Frequently Asked Cooling & Heating Questions

Air conditioners are expensive but necessary home appliances. And, it’s natural to want to avoid putting in a new system unless you absolutely have to. Repairs are often much cheaper than a new system installation, so homeowners often keep going down that route, often to the point of diminishing returns. If you’re on the fence about whether to pay the money to get a new air conditioner installation or continue repairing your current model, here are a few things to help you decide. The most important factor determining whether to repair or replace your air conditioner is the age of your current system. No matter how well-maintained your air conditioner is, it will eventually wear out and require replacing. Typically, the average lifespan of an air conditioner is between 10 and 15 years. Once your system reaches double digits in age, it’s best to start saving for a replacement. Why? Because as your system reaches the end of its lifespan, it becomes less efficient and more expensive to repair. Eventually, you’re spending more fixing your system every year than if you put that money towards a new unit. Another thing to consider is if your air conditioner uses R22 refrigerant, commonly referred to as Freon. Freon stopped being produced in January 2020 and isn’t available for import, which means if your system uses Freon, you’re limited to whatever stock is left, if any. If you need a refrigerant recharge and your system uses Freon, you may find the recharge is nearly as expensive as installing a new air conditioner. Lastly, check how often you’re repairing your air conditioner. If you find that you’re shelling out money every season to keep your system running, it’s more economical to upgrade instead of keeping the system that’s on life support running for another year. If you’re still unsure which way to go, call one of our expert HVAC technicians for a no-obligation consultation.

If you live in an apartment or home without ducts, you may be jealous of homeowners with central HVAC systems because of the even cooling they provide. And maybe you’ve considered a ductless mini-split system but are wondering if they can do the same job as a central air conditioner and if they’re worth the money. The truth is that, in some ways, ductless systems are superior to their HVAC counterparts, and here’s why. Mini-split cooling systems offer more flexibility over other AC systems. Ductless systems can come with up to four indoor air distributing units, each of which is connected to an outdoor unit. This means that you can position these units in four separate rooms to set up cooling zones throughout the house. This is an advantage over HVAC systems because with selective cooling; you save money on your energy bills. Another thing to consider is the cost savings you get when installing a mini-split system because you don’t have to cut ductwork into your house to install these air conditioners. Also, it’s known that HVAC systems can lose up to 30 percent of their energy through leaks in the ducts, which translates into wasted money. Mini-split systems are far more efficient, saving you money while providing better performance. Lastly, if you’re used to using window air conditioners to cool your home, you’re no doubt aware of the security risk that comes with them. It’s easy for a would-be home intruder to remove the window unit and gain access to your house, which isn’t a problem with a ductless mini-split system. Ductless mini-split air conditioners aren’t right for every home, but they might be a perfect fit for you. Call one of our cooling specialists today to find out.

When warm weather arrives, people’s air conditioners will be working overtime to keep the house cool and comfortable, and it’s bound to happen that some of these systems will fail under the heavy workload. If your air conditioner isn’t putting out the cold air you desire, or if it won’t come on at all no matter how you set the thermostat, there are a few things you can check before calling for an emergency air conditioner repair. If the air isn’t as cold as you want, check the air filter to make sure it’s clean and there aren’t any obstructions near the compressor. Next, if the system isn’t blowing air, check the thermostat and make sure it’s set a few degrees lower than the room temperature and that it’s set to ‘cooling mode.’ Lastly, check the circuit breakers to ensure the air conditioner is getting power. If your air conditioner frequently turns on and off or won’t shut off, inspect your registers to determine if air is blowing directly onto the thermostat, which will cause it to malfunction. If you notice ice on the system, it could be that dirty air filter that’s to blame or check to see if the coils are dirty. Also, inspect the vents for obstructions. After performing all of these troubleshooting tips, your air conditioner still isn’t performing to your satisfaction, call Central Heating for an inspection.

Your furnace is one of the most essential appliances in the home, especially during a deep winter freeze. And because these machines are complex and contain many parts, there’s a lot that can go wrong. You can avoid most furnace problems by performing yearly maintenance and tune-ups; however, some problems can crop up no matter how diligent you are. Here are the most common furnace problems we run into. Your Furnace Isn’t Producing Heat Your furnace has only one job, and that’s producing heat to keep you warm. If you’re not getting the temperature you want or if you’re not getting hot air at all, you might think it’s time to call for emergency furnace repair, but the problem might not be that serious. In some cases, the problem is because the fan setting on your thermostat is turned off or it’s not set to ‘heating’ mode. Another reason could be the filter is dirty, which is typical for air conditioners too. The Furnace Keeps Turning On and Off It’s normal for your furnace to undergo more frequent on/off cycles as the temperature gets colder. However, if the system rapidly turns on and off before reaching the desired temperature, it could be that there’s a lack of airflow in the furnace, causing it to overheat. Most modern furnaces have safety features that shut the system down when it gets too hot. And, of course, a dirty or clogged air filter can also cause this problem, so you must keep your furnace and air conditioner filters clean for optimal operation. The Furnace is Noisy Virtually every furnace makes noise when it’s running; however, we’re not talking about the ambient hum you’re familiar with; we’re talking about banging, rattling, grinding, or squealing noises. These noises are indicative of loose parts or bearings that need lubrication. In most cases, unusual furnace noises should be checked out by a professional HVAC technician because it usually means you have parts that need replacing. If you have furnace or heater problems you can’t solve by troubleshooting them yourself, call Central Heating to book an appointment with one of our certified heating specialists.

Your heating and cooling system can make up over half of your utility expenses, which means it’s in your best interest to keep your system tuned-up and as energy-efficient, as you can, and here are a few tips to do that. Keep The Area Around the Condenser Unit Clean Your outdoor condenser unit will run more efficiently if the area around it is clear of leaves, grass, and other debris. Vacuum Indoor Vents & Keep Them Free From Blockages Keep your indoor vents clean and free from blockages to ensure strong airflow and reduce the strain on your HVAC system. Bump The Thermostat a Few Degrees By adjusting the thermostat 5 to 8 degrees down in winter and up in summer, you can save energy and money on your utility bills. Also, consider upgrading to a programmable thermostat for more precise temperature control. Keep Curtains & Blinds Closed During summer, you can reduce the strain on your air conditioner by keeping the sun out of the house as much as possible. Upgrade Your Insulation If your home is well-insulated, your HVAC system won’t have to work as hard to maintain the desired temperature. So, call a professional to evaluate your home’s insulation and recommend where it can be improved.

In areas like Barrie with hard water you can usually expect to get 10-12 years max out of a water heater. The scale from the water builds up in the bottom, causing the tank to overheat and crack the welded seams on the tank vessel.

A tankless water heater uses a large burner to heat water up very quickly when you open a tap, versus a tank that has a relatively small burner that keeps a body of hot water warm until you need it. The savings for both space and fuel costs can be great with a tankless water heater.

Yes we have ductless air conditioners & heat pumps that provide both heating and cooling all in one package. Ductless is both a quiet and efficient way to heat and cool a home.

Depending on the age of the system, you can save anywhere from 10-30% of your current operating costs. In some cases, enough to pay off the system in 5 years.

Your system may be fine. It could be the ductwork in forced-air systems, or the piping in boiler systems. Most homes that were built within the last 20 years or so, don’t have enough cold air returns to properly circulate the air in the home. Every room should have a cold air return, but builders cheat and put one in a hallway and undercut the doors. So if you sleep with your doors closed in your house you may find that the rooms get cold. Another cause is blocking off both supply and return ducting in the home. New furnaces can negate some of these effects if they are two stages, or modulating by using slower burner rates and air flows. The hot air is less likely to stratify to the ceiling, and give you are warmer temperature near your feet.

Here is the short answer: if your furnace is 25 years or less then for the most part no. Most furnaces from this era forward have a spark ignition or a hot surface igniter (like your oven). This is done to save gas from running a pilot constantly.

It’s typical when a furnace is blowing cold air, and your thermostat is calling for heat, that the furnace has locked out. This means that you need to call a service tech to get the furnace to operate again.