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When the seasons start to change, it means it is time to change your furnace filter. Ensure your furnace is functioning as it should to keep your home cozy no matter what the weather is like outside.  

Your furnace’s job is to move air throughout your home to keep it at a comfortable temperature. Although Vancouver has a mild climate compared to the rest of Canada, its temperatures can still vary quite a bit. That means your home’s furnace will be in use for most of the year. To make sure the air flow through your home is as efficient as possible, check that your furnace filter is in good shape.  

Why change your filter? 

Your furnace filter may seem like a thin rectangle that does not do much, but it actually does a lot. That rectangle plays a considerable role in how well your furnace maintains the quality of the air inside your home.  

As your furnace works, its filter collects airborne particles, like dust, that you would have otherwise inhaled. After some time though, too many particles can clog the filter, making it difficult for air to pass. That means your furnace will have to work harder to heat your home. This leads to higher energy costs and poorer air quality.  

How often should you change your filter? There are a few factors that will affect how often you should change your filter. The general rule is every three months or with the start of every season. This is typically the point that the filter has collected enough debris to require a new filter before it starts to overwork your furnace. This is just the general guideline, though. Other circumstances might require you to change your furnace filter more often. Here are some things that could cause your filter to clog up faster:  

• Construction – If you renovated your home recently, live in an area that is under construction, or live with someone who does a lot of woodworking, your home is bound to have more dust. This means your furnace will get dirty quickly and need to undergo more frequent filter changes. 
• Pets – Having furry family members can make a house feel like a home, but it can also make it less clean. Most animals have dander that can easily become airborne and end up clogging furnace filters quickly. Long-haired breeds, especially, increase the amount of hair that ends up in your filter as well. 
• Smoking – If people smoke inside your home, you will need to change your furnace filters more often than every three months. 
• Filter Type – Furnace filters are rated based on efficiency. The higher its rating, the more particles it will be able to remove from the air. But, that also means it will need to be changed more frequently since it can collect more particles. 

Every home is different with different people that have different lifestyles. All of these factors will affect how often you need to change your filter. The best way to know for sure when to change it is by checking regularly.  

If you think your furnace needs more maintenance than a filter change, call Compass Plumbing & Heating Ltd.

Knowing which plumbing signs to look out for will allow you to call for help before the problem becomes more serious and costly. Many of us don’t call a plumber until something actually goes wrong but certain signs will warn you to call a plumber sooner than later, so that your problem remains a small issue that can easily be resolved.

Here are four signs to look out for that will notify you that it’s time to call your plumber:

1. Leaks. It never hurts to walk around your property and complete an inspection of your visible water supply lines to see if you notice any leaks. Check under your sinks, behind your appliances and your basement for any signs of a leak, which would include dripping along the pipe lines, water spots and discolouration on the walls or floors surrounding it, or any oozing around pipe joints. 
2. Appliances. Dishwashers and washing machines are common household appliances that are very useful but can also lead to a lot of plumbing issues if maintenance is not completed. Check to make sure the hoses are fastened securely to your machine and both the hot and cold water faucets. You should also test the flexibility of the hose because there should not be any stiffness or cracking. If you notice either of these things, you must call a plumber to have it replaced immediately. 
3. Water heater. Take the time to examine your water heater and look for any signs of water underneath the tank, which may mean there is a corrosion build-up on the inside of your unit. Also, look at the temperature valve to see if there are any drips or rust build-up, which could lead to serious problems. Lastly, take a look at the water temperature and its pressure because too much of it can put stress on your pipes, which would shorten the lifespan of your appliances.
4. Sewage odours. This is a sign that something has already gone very wrong and you need to call a plumber right away so they can get to the bottom of it and eliminate this horrible smell right away. Locating the source of the odour can be tricky on your own but a professional plumber will know exactly where to look and know exactly what is causing it. 

If you notice any of these signs, it’s time to call a plumber and Compass Plumbing & Heating Ltd. can help!

It is recommended that your water heater be set to 120 degrees because this is the ideal temperature that is hot enough to prevent bacteria from growing but not too hot that it will scald you. This temperature normally supplies enough hot water for smaller families while being energy efficient, which is why your water heater should not be set to anything below that mark.

It’s important to remember that your water heater makes up roughly about 18% of your home’s energy bill, so if you set it too high, you will see an increase in your monthly energy bill. On the other hand, if you set it too low, you may not have enough hot water, which would result in uncomfortable showers or worse, cause bacteria to grow because of the stagnant water inside the heater.

While 120 degrees is ideal, it does not mean it’s the perfect setting for everyone because the best setting is different from one household to another. It varies based on certain situations that can affect the setting you choose and some of the factors that could affect your preferred setting include:

• Households with small children should have their hot water heater set to 120 degrees so that there are no risks of a potential burn, which could occur with a 140 degree setting. The same is true of elderly homeowners who would benefit from the recommended setting of 120 degrees.
• Households that have a dishwasher that is incapable of pre-heating the water can set their water heater to 140 degrees.
• Anyone with a suppressed immune system or those who have respiratory issues should also keep their hot water heater set to 140 degrees.
• Those who live alone can try a lower temperature setting so long as it falls within the acceptable range because the demand for hot water will be a lot less, so they can save money in this aspect. Those who live in larger households will not have this option and a higher temperature will be necessary to accommodate the demand for hot water, which will be a lot more than a person living on their own.

If you’re having trouble deciding on the ideal temperature that’s right for you, try setting it to the recommended 120 degrees and increase it in small increments as you see fit. Once you find the shower temperature that’s perfect for you, you’ll know you’ve found the right temperature setting for your hot water heater. Keep in mind that for every ten degrees you turn down your water tank thermometer, you will save anywhere from 3-5% on the following months energy bill.

If you want to make sure there are no issues with your hot water heater, contact Compass Plumbing & Heating Ltd for all of your furnace repair and plumbing needs.