by Arpi’s

Most of the time, your home will sail through the seasons without as much as a hiccup. It’s helpful to know, however, when a situation requires an HVAC contractor and who to call. If you see evidence of any of the problems below, you should call an expert as soon as possible:

Attic problems

Having the right insulation levels and efficiency is critical in your attic. Without it, you not only lose valuable heated air through the attic, but the potential for ice damming increases. Since it’s common to experience Chinooks in Calgary, those warm days can melt the snow on your roof, which leaks down to your eaves and gutters, and freezes when the temperatures dip again. The best defense against ice damming is to have effective attic insulation.

Additionally, if your home exhaust systems are directed into the attic space, it’s more likely to experience problems, as excess moisture can lead to wood rot and wet, ineffective insulation.

Furnace problems

A dirty furnace filter can lead to an inefficient furnace. It’s important that you change the filter regularly to ensure proper airflow for the furnace, as well as to keep pollutants out of your home’s air. Leaks in the ductwork can contribute to energy losses. If you haven’t had the ductwork evaluated recently, it’s important to do so now to ensure that they don’t waste energy all winter long.

Crawl space problems

The main contributors to problems in the crawl space are moisture and a lack of insulation. If the space is musty, you most likely have moisture problems. If it’s not insulated, you’re likely to lose a lot of heat over the winter.

While problematic situations in your home can often cause financial stress and discomfort, using a highly reputable and knowledgeable HVAC contractor can offer peace of mind.

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About the Contributor

Arpi’s Industries has served the Calgary area since 1963, and we know how to solve home problems unique to Alberta’s climate, while saving homeowners money in the process and creating more energy-efficient homes. Call Arpi’s Industrieswhen you want the best of the best.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about contractors and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Arpi’s services Calgary, Alberta. Visit our website to see our special offers to get started today!

by Arpi’s

by Robert Wright

Radon Gas

There are a few changes coming in the next building revision. One of the changes will affect how some renovations are completed and all new homes are built.

Its all about radon gas.

You may not know you have a radon gas problem unless you test for it. Radon is an odourless, radio active, invisible, slightly heavier than air gas. It is naturally occurring in the ground. It is more pronounced in rock and rocky soils.

Health Canada has a great deal of information about what are safe levels of radon, how to test for it, and the health affects of radon gas.

The only way to confirm you have it is to test for it. Health Canada has approved various pieces of equipment for this purpose. The important part is, the test must run for a period of time. This is because you could have a low amount of radon one day and the next day it could be very high. Therefore to get a true understanding of how much you have is to account for these variations.

Radon can be removed from your home fairly easily. All you have to do create a negative pressure under the basement concrete slab. Unfortunately, this can get expensive to do after the slab is in place and no under slab piping is in place. Usually what is done after the fact; is to drill a hole in the slab, install a fan and ducts, seal all the slab to wall joints and floor cracks, and then hook up the equipment and ducts. The simple addition of pipe under the slab and ensuring that enough clear stone is under the slab makes the creation of negative pressure much easier and more effective.

Because of the growing awareness of radon and how common it is, the building code is changing. These changes are inexpensive to put in place as you build, but can be very expensive if they are after the fact installs. Once these parts are in place; at any time in the future, the remaining fan and hook ups can be installed to ensure radon is kept to a safe level.

This code change is cost effective and was brought into place with all of the involved parties coming to a solution that works – for all.

by Health Canada

Second-hand smoke hurts everyone and contains the same 4,000+ chemicals that are inhaled by a smoker. At least 70 of the chemicals found in second-hand smoke are known to cause cancer. These chemicals contribute directly to diseases like cancer, asthma, heart disease and emphysema — for smokers and non-smokers alike.

Some smokers try to reduce their family’s exposure by only smoking in one part of the house, using air purifiers, or even air fresheners. But if anyone is smoking in your car or home, you and your family are being exposed to second-hand smoke. Studies have shown that infants whose mothers smoked during pregnancy and those exposed to second-hand smoke after birth have an increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

Did you know?

• No level of ventilation will eliminate the harmful effects of second-hand smoke.
• Opening a car or room window may cause the smoke to be blown directly back inside.
• The harmful chemicals in smoke can also linger in furniture, carpets and curtains.
• Air fresheners only mask the smell of the smoke and do not reduce the harm in any way.
• Even air filters (air purifiers) cannot remove all of the cancer-causing agents.

Health Canada advises against using air purifiers that intentionally release ozone to “clean” the air. Ozone is a gas that can irritate your eyes, nose, throat and lungs, and is itself a major air pollutant.

Protect your family from the health effects of second-hand smoke by committing to making your home and car 100% smoke-free.

To learn more about this and other environmental health risks, please visit Hazardcheck

To order Health Canada publications, please visit Health Canada or call 1 800 O-Canada.

by Service Experts

How To Know If You Need A New Furnace

We understand not everyone may need a new furnace right now, but it’s important to learn the keys that would impact your decision when you do need to buy a new one. The first important consideration is repair frequency.

Heating Repair Frequency
Like any type of appliance, as furnaces age, the potential for frequent heating repairs increase. If your furnace is over 15 years old, you might start to experience relatively expensive repairs. More common and costly repairs include blower motor failures, ignition control failures and heat exchanger failures.

Operational Cost
The efficiency of gas furnaces in homes today can vary widely and has a direct correlation to the amount of money you pay your utility company each month. Furnaces older than 15 years can be very inefficient, wasting up to 40% of the dollars you spend to heat your home. Even newer furnaces can waste up to 20%.

System Maintenance
A properly maintained furnace will operate more efficiently, reduce the likelihood of expensive repairs and most importantly ensure your safety. After all, these are gas-fired appliances. Another important point is a properly maintained furnace will last longer before replacement is needed.

We get a lot of questions concerning what actually can be done to tune-up or maintain a furnace and there are actually many important checks and calibrations in the process:

• Tune-up Checks
• Gas Pressure and gas valve calibration
• Cleaning and checking safety switches
• Cleaning the heat exchanger
• Inspecting the heat exchanger for dangerous conditions
• Cleaning the blower system
• Cleaning and replacement of worn ignition sensors
• And many others…

HVAC Maintenance Interval
Heating equipment simply must be maintained annually by a certified professional who has the knowledge, skills and experience to perform a tune-up. Simply put, without routine maintenance, frequent repairs combined with old equipment are some of the more obvious indicators of a need to replace your furnace.

Excessive energy costs and the need to reduce energy consumption are also strong reasons to consider replacement of your furnace. In fact, an independent study by Decision Analyst shows nearly 20% of homeowners who recently replaced their furnace specifically did so to lower their utility bills.

Selecting an HVAC Contractor
a contractor who is properly qualified to sell and install your furnace can be one of the most challenging aspects of the new furnace buying process. Homeowners tell us the most important selection factor is a company with a good reputation. While that may sound obvious, identifying reputable companies can be difficult. In many cases a homeowner may find it difficult to just get a hold of a live person rather than a contractors answering machine or cell phone recording. The use of certified technicians, responsiveness, timeliness and price are also key decision factors. So how do you find contractors who are responsive and have a solid reputation?

Finding Qualified Contractors
The internet has obviously become a primary source for research and finding businesses, but unlike other appliances such as refrigerators and washing machines, furnaces must actually be integrated, or installed into your home, and installed properly. Internet search results can be very limited in helping you understand just how qualified a company may be. After all, you are inviting this company into your home.

Online reviews can provide valuable insight but they can also be misleading. Focus on reliable sources such as the BBB and other independent review companies like Angie’s List, Kudzu, and Home Services Review. All are excellent sources to find reputable contractors. But even with the help of review sites you should ensure that potential contractors meet these criteria to ensure the best value for your investment:

• Secure the required building permits
• Are licensed and insured – ask to see their certificates
• Written 100% Satisfaction Guarantee – ask to see guarantee, get it in writing
• Background checks for employees
• NATE-certified Technicians – NATE is a national certification agency that ensures technicians go through rigorous training
• Economical financing options

Carries ENERGY STAR® rated products and are an official ENERGY STAR® Retail Partner
Once you are comfortable that the contractor meets the minimum criteria, don’t be afraid to demand even more. There are several key things you should insist on when working with a company to replace your furnace.

What to Expect From Your HVAC Contractor
First, when providing an estimate, a reputable company will always perform a heating and cooling load analysis (also called a manual J heat load calculation). This important and highly detailed step ensures that your home gets the right size furnace.

It’s very important for the furnace to be sized properly to of your home. No two homes are exactly alike. Even the number of windows and the direction they face, south or west, can make a big difference to determining the right furnace. Do not just accept a proposal without having this important calculation completed, and if the contractor does not perform a load calculation, ask them how they really know what size furnace is right for your home without one?

Duct System Evaluation
A truly professional company also knows how important your home’s duct system is to your overall comfort and efficiency. You will need to be sure the duct system has been inspected and is properly sized and sealed. Just like a load calculation, you should be concerned if the company you are considering does not do a detailed review of your duct system.

Professional Proposals
Expect to have your estimate for a new furnace properly detailed and described on a formal proposal. The proposal should clearly explain all the work needed, permits – if any, model numbers of the proposed equipment and their warranties. Don’t settle for a price written on the back of a business card, which unfortunately is all too common.

Home Protection
The company you choose should also show respect to you and your home. Replacement of a furnace can be messy… ensure the contractor takes the time to protect your floors and carpets by putting drop cloths down and requiring the technicians to wear shoe-covers, also known as floor-protectors or booties. Just because the mechanical work is messy doesn’t mean it should make a mess of your home. Professional contractors will take the utmost care of your property. Finally, ensure that you are given a complete walk-through on the operation and maintenance requirements of your new furnace. You should be given the installation instructions and product care manual from the new furnace package.

Next time we’ll talk about furnace efficiency and the different types and stages of furnaces, and their warranties.

This article was provided by Service Experts.

by Health Canada

Radon is a radioactive gas that is a part of our natural environment. But too much exposure to it can cause lung cancer. It’s actually the second-leading cause after smoking!

As naturally occurring substances in the ground break down, radon gas is released. Outside, it dissipates harmlessly. But in enclosed places like your home, it can seep in through holes and cracks in the foundation and accumulate to higher levels over time. It can then circulate throughout your home and you and your family are then exposed to radon without knowing it.

But there’s no need to panic. Almost every home in Canada has some radon, but concentrations vary from one house to another, even if they are next door to each other.

You can easily protect yourself and your family from radon by finding out if it is present in your home, and taking action to reduce it if the level is high.

Just follow these three steps:

1. Measure the radon level in your home
You can’t see, smell or taste radon, but there are radon detectors that can sense its presence and measure the level in your home. Buy a do-it-yourself kit at a hardware store or hire a measurement professional to do a long term test for a minimum of three months. Radon levels vary over time so long-term testing is more accurate.

2. Compare your level to the Canadian Guideline for Radon
If the radon level in your home is above 200 Becquerels per cubic metre (Bq/m³) then take steps to reduce it. If the radon level is between 200 and 600 Bq/m³ take action within two years; if the level is over 600 Bq/m³ take action within 12 months. Find out more here.

3. Reduce the radon level in your home
There are many ways to reduce your home’s radon level, including sealing the entry points where radon is getting in, such as cracks in the foundation and sump holes and increasing ventilation. The most common and effective method is active sub-slab depressurization, which is typically performed by a contractor.

To learn more about this and other environmental health risks, please visit Hazardcheck

To order Health Canada publications, please visit Health Canada or call 1 800 O-Canada.

by Arpi’s Industries

Most Homeowners Probably Know That Changing Air Filters Regularly Is Important, But Do You Know Why You Should Do It?

There are two steps you can take that make a big impact on the efficiency and lifespan of your furnace system: preventive maintenance and regularly changing air filters. Maintenance should be performed by an HVAC contractor before the winter season sets in, but air filter changes should be performed by the homeowner each month. Once you know how important it is to change your air filters regularly, it should be easy to remember to do so.

The benefits include:

§ Avoiding breakdowns. It might be hard to believe, but a dirty filter, one that’s full of dirt buildup, is one of the main causes of furnace failure. Why? A filter is designed to allow a certain amount of air to flow through it and into the furnace. When it’s full, airflow is restricted. If this continues, the furnace blower has to work harder, which can lead to the motor failing.

§ Saving energy. When a dirty filter causes the air handler and motor to work harder, they consume more energy. By using a clean filter each month, you create ideal conditions for energy efficiency and fuel consumption.

§ Saving money. With a clean filter, you get peak efficiency – and savings. When the furnace is allowed to operate as the designers intended, the small action of changing a filter translates into money saved.

§ Cleaner indoor air. Filters are designed to be able to trap a certain amount of particles. Once a filter is full, it can’t trap any additional particles, so if you leave a filter in the furnace system for months at a time, it will eventually stop capturing particles. Those excess particles go right into your home’s indoor air. A high level of particles in the home’s air can trigger allergies and asthma.

§ Decrease pollution. Consider changing your furnace filter as your contribution to a cleaner environment, as decreased energy consumption means a decreased carbon footprint.

Convinced of the benefits of regularly changing air filters? To take advantage of them, change your furnace filter once a month throughout winter.

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This article was provided by Arpi’s Industries. Contact Arpi’s Industries for help selecting a filter or to schedule maintenance. Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about air filters and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide. Arpi’s services Calgary, Alberta. Visit our website to see our special offers to get started today!

Hazardcheck is a new initiative by Health Canada to help spread the word about home safety from common indoor pollutants. The Hazardcheck campaign aims to provide Canadians with information on how to make their homes a safe and healthy environment.

Starting tomorrow, we’ll be featuring weekly articles from Health Canada on the Home Renovation Guide blog to help do our part in providing people with important information on how to protect the health and well-being of their homes and families. As “Canadians spend over 90% of their time indoors” and “children come into closer contact with the hazards in their environment than adults” it’s important for us to all know about the potential health impacts of common health hazards we all have a chance to come into contact with, on a regular basis. These common harmful elements are: mould, lead, radon, carbon monoxide, household chemical products and second-hand smoke.

As well as an online resource for families – a new section of the Health Canada website has been designed that includes informative articles and videos – there will also be live Hazardcheck events this fall, held at 121 Home Depot stores across Canada. Harzardcheck representatives will be on hand to answer questions and offer useful info as well as checklists that outline simple steps to ensure your home’s health. Rebates from the Home Depot will also be available on featured safety products such as: carbon monoxide monitors and radon test kits.

Keep an eye on the dates:  October 29th to the 30th and November 5th and 6th for events in your neighbourhood.

by Jocelyn Ann

Without the proper knowledge, searching for a portable air conditioner can become an overwhelming experience.  Between trying to figure out a plethora of acronyms like EER and BTU and wading through numbers all over the 1,000s, the confusion can multiply.  But, with a basic foundation, a confusing and/or time consuming experience can quickly become a breeze that leaves you lingering in the comfort and bliss of a perfectly cooled and de-humidified room.  To get you started, we’ll define the terms you may encounter and then give you a foolproof method of measuring that’s guaranteed to leave you satisfied!

Basic AC Terms

“W”
A “W” is a watt, which is the standard unit for measuring power.

“BTU”
A BTU stands for British Thermal Unit and measures thermal heat energy.  In terms of ACs, they will generally rank in the 1000s.

“EER”
EER stands for the Energy Efficiency Ratio of any given appliance and basically tell you exactly how much cooling your AC will be able to provide you based on the amount of electricity it’s using.  The higher the EER rating, the less energy it consumes.  As a basic rule, anything over 10 is deemed “good” in terms of energy efficiency.

You will often see “energy consumed” represented by a “W,” and EERs can also be listed as BTU/W.

This means if you have two ACs, “A” vs. “B” and both have a BTU of 10,000, but “A” has a 1,000 W rate and “B” has a 1,500 W rate, you can simply divide 10,000 by 1,000 and 1,500 respectively, to figure out the EER.  Thus, “A” would have an EER of 10, and “B” would have an EER of 6.6, making unit “A” the better choice in terms of energy consumption.  Note that you will typically have to pay for the higher EER ranking, but should save money over the long run.

“SEER”

The SEER takes things to the final step and tells you the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, which is determined by BTU divided by watts within in a given cooling season.  As with EER, the higher the SEER, the more energy efficient the AC is.

Basic Formula

Now, with the right terminology in mind, you can follow a simple guideline to figure out just how many BTUs you need.  This is important, because if you have too few BTUs, your room will not be properly cooled off.  (Which basically means you’d be paying to run something and seeing none of the potential benefits you could have if you had the proper size.)  If you have too many BTUs, your AC will cycle off too quickly, which means that the room will be very chilled but not properly dehumidified, making for a cold, damp room that few would want to spend any time in.  So, guarantee your room is cooled properly by following this easy guideline:

10,000 BTUs – 250 square feet

12,000 BTUs – 350 square feet

14,000 BTUs – 450 square feet.

It’s really as easy as starting by measuring your room and multiplying length by width.  If you’ve got a 20 foot by 20 foot room, you’re looking at 400 square ft. and are going to need an AC with BTUs between 12,000 and 14,000.

That Simple
It’s that simple!  One portable air conditioner can cool up to 450 square feet, giving you ample room to live and breathe, without having to cough up the installation cost of a central air system and then pay to cool an entire house (the guest bedroom?) that will be wasted cooling a large portion of the time.

This article was provided by Air & Water, Inc. Find your own portable air conditioner that’s measured properly for your space at Air & Water.  If you have any questions at all, call their super friendly staff that will walk you through this process to ensure that your AC keeps you cool and happy all summer long.

by AtlasCare