The guys did a great job on the installation and they were extremely professional.
Archive for the ‘News’ Category
Recent comment from a customer – after a new HVAC installation
Tuesday, February 14th, 2012GeoExchange Concept, How will this work for my Muskoka home
Thursday, February 9th, 2012GeoExchange Concept
How is heat actually transferred between the ground and the building?
How can a geoexchange system heat both air and water?
How does the geoexchange system extract heat from frozen soil?
Can a geoexchange system be used for anything other than heating and cooling a building?
What happens if a geoexchange system tries to extract too much heat from the ground?
What makes a geoexchange system different from conventional heating and cooling systems?
Do geoexchange systems have outdoor units?
Does a geoexchange system require separate ground loops for heating and cooling?
Can a geoexchange system work with a diesel generator?
What is the difference between a geoexchange and an air-source heat pump?
Can geoexchange systems be used in commercial or industrial buildings, or in apartment or school?
Can heating and cooling occur simultaneously in the same building?
Can a geoexchange system provide heat recovery ventilation (HVR)?
Is the compressor in a geoexchange unit the same compressor as in a refrigerator?
Is there a national or local standard for the design and installation of a geoexchange system?
Tips on choosing the right Muskoka heating cooling company
Wednesday, February 8th, 2012Tips For Selecting
The Right Dealer
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Check to see if the dealer possess all of the appropriate licensing for installing HVAC equipment in your state and local area.
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Ask how long they have been in business; if they offer 24/7 service, financing, or accept credit cards.
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Ask the steps they will take to install your equipment. A proper installation will follow the 3-part process on previous page.
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A dealer coming into your home should do more than just inspect your existing system. Follow them around to see if they are checking air flow, inspecting the duct system, making note of the windows and the direction your home faces, etc.
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Be wary of anyone who shoots you an estimate on the back of a business card after being in your home for a few minutes, or even over the phone.
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A knowledgeable dealer that has your best interest in mind will ask about your experiences in the home; how long you have lived there, how long you plan to stay, if you have pets, allergies, smokers, hot and cold spots, noise, etc.
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A dealer with the tools to address these problems will offer viable solutions such as air cleaners, zoning equipment, programmable thermostats, humidifiers, variable speed and two-stage technology, etc. If they do not offer these solutions, they may not be the right dealer for you!
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It takes more time to complete an installation when done correctly. Expect to pay more for comprehensive service, but much less in the long run for your system’s performance and maintenance.
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Typically, manufacturer warranties cover the replacement of faulty components for a limited time. Failure due to poor installation is typically not warranted by manufacturers. Select a dealer who will do a good job the first time and be around to assist you as needed.
Why is a hybrid system economical?
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Muskoka Geothermal groundsource or watersource Performance Questions
Friday, February 3rd, 2012Performance Questions
How efficient is a geoexchange system?
How long will the loop pipe last?
What factors will affect the performance of a geoexchange system?
Is a geoexchange system more comfortable than a conventional furnace?
What happens when the outdoor temperature becomes very cold?
Does the quality or quantity of water have any bearing on performance?
Can a geoexchange system be diagnosed by long distance?
How safe is a geoexchange system?
What are the options for water heating?
How durable is the pipe in the ground loop?
Does a geoexchange system come complete with all components?
Are geoexchange contractors certified?
Where does water from an open-loop system go?
Are all GeoExchange pipes straight?
How is the CoP efficiency rating determined?
What are the environmental benefits of geoexchange?
Is there a lot of noise from a geoexchange system?
Can a large number of geoexchange systems create ecological problems?
Each system is designed to ensure sufficient heat from the property in which it operates, and there is no potential to “freeze the globe” or to disturb natural habitats or ecosystems. Systems use renewable energy to heat a building, and benefits to the environment increase with the number of units added to a geoexchange system, when compared with conventional fuel-based heating unit
David Suzuki on Geothermal heating and cooling your Muskoka home or cottage: Geothermal WaterFurnace Heatpumps are the way to go.
Wednesday, February 1st, 2012Geothermal heat pumps are one of the cheapest and most reliable ways to heat
and cool most buildings today.
Geothermal pumps draw energy from the earth, using a series of underground
pipes. In winter, these systems bring the earth’s warmth up into a building, concentrate
it, and distribute it using heat pumps and ventilation systems. In summer, they
work in reverse, extracting heat from inside to be discharged into the cooler earth.
The earth itself supplies the renewable thermal energy, and the systems run with
almost no pollution or greenhouse gas emissions.
Smart Generation shows geothermal pumps can be widely used to provide heating
and cooling for all new residential and commercial buildings in Ontario. By 2010,
Ontario can install 125,000 residential geothermal pumps, saving the equivalent of
7.7 petajoules per year. By 2020, the province can install 341,000 geothermal systems
in new homes, saving the equivalent of 21 petajoules per year (the equivalent of about
750,000 tonnes of coal, or 3.7 million barrels of oil).
Ontario can follow the example set by Manitoba Hydro, which has become a
Canadian leader in geothermal heat pumps. Manitoba Hydro currently offers
homeowners a loan up to $15,000 to install a geothermal heat pump when building
a new home or replacing an old heating system. According to Manitoba Hydro,
installing 1,000 geothermal heat pumps in homes generates $15 million in construction-
related activity.
The City of Winnipeg is developing plans for a 100 per cent geothermal new
subdivision. If built, it would be the largest geothermal housing development in
Canada.
In Ontario, about 8,500 homes and 500 institutional and commercial buildings
are currently using geothermal systems. These systems offset the need for
electricity-hogging air conditioners and heating systems based on electricity
or natural gas.
Geothermal
heat pumps
Manitoba Hydro is leading Canada
in supporting geothermal heat
pumps for a variety of applications,
including homes and other buildings
such as recreation centres.
According to Manitoba Hydro,
the installation of 1,000 geothermal
heat pumps in homes generates
$15 million in construction-related
activity.
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
SMART GENERATION: POWERING ONTARIO WITH RENEWABLE ENERGY 11
Economic benefits
The cost to install a geothermal system that can provide 100 per cent of heating and
cooling is about $20,000 for a new 2,000 square foot home in a Toronto subdivision.
The energy savings achieved by installing a geothermal heat pump are considerable.
Annual heating costs are $400, markedly lower compared to $1,000 for electric
furnace or electric baseboards, $1,250 for a gas furnace or $1,600 for a conventional
oil furnace.
Installing 125,000 home geothermal systems could result in 18,750 jobs by 2007.
By 2020, the installation of 341,000 geothermal pumps could create up to
51,150 jobs.
Fast facts
Ontario can use geothermal
energy for 20 per cent of the air
conditioning and water heating
load in all provincial and municipal
buildings by 2010. This level
should rise to 50 per cent by 2020.
Geothermal energy can be widely
used to provide heating and
cooling for all new residential and
commercial buildings in Ontario.
By 2010, Ontario could install
125,000 residential geothermal
systems that would provide
heating and cooling, saving
the equivalent of 2.1 million MWh
per year.
Carbon Monoxide: How do I keep it out of my home?
Tuesday, January 31st, 2012Keep Carbon Monoxide Out of Your Home

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a harmful gas that has no colour, smell or taste.
CO forms whenever you burn fuel such as propane, natural gas, gasoline, oil, coal and wood. It is also contained in second-hand smoke. If furnaces, fireplaces, gas stoves or water heaters are improperly installed, or if they malfunction, they can release CO into your home.
What Are the Health Effects?
CO can cause health problems before people even notice that it is present.
When you breathe in CO, it reduces your body’s ability to carry oxygen in the blood.
Even at low levels of exposure, CO can cause headaches and make you feel tired. The health effects at higher levels can be much more serious and can even lead to death.
How do I know if I Have a Problem?
CO can be detected only with a carbon monoxide detector.
What Can I Do?
- Maintenance is the key!
- There is no substitute for good maintenance of fuel-burning appliances because CO detectors may not detect low levels of CO that can, over time, have effects on your health.
- Make sure appliances such as furnaces, fireplaces, gas stoves and water heaters are well maintained and inspected by a professional at least once a year.
- Get a CO detector!

- Put at least one carbon monoxide (CO) detector in your home. A smoke alarm helps protect against fires, but will not warn you of potentially harmful carbon monoxide in your home. It is important that you have a carbon monoxide detector in your home as well as a smoke alarm.
- Install a Canadian Standards Association (CSA) certified CO detector with an audible alarm to warn you of high CO concentrations in your home. The most important place to install a detector is in hallways, outside of sleeping areas. Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s suggestions on how to install and use the detector, and when it needs to be replaced. You can use a marker to remind yourself when it was installed and when it should be replaced.
- Leave it outside!
- Never use a barbecue indoors.
- Don’t use kerosene or oil space heaters or lamps in enclosed areas unless they’re specifically designed for indoor use.
- No idling indoors!
- Don’t let vehicles idle in the garage, even when the garage door is open.
- Never run gas-powered lawnmowers, trimmers, snow blowers or other machines in the garage.
- Keep the door between your house and the garage closed.
INSTALL A HEAT RECOVERY VENTILATOR
What qustions should I be asking about my Muskoka geothermal ground source or water source design and installation?
Monday, January 30th, 2012Installation Questions
How to size a geothermal heatpump for residential building?
Have a qualified CGC and HRAI contractor takes responsibility for the size. Such as www.gravenhurstplumbing.com
Is there a national / local standard to govern the installation of a geoexchange system?
As of March 2002, both residential and commercial installations are covered under the Canada Standards Association (CSA) C448. We are not aware of any provincial regulations affecting Geoexchange installation, though some municipalities or other regulatory agencies may have guidelines or rules pertaining to the installation of systems. CGC members should be informed and current on all relevant standards and regulations, though as always, the burden of information falls on the consumer. We therefore recommend consumers raise the question with your local installer and local government officials, until you are satisfied that all necessary standards and regulations have been met.
How far apart should trenches and vertical boreholes be spaced?
Trenches are usually spaced 8-10 feet apart, while boreholes are spaced 10-15 feet apart.
Can someone other than the contractor install the ground loop?
Can a homeowner install a geoexchange system?
How deep should the vertical borehole be drilled?
How deep should the ground loop be installed?
Are there any concerns with joining sections of underground pipe?
How many pipes should be installed in a trench?
What spacing is required for the ground loop?
Does a geoexchange system use a setback thermostat?
Is it possible to make a mistake when installing the ground loop?
Is there a concern with poor-quality water in an open-loop system?
Can a geoexchange system be added to a fossil fuel furnace?
Is a geoexchange system difficult to install?
Will a geoexchange loop affect a lawn or landscape?
Can a geoexchange system be located in a septic bed to take advantage of the heat?
What heat transfer fluids are permitted?
Can I install a ground heat exchanger myself?
How long does an installation take?
What laws apply to open-loop installations?
Does the capacity of electrical service need to be increased with the addition of a heat pump?
A contractor can advise if an upgrade is required to accommodate the additional electricity required.
Why every home should have a Heat Recovery Ventilator
Thursday, January 26th, 2012Feds look into Canada’s killer homes
Every year, 2,000 die from radon exposure. Is it in your home?
Your life savings are vanishing, your job is in jeopardy, and the repo man has already visited some of your friends and relatives. Now here’s the really bad news: your beloved home—the one you’re desperately trying to save from foreclosure—may actually be killing you (and not because of the mortgage payments).
The culprit? Radon: a tasteless, odourless, invisible gas that lurks in cellars and crawl spaces and is the second-leading cause of lung cancer, next to smoking. Every year, up to 2,000 Canadians die a premature death because their homes—unbeknownst to them —are loaded with tiny radioactive particles.
This nasty little gas is hardly new (scientists have been studying its fatal side-effects for more than a century), but the federal government is suddenly anxious to find out which neighbourhoods are most at risk. Over the next two years, Health Canada plans to spend almost $1 million testing 18,000 randomly chosen homes, with the end result being an online “radon potential map” that pinpoints possible danger zones. “Radon is the largest source of radiation exposure for most Canadians,” says Jack Cornett, a ministry spokesman. “But we are concerned that there is a real lack of awareness about it.”
Here’s what Health Canada wants you to know: first, don’t panic. Radon is a naturally occurring gas released by uranium decay in the soil, and the experts believe that only 2.5 per cent of all homes contain “unsafe” levels (more than 200 becquerels per cubic metre). Second, if you’re still nervous, conduct your own test. Do-it-yourself radon kits cost as little as $50 at the local hardware store. Third, seal all the cracks in your basement floor. Radon loves to seep through those crevices.
Oh, and don’t smoke cigarettes. Apparently that causes lung cancer, too. MOST IMPORTANT: INSTALL A HRV!! SEE:http://www.lifebreath.com/en/consumer/products/residential/hrv/
What is a hybrid system and how can it help heat my Muskoka home?
Wednesday, January 25th, 2012
Most consumers are familiar with the term “hybrid” in reference to cars that combine electric and gas fuel for better performance. Long before dual-fuel cars were on the market, a consumer could get a dual-fuel heating and cooling system. A central hybrid comfort system uses gas and electric heat to reduce heating expenses in the winter while also keeping your home comfortable. It is one of the most economical type of system that does not compromise comfort.



