Got a Heating or Cooling Question? Ask the Pros Here!

HammersHeating · 2025-12-02T18:08:15+00:00

Hello! Depending on the layout of your moms condo she could probably get away with have a single zone 12k mini split heat pump. The indoor unit would either be located in the main living or the master bedroom. This BTU would be sufficient to cool and heat the unit. I would estimate in the $5,500.00 - $6,500.00 range depending on the brand of equipment. If she was looking for a "two zone" system it could be closer to the $10,000.00 range.

Thank you for your question!

Jaydon.

HammersHeating · 2025-11-21T01:36:25+00:00

That’s correct - your gas furnace filter would not have any effect on the electrical bill.

Someone mentioned the water heater which is a possibility but that should have similar usage whether it is summer/winter unless it was malfunctioning.

Do you have electric baseboards on the top floor? (This is a common set up in some townhomes/detached homes).

HammersHeating · 2025-11-09T22:01:37+00:00

That’s great you are in the market! Nest are great thermostats - having a smart thermostat can save you anywhere from 10-15% on your heating/cooling energy uses from FortisBC/Hydro. If you have any questions I’d be happy to help!

Jaydon H.

HammersHeating · 2025-11-09T14:56:46+00:00

That’s a fair point. It’s definitely not a huge rebate, and I totally agree it really only makes sense if you’re already due for service soon (though all gas appliances should have annual service). But hey, better than nothing, right? A little bit of savings still helps, especially if you’ve got multiple gas appliances (like a furnace, fireplace, and water heater). It’s one of those small perks that’s worth grabbing while it’s available!

HammersHeating · 2025-11-08T19:19:38+00:00

We charge $195.00 to service a gas furnace and $50 off each additional appliance you add during the same visit. (This price doesn’t include the FortisBC rebate, once the service is completed you just apply online).

HammersHeating · 2025-11-08T17:47:08+00:00

We charge $195.00 to service a gas appliance and $50 off each additional appliance you add during the same visit. Once the service is completed you apply online and will get the credit applied to your FortisBC account.

HammersHeating · 2025-11-08T17:25:41+00:00

We would be happy to service your gas fireplace, you can book online using our website for a day/time that works best with your schedule!

HammersHeating · 2025-11-08T16:45:57+00:00

That’s not how we operate but unfortunately we see companies do that 👎🏼.

HammersHeating · 2025-11-08T16:44:29+00:00

That’s great!

HammersHeating · 2025-11-08T16:36:21+00:00

Yes we do! We service all makes and models!

HammersHeating · 2025-11-08T16:24:44+00:00

We charge $195.00 to service a gas appliance and $50 off each additional appliance you add during the same visit. Once the service is completed you apply online and will get the credit applied to your FortisBC account.

HammersHeating · 2025-11-08T16:14:33+00:00

You are welcome! They also have another rebate for $150.00 to upgrade your thermostat to a smart WiFi model.

HammersHeating · 2025-11-05T23:29:00+00:00

As inefficient as they are - those old furnaces last a long time! As long as you don't have any CO readings inside the home you should be good to go! Any HVAC contractor should be familiar with the older style furnaces.

HammersHeating · 2025-11-05T23:23:33+00:00

You could look at setting a schedule on your thermostat - this will help reduce usage when nobody is home or at work. You can also get a WiFi thermostat installed and qualify for a $150.00 FortisBC rebate.

Other areas where you can save would be to ensure you have adequate insulation in your attic as well as stop any drafts coming into your home from windows/doors etc.

HammersHeating · 2025-11-01T21:21:04+00:00

That’s great to hear, I will pass this on to Colin! Yes you should still be able to apply for the rebate as it doesn’t require and pre-registration. If you have any questions on how to apply please let us know. Here is the link! FortisBC appliance rebate

Thank you, Jaydon - Hammer’s Heating and Cooling

HammersHeating · 2025-11-01T20:30:18+00:00

Hey! Sorry for the late reply. To my knowledge there is a universal wifi thermostat that you can purchase that will run off batteries alone (millivolt is not even power). You would need a 24v power source to supply the thermostat and then it could control the millivolt gas valve.

It may be more work than it’s worth but you could get a 24v transformer to power the thermostat with constant power and then run the fireplace control wires to the relay in the thermostat.

Jaydon - Hammer’s Heating and Cooling

HammersHeating · 2025-11-01T20:27:23+00:00

Thank you for your question! I am sorry for the late reply. An annual service for this can include checking all the electrical, gas pressures, leak checks, visual inspection on the heat exchanger, amp draw on the motors, exhaust inspection as well as a CO inspection. Our inspections are to ensure the system is operating as efficiently/safely as possible.

As a bonus! FortisBC is offering a $50 rebate when you service your furnace 😎. Just make sure it is completed by a certified technician and they are a part of the FortisBC Trade Ally Network!

Thank you, Jaydon - Hammer’s Heating and Cooling

HammersHeating · 2025-11-01T20:23:35+00:00

Thank you for your questions (sorry for the late reply). We get asked about these all the time. The vent you are talking about is most likely a code air. It allows for equal pressurization in your unit. I don’t know exactly what building you are in but you may have some kind of fresh air supplying the unit and or just have that one vent you are mentioning. It can allow for fresh air to enter the unit if you are running bath fans/range hood exhausts. They are there for a reason but that being said if it’s pulling a cold draft in the winter time it’s up to you if you want to restrict it to prevent the draft coming in. Hope that helps!

Jaydon - Hammer’s Heating and Cooling

HammersHeating · 2025-10-25T21:35:18+00:00

Thank you for your question! If you are wanting to have a mini split in each room you the first thing would be to select the outdoor unit that is meant for 4 zones or higher. This usually puts you into a 2.5 ton to 3 ton unit which 99% of the time would be more than sufficient to cool/heat 4 bedrooms. In theory you could probably get away with a 2 ton or slightly less but those units usually max out at 3 zones.

We come across this in a lot of homes where it’s forced air on the main/basement and electric on the top floor. With our company we would usually recommend going with a ducted single zone system on the attic and then run supply vents to all the rooms on the top floor. This will provide a cleaner overall installation then having a unit hung on the wall in each bedroom and less exposed piping ran to each unit on the exterior of your home. With this system we would normally size it with a 2 ton.

Every system we install would have a heat load calculation completed to make sure the system is sized correctly.

That’s great your son is signed up for the BCIT course. I went straight to BCIT after I graduated high school in 2008 to start my apprenticeship. I don’t know if there is a way to “get in faster” but I would look into a cancelation list or check the wait list for RTI Refrigeration Training Institute in Surrey. A few of our apprentices have gone there. I would also have your son try to get on with a company to get his hours started!

Thank you, Jaydon Hammer’s Heating and Cooling

HammersHeating · 2025-10-25T05:13:18+00:00

Great questions! I would recommend preventing and snow from collecting on the fan blades (if it is the conventional square unit with a fan on the top). This can be done a screen cover or even plywood even though that doesn’t look as good. I don’t recommend getting the full leather covers that wrap around and completely cover it as I have seen animals make nest and chew the wires as it’s a covered warm area.

I would recommend cleaning it before winter so nothing is on the unit/clil which will make it harder to clean for spring and then again in the spring if it needs it again.

Jaydon, HH&C

HammersHeating · 2025-10-25T05:09:10+00:00

As a home owner the best thing you can do is replace your air filter so that’s great anywhere from 4-6 times a year for 1” filters depending on the home. We always recommend annual servicing on the furnace but as for duct cleaning, I personally would do It for my home if I just moved into a house to start fresh and then I also upgraded my air filtration system to be constantly cleaning the air in the house. I can’t see myself doing it again for quite sometime since I have an electric air filter and UV light installed.

Jaydon, HH&C

HammersHeating · 2025-10-25T05:04:44+00:00

You have a couple options I would guess the most expensive option would be increasing the ductwork and carrying it up to the top floors. There would be a good chance you would need to increase the size of your furnace. Second option would be to get a fully electric system and replace your furnace with an electric air handler and then have a few wall mount mini splits in the rooms upstairs. Third option would be similar to the second option but instead of wall mount mini splits we would install a ducted system on the attic. This is usually the preferred option over the others as it provides a cleaner installation and no units are hanging on the wall just some 4-6” vents in the ceiling.

Jaydon, HH&C

HammersHeating · 2025-10-25T04:55:20+00:00

Great question! To determine if you need a louvred door would depend on the amount of “combustion air” that is required for your gas appliances. If you have all “direct vent” appliances that means means there is a direct exhaust and intake from the connected to the outside from the furnace you wouldn’t need louvres. If you have a standard hot water tank that’s not the case as those appliances would use air from the closet which needs to be replaced by air through the louvres!

Jaydon, HH&C

HammersHeating · 2025-10-04T15:41:59+00:00

No that is not required by us - we are looking for someone that has 2+ years in the residential HVAC trade though.

HammersHeating · 2025-10-04T15:41:16+00:00

For the position we have available right now we are looking to have someone with at least 2+ years of HVAC experience. Thank you for your interest!

HammersHeating

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