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Suddenly it feels that autumn is a distant memory now that snow has fallen across most of Ontario – and in record amounts relative to the early November date, in some cases. Many of us are scurrying to arrange getting our winter tires put on, and our shovels and snowblowers ready for the season ahead. If you didn’t already take care of it, now is the perfect time to make sure your home’s mechanical systems are ready for winter. Here are some helpful tips to make sure your home stays warm and comfortable when you need that shelter the most:
BE SURE TO TUNE-UP YOUR FURNACE
Although you’ve probably set the thermostat to heating mode weeks ago, it’s wise to make sure that heating appliance is in great shape now – before the real cold arrives! Having your furnace tuned up by a licensed professional
helps ensure it’s running reliably and efficiently, and you can count on it when you need it most. It’s likely also required to maintain your manufacturer’s warranty and might even be needed by your home insurance policy for
safety reasons. Contact your local ClimateCare and reserve your spot today!
DON’T FORGET ABOUT YOUR FIREPLACE
While few of us rely upon our fireplaces as a primary heat source, they sure are an enjoyable luxury to warm the cold corners of our homes, or help heat the floors above them. Much like a furnace, a fireplace is a gas-burning appliance, and it’s important to have it cleaned and tuned-up regularly to ensure safe and reliable operation for the season ahead. You’ll need a licensed professional for this. And if you’ve got a wood or pellet-burning unit, you’ll need them to be WETT certified too.
Don’t get stuck in the cold. Call your local ClimateCare now to book your precision tune-up!
As most of us will spend more time indoors over the colder months before returning to outdoor sports and activities next spring and summer, now is also the optimal time to ensure our indoor environmental quality (IEQ) is in great shape. Proper IEQ helps make your home more comfortable, and can help reduce the risk of spreading seasonal illnesses. Here’s a quick checklist of things to make sure you’re keeping your home safe and healthy:
FURNACE FILTER
This needs to be changed regularly. If you’re using the 1” filters you can buy at a local hardware store, be sure to check this once a month – more regularly if you’ve got pets, or have done any renovations in the home. If you’re due for a new furnace, ask about using a pleated media filter. These 4-5” filters are far more capable at capturing particulate, and last significantly longer requiring far fewer changeouts. Not sure what filter to buy? Check out our helpful blog post on MERV ratings!
HUMIDITY
Cold winter air is dry. Whether our older home lets it seep in through cracks and aged building materials, or our newer home is exchanging the stale indoor air for fresh outdoor air with an ERV, many homes end up with drier air in the cold winter months. Health Canada recommends and indoor relative humidity or RH of 30-55%. If your home’s RH dips below 30%, it can be harmful to you – and to your house! You can see mouldings and drywall crack, floorboards separate, and worst of all, it can be harder to breathe the air. In extreme cases, you can even get nosebleeds! It also costs you more energy to keep dry air warm since humid air will “feel” warmer – just like in the summer outdoors months where we monitor humidex. If this sounds like your house, don’t worry. Your local ClimateCare can install a whole-home humidifier as an attachment to your furnace. It’s not as expensive as you’d think, and it will make your home more comfortable while protecting itself, and your loves ones.
UVC
Just like a good furnace filter helps remove particulate from the air, ultraviolet light works to eliminate other airborne contaminants like bacteria and mold. The best filtration systems work like a humidifier – they attach into the ductwork near your furnace, so all the air in the home gets treated. It’s important to note that there are a lot of less-than-reputable products and companies in this space, so getting guidance from your local professional is key to ensuring you get a quality product that will make a real difference.
PREPARE YOUR HOME FOR WINTER
Winter is here, and there’s no better time to ensure your home stays warm, safe, and comfortable. From furnace tune-ups and fireplace maintenance to improving indoor air quality with filters, humidifiers, and UVC systems, taking action now can save you headaches and keep your family healthy all season long. Contact your local ClimateCare today to schedule a professional inspection or tune-up, and make sure your home is fully prepared for the winter months ahead!
