Heat Pumps: A 2-in-1 Home Comfort System A perfect hybrid of cost, comfort & convenience, heat pumps offer an ideal year-round home comfort solution for houses in a moderate climate – for example, Vancouver and the surrounding area. They are also well-suited for homeowners who are looking for a cost-effective, energy-efficient home heating and cooling […]
Find out what contaminants you and your family could be breathing in at home and the impact they can have on your health. You may not be able to see them, but the average house is a perfect petri dish for a whole host of dangerous pollutants that many of us breathe in every day without knowing it. These invisible indoor air contaminants can come from a variety of […]
Expert Information on Home Heating Costs, Energy Efficiency, Installation & More for Vancouver and the Lower Mainland Area Cost | Efficiency | When to Invest & What to Look for | Installation Whether it’s from age, wear & tear, or a breakdown that’s beyond fixing, replacing your home’s furnace is a rite of passage every […]
Near the end of the average water heater’s lifespan, you might see signs that yours is on the way out. We’ve seen every stage in the life cycle in our day; M&K has over 35 years of experience installing water heaters in the Vancouver, St. Thomas, and Mount Brydges Areas. If you think it might […]
Novel coronavirus, otherwise known as COVID-19, has changed life as we know it for the foreseeable future. As we hunker down indoors, some of us may be wondering about how protected we are from COVID-19 and what other measures we should be taking to ensure our safety. M&K Heating And Air Conditioning is dedicated to […]
Strange noises coming from your AC Air conditioners are built to run quietly. Any out of the ordinary noises are cause for concern. Call a pro as soon as you notice any of the following noises coming from your AC and you might still avoid an expensive repair or replacement. Bubbling Banging Screaming Screeching Clicking Each signals […]
Why are my energy bills in Vancouver so expensive, and how can I save without sacrificing comfort this summer? Families in Vancouver have the same problem as families across Ontario. Keeping the house cool when the temperature gets above 30C can get expensive, so you do everything you can to avoid turning the AC on. […]
As the temperature continues to drop, you and your family will be spending more time cozying around your gas fireplace. And while it’s a great way to add ambiance and warmth, a gas fireplace can also be dangerous to eager children or excitable pets. In fact, government regulations came into effect to address this very issue: […]
How do you keep pet dander and hair under control? Do furnace filters make a difference? Shedding is one of the least convenient parts of owning a cat, dog, or a gerbil. Most pets will spread their hair or fur all over your flooring and fabrics. Even hypoallergenic dogs and cats will still spread dander […]
Is natural gas environmentally friendly? What is considered a high efficiency furnace? These are just some of the questions you may be asking yourself when faced with the task of reducing your carbon footprint. Canada is the largest consumer of energy in the world and the second largest producer of greenhouse gases. In today’s day […]
Thermostat wars, where people sneakily reset the temperature, are a well-worn cliché, but many families do have one member that’s more temperature sensitive than the others. There’s a lot more to temperature sensitivity than preference, so how do you find a temperature that works for everyone? H2: What Makes Someone Temperature Sensitive? Age, height, weight, […]
Of all the heating and cooling myths out there, the concept of closing vents to save energy in your home is one of the most common beliefs that is often debated. But does this theory hold any truth? Let’s separate fact from fiction and take a closer look at whether closing vents actually helps or hinders your home. The […]
Another summer is upon us, and it’s time to get our ACs ready. But there are many different air conditioner myths out there. How do you sort the fact from the fiction? Central air was in more than 30% of homes in 2009, with that number believed to be much higher now. With so many homes […]
According to the Office of the Fire Marshal and Emergency Management (OFMEM) 49% of fires with loss that occurred in Ontario between 2012 and 2016 were in residential occupancies. Loss fires are fires that resulted in dollar loss, injury or fatality. With numbers this high, it makes good sense to fireproof your home. Here are […]
Sometimes, buying a new furnace is an important part of taking good care of your home during those cold winter months. But it can feel like a huge and overwhelming process. The last thing you want to do is go out and impulsively spend thousands of dollars on whatever model seems best without really knowing […]
You just started exploring the potential of buying a tankless water heater and you stumbled on a couple terms you don’t understand: Condensing tankless water heater Non-condensing tankless water heater You probably get the tankless part. These water heaters don’t store water in a tank for you to dip into when you need it. They heat the […]
Tweet There is a lot to consider when deciding whether or not to buy a two-stage furnace, including the seasonal temperature swings in Vancouver and, obviously, your budget. Families living in Vancouver and the surrounding area don’t often need the same kind of furnace output as families in North Bay, for example. What we can say for certain […]
You probably found your way here because you’re having problems with your water heater. Before the problems started, when was the last time you thought about your water heater? Unless you wake up and are forced to have a cold shower or notice the hot water you need is coming out cool, chances are you haven’t thought […]
If you’re like most homeowners in Vancouver and the surrounding cities and towns, you rent your water tank. It’s what your parents did. It’s what many of your colleagues do. It’s what everybody does! But it’s not the only option, and it’s not even the most affordable option. So why is everybody still doing it? Mostly […]
If you are the kind of person who needs the best of the best, a good SEER rating for your AC is the highest on the market (at time of writing, 23 SEER). But the platinum package, highest efficiency air conditioner might not be right for everybody. In fact, most families stay comfortable, both physically and emotionally, […]
It’s possible to spend less money on your bills over the remainder of the summer without sacrificing any of the comfort and convenience you need at home. Most household bills come from just a couple places in the summer, and it doesn’t take hefty sacrifices to cut these costs. Follow these tips and keep more […]
Do you keep a humidifier in the bedroom through the winter? In the kids’ bedrooms? Anywhere else in the house? Some families leave space for a humidifier in every room, filling them all every day and going room to room before bed, turning each unit on individually. It’s not the most practical system, eating up […]
Your water heater works constantly, and if it’s more than 8 years old, it probably works harder and wastes more energy than any appliance in the house. So: It’s at a higher risk of breaking down (because it’s old). It costs you more money to run (because it’s not nearly as efficient as a new model). It […]
Make your HVAC system really work for you (and cost your family less) in 2018 Like most, you probably made a few casual resolutions for 2018. Lose weight & eat better. Spend less on unnecessary expenses. Plan a trip. Find a new job. You also may have some plans for your home too, such as […]
The important spring cleaning tasks for your HVAC system Spring cleaning can become a long, annoying chain of tasks. And it feels longer than it is when all you want to do is get out and shake off the winter cobwebs. It’s easy to run out of steam when maintenance on the air conditioner, ducts […]
Sure, it can sound like a serious problem, but most of the time this is just an indication of a clogged drain. It’s usually not an expensive repair item, but you shouldn’t ignore it because of this minor stature. Ongoing moisture and standing water around your heating and cooling equipment can lead to mold and […]
Not sure when you should replace your water heater? Your water heater works as hard as any other home comfort appliance. And if it kicks the bucket unexpectedly, it’s almost as bad as losing heat on a cold winter night. The best solution is to replace your water heater when it starts to degrade in […]
Our fast and easy process to assess your air conditioner At first glance, it may look bleak. You know you’re going to need either an AC repair or a new air conditioner. But you want a professional you can trust to help you make the most informed decision about your options. When we visit your home, we: […]
If it’s not a blizzard outside and your air conditioner is covered in ice, shut it off immediately! Then pick up the phone and give us a call to schedule a service call to diagnose the problem. It may be a relatively easy problem to fix, but if you don’t get it looked at by a […]
Great, you’re searching for a new furnace and you understand that each furnace is different. But you’re not really sure how, other than the fact that each is described differently by the manufacturer. There is a bunch of jargon you don’t really get, and shouldn’t get. If you haven’t purchased a furnace in the last decade and […]
Winter air is so, so dry, and a whole house humidifier is the best way to keep that dryness from ruining your winter cheer. Even humidity throughout the home is more important than many homeowners know. It’s not just a comfort thing. It’s a quality of life thing. Don’t believe us? Read on. Here are 8 […]
When is it time to replace your hot water tank? It could be right now! Maybe the right time was 2 years ago, or maybe you’re just fine as you are. There are 5 clear signs your water tank is on its last legs: Water isn’t as hot as it used to be. The heater […]
Like your smoke alarms, the carbon monoxide (CO) alarms in your house (and we hope you have them in your house) monitor the air in your home and ring the alarm when smoke or carbon monoxide is detected in the house. But a house fire and CO exposure are two very different things. If your smoke alarm sounds, you quickly judge the […]
Seasonal air conditioner maintenance is probably the most important way to extend the lifespan and maintain the efficiency of your central air conditioning system. Ordinary wear and tear over the course of weeks and months can cause your AC to overwork, struggle, overheat and eventually shut down. Keeping everything clean will help you catch any smaller problems […]
Our bodies have to constantly balance temperature, and you only have about 3 degrees Celsius flexibility on the heat inside your body before you are in serious trouble. Here’s exactly what overheating does to your body, and why you need to keep your air conditioner in like-new shape so you don’t have to go even a day without the […]
Most home comfort systems follow the conventional form where an air conditioner outdoors is paired with a heating appliance (usually a furnace) indoors. The indoor unit circulates warm or cool air through ducts to every room in the house. But what if your old home wasn’t built with ducts, doesn’t have the space to renovate and […]
