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7 Questions to Ask Before Hiring an Air Duct Cleaning Company

7 Questions to Ask Before Hiring an Air Duct Cleaning Company

Selecting the right air duct cleaning company can sometimes be difficult due to all of the available options. Asking a few questions is essential in selecting the right company. Keeping a few tips in mind can make it much easier to choose the best company offering air duct cleaning in Ontario.

Here are a few questions to always ask an air duct cleaning company.

Do I Need my Air Ducts Professionally Cleaned?

Professionals can inspect your air ducts to determine if they need cleaning. Typically, it’s a good idea to consider these services if you notice visible dust emissions from the ducts. Most HVAC companies recommend that you hire professionals to clean your air ducts every three to five years.

How Does Air Duct Cleaning Actually Work?

Understanding the process of duct cleaning is key before hiring a company to handle these services. An HVAC company should be able to clearly explain the steps involved, including the inspection phase, cleaning, and post-cleaning procedures. A detailed explanation will also give you an insight into their knowledge in the field.

Will the Entire Air Duct System Be Cleaned?

It’s always a good idea to confirm whether the company will clean the entire system, including the vents, coils, and motors. Cleaning the entire system is always recommended. This question will help you weed out any companies that only perform a superficial cleaning, which might not address underlying issues.

How Long Has Your HVAC Company Been in Business?

Experience often speaks volumes when it comes to the quality of service. Asking about the company’s history can provide you with a better understanding of its reliability and reputation. Established companies are likely to have garnered reviews that you can check for further assurance.

Can Your Business Provide Proof of Insurance?

Before hiring a duct cleaning company, make sure that they have valid insurance to protect your property during the cleaning process. Insurance serves as a valuable safety net to guard against potential liabilities, and it will also provide you with peace of mind throughout the process.

Is Your HVAC Company NADCA-Certified?

NADCA certification is a testimony to a company’s commitment to quality and adherence to the latest industry standards. Asking this question will help you gauge the credibility of the company and its dedication to providing top-notch services.

Do You Have Any References?

References can be a great source of information about the company’s work ethic and quality of service. Do not hesitate to ask for a few references and take the time to contact them for an honest opinion about their experience with the company.

Need Duct Cleaning in Ontario? Give Toshack a Call!

Toshack specializes in professional duct cleaning services for many customers. Our company also provides heating and cooling services. Delivering quality work at a fair price is always a priority. Contact Toshack today to learn more about using professional duct cleaning in Ontario!

How Can You Avoid a Furnace Repair?

How Can You Avoid a Furnace Repair?

Furnaces help make your home warm, especially during fall and winter. Unfortunately, your furnace can develop issues during the spring and summer seasons when you don’t use it regularly. Luckily, there are essential tips that you can use to maintain the integrity of your furnace throughout the year. The following are several things you can do now to prevent a furnace repair in the future.

Keep the Supply Vents Open

You might have heard that you can cut costs by closing supply vents in rooms that aren’t used frequently. One can face a lot of drawbacks to doing this. Vent closures disrupt this balance and waste energy. Your ducts’ trapped air pushes outward, which can cause leaks. The furnace and fan will have to work harder since the cold air in the empty room will seep through uninsulated walls nearby.

Keep the Vents Clean

It’s important to keep your vents clean, like air filters. Cleaning them will enable them to run more efficiently and stop the stench of burning stuff. Here are some cleaning tips for your vents:

  1. Completely turn off your HVAC system
  2. The wall’s vents should be taken out
  3. Remove any extraneous things, such as toys or food remnants
  4. Clean up your ducts and vents
  5. Put them back on the wall
  6. Restart your HVAC system

Replace the Air Filter

A dirty air filter can bring on numerous issues in your home. Your indoor air quality will decrease as the heater and fan will have to work harder to maintain heat. The lower airflow through the filter may also raise the expense of heating your home.

When an HVAC filter becomes very unclean, the issue becomes more serious. The blocked hot air might cause the heat exchanger to overheat if it becomes so clogged that it is difficult for air to move through. This can result in a possible emergency furnace repair, or your furnace can completely turn off until you change the air filter and restart it.

Examine the Intake and Exhaust Pipes

Your HVAC system’s intake and exhaust pipes control how much air enters and leaves your house. These pipes can become blocked by debris and accumulation like leaves, pine needles, or a lot of snow, which could lead to your HVAC system malfunctioning. Additionally, it may lead to a buildup of carbon monoxide in your house. Clear away any obstructions surrounding the pipes and keep an eye on them throughout the season when it snows to keep your family safe and avoid furnace repairs.

Schedule Duct Cleaning in Ontario Today!

For furnace repair and maintenance services in Ontario, Toshack is here to help! We have ninety years of experience serving Brockville, Kingston, and the surrounding areas. Generations of local families have relied on us for furnace repair services, and we’re here for you as well.

Contact us to schedule a service appointment.

Is it Time to Clean Your Air Ducts?

Smart Plumbing Technologies and Trends

Just like your car or any major appliance, your home’s cooling system will perform better with regular maintenance, and air duct cleaning is just one of the services to consider ensuring the longevity of your entire HVAC system.

Despite routinely replacing filters, your home’s HVAC system gets dirty with regular everyday use, and unfortunately, your air ducts are a favorite hiding place for dust, dirt, and allergens to linger. That dust and dirt is filled with contaminants and air pollutants that can not only harm your indoor air quality but can also cause your system to work harder. This not only increases your energy bills, but it can also significantly shorten the lifespan of your system.

Appearance of Mold

The appearance of mold is never a good sign. It could mean a number of issues with your ducts. It’s important to check for mold for a variety of reasons, most prominently, to protect your health. Mold can cause breathing and other health-related problems. If you notice any mold in your ducts, call our duct cleaning service in Ontario immediately.

You See Rodents or Insects

Wildlife in your ducts is a big problem. If you notice any signs that there might be an infestation in your ducts, it’s definitely time to have your air ducts cleaned by a professional. Look out for small scratches, insect husks and shells along with rodent droppings. All could be signs that you have a couple of unwanted house guests living in your vents.

Higher Than Normal Energy Bill

Your heating and cooling costs should be relatively predictable from year to year. If you receive a bill that is noticeably high, especially compared to the same time a year ago, dirty ductwork might be to blame.

At times, ductwork can become so dirty that air isn’t able to flow freely and efficiently through your home’s HVAC system. When this happens, both your furnace and air conditioner are forced to work harder to maintain a comfortable temperature. This added energy expenditure means higher utility bills for you and your family.

Dust and Debris When Starting Your Heating Unit

One of the best ways to tell if your ducts need cleaning is to check how much dust and debris are blown out when starting your heating unit. Sometimes an accumulation of dust will make it seem like your ducts need to be cleaned, so be sure to perform this check only after a fresh filter has been installed. It’s important that your ducts be free of these substances as they can cause issues with energy efficiency and air quality throughout your home.

Schedule Duct Cleaning in Ontario Today!

For duct cleaning services in Ontario, Toshack is here to help! We have ninety years of experience serving Brockville, Kingston, and the surrounding areas. Generations of local families have relied on us for duct cleaning services, and we’re here for you as well.

Contact us to schedule a service appointment.

Smart Plumbing Technologies and Trends

Clogged Drains in Restaurants and What Causes Them

Over the past few years, the plumbing industry has seen several trends come and go. From innovative tools improving work efficiency to advanced technologies employed for convenience, plumbing professionals have been using these trends to guide their core business decisions.

The invention of smart plumbing technologies has brought about a significant change in how homeowners and landlords handle plumbing problems through plumbing automation. By investing in this technology, whether you own a home or a rental property, you can potentially enjoy a range of benefits.

Benefits of Smart Plumbing Services and Technologies

Modern plumbing technologies are making it easier and more efficient to use water. Intelligent toilets and faucets are designed to reduce water waste, while advanced pipes made from materials like PVC or PEX are resistant to corrosion, leaking, and bursting. It means longer life spans for your fixtures and lower repair costs in the long run.

In addition to reducing water usage, modern plumbing also helps improve sanitation. For instance, hands-free faucets can prevent the spread of germs by eliminating contact with potentially contaminated surfaces.

Finally, new technologies like augmented reality (AR) allow plumbers to diagnose problems faster and avoid making physical visits, saving time and money. AR allows technicians to analyze an issue remotely using their smart device to gain a visual understanding of the problem.

Current Smart Plumbing Services and Technologies

Plumbing technologies have come a long way in recent years. From modern smart toilets with heated seats, bidets, air deodorizers, night lights, and remote controls to touchless faucets that operate with just a wave of one’s hand, the latest advancements are designed to make our lives easier and more efficient while also helping us conserve water.

Smart toilets even offer automatic cleaning features and other valuable functions to help eliminate germs. However, these pieces of technology come at a cost. Nevertheless, the convenience and comfort they provide may be well worth it.

Trends in Smart Plumbing Services and Technologies

Voice-activated systems are becoming increasingly popular in the plumbing industry. From controlling your shower temperature to starting a cycle in your washing machine, voice commands can make life easier and more efficient.

On top of that, gadgets like leak detectors and water shutoff valves allow you to monitor your water usage from anywhere in the world. These devices can be connected to a smartphone or other smart device and programmed to alert you when there is an issue with your system.

The benefits of these technologies don’t stop there; some even come equipped with sensors that detect movement, temperature, and humidity levels – which can help protect your home from floods or fires caused by water damage.

Schedule Plumbing Services Today!

Those are the basics of smart plumbing services and technologies. For further information, Toshack is here to help! We have ninety years of experience serving Brockville, Kingston, and the surrounding areas. Generations of local families have relied on us for plumbing services, and we’re here for you as well.

Contact us to schedule a service appointment.

How Does an Electric Tankless Water Heater Work?

How Does an Electric Tankless Water Heater Work?

Electric tankless water heaters, also known as demand-type or instantaneous water heaters, provide hot water only as it is needed. They don’t produce the standby energy losses associated with storage water heaters, which can save money. Here you’ll find basic information about how they work.

Electric tankless water heaters heat water instantaneously without the use of a storage tank.

When a hot water faucet is turned on, cold water flows through a heat exchanger in the unit, and either a natural gas burner or an electric element heats the water. As a result, electric tankless water heaters deliver a constant supply of hot water. You don’t need to wait for a storage tank to fill up with enough hot water. However, a tankless water heater’s output limits the flow rate.

Typically, electric tankless water heaters provide hot water at a rate of 7.6–15.2 liters per minute. Gas-fired tankless water heaters produce higher flow rates than electric ones. Sometimes, however, even the largest, gas-fired model cannot supply enough hot water for simultaneous, multiple uses in large households. For example, taking a shower and running the dishwasher at the same time can stretch a tankless water heater to its limit. To overcome this problem, you can install two or more electric tankless water heaters.

The panel adjusts the electric valve, the mixing valve, and the water flow to achieve the desired temperature setting.

Most tankless water heaters have a front-facing panel that allows the user to control its settings. This panel enables homeowners to adjust the gas to exactly how much they’d like to use. For electric tankless water heaters, panels can also control the amount of electricity. This allows homeowners better to manage their water, electric, or gas bill.

The electric tankless water heater panel also allows personalized settings, such as the mixing value and the amount of water flow. When installing a tankless water heater, homeowners should discuss with their plumber what their preferences are and ask them to set the water heater accordingly. Homeowners should avoid drastically changing their settings if they do not have a precise reason for the shift.

Outstanding Service and Repair with Toshack

Our team at Toshack works diligently to help homeowners capitalize on the many benefits of tankless water heaters. We work with the very best systems and train our team on the latest installation requirements for work in our clients’ homes. To begin reviewing your tankless water heater options, contact our team online or give Toshack a call at 1-888-547-6162 or at 613-342-9381 to see how we can help with your Brockville or Kingston area installation.

What are the Benefits of a Ductless Air Conditioner?

What are the Benefits of a Ductless Air Conditioner?

If you live in a small space and want a more efficient way to stay comfortable during those hot summers, a ductless air conditioner is ideal. Ductless systems, also called ductless mini-split systems, are becoming popular as a simpler, quieter, and a more compact way to cool a home.

How Do Ductless Air Conditioners Work?

A ductless air conditioner works differently than a traditional HVAC setup. Instead of using ducts that travel throughout your home, a ductless system uses several indoor units plus a main outdoor unit to heat and cool your home. They break the home up into zones, with each one independently climate-controlled by an indoor unit.

The Benefits of a Ductless Air Conditioner

They Improve Indoor Air Quality

You know that traditional HVAC systems rely on airflow to heat and cool your home. With that airflow comes dust and allergens that can cause upper respiratory issues. Duct cleaning is a key part of HVAC maintenance to cut down on these pollutants. Ductless systems, on the other hand, include multi-stage filtration processes that cut down on dust, pollen, and other allergens present in your indoor air. Keeping these air filters clean and replacing them as needed ensures that your air stays as clean as possible.

Ductless Air Conditioners Lower Your Carbon Footprint

Improving your home’s energy efficiency lowers your bills, but it also reduces your carbon footprint. Modern ductless air conditioners help achieve this goal thanks in part to their use of R410A, a refrigerant that doesn’t impact our planet’s ozone layer. R410A also absorbs and releases heat better than its predecessor R22, which improves cooling system efficiency.

Ductless Systems Can Save You Money

If you’re like many homeowners, you want an energy-efficient heating and cooling solution. Besides better climate control, you also wish to lower your energy bills. A ductless system saves you money with separate heating and cooling for each zone. You may prefer your bedroom to be cooler than the rest of your house, for instance. A ductless air conditioner lets you set your bedroom’s thermostat lower without affecting the temperature in other rooms.

Ductless Systems are Quick and Easy to Install

Forced air HVAC systems require a lot of time and work to install. Depending on the system, it may take several weeks. That’s especially true if the home does not have existing ductwork: But a ductless heating and cooling system can be installed quickly — within one day, in many cases. Only small pipes are needed, usually measuring less than 3 inches in diameter. No major wall modifications are required to install the pipes or the individual indoor and outdoor units.

Get Ductless AC Installations & Repairs with Toshack

Our long history of excellence means that everyone in Brockville and Kingston can trust Toshack with their home climate control needs. To learn more about the benefits of ductless air conditioning installations and heat pumps, contact our team today.

Finding Top Quality Duct Cleaning in Ontario

Finding Top Quality Duct Cleaning in Ontario

If your home relies on central ductwork for moving air around your Ontario home, it’s important to have periodic duct cleanings. Otherwise, dirt and grime – and other nasty materials – will build up in your ducts, and eventually start getting spewed around your home. Clogged ducts will also reduce your heating/cooling efficiency, wasting energy while decreasing your climate control.

Unfortunately, it can be tough to find good duct cleaning service in Ontario, as it’s a somewhat specialized service that requires specific tools. Plus, it’s a service you shouldn’t pay that much for. So here are the important things to look for when you start searching.

What You Want in An Ontario Duct Cleaning Service

  1. Full licensing, certification, and insurance

Never allow a duct cleaning service to work on your home unless they are fully licensed and permitted for the work. Also, it’s important that they carry insurance. Otherwise, any damage done – or any harm from accidents – could become your responsibility to pay for!

  1. A long history

There are plenty of HVAC startups that don’t last long, including companies offering duct cleaning services. If the company has only been in business a few years, they don’t have enough of a history to fully trust. Look for a service that has at least a decade of solid work, and you’ll know they’ve proven themselves.

  1. Strong reviews

Whenever looking at HVAC companies for duct cleaning, or anything else, be sure to read their reviews. Ideally, you should check multiple sites, including places like Google and Yelp. If a company has less than a 4/5 rating, chances are there’s something wrong and you should look for a service with better reviews.

  1. Fair price quotes

Don’t settle on the first company you call. Whenever hiring for any home HVAC service, it’s a good idea to get at least three quotes from different companies. Then you can compare them to see what the prices look like. Stay away from lowball bids; they’ll almost always cut corners, and potentially cause more problems than they fix.

In some cases, competing bids can even be used as leverage, if there’s one company you want to work with, but you want them to lower their price a bit.

  1. Fast service

You shouldn’t have to wait weeks for a service appointment, especially if your ducts are already overdue for cleaning. If they can’t get to you within a few days, maybe a week, you should probably look for another service that’s less busy. (They’ll probably charge less too!)

Professional Duct Cleaning

Toshack has 90 years of experience serving the greater Brockville and Kingston area, and we offer top-quality duct cleanings in Ontario! Contact us to schedule a service visit.

Is a Ductless Air Conditioner Right for Your Brockville Home?

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At this point, most people have heard of heat pumps. Heat pumps were first developed in the 1980s-90s, as an alternative to the standard air conditioner + heater combination for home climate control. A heat pump is basically a reversible air conditioner. Where standard ACs pull heat from the home and move it outdoors, a heat pump can go in either direction – so it can also heat a home by pulling outdoor heat inside.

So, a heat pump is an all-in-one unit that does the job of two appliances, while also offering superior energy efficiency compared to older technology.

Now, there’s a new type of heat pump on the market: the ductless air conditioner, also called a “mini-split.” Mini split heat pumps work on a room-by-room basis, where every room has its small blower which handles local heating and cooling. These units attach to small outdoor units via tiny copper pipes and offer even better efficiency than full-size heat pumps.

Would this be a good upgrade for your Brockville home? Here are the benefits!

Perfect for older homes

A lot of older homes were built without central ductwork, which greatly limits their options for heating and cooling. And installing new ductwork is extremely expensive! Upgrading to ductless air conditioners allows you to move away from flaky window-mounted fan units and space heaters and embrace a far better form of home climate control.

Ditch your ducts

On the other hand, if you rely on ducts for central air, you know that the ducts themselves can be a problem. They get dirty, and can even become home to vermin, requiring them to be periodically cleaned out. Also, the ductwork metal tends to absorb a lot of the cold or heat coming through the system, reducing efficiency. With mini split heat pumps, you could close off your ducts for good and never have to worry about them again.

Individualized climate control

Possibly the best part of ductless air conditioners is that you never have to fight over the thermostat again. Every room can have its own climate settings, based on what the occupant wants at the moment. It’s also great if you have rooms with specific climate needs, such as a room with a lot of plants, which can get the heat they need without heating the rest of the house.

Cutting energy costs

It’s true that mini-split systems cost more to install initially, compared to centralized units. However, they will pay for themselves. Ductless air conditioners are the single most energy-efficient form of home HVAC on the market and can substantially reduce your home’s energy use year-round. That’s also great for the environment!

Reach Out to Toshack Today!

If you’re considering a ductless air conditioner for your Brockville home, Toshack can help! For 90 years, we’ve stayed on the cutting edge of home HVAC systems, and now install and service mini-split systems.

Contact us to discuss your options!

The Main Components in Your Home Plumbing System

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Have you ever thought about how the plumbing in your home actually works, such as how water moves in and out? It’s good to have a basic idea of your plumbing setup, especially if you need to call for plumbing services in Kingston. That will help you understand what’s going wrong, and potentially help the plumber know where to start looking.

So, let’s talk about how typical home plumbing systems are built.

An Overview of Your Home Plumbing System

To begin, it’s best to see your home plumbing as being two separate systems: one for bringing clean water into your home, and another for taking dirty water away from it. These systems do not directly connect, except via fixtures and appliances where you use water – such as clean water coming from your faucet, and dirty water draining out.

1. Incoming Water

Water entering your home comes in through a single large pipe, called the main water supply line or, more often, just the “water main.” This water is under pressure from the source so that it can circulate freely around your house.

The source is typically from a local municipal water treatment plant, although it could potentially also come from a private well or other natural sources.

One of the first stops of this incoming water flow is your water heater, typically in the basement. The water flow splits, so that some is diverted into the heater, while the rest of the water remains “cold” and ready for easy access. If you have a water softening system, or other in-home water treatment, incoming water is passed through it at this point as well. From here, the pipes in your home are split in two, with one set of lines carrying cold water and the other carrying hot.

If you use a tankless water heater, the setup is a bit different, as tankless heaters just pull from the cold water as needed. Either way, at this point the water is ready to use!

2. Outgoing Water

The wastewater system in your home is relatively simple. A separate set of pipes connecting to all your various water-using fixtures and appliances funnels all the wastewater into a single large pipe, which then sends the wastewater away from your home.

However, many people don’t know there’s a second set of pipes for gas venting. Wastewater, especially material coming from the toilet, generates gases that are unpleasant, or even dangerous. So, there are smaller pipes coming off of the wastewater pipes which lead upwards to your attic or roof. These open into small vents which release the waste gas harmlessly into the outside air.

Those are the basics of how your plumbing system works – and if you ever have problems with any of it, Toshack is here to help! We have ninety years of experience serving Brockville, Kingston, and the surrounding areas. Generations of local families have relied on us for plumbing services, and we’re here for you as well.

Contact us to schedule a service appointment.

Find Out the Truth About Air Duct Cleaning Services in Ontario

Find Out the Truth About Air Duct Cleaning Services in Ontario

Clean air is essential for our health and well-being. Air ducts play a vital role in maintaining air quality in our homes and workplaces. As the ‘lungs’ of any building, air ducts require regular cleaning to ensure the air we breathe remains as fresh and clean as possible. Working with a company offering duct cleaning in Ontario is always a great choice. Unfortunately, many myths about air duct cleaning abound.

Here are several common myths about air duct cleaning.

Myth 1: Duct Cleaning is a Difficult Task

Fact: While it’s true that duct cleaning can be challenging, this doesn’t mean it’s impossible. With the right equipment and trained professionals adhering to the standards of the National Air Duct Cleaning Association (NADCA), your air ducts can be cleaned thoroughly without any harm to your system.

Myth 2: Duct Cleaning Doesn’t Ensure Clean Air

Fact: With the use of modern technology, this myth is now outdated. Advanced tools and techniques are available for comprehensive duct cleaning, removing even the tiniest dust particles to ensure you breathe fresh air.

Myth 3: Duct Cleaning Services Are Overpriced

Fact: It’s a common misconception that hiring a professional duct cleaning company will break the bank. In reality, employing a professional service can often save you money. Experts in the field have the knowledge and tools to clean your system efficiently, ultimately saving you on energy and maintenance costs.

Myth 4: Duct Cleaning is Only Necessary When There’s a Problem

Fact: Regular maintenance, typically every three to five years, is crucial to prevent problems from arising. Dust and contaminants can accumulate over time, leading to clogs and potentially unhealthy living conditions. Regular cleaning ensures good indoor air quality.

Myth 5: Duct Cleaning Doesn’t Save Money

Fact: Contrary to this myth, clean ducts can indeed save you money. Debris in your ductwork can often force your HVAC system to work much harder than necessary. According to NADCA, a clean, unobstructed duct system can reduce long-term costs by allowing the system to operate more efficiently.

Choosing a Reliable Duct Cleaning Specialist

Toshack offers duct cleaning in Ontario and the surrounding areas. Our company also specializes in heating and cooling solutions for customers in Kingston and Brockville. No task is ever too big or small for our company. Reach out to Toshack today to learn more about our duct cleaning services!