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Summer is right around the corner, and although many of us are excited about the thought of a hike at Grouse Mountain or a trip to Jericho Beach, we often forget about the soaring temperatures that come with it.
As we prepare for our next trip, it’s important that we also create a plan to deal with the heat. For homeowners with air conditioners, you may think this is something to ignore, but the truth is the effectiveness of your cooling system doesn’t happen automatically. It requires proactive maintenance to ensure it’s up to the task when the hottest days strike.
The first important step in maintaining your air conditioner is to regularly check and change the air filter. Filters must be clean to trap dust, debris, and irritants that may otherwise circulate your house and can become clogged quickly.
Clogs in air filters cause these particles to spread throughout the air, decreasing airflow and forcing your unit to work harder than necessary, reducing efficiency and raising electricity costs.
Changing or cleaning filters every 30-90 days (depending on their type and how often you use your AC) is the best way to ensure optimal performance.
Cleaning the coils of your unit is another essential step to ensure it runs effectively during the summer months. The evaporator and condenser coils collect dirt over time which prevents it from absorbing heat effectively.
While a clean air filter slows down this process, given enough time, dirt will still make its way into the coils, reducing their ability to function as desired. Professional bi-annual servicing cleans these coils, ensuring a smooth run during summer.
Beyond the filter and coils, many additional components must work harmoniously to power an air conditioner. Issues with these components are difficult to detect but can lead to widespread problems.
System checks and tune-ups ensure all parts perform their functions adequately, as professionals will inspect coolant levels, fix any leaks, measure airflow via the evaporator coil, verify the electric control sequence, and perform many other tasks.
Preventative maintenance spares you from unexpected breakdowns in the sweltering heat when you need your AC system most and prolongs the life of your unit. The recommended tune-up frequency is once a year, preferably during spring to prepare the machine for regular summer usage.
Hilltop Plumbing & Heating Ltd. is a licensed bonded and insured plumbing and gas fitting company, proudly serving the White Rock and South Surrey area for over 50 years.
Trusted for over four decades, we have been providing plumbing & heating solutions, backed up by our guaranteed workmanship and parts warranty.
Your home is your haven of comfort, but could it be smarter, more efficient, and even more comfortable? Well, if you have an old thermostat, we think there’s room for improvement.
Upgrading your thermostat might seem like a minor change, but it can significantly improve your everyday life and the operation of your home. Unsure what we mean? Here are a few ways upgrading your home thermostat can directly improve your quality of life.
Replacing your old thermostat with a modern, programmable model is an effortless way to cut energy usage. By tailoring your heating and cooling settings to align with your daily schedule, you minimize waste and maximize savings.
Modern thermostats ensure that you aren’t paying to heat or cool an empty house, and they adjust the temperature based on when you’re home and awake, so you don’t experience any difference except a lower utility bill.
Upgrading to a modern, programmable thermostat can potentially save homeowners in Vancouver, and across Canada, about 10-20% on their heating and cooling bills annually.
Given that the average household hydro bill in British Columbia is approximately $1,200 per year, an upgraded thermostat could result in savings of $120-$240 each year. These figures depend on the size of the home, specific usage patterns, the efficiency of the home’s insulation, and the type of HVAC system in place.
Beyond personal savings, by upgrading, you contribute to wider environmental conservation efforts, as reducing energy consumption means you’ll have a smaller carbon footprint.
Older thermostats can struggle to maintain a consistent temperature, often leading to hot or cold spots in different rooms. Modern thermostats deliver precision control that maintains an even, comfortable temperature throughout your home.
You’ll feel the difference with a more responsive and delicate approach to heating and cooling that caters to the unique needs of each space. Plus, you can react instantly to weather changes or adjustments in your schedule from anywhere via smartphone apps.
This means no more returning to a home that’s too cold or too hot; with just a few taps on your screen, you can ensure the perfect welcome home, every time.
Today’s thermostats often serve as a connector for smart home technology. With an upgraded thermostat, you can integrate it with a range of devices for voice-activated adjustments, allowing seamless compatibility with systems like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant.
By connecting your thermostat to a home automation system, you can consolidate control over various aspects of your house—from lighting to temperature control to security systems—all managed through a centralized interface, voice, or a smartphone app.
Feeling a bit cold in the living room? Simply ask Alexa to adjust the thermostat. Want the house to be cool when you get home on a summer day? Just change the temperature through the app, and it will adjust.
In addition to acting as the brain of your smart home, modern devices come packed with innovative features such as maintenance reminders, which prompt you to change filters or schedule service for your HVAC system.
All of these abilities make your life easier and more comfortable with minimal effort or investment.
Are you working late or away on vacation? A modern thermostat gives you the power to monitor and adjust your home’s temperature remotely.
Geofencing functionality is an innovative feature and uses your phone’s location to adjust your home settings automatically as you come and go.
For example, the system can lower the temperature to save energy when the house is empty and warm up your living space as you return, ensuring comfort while optimizing energy use.
These smart integrations create the ultimate balance of convenience, efficiency, and personalization in your Vancouver home.
Plus, with remote access features, if there are signs of heating issues while you’re away—for instance, temperatures dropping below your water pipe freezing point—you can act immediately from your phone or device.
With old analog thermostats, what you see is what you get—a temperature reading and not much else. Unfortunately, that’s not a lot of information to make decisions.
Instead, upgrade to a digital thermostat equipped with detailed reporting for insight into how your household consumes energy.
Thermostat reports and insights deliver comprehensive data on your home’s energy usage patterns, highlighting peak usage times, temperature fluctuations, and potential inefficiencies.
Analyze these reports to identify further saving opportunities or to detect unusual patterns. Modern devices also inform you about the status of your HVAC system with alerts that warn you of extreme temperature changes or times to schedule maintenance checks.
If these reasons resonate with you, Hilltop Plumbing & Heating Ltd. is ready to help you upgrade your thermostat. In our eyes, upgrading to a new thermostat is more than just a step up in technology—it’s an investment in your home’s intelligence and efficiency.
With over half a century of experience, we promise expertise, reliability, and dedication in everything we do—from routine maintenance to comprehensive system upgrades.
Call us today, and let’s co-create a more comfortable, efficient, and smarter home!
Hilltop Plumbing & Heating Ltd. is a licensed bonded and insured plumbing and gas fitting company, proudly serving the White Rock and South Surrey area for over 50 years.
Trusted for over four decades, we have been providing plumbing & heating solutions, backed up by our guaranteed workmanship and parts warranty.
As the cool of winter sets in and the temperature drops indoors and out, your living temperature and personal comfort rely on the effectiveness of your furnace. Yearly furnace maintenance guarantees your heater runs at top performance and prevents inefficiency and potential fire hazards.
If you have never performed annual furnace maintenance, here are the main tasks that must be done.
A heat exchanger is a metallic partition that separates the combustion chamber from the blower to efficiently distribute warm air from the furnace throughout your residence. An extensive examination can detect vulnerabilities that might cause carbon monoxide gas leakages or minimized performance.
A clear sign of damage to a heat exchanger is finding residue accumulation, corrosion, or any contortions around your furnace.
The blower motor propels heated air away from the furnace, through your ducts, and into the living spaces. Any damage to the motor or belt can significantly impact the flow of heated air.
During annual maintenance, it’s essential to inspect the condition of the blower motor and belt. Listen for unusual noises like humming or screeching, which signify worn bearings or a frayed belt. If left unchecked, a faulty blower motor may cause the furnace to overheat, shut down prematurely, or fail.
A blocked air filter is a typical perpetrator when it concerns heating system issues and poor air quality. Clogged filters limit air movement, requiring the heating system to function harder, which decreases its life span.
Check for excess dirt or dust accumulation on the filter and identify if cleaning suffices or if a substitute is essential. Neglecting this easy maintenance step can lead to inadequate air quality and greater electrical bills due to reduced effectiveness.
By attending to these parts of your heating system throughout the year, you optimize the efficiency and durability of your furnace. Routine maintenance protects against little concerns and prevents small damage from becoming a major problem.
If you feel the cold temperatures in your home more than ever, it’s time to give your furnace a closer inspection.
Hilltop Plumbing & Heating Ltd. is a licensed bonded and insured plumbing and gas fitting company, proudly serving the White Rock and South Surrey area for over 50 years.
Trusted for over four decades, we have been providing plumbing & heating solutions, backed up by our guaranteed workmanship and parts warranty.
In the bone-chilling weather of winter, a well-functioning furnace is your home’s knight in shining armor, providing a toasty warm haven against the chill. But how can you ensure your furnace is efficient and does not consume excess energy?
Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) might sound like an intimidating scientific term, but in the world of furnaces, it’s your trusted efficiency yardstick. In essence, it’s a ratio that measures how well your furnace converts propane or natural gas into heat over a year.
Simply put, if a furnace has an AFUE rating of 90 percent, it means it effectively utilizes 90 percent of its fuel for heating, while the remaining 10 percent gets lost in the conversion process. The higher the AFUE percentage, the more efficient your furnace is and the lower your energy costs.
BTUs (British Thermal Units) are another key in determining the efficiency of a furnace. One BTU refers to the energy required to raise a pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit.
So, when you’re scanning the spec sheet of a furnace boasting 60,000 BTUs, it signifies its ability to generate that amount of heat per hour. The higher the BTU rating, the stronger the heating capabilities.
Now armed with a solid understanding of AFUE and BTUs, it’s time to address a pivotal question: how do you determine the size of the furnace you need?
The formula HVAC technicians use to choose the right furnace size is as follows:
AFUE = (Total annual heat output in BTUs / Total annual energy input in BTUs) x 100
You also have to consider factors like square footage, insulation levels, and geographical climate. Fortunately, a qualified HVAC professional from trusted companies like Hilltop Plumbing can assess these factors accurately and recommend a suitable furnace size.
Hilltop Plumbing & Heating Ltd. is a licensed bonded and insured plumbing and gas fitting company, proudly serving the White Rock and South Surrey area for over 50 years.
Trusted for over four decades, we have been providing plumbing & heating solutions, backed up by our guaranteed workmanship and parts warranty.
Ever wonder why so many homeowners in Metro Vancouver are making the switch from traditional heating systems to boilers? It’s not just a coincidence – it’s a conscious decision backed by a few long-lasting benefits.
The crown jewel among the reasons to switch to a boiler is its incredible energy efficiency. Boilers deliver heat through radiators located throughout the home, creating an even distribution of warmth that traditional heating systems struggle to match. The even heating directly translates into lower energy consumption and lower utility bills.
Boilers have seen technological advancements in recent years. Advanced systems like condensing boilers recycle waste heat, pushing energy efficiency into overdrive.
Beyond that, modern boilers are often equipped with smart technology, allowing homeowners to control their heating from their phones or computers. It’s convenience and control like never seen before!
Concerned about noise pollution in your house? Boiling heating systems run as quietly as a church mouse, unlike forced-air systems that constantly whoosh and rumble.
Additionally, because boiler systems don’t blow air around your home like forced-air systems, they don’t distribute allergens – a massive benefit for allergy sufferers.
Heating your Metro Vancouver home with a boiler is an efficient, comfortable, and simple way to keep the indoor climate pleasantly warm. By making the switch to a boiler, you’re embracing an energy-saving solution that goes easy on your wallet and is kind to our planet while also enjoying the noiseless comfort of a clean, hypoallergenic environment.
Hilltop Plumbing & Heating Ltd. is a licensed bonded and insured plumbing and gas fitting company, proudly serving the White Rock and South Surrey area for over 50 years.
Trusted for over four decades, we have been providing plumbing & heating solutions, backed up by our guaranteed workmanship and parts warranty.
The Lower Mainland of Vancouver has a moderate, oceanic temperature, meaning that the fall and winter seasons are wet and cold. Due to this, from November to March, most citizens spend time inside and trying to stay warm and dry.
To escape the cold, a proper furnace system with adequate heating capacity is essential. The size of the furnace is particularly critical as it directly affects the efficiency of your home heating system, your comfort, overall power consumption, and maintenance or replacement costs.
If the furnace is too large, the system can overwork and wear out prematurely, too small and it won’t effectively heat your home during the coldest months.
The general formula for a furnace size requirement is 30,000 BTUs per 1,000 square feet of home. However, it can be more tricky than that.
One aspect you have to consider is insulation, as a well-insulated 2,000-square-foot home in Vancouver might require a different furnace size than a poorly insulated one of similar dimensions.
Homes with higher insulation levels are typically more energy-efficient and require smaller furnace sizes to maintain a comfortable temperature. Proper insulation can also help maintain the warm air produced by the furnace inside the house, reducing energy loss and lowering heating costs. Beyond the insulation, there are other factors to consider, such as:
Therefore, it is a good idea to let a professional HVAC technician assess your property and find the best solution for your needs. At Hilltop Plumbing & Heating, we are a licensed, bonded, and insured plumbing and gas fitting company, proudly serving the White Rock, Langley, and South Surrey area for over 50 years. We can assess your property and calculate your Lower Mainland home’s furnace size requirements.
Hilltop Plumbing & Heating Ltd. is a licensed bonded and insured plumbing and gas fitting company, proudly serving the White Rock and South Surrey area for over 50 years.
Trusted for over four decades, we have been providing plumbing & heating solutions, backed up by our guaranteed workmanship and parts warranty.
As we head into the colder months in the Lower Mainland, the usage of your furnace is bound to increase. Your furnace is vital in warding off the chill and keeping you and your family comfortable. However, you may be in for a rude awakening if you have not scheduled furnace maintenance in the last few years.
Without routine maintenance, furnace performance can decrease while energy use skyrockets leading to higher utility bills and a longer time to heat-up. More importantly, though, furnace maintenance isn’t just about comfort and energy efficiency – it’s also a matter of safety.
When neglected, furnaces can become serious hazards. Sensors can go bad, parts can become worn or cracked, leading to potential gas leaks which can be both dangerous and costly.
As you likely know, living in the colder regions of the Lower Mainland like White Rock, Surrey, and Vancouver means that having a well-maintained furnace is not simply a convenience, it’s a necessity. And being proactive and scheduling your furnace maintenance before winter hits, is one of the best things you can do for your home this fall.
At Hilltop Plumbing, our team knows how important your home’s comfort and safety are, and we provide comprehensive furnace maintenance to ensure yours is working effectively.
From simple tune-ups to tracking potential issues to complete system overhauls, we provide an all-encompassing range of services that ensure your furnace is ready to perform.
Prepare for the upcoming cold months by scheduling a maintenance appointment today. We can ensure your furnace is in tip-top condition.
Hilltop Plumbing & Heating Ltd. is a licensed bonded and insured plumbing and gas fitting company, proudly serving the White Rock and South Surrey area for over 50 years.
Trusted for over four decades, we have been providing plumbing & heating solutions, backed up by our guaranteed workmanship and parts warranty.
As we do our best to avoid dealing with the summer heat, our air conditioning units often face the brunt of it. Unfortunately, high temperatures and constant use can lead to a whole host of air conditioning problems that can have you sweltering indoors, just when you’re trying to keep cool.
Here at Hilltop Plumbing & Heating Ltd., we’ve been troubleshooting and solving such issues for over 50 years, and we’re more than ready to help you beat the heat.
One of the most common issues we see during the summer months is low refrigerant levels. Your air conditioner needs refrigerant to remove heat and humidity from the air in your home, and when the levels are low, you may notice it’s not cooling effectively. There can be a couple of reasons for this, from refrigerant leakage to installation issues.
Another common air condition problem is caused by the accumulation of dirt, dust, and leaves within your outdoor unit. When particles clog your filter and block the airflow, it can cause an array of issues, from poor cooling to complete system failure. Regular cleaning and servicing are essential, not just for keeping your unit running but to extend its lifecycle as well.
Finally, many older air conditioning models cannot withstand today’s scorching hot summers and often end up overworked and inefficient. Recognizing the signs and knowing when it’s time to invest in a newer, energy-efficient model can improve comfort and reduce utility bills.
Getting your air conditioner back in top shape doesn’t have to be a daunting task. At Hilltop Plumbing & Heating Ltd., we offer professional air conditioning repairs, servicing, and maintenance to keep you comfortable all summer.
Hilltop Plumbing & Heating Ltd. is a licensed bonded and insured plumbing and gas fitting company, proudly serving the White Rock and South Surrey area for over 50 years.
Trusted for over four decades, we have been providing plumbing & heating solutions, backed up by our guaranteed workmanship and parts warranty.
Are you considering upgrading your home’s heating system to a more efficient and cost-effective option? Heat pumps are an excellent choice that can provide both heating and cooling solutions for your Langley home. But with so many options available, choosing the right heat pump for your specific needs can feel overwhelming. To make it a bit easier, we are sharing some of the most important considerations.
The size of your home is one of the most important factors in choosing the right heat pump. The larger it is, the bigger the capacity (measured in tons) you will need. A professional technician from Hilltop Plumbing & Heating Ltd. can conduct a comprehensive evaluation of your house to determine what size works best.
There are three types of heat pumps – air-source, geothermal, and ductless mini-split systems.
Air-source: Extracts and compresses outdoor air to warm your home in colder months and vice versa during hot summer seasons.
Geothermal: Uses underground pipes or wells to transfer heat into your building.
Ductless systems: Transfers the air from outdoors to indoors and uses heat exchanger coils to achieve a desired temperature.
Another factor you may want to consider when selecting a new heat pump should be its energy efficiency rating. A description of each product’s performance should be based on its Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER). Moreover, Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSFP) shows how efficiently devices perform during cold months because they measure heating output rather than cooling ability.
Whichever type of heat pump best suits you depends on specific parameters such as location, budget, house size, and age. To know what will work best for your home, we suggest contacting our experts at Hilltop Plumbing & Heating Ltd for professional guidance on choosing the most fitting heat pump solution.
Hilltop Plumbing & Heating Ltd. is a licensed bonded and insured plumbing and gas fitting company, proudly serving the White Rock and South Surrey area for over 50 years.
Trusted for over four decades, we have been providing plumbing & heating solutions, backed up by our guaranteed workmanship and parts warranty.
As technology advances, new options are emerging for temperature control. One alternative to traditional air conditioners is the ductless mini-split system. But can this tiny device replace conventional AC units?
The most significant difference between these two devices is how they distribute cool air. Traditional AC units work by blowing cold air through ducts into different rooms using fans or blowers. On the other hand, mini splits do not use ductwork at all to circulate cold air throughout your home.
A ductless mini split works like a reversible heat pump; they move heated and cooled refrigerant between inside and outdoor units connected by tubing that passes through wall-mounted conduits leading outside.
Ductless mini split systems offer a range of advantages over traditional air conditioning units, including:
It depends on your home size, budget, and temperature needs. If you’re considering replacing your existing air conditioner unit with a more efficient and flexible model, we can help.
Hilltop Plumbing offers certified plumbing technicians who can help guide you through our offerings today. Contact us now for further inquiries.
Hilltop Plumbing & Heating Ltd. is a licensed bonded and insured plumbing and gas fitting company, proudly serving the White Rock and South Surrey area for over 50 years.
Trusted for over four decades, we have been providing plumbing & heating solutions, backed up by our guaranteed workmanship and parts warranty.