HVAC tips from Trusted Saskatoon Furnace & Air Conditioning Experts at Razor

13. Jul 2023 Admin Saskatoon Air Conditioning & Furnace, Trusted Tips

At Razor Heating & Air Conditioning, the primary focus is to provide Saskatoon and surrounding area customers with quality work, prompt service, and innovative real-world solutions to everyday mechanical and home comfort issues. Whether it be an upgrade or repair to your current home or mechanical needs of a new home, Razor Heating and Air are the people to turn to for all your Air Conditioning, Heating and Indoor Air Quality needs. Their real-world, on-the-job trained employees have the industry experience and know-how to look past the rough edges of renovation or construction. The professionals at Razor strive to bring you quality products and services with a budget-minded solution. Razor Heating & Air Conditioning is a TRUSTED SASKATOON AIR CONDITIONING & FURNACE EXPERT!

Maintaining Your Home Comfort System

Maintaining your home comfort system, which includes your air conditioning, heating, and ventilation systems, is essential for ensuring optimal performance, energy efficiency, and longevity. Here are some tips to help you maintain your home comfort system:

1. Regular Filter Replacement: Check and replace your air filters regularly. Clogged or dirty filters restrict airflow, reduce system efficiency, and can lead to poor indoor air quality. Follow the manufacturer's guidelines for filter replacement frequency or clean reusable filters as recommended.

2. Professional System Inspections: Schedule annual maintenance inspections with a qualified HVAC technician. They can inspect and tune up your system, identify potential issues, clean coils, check refrigerant levels, and ensure proper system operation. Regular maintenance helps prevent breakdowns and keeps your system running efficiently.

3. Keep Outdoor Units Clear: Clear any debris, vegetation, or obstructions around your outdoor air conditioning unit or heat pump. Maintain at least two feet of clearance around the unit to ensure proper airflow and prevent airflow restrictions.

4. Check and Clean Condensate Drain: Regularly inspect and clean the condensate drain line to prevent clogs or blockages. A clogged drain can lead to water damage or system malfunctions.

5. Seal Ductwork: Inspect your ductwork for any leaks or gaps. Seal any leaks with duct sealant or mastic tape to improve energy efficiency and ensure proper airflow.

6. Keep Vents and Registers Clean: Regularly clean and remove any obstructions from vents and registers to maintain proper airflow and maximize system efficiency.

7. Programmable Thermostat: Use a programmable or smart thermostat to set temperature schedules based on your occupancy patterns. This helps optimize energy usage and comfort by adjusting temperatures when you are away or asleep.

8. Monitor Energy Usage: Keep an eye on your energy consumption. If you notice a significant increase in energy usage or if your system is not operating as efficiently as before, it may indicate a problem that requires attention from a professional technician.

9. Follow Manufacturer's Guidelines: Refer to the manufacturer's instructions for specific maintenance recommendations for your home comfort system. Different systems may have unique requirements, so it's important to follow their guidelines for optimal performance.

10. Stay Informed: Stay up-to-date with the latest industry information, best practices, and energy-saving tips. This can help you make informed decisions and take appropriate steps to maintain your home comfort system effectively.

Remember, if you are unsure or uncomfortable performing any maintenance tasks, it is always best to consult with our professional HVAC technicians at Razor. They have the expertise to ensure your system is properly maintained and operating at its best.

Get Help from the Professionals at Razor Heating and A/C

Trusted Saskatoon's Heating and Cooling Experts, Razor Heating and A/C are there to help you with all your Heating, Air Conditioning, and Indoor Air Quality Needs. Contact Razor today!

Trusted Saskatoon Air Conditioning Experts at Razor Share Tips to Optimize Air Conditioning and Improving Energy Efficiency

13. Jul 2023 Admin Saskatoon Air Conditioning & Furnace, Trusted Tips

At Razor Heating & Air Conditioning, the primary focus is to provide Saskatoon and surrounding area customers with quality work, prompt service, and innovative real-world solutions to everyday mechanical and home comfort issues. Whether it be an upgrade or repair to your current home or mechanical needs of a new home, Razor Heating and Air are the people to turn to for all your Air Conditioning, Heating and Indoor Air Quality needs. Their real-world, on-the-job trained employees have the industry experience and know-how to look past the rough edges of renovation or construction. The professionals at Razor strive to bring you quality products and services with a budget-minded solution. Razor Heating & Air Conditioning is a TRUSTED SASKATOON AIR CONDITIONING & FURNACE EXPERT!

Tips To Optimize Air Conditioning and Improving Energy Efficiency

Set the Thermostat Appropriately: Set your thermostat to the highest temperature that is comfortable for you. Each degree lower can significantly increase energy consumption. Aim for a temperature around 24-26 degrees Celsius (75-78 degrees Fahrenheit) for a balance between comfort and energy savings.

Additional tips for maximizing air conditioning efficiency:

Use a programmable thermostat to automatically adjust the temperature based on your schedule. Set it to a higher temperature when you're away from home or sleeping and lower it when you're present.
Consider using a smart thermostat that can learn your preferences and adjust the temperature accordingly, optimizing energy usage.
Make use of zoning systems if available. This allows you to cool specific areas or zones of your home rather than cooling the entire space, saving energy.

Other practices to keep your home cool and reduce the need for excessive air conditioning:

Use natural ventilation: Open windows during cooler times of the day or night to let in fresh air and create a cross-breeze. Ceiling fans or portable fans can also help circulate air and create a cooling effect.
Utilize shading: Close curtains, blinds, or shades during the day to block out direct sunlight and heat. Use light-coloured window coverings that reflect heat instead of absorbing it.
Minimize heat sources: Turn off unnecessary lights, appliances, and electronics that generate heat. Use energy-efficient lighting options like LED bulbs that produce less heat.
Insulate and seal your home: Properly insulate your home to prevent cool air from escaping and hot air from entering. Seal any air leaks around windows, doors, and ductwork to improve energy efficiency.

Implementing these tips can help you optimize your air conditioning system's efficiency, reduce energy consumption, and lower your cooling costs while keeping your home comfortable. Have question? Contact our team at Razor!

Get Help from the Professionals at Razor Heating and A/C

Trusted Saskatoon's Heating and Cooling Experts, Razor Heating and A/C are there to help you with all your Heating, Air Conditioning, and Indoor Air Quality Needs. Contact Razor today!

Trusted Saskatoon Window Pro’s at Sunview Window & Doors Tip on Energy Loss Through Windows

6. Jun 2023 Admin Saskatoon Windows & Doors, Trusted Tips

Sunview Windows and Doors manufacture windows in their Saskatoon factory. They install new and replacement windows for homeowners and businesses in Saskatoon and across Saskatchewan. They also sell high quality doors and security shutters. Sunview Windows and Doors are Trusted Saskatoon Window, Door & Sunroom Experts. In their latest windows tip they share info on mitigating energy loss through your windows.

Energy Loss Through Windows Explained by Sunview Windows Team

Windows and doors in Saskatoon and area are often a major factor in energy loss in your home. Single-paned windows that have metal frames are not well insulated and do not keep the heat in or out very well. The edges of doors and windows account for a large amount of air leakage. Energy loss through windows is the largest and most variable loss in buildings and has major implications on energy consumption and peak heating and cooling loads.

Types of Windows

Windows only take up between 5-10% of a home's total surface area that is exposed to outside temperatures but accounts for as much as 53% of the heat lost in a home. Older homes are more susceptible to heat loss because of the structure of the windows. Your options to fix these heat losses are to either purchase new windows or to try some low-cost efforts to repair the window. The idea is to purchase the most energy-efficient windows possible given your budget and your specific needs. Double and Triple Paned Windows are designed with a trapped air space about half an inch thick, which functions as an insulator. It works by restricting the amount of air movement, slowing down the heat loss through windows. Low Emissivity Windows have a clear coating on the window to reduce heat loss or gain. This is an almost invisible coat of semi-conductor or metal oxide film that is applied directly to the glass or on a plastic film that is placed between the two window panes.

There are two different types of Low-E coatings, hard coats and soft coats. Soft coats are the most effective at reflecting heat and are better insulators of heat. The hard coat is incorporated directly into the surface of the glass and is less likely to be mechanically damaged, so in most cases, they are used in single-pane storm windows. Windows that are made with low-E films are usually approximately 15-25% more costly than regular double-glazed windows. They will also reduce energy loss by around 30-50%. The energy savings will pay for the higher cost of the windows in around 10 years. Argon Gas is a motionless gas that manufacturers use to fill the space between the panes of glass to reduce heat loss. Argon gas is often used because it is a better insulator than air and has a relatively low cost compared to the alternatives. Low-conductivity spacers separate two pieces of glass when making an insulated glass unit.

Window Frame

The way that the window frame is put together has a great impact on the required maintenance and life span of the window. Aluminium frames require little to no maintenance and generally have a long life span. Fibreglass frames are not very available but are high in energy efficiency. Some of these models are filled with a foam insulator to better insulate heat. Vinyl frames require no maintenance and perform well thermally. Wood frames insulate well and have a long life span but they need to be protected from the weather. U-values let you know how much heat is getting through your window. Low U-values mean that there is very little heat getting through the window. Solar heat gain coefficients (SHGC) let you know how much of the sun’s energy is being transferred through the window frame. Ensure that your window is installed properly by getting a professional to install it; a poorly installed window will not work as efficiently.

How to stop energy loss through windows you already have

If you are unable to replace your current windows, there are other ways to improve efficiency and reduce energy loss. You should install storm windows. You can install these windows on the inside or the outside. Your insulation will improve by the dead air that is trapped between the windows. There are a few different types of storm windows such as rigid plastic storm windows, which are attached to the window with a mounting strip. There are the single-pane storm windows, which are to be installed each fall and removed each spring. There are permanent storm windows, which are more convenient than the removable type and have both screening and glass in the same unit. Temporary storm windows are plastic and are attached to the frame with tightly shrunken two-sided tape. Lastly, there are window coverings such as blinds and curtains that can help lower the possibility of heat loss, especially at night. Make sure that your window covering does not restrict the movement of air because it can cause the window to sweat.

Sunview Windows and Doors are Trusted Saskatoon Window & Door Experts

As their tagline clearly states..

We build them – We install them – We stand behind them

Trusted Saskatoon Plumbers Perfection Plumbing Share the Benefits of Energy Saving Water Heaters

4. Apr 2019 Trusted Saskatoon Saskatoon Plumbing, Trusted Tips

Perfection Plumbing & Drain Cleaning Ltd. is a premier provider of quality drain cleaning and plumbing services in Saskatoon, SK. They are the company of choice to handle all of your plumbing concerns including drain cleaning service, water heater installation, plumbing repair, and more. Perfection Plumbing are Trusted Saskatoon Plumbers on the Saskatoon Directory. In their latest article, they share the many benefits of energy-saving water heaters.

Benefits of Energy Saving Water Heaters

Are you beginning to dread the winter months? Energy bills for hot water, and heating and lighting the home seem to creep forever upward. In many Canadian provinces, the government and/or energy companies provide assistance in the form of grants and loans, to persuade both homeowners and businesses to switch to using to energy-savin appliances.

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According to Natural Resources Canada, the average family uses around 75 litres of hot water every day, accounting for nearly 20% of a household’s energy bill. There’s no doubt that the older your water heater, no matter what the type and unless regularly serviced, will be costing you more in bills than it should.

Taking the Leap, Making the Switch

Before making a decision, contact a reliable, reputable Saskatoon plumbing company that specializes in hot water tanks in Saskatoon. For a start, natural gas is far cheaper than electricity. If you can change, it’s well worth the added expense.

As would be expected, Energy Star hot water tanks in Saskatoon are far more expensive than old style tanks. All that new technology has to be paid for. But does greater expense equate to greater savings on your bills? The short answer is yes, but it’s the time taken to recoup the extra outlay which could do with some discussion.

Determining Options

Talking to a reputable company that regularly fits and services water heaters in Saskatoon is the best way to ascertain the type, size, and energy rating you will need to begin reducing your energy consumption while recouping the additional outlay in a reasonable time frame.

A reputable plumbing company that puts their customer’s needs first, such as Perfection Plumbing & Drain Cleaning Ltd., will ask a lot of questions. How many in the family? How many bathrooms? Do you live in a sprawling single storey home, or is it more compact with upstairs and downstairs? All these things and more will have a relevance to which type of Energy Star rated water heater your plumber recommends.

While discussing the best Energy Star rated hot water tanks in Saskatoon for your needs, it is well worth considering a few smaller things which will help cut down running costs.