FAQ

Do I need my heating system serviced every year?

Probably the most common question a homeowner asks. The short answer is yes. Here's why:

We ask a lot of our heating systems: expecting them to work well during even the coldest day of the year. If you've ever come home to a cold house on frigid winter day, turn the thermostat up and nothing happens due to a break down in your heating system, you know just how important a reliable heating system is.

Having your heating system serviced every year can prevent these breakdowns by replacing filters, nozzles; inspecting blowers, flame rods, ignitors and pumps; and cleaning the burner and/or heat exchanger.

Annual service also keeps your system running efficiently: A layer of soot 1/16" of an inch thick inside your boiler or furnace can lower its efficiency by up to 10%

Newer, condensing propane heating systems need service annually too. Despite being more efficient and running "cleaner" than older, conventional heating systems, they too can get buildup in their heat exchanger and condensate systems that can cause breakdowns

Most importantly, for the safety of you and your family, every heating system has a variety of safety controls that need to be tested annually in order to ensure they are working as intended.

Contact us today to schedule a service for your heating system so you can enjoy a worry-free winter.

Will a Heat Pump heat my home all winter long?

Heat Pump technology, essentially an air-conditioner running backwards, can be a cost-effective and environmentally-friendly way of heating your home. It has the added benefit of cooling and dehumidifying in the summer months.

Heat Pumps have been around for decades and more recently the industry has made strides in developing heat pumps that work to in temperatures a low as -31 degrees F, low enough to work on even the coldest day of the year in our area.

Newly built, well-insulated homes can often be heated with a heat pump in our climate in a cost-effective manner, especially if combined with solar panels

Older homes, even those that have had insulation added to them, might struggle to stay comfortable on those super cold days. For those homes, a heat pump works best in conjunction with a conventional heat source such as an oil or propane furnace or a solid-fuel heat source such as a wood or pellet stove. In these homes, a heat pump can knock a significant amount off your annual fuel bill.

What is an HRV and why would I need one?

An HRV or Heat Recovery Ventilator is an appliance designed to bring fresh air into your home and while exhausting moist, stale air. The system runs through a heat exchanger, pulling the heat out of the exhaust air and using it to warm the incoming air.

As we build better-insulated homes, and tighten up existing ones, problems of indoor air circulation and air quality are exacerbated. New building materials, cookstoves, woodstoves, candles, pets, even our own breath, are all sources of contaminants in our home's air and can negatively affect your health. An HRV can mitigate these issues, resulting in a home with better indoor air quality, lower humidity and a lower chance of developing mold or moisture problems.

Expect to see some form of HRV to be mandated in future building codes. If you are planning on building a new home, we highly recommend putting one in.