Welcome to part 2 of our blog on how air quality can impact allergy season. In part 1, we discussed the importance of filtering the air in your home, duct cleaning, keeping your home clean, and checking for signs of mold. In this part 2 of our blog series, we will continue our discussion on ways to improve indoor air quality and reduce the impact of allergies. We'll explore the importance of keeping the air in your home cold, changing your humidifier pads, maintaining your HVAC equipment and installing HRV and ERV systems to bring fresh air into your home. Let's dive in! 1.Keep the air cold - Keeping the air in your home cold is an essential factor in reducing the impact of allergies. During allergy season, your body releases histamines as a defense mechanism against allergens, which can cause itchy eyes, runny nose, and other symptoms. Cold air helps to reduce inflammation and soothe these symptoms. Additionally, cold air can help to control humidity levels, which can reduce the growth of mold and mildew in your home. It's essential to ensure that your HVAC system is running correctly and providing adequate cooling to keep the air in your home at a comfortable temperature. If you notice that your air conditioning unit isn't cooling as effectively as it should, it's important to have it checked by an HVAC professional. Proper cooling not only helps with allergy symptoms, but it can also improve the overall indoor air quality of your home. 2. Change your humidifier pad - Changing your humidifier pad annually is also crucial, as it can accumulate contaminants that can be circulated through your home's air. Humidifiers add moisture to the air, which can help to soothe dry, irritated sinuses and reduce allergy symptoms. However, over time, the humidifier pad can become dirty and clogged with mineral deposits, which can reduce the effectiveness of the humidifier and even lead to the growth of harmful bacteria and mold. It's essential to change the humidifier pad at least once a year to ensure that the humidifier is functioning correctly and to prevent the growth of contaminants. If you notice any unusual odour or signs of mold growth, it's crucial to clean and disinfect the humidifier before using it again. 3. Look into an HRV or ERV system - HRV (heat recovery ventilator) and ERV (energy recovery ventilator) systems are advanced solutions that can significantly improve indoor air quality and reduce the impact of allergies. These systems work by bringing in fresh outdoor air while expelling stale indoor air. In the winter, HRV and ERV systems recover the heat from the indoor air before expelling it, preheating the incoming outdoor air. In the summer, these systems recover the coolness of the indoor air, pre-cooling the incoming outdoor air. This heat or energy recovery process can significantly reduce the amount of energy needed to heat or cool the air in your home, saving you money on energy bills. By continually bringing in fresh air and expelling stale air, HRV and ERV systems can significantly improve indoor air quality. This is particularly important for those with allergies as allergens can accumulate in stagnant indoor air. HRV and ERV systems help to maintain a balanced air exchange, reducing the concentration of indoor pollutants and allergens. 4. Maintain your HVAC equipment - Consider having your HVAC system inspected and maintained by a professional. HVAC systems can accumulate dust, dirt, and other debris over time, which can reduce their efficiency and affect indoor air quality. Routine maintenance, including cleaning and inspection, can help to keep your HVAC system functioning correctly and prevent problems that can worsen allergy symptoms. A professional HVAC technician can identify any issues with your system that may be contributing to poor indoor air quality and make the necessary repairs. Regular maintenance can also help ensure that your HVAC system is running efficiently, reducing energy costs and improving indoor air quality. Conclusion By understanding how air quality impacts allergies, you can take steps to improve the air quality in your home and reduce the impact of allergies. For more information on how QuickFast Service Co. can help you or your business, feel free to contact us at 416-629-3213 or www.quickfast.ca .

As allergy season comes into full swing, many people are bracing themselves for the unpleasant symptoms that come along with it. From runny noses and sneezing to itchy eyes and scratchy throats, allergies can make life miserable. But did you know that air quality can have a significant impact on allergy season? Air quality plays a critical role in allergy season because it determines how much of these allergens are present in the air. Poor air quality can exacerbate allergy symptoms by increasing the concentration of allergens in the air. One of the most significant contributors to poor air quality is outdoor air pollution. High levels of outdoor air pollution can increase the concentration of pollen and other allergens in the air, making allergy season even worse. Indoor air quality can also impact allergy season. Indoor air pollution can come from a variety of sources, including cooking, cleaning products, and even your HVAC system. Poor indoor air quality can increase the concentration of allergens in the air and exacerbate allergy symptoms. Improving Air Quality Fortunately, there are steps you can take to improve the air quality in your home and reduce the impact of allergies. In Part 1 of this blog series, we’ll review the first 4 steps to help improve your air quality. 1.Filter the air in your home - One of the easiest ways to improve indoor air quality is to change your HVAC air filter regularly. The air filter in your HVAC system traps dust, dirt, and other particles before they can enter your home's air. Over time, the air filter can become clogged with these particles, reducing its effectiveness and allowing contaminants to circulate throughout your home. This can exacerbate allergies, respiratory issues, and other health problems. By regularly changing your HVAC air filter, you can improve indoor air quality, reduce the impact of allergies, and maintain the efficiency of your HVAC system. A clean air filter allows air to flow freely through your system, reducing strain on the system and potentially lowering energy costs. In addition to changing your air filter, you can also invest in an air purifier. Air purifiers work by trapping particles in the air, including allergens, before they can enter your lungs. By using an air purifier, you can reduce the concentration of allergens in your home's air, making allergy season more manageable. 2. Keep your home clean - Another way to improve indoor air quality is to keep your home clean. Regular cleaning can reduce the concentration of allergens in your home, making it easier to breathe. Be sure to dust and vacuum regularly, as this can help to remove allergens such as dust mites, pet dander, and pollen from surfaces and carpets. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter, which can trap smaller particles and prevent them from being released back into the air. Bedding can harbor allergens such as dust mites and pollen, so washing your sheets, pillowcases, and blankets in hot water on a regular basis can help to remove these allergens and reduce allergy symptoms. And finally, high humidity levels can promote the growth of mold and dust mites, which can exacerbate allergies and respiratory issues. Use a dehumidifier to maintain humidity levels between 30-50%, and fix any leaks or moisture issues in your home. 3. Duct cleaning - Duct cleaning is an essential step in improving indoor air quality and reducing the impact of allergies. Over time, your home's ductwork can accumulate dust, dirt, debris, and other contaminants that can trigger allergic reactions and exacerbate respiratory issues. When your HVAC system circulates air through dirty ducts, it can disperse these contaminants throughout your home, reducing indoor air quality and potentially impacting your health. As a result, it's essential to have your ducts cleaned regularly to remove any buildup of dust and debris. Duct cleaning involves using specialized equipment to remove contaminants from your ducts, including high-powered vacuums, brushes, and air whips. Professional duct cleaning can remove dirt and debris that has accumulated over time and improve the efficiency of your HVAC system. 4. Check for any signs of mold - It's also important to check for signs of mold in your home, as it can significantly affect indoor air quality and impact respiratory health. Mold is a common allergen that can grow in damp and humid areas of your home, such as basements, bathrooms, and kitchens. Exposure to mold can trigger allergy symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, and itchy eyes, as well as respiratory issues such as wheezing and difficulty breathing. Look for visual signs of mold, such as stains around windows or in basements, which are common areas where mold can grow. If you suspect mold, it's essential to assess the situation by professionals or mold companies/contractors. They can eliminate mold or mildew, and you can also consider investing in a HEPA air system that can clean and filter the air in your home. Conclusion Allergy season can be a challenging time for those who suffer from allergies. However, by understanding how air quality impacts allergies, you can take steps to improve the air quality in your home and reduce the impact of allergies. By changing your air filter regularly, investing in an air purifier, keeping your home clean, and having your HVAC system inspected and maintained by a professional, you can breathe easier during allergy season. Stay tuned for part 2 of this blog series! For more information on how QuickFast Service Co. can help you or your business, feel free to contact us at 416-629-3213 or www.quickfast.ca .

Summer is finally on the horizon here in Toronto and the surrounding GTA area. And for many people, summer means sun, beach, picnics and outdoor fun. But summer also means a change in your home, and with climate changes causing warmer-than-normal temperatures, energy bills can skyrocket at this time of year. Luckily, there are a few tips you can utilize to help keep your AC costs at a manageable level this summer. Here are some top tips to help you keep your home comfortable and cool without making a massive dent in your pocketbook. Maintenance Plans A regular maintenance plan is one of the easiest ways to minimize your AC costs. Rather than waiting for an issue to happen, which often results in a very high repair bill, signing up for regular maintenance plans helps maintain your equipment and catch any issues BEFORE they become an issue. Here at QuickFast Service Co., our knowledgeable technicians usually visit your home in the spring before the first heat wave hits. This way, if there are any issues, they can be dealt with before the sweltering days hit. Our technicians are looking for any potential issues such as: airflow blockages, drainline blockages, mechanical functionality, electrical connections, signs of parts that may have showing wear and tear, proper refrigerant pressure and overall functionality of mechanical systems, to name a few. In addition, you also want to ensure the indoor air conditioning drains are clear. If there is any build-up in the drains, it can create a flood in your basement due to excess condensation in the air. 2. Location Having an air conditioning unit that sits in direct sunlight for the large majority of the day will cause the unit to work up to 30% harder than it needs to. Therefore, building a canopy or shaded area will help significantly reduce your electric bills. Planting trees or building a canopy to create shade is a great way to block sunlight, thereby reducing higher energy use. 3. Age Make sure you check the age of your air conditioner. In the province of Ontario, the minimum Season Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) for an air conditioning system is 13 SEER, which will soon be phased out and replaced by a minimum of 16 SEER. In addition, any system over 10 years old is likely to not only run into issues but also will cost you more in energy bills. Replacing the unit with a central heat pump system is an option, and you can obtain up to $10,000 in rebates for this through the Canada Greener Homes Grant. https://www.quickfast.ca/canada-greener-homes-grant 4. Smart Thermostat By installing a smart thermostat, you are able to maximize the efficiency of your air conditioning unit. By allowing you to program and schedule the temperature within your home, you can adjust the temperature based on the time of day or when you are outside the home. Using a smart thermostat can increase your energy efficiency by 30% and is a simple way to monitor your HVAC activity, while providing notifications if something isn’t working properly. 5. Close your windows There is no point in having your air conditioning running full blast if you allow hot air to come in through your windows or open doors. By closing your windows, you block hot air from entering your home and trap the cooler air in. In addition, close any drapes or blinds where the sun is streaming in (especially on the South and West sides) and make sure that the seal around your windows and doors has no gaps. 6. Circulate the air By using a ceiling fan, you will circulate the air, making it feel up to 8 degrees cooler. Ceiling fans are also especially important in the upstairs levels, as heat rises, and the fan can help to distribute the warmer air by mixing it with the cooler air in the rest of your house. In addition, running your furnace fan 24/7 during warmer weather is a great way to help reduce the humidity in your home. This will also reduce the amount of time your air conditioning will turn on. If your furnace operates with a 95% efficiency or higher (with an ECM motor), your electricity costs can also be significantly reduced. These are just a few ways to reduce your air conditioning costs as we enter into summer. For more information on our maintenance plans or how QuickFast Service Co. can help you or your business, feel free to contact us at 416-629-3213 or www.quickfast.ca.

Spring is a great time of the year. It can be a welcome relief after winter, indicating new beginnings and warmer weather. But with the warmer weather comes melting snow and the possibility of basement flooding. With the combination of frozen ground and heavy rain, flooding happens nearly every spring. But when flooding happens in your home, it can cause significant damage and can not only be extremely stressful but very costly as well. Luckily, there are some things you can do to help protect your basement and home from spring flooding. And early detection, regular maintenance and speedy repair of any issues can go a long way in preventing flooding in the long run. Clear window wells and eavestroughs As I mentioned in my last blog, ‘Transitioning your home from winter to spring,’ you want to make sure that any buildup in your window wells and eavestroughs is cleared. Any sitting water from window wells and gutters can back up and flow into your home. Therefore, you want to do anything you can to help encourage water to flow freely away from your home. Regular maintenance is critical to preventing issues, and you should clean window wells and eavestroughs at least twice a year. You may also want to investigate window wells and eavestrough covers/guards, as these can help minimize debris going forward. 2. Check for basement cracks Cracks in your foundation allow water to come into your home more easily. And if you have any pooling water near your foundation, it can find its way into those cracks. Smaller cracks can be filled on your own, but for larger cracks in your foundation, a knowledgeable and professional technician can help ensure you properly repair the crack and increase the water barrier in your basement. *for larger cracks, exterior or interior waterproofing would be required and this can be done with the waterproofing team. 3. Investigate sump pumps If you don’t already have one, sump pumps can help move water away from areas of your home where water tends to collect. Installing a sump pump, along with a backwater valve to help prevent sewer back-up in your home, is something you can consider. If you already have a sump pump, ensuring it’s in proper working order is a good idea. It’s also a good idea to check your sump pump on a yearly basis, and ensure you have a battery backup. A battery backup can prevent flooding in case of a power failure during heavy storms. 4. Inspect other systems in your house By ensuring that all systems in your house are in working order, you can prevent flooding and other potential issues. For example, check your clothes dryer to ensure the venting system that runs to the outside has no gaps or holes. It’s also important to clean your dryer vents as every year in Canada, approximately 15,000 fires are caused by lint buildup in dryers. Also, consider using a dehumidifier if you notice moisture accumulation in your basement. 5. Check the slope of your yard You want to walk around your property to ensure you don’t see any water pooling near your foundation. If the ground around your home slopes towards your foundation, it can lead to water pooling and eventually seeping into your basement. Also, make sure to inspect your pipes and drainage system and promptly address any repairs or replacements needed. At QuickFast Service Co., our customers are our top priority. And we know how stressful it can be if you are experiencing issues with spring basement flooding. We strive to go above and beyond at every service call and offer 24-hour service and customer support so no matter the time of day, you know you’ll have a qualified professional at your door to help you in no time. We offer services for all of your heating, cooling, plumbing, electrical, and restoration needs. For more information on how QuickFast Service Co. can help you or your business, feel free to contact us at 416-629-3213 or www.quickfast.ca .

With March seeing some of the heaviest snowfall in the GTA and surrounding areas, including Toronto, Mississauga, Oakville, Brampton, Vaughan, Milton, Georgetown, Etobicoke, North York, Markham, Hamilton and Richmond Hill, it’s hard to imagine spring is just around the corner. But as we transition seasons, it’s important to consider what needs to be done around your home to prepare it for warmer weather. From transitioning your HVAC system to ensuring window wells and gutters are clear of debris, ensuring you’ve transitioned your home will help you get ahead (or prevent) potential problems in the coming months.

Cleaner air. Energy savings. Reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Something most of us want to see. At QuickFast Service Co., we encourage every business and homeowner to do their part in making the world a cleaner place to live. And to make this easier (and more affordable), the Canadian Government has implemented their Canada Greener Homes Grant, where you can receive rebates for specific home improvements.