Archive for March, 2011

How to tackle your home comfort repairs for warmer months

Wednesday, March 23rd, 2011

(ARA) – The coming of spring is revealing a list of post-winter home repairs that need to be made. Getting outside now to assess home damage and tackle initial projects will help you get a jump-start on the season.

This is also a good time of year to make sure your home’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system is functioning properly and at its most efficient rate. American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning offers a few simple tips.

* Check the furnace filter. Cleaning or changing your furnace filter each month will help extend the life of your furnace and may help save on heating and cooling energy costs.

* Clean air ducts. Remove air ducts and return-air grille plates, and thoroughly clean with a rag, scrubbing brush or vacuum to prevent any irritants or dust from making their way into your home’s air.

* Inspect the outdoor air conditioning unit. Remove leaves, grass, dirt and other debris that may have built up around your outdoor air conditioning unit or heat pump to ensure nothing is obstructing the air flow.

Moving and missing appliance manuals

Wednesday, March 16th, 2011

Have you recently or ever moved and found you were not sure how to use an appliance and the manuals were not left for them? With todays vast internet resources, you can find and download or print off almost any instruction manual for anything ever made. So if your not sure about how to do something with one of your kitchen appliances, fireplace, furnace or hot water tank simply google the make and model number and you will in most cases get a link directly to that products manual!

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Canada’s economic centre of gravity gains momentum and heads west

Friday, March 4th, 2011

This shift has been undergoing for several decades already and western Canada is expected to increase even more this year.

Click here for the Calgary Herald artcile outlining the top 10 reasons why.

The Invisible Water Leak

Friday, March 4th, 2011

One leaky toilet can fill 28 bathtubs per month!  When it comes to housefild leaks, toilets and faucets are the most common culprits.  In fact, one in four toilets is silently leaking.  Just one leaky toilet could cost you $100 a year.  So remember to take the simple, three-step leaky toilet test.

Learn how to take the Leaky Toilet Test.

Saving water in the bathroom

  • Use a garbage for trash instead of the toilet
  • Make sure toilet flappers and other parts are not leaking (toilet flappers should be replaced every 2-5 years)
  • Install low capacity toilets with a tank of 6-13 litres (toilets use more water than anything else in your home)
  • Replace showerheads with low-flow models
  • Take short showers
  • Turn off the tap while shaving or brushing your teeth