Tag: heater maintenance

A Safe Vacation During the COVID-19 Pandemic

There is no denying that everyone is a little hesitant when it comes to traveling during COVID-19 times. This is a perfectly understandable concern and that is the reason why we are going to give you a list of some of the places you can visit.

Please keep in mind that COVID-19 is a problem that we are facing all over the world. This means that any location you visit is not going to be 100% safe, but we are basing these recommendations on the areas that seem to be the safest and least crowded for your vacations.

As of November 1, 2020, these are the countries in Latin America and the Caribbean you can visit by providing a negative COVID test result:

  • Bermuda
  • Curacao
  • Grenada
  • Costa Rica
  • Jamaica

Places in Europe you can visit:

  • France
  • Poland
  • Romania
  • Iceland

Remember, self-isolation is required upon your return to Canada. 

Keep in mind that this is going to be a requirement after you have traveled to any country. Once you get back to Canada, you are expected to self-isolate for a period of 14 days minimum. The guidelines are continually changing, so be aware of them before and throughout your travel.

If no one is taking care of your home while you are away, you need to make sure that you can take the time to check that everything is going to be in top condition.

Winter Vacation Home Maintenance Checklist

1. Make sure you get an alarm

  • A good alarm system for your home is not as expensive as it used to be. Now you can get a great alarm system for a very low cost and it will help keep your house safe in case someone tries to enter without permission. Notify your alarm company of the dates that you will be away. If your alarm is triggered, they can bypass guard dispatch and send a police officer to your house straight away.

2. Assign someone to check on your property

  • Finding someone you trust that can check your home daily is always a great idea. Most people will usually ask a relative or someone they have known for many years, but it’s very important to be able to do this in order to have peace of mind regarding your property. Check with your home insurance provider regarding their policy on how frequently you need to have your home checked on while you are away. Failing to do so can null your coverage.

3. Make sure plumbing and heating systems are in good condition

  • The last thing you want when you come home from a vacation is to have to deal with any kind of water leaks or electrical hazards that have caused serious damage to your property. Make sure that everything is working properly before you leave. 
  • Install Wi-Fi thermostats that send you alerts if your furnace stops working. This is extremely helpful in case you are not at home and no one is around to detect the problem.
  • Get a smart water shutoff valve, such as Floe by Moen, that is going to turn the main water line off in case any leaks are detected. This is a very common issue that will often occur due to frozen pipes.
  • You should also have systems installed to ensure that the temperatures on your water tank are optimal, and you need to have an alarm for your sump pump. These are all critical improvements that will allow you to have peace of mind.
  • Last, but not least, you should hire a professional to get that furnace tune-up done before you go. This is one of the most common malfunctions that people experience at home.

Ensuring that your home maintenance is taken care of before you leave your home will offer your peace of mind comfort while you are away. Having the proper safeguards in place, including utilizing smart home devices that will alert you of major plumbing & heating problems, is ideal. Check out our winter vacation checklist for more tips on preparing and protecting your home before you leave. 

Now you know why checking your plumbing and heating before your winter vacation is so important. If you require a professional furnace tune-up, or any other assistance setting up smart home plumbing and heating devices, call us today at 780-489-8118 or book online and we will be right over!

Reasons to Schedule Heater Maintenance in Your Edmonton Home

Another Edmonton winter is on the horizon, which means that it’s time for maintenance on your heating unit. The NRC (Natural Resources Canada) reports that 63% of the energy used in the average Canadian home is from space heating. This staggering number suggests that many home heating systems are not running at maximum efficiency. If you have a heating unit in your home and use multiple space heaters to keep every room comfortable, you should reassess your heating system.

While there could be several different reasons for inefficiency, including old age or an improperly sized unit, the most common reason is poor maintenance. Do you have an annual maintenance plan for your HVAC system? If you haven’t had a tune-up on your heating unit in over a year and need space heaters to keep your family comfortable then you are wasting both energy and money. Every year we remind our Edmonton neighbors about the benefits of annual heater maintenance. Here are the three main reasons why every home owner needs to schedule a yearly fall tune-up:

Improved Energy Efficiency

This reason should be even more compelling to Canadians as the space heater usage in homes is staggering. Annual maintenance on your furnace or boiler will ensure that it runs at maximum efficiency. When the system is dirty or has a part (or parts) that need to be fixed or replaced, the unit has to work harder to produce the amount of heat required for comfort. This means that it is using more energy to do its job effectively. But some units get past the point of even properly heating a home – which often means the homeowner buys space heaters to help boost the warmth. This starts a vicious cycle, which can become very expensive and very wasteful. If your heating unit is properly sized and functioning properly there should not be a need for multiple space heaters.

Lower Utility Bills

When your heating unit is working as well at it can, it won’t be a drain on your utility bills. You might not be aware of the amount of energy that your home consumes during a harsh Edmonton winter, but when a spike directly impacts your wallet it is hard to overlook. Are you one of the many Canadian homes with multiple space heaters? Have you considered why? The fee for annual heating maintenance is small compared to the cost of using an inefficient unit and additional heaters.

Avoiding Repairs

No one in Edmonton wants their heating unit to break down in the middle of winter. Regular maintenance can help prevent a breakdown – and time spent without heat. A fall tune-up can help catch minor problems before they are exacerbated by the continuous use in the winter. Repairing or replacing a furnace or boiler can cost thousands of dollars, which is even worse news during the extended holiday season. Avoid repairs altogether with annual scheduled maintenance from a licensed technician. Get your system running at peak condition and free yourself from energy-draining space heaters.

The licensed technicians at Always Plumbing & Heating are experts at heating maintenance. Let them help you keep your system running smoothly so you don’t have to resort to additional heating solutions. Save energy, money and keep expensive repairs to a minimum with a comprehensive tune-up for your heating unit. Be proactive and ensure your family’s health and comfort this winter with professional heating maintenance from Always Plumbing & Heating.

Related Blogs:

Kitchen Plumbing Maintenance

Fall DIY Maintenance

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