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Pros and Cons of Installing Central A/C in Homes

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Summer may be over now, but it’s technically the low season for maintaining and installing new air conditioners and furnaces regardless. For now, let’s talk about air conditioning.

You may think that central air conditioning in your home may be the best means of cooling it down, so you might ask your technician to get an installation done (see our tips on how to tell the signs that it’s needed very badly). Like everything in life, however, be careful what you wish for or it might come true—including the consequences. To help you determine if it’s the best solution for your home, here is a lowdown on the pros and cons of residential central A/C.

Pro: A Consistent Temperature Year-round

If you live in the southernmost part of BC, or in a part of the Lower Mainland where summer is almost too hot, then central air conditioning is the best way to ensure your home is constantly cool in every room. This is the major benefit of this type of A/C system: the consistent temperature wherever you go, all year round. Hot summers are the reason why homeowners invest in this air conditioning, and in the long run, the choice is worth it.

Con: More Expensive Energy Bills

It’s no joke that the longer you leave air conditioning on, the more it will cost you. There is now new evidence to support that fact as well. According to a recent BC Hydro survey, a whopping 93% of British Columbians are increasing their costs in electricity usage to run their air conditioning by leaving the temperature much lower than the recommended number. It’s also costing $300 to run an A/C system as opposed to $6 for a fan. That’s a lot of money being spent on air conditioning!

Depending on your home’s humidity levels and size, among other factors, you could be looking at even bigger energy bills than you were previously used to before you installed central air conditioning as well. If you can’t budget for central air conditioning, or you keep lowering the temperature below the recommended 25 degrees Celsius (77 degrees Fahrenheit), then central air conditioning is not the best choice for your home.

Pro: Filtered Air

Air is usually circulated through the ductwork in a central A/C system, and it’s usually filtered in the process. That means the air quality of your home will improve and there will be less allergens and potentially harmful gases being distributed to each room. If you live in a humid and warm location, the humidity levels will also improve because of the filters. This ensures your home stays at a comfortable temperature regardless of the humidity levels inside and out.

Con: Mould and Mildew Develop More

Sure, central air conditioning does not require so much maintenance as its counterparts, but gunk and gross particulates can still develop if it’s left alone for too long. The air quality can drop and mould and mildew particles will travel to other rooms in the house while the cool air is being circulated. Both of these things can be harmful to our health if left untouched for too long, and sadly central A/C is more susceptible to development than other air conditioning systems. Unmaintained air conditioning can also render the previous benefit of filtered air useless if you don’t clean and maintain it regularly.

Pro: The Thermostat is Programmable

Every central A/C system on the market now comes with a programmable thermostat, which means it’s a ‘smart’ system. This type of air conditioning comes with its own slew of benefits, which we’ve actually covered in a previous blog post before. The biggest ones that are worth mentioning again is that you can adjust the temperature on a timer rather than having to do it manually. You can also program the thermostat to switch on and off at certain times when no one’s home so that you save on the money used to cool the house down. These and many more features are why central air conditioners are really useful for homes, especially the smart kinds.

Con: Ducts and Installation Can Also be Expensive

When it comes to these types of A/C systems, the ductwork is what can make or break a decision for installation. If your home already has ducts for a furnace, then all that’s needed is to hook up the central air conditioning unit to your home’s duct system. It’s a simple enough task for your HVAC technician.

However, if your home doesn’t have a furnace or the ductwork, you need to consider the cost of installing this aspect as well. Installing ductwork is a huge undertaking and involves renovating your home entirely; floors and walls both need to be opened up. While installing new ducts and a new central A/C unit will certainly increase your home’s long-term value, it’s a major investment that requires expertise, planning, and a massive budget.

Have you looked through the list up to this point and determined central A/C is still the best thing for your home? If so, give our professional team of technicians a call. At Rep-Air Heating And Cooling we provide our customers with many options that will best suit your needs from heating and cooling to refrigeration. Contact us today for your complimentary quote: 1-844-218-3362 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!

3 Tips to Ensure Maximum Ventilation in Your Commercial Kitchen

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Proper ventilation for any restaurant business is a crucial part of its design. Finding the right restaurant hood vent, as well as installing a proper kitchen ventilation system, are some of the most complicated parts in designing a good restaurant. After all, the kitchen is the heart of your restaurant business.

Do you need assistance with ensuring your commercial kitchen is properly ventilated? If so, read on! Here are 3 tips to ensure there is maximum ventilation cycling throughout your restaurant’s kitchen.

  1. Necessary Ventilation

In restaurants there are two kinds of ventilation you need to have to guarantee things will stay cool: necessary ventilation and general ventilation. We’ll talk about what exactly necessary ventilation entails first.

An exhaust hood counts as necessary ventilation. This system is what captures and filters all of the heat, fumes, smoke, and other air particulates that are not needed inside the kitchen. The kitchen vent hood is another essential component to your kitchen’s ventilation system. This component is usually attached to the top of your ovens. Wall-mounted hoods are usually a better option as opposed to traditional overhead option for safety reasons.

Another component of necessary ventilation is makeup air. Air is continuously exhausted outside of the restaurant at a 100% rate, so it’s very important to take in an ample amount of air from outside at a rate of 80%. This is makeup air—it compensates for the exhausted air. Without it, it can cause negative effects in the restaurant building such as poor air quality, back-venting of combustible gases, drafty or stuffy areas, and reduced energy efficiency.

Lastly, fire suppression systems must be integrated with exhaust hoods according to your building codes. Fire is the number one cause of destruction in the kitchen, so for everyone’s safety and security this type of system does count as necessary. To ensure no fire starts in the first place, get all of your vents and equipment properly cleaned and maintained by a licensed company.

  1. General Ventilation

General ventilation consists of systems that aren’t as necessary as exhaust hoods, but they can still help if things are still a little too hot to handle. The make-up air will generally come from a wide variety of sources such as a rooftop intake unit or properly screened doors and windows.

General ventilation can be as simple as shutters on kitchen windows that are exposed to full sunlight daily. It can also include opening doors and windows in the cool of the morning or late in the evening. Not only does this count as general ventilation, but also it’s good cooling practice (see our previous blog post for more cooling tips!).

Air that goes out kitchen exhaust vents is replaced with a mix of make-up air from a variety of sources, including the dining room, a rooftop intake unit or open doors or windows that are properly screened to prevent insects and other pests from invading food preparation areas. To reduce heat, shade or shutter kitchen windows that are exposed to full sun. Open in the cool of the morning or later in the evening to let in fresh air.

If the kitchen is still too hot for everyone to handle, fans may be worth considering to add to your restaurant’s general ventilation. You may have to experiment with placement to find that sweet spot for the best circulation. Fans should be aimed away from hot food and prep areas where lighter items could scatter. Auxiliary fans must not interfere with exhaust fans, either. You could consider using a floor fan with another propped on a steady surface above, such as the top of the refrigerator. However or wherever you decide to use fans in your restaurant, make sure their blades and systems are kept clean and maintained as well.

  1. HVAC

One of the best ways to ensure there is proper ventilation being circulated throughout the entire restaurant is to integrate it with an HVAC system. While the kitchen is the heart of the restaurant, the other rooms such as the dining room need to stay cool and consist of good air quality too.

Central air conditioning is going to be the best choice for your restaurant. Why? Because you can’t use portable fans or window air conditioners around a hood vent system. Doing so will force hot, greasy air out from under the hood and dispense to the dining room (not what anyone wants to smell!). There is in fact a 10 foot minimum to hood rule for air diffusers placed near a hood. This is why it’s best for any cooling system in a kitchen to be handled by a professional technician.

Remember, the HVAC part of your commercial kitchen only works so as long it’s properly cleaned and maintained, as well as working in sync with the rest of the ventilation. If you still find it difficult to keep the temperature down, or you’ve found a problem that requires an HVAC technician, give our team a call. At Rep-Air Heating And Cooling we provide our customers with many options that will best suit your needs from heating and cooling to refrigeration. Contact us today for your complimentary quote: 1-844-218-3362 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 Gas Fireplaces Need to be Cleaned? The Answer is Yes! Here’s Why

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“Do gas fireplaces need to be cleaned?” If you were to ask us this question in person, the answer would be a resounding “YES!” Most homes now feature a fireplace using natural gas as opposed to wood for the sake of minimizing the number of chores to be done when winter fully hits. There are still some homes that use wood or electricity, and these all have their purpose no matter what type of fuel source you’re using.

If you want further explanation about why we insist on cleaning your gas fireplace, here are those very reasons:

Obstacles can develop

Nature has a way of interfering with getting the fire going, especially since we all gravitate towards warmth when it’s too cold. These obstacles can create some very nasty ventilation problems and even spark a fire where it’s not wanted:

  • Birds
  • Bats
  • Raccoons
  • Squirrels

All of these wildlife species prefer to build their nests near warm spots, which can include your home’s chimney and the chimney’s flue. If you start a new fire while these critters are occupying your chimney, expect to discover a very unpleasant smell as a result.

Buildup, debris, and all that junk and gunk

Yes, buildup can occur even in the most energy efficient fireplaces (which is what natural gas ones are these days). If you don’t maintain and clean your gas fireplace, buildup is more likely to occur where it shouldn’t be.

A few examples of dangerous buildup includes soot. Considering that your fireplace is fuelled by gas and not wood, soot is a danger sign that needs addressing and the buildup will only get worse if left unaddressed. Dust and cobwebs can also build up and become a hazard, especially if the gas fireplace has gone untouched for some time.

While the faux logs that may come with your gas fire can be reused, these can deteriorate over time too! They can cling to the sides of their insert and become trapped if they’re not replaced beforehand. Cracked or fractured logs should also be replaced for best heating output.

What’s that smell?

We’re not just talking about the aforementioned wildlife obstacles! Carbon monoxide is a smell you can encounter and a dangerous threat if you don’t clean out or tend to your gas fireplace. Usually it is emitted when natural gas is not burned completely. Being exposed to too much can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. Headaches and fatigue are just the start of physical symptoms when one is exposed to carbon monoxide. More alarming symptoms involve nausea, loss of muscle control, abdominal and chest pain, dizziness, and bright pink skin and lips. Call 911 if this is happening and get medical attention immediately!

Natural gas can become its own threat if the pipes are damaged and left untended to, not to mention it’s a highly flammable substance. Signs of leaks include dead houseplants, a rotten egg smell, a hissing noise, white fog or mist, and bubbles in water. If you detect any one of these signs, stop what you’re doing immediately and go outside. Call 911 or the FortisBC 24-hour emergency number 1-800-663-9911 and report the gas leak to your technician.

Now you know what dangers lie ahead if you don’t clean your gas fireplace! If you need assistance with gas fitting and proper cleaning and maintenance, or you’d like a professional to address concerns such as a pilot light that won’t stay lit, give us a call. At Rep-Air Heating And Cooling we provide our customers with many options that will best suit your needs from heating and cooling to refrigeration. Contact us today for your complimentary quote: 1-844-218-3362 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!

Frequently Asked Questions About Temperatures & Thermostats

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It’s just turning October now, but that doesn’t mean it’s quite time to turn on the heat yet. There’s still a little bit of time left before it’s best to turn off the A/C and turn on your furnace.

Regardless, we’ve noticed that there are quite a lot of questions people ask about temperature and thermostats this time of the year, especially now that it’s almost time to make that shift from staying cool to staying warm. We figured we’d answer some of those questions to help you best understand how to save money and energy without giving up your sense of comfort. Let’s get started, shall we?

  1. Is it better to keep the thermostat at a constant temperature?

No it’s not, actually! Leaving your thermostat at a temperature all the time, even when you’re not at home, is a waste of your time, energy, and money. It also creates more wear and tear to your HVAC systems over time, thus reducing the lifespan and increasing the risk of repair jobs needed.

You need to adjust your thermostat whenever the heat goes up in the summer or the temperature drops in the winter. The recommendations according to Energy Star are to set your temperature between 21 and 25 degrees Celsius (70 to 78 Fahrenheit). Energy Star also suggests that you turn your thermostat up by another 8 degrees when you leave your home. That way your HVAC systems will work at a lesser pace, thus reducing your heating or cooling costs.

  1. Is it cheaper to leave the heat on low all day?

This is another myth! In fact the only way you can save money via heating is to literally only heat up your home when you need it. Using a timer is the best solution, because the thermostat on your HVAC systems is designed to turn the heating on and off. That way it can keep your home at the temperature you set it at.

It’s certain that you leak energy out of your home constantly—although how much will depend on how good your home’s insulation is. Therefore, if you keep the heating on low all day, you lose energy all day too. That’s why it’s really for the best you don’t leave the heat on all day long.

  1. How much money can you save by changing the thermostat?

The amount of money you can save depends on several other factors, such as how old or new your HVAC systems are, how well-insulated your home is, how many people live in your home (i.e. you live by yourself or you have a family or roommate), and the current status of your thermostat. Obviously if your HVAC is getting on in its age it can cost you more, while newer models are more energy efficient and can reduce costs tremendously.

How much you save will really depend on where you live, your current lifestyle, and the state of your home’s insulation. To reduce costs, look into any potential areas where heat or cold air can leak out and get any issues, such as drafty doorways or windows, resolved.

  1. Should I turn the heat off at night?

It’s actually for the best to turn your heat down before you go to bed, as opposed to off entirely. Turning your heat off altogether can make your nights restless and uncomfortable. Your home may also cool down so much when the heat is off that heating it back up when you wake up will waste more energy.

For an ideal temperature when it’s time to go to sleep, it’s recommended to set your thermostat between 17 and 19 degrees Celsius (62 to 69 degrees Fahrenheit). This will ensure you stay cozy while getting some good rest.

  1. How do I keep my home warm or cool without changing the thermostat?

You can stay warm or cool even when the temperature is at either extremity by doing the following things:

  • Seal all drafty areas in your home before the temperature really drops. The most likely places to find these drafts are in doorways and windowpanes.
  • Keep vents and doors closed in any unused rooms. This will make it easier for your furnace or air conditioner to deliver your desired temperatures to the rooms you spend time in the most.
  • Add some layers to your clothes in fall, and remove them in spring. Those are the two seasons when the temperature shifts and you need to dress warmly or cool, even in your own home.
  • If your home has ceiling fans, you can use them to keep the air cool or warm in either season. They can speed up the ventilation process and redistribute the hot or cold air you want to regulate throughout your regularly occupied rooms.
  • Schedule an annual HVAC inspection and maintenance. Now is one of the best times of the year to do so, because the summer rush is over and it’s not yet time for winter. Likewise, spring is when the winter rush is over for furnace maintenance.

Got any more questions about the temperature and thermostats? Is it time to get your HVAC inspected and maintained? Give our professional technicians a call. We’re happy to answer any other questions you may have! At Rep-Air Heating And Cooling we provide our customers with many options that will best suit your needs from heating and cooling to refrigeration. Contact us today for your complimentary quote: 1-844-218-3362 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!

The Most Important Parts of Your Commercial Fridge to Maintain & Why

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It’s a common fact of life that “nothing lasts forever”—that phrase especially applies to commercial fridges. If the lifespan is over 10 years of age, it’s time to replace the entire system. It sounds expensive, we know, because it is, but it’s better that way for your everyone in the long term.

That being said, there are certain parts of your commercial fridge that you can keep in tip-top shape to ensure you get the most out of the system, and even extend its lifespan somewhat. Here is the lowdown on the most important parts of your commercial refrigerator you need to maintain regularly.

Why it Matters

If and when your commercial fridge isn’t working the way it should, it can help you to know the most common replacement parts even if you don’t plan to perform the repair job yourself; maybe you want an HVAC technician to look into it, but you’ll need to know ahead of time what’s wrong otherwise you’ll both spend a long time inspecting and perform an incorrect diagnosis. Having a correct understanding of which appliance parts are what will also help you better understand the diagnosis your technician will give you when they quote you for the repair job.

Now, these parts require your attention and maintenance:

Compressor

The compressor is one of the most important parts. It moves the refrigerant throughout the entire machine, creating that cooling effect we want for our food. A variety of issues can arise if the compressor gets too dirty or dusty, or if it breaks.

Condenser Coils

These help with the cooling process in that they help move air over the compressor up to the condenser fan motor. If these also get dirty and dusty, the cooling process will come to a halt.

Condenser Fan Motor

This motor draws air through the coils and over the compressor. It is what circulates the air throughout the entire machine, thus regulating the temperature in the process. You’ll know if this is the part that requires your attention if there is a loud noise coming from your commercial fridge that doesn’t sound normal. The problem may either be debris caught in the fan blades, or the bearings need replacement and fixing.

Thermistor

What the thermistor does is send the reading of the current temperature in your fridge using metals different from those within a thermostat. Thermistors are designed to read changes in conductivity as reflecting changes in temperature, even minute changes.

A thermostat, if you wondering, is a cruder version of the thermistor. It only permits the metals contained inside it to rise up or press on a contact to a certain level as the temperature fluctuates.

Whether your commercial fridge contains a thermostat or a thermistor, they are both an important part because they tell you what an acceptable level of temperature is for the food you’re preparing and selling. If this part becomes faulty, it needs to be replaced.

Evaporator Fan Motor

This part has a key role in the cooling process. Much like the condenser fan motor, if your commercial fridge is running noisier and louder than usual, this is a sign of either imminent failure for the part, or the fan motor windings need to be checked for continuity. The noise will be especially noticeable when the fridge door is open, and can be detected when the freezer part is still cold while the rest of your fridge is not.

The placement of all of these parts in your commercial fridge varies from model to model. That’s why it’s so important to hold on to the owner’s manual; it will help you determine which part is located where and how best to approach proper cleaning and maintenance. Some placements may require your HVAC technician team to maintain as they may be a little tricky to get to in terms of cleaning!

All of these parts we’ve listed can be maintained, and when properly done your commercial refrigeration may last beyond the estimated lifespan. However, if a fridge is too old, say over 10 or even 15 years, it’s too old to repair—not to mention the parts you may need for repair jobs are no longer manufactured. That’s why in some cases, you need to hire a professional technician team to maintain and inspect your commercial refrigeration.

Get professional repairs done if the task is too big to handle, or a new installation if your commercial refrigeration has reached the end of its lifespan. 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: 1-844-218-3362 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!

How to Get Your Business Ready for a New HVAC Installation

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Have you decided it’s time to get a new HVAC system installed for your business? Are you feeling nervous about the upcoming installation for it?

It’s okay, it’s natural to feel nervous. However, at the end of the day, a properly installed new commercial HVAC system will effectively serve your company for years. The key to feeling less nervous about the process is to get properly prepared for it. That way, you can help your hired HVAC technicians as fast and efficiently as possible and get your system, whether it’s your commercial air conditioner for an apartment building or a new refrigerator for your business, going.

If you need help getting ready, this is a good place to start. Here are a few ways to familiarize yourself with the commercial HVAC installation process and how to make sure your building has the best possible environment for the new system.

  1. Double-check Everything Beforehand

New HVAC systems need to work within your company building’s existing space as well as the ductwork (depending on what kind of system you’re getting). In addition, the size of each unit, big or small, must be adequate enough that it will fulfill your company’s needs.

These are a few technical details that you absolutely need to double-check on before contacting an HVAC company. If the ducts aren’t leak-free, these will need to be addressed and fixed before any installations can take place. Otherwise, your new system will have to work harder to cool down or heat up the rest of the building. Size is also an important factor of all HVAC systems, so double-check with your technician team in order to ensure the choice you made is the best and most correct size and capacity for the job.

  1. Schedule a Convenient Date and Time

It’s important to note that while you are getting new commercial HVAC installed, your building will be going without central cooling or heating while the installation is taking place. So, the best time to schedule your new HVAC with your trusted team depends on the temperature outside as well as the day when disruption to tenants, customers, or employees is low in terms of noise and technicians being around.

If it’s hot outside, it’s best to schedule the installation on a weekend if at all possible if your building is an office or similar commercial building. If the job is being done for an apartment building, it may be best to schedule it during the week when most tenants are less likely to be present at home. Doing so can prevent tenants or staff to feel uncomfortably warm or cold inside until the new HVAC system is installed and running perfectly.

  1. Notify Everyone About What’s Happening

Whether there are employees or tenants in your building, you need to let them know ahead of time about the upcoming installation. Doing so will lower the chance of mishaps, unnecessary delays with installing the commercial HVAC, and even injuries.

Put up signs near any areas where employees or tenants should avoid in order to allow your HVAC team to go back and forth as required. If your employees need to be around during installation, they can bring in a desk fan or wear warmer clothing to stay cool or warm since the building will be without A/C or heating that day. Informing apartment tenants can give them a chance to make other arrangements as needed. They can make plans during the installation process if it’s hot or cold out so they don’t have to stay uncomfortable.

  1. Make Some Room for Your Technician Team

Once you’ve discussed and scheduled a good date and time with your HVAC team, you then need to ensure nothing gets in the way of their work. Otherwise, your team may not be able to do what’s needed to get the job done.

Remove all valuable assets out of the room if the installation is taking place inside. Clear the space around where the team will be working. Get any yardwork done beforehand if the new installation is a condenser and needs to be placed outside near trees and bushes. Make sure these plants are not too close to where the new condenser will be placed; there should be three to four feet of clearance all around. If you were informed to have your ducts replaced before the new system is installed, make sure that prep work is done before this job.

Doing all of this beforehand will ensure you have given your HVAC team a clear path, which reduces the risk of accidents and ensures that the job will be done fast and efficiently.

You may be wondering why we didn’t add tips like “Hire the right contractor” to our article. That’s because you can trust us to get the job done, and done well! So once you’ve scheduled a date with us, you can sit back, relax, and feel at ease knowing you have hired licensed and experienced HVAC technicians! Give us a call when it’s time to get your commercial HVAC replaced and 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: 1-844-218-3362 orcontact@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!

5 Benefits of Tankless Hot Water Heaters

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Did you know that you have the option to upgrade your hot water heater and improve your home’s water supply? Yes, it’s true. While having a tank water heater is a classic means of dispersing hot water throughout your entire home, it is by no means your only option if and when the heater gets too old to maintain any longer. Tankless water heaters are becoming more and more popular as the years go on.

Is there a reason to upgrade to tankless right away? It turns out that yes, there is! Here are five key benefits to owning a tankless hot water heater as opposed to sticking with the classic tank one.

Hot Water on Demand

This is the main perk of any tankless water heater. Not only does it allow you to have hot water whenever you need it, but also a tankless heater doesn’t need to store tons of gallons of water in order to function. This means you use less water and save more of that resource and energy in the process (depending on how much your household uses it per month).

The supply of water from a tankless is also continuous, as opposed to limited. This is what makes these heaters so ideal if you own a hot tub. Simply put, a tankless will never run out of the water you need.

Less Energy Usage

Water loses its heat as soon as it sits for a while, every time. This is why it takes so much more energy usage for traditional tank hot water heaters to work, because it will continually turn on and off in order to provide hot water at the ready.

A tankless hot water heater, as we mentioned, heats the water faster and only when you really need it, which is a much more energy efficient way to use it. A properly sized unit can deliver a constant supply of water at preset temperatures—up to 5-7 gallons per minute. This can actually reduce your heating costs of hot water and save money over time.

Flexibility

Tankless water heaters can actually be fixed anywhere in the house, as opposed to the one specific place such as the basement (a classic choice for most water heaters). Their compact sizes, which take less space than conventional tanks, adds to their sense of versatility and flexibility. The materials they’re made of further contributes to their low operating costs compared to those of traditional tank heaters.

A Long Lifespan

If you own a tank water heater, you’re looking at about a decade of usage before it needs replacing. With tankless, however, they can last twice as long (provided they are well cared for and maintained, of course).

It helps that tankless heaters need less gas or electricity to run compared to tanks. Plus, they’re more repairable with replaceable parts by your HVAC technician, unlike the traditional tanks which often needs to be replaced completely.

Safety

Another good reason more and more homeowners are opting in to have tankless heaters installed is because of the latest developments in HVAC technology. The newest heaters on the market come with several innovative features, which further boost their safety benefit.

For example, some recent models come with monitoring systems that provide details about your heater’s water pressure and flow—something you have to second guess at with traditional tanks. And in case there is a system failure, the machine would instantly turn the heater off. Plus, because the latest models have more replaceable parts than traditional tanks, it means less impact in the long-term on the environment.

The tankless’s ability to function only when hot water is needed also adds to its safety perk. This is really unlike the other storage type units, because the latter are almost permanently on
even when it may not be best if they are.

So, now you know more about tankless hot water heaters! If you’re convinced it’s time to update your old heater to a tankless one, you’re going to need professional help. This is by no means a DIY project, and we offer water heater service as well as several others. Give us a call! At Rep-Air Heating And Cooling we provide our customers with many options that will best suit your needs from heating and cooling to refrigeration. Contact us today for your complimentary quote: 1-844-218-3362 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!

How to Get Teens Interested in Learning About HVAC

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It’s almost time for teens to go back to school. Some of them are probably trying to figure out where they’ll go or what they’ll do after graduating. Others may already have a plan in mind, but no idea where to start.

Could HVAC be a part of their future plan? Whether you’re a teen who wants to learn more about this trade already, or you’re a concerned parent or teacher or guardian figure looking to help teens out, maybe we can help you out too. Here are some ways to get teens interested in learning about HVAC.

1: Apply real-life situations

Every teen at some point in their lives will want to move out of their parents’ home. It doesn’t matter if they want to rent or buy their home in the future; whatever they decide, they will have to take on extra responsibilities, and this includes—you guessed it—maintaining the HVAC inside and out.

It matters that teens learn about it because a lot of the worst-case scenarios we’ve outlined in our blog affects everyone. A lot of the time we’ve seen people wait until there is an emergency shutdown of your HVAC system to finally try to learn about HVAC, how it works, and how you need to go about maintaining it. This is a bad practice for a lot of reasons! It shows a clear disinterest in learning about something that you will actually have to live with and take care for quite a long time—all the way through adulthood.

Teens who move out into their own apartment may get too used to having their landlord (if they’re renting) look after their HVAC needs, which can also be a problem if an emergency happens and they don’t know what to do. That being said, there are some who are actually very invested in learning about technology and machinery as well as understanding how it works. Even more are interested about homeownership and how to take care of themselves at an early enough age. Teens are also a lot smarter than we give them credit for; they do want to know about how best to take care of themselves, and that can and does include learning about HVAC.

A lot of options to understand how HVAC functions and what it needs to run properly exist not only for teenage to young adult homeowners but also renters. A few examples include portable or window A/C, ventilation, and even fridge maintenance while they’re at work.

These are just a few real-life situations that teens will eventually have to come face to face with that you, as their parent or teacher or guardian or employer, can potentially build them up to. Share with them some articles and videos you find online (yes, online—that’s where the majority of teens go nowadays) about the latest models on the market or tips. Try to encourage them to stand by and watch how you maintain the HVAC when it’s time. You can also ask your technician next time they come in for scheduled maintenance if the teen can spot them as they work, to see how it’s done in real time.

2: Get them to interview an actual technician

Naturally learning about things like HVAC comes with its own slew of questions that you may not have the answer to. The Internet helps, but only to a certain degree—it’s one thing to read about HVAC online. It’s quite another to practice things like maintenance and understanding the signs of a problem in real life.

With all that in mind, it may help teens to interview actual technicians. We’re always happy to talk HVAC! While we may be busy during the high seasons of maintenance (i.e. summer and winter), usually as the season is winding down into fall or spring is a good time for teens to ask us any questions they may have. Informational interviews are also great practice for teens who may be job hunting or simply testing the waters to see what kinds of career options might be available to them in the future.

3: Examine trade schools

If your teen was really thrilled to learn more about HVAC after the interview, or maybe they love being able to fix and repair machines in general, then you could always suggest they apply to a trade school after graduation. Several programs for learning more about HVAC beyond high school are available to graduating teens throughout Canada, and some of them are less costly than others depending on where the school is located. Even if they apply and don’t get in yet, you can suggest to them that they volunteer or become an apprentice while they wait.

4: Encourage their newfound interest

It’s important that if you know a teenager who does show newfound interest in HVAC that you encourage those interests! Nothing can dissuade teens like an adult telling them that their passions are a waste of time, or that they’ll never build a career out of it. Be positive and encouraging to those teens who show interest. It may not always turn out that they go to school to learn more. However, there are plenty of opportunities where they can learn more about HVAC if they want to. This blog would be a good start!

If you know any teens who want to learn more about what we do and why we do it, we’re always happy to talk! Give us a call if you’d like—maybe you need some actual maintenance done in the meantime? 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: 1-844-218-3362 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!

6 Pros of Maintaining Your Commercial Fridge Regularly

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It goes without saying that if you run a business that sells food or meals, you need a commercial fridge or fridges to keep your business up and running. Fridges are used daily in these businesses; naturally though the constant usage can take a toll on the system’s health and make it more prone to mechanical snags and frequent shutdowns. This means that when a commercial fridge is maintained properly and regularly, it can lead to several benefits along the way. Maybe there are a few you didn’t even consider until you started reading this post!

It’s true, though. Imagine having the fridge at your grocery store stop working when it’s the holiday season! That can really make a difference to your business! With this kind of scenario in mind, there are lots of advantages to maintaining your commercial fridge on a regular basis.

  1. Emergencies are prevented

The worst time for a sudden breakdown of your commercial fridge is literally any time. Going back to the holiday example, not only will that drive away customers at the busiest time of the year, but also the stress levels would rise beyond belief for everyone! Not to mention that any emergency breakdown can cost you big time. Not only does it cost more money to repair the damages done, but also there’s the loss of income you could have been making had you prevented the breakdown in the first place.

By maintaining the commercial fridge regularly, including checking on the electric components so there are no short circuits, you’ll spare your business and your customers from the trials and tribulations one can expect from a sudden breakdown. Regular maintenance will also ensure that no valuable income that your business makes is lost in the event of an emergency either.

  1. Safe temperatures

Food and drinks must always be kept at their proper temperatures daily. That is how you prevent diseases and other nasty conditions such as food poisoning from harming others in addition to your business’s reputation.

Maintaining a commercial fridge will not only keep the temperatures at their proper levels, but also prevent fluctuations from harming your valuable inventory in the event of a breakdown. Regulating the temperature also goes hand in hand with the following benefit:

  1. A clean bill of health, according to your inspector

Nothing sends panic up the spine quite like hearing the words ‘health inspector’—that is, if you know you’re not running things the way your business should be! But if you already run your business smoothly including its upkeep, then there’s nothing for you to worry about.

By keeping up your commercial fridge’s maintenance on a regular schedule, you’ll be given a clean bill of health each time and this too can add a boon to your business’s reputation. After all, no one wants to find out they’ve been eating and drinking food in an unclean environment from an unclean refrigeration system.

  1. Fresh food—always

Every business owner knows that the fresher and high-quality the food you serve is, the more likely your customers will be pleased enough to want to return to your business time and again. Maintaining your commercial fridge will not only keep the food and drinks inventory at safe temperatures, it will also ensure that it stays fresh and/or frozen until you need it at all times of the day. So long as you follow basic safety tips and even apply some cooling solutions to your business’s kitchen (you can find a few ideas here), the food you serve will not spoil or get mouldy.

  1. Clean ice and no mould

Speaking of mould, here’s another benefit to maintaining commercial fridges regularly. An unclean fridge can also be the cause of illnesses brought upon your customers, such as E.coli, salmonella, and listeria to name just a few. This can and will result in your business down sliding to the point of bankruptcy. So, for your business’s sake as well as the sake of your customers, keep mould at bay with that regular and proper maintenance!

Mould can also cause ice in commercial refrigeration to become easily contaminated. It’ll look blurry and spotty in the event a fridge has gone too long uncleaned. With proper cleaning and care of your refrigerator, it’s guaranteed that your ice keeps coming out fresh and appetizing. After all, as we mentioned in a previous blog post, no one wants to be served dirty ice.

  1. More energy saved = more money for your business

The more energy you spend on cooling down certain things, the costlier it becomes. That is a fact of HVAC.  However, you can minimize energy costs of any kind by ensuring the systems being used aren’t relying too heavily on themselves in order to function properly.

What causes energy loss? Simple: dirty and dusty components that trick the system into thinking it needs to work harder to cool the room down, or that the room’s already cooled off and so there’s no need. Therefore, by maintaining your commercial fridge, you not only save energy and spare the system from overworking or underworking itself, but also the cost it would take for your business to cool the food down.

As you can see, you never go wrong with taking care of your commercial refrigeration! If this is a service you need today or you’d like to sign up for a regular maintenance schedule, give our technicians a call. At Rep-Air Heating And Cooling we provide our customers with many options that will best suit your needs from heating and cooling to refrigeration. Contact us today for your complimentary quote: 1-844-218-3362 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!

How Commercial Businesses Can Reduce Costs on Cooling

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Summer is a high season for a lot of people and businesses. It’s great for tourism, restaurants, travel agencies, and so on. It’s also a high season for us technicians
which can be a problem for commercial businesses who need help with their cooling.

Did you know there are a few ways you can cut down on cooling costs at your company? Depending on what kind of business you run, cooling solutions are a necessary part of keeping your business running, but you do have to strategize how these solutions are applied in order to keep costs low despite the high season. If you need to cut down on cooling costs, here are some tips on how to do so for your commercial business.

Tip 1: Get an energy audit conducted

While this tip may not sound like a good idea at all, it actually really is when it comes to figuring out your business’s energy costs and usage. An audit can properly measure how much money and energy you are using currently, and they are usually offered for free to business owners from most utility companies. They can help you find out how to better increase your energy efficiency, where your money is going every month, and how and where you can make adjustments to lower those energy bills.

Tip 2: Ask yourself some hard questions

While you’re waiting for your energy audit to be fully completed, you need to really take a look at how you’re currently using your cooling efforts for your business. Asking yourself these tough questions can perhaps illuminate just how badly you need to make changes around the company:

  • Is the air conditioning switched on all day, every day during the summer?
  • Are you or have you been doing anything already to minimize or eliminate the need for an A/C unit?
  • What type of atmosphere are your employees most comfortable in?
  • Are there any cooling alternatives you can provide your staff when moving forward?
  • Do your current cooling solutions feel like they’re enough, or not?

All of these questions and more are essential ones you should be asking when looking to change the way you cool down your building and the way you spend energy to get that result. If you weren’t aware of these questions to start with, then you really need to re-examine exactly how you’ve lost track of keeping track. Not only could you be adding unnecessary costs to your budget to cooling, but also you could be unwittingly causing a serious negative impact on the environment in and out of your business’s building.

Once you’ve analyzed these questions and examined your audit, you can determine how best to approach cooling solutions for your business.

Tip 3: Keep your commercial HVAC tuned up and clean

This tip is an obvious one, but since we’ve seen some ugly mistakes made with it in the past (there are a few examples we mean here), it bears repeating. You really will save money, time, and energy by performing regular maintenance and cleaning your commercial HVAC, whether it’s a fridge or an air conditioner.

Change the filters as often as recommended, and keep all furniture and obstacles such as paper away from the vents. Hiring a technician and coming up with a regular schedule for HVAC tasks helps too; they can perform more in-depth maintenance that neither you nor your staff have time to tend to as often as recommended.

Tip 4: Keep the heat out

Perhaps your commercial HVAC is working fine, but you’re still losing money. Have you checked the windows? You may not think the sunlight coming into your conference room window is a big deal, but really that’s money and energy flying out of your building right there, because it’s adding to your air conditioner’s efforts to cool a room down.

Another thing to be wary of in terms of windows are drafts. Yes, these are more noticeable when it’s cold out and the heat is escaping, but those same weaknesses in the windows are also letting cold air escape when you need it!

These are very easy fixes that you can’t ignore. All you have to do is add or replace awnings, solar screen window shades, and high-reflectivity window films to reduce the amount of heat. For those pesky drafts, replace or add to your windows caulk, weather-stripping, or foam. We’re sure you’ll start to feel a difference in temperature once you apply these fixes!

Tip 5: Consider smart programming

Smart thermostats and similar programming aren’t just useful for homeowners and their HVAC. This tech can benefit anyone at the office or in the commercial building where cooling solutions are needed. With a smart thermostat, you will have the power to adjust the temperature of the workplace when no one is around (for example holidays, weekends, and most nights).

You can set it to turn the A/C on before people arrive and off before they leave for the day. Just turning your A/C up by 1 degree in the summer can actually reduce the power you use (remember, the higher the temperature your cooling needs to be, the harder the system will work to achieve it).

Tip 6: Trees can be your friends

If there’s enough property outside to help with this, then trees can be a real benefit to your business. Plant some outside the office and provide your building with some shaded landscaping. The trees and their leaves will filter some of the harshness of the sun’s rays and less cooling via HVAC will be needed. If your building already has proper energy efficient systems and insulation, though, the effect of the trees will be a lot smaller.

These are only a few suggestions as to how to keep your commercial business’s cooling costs to a minimum in the warmer weather months. If your company needs assistance applying these solutions at any time, or your commercial air conditioner needs replacing or repairing, give us a call. At Rep-Air Heating And Cooling we provide our customers with many options that will best suit your needs from heating and cooling to refrigeration. Contact us today for your complimentary quote: 1-844-218-3362 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!