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Top 5 Reasons to Get a Professional HVAC Tune-Up

Top 5 Reasons to Get a Professional HVAC Tune-Up

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All Mechanical Systems Require Regular Maintenance

When it comes to saving money, there is a short-term view and long-term view. Most of the time, it’s easier to make decisions that would mean being able to save money when you see what something costs up front. That’s a good thing! You get to keep some money while being able to buy what you need or want.

However, there are times when spending a little bit of money up front would result in greater savings overall. How is spending more money now going to help you save, you may ask? Professional Tune-ups.

Consider Regular HVAC Maintenance

Your furnace and air conditioner are designed to function optimally for as long as they can. They are built to last, but over time, both your heating and cooling equipment are subjected to wear and tear which affect their performance and lifespan. 

Although HVAC equipment are meant to last a long time and can withstand extensive daily use, this does not mean that they shouldn’t be given regular maintenance.

As a homeowner you may not realize that in the span of a year, the HVAC systems operate for as much as 3,300 hours. It may not sound like a lot, but to give a bit of perspective, that’s similar to a car driving over 200,000 miles at 65kph for 3,300 hours!

For a journey like that, a responsible car owner would arrange for lubrication, oil changes, tire maintenance, and tune-ups along the way to make it safely to their destination without their vehicle breaking down. 

In order for your furnace and air conditioner and for you to be able to maximize its lifespan, routine HVAC tune ups are a necessity. Here are the top five reasons why you should get a professional HVAC tune-up:

Increased Reliability

You can rest assured that your air conditioning and heating system won’t suddenly go berserk on you, when a professional HVAC technician regularly checks and tunes it up for maximum efficiency. A trained eye can see which parts need maintenance or replacement and when doing so, increases the health and longevity of your HVAC.

Energy Costs Savings

A fine-tuned system consumes energy more efficiently, giving you the right amount of cooling or heating. The efficiency ensured by regular HVAC maintenance can add up over time in the form of lower utility bills. Think of it this way, the money you spend on tune-ups pays itself off and also ultimately helps you save money by ensuring your HVAC is efficiently consuming energy instead of requiring more of it.

Safety

That odd sound and clanking noise is indicative of something wrong with your machine. Particularly true for heating systems, having odd noises looked at as soon as possible can mean a huge difference when it comes to safety. Tune-ups can and will prevent accidents caused by faulty indicators or damaged heating systems.

By having a professional HVAC technician perform a tune up, you can also catch issues which may not always present themselves as visible symptoms. Symptoms such as leaks and other internal machine damages.

Improved Comfort and Air Quality

You can enjoy consistent performance and cleaner interior air with regular maintenance. Cleaned out filters or those which may need replacing can be addressed. Your interior air will be cooler or hotter as needed while being allergen- and microbe-free as well.

Maximized Lifespan

An HVAC system that is well-taken care of can serve you for a long time. By allocating the necessary budget for routine checks and tune-ups, you will get he most value out of your heating & cooling system. 

If you have questions, give us a call at +1-289-301-0720 and we can walk you through it.

The Importance of Air Filtration Blog Image

The Importance of Air Filtration

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Increase Your Air Quality in Uxbridge.

More often than not, we worry about the quality of air outside but did you know that indoor air can be just as––or sometimes even more polluted? Activities such as cooking, smoking, and compounding factors such as dust, pet dander, and mold spores can affect the indoor air quality.

This is why air filtration and having a properly functioning central air purification system installed in your ductwork can be extremely beneficial.

Some examples of central air purifications systems/filters are HEPA filter, carbon activated filter, electronic air cleaners, UV lights and ion generators. At different price points and with different features, there is an air cleaner for your air quality needs.

Here’s what you need to know about the filters:

HEPA

High-energy particulate air (HEPA) filters trap many different types of particles from as small as .3 microns. While they’re the most common type of filter, not all systems can accommodate having a HEPA filter added on.

Light Purifiers

Often used in conjunction with HEPA filters, these purifiers can kill microorganisms in the air using UV light.

Carbon Filters

The small absorbent pores from this filter trap contaminants in the air and are great for odour and smoke reduction.

Electrostatic Air Purifiers

These make use electrostatic charge generated by the air flowing through the filter can trap viruses as well as microscopic particles using static electricity.

Ionizing Air Purifiers

These produce ionized or charged particles which attach to particles floating in the air, making them heavy. This, in turn, allows them to be more easily captured by your HVAC filtration system.

Having a professionally installed air purifier in your Uxbridge home’s HVAC system or working environment comes with several benefits.

The first and most important one is improving the quality of air which in turn protects your health.

Poor indoor air quality can pose serious health risks. It can lead to a compromised respiratory system and a general feeling of lethargy caused by lack of clean air to breathe in. For kids and babies in particular, air purification is even more important to help improve air quality and unwanted particulates in the air.

Without some type of air purification, allergens such as mold spores, pollen, and even bacteria can float around your home. Respiratory problems such as asthma, allergic reactions, or even infections like the flue.

While diligently cleaning your space can help clean off these contaminants, the best way to consistently keep your air quality at its best is with an air filter or purifier installed on you central HVAC ductwork.

Furthermore, if you have a commercial space and a lot of people come in and out, air purification especially with today’s health concerns is even more beneficial. For spaces where there are immunocompromised individuals or those who may be recovering from surgeries, clean air can help improve their quality of life and the speed at which their postoperative healing occurs.

Despite seeming clean to the naked eye, dust and other airborne residues can make furniture and other surfaces continuously dirty. Air purifiers effectively trap dust as the air passes through a filter which helps keep surfaces cleaner. This is especially beneficial for porous surfaces and furniture.

Less dust settles, and this ultimately results in an overall cleaner space. You will find that you will need to do less frequent cleaning for furniture and linens or sheets which also keeps them in great condition for longer.

Apart from keeping the inhabitants of a space safe and healthy, an air filtration system also helps keeps HVAC systems running at maximum efficiency. While furnaces have their own filters, these don’t always do the same job that an air purifier does.

The standard filters which come with an HVAC unit only traps bigger particles in the air. Having an air purifier working in conjunction with your HVAC will ease some of the latter’s work.

This pairing can result in a longer lifespan for your HVAC. It also means reduced maintenance work for your HVAC system while providing the added benefit of superior air quality.

5 Signs that Your Furnace Needs Repair

5 Signs that Your Furnace Needs Repair

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Does your furnace need a little T.L.C., Uxbridge?

Your furnace is essential to keeping a comfortable temperature inside your home, and the safety of your home may very well depend on a properly functioning furnace. While there are some ways to troubleshoot your heating system, there are just some situations where booking a routine furnace maintenance service would be unavoidable.

Sure, the troubleshooting can make some problems go away––for a bit. But when they (and they will) persist, this can pose more serious problems. Not just on your bills, but the overall performance of your furnace, and ultimately, the safety of your home.

Keep an eye out for these signs that mean your furnace needs repair services:

Heating Discrepancies

One of the more straightforward telltale signs, ANY heating inconsistency is definitely a red flag. A furnace that is not heating up, not producing enough heat, or produces too much heat needs to be looked at. You may notice a difference in your utility bills too.

New furnaces function well consistently, but over several seasons, some heating discrepancies may start popping up. This can be caused by a number of things which can all be checked out by professional furnace maintenance companies.

The heating discrepancies might feel like a minor inconvenience, but don’t let this stop you from having some furnace maintenance done. While a furnace can have a lifespan of over 10 years, it can reach even more than that when properly maintained, and taking heating discrepancies as a sign for repair can help you make it last longer.

Odd Noises

As soon as you hear a noise that is out of the ordinary, it means there’s trouble rumbling inside your furnace. This can happen at regular intervals or at random, and to guarantee your system’s safety, it is best to have a technician determine the problem and solution to make those strange noises go away for good.

Abnormal Furnace Smells

A healthy furnace system does not have out-of-the-ordinary smells. The most common causes of smells emanating from your furnace are dirty filters, burning electronics, and gas leaks. Dirty filters can be a DIY job, but if you smell gas, make sure to leave the premises and call the utility provider who will advise how to safely deal with the issue. After consulting with the utility, call your local HVAC service provider for a repair.

Another common smell is a burning odour emanating from failing electronic components. A trained technician can identify and repair the problem before it causes permanent damage to your HVAC system or leaves you without heat during cold weather.

Error Indicators

While you can replace filters, if you notice error indicators on your gas-fired appliance, it is time to call an HVAC professional. Modern smart thermostats can notify users that the system is not operating correctly. Additionally, some furnaces are equipped with error code indicators which help identify the root of the problem. Although the indicator may point to a probable cause, it is necessary to call a trained professional to determine the main source of the problem. Technicians have specialized equipment and procedures to determine the main cause of concern or failure.  As soon as you see an error code or indicator on your furnace, it is time to call a furnace contractor for your professional HVAC repair needs.

Water Around the Furnace

Apart from leaking gas, a high-efficient condensing appliance can also leak out water. While this is less dangerous than a gas leak, this is still something that warrants a repair. It is indicative of a clogged condensate drain pipe or a corrode/ leaking component of the secondary heat exchanger. Regularly check the floor of the furnace or utility room for signs of leakage, when you do spot some water, get in touch with your trusted team for efficient and reliable repairs.

You can ensure your furnace has a much longer useful life if you take note of these little signs and call for furnace repair services when you see them. Save yourself the trouble and have a properly functioning furnace you can enjoy for years!

*Special note on carbon monoxide detectors and alarms*

All homes in today’s day and age should be equipped with carbon monoxide detectors. An alarming carbon monoxide detector can be an indication that a gas-fired appliance is malfunctioning and potentially leaking CO into your living area.

This is a major concern and requires immediate action. If your carbon monoxide detector goes off, you need to contact emergency services who will identify the source of carbon monoxide. If a gas-fired appliance is the source of CO, you can then contact your local HVAC contractor to complete a repair.

We hope you enjoyed this article about “5 Signs that Your Furnace Needs Repair” and if you have any question or you’d like to schedule and appointment with a Marx Mechanical representative, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Marx Mechanical Contracting is a team of fully-certified professionals, ready to tackle anything from the most complex and large scale construction projects to the smallest of repair jobs!

Image of Uxbridge Fantasy of Lights for Marx Mechanical

Fantasy of Lights festival

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Happy new year! Despite the current world climate and otherwise challenging times for everyone, there are numerous reasons to smile, and the Uxbridge Fantasy of Lights was a great way to lift your spirits during the holiday season. Last year, we had our own installation in the Fantasy of Lights festival! On top of that, this year still has many exciting things coming for the Marx Mechanical team. We are relocating to a new office on Main Street in town and will be open in the coming months. We are excited about the new location which is situated right in the heart of town. As we move through the cold weather season, we are here to answer any questions or concerns you may have with your heating system in your home.

Fantasy of Lights

The yearly Fantasy of Lights festival is an event put on by the residents of Uxbridge and is one of the biggest Christmas lights exhibits in Ontario. We gleefully took part in 2020’s celebration. Last year marked the 13th year of Uxbridge spreading the holiday cheer through stunning light displays. The installations were prepared by around 75 participants from the community. Families, schools, businesses, churches, and other participants from the Uxbridge community came together to light up your holiday nights.

This year, we look forward to serving our community even more. We thank you for visiting our light display, and we’re grateful for the past year. Allow us to give you our best in 2021 and the years to come. Cheers to a stronger, better new year!

Elgin Park – A Brief History

When the Fall Fair in September is over, locals and visitors can look forward to the annual Fantasy of Lights festival which also takes place in Elgin Park yearly in December. Named after Lord Elgin—a British colonial administrator—Elgin Park is famous for being the place where a historic picnic was held back in the 19th century. While seeking reelection,  Prime Minister John A. Macdonald held his huge picnics near Elgin Pond.

Why We Love Uxbridge

Uxbridge is a homely town with a great community feel. The people are friendly and if you are from out of town, you will find that folks will just start up a conversation with you in line at the grocery store or while out for a walk on the trails. Uxbridge is a town of great heritage full of beautiful homes, and people take pride in the management and upkeep of their properties. As a part of this community, Marx Mechanical is always happy to chat to answer questions and concerns about your home heat and air systems—whether it’s stopping by at our office, if you see one of our trucks on at the local shop or gas station, or when you see us working at a neighbour’s house.

 A Little History of Our Town

The quaint town of Uxbridge is situated on the northern valley slope of Oak Ridges Moraine, Ontario. It has a charming close-knit community vibe. You can stroll through the entire town leisurely and feel close to nature. The heritage feel of our little town stems from Quaker influences, as they were the first settlers here. Today, the Uxbridge Friends Meeting House overlooking the town from its spot in Quaker Hill is the oldest building in the area. It was erected in 1820, fifty years before Uxbridge became the headquarters of the Toronto and Nipissing Railroad. The history and development of Uxbridge is indeed quite fascinating! To this day, the beautiful buildings are still in the town for locals and tourists alike to enjoy. A more unique, Indian architecture-inspired building is also in the area; the Thomas Foster Memorial Temple which was inspired by Foster’s visit to India.

More recently, Uxbridge has received federal designation from Industry Canada and is now known as the “Trail Capital of Canada”. The town has more than 220 managed trails where people can walk, hike, jog, bike, or have picnics. When in Uxbridge, you can choose from a walking tour of our historic town, or maybe opt for the public art tour and enjoy over 20 indoor and outdoor installations. Be sure to take your sketchbook with you as our picturesque town inspires you to be in touch with your artsy side. The community’s creative atmosphere and calm vibe will definitely warm your heart, even on cold winter nights. Perhaps this same vibe was what inspired the creation of Anne of Green Gables written by Lucy Montgomery who was an Uxbridge resident too! So much art and history which to this day, we get to feel and enjoy.

Marx Mechanical Contracting is a team of fully-certified professionals, ready to tackle anything from the most complex and large scale construction projects to the smallest of repair jobs. We are fuelled by a commitment to excellence and go the extra mile to make sure clients are completely satisfied with our work. For more information about our service offerings or to book your guaranteed time appointment contact us today on  (289) 301-0720 or email us at sales@marxmechanical.com.

HVAC Services

Top 4 Reasons Why You Should Change Your Filter

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Different Types of Air Cleaners and Filters

The most common filters found in a typical residential HVAC system are mechanical air filters removing physical particles (dust, dander and lint) from the air. When it comes to air cleaners, different types serve different purposes and match certain heating or cooling systems. They also vary in the type of material used to optimize their filtering efficiency. Below are some of the most common types of filters and air cleaners.

Types of Air CleanersThe most common filters found in the homeSpecialized filters and cleaners
Mechanical filtersFiberglass filtersHigh-efficiency Particulate Air filters (HEPA filters)
Electronic air cleanersPleated filtersElectrostatic filters
Ion generatorsWashable filtersUV lights
Ultraviolet light

Professional HVAC technicians can make the best suggestions on how to replace your air filters and what best to replace them with, by considering factors such as:

  • Your space
  • The requirements of your heating or cooling system
  • Frequency of replacement or cleaning

Why You Should Change Your Air Filter

The most basic function of an air filter is to remove impurities from the air. These impurities may range from particles that are visible to the naked eye to even smaller particles that can make their way to your lungs. Impurities such as dust, pet dander, pollen, mold, and even some types of bacteria can be efficiently filtered by air filters.

All types of air filters are rated on their ability to purify the air. However, over time and with constant use (i.e., when your ventilation system is running), the quality and performance of your filter degrades. Here are the top 4 reasons why you should change your filter:

  1. Improve your air quality Each filter has a peak efficiency and depending on whether or not they are reusable or disposable, once your filter has served its time, you must replace it to still get efficient performance from your ventilation system. An old and clogged filter will not work properly, so changing it is necessary.
  2. Improve your temperature control A clean and properly installed air filter helps your HVAC system   produce the right amount of cooled or heated air by letting fresh air pass through. The internal temperature of your space will be better controlled when a clean filter allows the right amount of air circulating in your system.
  3. Prolong the life of your heating or cooling system Consider your HVAC system the lungs of your home or your building. By having your filter regularly cleaned or routinely replaced you are not only cleaning the air you breathe, you are also reducing the number of air particulates which make it to the interiors of your system. This helps keep your systems cleaner from the inside.
  4. Improve your energy efficiency Relative to allowing your equipment to “breathe”, changing out old air filters allows your HVAC system to be more energy efficient by reducing the amount of mechanical stress it goes through when absorbing air. Clogged filters make your system work to push and pull air in harder, therefore consuming more energy. By changing old air filters, you save costs on your energy consumption too.

The amount you spend on regularly changing your air filters will ultimately pay itself off in terms of reducing unit repairs and cutting energy consumption costs. When was the last time you had your air filters checked and changed?

Preventative Maintenance Program

Why should you perform preventative maintenance and join the Marx comfort club?

Over time as your heating and cooling equipment ages, parts can wear out or work less efficiently than they once did. Sometimes this wear and tear can put additional strain on the equipment causing them to fail sooner than the expected useful life. A skilled technician can perform preventative maintenance to ensure that your equipment is operating within manufacturers’ specifications confirming its efficiency, longevity and safe operation.

During the visit technicians visually check system components for wear and tear as well as perform tests using specialized equipment. Tools like a manometer, electrical multimeter, temperature probe, compound refrigerant gauges, and combustion analyzer are used to evaluate the operation of your heating and cooling system.

Getting started with us is hassle-free, just follow these 3 simple steps below.

  1. Call Us To Book a Guaranteed Time Appointment
  2. Get a Hassle-Free Quote for the Service You Need
  3. Live Comfortably With Peace of Mind
Performing a Combustion Analysis During Heating Maintenance

Performing a Combustion Analysis During Heating Maintenance

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Comfort goes hand in hand with safety. Performing a Combustion Analysis During Heating Maintenance is essential and by making sure everything is working properly guarantees the health of your heating system and the safety of your home or building and further ensures  that your heating system remains in tip-top shape!

What is a Combustion Analysis?

Gas fuelled heating systems like a home furnace rely on combustion to deliver heat. Combustion efficiency is the measure of how well the fuel is being utilized in the combustion process. The safe and efficient operation of gas equipment requires the correct mixture of fuel and air to work properly. An efficient heating system delivers heat while being primed to consistently and safely do so. This is where the importance of combustion analysis plays a role.

Combustion analysis gives you a reading of the heat exchanger in your furnace, boiler room, or heating system to help you identify if it is working properly. Trained technicians are able to read combustion analysis results using a combustion analyzer––the tool used to identify whether proper combustion is taking place and that the levels of combustion fall within the safe limits.

Professional service technicians use a combustion analyzer by carefully inserting it into the flue pipe of your heating system. The digital reading on the device will then indicate the products of combustion & ensure they are within the approved limits. For a long time, traditional combustion testing equipment such as “wet kits”, draft gauges, smoke pumps, CO2 gas testers, slide rules, and thermometers were used. Today, digital equipment offers a more efficient and accurate reading, thereby eliminating potential human errors caused by using dated combustion analysis methods. Failure to properly test heating systems can lead to fatal consequences.

Blog image for Combustion Analysis

The Importance of Performing a Combustion Analysis During Heating Maintenance

Whether you have a propane, natural gas or oil heating system, combustion analysis should be performed annually; or any time any type of change is made which may affect the performance of your heating system. Small tweaks or component replacements can result in improper combustion efficiency and should therefore have a proper combustion test.

The only test which can guarantee peak performance and safety is a combustion analysis performed by professional technicians. A thorough inspection means using the right tools to come up with a quantifiable result. This allows us to service your heating system and make any necessary adjustments.

Avoiding the risks of unidentified system problems is easy when you opt for a service that takes thorough care of your heating system’s needs. Plugged or cracked heat exchangers may lead to incomplete combustion causing poor, inefficient operation and even the potential for a carbon monoxide leak. If the system is not operating within the manufacturers’ specifications, it is running less efficiently and there is likely some other problem causing excessive wear and tear on the system. Performing a combustion analysis allows the technician to properly diagnose issues and keep your heating system running strong.

You can improve the longevity of your heating system and allow us to take care of it for you. We provide a balance of reliability, efficiency, and cost while offering top-notch HVAC services. This our “Marx Promise”.

Why should you perform preventative maintenance and join the Marx comfort club?

Over time as your heating and cooling equipment ages, parts can wear out or work less efficiently than they once did. Sometimes this wear and tear can put additional strain on the equipment causing them to fail sooner than the expected useful life. A skilled technician can perform preventative maintenance to ensure that your equipment is operating within manufacturers’ specifications confirming its efficiency, longevity and safe operation.

During the visit technicians visually check system components for wear and tear as well as perform tests using specialized equipment. Tools like a manometer, electrical multimeter, temperature probe, compound refrigerant gauges, and combustion analyzer are used to evaluate the operation of your heating and cooling system.

Getting started with us is hassle-free, just follow these 3 simple steps below.

  1. Call Us To Book a Guaranteed Time Appointment
  2. Get a Hassle-Free Quote for the Service You Need
  3. Live Comfortably With Peace of Mind

Contact Us Today