Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Furnace Replacement and Maintenance Plans

Fall will be here before we know it, and with it comes the fall weather. Make sure you are prepared by having your heating equipment serviced, or look into replacing your heating system if necessary.

You may want to consider replacing your furnace if:
Your furnace is more than 15 years old. Furnaces built today are more efficient and breakdown less often
You want to change fuel types (e.g., from electric to natural gas)
You have expanded your house and the existing furnace cannot handle the new heating load
You have an older furnace that is not compatible with the new air conditioner you would like to buy

To keep your furnace working at its best, consider investing in a maintenance plan. Early warning signs can be detected and addressed before serious problems occur, saving you money. Also, a well maintained system will minimize energy consumption, prolong the life of your equipment and reduce the likelihood of emergency calls.

To determine the correct furnace size for a given house, a heat-load calculation must be performed. This calculation takes into account a number of factors including the size and orientation of the house, the local landscaping, the number of windows, and the number of occupants. Too large a furnace means you will use (and pay for) more fuel than necessary; too little means you won't be comfortable. Northern Air ClimateCare can advise you which size is best for your situation. The sizing of your furnace is critical to proper operation; never leave this to guess work.

Thursday, July 14, 2011

ecoENERGY Retrofit-Homes Program

The Government of Canada has renewed the popular ecoENERGY Retrofit – Homes program. From June 6, 2011, until March 31, 2012, homeowners are eligible to receive grants of up to $5,000 to make their homes more energy-efficient. Homeowners who participated in the program to date have saved 20 percent on their energy bills.

There are two important changes to the program. First, there is a requirement for participants to register directly with the program before booking their evaluation. Second, homeowners will now be required to provide receipts to their energy advisor at the time of the post-retrofit evaluation to confirm eligibility for the grant.

http://www.ecoaction.gc.ca/ecoenergy-ecoenergie/retrofithomes-renovationmaisons-eng.cfm

Friday, June 24, 2011

Air Conditioning

In summer, high relative humidity, elevated air temperatures and sunshine can combine to produce an uncomfortable indoor environment. Air conditioning can provide comfort by lowering the air temperature and also the humidity level in the home. When you're in the market for new cooling products, it pays to learn all you can about them first. With the proper facts in hand, you can make choices that will save you money and help protect the environment. You might also want to take a look at our ductless options. A ductless unit is suitable for apartments, condo living, boiler heated homes and homes without ducting.

There are three main cooling options available:
• central air conditioners
• heat pumps
• room air conditioners

The EnerGuide rating and ENERGY STAR® symbol can help you identify the most energy-efficient products available in Canada.

Central air conditioners cool only, while heat pumps also provide heat in winter. Central air conditioners and heat pumps are used to cool an entire living area. Room air conditioners can effectively cool up to three rooms at low cost, and can be installed with minimum effort.

Before you decide what to buy, ask yourself if the whole house must be air-conditioned or if your needs would be satisfied by cooling one or two rooms. The answer will determine which type of air conditioner would be more appropriate.

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

No cooling? What to do before calling for service

The “before you call” 8-point checklist
If homeowners are not comfortable checking these items, they should call a technician.

If a/c unit outside is not on at all, check fuse or breaker. If breaker is tripped off, reset.

Ensure furnace filter is clean. If it is plugged with dirt, etc. replace the filter, turn the system off for 2-3 hours and restart.

Check your thermostat. Make sure it is set to the ‘cool’ position and also that the temperature has been turned down.

Check for ice build up. This could be caused by a dirty air filter or thermostat set too low. If there is ice build up, shut a/c off and let the ice melt.

Check thermostat batteries.

Check outside disconnect. When the box is opened, the black piece inside should say ON.

Check exhaust pipe which is located outside to make sure it is clear or debris.

Make sure you removed the winter a/c cover.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Rinnai Grass is Greener Contest

Rinnai has launched its Grass Is Greener Contest, giving Rinnai appliance owners a chance to win $5,000 cash.

The grand prize money will be dedicated to the exclusive purchase of a new Condensing Tankless Water Heater, fireplace or other Rinnai product for the winner’s home or a loved one. Each participant is also eligible for a weekly $50 Visa Gift Card drawing.

Enter in just two easy steps:
1. Liking Rinnai's Facebook Fanpage2. Telling on Facebook why you love your energy-efficient Rinnai with words, videos, or image.

Top entries are showcased on the Facebook page for fans to vote for their favorite and select the grand prize winner.

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Central Air

In summer, high relative humidity, elevated air temperatures and sunshine can combine to produce an uncomfortable indoor environment. Air conditioning can provide comfort by lowering the air temperature and also the humidity level in the home. When you're in the market for new cooling products, it pays to learn all you can about them first. With the proper facts in hand, you can make choices that will save you money and help protect the environment. You might also want to take a look at our ductless options. A ductless unit is suitable for apartments, condo living, boiler heated homes and homes without ducting.

There are three main cooling options available:
• central air conditioners
• heat pumps
• room air conditioners

The EnerGuide rating and ENERGY STAR® symbol can help you identify the most energy-efficient products available in Canada.

Central air conditioners cool only, while heat pumps also provide heat in winter. Central air conditioners and heat pumps are used to cool an entire living area. Room air conditioners can effectively cool up to three rooms at low cost, and can be installed with minimum effort.

Before you decide what to buy, ask yourself if the whole house must be air-conditioned or if your needs would be satisfied by cooling one or two rooms. The answer will determine which type of air conditioner would be more appropriate.


If you require any further assistance, please contact us at 669-HEAT (4328) or www.northernairclimatecare.com.

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Keeping Your Home and Family Safe

Sudbury, ON- The presence of carbon monoxide in our homes is dangerous. Carbon monoxide is a colourless and odourless gas. Because you can’t see, taste or smell it, it can affect you or your family before you even know it’s there. So, how can you protect your family from carbon monoxide? According to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), having a qualified technician inspect and clean fuel-burning appliances yearly to ensure they are in good working order is one way to protect you and your family.

“Northern Air ClimateCare is now offering carbon monoxide checks for your furnace, and at a low price”, said Brian Eadie, President of Northern Air ClimateCare. “A trained, licensed technician will visit your home and inspect your furnace, perform a carbon monoxide check, and give any necessary recommendations. If ensuring your home is safe for your family is important to you, we highly recommend getting this done, especially if your furnace is over 15 years old, or you haven’t had it maintained regularly.”

To speak with a representative about scheduling a carbon monoxide check, call Northern Air ClimateCare at 669-HEAT (4328) or visit their website at www.northernairclimatecare.com.

Northern Air ClimateCare has been providing heating, ventilation and air conditioning service in the Greater Sudbury area for over 20 years.