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Water heaters are a blessing during the winter. Especially if you live in a cold region like Edmonton where the temperature can drop significantly low during the winter months. Now, imagine it’s snowing outside and you have access to uninterrupted warm water in your home. Feels comfortable right? But this comfort can become a nuisance very easily. It can become a danger as well if you mismanage a perfectly working water heater.

Water heaters demand timely maintenance and management. The setting of the thermostat, checking if there are any leaks and making sure the water flows freely are some basic checkpoints. Water heater repairs are common in cities like Edmonton. So we thought it was best to give you some insights on the dangers of mismanaging your water heater.

Small Issues Get Big

It may not sound like an imminent danger but it sure becomes a big financial loss if you ignore a minor issue when it occurs. Any issue or problem in a water heater when left unchecked will definitely grow into a bigger problem that can eventually stop your water heater from performing well. Once this happens you will have to bear a bigger cost to get it fixed.

High Energy Costs

When a water heater is not performing at its optimum setting, it will use more energy and still remain inefficient. It will heat the water slowly and the warmth of the water may also get compromised. All this and yet you will still have a very high energy bill. It is of vital importance that you maintain the working capacity of your water heater as best as you can.

Water Leaks

Water heaters have a number of pipes attached to them that run into the building, be it a house or commercial building. If any pipe has a leak, it will definitely compromise the quality of the heated water. It will waste energy and warm water which is a danger if winter is upon you. Imagine having a water heater that does not provide you with warm water, yet you still have to pay the utility bills.

Gas Leaks

Gas water heaters may be very efficient in their functions. They pose a great threat if there is even a minor leak of gas. Gas leaks can turn into a scary fire hazard if they’re not taken care of. Especially if there are children in the building, any small incident can turn into a really dangerous situation which must be avoided at all costs.

Electric Short Circuits

Water heaters that use electricity to heat the water are comparatively less dangerous than gas water heaters. Still, the risk associated with even a small spark in its circuitry can initiate a fire hazard or even possibly destroy your water heater altogether. In this regard, it’s very important that you avoid this danger and get your water heater checked by professionals before the winter.

Risk Of Explosion

It’s rare for a water heater to explode, still, there’s always a possibility. Mainly, because of the pressure built in the heater as it heats the water. If the thermostat is set at high temperatures and the water is not consumed, pressure can build up. At this stage, if there is even a small error in the thermostat or if the burner does not slow down, an explosion can occur. Furthermore, if the water heater is using gas it can further raise the dangers of an explosion.

Nor-Can Heating & Air is Edmonton’s premier HVAC service provider. We work with all kinds of water heaters. We offer exclusive services to residents of Edmonton. Check out our website to learn more about us or give us a call regarding your HVAC needs.

Winter at its peak can force anyone to stay indoors. Chilly winds and snow falls can sometimes be a nuisance. White landscapes may be a pleasing sight for our eyes. That sight means we will have limited mobility. Keeping the hard winter times in mind, one of the most important basic needs is the availability of a warm atmosphere in our homes and offices. This is why our furnace becomes an essential commodity of our lives.

Every time winter gets near, the masses try to hire a furnace maintenance company. The shortage of time and the need to manage maximum clients may reduce the quality of your furnace maintenance. Since you are not aware or even qualified to know every little detail required to make sure your furnace works fine the whole season. We recommend that you follow this blog as we shortlist the best 11 furnace cleaning tips before you face this upcoming winter.

Get Professional Advice

There is no alternative to getting a professional check-up done from a reputed company that is nearest to your house or office. This will make sure that you are informed about the weak points of your furnace and its whole setup. Furthermore, you can receive recommendations to fix your furnace and make certain that it won’t fail for the upcoming winter.

Re-install Anything Broken

Once you know the condition of your furnace, you must replace anything that is not working properly or parts that are broken. The previous tip is actually the prerequisite of this tip. By replacing the broken parts of the furnace you will get a much more promising furnace performance throughout the winter season.

Repair Any Weak Pipes

While the professionals check your furnace they will test the pipes of the furnace as well. As time passes pipes get weak and are at potential risk of leakage. This is where you must repair or install new pipes to make sure you don’t have to get them fixed in the middle of the winter.

Thorough Furnace Clean-up

A complete clean-up of the furnace will make sure that there is no residual blockage in the pipes. The exhaust section once cleared will perform better in the season. This detailed cleaning practice will be sure to keep your furnace clean and keep it running at peak performance.

Checking The Exhaust Pipes

Exhaust pipes can get blocked if not cleaned on time. This is why it remains an essential part of furnace maintenance. Professionals usually clean the exhaust pipes after they have checked and fixed all the broken parts.

Removing Any Blockages

Furnaces are complex machines, their functions are technical and require the collaboration of all their parts. This is the reason that even a small part when blocked or stuck could compromise the whole furnace and affect its performance.

Checking Harmful Gas Detectors

Furnaces that use gas to operate can sometimes release harmful gasses like Carbon Monoxide. This is the reason that furnaces normally have gas detectors checking if these detectors are working fine or not must be part of the maintenance.

Replace The Air Filters

Air filters can be cleaned and reused, but the professionals recommend that air filters should be replaced with new ones. This practice will remove any doubt that the air filter might get blocked in the middle of the winter and could restrict the furnace from performing as it’s supposed to.

Keep The Furnace Area Free From Clutter

Furnaces are often installed in basements or storage places. These places are used to store other stuff as well which is a bad move. Your furnace area should be clutter-free. This is due to the heat it produces while it is operational and to avoid any further damage in case the furnace needs repairs.

Check Thermostat

Furnaces are controlled by thermostats, this is why they must be checked with all the other parts of the furnace. The thermostat is in fact the most used part of the furnace and is usually used by different people. So, having a good working thermostat is definitely a good checkpoint.

Test Start The Furnace And Check For Leaks

Once you are done with the maintenance and made sure that all the above-mentioned points are considered, you need to test run the furnace in different settings. This will help you find out if there are any missed leaks or repairs needed. After the test run is cleared you should be ready and well prepared for the winter.

Nor-Can Heating & Air is one of the top furnace maintenance and installation specialists operating in Edmonton. If you’re interested in having your furnace looked at by us before the upcoming winter season, don’t hesitate to schedule a check-up from our website or call us directly to book your next scheduled service check.

Winter is here and now it’s time to keep you and your family warm and safe from the cold. The first thing that comes to mind in freezing winter conditions is an electric furnace. A good quality furnace can sometimes be a costly expense. Once purchased, you will need to take care of your furnace so that it can last the entire winter season without facing any mechanical or operational issues.

There are expert HVAC contractors in Edmonton and surrounding areas that can help you make sure your furnace is running at its best. But, there are some things that you can do by yourself to keep your heating system at an optimal performance level. Doing so will not only extend the life of your furnace but also help you reduce the overall costs of repetitive repairs.

The following are some basic guidelines on how to keep your furnace working throughout the winter season:

Keep Air Filters Clean

Clean air filters are necessary for keeping pollutants from entering your home. For better quality air, the furnace repair experts in Edmonton recommend replacing old filters when they get clogged with dirt and dust. These air filters protect the sensitive components of your furnace from serious damages. You also get to save on your utility bills by keeping the air filters of the furnace clean and operational.

Keep Vents Open and Clear

Most people think closing some air outlets of their homes can help them save the heat where they require the most. They also believe that by doing so they can save energy by limiting it from entering unused space, when in fact closing them can cause serious problems to your furnace.

Furnaces are designed to cater to the heating needs of your entire house through maximum output and efficiency. By shutting down some parts of your house, the furnace will not be able to work at its full capacity. These interrupted cycles might lead to shortening the life of your heating system. Therefore, all vents and openings should be clear and open at all times.

Lower the Thermostat Temperature Setting

Reduce stress on your furnace as much as possible to make it last till the end of the winter season. One of the ways of achieving this is by lowering the thermostat temperature setting. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you need to bring it down to the lowest possible setting, but adjusting to around 21-25 degrees Celsius is a good area.

Most of the people in your house should be okay with this temperature set on the furnace. You can also raise the temperature by a few degrees if it feels too cold. You can also experiment with adjusting the temperature each day in order to find your optimal comfort zone and setting.

Maintain Humidity Levels at Home

Lowering the thermostat temperature is not always possible when you and your family can’t bear the extreme cold. What you can do to feel cozier and warmer in frigid weather is add some humidity to your home. Although adding humidity won’t increase the room temperature, it can provide some added comfort.

Install Smart Thermostat

There’s no need to keep your electric furnace running when there’s no one at home. You can install a smart thermostat with your heating system which can sense temperatures according to your routine preferences at different times in the day. You can also connect them to your smartphone, tablet, or laptop via Wi-Fi as well. You can extend the life of your furnace by installing a smart thermostat that will work according to your desired temperature needs.

Replace Thermostat Batteries

Some thermostats also experience breakdowns and malfunctions due to dead batteries. Due to deteriorated batteries, the thermostat stops working normally. Thus, it’s recommended by expert Edmonton based furnace repair companies that you change these batteries twice a year for efficient working of your furnace.

Keeping your furnace in good running condition throughout the winter season is not that difficult of a task. All you have to do is follow the above-mentioned guidelines for the best results. You may wish to consult industry experts for installation, maintenance, and repairs of your furnace.

Nor-Can Heating & Air offers installation, maintenance and repairs to all HVAC (Heating Cooling, and Air Conditioning) related needs. Contact us for a free quote on any of our services.

Simple maintenance procedures are what it takes to keep your water heating system in good working condition. Unfortunately, most households simply overlook the significance of maintenance and end up facing costly repairs and replacements. For example, cleaning the water heater tank is a simple task. When we don’t clean the unit, various minerals and sediments keep adding up making the unit less efficient. If ignored for a long period, dirt can slowly deteriorate your heater.

However, maintenance procedures can vary depending on what type of water heater is installed in your house or office. Tankless water heaters don’t come with a water storage tank, which holds water anywhere from 30 to 80 gallons. Each type of water heating system has its own advantages and disadvantages. Regardless of what type of unit you’re using to supply your hot water, make sure you maintain it. If you don’t have the time or skills to repair or maintain your water heater, hire a professional HVAC expert to do it for you.

Maintenance of tankless water heaters

The way tankless units operate differ from the way traditional units work. Corrosive water is something that can deteriorate both traditional and modern water heater systems. Using a water softener can help you avoid buildup and corrosion from hard water which can be a major concern if you have a storage tank system. Tankless models are less vulnerable to corrosive water because they don’t store water.

Nevertheless, keeping your tankless system protected against corrosion is a major maintenance step. Flushing your tankless unit at least once a year is recommended to avoid sediment build up on the bottom. Here is what you need to do to perform basic maintenance:

• Turn off the power source for your tankless water heater and then turn off the 3 valves attached to the unit
• From the purge valves, remove the purge port valve caps
• Attach hosing lines to each of the 3 valves
• Turn the purge port valves perpendicularly to open them
• You can use approx 9 liters of undiluted white vinegar to clean the heater (it’s not recommended to use chemical solutions for this purpose)
• Follow the directions of the manufacturer of your tankless unit to carry out flushing and draining
• Close the purge port valves after performing the flushing process
• Disconnect and remove hosing lines and tighten the valve caps
• Again, follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer to restart the unit

Replacing old, inefficient water heaters with energy-efficient tankless water heaters is the right choice for many household and commercial applications as they consume less energy. Unlike traditional storage-based systems, tankless heaters operate when needed.

Follow the above-mentioned instructions to clean your tankless unit. If you don’t have time or tools to maintain your HVAC systems, consult an HVAC company. In Edmonton, Nor-Can Heating & Air has been delivering impeccable HVAC services which include water heater maintenance and repair. Contact us for more details!

Humidity refers to the presence of water vapor in the air. It has a great impact on how warm the air feels to living beings. The warm temperature feels even warmer as the humidity level increases. While the speed at which water evaporates decreases, high humidity slows down our body’s cooling mechanism making it difficult for us to maintain a comfortable indoor environment in summer.

There are several different ways to measure humidity. The term ‘relative humidity’ is commonly used by weather reports. It refers to the amount of moisture in the air relative to the air’s capacity to hold moisture. Wikipedia explains the term as “the ratio of the partial pressure of water vapor to the equilibrium vapor pressure of water at a given temperature”. Dew point is the measure of absolute humidity. The hotter the air, the more water it can contain. Environmentalists often identify water vapor as a major greenhouse gas and a potential factor causing global warming.

Have you ever observed why the same temperature on your air conditioner feels different when the season changes? Most traditional air conditioners only allow its users to set temperature and there’s no way to control other crucial factors that affect how we feel. Thermal comfort depends on several components: time of the day, thermal radiation, indoor humidity, and most importantly, outdoor weather.

Importance of humidity and how you can control it

Did you know that earth would be 31°C colder without water vapor? The amount of water vapor in the air plays a vital role in making life stable on planet earth. However, indoor humidity levels lower than 30% or higher than 60% create problems. Therefore, you need to maintain the comfort zone which is 30%-60%.

Air conditioners use plenty of power lowering the humidity level no matter the mode you use. You can use other devices such as dehumidifiers to maintain indoor comfort. Understanding your indoor humidity conditions and applying the right method will ensure your health and reduce power consumption.

When controlling humidity in your office or home, it’s important to consider that humidity generally falls and rises depending on current outdoor environment. Unless your walls contain non-permeable vapor barriers, moisture vapor pass through them with ease. Poorly insulated walls, leaking window frames, and other openings in your building can make it easy for moisture to dominate your living space.

If you’re not sure how you can maintain a comfortable indoor environment or you don’t know what methods are suitable for your building structure, consult a reliable HVAC expert. Nor-Can Heating & Air is a trusted HVAC company in Edmonton where we make sure you have a comfortable indoor environment throughout the year.

According to healthcare specialists around the world, it is essential that the average person receives ample Sunlight and fresh air to breath. This gets difficult these days for people living in cities that are saturated and are often clustered in apartments or closely built houses. This is why old but effective use of ventilation systems comes in handy. Ventilation systems makes use of the natural flow of the wind and create a consistent flow in buildings by which fresh air is supplied on a consistent basis. Traditional ventilation systems are now being upgraded by modern Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) services.

HVAC Contractors based in Edmonton are perhaps some of the best ventilation service providers in the region. According to specialists today, ventilation systems is one of the most important features in the design of almost any type of construction. The advantages of ventilation, both in humans as well as in buildings, are undeniable and recognized through several studies. In addition, recent national and international rules require certain levels of ventilation obligatory, depending on the building and its application.

Features of a Smart Ventilation System

Logically, for the realization of any project, engineering and architectures must be governed by current regulations. However, we must ask whether the parameters required by regulations are sufficient or not. From this point, this is where intelligent ventilation comes into play. It makes no sense, from a logical and economic point of view, to practice the same levels of ventilation, for example, in a gym at night when it is completely empty than during the day when users use their services.

The same factor occurs in factories, offices, schools, museums, homes, and a long list of other applications.

Intelligent ventilation allows regulating fans and even heat distribution, depending on the parameter that the designer deems appropriate for specific areas. This parameter is read by a probe or sensor, which transforms the parameter itself into a digital or electrical signal, so that it can be read by a regulatory element that will tell the fan how to operate, while increasing the speed, reducing it or even turning it off.

Sensors and Their Functions

Appropriate sensors will depend on the application available, although the recommendation that should be made is to choose a sensor capable of reading the most favorable parameter. For example, if it is an enclosure with humidity problems, the most appropriate sensor would be a relative humidity probe, while if on the other hand, the most unfavorable parameter is the parts per million (ppm) of CO 2 released by the building occupants, the right sensor will be a probe of CO 2.

Since there is a wide range of sensors available on the market, it is easy to find the right sensor able to perform virtually any type of application. Consequently, there are sensors that transmit a digital signal (0 or 1) that will turn the fan off or on depending on the value of the setpoint parameter, up to sensors that transmit an electrical value for each parameter value, so they can perform a constant and precise regulation on the fan.

Efficiency and Economic Based Usage

In most cases, except for fans or heat recuperated that are already prepared for it with the electronics integrated with the ventilation system, a second accessory capable of interpreting the signal transmitted by the sensor and regulating the fan will be required to take into account the value read from it. This accessory is usually a frequency converter, although there are other options on the market.

This whole system is known as a smart ventilation system as it can be custom-built for the place and time. Adequate or fair ventilation is achieved for each application and at every moment, and being able to adjust the parameters by the end-user. Any environment without these elements will surely result in an uncomfortable setting.

In addition, there is an economic saving benefit by the simple fact of consuming lower power by regulating the speed of the fan. The economic savings achieved will allow a relatively rapid return on investment, taking into account that a benefit to the environment will be contributing due to low power consumption, compared to applications without smart ventilation.

Are you wondering which option best suits your home? A traditional or tankless water heater? Before you make the final decision, it’s important to take into consideration some factors like your daily usage of hot water and the layout of your home.

Installing a water heater system is a long term investment for homeowners. You must consider cost, efficiency, and longevity of your new water heater. This blog post will compare storage tank systems with tankless water heaters.

What is a tankless water heater?

The prominent feature of tankless water heaters is that they provide hot water on demand. The burners heat up the water quickly to provide an instant supply of hot water. You don’t have to wait for hours before the water gets hot.

How is tankless better than storage?

Traditional storage tank water heaters are commonly found in homes across the globe. While this option may have been popular for many years, it is certainly full of short-comings. There is no point in using inefficient HVAC systems when you have a better alternative available in the market.

Longer life-span

Tankless water heaters last long and provide you with much needed reliability. It’s time for you to get rid of your storage tank water heater and replace it with a tankless system. To be precise, a tankless water heater will last 20-30 years, which is twice the life-span of a traditional storage tank water heater.

Compact size

Tankless water heaters do not consume a lot of space as they are compact in size. They do not have the additional tank size, which makes it easy for you to fit them in your house. If you do not have extra space in your home, or you live in a smaller sized property, then a tankless heater is the best choice for you.

Instant hot water

You can get hot water instantly. What’s better than that? You don’t even have to wait 30 seconds for the water to get hot which saves a lot of your time. As soon as you turn on the faucet, hot water comes gushing out, which is extremely convenient. You can have access to hot water whenever you need it, without worrying about energy consumption. Tankless water heaters are also popular for their energy-efficient properties.

About Nor-Can Heating & Air

Nor-Can Heating & Air strives to provide the best HVAC repair and maintenance services in Edmonton. From upgrading existing heating and cooling systems to installing new HVAC units into new properties, our objective is to ensure a comfortable indoor environment in a budget-friendly manner. Contact us for more details!

The humidity and indoor temperature in your home is greatly influenced by the weather outside. Humidity levels vary naturally with the changing seasons. Indoor humidity in your room should be between 30-50% to have a comfortable environment. When the humidity level reaches or exceeds the 60 figure, it starts getting hot and uncomfortable.

Too much moisture in the air not only makes you feel uncomfortable but also affects your health. It can cause allergy flare-ups, respiratory problems, and sleep interruptions. It also causes structural damage, mold growth and condensation in walls. If you want to gauge moisture levels in your house, use a hygrometer.

Here is what you can do to relieve the discomfort and enjoy your summer:

Ensure proper ventilation

The purpose of ventilation is to control the thermal environment and humidity and remove dilute pollutants. The ventilation system in your house or office should be sufficient to remove pollutants and keep the air circulating. Places like bathrooms, basements and closets lack proper ventilation. These places are prone to humidity build-up and mold. Therefore, it’s important to ensure proper ventilation.

Use air conditioning

Using air conditioning systems can help you reduce humidity and maintain a comfortable environment. Air conditioners produce cooler air while removing humid, warm air. If your air conditioning system isn’t producing enough cooling in the summer, make sure to change its filters or hire a professional HVAC expert to have it tuned up and ready for the summer.

Reduce wet objects

Household activities such as cooking, washing and drying clothes inside the house cause humidity indoors. Water leakage, retained construction moisture, and plumbing leaks also amplify the humidity level in your house. Simple and easy activities such as using exhaust fans in the bathroom, range hood in the kitchen, venting a dryer to the outside and installing externally vented gas heaters can help you reduce the moisture level in indoor air.

While indoor plants provide numerous benefits in terms of air quality and aesthetics, you should consider removing them as they create a water cycle that turns your living space into a greenhouse.

Use a dehumidifier

Turn on your fans and air conditioners to dehumidify the air and lower the perceived temperature. It’s always a good idea to use a dehumidifier in the basement or anywhere in your house. You can set the dehumidifier to a level that ensures healthy humidity level (30-50%) inside your house. Bathrooms, closets, and attics are some places where you can put dehumidifiers.

If the HVAC systems installed in your building are unable to reduce the summer heat and humidity level, call Nor-Can Heating & Air, a reputable HVAC company in Edmonton where we provide a complete range of HVAC services from small air conditioner repair to installing furnaces and ventilation systems.

For most Canadians, keeping cooling and heating costs down and maintaining a comfortable indoor home environment go hand in hand. While it’s important to stay cool in the summer, people don’t want to break the bank. It’s important to figure out how to reduce air conditioning costs while maintaining a comfortable indoor environment. The following are ways to keep cool and save on air conditioning costs:

Install energy-efficient air conditioning systems

With rising energy costs, everyone tries to find ways to be more energy efficient. Installing energy-efficient air conditioning units is an effective way to reduce your energy bill. The Canadian government encourages its citizens to use energy-efficient HVAC systems which protect the environment and consume less power.

As an innovative and progressive HVAC company in Edmonton, we also encourage our customers to replace outdated cooling and heating systems with energy-efficient HVAC solutions. Contact Nor-Can to learn more about energy-efficient HVAC solutions in Edmonton, Alberta.

Set the temperature as high as possible

To reduce energy consumption, set your AC as high as possible. It’s recommended to use a programmable thermostat to increase the temperature when you’re asleep or out. It’s important to know that the smaller the difference between the outdoor and indoor temperature, the less you’ll pay in bills.

Maintain your air conditioners

While installing energy-efficient appliances is a good decision, HVAC maintenance can have an impact on your bills. Properly maintained air conditioning system needs less power to operate. For example, dirty and clogged filters make air conditioners work harder to cool the designated space. A simple maintenance task is to replace or clean the AC filters once a month. You can talk to an HVAC expert to learn more about air conditioner repair and maintenance.

Avoid heat build ups during the day

When the outdoor temperature exceeds the inside temperature of your home, it’s advisable to avoid activities that generate heat such as over using your dryer or stove. Small things like washing dishes by hand or letting clothes air-dry can make a difference.

When used properly, highly reflective blinds can significantly reduce heat gain. If you put in an effort to prevent solar heat by keeping the treatments drawn all day, your AC will use less energy. Make sure to use light-colored shades, blinds, and curtains as they deflect the sun’s scorching rays.

When installing, cleaning or maintaining your AC unit, make sure to read and follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. Feel free to contact Nor Can Heating & Air for reliable HVAC installation, repair, and maintenance services in Edmonton!