When to replace a furnace?

The cold weather season is here and it’s time for you to make sure your furnace is ready to keep you warm this winter.

Furnaces are not designed to last forever, but how do you know when it’s time to have it replaced? We understand that a new furnace is not cheap, so before you go shopping for a replacement, it’s important to understand the tell-tale signs that indicate your system may need an upgrade:

·        You’re paying for repair services too frequently.

·        Your heating bills are high even when you don’t change the thermostat.

·        Your furnace is making a lot of noise.

·        You’re unable to keep a consistent temperature throughout the home.

·        Your furnace is older than 15 years.

Originally posted here https://energycentre.ca/when-to-replace-a-furnace/

How to clean a furnace

One of the biggest obstacles of a properly functioning furnace is dirt and debris. A dirty furnace results in wasted fuel and significantly lowers efficiency. Preventative maintenance is crucial to ensuring that dust and debris is removed before it affects the components of your furnace. If you want to keep your heating system working in peak condition, regular cleaning is required.

A Guide to Furnace Cleaning

Cleaning your furnace is one of the most important aspects of routine maintenance. Fortunately, if you can commit to a few hours and a little elbow grease, you can help your heating system remain in good condition for many years to come. If you are not comfortable or don’t have the time to handle the task, it’s best to call in trained and certified HVAC technicians.

CLEAN THE BURNER:

Before cleaning your furnace, shut off the power source. Next, gather your tools and remove the furnace door to access the burner cover. Remove it and use a vacuum with a wand extension to reach as far back as you can. If cleaning is done properly, burner flame should be blue. If your burners are still dirty, the flames will burn yellow. If you notice any signs of soot or need to have your burners adjusted, call the professionals.

CLEAN THE BLOWER:

Carefully remove the blower and gently clean it off using a toothbrush and vacuum. Try your best not to disturb the wiring and counterweights while cleaning and make sure you dislodge and remove any dirt that is caught between each fan blade.

INSPECT AND REPLACE THE FILTER:

Your furnace filter should be replaced every 3 months to protect the rest of your heating system and replaced every month once it is in a cycle of continuous use. You will notice if your filter is clogged and needs to be replaced, by holding it up to a light. Make sure to use the same size and type of filter since an upgrade can strain the furnace.

COST OF PROFESSIONAL FURNACE CLEANING:

Prices for a furnace cleaning can cost between $60 and $80 depending on several factors including what your maintenance package includes. Fortunately, we offer the best service rates in Ottawa. Contact us directly for more information.

Quality Furnace Cleaning Services

As heating season gets underway, now is the perfect time to clean your furnace before relying on it for regular use in the winter. If you are looking for an easier and faster way to have your furnace cleaned, the experts at The Energy Centre are here to help. With nearly 25 years of industry experience, we know how to help you avoid unnecessary repairs through regular tune-ups and cleaning. Extend the life of your furnace with our convenient and affordable maintenance services today.

Originally Posted on The Energy Centre

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THE RIGHT STEPS FOR PREVENTATIVE AIR CONDITIONER MAINTENANCE

You would not drive an entire year in your vehicle without getting an oil change, so why assume your home’s air conditioner can run all year without preventative maintenance or a tune-up?

Your air conditioner, especially in the summer, could be running 24 hours per day, seven days a week. If you want to maximize efficiency, then you need to maintain it properly by:

• Changing Your Furnace Filter: One easy way to keep an air conditioner running a peak efficiency is by changing your furnace filters every few months. A dirty filter not only affects indoor air quality but can cause strain on your AC unit – which in turn means higher energy costs.

• Have an Annual Tune-Up: While there are DIY videos online, an annual tune-up by an HVAC specialist is best. Technicians come to your home and inspect the core components, including electrical wiring, coils, refrigerant lines, setting controls, fan blades, and more. They clean, check, and repair these main components so that you can use your air conditioner freely without adding unnecessary wear and tear.

Ideally, you should call a licensed, certified technician for your preventative maintenance. A professional has the tools and equipment, along with the industry expertise, to do maintenance in as little as an hour, but give you months of worry-free cooling.

Originally Posted on The Energy Centre

NEED TO START YOUR CENTRAL AIR CONDITIONER IN WINTER?

As winter rages on, you may not think much about turning your air conditioning unit to cool. Most likely, you are wearing long johns and turtlenecks. There may come a time where your home gets too warm, for example, while cooking a holiday meal with dozens of people standing around chatting.

Before you flip the switch randomly, make sure you follow these steps:

• Ensure there is no ice or debris on or around the unit.
• Remove any cover from the unit.
• Lower your thermostat to the desired temperature.
• Take a moment to listen for the fan and condenser to turn on.
• Go outside and check that there is warm air coming out of the top of the air conditioner.
• After about 10-15 minutes, tour all the rooms of your home to see if the temperature is cold.

If the mercury rises in the middle of winter, causing your home to become uncomfortably warm, you can cool it down, but do it properly. Once finished, remember to re-secure your central air unit for the rest of the winter.

If the unit fails to perform, it is time to call in an HVAC professional. Not only will they provide you with air conditioner maintenance tips, they will also thoroughly inspect your system and get you back to comfort quickly.

Originally Posted on The Energy Centre 

PUT YOUR CENTRAL AIR CONDITIONER DOWN FOR A LONG WINTER’S NAP

After running all day every day during the spring and summer season, your central air conditioner will be ready to take a nap. Before you move the HVAC switch to heat, prepare your unit for the upcoming blustery winter season with an end of season air conditioner maintenance.

Ensure everything is ready for spring when you put these winter steps into play:

• Do one more spring cleaning by removing any debris, including bird droppings.
• Take a look for potential leaks, cracks, or rust in pipes and casings.
• Put everything under wraps with a waterproof vinyl or plastic cover.
• Keep an eye on things throughout winter by making weekly checks to remove debris and dirt.
• As icy weather swoops in, remember to remove accumulating snow, ice, and water from the cover.

Are you overwhelmed at the idea of getting your air conditioner closed for winter? Take advantage of the expertise and skill of a certified HVAC technician. At Energy Centre, our technicians will come to your home, take care of your system, and let you get back to your day in about an hour.

Originally Posted on  The Energy Center 

IS A HIGH-EFFICIENCY FURNACE WORTH IT?

The cold weather is officially here and it’s time for you to assess whether or not your heating system is capable of getting you and your family through another winter. If you are tired of watching your heating bills steadily increase year after year, want something that has less of an impact on the environment, or are simply shopping around for a replacement; consider investing in a high-efficiency furnace.

What to Know before Buying a High-Efficiency Furnace

If you’ve given it some thought but are still not sure whether an upgrade is worth the additional upfront costs, here are some answers to a few common questions about high-efficiency furnaces that will help you make the right decision:

WHAT IS A HIGH-EFFICIENCY FURNACE?

A high-efficiency furnace works by extracting more heat from the gas that is consumed and can function off less energy that is necessary to heat your home.

WHAT IS CONSIDERED A HIGH-EFFICIENCY FURNACE?

The energy efficiency of gas furnaces is rated in the form of a percentage referred to as Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE). The rating depicts the annual heat output compared to the energy it consumes. Typically, standard furnaces have an AFUE of 80% or less, while anything with 90% and above are considered to be high-efficiency models.

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF HIGH-EFFICIENCY FURNACES?

One of the biggest advantages of installing a high-efficiency furnace is saving money. Since nearly all the energy produced by the fuel is used to heat your home, monthly bills are greatly reduced. In addition to cost savings, high-efficiency furnaces offer safer operation and are better for the environment.

HOW MUCH IS A HIGH-EFFICIENCY FURNACE?

The average cost for a high-efficiency furnace may cost homeowners anywhere between $3000 and $5000, including installation. Prices will vary depending on factors such as installation services, the model you select, unit efficiency, size, and so on. 

Contact Us for Your Furnace Heating Needs in Ottawa

At The Energy Centre, we are committed to providing our clients in Ottawa with more efficient heating options. Your comfort is a top priority for us. Our furnace installation specialists work hard to ensure that your new furnace system is installed correctly the first time and continues to operate as it should. In addition to installation and maintenance, we also offer quality furnace cleaning and repair services. No matter the size of your home or budget, we can help you select the right furnace so you and your loved ones can stay safe and warm all winter.

If you want a more efficient furnace system, contact the team at The Energy Centre. Request your no obligation estimate by calling 613-746-7000 or contact us online to learn about our installation services.

Originally Published on Energy Centre Buying a High-Efficiency Furnace

How to keep HVAC system in Tip Top Shape?

THE TWO MOST IMPORTANT MAINTENANCE ITEMS TO KEEP YOUR HVAC SYSTEM IN TIP-TOP SHAPE

Investing in an HVAC system is an investment in your family’s comfort and the protection of your home’s inner-workings, such as its pipes. No one wants to wake up to frozen pipes because the furnace went out overnight. You know that regular maintenance is vital to your unit’s lifespan. Do you know of the two areas you can focus on year-round as a homeowner?

In between your regularly scheduled maintenance with an HVAC professional, keep an eye on these two components:

FURNACE FILTERS

One mistake that will stop airflow and render your air conditioner inefficient is when you fail to keep the unit’s filters clean. When air is obstructed, dirt particles can enter the evaporator coil and prevent the heat-absorbing capacity. Enjoy decreased energy consumption by 5%-15% just by swapping out filters.

DEBRIS AROUND UNIT

By removing the leaves, weeds, and grass around the general vicinity of your system, you protect it from nasty bugs. Yes, having debris surrounding the air conditioner unit invites a variety of pests to enter and wreak havoc on the panels.

Staying on top of maintenance is a partnership between you and your preferred licensed HVAC technician. While they can inspect and fix any issues with your air conditioner or furnace, you can help by regularly changing your furnace filters and keeping debris away.

Originally Published on Energy Centre HVAC System Ottawa

Furnace Repair Services in Ottawa

Has your furnace quit on one of the coldest nights of the year? With The Energy Centre, it’s fast, easy, and convenient to get a furnace repair in Ottawa or any of the surrounding areas. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to complete emergency furnace repairs so your family can sleep soundly at night. 

The Energy Centre’s repair services are available for nearly all makes and models of natural gas, propane, and electric furnaces. Our team is available 24/7 to help resolve issues such as:

• No Heat / Low Heat
• Frequent Cycling
• Continuously Running Blower
• Electric Ignition or Pilot Light Issues
• Furnace is Noisy
• ...and many more

Original Source: furnace repair and furnace maintenance in ottawa 

WHY CHOOSE THE ENERGY CENTRE FOR YOUR AC NEEDS IN OTTAWA?

We understand that choosing the right air conditioning solutions for your Ottawa home or business is a big decision. The good news is that today’s air conditioning units (AC) are given efficiency ratings called a SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating). Simply; it measures the cooling output during a typical cooling-season divided by the total electric energy input during the same period. The higher the unit’s SEER rating the more energy efficient it is.

Our experts will help you choose the right unit to fit your needs and budget. At the energy centre, we suggest that if your central air conditioning unit is more than 15 years old, replacing it with an ENERGY STAR qualified model could drastically cut your cooling costs by 30% or more. That’s a significant saving!

Read More: https://energycentre.ca/services/air-conditioners-ottawa/

CHOOSING BETWEEN A FURNACE AND A BOILER

Need to update your home's heating system? Choice isn’t the problem, that’s for sure! Today you can opt for a furnace or boiler installation in Ottawa, and your fuel source can be natural gas, propane, electricity or heating oil.

If you’re scratching your head at the gamut of options available to you, don’t worry, you’re not alone!

Let’s look at two factors to consider when determining which heating system and fuel is best for your home:

• Your existing system. If your boiler needs replacing but the rest of your home’s convectors and pipes are sound, then you would be throwing good money out the window switching away from your hydronic system. The same can be said if your furnace needs replacing but the rest of your home’s duct work is in good shape: why move away from a forced air furnace heating system? Simply replacing your boiler or furnace, as the case may be, with a high-efficiency modern model is most likely your best bet.
• Energy cost—financial and environmental. In Ontario, per unit of energy, natural gas is more cost-effective than electricity or heating oil, hence its popularity as a heating fuel. And though natural gas is a fossil fuel, it produces less CO2 than heating oil or propane when burned. But doesn’t electricity have the lowest carbon footprint of all? In most cases, yes, but did you know that 60% of Ontario’s electricity is produced in nuclear power plants? Electrical power loses a bit of its ecological sheen for many consumers in Ontario when they realize this.

Read More:https://energycentre.ca/choosing-between-a-furnace-and-a-boiler/

5 EASY MAINTENANCE TIPS TO GET YOUR AIR CONDITIONING READY FOR SUMMER

Things are starting to heat up in Ottawa and that means people all across the city will be turning on their air conditioning in an effort to keep cool. If you want to beat the summer heat, now’s a good time to make sure that your air conditioning is in good repair. Give your AC unit the TLC it needs with the following five tips.

1. Clear away debris
Remove the cover to your outdoor unit and clear away any leaves, dirt or debris that has accumulated around it. Stray garbage and leaves often get blown into your air conditioner’s coils and can damage the unit if not removed. Clear away anything that shouldn’t be there and trim back any vegetation that’s growing too close to the unit. 

Read More:https://energycentre.ca/5-easy-maintenance-tips-to-get-your-air-conditioning-ready-for-summer/