Humidifiers typically last between two and five years. The lifespan of your humidifier largely depends on the brand you choose. Some brands are known for their durability while others are not. For example, The Comfort Group carries a range of Healthy Climate® air purification systems, including the Healthy Climate® Bypass Humidifier, because the brand is renowned for manufacturing long-lasting and quality products. How often you clean and service your humidifier can also impact its lifespan. Experts recommend changing your humidifier’s water supply on a daily basis and cleaning it every one to two weeks. You can also hire a professional HVAC company like The Comfort Group to service your humidifier during your annual HVAC maintenance tune-up. Regular maintenance has been shown to extend the lifespan of cooling, heating, and air purification systems, increase the energy efficiency of your units (and therefore reduce the cost of your monthly energy bills), and prevent long-term problems from occurring which can be expensive to repair. To book a maintenance service for your humidifier, as well as any other HVAC units in your home, call The Comfort Group. We have been providing Parksville residents with quality HVAC maintenance services for years. All maintenance calls are performed by a fully licensed and certified technician.

While it’s true that excessive moisture in a home can lead to mold, whole house humidifiers will only cause mold if your home is not cleaned regularly. The risk of humidifiers is that if not used properly, moisture can accumulate in your home’s air ducts, causing mold to form, which is then distributed via the air through your home. However, there is a simple way to avoid this, and that is by scheduling annual maintenance with a reputable HVAC company like The Comfort Group. We specialize in HVAC repairs, installations, maintenance, and inspections. Part of our thorough maintenance calls is cleaning the air ducts, allowing us to ensure there is no build-up of mold. If mold is found, we will safely remove it for you. But with regular cleanings (experts recommend servicing your HVAC system once a year), your home should not be at risk of mold, even if you use a humidifier daily. If you suspect a serious problem, call The Comfort Group immediately. We offer 24/7 emergency services, so day or night, weekday or weekend, don’t hesitate to call us. There are no extra fees for holiday, weekend, after hours, or emergency services calls.

There are many whole-home humidifiers on the market today. Whole-home humidifiers are designed to efficiently improve the humidity levels in an entire home, not just in a single room or level. Whole-home humidifiers are typically installed in the basement next to the humidistat (like a thermostat for your humidifier). Humidistats are connected to the forced air heating system in your home and are set up to either automatically or manually adjust the humidity levels in your home whenever they fall below a certain point.

There are many whole-home humidifiers on the market today. Whole-home humidifiers are designed to efficiently improve the humidity levels in an entire home, not just in a single room or level. Whole-home humidifiers are typically installed in the basement next to the humidistat (like a thermostat for your humidifier). Humidistats are connected to the forced air heating system in your home and are set up to either automatically or manually adjust the humidity levels in your home whenever they fall below a certain point.

No. We do not recommend you attempt to clean your home’s ducts yourself; this is a job best left to professionals with the right equipment.

Contact the pros at Comfort Group to learn more or schedule a duct cleaning today.

Comfort Group Heating & Air recommends you have your ducts cleaned every two years.

A thorough duct cleaning will eliminate the buildup of debris and can remove potentially harmful contaminants like allergens and mold.

If you’re experiencing increased allergy symptoms or an unpleasant smell coming from your ducts, a duct cleaning could help.

Duct cleaning usually takes between 4 and 6 hours.

How long it takes exactly will vary depending on the size of your home, as larger homes have more ducts.

The length of time it takes will also depend on when your home’s ducts were last cleaned and how much debris needs to be removed.

Yes: cleaning your ducts can help improve their airflow and the overall performance of your HVAC system.

While the primary concern with duct cleaning is to ensure the air that’s moving through them and into your home is free of dangerous contaminants and healthy to breathe, it can also help increase the quality of your heating & air conditioning system for maximized home comfort all year long.

The actual act of duct cleaning is unlikely to make you sick.

On the other hand, allowing contaminants to build up in your ducts over time, however, can cause health risks, as they have an adverse effect on the air you’re breathing indoors.

We do recommend you do not attempt to clean your home’s ducts yourself; this is a job best left to professionals with the right equipment.

Yes, duct cleaning can help with certain allergy symptoms you’re experiencing in your home.

Much of the dust and contaminants that build up in your air ducts can irritate allergy symptoms and make them worse.

Duct cleaning can reduce the level of these contaminants to help reduce allergy symptoms and allow you to breathe easier.

Mold is one of the nastier things that can build up in your air ducts, and a thorough cleaning can help remove it.

Mold can be particularly dangerous for people to breathe in and an infestation of this unfriendly fungus can grow worse if not treated; a duct cleaning solution from the pros at Comfort Group will ensure that any mold in your air ducts is safely extracted.

Over time, as your HVAC system is used season after season, contaminants like dust, mold and mildew can build up in your air duct system. These buildups can also cause unpleasant smells to permeate your home.

That’s not ideal for your health or home comfort.

The benefits of having your ducts cleaned means you can:

• Cleaner indoor air for you and your family
• Reduction of allergy symptoms from removal of airborne contaminants
• No more bad smells that build up in your ducts
• Improved air flow in your ducts for efficient year-round heating & cooling

Your dryer vents should be cleaned once a year. Experts say that regular maintenance of your dryer vents can increase the lifespan of your dryer and clothing, as well as prevent serious problems from occurring in the future. Other benefits include making your dryer more energy efficient (thereby reducing your monthly utility bills), ridding your dryer of allergens, and reducing the risk of fires and carbon monoxide poisoning. On the other hand, failing to clean your dryer vents regularly can lead to a build-up of lint and other debris, which can lead to blockages and even mould growth. With any HVAC maintenance service, including dryer vent cleaning, we recommend hiring a professional. Here at The Comfort Group, we have years of experience cleaning dryer vents in Parksville homes. We will give your vents an in-depth cleaning, removing any clogs in the process. We also offer 24/7 emergency services, so if your dryer stops working without explanation, give us a call and we’ll send a technician to your door in no time. Please note that The Comfort Group does not charge extra for after hours, weekend, holiday, or emergency service calls.

Most dryers should be vented outside, but it depends on the time. Gas dryers emit carbon monoxide, so it’s especially important that they are vented outside as it can be dangerous if not. While electric dryers do not need to be vented outside, it is typically recommended. In fact, some landlords may require it so if you’re a tenant, be sure to check with your landlord before installing new dryer vents. Why should dryers be vented outside? Mainly because it is the most effective method of removing warm air outside the home, and it’s generally better to exhaust it outside the home rather than somewhere else inside of it. Dispelling heat or moisture from the dryer elsewhere inside the home can lead to the growth of mould or mildew, which could have serious health consequences.

The best type of dryer vent for your home depends on your preferences, budget, and local building codes (some building codes prohibit flexible duct tubing or vinyl/plastic tubing). The different types of dryer vents available to Parksville homeowners are categorized by material. Some dryer vent materials are flexible while others are rigid. The five most common dryer vent tubing materials are aluminum foil, semi-rigid aluminum, slim duct, rigid metal, and plastic/vinyl. There are pros and cons to each type of dryer vent. For example, aluminum foil vents are cheap and easy to work with but they can trap lint. Meanwhile, rigid metal dryer vents are extremely durable and efficient, however, they can be tricky to install and expensive to buy. No matter what type of dryer vent you choose, we always recommend hiring a professional to install them for you. The Comfort Group team consists of fully certified and licensed technicians who can help install your new dryer vents with ease.

Dryer vents are used to remove excess heat and moisture generated during the dryer cycle. Excess heat can lead to fires while excess moisture can create wet spots inside the tube and lead to mould growth. But with quality dryer vents, you can successfully remove this added heat or moisture, dispelling it to other parts of your home, either indoor or outdoor. Ultimately, without dryer vents, your dryer wouldn’t be able to successfully dry your clothes and would be a major fire hazard. Therefore, if your home has a dryer, you should have indoor or outdoor dryer vents attached to it.

Nanaimo homeowners can improve the indoor air quality of their homes by changing their air filters regularly (as mentioned above), limiting the amount of indoor humidity, keeping rugs and carpets clean (as they are known for trapping dust and dirt), using cooking vents or opening windows while cooking, and buying indoor plants. One final way to significantly improve the indoor air quality in your Nanaimo home is to invest in a top-of-the-line air purification system. The type of air purifying unit that’s right for your home depends on your unique needs (specifically, whether you're looking to address humidity issues in your home or ease your allergy symptoms). Contact The Comfort Group for a free home evaluation. A trained and certified technician will assess your home to determine your air purification needs. From there, we can install it for you. It’s that easy!

Experts recommend changing your air filter every 90 days. (Unless you have a permanent filter, in which case it doesn’t need to be replaced, but it should be thoroughly cleaned every three months.) The reason that changing your air filter is so important is that air filters are responsible for collecting dust, dirt, pollen, mould, spores, and other debris before it enters your home. But dirt can easily build up if not cleaned regularly, and before you know it, your air filter is blocked or clogged, which can lead to several problems within your home, such as restricted airflow. Thus, Nanaimo homeowners should strive to clean their air filters every few months or hire a reputable HVAC company like The Comfort Group to clean their filters for them. The Comfort Group offers a wide range of HVAC services to Nanaimo residents, including repairs, installations, annual maintenance, and inspections. Our maintenance services always include changing or cleaning air filters in your HVAC or air purification units. If you suspect something is wrong with one of your units, give us a call right away. The Comfort Group is pleased to provide 24/7 emergency services. There are no extra charges for holiday, weekend, after hours, or emergency service calls. Simply get in touch, and we'll send a technician to your door in a matter of hours.

A few ways to protect against indoor air pollution in your Nanaimo home are to remove or keep carpeting to a minimum, avoid smoking indoors, make sure your stove is well-ventilated (if you have a gas stove), clean your home frequently (especially dusting and vacuuming), turn on exhaust fans when using the bathroom or kitchen, open windows and doors to let the fresh air in, avoid the use of air fresheners and scented candles, keep lids on garbage, compost, or recycling bins, and remove shoes at the front door. Using dehumidifiers and other air filtration systems can also protect against air pollution. The Comfort Group is pleased to offer a wide range of air purification systems to Nanaimo residents. We carry air purification systems, filtration systems, and humidifiers from PureAir™ and Healthy Climate®, any of which can help improve the air quality of your home. Some of our bestsellers include the PureAir™ Air Purification System, the Healthy Climate® 16 Media Air Cleaner, and the Healthy Climate® Whole-Home Dehumidifiers.

The current air quality near Nanaimo is rated as a 3 on the air quality index. This is considered “good” as far as pollution levels go. The air quality forecast for the coming week is all at the “good” level. We recommend checking the air quality index in Nanaimo regularly, especially once wildfire season commences, which can significantly impact the air quality in British Columbia.

Vancouver Island Area homeowners will need to consider several factors before installing an electric charger on their properties, including whether to hire an electrician and which charger to buy. First, confirm with your municipality that your home is eligible for an EV charger installation. Next, confirm your home has sufficient electrical service to charge a vehicle. You can do this by hiring a professional electrician to inspect your home’s electrical system. An electrician can also ensure that your existing electrical panel has space to accommodate a circuit breaker for an EV charger. Assuming your home’s electrical system is up to snuff and your local government allows EV charger installations, it’s time to purchase a charger. There are many chargers on the market today so do your research and ensure you buy one that suits your home and vehicle. (Tip: The BC government offers rebates on certain EV chargers, so if you wish to take advantage of this, find out which models can save you money.) Once you’ve bought your new charger but before it’s been installed, you’ll need to obtain an electrical permit from the municipal government (your electrician will do this for you, should you choose to hire one). This leads to the final consideration when installing an electric car charger: whether to hire an electrician to install it for you. As mentioned above, we recommend that London homeowners hire an electrician for all household electrical work, including an EV charger installation. Certified electricians like those at The Comfort Group are experts in their field and will ensure your electric vehicle charger is installed safely and correctly.

Electrical work can be incredibly dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing. Therefore, it is always advised that you hire a professional electrician to install an EV charger in your home. DIY attempts could lead to sparks, electrical fires, shocks, and even electrocution. Keep yourself and others safe, while ensuring your EV charger is installed correctly, by hiring a trusted electrician like The Comfort Group.

During the initial visit, your electrician will assess your fuse panel and the area near your garage, or wherever you want the charger installed. On the day of the installation, an electrician will drill a hole in the wall of your garage, pass cables through it, connect the cables to the power source and the charger, and mount the charger on the wall. Though it might sound simple, installing an electric car charger in your Vancouver Island Area home can be complicated, not to mention dangerous, which is why we always suggest enlisting the help of a professional electrician.

Generally speaking, electrical wiring should last 50 years or more. However, it depends on the type of metal wire used, if it has any protective coating and if so, the type of coating, and how well the wiring was installed. For example, aluminum wiring is not as durable as copper. Where copper wiring may last 100 years without needing to be replaced, aluminum wiring may last closer to 80 years. Beyond the type of metal used, the protective coating on the wiring (which ranges from knob and tube wiring to cloth wiring) can also impact its lifespan. Finally, if the wiring was badly installed to begin with or amateur modifications were made to it along the way, the lifespan of your home’s electrical wiring may be reduced. Ultimately, whether you’ve started to notice some of the telltale signs of bad wiring or not, we recommend hiring a licensed electrician to inspect your electrical system every 25 years.

It can be difficult to determine when a home’s electrical wiring needs replacing. However, there are a few symptoms that could indicate your wiring needs to be replaced. For example, if your lights dim or flicker when you turn on an appliance, if you’re regularly tripping breakers or blowing fuses, or if your outlets are stained and discoloured, you may need to replace your home’s wiring. Further, if your home is over 30 years old or only has one to two outlets per room, it may also be worth replacing the electrical wiring. If you aren’t sure whether your home’s electrical wiring needs replacing, consult with a professional who can inspect your home’s electrical system. With the help of an electrician’s knowledge and expertise, you can quickly discover whether your existing wiring needs to be replaced.

It can be difficult to determine whether your home’s electrical panel needs an upgrade. To make it easier for Vancouver Island Area homeowners, we’ve put together a list of the most common signs that it’s time to upgrade your electrical panel. They are as follows:

• Your electrical panel is hot
• Your electrical panel has not been upgraded in over 20 years
• You are still using a fuse box
• It smells like something is burning
• You feel small electrical shocks when touching appliances
• Your lights are constantly dimming or flickering
• Using your appliances causes your lights to dim or flicker
• Small acts like using your appliances trip the breaker or blow the fuse
• Your breaker will not reset
• You’re using more electricity than your home was built for (for example, there are only one or two outlets in each room, leaving you to rely on power strips and extension cords throughout much of the home)
• You can see signs of melting, burning, or discolouration, such as scorch marks, on your electrical panel or electrical outlets

If, after learning about these telltale signs, you still aren’t sure whether your Vancouver Island Area home’s electrical panel requires an upgrade, contact The Comfort Group today. One of our knowledgeable and friendly technicians will be happy to inspect your home and offer their professional opinion regarding any necessary electrical work.

The average Canadian household uses anywhere from 9,000 to 11,000 kWh of energy per year. However, the amount of electricity you will need depends on the size of your home and your specific usage. The more lighting, appliances, and entertainment you have in your home, the more electricity you will use. The appliances that typically consume the most electricity in a home are air conditioning and heating units, as well as water heating, major kitchen appliances, lights, and televisions.

Vancouver Island Area homeowners may be curious to learn how electricity is installed in a house in Canada. Electricity enters the home through a service head via an underground connection or a series of outdoor power lines. Most service heads are made up of two 120-volt wires, in addition to one neutral wire, which delivers power directly to the lights, appliances, HVAC units, and electronics in your home. In Canada, all new houses are required to have a 220-volt main electrical panel with circuit breakers.

This is entirely up to you! The Comfort Group is pleased to offer a wide variety of electrical installation services to the Vancouver Island Area homeowners. Our services include but are not limited to:

• Installation of indoor and outdoor lights (all varieties)
• Installation of energy-efficient lighting
• Installation of electric car vehicle chargers or charging stations
• Installation of electrical components for ceiling fans, smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, etc…
• Installation of motion lights and security systems
• Installation of smart home technology
• Installation of home sub-panels
• Surge protection for home electrical panels
• Replacements of electrical fuses and breakers
• GFCI (Ground fault circuit interrupters) outlet wiring

To learn more about our electrical installation services, contact The Comfort Group today.

It can be difficult to determine whether your home’s electrical panel needs an upgrade. To make it easier for Vancouver Island Area homeowners, we’ve put together a list of the most common signs that it’s time to upgrade your electrical panel. They are as follows:

• Your electrical panel is hot
• Your electrical panel has not been upgraded in over 20 years
• You are still using a fuse box
• It smells like something is burning
• You feel small electrical shocks when touching appliances
• Your lights are constantly dimming or flickering. Using your appliances causes your lights to dim or flicker
• Small acts like using your appliances trip the breaker or blow the fuse
  Your breaker will not reset
• You’re using more electricity than your home was built for (for example, there are only one or two outlets in each room, leaving you to rely on power strips and extension cords throughout much of the home)
• You can see signs of melting, burning, or discolouration, such as scorch marks, on your electrical panel or electrical outlets

If, after learning about these telltale signs, you still aren’t sure whether your Vancouver Island Area home’s electrical panel requires an upgrade, contact The Comfort Group today. One of our knowledgeable and friendly technicians will be happy to inspect your home and offer their professional opinion regarding any necessary electrical work.

There are many reasons that Vancouver Island Area homeowners may choose to replace their home’s electrical panel. First and foremost, replacing your electrical panel may be a matter of safety. If you’ve started to notice the telltale signs of an electrical panel that’s near the end of its life, such as heat, sparking, or scorch marks, it’s critical to contact a trusted electrician as soon as possible. If you choose to do nothing after noticing these signs, your existing electrical panel could become overloaded and cause an electrical fire. To protect your family, home, and all of your belongings from the safety hazards that an old electrical panel can pose, you may need to have your panel replaced.

Another reason Vancouver Island Area homeowners may wish to replace their home’s electrical panel is for efficiency. An old electrical panel does not provide a sufficient amount of electrical current to suit your lifestyle. If your electrical panel is older, it likely wasn’t designed with modern usage in mind. Nowadays, with televisions in every room, laptops being charged all day long, not to mention kitchen appliances, washers, dryers, and more, Canadians use far less electricity than they once did. Without enough electricity, your outlets and appliances can easily become overloaded. In addition, if your home is older, it may have minimal power outlets which is simply inconvenient in the modern world. Therefore, a second reason you may wish to replace your electrical panel is to increase the amount of electrical current in your home.

Third, replacing your home’s electrical panel may boost the property value of your home. If you’re a Vancouver Island Area homeowner thinking of selling your property in the near future, upgrading your electrical panel could increase the value of your home. Buyers want turnkey homes, so if you put your home on the market and it’s clearly in need of electrical upgrades, this could be a turn-off. Alternatively, upgrading your home’s electrical panel is one way to show prospective buyers that your home is up to scratch and will require minimal, if any, renovations.

Finally, it’s important to note that as a general rule of thumb, electrical panels should be replaced every 25 to 40 years. So if you’re living in an older house or have been living in the same house for decades, it may be time to upgrade your electrical panel.

The cost of upgrading the electrical panel in your Vancouver Island Area home varies, ranging from $500 to $2,000. This includes the cost of paying an electrician for their labour, as well as the new electrical panel. Please note that the price you pay depends on the amperage you want. Amperages of 100 or 150 will cost significantly less than amperages of 200 or 400. Vancouver Island homeowners can expect their electrical panel upgrades to take between four and eight hours.

Vancouver Island Area homeowners may consider a variety of factors when upgrading their home’s electrical panel. First, you will need to decide whether it’s worth upgrading your home’s electrical panel. If you’ve noticed the telltale signs, such as flickering lights or scorch marks on your power outlets, then it’s likely time for an upgrade. Once you’ve made the decision to replace your electrical panel, you must also consider which amperage you would like for your new electrical panel (100, 150, 200, 400, etc…) and which HVAC company to hire to install your new panel.

Nanaimo homeowners should be aware of the telltale signs of a problem with your heat pump. The most common signs indicating an issue are loud noises (gurgling, grinding, clanging, or buzzing) coming from your heat pump, strange smells (similar to vinegar, fish, or dirty socks) emanating from your heat pump, a sudden rise in your utility bills, or hot and cold spots in your home.

Like any HVAC unit, heat pumps should be serviced regularly. The Comfort Group offers quality preventative maintenance services on all types of HVAC units. A fully licensed and certified technician will come to your home and assess your heat pump to ensure it’s functioning optimally. Experts recommend having your HVAC system serviced annually. The benefits of regular tune-ups include extending the lifespans of your HVAC units, including your heat pump, increasing the energy efficiency of your system (and perhaps even lowering the cost of your monthly energy bills), and preventing serious problems from occurring in the long term. Contact The Comfort Group to schedule a maintenance service today. Please note that The Comfort Group also offers 24/7 emergency services. So if your heat pump stops working in the middle of winter, give us a call and we’ll have a technician at your home in a matter of hours. There are no extra charges for holiday, weekend, after hours, or emergency service calls.

The answer to this question is that it depends. Some heat pumps are designed to work without backup heat sources, while others require a backup heat source, such as a furnace, to function. Therefore, whether or not you need a furnace with your heat pump depends on the model of heat pump you buy. In addition, the climate in the region where you live as well as the design and energy efficiency of your home can also determine whether you need a furnace and a heat pump. In certain parts of British Columbia, which may experience milder temperatures, you may be able to avoid purchasing a furnace, especially if you install a cold climate heat pump.

The main benefit of a heat pump is that it consumes far less energy than other heating systems. This makes them more environmentally friendly. Some research indicates that heat pumps use a third as much energy as baseboard heaters and even less when compared to oil or gas-based furnaces. Unlike the latter, heat pumps run on electricity and therefore do not require non-renewable resources like oil or natural gas to function. If you’re looking to lessen your environmental impact and reduce your carbon footprint, installing a heat pump in your home, as opposed to a furnace or other type of heater, may be a wise decision. To learn more about the benefits of heat pumps and to find out whether a heat pump is the right type of heating system for your home, contact The Comfort Group. One of our representatives will be pleased to discuss the pros and cons of heat pumps and help you determine whether it’s the right fit for your Nanaimo household.

Yes, a heat pump is capable of heating an entire house. Though they tend to be most efficient when in cooling mode, they are able to effectively heat homes. No matter the temperature outside, there is still thermal energy available, which means heat pumps can still provide enough heat for your home to remain at a comfortable temperature during the winter. Modern heat pumps are especially good at this, as they are now designed to extract thermal energy in freezing temperatures without it significantly affecting their efficiency.

Heat pumps work by transferring heat from one place to another. Air source heat pumps move air between the inside and outside of your home, whereas ground source heat pumps transfer heat between the air inside your home and the ground outside your home. Thus, heat pumps do not generate heat like other types of heating systems. Rather, they move heat by absorbing heat energy from the outside air or ground and transferring it inside. Heat pumps can effectively heat and cool homes. When in cooling mode, heat pumps work to absorb heat from the indoor air and release it through the outdoor unit. If you aren’t sure whether a heat pump is the right heating system for your home, contact the professionals at The Comfort Group. We can offer our expert opinion on whether to install a heat pump or another kind of heating or cooling system in your Parksville home.

You can turn your furnace on whenever you find the temperature in your home uncomfortably cold. There is no set date or time of year in which you must wait to turn your furnace on. You may end up turning your furnace on as early as September or as late as November. It all depends on your personal preferences and the weather patterns in the area.

BTU stands for British thermal unit, and it is a unit of heat. Specifically, a BTU is the amount of heat required to increase the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. Furnace outputs are measured in BTUs. When buying a new furnace for your home, you'll need to choose a furnace with the optimal output to effectively heat your home. For example, a 1,500-square-foot property in Parksville requires a furnace with a minimum output of 40,000 BTUs and a maximum output of 90,000 BTUs.

Telltale signs that you need a new furnace include a buzzing or rattling sound coming from the system, visible rust or cracks on the system’s surface, your furnace only blowing cool air, humidity levels that are off in your home, rooms heating unevenly, an unexpected rise in your utility bills, or the system turning off unexpectedly. To confirm whether you need a new furnace, get in touch with The Comfort Group. We can perform a maintenance service on your furnace to determine its condition. From there, we can offer our professional opinion on whether it’s worth repairing or replacing. In addition, if you ever have a heating emergency, such as a furnace that stops working in the middle of winter, call our 24/7 emergency hotline and we’ll send a technician to your home in a matter of hours.

When deciding whether to repair or replace a furnace that has stopped working, the first factor to consider is the age of the furnace. Most furnaces are built to last between 10 and 20 years, so if you’ve had your furnace for over a decade, it might be time to replace it. Old furnaces are more prone to issues, such as turning off unexpectedly. Even when they are functioning, they likely aren’t very energy efficient or working as optimally as they could be. If your furnace is old and frequently in need of repairs, replacing it could save you money down the line, making it the wiser decision. However, if your furnace is relatively new and/or the issue can be repaired with relative ease and inexpensively, then you may wish to simply repair it and replace it in the future. If you aren’t sure whether your furnace should be replaced, contact The Comfort Group. We can send a technician to our home to assess your furnace and offer their professional opinion.

Any home that has one or more fuel-burning heaters, appliances, or fireplaces must have a carbon monoxide alarm. In essence, if your home has a furnace, water heater, space heater, or oven, it should be equipped with a carbon monoxide detector. 

You can turn your furnace on whenever you find the temperature in your home uncomfortably cold. There is no set date or time of year in which you must wait to turn your furnace on. You may end up turning your furnace on as early as September or as late as November. It all depends on your personal preferences and the weather patterns in the area.

BTU stands for British thermal unit, and it is a unit of heat. Specifically, a BTU is the amount of heat required to increase the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. Furnace outputs are measured in BTUs. When buying a new furnace for your home, you'll need to choose a furnace with the optimal output to effectively heat your home. For example, a 1,500 square foot property in Parksville requires a furnace with a minimum output of 40,000 BTUs and a maximum output of 90,000 BTUs.

Telltale signs that you need a new furnace include a buzzing or rattling sound coming from the system, visible rust or cracks on the system’s surface, your furnace only blowing cool air, humidity levels that are off in your home, rooms heating unevenly, an unexpected rise in your utility bills, or the system turning off unexpectedly. To confirm whether you need a new furnace, get in touch with The Comfort Group. We can perform a maintenance service on your furnace to determine its condition. From there, we can offer our professional opinion on whether it’s worth repairing or replacing. In addition, if you ever have a heating emergency, such as a furnace that stops working in the middle of winter, call our 24/7 emergency hotline and we’ll send a technician to your home in a matter of hours.

When deciding whether to repair or replace a furnace that has stopped working, the first factor to consider is the age of the furnace. Most furnaces are built to last between 10 and 20 years, so if you’ve had your furnace for over a decade, it might be time to replace it. Old furnaces are more prone to issues, such as turning off unexpectedly. Even when they are functioning, they likely aren’t very energy efficient or working as optimally as they could be. If your furnace is old and frequently in need of repairs, replacing it could save you money down the line, making it the wiser decision. However, if your furnace is relatively new and/or the issue can be repaired with relative ease and inexpensively, then you may wish to simply repair it and replace it in the future. If you aren’t sure whether your furnace should be replaced, contact The Comfort Group. We can send a technician to our home to assess your furnace and offer their professional opinion.

Any home that has one or more fuel-burning heaters, appliances, or fireplaces must have a carbon monoxide alarm. In essence, if your home has a furnace, water heater, space heater, or oven, it should be equipped with a carbon monoxide detector.

The Comfort Group team has performed hundreds of furnace installations for Parksville residents over the years, which means we know exactly what we’re doing. When you hire us for your furnace installation, a fully certified and licensed technician will arrive at your home to perform the installation. They will begin by removing the existing furnace. (In order to install the new furnace, the old one first has to be removed.) Once the old furnace is gone, the new one will be safely positioned and connected to your duct system. The connection will seal the connection and then test the furnace to ensure it’s working properly. Your Comfort Group technician won’t leave until your furnace is up and running and functioning as it should be. Please note that furnace installations can take several hours to complete. Your technician will provide you with an estimated timeline when they arrive.

There are several types of boilers available to Parksville homeowners. If you’re in the market for a new boiler, you’ll need to consider which type is right for your home. The most common types of boilers are steam boilers, natural gas boilers, hot water boilers, electric boilers, oil boilers, and condensing boilers. Need an expert opinion on what type of boiler is best suited to your home? Contact The Comfort Group. We are always happy to offer our professional opinion on your home’s HVAC system.

On average, boilers last between 10 and 15 years. However, they can last longer than this if they are cared for properly. Proper care involves regular maintenance services. Experts recommend having your entire HVAC system, including your boiler, serviced annually. Preventative maintenance may offer several benefits, such as extending the lifespan of your boiler, increasing its energy efficiency (and lowering your energy bills accordingly), and preventing serious and expensive problems from occurring in the long term. The Comfort Group offers quality maintenance services on all HVAC systems to Parksville residents. Our maintenance services are as comprehensive as can be. We will examine every aspect of your home’s HVAC system to ensure it’s in tip-top shape. Get in touch with The Comfort Group to schedule your annual maintenance appointment today. Alternatively, if you notice a problem with your boiler, call our emergency line and we’ll send a technician to your home as soon as possible. We offer 24/7 emergency services to Parksville residents at no extra cost. Whether your service takes place on a weekend, holiday, or after hours, the cost will be the same.

While both boilers and furnaces can effectively heat your home, there are several key distinctions between the two types of heating systems. The easiest way to tell the difference between a hot water boiler and a furnace is that the former uses water while the latter uses air to distribute heat. A furnace heats air by distributing it via a blower motor and your home’s air duct system. Meanwhile, a boiler uses hot water to heat your home, pumping it into small hot water pipes to heat baseboard or floorboard heating systems. There are multiple types of boilers, so depending on the type, this method might look a little bit different. For example, steam boilers distribute steam through a network of pipes to heat the radiators in your home. Boilers, like furnaces, can also run on natural gas, oil, or other alternative fuels.

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BTU stands for “British thermal unit.” It is defined as the amount of heat required to increase the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. Furnace outputs are measured in BTUs, and not all furnaces have the same output.

The size of your home is the main factor in determining the BTU output your furnace requires. For example, a 1,500 square foot house should have a furnace with a minimum output of 40,000 BTUs and a maximum output of 90,000 BTUs. Anything less than 40,000 BTUs and your furnace may not be able to effectively heat your home.

What HVAC unit is right for you depends on the size of your home and its existing infrastructure. For example, when it comes to deciding on a furnace or a heat pump, you will need to make sure you have a gas line installed. If you do, a furnace will work, as heat pumps only use electricity. In terms of a central air conditioner or a ductless system, you will first need to determine if your home has air ducts. If it does, central air conditioning may be the best choice, especially if your home is large. However, if your home does not have the necessary ductwork, then a ductless system is an excellent alternative.

Modern HVAC units are designed to be far more energy-efficient than their older counterparts and new HVAC systems generally require less energy to function. This effectively lowers your utility bills. If energy efficiency is a top priority, consider a system with a SEER rating of 15 or above. These units consume even less energy than others.

Deciding between repairs or replacement depends on several factors:

• The age of the HVAC unit - Most HVAC systems are designed to last between 10 and 20 years, so if you’ve had your system for over a decade, it could be time to replace it. Older units tend to be less energy efficient, and they may require frequent repairs, which can be costly.
• Worsening issues, like short cycling, noises, odours, and more - If your air conditioner or furnace has started shutting off, it’s likely a sign that your unit is near the end of its life, and you may be better off replacing it. If you’ve noticed other symptoms, such as buzzing or rattling sounds, uneven heating or cooling, or visible rust or cracks, this could indicate a need for replacement.

On the other hand, repairing the unit might be wise if your air conditioner or furnace is relatively new (under ten years old) and the problem is relatively quick and inexpensive to fix. Ultimately, if your HVAC unit has stopped working and you aren’t sure what to do, contact The Comfort Group. We are always happy to offer our professional opinion on whether to repair your old HVAC system or have a new one installed.

There are a few common issues to be aware of when it comes to HVAC systems. Buzzing or rattling sounds coming from the system, visible rust or cracks, insufficient cooling or heating, high humidity levels, uneven heating or cooling, or an unexpected rise in your utility bills could all indicate the need for repairs or replacement.

If you are experiencing issues, schedule an HVAC maintenance appointment with The Comfort Group. Maintenance is a great way to assess your system and troubleshoot any problems. Our experts recommend that your HVAC system receives a yearly tune-up to improve optimal function and extend the system’s lifespan.

The Comfort Group is also here for any HVAC emergency, whether minor or major. We offer 24/7 repair services at no extra cost with no hidden fees, even on weekends, holidays, or after hours.

When you hire The Comfort Group for your Nanaimo furnace installation, you can rest easy knowing a certified technician will complete the service from start to finish. When you contact us about your installation, we will schedule a time to install your furnace and communicate with you on the day of the appointment. Upon arrival, your licensed technician will start by removing the old furnace (to make room for the new furnace, the old one must be removed first). Once the old furnace is removed, the new one will be safely positioned and connected to your duct system. After the connection is sealed, the technician will test the furnace to ensure it’s working properly. Your Comfort Group technician won’t leave until your furnace is up and running. Should you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask. We are always here. Please note that furnace installations typically take a few hours to complete. Your technician can provide you with a rough timeline when they arrive.