woman lying in bed in a noisy house.

Is Your Furnace Making Noise?

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We are living in unprecedented and uncertain times. With the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus in December 2019, governments and organizations have been shutting down businesses and calling for individuals to stay at home. Like many other Canadians, you may have begun practicing social distancing and self-isolation to avoid contracting the COVID-19 virus and spreading it to others. For most of us, this means spending the majority of our time at home with our families.

While you are at home, you may hear occasional noises coming from your furnace. After all, a furnace can be a noisy machine! It’s common for your HVAC system to make noises when operating normally. You’ll often hear a low hum and even an occasional bang or hiss, which is an indication that your system is working as it should. If anything, these sounds should be a comforting reminder that your furnace is actively working to keep your home warm and comfortable.

However, if your system begins a noise you haven’t heard before, it could be an indication of a more significant issue taking place within your furnace. Don’t wait until your furnace breaks down and you’re stuck at home freezing! The key to prevention is action. Find out a few common reasons why your furnace may be noisy and then give us a call! We’re always there when you need us so you can stay safe and comfortable in your homes during this pandemic.

The Key Causes to Look Out For:

  • Fan or Inducer: With gas furnaces, specifically, products of combustion and other substances are removed by a motor-powered fan or inducer. If there is a grinding or high pitch sound, it could be a sign the motor is beginning to fail, or a sign that your inducer may be clogged with debris or dirt.
  • Indoor Fan Motor: Has your system’s motor bearing seen better days? If so, it could be the reason you hear a grinding noise. If ignored, a worn-out bearing could cause the motor to burn out. Skip the costly repair bill, and have your motor replaced by a professional.
  • Gas Valve: Have you noticed irregular clicking sounds? It could be caused by your system’s gas valve. A faulty or clogged valve can fail to release gas, and as a result, cause the ignitor to begin to click!
  • Pilot Ignition: The constant clicking you’ve been hearing may be your furnace’s spark ignitor trying to re-start your pilot light. A worn-out, lose or damaged ignitor can cause the furnace’s spark ignitor to work overtime, all in an effort to re-ignite it. A functioning pilot light is essential to ensuring your furnace produces heat. 

Our Safety Measures For COVID-19

The safety of our customers and employees is of utmost importance to AtlasCare. We understand that prevention is the best defense against COVID-19. To protect our customers and employees, our company has implemented strict preventive measures with our field staff to minimize contact with others and limit the virus from spreading.

We have taken numerous precautions to ensure we can still provide emergency service during this tough time:

  1. Our technicians will no longer be shaking hands with our customers.
  2. We’re asking homeowners to provide a sink for our technicians, and the technician will bring their own soap and rags.
  3. Upon arrival, our technicians are wiping down their iPads and washing their hands before beginning the service.
  4. After the service is done, our technicians are wiping down the thermostat and their iPad and washing their hands before leaving the home.
  5. Homeowners will have the option of signing or not depending on how comfortable they feel.
  6. Our trucks are being wiped down and cleaned before and after every shift to make sure that they are clean and safe.

Inspection & Furnace Repair

One minor issue with your heating system can cause another one of your home’s systems such as air conditioning, to be affected. While certain DIY projects can be fun, we don’t recommend tackling your furnace repair alone. Our team of expert furnace technicians can diagnose the problem and offer the best solution for you and your family. Regular HVAC maintenance and inspection is the best preventive measure you can take to keep your home comfortable at all times. Save yourself the headache by scheduling HVAC maintenance with our trusted team!

If your furnace isn’t working as it should and you find yourself in need of emergency repair, contact us! Whether it’s a dangerous gas leak or a faulty HVAC system, we are always there when you need us.

AtlasCare technician wearing a mask cleaning an air duct

We’re here for you during COVID-19

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Click to View All Recent COVID-19 Updates

 

With COVID-19 top of mind, I wanted to reach out directly to let you know how AtlasCare is addressing being an essential service during this pandemic, and to assure you that we are ready to help you through this.

First and foremost, I want to assure you that we have taken numerous precautions to keep our employees and customers safe. Our truck interiors and office are cleaned multiple times a day. We check in with our team every day and ensure that anyone with any symptoms of cold or flu does not come to work. We have equipped our technicians with soap, towels and wipes and our only ask is that you make a sink available where they can wash their hands before and after they finish working in your home. We will wipe down everything with disinfectant, including your thermostat if we needed to adjust it.  As always, we also wear shoe covers to ensure we’re not tracking anything into your home. Your well-being and that of our colleagues is always at the forefront of our minds.

As we will all be spending a significant amount of time in our homes now, whether working remotely, keeping our children home from school and we’ll all be travelling less, it is more important than ever that our homes be that healthy oasis in a sea of illness and uncertainty.

At AtlasCare, it has been a pillar of our mission for the past 25 years to keep people healthy in their homes. Preventive maintenance, cleaning heating and air conditioning systems – especially ducts that can trap and distribute dust and germs – has never been more important to keep indoor air as fresh as possible as it is now. We can provide these services and fresh air solutions for the air in your home including ventilation, upgraded filters such as HEPA that trap particles and pathogens, and ultraviolet lights that kill them. A humidifier that keeps the relative humidity between 40%-60% is also essential. The health of your home is important as well. No one wants a drain to back up or a leak to happen in their plumbing. We have people to handle those systems, too.

AtlasCare is known for its rapid response when you need someone. You will have a lot on your mind and if you need our services, we’ll be there. We simply ask you to advise us if anyone in your home is showing or has shown symptoms of cold or flu, so we can take precautions such as wearing gloves and masks.

We’ll keep the conversation going. Every day we learn more about COVID-19 and its potential impact.  You can check in with us for updates on our website at www.mybosco.com about how we are responding. If we have something to share with you, we will. In times like these, we want you to know that we will be “Always there when you need us”.

Thank you for your ongoing business and placing your trust in AtlasCare. During this challenging time, we’re working hard to give you the confidence to have AtlasCare in your home.

 

 

Roger Grochmal, P.Eng.

CEO

 

Sick child with blanket resting on sofa near medicine

The Effects Of Humidity On Your Health

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The majority of Canadians are unaware of the air they are breathing in their own homes, despite the fact that air quality is a significant factor that contributes to overall wellbeing and health. While we cannot control outdoor air quality, we can be more mindful of the air in our home, particularly the levels of indoor humidity. From the spread of diseases to respiratory concerns, dry air can be the unknown culprit of numerous health concerns for individuals. Dust, bacteria, allergens and viruses are constantly circulating in the air and humidity can play a key role in mitigating the impact of these microbes.

 

The Impact Of Low Humidity

Spreading Diseases

It’s important to note that healthy humidity levels must be between 40% to 60% RH. That means that homes that are below 40% RH are considered the ideal breeding ground for bacteria and viruses. Humans release water droplets referred to as aerosols and if an individual has an illness, the aerosols that they release contain harmful microbes. In normal humidified environments, the moisture in the air acts as a barrier, protecting other individuals from contracting the illness. As a result, the aerosols that are in the air will have no impact on others. However, if the air is dry, the harmful aerosols can move freely and spread, which can lead to other individuals getting infected or becoming ill. Thus, individuals breathing dry air have a higher risk of contracting airborne diseases.

Respiratory Issues

Dry air can be a breeding ground for mould, mites, mildew and allergens, which can lead to respiratory issues such as asthma, bronchitis and sinusitis. Individuals who struggle with asthma or other respiratory illnesses will experience intensified symptoms at home due to dry air conditions. 

Dehydration

Even further, low humidity can lead to dehydration, which can cause dry and irritated skin, dry eyes and nosebleeds. Individuals who suffer from eczema or acne will experience more frequent flare-ups due to dry air. Dry eyes can cause eye soreness, blurred vision and an increased risk of eye infections. 

 

The Importance Of Humidification

There are numerous benefits to balanced humidity levels in your home. Proper humidification can significantly decrease the chances of diseases and viruses circulating in your home. This is particularly important for families with young children and seniors. If a family member or loved one already suffers from a respiratory condition such as Asthma, then maintaining humidity levels is an essential step that will increase their comfort levels and alleviate some of their symptoms. 

Maintaining the appropriate relative humidity levels in your home will lead to a safer, healthier and more comfortable home. In the winter months, cold air that enters your home is heated, which decreases the humidity levels even further. In the summer, air conditioners can also remove moisture from the air. The key is to maintain a healthy relative humidity level in your home throughout all seasons. By doing so, your quality of life, level of comfort and wellbeing will drastically change!

 

How We Can Help

Your home is your sanctuary. Invest in your family, by investing in your home. Get peace of mind by installing a whole-home humidifier. We guarantee you will notice the difference right away! At AtlasCare, we offer installations for humidifiers that disperse moisture in your home and prevent dry air. Discover our selection of humidifiers and services! Ready to invest in your home? Contact us today!

Atlas Care employee in red uniform working on furnace in home

Ride-Along With Jonathan Gallant 

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At AtlasCare, our team members put their hearts into everything they do. From our hardworking technicians to our talented customer service representatives and accountants, everyone at AtlasCare has a story. The Ride Along series aims to highlight our valued team members and share their unique stories. For our first ever Ride Along interview, we’re tagging along on a few plumbing service calls with Jonathan, a passionate AtlasCare plumber and proud father. 

 

Along the way to his first service call, Jonathan discusses the importance of transparency, why preventive plumbing is important and even shares a heartwarming story with a customer. Keep reading to get to know Jonathan! 

 

How long have you been at AtlasCare?

 

I started with AtlasCare in the middle of October of 2019 but, I’ve been in the plumbing industry since 2001.

 

Describe what your daily routine usually looks like.

 

Actually, my day starts the night before. Typically, I will inspect my truck just to make sure that it is stocked with the supplies that I need. In the morning, I log into my first call and then give the customer a call to let them know I am on my way. Next, I dispatch myself and head right there.

 

What has been your favourite project so far or an interesting story that you want to share?

I had an interesting story yesterday. I was performing a water shut off for a customer in Mississauga. She was an older lady turning 84 this year. She lost her husband back in the summertime and lost her mother about a year ago almost around this time of the month. 

 

She doesn’t have a lot of help. We happened to be sitting down and talking while we were finishing up the bill yesterday and she was talking about her mom and started crying and then I started crying and gave her a big hug. It doesn’t really relate to what I was doing on the job so much, but it was just a nice moment for two human beings. She wasn’t just seeing me as the plumber, she was seeing me as family because she was willing to open up and tell me about her life and struggles. In order to do that, you have to have the right people. You can’t have drones and you can’t have people who just wanna go there and work.

 

What makes AtlasCare so different from other companies, from your perspective?

 

I have always wanted to work for a company that has a good family base and offers support for its employees. One of the things that stood out to me is that AtlasCare truly cares about their employees. I’m a father and I’ve got a 4-year-old daughter and I have a tight pick-up schedule.  AtlasCare allows me to structure my schedule in the morning so I can take her to school and if I ever need to leave a little early, they certainly make accommodations for that as well. Even around Christmas, there were some days where they said “Hey, you’ve got the option. Do you wanna work today or do you wanna spend time with your family?” As an employee, I really appreciate that.

 

It’s about the culture of the company, even though we are a fairly large company. I mean, you’ve seen how many employees we have. From the furnace technicians to the plumbers and the admin staff, everybody has the same mindset, so it makes it very easy to come here and to fit in and to feel like you’re part of the team.

 

A big part of the value that AtlasCare provides is transparency with customers. 

 

We get that all the time. If you take a look at our reviews, the comments are usually something along the lines of “I couldn’t believe the service that we’ve received from AtlasCare whether it is from our heating division or plumbing division.” We offer consistent great service, so our customers appreciate it. For instance, our customers will usually say something along the lines of “They treated my home with respect. They’ve made me aware of what was going on. They explained everything to me step by step so that I knew as a homeowner what was going on. It’s not just somebody coming into my home doing something that I’m not sure of, at the cost of whatever it may be.” And I think that’s what makes the difference – if you don’t let the customer know what you’re doing and why you’re doing it, then they don’t know or see the value for why you’re there.

 

How important are preventive measures when it comes to plumbing specifically?

 

As far as plumbing goes, some of the preventive measures are mainly focused around shut-offs and drains. The last thing somebody wants to deal with is a leaky faucet and discover that their shut-offs don’t work. Sometimes people don’t even know that they’ve got a running toilet! That’s why inspection and maintenance is so important. Instead of waiting until they’ve got a plumbing issue, homeowners need to be proactive. 

 

Be a part of the AtlasCare team 

From our quality service to our talented team and company culture, we care. To discover more about our unique culture, take a look at our culture book! Want to be a part of a talented team? Discover our current openings and apply today. Stay tuned for more Ride Along blogs with our awesome team!

AtlasCare wins Top Choice Award for Air Conditioning and Heating Company…again!

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Top Choice Awards has just announced the 2020 winners! We are thrilled to announce that AtlasCare has won the Top Choice Award for Air Conditioning and Heating in the Greater Toronto Area for the second year in a row.

The Top Choice Awards recognize businesses that provide quality services, value and professionalism to customers. Winning the Top Choice Award is one of the most coveted endorsements a business can receive. AtlasCare is truly honoured to win again.

Since 1932, AtlasCare has taken care of our customers’ homes as if they’re our own, working around the clock, 7 days a week, to keep our customers comfortable. AtlasCare is always there when you need us and we offer the fastest emergency service in the GTA. We guarantee quality, transparency and exceptional service all the time. Winning the Top Choice Award is a testament to our unwavering dedication to the consistent pursuit of total customer satisfaction.

Winning the Top Choice Award transpired again this year because of the incredible work and dedication of our AtlasCare team members. We also want to thank our exceptional customers, partners and our community for voting for us as your Top Choice in the Air Conditioning and Heating category for 2020. Discover more about our services by visiting our website or contact one of our team members today.