A garage is one of your home’s truly multi-functional spaces. It can be a workshop, a laundry room, a home gym, a dance studio, a storage unit… or you could even do something bizarre like park a car in there.

However, as useful as garages can be, they’re not the most controlled environment in your home. Frequently garages aren’t connected to the main HVAC system, which means they’re subject to temperature fluctuations, stale air and excess humidity. 

If you smell that tell-tale, nostril-tickling odor of mold or mildew in your garage, it’s time to take decisive action.

Here’s a quick guide to garage dehumidification, including easy fixes and some more substantial long-term solutions. Read More ›

Air conditioning can be your best friend in the hot summer months. There’s nothing quite like coming in from the sweltering heat and letting that arctic blast cool you back down to a liveable temperature.

But as nice as AC can be, it can also be bad for your health. A poorly maintained HVAC system can spread cold, flu and other respiratory illnesses throughout your home.

Here’s how to keep your AC working for you, not against you. Read More ›

It doesn’t take a lot of complicated machinery to generate heat. Rub two sticks together fast enough, and you have a fire that can warm an entire room. Even a home furnace system works on basic principles: Heat source, fan, ducts.

Creating cool air, however, is more complicated. An air conditioning (A/C) system requires a cooling fluid, a condenser, an evaporator, a fan… certainly not something you can accomplish with two sticks and a wilderness manual.

In the Central Air Close-Up series, we’ll look at specific parts of the A/C system—what they are, what they do and how to keep them maintained. For this one, we’re looking at the suction line and suction line insulation. Read More ›

Have you heard strange noises coming from the walls at night? Has the temperature inside your home dropped? You may need help from a professional.

No, it’s not time to call the Ghostbusters, even if what’s happening seems a little spooky. It’s just time to check your draft induction fan. These fans may be a small part of your HVAC system, but they have an outsized impact on how well your furnace functions. In fact, if your draft induction fan goes out, your furnace may not even turn on.

Let’s look at what a draft induction fan is, how you can tell if it needs servicing, and what to do next. Read More ›

When you’re looking to buy your first home, you likely have a list of must-haves and want-to-haves. Maybe an en-suite bathroom is a top priority, while a huge kitchen is negotiable.

Your wish list probably doesn’t specify what type of heating and cooling system (HVAC) you would prefer. That’s understandable! It’s easy to assume your new home has a sufficient HVAC system to keep you comfortable in all kinds of weather. 

However, that may not always be the case.

This HVAC guide will help you make sure your starter home is warm in the winter and cool in the summer, without astronomical energy costs. Read More ›