How Often Should You Change Your Furnace Filter

How often should you change your furnace filter?

How often should you change your furnace filter? Maintaining a comfortable and energy-efficient home often depends on seemingly insignificant details, such as our furnace filter. It’s easy to overlook, but the question remains: How frequently should you replace your furnace filter? Believe it or not, the answer is not one-size-fits-all; it is dependent on a […]Read More
Can Air Duct Cleaning Cause Damage

Can Air Duct Cleaning Cause Damage?

At AtlasCare, we understand the importance of keeping your HVAC system in good working order throughout the year. And, as HVAC experts, we often get asked by homeowners “can air duct cleaning cause damage?”. So, with our industry-leading expertise, we’re going to explore the potential impacts of having your home’s ventilation system cleaned, so you […]Read More
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning in the Home: Why Your Older Furnace May Be a Health Risk

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning in the Home

Why Your Older Furnace May Be a Health Risk If you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning or a leak from your furnace, evacuate everyone from your home immediately.  Then contact us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for emergency service.  A technician came by my home to examine my furnace for a carbon monoxide leak.“Having a CO leak, that puts you and your family at […]Read More
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) & Coronavirus Covid-19

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) & Coronavirus Covid-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused many homeowners to re-think indoor air quality.  After all, the Covid-19 virus spreads through droplets and aerosols—and people who are indoors or in enclosed spaces close to one another, are particularly at risk. Washing hands, sanitizing surfaces, wearing face masks and keeping 2 metres apart have defined our COVID pandemic behaviour. But what happens when a visitor comes calling to your home?  Or when family and friends gather inside your house for […]Read More
close up of UV lights for sterilization

Does UV Lights for HVAC Really Improve Indoor Air Quality?

While the idea of killing germs inside your HVAC unit with light may seem unrealistic, UV lights are an excellent defence when it comes to protecting your indoor air quality (IAQ) from bacteria. The quality of air inside your home is crucial to the health and comfort of your family, and this is true now […]Read More
before air duct cleaning

Duct Cleaning: Why It’s Essential For Your Home

BEFORE & AFTER DUCT CLEANING  Did you know a single duct cleaning service removes an average of five to six pounds of dust per home?  Over time contaminants like dust, lint and debris can build up in your air ducts and dryer vents, affecting your home’s indoor air quality (IAQ). Like furnaces and air conditioners, […]Read More
Woman and child wearing a face mask and holding an air quality sign

Why is Indoor Air Quality Important in Your Home?

It’s a no-brainer that breathing fresh, clean air is essential to good health. However, many Canadians are unaware of the air they are breathing in their own homes. Indoor air quality is a significant factor contributing to our overall health and wellbeing, which is why it’s critical air quality be top of mind when thinking […]Read More
Air Ducts

Keep Your Home’s Respiratory System Healthy

Too hot or too cold? Most homeowners simply have to adjust the temperature on their smart thermostat to force warm or cool air throughout their home. It’s become such an easy convenience that we barely think about our HVAC systems until they stop working as they should. It’s said in the industry that the HVAC […]Read More
air-water-home-couch-spray-living-room-improve-breath

Improve Your Home’s Air Quality

For 88 years, AtlasCare has cared about the health of our customers’ homes, but it has never been more important than it is now. With quarantine and social distancing in place due to COVID-19, our homes are where we spend most of our time. Staying indoors can, without a doubt, affect our quality of life […]Read More
Sick child with blanket resting on sofa near medicine

The Effects Of Humidity On Your Health

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 […]Read More

How To Save Money With A Simple Plumbing Check

When was the last time you called a plumber? If you’re anything like most people, it was probably when you needed some plumbing work done in your home. The majority of our plumbing calls come from customers who need a specific repair or upgrade (ideally as soon as possible.) But isn’t that the only reason […]Read More

5 Easy Ways To Warm Up Your Home This Winter

Once the calendar flips from October to November, life starts to get busy ‒ fast. There’ll be presents to wrap, gatherings to attend, dinners to make...in fact, things probably won’t slow back down until next year! Read More

Why is a Frost-Free Hose Bib Necessary In Canadian Homes?

As the weather starts to change and the temperature drops, you’ve probably already started preparing for the long winter season. You know there’s a lot to do around the home this season, but one area you might overlook is your hose bib ‒ or, as many people call it, your outdoor faucet. During the summer, you might use your hose bib to water the garden, wash your car, or even hook up the sprinkler for your kids. When the warm season comes to a close, you pack away the hose, shut off the valve and move onto something else. But what about the water that’s still sitting in the pipe? Even if you purge the line, you could still end up with costly water damage if you don’t have a frost-free hose bib.Read More

Benefits of a Humidifier for Your Furnace (Especially in Winter)

We want to help you understand the importance of having a furnace humidifier and how installing one can ensure everyone stays nice and cozy this winter! Read More

How To Know If Your Sump Pump Is Working Properly

We know how easy it is to let your home’s plumbing fall by the wayside, especially when everything seems to be flowing smoothly. But it’s quite important to have your plumbing system checked every now and then, even when nothing appears to be wrong. That’s especially true of your sump pump. You might not use […]Read More

Must-Know Facts About Kitec Plumbing: Recall, Lawsuit & Repair Costs

After January 9, 2020, you can no longer get compensation for the cost of replacing defective Kitec plumbing. You will have to pay out of pocket, which could easily amount to several thousand dollars down the drain. But there is still time to make sure you get reimbursed for having these faulty pipes removed from […]Read More

How A Backwater Valve Protects Your Home From Sewer Backups.

Sewer backup is one of the last things you ever want to happen to your home. It’s nauseating just to imagine. But sewer backups do happen…and truth be told, they’re happening more and more frequently in our neck of the woods. Fortunately, you can greatly reduce the risk of a sanitary sewer backup in your […]Read More

AtlasCare Announced Title Sponsor of Golf Fore MS Peel-Dufferin

September might just be our favourite month of the year. Granted, it marks the bittersweet end of the summer season (and the start of six to eight months of cruel weather.) But it also brings us one of the single most anticipated events on the AtlasCare calendar: the annual Golf Fore MS Classic. This year’s […]Read More

Atlascare Giving Back To The Community

Since our start back in 1932, helping others has been an integral part of AtlasCare’s company culture. Whether it’s raising funds, spreading awareness or donating our time to a local cause, we’re always looking for ways to give something back to this community we call home. Sometimes, we all get together to contribute as a […]Read More

The Truth About Air Duct Cleaning

Duct cleaning. Is it the secret to pristine indoor air quality? An instant cure for your allergy symptoms? Or just another way for contractors to take your hard-earned money? So many companies market products and services that claim to improve the quality of your air. If you live in the Greater Toronto Area, there’s a […]Read More

The Benefits of Whole-Home Humidification

The goal of many homeowners during the winter is to keep their families warm.   That’s a wonderful thing except it comes at a cost: the warmer the air the drier it becomes.   Ideally, your home should fall under the 40-50% humidity range for both your home and your health.   Your furnace can often strip the air of […]Read More

What You Should Know About Your Home Ventilation

How much do you really know about your home’s ventilation system?  Home ventilation is something we all tend to forget about. It goes on while we go about our days unaware…until something goes wrong.  Ventilation may not be noticeable, but it is certainly crucial. It directly affects both the quality of your air and your life at home! There […]Read More

Why You Should Have Your Dryer Vent Professionally Cleaned

There’s one item you definitely don’t want to leave off your spring cleaning checklist – your dryer vent.   You may think your dryer vent is clean because you empty lint after each load of laundry, but tiny bits of dryer lint sneak through the lint trap and build up inside your dryer vent over time.   Why do these tiny bits of lint matter? Safety, safety, […]Read More

How to Easily Make Any Bypass Humidifier More Water-Efficient

Water rates in Ontario are rising even faster than our property taxes. In 2016, the average household water cost was $800 per year – and it’s climbed even higher in the years since. You’ve fixed leaky faucets, shut down your lawn sprinklers, even tried to cut your showers short – but it hardly makes a […]Read More

6 Ways To Do Spring Cleaning When There’s Still Snow

After a long and cold winter, spring has finally sprung – or, so we hope! With sun and warmer weather around the corner, the last thing you’ll want to do on a nice spring day is spend it indoors cleaning. That’s why now is the perfect time to get an early start on your spring […]Read More

Smells You Don’t Want Your Household Guests To Notice

Every house has a smell. Smells come from the people who live there, their pets, and possibly the foods they cook. And most often these odours are harmless, but sometimes, they are unpleasant or even bad for your health. You certainly wouldn’t want your guests to notice these smells before you do! Household odours run […]Read More

What Does ‘Home Comfort’ Actually Mean?

Home comfort is important to your overall happiness and health—both physical and financial. Creating the ideal indoor environment includes several factors: air temperature, humidity and air quality. Read on to learn how these elements work together to optimize your home’s comfort level. Temperature Heating and Cooling The average homeowner spends a lot of money on […]Read More

4 Troubling Things People Discover in Their Air Ducts

What’s in your ducts? Well, there’s bound to be dust – that’s a given. A light amount of ordinary household dust in the air is no cause for concern. However, that isn’t the only thing people have discovered hiding in air ducts. Ductwork can play host to numerous airborne contaminants. Not all are harmful, but […]Read More

5 Reasons Why Your House Feels Stuffy in the Fall

What does it mean when the shifting seasons make your house feel stuffy and stale? It could be down to a single cause or a combination of things. Allergies often play a role, and low humidity doesn’t help; stuffiness could also demonstrate a need for furnace maintenance or duct cleaning. Here are the potential reasons […]Read More

8 Surprising Things That Can Trigger Allergies in the Winter

Ever wonder why your so-called “seasonal” allergies seem to linger on in the colder months? You might be allergic to more than just pollen. The air inside our homes is full of microscopic particles, many of which can trigger allergy symptoms throughout the year. These are the facts on winter allergies: how to tell allergies […]Read More

10 Reasons Why You Should Check the Humidity This Winter

Winter is a strange season. When it’s wet, slushy, and just plain damp outside, you can almost count on your home feeling bone dry. However, alleviating that discomfort is just one reason you should take steps to ensure your dwelling maintains a proper level of humidity in winter (40-60% is ideal). Here are some of […]Read More

How To Improve Indoor Air Quality

Does the air in your home feel a bit…stale? Your first instinct is probably to crack open a window. That’s a great solution on most days, but not when there’s is a high level of air pollution outdoors. Although trends show our air quality is beginning to improve, residents of Toronto and the GTA still […]Read More

The 8 Biggest Hiding Places for Dust, Uncovered

Dust is everywhere. It’s a fact of life. No matter how diligently you clean, there will always be a few dust mites lurking in the darkest corners of your home. Knowing where to find them is key to keeping your place as neat and tidy as possible.   1. Carpeting and Rugs  Dust mites burrow deep within the fibres of carpeting. […]Read More

7 Unique Ways to Deal With Spring Allergies

If you’re one of the 3 million Canadians who suffers from seasonal allergies, you might feel like you have tried everything to make your symptoms manageable. Unfortunately, dust and pollen don’t give up easily. It might be time to try one of the more unconventional ways to deal with spring allergies. From pet baths to […]Read More

5 Possible Red Flags For Your Home Indoor Air Quality

Have you ever stopped to think about just how much time you spend indoors? If you are anything like the average person, you have a roof overhead and four walls around you about 90% of the time. That means most of the air you breathe recirculates through a ventilation system — along with any airborne particles that populate it. As a homeowner, it is important to recognize what could […]Read More

How Indoor Air Quality Can Aid In Flu Recovery

The horrible flu that went around this winter reminded me that it has been some time since I wrote about indoor air quality. As we face these tough strains of flu, an aging population and young children with growing lungs who are especially vulnerable, it’s important to reinforce the benefits of having the purest indoor […]Read More

5 Signs Your Home Could Use a Humidifier

Are your sinuses acting up? Do you find yourself catching a static shock whenever you enter your home? It could be a stroke of bad luck, but it’s more likely these are signs your home could use a humidifier. As the temperature drops, so does the level of moisture in the air. Low humidity is […]Read More

5 Products to Turn Your Home Smart!

By now, you’ve probably heard the buzz about technology that can turn your home ‘smart’. But what is it that makes these devices so smart? A smart home device is one you can control with a remote, smartphone, tablet or even your own voice. Wireless connectivity has become a feature in everything from appliances to […]Read More

The Importance of Air Duct Cleaning

Did you know a single duct cleaning removes an average of six pounds of dust per home? The air inside your home is full of tiny particles like dust, pollen, and pet dander. When your furnace or air conditioner draws air, it also pulls in airborne particles.  Over time, these contaminants can build up inside […]Read More

8 Ways To Improve Energy Efficiency In Your Home

Whether we want to admit it or not, fall is just around the corner and now is a perfect time to think about how to prevent the cold from creeping through our home…and wallets! Take the time to inspect your entire house and ensure there aren’t any major concerns before you begin winter-proofing your home. […]Read More

Indoor Air Can Be a Health Issue For Seniors

No doubt, come winter, many seniors will be outdoors skiing the day away. But for some, winter’s cold, ice and snow make venturing out a little more dangerous. Older adults spend as much as 90 per cent of their winter at home. It is a time to take a deep breath and just get through […]Read More

Energy Changes on the Horizon

Much is being reported in the press these days about the rising cost of energy. There is talk about renewable energy versus fossil fuel versus nuclear generated electricity; the merits of electricity versus natural gas and electric vehicles versus combustion engines. Don’t forget climate change and carbon reduction. There are a lot of “versus” on […]Read More

Keep Those Dryer Vents Clear

Home energy efficiency is important to everyone and it pays to make sure that you are not wasting power. A big energy consumer in the home is the clothes dryer, and its cost to homeowners can add up. While you can take steps to prevent excessive dryer usage (e.g. wait until you have a proper […]Read More

Demystifying Duct Cleaning

Over the past couple of years, it has been a rare day when I have not received a phone call at dinner time from an overseas telemarketer trying to sell me duct cleaning, despite the best efforts of our government to establish do not call lists and issuing penalties for violators. In January 2013 CBC […]Read More

Duct Cleaning & Dryer Vents

It is hard to believe, but AtlasCare has been in the duct cleaning business for more than five years now. We got into the business in response to many requests from customers who were tired of being hounded by relentless telemarketers and wanted to have their ducts cleaned by someone they could trust. We took […]Read More

Why Have Your Ducts Cleaned?

Before you turn your furnace on for winter warmth, remember that over the past year, your ducts have been building up pollen, dust, and even bacteria. So, when your furnace comes on you’ll be blowing all that buildup into your home. With windows closed tight, the debris stays in your air. If you’ve had a […]Read More

Dryer Vent Fire Dangers

Did you know that dryer vents can cause dangerous house fires? As you can imagine, the dry, fluffy material is highly flammable. The problem is, once there is excessive buildup, it can cause the dryer over heat and ignite the fluff. It can take just a few seconds once ignited to get out of control. […]Read More