Articles – Page 3 of 3 – Murray's Heating & Cooling Solutions

Nov 10

How to Claim FortisBC’s Double Rebates on Furnaces

By service@murrayssolutions.com Furnace

For a limited time, FortisBC is offering double rebates on high-efficiency natural gas furnace upgrades (get your promo code by Dec 31!). Here are the details on how to claim and why you should take advantage of the savings now.

Get Your Promo Code Now, Install Your New Furnace Later

In order to claim your furnace rebate, you need to apply for a promo code by Dec. 31. You have until Mar. 31, 2021 to install the furnace. You can register for a promo code online from FortisBC here.

Installing a New Furnace Can Save Energy

Most furnaces installed before 1990 are lower-efficiency models that average between 60 and 70 percent efficiency. New high-efficiency gas furnaces range from 95 to 99 percent efficiency. On top of this, you have the assurance of warranties of 10 years on all furnace models we install.

Interested in learning more about a furnace replacement? We’re a member of the FortisBC Trade Ally Network and can help you along the way. Contact us for a free estimate or to book your installation.

Interested in financing? Find out financing details and prequalify here in 5 minutes.

Nov 07

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When Should a Hot Water Tank be Replaced?

By service@murrayssolutions.com Plumbing

There are a few signs that a hot water heater may be about to fail you should be on the lookout for. Before seeking these out, you may just want to start with the age of your heater. If your heater is older than 10 years, your insurance may not cover you if a failure happens. Some policies may even be less than 10 years.

How do I find out how old my hot water heater is?

Hot water heaters will have rating plates with a model and serial number. The age of the tank can be found by looking up the manufacturer’s serial number which incorporates the month and year. If the label is missing, there may be a date stamped into the metal.

What are the signs my tank may fail?

Common signs of a tank that may be ready to fail include:

Rust on the tank or in the water
Failure to heat water
Any leaks around the tank
Noisy operation

What’s the most cost effective solution?

In the short term, replacement of a hot water tank is the most cost effective solution. You could repair a tank, but it may not be worthwhile if the tank is getting older for insurance purposes alone.

In the long term, particularly if you plan to own your home for an extended period, you could consider investing in an on demand hot water system (tankless). These can save cost because they won’t need to be replaced at regular intervals and also because they use significantly less energy. Fortis BC offers an energy savings discount of $1000.

Not sure if it’s time to replace your tank? Contact us for a free estimate. We offer up front pricing and have low-interest financing options available to keep you on budget.

May 20

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Is Ductless Mini Split Air Conditioning Right for My Okanagan Home?

By service@murrayssolutions.com Air Conditioning

Ductless mini split systems are an air conditioning option growing in popularity in recent years due to the flexibility of installation and energy efficiency. Whether you are completely new to these systems or have already been considering one, find out if it’s right for your home.

What is a Ductless Mini Split System?

A mini split system functions both as an air conditioner and a heat pump to keep your home comfortable year round. This consists of one or more wall-mounted indoor units and a heat pump located outside your home. The two are connected by a small coolant tube of a half inch or less, making installation much more flexible for homes with no ductwork, heated by baseboards or for older homes where ductwork isn’t adequate for a central air conditioning system.

How Well Do Mini Splits Work in the Okanagan?

In the past decade demand has grown in cold climates for ductless mini split air conditioning heat pump combo units, as such, the technology has greatly improved. Where these systems would have previously struggled in our colder Okanagan climate, they can often be the perfect choice to regulate your home’s temperature. These systems have now gotten efficient enough where BC Hydro offers a rebate of $1200 for a single interior unit up to $2000 for homes with multiple units.

What are the Benefits of a Mini Split vs a Window Mounted Air Conditioner?

Mini splits are a larger upfront investment over a traditional window mounted air conditioner. With this investment, there are significant benefits in the long term such as:

Peace-of-mind for the 10 year warranty
Energy efficiency improvements of up to 40%
Mini splits look better indoor and outdoor (the heat pump may also be hidden)
Quieter operation inside your home
Increased home security (windows remain closed)
Mini splits are permanent installations, adding value to your home

What Are the Best Applications for a Mini Split Installation?

Areas Not Covered by Your Current Heating & Cooling System

For areas such as new additions, solariums, or garage suites that weren’t originally designed to be serviced by your existing heating & cooling system, a mini split system is an excellent solution. The added benefit of a mini split AC system is that they also contain a heat pump to keep the area warm in the winter.

Older Homes Without Ducting or Without Adequate Ducting

If you own an older home heated by baseboards, installing a ducting system would require a major renovation, but because a mini split air conditioner and heat pump only requires a small cooling line, this opens up the heating and cooling options. If you have an older home where ducting wasn’t designed to be heated and cooled in different zones, a mini split would be the only alternative to an entire overhaul of your ducting system.

Homes With a Desire for Climate Controlled Zones

From a home with infrequently used areas to a difference of opinion on a comfortable room room temperature, adding mini split units to multiple areas of your home is an excellent way to control temperature in zones. This not only keeps everyone in your home happy, but also reduces your bills because of the ability to stop heating or cooling an area at the flick of a switch.

Can I Install My Own Mini Split?

Installing your own as a DIY project is of course always an option. The potential downside, however, is that if the application isn’t correct for the space, you may lose out on the energy efficiency in the long term. We are certified with Canada’s Thermal Environmental Comfort Association, so we can advise you on the best use of heating and cooling energy.

Contact us if you would like to learn more. We offer free quotes and also service existing air conditioners so you can weigh your options.

Apr 20

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How to Improve Home Indoor Air Quality – HVAC Tips During COVID-19

By service@murrayssolutions.com HVAC

As COVID-19 forces all into our homes, here in the Okanagan we face unique challenges as we look to socially distance. In addition to the summer heat, air pollution from fire season both increases risk of a severe reaction to respiratory illnesses such as COVID-19 as well as making you more susceptible to contracting a viral infection by decreasing immune function. In order to keep your home comfortable, and you as safe as possible, we have a number of recommended components to help maintain your air quality.

Purify Air with a UV Filtration System

While the threat of COVID-19 is mainly limited to surfaces, improving overall air quality reduces risk of potential lung irritation. A UV filtration system removes pollen and dust allergens as well as killing airborne mold spores, bacteria, and viruses. In multi-unit dwellings, UV filters have the added benefits of removing pet and cooking smells when air is shared between units.

Learn more

Filter Air with a Central Air Purifier

A high-efficiency option for central air homes is the addition of a filtration system to your home air ducts. Filtration systems are effective at filtering influenza and streptococcus aureus pathogens from the air as well as removing dust and allergens. Filtration systems pull particles down to 0.1 microns, capturing those produced by forest fire smoke which are typically 2.5 microns.

Learn more

Cool & Filter Air with Central Air Conditioning

It remains uncertain how long we may be kept indoors for public safety. During a hot Okanagan summer, it could be particularly challenging if beaches, pools, and public parks remain closed. A single central unit offers quieter operation, a longer lifespan, and takes up less space than multiple units hanging out of windows. The added benefit of a central system is that it not only cools your home’s air, but also circulates and filters air throughout the home.

Learn more

Cool & Filter Air with Mini Split Air Conditioning

If your home has no central air ducts and is heated by baseboards, ductless mini split air conditioning systems are a sleek and more energy efficient option than traditional units that hang out of windows. The units are so efficient that they even qualify for energy saving rebates of up to $1000 from BC Hydro and up to $2000 from Fortis BC. Similar to the larger central air systems, mini splits offer air filtration in addition to cooling benefits to improve your indoor air quality.

Learn more

Contact us to learn more about the home comfort product that’s right for you. We’re still operational during COVID-19 restrictions. We take extra precautions for sanitization and hand washing and have residents leave the home during installations to reduce your risk of contamination.