The primary reason why home comfort heating and cooling systems like Furnace, Air Conditioner and Heat Pumps breakdown before time is the lack of maintenance. Apart from the annual professional maintenance & tune-up which is crucial for the system, there are tasks that are supposed to be performed by the homeowners on a routine basis. This includes changing filters at least every three months and in peak seasons or in case of unusual scenarios of indoor pollution, every month.

In addition to changing the filter, slightly brushing off the indoor and outdoor unit of dust also help with good maintenance and ensures that dust & debris does not accumulate on the units.

Moreover, checking out for battery failures in the CO detector, the Thermostat must as well be added to the checklist. In the case of a Humidifier installed, giving it a thorough cleaning according to the manual is also necessary in order to ensure optimal performance from the system.

Below we discuss what difference routine maintenance has on the lifetime and efficiency of the system

Maintenance improves lifespan

No wonder you hear the new unit breakdown stories too often. There are these legends whose brand new HAVC system starts to cause serious troubles within the first few months of installation. With such a beginning, what must be the lifespan of the system? In general, unmaintained appliances fail to cover their lifespan and have to be replaced earlier. So the first and foremost disadvantage of no maintenance is a shorter lifespan.

Routine care - fewer Repairs

So the homeowner next door calls a repair tech every other month? And you can guess why. Because you've never really observed him taking care of their system. Routine maintenance ensures that you don't have to call the repair techs. People who completely follow professional guidelines when it comes to routine maintenance sometimes have their units work longer than usual and that too without any serious repairs.

Controlled energy bills

An appliance may be a one-time investment but the bills that it causes are not. To keep the HVAC appliances as cost-effective as possible, maintenance has its role to play. Unmaintained appliances have to work harder due to dust and debris accumulated on them, and the unlubricated parts that they have to work with. As a result, they run longer and harder which causes a hike in energy bills.

Resale Value

You could be thinking of selling your unit only after a few years of purchase. And guess what? No or insufficient maintenance suggests that you will have a very hard time selling the unit at least at a good price. Contrarily, properly maintained units get sold even after several years of usage.

This year, get over the laziness towards maintaining your HVAC appliances and save the unnecessary repairs that your system doesn't need.

Do you follow the habit of regular maintenance? If yes, how has it helped you over the years? If not, what loss has this caused you?

When it is overly cold and the Furnace fails to suffice or fails, space heaters are a great deal of help. Also, home where the central heating system is not installed, space heaters offer the prime comfort. There are several edges that space heaters have compared with other heating solutions, among which mobility is one while energy efficiency and cost efficiency are others. With easy usage and numerous benefits, there are some precautionary measures that need to be taken, every time a space heater is used. One of the most severe fire accidents and unhappy accidents are caused by them. Below we discuss how a common homeowner can ensure the safest possible use of space heater to make the most out of it.

Space/Portable Heaters Safety Measures

- Ideal Surface placement Tips

- When it comes to placement, it is highly recommended that a space heater is placed on a leveled and hard surface. No clothing material should be below it or near it. Concrete, tile or hard floor are ideal placements. Near carpet, on the sofa arm, near the closet or close to a hanging bedsheet are the wrong and risky placements. 

Homeowners are not found much interested in reading the appliance warranty manuals they are handed at the time of purchase and installation. The result is a rejection of a big number of warranty claims and on the other hand, a lot of expenses on the part of the homeowner when the warranty is not claimed and the entire expense comes on the side of the homeowner. These irritating experiences can be reduced only by increasing the awareness and upgrading homeowner's knowledge about the HVAC warranties, what they cover and what they don't, who to claim them to and how to do.
This blog today is covering the coverage part; what is covered under HVAC manufacturer's warranty and what is not covered. Let's begin.

Having own home is everyone's dream and buying your very first home is a big decision. You tend to look at everything from location and infra-structure of a home to paint-colours and available space for furniture arrangement. The process is time-intensive, yet you like to make it manageable and best decision possible.

Despite that all things are considered, homeowners often ignore a critical factor that can cost more than others! Yes! You guessed it right! A fully functional HVAC system! That does not just save you from the scorching heat of summer but save a lot of bucks on the utility bills because heating and cooling takes up over 45% of the energy consumption in every home in Ontario. 

The appliance responsible for providing you with comfort in winter can turn out to be a source of great misery if precautions are not taken. As you already know, your Furnaces are gas or electricity powered and both these fuels need to be delt with carefully. There are some Furnace Safety Precautions that all homeowners should consider.

1. Importance of Vacuuming 

The Furnace remains unused for a significant period of time. This causes dust and lint layers to build up in and around it. If not cleaned regularly, these layers sometimes get hardened. One of the reasons behind Furnace catching fire is also dust. So in order to keep the comforting appliance a comforting appliance, vacuum in and around the Furnace roughly every month, even during the Summers. This will ensure that you don't have a lot of work to do when there's time to turn the Furnace on and you'd also be able to save yourself from safety risks.

2. Define Furnace rules for kids 

Most people have their Furnaces installed in the basement. But this is not true for all. Sometime, it is installed just closed to the living area and kids often play around the Furnace. While people have special precautionary measures when it comes to fireplaces and kids playing around but very few realize the hazard of kids playing around a Furnace. We highly endorse educating children regarding the consequences of playing around or messing with Furnace unit. Sometimes, kids throw their tiny toys in the Furnace and this can become a really alarming situation.
If you have toddlers and they can't be taught about the good and the bad while you also have a unit installed at a place they can easily reach, consider creating a barrier around the unit.

3. Ensure constant air flow 

Your Furnace needs fresh air to treat. If it doesn't get that, it will start consuming the oxygen in your indoor, lowering the oxygen level and creating a threatening situation. Also, the blockages in duct work, in supply or return vents create the same situation. Let fresh pack of air flowing. And clear any obstacles.

4. Alert! Keep flammable items far far away! 

Whether your unit is gas powered or electric powered, in both cases it has fire. So keep every item that may catch fire easily well away from the Furnace. Particularly items like flammable liquids, wood or paper, paints, household acids etc.

5. Test alarms 

Once the alarm has been installed and it works, not so many homeowners care about checking every season whether the batteries are fully functioning or not. Whether or not you've faced an emergency situation ever, it is recommended to change the batteries before the beginning of every winter.

And of course; goes without saying that an optimal performance should not be expected from a Furnace if it is not given the due maintenance and cleaning. Be very regular at least about cleaning the Filters since clogged filters will only result in breaking down the system during the time you most need it.

Your homework time begins. Before the first snow, make sure your Furnace is ready and you're all set to use it with the above mentioned precautionary measures.

Homeowners strive hard to find a home comfort system that can meet their needs years round - heat pump serves best in this regard. During summers, it works as an ordinary Air Conditioner and extracts the hot heat from home and transfers it to the outdoor air. The process reverses during the winter, unlike repelling hot air from inside to outside; the heat pump collects hot heat from outside and transfers it inside the home. 

Inverter air conditioning and heating is the future of HVAC system allowing homeowners to adjust the capacity of the system as needed. An inverter does not produce power but redirects the direct current to alternating current and with that, the cooling or heating capacity is increased or decreased to eliminate the temperature fluctuation. Thus, draws lesser power and lesser unit of electricity.
In contrast, non-inverters have a noisy operation, less energy efficiency, and a fixed capacity to control the indoor temperature either by starting or stopping their compressors. 

Indoor air pollution has become a fundamental global public health problem requiring an increasing number of advanced research and policymaking. Even at low concentration, the presence of indoor pollutants has many adverse impacts. Older adults are likely to spend ≥80–90% of their time indoors. Thus, the indoor pollutants may have more significance for the adults because of a comparatively long exposure period.

Sadly, indoor air is ten times more contaminated than outdoor air. Germs, lint, smoke, dust mites, and household chemicals collectively make it more dangerous, especially for adults and kids who spend most of their time in the home.

Possible signs of Air trouble:

The following symptoms require your immediate attention.
- When air is stuffy, or an unusual noticeable odor is sensed.
- Limited air movement or broken air conditioning or central heating system.
- Too much humidity
- Presence of molds and mildew
- Chimneys or flue pipes getting damaged
- Feeling healthier and better outside

Major indoor air hazards;

Formaldehyde, particulates, lead, pesticides, and remodeling hazards are the rare indoor pollutants.

The most common air pollutants include:
Carbon monoxide: 
CO is a colorless contaminant which is primarily released from heaters, appliances, and stoves. It is an odorless gas yet blocks the movement of oxygen and cause tiredness, nausea, dizziness, and headache.

Nitrogen dioxide: 
A product of kerosene combustion and natural gas. The excess of NO2 aggravates the mucous membrane of nose eye and throat and in high concentration can lead to shortness of breath.

Radon:
A radioactive gas that oozes from the rocks and soils under a home. Radon can enter a home through walls or drains. Long term exposure to radon is the prime cause of lung cancers nowadays.

Smoke:
A cigarette contains almost 4000 chemicals in traces; out of these, 200 are the poisonous and 43 carcinogens.

Tips To enjoy Stress-free summer and spring:

Seniors have typically weak immune system, and they may already suffer from a lung or health-related issues that make them more vulnerable to the indoor pollutants. If you are an older adult or have someone in your home, follow these tips to make the air healthier to breathe.

- Keep your windows open for at least an hour to bring the fresh air in.
- Never buy more than you need of a product that can trigger indoor pollution, especially pesticides and cleaning solvents.
- Always buy a vacuum with a HEPA filter.
- Regularly change the furnace filters as recommended by your HVAC technician.
- Clean carpets, upholstery, and draperies in the fall or once per year.
- Never forget cleaning ceiling fans and exhaust fans of your bathroom and kitchen in every fall.
- Always prioritize wood floors or tiles to the carpets.
- Heating ducts and dryer vents need to be cleaned every year.
- Keep a close eye on humidity and improve ventilation.
- Consider investing some bucks in the right equipment that can potentially eliminate the majority of irritants.
- Make sure there is no leakage of water from pipes or walls that may lead to the development of molds.

Here is why everyone hates humidity in summer

- Hair and humidity can never get along - The clothes get stuck to your body the moment you step outside. - You feel like you need another one right after you get out of the shower. - Crowded subways and elevators. Hope you get the idea!

Can outdoor humidity be controlled?

There isn’t much you can do to avoid outdoor humidity. However, there are some steps you can pursue to maintain a good indoor humidity level (optimal level is between 45-60). This is the responsibility for homeowners and businesses alike to take some crucial steps to minimize summer humidity level in the indoor, so structural and furniture damages along with illness can be prevented to a significant extent.

• Keep a close eye on humidity and temperature level in your home
• Properly clean water leaks and sources of water standing in your place 
• Check for the mouldy smell that is a precursor to fungus growth

How the humidity is removed from indoor?

• One of the most popular methods to remove indoor humidity is air conditioning. When the air passes out of the coil, the air conditioner is functioned to pull out the unnecessary moisture in it.
• The other common method is using a dehumidifier that either can be connected to ductwork or stands alone. 
• HRV is another option to consider, as it is geared towards pushing moisture outside. It works fine with limited moisture. 
• The most convenient way to keep humidity low is to keep your home surfaces dry. 
• Certain areas of the home can cause stickiness and humidify your home. Basements, pipes, windows, and attic are the entryways for moisture. 

Damages from summer humidity:

Want to know what else humidity can do to ruin your day? Humidity can cause the following problems which you might not be aware of:

Humidity adversely impact the health

Humidity is a vital component of air quality. However, the presence of high vapour pressures is problematic for human health. In high humidity, people report the symptoms like: - Muscle cramps

Little things matters and in fact, at times, it is only the little things that matter. Julia A Carney in her poem Little Things says;

Make our earth happy,

Like the Heaven above

While everybody is concerned about appliance replacement, upgrading home cooling essentials, doing insulation, cleaning filters etc, and all for their own comfort and ease, what if we talk instead, about doing something that brings comfort and happiness to somebody else? Have you ever thought that even your HVAC choices and the behaviours associated with them can bring a whole lot of positivity and produce a bulk of goodness? This blog is different today and that is because cool people think of cool things; not just for themselves but for others as well.

- Upgrade unit for the sake of the environment 

You might be all okay with your existing Air Conditioner unit which is not energy efficient. It could be an old unit, still comforting your summers but by not being energy efficient, causing a lot of carbon prints. So here goes the first to do; not for yourself but for mother Earth. Upgrade your unit in order to stop the harm that your existing system is causing. The comfort which you will get in return is, of course, your reward for making this kind choice.

- Show some kindness to the technicians 

Kindness costs nothing they say. It certainly does not and yet brings a chain of rewards in multiple forms. When you call a technician for installation, repair, maintenance & tune-up or any other kind of HVAC service, don't forget to show them some love and kindness. Imagine how hard would it be for us to enjoy cool summers and warm winters if these technicians were not there. Show them kindness by offering them a cold drink (as it's hot and they work hard), by appreciating what they do, by assisting them in handing them the tools, by thanking them warmly when they are done etc. When you are inclined to show kindness, you find ways to be as kind as you can in as many ways.

- Do some good for no money | Donate your appliances 

What if your HVAC choices could indirectly help brighten someone else's life? Nope, we aren't talking about the brand owner whose brand you purchase and consequently, make him rich. It's rather about helping someone who is in need of help. Fortunately, there are a number of philanthropic initiatives by the HVAC community to which you can contribute. For example, Philanthro Filters. Philanthro Filter donates a portion of every filter purchased from it for the well being of orphan children across the world. Simply by purchasing filters from such visionary suppliers, you could help someone in needs. Similarly, Lennox has its "Feel The Love" program which installs free of cost heating/cooling appliances at the homes of the needy people and these are offered by the well off homeowners. As you upgrade your home cooling appliances, donate the old appliances to such philanthropic programs.

Life is not all about finding ways to comfort one's own self. It is also about making the most of the opportunities to comfort others. This summer, develop a vision of spreading love and kindness in as many ways as you can. And you, by doing this, will always shine like a star.

Introduction about Red Tag:

Red tags are most commonly known by the name of warning tag. It is an indication that the gas-powered appliance is in “unacceptable condition” and the person who is accountable for that appliance should take some action to fix the conditions.

Why your furnace gets Red-Tagged?

If your furnace or the water heater is getting red tagged; it might be possible that it has been damaged or it has been deteriorated in a way that impairs the safe operation. Moreover, there could be some sort of issue within the condition of the piping or even the hoses and tubing too. What happens next contingent upon the type of red tag you have received? Since the common reg tags are: Immediate Red Tag (Category “A”) where a technician immediately cuts off the supply of gas to the furnace. Another type of red tagging is 30-Day Red Tag Warning ( category B ), where you are required to fix the system within 30 days. In the view of furnaces, the condition of a cracked form of the heat exchanger is one of the most common reasons for the red tagging. The heat exchanger has a set of coils repeatedly looped through the air flow in a heating system. Simply stated, the heat exchanger is the important component of the furnace, responsible to heat the air.

Overview plus detail about Red Tag Removal:

Now, we are sure that you would be much interested in learning about different methods for red tag removal. There are different processes you can follow to avoid red tags that end in the hefty repair bills. - You need to get your appliance completely inspected. You should be asking the technician to completely inspect with all sorts of faults that are being identified in the red tag. You should hire an experienced and certified gas technician who will inspect the appliance and make repairs if needed. - You can also send the clearance portion of the red tag to some well-known gas company. Make sure that the gas company has received the red tag set of clearance before the deadline. The tech will simply fill out clearance and simply re-activate the appliance.

Is renting a Furnace worth considering?

How to rent a Furnace:

Things to consider before renting a Furnace:

Wrapping up the article:

Rust

Build-up of Sediments

Corrosion

General Wear and Tear

Drain Valve