Furnace Leaking Water

Furnace Leaking Water

Causes Minor Flooding In Your Basement

Why Is My Furnace Leaking Water?

You just realised your furnace leaking water in your newly finished basement, and not sure why. Under no circumstance should you ever see water around your furnace. There is a sign that something is leaking and not draining properly. It could be a simple fix and to begin troubleshooting, you don’t have to go in a panic mode. Depending on the season, a furnace leaking water should have you inspect different places to find the trigger of the leak. Mainly, an overflowing evaporator drain pans used with furnace coils, air handler coils, mini splits, even dehumidifiers create lots of insurance claims. More often than not, the mini-flood results from lack of annual preventive maintenance: dirty coils, plugged drain lines, loss of charge mean lots of water with nowhere beneficial to go.

Furnace-Leaking-Water-Impressive-Climate-Control-Ottawa-400x500

Furnace-Leaking-Water

Why Is My Furnace Leaking Water In Summer?

  • Improper Insulation 

    During the cooling season, the indoor evaporator coil and the suction line sweats. The refrigerant lines should have a black insulation (armaflex), to keep the condensation from dripping. Sometimes if the insulation is missing or if it has open seems, it can cause dripping and obviously this is an easy fix. All armaflex joints should be butted-up tight and well taped.

  • Dirty Evaporator Coil

    Your air conditioner evaporator coil produces a lot of condensation (water) during the summer. Eventually this water runs down the coil into a drain pan, then out to the drain. Once drained water goes either into the ground, outside the house, or into a condensate pump. Then in turn, the pump takes the water either outside the house or into a plumbing drain. If the coil is dirty, then the water, instead of running down the coil, will hit the dirt, then drip onto the floor. This is one reason why the coil should be cleaned annually, not to mention for efficiency reasons. Sometimes the indoor coil can actually ice-up. And when the ice eventually melts, it drips onto the floor. Like water, you should never see ice anywhere on your system during the cooling season.

  • Clogged Evaporator Drain

    Now if you have a dirty coil, the water will mix with the dirt and the dirt will end up in the pan. A dirty drain pan will get clogged and water leaks will appear in the basement. The bottom of the trap is the most common source of a clog and it can be cleaned out with a long flexible cleaning brush. Keep in mind, it doesn’t take much dirt to clog a drain.

    And if your unit is in an attic (Such as High Velocity) or a finished basement, this can cause terrible damage. This is another reason why it is important to always have a good, clean, properly sized air filter, along with having annual inspections.

Why Is My Furnace Leaking Water In Winter?

Did you know that a high efficiency furnace with 100K BTU/H in natural gas will produce approximately two gallons (7.5 liters) of water during every hour of operation?

While many high efficiency units have condensate directed to a nearby floor drain, some condensing furnaces or boilers must utilise a condensate pump sending the liquid to a remote drain elsewhere in the building.

Sometimes the condensate is pumped to a sink, laundry tub, or even outside. Pumping condensate to a receptacle that can be stopped-up is inviting a flood creating property damage. Ask you installer to assure a secondary float switch is available. In the event of a condensate pump failure, the float switch will signal the control circuit to power down.

Tips On How To Prevent Minor Flooding!

  • Proper Installation

    Furnaces, water heaters, boilers and air handlers should be installed on a solid concrete base raising the appliance about two inches above the floor, providing some protection from minor flooding.

  • Install Float Switch

    Install a float switch in the evaporator coil secondary drain outlet.

  • Annual Maintenance

    It is better to have a licensed gas technician to inspect your drain pan, evaporator coil and vents. Plus blow out the drain lines and clean traps on every maintenance call.

I have no answers for Mother Nature’s wrath; destructive overland flooding is a fact of life. However, on the HVAC side, it is important that we do all we can to prevent as much water damage as possible. Our Licensed gas fitters use standard industry techniques and materials when on maintenance calls. They educate home owners to better maintain their HVAC systems and offer protective devices where possible.


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Furnace Check Ottawa

Furnace Check-Up Ottawa - Things to check for before calling emergency furnace service company!

Furnace Check-Up Ottawa

Are You Left With a Broken Furnace?



Furnace Check-Up Ottawa

Find out if you are really experiencing an emergency furnace repair Ottawa home owners, before you grow sour. The last thing you want is to call an emergency furnace repair in the middle of winter. So, to avoid potential problems, we’re giving you a seasonal fall checklist to go through to make sure your system is up to par. Some of the items listed you might be able to do yourself, but most are probably better left to a professional. Either way, we hope you find the information helpful!

Furnace Check Ottawa

Furnace Check Ottawa



Furnace Check-list to Keep You Cozy and Comfortable

Did you know that half of the energy in your home is used by your heating and cooling system? That’s a lot of energy, which means your HVAC system is an important part of your home. Not only does it keep your family comfortable, but it also greatly impacts your utility bills. It is crucial to do annual furnace check in order to help keep your utility bill at an affordable cost and keep your system as efficient as possible.

DIY Furnace Checklist

  • Change Your Filter

Set a reminder for yourself to change your filter on a regular basis. As a best practice, we recommend doing this once a month, especially during seasons of peak usage like winter and summer. A dirty filter makes your system work harder to keep you warm and decreases air flow, which wastes energy, and ultimately ends up costing you more money. It also allows dust and dirt into your house which could affect your allergies, not to mention make you have to dust more often!

  • Review Your Thermostat Settings

As you notice the days getting cooler, take a look at what you have your thermostat set at. Make sure it’s at a comfortable setting for you when you’re home, but set so that it doesn’t run as often when you’re not at home. Resist the temptation to turn your thermostat off. It will take much longer to warm your home when your entire home is cold. Walls, furniture, clothes etc. will hold the current temperature in the home. Tip: Set the thermostat to the lowest temperature that is still comfortable for you. Each degree over 68 degrees F can add 3% to the amount of energy needed for heating.

  • Schedule Service Maintenance

Maintaining your heating equipment is important because it keeps your system running at peak performance and helps prevent future problems, which usually also lead to unwanted costs. HVAC businesses and contractors get busy during the winter, so get ahead of the game and schedule your service at the beginning of fall before everyone else.


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Thank you for choosing Impressive Climate Control for all your home comfort protection plans. We look forward to provide you with excellent customer service. Here are some basic terms and conditions applying to your selected plans and by your acknowledgement below you are accepting these terms and conditions in full.Your consent to our collection of your credit, financial and related personal information, and to the exchange of this information between us, credit bureaus, financial institutions, our subsidiaries and affiliates and other persons with whom you have had or may have financial dealings, and to our use of this information for the purposes of: verifying and evaluating your creditworthiness and other information you provide to us in connection with your account (including verifying your identity for regulatory compliance purposes); establishing, servicing and collecting on your account; providing the products and services you request; providing credit references; communicating with you for these purposes; and meeting legal, regulatory, audit, processing and security purposes, and as otherwise permitted or required by law. In addition to the purposes above, we and our affiliates assume that you consent to our use of your contact information to provide you with occasional information about other products and services offered by us or our affiliates. However, you may refuse consent for this purpose by contacting us within ten (10) days after you receive a copy of your bill, at (613-727-4328). To request access to or correction of your personal information, or for more information about our privacy practices you can write to us: Impressive Climate Control | 107 Colonnade Road | Unit 3 | Nepean | ON | K2E 7M3.
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Julie from Ottawa Says

Impressive Climate Control came to my house within a week of me asking for a gas fireplace inspection. This is our first winter in this house and I had never had a gas fireplace before and I have always been somewhat afraid of gas. The inspection and repairs were done. We got information of what to do at what time of the year and how to clean the glass. I was reassured about the safety of a gas fireplace. I could not be more satisfied.

This customer had a POSITIVE experience with this business.

Sophie P. from Ottawa Says

did a great job cleaning my air conditioner and explained the importance of changing the air filter regularly

Isadora B. from Ottawa says

We are quite happy with Impressive Climate Control services. They have been available pretty much 24/7, when we had a malfunctioning furnace, and resolved the issues quickly. Would definitely recommend this business.

Joseph K. from Ottawa says

We considered ourselves very lucky to have done business with Impressive Climate Control & would do so again in a heartbeat , the personalized service & continued assistance with questions and inquiries after the sale was fantastic , A+ service , thank you again ******************

Juba B. from Ottawa says

Great and fast service. All people with whom I spoke on the phone were direct and knew what they were talking about. Again great experience !

Kendra from Ottawa says

Staff at Impressive was very helpful and knowledgeable. He had our gas insert installed and the stonework done within 6 weeks. Great job and competitive pricing. Thanks a lot Impressive.

Useful Articles


What is HVAC? Understanding the Meaning of HVAC

What does HVAC mean?

Hey there! Let’s dive into the HVAC meaning. You might have heard the term and wondered, “What’s that all about?” HVAC stands for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning. It’s the hero behind the scenes, making sure we’re cozy, breathing easy, and not spending a fortune on energy bills.

So, Whether you’re a homeowner, a business owner, or simply someone curious about HVAC meaning, you’re in the right place. We’re going to break down what HVAC is, why it’s so important, and how it keeps our spaces just the way we like them.

First off, HVAC isn’t just about staying warm in winter and cool in summer. It’s a big deal for air quality, energy use, and even looking after our planet. Understanding the HVAC meaning helps you make informed decisions about installing, maintaining, or upgrading your system, whether at home or in a commercial setting.

What’s Inside an HVAC System?

Furnace

A furnace is essential for heating an HVAC system, especially in colder climates. It burns fuel like gas, oil, or electricity to produce heat, which is then distributed through the home or building via ductwork.

Heat Pump

Separate from a furnace, a heat pump serves a dual function – it can heat and cool a space. In heating mode, it extracts heat from the outside air (even in cold temperatures) and transfers it indoors. In cooling mode, it reverses the process, removing heat from the indoor air and releasing it outside. Heat pumps are often more energy-efficient than traditional furnaces and are ideal in climates with moderate heating and cooling needs.

Air Conditioner

On the flip side, the air conditioner is key for those hot days. It works by removing heat and humidity from indoor air. Using refrigerant, it absorbs heat from the inside and releases it outdoors, thus cooling the indoor space efficiently.

Ductwork

Think of ductwork as the circulatory system of your HVAC. It’s a network of tubes that transports heated or cooled air throughout your home or building. Properly designed and maintained ductwork ensures even distribution of air, maintaining consistent temperatures in different rooms.

Vents

Vents are the system’s access points in each room, allowing air to be delivered into and extracted from the space. They come in various types, such as supply vents for distributing conditioned air and return vents for pulling in indoor air to be heated or cooled.

Air Exchangers

Air exchangers are key for ventilating indoor spaces. They replace stale indoor air with fresh outdoor air, maintaining air quality. They’re especially important in tightly sealed homes, as they help to reduce pollutants and moisture, which can lead to mold and mildew.

Humidifiers

Integrated into HVAC systems, humidifiers add moisture to the air, which is particularly beneficial in dry climates or during winter when heating systems can dry out the indoor air. Proper humidity levels make indoor environments more comfortable and can help alleviate problems like dry skin and respiratory issues.

Thermostat

This is the control center of your HVAC system. The thermostat allows you to set your desired temperature and maintains it by signaling the HVAC system to turn on or off as needed. Modern thermostats can be programmable or even smart, offering remote control and energy-saving features.

Air Filters

Lastly, air filters are essential for maintaining air quality. They trap dust, pollen, and other airborne particles, preventing them from circulating through your home. Regularly changing or cleaning these filters is crucial for efficient system operation and for keeping the indoor air clean.

Lifebreath-MERV-13-Filters

Why HVAC Matters?

HVAC is about more than just comfort. It keeps the air clean and helps us use less energy, which is great for our wallets and the planet. By controlling temperature and moisture, HVAC systems make indoor spaces not just comfortable but healthy too.

Energy-smart HVAC systems cut down on bills and are better for the environment. Today’s systems are getting even better at this, balancing cost-saving with caring for the planet.

In places like offices and factories, HVAC is essential for keeping everything running right. It controls temperature and humidity for machinery and processes and makes sure there’s always fresh air, reducing indoor air pollution.

Choosing the Right HVAC Expert!

When it comes to HVAC services, Impressive Climate Control stands out for its expertise and customer-focused approach. Our team at Impressive Climate Control specializes in providing comprehensive HVAC solutions tailored to your unique needs. We understand that choosing the right HVAC expert is crucial for the longevity and efficiency of your system, and we’re committed to delivering top-notch service.

Our services include installation, maintenance, and repair of all HVAC components, ensuring that your system operates at peak efficiency year-round. We take pride in our team of certified and experienced professionals who are not just skilled technicians but also dedicated to providing exceptional customer service. At Impressive Climate Control, we believe in a thorough approach, starting from an in-depth assessment of your HVAC needs to offer customized solutions that fit both your budget and requirements.

In a Nutshell…

HVAC systems are the unsung heroes in our homes and workplaces, keeping us comfy, the air clean, and energy use in check. Knowing how they work helps us make smart choices about using, looking after, and upgrading them. With new tech and a focus on being green, the HVAC world is always evolving, leading the way in indoor comfort and eco-friendliness. By keeping up with maintenance, aiming for energy efficiency, and choosing the right pros, we can make the most of our HVAC systems, ensuring lasting comfort and health.

How to Size a Central Ventilation System

When it comes to sizing a central ventilation system that includes HRV (Heat Recovery Ventilation) or ERV (Energy Recovery Ventilation), there are various methods to consider. These systems can also incorporate other fans like kitchen range hoods and bathroom exhaust fans. It’s important to determine the required ventilation in cubic feet per minute (cfm) based on the specific application and the calculation method used. Here are four different methods commonly used:

Method #1 – International Residential Code (IRC) 2006: One approach is to size the HRV/ERV to provide 1/3 air change per hour. This method involves calculating the volume of the home and ensuring enough airflow to achieve one complete air change every 3 hours. For example, if a home has 2000 square feet of conditioned floor space with 8 ft. ceilings, the volume would be 16,000 cubic feet. To determine the required airflow in cfm, you multiply the volume by 1/3 and divide by 60 minutes per hour: Required airflow, cfm = 16,000 cu. ft. X 1/3 ACH / 60 minutes/hr = 88 cfm.

Method #2 – CSA-F326: Another method involves using a room count to find the required airflow. Start by determining the number of bedrooms and add 1, then multiply the total by 10 cfm. An additional 10 cfm is needed for every other room in the house, while an unfinished basement requires 20 cfm. For instance, if a home has 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a living room, kitchen, dining room, and a basement, the required airflow would be 120 cfm.

Method #3 – ASHRAE Standard 62.2-2016: ASHRAE Standard 62.2-2016 specifies the minimum ventilation requirements. It utilizes the ASHRAE 4.1a Quick Reference Chart to determine the appropriate airflow. For example, a 2000 square foot home with 4 bedrooms would require 98 cfm based on the chart.

Method #4 – Home Ventilating Institute (HVI): The Home Ventilating Institute (HVI) recommends using the minimum ventilation rate specified by ASHRAE 62.2 and adding 2 cfm per 100 square feet of floor area. Following this approach, a 2000 square foot home with 4 bedrooms would require 98 cfm + 40 cfm, resulting in a total of 138 cfm.

These various methods provide different approaches to sizing a central ventilation system. The choice of method depends on factors such as local building codes, industry standards, and specific requirements for each application.

HRV vs ERV, What’s The Difference?

Introduction

When it comes to energy-efficient heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, two commonly used technologies are HRV (Heat Recovery Ventilation) and ERV (Energy Recovery Ventilation). These systems play a vital role in maintaining indoor air quality while optimizing energy consumption. Although they share similarities in purpose, HRV and ERV have distinct features and functions. In this blog, we will delve into the differences between HRV and ERV to help you make an informed decision for your HVAC needs.

Purpose

Heat Recovery Ventilation (HRV) systems are designed primarily to recover heat from the outgoing stale air and transfer it to the incoming fresh air. This process helps to reduce heating costs during colder seasons while ensuring proper ventilation and air circulation.

Energy Recovery Ventilation (ERV) systems, on the other hand, go beyond heat recovery. In addition to transferring heat, ERV systems also transfer moisture between the outgoing and incoming air streams. This feature is particularly beneficial in climates with high humidity, as it helps to maintain optimal indoor humidity levels and prevent excessive moisture buildup.

Heat Transfer

HRV systems focus primarily on heat transfer. They use a heat exchanger to extract heat from the warm exhaust air and transfer it to the cold supply air. This allows the fresh air entering the building to be pre-heated, reducing the load on the heating system and saving energy.

In addition to heat transfer, ERV systems also facilitate the transfer of moisture. They use a specialized membrane or desiccant wheel to transfer both heat and moisture between the incoming and outgoing air streams. This ensures that the humidity levels are balanced, providing optimal comfort while minimizing energy waste.

Humidity Control

While HRV systems offer heat recovery benefits, they do not directly address humidity control. They are most effective in climates with a large temperature differential between indoor and outdoor environments but may not provide the desired humidity levels in areas with high humidity.

ERV systems excel in climates with high humidity levels. By transferring both heat and moisture, ERV systems help maintain a comfortable indoor humidity level. They prevent excessive moisture buildup, reducing the likelihood of mold growth, and ensuring a healthier indoor environment.

Applications

HRV systems are well-suited for colder climates where space heating is a primary concern. They are effective in residential homes, commercial buildings, and any structure where heat recovery and improved ventilation are desired.

ERV systems are particularly beneficial in regions with high humidity levels, such as coastal areas or tropical climates. They are ideal for spaces where humidity control is crucial, including homes, offices, schools, and healthcare facilities.

Energy Efficiency

HRV systems provide energy efficiency by recovering heat from the outgoing air. They reduce the reliance on heating systems during colder seasons, leading to potential energy savings. However, they do not directly address energy recovery from moisture.

In addition to heat recovery, ERV systems also recover energy from moisture. By transferring both heat and moisture, ERV systems minimize the need for mechanical humidification or dehumidification, resulting in further energy savings.

Conclusion

Both HRV and ERV systems play crucial roles in enhancing indoor air quality and optimizing energy consumption. HRV systems focus primarily on heat recovery, making them suitable for colder climates, while ERV systems go beyond heat recovery by also transferring moisture, making them ideal for humid climates. Understanding these differences will help you choose the most appropriate ventilation solution for your specific HVAC needs, ensuring comfort, energy efficiency, and a healthier indoor environment.

Kanata Heating Cooling Services

Kanata Heating & Air Conditioning Services

Impressive Climate Control has been providing Kanata heating and cooling services ever since its establishment started in the year 2000. Our main office is located in the Nepean area and we have a dedicated team available and ready to serve especially if you have a red-tagged furnace or a no-heat furnace situation. Also during summer time, our Impressive team is always ready to answer emergency calls.

Kanata North is an economic and innovation powerhouse for Canada. With giant corporate IT companies headquarters situated here, makes Kanata North is the Silicon Valley of our country. Kanata offers quite a few numbers of high-ranking elementary and secondary schools, community safety measures, high-income households, and desirable parks and community centers, making this community one of the top choices for new home buyers.

Existing homeowners who are looking to add value to their Kanata property would be starting to do retrofit installations of furnaces, air conditioners, or a fireplace. Please see below a list of the most popular HVAC services provided by Impressive Climate Control to the greater Kanata Ontario area including Kanata Furnace installations, Kanata Air Conditioning Installations, and Kanata Fireplace Installation.

Our Prices

Furnace Prices: Due to our proximity to Kanata Ontario we can pass along our volume discounts to our Kanata clients. Furnaces from Impressive Climate Control start at just under $2999 including standard installation. We offer an excellent customer service experience, transparent prices, and the kind of workmanship you can trust (guaranteed). Our business model is without pressure sales approach and many referrals as a result of happy customers that we have retained over many years in the HVAC business. Impressive Climate Control offers many brands well-known brand names of furnaces through dealership programs. Plus, extended labor warranty programs are top-notch in the industry. We provide Kanata furnace prices and quotes along with furnace financing programs and great discounts.

 Air Conditioner Prices: We have installed new central air conditioners in thousands of Kanata homes, and surprisingly many retrofit jobs we came across homes with oversized air conditioner units that died before their life expectancy. Based on this experience, we can provide you with the right size of central air conditioner for your home that is not oversized. We have extremely popular air conditioner products that deliver the best in indoor air comfort from top leading brands in the industry. We always offer fast and no-obligation estimates for new air conditioner installations in the Kanata area.

Our Services

HVAC SERVICES

  • New smart thermostats installation
  • Furnace and air conditioner filter supply and installation including filter cabinet installation
  • Heat recovery ventilator installation, maintenance, and repair
  • Humidifier installation
  • UV light systems installation and repair
  • Residential and small commercial HVAC services
  • HVAC financing programs

COOLING SERVICES

  • Central air conditioner retrofits and new installations
  • Annual maintenance and protection packages for your air conditioner
  • Air conditioner diagnostic and repair service (all brands)
  • Ductless split air conditioner maintenance and installation
  • Residential and small commercial cooling services
  • Air conditioner financing programs

HEATING SERVICES

  • High-efficiency furnace installations and retrofits including oil furnaces, natural gas furnaces, and propane furnaces
  • Furnace repairs and diagnostics (all brands)
  • Furnace annual maintenance service and protection packages
  • Fireplace Consultation and Design (retrofit to gas only)
  • Fireplace installation (gas and wood burning)
  • Fireplace maintenance and cleaning (gas only)
  • Heat pump installations and maintenance
  • Hot water tank rental programs including instantaneous tank installations and service
  • Residential and small commercial heating services
  • Furnace financing

Why Choose Us?

We cover HVAC Services for all Kanata heating and cooling needs. Our local family-owned, and proudly Canadian-operated business has retained many loyal customers who gladly bring us many referrals. That is an exceptionally good sign of a great business enticement. We have built our company on the idea that by putting our customers first we will excel in the industry. Through apparent customer reviews on Facebook, Google, and Homestars, and our A+ Rating with the Better Business Bureau. We are licensed and insured to work in the Kanata area.

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