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Everything You Need To Know About HVAC Efficiency Ratings!

One of the best ways to care for your family, protect the environment, and save your wallet all at the same time is to invest in high efficiency HVAC. Ultimately, the greater the efficiency, the greater the energy savings. That being said, it can be hard to know what brands and units that will be the most effective in your home. That’s why the Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute of North America has created labelling systems so that you know exactly how efficient your HVAC system will be. When it comes to efficiency ratings, there are two acronyms you need to know:

SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) is a measure of air conditioner efficiency. The number is determined by taking the cooling output during a typical cooling-season and dividing it by the total electric energy input during the same period. Math aside, all you really need to know is that the higher the SEER number, the greater the efficiency. Today, Canadian regulatory bodies require all new products to have a 13.0 SEER rating or better.

AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilisation Efficiency) is the measure of furnace efficiency. This value reflects how much heat the furnace will provide compared to the amount of energy needed to produce the heat. For example, an AFUE rating of 70% means that 30% of energy used is lost and 70% becomes heat for your home.

When perusing the labels, keep in mind:

Your budget for a new unit
Your budget for monthly bills
If you or anyone else in your home have respiratory issues
The size of your home

All of these factors will need to be considered when choosing the perfect HVAC system for your home. The key to high efficiency is keeping an eye on those labels and having expert HVAC professionals to come in to offer unique advice for your unique home. If you’re ready to take the leap into high efficiency HVAC, give our team a call today for an in-home consultation!

Why Choosing the Right Installation Team Will Save You From An Emergency

A tight economy leads to even tighter budgets. We are all trying to find ways to save a few pennies, but it’s important to know where it’s safe to cut corners and where it can be dangerous. Furnace installation can seem like a daunting expense, but spending now will mean saving in the future. Here are three reasons to choose a quality installation team for your furnace:

Gas Leaks

Poor connections can lead to a carbon monoxide leak. Carbon monoxide is odorless and colourless, meaning that it is virtually invisible to our senses. This leak can lead to CO poisoning and a myriad of health issues. It is also combustible and can lead to explosions or fires.

Electrical Issues

Having an electric furnace will save you the stress of a possible carbon monoxide leak, but faulty wiring can be just as hazardous. Incorrect wiring can cause fires or increase your energy bill unnecessarily.

Poor Output

Energy will be lost with faulty ductwork connections and poor sealing between the furnace and the ventilation shafts. If you furnace is noisy or spreads a lot of dust, you know something is wrong. Even if you have a top-of-the-line furnace, a poor installation can cause havoc in your home. Furthermore, if the contractor you chose for your installation was not licensed, you could invalidate your home insurance.

It’s for these reasons that you should never be afraid to ask questions when looking for a team to do work in your home. Make sure to find a team that is committed to your safety and is properly certified in HVAC.

Take Control of Your Allergies

If you suffer from environmental allergies, this one’s for you. Constant vacuuming, dusting, and medication are some of the ways that you can try to escape your dreaded allergies, but who really has time for all of that work, and what do you do when those chores don’t help? Air quality isn’t something that can be swept away, so here are three ways to effectively improve it:

HVAC Inspection

When it comes to your HVAC system, there are many factors that could be affecting your health. Dirty ducts or mold could be the simple cause with simple solutions, but you may never even be able to see, let alone fix the problem. Having regular inspections with trusted HVAC professionals will ensure that anything harmful will be found and dealt with promptly.

Air Filtration

Every furnace has a filter, but furnace filters are made to improve the HVAC efficiency, not improve air quality. Proper air filtration for your home comes from a more involved system: HEPA. A HEPA filter, or high efficiency particulate air filter, removes 99.9% of particles from the air as small as 0.3 micrometres. That means pollen, dust mites, mold spores, bacteria, and even some viruses are pulled from your air, and ultimately your lungs. Make sure to regularly change the filters depending on your unique needs, and your body will thank you!

Humidity Control

Being landlocked, Edmonton is not known for its balmy weather. Even the North Saskatchewan River doesn’t negate the dry spells that make our winters bitter. Because of this, our lungs, skin, and hair tend to suffer. While we can’t humidify our city streets, we can humidify our homes. Invest in a furnace humidifier. Keeping your home’s humidity between 35%-45% will ensure maximum comfort without encouraging mold to grow.

Don’t suffer from allergy and asthmatic symptoms any longer. Give your body a break and turn your home into a haven. Allow us to come in and help you discover custom fitted solutions for you and your family. When you need to breathe easier, give our team a call!

Furnace Humidifiers 101

Edmonton winters can be bitterly cold and unbearably dry. Dry winter air can aggravate allergies and asthma, our skin is always dry, and we seem to be perpetually sick. We all have furnaces to keep us warm and combat the cold, but how do we combat the dry? Simple, we can fight back by installing a furnace humidifier.

What are the advantages?

No clutter. Furnace humidifiers take up virtually no visible space, as opposed to freestanding ones that will need space in each room.
Full house humidified. Instead of humidifying one room at a time, furnace humidifiers will allow you to pump moisture throughout your entire home at once.
Save money on heating. Moist air feels warmer, so you won’t be setting your temperature as high.
Low maintenance. Furnace humidifiers connect to your water supply, so you won’t need to worry about the weight or hassle of constantly filling a tank.

How do they work?

Furnace humidifiers are installed right into your pre-existing HVAC system. All of the air circulating throughout your home will need to flow through the humidifier. There are three types of humidifiers: steam, flow-through, and drum humidifiers. Between the three types, there is a humidifier for every home and budget.

That sounds great, but don’t they cause mold?

With proper care, furnace humidifiers will not cause mold. Making sure that your home is properly ventilated will protect your family from anything unwanted growing in your ducts. Keep an eye on rooms where humidity is created, like bathrooms, laundry rooms and even your kitchen. You may need to turn off your humidifier while these spaces are in use.

Furnace humidifiers are an efficient, cost-effective way to keep you comfortable in your home. If you want to know more about how a furnace humidifier may be right for you, give us a call today and we will help you find the perfect solution for your home!