Residential Furnace - What and what not to purchase?

Once upon a time, when Winters came, all that man could arrange for his warmth was a fire set up made with wood and grass. But times don't remain the same. They change and so do the ways and means. Overtime man had learned to explore better resources in order to bring for himself more ease and comfort. With respect to the heating resources, the fireplace idea improved soon after the realisation of man that he can do better. After years and years, he was able to engineer what we know today as modern-day Residential Furnace. And it had taken a long way. Romans are said to have engineer Furnaces for the first time for residential and industrial use. The technology, evidently, was not as modern as it is today but nonetheless, in these days and nights of the second millennium, the man who had once relied on a direct contact with fire for the purpose of heating is now enjoying the miracles of the latest technology making use of the same fire differently in the form of Furnaces.

When you are on your hunt to purchase a Furnace for the first time or replace the one you had, you have to go through a vexing situation of not being able to decide what would work best for your home. Of course, you try to explore models that come in your budget range but fortunately as well as unfortunately, even the ones coming in that range of budget are of several different types. With no contact to an HVAC professional, decision making becomes even more difficult when you are grabbed by every single store owner and company pamphlets to purchase their product. So let us help you explore the different types of Furnaces and an overview of what can be the absolute choice for your home.    

• Natural Gas Furnace - Why purchase and why not?

Natural Gas Furnaces are one of the most energy-efficient heating systems available in the market. Using the ductwork system, the Furnace unit blows hot air towards different sections of the home. These Furnaces could be the best investment you would make if you have a ductwork installed and the area you belong to has proper access to natural gas. One of the reasons why Canadians love Natural Gas Furnaces is that they are quiet in operation, deliver heat evenly and are easy to maintain.

But hold on! Here's a suggestion for you. If you're residing at a place for only a limited time span and there's no ductwork installed, it is better that you go for some other heating methods and not a Furnace. That is because you'll need to install a whole ductwork by spending several hundred dollars additional and of course, won't take ductwork with you when you'll leave. Not economical at all! Also, before you make the Gas Furnace your choice, get yourself aware of the Natural Gas prices in your area. By choosing to run your appliance on a costly fuel, you'll choose to spend your hard earned money on fatty energy bills every month.

• Oil Furnace - Why purchase and why not?

Oil Furnace has been quite popular in America in the late 20th century. And that was because the prices of oil weren't' meeting the skies back then. The rise in the oil prices break the fall of the rising Oil Furnace usage and people turned to Gas and Electric Furnaces. But even today, Oil Furnaces are sold, however, they are among the costliest models in the market.

Although the fuel prices for this type of Furnaces are still high, these Furnaces are nonetheless the best solution for those living in areas of Natural Gas unavailability or areas where Natural Gas rates are relatively higher.

Go for Oil Furnaces if that's the fuel you'll be getting at cheaper rates and go for it if your budget flexibly allows you to purchase it.

• Electric Furnace - Why purchase and why not?

Just like the Gas Furnaces make use of Natural Gas as fuel, the Electric Furnaces utilise Electricity as fuel. The convincing reason to go for Electric is that the Electric Furnaces are the cheapest of types to purchase and install. However, the not so convincing reason for Electric Furnaces is that they bring home fatty energy bills particularly when Electricity rates are high. This type of Furnaces best suit people that have unavailability of Gas lines or Oil supply but have access to cheap electricity and those that live in moderate climates and make only a limited use of the Furnace.

So? What do you think would best suit your home? Gas, Oil or Electric Furnace?

Have any Furnace related questions? Connect with us today or anytime and get your confusions resolved and questions answered: 905 201-1293

13 Simple Ways to lower Energy Bills

Who does not like saving? We all do! And when it comes to Summer utility bills, the desire for saving become intense every time a more fatty bill is received. But how exactly to make savings on energy bills? Are there genuine ways that can really help reduce utility bills?  

Well, there are not one or two ways, there are, in fact, tens of ways to save on energy bills. All you have to do it to practice the saving practices and there you are; saving hundreds of dollars on energy bills every year. Let's explore 13 ways that can help you in this venture:

1. Your Thermostat is your saving box

Indeed it is!

The US Department of Energy says that Thermostats can help save on energy bills up to 15% if they're turned up a few degrees for the time you're not at home. So every time you leave home, don't forget to raise the temperature on your Thermostat. Use Programmable or Smart Thermostats for auto setting the temperature.

2. Don't keep devices plugged when they're charged

So do you see when your mobile device is charged, your device shows a notification ''please unplug'? Keeping the devices plugged even when they're already charged not only takes energy unnecessarily but can also damage the device altogether by overcharging it. Unplug as early as the device get charged to not waste energy.

3. Check capacity of appliances before purchasing

While a high-efficiency Air Conditioner or Heat Pump can cool your home quickly, it also takes more energy. If you've a medium sized or small sized home, there's no need to purchase a high capacity system. Not only will it cost you initially but will also continue to charge you in terms of energy bills. Ask a professional to suggest you a compatible system for you home.

4. Make use of off-peak hours

The electricity charges on the off peak hours are less than the peak hours. Make use of the off-peak hours and use heavy machinery in those hours. This will help you save to a great extent.

5. Look for air leaks

You'll be wasting a lot of energy if there are holes and passageways that leak air from the house. As a consequence, more energy will be required to keep the home cool which means fatty energy bills. Check for any leaks and seal them with a sealant.

6. Curtains and Blinds

Did you know that 10% of cooling loss occurs through the windows with no blinds/curtains? Draw the blinds/curtains as soon as the sun begins to get hot in the day. Just by drawing curtains, you can save energy.

7. Make use of energy efficient appliances

Technology has progressed and it has served us with appliances that are better in efficiency and cheaper in utility. If you're using old heating, cooling systems, you are spending much more than what you'd spend with the latest energy efficient system. Replace the system by making a one-time investment and then save, save, save.

8. Clean Filters regularly

One simple step that can help save. Just clean your filters. Dirty filters bar the air flow and the system as a consequence has to put in more effort to operate which takes more energy.

9. Clean the ductwork

Cleaner ducts not only provide cleaner air to breathe but also reduce the burden on the system that otherwise is if the ductwork is filled with piles of dust and debris. Clean ducts, lighten the burden on the system and enjoy a reduction in energy bills.

10. Solar Power?    

Why not make use of the Sun's energy? Even if you cannot afford to convert the whole home on solar power, think of converting some appliances on solar. Solar power is far cheaper than the electricity we use. Once installed, forget about monthly bills.

11. Ceiling fan always works

Don't forget the fans totally in intense hot Summer. They are always of use. It is recommended to use fans when the weather is still moderate but even when it gets super hot, keep making use of your fans. Using a fan in combination with the Air Conditioner can help reduce energy bills since you can raise your thermostat temperature up to 4 degrees without feeling a difference in temperature if you've your fan serving along.

12. Replace Incandescent Bulbs

Fluorescent lights take up to 25% less energy compared to Incandescent bulbs. Every time an incandescent bulb fuses, replace it with energy efficient Fluorescent Lights.

Consider LED as an option too if you can afford to install them throughout the home. Lately, LED lights have become more popular because of their efficiency, environment-friendly nature and cost effective feature.  

13. Go Green

The more green you grow around, the cooler it will keep you. Plant shady trees around your home. They will keep your home cool. You can also keep some plants within your home. Not only do they help keep the environment cool but also work as natural air cleaners.