Ways To Banish The Stuffy Air During Summer

What does it mean when your house feels stuffy and stale during the shifting seasons? It might be down to a single cause or a mix of things. Allergies often play a role, and low humidity does not help; stuffiness may also show a need for maintenance of your heating and cooling system or cleaning of the duct. Although homeowners have a choice to work on some essential steps to banish the stuffy air during the summer for good.

When does your house start feeling stuffy?

Here are some general reasons that prompt the stuffiness in your home.
1. For the first time in months, you switched on your Air Conditioner.

2. When plants release pollen and leaves start fluttering to the ground.

3. You close the windows and until spring you keep them shut.

4. Closed windows with issues in furnace and ventilation system can also result in staler air.

These issues when combined together can worsen allergy symptoms. Therefore, it’s better to take appropriate precautions in advance to avoid any inconvenience in the future. Below are the points discussed that trigger the stuffiness and stale air in our homes.

1. Indoor humidity is high

It is probably one of the major reasons why your home feels stuffy during the summer. Humidity often makes the summer environment unbearable whenever it exceeds from 45-65%. The high level of humidity makes the place muggy and sticky inside. The low humidity also has worse impacts on homeowners. Air with low humidity can dry out the nasal cavity he and we become more vulnerable to the viral diseases. 

2. Air leaks:

Leaking or damaged ductwork can make the situation of stuffiness even worse. The leaks allow the air loss resulting in reducing the supply of cold air to the home. With a compromised supply of conditioned air, the indoor gives the stuffy feel.

3. Dirty Air ducts:

When the air conditioner is turned on for the first time in months, it ultimately stirs ups all the mites and microbes that were residing in the air ducts. Therefore, contaminated air ducts often initiate sneezing and other symptoms and make the air feel staler. Cleaning air ducts timely will reduce many potential problems for your home.

Once you decide to clean the air ducts, make sure to hire a professional and certified HVAC team; who has expertise in using the appropriate steps and right air cleaning equipment and ensures the problem will not elevate in future.

4. Issues in Ventilation System:

Stuffiness in homes is often due to the poor ventilation system. The poor air flow makes hard for the stale air to circulate out of our living space. The problem is more common for homeowners who don’t check up their heating and cooling system for years. The right care and maintenance make your air conditioner to deliver the desired result for the extended period of time and also increases its lifespan.

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

Get rid of Air Conditioner smells with tested solutions

How about turning on your Air Conditioner after a long time to enjoy its cool breeze and rather have a stinky smell spread all around? This is a common issue homeowners face; the problem of Air Conditioner smells. A stinky or fishy odour from AC has several reasons in the background which include the growth of mould and mildew, dust and debris either in the AC units or in the ductwork. Usually, homeowners make use of air fresheners to combat this problem, however, this only proves useless as long as the droplets of freshener remain in the air and that fishy odour starts coming again in a while. To solve the problem permanently, it is important to use tested ways and more than that; to know what components of an Air Conditioner actually cause these odours:

AC Components that cause odour

Evaporator Coil

Over time dust debris and other pollutants get accumulated over and around the evaporator coil. These pollutants with cool and damp surroundings of the evaporative coil create an ideal place for the mildew and moulds to grow which are smelly in nature.

Air Filters

The most common odour causing component is the system Filters. The purpose of filters is to filter the air and trap pollutants. When the filters are not changed for a long period, they fail to trap pollutants consequently circulating dirty air again and again which is also smelly.

Ductwork

Just like the Filters, the Ductwork can also become a source of producing fishy and stinky odours. This happens when ducts are not cleaned and the dust and debris are combined with dampness. A perfect ground in this way is created for moulds and as a result for odours.

How to troubleshoot Air Conditioner Smells?

If you've been troubleshooting these smells using an Air Freshener, you might already have started thinking they never fix up but hold on! They can be, however, with right strategies. Let us discuss a few:

The importance of right Filters

Cleaning of Filters is one thing which we've already discussed above, however, using the right filters is another. You might be living in an area where there's relatively more pollution or you might practice such activities at home that cause pollution. In such cases, a commonly used low MERV filter will not work for you. Install high-efficiency filters (after consulting an HVAC professional since high-efficiency filters are not suitable for all systems). High MERV filters successfully trap pollutants and thus help avoid odours caused by dust and debris.

System Cleaning - A must do!

This cannot happen that you do not do system cleaning and still have an odourless home. While people still argue on the question of duct cleaning, there's no difference of opinion that at least the systems need to be kept clean for efficient and odourless performance. As said above, one of the primary reason of Air Conditioner odours is the growth of bacteria in the units (mostly outside unit), cleaning of components is important. Although an annual maintenance and cleaning by a professional is what we strongly suggest, you can also do the cleaning yourself keeping the precautionary measures. Clean system components are least likely to produce any odours.

Air Cleaner - Breath fresh and odourless

If you haven't heard of them yet let us tell you. Air Cleaners are now available that can successfully combat odours as well as the causes of odours. High-Efficiency Air Cleaners can combat 99% of bacterias and other pollutants that cause odours. If using a high-efficiency filter and cleaning of system components doesn't solve the problem of AC odours for you, consult with an HVAC professional to install an Air Purifier.     

Are you fighting with Air Conditioner odours? Do you want a quick solution?  Use these ways and see what happens. All odours will be gone. Guaranteed!

Brace your Heating System for a chilly chill Winter

Spending Winters in Canada is not easy. The temperature in several areas drops up to -30 degrees as the Winter paces up. While one cloth over another does help beat the blows of intense Winters when in the outside environment, an alternative should be sought when one is within the four walls of a room. And the alternative is of course to maintain a moderately warm indoor temperature. So how to maintain the temperature and how exactly to get yourself fully ready for Winters? Here are some quick tips to brace yourself up for Winters.

Pre-Season Tune-Up

How about having your Furnace suddenly stop working in the intense cold weather? Well, let's talk on realistic grounds, there are times when the weather conditions are so harsh that even an emergency HVAC service can't reach you as in the case of extreme snowfall and blocked roads. In order to avoid such circumstances, schedule a pre-season tune up with some reliable HVAC service provider. As things get fixed before the season begins they continue to function smoothly. So yes, schedule a pre-season tune-up every Winter.

Give your Furnace Filters a bath

Filters are for trapping pollutants and they do their job quite very well. How about giving them a bath to get themselves refreshed for fighting pollutants more efficiently? Things that get used get dirty too. The same goes for Furnace filters. Before the Winter begins, clean your Furnace filters properly. Since Filters aren't much expensive you should probably think of replacing them by throwing the older ones. And replacing/cleaning filters really really improves efficiency. Promise!

Check exhaust vents

Exhaust vents or chimneys are the vents from where the burned gases exhaust. Just like the Filters get clogged, the chimneys and vents also get dirty. And their dirt is of extreme threat. As the exhaust vents are blocked the Carbon Monoxide which is a residue gas comes back into the house and we repeat, Carbon Monoxide is a silent killer. As you call professionals for appliance tune-up, also ask them to check your chimneys for proper exhaustion.

Lower your thermostat

What??? Lower Thermostat? Did we said that mistakenly? No!

Many homeowners set their thermostats high as the Winters begin. This is an inappropriate practice since it puts a burden on the Heating System suddenly as it begins to get in used after a long break. And this sudden burden may result in serious consequences so the right way is; Lower your thermostats as the Winter begins and raise the temperature slowly as the temperature rises. .   

Close vents in unused rooms

If you've a large home you must be having rooms that are not frequently used. In some homes, the ductwork includes vents in areas that are hardly used for example basement, attic or crawl spaces. In order to keep your Heating System work with full efficiency without excessive heat loss, close vents in unused rooms.

Incorporating the above-mentioned practices will help you bracing your Heating System perfectly for harshest of Winter and will consequently help you save on energy bills while also providing sizzling indoor experience.  

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Boiler vs Furnace - The Pros and Cons

When it comes to heating systems for homes and other buildings, you are offered two choices – boilers and furnace. Making the right choice is important as it affects many significant aspects including the parts and labour costs, power efficiency and maintenance. The discussion below will help you make the best choice by providing for you the necessary information about boilers and furnace.

The Major Difference

How is a boiler different from a furnace? The answer to this question explains why one of these will be a better option for your house. Both heating systems offer their own pros and cons. However, understanding the primary difference between boilers and furnace will help you make a more well-informed decision leading to the best results.

The major difference lies in how both the systems function. As the name implies, a boiler distributes heat through the circulation of hot water. On the other hand, a furnace makes use of hot air which is distributed throughout a building by means of ducts to maintain a warm temperature indoors. The circulation of this air is maintained with the help of a blower motor. A boiler heating system consists of more parts as compared to a furnace. Its major parts include water boilers, radiators and a network of pipes.

Choosing a Boiler

Discussed here are the positive aspects of choosing a boiler over a furnace.

• It will be wise to go for a water boiler if you cannot stand a drafty environment which might get suffocating. Such an environment is created through the circulation of warm air by a furnace. It can, therefore, get uncomfortable. On the other hand, no such issue is created if we use a boiler for heating purposes.
• Water boilers make use of cast iron radiators or flooring systems for the circulation of heat. The mechanism for this heat circulation is radiation or convection. It ensures steady circulation throughout a building. As a result, the indoors temperature remains quite consistent if you use a boiler.
• In case of a furnace, the circulating air through ducts often distributes dust, allergens and disease-causing microorganisms. Maintaining warmth in your house by means of a furnace may cost you your health.

Choosing a Furnace

A furnace may lead to a few negative results, but you might still want to choose one over a boiler due to the following reasons.

• Hydronic heating systems are more expensive than a furnace. The cost of all the parts as well installation charges might cross your budget.
• A furnace heating system makes use of the same duct system used for air conditioning during the summer season. Therefore, you save time as well as installation cost.
• Although boilers do not require frequent maintenance, cleaning a radiator takes a great deal of time as well as effort.

Conclusion

These were the pros and cons of both the heating systems. Choosing the best one depends on personal requirements as well as the budget. Make a wise choice which leads to the most effective heating and the least maintenance.

Furnaces - High Efficiency Furnace

High Efficiency Furnace

Forced Air Central Heating and Cooling system is one of innovative and very commonly installed HVAC system in Greater Toronto Areas, the secrete behind the success of this type of  home comfort system is it can provide both heating and cooling system in the entire home atmosphere. The new High Efficiency Furnaces also add an extra plus to forced air heating system with its enormous advantages. If you have an old furnace and you are looking for a furnace that can actually keep you home warm and cozy with maximum savings of energy which saves your precious money with lowering the heating bill, than our answer is to you is to choose from the innovative high efficiency furnaces available in the heating and cooling Toronto HVAC market. A best high efficiency furnace can offer you Up 98.99% of efficiency with the latest functionality of home heating comfort system. There are many furnace brands and it a difficult task to choose the best furnace for the home heating needs. Here you need a qualified heating and cooling contractor who can offer you multiple furnace options according to your home heating requirements and budget. The popular furnace brand that are commonly installed in the Toronto and Mississauga homes are Lennox high Efficiency Furnaces Amana High Efficiency Furnace and Rheem High Efficiency Furnaces. 

 

  

Tips to Buy High Efficiency Furnace 
 
With following furnace buying tips homeowners can save their precious money and enjoy ultimate home heating comfort;
•    Set your home heating budget to the comfort level of home and pocket and if you don’t have sufficient money to invest think of other option like easy financing
•    Choose the best home heating and cooling contracting company for ultimate furnace installation that last for long
•    Consider the best reputed furnace brand  such as Lennox, Amana and Rheem
•    Make sure the furnace size is according to the heating requirement of your home
Hope above mention furnace buying tips will help you to choose the appropriate furnace.  Once a new furnace is installed the job is not over to keep it running reliably at its peak efficiency you need to have it properly maintained on regular basis.  A conventional furnace maintenance should include checking of all mechanical and electrical component of the furnace with cleaning of parts and tightened the lose connections as well. Furnace filter replacement if needed and parts replacement as per requirements.  The best thing that a homeowner can do signup for furnace maintenance plan this will help you to keep the furnace running at its peak efficiency with safety.