Couch on a terrace with a volume of trees and fresh air on the background in Calgary

Indoor Air Quality Services: The Key to Healthy Air

Ravi / December 17, 2024

Indoor Air Quality Services: The Key to Healthy Air The air inside your home significantly impacts your health, comfort, and overall well-being. Poor indoor air quality can lead to respiratory issues, allergies, and an uncomfortable living environment. At ProStar Plumbing & Heating, we understand the importance of maintaining clean, healthy air in your home. With our professional indoor air quality services in Calgary, AB, we help families breathe easier and enjoy a safer, healthier living space – call us today to find out how! Why Indoor Air Quality Matters According to Health Canada, the average Canadian spends approximately 90% of their time indoors, where air quality is often more polluted than outside air. Dust, allergens, pet dander, mold spores, and even chemical pollutants from household products can accumulate in your home, creating an unhealthy environment. Common Issues Caused by Poor Indoor Air Quality: Maintaining optimal indoor air quality isn’t just about comfort—it’s essential for your family’s health and your home’s efficiency. ProStar Plumbing & Heating Indoor Air Quality Services At ProStar Plumbing & Heating, we offer comprehensive indoor air quality solutions tailored to Calgary homeowners. From improving airflow with duct cleaning to reducing airborne contaminants, our services are designed to create a cleaner, healthier living environment. 1. Air Filtration Systems A high-quality air filtration system is key to removing pollutants from your home. We install advanced air filters that trap dust, pollen, pet dander, and other particles, improving the air you breathe and protecting your HVAC system from debris buildup. 2. Humidifiers and Dehumidifiers Proper humidity levels are crucial for both comfort and health. 3. Duct Cleaning Dust and debris can accumulate in your ductwork, reducing airflow and circulating contaminants throughout your home. Our professional duct cleaning services ensure your HVAC system operates efficiently while delivering cleaner air. 4. Air Purifiers Air purifiers are highly effective at neutralizing airborne particles, bacteria, and viruses. We offer state-of-the-art air purifiers that can significantly reduce allergens and pollutants in your home, creating a safer environment for your family. Benefits of Our Indoor Air Quality Services Investing in professional indoor air quality services offers numerous benefits for Calgary homeowners: Why Choose ProStar Plumbing & Heating? At ProStar Plumbing & Heating, we are committed to delivering exceptional indoor air quality services to homeowners in Calgary, AB. We are a family-owned, local company with decades of experience in controlling air quality for our clients. Our skilled technicians are trained in the latest air quality solutions, ensuring your home is safe, healthy, and comfortable. We prioritize customer satisfaction and use only high-quality products and techniques to provide reliable results. Schedule Your Indoor Air Quality Service Today Don’t compromise on the air you and your family breathe. Whether you need a new air filtration system, duct cleaning, or humidity control, ProStar Plumbing & Heating offers comprehensive indoor air quality services in Calgary, AB, to meet your needs. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and take the first step toward healthier, cleaner air in your home. Let ProStar Plumbing & Heating help you create a safer, more comfortable living space for your family!

A plumber doing emergency plumbing Calgary, AB

Furnace

9 Effective Ways to Maximize the Efficiency of Your Furnace

nidhi@thewebmint.ca / November 26, 2023

As the winter season approaches, homeowners in Calgary and nearby areas start thinking about their heating bills. With rising energy costs, it’s essential to find ways to increase the efficiency of your furnace. A high-efficiency furnace installation can be a significant investment, but there are also several steps you can take to improve the performance of your existing furnace. In this article, we will explore nine effective ways to maximize the efficiency of your furnace, helping you save energy and money. 1. Lower Your Thermostat for Optimal Efficiency One of the simplest ways to improve your furnace’s efficiency is by lowering the thermostat when you are not at home or during the night when everyone is sleeping. By reducing the temperature by just a few degrees, your furnace won’t have to work as hard, resulting in energy savings. Lowering your thermostat by one degree can save you approximately 1% on your annual heating costs. Over time, these savings can add up significantly. 2. Weatherproof Your Home for Energy Savings To reduce the amount of heat your furnace needs to generate, weatherproofing your home is crucial. Start by installing weatherstripping around doors and windows to prevent cold air from entering your home. Sealing any gaps with caulk or expanding foam can further enhance the insulation. Additionally, using insulated curtains can create a barrier against cold air at your windows. These measures will help your furnace operate more efficiently by minimizing heat loss. 3. Change Your Furnace Air Filter Regularly Regularly changing your furnace’s air filter is an essential maintenance task that can significantly improve its efficiency. Over time, the air filter accumulates dust and dirt, restricting airflow and making your furnace work harder. To prevent this, replace the air filter every 90 days. This simple step not only improves energy efficiency but also ensures cleaner air quality in your home. 4. Keep Air Registers Open and Unblocked Blocked or closed air registers can obstruct the airflow in your home, forcing your furnace to work harder than necessary. To maximize efficiency, ensure that all air registers throughout your home remain open and unblocked by furniture or other objects. Additionally, keeping doors open allows for better airflow and helps maintain a consistent temperature throughout your home. 5. Adjust Airflow Dampers for Balanced Heating If your home has multiple floors, adjusting the airflow dampers in your ductwork can help achieve a more balanced temperature distribution. By restricting the heat going upstairs and increasing airflow to the first floor, you can optimize the efficiency of your furnace. This allows your thermostat to accurately assess the conditions in your home and provide consistent heating. 6. Reseal Duct Joints to Prevent Air Leaks Air leaks in your ductwork can lead to significant energy loss and reduced furnace efficiency. Check for any leaks in the visible joints of your ductwork near the furnace. If you feel warm air escaping, use duct or furnace tape to seal the leaks. While you may not be able to address leaks in inaccessible areas, consulting an HVAC technician can help identify and fix any hidden leaks in your duct system. 7. Insulate Exposed Ductwork for Heat Retention If your home has exposed ductwork, insulating it can prevent heat loss and improve furnace efficiency. Insulation helps maintain the temperature of the heated air as it travels through the ducts, ensuring more efficient heating throughout your home. Consult an HVAC specialist to evaluate whether additional insulation is necessary and to handle the installation professionally. 8. Schedule Regular Furnace Maintenance Regular maintenance is crucial to keep your furnace operating at peak efficiency. Professional furnace maintenance includes checking fluids, inspecting components, and cleaning or replacing air filters. By scheduling annual maintenance, you can address any potential issues before they become major problems and ensure that your furnace continues to perform optimally. 9. Upgrade to a High-Efficiency Furnace If your furnace is old or experiencing frequent repairs, it may be time to consider upgrading to a high-efficiency model. While this is a more substantial investment, a new furnace can provide significant energy savings in the long run. High-efficiency furnaces are designed to use less energy while delivering superior performance, resulting in reduced heating costs and improved comfort. Ask for Tips from Your Calgary Plumbing Company Of course, one of the easiest ways to get professional information and advice regarding your furnace is to call a plumbing company in Calgary. They will give you some pointers, such as: Use your window curtains. These devices aren’t just for privacy. They are also a great way to soak up the daylight sun and block the nighttime chill. Open your floor registers. These devices are installed in strategic locations to ensure your furnace can evenly heat the entirety of your home, so keep them open and alter your thermostat temperature setting to keep the temperature of your home balanced. Bring cooking back to the kitchen. Ovens are another great source of heat for your home so strike up some Christmas baking and turn that thermostat down to compensate. Invest in a programmable thermostat. With the advent of smart homes and smart thermostats, like the Nest, plumbing companies in Calgary recommend installing these devices to get real-time information on your energy consumption, program a schedule, and more. Have Your Furnace Regularly Inspected by a Plumbing Company in Calgary Even following the tips described above, it is still important to have your furnace regularly inspected. The filters will get dirty over time, parts will wear, and these devices must be maintained adequately. So, call a plumbing company in Calgary to come and check your furnace. You’ll be happy you took the initiative. Since 1996, ProStar Plumbing & Heating has been providing Calgary with reliable, hassle-free, quality plumbing solutions. When things go wrong, the community trusts us to handle it with our skills, expertise and personal attention. We can help you with a range of plumbing and heating services, including water leak detection and repairs, drain cleaning, sewer repair, furnace repair and much more. With 24/7

ProStar Plumbing staff doing an ac repair in Calgary, AB.

Air Conditioning

How to Get Your Air Conditioner Ready for Summer

nidhi@thewebmint.ca / May 15, 2020

The rainy season is currently upon us here in Calgary. This means that summer is right around the corner, and soon your air conditioner will be used in continuance. This is a wonderful benefit if you are looking for air conditioner repair in order to be ready in time for summer. However, before you rush for the phone to call your air conditioner repair person, there are a few things you can do to get the best out of your air conditioner. Among them: Air Conditioner Repair at Home Begin with removing the intake cover, or whichever cover is most easily removed. Of course, this shouldn’t happen until you have safely removed any electricity that is powering the unit. The important part is to be able to access the interior of your air conditioner, and this process will be different for every make and model. However, once you have managed to successfully remove the intake cover, look for the evaporator coil. This is one of the main components of your air conditioning system, and cleaning it will ensure optimal performance. Wipe it with a moist, clean rag and ensure you have removed any dust or debris that may be on the coil. Next, locate the drain pan. This would be part of the service done when getting a service from a plumbing company, but in the absence of that service, this step is not terribly complex. Look near the bottom of the unit for the drain pan, as determined by your specific AC system, and clean out the drain pan. This will keep things running smoothly and prevent any unnecessary build-up that may occur. Finally, before you replace the cover on your air conditioning unit give it a good wipe down as well. You can use warm, soapy water here as long as you make sure to look out for any electrical components that may be damaged if exposed to water. Afterward, replace the cover and spend some time maintaining your air conditioner by giving it a good cleaning. Wipe down the outside of the unit, spending extra time on any outlet areas where grime may collect. Removing this debris can be an integral part of maintaining the air conditioning unit as it will reduce the amount of dust and debris that will enter into the sensitive internal components. Truthfully, this is the ideal time of the year to service your air conditioner in Calgary because the calls to plumbing companies haven’t begun. While it may seem like a good idea for you to wait until your air conditioner breaks, this is a misguided idea because there are usually many days and nights spent in the sweltering heat, waiting for the repair person to arrive Prevent this situation by getting a spring service from a plumbing company in Calgary. You will be happy you did, and they will be happy you took the extra time to maintain your air conditioning unit as described with the steps above. Since 1996, ProStar Plumbing & Heating has been providing Calgary with reliable, hassle-free, quality plumbing solutions. When things go wrong, the community trusts us to handle it with our skills, expertise and personal attention. We can help you with a range of plumbing and heating services, including water leak detection and repairs, drain cleaning, sewer repair, furnace repair and much more. With 24/7 emergency service, no overtime charges, upfront pricing and the best team in the business, you know we’re for you. Whether you need your drain cleared or furnace installation in Calgary, contact ProStar today on 403-250-7232.

Air Conditioning

Signs Your Air-Conditioner Needs Repairs

nidhi@thewebmint.ca / April 6, 2020

There could be several reasons for your air conditioner repairs, but it can be difficult to know what the warning signs are if you are not a plumber, or adept at repairing the equipment throughout your home. It is why Calgary plumbing companies usually recommend looking for these telltale signs before calling them for a service. Things to Check Before Your Air Conditioner Repairs The easiest way to check if your air conditioner is not working properly is to measure the cold output. If you have the thermostat turned down to the lowest temperature and it still feels stifling and warm in your home that is often a good indication of an air conditioner unit in need of repair. In this instance, approach the air conditioner and feel the space around it with your hand, and see if there is any noticeable difference in air temperature. If there is no change, you should seek air conditioner repair. But what if the air conditioner seems to be working fine, and there is still a worry that it requires repairs? That is understandable as well, as occasionally, during startup you will hear loud or repetitive sounds coming from the air conditioner unit. Or perhaps the machine is a bit older, and it has just steadily increased in volume over the years. In those instances, before you consult an air conditioner repair person, try the following steps: Ensure all of the registers in your home are open, and the airflow is sufficient Clean or replace the furnace filter as all of the air circulation in your home moves through this area If you are handy and have the proper equipment, consider cleaning the condenser coils on the air conditioner unit, as sometimes they can collect excess condensation and grime, making them less effective. When to Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioner Sometimes when it comes to air conditioner repairs there is simply no saving the unit. In these circumstances, a good rule of thumb to follow is; multiply the cost of your repair estimate versus the number of years you’ve had the air conditioner, and if the cost is more than $5000, it is time to just take the bullet and replace the unit. Typically, air conditioners are good for 10-14 years, so this is a good metric to follow. Finally, watch your energy bill in the summer months. If it starts to rise month over month as your air conditioner runs, it may have a coolant leak. This can be repaired by qualified air conditioner technicians and plumbers, and will likely save you the hassle of losing money on wasted energy. Since 1996, ProStar Plumbing & Heating has been providing Calgary with reliable, hassle-free, quality plumbing solutions. When things go wrong, the community trusts us to handle it with our skills, expertise and personal attention. We can help you with a range of plumbing and heating services, including water leak detection and repairs, drain cleaning, sewer repair, furnace repair and much more. With 24/7 emergency service, no overtime charges, upfront pricing and the best team in the business, you know we’re for you. Whether you need your drain cleared or furnace installation in Calgary, contact ProStar today on 403-250-7232.