Barrie Residents are Switching to Energy Efficient Heating and Cooling Systems

Posted on June 10, 2021 by Tom Zinn

Right now, making your home more energy efficient does not have to cost you a fortune. In fact, you could qualify for the Canada Greener Homes Grant, saving you up to $5600 in rebates.

The goal of Canada Greener Homes Grant is to help Canadians in making their homes more energy-efficient, more comfortable, more affordable and at the same time create new jobs across Canada.

This initiative is offering up to 700,000 grants of up to $5000 each and reimbursing homeowners up to $600 for Energuide evaluations from local experts. This initiative also is providing recruitment and training for Energuide energy advisors.

If eligible, you could receive up to $600 for a pre-retrofit & post-retrofit home evaluations completed by a local certified energy advisor of your choice. PLUS another $5000 towards other home retrofits such as upgrading your heating and cooling systems to more efficient options.

One way that Barrie residents are retrofitting their HVAC systems is by pairing their high efficiency furnace with a central heat pump. We recommend upgrading to a more energy efficient heating and air conditioning solution such as pairing our Trane Tam9 air handler with a Trane XV20i Trucomfort™ Variable speed unit. With up to 22 SEER rating this offers maximum comfort from the highest efficiency.

Another great way to make your Barrie home more energy efficient is to move to a ductless mini split heat pump system. Affordable Comfort Heating and Cooling carry some of the most efficient ductless units with ratings up to 33 SEER. These low ambient heat pump units can produce head down to -27°C.

Contact Affordable Comfort, your Barrie heating & Cooling professionals, about any of the above HVAC retrofits mentioned or to find out about more options that you are eligible for including air sourced water heaters, smart thermostats and more. By working with us, we can make your Greener Homes Grant application and reimbursement go smoothly. Find out how by visiting https://barrieheatingcooling.ca/canada-greener-homes-grant.

How Is Your Indoor Air Quality?

Posted on April 14, 2020 by Tom Zinn

Indoor air quality refers to the air in and around a building and the health and comfort of the occupants. With so many of us spending most of our time indoors, up to 90%, between school, home and office. That’s why IAQ (indoor air quality) has become such a concern in recent years. It’s more alarming once you hear that the indoor air quality is on average 2x-5x more polluted then the outside air and as severe as 100x more polluted. Its no surprise that asthma and allergies have steadily been on the rise since the 1980s. Just to put the severity of the situation into perspective, the EPA has ranked indoor air quality as one of the top 5 environmental dangers.

Common signs and symptoms you have poor air quality:

The following signs and symptoms are indications that you have poor indoor air quality: headaches, fatigue, shortness of breath, coughing, sneezing worsening allergies, asthma symptoms, coughing and/or sneezing, nausea, dizziness, eye, nose, throat and skin irritations.

Common sources of poor indoor air quality include:

The most common sources for poor indoor air quality include the following: tobacco products, mould or mildew, household cleaning products, scented products, pesticides and inadequate ventilation. Most of these can be easily avoided moving forward.

Easy solutions to quickly improve your IAQ:

Here are some quick tips to improve your IAQ and breath easier: suck up as many allergens and dust as much as you can using a vacuum with good suction and a HEPA filter. Ensure your fuel burning appliances are operating as efficiently as possible with a tune up by a qualified company technician. Use household products with low VOC’s and free of scents. Air purifiers and air cleaners are an easy and cost-effective solution to drastically improve your home’s IAQ. Improve ventilation, ensure your kitchen and bathroom fans are working properly and vented to the outdoors. HRVs are an efficient solution to exchange stale air in your home for fresh air outside. Humidifiers are another easy solution to manage humidity levels in the home and keep everyone breathing easier.

*sources: https://www.aafa.org/, https://www.lung.ca/, https://www.epa.gov/

Why a home visit is a crucial before getting your new furnace

Posted on November 1, 2019 by Tom Zinn

Buying a new furnace can be an exciting and somewhat challenging time. There are hundreds of makes and models, each with their own bells and whistles. Having a technician come to your home to discuss these options with you is an important step to make this process easier for you and for the installation technicians.

Often people think that getting a quote is as easy as just calculating the square footage of the house but in actuality there are many more factors. When deciding to replace HVAC equipment we must consider several things, such as the age of the home and existing equipment, whether the current ductwork can accommodate the new furnace and operate efficiently and quietly. They will also be checking to see if there are any preexisting code violations that can be corrected. Cost, warranty, ease of maintenance, and, most importantly, will it meet and exceed your family’s needs.

The technician is there to answer any questions you may have and can even provide a picture of what your new equipment will look like. They will go over the terms that you will want to understand, such as “single stage”, “2-stage”, “modulating”, “variable speed”, “ECM” and the pros and cons of each. They will take accurate measurements and confirm that you get exactly what you need to keep your home comfortable through the season at the best price possible.

So next time you’re in the market for a new furnace, make sure to find a company that is willing to take the time to meet with you in person. A no cost 30 minute estimate, now will make all the difference for the many years of comfort the right equipment from the right company will provide you and your family.

Up to $6,500.00 in rebates on a new heating system!

Posted on May 25, 2018 by Tom Zinn

Take advantage of the great rebate programs on now and you can receive up to $6,500 on a new air source heat pump system. We love saving you money!

Should you cover your Central air conditioner in the winter??

Posted on May 3, 2018 by Tom Zinn

This is a question we get asked quite often. Your condenser is designed to be outside in the elements with sufficient air flow. That being said, covering the unit with a properly fitted cover will provide some added longevity and prevent snow from sitting inside the unit during the winter months. It’s important that you use a proper cover that will allow for some air movement throughout the unit. When you seal the unit completely with a tarp and bungy cords for example, you are encouraging condensation to form inside. Without air movement the condensation will just sit on the components and cause premature failure. Our Trane XLI air conditioning units come with a permanent built in cover, so you never have to worry about it.

So in short, it’s beneficial to cover your central air conditioning condenser with a properly fitted cover.

Navien tankless water heater maintenance

Posted on October 8, 2017 by Tom Zinn

We often get asked about how and when you should be performing maintenance on your tankless water heater. The simple answer is that the manufacturer recommends it be done annually. Performing simple maintenance will extend the life of your water heater and prevent future problems. The main thing, as most people know by now, is the “flush” or “descaling” of the unit. To maintain good flow and efficiency through these units you must have them descaled, with a manufacturer approved solution. Some of the other things that will be done during a maintenance are; cold water inlet filter checked and cleaned, venting system checked and filter cleaned, wiring and electrical connections inspected for any loose or frayed wiring and inspect seals and gaskets for signs of wear or leaks. By maintaining your tankless water heater annually you will be ensuring a long lifespan on your newest energy saving product.

Understanding Furnace and Boiler energy efficiency (AFUE)

Posted on March 26, 2017 by Tom Zinn

AFUE = Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency

The simple truth is the higher the AFUE the more efficient the equipment. For example if your current furnace or boiler is 70%AFUE, that means you have 70% of your fuel turns into heat for your home and the other 30% going out the chimney! Most new furnaces and/or boilers are now 95%AFUE or higher and some come with rebates depending on current promotions. If you would like us to help save your money from flying out the chimney, give us a call. We provide free estimates, so there’s nothing to lose.We are your trusted local furance contractor and boiler contractor in Barrie and surrounding areas.

What is an HRV?

Posted on March 30, 2016 by Tom Zinn

So What Exactly Is An HRV?

An HRV or Heat Recovery Ventilator is a system that keeps warm air in while pushing stale air out.

Due to today’s house building techniques and renovations being more thermally efficient, the air flow in our homes is lacking which results in fresh air changes only happening when doors and windows are opened. Opening a window can help, but it is not very economical. Thus, the HRV was born.

A typical unit has two fans – one to take out household air and the other to bring in fresh air. What makes an HRV unique is the heat-exchange core. The core transfers the heat from the outgoing air to the incoming air. So while the old stale air is removed, the heat we pay for remains.

Not only does it ensure that the indoor polluted air is regularly being replaced by an equal quantity of fresh clean air, but many allergy sufferers have found relief from symptoms using an HRV as well. The system filters the air coming into the home before dispersing it and can remove many common allergens, such as pollen and dust, in addition to regulating humidity levels preventing mold and mildew issues.

A heat recovery ventilator can make your house a cleaner and healthier living environment; all while helping keep fuel bills down. Call us today for more information, we are your local HVAC contractor in Barrie and surrounding areas.

Benefits of Whole House Humidifiers

Posted on January 15, 2016 by Tom Zinn

“Why having a humidifier can improve your home, your skin, and your overall health”.

Winter air is dry. This dry air can cause a multitude of problems for your family and your home. Dry cracking skin and lips, nose bleeds, and sore throats are just some of the symptoms of not having enough moisture in the air. Many people don’t realize the benefit that humidifiers actually offer. For the most part, they’re only used during the winter months in order to help with the air being so dry. The reason why the air gets dry during these months is actually because we put the heat on in our homes. While the heat is desirable for warming us up, it decreases the humidity in the air, therefore leaving you with a very dry environment and very dry skin.

Humidifiers, at the most basic level, emit water vapor into a space to increase the level of humidity. When air has more moisture skin is more hydrated reducing sore lips and throats. It even serves as a preventative measure, limiting or eliminating viruses and bacteria that thrive in dry air, restricting their ability to cause colds and flu infections.

Wood furniture, wood molding or wood floors are another reason having properly saturated air is so important. Wood contains small pores that absorb moisture. When the necessary amount of moisture is unavailable the pores in the wood will dry out and shrink causing cracks and costly damage.

Having a humidifier is both a health conscious and financially responsible choice. Having a humidifier may help you avoid getting sick this winter, but it can also give you softer, more glowing skin, and even help preserve your home.

The short and long on furnace filters

Posted on August 11, 2015 by Tom Zinn

We are coming across many homes using the $30-$40.00 1″ Merv 11-13 furnace filters. The higher the Merv rating the finer the particles that are caught in the filter, which seems to be common knowledge at this point. However, that also means more restriction to your airflow. Straight out of the packaging it will restrict your airflow more than a basic Merv 8 pleated filter ($10), so it doesn’t take much dust to start effecting the efficiency and life span on your forced air system.

If you have allergies, asthma or just simply hate the thought of airborne particles in your home we would recommend you stay away from the 1″ Merv11+ filters, and upgrade to a 5″ filter to allow for better airflow. We can install this simple 5″ media filter rack in most homes for as little as $250.00. Which will prolong the life of your equipment and allow higher efficiency. We offer a full line of clean air products that are high in filtration and easy on your HVAC system.

Barrie Residents are Switching to Energy Efficient Heating and Cooling Systems

How Is Your Indoor Air Quality?

Common signs and symptoms you have poor air quality:

Common sources of poor indoor air quality include:

Easy solutions to quickly improve your IAQ:

Why a home visit is a crucial before getting your new furnace

Up to $6,500.00 in rebates on a new heating system!

Should you cover your Central air conditioner in the winter??

Navien tankless water heater maintenance

Understanding Furnace and Boiler energy efficiency (AFUE)

What is an HRV?

Benefits of Whole House Humidifiers

The short and long on furnace filters

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