or an electric one. Both gas and electric space heaters produce carbon monoxide, which can be deadly and cause drowsiness and dizziness. Installing a carbon monoxide detector will help you avoid exposure to this dangerous gas. Also, both space heaters and furnaces require … read more...

How Humid Should Your Home Be?

How Humid Should Your Home Be?

How humid should your home be? Relative humidity in Calgary refers to the percentage of water in the air. Typically, a comfortable home humidity range is between 30 and 60%. Depending on your preference, you can set the humidity level between 30 and 45%. However, you may find that the level you prefer is between 40 and 50%. In addition to this percentage, you can set your home’s temperature to make the air more comfortable in both summer and winter.

The comfortable home humidity range is between 30% and 60%

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, a comfortable home humidity should be between thirty and fifty percent. Humidity levels above sixty percent are considered too high and can cause harmful bacteria. The right humidity level depends on many factors, including your lifestyle, climate, clothing, and the time of year. For example, if you spend a lot of time … read more...

How Often Should You Get Your Furnace Cleaned?

How Often Should You Get Your Furnace Cleaned?

How often should you get your furnace cleaned? It is essential to maintain your furnace regularly. Regular furnace cleaning will extend its life and keep it from accumulating carbon monoxide and mould spores. Regular maintenance also ensures that your furnace is operating efficiently. A professional technician will check your furnace to ensure it is running efficiently. Also, it will prevent future problems. In addition to cleaning your furnace, you should schedule a tune-up with a technician every few years.

Regular maintenance prolongs the life of your furnace

Regular maintenance can prevent a sudden breakdown of your furnace and save you up to 35% on energy bills. By performing regular maintenance, you’ll ensure the peak efficiency of your furnace and maintain the quality of the air you breathe. By following these routine maintenance tips, you’ll ensure your furnace runs smoothly for longer, thus extending the life of your system. Not to … read more...

Common Home Air Conditioning Problems

Common Home Air Conditioning Problems

What are common home air conditioning problems? When you notice an increase in your utility bill, it may be a sign that your home air conditioner is not functioning as it should. The reason for this spike may be a significant leak in the plumbing or ductwork, a dirty air filter, or low refrigerant. Luckily, there are many easy fixes for these problems. Here are some of the most common culprits. And remember that the more common home air conditioning problems, the easier it will be to fix. However, if you’re not able to fix the AC problem, it may be time to call a professional HVAC company.

Broken or blocked drain tube

You might suspect a broken drain tube when you notice a dirty, sluggish odour coming from your home air conditioner’s vents or drain pipe. Clogged drain lines stop the water from draining properly, causing the humidity … read more...

What is a Ductless Air Conditioner?

Mini Split Air Conditioning

According to the Edmonton AC Experts, what is a ductless Air Conditioner is a common question. This article will discuss the pros and cons of ductless mini-split air conditioners. They’re cheaper than central AC and are much more versatile, too. And they’re considerably quieter, too. So, should you switch over to a ductless air conditioner? Let’s find out. 

Less expensive than central AC

A ductless air conditioner can help you save money on your energy bills. You will no longer have to worry about ducts accumulating dust, mould, and pollen. Ductless systems are also quieter. In addition to being less expensive, ductless systems also require fewer maintenance costs. For more information about ductless air conditioners, talk to a Carrier dealer.

The cost of central air conditioning depends on several factors, including the size of the unit. A 13 SEER unit will cost approximately $3,000 to $4,000 for a 1,800-square-foot home. … read more...

What Does an HVAC Contractor Do?

what makes a good heating contractor

You’re not alone if you’ve ever wondered what does an HVAC contractor do? HVAC is short for heating, ventilation and air conditioning. It refers to the heating & cooling equipment lodged in homes or commercial buildings. HVAC systems distribute heated or cooled air all through a structure to keep occupants comfy. 

A skilled technician at will install, repair, and maintain your system. These contractors work to keep your home or business comfortable at all times. Listed below are the duties of HVAC contractors. To find out more, read this article. But first, learn more about what an HVAC contractor does. Here are some essential things to keep in mind:

HVAC contractors are skilled technicians

To become a qualified HVAC contractor, a person should understand the basics of heating, air conditioning, and duct piping. These individuals should be aware of laws related to safety in the workplace. Furthermore, they should be … read more...

Energy Conversation Tips: Using Bubble Wrap and Water to Insulate Windows

Are you looking for energy conservation tips?  It is possible to keep the house warm and lower your heating and air conditioning bills.

Having good quality insulation when installing a HVAC system is a key feature in conserving your energy consumption particularly during winter. The same applies to windows. Ensuring that your windows are of high quality can be a step worth taking to beef up your home and reduce heat loss; but, consider the following DIY tips and you will manage to achieve the same even when you are on a shoestring budget.

Make Wise Investments for Your Windows

As hard to believe as it may sound, windows place the role of lighting and airing the house, thus are controversial parts or any home heat and AC system. Energy Star Canada says that homes can save up to 15percent of their energy bills if they invest in modern energy-efficient … read more...

Save Money by Maintaining Your Home’s Heating & Air Quality

Saving energy makes financial and environmental sense. By updating your home appliances and following some common-sense practices, you can do your part in reducing the carbon footprint while reducing your monthly heating and cooling costs. Here are some heating and air quality tips that will minimize your monthly utility bills.

Heating Tips:

-One of the easiest ways to save on heating is to leverage the heat coming from the sun. Tilt your blinds up during the day.  Note: Don’t forget to close them at sundown.

-If you use a ceiling fan, set it in the reverse position and keep it on a low setting. When radiant heat penetrates your house from the windows tilted upwards, the ceiling fan distributes the warm air throughout the entire room.

-Fireplaces are known for wasting a significant amount of energy because they draw warm air out of your home through the chimney. When the … read more...

Ever Heard of a Split HVAC System?

split hvac system

Change the way you cool your home with a Split HVAC System.

All of us wants to come home after a hard day at work or at school to a comfortably cool house to fight off this intense summer heat and humidity. And because not all of us have the money and the resources to install central air conditioning in our homes, the rest of us probably rely on our window A/C units to help us survive this heat wave. However, you can’t always use a window A/C to cool all aspects of your home. If you want an inconspicuous manner of cooling your home, a split ductless air conditioner is the perfect solution for your temperature-regulating issues.

What exactly is a split HVAC system?Split HVAC Systems have two primary parts: the indoor and the outdoor unit. You install the outdoor unit on or nearby a wall outside the space … read more...

Boost Your HVAC with a Heat Recovery Ventilator

Heat Recovery Ventilator

During summer and winter, your home HVAC system needs a backup to maintain total home comfort. The backup is a Heat Recovery Ventilator. 

During winter, many of you are likely closing windows and doors to prevent heat from escaping. While in summer, we close the windows to keep the heat out while turning on the air conditioner. 

In modern homes, it is often a challenge to ensure your home has good ventilation. The ideal solution to this common problem is the installation of a heat recovery ventilator.

If the word doesn’t mean a thing to you, it is high time you find out more about a heat recovery ventilator and how your home can benefit from it. A heat recovery ventilator system brings fresh air inside your home without allowing the heat to escape. If you are still clueless, read on.

Modern homes have much higher technical standards than homes … read more...

Tips for Selecting HVAC Contractor

Buying a heating and cooling unit is more than carefully choosing the unit that will work best for you. It also includes getting the best HVAC contractor to install the unit correctly. As they say, your HVAC unit is only as good as the quality of the installation.

Poorly installed units bring problems such as water leaks and carbon monoxide leaks. And most of all, a poorly installed HVAC unit means that you say goodbye to the amount of money you spent on purchasing the unit. So how do you choose which HVAC contractor is right for you? Here are some questions you need to consider before making the final decision.

What is the Length of Time the Company Has Spent in the Business?

This first question plays a big role in your decision making. If you’re going to do business with a HVAC contractor, always check how long they … read more...

Common AC Warning Signs and Fixes

air conditioner warning signs

Everybody knows the importance of having a good and reliable air conditioning system especially when the hot and humid summer days begin. But how do you know if your AC is going to make it through the entire summer season?

Here are some AC warning signs to look out for and their fixes.

Warning #1: AC Won’t Turn On

Potential Cause: There are two possible reasons for this problem – there is no power going into the air conditioning unit or the thermostat isn’t properly set.

Fix: When the AC won’t turn on and there isn’t any power reaching the unit itself, it may be due to a fuse that’s tripped. Always check on the circuit breaker first to make sure it’s not the reason why the AC is not turning on. If not, check on the thermostat settings and make sure you have it correctly set to cool the … read more...

All About Geothermal Heating and Cooling

Wouldn’t you want to be in a home where the temperature always feels comfortable but you don’t see the system anywhere? That is a system that efficiently works with even less maintenance. And that system is what’s referred to as geothermal heating and cooling. A geothermal HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) brings your home in harmony with the earth and takes advantage of the subterranean temperatures so it can provide cooling during summer and heating during winter.

How does this system work?

While outdoor temperatures fluctuate, the underground temperature doesn’t change as dramatically. The temperature 4 to 6 feet below the ground remains fairly constant all year round. A geothermal system that consists of buried pipes (earth loop), indoor handling unit, and/or a pump, will capitalize on these temperatures to provide you free energy.

Do not confuse a geothermal HVAC with geothermal energy as the process differs.

The pipes … read more...