Question 1

Our Delta basement condensate drain keeps clogging, how is that prevented?

Accepted Answer

Condensate drain clogs are one of the most common service calls in Metro Vancouver, and Delta's damp climate makes them worse: a high-efficiency furnace or air handler can produce several litres of water a day, and that slow-moving acidic condensate is a perfect environment for algae, mould and mineral scale to build up inside the drain line.

Why It Keeps Blocking

The usual culprits are biofilm (a slimy layer of algae and bacteria), calcium and mineral deposits from the water itself, and debr

Question 2

What should a technician check during a heat pump service visit in BC?

Accepted Answer

A thorough annual heat pump service visit in Metro Vancouver typically costs $150 to $300 and covers far more than a quick filter swap. Given the region's wet winters, frequent defrost cycles and wildfire smoke seasons, skipping a year can mean losing heat on the first cold night of October or facing a costly refrigerant call in July.

What a Technician Should Cover

Outdoor unit and refrigerant circuit. The technician checks refrigerant pressure and looks for leaks. Only a person approved unde

Question 3

How long does a gas furnace typically last in BC?

Accepted Answer

A gas furnace in Metro Vancouver typically lasts 15 to 25 years, with most units hitting the 18 to 20 year mark before repairs start outpacing the value of keeping them running. The mild, damp climate here is a mixed blessing: winters are rarely brutal enough to run a furnace hard for months on end, but the constant cycling on and off in our shoulder seasons and the humidity can wear heat exchangers and inducer motors faster than in drier climates.

What actually determines how long yours lasts

Question 4

What happens during a boiler service in an older Kerrisdale home?

Accepted Answer

A boiler service in an older Kerrisdale home typically takes two to three hours and costs between $150 and $300 for a standard annual tune-up, depending on the age of the system and whether any parts need attention.

What a Technician Actually Does

Most Kerrisdale houses with boilers were built between the 1920s and 1960s, and many still run the original cast-iron radiators and copper or steel distribution piping. The technician starts at the boiler itself: inspecting the heat exchanger for cr

Maintenance & Tune-ups

Our Delta basement condensate drain keeps clogging, how is that prevented?

What should a technician check during a heat pump service visit in BC?

How long does a gas furnace typically last in BC?

What happens during a boiler service in an older Kerrisdale home?