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

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

Heating up all the rooms—even the unused ones

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

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

Blocking off ventilation

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

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

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

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

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

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

Not cleaning your furnace at all

If your furnace goes uncleaned, this is what happens:

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

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

Holding off from an inspection or upgrade

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

Do you need a new furnace or want to find out what heating options you have? At Rep-Air Heating And Cooling we provide our customers with many options that will best suit your needs from heating and cooling to refrigeration. Contact us today for your complimentary quote: 1-844-218-3362 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!

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

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

Resolution 1: Learn more about HVAC

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

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

Resolution 2: Become a smarter shopper

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

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

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

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

Resolution 4: Save money

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

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

Resolution 5: Get to know your contractors better

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

From all of us to you we wish you a very Happy New Year! Get in touch with us for all of your HVAC needs! At Rep-Air Heating And Cooling we provide our customers with many options that will best suit your needs from heating and cooling to refrigeration. Contact us today for your complimentary quote: 1-844-218-3362 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!

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

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

Sign 1: No Heat

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

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

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

Sign 2: The Furnace is Making Noise

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

Sign 3: No Airflow

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

Sign 4: What’s That Smell?

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

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

Sign 5: It’s Costing You

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

Is it time to get a new furnace? Let us know! At Rep-Air Heating And Cooling we provide our customers with many options that will best suit your needs from heating and cooling to refrigeration. Contact us today for your complimentary quote: 1-844-218-3362 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!

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

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

Hello Mr. Sunshine!

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

Your Ceiling Fan Can Help

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

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

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

Take Shorter Showers and Baths

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

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

Rooms Matter

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

Adjust Humidity Levels If You Need To

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

Insulation Can Help

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

Your Furnace (and How to Use it)

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

Have a Cup of Tea

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

Stay warm and cozy this winter! If you’ve discovered something wrong with your furnace or want to get it inspected before the snow starts coming down too hard, give us a call. At Rep-Air Heating And Cooling we provide our customers with many options that will best suit your needs from heating and cooling to refrigeration. Contact us today for your complimentary quote: 1-844-218-3362 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!

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

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

Clean your house’s A/C

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

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

Look at your hot water heater’s temperature

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

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

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

Tidy up around the furnace

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

Listen for noises

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

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

Insulate your attic

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

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

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

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

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

Break out the hot chocolate

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

If you need assistance with any of these winter HVAC tasks, give us a call. At Rep-Air Heating And Cooling we provide our customers with many options that will best suit your needs from heating and cooling to refrigeration. Contact us today for your complimentary quote: 1-844-218-3362 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 you own a dog or a cat (or both)? If so, that’s great! Pets make for wonderful companions no matter what day of the year. They can be loyal, funny, protective, sassy, and even weird (depending on whether there’s a full moon or not…just kidding!).

However, one thing you need to be aware of as a pet owner is the air quality in your home. It’s easy for pet owners to live with things like hair and the less-than-pleasant hairballs, but not everyone is a pet owner and if you’ve lived with pets long enough, you might not realize other peoples’ sensitivities until they sneeze upon entering your home and can’t stop!

To make things easier on our pet clients, here’s how you can control the air quality from your home’s HVAC systems even as you’re raising Fido and Fluffy.

Meet your new best friend: the vacuum cleaner

Dander is one of the other airborne things next to hair and fur that you need to worry about as a pet owner. This dander is what exactly people can develop allergies towards as it affects their skin and air quality. With this in mind, meet your new best friend (if you weren’t already acquainted!): the vacuum cleaner.

Vacuuming the floors is only one step towards controlling the air quality in both your home and for your HVAC systems. The furniture, curtains or blinds, the tops of cupboards, and overtop ventilation slots can all harbour dust in addition to pet hair and dander. This step can also help to prevent pests from making things even worse!

Grooming helps

Not only should you vacuum but also you should consider grooming your pet as often as needed. Depending on whether your dog or cat is a short-hair or long-hair, grooming needs will vary, but it should be done at least once a week. Asking your vet for tips can help.

Grooming can also prevent any damage to your home’s HVAC units and the air quality as well. Larger clumps of fur can spell bad news if they find their way into the ventilation connecting to a heat source during the circulation process. And everyone knows that fur + heat = fire, so the less likely you can create hazards, the better!

In addition, grooming your pets yourself can create some much-needed bonding time between you and your dog or cat or both. They’ll appreciate your attention to them! Touch is one of the best ways to further strengthen the bond between you and them. Frequent bathing can also help limit the amount of dander and fur that can trigger a person’s pet allergy.

Change air filters regularly

We’ve already mentioned how important it is to maintain HVAC equipment such as the A/C and the furnace, but for pet owners there’s one component that requires greater attention: the air filter. In addition to pet hair, dust and dirt is likely to clog up the filters contained in your HVAC systems so it’s more likely to get dirty more often than a home without pets.

For safety’s sake, it’s best to examine and clean the air filters in your HVAC around once a month rather than once every 3 months as we’ve suggested before for furnaces. That way, both you and your house guests can enjoy your living room and cuddle your pets with ease. If you’re having trouble remembering, set a timer or make it a point to mark the filter changing date on your calendar.

Protect exterior units

If your HVAC unit is installed in an area where dogs can easily access it, you have another task to do: make sure the dog doesn’t mark it! Urine from any animals can and will dirty and corrode the coils as well as many other parts contained that help the HVAC system function properly. Occasionally dogs may also try to claw at the outer fins (again, that depends on where your unit is located), which can not only damage your unit but also hurt the dog’s paws and nails in the process.

If you can, get a fence installed or a hedge planted in place to deter any dogs from coming near your exterior HVAC units. If you do, make sure the fence or hedge is placed 2 feet away from the unit itself so that it can have 2 feet of open space all around it. That way, your HVAC technician can access the unit easily when it’s time for a maintenance checkup.

Consider upgrading your system

If the problems of dander and hair are chronic, and your current system is getting on the old side, you should consider upgrading your system with an energy efficient one. Not only will this help with any energy bills that are getting expensive, but also many of the newest systems come complete with an air purifier or a whole-house air cleaner attached. The air filters contained within newer systems are upgraded as well (just be sure to maintain it regularly! Just because it’s new doesn’t mean it won’t get dirty).

If you are a pet owner who needs assistance with the HVAC systems in your home, let us know! At Rep-Air Heating And Cooling we provide our customers with many options that will best suit your needs from heating and cooling to refrigeration. Contact us today for your complimentary quote: 1-844-218-3362 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!

Money is the biggest reason so many homeowners, business owners, commercial companies, and apartment landlords to name a few let so many HVAC repairs go unattended to. Usually it boils down to a tightly squeezed budget or poor planning for larger repairs and replacements. There are several other reasons also (in the case of schools, anyway, but you can read more about that here), but money is usually what it boils down to.

However, there are ways you can save money for your next HVAC repair or a brand new installation! Here are our suggestions on how to do just that.

Sign up for financing

There are more financing programs available for homeowners than there used to be, some offered by local energy companies and banks to help new homeowners or those with a lower income out with expenses.

However, an even easier program people can sign up for is SNAP—you can check out our page, or even our blog post, on how to apply and why this program is so helpful. It’s available to both homeowners and commercial businesses who need to pay for HVAC, but need the money required sooner rather than later (most programs force you to wait for a few weeks before the first payment to you is sent and received; with SNAP it’s instant).

Perform proper maintenance and cleaning

There’s a common saying which is “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” i.e. prevention is the best way to avoid needing a cure for help. That definitely applies to any HVAC equipment in your home or at your workplace!

If you want to avoid an expensive repair job, you need to perform proper maintenance and cleaning on your HVAC systems. Depending on the system itself, this only needs to be done occasionally and it usually doesn’t take very long. The other option is to hire a technician to perform regular inspections and tune-ups for you to ensure your systems are working in their peak condition and that there are no warning signs of breakdown or repair needed.

Know the signs

Understanding the signs of something going or gone wrong with your HVAC is another way to save money, because the sooner the problem is fixed, the less it will cost you long term. We’ve written several blog posts about these telltale signs because we want to help you be smarter about the systems you use daily.

It’s pretty disastrous and stressful to find out your furnace has stopped working or isn’t doing its best when it’s too cold out for comfort! That’s why knowing the signs of gradual wear and tear, among other things, can help you save money in the long run. It will help you understand the difference between a fix you can do yourself, such as changing the air filter in the furnace, versus a task that needs a professional’s touch such as a faulty thermostat.

Deals and rebates

Many local utility companies including BC Hydro and Energy Star offer rebates and incentives in the event your current HVAC system needs to be outright replaced. Try to submit for both and stack offers so that you can take a giant chunk out of the overall cost of your new HVAC unit.

If you’re a member of certain companies such as Costco, you’re in luck. They may offer you a good deal or a store rebate card if you should purchase a new unit through their partners. Even if you aren’t a member, they’re good resources to use for finding information about the latest systems on the market.

You can also ask us at Rep-Air about new HVAC! Spring and fall are usually the seasons when we’re way less busy inspecting and repairing equipment, and we have the know-how to install new systems at a discount. All you have to do is ask!

Replace it, don’t repair it

It seems hard to believe that in order to save money you need to spend it on newer equipment, but it’s true. In the long run, it can actually cost you more money to repair an older HVAC unit than it will to replace it outright for several reasons. One is that the parts needed for repairs may no longer even exist because the unit was made over 30 years ago. Another is that an older system can raise your energy expenses if it’s running incorrectly.

If you’re currently on the fence about outright replacing your current HVAC units or getting repairs done, you can always ask us to help with that too. Let us know about how else we can help you save money and lower your energy bills! 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!

It’s a sad fact that all machines wear down over time and eventually must be replaced. However, with certain machines such as HVAC systems, they can last past their warranty date so long as you properly keep them cleaned and maintained on a regular basis.

With commercial fridges, it can be tough to figure out exactly how well it’s holding up depending on if you’re the owner or staff who’s constantly using it. Knowing the signs of when it’s getting too old to use any longer can help you save money for future investments, as well as avoid breakdowns at the worst possible time! So here are some tips on how to tell your commercial fridge needs to retire on account of getting old.

Its Age

We’ll get the most obvious point out of the way first. Any refrigeration that is over 15 years old does not and will not contain the energy efficient technology that newer fridges have. That means if your business is still using an older fridge, it’s causing you to spend more on energy bills than you need to. Plus, when repair is needed, the parts are more difficult to find, which causes a more expensive repair job.

So, if your commercial fridge really is over 15 years old, don’t bother asking for repairs. A full replacement is needed.

Temperature Problems

Is your bottle fridge failing to cool down the drinks inside? In the commercial restaurant industry or the grocery and retail industries, fixing the temperature in a timely manner is essential.

Before picking up the phone to call for help, you can examine the appliance and see if it’s a simple fix before declaring it to be too old. Is the fridge placed directly against the wall? If so, it needs to be slightly shifted away from a wall so it can have room to circulate air properly and efficiently.

Another thing to look at is the gasket. Are you seeing some wear and tear? Commercial fridges are built to withstand countless openings and closings, so it should close and seal completely in order for the fridge to properly cool. If the gasket is looking worn out, though, you should get help.

If you’ve still examined these areas and there doesn’t seem to be anything wrong, other than the temperature problem, it could be something more complex such as a faulty temperature control gauge. An incorrect temperature reading can also be caused because of a blocked vent. Double check by using a thermometer to make sure the thermostat is working for sure. If not, then calling in an HVAC technician to perform an inspection and service is your best chance of fixing your current temperature problems.

Power Fluctuations

Sometimes a fridge may not be cooling properly or powering up the way it’s supposed to. This issue should be resolved immediately. First make sure the fridge, if it has a power switch, isn’t switched off. Check to see if the power cord has been properly plugged in all the way, in case it’s been knocked out of place.

If these two things still aren’t the problem, you should check the wiring for the outlet and ground wires to see if they’re active. If it’s failing it could be because of the power supply, not the unit. You can use a voltage detector to see if voltage is present in the outlet. If even that is absent, it’s a sign your fridge is getting too old.

Noises

Most of the time when there’s a weird noise coming from the fridge it’s due to either a compressor on its last legs or evaporator coils that are getting clogged up. While the latter scenario is a fixable one (albeit a messy one—calling in a technician can help with cleanup), the compressor situation is trickier. This part should be kept clean and its location devoid of dirt, dust, hair, grease, and other buildup that can affect the compressor’s ability to cool down the fridge. If you’ve properly maintained your compressor regardless (typically every 90 days), and it’s still running too hot, it’s a sign your fridge is starting to fail.

Other big giveaway signs of noise are hissing and a repeated cycle of cooling that’s frequently switching itself on and off. If these noises are accompanied with other telltale signs, i.e. sweating and leaking, it’s a sign to get some major repair work done or—and this will be better for your business in the long run—a complete replacement.

When in Doubt, Get Help

Even the most top-of-the-line and durable commercial fridges can wear out over time due to their age or, in some cases, a lack of proper maintenance and cleaning. If you’ve already performed your due diligence on maintaining the fridge and you still can’t pinpoint the problem, it’s time to call in a professional. If your commercial refrigerator is still under its parts and labour or manufacturer warranty, you need to check the warranty details to make sure any repairs you or the technician may perform won’t void your warranty.

You can also sign up for a regular maintenance plan and worry less about your fridge or fridges. This can help minimize the need for larger repairs in the near future. There are also financing plans you can consider in the event budget is a concern of yours, which you can read more about here.

Give us a call if your business needs help with its commercial fridge. 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!

This is one of the prime times of the year when a lot of homeowners go on vacation. They may be snowbirds who love heading to a warmer climate during the winter, or maybe they plan on going somewhere different to celebrate a major festival or holiday. Whatever the reason for your vacation, you need to make sure your home is well taken care of before you leave, and that includes looking after your HVAC equipment.

The last thing you want to find when you come home after traveling is that the heater is broken or that your home is uncomfortably hot or cold! So, to help you out, here are our tips on preparing your home’s HVAC systems when you leave for your vacation.

Tip 1: Turn the Thermostat Up & Down

This is going to sound insane but it’s actually best that you don’t shut down your HVAC systems entirely while you’re gone. The thing about HVAC is that it’s designed specifically to be used regularly, not switched on and off constantly. If they’re inactive for long periods of time, the most important components in them can deteriorate and eventually operate at a poor level of capacity. Also, if systems are not switched on, moisture can develop, leading to mold growth.

So, before you go on vacation, make sure to include turning your thermostat up by at least 5 degrees. That way, moisture buildup will not occur and your HVAC will get enough sufficient activity, all while maintaining a comfortable temperature for the people looking after your home while you’re gone. Your system won’t run nearly as much, either.

Turn the thermostat down on your water heater and don’t shut it off entirely. That way you can save a little money on your energy bill, plus you won’t have to call your technician should the pilot light go out.

If temperature adjustment is something you’d rather not worry about, consider investing in a smart thermostat. That way you can program the thermostat to maintain certain temperatures and run at certain times, and you won’t have to come home to an uncomfortably too hot or too cold house.

Tip 2: Vacuum

Dust, allergen triggers, and other air contaminants tends to build up over time when left alone. When you’re out of the house, these contaminants can even circulate through the airflow and you’re your HVAC equipment. That means before you go on your vacation, you need to give your home a thorough vacuuming and cleaning.

Tip 3: Close Windows & Blinds

Now is a good time before you go on holiday to check on the windows and doors of your home. Do you feel a cold draft coming through? (These are easier to detect in fall than in the spring or summer). If so, seal any leaks and also close all of the windows before you leave. This will reduce the amount of hot air leaving your home in the winter and entering it in the summer. Closing the windows is also good common sense in terms of safety and security.

In addition to closing the windows, depending on the season it’s best to close the blinds. That way, you’ll reduce the temperature inside, thus reducing your HVAC unit’s workload too. Make sure there’s no direct sunlight shining on the unit’s thermostat either, if needed; direct sunlight can make the thermostat think the room is hotter than it really is, resulting in increased unit usage. Closing the blinds can prevent this from happening as well.

Tip 4: Change Air Filters

Cleaning and replacing the air filters in your HVAC systems, whether it’s for the A/C or furnace, is a good idea whether or not you’re going on vacation. You definitely should before you leave for a longer period of time though. That way, when you leave, your units will be running way less often and dirt and dust will have way less opportunity to build up and settle on the filters. Changing the filter right before you leave will also ensure your HVAC has the best possible protection from debris in your absence.

If your vacation is going to be a lengthy one, say, for several months, it’s worth your while to have a neighbour or even your regular HVAC technician change the filter on your units a few times when you’re gone.

Tip 5: Check Outside

The weather is not always beautiful in BC (although it is very often the case!). Storms, heavy rain, and blizzards in the winter can still affect everyone, including your outside HVAC systems. That’s why it’s a good idea to inspect your A/C units outside to see if there are any trees or bushes growing a little too close for comfort. Clear the surrounding space near your outside HVAC of any tree branches, underbrush, and other objects nearby so that in the event a bad storm does come around, they’re well protected.

Tip 6: Open all Vents

Air circulation even while you’re gone is still a good idea. Open all of the vents in your home so that air continues to flow. This is because most HVAC units are designed to provide maximum airflow. Leaving all the vents open will help the system run at its best capacity when you’re away.

Tip 7: Clean Your HVAC

Depending on the length of your vacation it’s a good idea to clean the condenser coils, filters, and exteriors of your HVAC units before you leave. As you’re doing so, be on the lookout for any leaks or weaknesses in the system that may indicate a future problem. That way you can avoid having to face expensive energy bills when you return. If you don’t have time for this before departing, hiring a professional technician to inspect the system both before and during your absence can give you some peace of mind.

If you’re planning on vacationing and need HVAC services such as inspection or repairs, 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!

Fall is a wonderful and even beautiful time of the year. The colours of the leaves are changing, the sun is bright but not scorching hot, and warm, comforting food can be made to make rainy days better. While it’s good to have a break from the summer heat, you need to remember that with fall comes a change in temperature, and in addition to that, a change is needed in the way we save energy.

Much like our summer tips on how to save energy, there are ways you can keep comfortable and warm without having to rely too much on your furnace (which can increase your energy bills). Here are our tips for you to stay warm during this cooler time of year.

Tip 1: Temperature

It’s recommended that you keep your thermostat either at or below 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit). When you’re not at home, i.e. you have to go to work or run errands, it’s recommended you turn back your thermostat by about 10 to 15 degrees; when you are at home, to set it as low as comfortably possible. That way, you can save 10 percent on your heating costs.

By setting the thermostat to the recommended 20 degrees, your furnace and other HVAC systems with have less work to do, thus both extending its lifespan and lowering your home’s energy consumption.

Tip 2: Vents

Vents throughout the home should never be covered up, whether it’s to heat up or cool down the rooms. Make sure there is no furniture such as couches or rugs laid on top of your ventilation sources. This will also help to make sure no dust bunnies or debris end up inside of your vents either, which can circulate throughout the heating system if you’re not too careful or you don’t clean the vents properly.

In addition, be sure to clean and vacuum around or near each ventilation opening surface. This will help keep dust bunnies, pet hair, and any other unwanted debris from entering the vents and contaminating the air quality.

Tip 3: Drafts

By drafts we absolutely mean there should be a lack of them in your house. If the heating is on and there’s still a draft, it’s likely coming from a hidden crack or crevice. These are also very difficult to detect if the A/C ran non-stop all summer long, and it could indicate that there are hidden leaks in your home. Before the temperatures really drop this fall, check all of the doors and windows in your home; a draft leaking through these will mean your heating will run non-stop too.

In the event you do find a draft, and it’s between the door and the floor, adding weather stripping to the bottom can help prevent excess heat from escaping. If it’s a window, use caulk. This, in turn, can prevent your heater from running and adding to your energy bills.

Tip 4: Sunshine

Sometimes the best way to get any heat into the home is through direct sunlight. It’s advisable to keep the blinds closed when it’s the summer season since the sun can heat up a room too fast too soon. However, the autumn sun is weaker than its summer counterpart, so the sunshine is actually beneficial rather than a hindrance to your comfort level. Once there’s been enough sunlight soaked up and it starts to get dark, close the blinds to withhold as much heat as you can.

Tip 5: Hot Water

Just like the temperature of the rooms themselves, you can save energy when it comes to hot water in fall too. One of the best ways to do so is to check on your hot water heater. If it’s been a while since you checked on it, maintenance may be needed; you can refer to our article on how to maintain your hot water heater.

If not, then you can do something very simple: change the temperature. It should be turned down from its hot setting to warm instead (48 degrees Celsius, or 120 degrees Fahrenheit). Not only will you save energy by doing this, you’ll also avoid scalding yourself.

Tip 6: Ceiling Fans

Did you know there’s a way to reverse the direction your ceiling fans are moving? It’s true, and it’s also very energy efficient. Switch the direction to clockwise once summer is over and you no longer need to cool down a room. This will help push warm air (which rises) back down, and it can help redistribute the warm air coming from your heating system too. This, in turn, can help prevent pockets of chilly air from settling into corners of the room. If you don’t have ceiling fans, it might be a good idea to get them installed (only for rooms you use the most often).

Tip 7: Your Furnace

Naturally fall is the time of the year when you’re most likely to want to switch on the furnace. Hold on before you do though! When was the last time you checked on it? If your answer is “A while,” then it’s time to change the filter in it before you do anything else. Afterwards, check on the rest of your furnace and if necessary schedule an appointment with your HVAC technician to double-check and ensure it’s in great working condition. The last thing you should want is to find out something is wrong!

Lastly, grab yourself a warm cup of coffee or tea and enjoy the autumn season knowing you’re saving both on energy and money this year!

If you need to schedule an appointment for tip seven, or need further advice from us on heating, let us know. At Rep-Air Heating And Cooling we provide our customers with many options that will best suit your needs from heating and cooling to refrigeration. Contact us today for your complimentary quote: 1-844-218-3362 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!