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Signs Your Ice Machine is Failing

Written by admin on June 21, 2018. Posted in General. 2 Comments on Signs Your Ice Machine is Failing

Do you own an ice machine at your store? Do you love having the convenience of ice for your drinks? Whether you sell ice as part of your inventory or you want to add ice to your glass of water, having an ice machine around has its perks.

However, like the fridge, your ice machine should be regularly maintained and cleaned so that the ice it makes is clean too. Here are the top signs that your commercial ice machine is failing, the causes of why, and what can be done.

Things Worth Knowing About Beforehand

It’s worth having the following knowledge on hand about ice machines before you decide if the problem is worth calling in a professional for help:

Ice machines are not the same as refrigerators. An ice machine is more like a dishwasher in that it is connected to an ongoing water supply. Therefore, a lot of the signs we’re going to address are very water-based.
Commercial ice machines are standalone systems that connect to electricity.
Ice machines also do not function like a grill, which is usually connected to a non-corrosive fuel source.
Ice machines have more components and processes in them compared to refrigerators and freezers.

Now let’s look at the most common signs and causes of a failing ice machine.

Sign 1: No More Ice

This is one of the most common problems found in ice machines, and depending on the cause, the fix can either be something you can do yourself or it will require more experience.

One of the most common causes is a problem with the water inlet. When it works properly, the water inlet regulates the current flow of water heading into the ice machine where ice can be made. When it’s not working properly, that’s when a lack of ice occurs. Check around the water valve for any loose connecting components or bad clips—disconnection is often the culprit.

A lack of ice could also be the result of a clogged water filter. Check this component first before examining the inlet, and if there are blockages of any kind, clean it up.

Sign 2: Water Leaks

Sometimes a leak can occur inside of the machine rather than outside. Usually you can identify a leak if the ice cubes inside are larger than normal. This does not sound as good as you think it does! Larger ice cubes can in fact clog up the evaporator within the machine and cause it to freeze up. If your ice looks bigger than usual, the cause is usually a leaky water inlet.

You should perform the following tasks if a leak is happening outside the machine before calling a professional to look at it:

Check to see that the machine is perfectly level on the floor, and not tilted to any one side
Check the water supply for any damages, leaking, kinks, or pinches
Check the basin or cup where water comes in; it should be perfectly aligned with the funnel

If this still doesn’t help your water leak problem, it’s best to get a professional to look at it.

Sign 3: Cool Water, But No Ice

If there is a lot of water in your machine but it’s running at a cool temperature instead of freezing, usually the culprit is a faulty bin full switch. This switch is responsible for indicating to the machine to stop making ice when the bin is full. That way, water doesn’t overflow.

Sign 4: Warmer Temperatures

Water that refuses to freeze could means there’s an issue with the compressor or a potential gas leak. Water temperature should be no higher than 32 degrees Celsius (90 degrees Fahrenheit). If this is the issue with your ice machine, there’s no DIY fix for it. You will need to call in a professional to fully examine and figure out what’s going on.

On the opposite side of problems, water temperature that is too high can either make the ice machine slow down or shut down entirely. A brand new system may run into this issue, but it shouldn’t with your current one.

Sometimes the room temperature itself is the cause of a failing ice machine. Ideally, an ice machine can produce more ice in a room of 21 degrees Celsius (70 degrees Fahrenheit) with water of 10 degrees Celsius (50 degrees Fahrenheit). However, if the ice machine is located in or near a commercial kitchen, the room temperature could be at fault. Ventilation in the area or relocating the ice machine will have to be done in order to achieve this ideal temperature.

Additionally, there are situations where DIY fixes to the ice machine are not recommended at all. Call a professional if these are the following causes and signs:

The ice machine keeps getting too hot (meaning the evaporator fan is not running)
There is a leak in the piping connected to the water supply
The faulty parts need to be replaced and reinstalled
The system was not properly installed in the first place and needs to be reinstalled

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!

7 Tips to Stay Cool this Summer (A/C is Only One Solution!)

Written by admin on June 13, 2018. Posted in General. 1 Comment on 7 Tips to Stay Cool this Summer (A/C is Only One Solution!)

Whether you are trying to relax after work or are working in a hot area every day, staying cool during the summer months is a must. A/C is definitely one way to go about it.

Sometimes though, the A/C can break down if it’s left unmaintained or cleaned. If that happens in the middle of summer, depending on the size, the state of disrepair, and how busy your HVAC professional is, it may take a while to get the A/C system fixed. You also can’t take a full system with you outside if you’re traveling from your cool home to a hot workspace or if you’re heading out on a camping trip!

For these reasons and for your health and sanity’s sake, we have some tips on how you can stay cool during the hottest months of the year, whether you’re using the A/C or not!

Tip 1: Cool off the Hottest Rooms

Naturally we don’t use our house when we go to work (unless you work from home, in which case, lucky you!) or when we have to run errands. This means you should only focus on cooling off rooms where it’s absolutely necessary. For example, don’t worry about cooling off the bedroom when you’re not using it, but do cool off any room where sunlight pours in the most or where it’s hottest, such as the kitchen.

Tip 2: Curtains are Your Friend

Some homes are built with massive windows that have some pretty spectacular views. However, there’s one drawback: the sunrise or sunset, depending on where the windows are positioned. That much direct sunlight can add a ton of heat to your home! This is why curtains or blinds are your friend in this case. Keep them closed when it’s the hottest time of day and open them when it’s cooler out.

Tip 3: Shade is Also Your Friend

Whether you’re driving around or you need to run errands down the street, always stick to the shade. Typically, the weather gets the hottest between 10am and 3pm depending on where you live. Stick to the side of the road in the morning where the shade is most likely to reside and then switch sides when it’s the late afternoon. Do your best to park in shaded areas so that you don’t get burned by your own car’s seatbelts!

Tip 4: Let Your Body Adjust

Sometimes it takes only a few minutes for our internal temperature to adjust to a room’s heat. Turning the A/C on right away will only cause an imbalance in our bodies, in that it will make us cold too fast too soon. It’s also crucial you allow your body’s temperature to adjust when you’re trying to go to sleep. If it’s absolutely too hot, try sleeping on top of the covers while the A/C is on at low rather than under them. Make sure the A/C is timed so that it shuts off when you’re falling asleep.

Tip 5: Use Ventilation

Typically when summer arrives, that’s when the fans get taken out of the closet. Ventilation is a great way to stay cool and it makes for a decent replacement if A/C is too expensive right now. However, be sure the fans are well maintained and kept clean just like the A/C, otherwise that handy fan could also break down when you really need it.

Tip 6: Soak Your Feet

Like your hands, your feet are pure bone and muscle, meaning there’s no insulation between your body and the floors you walk on at home. If you walk a lot against a hardwood or tiled floor at home, that’s where heat can get soaked up quickly by your body, making you feel hotter than normal! Grab a bucket or shallow pan, fill it with cool water from the shower, and let your feet soak in it while you relax with Netflix in the evening, or before you go to bed, or simply after you’ve been on your feet for a long while.

Tip 7: Use Your A/C—the Right Way

We’re not going to go too deep into this tip because we’ve actually already talked about it on our blog (you can check out the post here if you’re interested!). However, there are indeed wrong ways to use air conditioning in your home or at work worth recapping about, such as the following:

Placing obstacles over vents, such as furniture
Lowering the temperature on the A/C
Leaving the A/C on all day when no one is around

Stay frosty!

Is There a Good Time to Get HVAC Equipment Installed?

Written by admin on June 8, 2018. Posted in General. No Comments on Is There a Good Time to Get HVAC Equipment Installed?

Whether you’re trying to stay cool on a hot summer day at home, or you need ventilation for your office computers, having HVAC equipment installed is a must. But is there such a thing as an ideal time for when installation is required? We say: yes! Here is what we have to say regarding its timing.

When is there NOT a good time?

We know that’s a silly question, so here’s our silly answer: anytime is a good time to get HVAC equipment installed. However, there are certain areas where the timing should be sooner than later in order to use the systems to their full potential. It’s these situations we’re going to go over below, and it’s good to keep this information in mind if you’re planning on doing any of the following:

Buying a new home or apartment, whether it’s your first or third
Building a new home
Shopping around for a new office location
Moving your company from one location to another
Planning on renovating your work space or living areas
Replacing old or broken HVAC equipment

Home Renovations

Depending on where you live, odds are high you either have purchased an older home circa 1970 or even older, i.e. before energy efficiency was something to worry about. These older homes don’t have the same airtight walls or insulation that modern homes are typically now built with in mind. That’s why renovations are and can be made, and one of those—if the humidity levels are high—should be installing HVAC equipment. In some cases you should also install an HRV system if certain conditions are met (you can check out our post on HRV’s perks, if you’d like).

New Home Construction

Talking about modern homes, installing HVAC systems during construction when building a new home is beneficial. That way, expensive renovations won’t need to take place after the fact. These systems should be included in the blueprints when drawing up the designs for new housing, and once installation is complete, it should and must be tested afterwards by a professional home inspector to ensure every component is working properly. This installation would also make an excellent selling point to mention to new homebuyers or tenants since HVAC is typically installed during new construction.

Office Building Renovations or Initiations

If your company relies on computers day in and day out, you need ventilation. This is not a suggestion, either (our blog post on the subject goes further into why this is the case). For the sake of keeping your workspace safe and comfortable, having HVAC systems such as A/C around the office is a must. Having it installed will keep productivity high for you and your employees since the temperature can help everyone be comfortable. It will also keep your most valuable resources—your computers, like we said before—safe and secure.

If the ideal building you want to post your office in is older, it’s a good idea to install HVAC systems before officially opening for business. If it only occurred to you now to get the job done, the sooner it is installed, the better.

Before Summer and Winter

Regarding the seasons of the year, naturally it’s ideal to keep your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Fall and spring are typically the best seasons to get new equipment installed so that you are prepared for the hottest and coldest months of the year. This is because summer and winter are also technically considered to be the high seasons for using the equipment, whereas fall and spring are considered as off season.

Much like Christmas when everything goes on sale after the big day, rebates and discount sales are offered on good quality systems after the high seasons of using A/C or furnaces are finished. If you want a decent price, then fall and spring are the way to go. They’re also the best seasons to determine if your current system is working to its full potential when performing preventive maintenance. After all, the last thing you want to do is wait all summer wondering if your A/C is going to fail in the heat wave!

When Your Current HVAC Fails

It’s also a good idea to install new HVAC equipment if your home has it already, but you’re seeing the following signs:

Higher than normal energy and hydro bills
Failure to heat up or cool down the room, even though it’s working to its full potential
Weird noises coming from the units, like grinding
Weird smells coming from the units
The unit’s age is over 10 years and up
Poor air quality
Faulty components, such as a failing thermostat or a compressor that switches on and off

These are all major signs to call in a professional and get new equipment installed.

Do you need assistance with installation or maintenance?

The Differences Between HRV and ERV Systems

Written by admin on May 31, 2018. Posted in General. 4 Comments on The Differences Between HRV and ERV Systems

We’ve talked about HRV systems before; if you need to brush up on your know-how, check out our previous blog post. One thing a lot of people can get confused about, however, is the other similar-sounding system that pops up in conversation: ERV systems.

What’s the difference, you ask? Great question! Though they sound similar, HRV and ERV systems are actually not as interchangeable as you may think. Let’s go over what exactly these systems are, the major differences between the two, and what each can bring to your home or work in terms of benefits and usage.

What is an HRV System?

An HRV system, or a Heat Recovery Ventilation System, takes the heated, stale, contaminated air to warm up fresh air. It does this through its heat exchange core and the two fans typically installed to create the desired effect. HRVs are flexible systems in that you can add them to your current HVAC equipment or install them as independent devices.

What is an ERV System?

An ERV system stands for Energy Recovery Ventilation. The system’s process is similar to an HRV in that it consists of exchanging the energy within stale air in order to treat the incoming outdoor air. However, an ERV goes a little further than the HRV. It takes the humidity from the air in the room and keeps it on the same side as the thermal envelope where the humidity came from.

So, What’s the Difference?

Let’s recap the differences real quick before getting to each system’s benefits:

HRVs are best suited to homes in colder climates where excess humidity occurs during the hotter seasons; ERVs are best suited to homes in cold climates where that excess is not a problem.
While both recover heat, the ERV goes further by recuperating what energy is trapped in humidity, thus greatly improving overall recovery efficiency.
An HRV takes the stale air from inside and exchanges it with fresh cool air from outside.
An ERV limits the humidity levels coming from inside your home while it’s hot outside and A/C is on, plus it limits the humidity being expelled from your home when it’s cold outside, low humidity levels are present, and a humidifier is being used.

How Can These Systems Help Me?

It’s definitely worth considering getting an HRV or ERV system installed if your daily life applies to the following:

You have severe allergies, such as pollen and dust
Your home is too hot, and the air too stale almost daily
You want to keep the windows closed and the air cool when it’s hot, or the windows closed and the air warm when it’s cold, all without giving up fresh air
Humidity and excess condensation in your home is an issue—this will depend on how old it is

Talk to a professional if you want to learn more about these systems!

4 Big Signs Your Refrigerator Needs Maintenance

Written by admin on May 24, 2018. Posted in General. 1 Comment on 4 Big Signs Your Refrigerator Needs Maintenance

Refrigeration is an absolute must in our daily lives. After all, it keeps our perishable and frozen foods chilled and ready for when we need it. Most fridges nowadays come with a built-in filtered water tap so we can enjoy not just a cool glass of water, but a glass of clean water.

However, with great refrigeration comes great responsibility, meaning proper maintenance and cleaning is essential. For some reason though, most people tend to forget about that until it’s too late! It helps to know what the signs of trouble are, as well as the causes creating the problems so that your fridge lasts you a long, long time. Without further ado, let’s go over the signs your refrigerator needs maintenance as well as the potential causes.

Sign 1: Weird Noises

Your fridge should always produce a low, quiet hum during certain times of the day before stopping. This is its cooling process at work where the compressor, fan, and coolant work together to produce the chill you normally feel whenever you open the fridge. Any weird noise that sounds like grinding, mechanical groaning, or knocking should be of concern. The causes?

A breaking down compressor
A broken down fan motor
A faulty condenser
An overworking cooling system

Sign 2: Hot Air or No Cool Air, Period

Fridges should never, ever feel like the air inside of them is warm or non-existent! A lack of air flow and thawing or spoiled food, or food covered in condensation in the freezer, are some of the most telltale signs something is wrong—very wrong. The cause is likely a fan motor that’s broken down, not enough power to the fridge, a dirty condenser, or a compressor on its last legs.

Sign 3: Too Much Ice

Evaporator coils that are too iced up and gone uncleaned for some time will cause a ton of frost buildup. This in turn causes the temperature in the fridge and freezer to fluctuate. Most fridges come with a self-defrosting system built in, which normally does the trick as it runs 4 times a day per 24 hours. However, if that doesn’t work, it means the coils are failing.

Sign 4: Puddles

Water in front or surrounding your fridge on the floor is always a red flag of something gone wrong. Ditto if it looks like your own fridge is sweating through a current heat wave. This excessive condensation can mean a few things:

The seal on the fridge door is not sealing up properly
The drip pan, where condensation from the freezer’s defrost drain goes to evaporate, is overflowing due to a blockage of ice or food debris
An electrical problem, usually associated with the power lights, ice dispenser (if it’s applicable), or the thermostat

Most, if not almost all of these signs, make it difficult to tell if it’s time for you to buy a new refrigerator or if it’s a fixable solution. If it’s been over 10 or 20 years since the last time you bought a fridge, it’s going to be less expensive to buy a new one than it would be to repair your current, aging one. If you’re not sure at all, or the fridge isn’t that old, it’s best to call in a professional technician for help—and a good idea overall to clean and maintain your fridge regularly.

The Worst Ways to Use an Air Conditioner

Written by admin on May 18, 2018. Posted in General. No Comments on The Worst Ways to Use an Air Conditioner

Summer has arrived early this year! The sun is shining, it’s warm out, and the heat is on. That means many people are already dragging out their fans and dusting off their A/C units in order to keep their homes cool and to chill out.

Did you know, however, that there are terrible ways one can use their air conditioning? It’s true! Here are some major no-no’s that are worth knowing about, as well as solutions for how best to stay cool.

1: Placing Obstacles in Front of Vents

Just because you got new carpet for your home’s renovations doesn’t mean it can go anywhere. Likewise, certain obstacles such as furniture place over a vent where cool air from the A/C system is supposed to go will cause problems. Without an opening for air to flow through, this can result in limited air circulation which means your room will not be cooled off properly.

2: Forcing the Unit to Run 24/7

We know how hot summer is, but there’s being smart with your air conditioning by letting it run when it’s necessary and then letting it run every minute of every hour of every day. This is not a smart use of your A/C! Not only will it shorten the unit’s life span, but also it’s going to cost you precious pennies.

3: Lowering the Temperature

Did you know it’s actually a terrible idea to lower the temperature on your A/C? Doing so can cause the unit (if it’s central A/C) to freeze up, especially if it reaches below 20 degrees Celsius, leading to a damaged compressor. It may be tempting to do so if you come home to hot, stuffy air, and want the room to cool faster. But this is not a smart way to use the A/C. Even after it’s reached the ideal temperature, the unit will keep working and thus the life span will be shortened.

4: Having Heat-generating Units on Also

Appliances that generate heat such as stoves, ovens, washers, and dryers all generate heat in order to do their jobs. This can actually prevent the A/C unit from doing its job, as the A/C will work harder to cool a temperature that keeps on escalating. The end result? You guessed it—a shorter life span on the A/C.

What to Do Instead

To ensure your A/C lasts as long as you want it to, try applying these actions to your daily life this summer:

Keep the temperature above 20 degrees Celsius to prevent icing up the coils.
Wait a while before turning on the A/C; sometimes it only takes a few minutes for our bodies to adjust to a room’s temperature.
Remove any obstacles, such as furniture, from the vents.
Keep your blinds and curtains over the windows during the hottest times of the day and only open the blinds when it’s cooler out.
Close the vents off before you leave for work, and close the closet doors too so that these spaces don’t suck up the cool air.
If you simply must let cool air flow to help you sleep at night, the A/C unit should run at a much lower capacity and be timed so that it shuts off when you fall asleep.
If hot, stuffy rooms are a real problem where you live, consider getting programmable or smart A/C instead. That way, ideal temperature is guaranteed.
Limit your use of heat-based appliances so that the A/C doesn’t work harder than it ought to.
Keep your units clean and well-maintained. If you can’t remember the last time either maintenance or cleaning was done, you may want to call in a professional.

Why Your Computer Room Should Have Ventilation

Written by admin on May 10, 2018. Posted in General. 3 Comments on Why Your Computer Room Should Have Ventilation

How does the air feel in your office? Are you surrounding by a lot of computers day in and day out? If your answer to our former question was “stuffy” or “warm” and there are computers nearby, that’s not a good answer. Why? Because without ventilation, a lot of problems could arise.

“But that’s nothing to worry about,” you’re probably wondering. “I switch my computer off every day.” That’s not a smart way to think though! Here are some valid reasons why that computer room of yours does in fact need ventilation.

Reason 1: Heat

What happens when a computer is switched on all of the time is it will generate heat. Many computers now come complete with a built-in fan to keep the inner mechanics cooled off, but extra ventilation can help limit the amount of heat being generated from the machine’s long-term usage.

The bigger your computers, the more heat they will generate. This is why data center companies will absolutely insist on installing ventilation as well. So, if you run a business or rely on your computer at work, cool air flow is a must, not only for your sake but also for the sake of your employees. Those computers contain the most vital information your business and everyday life needs, after all! If you use a lot of electronics as a hobby or to work remotely, you want the electronics to last as long as possible. Having ventilation installed is the answer.

Reason 2: Dust

The downside of owning so many electronics in one area is that dust tends to collect faster than per usual. Those dust bunnies if left alone can spell danger! Dust and dirt buildup left alone for a long period of time can cause all sorts of problems, the worst being overheating.

Reason 3: Humidity

In addition to dust, humidity levels can contribute to overheating within a computer room. When mixed with dust, condensation can occur if you move the computer from an extremely cold environment to a humid indoors one swiftly. The best way to keep humidity levels down is—you guessed it—ventilation.

How to Keep the Computer Room Cool

There are several types of ventilation you can install to ensure your computer room at home or at work stays cool and keeps the air circulation flowing:

A portable air conditioner (if your home is smaller, such as an apartment)
Central air conditioning (for larger homes and office buildings)
Precision cooling and containment (for large server rooms such as at IT companies or data centres)

The size of your computer room itself is also very important. Portable air conditioners are not built to last every hour of every day for the entire year. However, too much A/C can cost you too much (especially if you the computer room is a small one). If size is a concern, a professional can help to inspect your computer room and then advise you on what type of cooling would be best from there.

Ideally, your computer room’s temperature should not fall below 10 degrees Celsius or go above 27 degrees Celsius. Either temperature level exceeding those numbers in either direction can spell bad news for your computer’s inner mechanisms! The most ideal temperature should range between 18-21 degrees Celsius.

As for keeping dust bunnies away from your computer, effort on your part is going to be needed. A can of compressed air should be your best friend, especially when it’s time to clean and vacuum near this room (and if you haven’t already, you really, really should!). The compressed air can get rid of any invisible dust and dirt buildup that may be trying to creep into your computer’s nooks and crannies as well.

Use a vacuum cleaner only after dusting off all of your electronics with the compressed air—notto clean the computer itself! Doing so will create static buildup and send a discharge into the most sensitive parts of your computer. Only vacuum around the computer area and not within the machines themselves.

You should get maintenance help immediately if you notice the following:

There’s more heat in the computer room despite the A/C being on
There’s loud noise coming from the HVAC units being used for cooling
The temperature keeps going above the desired 27 degrees Celsius or below 10 degrees Celsius
Humidity levels are skyrocketing despite your use of cooling

5 Reasons Your Energy Bills Went Up & How to Lower Them

Written by admin on April 30, 2018. Posted in Uncategorized. 1 Comment on 5 Reasons Your Energy Bills Went Up & How to Lower Them

Don’t you hate it when the only mail you get in your mailbox is either junk or a bill these days? Imagine though finding out your energy bill has gone up—way up—compared to the previous month. Why though?

As it turns out, there are not only various reasons as to why your energy bills have increased, but also some ways to save energy and money every month without too much effort. Without further ado, let’s go over the reasons as to why your energy bills may have jumped up before moving on to the tips.

Reason 1: You Leave the Window Open

You may think you’re saving money by not spending it on air conditioning, but did you know that leaving a window open may actually be causing your monthly bills to spike? This is especially concerning if you have central air conditioning or heat flowing throughout your home. What’s happening when you open a window while the heat or cool air is flowing through is that the air you’re trying to keep in gets sucked out when you open the window. When that happens, you’re not only letting valuable air get out, you’re also waving money goodbye!

Reason 2: You Leave Utilities Plugged In

There are some utilities you really don’t need to keep plugged in 24/7. A few examples we can think of are A/C (unless it’s really hot; still, if the A/C is constantly running at max capacity and it’s still not cool, that’s not a good thing!), printers, DVD and Blu-ray players, ovens, and microwaves. Devices like these may likely be the reason why so much energy in your home is being wasted and your bills are rising. These utilities are also referred to sometimes as “phantom loads”, i.e. appliances you wouldn’t think are costing you money and energy by staying plugged in, but they are.

Reason 3: Your Refrigerator Keeps Running

If this is the case, you’d better…nah, that’s a bad joke. In all seriousness, a refrigerator that is constantly running and making a lot of noise is something you should be concerned about. If there is noise, it could mean one of several things, such as an overworking condenser. Having little to no food in the fridge can also, in actuality, be wasting much-needed energy. No food means no insulation for the cool air, meaning all of the air flow in your near-empty fridge is being wasted…and so is your money.

Reason 4: Your HVAC Units Keep Running, Too

Dirty or unmaintained HVAC equipment will overwork and run constantly in order to fulfill their purpose, meaning energy is being wasted and your costs are going to go up. Likewise, switching on HVAC units when there’s no need to is also considered to be a wasteful practice. If the units are running constantly but their desired effect, whether it’s cool air or heat, isn’t being felt, that could mean your units are too small or too big.

Reason 5: Your Hot Water is Too Hot!

Using hot water can increase your energy bills too. The drying feature on dishwashers, hot water in the washing machines, your shower—all of these in addition to your hot water tank may be the culprit in why your energy bill just skyrocketed.

Now, let’s take a look at how you can start conserving energy and lowering your monthly bills.

Tip 1: Unplug Utilities When They’re Not in Use

You may think you need that coffee maker plugged in all the time, but are you really going to drink coffee while you’re sleeping? Unless you’re sleepwalking or are a real night owl, the answer may probably be no. For computers, kitchen appliances, stereos, phone chargers, and so on, make sure they’re plugged into a power strip and then get into the habit of unplugging these appliances whenever you’re not using them. For computers, consider putting them into sleep mode whenever you don’t need to use them.

Tip 2: Lower the Temperature

Your hot water tank should have a temperature gauge included, and that may be where the cause of your energy bill’s increase is coming from. In addition to lowering the temperature on the hot water tank, doing the following can also help lower your bills: drying laundry out on a clothesline, dryer rack, or shower rod; using laundry balls instead of dryer sheets; turning off the heat dry on your dishwasher; washing only full loads of laundry; washing your laundry in cold water.

Tip 3: Keep Your HVAC Units Clean and Well-Maintained

An unmaintained and dirty unit is way more expensive and unsafe than the opposite! If your home has a furnace, central air conditioning, or an HRV system, it’s best to set up an annual schedule for an inspector to come and check up on your units. That way if there are indeed parts that need to be maintained or inspected, they can be addressed and, if necessary, fixed.

Tip 5: Close that Window!

Especially if the A/C or heat is on! If you simply must have fresh air while it’s stuffy inside and out, consider using an HRV system instead (check out our article explaining its other benefits). It’s also a great idea to ensure you’re not using the A/C needlessly by closing the blinds where the sunlight pours in the most. Most central A/C should come complete with a temperature gauge also, so lowering the gauge or letting it run at a lower rate should suffice.

Tip 6: Take Care of Your Refrigerator

If your fridge has dirty condenser coils, it will work harder to keep your food and drinks cold and preserved. This should be looked at around once every three months to make sure it’s running efficiently. Another good way to conserve on energy is to keep your fridge and freezer stocked up full. That way, the cool air flowing through won’t be wasted.

Tip 7: Upgrade if Necessary

Sometimes the only way to save money is by spending it, especially if the equipment you use to keep your home cool or hot is older than you by several decades. It will also help to double-check on the size of the equipment; maybe it’s way too big or way too small for the job, which answers all sorts of questions you have about your monthly bills. If that’s the case, a professional will be able to consult with you on the proper size and measurements you will need before upgrading. It never hurts to ask!

6 Reasons to Have HVAC Equipment in Your Home

Written by admin on April 25, 2018. Posted in General, Uncategorized. 2 Comments on 6 Reasons to Have HVAC Equipment in Your Home

If you’re looking to buy a new home or your old HVAC equipment has bitten the dust, you may be thinking either one of two things:

“Well, it was good while it lasted, but I don’t need this anymore.”
“I don’t need to have this installed in my home, do I?”

Wrong! HVAC equipment does in fact have more uses than the very obvious heating and cooling features. We’re going to go over those very reasons right now.

Reason 1: Temperature Control

Let’s just get the obvious out of the way first. Yes, heating and cooling are both very handy to have in order to stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter. That’s why most homes built now usually contain a furnace and central air conditioning when they’re first built. However, these are not all features that come when, say, you rent an apartment or move into an older house. Regarding the latter, we’re not just talking about housing that existed 5 years ago; we’re talking about real estate that existed circa 1980 and older.

Whatever home you live in, no one wants to find out they can’t control the temperature when things get too uncomfortable. Having HVAC equipment installed can help maintain a livable temperature and ensure everyone is comfortable living where they’re living.

Reason 2: Ventilation

Sunny rooms in a house are not the only rooms that benefit from ventilation. Computer rooms that contain many wires and electronics, kitchens, bedrooms, and virtually any area where people with allergies are living (more on that later) will require ventilation. This will not only keep the rooms cooled down and the temperature under control, but also it will help other assets keep running at their usual capacity without risk of overheating or underperforming.

Reason 3: Allergen Prevention

Those living with allergies know how important it is to keep everything clean, including and especially the air! Every piece of HVAC equipment that is built now comes with a filter (and extras if it gets too dirty to clean) so that allergen triggers such as pollen, dust, or other debris are filtered out by the system, whether it’s in the furnace or air conditioning. This helps make sure the air is fresh and free of allergens.

Reason 4: Comfort

A/C and furnaces are not the only things considered to be essential for a comfortable lifestyle. Refrigerators, outdoor heaters, hot water tanks, and heat pumps are all built to keep our lives comfortable by warming things up or cooling them off when we want them to. These are all engrained into our daily lives so tightly that it’s easy to take them for granted…that is, until something in the units breaks down or stops working properly. That’s why maintenance is so important! (We even have a full article explaining why.)

Reason 5: Cost

Did you know that it actually costs more money to rely on older equipment than it would to replace it with the latest tech? It’s also important to note that the older your house is, the more expensive it can be to keep it properly hot or cold. If your home has any equipment within it that predates the 80s, you may want to consider upgrading to newer systems. That way, after the fact, you will actually be saving money rather than spending it on your energy bills (not to mention the new stuff is built to be safer for homes!). Speaking of energy…

Reason 6: Energy Efficiency

Our energy costs are higher now than they used to be back in the 80s. We also have better insulation in the homes we build and less interest in being wasteful with our money. Most of the latest HVAC equipment built today is not based upon how fast a room can be cooled down or heated up. Instead, they’re built based on how much energy they spend, which is typically measured by the SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating) and however many BTUs (British Thermal Units) are required to get the job done.

However efficient the systems are, their efficiency will all depend on your home’s location, climate, humidity levels, and size. If you’re not sure about any of these things, it never hurts to ask a professional!

Whichever HVAC equipment you own or choose to own, it should do all of the following:

Make your life easier
Keep your bills at a low cost
Be energy saving
Make your home comfortable and awesome to live in

If there’s a problem or repairs are needed, or you need HVAC equipment to be properly installed, ask for professional 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.comand don’t forget to take a look at our website: https://repairheatingandcooling.com. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for free giveaways!

How to Choose the Best A/C System for Your Home

Written by admin on April 16, 2018. Posted in General, Uncategorized. 1 Comment on How to Choose the Best A/C System for Your Home

It never hurts to be early when it comes to getting air conditioning for your home! This is especially true if you want to get a head start on staying cool once summer rolls in.

Hold on though! Before you go shopping, did you know that there’s more than just one aspect of A/C units to look for? Does your home even accommodate an A/C system? You may need to read this article if you’re not sure or if you need to shop, but don’t know where to start. Here are some tips.

Before Shopping

Before you go out and buy a new A/C system, take a look at your current one (if you already have it). If it’s not running at its full capacity, check to see if there are repairs needed and if they’re fixable, get the job done (this may or may require a professional, depending on what needs to be fixed and where the problem is located). If the repairs are too costly or the system is too inefficient and expensive, then you should go ahead and shop for a new one.

Types of A/C Systems

First, determine which system you need based on your home. Is your home an actual house with a backyard, or an apartment? What is the climate like where you live? Do you get a lot of sunlight pouring in, or are there heavily shaded areas?

Next, you need to take a look at the systems available, and there are a few types: central, window, portable, and in-the-wall single room air conditioners. The central air conditioner would be the most ideal if you want your entire house to cool down, whereas the latter options may be better suited for apartment suites or condos.

Sizes

Air conditioners are normally measured by their BTUs, or British Thermal Units. This measurement helps determine how effective and fast a room can be cooled down. Picking a system with too few BTUs will result in not enough cooling, whereas too many than necessary will lead to energy waste and decrease in its ability to dehumidify a room. It’s also important to consider the following before determining which BTUs you should aim for:

Ceiling height
Sun exposure
Insulation
Location
Climate

Cooling Capacity

You will need to calculate the required cooling capacity of your air conditioner beforehand, because size does matter (we have an article explaining why!). A room with excessive sunlight should have a unit up to 10% more BTUs than required. If the unit is going into the kitchen, the unit should go up to 4,000 BTUs more than the required room size. Add an additional 600 BTUs per person if there is more than one living in the designated home. The BTU should be reduced by 10% if the room is heavily shaded.

Energy Efficiency

Efficiency, not size, is what matters more when it comes to A/C. Ideally, you want to choose an air conditioning system that will maximize the cooling effect while costing you minimal money. You can try and identify the most energy efficient A/C units by checking out their Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating, or SEER for short. This is one of the most important ratings to check before buying! Basically, the higher the SEER number is, the more efficient the unit is and the less costly it will provide cooling.

A SEER number can be raised if the air conditioning unit possesses the following energy efficient features (note that this applies to central A/C systems only):

A filter indicator light (handy for regular maintenance!)
A fan-only switch (you can turn off the cooling but the fan will still run)
Large coils (makes for more efficient heat transfer)
A higher temperature rating that’s greater than 11.6 (translates to higher efficiency when the weather is its hottest)
An automatic fan delay switch (keeps the fan on long enough to cool the air after the compressor switches off)

For window/portable air conditioners, these features would be especially handy to have:

Digital temperature control (numbers instead of High or Low settings, to help you save on energy)
Easy to access filters (for easy, regular maintenance and to reduce allergens and dust)
A timer (handy if you don’t want it running all the time)
Sleep/energy settings (this will help it run at its lowest setting during the night, making for a more comfortable good night’s sleep!)
A programmable thermostat (so you can program different temperatures for day and night)

Hopefully you’re now ready to shop! If you’re still not sure which A/C unit is the most appropriate for your home, or you need help with installation, leave those steps to the professionals.