Ask the Heating Experts

May 2012 Article

How clean is the air blowing around the inside of your house?  Often times the answer is not good.  Indoor air quality can be up to 10 times more polluted than the air outside.  There are several reasons for this potentially toxic situation.  In the quest to make houses more energy efficient they have been sealed against drafts in favour of more controlled air exchange, and many filter systems are inadequate to deal with the air that is recycling itself through your home.

Micro-organisms such as bacteria and mold are some of the invisible enemies of healthy breathing.  Those who suffer from allergies may find that even inside their own homes they are not completely symptom free.  One way to cut down on bacteria and mold that contribute to the problem is with the installation of an Ultraviolet Air Treatment System.

Ultraviolet (UV) Air Treatment Systems are comprised of a UV light in a specially insulated casing to focus the light where bacteria and mold form within your heating and cooling system.  Since most viruses infect people by reproducing, UV air treatment is one of the best ways to neutralize them.  UV light passes through the cellular membrane of micro-organisms causing cellular damage which destroys germs, viruses, bacteria and fungi.  This reduces the number of allergens that plague many people, killing up to 99.9% of mold spores and 87% of certain airborne bacteria in your duct system.  These short wave lights are similar to those which have been used in hospitals, pharmacies and professional kitchens for nearly 50 years.

Improving air quality within the home should be a concern for anyone from the very young to the elderly, as well as allergy sufferers.  Please don’t hesitate to call if you would like more information about UV technology, furnace and duct cleaning, and other indoor air quality products.

 

 

March 2012 Article

Any business that makes its living in the service industry must focus on meeting the needs and desired of one person – the customer! Service, or at least deliberate, purposeful service seems to be a lost art. It is always refreshing to me when someone goes out of their way to look after me as a customer. After all, I am the one who pays the bills of that business. Food service should not be based on the mood of the server. A deliberate, conscious attempt at being friendly and helpful will spread, creating a positive and productive environment. This way all individuals win.

At Comfortec, we are focused on giving you the very best in customer service. It is our goal to see you are looked after, and treat this obligation very seriously.

 

Our service to you includes:

•            24 hour emergency service

•            Quick response on ‘no heat’ calls

•            Straight forward  pricing

•            Annual planned maintenance agreements

•            Full stock of most furnace parts

•            Trained and licensed technicians

•            Drug tested and background checked

•            Duct cleaning and sanitizing

•            Full line of high efficiency furnaces

•            Exceptional warranties on Comfortec products

Our pledge to you is to deliver quality products, with outstanding service. Check out our website at comfortecheating.com

Remember to stop by our booth at the 2012 Red Deer Home Show March 16-18

 

 

February 2012 Article

BENEFITS OF DUCT CLEANING

Most homes in Red Deer have forced air heating systems that re-circulate household air through less than adequate filters, allowing the accumulation of dust, pet hair, household air contaminants, etc. in the supply and return air ductwork.

Comfortec uses the latest technology to clean your system, using powerful suction and compressed air to loosen and remove all unwanted debris. With your system under suction, our technician will brush the inside walls, tops and bottoms of your ducts, loosening the caked on dirt and dust, then following up with a `forward skipper `ensuring even the smallest dust particles are removed from the duct.

The end result is a cleaner, healthier environment in your home. A free cleaning and inspection of your furnace is also included in our service to you.

Our goal is for you to be 100% satisfied with our service from beginning to end. Give us a call, You`ll be glad you did!

 

 

January 2012 Article

THE CASE FOR REPLACING YOUR FURNACE

After 35 years in the heating, ventilation and air conditioning industry, I have spoken to a lot of customers and have had opportunity to solve some very unique comfort issues.  The one issue that stands out to me the most is how many old, outdated, inefficient, oversized and noisy furnaces are still in operation.

These “furna-sauruses” (as I call them) had their day, but what is it that makes us stubbornly allow them to perform this critical role of keeping us comfortable?  If your furnace is over 20 years old, chances are it is only 50-55% efficient, sending fuel dollars out the chimney and only adequately keeping your home comfortable.

Did you know that in recent years, the new high efficient furnaces have addressed the areas of [1] improved comfort (with variable speed, staged and modulating burners), [2] lower operational costs, and [3] quieter, smoother operation.  If you decide to make the move to a new furnace, don’t be surprised to find your indoor comfort improve in a major way!

Any questions, give me a call and I will be happy to address your concerns.  Make your new year’s resolution to retire that tired old furna-saurus in your basement!

 

December 2011 Article

DUCT CLEANING

Much of our environment is microscopic – invisible particles permeate the air we breathe.  Dust, pollen and mold are just three of these unseen enemies of healthy indoor air quality.  Over time these contaminants build up and turn your ductwork into a breeding ground for bacteria, fungus and other microbes, affecting the health and comfort of your family.

The average fiberglass furnace filter is less than 7% efficient, so changing this filter regularly is somewhat effective but the fact remains that these filters are less than adequate to remove accumulated pollutants in the ducts.

The most effective method of removing these contaminants is to have your ductwork professionally cleaned.  Comfortec is invested in your health and well-being and utilizes the most powerful vacuum truck in the industry.  With our rotary brush system, we guarantee effective removal of the pollutants in your ductwork and furnace.  We can also utilize an eco-friendly whole-house sanitizer to enhance the cleaning process.

Call us for a free estimate to have your system cleaned.  We are the Clean Air Experts^®.

 

 

October 2011 Article

WHY AIR DUCT CLEANING?

Indoor air pollution in our homes is a very real concern, even recognized by the EPA as a major health issue.  Studies show that human exposure to air pollutants may be 2 – 5 times that of outdoor levels, and the single most important factor in indoor air quality is adequately maintained furnace and air conditioning systems.

Duct cleaning, when done properly, can be a very effective means of reducing our exposure to some of these contaminants.  Keep in mind that Comfortec uses the “Biltwell” Power Vac System, generating 12,500 CFM of suction and 200 PSI Air Pressure leaving much of the competitors behind, effectively eliminating the dust and contaminants lurking in your ductwork.  Our rotary brush system gets into all corners of your ductwork, from both directions of the furnace main lines and your household vents while being vacuumed into our specialized truck.  We can confidently say that we offer the most thorough duct cleaning system on the market today!

Before we begin, our operator will walk through your home system with you, and give you the full cost of cleaning before he begins, with your approval to proceed.  Options such as cleaning your clothes dryer vent or central vacuum outlets and canister are also available.  The operator takes pride in being thorough, respecting your property, using clean drop-cloths, and taking great care around your furniture.

Thorough duct cleaning helps to reduce or eliminate pollutants and allergens that can lead to asthma, flu, and other health conditions.  If you haven’t tried us yet, I invite you to give us a call, and experience our friendly and prompt service!

 

September 2011 Article

THE HIGH EFFICIENCY MYTH

I would like to address a common misunderstanding about the high efficiency furnace.  I have heard many comments in recent months that the new technologies on these furnaces are problematic, are difficult for technicians and service people to diagnose, and so on.  If you have difficulty buying-in to the advantages of high-efficient technology, allow me to put your mind at ease.

First, the Canadian government has legislated that all furnaces for the residential market shipped over the border must be 90% plus efficient, and virtually all modern furnaces are manufactured in the U.S.A.  The modern high efficient furnace uses a second heat exchanger to squeeze as much heat out of the flu gases as possible, and uses heat that would normally escape out the chimney to warm your home.  Because of this effective method of conserving heat energy, the design and integrity of the parts are of higher quality and less likely to fail.  Every year the heating industry sees improvements in design and quality.

We are so confident, in fact, with our Comfortec brand furnaces that we have attached a 10 year parts and labour warranty to every furnace we sell.  That’s peace of mind.  That old furnace may have sentimental value, but remember many furnaces 20 years and older operate at 55% efficiency.  That is a lot of wasted heat and money!

Just a reminder, the new federal and provincial grants are available.  Feel free to call us for details.

 

 

August 2011 Article

THE VALUE OF A CUSTOMER
In Today’s world, it surprises me that people who work in the service industry often fail to see the value and importance of the customers they serve. Great service is a rare thing indeed, and we should always affirm those who provide it.

In my experience with the heating and air conditioning industry, there has been much progress toward providing better customer service in the following areas:

 

• Listening carefully to the customer’s needs
• Responding with a positive and proactive solution to the costumer’s concerns
• Proper training and licensing of staff
• Fair and straightforward pricing
• Care and respect for the customer’s property
• Warranty and service beyond industry standards

At Comfortec, we work hard to become better at what we do every day. If we stop learning, then we fail to grow or improve. It is time that companies who work in the service industry, and their people, understand that the customer is “boss” and pays the bills that keeps them in business.

As Sam Walton once said, “There is only one boss. The customer. And he can fire everybody in the company from the Chairman on down, simply by spending his money somewhere else.”

We invite you to put us to the test. If you do not receive great service from any of staff above and beyond your expectation, contact me and I will make it right!