Homeowner Help
Tips from
the Techs.
Practical answers from the people who work on it every day—what you can check safely, when to stop and when the equipment needs a qualified set of hands.
Browse every guideAll homeowner guides
Start with the
question you have.
Every guide remains available here year-round. Safety and regulatory pages show when they were last reviewed.
Heating
Getting your heating system ready for fall
A short, safe checklist to run before the first cold night—while there is still time to deal with a problem.
Heating
Thermostat not working? Batteries and safe first checks
Before assuming the furnace has failed, check the thermostat display, mode, setting and batteries.
Heating + airflow
How and when to check a forced-air furnace filter
A filter check takes minutes, but the correct direction, size and replacement interval matter.
Safety
Carbon monoxide warning signs—and what to do when an alarm sounds
Treat an emergency CO alarm as an emergency: get everyone outside and call 911 from there.
Ontario requirements
Ontario carbon monoxide alarm requirements for homes
Since January 1, 2026, applicable Ontario homes require CO alarms beside sleeping areas and on every storey.
Boilers + safety
TSSA safety checks for applicable residential natural-draft boilers
The heating-season requirement applies to a defined class of boilers—not every boiler in Ontario.
Winter safety
Keeping exterior furnace and water-heater vents clear
Leaves, snow and ice can obstruct appliance intake or exhaust openings. Check them from the ground after storms.
Winter heating
What to check when a furnace cannot keep up in very cold weather
A falling indoor temperature can come from airflow, controls, the building load or an equipment fault.
Water heating
Tankless water heaters: benefits, limits and sizing
Continuous hot water is possible only while demand stays within the unit’s capacity—and the installation has to support it.
Service explained
What is included in a heating-system service appointment?
A regular appointment combines equipment cleaning with a visual inspection of operational and safety-critical components.
Spring plumbing
Snowmelt, sump pumps and basement-water preparation
Before a fast thaw or heavy spring rain, check the drainage path and make sure the sump system can operate.
Cooling
Getting air conditioning ready for spring
Check the filter, thermostat, outdoor airflow and condensate area before the first genuinely hot day.