Efficiency ratings generally reveal how well a system can heat or cool a home over the course of one season by gauging how much fuel the system uses and how much of it translates into conditioned air.

The Energy Star label is awarded to HVAC equipment if it meets certain requirements for efficiency. In general, Energy Star-labeled equipment operates much more efficiently than equipment that doesn’t carry the label, so you’ll benefit greatly by choosing Energy Star-qualified equipment.

Here’s a quick breakdown of what to look for in terms of the Energy Star and efficiency ratings:

• Air conditioning – For central A/C systems, homeowners should choose Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) ratings that begin at 14. These are high-efficiency systems, which means you’ll enjoy better energy savings over the life of the system.
• Boilers – Boilers are home heating systems that use water to heat. You can upgrade to a boiler that performs better than older, inefficient systems. Gas boilers are the most common type of system, and Energy Star-rated equipment begins at 85 Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) for non-condensing systems and 90 AFUE for condensing boilers.
• Furnaces – Conventional furnaces are gaining ground in terms of efficiency, and homeowners can now purchase high-efficiency systems that operate with nearly no energy losses. The government requires manufacturers to produce furnaces that reach 90 percent Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE), but you can purchase a system rated 98 AFUE. However, don’t look for the Energy Star label, as their standards must be raised to meet governmental guidelines.
• Heat pumps – Heat pumps are an ideal choice for homeowners willing to invest a little more upfront for equipment that provides higher savings over its lifetime. Look for Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF) ratings above 8 for heating and a SEER of at least 14.

Use efficiency ratings to guide your next HVAC system upgrade. For expert advice and help, contact AirFlex Heating & Cooling — serving homeowners in Greater Toronto, including Durham, since 1994.

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

Air Flex Ltd services the Greater Toronto area. Visit our website to see our current promotions and get started today!     

Energy Efficiency image via Shutterstock

Most homes across Canada can accommodate a geothermal heating and cooling system. To determine if your land area is suitable for such a system, there are three factors to consider in order to plan for your next system.

Geology

The condition of your soil will dictate what type of system can be utilized, because loops of pipe must be installed beneath the ground. An expert will also have to evaluate whether the geology of your land includes any rock, because even if pipes can be installed around rocks, the rocks will affect how well the system can transfer heat. Soil that allows for effective heat transfer will require less piping, reducing installation costs.

Water

If you have access to a water source, either through the ground or surface, you’ll have more installation options. Both closed-loop and open-loop systems can transfer heat using water.

Land

The two basic types of geothermal installation that don’t require water are the horizontal loop with wide but shallow trenches or a vertical loop with deep but narrow trenches. The amount of land that you have, along with its geology, will generally dictate the type of system from which you can choose.

Other factors that an expert will take into account when evaluating your site are:

• How your land is laid out
• Obstructions to digging, such as landscaping or trees
• Any sprinkler systems or underground utilities

Get the long-term savings advantage that geothermal heating and cooling offers. Contact your local geothermal experts at AirFlex Heating &Cooling today for a free consultation. We’ve been serving homeowners in Greater Toronto, including Durham, since 1994, and we are happy to help evaluate your site and assess its geology, hydrology and land mass.

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

Air Flex Ltd services the Greater Toronto area. Visit our website to see our current promotions and get started today!     

Here’s what you can do:

• Change your air filter regularly — This low-cost step helps to ensure adequate airflow and is especially important during the peak of the heating and cooling seasons. Your systems need the right amount of airflow to operate efficiently. If your filter is dirty, it will prevent air from moving through it and into the system. When you start to use your air conditioner on a regular basis, check the filter once a month and change it when it’s dirty.
• Schedule maintenance – An annual tune-up of your HVAC equipment is required to keep components running smoothly and efficiently. An expert HVAC technician will conduct a thorough inspection and clean the system so that dirt buildup won’t hinder its performance.
• Use your programmable thermostat wisely – Most homeowners already know that using a programmable thermostat can affect energy savings, but knowing how to set it properly is they key to locking in savings. In general, you should program at least one eight-hour energy-saving setting daily in the summer, turning the temperature up by a few degrees either when you’re sleeping or away from the home.
• Seal ductwork – Most home ductwork systems are susceptible to air leaks, allowing conditioned air to escape and causing higher energy bills. Have a professional evaluate your ducts for leaks and seal them as necessary.
• Size your equipment –To ensure top performance when new HVAC equipment is installed, be sure your contractor conducts the appropriate sizing calculations to take the home’s cooling and heating load into account, in order to properly match the system’s capacity to meet that load.

Create a more energy-efficient home using the tips described here, or contact the home-comfort experts at AirFlex Heating & Cooling today! We can assess your home’s performance, and offer recommendations for improving energy savings. We’ve served homeowners in greater Toronto, including Durham, since 1994.

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

Air Flex Ltd services the Greater Toronto area. Visit our website to see our current promotions and get started today!     

Energy Savings image via Shutterstock 

When upgrading, considering the following seven factors will help you select the right equipment and maximize  your return on investment:

• Efficiency – Choosing Energy Star-rated systems will offer improved savings, as much as 20 percent on select high-efficiency systems. Use Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) cooling efficiency ratings as guide when purchasing an A/C or heat pump, and Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) or Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF) ratings for furnaces and heat pumps, respectively.
• Reliability – Choosing a system manufactured by a reliable company, such as Lennox, will ensure a longer life span and consistent heating and cooling.
• Noise – HVAC equipment can be noisy, so be sure to look for a low-noise system for any HVAC equipment upgrades you select.
• Features – Standard systems that operate at a single speed can produce wide fluctuations in indoor temperatures, at times by more than 10 degrees. Choosing HVAC equipment upgrades that utilize two-stage or multi-stage air handlers offer consistent indoor temperatures.
• Humidity control – If moisture is a problem in your home, you’ll benefit from selecting a system that can manage humidity, like a thermostat that manages humidity and temperature, a two-stage cooling system or a dehumidifier installed alongside your HVAC equipment.
• Airflow – Choosing advanced features like a variable-speed air handler will also affect air circulation, producing not only improved comfort, but better indoor air quality also, as indoor air will circulate throughout your home on a consistent basis.

Use your extra cash wisely and invest in HVAC equipment upgrades that will increase the value of your home, offer better comfort and help you save money. For expert advice, contact AirFlex Heating & Cooling. We are happy to help greater Toronto-area homeowners, including residents in Durham, select and install new HVAC equipment. Just give us a call!

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

Air Flex Ltd services the Greater Toronto area. Visit our website to see our current promotions and get started today!     

There are three steps to follow when buying a programmable thermostat:

Match the device to your system

In the Greater Toronto area in particular, it’s more likely that homeowners will have advanced features for their heating systems due to our long, demanding winters. Therefore, you’ll want to match the compatibility of your equipment to the device. Match your single-stage, two-stage or multiple-stage system to the right type of programming thermostat to ensure optimal performance.

Choose programming capabilities

The next step in the buying process is to ensure that you select a device that will allow you to program it according to how you use your home. If you:

• Keep the same schedule all week long, buy a low-cost one-week device
• Have the same schedule during the week, but your weekends look different, purchase a model that will allow for such programming
• Require more flexibility, select a programmable thermostat that allows for two separate schedules over the weekend, with one schedule for weekdays
• Need maximum programming capabilities, invest in a top-of-the-line model that allows a different program for each day of the week

Select features that make it even easier to use

With your programming capabilities matched to your lifestyle, you can now select a unit with features that optimize ease of use and meet any special needs, including:

• Models with touch screens
• Alerts that remind you when to change your filter or batteries, if necessary
• Remote controls
• The ability to lock the screen
• Vacation settings, so you can cancel out the next programmed setting

The experts at Air Flex Heating & Cooling are available to help you select and install a programmable thermostat. Just give us a call today! We’ve been serving homeowners in Greater Toronto, including Durham, since 1994.

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

Air Flex Ltd services the Greater Toronto area. Visit our website to see our current promotions and get started today!     

Thermostat image via Shutterstock

Over time, dust will gather in your home’s ductwork, even more so in the return air portion of the duct system. That’s because as the air in your home is drawn into your HVAC system, it brings with it dust, debris and other pollutants. While your HVAC system’s filter is designed to trap a portion of that dust, the air that circulates through the return system is not typically filtered.

Experts generally agree that duct cleaning can help in the following scenarios:

• If you see see evidence of dust accumulation in the return-air registers or if you suspect that buildup has occurred, duct cleaning will help clear out dust and pollutants that have gathered over time in the ducts.
• If you see visible evidence of mould growing in your ducts, a thorough cleaning is the only way to remove it.
• If you’ve built a new home, duct cleaning will remove drywall dust, sawdust and insulation fibreglass that have accumulated within the ducts during construction.
• If you’re experiencing airflow problems, duct cleaning is a low-cost step that can help identify problematic blockages before investing in more costly solutions, like adjusting or replacing ductwork.

In order to fully benefit from a duct cleaning, you should also have your heating and cooling system serviced at the same time to ensure that HVAC equipment is also clean, and that it won’t affect the cleanliness of your ducts.

The good news is that duct cleaning doesn’t need to be performed annually. Experts generally advise homeowners to clean their ducts every three to five years.

Get the peace of mind that duct cleaning offers, and be sure that your ductwork system is free of dust and pollutants.You might also notice better indoor air quality, too. Contact AirFlex Heating & Cooling today, and ask about our duct cleaning services. We’ve been helping homeowners in Greater Toronto, including Durham, since 1994.

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

Air Flex Ltd services the Greater Toronto area. Visit our website to see our current promotions and get started today!     

1. Seal air leaks – Air leaks in the home’s exterior shell are a common contributor to home energy loss. Sealing air leaks will prevent hot outside air from coming into your home during summer, while providing the added bonus of preventing warm air from escaping to the outside during winter. A well-sealed home will be more comfortable, too.
2. Upgrade insulation – Increasing your home’s insulation levels will reduce the transference of heat year round, as insulation is designed to act as a barrier to the movement of heat. Without proper insulation, you’ll lose valuable conditioned air, causing your home’s HVAC equipment to work harder.
3. Use a programmable thermostat – Installing a programmable thermostat can help you regulate the use of your existing equipment. You can use the thermostat to save energy by scheduling programs throughout the day that correspond to when your home is occupied. By turning the systems off when you’re not at home, you’ll maximize home energy efficiency year round.
4. Optimize your attic – A home’s attic is one of the more common locations where energy losses occur. During the summer, an attic can become very hot, and if it leaks, that hot air will move toward your cooler living spaces, causing your A/C to consume more energy to keep your home cool. Sealing leaks here will help, and you can also use a ventilation system to ensure circulation.
5. Service your HVAC equipment – With regular service tune-ups, your HVAC equipment will be sure to run at peak performance, because preventive maintenance keeps your system clean and helps to reduce wear and tear and early system failure.

Maximize your home energy efficiency with five simple tips designed to reduce energy losses. You’ll see a dip in utility bills, while your home comfort increases. For help in the Greater Toronto area, including Durham, contact Air Flex Heating & Cooling — serving local homeowners since 1994.

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

Air Flex Ltd services the Greater Toronto area. Visit our website to see our current promotions and get started today!     

Energy Efficiency image via Shutterstock

In order to make your home a space in which you can find some relief, choose from these indoor air quality solutions:

UV light systems

With increased moisture from spring rains and higher humidity in general during spring and summer, mold is often a problem for homeowners. But ultraviolet (UV) lights can help. Designed to eliminate microorganisms, UV lights effectively target the core of a cell’s DNA, rendering it incapable of reproducing. This reduces the likelihood of such contaminants taking over your home and affecting your health.

Air purification systems

For homeowners suffering from multiple allergy problems, air purification systems are a particularly efficient solution, as they often are able to address all three classes of contaminants: mold, bacteria and viruses; particles like dirt and other allergens; and chemical vapors and odors.

HEPA filtration systems

A High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filtration system can often help to solve problems with indoor air quality. With the most effective filter available on the market, HEPA systems target particulates such as pollen and dust, and bioaerosols such as bacteria and pet dander. Additionally, these types of systems are able to trap nearly 100 percent of contaminants that exist in your home’s air, trapping the smallest of particles and bioaerosols, which, at 0.3 microns, are only visible under a microscope.

All three of the above systems are designed to work alongside your existing heating and cooling equipment, so in any season when your HVAC equipment runs, indoor air quality equipment will simultaneously clean your home’s air.

When allergens run high outside, finding relief inside is imperative. Choose indoor air quality solutions that will give you the respite you need. For help, contact the indoor air quality experts at Air Flex Heating & Cooling — serving homeowners in Greater Toronto and Durham since 1994.

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

Air Flex Ltd services the Greater Toronto area. Visit our website to see our current promotions and get started today!     

Ice build-up on external exhaust vents
High-efficiency furnaces have an Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) rating of 90 or more. This means that, in an AFUE 90 furnace, 90 percent of the energy in the natural gas or other fuel is converted into heat.

Most often, these furnaces achieve this high level of efficiency by using two heat exchangers. As part of the heat-recovery process, reusable heat is collected from flue gases that are normally vented outdoors. This produces condensation, which must be drained from the furnace’s interior.

This condensation sometimes freezes at the outside exhaust vent, causing ice to accumulate on the vent pipe. If the ice builds up so much that it blocks the vent, your furnace will shut down. To keep this from happening, clear away ice and snow from the outside exhaust vent. You can also remove the screen in the end of the pipe to help keep the opening clear. If you take the screen out, remember to replace it before spring arrives.

Small, easy-to-remedy issues affecting furnace operation
At times, your furnace may experience malfunctions or shutdowns that are caused by relatively minor problems that you can solve yourself. Look for issues such as:

• Dirty filter (a major cause of furnace breakdowns)
• Tripped circuit breakers
• Blown fuses
• Furnace fan door attached improperly
• Incorrect thermostat setting (not set to heating)
• Lack of power or switch shut off

If you’d like more information on preventing ice buildup and other common problems associated with high-efficiency furnaces, contact Air Flex Heating and Cooling today!

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

Air Flex Ltd services the Greater Toronto area. Visit our website to see our current promotions and get started today!     

Heating Maintenance image via Shutterstock

• Keep doors and windows closed. This is a simple technique our parents probably told us about when we were kids; don’t keep opening the doors and windows, and don’t leave them open. A tremendous amount of energy can be lost through these openings, which means your heat pump must work harder to make up for the loss.
• Close fireplace dampers. Fireplaces are excellent sources of additional heat and cozy atmosphere, but open dampers can send a lot of energy up the chimney. Close fireplace dampers tightly when the fireplace is not in use.
• Run ventilation fans sparingly. Kitchen and bathroom ventilation fans can pull a lot of conditioned air out of your home, wasting both energy and money. Use these ventilation fans sparingly and shut them off promptly when smoke, odors or other fumes are cleared out.
• Monitor your appliances. Kitchen appliances, dryers and other home equipment can generate excess heat and humidity, increasing stress on the cooling features of your heat pump. Use these devices in the cooler hours of the morning or evening, and make sure your dryer is properly vented to the outdoors.
• Leave the thermostat at one temperature: Heat pumps do not quickly or easily recover from temperature set-backs. When using a heat pump, it is better to leave your thermostat set at one temperature rather than shifting it up or down manually or with a programmable controller.

Air Flex Heating and Cooling Ltd. has been Greater Toronto and Durham’s trusted HVAC source since 1994. Contact us today for more information on how to save energy, improve efficiency and reduce your utility bills by using your heat pump system wisely and reducing energy waste in your home.

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

Air Flex Ltd services the Greater Toronto area. Visit our website to see our current promotions and get started today!