Winding Down Your A/C For Fall: 7 Maintenance Tips

Summer is winding down fast here in Sudbury, Ontario.

In fact, we’ve already got several calls for furnace tune-ups - it’s not even September yet!

In Northern Ontario, homeowners know cold weather can come anytime - usually without much warning. One week you’re enjoying 25-degree weather. The next, there’s frost on the ground!

While we love the enthusiasm of you fall lovers, we have one important recommendation to make:

Before you prep your furnace for fall, it’s important to get your A/C back in shape.

Your air conditioner has worked hard all summer long. Those humid, 30+ days no doubt took a toll on your system.

Giving your A/C some proper fall maintenance can help,

1. Ensure it’s ready to start up again next year.
2. Improve cooling performance and efficiency, and
3. Extend your system’s lifespan.

While pushing off this chore until it’s necessary may seem easier, our experts say otherwise.

The better you care for your A/C system now, the less hassle it’ll give you later. It’ll last longer and provide better, more efficient cooling. So you can save on repairs and cooling bills!

Not sure where to get started? We’ve listed our top fall A/C maintenance tips below:

Listen In

One of the first things we do during any maintenance trip is to listen carefully to the HVAC system.

Our trained experts listen to and identify particular A/C sounds. In some cases, we can even tell you exactly what part needs attention based solely on the sound we hear!

We’ve listed a few of these common A/C sounds below:

Banging

A banging sound typically means there’s a problem with your compressor. As your A/C ages, it’s common for parts within your compressor to become loose.

Screeching

The common culprit for a screeching sound in your A/C is a malfunctioning/broken fan motor.

Buzzing

The reason for a buzzing air conditioner is a little harder to narrow down. Some of the potential issues could include:

• Unbalanced fan blades
• Faulty fan motor
• Dirty condenser coils
• Loose parts
• Obstruction
• Refrigerant leak

While most of the above issues are harmless, others pose a health risk. One of these is a refrigerant leak. If you suspect a dangerous leak, we encourage you to call your Campeau technicians!

Let It Breathe

This is something we recommend doing throughout the summer months. But we understand that it’s an easy one to forget!

Can you guess what it is?

Cleaning the grass, weeds and other debris in and around your air conditioner.

Your A/C needs space to “breathe” - pull in fresh air and let out indoor air. If weeds and other obstructions are in the way, performance and efficiency decline.

While you may not have leaves piling up around your A/C just yet, we’ve seen quite a few units buried in weeds and bushes.

We recommend clearing at least 1-3 feet on all sides of your outdoor unit.

Clean It Up

You’d be surprised how dirty your A/C gets throughout the summer! And, as we just mentioned, your unit needs space to breathe. If it’s clogged up, it won’t be able to operate properly.

Very few people like cleaning. But when we tell them it could save their HVAC system and wallets, they’re usually quick to change their minds.

To clean this system, be sure to disconnect it first. Hitting the kill switch is also a good idea!

While a thorough cleaning is best, a quick spray-down with the hose will also do. Make sure you get those big chunks off to prevent clogging!

Once done, wait till the unit dries off before plugging it back in.

Look Closely

HVAC system inspections are typically done by a professional. But if you’re in a pinch, you can at least get a visual inspection done on your own.

Note: You must power off the system before you begin - just as with the cleaning process.

When inspecting your system, here are some things to look for and note:

• Wobbling fan blades
• Loose screws
• Strange noises & smells
• Low refrigerant levels
• Excess moisture
• Dust
• Uneven airflow

If you notice any of these warning signs, call your HVAC team right away!

Check The Electrical

We recommend having one of our Campeau Heating techs come out to service the electrical in your HVAC.

An electrical issue is a little harder to diagnose and a lot more dangerous to investigate on your own.

Some of the things that can affect your HVAC electrical include:

• A recent power outage
• A faulty thermostat
• Malfunctioning capacitor
• Wrong fuse type
• Dislodged wiring

Keep in mind electrical work is dangerous. Our techs have the equipment and know-how to safely investigate and correct the issue.

Replace The Filter

You’ve heard us mention this one a lot. Changing your HVAC filters is always one of our top recommendations.

Here’s why:

You’ve just had a busy summer of tracking dirt indoors, opening and closing windows/doors and having your A/C on 24/7. Your dog has brought in countless treasures and has shed his entire winter coat at this point in the season. You may also have late summer allergies starting up.

Each of these points to the dire need for regular filter changes.

A clogged filter means your system works harder and longer - raising energy bills and lowering efficiency.

That's why we recommend changing your filter at least once every 90 days.

Schedule a Professional A/C Closing Appointment

Does the above list overwhelm you? If so, we highly recommend booking a professional A/C closing appointment.

Our air conditioning team in Sudbury, Ontario, is always ready to lend a hand! We’ll ensure your system is in good, working conditioning before shutting down.

Plus, we can do any repairs we find while there!

Blog: How A/C Maintenance Saves You Money and Protects Your Whole Family

Double Up and Get Your Furnace Prepped For Fall Too!

Want to save some time and money? Schedule your furnace tune-up at the same time!

We’ll get your A/C shut down for the season and your furnace prepped for the cold weather together.

Get In Touch

Looking for quality A/C care in Sudbury, Ontario? Contact our team!

Campeau Heating has been in business for 75 years, and we have the expertise to prove it!

Call us at (705) 560-2441 or contact us online today.

Hybrid Heat Pumps: All-In-One Sudbury Heating and Cooling 

Home heating is probably the furthest thing from your mind right now. After all, your AC is still running!

But there’s never been a better time to talk about the hybrid heat pump.

This system combines the heat pump with a furnace for unmatched energy efficiency.

If you’re looking for an all-in-one Sudbury heating and cooling solution, this is it!

Keep reading to discover how this system saves you energy and money.

What is a Hybrid Heat Pump?

You can think of a hybrid heat pump as a dual heating system. It uses both an electric heat pump and a furnace to operate.

The benefit of combining these units is your system alternates between them accordingly. It all depends on which is more efficient at the time!

This system intuitively knows when to use one unit over the other. The switch it makes depends on the season, necessary function and temperature.

The result?

Maximum energy efficiency and performance - year-round!

The Difference Between a Furnace, Heat Pump & Hybrid System

So, how does a hybrid system work?

To better understand how this system operates as a whole, you need to dive into how each unit works.

After all, they work together to create the optimal system! If one doesn’t work, the whole system will suffer.

Furnace

First up is the furnace - the most common type of home heating system.

A traditional furnace provides heat by burning a fuel source - propane, natural gas, oil, etc.

As the furnace produces heat, it warms the existing air in your home. These systems are typically forced air, so they warm your home via ductwork and vents.

Standard furnaces typically reach 80% efficiency, while high-efficiency furnaces reach about 90%.

This efficiency rate isn’t terrible, but it’s also not optimal.

Here’s why:

Furnaces generate heat with a flame - created when they burn a fuel source. This flame releases the byproduct carbon monoxide (CO), which, as you know, is unsafe to inhale. That's why all furnaces have a built-in venting system - to release these gasses outdoors.

The downside of this venting process is that as the CO releases outdoors, so does some of your heat. This wasted heat lowers your energy efficiency and ultimately reduces the unit's performance.

Heat Pump

The heat pump is quickly becoming the more energy-efficient solution for home heating. They also have the unique ability to both heat and cool!

Instead of generating heat, heat pumps actually transfer it.

You’ve heard us talk about the geothermal heat pump before. This system transfers thermal energy (heat) from the ground to your home.

At Campeau Heating, we stock the Napoleon Hybrid Heat Pump.

During the summer, this heat pump acts as an air conditioner. It draws heat from inside your home and moves it outside.

During the spring & fall, heat pumps draw heat from outside and move it indoors.

Heat pumps are especially known for their exceptional energy efficiency. Did you know that they are over 100% efficient?

This means they can transfer more energy than they consume!

The downside of these units is that, the colder it gets, the harder they have to work. This can lead to lower energy efficiency and higher energy bills on super cold days.

Hybrid System

A hybrid system combines the furnace with the heat pump - so you get the benefits of both systems in one!

These dual systems are great for Ontario homeowners.

As you know, Ontario experiences all four seasons to their full extent. Weather and temperature vary like crazy, especially up in Northern Ontario!

That’s why an efficient Sudbury heating and cooling system is so vital. It can make or break your budget!

A hybrid system selects the most efficient heating/cooling unit based on a series of factors. We mentioned these above, but they include things like temperature and season.

It then heats/cools your home as quickly and efficiently as possible. The goal is to ensure you don’t pay more than you need to for optimal home comfort.

Start Saving With a Hybrid Heat Pump

Did you know that 60% of the energy used in the average Canadian house is for home heating?

If you don’t yet own a home, you can imagine how quickly these costs can skyrocket.

If you do own a home, you’ve experienced those high energy bills firsthand!

At Campeau Heating, we always strive to provide our clients with HVAC products that,

a) Improve their home comfort, and

b) Increase their energy efficiency!

One without the other just isn’t realistic with our drastic Canadian temperatures.

You need a system that has your back - ensuring optimal home comfort without breaking the bank.

That’s where the hybrid heat pump comes in!

We like to think of this system as the future of Sudbury heating and cooling. It combines all the best features of both systems!

We’ve listed a few of these combined benefits below:

5 Benefits of a Hybrid Heat Pump

1. Lower Carbon Footprint
2. Efficient Heating
3. Energy-Cost Resilient
4. Easy Operation
5. Year-Round Home Comfort

Canada Greener Homes Grant

Apply Now

Save up to $5,600 on a new heat pump!

The Government of Canada is helping Canadians increase energy efficiency in their homes, for less.

Their goal is to help you save money and fight climate change.

Here's how this helps you!

GRANTS FROM $125 TO $5,000

To get back a portion of your costs for eligible home retrofits.

UP TO $600

As a maximum contribution toward the total costs of your pre and post-retrofit EnerGuide evaluations.

Learn more about the Canada Greener Homes Grant.

Book Your Installation With Campeau Heating

Get ready for a more affordable home heating season!

Our Campeau Heating team ensures you get the most out of your Sudbury heating and cooling system.

Call us today at 705-560-2441 or get a free, online quote!