Frequently Asked Questions

Should I install a programmable thermostat?: Absolutely! Programmable thermostats are especially useful for people who are away from home at regular intervals. They allow for customized comfort settings around-the-clock, and they can cut heating and cooling costs by as much as 10%!.
The air conditioning is running but is not cooling/heating?: Many reasons, the simplest being that you may have inadvertently set it to fan only operation. Unfortunately it may also indicate a serious fault, Check your operating instructions but if no luck, give our service department a call.
Many reasons, the simplest being that you may have inadvertently set it to fan only operation. Unfortunately it may also indicate a serious fault, Check your operating instructions but if no luck, give our service department a call.: No more than you do or any ventilation system does for airborne viruses and bacteria. Many people are susceptible to dryness sometimes caused when an air conditioning system is badly designed or maintained and the relative humidity is reduced too much. It's a fact that basically coughs and sneezes spread diseases, but some people will blame anything for their ills rather than understand the facts.
What is indoor air quality?: Understanding indoor air quality first requires a basic knowledge of ventilation. Ventilation is a combination of processes which results in the supply and removal of air from inside a building.
How does indoor air quality deteriorate?: If one or more of these ventilation processes is inadequate, due to poor building design, inappropriate occupant activities, or improper maintenance or operation, the quality of indoor air may deteriorate. When that happens, occupants may suffer from Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) or Building Related Illness (BRI).
When should I get my air ducts cleaned?: In an average Canadian home it is highly recommended that air duct cleaning should be done each year and a half (especially if the home contains children and or pets) to two years. New houses and houses with recent construction should have their air ducts cleaned as soon as the construction is finished since the debris contained in the air ducts (such as sawdust asbestos and concrete lumps) can both be damaging to the furnace and can damaging to your health. Cleaning your air ducts will lower your utility bills, be beneficial to your health, and will prolong the life of your furnace(and its warranty).
Why is vent cleaning so important?: Proper vent maintenance will reduce the amount of time it takes to dry a load. A dryer with a blocked vent can take 3 to 4 times as long to dry costing upwards of $3.00 per load compared to $.75. If your dryer is unable to let the hot air escape properly it will produce an unsafe amount of heat. This becomes a huge fire risk. When your dryer gets too hot a switch automatically shuts it down, Dryer Fires occur when this switch fails.
Won't that much insulation block my eve vents?: It can if not properly dealt with. Eve venting is critical to your homes well being. Lack of eve venting can cause ice dams, roof deterioration, insulation degradation, roof deck rot, and mold growth. That is why a professional in home estimate/evaluation is recommended.
Do air ducts need to be cleaned before air duct sealing?: It's likely that the holes and cracks in the ductwork have allowed dust and other particulate matter to enter the system. If you are experiencing extensive levels of household dust, this might be the reason.
What is a radiant barrier?: Radiant barriers are materials that are installed in buildings to reduce summer heat gain and winter heat loss, and hence to reduce building heating and cooling energy usage. The potential benefit of attic radiant barriers is primarily in reducing air-conditioning cooling loads in warm or hot climates. Radiant barriers usually consist of a thin sheet or coating of a highly reflective material, usually aluminum, applied to one or both sides of a number of substrate materials. These substrates include kraft paper, plastic films, cardboard, plywood sheathing, and air infiltration barrier material. Some products are fiber reinforced to increase the durability and ease of handling. Radiant barriers can be used in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. However, this fact sheet was developed only for applications of radiant barriers in ventilated attics of residential buildings. For information on other applications, see the references at the end of the Fact Sheet.