Author: Pro West Heating

Winter is just around the corner, and everyone is looking forward to enjoying chilly days in a cozy warm environment inside their homes. However, amidst all this, if your HVAC stops working, it can cause major inconveniences and can be a huge mood killer. Therefore, timely maintenance and cleaning done by a professional HVAC technician can be a great step towards making sure that your HVAC continues to work throughout the winter season.

If your HVAC system is making an annoying humming sound, it is time for you to change or clean its filters. Cleaning your filters is easier than replacing them as a whole and is less costly. However, if the filter has worn out, it is best to replace it. This blog post highlights the importance of keeping your HVAC filters clean and why they are beneficial for the overall health of your HVAC.

Improves The Life Of Your HVAC Unit

One of the most important benefits of cleaning your HVAC filters regularly is that it improves the function of the HVAC unit. When the filters are clean, the system consumes considerably less energy. This also has a significant effect on your utility bills. Clean filters reduce the pressure on the internal system, which enhances the overall performance of the system. This also improves the life of your HVAC system, so you can enjoy many years with your HVAC without any need to replace it.

It Lowers Your Bills

If you notice an increase in your utility bills, there is a chance you have been ignoring your HVAC filters. Cleaning your HVAC filters periodically is the basic and the first step towards keeping your HVAC in good condition and reducing your utility bills. Clogged and dirty air filters require your HVAC system to work harder to push air through your system. This can increase energy usage, thereby leading to a significant increase in your energy bills. With clean air filters the system won’t have to work as hard.

It Improves The Quality Of The Air

Everyone likes to enjoy clean and healthy air free of bacteria and pollen. Clean filters mean that clean air will pass through them, and thus, improve the air quality inside your home. Unclean and clogged filters can lead to your Indoor air quality being worse than your outdoor air quality. Considering that people normally spend around 90 percent of their time indoors, this can be dangerous.

The presence of pollen, dust, dirt, mold spores, animal fur, microorganisms, bacteria, and more can be dangerous for many people, especially for asthma patients. Your air filter is designed with fibers to help trap unwanted particles to prevent them from passing through.

Lower Chances Of Repair

Replacing your filters or HVAC can be quite costly if you don’t clean your filters on time. When your air filters are dirty, your system has to work harder to push air through them. This means that your system has to put out more energy than necessary to deliver the amount of warm air you need.

Cleaning your filters significantly lowers the chances of HVAC repairs that can be quite costly for you. With regular maintenance and clean air filters, you can prevent unnecessary damage to your unit.

Final Thoughts

Keeping your HVACs filters clean helps keep your HVAC in good condition. It not only improves the function of your HVAC but also reduces your energy bills and the headaches of having to deal with any inconveniences.

About Pro West Heating & Air Conditioning

Pro-West Heating & Air Conditioning is a reliable HVAC contractor in Vancouver and surrounding areas. If you are looking to have your HVAC filters cleaned or repaired, contact us for HVAC services.

Having a smoothly running HVAC system is important not only to deal with the chilly winter weather but also to live comfortably throughout the summer. With a well maintained HVAC system, you remain comfortable and enjoy all seasons conveniently.

However, for this, you need to make sure that your HVAC system is in perfect condition and that all its repairs are done on time. Nevertheless, problems can arise with your HVAC system, consulting with a professional heating and cooling contractor can help you get your HVAC bak up and running again. Repairs can spring unexpected costs, but there are ways you can minimize these costs.

In this blog, we have mentioned a few factors that can affect the final price of the repair work you are getting done.

The Scope Of Work

Depending on the scope of the tasks for which you need HVAC services you may pay more. If the process includes mild cleaning and small tasks, then they won’t charge you as much. However, if the process includes deep cleaning, repairing, or changing filters and wires, it might take more time, experience, and effort, and thus, cost more.

For example, repairing residential units may be simpler than repairing commercial units. Most commercial areas have large interlinked HVAC systems, and any problem in one unit might cause problems in others. In such cases, a professional HVAC company with the right experience is needed to resolve the issue as soon as possible.

How The System Is Designed

How a system is designed and installed in the building can affect the price of your HVAC maintenance services. For example, if the unit is self-contained and easy to access, you won’t have to pay as much. However, if your HVAC is not easy to access and the workers have to spend time and effort trying to get to components that are tucked away in a crawl space or concealed behind the walls, the HVAC workers will most likely charge more. Hence, while getting a new HVAC system installed, make sure it is accessible.

Your Timing

Professional HVAC services are high in demand right before summer and winter. Getting repairs done during this time is usually more costly. Hence, if you need to get your HVAC repaired, it is best to get it done during Spring or Autumn. However, if sudden malfunctions spring up, don’t shy away from hiring expensive services in the summer and winter since some HVAC issues can be hazardous.

Age Of Your HVAC System

Servicing an older HVAC will cost more than a new one. This is because worn out components and years of constant stress take a toll on the overall condition of the unit. These worn-out components are hard to repair and find a replacement for, hence requiring more time and effort. Therefore, a company will charge you more to service and repair an old HVAC system.

With that being said, it is better to conduct regular maintenance and repairs of your HVAC system so that any problem with it can be solved on time. This will save you from costly repairs in the later stages

About Pro West Heating & Air Conditioning

At Pro West, we offer expert services in repairing, installing, and maintaining air conditioning, heating, and humidifier systems to our residential and commercial customers in Vancouver and the lower mainland region.

From minor problems to huge ones, our professionals are always available to give you personalized services. We are pleased to offer our customers high-quality HVAC systems from the industry’s leading manufacturers. We help you decide whether your HVAC system needs to be replaced or repaired. Our team can help you make a viable and budget-friendly decision. Contact us for further assistance.

There are many options for residential heating systems that you can choose from. From furnaces to heat pumps and ductless mini splits, homeowners have several options they can opt for.

Even though all these systems work differently, there are a few components like air filters that they all have in common. These filters are responsible for cleaning the air that circulates through the heating system. They trap and hold many types of particulates and contaminants that could affect your health and comfort. These include dust, dirt, and pollen. In addition to this, you can invest in antibacterial air filters that are designed to filter 99.9% of all allergens from the air.

Since filters trap several types of particulate matter from the air they need to be replaced every few months. There are many factors that go into deciding when you should replace your filters. However, as a general rule, you should replace your air filters after every 90 days.

To help you make a more informed decision, we have listed some of the factors that could require you to replace your filter more often.

More Environmental Pollution

If you live in an area where the air is rather polluted and the amount of dust in the air is more than normal (near the main road), then you will have to change your air filters more often. The longer the filter is in place, the more dirt, dust, and allergens are likely to become trapped in the filter.

People In Your House Have Asthma Or Allergies

Outdoor air contains harmful allergens. If this air is constantly circulated inside your house without adequate filtration, it can worsen the condition of people who already have allergies or asthma as they are much more sensitive to airborne particulates. Hence, you will have to replace your filter more often.

Pets In The House

If you have a furry friend in the house, we are pretty sure that you are no stranger to fur shedding. Their fur is lightweight and circulates with the air. This fur is filtered by your air filters in both heating and cooling systems. However, as compared to dust and dirt, fur is more clogging which is why houses that have pets require their filters to be replaced more often.

Why Should You Replace Your Air Filter Before Winter?

Leaving your filter dirty might not seem like a big deal, however, it can greatly affect the efficiency of your heating system. Even when your heating system is not running, the filter can trap dust and debris which is why it is important to replace the filter before using the system in winter.

Reduced Air Quality

The standard filter of your heating system – along with improving your indoor air quality – also protects the system itself from dust, debris, and grime. Leaving a filter dirty allows unfiltered air to bypass the filter, introducing pollutants into the ductwork and, subsequently, into your home.

Increased Energy Costs

Not replacing your air filters when needed, forces you to pay more even though you are living in less comfort. A heating system with dirty filters has to work harder than normal to keep the house at a certain temperature, yet it fails to work efficiently. Despite not being able to provide high-end functionality, the system sucks up your energy leading to increased energy consumption and bills.

Frequent Problems

When your air filter is dirty the heater has to work extra hard to warm your home. This exponentially increases the risk of running into operational problems. The more strain that you put on your heater, the more likely it will be to start to run down requiring repair.

Hence replacing your air filter on time can help prevent these issues. If you don’t know how to replace your filter, you can always hire an HVAC maintenance professional to help you with the issue. They can also help you choose the best filter for your heating system.

Get Help From Pro West Heating & Air Conditioning

Pro-West Heating & Air Conditioning is your go-to partner when it comes to repairing, maintaining, and installing HVAC systems. We are one of the best and most reliable HVAC contractors In Vancouver and the lower mainland. Contact us for more information about our services.

If you own a commercial space or are managing one, it is quite likely that you are familiar with how unpleasant odors can drive customers and potential clients away. According to psychologists who study the effects of different smells, people quickly become conditioned to odors.

Hence, people working in commercial setups with unpleasant odors will stop noticing it but when a client or customer walks in, they will definitely notice the unpleasant smell in the air.

The main question that arises here is what is causing the smell? In most cases, musty and moldy smells come from the HVAC system. The ducts connected to the system are responsible for regulating the airflow in the building and all the rooms are connected to each other via these ducts.

Hence, if there is debris, mold or mildew build up in the HVAC system, the bacteria, fungi spores and unpleasant odors travel through the duct to every room.

How Can You Tell If The Odor Is Coming From Your HVAC System?

Unfortunately, odor problems are difficult to solve. They could be caused by a dead mouse in the HVAC room or mold or mildew development in the HVAC system.

If you are dealing with musty and unpleasant odors in your building, there is a high chance you have already tried all the obvious remedies including deep cleaning the area. However, if the issue is still present after doing these things, the culprit is most likely your HVAC system.

If your HVAC equipment has not been properly maintained for over six months, it can harbor moisture causing the build up of mold leading to unpleasant odors. In addition to this a poorly designed HVAC airflow can push air in the wrong direction, spreading nasty odors to areas from the janitor room and toilets.

In either case, you will have to consult with an HVAC maintenance professional to help you identify and rectify the issue.

An HVAC System Is Much More Than A Cooling And Heating System

HVAC systems are designed to move air through buildings. They are a combination of different air removing and air pushing systems including exhaust fans, clothes dryers, built-in vacuum systems, dust collection systems, range hoods, ventilation systems, air conditioners and heating systems.

Hence, when an HVAC system is designed for a commercial building, extra care has to be taken. When there is more air removed from an area than air supplied, negative pressure causes air to be drawn in from outside the room, resulting in negative air flow. Similarly, when more air is pushed into your space than removed by exhaust, positive air flow is created.

All this has to be kept in mind while laying out the ventilation system. Air moves odors, and other particles with it, hence poorly laid systems can result in a musty and unpleasant odor in an area.

If you feel like the HVAC system of your building has not been designed properly or air flow is not being properly regulated, you can easily get it fixed by an HVAC professional.

Precautions That You Can Take

As mentioned, ill-maintained HVAC systems can develop serious issues that not only will cost you money in the long run but can also be a health hazard for people working in the building.

Inhaling and ingesting fungi spores and mold residue can lead to various lung and gastric diseases. Hence, it is imperative that you take some precautions to ensure the safety of your HVAC system and the people in the building.

Some of the precautions that you can take include:

• Getting the ventilation system cleaned every six months.
• Hire professionals to maintain your HVAC system every three months.
• If your HVAC system is 10-15 years old, get it replaced.

Moreover, it is advised that you hire experienced HVAC professionals for maintenance purposes.

Get Help From Pro West Heating & Air Conditioning

As a homeowner it is necessary to get ready for the upcoming weather. Prepare for the summer by ensuring that your AC is in good working condition. Similarly, you might want to reconsider your heating system before winter approaches. Hiring an HVAC contractor is a wise idea if you require a new installation or if you want to repair your existing heating or cooling systems.

But, how can you ensure that you are hiring the right company? To help you hire the right contractor, we have shared some useful tips in this blog post.

Know What You Need

Before hiring any HVAC company, make sure you know what you want in your home. Do you want to install a new heating and cooling system, is there a problem with your boilers or the AC? Knowing the purpose of calling an HVAC contractor can help you narrow down which HVAC contractor to go with based on their expertise. Furthermore, it will also save you from going off-track when asking your contractor to do the job.

Check Their Experience

Before hiring, check whether the HVAC company is experienced or not. There are many technical tasks involved in heating and cooling repairs, and only an experienced professional will know what should be done to repair the problem at hand. Moreover, different tools are used for such tasks, only an experienced contractor will know how to properly use them.

Research

Research on your own and find the most suitable HVAC contractor for your work. It might include going out in the market and doing surveys or researching online to find an HVAC contractor with good reviews that can suit your needs. When in doubt, get a second opinion. You can ask your friends or family to suggest a suitable HVAC company.

They Must Have Insurance

Installing or repairing cooling and heating systems can be hazardous. Any damage to such systems can be costly. Therefore, it’s important that you check that the company you are thinking of going with has insurance and can cover the general liability. They should be responsible for any damage caused on their part. Unless they have liability insurance, don’t hire them.

Get An Evaluation Before

It is better to have your home inspected and to get a quote before signing any contract. Once you have decided on a particular HVAC contractor, call them and ask them to inspect the problem before. If a company provides you an estimate before the evaluation, it is a sign of inexperience. A well-established company will always find out what you want and then give you the cost estimate for it.

Don’t Go For The Lowest Prices

It is better to get a cost estimate after the evaluation. Cheap prices don’t mean that they will always be to your benefit. Many inexpensive services often include irresponsible workers who don’t know how to do the job. Therefore, try to avoid being caught in apparently cheap offers and hire the right company that can offer you great services.

Get A Written Agreement

Having a written agreement is important before you begin any work with your HVAC contractor. It must state the total cost, any upfront costs, liability insurance, and other important details. This will save you from any unexpected conflicts later on.

About Pro West Heating & Air Conditioning

Pro-West Heating & Air Conditioning is a reliable HVAC contractor in Vancouver and surrounding areas. Our professionals strive to maintain a healthy indoor environment for you in every season. Contact us for HVAC services.

It is natural to want to crank up your air conditioning system when it is hot and humid outside. This is especially true after a storm has just passed leaving you with hot and humid weather conditions.

However, have you ever thought about whether it is safe to keep running your AC system during a storm? Many people dismiss the thought of turning off their HVAC system during a summer thunderstorm to maintain the indoor temperature of their home. But, not many are aware that operating your air conditioner during a thunderstorm can lead to some damage to your unit.

Hence, experts advise that you should shut off your system when the weather starts acting up.

In this blog, we have jotted down the main reasons it is important for you to shut off your air conditioner during a thunderstorm.

Lightning Strikes

Although there have not been many incidents where lightning has struck residential areas, there is an undeniable possibility during a storm. Moreover, the electrical service drop where your utility lines connect to the house on the roof is a very vulnerable point for lightning strikes.

If lightning strikes the drop, it can cause a significant power surge through your home’s electrical system. An average bolt of lightning can produce as much as five billion joules of energy. Imagine this power flowing through your home’s wiring before the breakers are triggered to trip. In this fraction of a second, your HVAC system can be damaged.

If your HVAC system endures similar damage, there is no workaround for it. You will have to replace it.

Unstable Power

During a thunderstorm, due to charged air and harsh weather conditions, the power can become unstable. The voltage of electricity you receive fluctuates, most HVAC systems are not designed to deal with fluctuating power.

If the system is left running, these fluctuations can result in the air conditioner’s control panel, which is full of sensitive electrical circuitry, being damaged. It can also melt the plug into your unit or end up corrupting the entire heating and cooling system.

The only way to fix any of the aforementioned issues is by replacing the whole system.

Does This Hold For Window Air Conditioners As Well?

Yes, the same is true for window air conditioners as well. Moreover, they are more likely to be hit by lightning since they are protruding from the window. In addition to this, if you live in an apartment building or highrise and are further from the ground, the chances of getting hit by lightning increase.

However, the devices are electrically insulated to remain safe in the event of a surge and the refrigerant inside the unit is nonflammable, so you don’t have to worry about an explosion. The power surge and the effect of the lightning can, on the other hand, render your air conditioning system useless.

Air Conditioning Protection System

If you live in an area where lightning strikes are very common, having your system electrically insulated to remain safe in the event of a surge is a good idea. The system uses lightning rods, conductors, and ground rods to create an alternate path for lightning to reach the ground so that it does not travel through the home’s electrical system.

However, know that these systems are not 100 percent effective at preventing surges.

How Can Pro West Heating Help?

At Pro West, we are pleased to offer our customers high-quality HVAC systems from the industry’s leading manufacturers. Our experts are trained to deliver the best services backed by a 100 percent guarantee. We help you decide whether your HVAC system needs to be replaced or repaired, our team can help you make a viable and budget-friendly decision. For more information on our services, contact us.

One of the most well used heating systems for large buildings that has sat on the market throne for decades is the hydronic heating system. The reason for its widespread use is related to its ability to effectively heat and cool large buildings such as offices, campuses, and more. The hydronic system can be used to loop both hot and cold water through the pipe system.

Unlike traditional systems such as gas, heat pumps, and electric furnaces, the hydronic heating system is a practical, efficient, and effective alternative for heating and cooling residential and commercial buildings. It can provide a well-directed heating system while being cost-effective and having few installation and operation difficulties.

Compared to air, water is a much better heat transferring medium. Therefore, hydronic heating systems have better performance compared to conventional air-based systems. Hydronic systems have numerous benefits in addition to their cost-effectiveness.

Continue reading to find out more about some of the top benefits offered by hydronic systems.

It Is A Cost-Effective Alternative

The cost of running a hydronic system is estimated to be 20 to 30 percent less than the operating cost of conventional central heating or gas ducted heating systems. This is an excellent indicator of how installing a hydronic system can benefit your home and business.

Apart from the initial upfront payment for the installation cost, the operational cost of the hydronic heating system will leave you without long-term high running costs. In addition to this, as most hydronic heating systems utilize gas boilers, you can achieve efficiency levels of up to 95 percent with considerable savings.

It Is Cleaner And Healthier

Something that most homeowners do not realize is that their regular central heating systems are home to a number of dust particles and microscopic contaminants. Countless bacteria, allergens, and dust mites are floating around in the same air that you and your family members breathe.

Hydronic heating is a healthier alternative for heating and cooling your home or building. Its heating mechanism is very simple, where the water is first heated and the heat from it then radiates via special radiators around your home. This way, it effectively eliminates the constant cycle of dust and dirt blown into the air.

The hydronic heating system is both allergen-friendly and good for those with breathing issues like asthma. With its additional benefit of providing warmth in the same way nature does, the installation of a hydronic system is a healthy and effective way to heat your home.

It Is A Lot Safer

Before finalizing your choice, one important factor that you must consider is the safety aspect of the system.

The hydronic heating system does not have any exposed electrical components or flames and is completely sealed off. It has a lower risk percentage of a fire hazard and offers quality heating in volume with safety as its top priority.

It Is An Eco-Friendly Alternative

The most eco-friendly form of heating is hydronic heating as it only requires water and natural gas. In addition to saving on your energy bills, using hydronic heating can also help the planet by reducing your overall energy consumption. It is known to be an energy-efficient technique because of its ability to operate 2 or more separate piping systems from a single hydronic boiler. Unlike other electricity-dependent heating systems, the total energy used by hydronic heating is 70 percent less.

About Us

At Pro West, we offer expert services in the repair, installation, and maintenance of air conditioning, heating, hydronic, and humidifier systems to our residential and commercial customers in Vancouver and the lower mainland region. Contact us today for more information about our services.