HVAC technician removing a dirty air filter

Your Ultimate HVAC Maintenance Checklist for Spring

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As the weather gets warmer, it’s time to start preparing your home and your HVAC system for the hot summer months that lay ahead! One of the best things you can do for your equipment is preventive seasonal HVAC maintenance in the spring to ensure your air conditioner runs at peak efficiency, just in time […]Read More
Household water filtration system. Carbon filters and a glass of water on a table.

How to Choose The Best Home Water Filtration System

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Clean water is one of the easiest things to take for granted. Without it, there’d be no flushing the toilet, no showering or bathing, no clean dishes or clothes…not to mention no water to drink! We depend on water in almost every aspect of our lives, and that’s why it’s so important to be sure […]Read More
Fat, oil and grease build up in drain pipe

Avoid Kitchen Clogs: 5 Things To NEVER Pour Down

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Admit it, we’re all guilty of pouring leftover food or cooking oil down the kitchen drain instead of cleaning up our mess at one point or another. It’s convenient and doesn’t cause any harm…right? Well, you may want to think twice before pouring just anything down your kitchen drain again, as you can easily clog […]Read More
air-water-home-couch-spray-living-room-improve-breath

Improve Your Home’s Air Quality

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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

Is An HVAC/Plumbing Service Plan Really Worth Your Money?

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Think of the last time you had a service technician in your home. Once they were finished working on your HVAC or plumbing system, the tech probably took some time to suggest a few ways you could prevent future problems. There’s also a good chance they asked if you were interested in a service or […]Read More

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

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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)

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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

AtlasCare Announced Title Sponsor of Golf Fore MS Peel-Dufferin

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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

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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

Watch Out for This When Choosing an HVAC Company

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When it comes to your house, you want to ensure things go smoothly. Choosing the right contractor to carry out work on your HVAC system in your home can be difficult, stressful, and if something goes wrong, expensive. One of the most important things to do when choosing an HVAC company is to research. In […]Read More

How to Protect Your Home from Flooding this Spring

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Significant snow melt combined with heavy rainfalls spelled the recipe for disaster in many Northern Ontario communities this spring. Many roads in the Bracebridge area, Ontario’s main cottage country, were washed out by floodwaters, as water levels from nearby lakes rose dangerously high.  This prompted the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing to activate a disaster recovery […]Read More

Ontario Energy Rebates: Furnace And AC Rebates Available In 2019

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Update: the provincial government has announced that the Save on Energy Heating and Cooling program is cancelled effective April 1st, 2019. We will leave the information in this post for reference and update this post as new rebates become available. Ontario homeowners upgrading their heating systems or air conditioners in 2019 may be eligible for […]Read More

What Most People Don’t Know About HVAC Warranties

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HVAC warranties are supposed to give peace of mind. When it comes to your family’s home comfort, it’s important to know you can count on the warranty to cover you. Unfortunately, homeowners who thought they had warranty coverage too often find themselves on the hook for substantial repair costs. Why are HVAC warranties so often […]Read More

Smells You Don’t Want Your Household Guests To Notice

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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

Future-Proof Your Home Against Rising Energy Costs In Ontario

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Between an unstable global fuel market and battles over energy policy back home, there’s no telling exactly how Canada’s energy future will unfold. What we do know is this: the cost of natural gas or electricity will continue to fluctuate, and there’s not much that Ontario homeowners can do about it. What you can do […]Read More

5 Stress-free Ways to be a Better Holiday Host

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As the holidays approach, your calendar may be filling up fast. All the Christmas-shopping and gift-wrapping can leave you with little time to prepare for holiday hosting. There are many ways to be a great host, but we’ve created a list of things you may have overlooked in planning a safe, comfortable, and above-all memorable […]Read More

Winter Vacation Checklist: How to Protect Your Canadian Home

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Planning an extended winter vacation? Whether you’re fleeing to warmer climates or hitting the ski slopes, it’s not too soon to start preparing your home for the trip. This winter vacation checklist is designed for Canadian homeowners to help ensure your home is safe in the event of a blizzard or a blackout. We’ve also […]Read More

Most Important Amenities for Home Buyers in 2018

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Home and garden shows might lead you to believe the top priorities for home buyers are things like quartz countertops and herringbone floors. In reality, most buyers in Toronto and beyond aren’t all that fixated on things like décor. A recent survey confirms what we in the home comfort business already knew: the most important […]Read More

Step-by-Step Guide to Closing Your Air Conditioner for Winter

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With the forecast calling for a milder-than-usual fall, it’s likely many of us will leave closing the air conditioner in Toronto until late in the fall. But don’t be fooled — winter is coming. Don’t let it catch you before you’ve had a chance to close the air conditioner for winter. We’ve written a step-by-step […]Read More

Things To Do Before Turning On The Furnace This Winter

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Natural gas furnaces are commonplace here in the Greater Toronto Area. With proper care and maintenance, these heating systems are clean, efficient, and perfectly safe. Regardless, there are steps you should take now to ensure your family is safe and warm when the temperature falls. Here are 5 things we recommend you do before turning […]Read More

8 Things to Do In Ontario This Fall

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Sometimes, it feels like fall comes and goes in the blink of an eye. By the time you’ve settled into the back-to-school routine, Thanksgiving is already here, with Halloween just ahead and holiday shopping on the horizon. But there’s still time to do your fall maintenance tasks, prepare your home for winter, and enjoy the […]Read More

2018 Fall/Winter Weather Forecast: What to Expect in the GTA

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When the Farmer’s Almanac released its 2018 winter forecast for Ontario and the rest of Canada, it sent shivers down our spines. The 200-year-old periodical predicted a “teeth-chatteringly cold winter” for most of Canada, with the lowest temperatures afflicting the Prairies, Quebec, and our home province of Ontario. But the story doesn’t end there. On […]Read More

Fall Tips For Senior Home Maintenance

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As summer slowly comes to an end, now is a great time for seniors to start thinking about preparing for winter. Taking care of your home before any issues arise is a great way to minimize unexpected damages. Maintenance is important to improve health, safety and possibly your bank account! Here are some tips for […]Read More

5 Steps to Securing Your Home for Summer Vacations

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If there’s one upside to this scorching-hot weather, it’s the excuse to escape the city for a summer vacation. But don’t forget to secure your home for the summer before you go! These tips will help give you peace of mind that your house and home comfort system are safe and secure while you’re away. […]Read More

5 Things Smart Homeowners Do When They Move

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Your move-in checklist probably covers all the basics: labelling boxes, changing your billing address, replacing the locks, and so on. But did you buy new batteries for the smoke alarms? What about an air duct cleaning?  They don’t take long, but these steps will help keep your family safe and healthy in your new home.  1. Take Photos of Your Empty House […]Read More

5 Ways To Keep Children Cool When The AC Breaks

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Another school year is said and done. For many of us, that means the kids and grandkids will soon be spending a lot more time at home, taking over our refrigerators and living room TVs for a few months. Hopefully, your AC has had its yearly a check-up in preparation for what’s forecasted to be a very hot summer — otherwise, you could […]Read More

2018 Summer Weather Forecast In The GTA

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After the winter we just had, we’re almost afraid to ask what the summer of 2018 has in store for us. Last year, our part of Canada saw lots of grey skies and torrential rainfall, contributing to a record-breaking rise in the shorelines of Lake Ontario. So, what’s to come for summer weather in the […]Read More

5 Laundry Room Tips for Cleaner Clothes

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Have you noticed your clothes aren’t getting as clean as they used to? It could have to do with your laundry habits — or, your machine could be due for a dryer vent cleaning. Whatever the cause, these laundry room tips can help you get your clothes looking spotless and smelling fresh again. 1. Use […]Read More

7 Unique Ways to Deal With Spring Allergies

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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

We are 85 Years Young!

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You wouldn’t know it from our youthful energy, but 2017 is the 85th anniversary of AtlasCare. This is a big milestone for our company. Over the coming year we will be offering some 85th anniversary specials so keep an eye out for them. We have had one employee, Dick Thomas, our vice president of the […]Read More

5 Steps To Take Before Switching Air Conditioner

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Signs of spring abound in the city. The temperature’s rising, the days are growing longer, and the snow has finally melted away. Know what that means? Soon, it will be time again to fire up the air conditioner! But before you do that, you should ensure the unit is ready to operate efficiently. Take these […]Read More

Century-Old Cleaning Hacks to Try This Spring

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We could all use a little extra inspiration to take on the spring cleaning that lies ahead. Instead of buying expensive new cleaning gadgets, why not try something different? Our grandparents always give tried-and-true advice, and these spring cleaning hacks are no exception! Wake Up Early and Plan Ahead You can accomplish a lot if […]Read More

6 Ways To Prepare Your Home For The Spring Floods

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Spring is a time of year when many homes are at risk of flooding. Southern Ontario has already seen more its share of floods this past year, and officials in many areas are already warning residents to prepare for more. Unfortunately for us, the conditions that lead to flooding are becoming more and more frequent […]Read More

5 Steps to Keeping Pets Safe in Freezing Temperatures

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Dogs and cats may be furry, but that doesn’t mean they can face winter alone. Frostbite and hypothermia are just as much as concern for animals as for you and I. Here are five steps that will help to keep pets safe in freezing temperatures. 1. Don’t Leave Your Pet Outside During Extreme Cold This […]Read More

7 Things Your Winter Storm Kit Needs

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Winter storms are a fact of life here in Ontario. Each year, Mother Nature brings us at least one wallop of a storm that knocks out the power, sends trees toppling, and glazes the roads with a slick sheet of ice. That’s why your home should have a winter storm kit with essentials to keep […]Read More

What Everyone Needs to Know About Their Gas Fireplace

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Much as we complain about winter here in Ontario, there are some upsides to frosty weather. Cozy fires are one of them. A fireplace can be a comfortable heat source and a fond gathering place, and gas fireplaces offer both benefits at the click of a button. But many people aren’t sure what to think […]Read More

About Atlascare Social Responsability

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When he opened the doors to Atlas Service Co. on Toronto’s Yorkville Avenue in 1932, Harry L. Bach had a modest vision: to provide an honest, reliable service for customers he cared about, while doing his best to care for the community around him. Today, we still do our best at AtlasCare to give back […]Read More

AtlasCare Celebrating 85th Anniversary By Giving $8,500 To Charity

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If there is a charity that’s close to your heart, you can give them a chance to land $5,000. Today, heating and air quality contractor AtlasCare launched Care to Share on its website and social media channels. The project invites employees, customers and community members to nominate as many different charities as they wish during […]Read More

5 Hidden Fire Hazards in Your Home

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Home is where most of us truly feel safe, but have you thought about just how safe your home actually is? While almost all of us think about the obvious hazards and have basic safeguards in place for them, many fires result from threats that the owners had not even considered. Here are five hidden […]Read More

6 Home Upgrades with the Best Returns

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There are two main reasons people invest in home upgrades: to increase their enjoyment and quality of life, and to add resale value to the home. The home upgrades with the best returns are those that retain their value and provide a high return on investment, while also increasing your comfort and satisfaction. These 6 […]Read More

Big Change Means Big Value

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The HVAC industry has tended to live at the bottom of the value chain for so long because there was no big energy penalty for not improving efficiencies. The government’s efficiency goals as laid out in the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change are necessarily ambitious: lower carbon emissions by 50% by 2030 […]Read More

Rebates: The Clock is Ticking!

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One thing is common among just about all homeowners: the need to be more energy efficient in the face of increasing costs. There is also the obligation to conserve nonrenewable energy sources for the sake of the planet and future generations. We all have many financial responsibilities these days: mortgage, education, insurance, taxes, utilities, groceries…the […]Read More

Working From Heights

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Working off the ground has always meant taking additional care, and those men and women who regularly perform this duty are diligent when it comes to safety. However, accidents still occur and the government of Ontario has recently launched new legislation that it hopes will curb the number of injuries and deaths. It governs how […]Read More

Teeing Off for MS – Our Annual Golf Tournament

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Once again AtlasCare was pleased to be the lead sponsor for what’s become a vitally important annual fund raising golf tournament for the MS Society of Canada, Peel-Dufferin Chapter. The event was held on September 13 at the Royal Ontario Golf Club. We enjoyed spectacular weather and had a great turnout of golfers. We raised […]Read More

A Message About Customer Service

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Anyone who experienced it will not be surprised to hear that the summer of 2016 was the hottest since 2005, even though old guys like me have trouble remembering back that far. Constant demand over a sustained period of time tends to expose any weaknesses within a company’s processes. In our case, over the past […]Read More

Declining Dollar Drives Up Prices

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If you’ve been following the news lately, you’ve likely noticed that the Canadian dollar has been experiencing a dramatic decline. As I write this, the dollar is currently sitting at 0.91 cents American. That means that one U.S. dollar is worth $1.09 Canadian. While the dollar has seen some resurgence throughout the year, experts are […]Read More

Keep An Eye For Doorknockers

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I recently got a call from a longtime customer asking me some questions about a boiler that a door-to-door salesman was trying to get him to rent. The homeowner told the salesman that he was under a maintenance plan with AtlasCare and that he was very happy with the service. The sales rep then assured […]Read More

Emergency Repair vs Maintenance (Part 1)

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Q. Emergency Repair vs Maintenance. Which is more important? When you have no heat or no cooling, would you be prepared to wait for service because our technician was doing maintenance routine work for other customers? The answer we hear categorically is that you are not. Our customers want and expect fast emergency service, and […]Read More