The Comfort Zone Newsletter Spring 2016

Spring 2016 Edition
T
here are many door-to-door
sales agents promising great
savings on furnaces. These savings
may seem hard to believe – and
they usually are. To make sure
you don’t get fooled, here are a
few things to watch out for:
n Sales agents who are dressed
like technicians or representatives
from another
well-established
and credible
company.
n Sales agents
implying they
represent your
current utility.
n Sales agents
signing you up for a long-term
contract at rental rates higher
than others, while claiming to
be saving you money.
n Sales agents telling you your
furnace isn’t energy efficient.
Always remember that the front
door of your home is no place to
make an important decision like
buying a furnace. This should not
be an impulsive decision.
Industry leaders and consumer
advocates regularly issue warnings
about the dangers of dealing with
door-to-door heating and cooling
sales agents. Don’t be pressured
by their scare tactics!
Remember: ClimateCare would
never employ door-to-door sales
representatives. We respect your
privacy. If you ever do need us,
however, just give us a call and
we’ll be there right away.
It’s Time To Make Sure
Your A/C Is Ready To Go
W
ith spring in the air, it’s
time to make sure your
A/C is ready for the cooling
season ahead. We’ve compiled a list
of 22 steps we take to ensure your
home and A/C get the best care.
n Check/level/adjust thermostat
n Wash and check condenser coil
n Check/clean contacts at contactor,
record voltage at contactor
n Check electrical connections
n Check capacitor(s) for oil leaks
and test performance
n Check furnace filter and offer
replacement
n Check circulating air blower
for cleanliness
n Adjust heating/cooling dampers
n Check, clean and test condensate
drain and pump
n Lubricate all moving parts
n Record indoor and outdoor
ambient temperature
n Measure and record indoor
R.H and wet bulb reading
n Check temperature drop across
evaporator, adjust blower speed
n Check refrigerant level
n Check for refrigerant leaks
at service valves
n Apply silicone/wax to your
unit’s condenser valves
n Clean around outdoor unit
and furnace
n Check for manufacturer’s
installation/operating manuals
n Review utility costs/equipment
life expectancy with owner
n Offer replacement batteries
for smoke detector
n Check for CO alarm/blue
flame certification
n Review/document results and
recommendations with client
It’s Cool To CAll Us
Remember that keeping your air
conditioner in tip-top shape requires
regular maintenance. Simply give
ClimateCare a call and their experts
will make sure you will have nothing
to sweat about this summer!
A Breath Of Fresh Air! Your Quarterly C.A.R.E. Package
Check Please!
Checklist for Furnace Maintenance
Need to get your furnace serviced? Booked a tune-up? Great! Now what? ever wonder
what technicians are actually doing while they are in your home? This step-by-step
guide lets you in on what’s really going on during your precision tune-up.
n Check level and adjust thermostat
n Check all safety controls and wire connections
n Clean/inspect burners and burner compartment
n Remove, clean blower/test run capacitor performance
n Visual inspection of heat exchanger
n Check and clean thermocouple/flame sensor
n Clean and check igniter/spark electrode/pilot
n Check filters/offer replacement
n Adjust dampers for heating/cooling mode
n Check and flush condensate drains/traps
n Test fuel line for leaks at appliance
n Check for required service access
n Lubricate all moving parts
n Check for adequate combustion air requirements
n Cycle furnace and monitor ignition and flame
n Check and record manifold pressure/clock input
n Check temperature rise, adjust blower speed as required
n Perform CO test, Circulating air/free air/vent, record readings
n Inspect venting system for leaks/slope/support/debris
n Check presence of gas pipe pressure test tag
n Check for manufacturer’s installation/operation manuals
n Wipe down furnace/clean up around furnace
n Compare utility costs and equipment life expectancy with owner
n Offer replacement batteries for smoke detector
n Check for CO alarm/blue flame certification
n Review and document results/recommendations with client
4
Checklist for Fireplace Maintenance *
n Check/level/adjust thermostat, remote
n Check all safety controls and wire connections
n Clean/inspect burners, logs and burner compartment
n Clean glass with proper cleaner
n Clean and check thermocouple/flame sensor
n Clean and check igniter/spark control/pilot
n Check blower for operation and cleanliness
n Inspect venting system for debris and termination
n Check for required service access/clearances to combustibles
n Check for adequate combustion air requirements
n Cycle fireplace and monitor ignition and flame
n Check millivolt readings
n Check and record manifold pressure/clock input
n Perform CO test – free air/vent – record readings
n Test fuel line for leaks at appliance
n Check presence of gas pipe pressure test tag
n Check for manufacturer’s installation/operation manuals
n Wipe down fireplace/clean up around fireplace
n Review utility costs/equipment life expectancy with home owner
n Offer replacement batteries for smoke detector
n Check for CO alarm/blue flame certification
n Review and document results/recommendations with client
* Most, but not all ClimateCare members offer fireplace maintenance
CheckList For
HRV/ERV Maintenance
No step is missed in our precision
tune-ups. Let us ensure the delivery
of fresh air to your homes. This is a
checklist of what is done during
your maintenance sessions.
n Check and clean controls
n Check/clean condensate drain/pump
n Check damper position (balance)
n Check and clean filters
n Check and wash core
n Check defrost controls
n Check intake/exhaust for debris
n Lubricate moving parts
n Wipe down unit
n Run and test operation
n Check for manufacturer’s
installation/operation manuals
n Review and document results/
recommendations with client
A Breath Of Fresh Air! Your Quarterly C.A.R.E. Package
it May be Time To Get
Your Ducts In Order?
W
e’ve all experienced it.
That satisfaction we get
after everything is freshly
cleaned and dusted. Just give it a few
minutes, and everything’s dusty all
over again! Don’t you hate it when
that happens. It might be time to
get your ducts cleaned. Which may
not mean much to you, but there are
many benefits to getting this done:
n Allergy/Asthma relief
n Dust Control
n Improved Air Flow
n Increased Mechanical Efficiency
n Reduced Energy Costs
n Fire Prevention
Ducts, over time, accumulate bacteria, germs, dust, insects and rodents.
This will cause the contaminates to be dispersed into the air. Which really
isn’t a nice thought to have in your head. It’s pretty disgusting to think
about, actually. Believe it or not, studies show that the air inside of your
home is two to five times more polluted than the air outside.
The steps included in a proper cleaning are: cleaning of all registers,
inside the ducting, and interior of heating and ventilation system.
If you have any of the three following issues you should get your ducts
inspected and cleaned immediately. And you should use a company that
has the ability to determine the source of the problem and correct it:
n Substantial visible mould growth inside hard surface (e.g. sheet metal)
ducts or on other components of your heating and cooling systems;
n Ducts are infested by vermin (rodents or insects); or
n Ducts are clogged with dust and debris to the point where particles
are being released into your home from the supply registers
Should you
Rent Or BUY?
H
ome comfort equipment, such
as furnaces and water heaters, may
seem like a costly expense item, but
they are actually an investment.
You can try taking short cuts in saving
money by renting your home comfort
equipment, but you may be doing more
harm than good. If you’re a homeowner
who has considered renting your home
comfort equipment, be sure to make
a well-informed decision.
At ClimateCare, we are often asked
whether it’s better for a homeowner to
rent or buy equipment. We believe, in
most situations, renting is not the best
option. To us, the benefits of owning as
opposed to renting are far greater.
Be sure to consider the terms and
conditions of the contract when making
this very important decision.
If you decide to rent, make sure you
read the contract thoroughly before
making a commitment, as contracts
have terms and conditions that can
be onerous to most homeowners.
Also, do not hesitate to ask pointed
questions to the person who is trying to
rent you a product. It is your money that
is being spent and you want to make
sure you have a full understanding
of how it’s being spent.
EASTER M&M’S BLONDIES RECIPE
Ingredients:
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cubed
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup pastel Easter M&M’s
For The Topping:
• 7 1/2 ounces milk chocolate, cut into
squares or roughly chopped, divided
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
• 1/4 cup pastel Easter M&M’s
Keep In Mind: If you are hosting, lowering
your thermostat is a good idea. The extra body
heat and oven heat will make up for it!
If you are now drooling, the rest of the recipe can be found at
http://bestfriendsforfrosting.com/2013/03/easter-mms-blondies/
Profile
Member
CASTOR
Your Comfort Is Our Concern
Don’t Let The
Summer Heat
Hound You!
L
ocally owned and operated, Castor ClimateCare has been keeping
Embrun and area families comfortable for almost two decades. This
family-owned business remains committed to your family’s home
comfort. Ensuring our customers’ peace of mind is not something we just
talk about. It’s something we work hard to deliver each and every day. With a
wide selection of products and services to keep your family comfortable and
safe, Castor is your one-stop shop for all your heating and cooling needs.
We are much more than just your personal climate experts. We are also
your neighbour. so, you know you can depend on us to do the job right.
We are committed to providing you with excellent service and installation
of top-quality products, at the right price.
Call Castor ClimateCare today and ask us about our complete range
of home comfort services, including the following: high-efficiency furnace
installation, service and maintenance, air conditioners, air conditioning
service and maintenance, indoor air quality systems, We Care
maintenance plans, fireplaces, water heaters and more.
Call us at 613-443-7242
or visit www.CastorClimateCare.ca
The Heating & Cooling Professionals Who C.A.R.E.
Comfort, Accountability, Reliability, Excellence
Now Offering
Home comfort
rebates up to
$1500
Call Today To Take
Advantage Of This
Fetching Offer!