Author: Cj brubacher

It’s well known that poor or outdated electrical work — in residential or commercial buildings — can lead to fires, cause your homeowners’ insurance to be cancelled, and accrue a lot of extra money in repairs for what was thought to be a simple renovation project. What isn’t as well known is how to spot a good, licensed electrician from an unlicensed electrician.

The importance of spotting the difference cannot be overstated.

Why Is An Electrician’s License Important?

Similar to the other trades, electrical work requires years of training & study. This includes five years of education, 10,000 hours of on-the-job training, and in Waterloo Region, passing certain tests to verify their knowledge & skill. In fact, electrical training is one of the longer trades requiring apprenticeship.

It isn’t just the electrician’s skill & knowledge that matters, it’s also the local laws and codes the electrician must know inside and out. Building codes vary by Region & province, which is why it’s even more important to make sure the electrician you hire is aware of local laws and bylaws. The tips below will help you determine if the person you’re hiring has done their due diligence to be fully certified in Waterloo Region.

Questions To Ask

Who will be doing the work? Is it the person providing the quote? The owner? One of their employees? A Subcontractor? If it is an employee, make sure you also ask how many years of experience they have. If it is a subcontractor, ask for their contact info to speak with them directly, and ask them to provide the proper licensing. If they can’t, find a new contractor. If they are lax or seem to avoid the topic instead of producing right away, find a new contractor.

Tips For Verifying An Electrician’s License

There are three main types of information that you can use to verify a license. You can use the number that appears on the license. You can get the information using the electrician’s full name and then logging onto The Ontario College of Trades Website (We reference this in an earlier post about plumbers). Verification of the electrician’s license can also be provided by the company they work for.

If you call us at CJ Brubacher Ltd., we could tell you we have a Master Electrician, verified by the Region of Waterloo.

An additional step you can take is to ask for proof of liability insurance. The insurance company can verify the license.

If the company is not willing to stand behind their employee, you might want to question the legitimacy of that organization. Additionally, if the person scheduled to do your electrical work is an independent contractor, feel free to ask them for their license.

If you are left in doubt about an electrician’s skills or license validity, we recommend skipping them by and finding an organization that you feel you can trust.

If you are curious what some typical skills that an licensed electrical worker might have, we’ve got you covered:

Skills

• Electrical Systems & Controls
• Installations & Maintenance
• Electromechanical Repairs
• Generators & Transformers
• Switches & Circuit Breakers
• Electrical Code, Safety & QA
• Wiring Diagrams
• Testing Instruments
• Blueprints & Schematics

Thanks for reading and if you have any questions about electrical work, plumbing, heating, or air conditioning, please contact us at:

(519) 669-3362
CJ Brubacher Ltd.
Facebook Page
19 First St E
Elmira, Ontario
N3B 2E6

The Importance of Air Conditioner Maintenance

At CJ Brubacher Ltd., we have been servicing all makes and models of air conditioners since 1923, from central air conditioning to window AC units to newer floor units. That’s why we know the importance of homeowners being vigilant and having the knowledge to perform light air conditioner maintenance on their own. To help you out, we compiled a short list with five tips that will help your units last longer and save you money in the long run.

Air Conditioner Maintenance Tip #1

Clean/replace Your Air Filter

Replacing your air filter (for reusable filters, simply follow the cleaning instructions provided) is the #1 most common service tip our technicians give out. Although many air conditioner owners in Elmira, Kitchener-Waterloo, Guelph, Cambridge and surrounding areas are already doing this, it is still worth mentioning because the unit will provide cleaner air and last considerably longer.

If you are not aware if your AC unit is equipped with an air filter, where it is on the AC unit, how to remove/replace it, or where to buy a new one, we recommend giving your nearest air conditioner service professionals a phone call. If you’re looking for air conditioner service in Waterloo Region, we’re happy to help.

Air Conditioner Maintenance Tip #2

Examine Your Thermostat

For replacing or technical servicing of a thermostat, we recommend calling a professional, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t simple checks you can do to determine if your thermostat is working properly or needs service in the first place. If you have an older mechanical unit, we suggest upgrading to a programmable type, as they are more accurate and allow you to save money on cooling by choosing the best times to cool your house down (such as just before you arrive home).

If your air conditioning seems to be not turning on when you feel the temperature rise it could indicate your thermostat isn’t working properly and needs to be serviced.

Double-checking that all of the functions work properly according to your thermostat guide, or using Google, will help you determine if a service call is needed.

Air Conditioner Maintenance Tip #3

Inspect Internal Wiring
Ensure your air conditioner is turned off and unplugged from the wall! Never pull, cut, or tamper with wires. We recommend only a visual inspection.

Follow our above advice thoroughly, then continue.

Next, you will want to look at all the wires and check for signs of damage/decay. Are there signs of melted wires? Blackened wires? Can you see any fraying or rust near the connectors? We aren’t suggesting you begin tampering with or trying to fix any internal components, but a thorough glance will let you know if an expert needs to service your unit before continuing to use it.

This maintenance tip requires the most technical knowledge and we want to advocate safety first, so if you are uncomfortable removing the casing or inspecting the wires, please contact your local mechanical contractor for a service call. A complete list for air conditioner services in Waterloo, Kitchener, Elmira, Guelph, Cambridge, and surrounding areas can be found on YellowPages.ca.

While you have the casing off feel free to clean out any dirt & dust that may have accumulated.

Air Conditioner Maintenance Tip #4

Central AC Outdoor Unit? Clean, Clean, Clean!
If you have central air conditioning, it is important to clean around your unit. This includes making sure there is no thick brush or overgrowth blocking the vents – trim long branches that push into the open vents. It’s also important to sweep the top of your central air conditioner unit if you have trees or other vegetation that “sheds” its blooms on top of your unit, such as Maple Keys.

The fan blades on your outdoor AC unit should blow strong enough to reduce most light dust & dirt naturally, but if you’re coming back from a few days vacation or another period where your unit was shut off for a prolonged period (ie. winter), make sure the screens and coils are cleaned well.

Air Conditioner Maintenance Tip #5

Ensure Your Evaporator Drain is Flowing Properly (Not Plugged)
Evaporator drains hold a lot of moisture in a tight space which means that over time, biological matter like mold or algae may grow.

First, find the drain line where it leaves the evaporator coil enclosure. The drain is usually a one-inch PVC pipe (white, grey, or black). Typically, the line drains outside or into a basement utility sink, but it may also run right into a laundry room floor drain.

For the next step you will need a wet/dry vacuum, and you will want to remove the dry filter as leaving it in may ruin it. Hold a cloth over the opening to make a tighter seal, and run the wet/dry vac against it for a few minutes to ensure any debris that may be in the line has been pulled out.

Congratulations, you are now an Air Conditioner Maintenance Guru ready to take on the world! If you aren’t quite comfortable servicing your AC unit by yourself, and are living in Waterloo, Kitchener, Elmira, Guelph, Cambridge, or surrounding areas, feel free to call us here at CJ Brubacher Ltd., your family-owned Air Conditioning experts since 1923.

Thanks for reading and if you have any questions about electrical work, plumbing, heating, or air conditioning, please contact us at:

(519) 669-3362
CJ Brubacher Ltd.
Facebook Page
19 First St E
Elmira, Ontario
N3B 2E6

The leaves are changing colour and the nights are getting cooler. The smell of Pumpkin Spice Lattes is filling the air and your home is quiet again from 9:00-3:30 while the kids are in school… Ahh, the fresh fall air is finally here!

To help you prepare for the cooler weather, we’ve compiled a list of home maintenance tips for fall. Many of these can be done by you, depending on your own comfort level with handy-work. Anything else, feel free to call your go-to local HVAC or plumbing company.

• Clean or replace all filters in your home. (This should be done in most furnace or AC units once per month anyway.)
• Seal cracks, gaps, leaks and add insulation to save up to 20% on heating costs.
• Don’t run bathroom or kitchen ventilation fans longer than necessary. They replace inside air with outside air.
• Check all smoke & CO alarms/testers. Replace batteries and test them. The National Fire Protection Association recommends homes should have smoke alarms installed inside every bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home, including the basement.
• Upgrade your thermostat. Mechanical thermostats are likely 10+ years old at this point and the springs become worn out, causing inaccuracies in reading your temperature in-house, which then costs you more money in heating.
• Drain & winterize outdoor taps & faucets. Not sure how? Give us a call!
• Do you have any gas appliances such as a gas fireplace? Don’t clean it yourself, have it inspected by a professional. This isn’t just a plug to have one of our extremely professional, talented, handsome gas fitters come out and service your fireplace, it’s also the law that only a licensed Gas Fitter 2 or 1 does the servicing; your insurance could become void if it was found out you did certain work on a gas line.
• Have young ones? Make sure they know what to do in case of an emergency such as a fire. Cool Fall evenings around the dinner table are great for rehearsing your safety plans.
• Do a walk-around of your home exterior. Are there gaps in the driveway? Brick or siding that is eroding? Fixing these now will avoid a lot of headaches later on.

We will be adding to this series as the seasons’ change and new requests for information arrive from our customers!

As always, if you need any heating, ventilation, air conditioning, or plumbing work done, you can contact us via our phone @ (519) 669-3362, our Facebook page, or our Contact Information page!

Thanks for reading and if you have any questions about electrical work, plumbing, heating, or air conditioning, please contact us at:

(519) 669-3362
CJ Brubacher Ltd.
Facebook Page
19 First St E
Elmira, Ontario
N3B 2E6

Looking For Dedicated Air Conditioner Experts in Waterloo Region?

Call Waterloo’s most trusted team of AC Service Technicians for immediate service. CJ Brubacher Ltd provides quality solutions and service you can trust.

When a heat spell strikes, you can’t go without your air conditioner. If you have poor venting in your home or don’t own a fan, that is doubly true. Leaving a pet at home? You definitely want to make sure your home stays within a reasonable temperature. You need air conditioning technicians that can get you up and running with no delay, and make repairs that last.

Our technicians are qualified to work on industrial, commercial, and residential units. We also carry a wide variety of stock in our shop which means we can assess and solve problems same-day. Products we don’t have on-site can usually be delivered the same day it is requested, due to our extensive history and partnerships with all the areas biggest names. Residents across Waterloo Region have relied on our service technicians since 1923.

REASONS TO CHOOSE CJ BRUBACHER LTD

• Flat-rate pricing, quotes provided up front and no hidden fees or add-on charges
• 24/7 emergency service calls — we are there for you when you need us
• Expert team led by Senior licensed HVAC Technicians, with nearly 100 years in business

DO YOU NEED PROFESSIONAL AIR CONDITIONER INSTALLATION?

Whether a small window unit or a commercial rooftop unit, we are here for you. All of Waterloo Region relies on us to keep them cool during our hot, muggy Canadian summers. We can help you from start to finish with a solution that is affordable for you.

CENTRAL AC UNIT REPAIR + SERVICE

We touched on some ways you can look after your own AC repair in an earlier entry, so start there if you’re looking for air conditioner repair. If you’ve followed those tips and determined you need a professional opinion, we are more than happy to help. Repair, service, & replacing of air conditioners in Waterloo Region is our specialty. We also service Guelph / Eramosa, Drayton, Mapleton Township, Woolwich Township & surrounding areas.

YEARLY AC UNIT SERVICE

We can provide yearly maintenance for your ac unit, even if we didn’t install it! Just call us and ask about our specials for yearly service on your central air conditioner, window ac unit, or commercial air conditioner.

CONTACT US

Thanks for reading and if you have any questions about electrical work, plumbing, heating, or air conditioning, please contact us at:

(519) 669-3362
CJ Brubacher Ltd.
Facebook Page
19 First St E
Elmira, Ontario
N3B 2E6

Cold temperatures can cause pipes to freeze and frozen pipes can burst. This can be inconvenient, cause costly repairs to home and business owners, and is usually an easily avoidable problem.

The Facts About Frozen Pipes

A Canadian Problem?

Sort of. While the problem is certainly most common in cold climates, it also happens when homes that aren’t originally designed for colder temperatures experience cold for the first time, such as a colder-than-usual winter.

This also happens to us in Ontario, especially if we go away for a few days and temperatures drop way below 0.

Frozen Pipes May Burst

Frozen pipes on their own can prevent water from flowing. This can cause emergencies in your home or business and is doubly as bad when it happens at an essential service building like a hospital or hospice.

Even worse, those pipes can burst because the oxygen in the water expands. After enough expansion, the pipes will break, burst, and can cause significant flooding from any water that thaws.

TIP #1: Keep The Heat On

If you or your tenants are leaving home, such as a trip down south or a vacation to see family over the holidays, make sure you/they keep the heat on. The cold weather doesn’t care about your utility bills! Not to mention the heat bill will never be as high as the potentially thousands of dollars in damage and repairs to burst pipes.

You don’t have to keep the heat set to 70 degrees Fahrenheit like you maybe normally would, but also don’t turn it down too low, especially if you know there are rooms or spots in your home or business that tend to be a few degrees cooler.

TIP #2: Allow Faucet To Drip

If you are afraid a pipe will freeze, you can allow the faucet to drip slightly. Flowing water won’t freeze—think of a river in the middle of winter. Everything around it is frozen but it is not.

In addition to flowing water, allowing a faucet to drip means it will actually relieve pressure in your plumbing system. This is important because if the pipe does freeze, the tension against the pipes that form between the blockage and your faucet is what will cause the pipe to burst.

Trust us, a frozen pipe can be warmed up; a burst pipe will require a professional (or many) to fix.

TIP #3: Keep Interior Doors Open

Think of where your pipes are… In cabinets, mechanical rooms, next to cold walls of your home. Keeping interior doors open allows warm air and cold air to flow more freely, so the cold air won’t pool as easily around the pipes.

TIP #4: Add Extra Insulation

Calling your local plumbing professional to fix burst or frozen pipes will likely be hundreds of dollars. Preventative insulation could cost as little as dollars and cents per piping section.

Insulate any pipes running through areas you worry may lack proper insulation, such as an attic, unfinished basement, or cold room. Keeping those pipes insulated will greatly reduce your risk of frozen pipes.

As always, if you need any heating, ventilation, air conditioning, or plumbing work done, you can contact us via our phone @ (519) 669-3362, our Facebook page, or our Contact Information page!

Thanks for reading and if you have any questions about electrical work, plumbing, heating, or air conditioning, please contact us at:

(519) 669-3362
CJ Brubacher Ltd.
Facebook Page
19 First St E
Elmira, Ontario

Save money and remain cozy throughout winter by acting now before the bitter cold arrives. Most of these tips can be accomplished without even leaving your home!

1. Prep Your Fireplace

Many people aren’t aware that their fireplace needs to be serviced yearly. This will ensure it runs smoothly all winter long. Most of the time, a quick clean and test of the internal components — such as ensuring no natural gas or CO can leak — is all that is needed.

If you have a wood fireplace, ensure the chimney is in good repair and cleaned out. If you don’t have a chimney liner it is now required by code in Ontario.

2. Change Furnace Filters

Dirty filters restrict airflow and don’t do their jobs properly. This can mean more dust & allergen particles coming into your home. Another side effect of clogged filters is forcing your furnace or air cooling system to work harder, exhausting its lifespan.

We recommend switching from fiberglass filters, which capture 10-40% of debris, to a HEPA filter, which can capture 99.97% of air pollutants.

3. Drain Outside Hose Pipes

Every Spring we, unfortunately, have to assist with a few surprise home renovations after internal pipes freeze & burst. This is almost always from an outside faucet being left active over the winter. Typically, these renovations end up costing the unsuspecting homeowners anywhere from $1,000-5,000.

The worst part? It’s easily avoided. Here’s how: Turn off the water from the water shut-off valve inside your home. Then, turn on the outside tap until all of the water has drained. It’s seriously as easy as that!

4. Check To See If Your Furnace is Working (Before the cold weather hits!)

The important thing here is to have your furnace serviced before the cool weather hits. September-November is extremely busy for mechanical contracting companies and they often book 1-2 weeks ahead. You do not want to find out on the first night below zero that your furnace won’t turn on and you have to pay emergency rates for an after hours plumber.

You could save hundreds of dollars if you 1) Test your furnace before freezing temperatures arrive, and, 2) Book a yearly inspection. Yearly furnace inspections test the efficiency and safety of your furnace, ensuring a cozy winter for you and your family.

5. Automate Your Thermostat

The average family spends 50-70% of their energy budget on heating, so make sure you aren’t paying for what you don’t need! If you program your thermostat to only fire your furnace when it reaches a certain temperature while you’re home, and a lower temperature when everyone is gone, you will save huge!

Every degree you lower your thermostat setting equals $1-$3 in savings. Don’t have a programmable thermostat? They are widely available and easily installed. We will supply & install your Honeywell 2000 Pro Thermostat for $110.00 — money you will get back on your bills during an average Canadian winter.

6. Caulk Your Windows

Caulking & weatherstripping your windows can stop leakage by up to 30%! That’s an easy $30 per month on your energy bill!

Look for places where two building materials meet such as windows, corners, chimneys, where pipes exit, or along your foundation. Use a lit stick of incense and move it slowly near these areas and if the smoke wavers, you have air escaping or sneaking in.

7. Lower Your Water Heater

Most installers set your heat at 120 degrees Fahrenheit, but in reality, 120 degrees Fahrenheit is all you need. Lowering that temperature can also result in savings by 6-10% off your energy bill.

If your water heater is old, or you have concerns about its efficiencies, call your local plumbing & heating experts. We can advise the best options right over the phone, including purchasing a new water heater or adopting a rental unit.

8. Reverse Your Ceiling Fans

Fans are great all summer long when you want to keep cool. Did you know that if you run them clockwise they will disperse warm air that pools against the ceiling? This will make a room feel much warmer, allowing you to turn the thermostat down a degree or two.

As air is circulated back into your living spaces, you can actually help save as much as 10% off your energy bill.

9. Insulate Your Interior

Your heat is escaping through your roof. At least 25% of all heat loss occurs when an attic or roof is uninsulated. It’s an easy fix. You can insult your attic floor, your basement ceiling, and other areas you think are culprits for air leakage.

This will guarantee a cozier winter while you save $$$ on your monthly energy bill.

10. Insulate Water Pipes

This is one that you can choose to do yourself, or hire an expert for. Most pipe insulators can be purchased at your local hardware or plumbing store, and you can cut/fit them to their proper size.

If you aren’t sure which pipes are your water pipes, call an expert. We don’t recommend putting your hands on pipes to see which ones are warm, as this could scald your skin very badly.

As always, if you need any heating, ventilation, air conditioning, or plumbing work done, you can contact us via our phone @ (519) 669-3362, our Facebook page, or our Contact Information page!

Thanks for reading and if you have any questions about electrical work, plumbing, heating, or air conditioning, please contact us at:

(519) 669-3362
CJ Brubacher Ltd.
Facebook Page
19 First St E
Elmira, Ontario
N3B 2E6