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Whether you already own one or are considering a new installation, having a gas fireplace in your home, especially during this chilly time of the year, has its perks.

You may be wondering why, or whether you should settle for an electric or classic wood-burning fireplace instead (provided you have a large enough home to support the usage of one). Let us explain the varying pros and cons of owning a gas fireplace to you so you can make an informed decision.

Pros

• Cheaper than electric fireplaces. Not only are electric ones purely made for decoration, but also you’re paying extra for only a simulation of a fire, i.e. there’s no heat to the flame. Today’s gas fireplaces
• Fewer safety risks. Gas fireplaces (specifically direct-vent units) draw in the air from outside to keep the fire going, and they exhaust all the water vapour and combustion gases by burning the gas.
• Easier to hire a professional for. We offer gas fitting for these types of fireplaces, as well as any outdoor barbecues and utilities that use natural gas.
• Convenient to use. All that’s needed to turn on and off a gas fireplace is a switch. Yes, that’s it!
• Cleaner air. Gas fireplaces don’t require wood for fuel, meaning less smoke is created and our air is kept clean and fresh.

Cons

• Sealed glass. While this part is a necessary component to a safe fireplace, it is inconvenient for people who truly enjoy the feel of heat on their skin.
• Smaller flame. Again, if you really love sitting in front of the fire to keep warm, a gas fireplace’s flame is smaller than that of a wood burning one or even an electric one, depending on its size.
• Less picturesque. This con is based mostly on personal preference, but it is a big one for some, so that’s why we’re including it. The advantage of a wood-burning fireplace is that it really gives off the sounds, smells, and heat we’ve all come to expect from fire, which can make us feel cozy and warm. A gas fireplace’s flames tend to be blue (the hottest type of flame), but it doesn’t leave you with that homey or even nostalgic experience quite the same way a wood fire does.
• The logs’ position can’t be changed. Some people prefer the ability to change the position of the ceramic logs in a fireplace, but this is a bad idea especially if your gas fireplace is a direct vent one. If the logs’ position and look is changed, incomplete combustion can and will occur.
• Professional maintenance is required. While not entirely a downside, a gas fireplace does need professional maintenance more so than a wood-burning one. Wood-burning fireplaces are easier to clean, while gas ones require annual service in order to ensure top performance.

Now that you’ve thought the ups and downs over, do you need professional gas fitting service for a new fireplace? Let us know. At Rep-Air Heating And Cooling we provide our customers with many options that will best suit your needs from heating and cooling to refrigeration. Contact us today for your complimentary quote: 1-778-728-1476 or contact@repairheatingandcooling.com and don’t forget to take a look at our website: https://repairheatingandcooling.com. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for free giveaways!

There’s nothing quite like staying warm and comfortable in the middle of a cold winter’s day. That’s why having a fireplace in your home can help. Add a cup of hot chocolate and you’ve got a cozy evening.

That being said, if you don’t check up on your fireplace often enough—especially if it’s a gas fireplace, which we’ll focus on in this article—you could be looking at some trouble down the road. Here are the biggest signs your home’s fireplace needs maintenance as soon as possible (and in some cases, the sooner the better!).

1: Pilot light issues

Just as if you would use a gas furnace, there’s a pilot light built into your gas fireplace as well. Your gas fireplace’s manufacturer should have instructions for you about how to troubleshoot the pilot light if something goes wrong, but if your pilot light refuses to stay lit, even after following the instructions, that’s one sign of something gone very wrong.

Usually the cause is due to a broken or worn out thermopile, which is a component that does need to be replaced occasionally. Another more serious cause is faulty wiring, which you should not attempt to fix by yourself. If your pilot light won’t stay lit and you’ve already followed the manufacturing instructions to no avail, calling a professional for help is the only best solution.

2: A rotten egg smell

Anything that smells like rotten eggs means danger! If you hear a hissing sound or see anything else out of the ordinary, it means there’s a gas leak. The only reason you can smell anything is because of mercaptan, a harmless chemical added to natural gas which gives it its rotten egg or hydrogen sulfide smell.

If you see, hear, or smell any signs of a gas leak, stop what you’re doing immediately and evacuate your home. Don’t attempt to fix it yourself, or call about the leak on your cell while you’re in the house, or smoke, or light matches or even operate any light switches. Go outside ASAP, and call 911 or you can call Fortis BC’s 24-hour emergency line at 1-800-663-9911.

3: Too much soot

Unlike wood-burning fireplaces, soot buildup is not a sign of a healthy gas fireplace. In fact, it means something is very wrong, especially if there’s soot on the glass doors. It’s either because of the logs, the interior of the fireplace, or the outside venting (or maybe all of the above) contain buildup. However you look at it, if soot is what you’re seeing right now, then your fireplace needs professional attention immediately.

4: It switches on and off

This is one of the most frustrating common signs of a gas fireplace malfunctioning, and it is also the most difficult to solve without a professional technician’s help. Multiple causes can be the culprit as to this scenario:

• The millivolt generator, usually placed in the path of the pilot light and the size of a AA battery, is old and worn out
• Dirt and carbon have built up in the vicinity of the pilot light
• Too much of a breeze is coming down the chimney, and the doors are open
• There’s a jamming issue with the burner
• A bad thermocouple or thermopile—the thermocouple being the sensor that senses heat and allows the pilot light to stay lit, while the thermopile allows gas to pass through the burner system and heat and light

Whatever the cause, this is another one where you shouldn’t DIY the fix yourself. Call in a professional.

5: Wear and tear

Just like your furnace and A/C, your gas fireplace is considered to be a mechanical unit and therefore it needs regular maintenance just like every HVAC system out there. Components can and will wear out, especially when you operate the fireplace between periods of no use at all to very high use in the span of a year.

Valve and gas connections are where the most dangerous leaks can occur. The thermocouple and thermopile should both be regularly cleaned, as should the ceramic logs that usually come with a gas fireplace. The logs should be placed properly in order to allow the fireplace to work at its best too. Never neglect to look after your gas fireplace, because that’s where some of the most frightening accidents and tragedies can occur, including explosions and fires if a component malfunctions or leaks, meaning house fires and serious injuries can happen.

In any event that these problems may arise, the safest thing you can do is to turn off the gas fireplace and call a professional for assistance. The last thing we want to find out is that you’ve put yourself and your home and family at great risk!

Do you need fireplace maintenance done? Does your gas fireplace need a tune-up or specific maintenance performed? Let us know—HVAC is not our only qualified service! We offer gas fitting and fireplace services too. At Rep-Air Heating And Cooling we provide our customers with many options that will best suit your needs from heating and cooling to refrigeration. Contact us today for your complimentary quote: 1-778-728-1476 or contact@repairheatingandcooling.com and don’t forget to take a look at our website: https://repairheatingandcooling.com. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for free giveaways!

A commercial refrigerator or refrigerators is the backbone of every restaurant, grocery store, and corner store. So much of their inventories are either chilled or frozen and must stay at a cold temperature, so business owners need to depend on their fridges to keep their products preserved and their customers safe.

If a commercial fridge shows any of the following signs of malfunctioning or age, now may be a good time to consider upgrading the fridge to a more modern one. These are five of the most telling signs that your fridge may need an outright replacement rather than a regular repair job in order to function at its best.

Sign 1: It looks like snow…on the inside

Frost buildup inside of a fridge definitely means something is wrong, especially with your fridge’s ability to cool down a fridge. In this case, it’s cooling way down, more so than it really should. Frost can usually build up when a door is not properly closed or the seal is torn, forcing the compressor to work harder than usual to cool down the inside of the fridge. A more likely cause, however, is the defrost function not working properly.

However you look at it, it should not look like it’s about to snow inside of the fridge, and the cause is too complex for a simple DIY fix. Calling in a professional as soon as frost is discovered (if it’s discovered) is highly recommended.

Sign 2: It’s warm…too warm

One of the most common signs a commercial fridge is going to have to be replaced is when it has difficulty with maintaining a consistent cold internal temperature. A healthy refrigerator should be able to keep its contents chilled between 2 and 3 degrees Celsius (36 and 38 degrees Fahrenheit). Any temperature fluctuation will indicate that there’s a problem for your technician to look at, especially if that unit is struggling to keep its temperature below 2 degrees.

A too-warm environment is usually caused by a flaw in the seal, such as damaged panel joints, a faulty door gasket, or a worn out hinge or two. This can cause cold air to escape from the fridge and thus demand the compressor to work harder than usual to keep internal temperature going, which in turns drives up your energy bills. Heat can also mean that dust has built up on top of the condensers, which while fixable may also be a cause of concern if maintenance hasn’t been performed regularly enough.

Sign 3: What’s that smell?

The first thing we know that nobody wants to discover while they’re shopping is food that smells really, really off. You should never smell food that’s spoiled when you’re taking it out of the fridge, especially when it’s not even close to the expiration date stamped on it. Spoiled food is yet another sign of a fridge on the brink of breakdown. It means something is most definitely wrong with the fridge’s cooling process.

What’s the second thing, you’re wondering? Higher than usual energy bills in your mailbox or inbox (depending on how you receive your bills these days). Again, it could be your fridge’s fault, especially if it can’t keep up with maintaining a cool temperature, because when it does so it’s also draining energy.

Sign 4: There’s a leak…and another one…and another one!

Any leak from the fridge is a cause for concern! If you or, even worse, your customers discover a pool of water surrounding or leaking out onto the floor in front of the fridge, there are a couple reasons why. The most fixable reasons are that the evaporation pan is full, the drainage hose is clogged, or the gasket needs to be replaced.

A leak could also be coming from an old or damaged seal on the door, or it means your walk-in cooler was poorly installed in the first place, both of which are more serious situations. Either way, leaving any water puddles untreated is not something we recommend at all, because it will lead to mildew and mold buildup—something your health inspector is going to be very unhappy about.

Leaks may also not be leaks at all, but rather a sweaty fridge. Condensation, while not as alarming, is still another red flag that you cannot afford to ignore. Moisture can accumulate on the outside if the door is not shut properly or if the sealing or gaskets have been damaged. If condensation is appearing on the inside, it means something is wrong with the temperature setting, which if left alone can lead to sign 3 that we just described: spoiled food.

Sign 5: It’s repaired often, making it less efficient

There’s a reason we as technicians do insist that you replace a unit outright over constant repairs, especially if the commercial fridge in question is older than ten or fifteen years plus it hasn’t been properly maintained or cleaned since.

Some fridges that are older than 15 years of use may last up to 20 if they’re really well taken care of. However, if you’ve decided to add repair job after repair job over and over since you first installed the fridge, that’s a more concerning issue because, as we already stated, if it’s been repaired constantly then its efficiency becomes less than it was originally. Put a stop to frequent repair jobs if your fridge keeps breaking down and get a new one instead; it may cost you more money at first, but the savings will benefit your business for years to come.

Need a new commercial fridge installed or repaired? Give us a call! At Rep-Air Heating And Cooling we provide our customers with many options that will best suit your needs from heating and cooling to refrigeration. Contact us today for your complimentary quote: 1-778-728-1476 or contact@repairheatingandcooling.com and don’t forget to take a look at our website: https://repairheatingandcooling.com. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for free giveaways!

It’s great to feel comfortable in your home throughout all four seasons of the year. That’s why we know you rely on your HVAC systems so much. The highest quality system can last between ten to twenty years, but just like everything in life, there comes a time when it gets old, wears out, and starts to fail.

At this point, you may be browsing online and shopping for a new system, but the truth of the matter is getting a new system is not as straightforward as you think. With that in mind, here are five things you really need to consider before you go and replace your current HVAC system (and also way before you start shopping for one!).

1. The Type of Heating or Cooling System

We’ve mentioned this before, but there is more than one type of heating and cooling system to consider before you go and replace your current one. For example, are you looking to replace your portable one? If so, have you looked at the possibility of adding centralized heating and cooling instead? Depending on where you live, what kind of home you live in, your financial situation, and your personal level of comfortable temperature, the type of system you’re looking to replace should be considered first and foremost.

If you’re renting as opposed to owning your property, then a centralized system is something you don’t need to worry about (you may want to bring it up with your landlord, though, if the temperature doesn’t seem right or normal). If you own your property, then you may want to invest in central A/C and heating so that the temperature is comfortable and in your control at all times.

2. Size

Not only does the size of your home need to be considered, but also the size of the system you need for maximum comfort in temperature matters. You need to figure out the dimensions of your home as well as the frequency of use applied to your systems. Otherwise, you may end up buying a system that’s either too big and frequently shuts on and off, or too small and ends up overused and requiring more repairs sooner than you intended.

Don’t feel too badly if it takes a while to find the right size system either. It’s really for the best that you don’t settle on the first big or small system you see. If you need any assistance getting dimensions and other measurements sorted out, you can always ask your technician to take a look; sizing things up is part of their job.

3. Quality

It can be easy to settle on the cheapest system for your home, but hold that thought! Just because it’s cheap does not mean it’s of good quality (a rule of thumb that applies to everything in life!). Sure, the higher quality systems can be expensive, but in actuality you’ll be saving money down the road.

Be sure to check the branding of the system also, as their reputations can also impact the quality of the system. Be sure the brand offering the system has a good reputation and really do your homework for the sake of reliability assurance. Asking your HVAC technician about the different brands can help too!

4. Features

Almost all of the latest models of HVAC come with brand new features your old system probably doesn’t have. Programmable thermostats are one; timers are another. Some other really cool features that can be found in most new systems in the market are comfort zoning, automation, and even smartphone connection.

You also need to consider whether the filter in the latest system can be removed for cleaning or not (if so, great—that will make maintenance on your part much easier). Really look at each system’s components and not just the price tag. If it looks like cleaning and maintenance will be too much of a hassle for you, then it’s probably not worth buying.

5. Ductwork

Like your system, the ducts in your home probably need to be replaced, or at the very least inspected by your HVAC technician. This should especially be done if it’s been years since you first installed the ductwork; like your HVAC, these ducts can experience wear and tear due to the continuous exposure to heat and humidity.

It can also, to some homeowners’ surprise, be the very reason why their HVAC system isn’t working at its fullest capacity. Any ductwork including insulation that’s been poorly applied or is wearing thin or has holes and gaps can create considerable heat loss. Therefore, it’s a good idea to ask your technician to check on the ductwork and ensure it’s in good health before you buy a whole new system.

Need help getting your new system installed? Want to check on the old system before replacing it? Or do you need advice from a technician in general? Whatever your HVAC needs, we’re here to help! At Rep-Air Heating And Cooling we provide our customers with many options that will best suit your needs from heating and cooling to refrigeration. Contact us today for your complimentary quote: 1-778-728-1476 or contact@repairheatingandcooling.com and don’t forget to take a look at our website: https://repairheatingandcooling.com. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for free giveaways!

A new year comes with new resolve as well as new upgrades and improvements to your quality of life. Why not apply this same way of thinking to your home’s HVAC?

Why You Should Consider a New Installation

If the end of your current system’s warranty is approaching, odds are high its lifespan is nearing an end itself as well. Upgrades need to happen to older systems; that is a fact of life. You can extend the warranty and lifespan by properly maintaining and cleaning it, but some of the signs of wearing down are on account of old age and frequent usage rather than misuse, and even the best systems on the market eventually wear down and require specific parts to fix it.

In some cases, an important part needing replacement is no longer manufactured by the company who made the HVAC system. In that case, the whole system will need replacement because the alternative—i.e. trying to find a part, waiting for delivery, and then replacing it—takes too long and meanwhile, you’ve got a broken system you need to live with.

No one likes having to pay over and over for repairs to their HVAC when installation, while expensive, can and will save you money in the long run. That’s why new systems can help. If that’s what your home needs, here are some tips on how to get your home ready for your new HVAC installation.

Tip 1: Location, location, location!

Obviously you cannot just stick a new HVAC system anywhere you deem fit. Usually the system will be placed by your technician where your current one sits—the basement or attic, if it’s air conditioning or a furnace, or a hot water heater, so that it’s connected to the plumbing, air ducts, and/or ventilation. In most cases, outdoors is usually the best option for your new A/C and heat pumps (if that’s what you want to install). That way the condenser will always have a steady supply of fresh air on hand, plus it will better help to vent out the excess heat in the summer. Outdoors is also ideal if your home is on the small side and there’s no room for the system.

Where outdoors, you ask? Ideally next to your house, but we’ve seen some pretty important units be surrounded by things they don’t need to be! Patio furniture and storage items such as seasonal chairs should never, ever lean up against your heat pump. There should be no vegetation and debris hanging out near your units, as well. The area surrounding your units should be easy to clean and access for maintenance purposes.

Lastly, wherever your new system is going to be installed, it should be in a place that’s easy for you to perform proper maintenance tasks. Removing the filter for cleaning is one of them, and you should be able to access that component at any given time. If not it’s only going to make things more difficult for you going forward!

Tip 2: Sizes

You want to be sure that the new HVAC system you’re planning to install is adequate enough for the size of your home. That means you need to determine both the size of the system you want to place as well as what kind it is. For example, do you want to install a central air conditioning system in place of your portable one? Are you updating your furnace from a gas one to an electric one? These are the sorts of questions you should ask yourself before determining the size you want (it doesn’t hurt to ask us technicians if you need help, either!).

Tip 3: Space

Everyone needs a little space every so often, but HVAC units need space surrounding them at all times. That way they can circulate the air nearest them properly and their heating and cooling functions are completed efficiently. Heat pumps should be surrounded by about _ centimetres worth of space. Give your furnace, AC, and hot water heaters some space too by not placing extra clutter right next to them or removing items leaning up against them. So, if you need to, it’s about time you stopped procrastinating and start cleaning out the basement or attic of stored items you never use. The more items surrounding your HVAC units, the more likely hazards can emerge such as fire. Be sure to dust thoroughly!

Tip 4: Insulation

Proper insulation for an HVAC unit can help store heat and cool air from escaping into an area where it’s not needed. Without it, condensation is more likely to occur and the end result is less pleasant—mildew buildup, for one, and household mold for another. Both of these can badly affect the air quality in your home, so make sure any new system installation comes with new insulation as well if at all necessary.

Tip 5: Hire Professional Help

Hiring professional HVAC technicians rather than DIY’ing your future HVAC installation can help you avoid the risk of inadvertently making your system run inefficiently. The best kinds of technicians know how to properly install a system that follows the local codes of conduct regarding HVAC systems within your municipality. If you’re already reading this, you’ve come to a good place already!

Need a new HVAC system installed? Do you want yours done right? At Rep-Air Heating And Cooling we provide our customers with many options that will best suit your needs from heating and cooling to refrigeration. Contact us today for your complimentary quote: 1-778-728-1476 or contact@repairheatingandcooling.com and don’t forget to take a look at our website: https://repairheatingandcooling.com. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for free giveaways!

Yes, we all know that winter has settled in at last, and that means the furnace is running. After all, some of us get much colder than others, and even a few customers we’ve met hate winter and want to stay warm all season long.

Did you know, though, that there exist ways on how not to use a furnace? It’s true, and we’re going to look at those different ways today. Hopefully by reading these you can become a smarter and better heat user this winter.

Heating up all the rooms—even the unused ones

Many homeowners assume that it’s great to step into each and every room in the house and be at a comfortable temperature—even in the rooms they don’t use as often as others. However, a room with all of the heat on but no one to enjoy it is a waste of valuable heat and resources. It takes a lot of time and energy to build up heat and then distribute that heat throughout the house—this is basically what happens when the furnace is switched on.

If you’re not feeling the heat, but insist on heating up every room anyway, then stop what you’re doing and make adjustments. That’s not just heat you’re insisting on wasting, either—you’re wasting money too.

Blocking off ventilation

Depending on how you look at them, you may find the appearance of the floor vents in your home to be awfully ugly, but whatever you do don’t cover them up! Blocking off ventilation will hinder the air flow and prevent your furnace from doing its job. The airflow from the furnace as it generates heat must never ever be blocked off. If it is, the obstruction may overheat and this will indicate to your furnace that it’s time to shut down, leaving you with a chilly room.

Furniture is not the only obstruction to worry about either. Carpets, rugs, and even a closed door in the closet where a vent is located can all cause a blockage. Other materials that some people include in the room where the furnace is installed include kitty litter, wet clothing, and combustible materials such as gas and paint. This may sound like common sense to mention you should never store these in the same room, but you’d be amazed at how some people don’t seem to have it.

Before you turn on the heat, really look around your house first. If you see any potential blockages, remove them. Make sure the furnace room is also free of the aforementioned materials; that way there’s less risk of dangerous situations happening when you’re not there!

Adjusting temperature not just once, but constantly—even when you’re not around

We know some people can’t tolerate the cold more than others, which is why you may think it’s a great idea to readjust the thermostat whenever you see fit. Don’t touch that dial! Leave the thermostat where it is, because turning it up will force the furnace to work harder than it should or force it to switch off when the thermostat thinks it’s perfect. Messing around with a thermostat will only lead to trouble.

Ideally a house’s temperature in the winter should be at least 17 degrees Celsius when you’re home and lower by a few degrees if and when you leave the house or are asleep. This is not the magical temperature—there really is none this time of the year—but it is the most ideal to ensure your furnace works properly and at its best. Fooling around beyond these temperatures will force your HVAC systems to work harder than they should and cost you some money in the process.

Not cleaning your furnace at all

If your furnace goes uncleaned, this is what happens:

• Lots and lots of dirt, dust, and debris buildup not just inside but outside your furnace as well
• Many components, some of them more delicate than others, constantly breaking down or failing to work properly
• Poor air quality
• Lots of noise
• Burning smells
• A giant energy bill in your mailbox

None of these are things we wish on our customers. That’s why it’s always a good rule of thumb to clean and maintain your furnace regularly, in addition to your A/C and other HVAC units such as the water heater.

Holding off from an inspection or upgrade

The sooner you get a closer look at some telltale signs your furnace is breaking down, the better. You can read up on the signs on our blog or discuss any you’re concerned about with us and we can let you know if it’s fixable on your end or something that’s more serious. What not to do is to hold off from an inspection at all (or an upgrade, if you know your furnace is over 10 years old)! Remember, those high-costing energy bills usually happen because of inefficient heating and cooling systems. Don’t delay if you see your energy bill spike and the heat’s not even on!

Do you need a new furnace or want to find out what heating options you have? At Rep-Air Heating And Cooling we provide our customers with many options that will best suit your needs from heating and cooling to refrigeration. Contact us today for your complimentary quote: 1-778-728-1476 or contact@repairheatingandcooling.com and don’t forget to take a look at our website: https://repairheatingandcooling.com. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for free giveaways!

At last, a new year is around the corner! We’re sure you’re very busy getting ready to party and reflecting on this past year and what’s to come. One thing we know a lot of people make this time of the year is New Year’s resolutions.

Some people resolve to be several things; maybe they want to be healthier, or maybe they want to travel more, or maybe they want to reach out more often to the ones they love. These are all good ideas, however there are certain resolutions one can make that can transform into long-term goals. With this in mind, why not make some of your resolutions this year HVAC-related? Here are a few suggestions from our technicians at Rep-Air.

Resolution 1: Learn more about HVAC

If you’re reading this, you’ve already made a great step forward! Our blog contains lots of informative articles regarding HVAC and how best to maintain your equipment (as well as how not to, to help you become more aware and informed).

If you’re more of a visual person, you can check out our social media to learn more and get a good idea of what we talk about in our blog. There, we’ve posted some good pictures of how not to store your units, new units worth buying if you’re interested, and the occasional free giveaway on some of the best equipment the market has to offer. Best of all, it’s easy to find out more—simply follow us and there you go!

Resolution 2: Become a smarter shopper

Knowing which models can best lower your energy bill without giving up quality heating or cooling can better your life.

While Energy Star will usually provide shopping guidelines on the latest models in the market, we at Rep-Air can actually better provide you with a human side to approaching how best to shop for a new HVAC model. It’s a great idea to talk to us and also stay up to date on the latest types of systems and technology being used. That way, you’ll know how to better regulate the temperature and keep everyone comfortable in your home.

Resolution 3: Get dirty (not that way!! We mean cleaning and maintenance)

Sometimes you just have to grit your teeth and get the job done when it comes to cleaning your furnace, hot water heater, or A/C. It can be a time-consuming task if you don’t perform regular maintenance, but far less so if you put in the effort to follow our guidelines on our blog on cleaning and maintenance. You should also know, though, when not to get dirty when cleaning by learning more about fixes you know you can do yourself versus problems that really should be handled by a professional.

Resolution 4: Save money

This one is a little trickier to do than the others, but the benefits received are too good to not mention. It can actually cost you less money to replace a system outright than it would to replace a component of it; that really is how things go in the world of HVAC. So, make it a point in the New Year to save money for new HVAC equipment if your current systems are looking pretty worn down or you’re not sure they’ll last into next winter or summer.

We have some tips on how exactly to save money that you can check out, or consider looking into applying for SNAP which allows you to both save money and pay for your heating and cooling needs fast, all without having to go through your bank or wait for a long period of time like most other financing programs.

Resolution 5: Get to know your contractors better

This is a simple one—you may just not think about it until you really need help! Getting to know your contractor better can give you some great insight from the experts, especially if you want to learn more preventive measures for your HVAC systems or how they work. It’s also pretty nice getting to know our customers when we’re not so crazy busy on the job. We’re always around if you just want to talk!

From all of us to you we wish you a very Happy New Year! Get in touch with us for all of your HVAC needs! At Rep-Air Heating And Cooling we provide our customers with many options that will best suit your needs from heating and cooling to refrigeration. Contact us today for your complimentary quote: 1-778-728-1476 or contact@repairheatingandcooling.com and don’t forget to take a look at our website: https://repairheatingandcooling.com. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for free giveaways!

Here’s a scenario that’s certain to send chills up your spine: you wake up, first thing in the morning, and slowly but surely get out of bed to make coffee knowing that there’s heat. You slide your feet onto the floor and—eek! The floor is so cold! You realize you switched on the furnace before you went to bed, but then wonder why there’s no heat. Something’s wrong, and it looks like it could snow today. But there’s no heat.

No heat is one of the top telltale signs that a furnace is in dire straits and in need of a replacement. We’ll go further into why there can be no heat, however what we really wanted to illustrate from the scene above is that even if you ignore them, there are signs and they are not ones to be ignored. Without further ado, let’s go into these big signs you really should get a new furnace.

Sign 1: No Heat

There is more than one reason why the above scene can send shivers down your spine. No heat in the furnace can mean that your air filter is too dirty and needs to be either cleaned or replaced. What happens is if a filter gets too clogged up, the heat exchanger will overheat as a result and then shut off too fast, leading to a cold house. So, check the blower on your furnace, and if there’s no heat coming out, then replace or clean the filter. You can perform this task yourself, and we go into detail on how to do that here.

Other issues that can cause a lack of heat are more serious. Heat burners may have burnt out, or perhaps something has clogged the vents, or there’s a problem with the circuit breakers or fuses, or, even more serious, the thermostat may be malfunctioning. All of these are less of a DIY job, so your best bet is to call in your technician to come and check it out.

A lack of heat’s cause will also depend on the type of furnace you own. If it’s an electrical one, the issue could be coming from the duct system attached to it or an electrical problem in the components. If you own a gas furnace, the issue could lie with the fuel (or a lack thereof), or the pilot light, or the flame sensor. Again, these may require a more professional fix than a DIY one.

Sign 2: The Furnace is Making Noise

Just like the A/C, the last thing you want to hear your furnace making is a noise that sounds out of the ordinary. We’re talking mainly about grinding, thudding, crackling, or hissing to name just a few examples. Any one of these could mean something is seriously wrong and that there’s a component that needs to be fixed ASAP.

Sign 3: No Airflow

A lack of airflow, again, may have to do with a dirty filter. Other causes can include the circuit breaker being tripped, which if so can be reset, or the thermostat is set at too low of a temperature which you should adjust. If you’ve reset the circuit breaker and readjusted the thermostat already, but there’s still no airflow, the issue could lie with the furnace blower. To test the blower, simply turn the thermostat to “fan only”, wait a few minutes, and see if the fan starts. If you see it starting but the heat is still not on, the issue could be your furnace’s blower motor. If the fan doesn’t start, there’s either a wiring issue (the circuit breaker has tripped) or a motor problem (if the circuit breaker does not trip). After this point, you should leave any electrical fixes or motor problems to the professionals; they have the knowledge and tools needed to understand and fix these common problems.

Sign 4: What’s That Smell?

Anything that smells like burning is a red flag something’s wrong! If it’s not from burning toast in the kitchen, it could be from the furnace vents which are usually where something goes amiss. If your home is particularly dirty, it’s usually dirt and dust buildup causing the smell, but we’ve found some other gross causes in our time as technicians (we’ll spare you the details…).

Again, regular cleaning and maintenance, as well as inspecting the vents, can help prevent some burning smells from developing in the first place. However, some of the sources of the smell can be tricky to access (for example, if there’s something stuck inside the vents themselves), so if in doubt, it doesn’t hurt to tell your technician and let them handle the job. Like we said, they know what they’re doing.

Sign 5: It’s Costing You

An efficient furnace can actually cost you less money than an older system. Nowadays 60% of any building’s energy costs are directly related to heating; that percentage can rise to 78-97% if the furnace is energy efficient. If your heating bill is higher than per usual, and some other signs we’ve listed here are present, it’s a sign you should probably upgrade your furnace or install a brand new one for best results.

Is it time to get a new furnace? Let us know! At Rep-Air Heating And Cooling we provide our customers with many options that will best suit your needs from heating and cooling to refrigeration. Contact us today for your complimentary quote: 1-778-728-1476 or contact@repairheatingandcooling.com and don’t forget to take a look at our website: https://repairheatingandcooling.com. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for free giveaways!

There’s nothing quite like enjoying a cozy evening when the snow is falling outside and the heat is on…that is, until you get your energy bill the next morning and see how much you’ve spent on said heat! Furnaces are indeed very useful as the months grow cold, but they can also be a drain on your wallet if you’re not too careful.

If you’d rather save a few dollars this winter but don’t want to give up on staying warm, there’s good news: you don’t have to. Here are some suggestions we have on how you can keep your heating expenses on the low side this winter.

Hello Mr. Sunshine!

The sun may be your worst enemy in the summer, but it can be your best friend in the winter. Open all windows and blinds first thing in the morning to allow some natural light and heat to enter your home and save yourself some time from turning on the furnace. Even if it’s snowing outside, some of Mr. Sunshine’s help is still better in terms of expense.

Your Ceiling Fan Can Help

Did you know you can actually use your ceiling fan to help heat up your home as well as cool it off? Yep, it’s true! If you have ceiling fans in your home, you have more control over the air quality than you may realize. Simply switch the ceiling fans (if you have any) so that they move in a clockwise direction on a low setting. This will help the warm air stay contained in the room. When summer rolls back into town, switch the fans to move counter-clockwise again so that they can push the hot air in the room up and out.

Put on a Sweater (and Gloves, and a Scarf, Etc.)

Aunt Sue’s ugly sweaters from Christmas last year had their use after all. Regardless of their appearance, sweaters, gloves, scarves, slippers, blankets, and even some housecoats have their uses indoors, not just out. Bundle up for some easy warmth without having to raise the thermostat too high.

Take Shorter Showers and Baths

Yep, you read that right. As comfortable as a hot shower or bath sounds on a cold winter’s day, it could actually be adding a great deal of pain to your wallet. Your hot water heater uses fuel and time to get water hot, which can cost you in the long-term if you insist on taking longer showers. Also, if the heater is pushed beyond belief with your need of hot water as well, it’ll eventually mean you’ll have more than one HVAC unit to worry about when it gets cold.

If you absolutely must have a shower, make it a short one and then go bundle up like in our last tip as soon as you dry off. Depending on your skin and hair type, you may not even need to shower every day. In fact, according to recent research, showering every two or three days is actually better for your health. So use our tip about bundling up next time instead of hopping into the bath—it’s a way more cost-effective strategy!

Rooms Matter

By this we mean the number of rooms you use on a regular basis in your home. The kitchen, bedroom, and living room are a few examples of the rooms you may frequent the most. These are the rooms where turning on the furnace to heat up your home is acceptable. However, you should only heat these rooms and any others you frequently use the most—don’t bother heating up the entire house if you’re not going to use it!

Adjust Humidity Levels If You Need To

Winter weather can make the air dry out, so some of us have drier skin than others this time of the year. Moist air, in contrast, can both feel warmer and hold in heat much longer. If you want, you can use a humidifier to increase the room’s humidity level to help you feel more comfortable when the thermostat is set to a lower level. If you live in an apartment, having a collection of houseplants can help increase humidity too.

Insulation Can Help

Tons of money in energy costs are lost due to escaping heat and cold drafts inside homes, all because of poor insulation. This year, consider investing in proper insulation methods to reduce the likelihood of escaping heat. Check your local home improvement store and then cover up any areas you suspect heat can leak out from. You can also consider investing in foam weather stripping for your doors and windows—it’s inexpensive, effective, and very easy to apply.

Your Furnace (and How to Use it)

Your furnace should actually be a last resort if you are truly freezing, given how much fuel and time it needs to heat up the house. Do use your furnace if you absolutely must, but you should ensure its filter and vents are properly maintained and cleaned before you switch it on. Check on the filter once a month when the winter weather really settles in and change it if it’s dirty. This will help reduce the amount of energy consumed and save you a few dollars too.

Have a Cup of Tea

Or coffee, or hot chocolate, or mulled apple cider—whatever you prefer. This is both an easy solution and a tasty one too.

Stay warm and cozy this winter! If you’ve discovered something wrong with your furnace or want to get it inspected before the snow starts coming down too hard, give us a call. At Rep-Air Heating And Cooling we provide our customers with many options that will best suit your needs from heating and cooling to refrigeration. Contact us today for your complimentary quote: 1-778-728-1476 or contact@repairheatingandcooling.com and don’t forget to take a look at our website: https://repairheatingandcooling.com. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for free giveaways!

It’s the time of the year when many are dragging their holiday decorations out from the basement or shopping for gifts, or they’re turning on the heat to keep themselves warm. While you’re getting ready for winter and the holidays, why not take this time right now to check on your home’s HVAC?

The last thing any of us at Rep-Air want to discover is that a customer needs help with their furnace while there’s a blizzard outside, or that there’s no hot water in the heater when it’s freezing. So bundle up and check out these winter HVAC tasks that you can do right now to prevent such scenarios from happening to you!

Clean your house’s A/C

Yep, you read that right. Now that winter is almost here, it’s unlikely you want to keep your house cold in the winter (that would be silly!). It’s a good time to clean your air conditioning unit now that the A/C is not in regular use like your furnace likely is right now.

Dust off the fan blades and give the coils a good defrosting. While you’re cleaning you may also be able to spot any future problems that may lie ahead with your unit. If you do find anything, be sure to consult with your HVAC technician during the off season (spring) when they’re not nearly as busy helping out with furnaces in the winter.

Look at your hot water heater’s temperature

It may seem tempting to turn up the heat on your hot water heater when it’s rainy and miserable outside, but watch out! Too hot of a water temperature can lead to scalding your skin! The ideal temperature should be 48 degrees Celsius (120 degrees Fahrenheit) to both avoid scalding your skin and save energy.

When winter rolls around, your hot water may not feel as hot as it should be. Try to adjust your thermostat only by 5 or 10 degrees to see if there is any improvement in the heater’s performance. You can ask your technician to do this for you during an inspection, but if you insist on doing it yourself be absolutely sure you have the heater manual on hand. If you don’t, again, leave it to your technician.

While adjusting your water heater’s thermostat, look at the current temperature and if there seems to be a fluctuation (i.e. it won’t stay where it’s supposed to) let your technician know. A faulty thermostat on any HVAC unit is a warning sign that it needs either fixing or replacement.

Tidy up around the furnace

If you’ve already done this in the fall, then congrats! You probably don’t need to worry about this task right now. However, if you’ve put it off until reading this article, now’s the time to really check on things. In particular, it’s a great idea to pull out the vacuum cleaner and clean out your furnace blower’s compartment. It’s a bit of a chore, but not only will this improve your home’s air quality, it also will contribute to extending your furnace’s lifespan. You can also check out our article on furnace maintenance in detail, which covers tasks that you can do without a technician’s help (though, if there are parts you’re not so sure about, it never hurts to ask!).

Listen for noises

One thing you can do (it’s best to do this while the temperature is still comfortable) is to run your heat normally for an hour. Carry on with the rest of your day in the house, but keep your ears open. Listen in particular for anything that doesn’t sound normal, such as knocking, grinding, or thrumming. If you don’t hear anything, then things are fine. If you do though, it could be a sign of something more serious.

Another bad sign would be if you don’t feel any heat in the house even after an hour has passed! Contact your licensed technician if you do hear noises or have no heat. It’s likely the problem is with the system itself.

Insulate your attic

Insulation in the attic can actually help your HVAC out by keeping warm air from escaping to outside and ensuring it stays inside where it belongs. It can also help prevent your HVAC system from overworking itself while still maintaining the proper temperature.

According to Energy Star, a quick visual way to see if you have enough insulation in the attic is to examine the floor joists. If the insulation is just level or it’s hanging below the joists, then more insulation will be of benefit to you and your home. If your view of the floor joists is obstructed by the sight of the insulation, then it’s already high enough (plus adding more isn’t cost-effective).

Get an inspection (before it’s too late!)

Next to summer, winter is one of the busiest times of the year for licensed technicians to repair or replace older HVAC units with new ones. It’s a good idea to make an appointment for an inspection now rather than later, that way you won’t have to wait for very long to get help. Plus, an inspection can help identify any signs of wear and tear or trouble.

After the inspection, you can enjoy the winter and holiday seasons comfortably. You can go about your life without stressing over whether or not your furnace will break down during a blizzard or when your technician is way too busy to help.

Break out the hot chocolate

This one’s doesn’t involve HVAC, but it’s still a pretty good idea and hey, ’tis the season. Drink up and don’t forget the marshmallows!

If you need assistance with any of these winter HVAC tasks, give us a call. At Rep-Air Heating And Cooling we provide our customers with many options that will best suit your needs from heating and cooling to refrigeration. Contact us today for your complimentary quote: 1-778-728-1476 or contact@repairheatingandcooling.com and don’t forget to take a look at our website: https://repairheatingandcooling.com. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for free giveaways!