Lendrix HVAC Blog

Top 7 Reasons Your Furnace Isn’t Heating Properly in Calgary

Thu, 30 Oct 2025 22:02:12 GMT

Is your Calgary furnace blowing cold air or just not running like it used to? Learn the seven most common causes and how to fix them before winter hits.

When Calgary’s temperatures plunge below zero, a malfunctioning furnace can go from inconvenient to urgent overnight. If your system isn’t heating your home like it used to, it’s often due to a few common (and fixable) issues.

1. Dirty or Clogged Air Filter

A clogged filter restricts airflow, forcing your furnace to work harder and deliver less heat. Calgary’s dry, dusty winters make this one of the top culprits—check and replace filters every one to three months.

2. Thermostat Settings or Malfunction

Sometimes the issue isn’t the furnace—it’s the thermostat. Dead batteries, old wiring, or incorrect settings can all cause poor performance.

3. Blocked or Leaky Ductwork

Leaky ducts mean heat escapes before reaching your rooms. A quick inspection and sealing by a technician can improve efficiency dramatically.

4. Pilot Light or Ignition Problems

Older gas furnaces rely on a pilot light, while modern models use electronic ignition. If the flame won’t stay lit, call a professional—gas handling is best left to experts.

5. Blower Motor Issues

A weak or failing blower can’t push enough air through your ducts. You might hear whirring or grinding noises before complete failure.

6. Dirty Burners or Sensors

Dust and soot buildup prevent efficient combustion, especially after long periods without maintenance. Annual cleaning prevents this.

7. System Age

If your furnace is more than 15 years old, declining heat output might simply mean it’s time to replace it with a high-efficiency model.

Don’t wait for the next cold snap—schedule a furnace inspection with Lendrix HVAC Services today. We keep Calgary homes warm, safe, and efficient.

Written by the team at Lendrix HVAC Services Inc., proudly serving Calgary, Okotoks, Airdrie, Cochrane, Chestermere, and High River, Alberta.

AC Over 10 Years Old? - Why You Should Replace Today

Sun, 11 Aug 2019 18:00:00 GMT

As you inspect the state of your old Air Conditioner, you’re probably wondering when is the ideal time to replace it. Here’s a few things you should consider while you’re weighing your options:

That old system probably has R-22 (freon) as a coolant in it. R-22 units are no longer made and are being phased out permanently. They are getting harder and more expensive to repair by the day. New units today use an environmentally friendly R-410a refrigerant that is readily available and safer for our ozone layer.
Energy is getting more expensive every year, and your cooling costs are rising each time the cost of power increases. Newer high efficiency central air conditioners can save you up to use anywhere up to 60% over even a 5 year old unit.
On going cost of owning and maintaining an older unit can be expensive. Most of our new Lennox Brand Air Conditioners have at least 10 year compressor and parts warranties, which means less worry about service repairs.
Shhh . . . quiet. Our new units are much quieter than the old units. We have Air Conditioners like the new Super Efficient Lennox XC25 with sound ratings as low as 59dB,. Compared to some of the older cooling systems, it’s like the difference between the sound of heavy city traffic vs a quiet office. It’s a win win for you and your neighbors.
Many of our new Lennox Air conditioning units are designed to work in concert with your indoor air handling unit. They use communicating technology to optimize the operation and performance of the system under a multitude of design conditions. This advanced technology also allows for quicker diagnostic and repairs, and with the proper control, we can see this online.
Take advantage of of staged cooling. In our area, most homes have a forced air furnaces paired with their cooling system. Many of these systems have multi-stage fans that in many cases work with a dual stage AC unit. A two stage air conditioner uses less energy because it doesn’t have to work full out if the outdoor temperatures do not require it. It also gives better dehumidifying and reduces the swing between the actual temperature and the set point on your thermostat.
Replacing your equipment now means you can get the unit right-sized for your home. Many, many homes have the wrong equipment installed. This results in poor cooling, poor dehumidifying and costly utility bills. Our certified techs do a load calculation with a CSA approved program to ensure you get the right sized unit. We guarantee it, and we do the load calcs and the equipment estimate for free!
Inverter compressors are now available for Central Air Conditioning and Heat Pumps! Recently, Lennox introduced inverter compressors into their residential lines. Even better than a two stage air conditioner, the inverter compressor has variable capacity in increments as low as 1%. This means using only as much power as you need, when you need it. And this type of system is unmatched when you consider its’ efficiency at up to 25 SEER. And of course, variable capacity means less sound, more dehumidifying and the ultimate in customer satisfaction.
New HVAC equipment adds to the value of your home. Having new equipment can be a selling feature for potential new homeowners. Who would know better about the homes comfort and performance than the existing owner? If you’re leaving the old equipment for the next home owner to replace, it can reflect on the selling price, the attractiveness of your home or both. You may as well replace it now and get some enjoyment and energy savings out of it yourself.
That being said, it’s so important to select the best equipment for your comfort and budget, but make sure you’re dealing with someone you can trust and has a great pnline presence and reputation. A great installation with top notch equipment and the service to back it up. That makes all the difference.

If you'd like and estimate to replace your old inefficient AC,

Buying A New Home? Have The HVAC System Inspected By A Licensed Tech

Mon, 05 Aug 2019 07:10:47 GMT

Buying a new home requires a substantial sum of money upfront and will most certainly require additional financial investments throughout the years. To limit the number of surprises down the line, it’s important to know all the facts before you fully commit to buying a home. A proper HVAC inspection is essential to determine if the home is a sound investment.

General Home Inspections Aren’t Enough

As it currently stands, there is no required license or regulating body monitoring home inspectors. As a result, home inspections are not always a reliable report on the state of a home’s HVAC system. If a home inspector is unfamiliar with the mechanics of home comfort systems, there are many potential problems or issues that could be missed.

HVAC Inspection Details

To determine the overall health of an HVAC system, an in-depth inspection of the unit must occur, including the following:

Specifics of the System

There are many options to heat and cool a home. Furnaces, boilers, heat pumps and geothermal are the most popular heating methods and each has their ideal application. A professional will be able to determine if the right HVAC system is installed, if it’s the correct size for the home and if there are any safety concerns with the installation.

Longevity of the Unit

Depending on the specific make and model, most home comfort systems last an average of 10-15 years. A dedicated HVAC professional can make an educated assessment of the lifespan of your specific unit, taking into consideration the installation date, the unit’s manufacturer, how the installation was performed and the upkeep of the unit.

Past Maintenance Records and Applicable Warranties

Manufacturers parts warranties and/or installer labour guarantees are a necessity to keep repair bills to a minimum, but often require annual maintenance to maintain validity. In addition, many heating and cooling companies require inspections prior to granting protection plans. With an HVAC inspection, a professional can audit the paperwork to ensure there was never a gap in yearly maintenance.

Having to replace a furnace or air conditioner unexpectedly can create financial hardships for an unsuspecting new homeowner. Ensure you get a proper HVAC inspection prior to purchasing your home and don’t rely solely on a general home inspector.

To book a full HVAC inspection when buying or selling your home,

Benefits Of A High Efficiency AC

Sun, 28 Jul 2019 17:00:00 GMT

At the height of summer, temperatures across Canadian cities can soar. Unfortunately, some homeowners will learn that their AC system can’t keep up with the demand and will have to call for air conditioner service. Instead of wasting money on constant repairs for an old system—upgrade to a new high efficiency air conditioner and enjoy the benefits of increased efficiency, comfort and reliability.

Increased Efficiency

This one is obvious. Technology has drastically improved and air conditioners sold today are far more energy efficient than older models. When you replace your system with a new high efficiency air conditioner, you’ll likely notice a decrease in monthly energy bills.

Increased Comfort

As air conditioners age, it can be harder for systems to keep a steady temperature throughout the house. Additionally, it could take longer for the AC to cool the entire space, affecting your comfort during hot summer days. With an AC upgrade, you can expect more consistent cooling from your system. Some units like the Lennox XC25 are able to control temperture with 0.5 degrees at all times.

Increased Reliability

An older AC is more prone to breakdowns simply because of the years of wear and tear it has endured and will likely require more service and repairs than a new system. Also, manufacturer warranties usually expire after a decade, so if you’re AC is older than 10 years, you’ll be responsible for covering the cost of replacement parts and labour. Upgrading to a new high efficiency air conditioner can be a financial investment but it’s often a more economical option than continually spending money on neverending repairs.

If you're thinking of upgrading to a high efficiency AC unit.

4 Signs It's Time For A New AC

Sun, 21 Jul 2019 17:00:00 GMT

Air conditioners seem to break down at the most inconvenient time, usually on the hottest day of the year. Instead of waiting until your cooling system won’t turn on when you need it—be proactive and schedule replacement. There are a number of indications that it’s time to replace the AC, but there are 4 signs that a breakdown could be imminent.

1. Increased Need for Repairs

As air conditioners age, there’s an increased chance for more repairs—especially systems that haven’t been properly maintained with annual inspections or tune-ups. However, if you’re having to call an HVAC technician to your home multiple times a season for repairs, it’s definitely a sign that you’re going to need air conditioner replacement in the near future.

2. Energy Bills are Increasing and Comfort is Decreasing

An AC system that is struggling to keep your home cool and comfortable will likely use more energy. Monthly hydro bills that are creeping up—without any explanation—is often an indication that an air conditioner won’t last much longer.

3. New and Strange AC Sounds

An AC system should be unobtrusive—you shouldn’t really hear it while it’s running. However, when parts start to wear down or need to be replaced, you could start hearing grinding or whining sounds. If your air conditioner starts operating loudly, it’s often a symptom of a bigger problem and could be a sign of a complete system shut-down.

4. Air Conditioner Age Decades Old

Air conditioners don’t last forever; the average lifespan of a system is between 15 to 20 years. That means systems that were installed in the early 2000s (or earlier) will likely need replacement soon. Make sure you know the date your system was installed so that you can properly budget and plan for replacement.

If you think it's time for an AC upgrade.

Air Conditioners - How Long Do They Last?

Sun, 14 Jul 2019 17:00:00 GMT

Whole-home air conditioning systems are a financial investment, so it’s important to install one that will provide comfort for years to come. There are many factors that can affect the lifespan of an AC, but generally, you can expect an air conditioner to last between 12 and 15 years. Some Higher end models can last up to 25 years with maintenance and care. Proper maintenance and a quality installation can extend the life of your air conditioner—while neglect can significantly shorten its ability to keep the home cool and comfortable.

An air conditioner is a mechanical system that needs routine maintenance. Just like a car needs oil changes, a cooling system requires yearly tune-ups. A licensed AC technician can clean and inspect components as well as make small adjustments to increase efficiency and comfort. In addition, annual maintenance allows a service technician to spot problems early—before they turn into expensive repairs.

Another factor that affects how long an air conditioner lasts is the quality of installation. Installing a properly sized system, using the correct amount of refrigerant and ensuring there is enough clearance around the condenser can all affect performance and how long an air conditioner lasts. That’s why it’s extremely important to use a reputable cooling company when upgrading your AC system.

If your air conditioner was installed in the early 2000s, you’re likely going to need an upgrade in the near future. Instead of waiting for your AC to break down, schedule replacement so that you stay cool and comfortable all summer long!

If you'd like to book a FREE estimate to install a new AC or replace your old one.

5 Easy Tips For First Time Homeowners

Sun, 07 Jul 2019 17:00:00 GMT

Congratulations! You did it. Buying a home for the first time is one of the most exiting, life changing experiences a person will go through. It can also be one of the most stressful things you’ve encountered to this point. Now that you’ve got the keys there are a few things you should look into right away to ensure your new pad is as comfortable and safe as possible.

1. Check Wooden Decks for Moisture . Before you set out your new patio chairs, run a quick moisture check on your wooden decks. Simply spray the deck with a hose or pour water on top and watch to see if the water turns to beads or is absorbed into the wood. If the latter happens, it is likely time to re-seal the deck. Doing this before humidity and rain sets in will save you from costly repairs or replacements in the future.

2. Inspect the Attic - Make a quick trip up to your attic to inspect your fans and insulation. These resources can help regulate temperatures in your home and can even help you save money. Consider replacing electric fans with solar fans and adding new insulation to keep your home comfortable and energy efficient.

3. Inspect Your Fireplace . Even if it’s not the season to sit by the fire, it’s important to make sure your chimney is clear and clean. Be sure to have a professional examine your chimney cap and flashing to avoid having rain fall into your home, and inspect your chimney to make sure there aren’t any blockages from animals or leaves.

4. Locate Your Home’s Main Water Shutoff Valve . Be sure to ask your home inspector or previous owner where your main water shutoff valve is located, in case you need to shut off the water to your entire house. Based on your area’s climate, the location of your shutoff valve may vary. Know what tools you may need to turn the valve off, just in case you have a broken pipe or broken appliance, to avoid flooding your home in the future.

5. Inspect your HVAC Systems . Have a Qualified Service technician thoroughly inspect your entre HVAC system. HVAC is not only one of the most important systems in your home, it can also be one of the most costly to repair. Your Technician will clean and inspect your outdoor A/C unit. All electrical and mechanical components should be tested and checked for wear and tear and replaced as needed. A detailed inspection of your furnace and water heater should be performed. Leaky joints in the any visible ductwork should be noted and repaired. All exhaust fans in the home should be tested and cleaned. Keeping your HVAC system in top shape with a yearly service will mitigate costly repairs and the stress of waking up to a freezing house with no hot water in dead of winter. Or coming home from work to find your home is an oven on a +35 degree day in July.

If you’d like to book a complete HVAC inspection for your home.

Online Shopping - Not For HVAC

Sun, 30 Jun 2019 17:00:00 GMT

Online shopping is undeniably convenient — making a purchase from the comfort of your couch? Yes, please! But despite the convenience, there are still some items you don’t want to buy online — and one of those is your HVAC system.

While it may seem tempting to purchase a HVAC system online and you may be able to find a good deal on an online auction site, picking your HVAC system off the Internet is setting you up for trouble in the long run. Here’s what you need to know if you’re considering shopping for your HVAC system online:

No Warranty

When you purchase a HVAC system from a licensed retailer, you’re likely also buying a warranty. In some cases, the warranty can even last as long as the unit itself, so it’s a great deal in the end. But if you’re buying your HVAC system from an unauthorized online dealer, there’s likely no warranty included, which means you’re on the hook for repairs and part replacements. All of a sudden that “great price” isn’t looking so great.

Installation Not Included

Buying a HVAC system from an online auction site usually means you’re getting the system shipped to you — and then you have to figure out how to get it in your house. That can mean hiring another company to install it for you, and the bad news that most quality HVAC system installers aren’t going to install a random unit you bought online. Yes, you can turn to less qualified installers, or even try to DIY it (We strongly advise you not to try this!!!), but that in turn is going to lead to problems down the line. An improperly installed HVAC system won’t work as well, will be less energy efficient, and will actually reduce the lifespan — meaning, again, you’re not actually saving that much.

Sizing Matters

Perhaps the biggest problem with purchasing an unknown HVAC system off the Internet is that you won’t know if it’s the right size for your home. And unlike clothing, HVAC systems aren’t measured in one-size-fits-all units. System size is measured in BTUs and tonnes, and that number can be tailored to your house. An HVAC system that’s too small will always be running — leading to huge utility bills — and one that’s too large will cool your home too quickly, making it uncomfortable.

The bottom line?

Any potential savings you can gain by buying a cheaper HVAC system online are quickly lost when it comes to practice. By paying a slightly higher price at an authorized HVAC dealer, you’re not only getting warranty, installation, and the correct sizing — you’re also getting peace of mind. Your home comfort relies a great deal on your HVAC system. Do you really want to leave that up to chance?

To book a FREE estimate for an HVAC system upgrade.

10 Ways To "Go Green" At Home

Sun, 23 Jun 2019 17:00:00 GMT

“Going green” has been a popular buzzword for the past couple of years, as businesses and households all over the world make changes to benefit the environment and reduce their carbon footprint. While living an eco-friendly lifestyle might sound like a massive undertaking, making gradual changes to your day-to-day routine can be quite simple, and can potentially have an enormous impact.

Here are our top 10 tips for going green at home!

1. Use energy star products

ENERGY STAR® products meet strict technical specifications for energy performance, and are typically in the top 15 to 30% of their class. Because they use less energy, these products also lessen greenhouse gas emissions, helping to reduce the impact on the environment

2. Change lightbulbs

Compact fluorescent lightbulbs could potentially last up to 10 times longer than standard incandescent bulbs, while consuming about 75% less energy. Unlike incandescent bulbs, CFLs convert most of the energy they use into light rather than heat. However, incandescent light bulbs must be recycled properly. On a landfill they are potentially bad to the environment because they contain mercury.

LED lightning doesn’t contain mercury; it lasts up to 25 times longer and uses up to 75% less energy than standard incandescent lightning. In Ontario, you can even get incentives if you change to LED lightning, have a look at saveonenergy.ca.

3. Reusable products

Many of the products we use every day go to waste, when we can be using reusable products instead. For starters, eliminating the use of plastic water bottles or disposable bags in favor of reusable bottles and bags can potentially make a big difference to your ecological footprint.

4. Pay bills online

Using less paper is getting easier with the amount of information we have available on our computers and smartphones. File your taxes electronically to cut back on paper usage and, where possible, request to receive and pay your bills online instead of through the mail. Consider canceling your newspaper or magazine subscription and reading the news online instead.

5. Schedule a home energy audit

An energy assessment or a home energy audit will provide you with information on where you can save money on your energy bills. This service will let you know if your energy dollars are leaking through the windows, or even out your front door. A whole house energy assessment can give you all these answers and more.

6. Fix leaky faucets

Household water consumption is on the rise, while concerns about water shortages in the near future continue to circulate. Stemming the flow of water is as easy as fixing a leaky faucet or toilet. A dripping faucet could potentially waste more than 250 liters of water per day, and a leaky toilet more than 700 liters per day. You can also save money by fixing leaks, as a leak of one drip per second could potentially cost as much as $1 per month.

7. Make use of windows and skylights

Instead of opening windows here and there, have windows open on both sides of your home, including the side that’s receiving wind that day. Setting a fan in the downwind windows to draw out warm air faster also boosts airflow and cooling.

8. Turn off standby power

Eliminate lost power by identifying which appliances and electronics are using power when in the off positions, and putting them on a power strip with an off button. You can also purchase a “smart power strip”, which work to reduce your power usage by automatically shutting down power to products that go into standby mode.

9. Upgrade your HVAC system

Making an upgrade to your HVAC system, especially if your equipment is more than 10 years old can save you a bundle on your energy bills. There are many different types of equipment all with differing efficiency ratings. Running high efficient equipment using a smart thermostat can save you hundreds of dollars per year. But don't stop there, regular system maintenance will ensure your equipment is running at peak efficiency for the duration of it's lifespan.

10. Upgrade your insulation

Adding insulation to prevent leaky, windows, and doors can potentially improve your home’s energy draw significantly. If redoing your insulation isn’t in your budget, try thermal shades, which can block the sun in the summer and retain heat in the winter, or even something as low tech as a draft guard on your outside doors.

For information on how you can save money through your HVAC system this year.

Making The Switch To Tankless Water Heaters

Sun, 16 Jun 2019 17:00:00 GMT

Whether your home improvement goal is to increase your family’s comfort or raise the resale value of your property, switching to a tankless water heater is a great idea. Not only does it use one-third less energy than a conventional storage tank water heater, it’s also extremely space efficient and provides an endless supply of hot water.

Unlike traditional water heaters, which store and heat large quantities of water, tankless systems heat water on demand using a heat exchanger. Activated by incoming water, the exchanger eliminates standby heat loss by efficiently heating cold water to a pre-set temperature as it is needed.

There are 3 big benefits to a tankless water heater:

Energy Efficient : With today’s ever-increasing energy costs, home equipment designed for low-cost operation makes sense – and a lot of cents.

Convenient : Tankless heaters usually take up less space than your typical carry-on suitcase so they fit practically anywhere. Plus, most models are designed and outfitted with modern digital displays and controls, making them exceptionally easy to use.

Continuous : Cost-savings and size aside, maybe the best reason to switch to tankless is that it offers a continuous supply. The days of running out of hot water in the morning, because three other members of your family took showers before you, are over.'

While tankless water heaters are considerably smaller than traditional water heaters, it’s still essential to consult a professional to have one installed – as well to discuss the model best suited to the size of your household and particular lifestyle.

If you're ready to make the switch and live the tankless lifestyle.

Air Conditioning Repair – Why it Should Be Left to the Experts, Not the Handymen

Sun, 09 Jun 2019 17:00:00 GMT

When that Calgary summer is in full swing, we all rush to the air-conditioned rooms whether they’re at work or in our homes, and try our best to cool down. That’s why it can be a nightmare when the unit is faulty and in need of repair. Whilst it may be tempting to get it fixed on the cheap by a handyman, here’s why you should look to the experts when it comes to air conditioning repair.

1. If you don’t know what you’re doing, there could be grave consequences

Dramatic though it may sound, it’s true that a poorly repaired or maintained air conditioning unit could lead to serious health problems and even death. If a handyman carries out your air conditioning repair with little to no experience, then the chances of this happening skyrocket. The cooling agent involved in an air con unit, Freon, can cut off the supply of oxygen to your lungs if deeply inhaled, so if there’s an undetected leak it could result in the handyman or yourself falling very sick. Similarly, a poorly repaired unit could see an increase in the carbon monoxide levels in your home as a result, which too can result in death – so make sure you’re picking a licensed and experienced air conditioning repair man to solve your problems.

2. It’s complex

Everybody likes to think that they are capable with a tool in their hand – especially a handyman – but your air conditioning unit doesn’t just require a change of battery; it’s a complex piece of equipment, which more than likely has a complex problem. Hiring a handyman first rather than a qualified repair man could be a large expense to have them only turn around and tell you they don’t know, or make the matter worse by trying to fix it. To get your problem fixed right first time, call someone who knows – call an HVAC Technician, not a handyman.

3. You’ll void your warranty

On some occasions, your air conditioning unit will actually be under warranty, with repairs or even a replacement available for free under the warranty. However, should you decide to call in a handyman for your repairs, you run the risk of voiding your warranty altogether. Not only that, but there’s a high chance that your handyman may not be able to carry out the necessary repairs – which will be a double whammy of unfortunate circumstances. If you’re unsure whether you’re still under warranty or not, try to find the owners manual or receipt, or get in contact with a qualified HVAC Technician, they have the resources to find out for you.

4. It’ll take longer

We’ve already heard how it could cost more to use a handyman for your air conditioning repairs, but one thing that shouldn’t be overlooked is the sheer difference in time it could take. From failing to diagnose the problem, to failing to fix it, to calling in a qualified repairman – that’s a long time to go without a functioning air conditioning unit! To avoid coming home to a boiling hot house everyday and being uncomfortable, make sure you get in touch with someone you know will fix the problem first time.

Say No to Handymen and Yes to the Experts

There are plenty of great reasons to use a handyman, but when it comes to such a vital and potentially dangerous appliance like an air conditioning unit, you’re better off calling in a qualified repairman. Not only will they diagnose and fix it quicker, if it’s under warranty it’ll be free, too.

If you need assistance with any HVAC related issue.

Going On Vacation? -9 Home Safety Tips Before You Go

Mon, 03 Jun 2019 07:44:16 GMT

Summer is nearly here and school is almost out. Your vacation is fast approaching, and you’re getting more and more excited. We understand completely. But don’t forget that while you’re on vacation, your home needs to be taken care of. We have some home safety tips you should follow before you go on vacation.

1. Get Someone to Keep an Eye on Things

You don’t necessarily have to get a house sitter, but having a trusted friend or family member keep an eye on your home is an one of the most important safety measures. They can do little things to make sure your house looks lived in. For example, if you’re going out of town for a long period of time, have someone mow the lawn and collect flyers that may be dropped on your doorstep.

Taking these steps will make sure your house doesn’t look neglected and empty while you’re enjoying your time off.

2. Hold Your Mail

A pile of mail steadily building up is a clear ‘no one is home’ signal. Before you go on vacation, call the post office and ask them to put a hold on your mail. If you don’t want to ask the post office, ask the person keeping an eye on your home to also collect your mail for you.

3. Put Your Lights On Timers

One of the safety measures we recommend is putting your lights on timers. This will give your home the lived-in look.

If you are able to, find a timer that can connect to your cell phone. This way, no matter where you are (as long as there’s cell reception) you will be able to set the lights to go on and off at different times. This will help discourage anyone who may be watching your house. Lights that go on and off at the same time will work for a few days, but it’s a pretty noticeable pattern if you’re away for any length of time.

4. Set Your Thermostat

You don’t want to waste energy and money went you aren’t home, but it is still a good idea to program your thermostat so that your air conditioner occasionally cycles on and off. This will give the impression that you’re home and it’s business as usual, because people will see or hear your outdoor condenser unit.

5. Check All the Locks

This may seem like the most basic tip, but there are a lot of locks in a home. It is important to go around and check every single one before you go on vacation.

Don’t forget to check all the windows, exterior doors, and your garage if you have one. If you have an sliding doors, place a metal rod or a piece of wood on the track to keep it from sliding open if someone tries.

6. Unplug

This is both a safety tip and an energy saving one. Make sure to unplug your appliances and electronics before you go on vacation. If no one is at home to monitor them, leaving them plugged in increases the risk that something could happen, like an electrical fire.

Unplugging appliances that won’t be in use during your vacation is also a good way to save yourself a little money on your next electricity bill. You don’t want to be paying for energy consumption that no one is using.

7. Security System

Particularly if you are going away for a long period of time, a security system is a great way to protect your home. Systems today can send alerts directly to your cell phone about any unusual activity, including broken windows.

8. Don’t Shout It From the Rooftops

It’s exciting to go on vacation, no matter where you’re going. You naturally want to share that excitement – and possibly brag a bit – to the people you interact with. This isn’t a good idea when it comes to ensuring your home’s safety while you’re gone.

Don’t tell people about your vacation plans unless they are close friends or trustworthy family members. You don’t want to advertise that your home is empty

9. Have Your HVAC System Inspected Before You Go

It's always a good idea to make sure that everything is in working order before you leave your home an extended period. Coming home to a failed furnace, or a leaking water heater can really put a damper on that post vacation glow. An experience technician will find and remedy any small issues that may turn into big problems while you're away.

If you'd like to book an HVAC inspection.

8 HVAC Myths Debunked

Tue, 28 May 2019 07:48:42 GMT

Keeping your HVAC system in tip top shape is no easy feet. Now a days social media can be a god send providing real world advice and anecdotes from friends and family. Unfortunately this can also lead to a lot of misconceptions and bad information floating around. We've made a list of 8 HVAC myths that we see discussed on social media constantly.

1. You only have to change your filter once per year . I cannot stress this enough. The majority of HVAC system issues can be related back to airflow problems. A dirty filter will greatly reduce the amount of air traveling though your system. Both your A/C and Heating systems are designed with a specific amount of airflow required for proper operation. If your filter is plugged, it can reduce airflow by as much as 90%. This can cause A/C freeze ups, blower motor failure, compressor failure, and of course no cooling. During the heating cycle the same is true. without enough airflow the furnace will overheat and shut down on high temperature safeties leaving you without heat. Your filter should be changed every two months minimum to ensure continues operation of your system.

2. The bigger the HVAC system, the better . This is entirely false. Installing a system that has too much capacity will cause it to short cycle, turning on and off continually. This causes premature equipment failure and will cost you bundle in energy costs. With HVAC systems bigger is definitely not better.

3. Close vents in unused rooms to save energy . This will actually cause drastic increases in air pressure in the system. As a result air leaks in the duct joints and seams can occur sending air into the walls and floors of your home rather than through the intended registers. As well the room with closed registers will of course be a drastically different temperature than the rest of the house and will still have an open return air supply grill. This will allow the air in that room to mix with air from the rest of the home, requiring more energy to heat or cool it when it eventually makes its way back to the furnace.

4. Thermostat location isn't important . If your thermostat is placed too close to a supply air register, or in direct view of a window it may give off false readings. If the sun shines directly on the thermostat it will read that house is warmer than it actually is. It will then bring on the AC prematurely and waste energy and possibly cause system failure due to short cycling.

5. Routine maintenance is easy, optional & you can do it yourself anyway . This is definitely false. A proper maintenance and inspection of your HVAC system is critical to system operation and safety. Your HVAC system uses many different processes and hazardous materials to do it's job. Refrigerants, electrical components, fuels and moving parts all need to be inspected and tested regularly.

6. An energy efficient unit will automatically save me money . Though higher efficiency units are necessary to make any positive change to your energy consumption, there are other factors required to do so. If your windows and door seals leak, or if your home has a poor insulating factor a high efficiency unit wont make much of a change at all.

7. Running fans lowers the temperature of a room . This is not true. Moving air around a room does not cool the air, the breeze is only gives off the effect of cooling the air when it hits your skin. The room will actually remain at the same temperature with or without the fan running. So if you're not occupying the room, leaving a fan running all day will only increase your energy consumption.

8. Setting your thermostat to an extreme warm or cold temperature will make your system work faster . Your system can only provide a certain amount of heating or cooling in a given hour. This is a set factor and does not change depending on how high or low you set the thermostat. Doing this will only allow the system to run longer, not faster. A general rule to avoid system freeze ups among other things is the 3 degree max rule. Don't set your system anymore than three degrees away from the current indoor temperature. Your system should be able to swing three degrees in either direction in about an hour. If you still don't like the temperature you reset it again using the 3 degree max rule.

If you have a question about your system, and you're not quite sure if your Facebook friends have the answer (we promise, the probably don't).

Extended Warranties - What to Know

Tue, 21 May 2019 07:52:52 GMT

I recently met a new customer who had become unhappy with the original installer of their A/C system. At the time of purchase the installer offered the customer an extended parts warranty package. The package was intended to bump the system parts warranty from 5 years to 10 years for a charge of $400.00. After the install was completed and the bill was paid the customer didn't receive anything from the installer regarding their extended warranty. They were given the run around for months and eventually gave up. That's where I came in. After calling the manufacturer i found that the equipment came with a five year parts warranty as explained by the original installer. However if the equipment is registered online by providing the model, serial number and date of installation, the unit is bumped to a 10 year warranty FOR FREE. So, the original installer charged this customer $400.00 to do five minutes of paperwork.

That being said, extended warranty packages do exist and can be very useful, however they generally apply to the labour portion of the warranty, not parts. Nearly all A/C brands offer the same parts warranty (depending on the unit model) 5 years without registration and 10 years with registration. This is ALWAYS FREE. Equipment generally comes with a 1 year labour warranty. Your installer may offer a manufacturers extended labour warranty bumping the labour up to 5 or 10 years. These tend to be extremely expensive. The installer also may offer an in house labour warranty for a fee of their choosing. In this case the warranty details should be outlined in your invoice and receipt. When you purchase an extended warranty package from any contractor be sure that you fully understand the details of the warranty. This includes the value, what's required to maintain it, what services are included in the coverage and finally what the original warranty from the manufacturer included. Always be sure to go on the manufacturer's website and find their warranty section and review it before purchasing an extended warranty package.

If you're looking for more information on warranties or would like to set up a maintenance schedule to help maintain your warranty.

6 Steps - What To Do If Your A/C Freezes

Tue, 14 May 2019 07:55:21 GMT

The most common A/C problem reported by customers is a frozen indoor coil. There are many different factors that cause the evaporator coil installed above your furnace to freeze. The coil freezes because the refrigerant travelling inside of it is at or below freezing temperature. As air is blown over the coil the natural moisture in the air will hit the coil and freeze to it. When everything is working properly this build up is very slow and when the thermostat is satisfied the frost has time to melt and go down the installed drain line. Sometimes the system is unable to reach the desired temperature and continues to build more and more frost until the entire coil is covered in ice. Before you call in an HVAC Tech for a service call, following these 6 simple steps could save you a lot of time, money and literal sweat.

1. Turn your A/C unit off. First things first . If you notice frost build up, or if you have very reduced airflow coming out of the vents around your house, turn off your A/C. Best practice is to turn the A/C option on your thermostat to OFF, but turn the fan only mode to ON. If your system is frozen up this will allow warm inside air to travel over the evaporator coil and allow it to thaw.

2. Check your furnace filter . If your furnace filter is starting to get plugged up it will drastically reduce the airflow across the indoor coil. This will cause the refrigerant temperature to drop much lower than it should causing frost to build up very quickly. Change your filter, give the system a few hours to thaw and restart the system.

3. Check your furnace fan operation . If your furnace fan does not start up, or does not run at full speed during cooling a freeze up will occur. Make sure your furnace fan is running when the system is calling for cooling. If it's not, trun off the system and call an HVAC Technician.

4. Check the evaporator coil drain line . If your furnace fan does not start up, or does not run at full speed during cooling a freeze up will occur. Make sure your furnace fan is running when the system is calling for cooling. If it's not, turn off the system and call an HVAC Technician.

5. Clear and open all vents in your home . Generally speaking your system is designed with the number of vents, size of the furnace and size of the ductwork installed in mind. If some of the supply air vents in your home are blocked or closed the airflow traveling over the indoor coil is reduced. this will give the same effect as a dirty filter causing a freeze up. Keep the air moving and open and clear all vents in your home.

6. Clean around the outdoor unit . If the outdoor unit has clutter or debris touching it can cause the system to run at higher than normal temperatures and pressures. The system may not be able to keep up with the cooling demand and eventually freeze up. Clear any and all debris from around the outdoor unit. Inspect the cleanliness of the outdoor unit it's self. If the unit is dusty or dirty shut off the power and use the wide angle spray of a garden hose to clean it.

If you've tried these tips and your system is still freezing up.

Buyer Beware - Why You Should Get Multiple Quotes

Tue, 07 May 2019 08:00:27 GMT

Last year I received a service call from a customer whose air conditioner kept freezing up, everyday, since he built the home 3 years before. He had given up on the constant, weekly return visits from the original installer without any resolution. So he called us in to get some fresh eyes on the system.

Right off the bat I found multiple issues, the entire HVAC system was designed completely backwards. It's a 2 furnace system, all well and fine, unless you have 4,200 square foot house and you decide to put the main and top floors on one system. Then we have problems. The home should have been split up as follows - main and basement on one furnace, top floor on one of it's own. The top floor of any home is the most difficult area to regulate cooling in and as such should be on it's own dedicated system. At a total of 3,800 square feet these two spaces require at the absolute minimum 5 tons of cooling (the size of the AC unit). The AC installed now is a 4ton. There's your freeze up diagnosis. The original unit is only good for a maximum of 3000 square feet if we're being generous. It's also a single stage unit trying to cool a multistage HVAC system. The top and main floors have their own individual zoning dampers and thermostats. This allows each area's temperature to be controlled independently with their own thermostat even though they are supplied by the same unit.. In Short, the unit is like Ant-Man trying to fight The Hulk with one arm tied behind it's back. It's just not going to work. When the customer built his home 3 years previously, he decided not to go with the builders' suggested HVAC Contractor and hire his own third party installer. There is nothing wrong with doing this and it CAN actually save you bundle. Home builders generally overcharge for everything extra you decide to add to your home. This is especially true for HVAC additions and changes. Your home builder will charge you up to double for an AC installation than most any contractor you hire separately would. The issues arise when you hire a contractor based on price alone. The installing contractor was the only one interviewed by the customer, the price sounded great, so he decided to hire them. We all know what happened next, three years of an AC system that rarely worked for more than a week and never worked on days above 25 degrees. Kind of useless right? So what should he have done?

The best thing he could have done was to get at least three quotes. Keep in mind you want to try to pick three companies who are in the same league as far as size and reach. Meaning, don't get 2 quotes from small companies with only a few employees and then another from a national company with 1000 technicians and think you're going to get a good idea of how much this should cost you. The price points are going to be so far off it will be hard to determine which price is too good to be true or which is overly expensive.

When you're comparing your quotes don't just compare pricing. Compare the equipment the company is trying to sell you. Make sure that all three companies have offered comparable equipment in terms of cooling or heating capacity, staging, sizing, etc.. If two companies offer you a 3 ton unit and the other offers a 1.5 ton, it of course it will be drastically less expensive, but chances are it's not going to work properly. Remember not all brands are created equal, there are a select few like Lennox, York, Carrier, & Trane who are the gold standard. If you go with any of these you're generally safe as far as quality. Each of these brands has it's own affordable options. Other brands such as Goodman, Coleman, Payne, Rudd - (there are seriously a ton of them) - may be more affordable, but when it comes to performance, reliability and quality they don't come close to the big four I mentioned earlier. HVAC equipment as a whole is expensive either way and your HVAC system is something you probably don't want to reach to the bottom of the barrel for.

Finally look at the warranties for the equipment and labour. Most equipment comes with a 10 year parts warranty (this is pretty standard across all brands) with at least a 1 year labour warranty. The real labour warranty is offered by your installer. At Lendrix we offer 2 year labour warranties with base model equipment and up to 5 years labour warranty with upgraded equipment. We do this at no additional charge to our customers because we believe in our abilities as installers and in the equipment we sell. Be wary of the words "free warranty" when it comes to labour. Some companies certainly offer a free labour warranty but more often than not you're paying for it somewhere. If you have two quotes from identical companies and one offers a 1 or 2 year labour warranty with an installation price of $3,300 while the other, providing the exact same equipment and services offers a "Free" 10 year labour warranty with a price of $4,000..... It becomes clear what "Free" really means.

In short, always get multiple quotes from comparable contractors. Make sure to do your research on the equipment offered by each company, along with equipment parts warranty and the labour warranty offered by your installer. Don't just choose your installer based solely on price. Look for things like HomeStars reviews, google and Facebook reviews and ask for references. Ask lots of questions and compare the answers from all three contractors and make sure they roughly match the answers of the other two. Ask about the sizing of the equipment and how they determined this is the right size unit for your home. Make sure that the AC unit will match the furnace you have installed (not by brand, but by size and capacity).

Never go with the first quote you receive unless you have first hand knowledge of the company you're hiring. Such as referrals from friends with similar homes to yours, or if you've used them successfully in the past.

Hopefully these small tips will help you to better understand what to look for when hiring an HVAC (or any other) contractor.

If you'd like to book and estimate with the Lendrix HVAC Services team.

The Shift To High-End A/C Units

Tue, 30 Apr 2019 08:06:27 GMT

High-end air conditioners are growing in popularity throughout Canada. Premium model Air Coniditoning units offer a wide variety of features that can meet the needs and desires of most homeowners. With technology advancing so quickly many of these premium units are becoming more and more affordable. When shopping for new cooling systems, more homeowners are turning to high-end models in a market still dominated by basic systems. This is largely due to the technology, convenience and energy savings these high-end air conditioners offer.

Variable capacity air conditioners offer many efficiency benefits for users. These systems deliver superior comfort in the home, with precision temperature maintenance up to 0.5 degrees. This decreases large temperature swings and frequent system cycling. Better humidity control is another advantage these systems.

Today’s homeowner looks for products to make life easy. When searching for air conditioning systems, they are looking for improved efficiency, indoor air quality, and integration with smart home hubs. High-end air conditioners offer these capacities where many basic models lack them.

Zone control with high-end air conditioners is popular, allowing homeowners to realize lower energy consumption and utility bills thanks to the customized outputs the systems provide.

HVAC systems are now being seen as a vital component of the home, rather than just part of the home’s mechanics. Homeowners recognize the HVAC system’s impact on comfort, convenience, and health, and are willing to invest in higher quality equipment to benefit in these areas. Homeowners turn to high-end air conditioners to improve indoor air quality, controlling dust, bacteria, allergens, and mold.

Millennial homeowners have largely affected the move toward high-end air conditioners. Many in this generation are purchasing fixer-upper homes and are upgrading existing systems with newer technology. This group of homeowners values health, energy efficiency, and convenience over saving money on a system purchase, and are focused on environmentally friendly products as well as doing business with manufacturers demonstrating social responsibility.

For more information on the different product levels of Lendrix HVAC Services' line of Air Conditioners.

Four Reasons To Avoid DIY HVAC Repairs

Tue, 23 Apr 2019 08:10:29 GMT

Many of us enjoy the sense of accomplishment that comes with a good DIY project. Before you decide to talk that HVAC problem that’s been bugging you, remember that your HVAC system is an extremely intricate set of systems, controls and equipment. It’s also one of if not the most costly systems In your home. A DIY HVAC project can not only cost you much more money in the long run when you inevitably call in a pro, but it can put your family’s safety at serious risk.

1. You can make unintentional, expensive mistakes

You might think that you can get the basics of HVAC repair down by watching videos and reading online, but it takes lengthy training and practical experience for a technician to become proficient at diagnosing and repairing HVAC equipment. Without that knowledge and hands-on experience, it's easy to make a mistake that has long-term repercussions for your system's performance, reliability, safety and energy efficiency.

2. You will probably void your warranty

HVAC manufacturers warranty their products against failures due to factory defects, but they usually require proof that all maintenance and repairs were performed by a licensed professional before they'll honor a claim. Attempting HVAC repairs yourself could cost you this coverage if your equipment is still under warranty.

3. You can put your family’s safety at risk

Your HVAC system runs on electricity and/or gas, and it contains pressurized refrigerant. A lack of expertise working with these three elements can result in a deadly explosion or house fire, hazardous gas or refrigerant leak, or a life-threatening electrical shock or electrocution.

4. You can waste a lot more money and time than if you’d called a pro in the first place

If your aim is saving time and money with DIY repairs, this can easily backfire. You can invest a lot of time in troubleshooting a problem, spend money on parts that may or may not solve the issue, and have to buy specialized tools as well. If you make a mistake that damages the system, you can also face a much higher repair bill when you finally decide to call in a pro.

Instead of attempting DIY HVAC repairs.

How Much Does An AC Installation Cost?

Tue, 16 Apr 2019 08:17:52 GMT

***Prices are estimated costs based on Lendrix HVAC Services Inc's pricing as of March 2019

Shopping for a new AC system can feel a lot like shopping for a car. There a ton of mid level brands and there are few low and high level brands. Each brand has its own product lines with anywhere from 2-15 different models. Lennox for example has 3 product lines. Merit (base), Elite (mid level), and the Dave Lennox Signature Collection (Premium model). Each Product line and subsequent model has it's own benefits and drawbacks

The Merit series units 13ACX, 14ACX and 16ACX offer reliable performance and good efficiency at an affordable rate. They offer a good limited 10 year warranty, but they lack in system protection devices. An installation of a Merit 13acx ranges from $3,000 - $4,000 depending on the required unit size. If we up the efficiency in this product line to the 16ACX you're looking at $5,000-$6000.

The Elite Series XC13, XC16, XC20 and EL16XC1 line offers an excellent comprehensive 10 year warranty. They offer better efficiency ratings and include system protection safety devices. The EL16XC1 is a single stage unit boasting an aluminum outdoor coil allowing for increased heat transfer and lifespan in Alberta's inconsistent climate. The XC16 and XC20 offer 2 stage and variable capacity cooling respectively. An installation of the XC13 ranges from $3,800-$4,900. Bumping up to the XC20 unit which is the most efficient in this line running a truly variable capacity compressor will run from $5,900-$7,350.

Finally the Dave Lennox Signature Collection are the crème of the crop. Offering units including the SL18XC1 (single stage compressor) XC21 (2 stage) and XC25 (variable capacity). These units offer a comprehensive 10 year warranty, included system safety devices, compressor sound dampening, and are the most efficient and precise residential AC unit on the market. Did we mention the XC25 is solar hookup ready? Yep, it could potentially cost you $0.00 to run. An installation of the SL18Xc1 ranges from $5,800-$6,800. And the XC25; which undoubtedly can save your family hundreds of dollars a year in energy costs, runs from $8,100-$9,400.

This brief breakdown will help guide you in the right direction when choosing a new system that fits your needs, wants and budget. For more information on the complete Lennox product line.

Creating The Smart Home Of Your Dreams

Tue, 09 Apr 2019 08:21:47 GMT

We’re living in an age of smart homes. By 2021, more than half (55 percent) of all homes in North America are projected to be smart homes, according to a Berg Insight study.

Millennials have been especially quick to adopt smart technology, with one in every four having at least one smart home device installed.

So what’s behind this tech trend?

Put simply, a desire for freedom and flexibility. People want to live life on their own terms, and smart home products help them achieve this goal. Those who use smart home technology say they save an average of 30 minutes a day.

If you’re just dipping a toe into the smart home ecosystem, check out these tips for creating the ultimate smart home.

Start With a Smart Hub

A smart hub allows all your smart devices to work together. You have a world of options at your fingertips, so consider what you wish to automate before choosing between Apple, Amazon, or Google.

Choose a Smart Speaker

Nearly one in five Canadians has access to a smart speaker. Whether you prefer Apple’s Siri, Amazon’s Alexa or Google Home, these personal assistant speakers allow you to easily add devices and give voice-activated commands. Think “Alexa, please preheat the oven to 350 degrees” or “"Siri, turn on the lights!”

If you’ve been dreaming of waltzing into your home and having it set at the perfect temperature, There are some really great smart thermostats that allow you to set and adjust temperature and humidity in your home with voice commands or by changing the setting in the app on your phone, from anywhere in the world. Smart locks, blinds, garage doors, household appliances, lights, alarm systems and so on and so forth, if it can be made "smart" chances are it has been All of these products can help you streamline your life and make everyday tasks a breeze.

Save Money by Adopting Smart Technology

By switching to a smart thermostat you’ll enjoy more than greater control over your home’s temperature; you’ll also save a bundle on energy bills. The EPA estimates that smart thermostats provide homeowners a 10-12 percent savings on heating and 15 percent savings on cooling. You might even be able to recoup the thermostat cost in as little as two years.

You can also reduce your energy costs with a home zoning device such as the to redirect heating and cooling away from unused or rarely used rooms. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that zoning gives homeowners up to a 35% energy savings when used with a programmable thermostat. Smart thermostats are a win in many regards. They optimize your home’s temperature to meet your needs when your home and save you a bundle when you're not and can potentially provide the best return on investment of any other smart technology.

Smart home technology is here to stay. The market is projected to surpass $53 Billion by the year 2022.

For more information on upgrading your HVAC system as a part of your smart home.

Repair Or Replace? - A Guide To Decide

Tue, 02 Apr 2019 08:25:07 GMT

Routine HVAC maintenance is an effective way to put off a potentially costly system upgrade, but even with yearly maintenance and TLC your system will eventually reach it’s past due date. Even if you don’t mind spending money on air conditioning repairs, eventually, fixing reoccurring issues with your HVAC system will become more of a hindrance than a help. To decide between HVAC repair and replacement projects, consider these important factors:

Age

Generally, the performance of HVAC systems diminishes with aging. Even if your heating, ventilating, and cooling units still manage to work beyond their life expectancies; they’re likely to be riddled with inefficiencies by then. They may be able to accomplish the job, but most likely they are expending much more energy doing so than a new system will, which in turn will increase your monthly energy costs.

Energy Rating

With technological advances, the federal government regularly updates energy efficiency standards for Air Conditioning units. Although you’re not required to comply, you might miss out on great savings if you don’t upgrade. Then again, it might not make sense to commit to replacement unless your system’s energy rating is far from today’s minimum requirement. Unless the potential energy reduction is significant, it might be better to stick with what you have to maximize its service life.

Cost

Sometimes, it’s less financially sensible to repair a broken AC than to replace it. For instance, R-22 is a common refrigerant used in most older model A/C units. This refrigerant is no longer being manufactured due to it’s ozone depleting properties. As a result the cost of R-22 is exponentially higher than its replacement refrigerant R-410A. This means that repairing an R-22 System could potentially end u costing the same as installing a new system running on R-410A

Breakdown Frequency

Does your HVAC system need more care and attention year after year? It could be a sign you need to retire it. The cost of a repair may look better in comparison to the price of new equipment, but it adds up over time. If you’ve made moderate to severe repairs 2 or more seasons in a row a replacement would be the sensible option in the long run.

If you’d like to book a service to help you decide between repairing or replacing.

10 Spring Maintenance Tips For Homeowners

Tue, 19 Mar 2019 08:28:24 GMT

After the long, dark cold winter and spring begins you’re probably ready to hit the ground running and get summer started. Before your summer fun can begin there are a few things you should check up on in and around your home to ensure everything is in top shape. Consider these 10 easy home maintenance tips every spring and you’re sure to have a great summer without the worry and stress of sudden home repairs.

1. Examine Roof Shingles

Examine roof shingles to see if any were lost or damaged during winter. If your home has an older roof covering, you may want to start a budget for replacement. The summer sun can really damage roof shingles. Shingles that are cracked, buckled or loose or are missing granules need to be replaced. Flashing around plumbing vents, skylights and chimneys need to be checked and repaired by a qualified roofer

2. Repair Wood Trim, Porches & Decks

Use a screwdriver or drill to tighten and repair the wood trim around windows, doors, railings and decks. Reseal any areas of the trim that are beginning to show small signs of wear and tear. The same must be done for wooden porches and decks. Tighten up and loose boards or railings and reseal if needed. The best way to determine if you need to seal your wood again is to run cold water over the wood. If it beads and runs off you're all set. If it soaks in and stains the wood with water it's time for a reseal. Make repairs now before the spring rains do more damage to the exposed wood.

3. Check your Gutters

Check for loose or leaky gutters. Improper drainage can lead to water in the basement or crawl space. Make sure downspouts drain away from the foundation and are clear and free of debris.

4. Put down new Soil

Low areas in the yard or next to the foundation should be filled with compacted soil. Spring rains can cause yard flooding, which can lead to foundation flooding and damage. Also, when water pools in these low areas in summer, it creates a breeding ground for insects.

5. Inspect the Concrete

Inspect concrete slabs for signs of cracks or movement. All exterior slabs except pool decks should drain away from the home's foundation. Fill cracks with a concrete crack filler or silicone caulk. When weather permits, power-wash and then seal the concrete.

6. Move Firewood

Remove firewood stored near the home. Firewood should be stored at least 18 inches off the ground at least 2 feet from the structure.

7. Check Outside Faucets

Check outside hose faucets for freeze damage. Turn the water on and place your thumb or finger over the opening. If you can stop the flow of water, it is likely the pipe inside the home is damaged and will need to be replaced. While you're at it, check the garden hose for dry rot.

8. Check Power Equipment

Check your gas- and battery-powered lawn equipment to make sure it is ready for summer use. Clean equipment and sharp cutting blades will make yardwork easier.

9. Check Outside Faucets

10. Service the AC Unit

And most importantly (In out Humble Opinion), have a qualified heating and cooling contractor clean and service your entire Air Conditioning system. Clean coils operate more efficiently than dirty ones and an annual service call will keep the system working at peak performance levels. Your tech will inspect the equipment for any sign of worn mechanical or electrical parts. Every component must be checked and tested to ensure continued, safe operation. The outdoor unit must be cleaned with the manufacturer’s recommended chemicals and the system operation should be thoroughly tested to ensure there are no refrigerant leaks and that the out door unit and furnace are operating cohesively.

If you’d like to book a Heating or Air Conditioning inspection,

Upgrade From A Window Mounted To A Ductless Split AC

Mon, 18 Mar 2019 08:31:32 GMT

More people are enjoying condo living than ever before. However, one drawback with condos is the often underperforming—or nonexistent—cooling system that comes with the building. Some people resort to using a window AC, but there’s a better home comfort solution: ductless air conditioning.

There are many advantages to installing a ductless air conditioner in your condo.

Increased Efficiency

Upgrading to a ductless air conditioner is one of the easiest ways to improve energy efficiency. Window air conditioners suffer from air leaks and wasted energy, leading to higher monthly hydro bills. A ductless air conditioner has a low operating cost and will not significantly increase energy bills during the summer.

Safer Option

Window AC units are a potential security risks for break-ins, as they can be removed from the outside to allow easy access to your condo. They also pose a fire risk when plugged into extension cords and power strips. These risks are not an issue with a ductless mini-split system as a certified technician has the expertise to safely install the unit in your condo.

Increased Comfort

One of the biggest downsides of window AC units is how they can negatively affect the level of comfort with their noisiness, uneven cooling and obstructed views. Ductless systems come in sleek unobtrusive designs with many placement options, and they operate significantly quieter while providing even cooling throughout your condo.

If you'd like a FREE estimate on a Lennox Ductless Spit Installation,

Annual HVAC Maintenance - What's Included?

Tue, 12 Mar 2019 08:42:55 GMT

An annual HVAC maintenance Is the only way to reliably ensure your system is and will continue operating efficiently and effectively. While there are some tasks that you can perform yourself, the most important checks must completed by a qualified HVAC technician. If you've ever wondered what exactly your HVAC tech is looking for during his inspection we've got you covered.

1. Electrical Connections - These should be tightened, tested and replaced if required. Loose connections can cause equipment failure, over heating and are a fire hazard. All connections in both your furnace and outdoor A/C unit should be inspected yearly.

2. Thermostat Operation / Calibration - A test to determine if your thermostat is reading the correct temperature and cycling equipment on and off at the correct readings is crucial maintain system performance. A well calibrated Stat can save you money on bills and unexpected service calls.

3. Check all system safety devices - This is included on both the furnace and outdoor A/C unit. There are safeties for flame and exhaust issues in your furnace, refrigerant leaks or over heating on your A/C unit and electrical issues in both systems. All of the safties must be checked and their operation verified because they literally are meant to keep you and your equipment safe.

4. Blower motor operation - Without a properly working blower motor in your furnace nothing in your system will work as intended. A mechanical and electrical inspection of the fan and its motor should be done at least once annually.

5. Clean the indoor and outdoor coils - Both coils in your A/C system should be visually inspected for possible leaks and both need to be cleaned completely of dirt and dust one annually to ensure you're system runs at it's best efficiency. Dirty coils can cost you a bundle on utilities and can lead to some major repairs down the road.

6. Heat exchanger and combustion - The heat exchanger is a chamber In your furnace. The flame enters the heat exchanger and travels through it giving its heat away to the air passing over the exchanger. Eventually it leaves the exchanger as exhaust and its routed outside through the furnace exhaust venting. The heat exchanger should be inspected for restrictions and cleanliness. As well the exchanger must be check for cracks and leaks as these will cause Carbon Monoxide and other toxins to leak into the HVAC system and be sent throughout your home.

7. Refrigerant check - Your A/C system is known as a closed loop. This means the refrigerant in the system travels through the refrigerant pipes doing its various jobs along the way and then returns to the beginning to start the process again. As such, there shouldn't be a leak in your system and you should not have to "top up" your refrigerant levels regularly. However, unintended leaks do happen and they can cause serious part failures if not located and corrected quickly.

8. Air Filters - Your furnace filter should be changed far more often than once a year. We recommend a 2 month cycle on your furnace filter. This ensures your system will remain clean and you will not encounter any issues due to restricted airflow. Your heating and cooling systems require a minimum amount of airflow during each cycle. A dirty filter is the biggest offender in causing airflow issues.

9. Inspect and test all moving parts - Each moving part in your system should be tested, oiled if necessary and checked for any physical damage.

Keeping up with annual maintenance is your best line of defense for avoiding unexpected repair costs and keeping your system running optimally when you really need it. If you'd lke to book a system inspection.

5 Benefits To Regular System Maintenance

Tue, 12 Mar 2019 08:37:22 GMT

Whether you've invested in a new HVAC system or you have an older system that needs some TLC, regular system inspections and maintenance are your best line of defense to catch small issues before they become big, expensive problems. Your HVAC system is one of the most important and expensive systems in your home. Keeping these systems running effectively and efficiently requires specific training and techniques performed by a qualified HVAC technician. There are many benefits to keeping up with an annual system maintence, we've highlighted a few of them below.

1. Improved Indoor Air Quality . Your HVAC system is not just responsible for heating or cooling the air in your home. It's also responsible for cleaning all of that air. Changing or cleaning your air filter is important, but it's not the only thing to consider when it comes to air quality. There are cooling and heating coils installed your system which need cleaning as well. A yearly inspection and cleaning of these coils will improve system performance and help mitigate health issues due to "dirty air"

2. Improved Efficiency & Lower Energy Costs . Each part of your system must be checked, cleaned and tested regularly in order to produce at it's maximum efficiency. Something as simple as a dirty outdoor fan blade can end up costing you in monthly energy costs. Testing electrical compenants against their ratings can provide insight on potentially wearing motors, compressors, electronics or wiring, These issues create incresed running costs and safety is. Regular inspections allow these small problems to be corrected and bring your system back to its peak performance every year.

3. Reduce Emergency Repair Costs . HVAC equipment has a tendency to fail during temperature extremes. Simply put the hotter it is outside, to harder your A/C has to work to keep up with the cooling demand in your home. If this is tru for yor system, keep in mind it's true for everyone's. Have you ever had to call an HVAC Technician on a +35 degree day? It can be pretty tough to get one of us on the line because we're tied up fixing everyone in Calgary's equipment. You can avoid this stress and literal sweat with regualr inspections. Inspections often turn up little issues which aren't anything to worry about now but can quickly turn into expensive emergency repairs. Every compenant in your system is designed with a specific and important function and they rely on every other component to do their job efficiently. Any small failure will not only affect that component but also the compeonents that rely on it. This can lead to a runaway train effect causing more and more small issues to snowball into some really big repairs. An anuall maintence can catch these issues early and can be generally inexpensive and quick to correct.

**Pro Tip** If your system is not working and you've requested a service call from an HVAC company, turn your system OFF and wait for help. If it's not working now your system is not going to start working on it's own. Allowing it to run or attempt to run can quickly cause many more issues than shutting it down and waiting for an expert.

4. Warranty . Every new system comes with some kind of labour and parts warranty, but older systems can benefit from this aswell. Some components in your system may be covered for 10 or even 25 years depending on the manufacturer. Keeping up with your system maintenances ensures that your parts warranties will aty valid throughout their duration. Multiple failures of the same warranty part may require a record of previous inpections be sent to the manufacturer before warranty will be granted. A small yearly investment in your system and greatly reduce or even remove unexpected repair costs altogether.

5. Longer System Lifespan . This one is pretty obvious. The better care you take of your system now the longer it will last you. Think of a system inspection the same way you think of an oil change for your car. If you skip too many of them, things are going to start failing. Keeping up with maintenance and making repairs when they're needed will most certainly increase system perfmormane and lifespan.

If you'd like to book a system maintenance.

Lendrix HVAC Services Inc. - Crowned 2019 HomeStars Best of Award Winner!

Mon, 11 Mar 2019 08:46:14 GMT

CALGARY, AB — February 28, 2019 — Lendrix HVAC Services Inc. announced today that they have been selected as a 2019 “Best of Award” Winner by HomeStars. Hailed as HomeStars’ highest honour, the Best of Awards, presented by DEWALT and Canadian Contractor, recognizes the most trusted home service professionals in HomeStars’ network of over 60k pros, vetted and crowned for their commitment to consistency, integrity and unparalleled customer service.

“Our Best of Award Winners set the standard for home service pros in our network,” says Nancy Peterson, CEO of HomeStars. “This award is a testament to their unwavering excellence and commitment towards the quality of their trade.”

Lendrix HVAC Services Inc. was honoured at this year’s Best of Awards on February 27th at The Commons in Calgary, where winners accepted their awards, had their photo taken with Nancy and networked with fellow winners as a celebration of their incredible achievements. A “HomeStars Best of 2019” badge now appears on the Lendrix HVAC Services Inc. profile as a sign of their commitment to quality, showing homeowners they’re a top choice for their next home reno or repair project.

“It’s a great feeling when your hard work is appreciated, and receiving a Best of Award after our first year in business is truly an honour,” says Justin Meagher, owner of Lendrix HVAC Services Inc. “Providing our customers with excellent service and quality work is the reason we got into this business in the first place, and it’s so fulfilling to see it recognized in the industry.”

Lendrix HVAC Services Inc. specializes in residential heating and cooling installation & service in Calgary, AB. We strive to provide the highest quality equipment, installations & service at affordable rates for the average consumer. We know how stressful home upgrades and repairs can be, that’s why we strive to alleviate the pressure and make every customer experience a breeze.

See what customers have to say about the Lendrix HVAC Team on HomeStars https://homestars.com/companies/2911290-lendrix-hvac-services, and join hundreds of happy clients who have made Lendrix their first choice for hire.

About HomeStars

HomeStars is Canada’s largest online marketplace connecting homeowners with trusted home service professionals. In 2018, 8 million homeowners visited HomeStars looking for a pro for their next home improvement project. HomeStars was created in 2006 to help homeowners make better hiring decisions. HomeStars, an ANGI Homeservices company, is part of a global network of home improvement marketplaces in Europe, the UK and the US, including Angie’s List and HomeAdvisor. To learn more, visit @HomeStars on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

Filter Education - Merv Ratings

Sat, 09 Mar 2019 08:51:30 GMT

So what does MERV stand for anyways?

MERV is short for “Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value”. While the air filter is meant to control the amount of unwanted air particles entering your home, the MERV rating on your filter is meant to show you which filter is best fit for your home. The higher the MERV rating, the fewer particles and other contaminants will be allowed into your home.

Sounds pretty simple, obviously you would want the least amount of particles as possible, right? Wrong.

While the highest MERV ratings are the most effective for air quality, they can harm your HVAC system.

A higher MERV rating means a higher resistance, which means less airflow. When researching HVAC systems, airflow will come up a lot. That’s because it’s very important for the performance and longevity of your furnace or air handler. Air flow is also the key to a comfortable home.

If the MERV rating on your furnace is too high, it may force your furnace to work too hard and leave it vulnerable to damages. In addition, you may not get the air velocity required to reach all parts of your home leaving inconsistencies in temperature.

The ratings for MERV range from 1-20. As the rating increases, minimum size of the particles filtered out gets lower, meaning more particles are captured. The ratings can be grouped together in the size of particles they filter, see below for a chart listing those groupings:

MERV Minimum Particle Size

Merv 1–4 >10.0 μm

Merv 5–8 10.0–3.0 μm

Merv 9–12 3.0–1.0 μm

Merv 13–16 1.0–0.3 μm

Merv 17–20 < 0.3 μm

A μm is a micrometre, which is one millionth of a metre. At the very lowest MERV rating (1-4), your filter will still capture pollen, dust mites, cockroach debris, sanding dust, spray paint dust, textile fibers and carpet fibers. Filters within a MERV rating of 17-20 are almost never necessary in a residential home.

A MERV rating of 13-16 is considered hospital level air quality, so it is unlikely your home needs any more than that. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, filters from the 7-13 range often have little difference from the higher MERV ratings, but they will allow your system to run much more efficiently.

What MERV rating you choose between 7 and 13 depends on what level of filtration you require. If your family has allergies or asthma, a higher MERV rating will be good for you. If your family doesn’t suffer from any breathing difficulties, a lower filter like a 7 will save you some money on your energy bill.

You should also remember to replace your filter every month, three months, six months or year depending on the filter. If you don’t replace your filter according to its recommendations, it gathers dirt and dust, making it more restrictive and less effective at filtering.

To order new fiklters or to book an HVAC sytem maintenance,

A/C Purchases - Why Spring Is The Best Time To Buy

Tue, 05 Mar 2019 08:54:59 GMT

Often we hear people say that the winter is the best time to buy an air conditioner. While it is true that making this purchase in the off-season does have its benefits, winter isn’t actually the best time to do so. We cover why the springtime represents your best opportunity, for a variety of reasons, to get ready for those hot summer days.

The real key to getting the best price and fastest service, just as with any market, is to work against the market. You should buy an air conditioner in the off-season, and by this we mean the spring or fall.

First off, the price.

An air conditioner is a significant purchase – although, with our Alberta summers getting hotter each year, it is a cost that most just can’t do without. Getting air conditioning set up in the spring lets you take advantage of manufacturer promotions and deals. This can represent substantial cost savings overall. Just remember that these deals won’t last forever, and as the saying goes, the early bird gets the worm!

Buying early is the best way to beat the rush.

Many people seem to forget about just how hot it gets in the summer, and as a result wait until the last possible minute to call for air conditioning installation. However, right now it is beautiful out – not too hot, not too cold – which means most people aren’t concerned about heating or air conditioning, and thus HVAC companies are not inundated with calls and requests. However, once that warm weather hits you could be stuck waiting because everyone is super busy. Buying early is the best way to ensure that you don’t get stuck dealing with the heat.

Rebates.

While the government tends to renew deadlines on rebates, the sooner you file the paperwork, the sooner you’ll receive your rebate. That being said, the government can choose to decrease or remove rebates altogether whenever they want, so it is best to take advantage of them while you can.

Always Consider the Contractor

As important as the topic of when the best time to buy an air conditioner is, even more important is the topic of who should be installing your air conditioner. When you’re thinking about air conditioning for your home, pay close attention to the contractors themselves. While the brand of air conditioner is important, more important is the contractor. Do your research, there are plenty of affordably priced contractors out there. On the flip side there are some amazingly priced contractors you may not want working on your home. Check contractor reviews online and ask for references before choosing an installing company.

If you want to get ready for the warm weather before it hits, and are wondering what the best time to buy an air conditioner is, it’s now!

To book a FREE estimate today.

PSA - Closing Vents Not A Solution For Uneven Temperatures Or Energy Savings

Fri, 01 Mar 2019 08:57:29 GMT

If you have a home with infrequently used rooms, it may seem that closing the air vents in those rooms would be a simple and effective way to keep your heating system from wasting energy to keep them warm. However, there are a number of factors that can make closing a room to save energy counter-productive.

The idea behind closing the air vents is that the air headed to that room will eventually make it to the rooms you actually want kept warm. Unfortunately, this usually isn’t the case. Closing the air vents significantly increases the air pressure in that branch of the ductwork, and the increased air pressure will force open leaks in weak connections of the ductwork or make existing leaks larger.

Closing the vents in a room to save energy can also cause issues with air infiltration in the room itself. The return vents will still be pulling air into the room return, but there won’t be any air being supplied to the room since the supply registers are closed. This can lead to a decrease in pressure in the room and make it more likely that cold exterior air will rush in through leaks around windows or doors.

The problems caused by closing air registers also can hurt your heating system performance and operation. Your furnace is likely designed to heat a certain cubic footage, and when that area is reduced by vents being closed off, the furnace effectively becomes oversized. This creates a host of new problems, including wasted energy, uneven heating and stressed system components.

Instead of closing off a room completely, you’ll want to leave the registers open a bit to ensure these problems don’t occur. If you’d like more control over how much heat gets sent to which room, you may want to talk to an HVAC professional about how a zoning system can give you an efficient and convenient way to provide different amounts of heating to different areas.

For more help saving energy or improving comfort levels in your home.

Furnace Safety For Homeowners

Tue, 26 Feb 2019 09:05:45 GMT

Modern gas furnaces have safety features that shut the furnace off when there's a problem with carbon monoxide, a deadly by product of the combustion process. If you aren't sure what safety features your furnace has, you can schedule a furnace maintenance and ask a qualified technician. Here are more furnace safety tips.

Operating Your Gas Furnace Safely

Your main safety concern with your gas furnace is carbon monoxide. Although a properly functioning gas furnace will produce small amounts of CO that are not generally harmful, it's important to monitor CO production so that you will know if it ever reaches the danger zone. CO monitors are your best defense against this hazard. Check CO monitors regularly to make sure batteries are working or that wires are connected, and that sensors are operational. Monitors five years old or older should be replaced. Mount monitors outside each bedroom.

When your HVAC tech checks your furnace, ask about the heat exchanger. Over time, small cracks can develop in this part of the furnace, from which CO may leak out. Also ask about the burners. The flame should burn blue rather than orange. Burners may need to be cleaned periodically.

Change your air filter as recommended, usually every 3 months minimum. Clean filters promote good airflow that helps your system heat more efficiently. It also keeps dust from circulating in your home.

Keep obstructions away from vents, registers and the furnace itself.

Always be sure the front panel door of the furnace is in place. Without the door, you can increase the risk of CO poisoning. Generally, furnaces won't operate without the door in place; however, if you have an older furnace, it may not have this safety feature.

Keep anything combustible, including solvents, paint and gasoline, well away from the furnace.

Keep your registers open. You're ductwork and furnace are sized and designed to work together. Closing off registers in the home increases the air pressure in the system causing long term operation issues.

For more on furnace safety.

Comparison Guide – Lennox A/C Product Line

Mon, 18 Feb 2019 09:12:02 GMT

Lennox is known world wide as an HVAC industry leader and innovator. This reputation is hard earned through R&D, engineering, quality control, technological innovation, and customer service. Every Lennox product is designed with customer comfort in mind. Each of the three Lennox product lines is specifically tailored to meet customer’s needs and wants in a home HVAC system. Let's take a look at the highlights for each of Lennox’s A/C product lines.

Merit Series – Lennox 13ACX & 14ACX

The Lennox Merit Series is the perfect pairing of reliable performance and affordability. This product line is specifically designed and engineered to provide effective, efficient heating and cooling for the conservative consumer. Scroll compressors, precision balanced fan motors and blades, top of the line electrical components and a robust chassis and cabinet create the perfect blend of effective, efficient cooling and affordability. The high efficiency outdoor coil provides exceptional heat transfer, reaching from 13-15 SEER, cooling your home faster, quieter and with lower operating costs than competing models. With a 10 year limited parts warranty, components designed for durability & easy service and a price tag to keep you smiling all summer, the Lennox Merit series is sure winner.

Elite Series – XC13 & EL16XC1

The Lennox Elite Series Line of Products is truly a cut above. Available 2 stage units in this line allow for more precise temperature control when you need it and lower operating costs when demand is lower. Offering high efficiency outdoor coils with a unique shape and design engineered for maximum heat transfer with reduced airflow restrictions. A comprehensive 10 year parts and 10 year compressor warranty give customers the confidence they crave from their HVAC equipment. Advanced Copeland Scroll compressors provide ultra quiet and energy efficient cooling even in the harshest conditions.

With a galvanized steal chassis and cabinet this line laughs in the face of Alberta winters. In this regard the EL16XC1 takes the cake. With Quantum Coil technology the outdoor unit not only gains performance and lifespan but reduces noise levels considerably. Boasting up to 15.5 SEER in the XC13 and up to 17 SEER in the EL16XC1, this product line is perfectly designed for the environmentally conscious consumer looking for an affordable meeting point of efficiency, dependability, and capability.

Dave Lennox Signature Collection – SL18XC1, XC21, XC25

The Dave Lennox Signature Collection is the ultimate product line for luxurious home comfort. With SEER Ratings from 17 - 26 SEER and truly variable capacity compressors, these Air Conditioners blow the competition away. Boasting the most efficient residential A/C unit on the market as awarded by Energy Star in 2017, the XC25. This line is Lennox’s shining achievement, saving customers hundreds of dollars in energy costs every year while providing the most effective and precise cooling available.

With noise levels at 50% of any standard air conditioner and Precise Comfort Technology which allows temperature control within a half a degree at all times using only the energy needed to keep your air consistently comfortable. Did we mention it’s solar ready, and of course this line comes with Lennox's industry leading 10 year comprehensive parts and compressor warranty. Pairing these units together with their heating counterparts in the Ultimate Comfort System Package provides consumers with a unique balance of efficiency, precision and engineering mastery.

Mitigating Condensation Build Up In Your Home

Sun, 10 Feb 2019 09:15:02 GMT

During the winter months the demand for heat in your home increases exponentially. One of the side effects of this is a dryer indoor climate. This can cause serious issues for people with respiratory irregularities and can even wreak havoc on your hard wood floors and furniture.

The most efficient means of increasing humidity in your home is...you guessed it, a whole home (central) humidifier. This solution however, doesn't come without it's own consequesces. Condensation build up can cause damage to window and door casings and seals. Here are a few great tips to help mitiagte the build up of condenstation and stop water damage in its tracks.

1. Determine if your central humidifier is operating correctly . This is very simple. Locate your home humidistat. They are usually located either beside your thermostat (or integrated into the thermostat itself) or installed on the return air duct in your mechanical room. Once located set the humidistat to its highest sepoint. this should begin the humidifer operation and after a feww seconds or minutes you should see water running from the unit into a floor drain. the next step is to turn the humidistat all the way down or off. agin after a few second or minutes you should notice the water will stop draining. We have now proved that the humidistat is functioning.

2. Lower the humidity setpoint . Generally speaking in extreme cold temperatures 30% indoor humidity is the ideal setpoint.

3. Use the exhaust fans in your home . Make sure to always run kitchen and bath exhaust fans whenever you shower or cook. this will help draw excess moisture from the home.

4. Keep the air moving . Circulating the air in your home can help reduce moisture build up. Run ceiling fans if you have them in a clockwise direction to force the warm air from the cieling down to the floor. Keep your furnace fan running at all times during extremely low temperatures. Again, the more air movement in the home the better.

5. Raise the indoor temperature . Condensation occurs when warm air hits a cold surface (the window). Raising the indoor temperature setpoint will in effect raise the temperature of the windows themselves, allowing for less condensation build up.

6. Use storm windows . If you have older windows the issue may be due to air leakage causing the windows to be even colder than they should be. Storm windows allow the interior window to stay significantly warmer and should resolve the issues caused by air leaks.

7. Move your plants . We all need a little life in the home but your favorite plants release a ton of moisture into the air. Move these plants as far away from windows as possible in the winter months.

8. Seal any and all air leakage areas . There are many products out there to help you seal your home from the elements. Both window caulk or weather stripping are great solutions for gaps around windows and doors.

9. Most importantly check your furnace filter . If your filter is clogged it will restrict airflow through the furnace and to the rest of your home. Poor air movement creates the perfect environment for condensation to build and freeze to your windows and door seals. You should be changing your furnace filter every 2 months minimum.

Follows these tips and to keep your home comfortable and free from water damage, as a bonus many of these tips will help you save money on utilities over the winter.

8 Reasons To Make The Switch To A Smart Thermostat

Mon, 16 Apr 2018 09:19:33 GMT

Heating and cooling account for nearly half of your home’s energy costs! Installing a smart thermostat offers both automation and greater control over your home’s temperature and climate, control that could potentially save you hundreds of dollars a year on your energy bill.

A smart thermostat’s Wi-Fi connection enables much more than just the ability to monitor and change your system set-point remotely – there’s a whole host of perks to owning one! Here are 8 more smart thermostat advantages:

1. Take human error out of the equation

Smart thermostats learn your schedule and preferences, making it easy to be energy efficient by letting the thermostat handle the dropping and raising of the home’s temperature while you come and go. This works through either WiFi connection or Geo-Fencing, depending on the type of smart thermostat you purchase. The EcoBee & Nest for example, offer network connection monitoring. This means that when your cell phone connects to your home WiFi network the thermostat recognizes this and understands that you’ve arrived home, returning your system to it’s “at home set-point”. The Lennox iComfort S30 & E30 smart thermostats offer Geo-Fencing. This works off of the GPS function on your phone. When you are within a certain km radius (set by you) of your home the thermostat returns your system to it's "at home set-point". This can be more effective than network monitoring as it can give your system a little more time to heat or cool your home to the desired set-point before you arrive.

If you’ve ever left the AC or heater running all day while you were out, you’ll appreciate the way a smart thermostat can detect that you’ve gone, and run your system on an “away from home set-point” and save you money!!

2. Keep an eye on your home

Your smart thermostat is like a window into your home – check the companion app while you’re away from home to see if the heat’s running (and at what temperature).

Got a second home? A smart thermostat is a great way to confirm everything is running smoothly while you’re away.

3. Adjust the temperature from anywhere

Coming home early from work? Heading home from the airport? Still in bed and just wish it was a bit warmer? If you’ve got your mobile device handy, you’ve got control of your thermostat!

4. Get emailed alerts

Many smart thermostats offer support email alerts in the event of your home’s temperature falling or rising outside of your pre-determined range. If your thermostat is disconnected from its network, perhaps due to a power outage, you can be notified of that, too.

5. Save energy

The whole point of a smart thermostat is to save you money on your heating and cooling bill by nudging you towards energy-saving settings. Depending on your current habits, letting the smart thermostat manage your home’s climate automatically could save you a bundle.

The Nest for example, encourages energy-saving choices by awarding “Leaf” badges and providing easy tips in the monthly energy reports for achieving even bigger energy savings.

6. Program it with ease

Smart thermostats have evolved over the last few years, they’re becoming smarter and more user friendly thanks to their modern screen designs and highly-rated companion apps. If you’ve had a hard time with programmable thermostats in the past, you’ll love this new generation of well-designed thermostats.

7. Analyze your energy usage

Most smart thermostats track your energy usage and show it to you in an easy-to-read monthly report.

Curious about how much your heat ran last month? The report can tell you that. It can also tell you how much energy you used compared to other users and reward you for using energy-efficient settings.

8. Set vacation mode

Heading out for a while? Smart thermostats make it easy to set the temperature while you’re away without messing up your existing settings.

Smart Thermostats are a great way to save money, control and monitor your homes heating and cooling settings and usage and ensure an unoccupied home is operating at safe temperatures. Learn more about our favorite smart thermostats below!

Why Buy Lennox?

Mon, 09 Apr 2018 09:28:29 GMT

This article, though written by Lennox provides a detailed look at what sets them apart from the competition. Their creativity and innovation in both residential and commercial HVAC product development, offers customers the most intuitive and advanced comfort systems available. Why buy Lennox? Because consumers and Hvac Technicians agree, second place is a mile behind this industry juggernaut.

Check out the article in below and find out why your next home comfort purchase should be a Lennox product!

Highlight on High Efficiency Furnaces

Sat, 31 Mar 2018 09:50:41 GMT

Energy costs in Alberta continue to rise, making homeowners more conscious of ways to save energy around the home. Since heating and cooling use make up approximately half of the average home’s energy consumption, improving the efficiency of these systems is a change that will make a significant impact on your energy bills. High efficiency furnaces deliver reliable warmth and comfort with less energy use, saving you money on the comfort your family depends on throughout the winter.

What Is a High Efficiency Furnace?

A high efficiency furnace is a unit with an AFUE at 90% or higher. AFUE, or annual fuel utilization efficiency, is the measurement used to determine a furnace’s fuel efficiency. A furnace’s efficiency rating is noted on the furnace’s nameplate, usually located inside one of the removable access panels on the front of the unit.

High efficiency furnaces are built using new technology and features that simply do not exist on older models. Advancements in heating technology allow high efficiency furnace units to create more heat from the gas or fuel they use, while only using the minimum amount of energy required to do their job.

High Efficiency Furnace Features

High efficiency gas furnaces typically utilize advanced components and technology to deliver better energy efficiency over other models.

Electronic Ignition : Older gas furnaces are started by gas-burning pilot lights. New high efficiency furnaces feature electronic ignition that is only utilized when the furnace is signaled to come on. This feature conserves energy over a constantly-burning pilot light.

Two-Stage Heating : Two-stage heating allows high efficiency furnaces to operate with lower energy consumption when temperatures are mild. When temperatures are very cold, the higher stage works to keep your family warm, preventing discomfort.

Second Heat Exchanger : High efficiency furnaces are also called condensing furnaces. They utilize a second heat exchanger to extract heat that would otherwise escape your system through vented exhaust gasses, gaining more heat from the energy consumed.

Variable Speed Blower : A variable speed blower can operate at difference speeds based on the home’s current needs. It works at faster speeds when more airflow is needed, and switches to a lower speed when less will do.

Sealed Combustion : Sealed combustion allows the furnace to draw in outside air for the combustion process, conserving energy and making the process safer for your family.

Shopping for a High Efficiency Furnace

High efficiency furnaces turn more of the money you’re spending on energy into heat, compared to lower rated models. These furnaces are typically more expensive to install compared to lower efficiency models, but users make their money back in energy savings over shorter periods of time, depending on usage.

When shopping for a high efficiency furnace, compare features and efficiency ratings of the models you are considering. Obtain quotes from reputable HVAC contractors to learn the total cost of the furnace and its installation – several factors can affect installation costs, including ductwork installation or repair for improved efficiency.

Hot Water Heaters - Tanks vs Tankless

Sat, 31 Mar 2018 09:45:44 GMT

Hot water is used for many household tasks each day. Having a reliable hot water heater in your home provides the warmth you need for bathing, laundry, dishes, and other chores. New hot water heaters are energy efficient and help homeowners keep energy costs lower. Learn about the different types of hot water heaters and how you can help yours operate more efficiently.

Types of Hot Water Heaters

There are two basic types of water heaters: storage water heaters and tankless water heaters.

Storage Water Heaters

Storage water heaters, also called tank or conventional models, heat fresh water and store it in a storage tank so it is available on demand. This model does consume more energy to keep stored hot water at appropriate temperatures, but you’ll have the convenience of hot water whenever you need it. Once the tank is depleted of warm water, you’ll need to wait for it to refill before you have access to hot water again. These units require more space for installation, as room is needed to house the large storage tank. Storage water heaters are typically lower in purchase price compared to tankless units.

There are two types of storage hot water heaters:

Mid Efficiency (Conventional) & Power Vented
Power-Vented Water Heaters

How Do They Work?

Power-vented water heaters use a two pipe system driven by a venter motor for combustion. Both pipes are vented from the outside of the home, one for fresh air intake and the other for exhaust. The venter motor is mounted on top of the heater. It's main function is to pull fresh air into the unit which then mixes with natural gas, combusts and is exhausted outside your home. Because the heater creates its own pressure using a venter motor, it’s not vulnerable to negative pressures caused by other appliance exhaust fans. (dryers, range hoods, bathroom fans etc.)

Energy Efficiency

This water heater has grown in popularity as homeowners gravitate toward more energy-efficient devices. It has an energy efficiency of around 70%. This style of heater stored the water until it is demanded by a fixture in your home. As a result energy is constantly being wasted to keep the stored water hot and ready for on demand use.

Not only do these devices meet Energy Star criteria, they often exceed it, ranking up to 15.5 percent more efficient than federal standards. Buyers of the power-vented water heater can expect to save as much as 14 percent annually in energy costs.

Cost Considerations

Power vented water heaters are flexible in their placement, and are relatively easy to retrofit from an older conventional tank. Installation costs compared to a conventional style tank are slightly higher based on the cost of the tank itself and the installation of the two pipe system through the sidewall of the home. Installations starting at $2,550.00

Mid Efficiency Storage Water Heaters

How Do They Work?

Conventional, or mid efficiency storage style tanks store and preheat 30-50 gallons of water in a tank using the surrounding air to provide combustion. They are vented with a C-vent (metal) exhaust. The preheated water travels through the piping in your home and is used for showers, laundry, or washes dishes. once depleted of stored, preheated water he tank then refills with fresh cold water to be reheated once again.

Energy Efficiency

Conventional water heaters are 60% energy efficient (10% less than power vented). The flue gases are still hot because the remaining heat was not efficiently transferred from the flame, through the heat exchanger and into the water. Conventional water heaters are vented using natural draft or the buoyancy effect. Because of this they are vulnerable to negative pressures created by dryer vents and bathroom and kitchen exhaust. These negative pressure can suck the flu gases back into the home rather than being vented out the chimney. This results in carbon monoxide and other products of combustion building up in the mechanical room of your home. Power-vented and tankless water heaters have been specifically engineered to avoid this issue.

Like power-vented water heaters, conventional heaters store water in a tank where it is kept warm until needed for use. As a result, fuel is being wasted to keep the stored water heated even when there is no immediate demand. One benefit to this style of water heater becomes apparent during power interruptions or outages to your home. Conventional heaters do not require electricity to operate.

Cost Considerations

Although conventional water heaters are less energy efficient than power-vented or tankless style heaters, the initial cost to install is much lower. When choosing the right style heater for your home it comes down to initial upfront installation costs vs usage costs. Remember, more energy efficient systems will show a good return on investment over time. Conventional water heaters heat and reheat water at a pre-set temperature, regardless of your water needs. This increases your utility bills, especially during the winter months in Alberta. Installations starting at $1,350.00

Tankless Water Heaters

Rinnai Tankless water heaters are a newer technology. They heat water on demand, rather than storing it. When a fixture in your home calls for hot water, the tankless water heater activates to heat water and deliver it where it is needed. Hot water on demand means no constant heating of stored water. These units boast an AFUE (annual fuel utilization efficiency) rating of up to 96%. This means 96% of the fuel and electricity consumed by Rinnai Tankless units is directly converted into hot water.

Rinnai Tankless water heaters save up to 40% on fuel & energy consumption compared to conventional and power vented storage tanks. They are capable of heating enough hot water for up to four fixtures and or appliances at a time. Tankless water heaters are typically more expensive to install, but due to their lack of tank, they can be placed into tight areas where a large water tank would not fit.

They also boast up to a 20 year lifespan when properly maintained by a certified Rinnai Installer. Unlike conventional and power vented hot water tanks, tankless water heaters are also eligible for up to $1000.00 in government rebates under the Alberta Energy Efficiency Program. Installations starting at $4,500.00 before rebate.

Lendrix Hvac Services Inc.

Sources: Will Housh

DIY - Hot Water Tank Maintenance

Sat, 31 Mar 2018 09:37:44 GMT

Your water heater, like almost any household system, needs regular maintenance to keep it operating safely and efficiently. A system maintenance should be completed every six months. Here are a few tips to help keep your water heating system in good working condition. If you're not confident in your ability to perform a maintenance on your system, call a qualified service contractor.

If you're up to the task, read on!

Check the pressure valve

A pressure relief valve is installed on all storage tank style water heaters. This valve is an important safety device. It releases pressure from the tank should it over pressurize. If your pressure valve isn’t working properly, the tank could explode from excess pressure. To test your pressure valve:

Shut off the electricity running to the unit and turn off the gas, if applicable. (Is your tank electric or fuel powered?)
Shut off the cold-water inlet.
Place a bucket below the pressure relief valve’s discharge pipe to collect any water.
Pull the valve’s trip lever. If it is operating properly, there will be a minor rush of air and you may see some water and vapor come through the pressure relief valve. If not, the tank should be drained, and the valve should be replaced immediately.

Flush the tank

Over time, sediment and scale can build up in your hot water tank, lowering efficiency and clogging up your system. Flush the tank and remove sediment buildup:

Shut off electricity and gas to the water heater.
Shut off the cold-water inlet.
Connect a hose to the drain valve, and route it to a drain (normally one located in the mechanical room with the tank and furnace), bathtub or other location where hot water can safely drain.
Open the pressure relief valve. (You must do this to allow the water to drain freely. Think of it like letting your finger off of a straw full of water)
Open the drain valve and allow all hot water to drain out of the tank.
Once all the water has drained, close the drain valve, remove the hose, and close the pressure valve.
Open all fixtures connected to a hot water line throughout your home, including sinks and bath faucets.
Turn on the cold-water inlet.
Once water starts flowing from the fixtures you’ve opened, go ahead and close them.
Reconnect electrical and gas power to the unit.

Lower the temperature to save money

Another step you can take to save energy while you perform water heater maintenance is to lower your water heater’s thermostat setting. Lowering the temperature reduces energy use. The industry standard setpoint is 120 degrees Fahrenheit for safety as well as energy conservation.

Locate your water heater’s thermostat; you may need to consult your owner’s manual for assistance.
Mark the current setting with a marker and turn down the thermostat.
In a few hours, check the temperature by turning on the hot water at the farthest tap from the water heater.
If this setting is satisfactory, mark it on the thermostat for future reference.

You may need to make a few adjustments to find a desirable setting for your household, so repeat the process as needed.

Tips and Tricks For Being A Good Air Conditioning Owner

Sat, 31 Mar 2018 09:31:42 GMT

Though a yearly maintenance visit from a qualified service technician is an important part of maintaining your Hvac and A/C systems, there are steps you homeowners can take to keep things running smoothly. Here a few tips to keep your system running like new.

Your A/C system needs to breath! A dirty Furnace filter is the most likely cause of sudden issues with your system. When the filter is clogged it restricts the airflow through the furnace and across the cooling coil installed in the ductwork above your furnace. This causes the coil to get too cold very quickly resulting in ice build up. It can also cause the main blower motor to work extremely hard to supply your home with air causing overheating, increased power consumption and premature component failure. If you feel little or no air coming from your vents and the house is not cooling down, replace you filter, turn cool off on your thermostat and run your furnace fan only for two hours. Now start up your A/C. If the problem persists, turn your A/C off and call a qualified service contractor!

Your humidifier should be off during the summer. Set your humidity level in your home to off or 0% while using A/C in summer months. Your whole home humidifier adds water to the air traveling through your furnace. When the A/C is running, the refrigerant in the coil is well below freezing temperatures. Added moisture in the air with freeze to the coil and cause air restriction just like the previous tip. If this occurs shut your humidifier off and close the damper on the humidifier. There is a small lever on your humidifier labeled summer and winter or on & off. Insure it is set to the appropriate position. On for winter off for summer. If the problem persists, call a qualified service contractor!

If your A/C system shows that it is running on your thermostat and the outdoor unit does not start up outside, Check your Circuit Breaker. There is a dedicated breaker installed in your electrical panel for your A/C. if your outdoor unit is not running and the breaker is on, Call a qualified service contractor.

Keep the air moving! Closing off vents in your home is detrimental to A/C performance. Your Hvac system is specifically designed to manage the heat load in your home. Closing off too many vents restricts the airflow across your furnace causing freeze ups much like a dirty filter. Closing vents in one or two rooms in the house is fine but too many will cause issues and potential damage to the outdoor unit.

Close your basement vents during A/C season! It’s already cool down there and cold air falls naturally to the lowest point of the house. Close them off and force that cold air upstairs. In the fall open them back up or you’ll be mighty chilly down there come winter.

Get a tune up! Every other spring ensure you have a qualified Hvac tech perform a full inspection of your Hvac system. Testing furnace operation and safeties as well as A/C performance and refrigerant levels is not only meant to keep your system healthy but to keep you healthy as well. Issues with your furnace can result in high carbon monoxide and various other toxic gas levels in your home. A good service contractor is dedicated to prolonging the life of both customers and their systems.

If you are in between tune up years, you can do a mini tune up of your own. Start the season off with a brand-new filter. Shut the power off at the breaker or the disconnect switch outside by your unit and clean the outdoor coil. This sounds daunting, but I’ll walk you through it! With the power off, simply use your wide-angle hose sprayer (not the jet spray or a pressure washer!) and spray the outdoor unit in between the slats to reach the coil behind the shell. Keep spraying until the water runs clear. Clear away any debris build up from the winter months from around the outdoor unit. Make sure as many vents as possible in your home are open. Now start it up! If the unit doesn’t run, or runs but doesn’t cool the house, call a qualified service contractor!

Prepping for winter. Your system is basically winter ready. When you are done running your A/C for the year install the winter cover to protect from falling ice and snow. In many cases the outdoor unit has an internal temperature sensor. When the temperature outside is below 10 degrees C the unit is unable to run. Even if your thermostat shows that the unit is running it’s not! (Bonus tip, if your system is not cooling during the summer and the thermostat shows cool on don’t panic. It may be less than ten degrees outside. This is great! Open a window and enjoy some free A/C!) Shut the main power off to the unit. Change the filter if you haven’t already and you are set for winter!

Follow these tips and you can be confident you’ve done everything in your power to be a good A/C owner. I’ll say it once again. When in doubt, Shut the power to the unit off, run your FURNACE FAN ONLY & CALL A QUALIFIED SERVICE CONTRACTOR!

Choosing the right A/C system and installer to fit your home and budget.

Fri, 30 Mar 2018 09:54:03 GMT

Pinpointing your home’s specific cooling needs while fitting an install into your budget can seem tedious. Researching online can become frustrating for homeowners. With so much information available including customer reviews, equipment spec sheets, government recommendations and of course pushy sales reps; finding pertinent information relating to your specific needs can be difficult. Let us guide you through some basic points every homeowner should pay attention to while shopping for both an A/C system and a reputable installer.

Choosing an Installing Contractor

Though the brand, model, efficiency and warranty of the system itself are important, nothing is more important than finding a qualified installer. The contractor who installs your equipment must have the experience and knowledge to size the equipment correctly to your home and existing Hvac system. They also require the skills to properly install, charge and start up your equipment to ensure it runs efficiently and effectively.

Find and use a Licensed Installing contractor

Hvac is a very broad trade covering many different aspects of your home including but not limited to; plumbing, gas fitting, heating, A/C and electrical work. Ask every installer to provide proof of their licensing. This will give you peace of mind that the job you’ve hired them for is in fact within their scope of work.

Check your perspective installer’s online presence and reputation

If you can’t find anything at all it’s time to move on. Any reputable contractor wants their work to be showcased on social media, a website or review sites such as HomeStars, yelp etc. If you can’t see their work online, you likely don’t want it affecting the curb appeal of your home!

A more expensive contractor doesn’t always mean a better installation

Every contracting company operates differently, some have high overhead and many employees to consider when quoting a job, while other companies may only have one or two employees. Many smaller companies are able to offer more affordable rates due to a low day to day overhead. Don’t confuse a low rate with a sub par install. Do your research, search out their previous jobs, ask your contractor to show you a comparably priced job that they recently completed. This should give you a good idea of what kind of an install you are paying for.

Make sure your installer is insured

It seems like a no brainer, but insurance is extremely important for both the homeowner and installer during any home upgrade or renovation. Contractors are people too and unfortunately they sometimes make mistakes. A/C installations require brazing and welding inside and outside your home, electrical work and the use of hazardous materials, chemicals and equipment. Protect yourself and your home by only using contractors who are licensed and insured.

Choosing the right equipment.

Pick a well known, trusted brand

Most major A/C brands offer many different models of outdoor A/C units. Choosing the right one to fit your home can be difficult. Before you start doing your own research reach out to some installing contractors and ask for opinions on their preferred brands. As installers we have the expertise and answers you're looking for. Use us to your advantage! Every installer has their own opinions on the major brands and models available so take the info they provide and start researching.

Ask yourself what your main concerns are regarding a new system.

Noise level, efficiency rating, physical size, warranty and product track record should all be in the forefront of your mind. However, there are a few things you may not have thought of. Does the brand you're considering purchasing have a distribution centre in Calgary or southern Alberta? If not, consider choosing a brand that does. In the event of a part failure during warranty it could take weeks to have your specific part shipped to Alberta, leaving you and your family in an uncomfortable situation. Find out about a company's warranty claim process. Is the installing contractor responsible for filing a claim or are you? How long does the average claim take to process? These questions make the difference between a quick fix or a brutal cycle of paperwork that can last weeks.

Do I need a high efficiency unit?

A/C outdoor condensing units are classified based on their SEER rating (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating). Units range anywhere from 13 SEER to 26 SEER depending on the brand and model. So, what is the SEER rating? The SEER rating of a unit is the cooling output during a typical cooling season divided by the total electric energy input during the same period. The higher the unit's SEER rating the more energy efficient it is. Another factor to considering about the SEER rating is the unit noise level. The higher the SEER, the quieter the unit. Higher SEER units use more energy efficient compressors and condenser fan motors. This dramatically reduces the noise output of the unit. It’s important to recognize that as the SEER rating goes up so does the physical size of the unit. Higher SEER units need more surface area to expel the heat from your home through the outdoor unit. For example: a 16 SEER Lennox condensing unit is about twice the size of a 13 SEER Lennox unit. If space is an issue you may want to consider sticking to a lower SEER unit.

Are higher SEER units Worth it?

Ask yourself what kind of investment you're really looking for. Running a 13 SEER air conditioning system during a very hot month in Alberta will run your electrical bill up about $50.00/month compared to cooler months when your A/C system is not in operation. Running a 16 SEER unit drops that cost about 20% to approx. $40.00/month. The real impact comes from the premium product lines offered by most brands. Example: the Dave Lennox Signature Series product line offered by Lennox boasts a truly variable capacity compressor, allowing for precision cooling to within 0.5 degrees of set-point at all times. These units are rated up to 26 SEER.

With an operational cost in Alberta estimated at $12.00/month, the precision balanced outdoor fan motor along with the variable capacity compressor provide comfort on a level unmatched by any other product available. It's important to remember that premium product lines & higher SEER units are quite a bit more expensive in upfront equipment costs than lower SEER units. You will eventually see a return on investment due to lower power consumption, and advanced engineering reducing service and repair costs, but it can take some time. Taking all these factors into account can help you pick the SEER rating that’s right for you.

Does more expensive mean a better system?

The short answer is...well Yes and No. It really depends on what you're looking for in a system. When it comes to your basic affordable "just keep me cool" products there are only slight differences between Name Brands and Value Brands. These differences are generally in the over-all construction of the units. Copper tubing wall strength in the outdoor condensers, commercial grade electrical components rather than residential grade, and the gauge of steel used in the outdoor unit shell are some examples of these differences. Take Lennox for example, they are one of the most recognized and trusted Hvac brands in the world. They undoubtedly make great equipment. Because of their brand recognition and track record they are considered a premium brand. This moniker is well deserved, with decades of R&D and engineering development Lennox sets themselves apart as an industry leader and innovator. However, Lennox like many other brands have sub-brands or value brands which offer more affordable options. Lennox’s sub-brand is called Aire-Flo. Aire-Flo systems are $300.00 - $2000.00 lower in cost than comparable Lennox Merit Series units even though they use the exact same fan motor and compressor found in the Lennox Merit Series units.

On the other hand, the condenser tubing in Aire-Flo products has a thinner wall, over time this could result in potential refrigerant leaks that would not occur with a Merit Series unit. The steel used in the outdoor unit shell of the Aire-Flo equipment is 3mm thinner than in a Lennox Merit Series unit and the electrical components are sub-par compared to what Lennox Merit Series units offer. They are however made in the Lennox factory in Texas and are supplied with Lennox’s 10yr limited parts warranty. Sub-brands are a good way for top brands like Lennox to offer more affordable Hvac products without devaluing their own brand. It really depends on what you are looking for in a system. A little more expense upfront may be worth looking into if your investment in your home is going to be long term. If your living situation may be changing soon you may want to consider value over long-term performance for the time being.

What about the Warranty?

Most major brands offer the same warranty as their competitors. The standard warranty package is a 5yr limited parts, 1yr labour warranty. Most systems can be upgraded to a 10yr limited parts warranty with the online registration of the equipment. This warranty extension can only be granted if both the indoor and outdoor units are sized correctly to both each other and your existing Hvac system. The system must also be installed by a licenced contractor to qualify. Take all these things into consideration when picking both your equipment and installer. If the equipment you’re considering does not offer a free extended warranty package you may want to consider why not. If your installer doesn’t mention an extended warranty package or says that your equipment doesn’t come with one, do the research and confirm.

I f they are unable to offer the extended warranty it probably means they are not qualified to install it. An important note to remember about warranty is that premium product lines often offer better parts warranties than more affordable product lines. Example: The Dave Lennox Signature Series product line offers a 10yr ltd parts warranty which includes the compressor. Compare this to the Lennox Elite Series line which only offers 1 year warranty on compressor and 10 years on all other qualifying parts. Factors like this should help you determine what kind of an investment you want to make in your home's Hvac system.

Trust the Installer

It can be difficult to let go of the reins and trust someone else with such a big purchase. If you feel confident in your research of the installing contractor, you should allow them to guide you through the choice of a system that’s right for you and your home. Installers spend years honing their skills, both in school and through on the job training and experience. Chances are they know what is, or is not going to be the best system to fit your needs.

Final Thought

A new A/C installation is a big purchase that will affect you and your home for many years to come. Take the time to ask questions, do some research and narrow down the wide variety of options available to you. Find an installer you feel comfortable with and work with them to select a system that fits your specific needs. Do your due diligence, make sure your installing contractor is insured and qualified before you let them do any kind of addition or renovation to your home. Finally, enjoy your A/C system. Use it as you please and remember to set up a yearly maintenance plan to ensure your system runs as efficiently and effectively 5 years down the road as it did they day it was installed.

Dear Calgary

Wed, 07 Mar 2018 09:55:58 GMT

I was 19 when I made the move to Calgary. I had dropped out of an Arts program at the University of Waterloo and was living at home with my parents in Burlington, Ontario. I had a full time job in the maintenance dept. at Walmart. The term "maintenance dept" is generous....I was the cart boy. I didn't realise it at the time but I was afraid, I had no idea where to focus my attention. If you asked me then what my goals were or what I was looking for in life, you would have seen a truly unsure kid looking back at you. Sure, there was a glimmer of potential but no real vision on what to do with it. Like most young adults after high school I was stagnant..... so I moved.

I packed two suitcases with everything I could fit and I left the rest, hopped on a plane and headed for Calgary. I got a job pretty quick, people were still hiring over the phone back then. The recession hadn't quite begun. And Boom! I was making more than twice the money Walmart paid. I started out installing landscape lighting in and around Calgary. My boss offered up an electrical apprenticeship and I jumped at it! I realised pretty quickly that landscape lighting was a dead end, especially in a down economy. So I found a position at small commercial electrical company. I figured I was set. I'd work hard, put in my four years of apprenticeship, it was all going to work out. Then I got laid off.

So I did what any 20 yr old with a good head on their shoulders does. I got myself a job at a bar in Kensington. It sounds fun in theory, but honestly it's exhausting. My brother was a second year refrigeration mechanic at the time. I knew it was more of a service industry rather than construction, always a good thing during low economic turns. So I enrolled in the refrigeration mechanic pre-employment program at SAIT. I passed the course and found a job with a small refrigeration company. I worked for that company for 4 years. In that time I met my future wife, completed my apprenticeship and became a journeyman at 25. I left that company to move into the more stable and honestly the more lucrative side of the trade, HVAC. That's where I find myself now. I've spent a decade working, learning, reading, studying, literally living HVAC/Refrigeration.

Calgary has given me so much. This is a real City of opportunity. I'm not saying it's going to be quick or easy, but if you commit yourself fully, put in the time, hard work and be humble, Calgary notices. Calgary has become my home, I've grown here in ways I don't think possible had I stayed in Burlington. The whole of Alberta gives me a feeling Ontario never did. There's a real hope here. There are real people, willing to take real chances on untested individuals trying to find their place in a very big, very competitive country.

Now I've taken another leap with Lendrix HVAC Services, and again it's as exciting as it is daunting. I only hope that I run my company in a way that makes Calgarians proud of their investment in me. I'm not trying to get rich. I just want to help show my kids and my community (and maybe remind myself) of what this City will give back to you if you let it. Endless opportunity to find the things your good at, to be bad at the things you're not and a real fighting chance at success, however you define it.

If you're reading this Calgary all I can say is thank you. I owe you one.

Justin Meagher, Owner: Lendrix Hvac Services Inc.