Trusted Tips and Resources

Trusted Tips & Resources

Trusted Saskatoon Group Benefits Professionals at Aurora Workplace Solutions Explain The Rising Cost Of Group Benefits In Canada

Aurora Workplace Solutions are about creating brilliant futures by developing wealth security for businesses and individuals. As experts in the industry, they keep on top of recent news including changes to relevant group benefit plans, retirement savings options, and guidelines and policies. They also keep their eyes open for informative articles we think are of interest to our current and potential clients. Aurora Workplace Solutions are Trusted Saskatoon Group Benefits and Insurance Professionals! 

HOW TO MANAGE THE RISING COST OF GROUP BENEFITS 

Rising cost of group benefits in Canada



It is understandable to be concerned about the rising cost of group benefits in Canada. Several factors contribute to the increasing costs of group benefits, including rising healthcare expenses, increased utilization of healthcare services, evolving insurance regulations, and demographic shifts. Here are some factors to consider and potential strategies to manage the rising costs:


1. Analyze Plan Design: Review your group benefits plan design to ensure it aligns with the needs of your organization and employees. Consider adjusting coverage levels, co-pays, deductibles, or maximum limits to balance cost and coverage. Working with a benefits consultant can help you evaluate your plan design and identify areas for cost optimization.


2. Employee Wellness Programs: Implementing employee wellness programs can help promote a healthier workforce, reducing the utilization of healthcare services and related costs. Encourage healthy lifestyle choices, provide wellness resources, and offer incentives for employees to participate in wellness activities.


3. Shop Around for Competitive Rates: We regularly review and compare quotes from different insurance providers to ensure you are getting the best value for your group benefits plan. 


4. Consider Self-Insurance or Alternative Funding Options: Depending on the size and stability of your organization, self-insurance or alternative funding arrangements (such as level-funded or partially self-insured plans) could be worth exploring. These options provide more control over plan costs, allowing you to pay for claims directly rather than through traditional insurance premiums.


5. Employee Education and Communication: Communicate the value of group benefits to your employees and help them understand the costs associated with providing comprehensive coverage. Educate employees on the responsible use of healthcare services, the importance of preventive care, and ways to maximize their benefits. This can help reduce unnecessary healthcare expenses and mitigate cost increases.


6. Data Analysis and Predictive Modeling: Use data analytics and predictive modeling to identify trends, patterns, and high-cost areas within your group benefits plan. By understanding utilization patterns, you can make informed decisions on plan design adjustments, wellness initiatives, and targeted interventions to address specific health issues proactively.


7. Government Programs and Tax Credits: Stay informed about government programs, incentives, and tax credits related to group benefits. For example, the Canadian government offers tax incentives for employers providing certain types of group benefits. Understanding these programs can help offset some of the costs associated with providing group benefits.


Managing the rising costs of group benefits requires a proactive approach that considers plan design, employee wellness, market comparison, and data-driven decision-making. It is advisable to consult our advisors who specialize in group benefits to navigate the complexities and identify cost-saving opportunities specific to your organization.



Aurora Workplace Solutions design & create custom group benefits plans that meet custom organization goals. Read more about their Group Benefits Plans or contact them today to get started!

'Creating Brilliant Futures'


Aurora Workplace Solutions are Trusted Saskatoon Group Benefits and Insurance Professionals! 



Trusted Saskatoon Furnace & Duct Cleaners at Bridge City Warn About Clothes Dryer Lint Fires

Trusted Saskatoon Furnace & Duct Cleaners Bridge City Duct Cleaning provides both residential duct cleaning and commercial duct cleaning and furnace maintenance services. Their team is professionally trained, qualified, bonded, and factory furnace and duct cleaning technicians. In their latest article, they warn of dryer lint fire hazards. 

Clothes Drying Lint Is A Fire Hazard

A clothes dryer doesn't look scary or dangerous. Unfortunately, it is the cause of over many 1000's of house fires every year totaling millions of dollars in damage. Regular cleaning and maintenance can protect your family and your investment in your home.

Get Rid of Dangerous Lint in the Dryer

If you have a dryer you WILL have lint. Lint builds up in the lint trap but also inside the dryer vent and ductwork, reducing airflow and drying efficiency. Lint can cause humidity levels to rise around vents causing mildew and mold to develop in walls and insulation. But most important: Lint is combustible. Lint causes fires.

Fortunately, removing dangerous lint is simple. The first area to clean after every load is the dryer lint trap by removing the lint from the screen and wiping the edges. If the screen seems clogged, it may be from the dryer sheets you have been using. Submerge the lint screen in a sink of hot water and scrub with a bristle brush to remove all the built-up fabric softener.

The key to success in de-linting a dryer is a dryer lint brush, this long-handled flexible brush will help you reach areas that you cannot get to by hand.

Remove the dryer lint filter. In the opening, use the brush to gently loosen the built-up lint. Don't force the brush if you meet resistance but be sure to clean every surface as much as possible. Remove the big chunks of lint that come out with the brush. Don't worry about the smaller pieces.

Replace the cleaned lint filter. Turn the dryer setting to air only and run for a cycle. This will pull any remaining lint into the filter or blow the loose particles out the outside vent.


Install the Dryer Correctly

A clothes dryer should not vent inside your home or attic. The exhaust contains too much humid air and can cause problems with mold and mildew which are hazardous to your health. A ventless dryer should be used if outside venting is not possible.

The maximum length of a clothes dryer exhaust duct should not exceed 25 feet from the dryer location to the wall or roof termination. The maximum length of the duct should be reduced to two and one-half feet for each 45-degree bend, and five feet for each 90-degree bend. The maximum length of the exhaust duct does not include the transition duct.

Be certain that you have a 220v grounded electrical outlet available for an electric dryer. 

In addition, Summer brings in a lot of dust, pet fur and dander, and all sorts of allergens that can be trapped in ductwork for weeks on end. This only comes out after the ducts and vents warm-up and forced air blows this debris around your home or office. 

Avoid the mess and nuisance by getting the ductwork and vents professionally cleaned and serviced


Call today to book your appointment with Bridge City Duct Cleaning.

Trusted Saskatoon Furnace & Duct Cleaners at Bridge City Compare the Connection Between Allergies and Duct Cleaning

Trusted Saskatoon Furnace & Duct Cleaners Bridge City Duct Cleaning provides both residential duct cleaning and commercial duct cleaning and furnace maintenance services. Their team is professionally trained, qualified, bonded, and factory furnace and duct cleaning technicians. In their latest article, they compare the connection between allergies and duct cleaning. 

What's The Connection Between Allergies and Duct Cleaning?

Trusted Saskatoon Furnace and Duct cleaners have some advice in regards to the connection between allergies and duct cleaning. Could there be a connection between your sneezing and your HVAC ducts? Well, it wouldn’t be the first time that dirty ducts turn out to be the culprit behind air conditioning allergies.

The Link Between Allergies and Duct Cleaning

Does air duct cleaning reduce allergies? Consider this.
What happens when you blow the dust off an object? Often the airborne dust blows back at you. For those with allergies, what happens next is a sneezing fit.

When your HVAC blows air through ducts coated in dust, you end up with airborne dust in your home. So, it makes sense that cleaning dust, allergens and other contaminants from ducts could improve air quality and reduce allergy symptoms.

Poor air quality in your home or business can lead to a laundry list of nagging health issues. Is anyone complaining about eye, ear and throat irritations? Is there a lot of coughing and sneezing going on? How about headaches and dizziness? Well, dirty ducts can make the occupants of your place sick.


Contaminants Circulating Through Your Ducts

When considering allergies and duct cleaning, remember that all your indoor air circulates through your HVAC system and ductwork. Here’s a list of some of the undesirables that can be released into the air:

  • DUST MITES – It’s impossible to keep our homes dust-free when HVAC ducts are spewing out dust particles. Those particles quickly settle on surfaces. Dust is a big problem for allergy sufferers.
  • POLLEN – It’s tracked in on your clothes and shoes. It enters your home through open windows and doors. It’s another allergy sufferer’s enemy and it’s dispersed throughout your space by your HVAC system.
  • PET DANDER – We love our pets, but not everyone might share in our affection. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America estimates 3 in 10 people have allergic reactions to cats and dogs in the U.S. Your ductwork might be spreading dander throughout your space.
  • SMOG – If you think once you shut your door, you’re safe from outdoor pollutants, you’re wrong. Pollutants creep into your home. In fact, the EPA says indoor air is at least 2 to 5 times more polluted than outside!
  • VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS – Most of us don’t think much about VOCs. But they’re all around us. VOCs are harmful gases that are given off by common household items. Cleaning fluids and even printers produce VOCs. Your HVAC system is circulating these VOCs through your ducts.
  • MOLD AND MILDEW – Moisture in your ducts can lead to mold and mildew. When looking into allergies and duct cleaning, if your ducts are moldy, duct cleaning is needed. Mold is responsible for many allergy symptoms.
  • BACTERIA AND VIRUSES – If bacteria and viruses get into your home, they can circulate throughout your indoor space via air ducts and make people sick. In the worst case, you could end up with Sick Building Syndrome.

Other Allergies and Ductwork Cleaning Concerns

Not all the nasty stuff circulating from your ducts will make you sick. Some problems associated with duct issues are more uncomfortable than dangerous. Dirty ducts can produce odors and hot and humid air.


What the EPA Says About Allergies and Ductwork Cleaning

While the EPA hasn’t offered a blanket endorsement on duct cleaning because of the lack of comprehensive information on allergies and ductwork cleaning, it has recommended that you consider duct cleaning in the following instances:
  • There is substantial visible mold growth on surfaces such as ducts or other components of your HVAC system.
  • Ducts are infested with rodents or insect vermin.
  • Ducts are clogged with excessive dust and debris and release these particles into your home from your supply registers

Reducing Allergies and Ductwork Cleaning Benefits

  1. Improve air quality by removing contaminants from ducts
  2. Eliminate odors by ridding your ducts of mold, mildew, rodent droppings and other nasty things.
  3. Reduce dust (one of the primary reasons for allergies and ductwork cleaning.) Not only from the air, but from your furniture and other surfaces.
  4. Increase HVAC system efficiency by unclogging your ducts of debris. If dust and other stuff coats ducts, it interferes with airflow. Reduced airflow causes your HVAC system to work longer and harder. Clean air ducts reduce energy cots and extend the life of your system.

Do You Need Duct Cleaning for Allergies? Call for Inspection.

Were your ducts were properly installed? Has your HVAC system been regularly maintained through a preventative maintenance contract? If so, air duct cleaning for allergies might not be necessary.

However, sometimes ducts become damaged. Pesky rodents can enter ducts and create havoc. Call an HVAC professional to assess whether you need to address allergies and duct cleaning.

Wondering about the connection between your allergies and ductwork cleaning? Choose an HVAC company experienced with ductwork cleaning and certified.


Call today to book your appointment with Bridge City Duct Cleaning.

Trusted Saskatoon Furnace & Duct Cleaners at Bridge City Share 3 Reasons Why Duct Cleaning Benefits You and Your Home

Trusted Saskatoon Furnace & Duct Cleaners Bridge City Duct Cleaning provides both residential duct cleaning and commercial duct cleaning and furnace maintenance services. Their team is professionally trained, qualified, bonded, and factory furnace and duct cleaning technicians. In their latest article, they share 3 reasons why duct cleaning benefits you and your home. 

3 Reasons Why Duct Cleaning Will Benefit You and Your Home

Ducts accumulate dirt, debris, and allergens and over time these particles become airborne every time your heating or cooling equipment turns on. Getting your ducts professionally cleaned helps improve the indoor air quality in your home, and enhances the efficiency of your heating/cooling systems.

Still on the fence? Here are 3 reasons why the choice is simple!

1. Removing Odour

An odor in your home can mean that dust, mold or mildew may be present in the air ducts, fresheners or candles only mask the problem. Air duct cleaning eliminates the smell almost completely.


2. Healthy Living

Removing contaminants which can include, pollen, mold, rodent droppings, and even pet dander from your ducts helps to achieve better indoor air quality which can help to minimize reaction to allergies and asthma.

3. Saving Money

Duct cleaning is an important part of regular maintenance that can help save you money in energy bills. By removing the buildup of dust from cooling system coils will reduce energy usage by up to twenty-one percent, and at the same time prolong the life expectancy of your heating and cooling system.

Call today to book your appointment with Bridge City Duct Cleaning.

Trusted Saskatoon Furnace & Duct Cleaners at Bridge City Explain Why To Clean Your Ducts in Winter

Trusted Saskatoon Furnace & Duct Cleaners Bridge City Duct Cleaning provides both residential duct cleaning and commercial duct cleaning and furnace maintenance services. Their team is professionally trained, qualified, bonded, and factory furnace and duct cleaning technicians. In their latest article, they talk about the number of air vents needed in our homes. The question often comes up: why clean your ducts in winter?

Why Clean Your Ducts in Winter

Getting through a Saskatchewan winter can be tough due to the extreme weather. While playing in the snow and enjoying the winter scenery are nice, escaping within our homes to find warmth is essential. Your home’s duct system is there not only there to keep you warm, but also for your home. If not running efficiently, a number of issues can occur.


1. Save You Money

With the extreme cold that Saskatoon winters bring, it’s inevitable that your duct system is going to be working overtime to heat your home. Naturally, your ducts will collect debris which will block airflow. This obstruction will put more strain on your duct system resulting in inefficiency as well as increased utility bills.  Getting rid of the extra debris in your ducts will allow the system to run more efficiently, saving you money.


2. Improve Your Air Quality

Cold weather forces you to turn your heat on. With your heat on you’re unable to open your windows to get fresh air running through your home. If your windows open and your heat is turned on, you risk the chance of heat escaping and your utility bills climbing. With a lack of fresh air, the air within your home gets recycled through your duct system. Keep in mind that your duct system collects particles and debris over time, and if you haven’t had them cleaned since the summer, there could be lots of pollutants and other allergens being recycled throughout your home. Having your ducts cleaned in the winter will clear them of any leftover debris from the fall and summer, leaving you with clean air.


3. Keeps Your Home Safe

An inefficient duct system can pose a risk at any time. This risk is increased during the Saskatchewan winter months. Without having your ducts cleaned a build-up of particles can lead to serious consequences. One of those particles, lint, commonly found in furniture within your home, can settle into your duct system. Unfortunately, lint is a very flammable material. With constant heat being pumped through your duct system, this can increase the potential of overheating, resulting in the lint igniting. This fire will spread quickly throughout your home and can be detrimental. Be sure to have your ducts cleaned in the winter to prevent such a disaster from happening.

After reading our article, why clean your ducts in Winter, if you aren’t sure if your ducts are blocked or need cleaning, contact Bridge City Duct Cleaning Services today to have them review your situation.

Call today to book your appointment with Bridge City Duct Cleaning.

 

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