" "

Welcome Spring – With Snow & Showers

Its been an interesting start to 2023 Spring, however Im sure all would agree this is a “normal” Ontario Spring where we are teased with some gorgeous summer like weather and then are hit with the snow again 😉

As we are eagerly awaiting the return of our spring weather here are some tips and hints to make the most of your own property!

  • Pump your septic – the spring is a great time to get your septic cleaned out so that you are confident you will be flushing great all year long! We pump out BOTH sides of the septic tank – the liquid and solid. Our driver is extremely knowledgeable and can also pick up on any potential issues for you! A royal flush is better than a full house!
  • Clean and Service HVAC System – this is for your Furnace/Boiler, Air Conditioner, Water Heater, HRV etc. They work hard for us and are able to last even longer when cared for with maintenance! Preventative maintenance can also pick up on issues before they get bad – like the furnace quitting in the middle of the winter!
  • Turn on your outside taps – we highly recommend turning the water supply off to your outside taps during the winter to prevent any freezing or possible water damage. The frost free faucets are much better, however its still good to turn off. Also if you possibly forgot this fall, its a good thing to remove your hose before the winter also, they can hold water and potentially cause issues!
  • Keeping in mind, being friendly to nature, “they” say its not good to do yard or garden clean up too soon, the bee’s also appreciate the dandelions as their first feed so if you can stand a bit of yellow, let it mellow for a bit 😉
  • Clean up around outside vents – ensure they are clear from any debris (especially plastic) and any plant material.

The spring is a great time to begin any projects you were thinking of over the winter

Give us a call today at 519-323-2000 or Email us to book your appointment today!

Spring Specials for your Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Cooling System

Is it time to update your heating, ventilation and air conditioning system at your home or business? We have the right options for you! We provide sales and service, so if your system has any issues at anytime after we’ve installed it we will be available for you – whether its during the week, in the evening or on the weekend! We service what we sell and more.

Is your system simply in need of a cleaning and servicing? We can help with that too! For any systems which are still covered under the manufacturer warranty they recommend having your system serviced yearly to ensure the warranty is still valid. A clean and service can ensure the system is operating as it should, could possibly pick up on a potential wear and tear issue on the appliance and by having it cleaned to ensure its operating efficiently this will also save you on your energy bills!

Any questions contact Mike at our office to discuss the various options we have available!

Fall Plumbing and Heating Newsletter | JJ McLellan and Son Mount Forest

JJ McLellan and Son – Fall

The Home Comfort People

Its time for your fall heating check up!

The cool fall evenings are here!
If you haven’t turned on your furnace yet, it will be very soon.
A couple things you can do before you turn your heat on
1. Clean or replace your filter, and
2. Vacuum all registers and cold air returns. This includes taking them off or pulling them up and vacuuming down into the duct as well – you may be surprised how much dust and dirt can get trapped down there!
Why is a fall heating check up important?
Having your equipment cleaned and serviced is preventative maintenance and can catch a problem before it even begins. This is especially important for the overall operation of the appliance, to ensure it is working as it is designed to. The benefits to having your system serviced is when it is clean the appliance works much more efficient – thus saving you money on your utilities!

Some helpful tips for this fall !

  • Headings away on holidays? Save energy by adjusting your thermostat 2-3 degrees.
  • On sunny days keep your curtains or blinds open to take advantage of the “free” heat.
  • Replace or clean your furnace filter.
  • Ensure your outside exhaust vents are free from debris such as bushes, trees, leaves.
  • Find your comfort zone within your home, set your thermostat and always keep it within 1-2 degrees of this temperature (unless going away on holidays) this helps your home maintain a constant comfort level and does not cause the system to over work from each day.
  • Have your unit serviced yearly by a professional.
  • Check doors and windows for any air leaks and caulk if necessary.
  • Clean your dryer vents – including the lint trap and vaccuum very well.
  • Cover your Air Conditioner for the winter.

Please remember that unless you are trained and licensed to work with fuels it is very important that under no circumstances should you tamper with your heating system or any other fuel appliance. If you need to locate a Qualified Heating Contractor in your area please check www.tssa.org.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fall Plumbing Tips From The Pro’s

  • Check all outdoor faucets for any leaks and have them repaired before the temperature drops. 

  • Shut off the water supply to your outside taps from inside and then open the taps outside to ensure the water has properly drained.

  • Check around the base of each toilet for moisture – over time the seal can breakdown and may need replacing

  • Check your tub and shower for any caulking that may need to be replaced to prevent water leaking down behind your walls

  • Have any toilets that are running checked – one toilet can waste gallons of water!

  • Check water connections and drains under your kitchen and bathroom sinks – if your pipes froze last year install insulation against the outside wall to help keep the heat in.

  • Check your washing machine water connections – many are hidden behind the machine and out of sight

  • If you have a septic – when was the last time it was pumped? If it has been a while the ideal time to pump is in the Spring, Summer and Fall. Schedule your service before the snow flies!

  • Ensure your eavestrough drains away from your home.

  • Have you been experiencing any slow drains? Gurgling toilets? Saturated lawn (by your septic)? Best to have the pro’s check it out before winter arrives!

Plumbing Preventative Maintenance is not as common as HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning), however just as important.

When is it important to have your home or business plumbing system checked?

  • What is the age of the home or building?
    Many older homes have old piping, over the years the pipes build up and your water pressure will slowly decrease. You may notice small particles in the water which could be from the pipes.

  • Are You Buying A New Home or Building… Did you just move in?
    Having a professional walk through to check the plumbing system before moving in or closing on a purchase could save you $!

  • What is the age of the equipment? Ex. Water Heater, Pump, Pressure Tank, Water Softener, Expansion Tank

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Are you in the market for a new water heater?

We now offer a very affordable option to purchase a water heater and be covered with a 10 year parts and labour warranty for the same or less than it would cost you to rent!

Natural Gas Water Heaters – Buying and Renting Tips from Union Gas

VIEW OUR NEWSLETTER ONLINE

Enjoy The Beauty Of Spring Inside

http://comfortmatters.lennox.com/index.php/getting-comfortable/enjoy-the-beauty-of-spring-inside/

The link above to the Lennox Comfort Matters website has some great tips!

Spring was certainly in the air today, it’s almost time to open windows and let the fresh air in.

We’ve begun to “enjoy the beauty of spring inside” by painting our many rooms in our home! An instant fresh way to update our living space and personalize to “us”!

While preparing to paint, we removed the heating and return air grilles. This is something I’ve gotten into the habit of cleaning at least once a year… Thank goodness I do it that often, the return air grilles are pretty gross with dirt, dust, hair, dander :S

Spring is another good time to change the filter in your furnace!

Another thing my husband did was clean out the dishwasher, by unscrewing the food trap at the back… blech it was disgusting! But the dishwasher is working much better, means the dishes are getting cleaned properly saving water by not having to rewash!

If you’re thinking of ways to update your space, one option to consider is possibly opening up a wall to provide more open concept. This is something we also did and provides heat from the sunlight coming in our front window, now flows throughout our front entrance and living room now!

One other tip I’m continuing to work at, it seems to be an ongoing battle, decluttering!

Let’s hope the Spring warm weather truly is on the way, if we get our Spring Cleaning done before all the snow melts, it’s more time to enjoy the outdoors!

Is your house ready for fall?

I am personally in an organization and declutter mood here at our house. Thankful we do not have plans this weekend so we can get things organized and cleaned up and complete the purge I started a couple weeks ago! I did a search online for “organizing your home” and found a fabulous website I had to share… especially for all those moms, who like me are still adjusting to the kiddos being back in school and getting into routine again, all while working and taking care of things at home. Perhaps I should mention hubby does help out quite a bit, but I’m sure those moms out there can relate we have a million home, work, kid etc things running through our heads 😉

The website is http://organizedhome.com/seasonal-spin/fall-cleaning-chore-checklist . and they have some awesome Fall tips to help get started… my real reason for searching, really where do I start…

Fall Cleaning Chore Checklist
Clean House Cleaning Checklists
By Cynthia Ewer
Editor, Organized Home

It’s Autumn.

Pumpkins glow in golden fields. Shorter days, crisp mornings signal winter’s approach.
Can the holidays be far behind?
Use Autumn’s brisk and breezy days to conquer deep-cleaning chores for a clean and comfortable winter home, and wrap up summer’s outdoor areas.

Our Fall Cleaning Chore Checklist will help you prepare home and hearth for the coming of winter:

Outside The House
Summer’s come and gone–and left its mark on outside the house.
Time to come inside for winter! Outside the house tend to these autumn chores:

Clean and store patio furniture, umbrellas, children’s summer toys.
Touch up paint on trim, railings and decks. Use a wire brush to remove flaking paint; prime bare wood first.
Check caulk around windows and doors. Follow manufacturer’s recommendations to re-caulk if needed.
Inspect external doors and garage doors. Do they close tightly? Install weather-stripping, door thresholds if needed.
Wash exterior windows.
Drain and store garden hoses. Install insulating covers on exterior spigots. In hard-freeze areas, have sprinkler systems blown free of water.
Check gutters and downspouts. Clear of debris if necessary. In cold-weather areas, consider installing heating cable to prevent ice dams.
Have chimneys and flues inspected and cleaned if necessary.

The Inside Story
Autumn’s the time for “spring cleaning”. Deep clean now to take advantage of good weather, and face the coming of winter and the approaching holidays with a clean and comfortable home.
Learn how to clean efficiently! Check out the Clean House Guide for more information on how to clean fast and furious.

Focus on public rooms: living room, family room, entryway, guest bath.

Clean from top to bottom. Vacuum drapes and window treatments. Clean window sills and window wells. Vacuum baseboards andcorners.
Vacuum upholstered furniture, or have professionally cleaned if needed. Move furniture and vacuum beneath and behind it.
Wash interior windows.
Turn mattresses front-to-back and end-to-end to equalize wear.
Launder or clean all bedding: mattress pads, pillows, duvets, blankets, comforters. Tuck the family into a warm and cozy winter bed.
Schedule professional carpet cleaning early this month! Warm October afternoons speed carpet drying. Carpet cleaning firms get busy by the end of October, so schedule now for best service.
Prepare the kitchen for holiday cooking. Clean and organized kitchen cabinets, paying particular attention to baking supplies, pans and equipment.
Clear kitchen counters of all appliances not used within the last week. Clear counters look cleaner–and provide more room for holiday cooking.
Pull refrigerator away from the wall, and vacuum the condenser coils. For bottom-mounted coils, use a long, narrow brush to clean coils of dust and debris.
Wash light-diffusing bowls from light fixtures.
Inspect each appliance. Does it need supplies? Stock up on softener salt now, and avoid staggering over icy sidewalks with heavy bags.
Check and empty the central vacuum’s collection area.
Clean electronic air cleaner elements monthly for most efficient operation. Wash them in an empty dishwasher (consult manual for specific product recommendations).
Clean or replace humidifier elements before the heating season begins.
Inspect washer hoses for bulges, cracks or splits. Replace them every other year.
Check dryer exhaust tube and vent for built-up lint, debris or birds’ nests! Make sure the exterior vent door closes tightly when not in use.
Schedule fall furnace inspections now. Don’t wait for the first cold night!
Buy a winter’s supply of furnace filters. Change filters monthly for maximum energy savings and indoor comfort. When the right filter is on hand, it’s an easy job!
Drain sediment from hot water heaters

Don’t forget to give me a call at our office to book your fall cleaning and servicing or take advantage of the fall promotions and save up to $2025 on a new system purchase AND do not pay for 3 months!!! oac

Spring Service Special

Spring is here and Summer is very much on the way!

Ensure your home heating and cooling system is running efficiently !

Give us a call to book your Cleaning and Servicing for our low rate of $139.00 + HST!

Trust your equipment to a company that has been in business since 1948 and who has trained and licensed technicians!

We are the Home Comfort People Who Service What We Sell & More!

Ensuring your system is properly cleaned and serviced each year will not only operate more efficiently it will also assist in the control of allergies which affect so many of us in the spring. A properly cleaned system combined with changing your filter regularly will save you money!

We also recommend having your ducts cleaned every few years – give our office a call to book your cleaning and servicing and we can also recommend who to rely on for your duct cleaning as well!

Spring Check Up – HVAC System

With the heat of the summer on the way, now is the time to be thinking about the heat your home HVAC system provided you with all winter! Just like maintaining a car, it is very important to maintain your home HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning system) just the same in the Spring and Fall to ensure optimal performance and energy savings.

In between your seasonal cleaning and servicing you should ensure that you keep your hot and cold air registers clear, and if you have pets vacuum them off regularly to clear away any hair or dirt caught in them. Also ensure your outside vents are clear from any trees, plants and dirt. Just like the registers inside, the outside vents must be clear for air flow and safety.

One tip that is easy for most home owners to do is to ensure you change or clean your filter regularly. Especially now that spring has finally sprung and having our doors and windows open, the dust and dirt that is blowing around outside can get into your home and then into your heating ducts. If we have another cold front and the heating system needs to be turned on, all that dust and dirt in the ducts or sitting on the registers could get sucked into the heating system. If your filter is clean, the filter will do its job and catch these particles, however if the filter is dirty, this will clog the filter even more forcing your system to work harder to get the air flow through. This can cause the system to over work and could cause it to over heat, which could result in the system breaking down and parts requiring to be replaced.

With some TLC and Preventative Maintenance you can ensure your home or business HVAC System is always operating efficiently !

 

Spring Cleaning & Servicing

With this gorgeous spring weather many of us have had our heating systems turned off… until yesterday that is! We held off as long as we could, however at bedtime last night we had to turn the furnace back on. Our fireplace has also been running the odd time in the basement for the past couple weeks.

Now is a great time to ensure that your heating system is in tip top shape for heating season next year. Of course with cleaning and servicing there is no guarantee nothing will happen, however by having your equipment properly maintained and cleaned will not only save you in energy costs but also be cleaner in your home.

Indoor Spring Cleaning Tips

  • Wipe down all your walls, lights and fans
  • Dust shelves, door ways, trim, windows, art work/photos and around computers
  • Dust or clean window coverings and window sills
  • Clean windows & wash your window and door screens
  • Clean behind your fridge & vacuum off the back
  • Clean out and organize cupboards and fridge/freezer
  • Change batteries in your smoke and CO detectors
  • Check for any leaking taps or pipes
  • Vacuum and clean bathroom fans
  • Check grout on tiles, bathtub & shower – regrout if cracking
  • Change or wash filters in your Furnace, Air Conditioner and HRV
  • Schedule cleaning & servicing on your heating and cooling appliances
  • Ensure furniture is moved away from registers – cold and hot air to ensure proper circulation
  • Remove the cover from your Air Conditioner
  • Clean area rugs (shampoo if necessary) and give furniture a good cleaning
  • Declutter! Go through paper, recycle or file. Closets – coat closets, clothes closets. Donate things that no longer fit. Scan any paper work and then shred. Go through kids toys, garbage broken ones and donate any they no longer play with.
  • Ensure your dryer vent is cleaned out and give your washer a good cleaning
  • Visually inspect your Hot Water Heater, Furnace, Air Conditioner, Water Softener and any other plumbing or heating appliance to familiarize yourself with their sounds and ensure there are no visible leaks. *we do not recommend homeowners taking these appliances apart in anyway please leave the cleaning & servicing to a professional – home owners should perform visual inspections to ensure there is no water leaking or making unusual sounds.

Don’t forget your outdoors Spring Cleaning tasks … check out the tips over at the Reliance Home Comfort Blog – The Outdoor Spring Cleaning Checklist.