Ask the Indoor Air Quality Expert

 May 2012 Article

Air Conditioning season is soon upon us. We always get numerous service calls for air conditioning on the very first hot days. Take the time before this happens to prepare yourself to avoid last minute emergency service calls or replacement in a summer heat wave.

Before starting your cooling system in the spring, remove the cover (if you have one) from your outdoor condensing unit. Be sure it is free of debris or plant growth near the unit. Clean the condensing unit before starting. Be sure furnace filter is replaced or clean before starting. Check to make sure your humidifier is turned off. Turn on any disconnect switches or breakers. Set thermostat to cooling. Let it run for about an hour to ensure it is cooling. If it seems the A/C is not running or cooling properly call us and have your system checked by a qualified technician.

As a homeowner you should have your air conditioner serviced before every summer. If your air conditioner is over 15 years old and in need of costly repairs, consider replacing it with a new more efficient one. New A/C units come with different efficiency levels, warranties & sizes to suite your needs. Air Conditioning units come with SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio). The higher the SEER the more efficient the unit. Minimum efficiency standard in Canada is 13 SEER.

Call us if you require servicing, repair or pricing of a new air conditioning unit for your home.

April 2012 Article

Your furnace is a very important part of your home. All heating systems require regular maintenance to make sure it is operating at its best. Keeping your furnace running in top condition can save you money in energy savings and untimely break downs & repair bills.

A dirty filter can cause your furnace to waste energy, lower its efficiency and could cause your furnace to overheat. Built up dirt in your furnace can also affect your blower and motor.

There are two types of filters, replaceable or permanent. Replace or clean your furnace filter at least once a month or as required if needed depending on the type of filter you have.

Keep vents & grilles of your heating system clear of furniture, rugs and drapes to allow free air movement and proper circulation.

Have your furnace checked by our professional service technicians once a year to check out the overall components is functioning properly.

If your existing furnace is old, inefficient or in need of expensive repairs new Energy Star rated high efficient furnace can reduce your monthly heating bills.

Call us for a free estimate on a new high efficient furnace.

February 2012 Article

To have complete home comfort is not only keeping the house at the right temperature but should also include a healthy home with indoor air quality (IAQ).There are several products to achieve this. Older homes that are not air tight or even new homes that are air tight & well insulated, air quality can be issue.

New air tight homes become stale as the same indoor air is re-¬‐circulated. Dust, pollen, pet dander, mold, household chemicals, cigarette smoke can provide poor air quality for your family & home, especially with those that suffer from allergies & asthma. To improve air quality in your home there are many IAQ products to remedy this including Media filters, pleated filters, UV lamps to name a few.

Many filters have a MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) rating. The higher the rating the smaller particles it will remove. Another problem in homes is the dry climate we have in Southern Alberta. Adding humidity to your home will not only solve the dry skin & nose problems but will also preserve wood floors & furniture. Installing a humidifier is a must to solve this issue. Call us for a free estimate on home indoor air quality, furnaces, air conditioning, fireplaces or plumbing.