Month: July 2023

Just like any other home appliance, your HVAC system needs regular upkeep to function at its best. This is especially true when transitioning from one season to another, as the changing weather conditions place different demands on your system.  As winter transitions into spring, Durham Region homeowners should start thinking about preparing their HVAC systems for the warmer months. With rising temperatures and increasing humidity, your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system will need some fine-tuning to keep your home comfortable, energy-efficient, and free of potential problems.

Fortis Heating & Air Conditioning, a locally owned and operated HVAC company servicing the Durham Region, is committed to providing the educational, informative, and helpful content needed to ensure the finest living conditions for you and your family.

In this blog post, we will present a Spring Tune-Up Checklist, guiding you through a series of steps to prepare your HVAC system for the upcoming summer season.

The Spring Tune-Up Checklist is designed to address these shifting demands, touching on elements such as testing and cleaning your air conditioner, inspecting and sealing ductwork, checking for system leaks, and more. By following this checklist, you’ll ensure that your HVAC system is in peak condition, allowing it to work efficiently, keeping your energy costs down, and providing you with a comfortable home.

1. Test and Clean Your Air Conditioner

The first thing to do before the temperatures start rising is to test and clean your air conditioner unit:

•  Turn on your air conditioner to ensure it is functioning correctly and identify any unusual noises or performance issues.
•  Clean or replace your air conditioner’s filter to improve the airflow and efficiency.
•  Remove any dirt or debris around the outdoor condenser unit and ensure it has adequate room for air circulation.
•  Inspect the condenser coil for any damage and carefully clean it with a soft brush or, alternatively, call in a professional to perform this task.

If your air conditioning unit is not functioning correctly or requires a more in-depth inspection, be sure to contact a certified HVAC technician like those at Fortis Heating to check the system and address any necessary repairs.

2. Inspect and Seal Your Ductwork

Your ductwork plays an important role in distributing cool air throughout your home, so it’s crucial to inspect and maintain it properly:

•  Visually inspect your ductwork for any possible leaks, damage, or gaps.
•  Seal any leaks with mastic sealant or heat-approved tape to improve the efficiency of your air conditioning system.
•  If necessary, call a professional to clean your ducts and remove any dust, allergens or blockages to ensure smooth airflow.

3. Check Refrigerant Levels and Address Any Leaks

Your air conditioner requires the appropriate level of refrigerant to cool your home effectively:

•  If you are uncertain how to check refrigerant levels, consult your system’s manual or contact a professional HVAC technician for assistance.
•  Look for signs of potential leaks, such as oily residues or excessively frosty coils.
•  If you suspect a leak, refrain from using your air conditioner and call a professional immediately, as addressing refrigerant leaks in a timely manner is crucial for preventing damage to your system and the environment.

4. Perform Routine HVAC System Maintenance

Maintaining your HVAC system regularly results in better performance, energy efficiency, and longevity:

•  Clean or replace air filters every 1 to 3 months or as specified by your system’s manufacturer.
•  Check your thermostat to ensure it is calibrated correctly and functioning properly. Consider upgrading to a more energy-efficient smart thermostat if you haven’t already.
•  Schedule annual HVAC maintenance with a trusted service provider like Fortis Heating to ensure a comprehensive inspection, cleaning, and tune-up.

Conclusion

The HVAC Spring Tune-Up Checklist is an essential guide for Durham Region homeowners looking to prepare their HVAC systems for summer effectively. By following these simple steps, you will ensure efficient cooling throughout the warmer months, save on energy costs, and increase your home’s comfort.

Moreover, Fortis Heating & Air Conditioning is dedicated to providing the very best HVAC services in the Durham Region, offering expert assistance in inspections, maintenance, and repairs.

Don’t hesitate to call our experienced team for HVAC maintenance service in Oshawa. With our expertise, rest assured that your HVAC system will be conditioned to keep your home cool and comfortable all summer long!

When you first install your HVAC system, it will likely work efficiently and without any issues for a considerable period. However, over time, the system will accumulate dust, debris, and potential wear. It’s essential to have your HVAC system checked, cleaned, and maintained regularly to ensure its efficiency, effectiveness, and longevity.

As a locally-owned and operated HVAC company servicing the Durham Region, Fortis Heating & Air Conditioning is dedicated to providing homeowners with helpful educational content on HVAC maintenance. In this blog post, we’re going to discuss the importance of regular HVAC maintenance and how it can benefit homeowners.

1. Preventative Maintenance: Avoiding Expensive Repairs

Scheduling regular preventative maintenance checks can provide tremendous long-term benefits to your HVAC system. A professional technician will thoroughly inspect your heating and cooling units, identify any potential issues, and offer appropriate solutions. As a result, they help you avoid costly repairs by addressing problems in their early stages.

During a maintenance check, a technician will clean, adjust, and lubricate components, ensuring smooth performance and preventing accidents like sudden shutdowns. Regular service checks also help ensure your system runs safely, minimizing the risk of hazards such as carbon monoxide poisoning or electrical fires.

By investing in regular preventative maintenance, homeowners can save money in the long run by avoiding unexpected expensive repairs or the need for excessive system replacements.

2. Energy Efficiency: Lowering Your Carbon Footprint and Saving Money

A well-maintained HVAC system will help lower your energy consumption, thereby reducing your home’s carbon footprint and your monthly energy bill. Over time, the gradual buildup of dust, debris, and wear can impact your system’s performance and lead to energy waste.

For instance, a dirty air filter can obstruct airflow, causing your furnace to work harder than necessary, consuming more energy in the process. Regular maintenance ensures the optimal performance of components, including air filters, blower motors, and thermostats.

Moreover, when your HVAC unit is operating efficiently, it reduces your monthly energy consumption, leading to potentially substantial savings on your energy bills. Keep in mind that a well-maintained system is undoubtedly a more environmentally-friendly option than a neglected one.

3. Indoor Air Quality: Breathing Easier and Living Healthier

Indoor air quality is an often-overlooked aspect of maintaining a comfortable living environment. A well-maintained HVAC system plays a vital role in optimizing the quality of air inside your home. Regular maintenance checks can prevent mold growth and significantly reduce the presence of harmful allergens, bacteria, and dust.

When properly functioning, an HVAC system filters and circulates the air in your home, removing contaminants in the process. Cleaning and replacing the air filters during routine maintenance ensures that your family breathes in clean, fresh air, contributing to optimal overall health. Improved indoor air quality can drastically reduce allergy symptoms, respiratory issues, and prolonged exposure to pollutants.

4. Extending the Life of Your HVAC System: Protecting Your Investment

An HVAC system is a significant investment, and every homeowner wants to ensure they get the most value from it. Regular maintenance can extend the life of your heating and cooling units by addressing issues before they spiral out of control, negating the need for extensive repairs or premature replacements.

By routinely checking and servicing your system, a technician will avoid potential damages that may cause permanent harm to your unit. Consequently, your system will have a longer lifespan, giving you peace of mind and fulfilling your investment’s value.\

Maintain Your HVAC System with Fortis Heating & Air Conditioning

Regular HVAC maintenance is fundamental for maintaining optimum living conditions in your home. The benefits of preventative maintenance, energy efficiency, improved indoor air quality, and extending your HVAC system’s lifespan cannot be overstated.

To ensure these benefits, schedule regular maintenance appointments with a reliable and experienced HVAC company like Fortis Heating & Air Conditioning. Our professionally trained and certified technicians are committed to providing exceptional service to local families from Oshawa to Cobourg.

Whether you require an inspection, repair, installation, or HVAC maintenance service in Oshawa, we are here to help. Don’t wait for a problem to arise — schedule your HVAC maintenance appointment with the experts at Fortis Heating & Air Conditioning today!

Indoor air quality (IAQ) is an aspect of our home environment that often goes unnoticed, but growing research indicates that it can significantly impact our health and well-being. According to Health Canada, Canadians spend close to 90% of their time indoors, making it essential to understand indoor air quality’s role in maintaining a healthy home. Fortis Heating & Air Conditioning, a locally owned and operated HVAC company servicing the Durham Region, is committed to providing educational and helpful content to help homeowners improve their indoor air quality and overall health.

Many factors can contribute to poor indoor air quality, including inadequate ventilation, outdoor pollutants, high humidity levels, and the presence of allergens such as pet dander and dust mites. These elements can exacerbate respiratory issues such as asthma, allergies, and other health concerns. However, by proactively improving indoor air quality, you can create a healthier and more comfortable living environment for your family.

In this informative blog post, Fortis Heating & Air Conditioning will delve into the connection between indoor air quality and our health. We will provide insights into common sources of indoor air pollution, potential health effects of poor IAQ, and expert recommendations to enhance your home’s air quality. With this knowledge, Durham Region homeowners will be empowered to improve their indoor air quality and, as a result, their overall health and wellness.

In this blog post, Fortis Heating & Air Conditioning will guide you through understanding the connection between indoor air quality and health, as well as how to improve the air quality in your Durham Region home for a healthier and more comfortable living environment.

What Are the Common Sources of Indoor Air Pollution? 

There are several sources of indoor air pollution, which may vary from home to home. Some of the most common sources include:

• Combustion by-products: Appliances such as furnaces, gas stoves, and fireplaces generate contaminants like carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and particulate matter, negatively impacting indoor air quality.
• Building Materials and Furnishings: Materials such as paint, carpet, and pressed wood products can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air over time, contributing to poor indoor air quality.
• Pets and Pests: Pet dander and allergens from pests like dust mites and cockroaches are common household allergens that can affect air quality and respiratory health.
• Mould and Mildew: High humidity levels, water leaks, and poor ventilation can lead to mould and mildew growth, releasing spores into the air and harming the air quality in your home.

By identifying and addressing these sources of indoor air pollution, you can take a proactive approach to improving your home’s air quality.

What Are the Health Effects of Poor Indoor Air Quality? 

Poor indoor air quality can have a range of health effects on you and your family, particularly those with pre-existing respiratory issues or allergies. Some of the potential health effects include:

• Respiratory irritation and exacerbation of asthma or allergy symptoms
• Headaches and dizziness
• Fatigue
• Long-term exposure to certain pollutants can increase the risk of developing chronic respiratory issues or even cancer

Improving your home’s indoor air quality can mitigate these health risks and create a safer indoor environment.

How Do Ventilation and Fresh Air Exchange Work? 

Proper ventilation is essential for maintaining good indoor air quality. Fresh air exchange helps dissipate pollutants and maintains a healthy indoor and outdoor air balance. Here are some ways to improve your home’s ventilation:

• Open windows and doors whenever possible to allow fresh air in and promote air circulation.
• Install and use exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens to remove moisture and airborne contaminants.
• Consider a whole-house ventilation system, such as a heat recovery ventilator (HRV) or energy recovery ventilator (ERV), continuously exchanging stale indoor air with fresh, filtered outdoor air.

Effective ventilation can improve indoor air quality and promote a healthier home environment.

Why Is HVAC Maintenance and Air Filtration Important? 

Your HVAC system plays a crucial role in maintaining good indoor air quality. Regular maintenance and proper air filtration are essential to ensuring optimal performance and air purification:

• Clean or replace your HVAC system’s air filters regularly, at least every 1 to 3 months, or as your system’s manufacturer recommends. This will help maintain air quality and improve your system’s efficiency.
• Schedule annual maintenance with a professional HVAC service provider like Fortis Heating & Air Conditioning to clean and inspect your system, ensuring it functions optimally and maintains good indoor air quality.
• To capture smaller pollutants and allergens more effectively, consider upgrading to a more advanced air filtration system, like a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter or an electronic air cleaner.

You can significantly improve the air quality in your Durham Region home by properly caring for your HVAC system and utilizing suitable air filtration methods.

Conclusion

Understanding the importance of indoor air quality and its impact on our health is essential for maintaining a healthy and comfortable home. By addressing common sources of indoor air pollution, promoting effective ventilation, and keeping your HVAC system well-maintained, you can significantly improve your home’s air quality and contribute to a healthier living environment for your family.

Fortis Heating & Air Conditioning & Air Conditioning is dedicated to providing Durham Region homeowners with educational, informative, and helpful content relating to their HVAC systems and indoor air quality. With our expert advice and professional services, we can help you make informed decisions and create a more comfortable and healthier home for your family. If you want to improve your home’s indoor air quality or need assistance with your HVAC system, don’t hesitate to contact us today. Our team of qualified professionals is ready to help you every step of the way through our HVAC maintenance service! 

Summer in Canada can be beautiful and enjoyable, but along with the warm weather comes the need for air conditioning. However, it is important to take care of your air conditioning unit to ensure it can handle the strain of constant use during the summer months. Below are some tips on how to minimise strain on our AC units this summer.

Regular Maintenance

One of the most important things you can do to help your AC unit is to perform regular maintenance. This includes things like cleaning or replacing the air filters, checking the refrigerant levels, and lubricating the moving parts. It is recommended to have a professional service your unit at least once a year to ensure everything is in working order.

By performing regular maintenance, you can prevent small issues from turning into bigger problems. Doing basic tasks such as cleaning your AC’s air filters can boost its effectiveness, which can result in savings on your power bill.

Use a Programmable Thermostat

Another way to minimise strain on your AC unit is to use a programmable thermostat. This allows you to set the temperature in your home to automatically adjust based on your schedule. For example, you can set the temperature to be warmer during the day when no one is home and cooler in the evening when everyone is home.

By using a programmable thermostat, you can prevent your AC from working harder than it needs to. This can also save you money on your energy bill by reducing the amount of time your air conditioning unit is running.

Close Blinds and Curtains

In addition to using a programmable thermostat, you can minimise the strain on your AC by closing blinds and curtains during the day. This can help keep your home cooler by preventing the sun from heating up the inside of your home.

By keeping your home cooler, your unit won’t have to work as hard to maintain a comfortable temperature. This can also help save you money on your energy bill by reducing the amount of time your AC is rsunning.

Install Ceiling Fans

Another way to help your AC this summer is to install ceiling fans. Ceiling fans can help circulate the air in your home, which can make it feel cooler without having to lower the temperature on your unit.

By using ceiling fans in conjunction with your AC, you can help reduce the strain on your unit and save money on your energy bill. Just be sure to turn off the ceiling fans when no one is in the room to conserve energy.

Keep Your Home Sealed

Lastly, keep your home sealed to prevent cool air from escaping and warm air from entering. This can be done by sealing cracks and gaps around doors and windows and adding insulation to your home.

By keeping your home sealed, your AC unit won’t have to work as hard to maintain a comfortable temperature. This can also save you money on your energy bill by reducing the amount of time it is running.

Conclusion

There are several things you can do to help minimise the strain on your air conditioning unit this summer. Regular maintenance, using a programmable thermostat, closing blinds and curtains, installing ceiling fans, and keeping your home sealed can all help reduce the strain on your unit and save you money on your energy bill. By taking these steps, you can ensure your AC is working efficiently and effectively to keep you cool and comfortable during the summer months.

Want to keep your home cool and comfortable this summer without breaking the bank? Call Fortis Heating & Air Conditioning now to schedule a professional inspection, maintenance, repair, and other air conditioning services in Oshawa. Our expert team is dedicated to providing top-notch services to families in Oshawa and beyond. Contact us today!