Frequently Asked Questions
How often should you service a furnace?
You should service a furnace once a year to maintain its efficiency, increase its lifespan, and to maintain your warranty. Proof of annual service by a licensed technician is required for any warranty claims.
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How often should you service an air conditioner?
You should service an air conditioner once a year to maintain its efficiency, increase its lifespan, and to maintain your warranty. Proof of annual service by a licensed technician is required for any warranty claims.
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What should I check if my furnace stops working?
At the first sign of issues, we recommend first checking your thermostat, changing your filter, and making sure there aren’t any items obstructing your heating vents. If that doesn’t solve the issue, it’s a good time to call us for a repair. You should be cautious when working with gas and electricity.
Is it worth it to repair my furnace?
If a furnace is more than 20 years old, it’s less worth it to do a major repair. Furnaces that are made in 1990 or earlier will often be 20-30% less efficient than a modern furnace that runs at 95-99% efficiency. This reduction in your monthly bills tends to pay for itself fairly quickly.
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Do you need to replace your furnace and AC at the same time?
While it’s not a requirement to change both systems at the same time, there are significant benefits. This includes savings in overall installation costs if the second unit fails shortly after, increased energy efficiency, and saving your components from undue stress.
Read our full article on furnace and AC replacement
How much does it cost to service a furnace?
We charge $149.99 to do a complete warranty approved service. There are companies that offer this service for a lower price, however, we do full removal and blower cleaning. Not all companies will. We also offer our service without the need to sign a service contract, so you can switch at any time if you aren’t happy with the quality of our service.
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Are Tempstar HVAC products any good?
Tempstar products are very dependable and efficient. They are backed by some of the best warranties in the industry and are a unit of International Comfort Products owned by Carrier.
What’s the most efficient way to heat and cool a home in the Okanagan?
The most efficient heating and cooling for a home is a central air system with a central furnace and air conditioner. If a home does not have ductwork, mini splits are the most efficient option in the Okanagan climate.
Can you switch from baseboard heat to central air?
Technically you can switch from baseboard heat to central air, but it will be a major renovation in the tens of thousands of dollars. We usually recommend a mini split heating and cooling system as an alternative because energy is transferred through narrow refrigerant tubes that offer easier installation options without the need to tear into walls and ceilings.
What is a ductless mini split system?
A mini split system functions both as a heat pump in the winter and an air conditioner in the summer. This consists of one or more wall-mounted indoor units and a heat pump located outside your home. The two components are connected by small refrigerant lines, making installation locations much more flexible.
Where Do Mini Splits Work Best?
Ductless mini splits work best in areas not covered by central air, homes without ducting, homes without adequate ducting, or homes with a desire for climate controlled zones. They are most cost-effective in homes with open concepts where only a few indoor units are required.
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What are the benefits of mini splits vs baseboard heaters?
The benefits of mini splits vs baseboards heaters are increased energy efficiency of 20-50%, increased air quality and quality of heat because of air circulation, as well as the dual purpose functionality of air conditioning.
Is it worth switching to on-demand hot water instead of a hot water tank?
Over time on demand hot water heaters often work out to be a cost savings because of the energy efficiency and a much longer lifespan than a tank. On demand hot water heaters are also eligible for a $1000 energy saving rebate from FortisBC to subsidize the upfront cost.
Read our top reasons to consider tankless hot water
When should a hot water tank be replaced?
A hot water tank should be replaced when there is rust on the tank, water isn’t heating properly, there are signs of water leakage, or operation becomes noisy. If there aren’t any of these signs, you should consult your home insurance policy, which can often only cover tanks 7-10 years. In the event of a failure, you may not be covered.
Read our full article on hot water tank replacement
When should I call a plumber to fix a clogged drain?
You should try a plunger on a drain and if you are comfortable with it, remove the trap. You should call a plumber before the issue gets to be an emergency because a 24/7 service call can often be twice the cost.
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Do chemical drain cleaners work?
You should avoid using chemical cleaners because they can often only temporarily fix the issue by attacking the point of least resistance. They can weaken your pipes and cause major issues over time.