How to Live Life in the Smart Lane
Can’t remember if you locked the door before you left? Not sure if you turned off the water valve after you’ve already boarded your flight? Want to see who’s at the front door while tending to the needs of a very energetic toddler? No problem. Just check your smart home app. These days, keeping your… MORE
Don’t Guess. Know When to Replace Your Furnace.
Ever been in a house where one room feels like the arctic and another like the tropics? Is that house, your house? If so, you might be in the market for a new furnace. But just to make sure that’s the case, look out for the following telltale signs. Telltale Sign #1 Not all noises… MORE
How to Prepare Your AC for Winter
Sweater weather. Cranberry sauce. Pumpkin Spice Lattes. The sound of leaves crunching underfoot. The signs are real. Summer is officially over and it’s time to transition from cool to cozy. We all know how to prepare for colder weather – thicker coats, thermal undershirts, woolly socks, the whole kit and caboodle. But when it comes… MORE
How to Live in a Perfectly Cooled World: A Guide to Air Conditioning
Did you know there’s a temperature that’s best for comfort and productivity? According to a study by Cornell University, the ideal temperature for office work is around 77°F (25°C) and according to chief of sleep medicine Ralph Downey III, the optimal temperature for getting a good night’s sleep is between 65–72°F (18–22°C). The best temperature for hanging ‘round… MORE
6 ways to save money with Air Conditioners
We often talk about the high cost of heating a home during our long Canadian winters, but during the summer your air conditioner can also increase your electricity bill. How can you use it wisely while staying cool? Here are some useful tips: Get a programmable or a smart thermostat. There is no need to run… MORE
Clever ways to boost your home’s curb appeal
When selling your home, nothing looks quite as good as a well-manicured front garden or beautifully decorated balcony. While many homeowners focus on the interiors of their homes, a property’s exterior can make all the difference, adding to its appeal and boosting its resale value. And, a home’s exterior plays an important role in shaping… MORE
All You Need to Know About Duct Cleaning
Why you should clean your ducts There are many reasons why you should get your ducts cleaned, the first one is your health. Dirty ducts can create interruptions of airflow and increase the percentage of airborne contaminants, often leading to health problems like allergies, asthma, headaches, sneezing and respiratory infections. Did you know that indoor… MORE
Yay, You Got a Programmable Thermostat. Now What?
Set and forget. That’s the name of the game here. By following these simple tips, you’ll be able to make the most of your programmable thermostat and live in comfort. First and foremost, a programmable thermostat is a device that detects indoor air temperature which allows the heating and cooling equipment to operate and achieve… MORE
Top 6 home improvements to add value
Homeowners often look to customize their home for personal enjoyment and to appeal to future buyers. So, we ask, which remodelling projects add the most value? Homeowners are often inclined to renovate to suit their individual preferences and lifestyles. However, while turning a garage into a music studio may be your heart’s desire, it’s important… MORE
Choosing the right furnace for your home
Getting the right furnace is all about choosing the best product and the right size for your home. Most people only start thinking about their furnace when it breaks down during the cold winter months. However, if your furnace is old or if you are buying a new home, a little research can help you… MORE
Reasons Why You Should Seriously Consider Getting a Maintenance and Protection Plan.
There are probably a few things on your to-do list that you’ve been putting off. You’ve probably said to yourself, “eh, there’s always tomorrow”, picked up your phone, scrolled through several newsfeeds and called it a night (a routine that’s been happening for weeks now). We get it. We’re all in the same boat. Well,… MORE
Useful tips to make sure your Air Conditioner (AC) runs smoothly
A well-maintained Air conditioner (AC) will run more efficiently, last longer and help you save money on your electricity bill, along with providing you with cleaner air. With proper care, it can often last you up to 10-15 years or even longer, especially if you have it inspected and serviced yearly or every couple of… MORE
So You Think You Can Repair: Electrical Edition
So, you want to make some electrical repairs. We’ve all been there, and we say, always start small and never bite off more than you can chew. It’s easy to underestimate the size of an electrical project as a new homeowner, especially after binge watching a series of home-renovation shows. Even though there are a… MORE
Winterizing Tips to Protect your Home and Save Money
When the cold front comes in, the name of the game is to keep it out while reducing energy costs and avoiding major repair headaches once the ice thaws. Getting your home prepared for winter in Canada is a must. Here’s how: According to Hydro One, up to 40 percent of home heat loss in… MORE
Some Plumbing Problems are Easy to Fix, Others Should Never be Underestimated
Drip … drip … drip. Plumbing problems are not only annoying, they create a hole in your wallet. Whether it’s a leaky faucet, a slow-draining sink or low water pressure, fixing the issue is often achievable by the average homeowner, but it requires the correct tools and the ability to assess what the problem is.… MORE
Test your Air Conditioner (AC) before the heatwave
We often take for granted that our ACs will work forever… but in real life, it’s often when we are in the middle of a heatwave that it will stop working. In order to avoid problems and resorting to sleeping in the basement, it is important to check your AC or have it checked by… MORE
How to Check Your Furnace Before the First Snowfall
For a Canadian, fall is the perfect season. Not too hot, not too cold, just the right weather for a knitted toque. It is also the right weather to check up on the one thing you’ll need when temperatures drop below zero—your furnace. Follow these steps to ensure your furnace is ready to take on… MORE
How to find the perfect neighbourhood
Purchasing the perfect property often involves more than just the home itself. What truly distinguishes a house from a home is the community and environment that surrounds it. Just remember that neighbourhood preferences vary. While you may dream of a smaller, more charming community, others may yearn for big city living with every convenience at… MORE
How to choose the perfect Air Conditioner (AC) for your home
Summer is at our doors, and soon our homes will be too hot for comfort. It’s now time to think about getting an Air Conditioner (AC) or upgrading your old unit to make sure you can stay cool this summer and navigate through the heat wave like a pro. Before you go ahead with your… MORE
How to choose the right water heater size
According to Natural Resources Canada, water heating represents 15 to 25 percent of our household energy bill and it is the second largest portion of energy utility costs, after home heating. So before calculating the right water heater size you need for your household, you should consider switching to an eco-friendly water heater. Next you have… MORE
Should you sell your home?
For many, you’ll know it’s time, when posed with the question to stay or sell. Specific reasons to sell your home can come quickly, including job changes, divorce, children, health issues and marriage. But for others, the decision to stay or sell will be one of great deliberation. Few decisions will have bigger impact on… MORE
Your essential home project toolkit
Embarking on a home improvement project is a fun and rewarding way to spend spare time. With a myriad of ideas available in books and on the Internet, ideas abound for quick makeovers that yield dramatic results and useful solutions. With the right supplies and a few good tools, you can tackle small improvement projects… MORE
How to Reduce High Humidity at Home and Enjoy the Best of Summer
Having trouble sleeping? Finding your doors sticky? Do the rooms smell musty? If you’re experiencing these symptoms, you may have high humidity (or too much moisture) in your home. First, a quick rundown of why high humidity in hot weather causes so much personal discomfort. When your body is too warm, it produces sweat to… MORE
New Home, New You, and New HVAC Responsibilities
You’ve got the keys, put out the welcome mat, and have decided where every piece of furniture is going to go; now for the non-Instagram-worthy tasks. Which, while not as glamorous nor exciting, are just as, if not more, important. Here is a list of home maintenance to-dos for a fresh start in your new… MORE
Take a Deep Breath. It’s Time to Upgrade Your HVAC and Enjoy Cleaner, Safer Air.
Breathe in, breathe out. The quality of the air we breathe is more important now than ever before. We’re spending so much of our lives indoors, it’s crucial that we make sure it’s clean and safe. Just like the outdoors, the air in our home contains moisture, odors, allergens, and other pollutants but unlike the… MORE
What’s the value in hiring a real estate agent?
With the wealth of online resources dedicated to helping you search for a new home or sell the one you own, you might be wondering if you even need a real estate agent in the first place. However, you may want to consider why many homeowners choose to enlist the services of a real estate… MORE