Roger Grochmal sitting in his office wearing a face mask

Is COVID behind us or not? – August 24th Update

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So far, we have endured most of the COVID journey outdoors thanks to the best summer in living memory. It truly has been glorious and allowed us to physically distance in the great outdoors. As summer winds down and the reality of spending more time indoors sets in, 2 thoughts/questions occur to me.

Firstly, will we experience a second wave of coronavirus infections due to the 3 C’s? This is defined as Closed spaces that are Crowded places with Close contact especially for an extended period of time. Will we be as comfortable in our homes or having people in our homes as we want/need to be? Will we be ready for winter? I had my furnace serviced and safety checked last week. I also had my ERV filter cleaned, my steam humidifier cleaned and made ready, and my UV bulb in my air purifier changed as well as surge protectors installed. Lastly, I had my drain inspected as I live in a flood prone area. I want to be as comfortable as I can be with the least amount of disruption. There are going to be a lot of issues and uncertainties to deal with and our homes shouldn’t be one of them. Our proactive customers are getting their homes in shape now.

The second issue we are facing is the effect on business. The home service/renovation/building sector has been very busy during COVID. There is high demand at a time when there are substantial issues all up and down the supply chain. Just ask anyone trying to get lumber or a hot tub. The HVAC industry experienced shortages of air conditioners this summer and from what we are hearing, there will be a shortage of furnaces this fall and winter. We are seeing it already. The bottom line is that if your furnace is nearing the end of its useful life, and you are not confident that it will last the winter, then you might want to change it out now. Take advantage of our BOGO sale and upgrade your air conditioner at the same time. Please visit our website at www.mybosco.com for program details.

It’s never too early to be ready. Stay safe everyone and be ready for the fall.

 

Roger Grochmal, P.Eng.

CEO

Photo of Roger Grochmal

The Dog Days of Summer

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As we move into the dog days of summer, we see a lot of thunderstorms with this oppressive heat and humidity. These storms can deliver a significant amount of rain 5-10 cm (2-4in) in a very short period of time. Many storm sewers can’t deal with this kind of sudden deluge and like all systems when put under stress, sewers and drains can back up and fail. Over years sewage pipes can sag, crack, get infiltrated with tree roots and become blocked with waste. When they back up, it can lead to not only an urgent repair but also the need to clean up a very messy basement.

Many of our customers who have older homes or live in flood prone neighbourhoods (mine is one of them), have one of our drain technicians come out to do a camera inspection of their drain system as a preventive measure. We can also test the sump pump and check for a backwater valve. This is a complementary service we offer to all of our customers who have a service membership. Many municipalities have generous rebate programs for drain system improvements. Call 1-888-888-1108 today to schedule your complementary drain inspection.

How can I protect my HVAC equipment from Electrical Surges?

The second outcome of thunderstorms comes as the result of a loss of power and/or a power surge. All HVAC equipment like most other devices in our lives has electronic components and controls that can fail with a sudden surge in power. The best protection is a surge protector. This is an affordable way to manage a big risk. We carry these devices on all of our service trucks and typically install them during a maintenance visit. Talk to your maintenance technician and find out how you can protect yourself from damaging power surges.

Feel the Love

Every year Lennox works with local dealers to provide free furnaces to families in need. In 2020, AtlasCare is delighted to partner with Lennox in this program in the GTA. People across the country recognize deserving individuals in their hometowns by nominating them to receive new heating systems. Each nomination recognizes an unsung hero who may be going through hardship, helping others in need or simply supporting their community. And this year, given the recent COVID-19 pandemic, the program focus is expanding to bring hope and support to medical professionals, essential workers and those on the frontlines. For tips on deciding who to nominate, see our guidelines. Help us help someone in need and nominate someone by August 31. Thank you.

Roger Grochmal, P.Eng.

CEO