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Choosing Central Air Conditioner Companies

In Toronto and the GTA, there is no shortage of central air conditioner companies to choose from. But knowing the good from the bad can be a challenge when going through all the different brands and models available. Here are 2 of the central air conditioner companies we use, who have been very popular with our customers over the last 30 years. Take a look.

2 Central Air Conditioning Companies You Can Trust

Lennox – Being comfortable as the temperature rises and falls is important. That’s why Lennox’s Precise Comfort Cooling Technology is so popular with its customers. This feature helps stabilize your home’s internal temperature to within 1 degree of what you set on your thermostat…all the time. Most units blast on when the thermostat changes, but that can create times where you are cold or warm and then forced to fiddle with the thermostat yourself. Instead, this cooling technology allows the central unit to adjust and distribute a steady stream of cool air in the summer, so you’re never too warm indoors.

York – Not to be outdone, York has a few interesting features of their own. First, is its efficiency. York actually has units that range between 15% and 25% higher efficiency than some models on the market today. That means you’ll see a savings each month since it uses less energy to cool your home. Second, York has its own patented feature called Quiet Drive. This ensures the model is always as quiet as it can be. Pair this with the fact that all central air conditioner units are outdoors, and rest assured you’ll almost forget you have an air conditioner when its keeping you cool all summer.

We encourage you to look into these brands for yourself to learn more. There are plenty to choose from, but having the right professional recommend specific models based on your home’s needs can help you narrow down your choices.

Novel Care Only Works With Quality Central Air Conditioning Companies

Prefer to just chat with a professional about which options make sense for you? Give us a call at 905-737-5016. Our team at Novel Care puts customer service first, so we’re always available to help by booking assessments or answering questions. After all, we have more than 30 years of experience installing, maintaining, and repairing all types of HVAC systems, so there’s nothing we can’t solve. Let us help narrow your search for central air conditioner companies, so you can have the right unit cooling your home this summer.

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Benefits Of Installing A New Central Air Conditioning Unit

Hopefully, you’re reading this in the springtime to avoid any last-minute pressures that a hot summer day in Toronto and the GTA can bring. If not, no big deal, we’ll make this short and get right to the benefits of upgrading to a new central air conditioning unit in your home. Take a look below.

A New Central Air Conditioning Unit Is Very Quiet

Cooling off indoors in the middle of a heatwave is nice, but being able to sleep through a humid night is better. Good thing this air conditioning option doesn’t make a lot of noise. In fact, because the condenser is located on the outside of your home, the chances of you hearing anything are quite low. That means a solid night’s sleep, even when the temperature is well into the 30s.

Expect Your New Central Air Conditioning To Be Powerful And Last A Long Time

The major benefit of air conditioning is that it can cool your entire living space. That’s not a problem for central air. Unlike a window based unit, central air has the power to easily cool multiple rooms. Best of all, they are efficient too. That means your energy bill won’t skyrocket as long as you use your air conditioner correctly to keep your indoor temperature comfortable.

Another great perk of central units are they last long. On average, a good maintained system can last anywhere between 15 and 20 years. That’s a great investment that will help you beat the heat summer after summer after summer.

Let The Professionals At Novel Care Install Your New Central Air Conditioner

Now that you’ve read the positives of choosing central air, don’t make the fatal error of finding just anyone to install it. That’s how money is wasted. In a city as big as Toronto and the GTA, there could be countless “professionals” and “handymen” who might be available to help, but that doesn’t mean they are qualified to get the job done right.

Make sure the person or company you choose has been around long enough to have the correct experience. In our case, we’ve been serving Toronto and the GTA for more than 30 years, so we know everything about maintaining, repairing, and installing HVAC systems correctly – including central air conditioners. Just give us a call at 905-737-5016 to get started. A member of our team is always around to answer your questions and setup an appointment to provide an onsite assessment. After all, we want to make sure the job is done right, and we’ll go out of our way to make sure that happens. Contact us today.

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Automation Can Help You Save On Air Conditioning

We don’t like to brag, but we’re home air conditioning experts. It’s just one of the many things we do very well. We’ve been around for a while now, over 30 years in fact, and during that time we’ve learned a lot about air conditioning. One thing we were excited about when technology began to change is automation.

Automation Is Good For Air Conditioning

It’s not uncommon for people to waste energy and in turn money on air conditioning by leaving the system running throughout the day. Whether they don’t know any better or they forget to turn it off, they’ve left it running at a temperature designed for when people are actually home. Many of our customers do this, until we advise them otherwise of course. By now most of our customers have programmable or smart thermostats, which are excellent inventions and in our eyes a necessary automation for every home.

Using these thermostats is the best way to save money on both your air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter. Many smart thermostats actually allow you to gauge your energy usage in addition to controlling your system from anywhere.

  • Check on the air conditioning and heating systems using a remote thermostat that connects to Wi-Fi.
  • Track energy usage with data stored in the application.
  • Allow the thermostat to learn your habits in order to automatically set the most efficient temperatures for your needs.
  • Have the ability to control the temperature in case there is a drastic shift in the atmospheric temperature.

We install hundreds of new programmable and smart thermostats every year throughout Toronto and the GTA, saving our customers thousand of dollars every year.

Programmable and smart thermostats install easily with just about any air conditioning system, and with the help of an HVAC air conditioning professional you can start saving money on your energy bills in no time at all. Well, you can actually begin saving the moment your new thermostat is activated. So why wait?

Contact Novel Care today for more information about automating your system: 905-737-5016.

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Ductless Air Conditioner Maintenance In The Fall

It’s inevitable, summer is slowly coming to a close. The days are getting shorter, the air is cooler at night, and you may even notice your furnace kicking in from time to time. One thing to keep in mind is that just because summer is ending doesn’t mean that you should neglect the maintenance on your ductless air conditioner. In fact, fall is the perfect time to perform annual maintenance on your ductless air conditioning system.

Ductless Air Maintenance

Vacuuming and general cleaning of your ductless air conditioning components should be something you take care of regularly, but if not then fall is the perfect time to do so. Cleaning out the filters, and wiping the dust off all the surfaces makes it easier for your unit to move air around and actually increases the efficiency of your system.

Check all the connections at your indoor and outdoor units. Ensure that there are no leaks or loose wires, or any corrosion on any of the elements. A good visual inspection should be sufficient to identify any obvious problems with your units.

Above and beyond a simple cleaning and checking of the components, it’s a good idea to contact a professional and experienced HVAC company for additional maintenance. Having a complete understand of the workings and functioning of ductless air systems is essential to ensuring they are operating properly and efficiently.

Some systems might be larger, older, and have unique things about them that only professional technicians will understand.

Ductless Air Repairs

When an inspection and maintenance is being done on a ductless system, an HVAC technician will also look for components that are wearing out and in need or repair and replacement. This is one of the most important things about having a professional take care of your unit’s maintenance. In order to ensure your unit lasts for many years to come certain components will need to be replaced as they wear out in order to maintain efficiency as ductless units age.

For more information about ductless air conditioners, maintenance, repairs and installation contact Novel Care today: 905-737-5016. Novel Care has been serving Toronto, York Region and the rest of the GTA for over 30 years.

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Keeping Pets Cool Is Important Too

You might think that your pets can take care of themselves when the mercury rises, but keeping pets cool is also the responsibility of pet owners. If you have air conditioning in your home there’s not much to worry about except keeping them inside, and ensuring that your air conditioner is working properly. If it’s not, schedule a maintenance appointment with Novel Care Toronto today, so you know you’re doing everything in terms of keeping pets cool.

Keeping Pets Cool This Summer

We’re all about keeping people cool with our air conditioning repair, maintenance and installation services, but we love pets too and they shouldn’t be ignored when the temperature rises. Here are some ways to help them stay cool too.

  • Keep them properly watered by providing them with plenty of fresh water through the day and at night.
  • Even though they’re covered in fur, pets can get sunburned. keep them in the shade when you can.
  • If you’re at the beach you might think they’re safe and cool in the water, but the sun, sand and rocks reflect the sun and can also cause sunburns. On very hot days limit their time in the sun.
  • Utilize air conditioning and fans when you can to help your pets stay cool.
  • Don’t leave your pets outside on or balconies, they can quickly dehydrate and overheat on very hot days.
  • It seems like no matter how often people are told not to leave pets in hot cars it still happens. Don’t do it.
  • Take your pets for a walk during the cooler parts of the day in the early morning or later in the evening.

Keeping Pets Cool & Avoiding Heat Stroke

Yes, pets can get heat stroke too. Here are some signs that your pet might have heat stroke:

  • Rapid panting
  • Excessive drooling
  • Very hot skin and fur
  • Muscles twitching uncontrollably
  • Unusual vomiting
  • Looking dazed or acting confused

For more information about keeping pets cool this summer or for air conditioner repair, maintenance or installation services contact Novel Care Toronto today: 905-737-5016.

Novel Care Toronto has been  serving Toronto, York Region and the rest of the GTA for over 30 years.

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3 Top Factors That Affect New Air Conditioner Pricing

You might think that there are numerous factors that affect the price of a new air conditioner, but realistically there are 3 main factors.

  • Efficiency (SEER rating)
  • Single-Stage vs. 2-Stage Cooling
  • Size

New Air Conditioner Efficiency (SEER)

SEER is the measurement of the efficiency of your new air conditioner, it stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. The SEER ratings for any new air conditioner start at 13 and go into the 20’s. Popular air conditioners that combine affordability and energy-efficiency are typically rated between 13 and 17. These popular units are also typically single-stage air conditioners.

As it goes the higher the SEER rating the more expensive a new air conditioner usually is.

New Air Conditioner Stage Cooling

Single Stage Air Conditioner: These air conditioners function like a light. They either get switched on or off. They operate at either 100% capacity or 0%, there’s no in between.

2-Stage Air Conditioner: These air conditioners start-up running at about 2/3 of their maximum capacity and then increase to 100% only if the outdoor temperature warrants it. This ensures that the unit is operating as efficiently as possible at all times. 2-stage air conditioners typically cost about $1000 more than a single stage unit, but over time that cost can be recouped on your energy bill.

New Air Conditioner Size

When referring to the size of an air conditioner it’s not in reference to the physical size of the unit. Air conditioners are measured in tons, which indicates how much cooling capacity it has. Typically, central air conditioners increase incrementally in size by 1/2 tons. The larger the unit the more expensive it will be. To find out what size init your home or commercial space needs it’s usually best to consult with a reputable and experienced HVAC technician.

Overall, there are numerous factors that can affect the cost of your new air conditioner, but these 3 factors carry the most weight so understanding them is important. Now that you know more about the reasons for the cost of your air conditioner you can have an educated conversation with your Novel Care Toronto HVAC technician about which new air conditioner is right for you.

For more information about installing a new air conditioner or for a free estimate contact Novel Care Toronto today: 905-737-5016.

Novel Care Toronto has been installing new air conditioners in Toronto, York Region and the rest of the GTA for over 30 years.

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Why Change Your Furnace Filter?

Most of us know that we’re supposed to take care of certain things around the house like raking leaves, cutting the lawn, vacuuming, dusting, etc. All of these little jobs ensure our home looks good and functions properly. One thing that many people fail to do or are intimidated to do is changing their furnace filter. While it might not seem like a big deal, changing your furnace filter is one of the most important things you can do to ensure your furnace is functioning properly and the air in your home is as clean as possible.

Indoor Air Pollution & Your Furnace Filter

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) indicates that indoor air pollution is typically worse than the air outside of your home. Replacing your furnace filter is the best way to reduce indoor air pollution and improve the efficiency of your furnace. As the efficiency of your furnace increases the costs are reduced, so by simply changing your furnace filter you’ll be saving money on your energy bills and in the long-term with reduce wear and tear.

Regular Checking

Ideally, your furnace filter should be checked on a monthly basis. Most furnace manufacturers recommend changing furnace filters every 3-6 months, but the duration is heavily dependent on a number of factors. These can include the quality of the filter, what time of year it is, if you have pets in the house, how sensitive you are to allergens, the usage of your HVAC system, and anything else that can affect the quality of the air in your home. As there are so many different things that can affect the life of your furnace filter taking a look from time to time is the best way to know when it’s time to change it.

Types of Furnace Filters

There are lots of different types of furnace filters, all at different price points and levels of quality. There are pre-cut media air filter pads, pleated furnace filters, electrostatic air filters, HVAC filters, and activated carbon air filters. Typically, fibreglass panel filters are the cheapest types of furnace filters and can be found at most hardware stores. The most expensive filters are reusable electrostatic filters, which are designed to trap smoke and smaller airborne particles. They can be rinsed in a large sink or with a hose when they get clogged up and dirty, and if properly maintained they will last for many years.

If you’re unsure about which furnace filter is right for your needs and lifestyle contact a professional HVAC technician at Novel Care today at 905-737-5016

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Winter Means Professional Boiler Maintenance

Boiler Maintenance: Proper Servicing

Just like any other heating appliance or mechanical system, your boiler requires regular service and boiler maintenance to ensure it’s operating efficiently and safely. While there is some maintenance that building managers can carry out, it’s always advisable to have a professional boiler maintenance or HVAC technician take care of annual service needs.

What To Expect During Commercial Boiler Maintenance

Typically, if your boiler maintenance is taken care of by a professional HVAC technician from a reputable company like Novel Care then there should be little to no disruption in your building or facility. A regularly scheduled annual service request should take between 1 and 2 hours and leave your building with a boiler that’s running safely and efficiently.

During servicing a boiler maintenance technician will perform a variety of tests to find out what needs attention and what doesn’t. These tests are different depending on whether your boiler is oil or gas fuelled, and the resulting output will determine the type of maintenance required to keep your boiler working efficiently.

Why Do I Need Boiler Maintenance?

By ensuring you book annual boiler maintenance your effectively extending the lifecycle of your boiler, and ensuring it’s proper functioning until the next boiler maintenance appointment. Each boiler comes with unique specifications that dictate how it should be configured and operating, which is uniquely set by the manufacturer. Adhering to these guidelines helps make sure that your boiler lasts as long as possible, and reduces the risks of accidents, faults, and other expensive repairs.

As time passes the efficiency of any boiler decreases, no matter how often maintenance and repairs are performed. This is a result of soot production from the combustion, which coats the heat exchanger. Decreased performance can also occur as the air/fuel ratio changes over time due to the gradual wearing of different components. Boiler servicing removes the soot from boiler components and adjusts the air/fuel ratio as best as possible to achieve optimal combustion.

Thinking about your boiler like an automobile is an easy way to remember that it needs regular maintenance and attention to maintain efficiency and proper operation.

For more information about boiler maintenance and professional boiler services contact Novel Care today. With over 30 years of experience serving Toronto, York Region, and the rest of the GTA Novel Care has the knowledge and skills you needs to get your boiler up to its optimal levels. Call: (905) 737-5016.

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Working With Toronto Furnace Repair Experts

Depending on the age of your furnace one of the best ways to keep it running efficiently and smoothly is to ensure it receives regular maintenance. This means more than just changing the filter once a year. Proper maintenance means having a professional Toronto furnace repair expert from a reputable company like Novel Care come in and perform professional furnace maintenance.

It’s important to remember that furnaces are mechanical pieces of equipment that need regular professional maintenance to ensure all components are working properly, and it’s running at optimal efficiency. Whether you live in Toronto, York Region, or somewhere else in the GTA it’s important to have a professional inspect and maintain your furnace.

Proper Toronto Furnace Repair & Maintenance

Once you’ve made the decision to hire a Toronto furnace repair expert from a company like Novel Care, it’s important to understand what’s going to be done to your furnace. While some companies may simply change your filter and make a few adjustments, other companies like Novel Care perform an extensive inspection, thorough maintenance, and only essential repairs that cover all aspects of your furnace and venting systems. They include but aren’t limited to:

  • A Thorough Inspection: A professional Toronto furnace repair and maintenance expert should perform a full visual and point examination of all mechanical and essential parts of your furnace and duct system. This is the best way for a technician to uncover any issues, or reveal any signs of wear that may become issues in the near future.
  • Lubricating: Like other mechanical equipment, your furnace needs lubrication in order to reduce friction between all moving parts. Any full-service furnace repair and maintenance package should include proper furnace lubrication.
  • Gas Pressure & Pilot Adjustment: Over time the gas pressure coming into your furnace may slightly change. A Toronto furnace repair technician from an established and reputable company like Novel Care will evaluate and adjust the gas pressure as needed, and do the same for the pilot light in order to reestablish them to original specifications.
  • Filter Replacement: While this is something you can do on your own, Toronto furnace repair experts like those working at Novel Care have a large supply of air filters and can often provide great deals on new replacement filters for your furnace. Any annual service call with an experienced furnace maintenance technician will include a filter replacement, and if it doesn’t then it’s definitely time to find another HVAC company to take care of your annual furnace maintenance.
  • Free Estimate: Planning your annual household budget is an important part of your household finances, and all of us know how all the little costs can add up. Many Toronto furnace repair and HVAC companies will charge you for an estimate prior to any work being done. At Novel Care we provide free estimates for all work, so you can easily decide what you can afford and what can wait until later. We treat all of our clients like good neighbours, which is why we’ve enjoyed working in Toronto, York Region, and the GTA for over 30 years.

Overall, annual furnace repair and maintenance is a small short term cost that can save you big money in the long run. It’s also important to work with experienced, reputable, and knowledgeable Toronto furnace repair and HVAC companies like Novel Care. This ensures that you not only get great services and experienced technicians, but free estimates and guarantees on any work performed. For more information about how Novel Care can help you call: (905) 737-5016.

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Gas Furnace Maintenance: Getting Ready For Winter

As the leaves start to change and temperatures drop, our thoughts turn to the winter season that’s on its way. In Toronto, that means you need to make sure that your furnace is ready to go to work for a hard 6 or 7 month run. This means performing gas furnace maintenance yourself, as well as scheduling an experienced professional from a reputable company like Novel Care to perform proper maintenance.

Whether you live in Toronto, York Region, or somewhere else in the GTA, here are the things every homeowner should be doing to make sure their furnace won’t break down on the coldest night of the year. If you want to avoid emergency repair costs, possible frozen pipes and a lot of discomfort, just follow these easy steps.

  1. Make sure your furnace area is clear of stored belongings: Most of the things we store in our basements are a fire safety hazard. By storing items too close to your furnace, you’re risking a fire. Part of proper gas furnace maintenance is ensuring that the area around your furnace stays clear all year round.
  2. Replace your furnace filter: Part of proper gas furnace maintenance is replacing your furnace filter. It’s designed to protect your furnace from getting clogged with hair, dust, and other debris, but once it gets clogged your furnace has to work harder to pull air in. For the 1-inch pleated filters, most filter manufacturers recommend checking the filter monthly while the furnace is in use, and replacing it every 3 months at the most. If you have a more intensive filtration system or air cleaner, rely on the guidance of a professional furnace technician from a reputable company like Novel Care.
  3. Check the exhaust vent and fresh air intake: Vents like these outside your home need to be kept free of yard litter, plant overgrowth or animal nests. The vents should be able to open freely to suck in fresh air and expel contaminated air.
  4. Open all of your indoor air vents: Make sure that none are blocked by furniture or carpets, and that the vent covers are free of dust. This not only helps your gas furnace move air throughout your home, but it will improve the overall air quality in your house.
  5. Remove all vent covers and inspect your vents: If they appear dusty, consider booking professional duct cleaning appointment with a knowledgeable and experienced company like Novel Care. If they show any signs of mold, you should definitely consult with a gas furnace maintenance expert. Mold can be extremely hazardous to your health and lead to a plethora of respiratory issues.
  6. Do a test run: Turn your furnace on before the first really cold day of the year. If it won’t fire up or it’s making lots of noise then it’s the perfect time to schedule a gas furnace maintenance appointment.
  7. Check your thermostat settings for maximum efficiency: Set the temperature to go down when you’re away from home and overnight while you’re asleep. Remember, lower temperatures will save you money. For every degree you reduce your overall temperature, you can reduce your heating costs by 3% to 5%.
  8. Check your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors: If your CO (carbon monoxide) detector is more than 5 years old, replace it to ensure the safety of you and your family. Carbon Monoxide detectors are very inexpensive and are available at most hardware stores. While odorless and colourless, CO is highly toxic and a buildup in your home could be fatal.

Most importantly, book a professional heating technician to check and clean your furnace. This will help make sure there are no problems, and will help your furnace run at peak efficiency. That means you’ll be reducing the cost to heat your home all winter long. You can learn more about what’s included in an Novel Care furnace servicing appointment here.

Gas Furnace Maintenance Essentials

•    Dirty filters make your furnace work harder.
•    Small problems with furnace parts can make other parts work harder, increasing the wear and tear on your system. This reduces the working life of your furnace and makes a breakdown more likely. Regular gas furnace maintenance is one of the best things you can do for your home’s HVAC system.

Request a Free Quote for Gas Furnace Maintenance from Novel Care

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