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Choosing and buying the right water heating systems can get very tricky, especially for people who do not have much knowledge about the process. Inexperience can lead you to make the wrong choices, which may result in a significant financial loss. To avoid such mistakes, it is imperative that you invest some time and effort in learning what’s best for you and make a well-informed decision.

That’s why here Toshack has offered a brief comparison between hot water boilers and heaters, two of the most common choices for water heating!

• Water Heater: As the name suggests, a water heater is a device that heats and stores water in a tank until it is needed. Every time you draw out hot water to, say take a shower or wash your clothes, a new batch of cold water is heated to take its place. This way you get to enjoy hot water all day long.

Water heaters are available in both gas and electric options. You can choose whichever one suits your preferences and your home’s specifications (some houses may not be compatible with natural gas heating devices).

• Hot Water Boiler: A hot water boiler serves the dual purpose of heating up your water and also utilizing the heat generated from the process to warm your house. They also sport a high AFUE rating and promote good quality air, which makes them a very efficient and convenient heating system.

Hot water boilers work by continuously heating water until it becomes steam. The high temperature of this steam helps warm up water for local usage throughout the house. It is also circulated to different rooms with the help of air vents to keep the house heated in winter. One can combine the functions of a hot water boiler with a radiant heating system to enjoy heated floors as well.

Which Is the Better Choice?

Both of these water heating systems are effective, so the right choice depends on your individual preferences and circumstances. To find what suits you best you first need to list your exact expectations, budget, stance on sustainability, etc. Once you know the answer to all these factors, match them with the distinct features of hot water boilers and heaters to find the right fit.

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‘Heater Replacement is an expensive choice that is best avoided‘ is a commonly accepted yet false belief. Heater replacement is not always a big expense that you should seek to avoid. In fact, in certain cases, timely heater replacement can actually save you money! Here’s how.

What To Do When You Heater Malfunctions?

When your heater fails, there are two possible ways you can go depending upon the nature of the problem. If it is a minor issue, you can schedule a simple repair to deal with it. However, if there’s a need to replace a major part or the repairs become frequent and expensive, it is best to call a Kingston heating service company for a potential heater replacement.

Being able to judge when it’s time for a replacement can save you a lot of hassle and money in the long run. Some questions that can help you decide whether you should schedule a repair or replacement are as follows:

Is There a Sudden Spike in Your Energy Bills?

If you notice an unexpected or inexplicable rise in your energy bills, your HVAC system might be to blame. An inefficient heating system requires more energy to provide the same level of heating for your home, which can increase your energy bill.

Even if you do not notice any obvious signs of malfunction, your heater may not be running efficiently because of underlying problems. You should call in an expert heating service provider for a thorough inspection. They will be able to guide you properly on whether you should invest in a repair or a replacement.

What Kind of Repairs Does Your Furnace Need?

Minor repairs and maintenance are a natural part of any asset’s life. However, if your furnace requires frequent and gradually expensive heating services to heat your house efficiently, then it would actually be more economical for you to just replace it.

How Old is Your Heater?

On average, a heater lasts for about 15 to 20 years. If your heater is older than 15 years and often demands an expensive repair or part replacement, the investment may not be worth it. The chances of it completely breaking down in the near future are quite high, so instead of taking the risk, you should just go for a new heater altogether.

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Who doesn’t like coming home to a furnace-warmed home in the biting winters? But what if we told you that the comforting warmth of your HVAC system might be secretly taking a toll on your home and health?

It’s no secret that regular heating and cooling systems like furnaces and air conditioners strip the air of humidity while changing temperatures. Oftentimes, this leads to your house’s humidity range falling below the ideal levels, which can have negative effects on your house and health.

So what can you do to avoid this? You invest in a good humidifier!

Humidifiers: What Are They & Why Do I Need One?

A humidifier is essentially a machine that lets you adjust and regulate the humidity levels of your home. Some reasons why you should invest in a good humidifier are:

• Improves Air Quality: Humidifiers can help you avoid respiratory problems, skin irritations, and other health problems caused by dry air. Additionally, the latest humidifiers are also designed to lessen the number of viruses and bacteria in the air, which reduces the risk of allergies and diseases caused by them.

• Savings: Ideal humidity levels boost the efficiency of your heating and cooling system, thereby allowing you to enjoy the same comfortable temperatures with lesser fuel consumption and energy costs. This can mean significant savings on your energy bills over time.

• Furniture Protection: Dry air can take a toll on the look and health of your furniture, especially wooden furniture. Getting a humidifier will work to solve this problem as well.

How to Pick the Right Humidifier

Now that we know the top benefits of getting a humidifier, let’s see which of the main two types of humidifiers is well-suited for your home.

• Whole-Home Humidifier: Best known for its low fuel consumption and cost-effectiveness, the whole-home humidifier can be used to humidify your entire house in an efficient and economical manner. This humidifier is usually not very high maintenance and also helps minimize the pollutants in the air.

• Single-Room Humidifier: As the name suggests, this humidifier can only serve one room at a time and is thus best used to humidify isolated areas. The energy consumption is high, which makes it a costly option.

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There’s nothing better than a warm, cozy house on a chilly fall or winter night. That’s why we all deserve consistent and hassle-free heating throughout our home no matter how cold it may get.

So, in this new post, our team at Toshack explains why you should invest in professional heating services in Kingston and Brockville.

• Durability

All HVAC equipment requires frequent checks and professional maintenance to keep performing at its best. Getting a professional to look at your heater and HVAC system regularly can help you catch and curb any underlying issues, and thus, save the need for bigger repairs or even replacement down the line. Proper and frequent HVAC maintenance can also add to the lifespan of your system.

• The Importance of Proper Installation

While it may seem obvious, but improper HVAC installation can cause a number of problems ranging from inefficiency to frequent breakdowns. Such issues can be a nightmare to deal with and add to your overall expenses. Getting certified professionals for installation is a must.

• Quality Repair Services

While a DIY repair might seem to solve a problem temporarily, it seldom holds in the long run (if at all). Heating systems are best repaired and inspected by professionals. Not only do professional repairs ensure that the problem is weeded out systematically, but they also help avert possible safety hazards that may result from amateur handling of wires and equipment.

Professional heating repairs will cost you far less than the bigger repairs or even replacements that might arise from bad DIY solutions.

• Ensures Safety

It is no secret that electrical appliances require specific know-how when it comes to repairs and inspections. If an unqualified person attempts to fix a seemingly small problem, there is a good chance of that problem might even get worse.

It is also possible for small mistakes to convert into potentially dangerous safety hazards. Thus, for the safety of yourself and your home, it is best to let the professionals handle all installation, inspection, and repair work of your heating system.

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If you’ve ever looked closely at your heat pump, you might have noticed a button or switch marked “emergency heat.”  This isn’t on all heat pumps, but it’s extremely common in northern areas where winters can get extreme – like here in Kingston and Brockville.  If you push the button, it does exactly what it says, producing a lot of extra heat.

So why is this button there, and when would you need to use it?  Let’s take a look.

How The “Emergency Heat” Button Improves Your Heating Services

The purpose of the “emergency heat” button is to provide extra heat in situations where it’s so cold outside that the heat pump struggles to work.  Heat pumps are excellent, even down to freezing temperatures – but as the outdoor temperatures continue to drop, the heat pump will struggle.

So, the “emergency heat” button activates a secondary backup heat source, which is powered by either electricity or gas depending on your home setup.  This supplements the heat provided by the main heat pump, ensuring you can remain safely warm, even if temperatures outside become genuinely dangerous.

However, like the button says, this should only be used in emergencies!  As long as your heat pump is producing enough heat for you to remain comfortable, you don’t need it.

Warnings About Using The “Emergency Heat” Button

Here are a few other things you should know:

1 – Emergency heat will cost more

In effect, you’re activating a second heater.  This will cause your gas and\or electric bill to go up, depending on how your heat pump’s emergency heater is set up.  This is one of the biggest reasons not to use emergency heat unless you truly need it.

2 – The “emergency heat” light is sometimes a warning

If your heat pump has emergency heat, there will be a red light that illuminates when it’s activated.  This should turn on and off if you push the button repeatedly.  If you push the button and the emergency heat light stays lit, that’s actually a warning something is wrong with your heat pump.  You should call in professional heating services for repairs ASAP.

3 – Extended use could damage your heat pump

Emergency heat isn’t intended as a long-term solution.  If you have to run it for more than a day or so, you should call in a repair crew to see if there’s something else wrong with the heat pump.

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