When it comes to HVAC issues, there's a long list. But then there are some issues that are commonly discussed and others that are not given as much importance as others. While we have already talked enough about the commonly discussed HVAC matters, this blog is dedicated to discussing uncommonly discussed HVAC issues that are, interestingly, in their nature, very important and have the potential to leave significant impacts on comfort. Let's begin:

Only the right only size means the right comfort 

Comfort does not come handy by purchasing appliances. It comes by purchasing the right appliances. And the right appliances are bought when the necessary thought process and professional consultation precedes the purchase. Sizing is one of the few decisive factors for comfort. Choosing a larger than needed size, you will choose for your system to trip frequently, which will result in temperature difference in the indoor. Contrarily, choosing a smaller than the needed system is synonymous with asking the system to constantly work as long as the entire indoor does not get enough cool/warm. Constant operation then results in faster wearing out and frequent repairs. The principle of right-sizing applies to IAQ appliances as well. So the next time, you are out to purchase a Furnace, Air Conditioner, Humidifier, Air Cleaner or any other whole home appliance, make sure it is the right size.

The outdoor unit could be at a direct risk of damage 

The outdoor HVAC units need care not just in peak seasons but also in off-peak seasons or you can say, throughout the year. While in peak season, it is important to keep the unit clean and in off-peak season, to cover it, it is also important to protect the unit from the possible damages of storms and lightning. While storms can bang random things into the unit, the lightning can actually cause a fire with all sorts of shrubs and bushes grown around the unit. To provide for yourself, a complete package of protection, consider surrounding the unit with a barrier and keep the grass trimmed around the unit. Doing so will also help protect the unit from animals and environmental mess.

The unit may be the right size and still not enough  

The sizing of the unit is considered with the area under consideration. But even the finest equation can go wrong when the weather wants to go high and low on the swing of the temperature scale. This can result in Furnace becoming apparently inefficient in winter by not providing enough humidity and causing discomfort. And AC becoming inefficient by not dehumidifying enough and leaving enough warmth in the indoor. In these cases, whole-home Humidifier/Dehumidifiers can be the best choice to consider. With sufficient humidity maintained, the systems will not only work with an optimal performance, but the indoor comfort will also be maintained easily.

Have you considered these HVAC matters before? If yes, how have they benefited you? Also, is there a special HVAC ritual of your own?

There is a religiously believed and also practised myth and that is; in order to save energy, close registers in the unused rooms. The fact is, doing so not only badly affects the HVAC system and the ductwork but also creates some very bizarre indoor air quality and air flow problems. We as HVAC specialists suggest homeowners time and again not to close their registers in the hope of saving energy or keeping some rooms overly cold/warm. It needs to be understood that the HVAC system does not work solely on its own and the same is true for the ductwork. Both work in coordination with one another. Disturbing one simply means disturbing the other as well. Below, we discuss in detail why closing registers in unused rooms is not a good idea at all.

- Energy saving? No such thing happens dude 

The heating/cooling temperature is not determined by the registers. It is determined by the thermostat which you set at whatever temperature you want the indoor to be. In that case, the HVAC system will continue to operate until it reaches that temperature. The HVAC system does not know whether the registers are opened or closed. So there's no energy saving at all. The system runs for as long as it usually does.

- Comfort compromise 

While the registers are closed to attain more comfort, doing so actually increases discomfort. This happens when the airflow is disturbed. The supply of airflow is not affected by closing the registers. It is in fact controlled by the dampers present within the branch ducts. So the airflow goes all the way to the opening and finds it closed. Since the air does not find a way out from the duct, it returns and this return disturbs the air flow in the rest of the rooms as well, resulting in discomfort or hot and cold spots.

- Pressure problems  

Homeowners close supply registers but the return resisters remain open. This way the air from the room where there is no air supplied keeps on evacuating creating a negative air pressure in the room. With a negative air pressure created, the room tries to suck air from the outdoor and does so by sucking air from holes and leaks. This affects the indoor air quality as the contaminated, unfiltered air from cracks and holes seeps in.

- Wear and tear problem 

Pressure is created in the ductwork which affects the dampers, the blowers as well as the supply registers which are closed. This increases the risk of wear and tear. In the case of foil ductwork, the ductwork may develop massive leaks.

Keeping the above-mentioned consequences, it can be deducted that closing registers offers no genuine benefit. Even the benefits for which the registered are closed are not actually received. So if you have been practising closing registers, do it no more. Neither your energy bills are getting any effect from that nor it does any help to add to the comfort level. Better try genuine ways to improve airflow and air quality.

Thanks to the technology for making things easy for us. We are employing one kind of technological advancement or the other in our daily lives today. One of such technological advancement is the Humidifier. An appliance that helps increase indoor humidity by increasing the moisture in the air. But hey! Appliances don't come for free and an appliance like Humidifier costs a minimum of $200. So what to do when you are tight on budget and can't afford to install a Humidifier? Are there any other ways to increase Humidity and avoid the discomfort which is caused by low humidity level? Fortunately, yes! There are simple and affordable ways to increase indoor humidity without using a costly Humidifier. So let's check out those ways:

Ways that can prove a good alternative to Humidifier 

- As the clothes air-dry, they evaporate water, don't they? Then why not let the clothes air-dry using a dryer rack or temporarily tying a dryer line? This will save energy and will increase the indoor humidity as well. Two in one!

- Placing bowls of water on windowsills and registers helps a great deal as well. The water evaporates and adds to the environment increasing its humidity

- Making coffee or tea? Instead of microwaving the mug in the microwave, better use the stove and heat water in pan or teapot. This will release moisture in the indoor and the humidity level is increased

- One of the coolest tricks is to leave the door open after taking shower or keeping it open as you take shower. The hot water moisture will spread rapidly in the room which will add to the humidity level at least in that part of the home

- Attached to the shower with the open door is the tip of not draining the bathtub water when it is still hot. Leave it there for some time with the bathroom door open. The hot water will evaporate and the moisture will spread. Drain it as the water cools off

- Plants do a great deal of help when it comes to moisture. Plants release moisture from their leaves almost all the time. The more they are kept moist, the more moisture they release which is called transpiration. So introducing some plants in the indoor is a cost-effective and genius idea to naturally and evenly increase indoor humidity

- Instead of drying the dishes in the dryer or with a cloth, let them air-dry. Once again, moisture which will be released will increase the moisture in the air

These are some of the ways that can help you in increasing the indoor humidity. But there are some exceptions as well. These DIY tips can increase the level to some extent only. If you are one such homeowner with some severe allergies from dry air, it is recommended to install a Humidifier so that the ideal humidity can be kept maintained. However, in normal conditions, where only a slight increase in moisture is needed, these DIY tips can suffice for you.

Did you find this blog interesting? Do you have some DIY suggestions for increasing indoor humidity? If yes, share with us.
 

You don't necessarily have to upgrade to costly appliances if your goal is to make your home and workplace energy efficient. There are simple everyday practices that can not only add to your own comfort but can also minus your discomfort that is caused by hefty energy bills. And at the same time can contribute to making Earth a safer and healthier abode.
Let's discuss some tips for making the home as well as the workplace energy efficient.

Ways to make home and workplace energy efficient 

Air Conditioner compressor does come with a long warranty but many homeowners void their warranty in one way or the other. And once the warranty expires, failure of an Air Conditioner compressor would mean an expense of several hundred dollars. Taking preventive measures to avoid compressor failures is the best way to save yourself from discomfort as well as costly replacements.
Here are 5 ways that can help avoid AC compressor failure.

Every year, thousands of Canadian homeowners purchase new HVAC appliances, including Furnaces, Water Heaters, Air Conditioners and others. But how many of them also end up making the right purchases as they purchase? Not so many. And that is because homeowners do not pay enough attention to the pros and cons of an appliance, it's price and how both of these factors will contribute to affecting the efficiency and longevity of it. Also, the attractive commercials and advertisements leave no room for critically analysing the advertised appliances. As a result, homeowners buy what they are forced to buy. This enforcement could be in the form of a sticky retailer, a constant ad popping up on social media or TV or a friend or family having a good experience with a particular appliance.

As HVAC specialist, we think that every single home has its own peculiar requirements and every single homeowner his own peculiar needs. What works best for so many out there may not work the same way for you so it is important to critically analyse the appliance and compare its pros and cons with your needs and wants. We are writing this post to help homeowners make wise choices as they purchase Air Conditioner units for their homes.

What if you purchase a brand new Air Conditioner and have to get it repaired just after a few months that too with an expense of several hundred dollars? Where did the warranty go? Why did you have to pay for the repairs when the company gave a warranty of 10 years? Well, it happened because you accidentally voided your warranty. You might wonder if you have never been to such a situation, how can someone void his own warranty? Well, this happens accidentally as part of lack of knowledge about warranties and also because these accidents can so frequently take place as the brand wants you to make those accidents (mean, right?) so that you pay yourself. And for this reason, the voiding of warranty thing is kept quite easy. So before you void your warranty, let's help you learn how not to end up voiding it.

Forgetting to register the system 

Hey! Didn't you know this? Well, so many people don't that it's important to get a system registered with the company once it is purchased or else the warranty will stand void. And this is not all; the time for registration is limited; usually 60-90 days.
If you have recently purchased an Air Conditioner but didn't get your system registered, run!
A good way to save yourself from this mistake is to look for a retailer that performs the registration on your behalf. There are several good HVAC services that fill the registration form on their customer's behalf as he makes a purchase. So your warranty doesn't get voided.

Cheap, Off-brand replacement parts

And here's one thing that many homeowners fall into. Off-brand replacement parts. Usually, the unprofessional services repair the appliances using off-brand parts and for your information, this voids warranty as well. Since the manufacturer wants you to use only its own manufactured replacement parts, it doesn't take any responsibility of your appliance if you have already repaired it using non/off-brand parts. 
Here you need to do two things;
- Always purchase the same repair parts as is your appliance's brand
- Do not hire unprofessional people who would put you and your appliance at a double risk and loss

Delaying regular maintenance 

There are several homeowners that delay HVAC maintenance just to save some dollars. But did you know, it is important to keep the appliances maintained in order to keep the warranty valid? HVAC manufacturers want the homeowners to maintain their appliances at least once a year and also to keep a record of the maintenance visits of a certified HVAC professional. So if you complain the company and don't have maintenance record, there are high chances you won't be given any compensation.
So from now onwards, make a routine of having all your HVAC appliances maintained by a certified professional.

There is one quick thing to mention; when we say maintenance, we do seriously mean professional maintenance. And since you're reading about the things that void the warranty, you also need to learn that any unprofessional repair also results in voiding the HVAC warranty.
Save your warranties - save your dollars
 

How many of you have gone through bad HVAC experiences? Many of us. And most of the times, the bad experience takes place when we are in such a dire need to get our appliances maintained or repaired but end up in the hands of a self-claimed professional.
Although there are authorities that issue professional certifications to trained and tested HVAC professionals and although HVAC is a field that requires professional and technical knowledge that is certified, it is still not taken as seriously as it deserves to be. And therefore, there are a number of services that claim to be professionals but are not. The consequence of such unprofessionalism is borne by homeowners when they end up losing their money without getting the service quality they demanded.
The situation suggests a need for training centres that could train on easy terms to individuals and small companies that wish to take up HVAC services as their profession. This need was felt by HVAC giant York and Source1 and here's what they have come up with:

York and Source1 launch nationwide HVAC training centres 

York and source1 collaborated to initiate a series of HVAC training centres. The first of this series centre was inaugurated in Missouri, America at the beginning of this year. More centres will be opened in areas (in the US for now) where York and Source1 exist. This training centre will train neophyte technicians and HVAC interested individuals regarding basic and professional HVAC services. For this purpose, 8 york units are housed in the main centre to be used for the first-hand experience during training.

The good thing is; HVAC professionals have gotten an opportunity to become York's certified technicians by getting themselves trained at this newly started initiative of York and Source1.

Although the general training is for residential applications only, some custom programs do incorporate the commercial application of products and some other basic and pro know-how of commercial products and their service.

Expectations associated with York & Source1 HVAC training centre initiative?

Regional general manager for source 1 Doug Comerio explained the purpose of launching the centre by saying that the training will help contractors get a better understanding of installation and other services so that as they reach out to serve, they leave homeowners with better experiences.
The expectations are directly woven with the kind of purpose this training centre aims to pursue. Since the purpose is to make professional knowledge easily accessible to learn and provide homeowners with better experiences, we as common people can expect that this initiative will help provide us with more HVAC professionals and that we will be less likely to experience the bad HVAC experiences that we always fear to face.

Who can enrol for training? 

If you are already an HVAC technician but lack professional skills & certification or if you wish to pursue HVAC as your profession, this training centre is for you. As mentioned, the first of its chain centre is currently functional in Missouri, you can go and enrol if that happens to be an area in your vicinity. Else, wait for more centres and hey! serve only when you're certified. HVAC is a professional's to do.

Have you always thought of home insulation as a winter only thing? You have been wrong. Did you know that home insulation benefits as equally in summers as it does in winters? In winters, it keeps the heat inside and the heat loss is reduced. In summers, the insulation keeps the outside heat from entering the home keeping the indoor cool. The general benefits of home insulation are;

Benefits of home insulation in summers

- Since the home remains cooler than usual, the HVAC appliances don't have to work hard
- Home Insulation is a one-time investment for several years that help reduce energy bills as the heating/cooling appliances don't run constantly
- Insulation works as a noise proof solution
- In addition to all that, home insulation keeps the IAQ level healthy by not allowing outer pollutants in and also not circulating the air constantly in the indoors. The air, therefore, remains relatively fresh and healthy.

Above were the general benefits of home insulation. We also need to learn how exactly home insulation helps keep the indoor cool in summers and what are the major heat causing areas of the home. Read on:

In summers, the roof is the major place from where the heat of the sun gets absorbed. This heat makes the indoor warm as a result of conduction. The second major place is the walls. As the attic is insulated, the heat that enters the home from the roof can be barred entrance. Similarly, insulation of walls can stop the heat to enter the home from sides of the home. Usually, attic and walls are insulated but there are some people that prefer floor, duct or ceiling insulation depending on the peculiar needs. This way the home's indoor cooling doesn't get lost easily and the outdoor heat doesn't get a chance to peak in the home as easily as it usually does.

Make the most of home insulation 

Insulation is beneficial but so is ventilation. Air circulation is important else the indoor air will turn dry, stale and unhealthy. Therefore, open doors and windows in the early morning or at night to let fresh and cool air inside.
Also, placing a water reservoir under the fan with help circulate air while also cool the indoor. 

Does my home need Insulation? 

There are many Canadian homes that are not insulated at all and many others that are not insulated properly. A failing/old insulation results in;
- High energy bills
- Discomforted home
- Quick cooling/heating loss
If your home shows any of these signs, check when did you have your home insulated. Analyze if the insulation is old enough to have a refill or call a professional to get some insight regarding this.

What insulation type will best suit my home? 

There are different types of home insulation and different materials are used. Every home has different needs. Only an attic insulation can suffice for your home or you may need to insulate your walls and floor as well. Similarly, when it comes to the material of insulation, no random choices should be made. Different materials have different insulation capacity, they differ in cost plus, there are certain materials that some people are allergic to. Therefore, it is wise to contact an HVAC professional when planning home insulation to make the right type and material choices.

An improper airflow can put you and your home in a complete discomfort. Interestingly, many homeowners face this problem but they never recognise it and even when they do, they don't have the necessary knowledge on how to fix the airflow problems. The reasons for improper air flow could be: Airflow problem, be it little or severe, can affect the comfort level and when fixed, you can enjoy a reduction in energy bills, increase in indoor comfort level and safety from any potential accidents.


So how, you, as a common homeowner, can detect poor airflow? There are some signs that can help detect that; Now let us discuss in detail the causes of poor airflow in detail.

Possible causes of poor air flow

We always recommend homeowners to go for professional installation particularly when it is about the costly HVAC appliances like Furnace, Air Conditioners etc. Energy Star claims that around half of the new HVAC units are installed by unprofessional people either homeowners themselves or uncertified techs. The wrong installation means high energy bills, compromised comfort, HVAC noises and what we are currently discussing; improper airflow. If you're about to install a system, choose professionals. If you're already done with the mistake of choosing the unprofessionals, don't repeat or drag the mistake further and call a certified HVAC tech to fix the loopholes in the installation.

Your HVAC system is responsible for providing you with cool/warm/fresh/humidified air and also to keep your indoor temperature comfortable. But it won’t ensure an odourless supply of air until and unless you’ve an odour air cleaner installed in the way. One reason for HVAC odour that you might already be familiar with is; dust and debris in the ductwork or the appliances. But there are many other stingy, stale odours that you may never have recognized correctly but have always worried about. If you’re feeling a strange odour in your home and nothing has worked out to evacuate it, this blog could be having some useful insights for you. Also, note that not all odours are harmful but there are some that really are. So, never remain headless towards whatever kind of unusual odour your HVAC system produces.

Smell#1: Burning or smoking odour

This type of odour coming from the HVAC system needs to be taken very seriously as this is often the sign of electrical or mechanical problems. Your motor could be over-heated, the mobile parts could be getting overburdened and may be ready to produce some kind of fire etc. So before it happens, do this;