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5 Reasons Tankless On-Demand Hot Water Systems are Popular

4 Facts to Know about Your Hot Water Boiler

Are you tired of working around your family’s shower schedule and waiting for water to warm up to the right temperature? This is just one of the reasons why many families in Brockville are turning to on-demand tankless hot water systems. Our Toshack team have outlined a few of the reasons for the current demand.

Continue reading “5 Reasons Tankless On-Demand Hot Water Systems are Popular”

4 Facts to Know about Your Hot Water Boiler

Trinity boiler install

Hot water boilers are invaluable and provide a level of heat that some other types of heating systems can’t match. Rather than moving heat through vents and ductwork and distributing it through the home, heat radiates into each room via a heat transfer from hot water. But there are also lots of misconceptions about boilers and the components associated with them, such as baseboard heaters, radiators, and underfloor heating systems.

Continue reading “4 Facts to Know about Your Hot Water Boiler”

How to Get the Most Out of Your Home’s Cooling System

How to Get the Most Out of Your Home’s Cooling System

With summer here and the heat already starting to arrive in Brockville and Kingston, ensuring you keep your cooling system efficient and running at its peak is important. Whether you have an air conditioner or a heat pump, properly maintaining your system can mean spending less on energy costs over the summer months.

Our team at Toshack has compiled a few tips to help boost cooling efficiency this summer, so you can stay cool and comfortable in your home!

3 Ways to Maximize Your Air Conditioner’s Performance

1. Maintenance & Repairs 

Just like your car, an air conditioning system needs occasional maintenance to keep it running well – and to avoid costly repairs down the line. Ideally, before you start your A/C each summer, you should get a professional HVAC technician in Brockville or Kingston to check the system for issues and make any needed repairs. If you haven’t, and you feel like something may be off, be sure to have your HVAC technician take a look.

2. The Correct Thermostat Setting

Your thermostat can play a big part in managing your cooling costs and the overall lifespan of your A/C. Try to find a temperature that is comfortable, but without being super cold. Lowering your thermostat by just a few degrees can have a big impact on your energy bill. It may also make your cooling system work that much longer and harder, which can impact its lifespan.

Thanks to technological advances, you can invest in programmable and smart thermostats that make custom settings and efficiency easier for the homeowner. You can even program some thermostats to allow a slightly higher temperature during the day, only lowering when you expect people will be back in the house.

3. Change Your Filters

While often overlooked, a simple way to ensure your cooling system is functioning efficiently is to replace your filters regularly. A filter that is dirty and clogged will force your system to work harder and prevent air from passing through.

Be sure that you check to see the exact measurements of your air filter before going to the hardware store. There are many different brands and quality filters to choose from, and some can protect against certain allergens and bacteria. Be sure to do your research about which one is right for your needs.

Get Cooling System Installation, Repairs, & Maintenance

Toshack is proud to offer Brockville and Kingston quality HVAC services. We carry top air conditioning models from such brands as Lennox, an industry leader for many years. Whether you need repairs, maintenance, or installation, we’ve been providing HVAC solutions since the 1930s.

Get your free quote from our team by contacting us today!

What Tankless Water Heaters Have To Offer?

What Tankless Water Heaters Have To Offer?

At Toshack, we know buying a new water heater for your Brockville home is a big investment. Before you replace your old system, it’s important that you research and investigate things like the lifetime cost, energy efficiency, and durability of your new system. If you’re considering a tankless water heater, our Toshack team will help you make the right decision. We’ve put together everything you need to know about tankless systems, to help you decide if one is right for your home.

How A Tankless Water Heater Can Improve Your Brockville Home

  • How Tankless Water Heaters Work

Also commonly referred to as on-demand water heaters, tankless water heaters can quickly heat water via burners that move water through a heat exchanger. Once through these heat exchangers, the water arrives at your faucets – and as the name suggests, there is no need to store water in a tank. Tankless water heaters can be powered by electricity or by gas and are generally up to 20% more efficient when compared to gas storage tank models.

  • Energy Efficiency

Brockville homes that have tankless systems and consume under 150 litres of warm water every 24-hours can experience roughly 24-34% more energy efficiency when compared to tank models. In the event you have a big family and household, you can still get about 8-14% more energy efficiency from a tankless water heater. To maximize energy savings, you can even install a tankless system in every hot water outlet in your Brockville home. In some cases, this can produce energy savings of 25% to 50%.

  • A Worthy Investment

While tankless water heaters may initially cost more upfront, the energy savings you will enjoy over the long run make them a worthy investment. Many tankless systems also have a longer lifespan when compared to certain storage tank models. Whatever solution you choose, the Toshack team will install a high quality water heater that will serve your family for years to come. 

Get Hot Water on Demand with a Tankless Water Heater

At Toshack, we can answer all your questions about tankless water heaters, HVAC systems and more. We’re proud to offer a variety of tankless services including installation, repairs, and maintenance. To learn more about your options, and for plumbing, heating, and cooling services, please contact our team to request your free quote.

How Regular Boiler Service Can Help with Boiler Maintenance

boiler

When it comes to keeping your boiler maintained, the more attention you can give it, the better. Having it running at peak performance levels will help cut down on energy costs, as well as reduce the amount of annual maintenance it needs; it will also help extend its lifespan.

That’s why the team from Toshack has collected some insight for you below. Here you’ll find some in-depth reasons why regular boiler service is essential, especially when it comes to your maintenance plan.

Determining the Efficiency of Your Boiler

Are you wondering how to determine the efficiency of your boiler? If so, you might first want to check your boiler’s user’s manual, which will often have its efficiency rating clearly listed. However, if you can’t find your old manual don’t fret, you can also check its efficiency by calculating how much oil it consumes on a monthly basis. Try comparing it to last month’s bill or its performance annually. If there’s a noticeable difference, it likely signifies a drop in efficiency. Scheduling a boiler service visit is also an easy way to check its efficiency. 

Why Is Annual Boiler Service a Must?

When it comes to maintaining your boiler, one of the very best ways to do so is by investing in annual boiler services. As your boiler ages, it can become clogged with debris that needs to be cleaned to maintain its efficiency. Having it inspected regularly can help ensure it’s properly cleaned, as well as prevent issues that could cause costly repairs down the road. It will also help keep you safe, making certain there are no carbon monoxide issues. Depending on the type of boiler you have, annual service costs will vary, so it’s always best to get a quote from Toshack directly.

A Few Boiler Maintenance Tips Before You Go

There are a few things you can do on your own to make sure your boiler is functioning properly, like regularly checking its pressure levels and noting any changes you see. Also, inspect your boiler for leaks or any other signs of damage. Keeping all of its external vents and ducts clean and clear of debris will also help ensure it functions at peak performance levels.

Let us be your boiler service experts!

If you can’t remember the last time your boiler was inspected by a professional, give Toshack a call today! Our team in Kingston and Brockville can make sure that it’s running like a dream. Contact us online or call 1 (888) 547-6162 to schedule a service visit. 

Furnace Replacement & Repair Tips: 5 Issues & How to Fix Them

Filters

When it comes to your furnace, the more attention you can give it, the longer it will last. That’s why investing in regular furnace maintenance services is essential. Annual service can help prevent the need for furnace replacement and minimize costly repairs that could cause interruption of service down the road.

However, one of the most important aspects of furnace maintenance is recognizing when yours is having issues. It isn’t always easy to tell when there’s a problem with your furnace, especially if you’re not an expert like the team from Toshack, so we’ve collected some helpful clues for you.

Here are five signs your furnace is in need of repairs or replacement ASAP!

1. Furnace Isn’t Producing Enough Heat

If your furnace isn’t putting out enough heat or doesn’t seem to be putting out any heat at all, it may be an issue with your home’s breaker. box Try resetting your breaker to see if this does the trick and gets your furnace started again. Often, the breaker for the furnace could have been tripped and switching it back on will do the trick. If not, it could be an issue with your furnace or breakers’ wiring and might need to be inspected by a furnace repair professional.

Another common issue to look out for if your furnace isn’t producing enough heat is its filter. Often, a dirty furnace filter will clog its vents and decrease its efficiency, so be sure to inspect this as well.

2. Noisy Furnace or Ductwork

It’s not uncommon for furnaces to make a little bit of noise when they’re starting up or powering down. But if your furnace is bumping and banging all day long, there’s probably a problem. Strange noises can mean everything from a broken part rattling inside your furnace to something caught in the air ducts.

Listen closely to the sound to determine where it’s coming from. It may simply be the result of air rushing through your ductwork, in which case, all you need to do is provide it with better insulation. If it’s your furnace bumping and banging, it could be the result of a blower port that needs to be oiled, an improperly adjusted pilot light, or a damaged belt. These issues are often better left to the touch of a licensed furnace service technician.

3. Heating or Rapid Cycling Problems

Is your furnace turning on and off again too quickly or simply doing so over and over again without ceasing? If so, there’s something wrong. Not only does rapid cycling problems illustrate all is not well with your furnace, but they can also be costly and cause huge spikes in your energy costs, which is why they need to be fixed immediately. 

The primary cause of such an issue is a worn or dirty air filter. So, if you can’t remember the last time you replaced yours, see if doing so gets your furnace back to normal. If not, there may be an issue with the furnace’s motor or belts, both of which will require professional attention. 

4. Furnace Isn’t Blowing Air

Has your furnace given up on blowing air completely? If so, it likely means there’s a problem with its motor or thermostat. You can inspect this issue yourself by making sure that its blower is free of debris. Once you’ve done that, if it still isn’t responding and blowing hot or cold air, take a closer look at your furnace: it should have a light installed somewhere that will either be green or red. If it’s green, it likely means there’s only a minor issue; if it’s red, it probably needs servicing. A red light can often signify that your furnace’s control board, thermostat, transformer, run capacitor, or blower motor is malfunctioning.

5. Flame Sensor Needs Cleaning

Over time, the flame sensor of your furnace can collect dust, debris, and become oxidized, all of which can affect its performance. That’s why cleaning it occasionally is a good idea. The flame sensor is located on the back of the furnace right in the path of the burner and is shaped like a small rod. To clean it, turn off the power to your furnace by switching off its breaker, then remove its sensor if possible. Scrub it gently, removing any built-up debris. Then simply reattach the sensor and power up your furnace again.

In some cases, an unclean sensor can cause a larger issue with your furnace. However, determining when is a little more difficult and will require a reliable professional. They’ll be able to perform a micro amp draw reading to find out whether the flame sensor is the cause of the issue or there’s another internal problem at play. 

Let Toshack be your furnace replacement professionals in Kingston & Brockville!

If you’re in need of furnace replacement or repair services, the team from Toshack is always available to help you find an affordable solution. Since as early as the 1930s, Toshack has been a recognized leader in the heating and cooling industry. We’re committed to offering a quick turnaround time and exceptional customer service to all those living in the Brockville, Kingston Cornwall, and Smith Falls areas.

In addition to our range of furnace replacement and maintenance services, Toshack also offers heating and cooling solutions like boiler pump repairs, air conditioning repair and installation, heat pump cooling solutions, and more. We also carry all of today’s leading heating and cooling equipment and offer air quality, tankless water heaters, and duct cleaning products and services to those in need. 

To learn more about how Toshack can help you with all your heating and cooling needs, contact us online today or call 1 (888) 547-6162 to schedule a service visit or receive a FREE quote

Why Should You Prepare Your Furnace for Winter?

furnace filter

A working furnace is essential to getting through cold Brockville and Kingston winters by providing you with a warm, comfortable living space. Homeowners are encouraged to avoid emergency furnace repairs and unsafe temperatures inside the home by preparing their furnaces for the coldest months ahead of time.

Our team of furnace experts at Toshack has described some of the reasons why you should prepare your furnace for the winter.

Keep your home warm

The most obvious reason for preparing your furnace before the cold weather hits is to ensure your furnace is functioning properly so that you can warm up your home when needed. Testing your furnace on a regular basis by turning up the thermostat will allow you to monitor the system for potential wiring, blower, fan, or heat pump problems. Calling a professional HVAC service in Brockville and Kingston while it is still relatively warm outside means that you will not be forced to call for an emergency furnace repair once the coldest weather is here.

Avoid costly repairs and replacements

We often forget to maintain our furnaces during the warm months; however, the air filters which keep your furnace running properly should be changed or washed (if you own a permanent filter) every 1-3 months. If your filter becomes clogged, it can lead to a buildup of particles, which may require an expensive emergency furnace repair or replacement. Homeowners in Kingston and Brockville can also find great deals on filters by preparing during warm weather.

Prevent fires

Leaving a mess around your furnace can be extremely dangerous, as surrounding items may catch fire once the furnace begins emitting heat. One important way to prepare your furnace for the winter is to clear the space around it before switching the heating function on.

Combat carbon monoxide

Carbon monoxide is extremely difficult to detect, yet it is exceedingly dangerous if leaks occur. Carbon monoxide leaks can be avoided by hiring a professional to brush out the heat exchanger and look for dangerous cracks and openings.

Keep your air clean

A major benefit of preparing your furnace for winter is ensuring the distribution of clean, pure air throughout your home. Air vents and ducts should be cleaned regularly throughout the year so that the warm air from your furnace does not circulate debris around your home.

Emergency Repairs and Furnace Services

Is your furnace in need of repair or replacement? Our team at Toshack knows the importance of preparing your home for cold Brockville and Kingston winters with a fully functioning furnace. Call us today at 1-888-547-6162 to request a free quote