Summer Furnace Tips

Out of sight, out of mind seems to apply very well to furnaces during the summer. Since furnaces aren’t really necessary when the sun is hot outside, a lot of people seem to forget that it still is an important part of their household.

However, summertime is a great time to be concerned about your furnace. In fact, people can stand to save a lot of money by paying more attention to their furnace during this time. Here are a few tips to do just that:

Shut off gas to your furnace

A lot of people are unaware that their furnace continues to use gas even during the summer months. This is because a tiny flame continues to burn inside the furnace even when it is not in use. Called the pilot light, this flame is used to ignite the larger burners when it comes time to crank up the heat and can consume as much as 1,000 BTUs per month. By turning off the pilot light, homeowners stand to save as much $50 or year or more on their gas bill yearly.

Get your furnace serviced

A lot of people put off having their furnace serviced until autumn, when temperatures begin plummeting. As a result of simple supply and demand economics, furnace service costs can spike during fall to account for the high demand. Getting your furnace serviced during the summer allows you to avoid this.

Furnace Oil and Some of Its Key Benefits

There are many ways to keep a home warm during the cold months, particularly during winter, and one of them is through heaters using furnace oil. Though the chilly months are still distant, there is no better time to prepare than today, and opting for furnace oil as your main heating fuel is one excellent decision.

More Heat

One of the primary advantages of oil furnaces over their gas-based counterparts is they can generate more heat, which is beneficial during winter. A heater that runs through furnace oil can muster heat that is 400 degrees hotter than gas or electricity. This means higher level of comfort come winter.

Safety

Despite using oil that is flammable, they are still the safer choice, as they do not produce carbon monoxide. Furthermore, they also do not explode.

Cost-efficient

Another benefit of oil furnaces is cost-efficiency, as the prices of oil is relatively cheaper compared to electric use. Moreover, they also offer a much longer lifespan, one that can reach up to as much as 20 years, depending on how well you maintain them. It is important to have their filters cleaned or changed regularly, at least every quarter. There are homeowners who do the maintenance themselves, but it is always advisable to have furnace oil experts handle the situation.

Warning Signs for you to Replace your Forced Air Furnaces in Toronto

"Noise While an air forced furnace isn’t exactly a silent operator, it shouldn’t be making bothersome noises. Banging, rattling, or squealing noises are red flags that shouldn’t be ignored. Call on trusted HVAC contractors like ones from Laird & Son to know if your furnace is indeed beyond repair and will need replacement. Household heating and cooling systems like a forced air furnace and tankless water heater in Toronto are considerable investment. Thus, it’s only wise for homeowners to do their share to protect them through regular maintenance. However, there will come a time when maintenance is no longer helpful, indicating that it’s time for a unit replacement."
http://www.lairdandson.com/warning-signs-for-you-to-replace-your-forced-air-furnaces-in-toronto/

Signs You Need to Repair Your Hot Water Boiler

Hot water boilers are a great alternative to furnaces when it comes to keeping your home nice and toasty during the colder months. When summer rolls along, however, most boiler systems are out of sight and out of mind for most homeowners. Don’t be one of those homeowners.

The summer months are the perfect time to inspect your hot water boiler. In the event you do find a sign of damage, heating contractors are readily available, unlike during late autumn and the entirety of winter. With that in mind, here are a few signs you should look out for:

Safety Valves

Start your inspection by turning the safety valve. If the safety valve is rusted or loose, have it replaced immediately. Your safety valve is the last line of defense against a malfunctioning boiler system, so always make sure that it is working properly.

Pressure Tank

Your pressure tank should be full of warm air. Accumulation of water is a sign that the tank is experiencing problems and may break down soon.

Pilot Light

If your pilot light goes out suddenly, you may have a draft in the area. If there is no draft, then your gas supply may be loose. If you suspect this and smell gas in the air, evacuate your home and call a professional immediately.

A Guide to Energy-efficient Toronto Heating and Air Conditioning Units

"Ensure proper maintenance of HVAC units Energy Star-rated heating and cooling equipment can only do so much. They are bound to fail at one point if their owners fail to properly maintain them. Homeowners should regularly check if their air filters are dirty or clogged and replace them as needed. Meanwhile, complex problems like a malfunctioning condenser or a defective blower fan motor should be entrusted to well-trained heating contractors in Toronto like those from Laird & Son. Keep home airtight. Well-maintained HVAC systems are not a guarantee of energy-efficient use. Homeowners also have to create a secure building envelope by sealing and insulating air ducts and caulking and weather stripping gaps in windows. At times, the holes through which indoor air may escape from are not readily apparent, so homeowners may need to double their inspection efforts."
http://www.lairdandson.com/a-guide-to-energy-efficient-toronto-heating-and-air-conditioning-units/

New air conditioners for old houses

Living in the same house in Toronto for many years is in itself a badge of honor, for you get to experience so many moments with your loved ones in the same place you grew up. The variety of seasons in the GTA, however, may test your house’s endurance, including the effectiveness of your HVAC systems. With summer around the bend, your A/C system, in particular, may be at risk of breaking down. You must have a trusted air conditioning service provider upgrade the system.

To upgrade an A/C unit in an older home, a contractor may choose either a mini-split or a high-velocity A/C. Mini-split systems are composed of a main compressor and fan unit that are positioned away from sunlight and linked to a number of individual cooling units inside the house.

The high-velocity system, on the other hand, allows the transfer of cool air via insulated piping to some sections of the house where they will be distributed through registers.

A reputable air conditioning specialist should be allowed to analyze the entire house and calculate the value of the cooling load the house needs, then designate the compressor system based on the house voltage. The analysis will include the number of windows, the floor area, and the heat distribution around the house.

An old house that has stood for decades may have its hidden cracks and holes, but a modernized air-conditioning system installed by HVAC experts will bring a higher level of comfort to its occupants.

Furnace Repair in Toronto is a Step Closer to a More Comfortable Home

"Some of the most common problems that furnaces will sustain include dirty or clogged filters. Thermostat malfunctions and poor heating control due to erratic air flow can cause air flow problems. Moreover, there are advanced problems that no weekend warrior can do alone. Any problems to the furnace can have repercussions for the entire household, in terms of discomfort and a decrease in indoor air quality. In order to prevent such mishaps from happening, it is important for households to call a reliable company that delivers emergency furnace repair in Toronto. A company like Laird & Son is capable of making quick, effective repairs without harming the environment."
http://www.lairdandson.com/furnace-repair-in-toronto-is-a-step-closer-to-a-more-comfortable-home/

Troubleshooting an Electric Furnace

Electric furnaces have operational problems that are mostly their own. Here are some of the most common concerns with electric furnaces that can help determine if you need an emergency repair service.

Unit Won’t Run

Before embarrassing yourself by calling a repairman haphazardly, check first if the unit is plugged or switched on. If it is plugged but still won’t turn on, check for blown fuses or tripped circuit breakers at the main entrance panel. If nothing’s wrong with the external circuitry, then the problem may be inside the furnace itself – which should ideally be checked by a professional.

Short Cycling

This occurs when the furnace repeatedly turns on and off quickly, sometimes within minutes. A common reason for this is a dirty filter. Check the filter first, and replace it if it’s already clogged with dust and debris. If you have a reusable filter, wash and dry it adequately before putting it back in. Another reason for this is blower malfunction. Oftentimes, cleaning and lubrication may be required. You can also choose to check your thermostat’s battery to ensure there isn’t a problem with wrong commands being sent to the unit.

Unit Keeps on Running

When this happens, you might be dealing with issues regarding the blower and relays. Sometimes, the blower control is set wrong and can be fixed by resetting the thermostat from ON to AUTO. If this doesn’t work, then the relays may be malfunctioning and you’d be better off calling on a skilled technician. 

Troubleshooting Problems with AC Fan Motors

Your air conditioning unit’s fan motor controls the operation of the equipment’s fan blades, so when it becomes faulty, you’ll be in for a major inconvenience. Common problems involving an AC’s fan motor include the motor churning out excessive noise, its inability to get air to efficiently circulate, and others. Here are some basic tips you ought to know about troubleshooting these issues:

Loud Noises

A noisy fan motor typically points toward mechanical failure or damage, such as dislodged or loose parts obstructing the motor as it spins. Before you go and check what the problem is, make sure to turn off the electrical connections to your AC unit. Then, open the cover, look for whatever has been dislodged and have it repaired or replaced as necessary.

Overheating

An overheating AC motor could be disastrous, and it might surprise you one day by eventually killing the unit and rendering it in need of replacement. Look out for signs of overheating like discolored paint and the presence of carbon dust (or you could simply check if the motor seems abnormally hot).

No Air Circulation

This problem is typical of air conditioners that have been in operation for quite a long time, and is naturally getting worn down. If you notice that the fan seems to be exerting too much effort, yet the room is still inadequately cooled, you might want to consider a replacement.

Prevent Any Air Conditioning Mishaps; Call a Toronto AC Repair Company

"There are several things that can go wrong with any air conditioning or HVAC unit in the Queen City. Faulty duct work is one of the biggest causes of energy waste in households. A dirty condenser fan also has an adverse effect on the unit, as a faulty one can cause the unit to overheat and malfunction altogether. These problems can appear on any Toronto HVAC unit, as the city went through an intense winter earlier in the year. In order to prevent such a breakdown from happening, it is important for local households to call a Toronto air conditioner repair service to check the condition of the units."
http://www.lairdandson.com/prevent-any-air-conditioning-mishaps-call-a-toronto-ac-repair-company/

Air Conditioner Installation in Toronto Prevents Hot Summer Mishaps

"After all, keeping cool during the summer is important. Summertime temperatures in Toronto peak at 26 degrees Celsius, and this means households will be exposed to a good amount of heat from all the sunlight. The resulting high indoor temperatures won’t just cause discomfort for everyone in the household, but dehydration and heat stroke as well. In order to keep such a problem from happening, it is important to check the AC for signs of trouble. A noisy central air conditioning unit that also fails to keep the house cool will tell any homeowner that a change is probably in order, and that services that offer AC installation in Toronto must be called for help."
http://www.lairdandson.com/air-conditioner-installation-in-toronto-prevents-hot-summer-mishaps/

Why Entrust Ductless AC Installation to a Pro

You can find many DIY tips and guides on installing a ductless air conditioner from the Internet. While these sources are correct in saying that a ductless AC is easier to install than a packaged unit, they often fail to mention that there are still a lot of factors which make installation by a professional preferable.

For instance, a trained AC installer can determine the ideal location for an AC unit better than any homeowner. The pro’s experience can also help him accurately identify the correct AC size and capacity for a room. Additionally, he will know where to place the condenser outside the home to achieve maximum efficiency.

AC installation typically involves complex mechanical and wiring procedures that require professional skills. Using the correct sizes of wires and pipes, and installing the thermostat accurately are critical. Also, depending on your jurisdiction, such a project may require a government permit before commencing, something which the pro can acquire on your behalf.

Professional installers have the proper equipment and tools needed for installing a ductless AC, which you likely won’t have at home. Even if you do get your hands on these tools, there is no guarantee that you can use them as effectively as the pros can. Keep in mind that a simple mistake can have deadly consequences when electricity is involved. Entrusting AC installation to an expert is thus a worthwhile investment as it can better guarantee your home’s safety and energy efficiency.  

One of the Top HVAC Companies in Toronto Gives Energy-Saving Solutions

"Toronto, Ontario (June 10, 2014) – Laird and Son Heating & Conditioning, one of the top HVAC companies in Toronto, graces the most recent feature in Newswire to give North American families advice on achieving energy efficiency for their appliances. Operations Manager Kim Laird-Hurst tells homeowners that they can preserve energy and save money with proper maintenance on their air conditioner units, especially with summer knocking at the doorstep. “It is a highlighted expense in the mind of the homeowner, yet an overlooked fix for such a small maintenance fee,” she said. Regular Toronto air conditioning service is proven to help people ensure that their units are running efficiently and less costly than machines that are under stress from malfunctioning parts. Maintenance also provides a longer system life for AC units and improved indoor air quality at a fraction of what it would cost to repair or replace a cooling system."
http://www.lairdandson.com/one-of-the-top-hvac-companies-in-toronto-gives-energy-saving-solutions/

Why Choose a Ductless AC System

Oftentimes, the only way to get through a blazing summer is to have a fully functioning air conditioning system at home. If opening your windows and turning on the fan aren’t cooling your home as much as you want, consider installing an air conditioning unit while the summer heat has not yet reached its peak.

There are two types of air conditioning systems that you can choose from: an AC connected to a duct system, or a ductless one. A duct is a network of channels or tubes that convey air blown by the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems into the house. They ensure that air that has been cooled or heated by the HVAC is equally distributed to all rooms in the house.

A ductless AC can be more advantageous for a number of reasons. For one, it is more appropriate in homes which do not have enough space on walls and ceilings for a duct network. Besides, the installation of a duct network, especially when adjustments in space are needed, can be quite costly. Installation may also take some time, leaving you without a working air conditioner while work is in progress.

Another advantage of ductless ACs is economy. As they only cool only one room at a time, energy is saved and is not wasted in other unoccupied rooms. This can greatly reduce your utility bills compared to using a ducted AC. 

Trusted HVAC Company Installs Ductless Air Conditioner in Toronto

"The family-owned company has recognized early on the potential of ductless technology as a possible replacement for traditional wall AC units and centralized cooling systems. Ductless air conditioning in Toronto, according to them, will steadily become the primary heating and cooling source for most homes because of its ability to create multiple heating and cooling zones inside homes and buildings. Laird and Son also recommends this type of AC unit because it has precise temperature controls, which can be adjusted using handheld remotes; it is also quieter than their wall and window-mounted counterparts."
http://www.lairdandson.com/trusted-hvac-company-installs-ductless-air-conditioner-in-toronto/