Three Common, Avoidable Causes of Electrical Fires
Three Common & Preventable Causes of Electrical Fires in Vancouver BC Fire is every home and business owner's worst nightmare, resulting in financial and emotional disaster for everyone involved. Electrical fires can be the most frightening, because many people are under the false impression that electrical fires are just bad luck and cannot be prevented. The reality is that most electrical fires are due to a few common causes, and with a little care and attention now, they can be prevented. If you're a Vancouver, North Vancouver, Richmond, Burnaby, Surrey, or Langley business owner, read on for more information on keeping your home or business safe. Cause Number One: An Electrical System that Needs to Be Updated Outdated electrical systems are a major cause of electrical fire. There are three reasons an older electrical system may be a danger: First, the standards for wiring go up all the time. A new house is manufactured to the highest standards possible, whereas an older house was wired in accordance with older, laxer regulations. Second, wiring degrades over time. They become frayed and loose and need attention. Finally, older electrical systems were not designed to handle the load needed for a modern household. Electrical systems from the nineties and before were designed for families without multiple computers, smartphones, and possibly a flat screen TV or two. Cause Number Two: Old, Outdated Outlets Older outlets, especially those that aren't properly grounded, create a risk of electrical fire. Like all other aspects of electrical work, they do not last forever and require regular electrical inspection and occasional updating. In addition, many building owners inadvertently misuse outlets. Outlets should never be overloaded with too many appliances at one time. Extension cords are for temporary use and using them increase fire risk. If you find you need extension cords and splitters, hire an electrician to install extra electrical outlets. It's easy and convenient. Cause Number Three: Misuse of Lamps and Appliances Here's a cause that's entirely under your control. Always use appliances and lamps properly. Inspect your appliances regularly. Check that cords are not frayed and that they remain in good condition, and follow the instructions for maintenance and cleaning. When using a lamp, ensure the bulb is the correct wattage. Don't use lamps near hanging drapes and do not allow them to be covered by cloth or paper. Pro Ace Electricians in Vancouver BC The key to avoiding electrical fire is to take good care of your electrical system. You need an electrician on your team. Pro Ace supplies top quality licensed electricians to homes and businesses throughout Vancouver, North Vancouver, Richmond, Burnaby, Surrey, and Langley. If you are considering an addition to your home in Vancouver, North Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, Surrey, or Langley, Pro Ace dispatches highly qualified electricians for new home additions throughout the Lower Mainland. Call Pro Ace at 604-293-3770 for your electrical inspection today!When is it Time to Replace Your Air Conditioner?
When to Buy a New Air Conditioner Nothing lasts forever, including appliances. How do you know whether your air conditioner is nearing the end of its lifespan -- and how do you decide when to pull the plug and select a new unit? It's still chilly outside, but this is the time of year to start thinking about air conditioning. Here are some signs that your unit might be ready to be put out of its misery. You're getting your air conditioner repaired. A lot. At Pro Ace, we do our very best to keep your air conditioner repair costs reasonable. Still, frequent repair bills add up over time. That's in addition to the inconvenience of possible outages. If you're sinking more and more money into ever more frequent repairs, upgrading now may save you money over waiting until the unit is completely beyond help. Your air conditioner is more than a decade old. Newer units are more efficient, reducing the hit to your pocket book and the impact on the planet. If your air conditioning unit is more than ten years old, then choosing a new ENERGY STAR model of air conditioner will start saving you money on electricity bills immediately. And air conditioners are really designed to sunset after a decade of use. You're sweating in some rooms and freezing in others. Inconsistent temperatures throughout the house are one of the major signs that an air conditioner is showing its age. You want an air conditioner because you want a uniformly comfortable environment. If your air conditioner used to provide that and now isn't, it may be a sign that it's no longer up to the job. There are other reasons for inconsistent cooling, though, so if you're having this problem, contact a Pro Ace HVAC Heating & Cooling technician to find out why. Your energy bill is going up. We all know that energy costs creep up over time, and energy is a major expense of a home or business. But if your energy bill keeps climbing, it may be a sign that your air conditioner is working much harder, and using much more energy, to provide the same level of cooling. A new unit will be more efficient and not have to work as hard. Buying an Air Conditioner from Pro Ace in Vancouver Are you having trouble deciding whether your air conditioner needs to be replaced? The trusted HVAC technicians at Pro Ace will never rush you into replacement. Buying a new air conditioning unit is a big step, and we're happy to discuss your options with you. If you do decide to proceed with replacement, we work with the brands we've learned to trust over our 17 years in business. Pro Ace Heating & Cooling is based in Burnaby, and supplies technicians to Vancouver, North Vancouver, Richmond, Burnaby, Surrey, and Langley.Reasons for Making an Air Conditioner Maintenance Appointment Vancouver
Reasons for Booking Air Conditioner Maintenance It's tough to think of it in the bleakness of winter, but spring is sneaking up on residents of Vancouver, North Vancouver, Richmond, Burnaby, Langley, and Surrey. Now is a great time to start planning for those spring maintenance chores home and business owners need to take care of. If you're lucky enough to have air conditioning in your home or business, show your unit a little love now, while it's still cold, and it will repay you with better performance when the weather heats up. Book Your Air Conditioner a Maintenance Appointment Like your ducts and your furnace, your air conditioner requires regular maintenance, and that A/C maintenance is best performed by a qualified HVAC service technician. Your air conditioning unit needs an annual 'physical,' but like with our own health, it can be easy to let preventative care slide once life gets busy. Get a jump on spring chores by making an appointment now for your air conditioner to receive its yearly tune-up. The Basics of Air Conditioner Service At the very minimum, your HVAC service technician will begin by performing the types of routine tasks that must be performed regularly to keep your air conditioning unit in good condition, including: - Changing the air filters, or cleaning the filters if they are the reusable variety; - Cleaning a year's worth of dirt and debris off of the evaporator and condenser coils; - Ensuring the unit's drain channels are clear; and, - Straightening the coil fins with a special tool called a fin comb. Pro Ace Value-Added Service In addition to routine maintenance, a Pro Ace HVAC Service is capable of providing a higher level of service than a non-specialist. An HVAC technician doesn't stop at ensuring the unit is clean and the filters are changed. He or she will provide an additional level of care and troubleshoot any concerns you may have. An HVAC Service technician can: - Check the level of refrigerant; - Ensure there are no leaks -- no duct leaks, and no refrigerant leaks -- and seal leaks that have developed; - Oil the motor; - Adjust the motor belts as needed; - Check the electric system associated with the air conditioner, ensuring the connections are tight, the electric terminals are in good condition, and the heating and air conditioner will not operate simultaneously; and, - Ensure that the thermostat is accurate. Get Your Air Conditioner Working Up to its Potential All air conditioners accumulate dirt and dust as a result of regular use. A dirty air conditioner is a less efficient air conditioner, working harder (and using up more energy) for the same results. In fact, skipping routine A/C maintenance is a false savings; It will cost you in electricity bills in the short term, and in the long term can result in expensive repairs and even replacement for a damaged unit. Pro Ace Vancouver A/C Installation Company Schedule an appointment now to ensure your air conditioning unit is ready for the warm weather. Contact Pro Ace Heating and Ventilation and set a date for your air conditioner to receive a little TLC. Pro Ace supplies HVAC technicians to homes and businesses throughout Greater Vancouver, including Vancouver, North Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, Langley, and Surrey. Phone us at 604-293-3770, we'll service your HVAC system and get your A/C working again!Heat Pumps & Cooling Basics
The Basics of Heat Pumps One of the most powerful tools in heating and cooling your building isn't a furnace, or an air conditioner: It's a heat pump. Not sure What a heat pump is? Read on to learn more, and to discover why your Vancouver, North Vancouver, Surrey, Richmond, Langley, or Burnaby building needs one. What's a Heat Pump? A heat pump is a form of heating and cooling with an interesting twist. Instead of burning fuel to generate heat (like a furnace does), a heat pump ingeniously moves air around: warm air towards you, cold air away from you. Or, in the summer, cold air towards you, and warm air away. How Does a Heat Pump Work Let's say you want your heat pump to make it warmer. The pump absorbs the warm air from the ground or from outside. Then it moves that hot air into your building. At the same time, it takes the cool air and deposits in a "heat sink" -- usually outside. But What if It's Already Cold Out? Heat pumps are amazing devices! Even on a very cold day, there is warm air in the atmosphere. The heat pump finds it, extracts it, and delivers it to you. An Efficient Option Heat pumps are several times as efficient as standard electrical heating! That means whatever your heat pump can do to take stress off of your furnace will save energy, and save you money. In the long run, your heat pump will pay for itself through energy savings. Heating and Cooling Together A furnace only heats. An air conditioner only cools. But don't let the name fool you -- heat pumps work in both directions. They cool instead of an air conditioner in the summer, and they heat in the winter -- and they make sure you're getting bang for your dollar all year round. They're one of the most versatile pieces of equipment in your heating/cooling arsenal. Be aware though: If you use a heat pump when before you didn't use any mechanical cooling system, you may increase your energy costs. Part of an HVAC System Great! So I can get rid of my furnace, trade it for a heat pump, and save a mint, right? Unfortunately no. Heat pumps are great assets to a building, but they can't do the work alone. For best results, you'll want to team your heat pump with an efficient, up-to-date furnace. Is a heat pump for you? Pro Ace has a variety of specials for homes and businesses considering adding a heat pump to their HVAC system. Pro Ace experts can help you choose the right model for your situation, install it, and provide on-going maintenance. Pro Ace provides heating and cooling services to homes and businesses throughout Vancouver, North Vancouver, Surrey, Richmond, Burnaby, and Langley.Better Ventilation for Better Health
How to Improve Ventilation for Better Health Did you know that poor ventilation in your building can make you sick? It's true. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America has recognised that inadequate ventilation can contribute to illness -- including coughs; chest tightness; headache; eye, nose, or throat irritation; nausea; or itchy skin. Inadequate ventilation may be a particular concern in middle-aged buildings, those not new but constructed after the mid-seventies, when renewed interest in conservation caused a reduction in the requirements for outdoor air ventilation. Many buildings in Vancouver, North Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, Surrey, and Langley date from this era, and may have poor indoor air quality. If you suspect that the indoor air quality in your building is sub-par, or even making you sick, an HVAC service professional should be your first port of call. An HVAC technician can take simple steps that may dramatically improve your indoor air quality: Clean Air Ducts Your furnace ducts have accumulated dust and debris over the summer. When you start using the furnace as the weather cools, that dust and debris can be released into the air in your home. To avoid this possibility, invest in air duct cleaning before the winter starts -- ideally before you start up the furnace for the first time. Clean ducts will prevent all of that unwanted debris from getting into the living areas of your house, and from there into your lungs. Consider having the ducts cleaned annually for best results. New Furnace Filters The cold weather is beginning, and it's a perfect time to change the furnace filters. Did you know that furnace filters need to be changed as often as every three months? A dirty filter makes your furnace less efficient, and can also cause your indoor air quality to deteriorate. You may consider using a HEPA filter instead of disposable filters, but these still need to be cleaned regularly. Air Conditioning Air conditioning in the summer isn't just a luxury. It can improve the health of people with allergies or otherwise irritated by poor air quality in a building. If you suffer from allergies or building-related illness, air conditioning during the summer can lessen symptoms. It may be time to start planning to install an air conditioning system. If you already have an air conditioning system, remember it too needs A/C maintenance -- including regular air filter changes. Having problems with your indoor air quality? An HVAC professional can take many steps to improve the quality of the air in your building, whether your air is making you sick or whether you just want a more pleasant living environment. Pro Ace supplies HVAC service professionals to home and business owners in Vancouver, North Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, Surrey, and Langley. Pro Ace HVAC technicians are experts in air quality, furnaces, air conditioning, and ventilation. Contact Pro Ace to schedule duct cleaning, to have your furnace inspected, to discuss installing an air conditioner, or any other HVAC concern.Air Duct Cleaning & Dryer Vent Cleaning
Air Duct Cleaning & Dryer Vent Cleaning The Pro Ace HVAC Service Specialists offer the number one solution for Air Duct cleaning and dryer vent cleaning in Vancouver Lower Mainland. Typically, ducts in homes aren’t always in immediate need of cleaning, once a year or more, however the workplace, if left unattended, can have severely negative results. This can manifest in many forms, such as: dizziness, lethargy, nausea, among many. Annual cleaning of workplace HVAC systems provides employees with a healthier environment, where they can be more effective and productive. Air Duct Camera Inspections If your home has pets or small children, it’s pertinent to see if the ducts contain pollutants utilizing Pro Ace’s duct camera, as infants and toddlers are extremely susceptive to illness and duct cleaning will prevent any problems. Infestations could occur in the ducts and because vacuuming alone won’t get rid of it, a final sanitization process will get rid of all the pests living inside your ducts. Pro Ace offers our standard bookings over the phone or our emergency hotline open 24 hours, 7 days a week. Vancouver Air Conditioner Sales and Services Pro Ace offers many forms of air conditioners on sale, from high efficiency to high output, heat pumps (pro tip: these cool very efficiently), and even ductless A/C units also known as split units. Often, self-servicing of your unit includes: changing a filter or cleaning the coils. However, anything more complicated for A/C repairs should be left in the hands of a professional HVAC service technician. Only qualified gas fitters and technicians should handle duct issues, problems with your compressor, and replacing of parts, suggested by Pro Ace techs, to avoid the risk of electric shock and permanent damage of your expensive unit. Also, A/C repair technicians work leaves your unit free of checkups until the next hot season, and even extends its lifespan, completely avoiding an exorbitant purchase of a new A/C unit. We even offer A/C replacement parts directly from our Vancouver warehouse all to expedite the process, and what is Pro Ace if not expedient, efficient and friendly. Pro Ace cooling solutions is always there 24/7 to answer your emergency calls. Call Pro Ace at 604-293-3770 for your HVAC Services, with locations across the Vancouver Lower Mainland Area!Spring A/C Specials from Pro Ace
Specials: A/C Unit & HVAC Offers from Pro Ace Vancouver Pro Ace is offering fantastic spring specials on HVAC units that you don’t want to miss! There are great deals to be had air conditioning such as an $800 heat pump rebate for and other discount A/C savings. Pro Ace carries only the best brand name HVAC systems – names that have proven themselves and their reliability for years across North America. And with the fantastic prices that Pro Ace has for you right now, there’s never been a better time. Not only that, but Pro Ace Vancouver has great savings available for A/C service and A/C maintenance as well. Vancouver HVAC Deals and Discounts Visit our special offers page and find the great deal that you need! And be sure to take advantage of the Pro Ace referral program! It’s an opportunity to earn gift cards for your next HVAC service or purchase! And we give gift cards simply for referring friends and family to us! Call Pro Ace at 604-293-3770 for your HVAC Services, with locations across the Vancouver Lower Mainland Area!Fresh Furnace Rebates from FortisBC
FortisBC Furnace Rebates Residents of Vancouver, North Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, Surrey, and Langley are fortunate enough to live in an environmentally conscious locale. In order to keep our environs the most beautiful in the world, BC utility companies offer incentives to induce consumers to choose more energy conscious choices. Here are three new incentives designed to boost your HVAC system's efficiency, save you money, and reduce your carbon footprint. Check them out: Which one is most useful for your home or business? 1. Time to have your furnace or boiler serviced? Save $25. Furnaces and boilers should be serviced annually, but if you can't remember the last time you took care of this piece of household maintenance, you're not alone. Still, there's no time like the present to schedule an appointment with an HVAC professional and have him or her over to take a look at your furnace and your boiler. Think of it as giving your furnace or boiler a little TLC. How do I claim this rebate? First you have to be a FortisBC customer. Choose a licensed natural gas contractor, such as the professionals at Pro Ace Heating. Have the inspection carried out between April 22 and September 30 of 2015. The rebate will appear as a credit on your natural gas bill. Be sure to return the application form found at www.fortisbc.com/...NaturalGas.pdf 2. Furnace or boiler past its best before date? Earn an $800 rebate towards a new one. Furnaces and boilers need to be replaced every ten to fifteen years. The older they are, the less efficient they are -- costing you money with every bill. Still, many consumers are hesitant to pull the trigger on a significant purchase like anew furnace. FortisBC is making it easier with a $800 rebate when you replace your older furnace or boiler with an ENERGY STAR model (one that is 95% efficient for furnaces or 94% efficient for boilers). Your HVAC contractor will help you choose from the available ENERGY STAR models. How Do I Claim This Rebate? Carefully follow the instructions laid out at www.fortisbc.com/...FurnaceBoilerReplacementProgram.pdf, including reading the terms and conditions and reviewing the "Quality installation checklist." 3. Need a New Furnace & New Water Heater? Get $1300 or $1800 in grants, combined system pilot program ForticBC is looking for 100 British Columbians to participate in a brand new program piloting combined hot water/furnace systems. These new systems would be more efficient and offer improved performance over conventional units. Participants are eligible for a substantial grant of either $1300 or $1800. How Do I Claim This Rebate? Start by filling out the pre-qualification form from FortisBC, available here www.fortisbc.com/...CombinedSpaceWaterHeatingSystemPilot.pdf. In order to qualify, you must have lived in your house for at least 12 months and not made changes to your heating or water system in the past 12 months. Email the form to combopilot@consumer-response.com and await your pre-qualification approval in order to apply. Licensed Natural Gas Contractor in Vancouver Remember, in order to qualify for these exciting rebates, all work must be performed by a licensed gas contractor. Pro Ace supplies licensed gas contractors to customers throughout Vancouver, North Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, Surrey, and Langley. Pro Ace is based out of Burnaby BC. Call Pro Ace at 604-293-3770 for all of your HVAC Services, with convenient locations across the Vancouver Lower Mainland!Electrostatic Filters: What They Are, Why You Want One
Air Filtration: Getting Better Indoor Air Quality One of the best parts of living in Vancouver, North Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, Langley, or Surrey is the wonderful air quality we all enjoy. The air quality outdoors is wonderful, but inside your home or business? It might be worse than you think. If you want to markedly improve your air quality, an electrostatic filter is a reasonably priced and effective solution. What's an Electrostatic Filter? An electrostatic filter works by harnessing the power of static electricity. As air moves through the filter, the static electricity works to remove even tiny dust particles from the air. An electrostatic filter will remove particles as small as 0.3 microns. That means that dust mites, bacteria, mold, smoke, and pet dander are all caught by the filter, preventing them from circulating in your air. Durable Equipment Your electrostatic filter will never need to be replaced! These filters carry a lifetime warranty. For a reasonable one-time investment, you will enjoy permanently improved air quality. The washable filters are easy and economical to care for. There are so many reasons to filter your air! - Improve your health. Clean air is easier to breathe. Air quality is particularly important to people who suffer from asthma or allergies. - Luxurious living. A clean-smelling, fresh indoor environment is pleasant to live in and creates a better impression on visitors. Why rely on expensive and pungent air freshening products? Instead of masking an air quality problem, solve it. - Improve the performance of your heating and cooling system. Air particles, such as dust, will clog your air conditioner and leave debris in your ducts. Over time these particles decrease your system's efficiency, which is why regular cleaning is important. Keep your system working at peak efficiency by making the air that runs through it as clean as possible. The Pro Ace Advantage Vancouver and Greater Vancouver Pro Ace Heating and Cooling wants you to try an electrostatic filter for your home. We provide a lifetime warranty. Pro Ace offers licensed heating and cooling technicians who can assist you with choosing and installing the filter that best meets your needs. Is an electrostatic filter the right choice for you? If you're ready to improve your air quality with a new electrostatic filter, Pro Ace can help. Pro Ace is based in Burnaby and serves Vancouver, North Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, Surrey, and Langley. Call Pro Ace to speak to a technician who will understand your needs and provide you with answers that work. Call Pro Ace at 604-293-3770 for all of your HVAC Services, with convenient locations across the Lower Mainland!UV Light Air Filters: Why You Want to Upgrade This Summer
UV Light Air Filters It's warming up in the Lower Mainland. It's a great time to get outdoors, but it's also a time that homeowners face an uncomfortable truth: Their indoor air quality may be poorer than they thought. An innovative new technology is available to assist home and business owners in Vancouver, North Vancouver, Surrey, Richmond, Burnaby, and Langley in improving their air quality, decreasing mold and bacteria, and attacking allergies. The technology is UV light Air Purification Lights, and they may be a valuable new addition to your HVAC system. How UV Air Purification Works Scientists have long known that UV light has the ability to kill microorganisms by disrupting their DNA. This has made UV light an important tool in ensuring the safety of food, air, and water. Hospitals use UV light for control of tuberculosis. Recently, UV light technology has become available to the home or business owner who can use it to control mold and bacteria. UV light provides an alternative or adjunct to other types of filtration, such as electrostatic air filtration. Advantages of UV Light Air Filters UV light has many advantages to the homeowner: Eliminate odor: Your indoor air will smell fresh and clean with UV lights. Save on duct cleaning: Conscientious homeowners have their air ducts cleaned regularly -- unless they have UV lights installed. These handy lights eliminate the need for periodic duct cleaning by keeping ducts clean and dust-free. Stop mold and bacteria from growing inside your air conditioner: There's nothing worse than the moldy mildew smell of an air conditioner infested with mold and bacteria. UV lights keep these expensive pieces of equipment mold and bacteria-free. Kills germs, bacteria, viruses, mildew, and mold spores: Stop black mold and stachybotrys dead in its tracks, and create a healthy, sanitary environment. Common Concerns Sometimes homeowners shy away from UV lights because of common misconceptions. UV lights are not harmful, although you shouldn't stare directly at the light. They don't produce any ozone. That makes them a safe, green alternative. Getting UV Air Purification Lights & Installations in Vancouver Contact Pro Ace at 604-293-3770, we have UV light Air Purification experts on staff to answer all your questions, as well as specialists in heating and cooling for home, business, and industrial. Pro Ace is based out of Burnaby and serves home and business owners throughout Vancouver, North Vancouver, Surrey, Richmond, and Langley.
