Your 2023 Spring Cleaning Guide - IAQ and HVAC Sudbury

It’s official… Spring is here!

This winter seemed to take forever to end. With a lengthy start to the season, an early thaw and an unexpected cold front - we thought we’d never see the light of a Spring day again!

Thankfully, that wasn’t the case. The weather is finally starting to warm up!

And we all know what that means…

Let the spring cleaning begin!

In today’s blog article, we’re getting down to the nitty-gritty - literally.

Welcome to your 2023 spring cleaning guide! We have everything you need to know about prepping your indoor air quality (IAQ) and HVAC for the Sudbury spring season ahead.

Let’s dive in!

Change Your HVAC Filter

First up is your HVAC filter. This thing gets dirty, fast!

After trapping pollutants all winter long, it’s bound to be grimy and gross.

Hair, dust, pet dander and dirt quickly clog a filter - making your system work extra hard to push air through.

This not only lowers the effectiveness of the system but also its energy efficiency.

Changing your air filter also helps improve your home's indoor air quality!

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, replacing a dirty filter can lower your air conditioner’s energy consumption by 5-15%!

Not sure which filter your system needs? Give our team a call!

We help identify the best filter size and MERV rating.

Learn how to choose and care for your furnace filter at home!

Pro Tip: Now is the time to change the filters in all your equipment - vacuums, dryer lint screens, exhaust fan grilles, etc.

Book a Duct Cleaning

Next up, your ducts!

Much like HVAC filters, ductwork collects harmful contaminants over time. But unlike a filter, your ductwork is not so easily replaced.

And thank goodness for that! Replacing ductwork every 2-3 years would really rack up your HVAC repair bills!

The obvious solution is to then clean them. But it’s not like you can climb in on your hands and knees as if it were a tunnel either.

That’s where professional duct cleaning comes in!

This process can boost your IAQ and increase the energy efficiency of your HVAC system.

Duct cleaning services remove grime, mould and other contaminants. They leave your ducts ready to circulate clean air for another 2-3 years!

Clean Vents and Registers

We’re working our way out!

After you’ve cleaned your ductwork internally, it’s time to focus on the entry points - your vents and registers.

To clean them, simply remove the registers, wipe them down, and clear out the debris.

If you have little ones running around, or even pets, this particular task might give you a good laugh!

We can’t tell you how often we’ve found strange objects lingering in these little pockets of your home.

We’ve found everything from toys, to marbles, to socks, to birthday cards! Seriously.

And, as you can probably guess, all these tiny objects can obstruct the airways of your home.

Clean Outdoor A/C Unit

Your actual A/C unit is next on the list!

If you read our blog on how to shut down your A/C for the winter, your outdoor unit is most likely well-covered.

This cover helps protect your unit from ice, snow and other debris over the fall and winter seasons.

But this cover doesn’t completely stop nature from getting in.

Dirt, leaves, seeds and twigs could still clog your system - preventing peak efficiency.

Here’s how to clean it!

1. Turn the power off.
2. Use a vacuum to dust off the fins (we recommend a soft brush attachment.
3. Hose off the fins.
4. Let the unit dry.
5. Restore power!

Clear Around The Condenser

Cleaning AROUND the condenser is just as crucial as cleaning INSIDE it.

Even during winter, weeds and shrubs grow. Removing all organic matter surrounding the unit helps prevent obstruction to airflow.

How far out should you clear?

We recommend clearing a two-foot radius surrounding the unit.

It’s also helpful to place mulch, bricks, gravel or stones around the unit to prevent further growth!

Replace Batteries in Detectors

When was the last time you checked the batteries in your home detectors? This includes your smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detectors.

Since we don’t necessarily hear these devices sound their alarms very often, it’s easy to forget they even exist.

That is until you really need them.

Check and replace the batteries on each device in your home to keep your family and home well-protected!

Install a Whole-Home Ventilation System

Shop IAQ Products

Now onto your indoor air quality (IAQ).

Let’s be honest.

We’re all longing for fresh air after a long winter spent hibernating indoors. But opening the windows just isn’t an option because…well…ALLERGY SEASON!

How do you circulate fresh air in your home without bringing in pollen, dust and other allergens?

By installing a whole-home ventilation system!

Ventilation systems remove stale air and bring in fresh air through depressurizing.

Ventilation oxygenates your indoor air while also removing pollutants, odours and excess moisture.

Install an Air Purifier

Shop IAQ Products

Another great indoor air quality system to invest in this spring is an air purifier. These systems pull in the air  - trapping pollutants in the process.

The now clean air is then recirculated back into your indoor air.

This helps to increase the health of your indoor air - improving your breathing, sleep, allergy symptoms, etc.

Check The Humidity Levels

Humidity is both necessary and risky.

Our bodies need moisture to properly function. But too much can also present health risks - like dehydration, dry and irritated skin, and nosebleeds.

Low humidity can also cause wood to crack, splinter and shrink in your home. This puts your hardwood, furniture and even musical instruments at risk.

High humidity encourages mould growth in your home too - risking its structural integrity.

That’s why we recommend monitoring and controlling your home humidity levels.

One way to do this is by installing a whole home ventilation system!

With this system, you can ensure your humidity stays within the recommended 30-50%.

Stay Tuned This Spring For More IAQ and HVAC Sudbury Tips!

Looking for more practical tips on keeping up with your indoor air quality and HVAC systems? We post a new blog every other week! 

We fill each blog post with expert advice from our Campeau Heating technicians. So you always get the best, first-hand advice.

Follow us on Facebook to never miss a post!

Does Indoor Air Quality Affect Your Child's Ability To Learn?

It’s the back-to-school season! And parents are doing everything they can to ensure their children are set up for success.

Every backpack holds the best writing tools, the healthiest snacks and the most educational resources. So students have everything they need to learn, grow and excel in the coming school year!

But setting your child up for success is about more than what’s in their backpacks as they walk to the bus stop.

The health of their learning environment also plays a huge role!

Poor indoor air quality can cause many health issues - including allergy symptoms, asthma, coughing, headaches etc.

And each of these hinders your child’s learning environment.

Improving indoor air quality can actually help improve a student's:

• Concentration,
• Productivity and
• Performance!

As kids prepare to return to school this fall, let’s prepare their learning spaces for a healthy academic year ahead!

Why Is Indoor Air Quality at School Important To Consider?

Did you know that according to Ontario Regulations (#298), children ages 7-13 spend roughly 940 hours in school each year?

There are 188 school days and 5 compulsory hours of instruction within each of these days.

And while that’s not the entirety of your child’s life, it is at least 10% of it (annually).

With that amount of time spent in a classroom, it’s obvious why we need to start focusing more on the health of our children's learning environments.

In fact, we saw just how impactful school indoor air quality became during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ontario schools actually closed down to prevent children from direct virus exposure.

And before reopening, many schools first set out to improve their indoor air quality. Their goal was to create healthy spaces for children to learn during the ongoing pandemic.

As schools open again this fall, many are rushing to improve indoor air quality. In hopes that they can improve not only the health of their indoor air quality but the impact that healthy air has on students’ learning abilities.

How Does Poor Air Quality Affect Your Child’s Focus, Productivity and Academic Performance?

Not only is indoor air quality detrimental to our children’s health, but it’s also crucial in supporting their academic success!

What are some of the factors that can affect a child’s focus, productivity and performance at school?

Rising CO2 Levels

The dangerous chemical compound, CO2 (carbon dioxide), can harm humans physically and mentally.

And with overcrowded, overheated and poorly ventilated classrooms, high concentrations of CO2 are more likely to arise.

High levels of carbon dioxide can cause:

• Headaches
• Restlessness
• Drowsiness
• A lack of concentration

The Solution:

1. Install a ventilation system.
2. Control CO2 sources.

High Temperature

Temperature also plays an impactful role in your child’s ability to learn.

Recent research has proven that high temperatures affect our ability to process information. And this fact is relevant in both work and schooling environments.

If your surroundings are hot and stuffy, cognitive abilities can deteriorate - making it difficult for you to focus, engage and relate.

As you can imagine, this can affect a child’s,

• Attendance,
• Focus and
• Learning capacity.

The Solution:

1. Install/Repair your furnace and air conditioning system.

Lack of Humidity Control

Humidity tells our bodies that temperatures are higher than they actually are. This misconception causes the moisture on our skin to remain - resulting in our bodies breaking out in sweat.

Some of the physical effects of uncontrolled humidity include:

• Overheating (i.e. heat stroke or exhaustion)
• Increased asthma and allergy symptoms
• Skin and eye irritation
• Dehydration
• Muscle cramping
• Vulnerability to infection

And while your body struggles to combat these physical effects, your mind works double time to focus on external factors (i.e. your classes).

This results in low energy, lethargy and a lack of concentration and engagement.

The Solution:

1. Install a dehumidifier.
2. Control humidity sources.

Poor Ventilation

Poor ventilation prevents fresh air from replacing stale air! This results in higher pollution, humidity, temperature and quality. Which can then increase stress and lethargy - causing you to feel sluggish, anxious and fowl.

That’s why proper airflow and circulation are vital for healthy indoor air quality. 

With constant fresh air, your brain can feel calmer, sharper and happier - creating the ideal inner learning environment!

We discussed the importance of ventilation in one of our recent blog posts. But to sum it up, ventilation can help:

• Improve your physical health
• Improve your mental health
• Manage humidity levels
• And lower indoor air pollution

The Solution:

1. Use ceiling fans.
2. Install a ventilation system.

Poor HVAC Maintenance

If you’ve been a customer of Campeau Heating for quite some time, then you already know how we feel about proper HVAC maintenance. It’s one of the easiest and most effective ways to boost indoor air quality.

And while we typically mention this to homeowners, it’s equally as vital for public locations: like schools and workplaces.

An HVAC maintenance visit ensures your systems are running at peak performance and efficiency. While also ensuring proper airflow and circulation.

HVAC systems are tough. But with enough dirt and grime, they can quickly become ineffective and dangerous for your health.

Regular, professional HVAC maintenance can help prevent and reduce potential respiratory issues! Thus improving your child’s learning experience.

During an HVAC maintenance appointment, your service technician will,

• Clean all necessary components of your HVAC system.
• Replace dirty air filters.
• Identify and repair leaks, corrosion and other damages.
• Lubricate all moving parts.
• Tighten all electrical connections
• Test all controls.
• And more!

The Solution:

1. Schedule an HVAC maintenance appointment.

Improve Your Child’s Learning Experience With An Indoor Air Quality Boost

Set your child up for success this fall!

You can help ensure their learning environment is healthy and impactful with improved indoor air quality.

Contact your Campeau Heating IAQ expert at (705) 650-2441 or message us online for more information!
 

A Heat Or Energy Recovery Ventilator: Which Is More Effective?

We all know the importance of fresh air. After all, it’s one of the key ingredients keeping us alive!

Our bodies need fresh, clean, oxygenated air to function. Grow. Focus. Heal. And so much more! It truly does wonders for both our physical and mental well-being!

But without it, our health immediately begins to suffer.

Do you find yourself feeling stressed, tired or sluggish? Even a few deep breaths of clean, fresh air can make a big difference for your mind and body!

That’s why whole home ventilation is so important.

And while there are manual ways to ventilate your home (i.e. opening the windows), installing a ventilation system is much more effective.

But which ventilation system is better: A heat recovery ventilator or an energy recovery ventilator?

Read on to find out!

Why Is Ventilation So Important?

First things first...

Let’s break down the importance of good ventilation in more detail.

Ventilation removes impure air from your home and brings in fresh air from outside.

This air circulation of stale air with fresh air is what keeps your home livable!

And since Canadians spend roughly 90% of their time indoors, keeping up with fresh air circulation is imperative.

Installing a whole home ventilation system can help:

Lower Indoor Air Pollution

Indoor air pollution is dangerous, and it can come from a variety of sources.

• Household cleaners
• Pesticides
• Wood Smoke
• Radon Gas
• Scented Products
• High Humidity
• Mould
• Cigarette Smoke…etc.

Ventilation can help reduce indoor pollution by diluting it with fresh air. It carries harmful pollutants outdoors and brings clean, fresh air back in.

Manage Humidity Levels

Another factor affecting indoor air quality is high humidity.

Humidity is the amount of moisture (water vapour) in the air. And while some humidity is necessary for our bodies to function safely and comfortably, too much can cause:

• Dust mites,
• Mould,
• Mildew,
• The growth and spread of bacterial and viral organisms,
• Airborne germs and more!

Ventilation has the power to draw out stale, humid air and replace it with fresh, outdoor air!

Improve Your Physical Health

Are you experiencing headaches, fatigue or dizziness?

Maybe your nose, throat and eyes are constantly feeling irritated.

Or maybe your allergy or asthma symptoms are constantly acting up. 

These are all signs of poor indoor air quality.

But a ventilation system can help! 

Good ventilation can:

• Remove harmful pollutants,
• Lower your humidity and
• Bring in fresh air!

All helping dissipate these symptoms - improving your physical health and overall well-being!

But it’s not just your physical health that improves…

Improve Your Mental Health

With good ventilation, your mental health can also improve!

Did you know that the brain uses about 20% of the body’s oxygen supply. This oxygen is essentially used as a power source for neurons - controlling everything your body can do! From your conscious functions and your unconscious function, your brain controls both.

But without an adequate supply of oxygen, your brain can’t function - affecting your physical and mental health.

With improved ventilation and air quality, you can experience:

• Improved mood.
• Decreased levels of stress hormones.
• Decreased anxiety.
• Improved immune system functionality.

All in all, the healthy circulation of fresh air can help your brain feel calmer, sharper and happier! Just a few more reasons why fresh air is vital to your health!

Heat Vs. Energy Recovery Ventilators

Now that you understand the importance of fresh air circulation in your home, let’s learn how to make that happen.

As mentioned above, numerous ways exist to increase ventilation in your home. Some forms of ventilation even occur naturally - like when you open and close your doors and windows throughout the day.

However, IAQ experts always recommend a more steady and effective solution for indoor ventilation. Especially since home builders construct homes that are way more airtight today than in the past.

Two of the most effective solutions for increasing ventilation include:

a)  Heat recovery ventilation and

b) Energy recovery ventilation.

Let’s explore each in more detail below:

Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV System)

The heat recovery ventilator, or HRV system, continually replaces stale indoor air with fresh outdoor air. This allows it to remove harmful pollutants from your home - including mould, household chemicals, bacteria…etc.

But it does more than that!

An HRV system can also recycle (or recover) heat - lightening the load of your air conditioner and furnace!

Here’s how that works:

During the winter, HRV systems capture stale air, draw heat from it, and use it to preheat the incoming fresh air. This helps your furnace out a lot and can actually lower your heating bills!

During the summer, this process reverses. The HRV system removes heat from the incoming fresh air and transfers it outdoors. This ensures the air conditioner isn’t working extra hard to keep that hot air out of your home - helping you save on cooling costs!

This way, your ventilation system prevents your home from wasting heat energy. Making HRVs  a multi-purpose indoor air quality solution!

Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV System)

The energy recovery ventilator, or ERV system, works similarly to the HRV system. The only difference is that it can do EVEN MORE!

Besides removing harmful pollutants like an HRV system, the ERV system can also recycle moisture. This helps lower humidity levels in your home, making it healthier and more comfortable. But it can also lessen the pressure on your heating and cooling system - ultimately saving you money in the long run!

During the winter, ERVs recycle the moisture leaving your home, preventing your home from becoming too dry.

You can also use ERVs in the summertime! But it is only recommended if you have air conditioning and keep the windows closed. If your indoor air is less humid than your outdoor air, ERVs will ensure that excess humidity from outdoor air stays outdoors. This process allows your air conditioner to cool and dehumidify your home much more easily.

Which Is The Better Ventilation System?

Since the HRV and ERV each offer equally impressive benefits, how do you know which to choose? Is one really better than the other?

Here’s the thing…

The best ventilation system actually depends on your climate, lifestyle, home and specific needs!

For example, is your home quite humid in the winter? If so, then an HRV is probably the better solution.

An ERV doesn’t transfer humidity. It recycles it - keeping it at its source. So if your home is too humid in the winter, the ERV will only hold on to that moisture.

What is your home’s climate like?

If you can answer that question, you’re well on your way to selecting the best ventilation system for your home!

Need Help? Ask The Experts At Campeau Heating!

With Canadians spending more and more time indoors, creating healthy spaces for their health and well-being is vital.

Do you have more questions about how the right ventilation system can help improve your indoor air quality? Our experts at Campeau Heating are always here to help!

Give our office a call today at (705) 560-2441 or contact us online!

5 Pet-Friendly Indoor Air Quality Tips For a Healthier Home

Our pets are our family. They live in our homes, sleep on our couches, walk on our carpets and snuggle in our blankets. But did you know that owning a pet in your home also comes with health risks?

If you own a cat or a dog, then you already know how much of a nuisance their hair can be when cleaning your home. 

And although not something we would trade in, the effects pets have on our indoor air quality is something we need to consider. 

We might be able to vacuum the hair off the carpet and mop away the dirt tracked in on their paws, but what about the pet dander floating in the air? What we don’t usually think about is how this hair and dander are affecting our indoor air quality.

In this article, we take a closer look at the indoor air quality affects our pets have on our homes. 

What Is Pet Dander? How Does It Affect Indoor Air Quality?

Like many of the allergens and pollutants in our indoor air, pet dander is not something we can see. 

That is, not without a microscope. 

Pet dander is microscopic and easily transported from one place to another. It can be airborne or even attached to fabrics (carpet, bedding, furniture etc.)

Where does it come from? Your furry friend, of course! Or any mammal with fur, feathers or hair - such as rabbits, hamsters, birds or guinea pigs.

When your pet sheds their coat (hair, fur or feathers), they release tiny particles of skin, called dander. And this dander can trigger an allergic reaction, affecting your breathing and hurting your health.  

Common Pet Dander Allergy Symptoms:

• Coughing 
• Congestion 
• Sneezing
• Itchy nose, throat or roof of the mouth
• Swollen under-eyes
• Hives 
• Irritated eyes 
• Chest tightness 
• Wheezing 

But dander is not the only contributing factor to poor indoor air quality from your pet. 

Although harmless alone, pet hair can easily track other allergens and air pollutants in your home.

Pollen, mildew, bacteria, faeces and dust mites are just a few pollutants that can walk right through your front door without you noticing. 

And each of these pollutants has its own set of health risks to watch out for as well.

So, what are some practical ways to minimize these pollutants in our homes? 

Glad you asked!

5 Tips To Manage And Protect Your Indoor Air Quality With Pets

Below are some simple ways to manage pet hair, dander and other allergens at home to help protect your indoor air quality.

1. Change Your HVAC Filter regularly.

The #1 tip we have for improving and managing your indoor air quality is changing your HVAC filter regularly. 

Why? Because it is one of the easiest, cheapest and most effective ways of cleaning your air!

This filter traps airborne particles before they have the chance of reaching your airways.

At Campeau Heating, we usually recommend changing your furnace filter or AC filter every 90 days. But if you have a pet or several pets, you should change your filter way more often. 

Ideally, pet owners should change their filters every 40-60 days. And these filters should feature,

1. A high MPR (micro performance rating) and 
2. A high MERV rating (minimum efficiency reporting value) of 12-14. 

2. Install an Air Purification System.

Installing an air purification system is another effective way of cleaning up your air. These systems use a variety of technologies to not only filter but cleanse your air.

There are 5 types of air purification systems you can choose from:

• HEPA Filters (high-efficiency particulate air)
• UV Air Purifiers (ultravoilet) 
• Negative Ion Air Purifiers
• Ozone Air Purifiers
• Activated Carbon Filters

Each produces a similar result but uses a unique form of purification to do it. 

For example:

A HEPA filter can remove particulate matter with a size of 0.3 microns. It can filter out dust, pollen, bacteria, VOCs and mould (of this size) with 99.97% success. 

A UV air purifier does not remove particulate matter. Instead, it deactivates or kills it. A UV air purifier can effectively deactivate microorganisms and pathogens by destroying the DNA and RNA structures. Essentially, it prevents these pollutants from growing. 

Not sure which air purification system will be most effective in your home? Our air quality experts at Campeau Heating can help you choose the best option for you!

3. Install a Whole-Home Ventilation System.

Another HVAC installation that can hugely benefit your indoor air quality is a whole-home ventilation system. 

If you have been tracking with our blogs for a while, you may remember us mentioning the importance of good home insulation more than once. This insulation helps keep your home cool in summer and warm in winter. 

But good insulation can also trap stale air, moisture, odours, allergens and contaminants inside your home.

The solution?

Installing whole-home ventilation! This system pushes stale air full of pet dander and other pollutants outdoors and replaces it with fresh, clean air. 

4. Clean Your Air Ducts Regularly.

When was the last time you looked at your ductwork? Chances are, your answer is pretty much never. 

And that is not uncommon. 

Like your air filters, it is easy for your ductwork to go unnoticed. After all, out of sight, out of mind. Right?

Maybe not.

Your ducts might be out of sight, but they should never be out of mind. Ignoring them will only worsen your indoor air quality!

Answer this: 

How often do you vacuum your floors? Once a week? Twice? 

You know that, with pets, if you do not keep up with the hair and dirt on your floors, it will keep building up. 

Now, picture your ductwork as if it is the floors in your home. If you do not keep up with the dirt, grime and contaminants being circulated in your ductwork, it will also keep building up! 

And the sneezing, wheezing and coughing will point it out. 

Turns out, your ducts (or at least their effects) may not be so out of sight after all…

To help reduce the pollutants in your ductwork (pet dander, dust etc.), we recommend scheduling a professional duct cleaning. 

5. Get On a Cleaning Schedule.

Pet dander, pet hair, dust bunnies and dirt can accumulate in your home without proper cleaning.

You can find this accumulation, 

• Along your baseboards.
• In the corners of each room in your home.
• Behind furniture.
• On or inside your couches.
• In the crevices of your staircase etc. 

To help minimize this accumulation and improve your indoor air quality, we recommend,

1. Keeping a regular cleaning schedule and
2. Investing in a HEPA vacuum cleaner. 

Implementing a Regular Cleaning Schedule

Keeping a regular cleaning schedule means frequent mopping, vacuuming, washing and airing out. And it includes your floors, walls, furniture and linens. 

Pretty much everything your pet touches or goes near regularly should be cleaned as often as possible. 

Investing in a HEPA Vacuum Cleaner

As we learned earlier, HEPA technology has incredible air-purifying abilities. It is almost 100% effective in removing particulate matter sizing at 0.3 microns - including dust, pollen, bacteria, VOCs and mould.

HEPA vacuum cleaners use HEPA filtration and activated charcoal filters to help remove pet dander and unpleasant odours more effectively. 

Improve Your Indoor Air Quality With Campeau Heating Products

Pets are a great addition to our families, but they don’t come without downsides. 

If you have begun to see the effects of poor indoor air quality in your home, get in touch with our air quality specialists at Campeau Heating today! Our selection of air purifying products can help monitor, control and improve your air quality fast and effectively.

Call us at (705) 560-2441 or Fill In This Form for more information on our air quality products.

9 Most Popular Spring HVAC Problems To Watch Out For This Month!

Everyone is ready for a fresh start - including your air conditioning unit! With spring poking its way out of the cold, there are a few spring HVAC problems that you need to start watching out for.

Spring has always been the season of new beginnings. The season when we tuck away our many insulated layers, open the windows wide and allow the crisp air to freshen up our homes. 

It’s the season of reviving our indoor air quality, brightening our mood and reviving our spirits!

But as we begin cleaning for spring, we often discover the harsh effects of a long, cold winter.

Broken fences.

Clogged drain spouts.

Cracked driveways.

Suddenly our spring cleaning turns to spring repairs as we fix up, tune up and get our homes back into shape.

But as you work your way through your spring cleaning checklist, don’t forget to give your cooling unit the attention it deserves. It has also survived a long winter tucked away and may need some TLC to get back up and running properly this spring.

Keep reading for the nine most common spring HVAC problems you should watch out for in your air conditioning unit.

Psssst….And don’t forget to ask for a FREE QUOTE on your spring air conditioning service with Campeau Heating this spring!

1. Dusty Air Filters.

One of the most common spring HVAC problems is a long-overdue air filter replacement. This is one of the top issues we’ve seen in the HVAC business.

Why? Because air filters usually go unnoticed.

Hidden away by your cooling unit’s air handler, the air filter can become clogged with a year’s worth of dust and debris without you noticing!

That is until you do...

Are you noticing more dust than usual in your home?

Are your spring allergy symptoms worsening?

Is your home filled with the smell of burning dust?

These are all telltale signs of a dirty AC filter that needs replacing as soon as possible.

2. Dirty Evaporator and Condenser Coils.

Another spring HVAC problem we see frequently lies in the coils of your AC unit.

Your air conditioner has both an outdoor condenser coil and an indoor evaporator coil that need regular maintenance.

The condenser coil on your outdoor unit can become clogged with leaves, branches, dirt and grime over the winter and spring months. And the evaporator coils on your indoor unit can also become clogged with dust and dirt over time.

This clogging can cause damage to your compressor, increased humidity in your home and poor indoor air quality if left unchecked.

But we never recommend checking the coils on your own.

These parts are delicate and not easy to clean. In fact, an untrained hand could cause even more damage in trying to clear the debris away.

Do you suspect a clogged coil on your AC unit? Give your trained HVAC technicians at Campeau Heating a shout!

3. A Clogged Condenser.

Don’t forget to clean your outdoor condenser unit too!

Because this unit is outdoors, it can become clogged just like your coils can - with the leaves, grass clipping and dirt blowing into it and the debris surrounding it.

Your condenser unit is one of the vital components of your cooling unit. If it breaks, your air conditioning unit may break down entirely.

Not an ideal situation as you’re preparing for the hot season ahead.

To prevent this expensive and untimely problem, we recommend clearing away all debris from the condenser. This includes overhanging branches and nearby bushes too. Try keeping a clean 3-5 foot radius around the condenser unit to prevent anything from accidentally falling into it.

4. Refrigerant Leaks.

Is it a refrigerant leak or just condensation?

The sudden temperature change from winter to spring can cause condensation on or around your condenser unit. Moisture on the ground or even dripping from the coils is a clear sign of this condensation in action.

If condensation is the case, there’s no need to contact your HVAC technician.

But what if that moisture is actually a sign of a refrigeration leak?

Other common warning signs of a refrigerant leak include warm air instead of cool air coming from your vent or strange noises and smells.

If you suspect a refrigerant leak, contact your Campeau HVAC technician right away!

5. Leaking, Clogged or Fractured Ductwork.

Have you noticed a rise in your energy bills lately? Although the cost of living has increased, hefty energy bills could also point to a duct problem - like a leak, clog or separation of ductwork.

Besides a rise in energy bills, you may also notice:

• Strange smells and noises
• Poor airflow
• Mould and mildew
• And dust

Have you noticed any of these above warning signs? If so, we highly recommend scheduling a professional duct cleaning service before turning your air conditioner on this spring.

6. A Malfunctioning or Inaccurate Thermostat.

Thermostats are the brains of the operation. But what happens when they start to malfunction? Or start giving you inaccurate readings and inadequate temperature control?

This could mean that the thermostat is:

• Outdated
• Low on batteries
• Improperly installed
• Defected
• Or even broken

If you’re not sure how to troubleshoot your thermostat or are unsure of its age, our team can help!

7. A Faulty or Broken Start Capacitor.

How long does it take your cooling unit to respond when you change the temperature setting on your thermostat? Are you experiencing any temperature changes at all?

If not, you might be experiencing a faulty capacitor issue.

A start capacitor on an air conditioning unit delivers the necessary starting energy to the unit’s motor. It’s what allows the cooling cycle to begin in the first place!

If this component is malfunctioning, your air conditioning system will be less effective. In fact, eventually, it might not even be able to turn on at all.

We want you to start your summer off with effective and efficient home cooling. If your start capacitor is acting up, give us a call right away!

8. A Broken Contactor Switch.

Condenser and air handler not turning on? This could be due to a broken contactor switch - the component of your cooling unit that operates both the condenser and air handler.

Is your contactor switch broken? Call your Campeau HVAC technician for a quick repair! Although it’s an easy fix, it isn’t something we recommend homeowners tackle by themselves.

9. A Tripped Circuit Breaker.

When was the last time you looked at your breaker box?

During the winter months, circuit breakers can often trip - causing them to automatically shut themselves off.

If this happens, try resetting your breaker.

Is your cooling unit continually turning on and off each time you reset the breaker? It might be signalling a deeper issue.

It could be that it detected something worse and has shut off power to your HVAC system for safety reasons.

Give our team a call today! Our professional HVAC technicians can help troubleshoot the issue and provide you with a speedy solution.

Schedule Your Spring Air Conditioning Service With Campeau Heating Technicians

Keeping your home HVAC system in top condition all year long is what we do! Whether you’ve noticed one of the above spring HVAC problems or other related issues with your heating and cooling system, give us a call!

We’re happy to come out, troubleshoot the issue and discuss the solution that works best for your needs.

Book your pre-season tune-up or air conditioning service with our trained HVAC technicians today! You can reach our office at (705) 560-2441 or request a FREE QUOTE on your maintenance needs!

Improving Your 2022 Indoor Air Quality With  Optimal Humidity Control 

With the recent announcement in Ontario regarding the return to Stage 2 of the reopening plan, it’s no wonder homeowners are beginning to rethink their home indoor air quality once again. 

Although this virus and its internal and external effects on our daily lives have been around for quite a while now, there is still much to learn about the virus. And, at Campeau Heating, we are continually finding new ways to help you, as homeowners, use the research practically in order to better combat these unwelcome germs - creating a safer, more comfortable environment for your family. 

If you haven’t taken the time to learn about the ways in which you can help limit the spread of this virus in your own home, this is the year. 

And to help you get started faster, we’ve compiled some of the research below and provided our advice on how to best put this knowledge into use within your own home. 

Our top focus in 2022? Humidity control. 

Note: If you haven’t read our previous article defining humidity, humidity control and the health effects of low humidity levels, we highly recommend giving it a read first!

What Is The Relation Between COVID-19 and Humidity Levels?

COVID-19 has been around for almost two years now and, as we’ve stated above, the journey of discovery surrounding this virus has been incredible! And with a new variant on the loose, there seems to be no shortage of necessary research regarding the control of its spread. 

Here’s one interesting (and quite beneficial) thing we know about COVID-19 and humidity: if controlled correctly, the correlation can appear much like a see-saw - one element lowering as the other is heightened and vice versa (also known as a negative correlation). 

To put this into perspective…

As humidity increases, two things occur to airborne viral droplets:

1. These droplets weaken more quickly. 
2. These droplets become heavier, preventing them from travelling longer distances. 

The result? As humidity increases, the general lingering and fast spread of airborne viral droplets decreases.

But wait…don’t make any conclusions about this correlation quite yet!

WARNING: Do Not Crank Your Indoor Humidifier To The Max

Although increased humidity levels have been proven to help combat the rapid spread of COVID-19, increasing humidity too much can actually cause other serious issues in your home. 

The best advice we can give you before we go into further detail is to never set your humidity levels above 60 percent.

How Do High Humidity Levels Affect Your Home?

• Mold
• Mildew
• Rot 
• Musty Odours 
• Structural Damage 
• Dust Mites
• Warped Wooden Floors 
• Peeled Paint
• Moisture Stains

Overall, too much moisture can bring about quite the extensive repair bill…

If your home’s humidity levels are already set too high, don’t worry! With the proper ventilation system installed in your home, you can lower the humidity levels to a more appropriate state.

Is There Really Such Thing As Winter Indoor Humidity?

Before the pandemic began, humidity was simply the unwelcome visitor in summer that brought sticky floors, frizzy hair, clammy skin and the all-too-common phrase - “hot-and-bothered”!

But did you know that humidity can be present in your home during the winter months as well? 

Some of the simple tasks that you complete on a daily basis throughout each season actually create quite a bit of humidity themselves, including: 

• Cooking 
• Laundry 
• Dishwashing 
• And Showering 

Other Factors Affecting Winter Indoor Humidity Include:

• Plumbing Leaks 
• Moisture In Your Foundation
• Poor Ventilation 
• Indoor Heating Preferences 
• HVAC Heating Equipment (age, reliability, usage thereof)
• And More!

Optimal Winter Indoor Humidity During the COVID-19 Pandemic

And that brings us to the real reason for this article - sharing the ideal indoor air humidity levels for your home this winter. 

Today, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, indoor air humidity should be kept between 40 and 60 percent. And, although there is fluctuation here from season to season, it should remain within that 20 percent variance at all times. 

Winter Indoor Humidity should be a minimum of 40 percent.

Summer Indoor Humidity should be a maximum of 60 percent. 

The Solution To Effective and Efficient Humidity Control

Now that you know exactly what percentage humidity to keep your home at this winter, how are you going to put that knowledge into practice realistically? 

With a whole home humidifier. 

This piece of HVAC equipment works as a constant humidity control feature - maintaining the humidity levels of your entire home all at once, rather than room by room (ie. such as with a portable humidifier solution). 

Other Benefits Of A Whole Home Humidifier:

• Improved Overall Health 
• Reduced Energy Bills
• Improved Sleep 
• Furniture and Home Protection
• Healthier Skin 

Start Improving Your Indoor Air Quality With Campeau Heating in Sudbury, Ontario

Our HVAC technicians at Campeau Heating are dedicated to providing our customers with home comfort that is focused on improving their safety and health. That’s why we always stay up-to-date with the most recent indoor air quality research - so that you can trust our team to give you the best advice possible when it comes to your family’s home safety. 

Are you looking to improve your indoor air quality in 2022? Contact our team today at (705) 560-2441 or Fill In This Form to get started on your indoor air quality solution!

What Are The Effects Of Low Humidity Levels On Your Indoor Air Quality And Health? 

Winter is beautiful on the outside, but it can be incredibly dry from the inside. And not in a good way! 

Although you don’t necessarily want to track snow into your homes to bring moisture back into your air, if you’ve ever experienced the effects of low humidity, this might have been something that crossed your mind. And we wouldn’t blame you! 

Dry air, void of all moisture, can be extremely damaging to your skin, lungs and overall health.

Negative Health Effects of Low Indoor Air Humidity: 

• Dehydration 
• Sore Throat 
• Vulnerability to Infection/Viral Transmission
• Skin Irritation 
• Eczema 
• Asthma
• Inflamed Dermatitis 
• Allergy Symptoms 
• Chapped Lips 
• Poor Sleep 

But, before we dive into these negative health concerns, and how to prevent them, let’s talk about humidity, humidity control and indoor air quality. 

Humidity, Humidity Control & Indoor Air Quality - How Do They Relate? 

Humidity 

Humidity is simply a measurement of water vapour within the air. Although humidity is a naturally occurring and rather crucial part of the earth’s atmosphere, the levels of humidity do continue to fluctuate from season to season. 

When temperatures are high in the summer months, the air around us is actually able to hold more water vapour - thus having higher humidity levels. 

During the winter months, when the air is much colder, humidity levels drastically decline - especially in northern Ontario areas - like Sudbury! 

Relative humidity calculates the level of humidity in the air RELATIVE to temperature.

The average relative humidity in Sudbury, Ontario, from January to February, is 93%! This means that the air’s temperature is too cold to hold much water. In this case, the actual humidity level is quite low, since there is almost 0 humidity present in the air at all. 

Humidity Control 

It’s important to measure your indoor humidity and know what the different levels mean. Why?  Because different humidity levels mean different things, and can affect your health, and that of your family’s, in a variety of different ways. It can even damage your home itself!

If your air is too dry, your home becomes uncomfortable to live in, and rather harmful to your health. 

What Happens If Your Humidity Levels Are Too High?

If your air is too moist, your home can experience mold or a general dampness. This can actually bring about severe water damage over time, if not properly controlled. 

It can also cause you and your family to become dehydrated over time, causing muscle cramps, headaches, an increased heart rate etc. 

Your goal? To keep your home’s humidity levels controlled - a relative humidity level between 30-60%! 

Indoor Air Quality 

Both weather and your daily habits can hugely affect the humidity levels within your home, which in turn affects your indoor air quality.

We already mentioned how colder temperatures and warmer temperatures take their effect on humidity levels, but what about your everyday habits?

Indoor Tasks That Affect Humidity:

• Dishwashing 
• Cooking 
• Cleaning 
• Breathing 
• Showering 
• Laundry etc.

All of these daily activities increase the moisture (ie. humidity) in your air. 

5 Health Concerns Associated With Low Indoor Humidity 

1. Sore Throat 

One of the first signs of low indoor humidity is a sore throat. When there is very little moisture in the air you are breathing in, it can very easily dry out your throat - leaving it quite sore!

Practical Ways Of Helping Preventing This Symptom:

• Take cold showers. 
• Drink lots of water. 
• Take throat lozenges. 

2. Vulnerability to Infection/Viral Transmission

When your home has low humidity levels, the membranes that normally protect your body against airborne pathogens become less effective. Meaning it becomes much more difficult for your body to filter out harmful particles.

This can result in your body’s immune system becoming vulnerable to infection and/or viral transmission . 

One practical way of helping prevent this health concern is to purchase a mist humidifier - filling it with distilled water (not tap water). 

3. Skin Irritation, Eczema, Inflamed Dermatitis and Chapped Lips 

Since dry air essentially absorbs the moisture on your body, skin irritation is quite a common symptom - causing dry skin, brittle hair, eczema, heat rash etc. 

How To Help Prevent These Symptoms: 

• Apply moisturizing creams (or lip balms).
• Run a fan while you shower.
• Boil water (this puts steam moisture back into your air).

4. Asthma Attacks 

Humidity alone is not the only factor in causing an asthma attack. Humidity can actually increase the levels of dust mites, mold and ground-level ozone in your home, while also trapping harmful pollutants (ie. smoke). 

How To Help Prevent This Symptom:

• Run a fan while you shower. 
• Ensure that your home is properly insulated. 

5. Poor Sleep 

Humidity levels that are too high or too low can drastically affect your sleep as well. 

In terms of low humidity, you may experience a dry throat, a dry nose, sore air passageways, dehydration or general discomfort/irritation surrounding all of these symptoms. 

How To Help Prevent This Symptom: 

• Use sheets made with 100% cotton. 

• Run a fan in your room when you sleep. 

The Easy Solution To Helping Prevent Low Indoor Humidity Levels Entirely 

Although you could go out and purchase individual humidifiers for each and every room of your home, that could become quite inconvenient, not to mention expensive and tiresome. Imagine going to each room of your home and having to fill each and every humidifier with water every single day - not the most ideal solution. 

The easiest solution that Campeau Heating would recommend in preventing low indoor humidity levels is a Whole Home Humidifier. 

This piece of HVAC equipment inputs moisture into your air according to the level you set it at - so you never have to worry about your air being too dry or even too damp. 

PLUS: If you live in northern Ontario, where the winters are as dry as can be, a Whole Home Humidifier can actually lower your winter utility bills over time! 
 

Contact Campeau Heating in Sudbury, Ontario, For All Your Indoor Air Quality Needs This Winter

At Campeau Heating, you and your family’s health and safety is always top of mind. If you’re beginning to experience one or more of the above symptoms, we highly encourage you to have your humidity levels checked. And if you’ve been feeling them for a while, you might want to schedule an indoor air quality test as well. 

This winter, protect yourself, your family and your home!

Contact our team at (705) 560-2441 to learn more about our indoor air quality products and services.

4 Indoor Air Quality Tips For A Healthier Holiday Season!

The holiday season has arrived! And with it, dropping temperatures, dry air and the oh-so-dreaded cold season. It’s important to remember that, although many of us are able to enjoy our pre-COVID traditions once again, the virus is still present. And we can still contract the symptoms - potentially causing quite an unpleasant holiday experience. 

This year, make sure that your home is truly merry and bright! By improving your indoor air quality, you can ensure that your family’s environment is clean, fresh and healthy. Giving your family and friends one of the best gifts they could ask for - a safe holiday season!

4 Tips To Improve Your Indoor Air Quality This Winter

Ongoing research has now identified four key tips for improving your indoor air quality and reducing the risk of illness - including COVID-19.  

These four tips also lower the risks of: 

• Bacterial Issues 
• Fungal Issues 
• Microbial Health Issues

What could possibly provide this much protection in your home? 

Humidity, ventilation, air purification and air filtration! 

1. Humidity Balance

You might be surprised to learn that the recommended winter humidity percentage has changed over the years. What used to be a recommended 30-50% is now between 40-60%! 

Why?

Because COVID-19 (also called SARS-CoV-2) doesn’t like humidity. 

But how do you regulate these humidity levels during the winter, when everything is so dry?

We recommend a whole house humidifier! This system will increase your humidity, bringing more moisture into your home. 

Health Benefits of a Humidifier:

• Lessening allergy and illness symptoms.
• Improving your body’s defences against germs and viruses. 
• Preventing your body from drying out (ie. sore throats, cracked lips and dry hands).
• And lastly, improved sleep!

2. Air Purification 

Air purification is the process of, you guessed it, purifying your indoor air! 

Although this process occurs naturally in nature - honing the sun’s UV rays in order to kill bacteria, viral, fungal and microbes - homeowners have to use an alternate, synthetic form of ultraviolet light in order to keep their indoor air pure. 

To use the example of VIRAL COVID-19 droplets, these synthetic short-wave UV light bands purify both liquid and gaseous toxins. 

This ensures that your indoor air is purified before it even reaches you!

3. Ventilation 

In the summer months, ventilation is easy - simply crack open a window or two! 

However, during the frigid winter season, this isn’t a viable option. In fact, even briefly opening your door a crack lets in too much cold air.

Thankfully, there’s a system you can install within your home to help bring fresh air indoors, without actually letting that cold air freeze your toes off!

A heat recovery ventilator system (HRV System) will increase fresh air indoors while also diffusing airborne toxins! The best part? You’ll also start saving money on your energy bills! 

4. Air Filtration 

Lastly, one of the best solutions to ensure that your indoor air stays clean for yourself, your family and your guests this season is an air filtration system.

This piece of indoor air quality equipment does more than purify your air, it actually manually removes the harmful toxins within it!

By installing a HEPA air filter to your HVAC system, you can actually remove solid particles as small as 0.01 microns. And it’s 99.97% effective!
 

Don’t Forget To Clean Your Air Ducts!

Your home’s ductwork is also one of the most effective ways of maintaining clean indoor air. 

If you recently bought your home in the past year, we highly recommend having your ducts professionally cleaned - who knows when they last had the service done, if at all!

Contact Campeau Heating For Your Indoor Air Quality Needs This Holiday Season

Campeau Heating in Sudbury, Ontario, is here for all of your HVAC and indoor air quality needs this winter. 

Contact our team today to install your air purifier, whole house humidifier, HRV (Heat Recovery Ventilator) system, HEPA filter or to learn more about Duct Cleaning Services.

Give us a call at (705) 560-2441 or visit us online. 

Start Saving Money and Staying Healthy With An Air Exchanger Installation

Have your energy bills begun to stack up this summer? With the recent heat wave, it’s been a challenge for homeowners to keep their energy bills from skyrocketing! And with the pandemic still in motion, trying to keep yourself and your family healthy is also top of mind! 

Is there a way to do both - save money AND stay healthy?

YES!

One of the highly recommended solutions to helping achieve both goals is to install an air exchanger within your home!

Until roughly the 20th century, your “air exchanger” was an open window. This solution allowed for stale air to be essentially let out, and for fresh air to drift in. But, thankfully, the world has drastically evolved since then! 

Today, our air exchanger method is much more advanced - and thank goodness for that! As the pandemic continues, having clean indoor air is so important! 

But not only is our health thanking us, but our bank account too! 

Keep reading to find out how installing an air exchanger can benefit your indoor air quality! 

What Is An Air Exchanger?

An air exchanger is a ventilation and climate control system that aims to bring fresh air in from the outside.

There are two main types of air exchanger systems: 

1. HRV (Heat Recovery Ventilator 

2. ERV (Energy Recovery Ventilator)

Both of these systems function in similar ways, however in Northern Ontario, we usually recommend installing an HRV. 

Why?

HRVs don’t cause as much indoor air humidity reduction, which allows for more moisture in our indoor air - something our northern homeowners with dry air are grateful for!

Regardless of the system you choose, however, both allow for regular air cycles and can aid in temperature control. 

3 Benefits Of An Air Exchanger: 

1. Removes your stale indoor air and replaces it with fresh outdoor air. 

2. The humidity levels of your home are properly balanced and maintained. 

3. Recycles heat energy in order to pre-cool or pre-heat incoming air.

4. Lowers your energy bills by recycling heat energy. 

How Does An HRV Work To Keep Your Air Properly Ventilated?

Did you know that Toronto actually requires ALL new home construction to install an air exchanger? That’s how effective they are at cleaning the indoor air quality of your home! 

Since our most highly recommended air exchanger system is the HRV, let’s talk about this product in more depth! 

Essentially, the HRV splits the air flow into two separated pathways. Logically, this would be one pathway for fresh incoming air and one pathway for stale outgoing air. In order for this process to work effectively, it’s important that these pathways are clear and do not intertwine.That’s why they are entirely self-contained!

At the very centre of these two pathways lies the heat recovery core, which transfers energy in the form of heat from one air stream to another - hence, Heat Recovery!

You can probably guess how this heat energy is then used to aid in temperature control, but we’ll break it down anyway!

Pre-heating Cold Fresh Air In Winter 

The heat energy within the stale outgoing air is recycled and used to pre-heat the cold fresh air.

Pre-cooling Hot Fresh Air In Summer

The heat energy from fresh incoming air is recycled and pushed back outside, ensuring that the fresh incoming air is pre-cooled.

Can I Still Use An Air Exchanger Without Ducts?

Although it is easier and more common to install a heat recovery ventilator within your ducted HVAC system, it is possible to install a ductless air exchanger as well! 

This option, however, was not available until recently when the pandemic began and increased the need for cleaner indoor air quality. 

Did you know that the ductless air exchanger also has an allergy-symptom reducing option? This specialized add-on air filter is used for trapping solid particles - like pollen and dust! 

How Is Using An Air Exchanger Cheaper?

Although your air exchanger will require the use of energy in order to run, a number of official estimates say that the HRV can capture from 75-90% of the heat energy present in your cycled air! 

This means that you can save up to 50% of your seasonal energy expenses!

Maximize Your Savings: In order to MAXIMIZE your savings, ensure that your newly installed Heat Recovery Ventilator is Energy Star certified!

Contact Campeau Heating in Sudbury, Ontario, For Your Indoor Air Quality Needs

Did you know that inadequate air ventilation in your home can increase indoor pollutant levels? By not bringing in enough fresh outdoor air to dilute those harmful emissions from indoor sources and failing to remove indoor air pollutants from the home, your indoor air quality will steadily decrease. 

Increasing temperatures and high humidity levels can also increase the concentrations of some of these harmful indoor air pollutants! 

At Campeau Heating in Sudbury, Ontario, we care about your health AND budget! Contact our qualified team of indoor air quality experts to learn more about our HVAC ventilation options so that you can start lowering your energy bills and protecting your health this year! 

Contact our Indoor Air Quality Specialists at (705) 560-2441 or Fill Out Our Indoor Air Quality Service Form!

How To Increase The Quality Of Your Indoor Air With Your Home Air Conditioning 

Getting over the COVID-19 pandemic has proven to be quite the difficult process - especially in Ontario! Some researchers say that getting ahead of the pandemic is difficult for two main reasons: 

1. Failing to reach the coverage vaccination estimate of 70%.

2. The continual denial of the need for improved indoor air quality. 

With the continual mutating of the virus and new variants being introduced to our communities, the concept of controlling the spread of COVID-19 and overcoming the virus in all of its connotations is quite daunting! 

To many, it may even seem impossible.

But even though the virus cannot be controlled, we have the advanced knowledge and technology necessary in providing protection against the virus for both ourselves and our families.

One of the solutions that researchers have found regarding safeguarding against the COVID-19 virus and its variants is improving your home’s indoor air quality.

Indoor air quality has not always been the most popular topic for homeowners, however that has drastically changed since the onset of COVID-19! Today, many homeowners are aware of the need to upgrade these air quality systems and improve the airflow within their homes in order to help purify their air. 

How clean is your indoor air? What are some ways that you can improve it using your central air conditioner or ductless air conditioner? Keep reading to find out! 

Improve Your Home’s Indoor Air Quality With Air Filtration

What is air filtration? In one of our previous blogs, we talked about the Difference Between Air Filtration and Air Purification. But the main difference between the two is that air filtration blocks or removes toxins while air purification neutralizes them. 

So, we understand that air filtration is a process that removes airborne particles from the air. But how does it do this? 

By using the air filter on your ductless or central air conditioner or furnace! 

HVAC Air Filter

One of the easiest and most common ways to filter your indoor air is with an HVAC air filter. Did you know that you should be replacing your HVAC air filter every 30 days? 

If it is not changed regularly, the filter can become clogged, making it difficult for air to pass through. 

If you do not change the air filter on your central air conditioning, the unit may begin to let contaminants in, causing it to fail. 

If you fail to change the air filter on your furnace, the unit is likely to overheat - causing you  an expensive furnace repair. 

Researchers say that changing your air filter every 30 days can actually help maintain your indoor air quality drastically, helping you stay safe from COVID-19! 

But is that the only thing you need? 

Actually, no! Although changing your air filter is a great start, for more adequate protection,  HVAC experts are also recommending the addition of a HEPA air filtration system as well. 

HEPA Air Filtration

What is a HEPA air filter? HEPA actually stands for High Efficiency Particulate Air and it dates all the way back to World War II! Scientists actually used this filter in order to protect themselves from radiation leaks. 

Much like a regular HVAC air filter, the HEPA air filtration system traps airborne solid and organic matter. The HEPA filter, however, provides a much denser filter that allows for smaller floating particles to be trapped as well! 

FUN FACT: The HEPA filtration system is still standard issue in laboratories and COVID-19 hospital wards. 

Do you have a central air conditioning and/or heating system? If so, a HEPA air filtration system is easily integratable - allowing 99.97% of particles to be broken down to 0.3 microns (1/100 the width of a strand of human hair!). 
 

UV Air Purification As The Cleanest and Safest Indoor Air Solution

As we mentioned before, air purification neutralizes solid airborne particles instead of trapping them. But in order to provide the cleanest and safest indoor air quality solution, both liquid and gaseous airborne toxins need to be neutralized as well. 

Since these toxins are more difficult to “trap”, the only way to properly neutralize them is through a purification process. And what better purification method than the strongest purifying agent in the world - ultraviolet light! 

Did you know that the world was designed with it’s own air purifier? The sun actually emits three bands of UV light - A, B and C. 

Both A and B bands are blocked by the ozone layer, however C is the light band that reaches earth (and can cause sunburn). 

How Does UV Purification Work?

UV purification is a natural process that changes the molecular structure of a liquid and gaseous toxin in order to neutralize it. 

Essentially, the UV light will penetrate the RNA within a gaseous or liquid droplet and prevent it from replicating (which is what can make a person sick). 

If you have a central air conditioner or central heating unit, a UV air purifier is easily integrable. 

If you have a ductless air conditioner and/or furnace, a standalone UV air purifier can also do the same job as the integrable option. 

Can you Choose Either a HEPA Air Filter or UV Air Purifier? Or Do You Need Both?

Although it is recommended that homeowners invest in both a HEPA air filter and a UV air purifier, we understand that this is not always a reasonable solution. 

If you’re unsure whether to install a HEPA air filter or a UV air purifier, we recommend choosing the UV air purifier. 

Why?

Because the UV air purifier ensures that every molecule is exposed to the neutralizing process before it reaches you - making it the safest air cleaning option!

Contact Campeau Heating in Sudbury, Ontario For Expert Air Conditioning and Indoor Air Quality Service 

Are you concerned with your indoor air quality, especially during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic? Thankfully, there’s a way to ensure that it is both clean and safe for you and your family to breathe. 

At Campeau Heating in Sudbury, Ontario, keeping our customers safe and comfortable is so important to us! Our indoor air quality experts work with families in ensuring that they are breathing in the purest air at home. 

Contact our qualified HVAC technicians today to learn more about your indoor air quality options! Call us at 705-560-2441 or visit us online!

Air Conditioner Maintenance Can Save You Money and Help Protect Your Whole Family!

Although it seems counterintuitive to think that spending money on air conditioner maintenance can actually SAVE you money in the long run, but we’re here to tell you that it absolutely can!

And we have YEARS of experience to back us up on this as well. After working in the HVAC industry for over 64 years, there’s a few things we’ve picked up on - namely the common need for air conditioner repair!

But we’ve seen a massive decline in air conditioner repair needs when the proper AC preventative maintenance is put in place. 

Whether you’ve lived in the same house for years or just recently became a homeowner, it’s common to not know when the last time your cooling unit had a check-up. For most homeowners, the need for a check-up only occurs when their AC is in dire need of a tune-up! This, however, could cause a very expensive air conditioner repair bill or even the need to replace your air conditioner all together. 

At Campeau Heating in Sudbury, we always encourage our homeowners to have a routine preventative maintenance appointment scheduled for their air conditioner. Not only can this save them money on tune-ups, repairs and replacements, but it will also save their summer!

Nobody wants to spend the hot and humid days of summer cooped up in an un-airconditioned home! Read on to learn how you can stay cool this summer and save money in the process. 

4 Dangerous Hazards of an Unmaintained Air Conditioner

Like we said, after this many years of hands-on HVAC experience, you start to see some trends. One of the most dangerous trends that we’ve witnessed are age-old AC units that haven’t been properly maintained. They’re usually found buried in a garden, hidden beneath the porch or even intombed in giant leaf piles. 

The worst part however isn’t the outdoor unit - the indoor unit of the air conditioner is where the real dangers lie. 

Although an air conditioner can break in any multitude of ways, there are four extreme hazards that should be addressed when discussing the need for preventative air conditioner maintenance. 

1. The Risk Of Home Fires

Did you know that, each year, more than 24,000 homes experience a house fire in Canada? Within these 24,000 homes, there have been nearly 400 fatalities. 

House fires are not inevitable. But they are a risk. A risk that can be greatly reduced if the proper preventative measures are put in place. 

Instead of wasting hours of your summer spending your hard-earned cash on an expensive air conditioner repair (or multiple repairs), consider scheduling preventative maintenance check-ups on your appliances. This can help save you, your wallet and your house!

2. Sudden AC Outages 

Picture this - it’s a hot, humid summer day in Ontario and you’re planning on staying inside your cool home to prevent heat stroke, over exhaustion or other serious health risks.

Suddenly, during the peak of humidity on your relaxing summer day, your cooling unit quits!

If this were early spring or even the fall-time, this wouldn’t be an issue. But during the hottest days of the year - it has now become your main concern!

Why? 

Because a sudden AC outage can mean more than just a run to the grocery store for popsicles. It can mean severe nausea, fatigue, low blood pressure, heavy sweating and even faintness. It can also cause loss of consciousness, diarrhea and mental dullness in your pets!

If the year 2020 has taught us anything, it is to prepare for the unexpected - and that includes an unexpected air conditioner outage! 

3. Toxic Indoor Air 

Toxic indoor air - the unpopular, but oh so important topic that most homeowners don’t bother to think about…”what you don’t see can’t hurt you”. 

Except toxic indoor air quality can hurt you, your family and your pets!

One of the most common ways that your indoor air becomes polluted is through a dirty air filter. A small piece of equipment that’s easy to replace, yet also very easy to forget about...

4. Chemical and/or Water Leaks

One of the reasons that we recommend professional air conditioner maintenance is because of the chemical used to aid in the cooling process - refrigerant (coolant). This toxic chemical is incredibly dangerous and must be handled by a professional. If this chemical begins to leak it could cause serious indoor air problems!

How Can Air Conditioner Maintenance Save You Money?

1. No More MAJOR Air Conditioner Repair Bills!

Did you know that the average cost of an air conditioner repair in Canada is just over $400? The average cost of preventative air conditioner maintenance service, however, is only around $150! 

That means you can save around $250 by simply scheduling a check-up appointment!

2. Reduce Your Monthly Energy Bills 

When your air conditioner is properly serviced, both its function and efficiency improve. According to Energy Star, a simple air filter replacement can increase the efficiency of your cooling unit by 15%!

3. Improve Your Health 

As we’ve mentioned, poor AC maintenance can lead to very poor indoor air quality. And we can all agree that we’ve missed out on far too much of our lives already in 2020-2021. Adding more sick days to the mix of pandemic lockdowns is just not an idealistic option for anyone.

That’s why we encourage homeowners to have their cooling unit properly serviced and cleaned regularly!

4. Increase the Lifespan Of Your Cooling Unit

If you want something to last, you have to take care of it. That’s just a matter of fact. 

So how come caring for our AC units is not higher on our priority list?

With the proper care, your air conditioner is supposed to last up to 10 years, however with a lack of maintenance and frequent drastic repairs, you’re looking at a very expensive 5 year cooling solution!

Avoid having to buy a new AC unit before your current unit is ready to be replaced by maintaining the unit you have!

Save Money With Proper Air Conditioner Maintenance From Campeau Heating in Sudbury 

At Campeau Heating, we’ve seen it all - from broken capacitors to refrigerant leaks, thermostat malfunctions to clogged filters and, worse, a totally busted AC unit! Most of these problems, however, could have easily been prevented with regular air conditioner maintenance. 

If you’re looking for a stress-free and enjoyable summer this year, consider the benefits of having your AC unit serviced BEFORE a problem arises! Give us a call at (705) 560-2441 or schedule an HVAC maintenance appointment online with our team today so you can start saving your summer plans!

How To Improve Your Home’s Indoor Air Quality, Reduce Allergens, and Lower Your Energy Bills This Spring!

What was once simply a not-so-interesting topic to most homeowners has now become a prominent matter of importance - Indoor Air Quality!

When the pandemic first began, keeping up with your home’s indoor air quality was simply a task that most individuals didn’t think about. In these cases, being reactive to the necessary changes was more important than being proactive to the needs of our current pandemic year. 

But all that has changed as we welcomed in 2021 with yet more continued lockdowns - increasing home offices, homeschooling and home-bound hobbies. It’s definitely fair to say that home renovating, baking and crafting took a huge leap this year, as we began to find things to occupy our time during the stay-at-home orders. 

But the one thing that most homeowners are finding lately doesn’t lie in a long-lost drawer (oh that’s where those knitting needles are!), but rather in their home’s AIR QUALITY. 
 

What Do We Know About COVID-19 and Indoor Air Quality?

It goes without saying now that COVID-19 is known to be airborne. We have seen enough evidence pointing to the fact that this virus can be spread through the movement of air. 

Once this observation was announced, many homeowners decided to “cut the cord” on their HVAC systems. This was, of course, done with the hopes of stopping the spread of COVID-19 in their homes and minimizing the risk of illness. However, our indoor air experts are here to tell you that you can still use your HVAC system safely during the pandemic. 

What you should be focusing on is actually your indoor air ventilation - meaning the air that flows through your air ducts and into your home.                          

With the proper equipment and maintenance, you can improve your indoor air quality, cut energy costs and increase ventilation in order to provide healthier indoor air!
 

Improving Your Indoor Air Quality With Ventilation, UV Light Purification and HEPA Filtration

Many homeowners don’t actually know what goes into keeping their indoor air clean. For this reason, they usually just open a few windows now and again, spray some air freshener and hope for the best! At Campeau Heating in Sudbury, we have a better solution - one that doesn’t involve letting allergens into your home or spraying chemicals into your home’s air. 

Indoor Air Ventilation Systems 

Indoor air ventilation systems have one main purpose - to move air throughout your home. But did you know that they also provide many added benefits to your home’s air quality?

Installing the right air ventilation system, such as an ERV (energy recovery ventilator) or HRV (heat recovery ventilator) can hugely impact the health of your indoor air. How? Well, both of these systems work to remove polluted air from your home and replace it with fresh air. By adding filters to  your ventilation system, you can also prevent common allergens (ie. grass pollen) from entering your home! The best part is, the cleaner your air is, the less your ventilators have to work! Which means, you can also lower your monthly energy bills significantly with the proper air ventilation system.

BONUS BENEFIT - During the summer months, when humidity levels are high, an ERV system works to redirect the humidity in your home by expelling it back outdoors. 

HEPA Filtration 

Do you suffer from allergies? Ontario is currently in its prime allergy season and homeowners are feeling it! 

One of the best ways to help reduce the allergens within your home’s air and provide allergy relief to you and your family is by installing a HEPA Filter (high efficiency particulate air filter). This HVAC accessory actually traps harmful pollutants before they are able to enter your home’s air. 

How does a HEPA Filter work? By forcing air through a fine mesh filter, pollutants such as pollen, pet dander and dust mites are trapped - preventing these air pollutants from entering your home and your airways.  

UV Air Purification 

UV (Ultra-Violet) Air Purification uses ultraviolet light to purify your home’s indoor air. By targeting airborne pathogens, this system works to eliminate harmful germs and provide safer air for you to breathe. 

As with most air quality equipment, the UV Air Purifier can improve your home’s air flow, increase ventilation efficiency, reduce allergy symptoms, eliminate unwanted odours and lower your energy costs!

The result? A well ventilated home with good indoor air quality AND a lower monthly energy bill! 

Campeau Heating in Sudbury, Ontario, Is Your Indoor Air Quality Expert

Your comfort and safety is crucial - especially during this pandemic. If you're concerned about your indoor air quality this spring, we encourage you to give our Indoor Air Quality team a call! We care about your air quality problems, but more importantly, we care about fixing them for you!

Contact our office at 705-560-2442 or Click Here For Your Indoor Air Quality Appointment. We’ll take the time to discuss your needs and provide a solution that works best for you, your family and your home.