Filters help a great deal not only in combating the dust and dander in the home but also in saving you from several kinds of allergies. This way, while on one hand, your Furnace feels pleasant and operate efficiently, on the other hand, you and your family can get rid of stale indoor air.
All homeowners use one or the other kind of Furnace filters, however, not all of them experience the same results. This has to do with three things;

- Furnace Filter type: There are a number of different Furnace Filters available. If your neighbours are using an electrostatic filter which is several times efficient than a simple paper filter which you use, you should simply not expect the same results

- Maintenance and Replacement: Other than the efficiency of the filter, maintenance and replacement matters. If the filter is not cleaned (in case of mechanical filter type) or not replaced (in case of paper filter type), the dirt and debris hinder the mechanism of the filter by partially or completely blocking the passage of air.

- Compatibility: The third Furnace Filter related reason why people having the same Furnace systems do not enjoy the same efficiency is the compatibility issue. Most often, people choose the wrong filter type. Either too ordinary to suit their extremely efficient Furnace system or too highly efficient to not remain compatible with the system. In this case, an efficiency or IAQ drop is usually experienced.

To make all equations right, here are come compact suggestions from our side.

With the arrival of winters when days and nights start getting colder, people usually prefer to
carry out the function of their furnaces; particularly Canadians whose most favourite home heating element is nothing but furnace. The problem; however, arises when homeowners feel their Furnace is not working properly and look out for HVAC help to resolve the issue or consider minimizing the issue by applying various DIY techniques.

This blog is dedicated to the solutions to common Furnace problems. But before going into finding the solutions to the problems, we must also throw some light on the most common problems residential furnaces face. Below are some of the most common issues which the furnaces usually face. Their solutions will also be discussed.

Heating problem - Check circuit breaker 

If the furnace is not performing the basic function of producing heat, you might consider checking the Thermostat. If the thermostat is already set to heating then the probable reason for non-functioning is that some fuse is broken. Check if the circuit breaker controlling the Furnace is in the ON position. If this does not help, the problem is in the wiring of the circuit.

Compromised Air Flow - Try cleaning the filters

In case the furnace is working but not producing enough heat and there’s a compromised air flow, ensure that the air filter is clean. This is one of the most essential components of the HVAC system and requires regular maintenance and cleaning. Dirty filters compromise the air flow and burden the system. So if a compromised air flow is felt, make sure you check the air filters and if found dirty, immediately clean/replace them.

Ignition problem - Replace damaged ignitor 

The ignition problem results in decreasing the capacity of the furnace to produce heat. This
problem is common in gas furnaces operating with a thermocouple. For instant resolution of the
issue, inspect the ignitor. In case it is damaged, change it. If this DIY doesn't help, consider calling a professional for help since this portion of the Furnace requires some professionalism and technical knowledge and excessive DIY can result in creating further issues.

Continuous cycling problem - Check filter and Thermostat

A frequently turning ON and OFF Furnace is a sign of trouble. It can be caused by a dirty and old air filter that needs replacement or an improperly programmed Thermostat. Check both.

Noisy blower - Oil it! 

A slight operational noise is normal for a Furnace and how does a normal noise sounds like, you know very well. When an unusual noise from the blower unit is felt, it is most possibly because of the friction in the components. Oil the blower fan for a quick resolve.

Dampness around the unit 

The Furnace unit may develop moisture and eventually dampness around it. Water leaks from the Humidifier connected to the ductwork may as well result in dampness and consequently short-circuiting. To resolve this, dry the unit and its surroundings properly by first switching the system off. If the problem persists, call a professional.

What are the Furnace problems that you frequently face and what are the DIY's you use to resolve them? 

Technology is improving and improving our lives as well. There was once that time when Thermostats were manual and mercury filled; a manual feature requiring human interference all the time and mercury filling dangerous for the environment when the unit was disposed of. With advancement came the Programmable Thermostats. This advancement to the Programmable Thermostats further led to an improved programmable technology which is now prevalent with the name of Smart Thermostats. Today, we'll learn about Honeywell Lyric Thermostat, its features, compatibility, cost and how it will change the comfort level for you and your family.

Honeywell's Lyric Smart Thermostat Features

Honeywell always comes with innovation and creativity together. This unit is a perfect demonstration of this Honeywell's practice.
- Unlike in the past, people today are using additional HVAC accessories like Air Purifiers, Humidifiers, Dehumidifiers, HRV systems others. It is important that the home's Thermostat is able to communicate with all of these units as well. And here comes Honeywell with this Lyric Smart Thermostat. This model is compatible with all the above-mentioned HVAC systems and HVAC accessories. Which means you can enjoy an unusually escalated level of comfort.

- The motion sensor in the Thermostat illuminates it as it senses you approaching it which is a cool feature in itself. Also, since there is no plate that has to be opened and closed, the user interface is friendly and easy to use.

- The unit is connected with the internet which enables it to forecast the weather. The forecasting that the Lyric unit offers is 6-8 hours

- Event-based scheduling can be opt for quick modification of settings

- The feature of ''Smart Cues'' is yet another great feature. This reminds homeowners of necessary system changes; filter change, maintenance etc

- Many programmable and non-programmable Thermostats do not measure the indoor humidity. This hinders a perfect comfort in the indoor. Honeywell Lyric Thermostat, unlike other thermostats, also measure humidity and maintains the temperature accordingly. The perfect recipe for comfort! O yo!

- Access Compatibility 

This unit can be accessed via Smart Phones. Relevant IOS and Android apps are available while other smart hubs can also be used. Wifi, a smartphone and there you go! Control your indoor temperature from anywhere. Anywhere in the world.   

- Cost of Honeywell Lyric Thermostat 

The cost varies from contractor to contractor. Usually, the market selling price of the Lyric unit is somewhere around $250-$270. This may reduce over time with the introduction of better technology thermostats.

Should you install a Honeywell Lyric Smart Thermostat? 

Yes! There are convincing reasons to upgrade to a Smart Thermostat system. If you are still using an old programmable model of Thermostats, you have no realization of how much energy you could save and ultimately save yourself from hefty energy bills, frequent appliance repairs and above all, deteriorated comfort.
So yes! Make this winter a time of control and comfort. Upgrade to a Honeywell Smart Thermostat and start enjoying a heavenly comfort onwards.
Check out these Honeywell models offered by us: Honeywell Thermostats 

Have a pool at home? You're fortunate. You can enjoy swimming anytime for as long as you want. But with fortune comes some misfortunes too and the misfortune associated with indoor pools is that their maintenance is not only crucial but also difficult. And the lack of maintenance leads to serious problems ranging from health issues to interior damage issues. We'll discuss today why and how you need to be overly cautious when you have a pool at home and to keep the right settings for it to remain a joy and not become a problem.

Bugs won't ask you before making their homes in your HVAC units. They just will as soon as they find that the location is perfectly suitable for them. And once they make a home there, they won't only stay there, they will extend their residencies creating problems for your indoor comfort and of course for your units as they will have a hard time performing with optimal efficiency with all the bucks of bugs stuck to them.

Fill in the gaps

Just like the pests and reptiles enter your home through those holes and gaps near windows and doors, the pests that make HVAC units their home also look for any holes and gaps to enter. For this, make sure that everything is tightly fit and no loopholes are left near the units particularly the outdoor units. Fill in the gaps using porcelain, foam or simply some pieces of cloth. 

Whether you're using a Central Air Conditioner, a Split system or a window unit, AC icing up is a scenario that you must have faced if you're already using Air Conditioner for several years. Although this is a frustrating situation and often puts a homeowner in the worries of whether it is time for him to replace his system, it is not a difficult to fix the problem and neither a one that necessarily requires a professional's help. In this blog, we are going to help you find you why your Air Conditioner freezes up and what you can do when that happens. 

Here the summer season comes and there we begin to feel all irritated because of the hot weather and more than that, the high level of humidity. When the level of humidity rises, it produces a warming effect making you feel warmer than the actual temperature. All this is bearable on the outside since not much can be done in order to combat the outdoor heat & humidity completely but when it comes to the indoor, discomfort is not bearable for the long hours that we spend in the indoor. And technology has provided us with practical and affordable solutions to combat both heat and humidity. But did you know what effects does high humidity makes on your cooling system? It burdens the cooling system! Actually, as the cooling system tries to cool the indoor, it also dehumidifies it. And when there is a high level of humidity, the system has to work so hard and in some cases, it trips without properly cooling the indoor. So you constantly run the appliances, give high energy bills and still can't manage to enjoy cool indoors in the most irritating summers just because of high humidity.

You may never be sure if your home has a desirable humidity level. So many people never check for humidity level and so many others just can't do it because they have a conventional mercury thermostat. But there are signs and symptoms that can tell you your home has a high level of humidity that you need to fix and not put everything on the delicate shoulders of the poor Air Conditioner.

- Foggy Windows

The kind of water vapours that you see on the outside of the window in winters as the ice melts, you'd see a similar kind of water vapours on the inside of the windows when humidity is high in your indoor in summers. This foggy moisture on the windows glass or near the window panes shows that the Air Conditioner is failing to ward off all the excess moisture and that you are living in an undesirable humidity level.

- Musty Odours

Musty odours is a clear consequence of moisture that is constantly keeping your indoor environment (and of course the things) wet. The moisture which is basically the high level of humidity causes musty odours in the entire home and particularly at places that are relatively closed; basement, store rooms etc.

- Clammy air

Ever felt irritated in the cool blows of air? That irritation usually comes when the air is clammy and that happens once again as a result of moisture in the indoor that is more than necessary. The Air Conditioner does work constantly to cool the air but as it fails to take away the humidity, the humid air gets cooled and gives cool yet unpleasant and sticky feels.

How to fix high humidity?

In Summers it is normal for the humidity levels to go up. But depending on the location, the architecture of the home and other factors, it could sometimes be unusually difficult to manage the humidity. For that, you can do the following;

- If your AC has a hard time combating the humidity, consider installing a Dehumidifier
- Check your doors and windows for proper insulation. Insulation equally benefits in summers as it benefits in winters
- Call a professional to check the cause of high humidity. Sometimes, the cause of excessive humidity is; leaking pipes or other constantly damp areas in the home.

So you must have heard so much about energy-efficient appliances and if you happen to be a very simple person, must have wondered what exactly energy efficient appliances are? This blog is dedicated to explaining what energy efficient appliances are and what are their short-term as well as long-term effects. Let's move ahead!

Energy efficient appliances - what are they and how do they work?

Let's take the answer from the name itself. Energy efficient appliances are basically efficient at the use of energy. They are just the opposite of those classical appliances that were like ghosts when it comes to energy consumption; you had to put in a lot of oil, a lot of gas to get only a small amount of output. So far, science tells us that we can't really convert the input into 100% output. But it is possible to reach close to 100%. And these energy efficient appliances have made it possible. They use; less energy and give better output.  There are different types of energy efficient appliances; some that use renewable energy resources; hydal, solar etc and others whose mechanism is designed in such a way in order to use only a minimum amount of energy to produce high results.

Should I convert to energy efficient appliances?

Since we are particularly talking about HVAC appliances, you can check your appliances; there's a logo of ''Energy Star '' or a mention that the appliance is energy efficient which means it is smart in its use of energy. But if your Furnace, Air Conditioner or any other such appliance is older than a decade or more, it may not be energy efficient or the efficiency could be insignificant compared with the efficiency offered by the Energy Efficient products of today; so we would highly recommend you to make a shift for better. Here are the benefits that you can avail by installing energy efficient products;

- The foremost - energy saving

All our home comfort appliances need some kind of energy, be it; electricity, gas or oil. And this energy doesn't come for free. So you have to make sure you make a limited use of this energy. Limiting the use of appliances can only be made to a certain extent so it is using the appliances with energy-saving mechanisms that ensure less use of energy. Shift to energy efficient appliances because; they help save energy.

- The fascinating - dollar saving

Who likes spending so many dollars just on energy bills? We all are scared of heavy energy bills so here's a refuge from them. Shifting to energy efficient appliances results in; money saving. Less energy is consumed and the utility company sends you precise bills. Freedom!

- The important - Sustainable development

The Earth on which we live has limited resources. And if they are consumed with the similar speed with which they have been consumed in the past decades, estimates say that we shall finish our major energy resources in the coming decades. There's therefore, a need to conserve the energy to think of sustainable development. Energy efficient appliances help control the use. Also, the less use of energy results in less residual gases that saves the environment.

Conclusion

Energy efficient appliances are the need of time. Not only do they help limit the energy consumption by the appliances, lower the energy bills and elongate the appliance lifespan, they also help save the environment and the planet on the whole. So yes, if you haven't yet shifted to energy-efficient products, make a wise shift now!

Humidity is good but mind you! levelled humidity. And by levelled humidity, we mean relative humidity of 35% - 45% in the air. Whenever this level goes down or rises extraordinarily up, it causes problems both for the home and the homeowners. While not all homes have a humidity meter installed, there are some signs that can help indicate insufficient or excessive humidity. Since we are closer to the summer, in which humidity level rises, this blog is on the signs of excessive humidity and ways to control it.

You could be having the most efficient Thermostat unit and still be paying high energy bills because of having improper Thermostat settings. Keep in mind that no matter how much automation a device can perform, it would still require your interference in order to perform with optimal efficiency. With special reference to Thermostats, it has been reported by Energy Star that homeowners pay up to $2,000 annually in excess as a result of using appliances and gadgets with the wrong settings. It is estimated that up to $180 can be saved annually just by following some energy efficient thermostat settings. And that's a great deal of saving, isn't it? With $180, you could have a good pair of shoes, a stylish new handbag or a beautiful Valentine's gift. So, let us help you learn how to make those annual savings.

In these times of extremely high level of pollution, Air Purifiers are no less than a blessing as they provide us with a healthy and fresh indoor air and ultimately save us from all those problems that are associated with polluted air. Throughout Canada, the use of Air Purifying appliances has significantly increased in the recent years owing to the rising levels of pollution as said above. While the home comfort appliances are meant to comfort us, there come times when the very appliances meant for comfort begin to cause discomfort. And one major reason of why this happens is; lack of maintenance. The lack of maintenance of any appliance whatever type it is of, does not only contribute to decreasing its efficiency graph, it also makes it harmful and in some cases life-threatening; for instance, an unmaintained, dirty ductwork makes the indoor dusty and stale while a totally unmaintained Furnace can cause fire. Homeowners often ignore the importance of maintenance and this is true for an appliance like the Air Purifier as well. Interestingly, it is overlooked that the appliance meant to clean your air itself needs cleaning as well. And the maintenance of an Air Purifier doesn’t end at cleaning. There are other must to do’s when it comes to the maintenance of Air Purifiers. Here are some tips regarding that;




Air Purifier Maintenance Tips
Tip#1 Cares to take while Cleaning Filters
There are several different types of Air Purifiers. Some have a replaceable filter as the primary filter and others that have a replaceable outer filter and an irreplaceable inner filter. Whatever, the type you are using, it does need some kind of filter cleaning & cleaning and washing is recommended once a week or once every 15 days at least. In time cleaning keeps the unit efficient and protects it from additional load. But as you are cleaning the filters, make sure to not use chemicals that can harm the filter material (the filter instruction booklet has the details regarding the right method of cleaning and the suitable cleaners). Also, once you are done with washing, do not place the filters back while they are still wet and with the unit turned on. Let the filters get dried first. In addition to this, make sure to not bend or fold the rigid or semi-rigid filters as they might deform.

Tip#2 Care regarding unit replacement
It is possible that you might think of replacing your unit when you’re performing maintenance tasks. But this requires a careful decision as well. Placing the unit at an unsuitable place means devoiding it of the necessary environment that it needs for optimal performance. It is best to place/install the unit in a closed room that is well sealed as the exchange rate is higher in this case and prompt provision of super clean air can be made possible.


Tip#3 Clean the area around the Purifier
Piles of books, store room junk, bundles of clothes or any such unnecessary items that we unintentionally throw over or around the HVAC appliances affect their efficiency. As you perform maintenance, make sure that the area around the Purifier is clean and it has sufficient space to breathe in and out the air. At least one feet of clear area should be provided to the unit.


Tip#4 Consider grills and panels
As said above, the Air Purifier maintenance is not limited to the Filter cleaning; there are other parts that matter as well. Dust or other pollutants often build up in and around the grills and panels. After turning the power plug off, clean these areas with a dry cloth or a duster.


Tips#5 Remove dust containing things from around the purifier
The purpose of Air Purifier is to provide you and the other living beings in the indoors with healthy air. And it can do its job best when it is not overloaded with unnecessary dust and pollutants. If you see dust bunnies around the unit or any other things that contain or cause dust, either replace them or the air purifier in order to get ultimate performance.

Although the said tips appear to be ordinary practices, they can make a significant change in both providing you with a fresher indoor air while also providing your unit with a better efficiency.

If you are interested in purchasing Air Purifiers, wish to install one or planning to replace the older unit, we are always here to help you with your HVAC queries and needs. Call anytime; 1-855-245-4328