5-reason you need a whole-home Humidifier this winter

With the winter season arriving, the humidity in the air decreases. The chill dry winter can cause health issues so to avoid this, people look for humidifying devices. With the advancement in technology, humans have found ways to nurture their health with changing the surroundings according to their requirements. The humidifier is an innovation that changes the air quality around you. The whole-home humidifier can be integrated with the HVAC so you can keep the whole house at optimal humidity level. These humidifiers are easy to maintain compared to portable ones, as they do not require consistent refilling. They are durable and can be cleaned along with the HVAC, making them more effective. Here are some reasons why you should get a whole-home humidifier this winter:

Reasons to Install a Whole-Home Humidifier this Winter


- Primarily, it can help you to keep your skin moisturized. For people with dry skin, the winter seasons becomes annoying as the skin flakes and dryness makes the skin crumble and wrinkle. With a humidifier, the skin will be moisturized and will glow, giving you a shiny clear appearance.

- With dry air the respiratory system does not work as smoothly. Most people’s breathing gets effected as the trachea and nasal passages get dry. The breathing allergy and flu can hit you which might lead to fever, asthma, or even a sinus attack. With a whole-home humidifier you can keep the humidity at optimal level across all the rooms to make you feel comfortable. 


- Quality sleep is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. In winters, the dry weather can cause difficulties in breathing and hence, leading to poor sleeping patterns. You might wakeup multiple times through the night and have coughing problems. With a whole-home humidifier you can have better air quality which aids to deep sleep.

- Furthermore, home furnishings can also get affected by dry air. The wooden furniture or wooden floor can crack with a lack of humidity in the air. The wood requires an optimal level of humidity to keep it durable. The flooring could split or door frames could have gaps, overall making the appearance of your house look poor. With whole-home humidifiers, you will have the peace of mind that your furnishings will not get affected.


Deciding the Size when purchasing a Humidifier


Just like it is important to purchase the right size of Furnace and Air Conditioner, the size also matters when it comes to purchasing a Humidifier. Too large and it will constantly run and overly humidify while also wasting lots of water. Too small and the installation or no installation makes no difference. The area is one prime factor on the basis of which Humidifiers are purchased and it is therefore that the Humidifier units clearly define in their features as for what area requirement they are ideal. If you would like to make the most of a Humidifier, don't simply purchase a unit instead consult a professional and then make a purchase. 

Looking for purchasing a whole-home Humidifier? 
Here you go; 

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Attic Insulation Types - The 101 guide for homeowners


We have talked earlier why it is important to have the attic properly insulated or given new insulation when upgrading to an energy-efficient system. This blog is meant to highlight the different types of Attic Insulation, their cost value and what homes they are ideal for.

1. The cheapest - The Fiberglass

Fibreglass Insulation is used in every other Toronto home for all the cost-effective reasons. Although the fiberglass is the least expensive, it rating is also relatively very low when it comes to efficiency. Owing to the ease of installation, fiberglass is often the first choice of DIY approach homeowners because it is cut in custom length and width leaving homeowners with the only job to roll it in the spaces of the attic.

Note here that this type of installation, though, is most favorable for less humid climates, it is not ideal for very humid climates.

2. The Foam Boards - Effective Air Barrier

Fiberglass does not offer an effective air barrier. Therefore, a step up from fiberglass in efficiency and price is the rigid foam boards. They offer a structural layer and therefore are ideal for those who want to add to the thickness of the existing attic insulation. The rigid foam boards cannot be set fit by default into the attic. They in fact need to be cut and fit according to the spaces that need to be filled.

3. Blown-In, a step up from the foam boards

Since foam boards are rigid and it is hard to adjust them in small spaces, blown-in insulation comes with a solution. Blown-in is a mixture of similar kinds of materials that are used in fiberglass roll in insulation with the only difference that this comes in a scattered form and is blown in using special kinds of equipment. A prime edge of this insulation over roll-in and rigid fiberglass is that it fills in the gaps properly. It is equally effective when compared with spray foam insulation, however, cheaper in price. It works best for controlling moisture.

4. Spray Foam - Increases reselling value

Spray foam is formed by mixing two chemicals and this formulation is then sprayed into the attic. As it is sprayed, the best attribute it offers is that any spaces or gaps are well filled in leaving no holes, gaps, and spaces for the air to leak. This type of insulation should be avoided DIYing and a professional's help should be sought because if not properly done, expected results would not be possible to draw.
Although expensive, this insulation offers a long-term benefit which is; it increases the resale value of your home and attracts customers towards your home.

5. Radiant Foil Insulation

Adding some extra layers within the existing attic insulation can help make the attic even more effective. 5 to 10 percent on energy bills can be saved by adding an additional layer of foil-like material. This is cut and fit into the attic and is targetted at combating the radiant heat of the sun to enter and warm the attic. On the one hand, it is easy to apply, on the other cheap to afford.

For hotter climates, this is highly recommended where the sun lasts longer and the radiant heat lasts longer.

Bottom Line

When choosing which attic insulation to use, it is important to not make a decision all by your own self and instead talk to a couple of professionals in your vicinity to ensure you choose the best type as every home's needs are different.

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A homeowners 101 guide to HVAC Parts Warranty


Lack of sufficient knowledge about HVAC warranties, as we always mention, is the primary factor behind homeowners experiencing frequent warranty claim rejections. HVAC warranties can not only save you bucks on repairs and maintenance, but they can also be of great use if a unit fails to perform or manifest production faults. However, neither replacement expenses nor repair dues is paid by the company if a homeowner knowingly or unknowingly voids his warranty. The unit no more remains covered even if the initial warranty offered 10 or 15 years of warranty. So the point lies in ensuring that the warranty remains valid. And this is only possible when a common homeowner is equipped with sufficient knowledge about HVAC warranties.

This blog is dedicated to discussing some basic know-how about the HVAC parts warranty. How a unit replacement is ensured and what factors need to be proven to get a replacement unit or replacement parts.


The must-know conditions for Parts Replacement

- In order to claim a part replacement or unit replacement, a homeowner is necessitated to contact a certified HVAC contractor who inspects the units and proves that the problem has arisen as a result of the manufacturing fault. The claim is then made to the company proving the fault in the unit. Depending on the situation, a part or unit replacement may take place.

- Regarding the parts warranty, note that some parts of the unit have relatively more warranty than the unit itself or the other parts. For example, the critical parts like compressor, heat exchanger in Furnaces and coils in Air Conditioners usually have more warranty. The part must be claimed within the offered duration; 5-10 years.

- Replacing a unit from one place to another without professional help voids the warranty; however, if it is the homeowners who change places and a new homeowner comes to the house, he can still claim the warranty.

What happens after the conditions are met?

As mentioned, in order to claim a parts warranty, a certified HVAC contractor must inspect the unit. Once the problem is proven, the defective part is then purchased from a certified dealer and is replaced. During the inspection, if other parts are also found to be problematic and are not covered under warranty, the homeowner has to pay for such parts.

Will you have to pay for labor costs?

The certified HVAC contractors, when they first install the unit, offer a one year of installation warranty which means any issues in the installation will be covered for free within the given time. Covering all service costs within the duration of one year is now a common practice. Although there is no hard and fast rule, in most cases, you will not have to pay for the labor cost as long as the unit or the parts that need to be replaced are covered by warranty.

Have you ever experienced a scenario in which a unit or part replacement was made because of the manufacturer's fault? If yes, was the experience smooth?

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Easy way to solve water leaking from a mini Split AC

It is indeed a frustrating situation when your indoor unit of mini-split Air Conditioner system starts leaking. This is because the inside wall unit has a coil that aims to pull moisture from the air as it cools. When the drain pipe gets clogged with the dust; it makes condensation to drip down and far away from the unit. The issue not just affects the home comfort but leads to water damage that no homeowner wants to deal with!

Luckily the problem can be solved with a little HVAC know-how. Read on to learn the basic steps to get out of this problem.


What causes leaking from the mini-split system

Out of many reasons for mini split AC leaking, the most common is blockage in the drainage pipe. The dust that has accumulated in the condensation tray, blocks the right direction of water, therefore, causing water winding up on the floor. 

Item needed- Screwdriver
- Electrical tape
- Bucket
- Vacuum 

Method
You can unclog the drainage in your pipe with seven simple steps! Luckily, the process is easy to execute and falls under the do-it-yourself category. 

1. Turn the air conditioner off: Before doing anything, make sure the AC unit is turned off.

2. Remove the AC filters
Remove the filters by simply opening the front panel. If you see any debris, it is good to clean it right away either with a vacuum or a wet cloth.

3. Remove plastic cover
Remove the front panel by removing screws with head screwdriver. Once you safely take it off, keep the plastic cover in a safe area.

4. Access the drainage pipe
You can see two AC snaps inside the AC unit! When you press them simultaneously, it will lift the bottom up, and you can access drainage pipe. This drainage pipe is more likely to be sealed with the grip tape.

5. Drain the pipes
The next step is more crucial, take off the joint that holds drainage pipe standing! But before grabbing the bucket to catch all excess water. Allow both sides of the pipe to drain completely.

6. Remove the excess duct
Once the pipe has completely drained, make sure to clean the extra dust with the hose of a vacuum. Since the debris will be wet so use wet vacuum to remove the particles. 

7. Reattach the drainpipe with electrical tapAt this point, the job is almost done. Just reseal the joints with the help of electrical tape. Reattach the front panel and air filters and turn on the AC and test for water leaks. 
 
Conclusion
Besides a drain pipe leakage, there can be some other issues like excess dirt in system, kinked hoses, burnt drain pipe, the tubing within the AC not having the right size etc.

The above is the easiest way to fix the mini AC split system water leaks. Solving the problem isn’t a big trick yet if you lack the necessary knowledge or if in doubt, call a professional!
Need help? Call us today 1-855-245-4328.

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Guide To Air Purification, Installation And Cost

Many contaminants like formaldehyde, retardants, tobacco smoke, radon, dust mites, pet dander, and combustion smoke exist in a home. These pollutants make our home five times more polluted than the outdoor environment. Keeping floors fresh, making home no-smoking-zone, testing the radon and not to mention ventilation that moves fresh air in and stale air out can significantly make the air cleaner and healthier to breathe! But still, some home requires air purifiers to get rid of stubborn contaminants.
Walk through our in-depth guide and learn more about air purifiers, installation, repair cost, and maintenance tips. 


Installation of Air Purifiers:

Portable air purifiers are readily available at home improvement stores and online sites. When making a purchasing decision, choose the right size that can fit well to the space you wish to treat. Homeowners can easily install portable air purifiers, but whole-home air purifiers require skills and knowledge of HVAC equipment. 

Installation and Repair cost for air purifiers:

Portable air purifiers are the most economical option for air cleaning in the home. You can save bucks on the installation process as you set it up yourself. Though their performance isn't as satisfactory as whole-house purifiers, the average cost of portable air purifier ranges from $40-$120 – depending upon the model you choose.

Each unit of whole-house air purifier costs you $1000 plus a few hundred for installation. Though the actual price is directly contingent upon the model and spec you choose for use at home. 

How does UV air purifier work?

The purifier uses a UV light bulb that gets installed within an HVAC system targeting the ducts and coils. During air circulation, the UV-C energy (light emitted from UV light bulb ) neutralizes airborne particles such as bacteria, mold, viruses and more. The UV-C power inhibits the growth and reproduction of microbe and doesn’t let them to spread across your home. 

How does filter air purifier work?

The filter air purifier uses a range of filters type to remove the contaminants for your benefit. These filters such as HEPA( (high-efficiency particulate air) delivers the most satisfying performance in terms of elimination of the contaminants and purifying the air. When the air flows, the filter will trap even the smallest contaminant, ensuring the safest indoor environment. The built-up contaminants will stick to the filters; therefore, it is essential to change the filters regularly. 

Air purification maintenance tips:

For whole-home air purifiers that use a filter, make sure to change the filters timely to get the optimal performance. Otherwise, the contaminants will stick to the filter, and make it to act as a germ reservoir. The process of changing a filter is simple, locate the filter, remove the old one, and insert the new filter to continue better functioning.

The portable air filters come up with the reusable air filter that can be easily washed and placed back. However, you should follow the instruction manual for the exact cleaning process and guidance regarding how often you should clean these filters?

UV air purifiers have a long service life, and the bulb is more likely to last 2 to 3 years.


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How to choose a reliable Duct Cleaning Service Provider

All duct cleaning service providers are not equally responsible and trained. Talk to different companies and get the written statements before choosing a company. Ask them to come up with relevant state license, and whether they have experience on a system like yours. Make sure not to hire cleaners who assert unsubstantiated claims about health benefits and don't go for those who urge you to have cleaning as the routine part of the heating and cooling system. Here we present SUGGESTIONS for choosing a reliable duct cleaning service provider and ways to determine if the service provider did an excellent job.

Duct Cleaning Service Toronto

What to Expect from a duct cleaning service provider:

- Duct cleaner should open ports and doors to ensure the every part be cleaned and inspected.
- Before thorough cleaning, ensuring there are no asbestos-containing materials. A heating system containing asbestos-containing particles like register boots insulation requires specialized procedures that can only be executed by the trained technician.
- The technician should employ the HEPA (high-efficiency particle air ) if the vacuum exhaust into the living room or use ordinary equipment to exhaust outside the home.
- They must own well-controlled brushes to dislodge dust particles
- Stricktly follow the NADCA’s rules and standards during air duct cleaning.


Can we prevent duct contamination?

Whether you are inclined to hire a duct service provider or not, but it is mandatory to follow the preventive maintenance program to mitigate the chances of duct contamination.
Here are the proven ways to stop dirt from entering the system.
- Replace air filters regularly.
- If the filters become clogged, change, or clean them more frequently.
- During construction or renovation, consider sealing off return registers and supply of the system.
- Promptly repair leaks or water damage. 

How To Determine if cleaner did a good job?

If a cleaner cleans the ducts, you may not know how to determine if he did the right job. Thorough visual inspection is the best way to verify the cleanliness of the system - all part of the system should be visibly cleaned, and there should not be debris visible with the naked eye.

We recommend providing a post-cleaning consumer checklist to the cleaners. The checklist will have several questions that the service provider answers after completing the job. If they answer “NO” to any of the questions on the list, this shows that have not performed a satisfactory job.
               

Sample Template of Post Cleaning Consumer Checklist

Questions
YES
NO
Did the service provider thoroughly clean air ducts, air pans, fans, and humidifiers?


The exchange heat surface has thoroughly been cleaned? 


Both sides of the cooling coil have no visible debris?


Coil drain pan is clean and drains water properly?


Does the return air plenum possess no visible debris?


Has internal ductwork professionally been cleaned?


Registers, Grilles, diffusers are attached again to the walls, fans or ceiling?


Is the system working correctly after cleaning in both heating and cooling modes? 




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What to do when AC does not turn on?

It is not wrong to say that we heavily rely on Air Conditioners to beat the heat and when we have an infant or elderly at home, it becomes essential to have fully functional AC for their overall health and wellbeing.

Firstly, the Air conditioner should not be taken for granted because when it breaks down, we can’t keep the serenity and straightly get mad. Before you fret, it’s better to assess the problem and identify the real reason behind this trouble. However, it sometimes gets difficult to figure out the exact issue – especially when AC has not been timely serviced.


The most common reasons AC won’t turn on

It’s common for homeowners to experience a problem with their ac unit occasionally. Before you rush to avail the services of an HVAC technician, follow the steps outlined below to identify and solve the problem.

Faulty motors:

Have you heard the unusual sounds before the unit stopped working altogether? If yes, then it is more likely the issue lies on the motor. To be surer, do a capacitor test to find out whether the problem is actually with the motor or not.

Faulty compressors:

The defective or broken compressor often makes the air conditioner to shut down. Timely cleaning and maintenance can go a long way to help prevent these problems.

The thermostat needs to be replaced:

A broken or outdated thermostat that either needs a battery or has some other technical fault can immediately stop the ac from turning on. If you have the basic knowledge for HVAC, you can conveniently identify the issue by yourself or go through the various settings of the Thermostat to make sure it works properly.

Dirty condenser lines:

Condenser lines that have mold, algae grown-up can sometimes be a reason for the air conditioner's sudden breakdown. The AC condenser unit is generally outside the home, and you can clean all the mess inside with white vinegar.

The fuse is not working:

You can do a continuity test with a multimeter to find out whether the fuse is working correctly or not. If you hear no beep in the multimeter, then the reason behind AC not turning is: “blown fuse”.

Tripped circuit breaker:

When there is a massive electricity overload, it is very likely for the circuit breaker to trip and interrupt the power flowing. The reason behind breakers tripping can be using too many appliances at the same time or having outdated equipment that consumes more electricity. 

Replace or repair the unit:

AC problems are frustrating and even worse when the AC does not turn on altogether. Generally, modern Air Conditioners have a life expectancy up to 15-20 years. However, timely maintenance can extend the useful life to a significant extent. It is best to replace the 12 years old unit with a more cost-effective unit. If the Ac is not that old and repair does not cost you more than 50% of the overall value of the unit, then better go for repair.

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