Click on the topics below to read the related FAQ
Air Conditioners
No. Generally, a certified technician needs to be called at the first sign of trouble. This is because of safety concerns, but also due to federal regulations prohibiting the release of refrigerants into the atmosphere. There are also risks to your homeowners’ insurance policy, so it’s best to call in an expert.
It depends. Newer units are expected to last longer than their predecessors, so they could last more than 15 years, with routine maintenance. A Clarity system from ClimateCare comes with a 12-year parts and labour warranty. So, with routine maintenance, you can expect your unit to last about 12-15 years, but the exact time may vary. Talk to one of our Comfort Advisors about what is most important to you. We love helping you find the system that is best for your home!
Energy Efficient
The EnerGuide Rating label on heating and cooling products sold in Canada can be found at the back of product brochures for: gas and propane furnaces residential air conditioning systems air-to-air heat pumps.
Buying a high-efficiency furnace, heat pump or air conditioner is better for the environment and costs you less in fuel. Your utility payments will be lower per month and will help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It’s win-win!
This rating is based on standards set by Natural Resources Canada. It helps homeowners see the energy performance of their homes. It’s a consumption-based rating measured in gigajoules per year (GJ/year).
This is an internationally- recognized symbol of high efficiency. It means that the product is certified as energy efficient.
Filters
Check it every month during peak use and replace it when it looks dirty enough to significantly impair the air flow through it. Make sure to schedule a precision tune-up every year. The technician will either clean or replace the filter at this time. With a WeCare membership, your annual precision tune-up is already paid for, and your local ClimateCare will call to remind you when it’s time for your annual maintenance.
Fireplaces
For safety reasons, all gas fireplaces should be installed with the proper venting by a professional HVAC contractor. How a fireplace is vented depends on where it is being installed inside your home and if you’re converting a pre-existing wood-burning fireplace to gas.
Venting with a pre-existing chimney – Most masonry chimneys are eight or nine square inches wide – far too large for a gas fireplace. With a space that big, the exhaust would condense and fall back down into the fireplace before it had a chance to be vented outdoors. The old chimney would have to be fitted with an insulated four or five-inch aluminum pipe.
Direct venting (built-in or stand-alone fireplaces) – Built-in and stand-alone gas fireplaces do not require chimneys, but they do have to be vented directly outside. This is usually done through a wall, but when a wall is not available, the fireplace may be vented through the ceiling.
The following is a brief outline of the four types of gas fireplaces that are generally available. The type you choose depends on your aesthetic preferences, comfort requirements, and whether you already have a wood-burning fireplace that you would like to convert to gas.
- Log inserts – A log insert is an artificial gas-burning log that is installed into a pre-existing wood-burning fireplace. The log insert does not provide any useable heat. This is a good option when you have a wood-burning fireplace that you no longer want to actually use but don’t want to get rid of because you like the look of it in the room.
- Fireplace inserts – A fireplace insert consists of a fully enclosed gas fireplace that is installed into a pre-existing wood-burning fireplace. This type of fireplace provides enough heat to warm an average-sized living area (25 000 to 40 000 BTU output).
- Built-in fireplaces – The built-in gas fireplace is a self-contained fireplace that does not require a pre-existing fireplace structure. It can be installed virtually anywhere in the home. Built-in gas fireplaces are an efficient way to heat even a large living area. Although the actual fireplace itself is a complete unit, it must be framed within a box, called the surround. The surround is then finished in a way that complements the room.
- Stand-alone fireplaces – These look more like stoves than fireplaces. In fact, some are styled much like the old-fashioned cast-iron or enamel wood-burning stoves with attractive metal moldings. Unlike wood-burning stoves, stand-alone fireplaces are efficient as well as charming.
Both gas and wood-burning fireplaces have their supporters. People in the wood-burning camp tend to cite the artificial look of a gas fireplace as the main reason why they would never switch to gas. However, many recent models of gas fireplaces have extremely realistic flames and embers. Below are some advantages of a gas fireplace over a wood-burning fireplace:
Gas:
- No ashes or bits of wood to clean up
- Turns on with the flick of a switch
- Flames are safely enclosed
- Heat can be easily regulated
- Effectively heats large rooms
- Available in a wide variety of styles and sizes
- Installs virtually anywhere in the home.
Wood:
- Generates ashes and wood bits
- Chimney provides insects with a direct path into your house
- Average time to a roaring fire under perfect conditions is about 15 to 20 minutes
- Creosote can build up in the chimney, creating a serious fire hazard
- Heat given off by a wood-burning fireplace is difficult to regulate
- Wood-burning fireplaces often have negative efficiencies (heated air from the room goes up the flue).
Make sure you close the flue or damper on your fireplace when it’s not in use, and that it’s sealed tight. Your home’s warm air can go right up the chimney at the rate of up to 400 cubic feet each minute.
Check the seal on the fireplace damper by closing it off and holding a piece of tissue paper inside the firebox. If drafts blow the tissue around, repair or replace the damper.
Have a certified contractor inspect your chimney annually for blockage or deterioration – moisture stains, cracks, white chalky deposits or loose mortar.
Also please remember that the glass of a gas fireplace heats up to 200° Celsius (400° F) in just 6 minutes and takes 45 minutes to cool down to a safe temperature. Anyone who touches a surface this hot will suffer a serious burn instantly.
It is also important to be aware that the pilot light of a gas fireplace may also heat the glass enough to cause a burn.
General
When the system’s repairs are less cost-effective than investing in a new one, it’s time to talk to a Comfort Advisor. Generally, when major components like compressors start making loud noises, it’s time to re-evaluate the system. Another big clue is when your windows start “sweating.” If there’s excess condensation on the glass, it’s a sure sign that your HVAC system is running inefficiently.
You should also talk to a Comfort Advisor if you’re worried about your monthly bills. They can do tests like a Heat-Loss Calculation to see if your system is working for your space the way it should.
This is a conversation to have with a Comfort Advisor. There are so many variables to consider that it’s best to schedule a time when you can meet with an expert and ask as many questions as you like. ClimateCare Comfort Advisors offer free, no-obligation quotes. We want to help you make the best choice for your most comfortable home!
Geothermal
Looking for an efficient, cost effective, and environmentally-friendly heating/cooling system? A geothermal heat pump is the greenest way to go. Learn the facts about geothermal energy.
- An EPA study of energy efficiency concluded geothermal energy is the most environmentally friendly heating/cooling system
- It has been proven that geothermal energy is more efficient and cost-effective when compared with conventional residential systems
- Geothermal energy can be found underground virtually anywhere
- Geothermal cost savings can be increased by geothermal energy incentives, available from federal, provincial, local, and utility sources
- Energy and cost savings of geothermal heat pumps will vary by region and type of conventional system they’re compared with. Ultimately, the energy cost of geothermal versus conventional HVAC systems will almost always be lower — and the geothermal system will be greener
Geothermal Loop Systems save you money!
At the heart of a geothermal system is the earth loop. This earth loop is the vehicle that transfers heat to or from the ground, distinguishing geothermal from conventional equipment.
Earth loops come in two basic types: closed and open. Closed loops, made of durable plastic pipe, are buried in the earth or submerged in a lake or pond, and transfer heat by circulating a solution through the system.
Open loops use ground water pumped from heat source such as a well. The decision on which loop configuration to use depends on the land terrain, the cost of trenching or drilling, the availability of quality ground water and the availability of land. This technique allows the loop to be placed underneath homes, basements, wooded lots or even swimming pools without disrupting grass or landscaping. Because water transfers heat better than soil, closed loops can be coiled and placed on the bottom of a pond or lake where it transfers heat to or from the water. A 1/2 acre, 8-foot-deep pond is usually sufficient.
Pond or lake loops often require less excavation than vertical and horizontal loops; therefore, they are often less expensive to install. Horizontal Loops are used where adequate land is available. One or more trenches are dug using a backhoe or chain trencher. Pipes are inserted and the trenches are back filled.
Vertical Loops
Vertical Loops are installed where space is limited. Holes are bored using a drilling rig, the pipe is inserted, and the holes are filled. The pipes are connected horizontally a few feet below the surface.
Horizontal Loops
Horizontal Loops are often used when adequate land surface is available. Depending on geothermal system needs and space available, pipes are placed in trenches that range in length from 100 to 400 feet.
Pond Loops
Pond Loops can be installed if an adequately sized body of water is located close to the home. A series of coils are sunk to the bottom, connected by a header with supply and return pipes leading to the home.
Open Loops
Open Loops are used where there is an abundant supply of quality well water. The well must have enough capacity to provide adequate flow for both domestic use and the geothermal system.
Ground/water source heat pumps are the most efficient heating and cooling technology available today.
- A ground source heat pump gets its heat from a circuit of pipes buried in the ground. A refrigerant solution circulates through the pipes picking up the natural heat of the earth which is extracted by the heat pump
- A water source heat pump can be used if you have a well, pond, stream or lake. In this case the water is drawn up directly to the pump’s heat exchanger where its heat is extracted and the water is returned to the source
In both cases, the process is reversed in summer when heat and humidity are drawn from the house to provide central air conditioning.
Aside from cutting your heating bills by up to 65% and giving you efficient air conditioning, ground/water source heat pumps can lower your water heating costs on average by 50%, and provide you with free heat for the hot water tank when your air conditioning is operating.
Benefits
- Compared to electric resistance heating, a ground source heat pump may save you up to 65% on your electrical heating bill, and up to 25% on air conditioning
- Some models also provide water heating
Maintenance
- Check air filters monthly and clean or replace if necessary
- Have a ClimateCare heat pump contractor inspect your unit annually
It is similar technology, but it’s available right here in Ontario! A geothermal heat pump is the greenest way to heat your home in the winter and cool it in the summer. It is the most efficient and cost-effective method of home comfort.
At the heart of the geothermal system is the earth loop. The earth loop is the vehicle that transfers heat to or from the ground, depending on the season.
Earth loops come in two basic types: closed and open.
Closed loops are buried in the ground or submerged in freshwater and transfer heat by circulating a solution through the system. They are usually placed at the bottom of a pond or lake.
Open loops use ground water pumped from a source of water like a well. Open loops can be placed underneath homes, basements, swimming pools and more, often without disrupting the lawn and landscaping.
To learn more about heat pumps and whether a closed or open loop is best for your property, please call for a free consultation from a qualified Comfort Advisor.
Because of our cold climate, it’s often best to pair your heat pump with a furnace that can provide extra heat during a winter cold snap.
Please note that not every Local ClimateCare offers geothermal yet.
Gas Boilers
Condensing gas boilers employ either an aspirating burner with an induced draft fan, or a power burner, similar to the units described previously. However, they have an additional heat exchanger made of corrosion resistant materials (usually stainless steel) that extracts latent heat remaining in the combustion by-products by condensing the combustion products before they are exhausted. A chimney is not needed, reducing the cost of installation. Because the flue gas temperature is low, the gases are vented through a plastic pipe out the side wall of the house.
A condensing boiler can have an AFUE rating of 90% or higher. But in practice, condensing boilers in hydronic (hot water) heating systems can have difficulty achieving this efficiency. For the condensing boiler’s heat exchanger to extract all the potential latent heat effectively, the system has to run with the lowest possible return water temperatures, preferably not exceeding 45–50°C (113–122°F). Unfortunately, most radiator systems are designed to operate at significantly higher return water temperatures, which makes it difficult for the flue gas to condense. If the return water temperature is too high, actual operating efficiency may be only slightly higher than that of the better models of non-condensing boilers.
Residential gas boilers sold in Canada today are required to have an AFUE rating of at least 80%. ENERGY STAR qualified boilers must have an AFUE rating of at least 85%. The following are some ways manufacturers have improved efficiency levels:
- Elimination of continuous pilot lights. Most boilers on the market today use some form of intermittent ignition device, usually electronic ignition.
- Improved insulation levels. Because boilers store more heat internally than warm air furnaces do, they are subject to greater heat losses, both out through their casing (sides) and up the chimney when they are not being fired. To reduce heat lost from casings, new boilers have much better insulation to keep the boiler water hot.
- Better draft control methods to reduce flue losses. Many boilers use draft hoods. The draft hood is located downstream of the boiler proper. It draws household air into the gas vent along with the flue gases. This stabilizes the airflow through the appliance, isolating the burner from outside pressure fluctuations. But it also continuously draws heat from the boiler and warm household air up the chimney. A vent damper is now usually installed downstream of the draft hood to close off the exhaust when the burner is not operating. When the gas burner turns off, the damper is closed automatically after a short period; before the burner lights again, the damper opens.
Other boilers that use aspirating gas burners have eliminated the need for a draft hood entirely by using a powered exhaust system, usually incorporating an induced draft fan. With no dilution air, high resistance to spillage during the on cycle, and minimal flow up the stack during the off cycle, these units tend to give superior performance to those using draft hoods and vent dampers.
Today, many gas boilers have replaced the naturally aspirating gas burner with a power burner. These use a fan on the burner to improve the combustion process and ensure the development and maintenance of an adequate draft. These burners, similar to ones used in advanced oil-fired equipment, tend to have a high-pressure restriction or even close off the combustion air passage when the burner is not operating. This minimizes off-cycle heat losses without requiring a flue damper. Such units minimize dilution air, or have sealed combustion, and have performance characteristics similar to or better than the aspirating burner with a powered exhaust system.
Gas boilers are great for commercial or residential properties. They come in either Condensing or Non-Condensing. Read on for more details about the technical differences.
Humidity
Humidity levels above 20 percent help prevent dry, sore throats and make the air feel warmer and more comfortable. Moist air also eliminates static electricity in the house and helps to protect plants and preserve your furniture.
On the other hand, humidity levels over 40 percent can cause frosting and fogging of windows, staining of walls and ceilings, peeling paint, mould growth and odors. When relative humidity is over 50 percent, airborne diseases become more difficult to control. Condensation on your windows can provide a good indication of the relative humidity. You may, however, want to install a humidity sensor or humidistat to keep more accurate measurements of humidity levels.
Use four strategies to keep the structure dry:
- Provide exterior weather and moisture protection. Use building paper, siding, flashing, gutters and other construction techniques to shed water and repel wind-driven rain. Pay attention as well to below-grade measures. Proper drainage, grade slope and damp-proofing can protect the foundation from ground-water leaks or from moisture movement by capillary action.
- Reduce moisture at the source. This means producing less moisture in the first place and exhausting moist air and bringing in drier air.
- Prevent moist indoor air from getting into the envelope. A vapour barrier will reduce moisture movement by diffusion, and an air barrier can prevent moisture movement by air leakage. Although less moisture can be moved into the envelope by vapour diffusion than by air leakage, it is still important to provide a vapour barrier. An effective vapour barrier must be the following:
- resistant to vapour diffusion
- durable
- installed on the warm side of the insulation
A number of building materials resist vapour diffusion well enough to be used as vapour barriers. These include polyethylene, oil-based paints and special vapour-barrier paints, some insulation materials and exterior-grade plywood. Different materials may act as the vapour barrier in different parts of the house.
The same material may work as both an air barrier and a vapour barrier, provided it meets both requirements and is properly installed. Polyethylene sheets and foil-backed gypsum drywall can both combine these functions. To avoid confusion of terms, we refer to a material doing both jobs as an air and vapour barrier.
As a general rule, the vapour barrier should be on the warm side of the insulation. In some cases, however, the vapour barrier can be located within the wall or ceiling assembly, provided that at least two thirds of the insulation value of the wall is on the cold side of the vapour barrier. Because this ratio should be adjusted for houses with high interior humidity or for homes in extremely cold climates, it is recommended that you consult a professional builder-renovator, who will apply the specifications outlined in the National Building Code of Canada.
- Let the envelope “breathe” to the outside. This will allow the house to deal with seasonal fluctuations in humidity and to release any moisture that does penetrate the envelope from the interior or exterior. The materials of the envelope are layered, with those most resistant to vapour diffusion located on the warm side of the envelope and the least resistant (such as building paper) located on the outside. In this way, any vapour that penetrates the envelope can escape to the outside. Some wall systems work well with a relatively impermeable insulated sheathing because the interior wall-cavity temperatures are kept high. As a precaution, when retrofitting a wall, always ensure that the interior surfaces are vapour-resistant. Some siding applications have an air space immediately behind the exterior finish to promote drying out of materials that have been soaked by rain or dampness. This air space also provides an escape route for any moisture that has penetrated the wall cavity from the indoors. This type of installation should not be used with insulated siding, as convection in the air space will negate the effect of the insulated backer board on the siding.
Even if your house has no leaks in the basement or roof and is apparently dry, it can have moisture problems. Where does all the moisture come from? There are a number of major sources that are not always obvious:
- Occupants and their activities: An average family of four will generate about 63 litres (20 gallons) of water a week through normal household activities.
- Wind-blown rain in walls: Where basement damp-proofing is inadequate, ground water in the soil can migrate through the foundation by capillary action and evaporate on the surface of the wall or floor.
- Damp basements
- Moisture stored in building materials and furnishings: Building materials and furnishings absorb moisture from the air during damp, humid weather and then expel it during the heating season.
Despite all this water produced each day, most older houses have “dry” air in winter to the point where they have to have humidifiers installed. Why?
Cold outdoor air cannot carry much water vapour. In older homes, uncontrolled airflow brings colder, drier air indoors and forces the warm, moist household air out through openings in the upper walls and attic. The air quickly escapes through the un-insulated envelope without cooling down enough to cause condensation.
When insulation is added, the building exterior becomes much colder. Unless additional protection is provided, water can condense in the building structure.
How? Remember that cold air is able to hold much less moisture than warm air. As the warm, moist air cools in the cold outer layers of the building, the water vapour it holds may condense as liquid or, if it is cold enough, as frost. This can reduce the effectiveness of insulation and even cause rot, peeling paint, buckled siding, mould growth and other problems.
We must control moisture in all its forms to keep our homes durable and comfortable. Building components and practices such as flashing, roofing and basement damp-proofing successfully protect the home from liquid water.
It is equally important to control the movement of water vapour, providing added protection for the house structure and helping to maintain indoor humidity at a comfortable level.
Controlling moisture involves three strategies:
- using construction techniques that keep moisture away from the structure
- producing less moisture
- exhausting excess moisture
Radon
Radon is a radioactive gas found naturally in the environment. It is produced by the decay of uranium found in soil, rock or water. Radon is invisible, odourless and tasteless and emits ionizing radiation. As a gas, radon can move freely through the soil enabling it to escape into the atmosphere or seep into buildings. When radon escapes from bedrock into outdoor air, it is diluted to such low concentrations that it poses a negligible threat to health. However, if a building is built over bedrock or soil that contains uranium, radon gas can be released into the building through cracks in foundation walls or, floors, or gaps around pipes and cables.
When radon is confined to enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces, it can accumulate to high levels. Radon levels are generally highest in basements and crawl spaces because these areas are nearest to the source and are usually poorly ventilated.
Exposure to radon in your home can increase your risk of lung cancer, so it’s important to know if there are high levels in your home. Radon Test Devices are available from home improvement retailers, but for added peace of mind, call us to get a trained technician to do the test.
Terminology
There are many options to heat and cool your home (natural gas furnace, propane furnace, geothermal heat pump, central air conditioning, etc.) and they are all connected in your home to make the temperature and humidity levels the most comfortable they can be. We talk about systems, not individual appliances, because it’s more accurate.
Thermostats
Not necessarily! Sometimes you just need to change the batteries in your thermostat. They often use AA or AAA batteries. Don’t be afraid to take the thermostat off the wall, put new batteries in and put it back. If the problem is still present, then it’s time to call in the experts!
Why ClimateCare
When you hire a ClimateCare member, you are shopping local! ClimateCare is a co-op, so all our members are independent contractors. Your local ClimateCare is a local small business. The co-op supporters its members with marketing, training, brand standards and other benefits, but at the end of the day, every member owns their own business. ClimateCare members have the highest standards of professionalism and expertise, so there’s no one in the industry more trustworthy!
