The primary advantage of upgrading to a zoning system is that it solves the eternal problem of how to comfortably heat or cool a home using just one thermostat. Homes have different climate zones, and a single thermostat only controls temperatures in the room where it’s located. So if you have that thermostat on the home’s main level, your finished basement likely will stay cool and clammy while the upstairs bedrooms will stay too warm. With multiple zones, you can control which areas are getting conditioned air, depending on occupant preferences and other factors. Upgrading to a zoning system also allows you to reduce heating and cooling in areas that aren’t being used.

Is a zoning system right for your home? Go over the following list of questions:

• Does your home have more than one level?
• Does your home have a sprawling floor plan, such as those seen in some ranch-style houses?
• Are there certain areas of your home that you find particularly difficult to heat or cool?
• Are there certain areas of your home that are used more frequently or less frequently than others?
• Does your home have architectural features such as large bay windows, cathedral ceilings, solariums or recessed lighting?
• Does your home have a finished basement or attic?
• Is your home built on concrete slab flooring?
• Have you recently built any home additions?

The more questions you answered “yes,” the more likely you are to benefit from upgrading to a zoning system.

If you have any questions about zoning systems, or if you’d like to obtain a no-obligation quote, please contact the home comfort experts here at Ken Philp Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration. We’ve been providing homeowners in the Owen Sound area with reliable, courteous, affordable HVAC services since 1985.

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

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Four boiler troubleshooting tips

1. Checking the thermostat – It may sound obvious, but your thermostat could be the culprit in several common boiler problems. If your boiler isn’t supplying heat or hot water, or continues to cycle on or off when it’s not supposed to, check the thermostat to make sure it’s set at a temperature that should cause the system to kick on.
2. Verifying water pressure levels – Another common reason for  boiler woes is low water pressure levels. This can result in a lack of heat or hot water, strange banging noises, or the boiler switching itself on or off for no reason. Check your pressure gauge to verify the correct pressure levels. If pressure is low, you should look for signs of a leak in the system.
3. Check the valves and pump – If your radiators aren’t getting hot when the heat is on, or the boiler keeps turning on and off, the culprit may be a faulty pump or closed valves. Ensure that all valves are open, and verify that water is circulating properly as a result of the pump functioning.
4. Inspect the condensate pipe – This pipe, which drains water away from the boiler, can freeze up during periods of cold weather. As a result, a blockage will occur and cause the boiler to break down. In this case, you should never attempt to thaw the pipe on your own. This is a job for a qualified engineer.

Once you have completed troubleshooting, contact your contractor. By providing him with the information gleaned during your boiler troubleshooting, you can help him/her to do the job more efficiently.

For more helpful tips on boiler troubleshooting, or to schedule a professional to take a look at the problem, contact our experts at Ken Philp Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration. We’re proud to serve residents of the Owen Sound area.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Owen Sound, Ontario and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about boiler trouble and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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Signs that you may need a professional duct cleaning

• Allergies are aggravated – If it seems that allergy or respiratory symptoms are worse than normal, irritating particles may have built up inside your air ducts.
• Unusual illnesses – Do you or your family members feel unusually ill inside of your home? There’s a chance that harmful mould, mildew or bacteria have accumulated in your ductwork and need to be cleaned out. This is especially important if mould is visible.
• Poor airflow – If the airflow of heated or cooled air seems constrained, the culprit could be dirty or clogged ductwork.
• Pests in your ductwork – When vermin or other pests find their way into your ducts, it’s a good idea to have them cleaned out as scat, dead animals and insects, and other harmful toxins could accumulate.

The benefits of duct cleaning

Many homeowners rave about the perks of having their ducts professionally cleaned. After service, you may see benefits such as:

• Improved indoor air quality – With less dust, mold, or particulate matter flowing through your ductwork, the air inside your home will be cleaner, and allergies or respiratory illnesses may be alleviated.
• A boost in home comfort – As the airflow will be less restricted, more heated or cooled air will be able to reach the various rooms of your home, leaving everyone feeling more comfortable.
• Increased efficiency – Since the airflow will have been improved, you won’t need to run your system as often to reach your desired comfort levels. Additionally, your heating and cooling systems won’t be required to work as hard to force air through the ducts.

To schedule a professional duct cleaning for your home, contact the professionals at Ken Philp Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration. We’re proud to serve residents of the Owen Sound area.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Owen Sound, Ontario and surrounding areas 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.

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1. Invest in a germicidal light system – Installing germicidal UV lights within your HVAC system will help eliminate organic particles floating around your house, ranging from bacteria and viruses to mold spores and dust mites.
2. Remove your shoes – On a daily basis, we track dirt, grime and various other elements into our home. Stop this by removing your shoes when you enter the house.
3. Wash bedding in hot water – This will kill dust mites and other critters that live in your bedding, and should be done at least once a week.
4. Install a whole-house dehumidifier – A dehumidifier will clear up excess moisture around your home, which can quickly become a breeding ground for mold.
5. Install air-purification system – A multi-purpose purification system can great improve your indoor air quality by removing a wide range of the tiniest particles from your air.
6. Avoid clutter – Knickknacks and other stationary items in your home become dust magnets over time. As much as possible, put away or get rid of unneeded items.
7. Clean or replace sponges – Due to the amount of bacteria that collects on a typical kitchen sponge, it’s important to either clean or replace them once a week.
8. Replace your air filter – A dirty HVAC filter not only reduces system efficiency, it also degrades indoor air quality. Check the filter every month, and change it when it looks dirty.
9. Use microfiber cloths – Feather dusters or other similar products have a tendency to spread dust into the air instead of removing it. Microfiber cloths are a great alternative and can be washed for reuse.

For more expert advice about improving your indoor air quality, or for any questions relating to home comfort, please contact us at Ken Philp Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration. We have been serving the HVAC needs of Owen Sound and the surrounding area for 28 years.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Owen Sound, Ontario and surrounding areas 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.

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Unlike portable generators, a standby unit is permanently installed onto a concrete pad in your yard. These devices can provide uninterrupted backup for days. When choosing a standby generator, you can either select a smaller, air-cooled essential-circuit unit that provides power for only a few circuits at a time, or a larger, liquid-cooled whole-house system that can keep everything up and running. A whole range of options lie between these two extremes.

Standby generators are more desirable than portable generators because of their ability to automatically switch on and off. As soon as your home is “off the grid,” the transfer switch will start up your generator and transfer its power to your electrical panel. Once municipal power is restored, the switch will shut down your generator and you’ll be restored to normal power. A standby generator is also much quieter than a noisy portable unit.

A standby generator is a great way to protect your family, your possessions, and your home business – provided it’s installed properly. As such, it’s important to work with a trusted HVAC professional. Your contractor can help you locate the unit a safe distance from your home so that no dangerous emissions will threaten your household. A contractor can also determine whether the fuel supply from your natural gas line has enough pressure to sustain the system, or if an additional fuel source will be needed. Lastly, a professional can help you to properly size your generator to the needs of your home.

For more information on standby generators, please contact the professionals at Ken Philp Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration. We proudly provide home comfort services to residents of the Owen Sound area.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Owen Sound, Ontario and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about standby generators and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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To make the best selection possible, here are nine tips that you should follow:

1. Get referrals – Real life experience easily beats out any claims made by a company, and an HVAC contractor is no different. Ask your friends and family if they know someone they’d recommended.
2. Ask for references – Next to friends and family, references from previous or current customers of the contractor can clue you in to the company’s performance and adherence to both a schedule and budget.
3. Search for discounts – Special offers can often be found online, or by calling the contractor directly.
4. Know the requirements – Each state has its own licenses and insurance guidelines for an HVAC contractor. Learn what these are and ask the contractor to provide documentation.
5. Insist on Energy Star – No matter whom you choose, Energy Star certified products should be installed whenever possible.
6. Be ready for a home evaluation – Before any service is contracted, an evaluation should be done. This will clue a technician into any specific problem areas or recommendations.
7. Require written, itemized estimates – If an estimate isn’t broken down with enough details, ask that it be rewritten until you’re happy with it.
8. Written proposals only – Getting details concerning the work to be done in writing is the only way to conduct yourself as a responsible homeowner.
9. Tell your friends – Although this won’t help you with hiring an HVAC contractor, the best next thing is to pass on a good experience. That way, your friends and family can receive the same great service you enjoyed.

If you require expert assistance with hiring an HVAC contractor, or for general questions regarding home comfort, please don’t hesitate to contact the experts at Ken Philp Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration. We have been serving the HVAC needs of Owen Sound and the surrounding area for more than 28 years.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Owen Sound, Ontario and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about hiring an HVAC contractor and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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Beyond weather conditions, several other factors can contribute to indoor humidity, including:

• The use of combustion appliances, such as gas stoves
• Poor indoor air circulation
• An oversized air conditioner or heat pump
• Large carpeted areas, which trap moisture
• Trapped indoor moisture in areas such as the bathroom and laundry room
• Large collections of indoor plants

In addition to ensuring that all appliances are properly vented to the outdoors, a dehumidifier is your most powerful weapon in the fight against high indoor humidity. There are two main types of dehumidifiers: spot/portable dehumidifiers and whole-house models.

While portable dehumidifiers are effective solutions if moisture problems are confined to specific areas, they are not designed to address humidity issues that affect your entire home or even an entire floor. If moisture is a problem throughout your house, a whole-house system is a better solution. These systems are linked to your central HVAC unit, and run cycles that remove moisture from the air and make it easier for you to keep indoor conditions within the optimal humidity range.

Signs that your home may have humidity problems include:

• Condensation on windowsills and other surfaces
• The presence of mold or mildew
• Indoor air that feels moist or “stuffy”

If your home is sustaining mold and moisture damage and you want an effective solution to control indoor humidity levels, please contact us at Ken Philp Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration. We’ve been providing homeowners in the Owen Sound area with courteous home comfort services since 1985, and we’ll be happy to help you find an affordable and effective solution.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Owen Sound, Ontario and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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Attic insulation

Here’s how ventilation and insulation work hand-in-hand to keep your home comfortable and energy efficient year-round:

• In the winter, natural airflow helps keep the attic cold, preventing the formation of damaging ice dams on your roof. If the attic is too warm, snow melts off the roof, only to refreeze near the gutters. Insulation and air-sealing will help block warm and moist air from entering the attic and causing snow of the roof to melt.
• During the summer, natural airflow helps move hot, moisture-laden air out and away from the attic. Insulation blocks warm air from making its way into the home, keeping it cool and comfortable.

Rafter vents and soffit vents are especially important for promoting proper airflow throughout the attic. However, many homeowners make the mistake of covering these vents when installing their insulation. Covering these vents traps hot air and moisture, causing mold problems as well as a noticeable increase in both heating and air conditioning costs.

If you haven’t thought about your home’s ventilation and insulation needs, now is the time. Contact us at Ken Philp Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration to schedule a service call or learn more about how ventilation and insulation will benefit your home. We provide high-quality HVAC service to Owen Sound and the surrounding area.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Owen Sound, Ontario and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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There are quite a few options available for whole-house ventilating systems: from very basic to hospital-quality HEPA systems with moisture control. Mechanical ventilator systems utilize fans and ductwork to cycle air throughout your home, removing stale air and supplying fresh air to the whole house. These systems can be installed in your existing ductwork. In addition to improving airflow, you can improve your energy efficiency by adding one of these two heat recovery systems:

• A heat recovery ventilator (HRV) uses a heat exchanger to remove heat from outflowing air during the heating season, and remove it from in-flowing air during the summer, to help heat or cool your home. It can typically reclaim 60 to 80 percent of the energy that would have been wasted.
• An energy recovery ventilator (ERV) exchanges moisture and heat between the incoming and exhaust streams in the heat exchanger. ERVs work best in warmer climates, where higher demands are placed on the air-conditioning system.

Both ventilation systems utilize a heat exchanger at the heart of the system; this is a box that’s constructed of special conductive materials that directs the two airflow streams to enter different sides of the unit, without mixing, to raise or lower the temperature of the incoming fresh air. This will greatly increase the energy efficiency of your home HVAC system, by reclaiming energy that would otherwise be lost. ERVs and HRVs are typically integrated into the ductwork of your home. Most mechanical ventilation systems include the option to add an air filtration system to remove pollutants and allergens from the air.

Choosing the system or option that’s right for your home doesn’t have to be difficult. If you have any questions about adding a ventilation system to your home, or would like to request a quote, please contact us at Ken Philp Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration.

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

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• HEPA filters: High Efficiency Particulate Air filters trap at least 90 percent of all particles in the air that are 0.3 microns or larger in diameter.
• Electronic air filters: These use electrical charges to remove particles from the air, but they may produce small amounts of ozone, which can irritate your lungs. This is not ideal for those suffering with asthma, nasal congestion, hay fever or rhinitis.
• Gas phase air filters: Gas phase filters use granules of activated carbon to remove odors and pollutants such as gases emitted from cooking or building materials. These are often placed in front of HEPA filters, but must be replaced often.
• Germicidal air cleaners: Use ultraviolet lights to kill mold, bacteria and viruses. UV lights may be included with other types of air cleaner devices that use a fan, or can be installed directly in your HVAC system.

Most of these types of air cleaning technologies can be used in either portable or whole-house systems. Portable air cleaners remove particles and pollutants from the air in a small area, while whole-house air cleaners clean the air in your entire home. Whole-house air cleaning devices are typically added to your HVAC system, and while installation and operation cost significantly more than portable units, they’re usually more effective at cleaning the air than portable cleaners.

If you live in or around the Owen Sound area and you or a family member suffers from a respiratory-related illness, please contact us at Ken Philp Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration today to discuss air cleaning options for your home.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Owen Sound, Ontario and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about air cleaners and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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