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Summer is drawing to a close, meaning a swing in temperature is gradually happening. The days are getting shorter and the air will change from hot to cool and eventually cold. It’s time to shut off your A/C and turn on the furnace.

Hold on, though! Before you flip that switch to turn the furnace on, ask yourself when it was the last time you checked on your furnace. If it’s been almost an entire year, or you can’t remember, it’s time to ensure it’s working properly.

Now that it’s almost the heating season, it’s a good time to get repairs or fixes made to your HVAC systems (autumn is considered an off season, meaning HVAC professionals aren’t nearly as crazy busy if you need them!). In this case, we’re going to focus on the furnace. Here are the steps you need to take in order to maintain and clean your furnace properly.

Before Getting Started

You need to understand that there is a difference between the types of furnaces requiring maintenance. Electric furnaces are often more expensive and expand a great amount of energy so they are less cost efficient. However, they are also fairly dependable and require less maintenance thanks to their Limit controller. This prevents the furnace from overheating and may shut off the system automatically if it needs to be fixed or cleaned, ensuring that no further damage is done to the furnace.

Gas furnaces, in contrast, are well-known for their cost efficiency and cleanliness, and they do require more regular, routine maintenance (typically every 2 years) so that their lifespan can be extended. Most of these furnaces use natural gas, which produces 1,000 British thermal units (BTUs) of heat per cubic foot burned. So in addition to maintaining your furnace, you need to be aware of how to ensure the natural gas is being used properly and not leaking.

Step 1: Check the Outside

The outside of your furnace should be clean and its surrounding areas free of dust, dirt, and debris. Depending on where in the house your furnace is located (usually in the basement), there should be no clutter or flammable objects such as cardboard boxes stored anywhere near or placed up against the furnace. If dust and dirt is around, you will need to vacuum and sweep the immediate outside before moving on to the next maintenance steps.

Checking on its power is also a good first step; you want to make sure it’s actually running properly. Look at the main entrance panel for any tripped circuit breakers or blown fuses. Depending on your furnace, there may be a separate power entrance usually located on a different panel near the main entrance one, or there are fuses mounted in or on the heating unit.

Step 2: Examine the Thermostat

You should always ensure the thermostat is working on your furnace before you go switching it on. Although it may not have nearly as many parts as the furnace, it is still a highly sensitive component and should be taken care of as well.

Sometimes it’s is the reason as to why heat is not being generated at all. A few reasons could include improper installation or, more commonly, dirt buildup which interferes with its calibration. Another problem with the thermostat could be corrosion thanks to loosened switches on the base and wires near the bimetallic element. These are easy fixes that your technician can check up on and clean up if your thermostat is the reason why your furnace isn’t heating properly.

Step 3: The Filter and Fan Belt

Make sure the electricity going to the furnace is switched off at the circuit breaker panel and the furnace switch before handling this task. You should typically clean the filter out every 3 months.

The filter is usually located near or at the blower part of the furnace held in with a clip. Gently remove the filter from its location and give it a proper cleaning with the vacuum cleaner and, if necessary, warm soap and water. Be sure if it needs to be washed that it’s fully dry before replacing the filter. Clean the surrounding area near the filter as well. After all, this component helps maintain the air quality in your home while it’s being heated up.

Perform an examination of the felt belt while also cleaning out the filter. Look at it closely to see if there are any signs of wear and tear or cracks forming. If it looks worn out, get it replaced. This step is only optional however since not every furnace comes with a fan belt built in. If yours doesn’t, you can ignore this step.

Step 4: The Pilot Light

Skip this step unless your furnace is a gas one. Check to make sure the gas supply is switched on and that the pilot light is lit or lights up. If the pilot light goes out, you will need to relight it. Follow the manufacturer’s manual on how to do this exactly. If instructions are not on hand, however, follow these steps:

• Find the pilot light assembly on your furnace. Usually this comes with a gas valve that comes with on, off, and pilot settings.
• Switch off the valve. Wait for three minutes. Then, switch the valve to pilot setting.
• Get a match, light it, and then hold it up to the pilot opening while also pushing the reset button on the control panel. Keep this button pressed until the pilot flame burns evenly and blue. Set the valve to on position once this flame burns steady.
• If the pilot flame doesn’t stay lit after these steps, it means the opening could be clogged. Turn off the gas valve, get a fine wire, and then clean the opening out using this wire. If even that doesn’t work, and you’ve made this attempt several times, it means the thermocouple—i.e. the safety device—is faulty. Do not continue attempting to fix it; instead, call in a professional.

If your furnace is electric, there will be no pilot light. Instead, the system uses an electrical element that heats up and ignites the burners. If these electrical parts stop working properly, do not attempt to fix them yourself; get a professional’s help.

Step 5: The Furnace Motor

Some furnaces come with a motor that requires oiling in order to keep it running properly. You need to make sure this motor is not overloading. To do so, wait for 30 minutes after switching the motor off and then press the reset button. Repeat as many times as needed until it’s running properly.

Oiling is required to ensure the motor works properly. Oiling points are usually located on or near the motor itself. Apply only 1-2 drops of the oil as advised by your technician or the manufacturer’s guide around every heating season (i.e. once a year). Try to avoid over-oiling the motor.

Step 6: Call a Professional for the Mechanical Maintenance

Some components of the furnace, especially the faulty thermocouple or the electrical parts of burners, should not be handled as a DIY project. These are moments when a professional HVAC technician should step in and ensure your furnace runs smoothly and efficiently again. Situations where a professional is especially recommended include the following:

• The furnace is making noise
• No airflow is coming or going through the vents
• Burning smells are coming out of the vents
• Poor air quality (too humid or dry), even after changing the filter
• A new and more efficient furnace model needs to be installed

They can also perform these tasks if you’re not comfortable doing them yourself at all:

• Tighten electrical components
• Clean the flame sensor
• Test the fan amperage
• Test the velocity and temperature rising
• Clean the burners

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!

If you’ve read the title to this post and rolled your eyes thinking “They’re going to say every building needs HVAC,” in a way you’d almostbe right. However, HVAC installation comes with a price; it costs a lot of money to get A/C or a furnace installed and, if you don’t use A/C or the furnace very often or you find ways to stay warm or cool without it, you’re probably better off not having it at all.

That situation we just described is a rare instance. The reality is that many types of buildings not only need HVAC installed, it’s also an absolute necessity to keep things going. We’re going to talk about these types of buildings today.

New real estate

HVAC can actually add a lot to the real estate you’re either looking to buy or trying to sell. However, you have to determine when having it installed is necessary. If the humidity levels are okay and air conditioning seems unnecessary, it won’t add value to the house. If the systems are already in working order, replacing it with a new one isn’t necessary either. The area surrounding the house also matters in terms of air quality and temperature; if both are adequate, then there’s no need for a new system.

However, if the ducting and systems are over 15 years old and you put in the effort to replace them, a new HVAC system can add value to the property you’re trying to sell. This is because it removes the burden of expense on the homebuyers’ parts to replace the system themselves, which is a more desirable thing to want from a new home than the opposite.

Restaurants

If you run a restaurant, you’re going to need HVAC to keep your business running smoothly. Commercial fridges, hot water tanks, A/C, ice machines—all of these systems work together to ensure a comfortable cooking and dining experience.

The dishes you serve food on should be clean and warm, the food you ordered should be properly stored and cooled, and you, your staff, and your customers should all comfortable when the heat gets to be too much or when humidity levels are high. All of this boils down to having properly maintained HVAC equipment around.

Grocery/Convenience Stores

It’s rare these days to find a grocery or convenience store that sells food but not the refrigerated kind. Commercial fridges are not limited to restaurants; they can add value to your grocery business by offering refrigerated and frozen products. After all, much of the food we buy requires heating and cooling systems installed to ensure we’re getting fresh ingredients as well as a brief respite from the hot or cold weather outside.

Elevated Homes or Buildings

In cities such as Abbotsford or Coquitlam where several of the houses are elevated or facing the mountainside, that means the temperature can be extreme on either side depending on the season! Add in the features of wide windows that can suck in direct sunlight in some homes, and you’re looking at a warm space that heats up fast. Central A/C or a portable air conditioner and heat pumps can make the difference from a too-warm-too-fast environment to one that’s more comfortable.

New construction sites

Believe it or not, an HVAC technician is in fact someone you want to have on site for new construction. A professional technician can help install equipment while construction is going on that is energy efficient, high tech, and properly sized to fit the new building’s requirements. Some technicians, such as our team, are also licensed to handle the electrical components during installation or replacement (depending on which is required). This will ensure that when the process is complete, it’s safe to use and ready to go once construction is finished.

Whatever the type of building or however big or small it is, if there’s HVAC equipment needing to be installed or replaced, 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!

You’ve done your part as a responsible homeowner or business owner and ensured regular maintenance and cleaning is done for your building’s HVAC equipment. However, something still seems off. Is there a funny smell coming from the A/C or furnace? Are you hearing things go bump in the night when there shouldn’t be? How’s your hot water situation? Is that a dust bunny in the corner?

Knowing when it’s time to replace your current HVAC equipment is as important as it is to regularly maintain and clean it. However, as great as these systems are, nothing lasts forever and that’s very much true for the case of HVAC. Here’s how to know when it’s really time to retire the systems and get new ones installed.

Age of the Machines

Knowing how old your current systems are can make a difference in energy bills. When was the last time you checked on how old the machines in your house or building are? If the answer is “I don’t remember”, that may be sign number one to consider replacing the equipment.

When maintained properly, an A/C unit can last up to 10-15 years, while a furnace should be able to last from 10-20 years and even beyond 20, in some cases. Unmaintained systems will only last from 8-12 years, however. If the age gap is past these numbers plus maintenance has not been applied, it may be time to retire the system for a new one.

Noises

Any sound that seems out of the ordinary to you is worth a closer look. You should trust yourself and your own judgment when it comes to noises from your HVAC, because in the first place you shouldn’t hear anything, or at least you should hear very little. Noises like knocking, grinding, or whining to name a few are all causes for concern. A noisy system can mean a few things; either the system’s evaporator coil has a problem, or the equipment in question is undersized (it’s too small to do its heating or cooling job).

Humidity

In the case of A/C, if there’s excess humidity arising from the unit itself or against the windows, or anywhere there shouldn’t be water droplets, that’s a sign the unit is wearing down. The air should not be too dry in the winter or too wet and soggy in the summer. If it is in both cases, it’s a sign you need to check for one or more of the following issues: dying equipment, poor installation work (especially if the system is newly installed), and inadequate insulation.

Dust

There should not be enormous amounts of dust flying up into the air when you have properly working HVAC equipment and ventilation. The ducts attached to your systems should not have excess dust clinging to them either. However, a leaking duct can draw out the dust from crawl spaces, attics, and basements and re-distribute it into other areas in the house or building.

Dust isn’t the only thing leaky ducts will pull either; pollutant air particles and debris may be pulled out as well! Usually resealing the ducts does the trick, but if these ducts are connected to your heating and cooling systems and the problem returns after sealing anyway, it’s time for a serious examination and potential replacement.

Repairs Happen all the Time

A system that needs to be constantly repaired after it continues breaking down means it’s definitely time to retire it! By applying repairs over and over instead, you’re basically throwing away what money you could be using to replace the system instead. It in fact costs less money to replace a system altogether than it would to repair it repeatedly (so long as the installation is done correctly in the first place).

Your Energy Bills Have Gone Up…Again

In addition to one or more of these points, your energy bills are really one of the main ways to find out it’s time to replace your heating and cooling systems. It’s one of the first indications something is wrong and also one of the most unpleasant! An efficient and newer system should not be raising the energy bills, but instead lowering them and keeping them at a low cost. If the bills are higher than they should be, and the cost is coming from your system, that’s a sign to replace your equipment.

Before you decide it’s time to fully replace your HVAC system, whether it’s the A/C or the furnace, consult with a professional technician. They can help figure out how old your system is, how well it’s been maintained, and if necessary the types of repairs that are needed. They can find out if it’s really time to retire the system or if it’s still got some years left. You won’t know unless you ask!

Perhaps we can 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!

We all know about certain benefits of installing air conditioning or other HVAC systems in your home or commercial building. Having these systems around can allow you to change the temperature so that your environment is more comfortable, and some systems such as hot water heaters and commercial fridges are not only beneficial, they’re also necessary to keep our businesses running and our lives less complicated.

Did you know there are more benefits than those? It’s true! In fact, A/C and the other HVAC systems we install and repair at our company can offer some health benefits in addition to the temperature related ones. Learn for yourself what those benefits consist of.

Prevention

Getting too hot or too cold can result in some pretty bad illnesses! A fan or A/C is not only useful when there’s a heat wave. In the event you have caught a cold or are exhausted, feeling overheated or not warm enough while in these situations can be disastrous to your own health. Being able to change the temperature—and thus, having access to an HVAC system in the first place—can prevent you from feeling worse and speed up your recuperation time.

Indoor Air Quality

Everyone with an allergy knows how hard it is to live your life comfortably if there’s no way to lessen the allergens from affecting your day. With this in mind, many A/C and HVAC systems are now built with filters to help insects, parasites, pollen, debris, and dust from getting in the air and our lungs. Humidifiers are also available and can be attached to furnaces to improve air quality in the winter.

When it comes to keeping our indoor air clean, HVAC systems and A/C are definitely handy to have around. So long as the system itself is well-maintained and cleaned regularly, it can even improve the air quality that existed before.

Protection Against Dust Buildup

Dust is the #1 enemy that both computer owners and people with allergies must prevent from building up. This is why HVAC systems can be useful to have around. Not only will the ventilation in the systems take care of your computers’ health but also your own peace of mind. Installing HVAC systems such as A/C can protect a computer from overheating as well (not just yourself). For more information on this benefit, check out our previous blog post on the subject.

Comfort Levels

A/C and HVAC systems can keep us from sweating too much or freezing up, minimizing the risk of colds, infections, and temperature-related health risks such as hypothermia and heatstroke. Cool air is also known to improve productivity and physical activity in general, thus improving our own livelihoods.

Be sure the air isn’t too cold though! If it is, not only will that force the system to work harder than it should, but also it can dry out your skin.

Stay healthy and happy, and let us know if you need assistance with your current systems! 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!

Running your own business involves more than calling the shots on major decisions at work. It involves ensuring everyone on board, including yourself, is comfortable in their work environment, one that doesn’t negatively impact productivity or morale.

There’s something many business owners may not be aware of all the time though, at least not until the monthly bill arrives: energy costs. The cost of hydro, electricity, and water to name a few can become quite expensive if you work long hours, or if there’s an abundance of these energies throughout the work week.

Energy efficiency is the name of the game, so in this article, we’re going to help you out. Here are a few ways you can cut back on those high energy costs.

Analyze your current energy usage

You need to ask yourself the following questions before deciding to cut out or add any new energy features:

• Are the lights always on when you’re at work?
• How long are these lights on for?
• Is the heat always on in the winter?
• Is the A/C always on in the summer?
• Does your cooling and heating never feel like it’s enough?
• Are you already doing anything to cut back on using heating and cooling when it’s not necessary?
• What kind of environment are your staff comfortable with working in?
• Are there any alternatives to provide your staff with moving forward?
• Do the lights get turned off at the end of the work day?
• Are there backup security lights installed?
• Do you know how old your current equipment is (if applicable)?

All of the above questions and more are essential ones you need to ask if energy usage is a big expense. Once you’re answered the above questions and more, conduct a thorough analysis on your current utilities and see if you can pick up any patterns in the building’s energy usage. Knowing how and where your energy is being stored and used can help you understand where the biggest costs lie and how best to initiate solutions on saving that energy.

It wouldn’t hurt to speak to your staff either; they may know something about the building and its energy usage you’re not aware of, and it’s good to have alternative solutions to this sort of problem.

If the energy costs are coming from your HVAC equipment, such as A/C or heat pumps, there could be a few reasons for it. The age of the systems you currently have installed may be a factor, or it could be the model itself. Whatever the reason, there are ways you can both keep HVAC equipment if it benefits your business and not be forced to give up a comfortable working environment (if that’s what you still need).

Invest in Smart HVAC equipment

Smart HVAC equipment has an advantage over older models for good reason. One is that the controls are timer-based, so if you need to cut down on energy after the office has closed, you can set a timer and the system will automatically shut down instead of needing to be turned off manually.

Another advantage is that smart HVAC equipment is built specifically with energy efficiency in mind. It can ‘learn’ about how much heat or air conditioning is required for a room and where it’s required. The best thing about these newer systems is the programmable thermostat, which will spare you from having to fiddle with the temperature constantly!

Upgrading current equipment

Sometimes an HVAC system may be so old that it’s not even worth holding onto any longer. Your audit of energy usage should be able to help you identify if this is a task needing to be done. If you know how old your equipment is—and it’s over a decade old—then it’s definitely time to replace the old system with a newer one.

Don’t forget if and after you’ve installed this new equipment to train your staff on how to care for them as well. If necessary you can also ask the technician who installs your equipment to give everyone the advice you will need.

Updates aren’t limited to HVAC equipment either. Upgrading the lighting to LED or CFL, or even retrofitting your current lighting system, can go a long way in cutting back on energy usage without negatively impacting you and your staff.

If money is your concern about this step, that’s okay. Some local government programs and even public utility companies offer tax rebates and breaks for the sake of saving energy. This is worth considering in the event you need to upgrade to more energy efficient systems.

Practice good energy usage

Ensuring that energy is not wasted daily should not be your responsibility alone as the business owner—your staff should also be following your example. It’s a good idea if and when training new employees the routine of switching off appliances and lights each night after business hours.

These are some good practices to consider as well:

• Make it a habit to switch off equipment such as printers, scanners, microwaves, A/C, and lights during the weekends and holidays.
• Try switching your computers to hibernate mode, which allows you to save existing work and then pick up where you left off the next day.
• You can also try using the daylight to your advantage so that you don’t need to leave the lights on so often.
• Only use printers if it’s absolutely necessary. These devices can suck up a ton of energy too!

By following these steps, you may see an immediate positive change in your company’s energy bills as well as promote a healthy work environment.

Need help with getting new HVAC equipment installed at your building? 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!

Hot water is something we all need in our daily lives. It helps clean off harmful bacteria and germs from our clothes, dishes, floors, and bodies (especially when we’re feeling under the weather!). However, the last thing you should discover is something wrong when you step in the shower before going to work…only for the water to turn cold immediately!

This is only one sign that you may need a new hot water heater installed. Here are some more telltale signs the heater either needs fixing or a complete replacement.

Sign 1: You Don’t Know How Old it is

A hot water heater can last from between 8 to 12 years, and when properly maintained it can even outlast that length of time from 10 to 15 years. If you have no idea how old the tank or heater is, however, nor can you remember when it was last replaced, that’s less of a good thing. It could already be nearing the end of its lifespan.

Sign 2: Discolouration

Water should always come out clear from the tank whether it’s hot or cold. If the water comes out looking otherwise, most commonly a rusty orange colour, that’s definitely a sign of some causes:

• Too much sediment buildup
• Rust and corrosion

While almost all tanks are built to resist rusting for the length of their warranty, it’s after this warranty expires when rusting and corrosion can inevitably take place. In the case of large sediment buildup, we highly recommend getting professional help to clean that out, or even flush out the heater yourself for smaller buildup (our previous post goes into further detail about this task).

Sign 3: No Hot Water

As we mentioned before, no hot water is a sign that the heater is on its last legs. There are a few causes as to why this is. One is the possibility that the pilot light on the tank is out. The other is that the circuit breaker has tripped. The third is that the heater has outlived its usefulness.

If the water coming out is warm, but not hot, this may be an indication that the heating element is going out. Make sure the temperature on the thermostat is at 48 degrees Celsius (120 degrees Fahrenheit). If the temperature keeps fluctuating, that’s when you need to call in a professional for help.

Sign 4: Unusual Noises

Much like the air conditioner or furnace, you should not hear any unusual noises coming from your hot water heater. Any banging or rumbling coming from the heater could mean one very specific thing: a hardened and large amount of sediment buildup. This is why we insist you contact a professional to get rid of the small amounts of sediment in the first place, or why routine cleaning is recommended. It’s all to prevent these unusual noises from arising and thus ruining your day…and your wallet.

Sign 5: Leaks

Hot water heater leaks are one of the most common causes of a heater needing replacement, as well as the most alarming for a good reason. Depending on where the hot water heater is located, a leaking one can cause significant property damage. Examples of damage include ruining and soaking the carpet or floor, saturating and destroying nearby belongings (stored antiques and furniture, etc.), and encouraging mold growth as a result of rotting water in the floors, carpets, and walls.

Leaks in heaters usually occur because of expansions to the metal inside the tank. These expansions happen gradually over time as the tank’s inner body is exposed to tens of thousands of hot water cycles. However, a few other causes of leaks include poor fittings or connections to the tank, or there is something wrong with the pressure overflow pipe. If it’s an issue with the fittings, a professional can readjust where needed. However, if the fittings are not leaking, then the leak may definitely be coming from the tank itself, which means replacement is mandatory.

Don’t wait until the last minute to get help with your hot water heater! Call in a professional if you see any of these signs.

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!

One word of advice we like to give to all of our customers is don’t wait until the last minute to call for help. This applies to any and all HVAC related issues or installations or even electrical problems involving their current equipment. This is also why we insist on performing regular, routine maintenance, because you never know how long a heat wave in the summer may last.

There are many other times when using an HVAC professional can come in handy, however. Here are our suggestions on what those exact times might be.

Upgrades to Current HVAC Equipment

An HVAC system that has outlived its warranty and lifespan is not worth having around. Not only is holding on to these systems dangerous, it’s also a waste of money to repair an older system than it would to upgrade to a new one. A qualified technician can help safely uninstall the old system and reinstall a more energy efficient one in its place, saving you both money and time.

New Installations

While many new HVAC systems come with the manufacturer’s manual, it’s still a good idea to get a professional to properly install new equipment. A technician can identify ideal locations for the new equipment so that temperature control is maintained and to prevent excess dust and dirt buildup nearby. They can also provide assistance with electrical wiring during the installation process.

Annual Inspections

While we do offer some suggestions as to how to apply fixes yourself, it’s still highly recommended that you ask a professional technician to come and annually inspect your equipment. While they’re inspecting, they will examine the wiring and check for any leaks or faulty thermostats. They will also guide you on avoiding further issues so that your equipment works at its full capacity for a very long time.

Before Big Moves or Expansions

By big moves we mean both literally, as in you’re moving into a brand new home, or you’re about to open your doors for business. During the construction process, it’s important to consider both the location and the essential parts needed to properly install HVAC equipment.

If you want to expand on your current home or building, calculations are needed before new equipment is installed. Sizing is also important because too small of a system will not heat or cool down a room properly. In contrast, too big of a system can lead to massive expense. A qualified technician can guide you on which system would work best for the space as well as advise you on the latest technology available.

Bad Times: The High Seasons

Right in the middle of the high seasons, i.e. summer and winter, are the worst times to need an HVAC professional. We get so many calls for fixes or new A/C or furnaces during these seasons that it’s overwhelming. This is why we insist you perform regular maintenance and cleaning on your systems; that way you can avoid such a dilemma!

Do you require assistance with your HVAC systems? 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!

Having commercial refrigeration is not only great to have around, but also it’s necessary if you run a business that requires it. No grocery store, convenience store, or restaurant would be complete without having refrigerated products and ingredients nearby.

However, these systems tend to suck up a lot of energy every day. This is both because they need to work properly 24/7 and they’re constantly used by staff and customers (depending on the business) day in and day out. So what can we do to save energy when it comes to commercial refrigeration? Here are some tips on how you can do so.

Keep Your Commercial Fridges Clean

A dirty and dusty commercial fridge will work harder to ensure the heat transfer is kept normal, especially where the coils are concerned. Regular defrosting for the evaporator coils and cleaning the cabinets inside and out can go a long way in preserving energy and ensuring both the coils and the compressor are working properly.

Regular Maintenance Helps

Having a professional HVAC technician to check on and maintain your commercial refrigeration every year can help it stay in shape. For the rest of the time, be sure to follow the fridge manufacturer’s maintenance recommendations and follow a regular maintenance program. That way, the risk of breakdown is reduced and the equipment’s runtime will be extended.

Each commercial fridge comes with door gaskets or seals and self-closing doors, so you need to make sure these are in good condition. If they’re not working properly, then humid and warm air can enter the fridge, causing energy to be wasted and food to spoil. Good quality gaskets should have a tight seal.

Space is Important

The location of your commercial fridges matters because depending on their placement, the heating and cooling process can be affected. There should be enough space outside of the system so that there is good airflow over the heat exchange coils.

If your commercial fridge is located near the kitchen, try to lower its ambient temperature if that’s possible. This will provide your business with major energy savings. It’s also beneficial to ensure there is proper ventilation so as to increase both the fridge’s lifespan and its efficiency, so again, make sure there is enough space all around it.

We don’t recommend you place your refrigeration right next to prime cooking equipment in the kitchen. The heat generated from this cooking equipment can and will affect the fridge’s efficiency.

Upgrade When Necessary

Sometimes an upgrade to your commercial fridge or freezer is the only way your business will be able to save money and energy. The older the system is, the less efficient it will be at saving energy. This is because times are very different now compared to the past when convenience and speed were what were ideal to offer to customers. Now, we have to think about our own impact on the environment, and making things energy efficient is part of that.

Energy-saving models of commercial refrigeration and new and advanced features are now widely available for purchase. Consider using equipment and installing features consisting of the following:

• Night curtains on open cases – these will help keep the refrigerated air from escaping after regular business hours are over.
• Fridges that have drawers or half doors instead of full doors – only the relevant part of the cabinet is accessed, thus saving energy.
• Motion sensors for case lighting systems – they will help turn lights on and off in the fridge only when needed.
• Intelligent controllers – specifically the kind that can detect changing situations and keep energy use to a minimum during periods when it’s not in use.
• Hot gas anti-sweat heaters – look for the type with adaptive controls so you can turn them on and off automatically whenever it’s necessary.
• Insulation – the best kind should be 75mm thick and made of high quality and high density polyurethane.
• Appropriate usage – if it’s at all possible, go for a refrigerator designed for the product or products you are looking to store and set at its optimal operating temperature.

How to Save Energy During the Day

Whenever your business hours are in operation, keep the commercial fridge doors closed whenever possible. Never, ever prop a door open.

Keeping your commercial fridge and/or freezer as full as possible can help with energy as well. There needs to be a good balance of food products and airflow within it. Too much empty space in the cabinet will make the equipment work harder to maintain its internal temperature. In contrast, an overfilled cabinet can block much-needed airflow. To avoid overfilling, try to keep your products stacked evenly and be aware of its load limit levels. That way, maximum airflow is guaranteed.

Do you need further assistance with your commercial refrigeration? 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!

Having hot water around can do a lot of things for us. We need hot water when it’s time to wash the dishes (usually with a dishwasher or by hand), take a shower and get cleaned up, or to help us mop up the floors and clean our clothes. We can’t live without water, which is why we really need to make sure we can keep using it without problems.

Still, it never occurred to you to maintain your water heater until you read the headline of this article, did it? Here’s how you can properly maintain this essential system so you don’t have to worry about it.

Step 1: Know Your Tanks

Proper maintenance will depend on the type of water heater that is currently installed. Do you have the classic hot water tank heater, which stores the heated water and disperses it throughout the building? Or do you have a tankless water heater, which only heats water when it’s necessary? Is your heater a condensing one, which uses exhaust gases to heat water with the gas burner? Or is yours a non-condensing one, where the exhaust gases are vented outside?

You don’t want to maintain your condensing, classic tank water heater the same way you would the opposite. That’s why we listed this part as step 1. Knowing the differences between these varying types of water heaters can help with the maintenance part.

Step 2: Clean the Outside

Like everything else you own, your hot water tank will need to be dusted and cleaned on the exterior in order to be kept in good shape. Keep an eye out for any leaks you may notice on the floor or surrounding the tank; this is usually the first sign of a problem needing fixing ASAP! If there are no leaks, proceed to use a vacuum cleaner to remove dust and debris from the floor as well as regular cleaning supplies to dust off the system’s exterior. Be gentle when dusting around the pipes and again, keep a sharp eye out for leaks.

Step 2: Adjust the Thermostat

The best temperature a water heater should be settled at is 48 degrees Celsius (120 degrees Fahrenheit). This is to make sure the hot water doesn’t scald you when it comes rushing out of the tap! Usually it is because of the thermostat that water can either be overheated or under-heated. That’s why checking this part, and making the proper adjustment if needed, should be your next step.

Step 3: Test the Pressure-Relief Valve

The pressure-relief valve is usually fixed on the side of the tank. Quickly discharge it about 2 to 3 times annually by lifting the valve handle and then letting it snap back. A burst of water should be released into the overflow drain pipe. After the test, keep a sharp eye out for any possible leaks coming from the valve. If a leak is spotted, call a professional to help fix it or get a new valve installed.

Step 4: Drain the Tank to Remove Sediment

You can either do this yourself or ask a technician to perform this task instead. We recommend going the route of professionalism since sediment buildup can create new problems (especially if you flush it the wrong way in the first place!).

To do it yourself, you will need to drain the tank. First, turn off the cold water supply. If your tank has a gas supply, switch that off before draining also (look for the gas pipe leading to the thermostat and pilot light and then turn the valve off). If you turn your thermostat to pilot mode however, then this step won’t be necessary.

Next, turn on one to two of the faucets in your home. Leave them on during the entire flushing process. Doing so will prevent a vacuum from forming in the pipes while the tank is being drained.

Next, hook up a garden hose to the tank’s drain valve, and then run the water into a heat-proof bucket until the water runs clear. If there is still cloudy water, open the water supply valve briefly to stir up any remaining sediment and then try to drain the tank again. Doing this will help keep the water in the tank clean as well as help the system run more quietly.

Flush out the tank by turning on the cold water spigot connecting to the hot water tank. Let it run for a few minutes until the water coming out of your hose runs clear and there is little to no sediment left.

You may also need to drain the tank entirely in order to clean the bottom or if there is too much sediment. Once it’s completely drained, clean the bottom of the tank to remove any lingering sediment. Turn the water supply back on in order to flush out the harder buildup.

This is a task that will only need to be done once a year. If you’d rather avoid a mess or don’t want to do it at all, then like we said, getting a technician’s help would be the best way to go. They can make cleanup easier (i.e. you won’t have to do it) and can identify any other underlying issues with your tank that may have gone unnoticed before.

Step 5: Check the Anode Rod

You only need to worry about this task every three years. The anode rod is an important piece of the system because it prevents the hot water from corroding inside the tank.

To check on the anode rod, remove the hex screw on the top of the tank. Use a screwdriver to loosen the hex screw before gently lifting the anode rod up and out of the tank (do not remove entirely!).

The core steel wire on the rod should not be exposed. The rod should be more than ½ inch thick and there should be no calcium buildup on it. If any of the aforementioned traits are present after all (calcium coating, exposed core steel wires, and less than ½ inch thickness), you will need to have the anode rod replaced.

Step 6: Insulate the Tank

Placing insulation on and around the tank can add longevity to the tank’s lifespan. It can also prevent condensation on the cold water pipe during the summer months.

Use 3/8-inch-thick foam to cover the pipes’ exterior; make sure the foam matches the pipe’s diameter. Slide the foam over the hot and cold water pipes as far as possible. If the pipe is less than 6 inches away from the flue, use a 1-inch-thick unfaced fiberglass pipe wrap to insulate it.

For the tank’s exterior, cut holes in the insulation blanket so that the temperature control, the valve, and the pipes stick out and are accessible. Wrap the insulation around the tank and seal with tape. Make sure you don’t accidentally cover up any gas or oil heaters on the tank. For electric heaters, cap it off with an oversized circle of insulation and tape the edge securely to the side of the tank.

Knowing When to Call for Help

While this article is specifically about how to maintain a hot water tank yourself, it’s important to know when it’s best left to a professional to do the work:

• The thermostat is faulty
• There’s no hot water, even after you’ve performed maintenance
• You need a more efficient heater installed in order to save money
• There’s too much sediment to flush out, or you don’t want to make a mess
• A leak has been discovered
• The tank is too old and a part needs to be replaced

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!

Do you run a business or are a budding entrepreneur? You know how some office stories in the media have the water cooler exchange going on between employees? You too can get that sense of camaraderie amongst you and your staff (if you have any) by having HVAC equipment installed.

Before you start disagreeing with us, you may want to take a look at these other benefits you and your staff (if any) can receive from having these systems installed.

1: Productivity

Depending on the building itself and the number of staff you have at your company, having an HVAC system installed can actually boost everyone’s productivity levels. Some days are just so hot or cold to work in that it hinders peoples’ abilities to focus and concentrate on the task at hand.

For some businesses, HVAC installation is a requirement, not a suggestion. This is because they need pretty much all of the systems that require one to either sell their products or provide services:

• Commercial refrigeration
• Natural gas for stoves and ovens
• Hot water tanks for washing dishes or public bathrooms
• Ice machines for adding to customers’ drinks or to sell bags

2: Improved Temperaments

Have you ever worked in front of your computer all day only to shift slightly in your seat and realize it’s too hot or cold? Have you been surrounded by heat all day long and are feeling distracted? Your staff may be feeling the same, and as a result, their morale is low and their temperaments unpleasant. Not everyone enjoys working in a hot room, nor can everyone stand the heat. For health reasons, too, employees may only be able to work at their best under certain temperatures. On the opposite side, a room that is too frigid can also break concentration as well as lower one’s morale.

HVAC equipment can help maintain a good indoor room temperature and help people stay comfortable, even boosting their morale. Many systems also now come equipped with filters to help reduce the amount of dust and other allergen triggers that can travel through ventilation. So, if you have staff members with allergies to certain airborne triggers, having HVAC systems can improve both the indoor air quality as well as keep these staff members from sneezing, enabling them to focus at work.

3: Going Green

Energy efficiency is now the primary purpose of developing and installing new HVAC systems for both commercial and residential buildings. This means using older and bigger systems that were in place before you set up your business need to go. Why? Because the older equipment will be more expensive to run and less useful to cooling down or heating up a room than newer equipment. Plus, having newer systems installed will keep everyone including you safe from potential hazards such as fire.

4: Relationship Building

Going back to the water cooler scene we mentioned earlier, having A/C on at the office or within the lunch room when the weather is warm will encourage your staff to frequent these cool areas more often. These are commonplace locations for staff members to get to know each other better. By letting HVAC systems run in a meeting area also, you can all bond over coffee or tea in a room where it’s cool in the summer and hot in the winter—both being ideal temperatures for meetings. None of you will be distracted by how hot or cold the room is, enabling all of you to focus on the tasks at hand.

5: Easy Access

By this we mean access to emergency fixes and repairs such as when your building’s commercial refrigeration breaks down, for example, or if there’s no cool air coming from the A/C. Your technician is only a phone call away. They can either help guide you in how to fix a problem yourself if it happens again, or they’ll handle the really bad situations that do require a technician while you get back to your daily tasks.

6: Income Source

Having HVAC installed will help your company save money long-term. For example, you think it may be cheaper to plug fans into the wall when it’s hot to save the cost of installing A/C. Have you considered the size of the room though, or the number of employees who also need to stay cool in the same room? Plugging in those fans may not do the trick after all!

The amount of ventilation you will need, depending on what type of business you own, will also matter. For business owners who must rely on computers 100% of the time, you may want to check out our article on the subject to find out why ventilation—and the proper equipment—matters so much.

7: Customer Encouragement

It feels so good when you’re grocery shopping to step inside and immediately feel air conditioning after being in the hot weather outside, doesn’t it? Staying cool when it’s hot out can encourage would-be customers to follow through with their grocery purchase or convince them to come into your commercial building when it’s too hot out but the A/C is on inside. Vice versa can be said for the exact opposite season and temperatures too!

As you can see, having HVAC for your commercial building and your company can only mean good things. Are you ready to get some HVAC equipment installed?

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!