Many dealers provide priority service for their customers who have an annual maintenance or service agreement. Bi-annual preventative maintenance will ensure that your system runs as efficiently as possible. Your local dealer will perform the following tasks, depending on the unit:

Outdoor Units

• Inspect unit for proper refrigerant level and adjust if necessary
• Clean dirt, leaves and debris from inside cabinet
• Inspect base pan for restricted drain openings—remove obstructions as necessary
• Inspect coil and cabinet—clean as needed Inspect fan motor and fan blades for wear and damage—on older models lubricate as needed
• Inspect control box, associated controls/accessories, wiring and connections. Controls may include contactors, relays, circuit boards, capacitors, sump heat and other accessories. All control box and electrical parts should be checked for wear or damage.
• Inspect compressor and associated tubing for damage

Indoor Units

• Inspect and clean blower assembly (includes blower housing, blower wheel and motor)
• On older models, lubricate motor and inspect and replace fan belt if needed
• Check combustion blower housing for lint and debris and clean as necessary
• inspect evaporator coil, drain pan and condensate drain lines. Clean as needed
• Inspect for gas leaks in gas furnaces
• Inspect burner assembly—clean and adjust as needed
• Inspect ignition system and safety controls—clean and adjust as needed
• Inspect heat exchanger or heating elements
• Inspect flue system—check for proper attachment to the furnace, any dislocated sections, and for signs of corrosion. Replace if necessary.
• Inspect control box, associated controls, wiring and connections
• Clean or replace air filters
• Inspect conditioned airflow system (ductwork)—check for leaks

While Your System Is Operating

• Monitor system starting characteristics and capabilities
• Listen for abnormal noise
• Search for source of unusual odors
• Monitor air conditioning and heat pump systems for correct refrigerant charge
• Measure outdoor dry bulb temperature
• Measure indoor dry and wet bulb temperature
• Measure high and low side system pressures
• Monitor gas furnace for correct line and manifold gas pressure—make adjustments as needed
• Measure temperature rise and adjust airflow as needed
• Check vent system for proper operation
• Monitor system for correct line and load volts/amps
• Monitor system operation per manufacturer’s specifications
• Provide system operation report and recommend repairs or replacement as necessary

NOTE: Trane recommends all maintenance and service work be performed by a professional air conditioning and heating dealer that holds the appropriate credentials to install and service air conditioning and heating equipment.

The new Trane XT95 furnace is a single stage furnace that achieves a 95% AFUE, making it extremely gas-efficient. Not only that, the XT95 utilizes the High-Efficient X13 direct drive ECM blower motor, which provides comfortable four-speed airflow while reducing electrical watts required, making it extremely electrically efficient as well.

The new furnace comes with out of the box 10 year parts warranty and lifetime warranty on the heat exchanger (units must be registered on-line to qualify for the registered parts warranty. click here for details).

With the new XT95 product line, Trane now offers four furnace families rated at 95% or higher from a single stage direct drive motor to the revolutionary modulating furnace.

Your contractor is just finishing your new heat pump system installation and you have been watching his progress in anticipation of that wonderful new unit’s first run-up. Indeed you may just wonder “how” this first time start up is accomplished.

The correct assumption and expectation on your part is and should be; the installer will provide you with a written summation of your new heat pump system operating parameters.

A knowledgeable installer will begin with the indoor air flow source (either a furnace or electric air handler are most common) and he will test the air flow performance and characteristics of your homes ducting system to ensure not only the proper amount of air flow is being produced by the indoor fan (blower section) but also how efficiently the air is delivered to the in-floor mounted supply air diffusers.

Once proper air flow cubic feet per minute (CFM) is established – typically 350 to 450 per “Ton” of capacity of your outdoor heat pump unit (one Ton = 12,000BTU). Typical residential heat pump capacity range is 2-1/2 Ton to 3-1/2 Ton. Larger and smaller capacity systems of course exist, however 2-1/2 to 3-1/2 Ton capacity is common in most residences.

Again, once CFM delivery rate has been established and the indoor blower pressure and air flow rates have been recorded the installer is now ready to perform the “start-up” test of your new Heat Pump system.

The technician will now run the outdoor heat pump in heating or cooling mode depending on the season of the year your new system is being installed. If the installation occurs during the summer months the system will be tested in the cooling mode. Cooling mode is preferred by most installers since cooling season provides the best opportunity to prove system efficiency and balance the sealed system refrigerant charge.

Most residential heat pump systems are interconnected between the indoor unit and outdoor heat pump unit with copper lines which provide a path for the refrigerant to flow and produce heating or cooling.

Once the technician has been able to monitor the outdoor heat pump unit in operation for a minimum of ½ hour he or she is able to begin recording pressure and temperature measurements which will provide accurate insight to your new heat pump system efficiency and overall ability to heat or cool your home with regard to the “rated” capacity (in BTU) of the matched system components.

At this point the technician will have a completed a full start-up check list and record sheet the he or she will be able to provide you with a written record that you will be able to keep on file for future reference should your system require repair and also provide a technician a “base” operating parameter during testing while performing annual or bi-annual maintenance.

Once you have a completed heat pump installation and a written record of the new system performance and operating parameters don’t forget to monitor your system on a monthly basis and observe unusual noise or accumulation of dirt or debris around your outdoor heat pump.

It is important to monitor the cleanliness of your indoor unit “air filter”. On average a homeowner can expect to replace or clean (a permanent media filter)  once per month. Always remember to turn your system off before attempting to remove an air filter for replacement or cleaning to prevent unfiltered air from circulating throughout your home.

A clean air filter is the secret to extending the life of your new Heat Pump and also ensures the “rated” matched capacity of your heat pump system components are at peak performance and efficiency between filter maintenance periods.

You may want to discuss with your installer or your HVAC company of choice a Scheduled Maintenance Agreement that will provide either an annual or preferably a bi-annual maintenance inspection and cleaning of your new HVAC system investment.

Below is an example of a HVAC technicians Start up and System Performance test and record sheet.

The LiveSmart BC Efficiency Incentive Program encourages the existing low-rise housing sector in Canada to become more energy efficient, reduce emissions produced through energy use and contribute to clean air, water and energy. – But what does that mean specifically for you? And how do you qualify?

The first thing to know is that the government rebates are available to homeowners in BC who have NOT YET taken advantage of the incentives from either the LiveSmart BC or ecoEnergy programs.

Homeowners must also have an initial Energy Assessment preformed (on or after April 1^st 2011) and then complete a follow up Energy Assessment within 18 months of their initial Energy Assessment (or before March 31^st, 2013, whichever comes first).

A home energy evaluation will provide you with the information that you need to make good home energy retrofit decisions and will reward energy and water saving measures with a grant.

 7 Steps to Government Rebates

1. Register with Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) at http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/register and receive a registration number.  If you do not have Internet access, you can call 1-877-953-5454.
2. Schedule the pre-retrofit assessment with a Certified Energy Advisor.
3. The advisor will perform the assessment; make recommendations that will increase the energy efficiency of your home.
4. You decide which improvements to make based on the advisors recommendations and energy report.
5. Register online for your free in home consultation at http://www.tranebc.ca/contactus.html or call 604.945.2445.
6. Once the improvements have been completed schedule the post-retrofit assessment with your Certified Energy Advisor.
7. Within 90-120 days you will receive your grant based on the eligible upgrades performed.

Depending on the upgrades you choose this process may or may not be for you, but if you are in the market for a new furnace and heat pump, the grants could fund up to $2,890.00

For an extensive list of all of the grants available from LiveSmart BC visit: http://www.livesmartbc.ca/attachments/brochure.html?src=/incentives/efficiency-home/brochure.html

You can also visit our on-line rebate calculator to determine your eligibility and estimate your monthly payement

As a rule, property owners are required to have an ecoENERGY pre-retrofit evaluation performed prior to replacing or installing anything, including heating equipment, if they want that upgrade to become eligible towards a grant.

However, NRCan has an emergency heating system replacement policy specifically to assist property owners who are faced with replacing their heating equipment for health and safety reasons.

1. The heating system must have been ‘red tagged’ or deemed unsafe by the utility, service technician or building inspector; or,
2. The heating system cannot be repaired and must be replaced
3. The homeowner must register as a new participant and contact a service organization within five (5) calendar days of the system replacement in order to schedule a pre-retrofit evaluation with an energy advisor. The pre-retrofit evaluation must take place within 30 days of the new installation, and the post-retrofit evaluation must take place no later than March 31, 2012. Properties that are considered past participants are not affected by this policy as they do not require a new pre-retrofit evaluation and upgrades purchased and installed after June 6, 2011 are already eligible.

• All models now feature Trane’s exclusive Vortica blower, which offers greater energy efficiency and less noise.
• The Hyperion air handlers have 50% fewer parts than previous models for greater long-term reliability.
• Communicating systems now feature a centralized user interface conveniently located on the outside of the unit’s door.
• Application flexibility — Regardless of the type of refrigerant, air return or heat type (electric or hydronic), Hyperion offers compatibility for a wide range of applications, translating into unmatched installation flexibility.
• Consumer-friendly efficiency — From its unique Air-Tite II cabinet, which is constructed more like a refrigerator than a typical air handler, to its Vortica blower and air-tight rubber plugs and gaskets, Hyperion is designed to keep cold air inside, reducing lost energy and increasing system efficiency.
• Proactive testing — From mass spectrometer leak testing to 100% factory line run tests, Trane takes vigilant steps to verify units and components  work properly before they are packaged and shipped.w

Your mobile or manufactured home can benefit from the provincial and federal grants as well as increased energy savings. You no longer have to replace your existing “trailer furnace” with another “trailer furnace”.

Trane’s XV-95 down flow furnaces are approved for mobile and manufactured homes. Rebates available from the provincial and federal governments are up to $1,490.00 with a new furnace and up to $2,890.00 with furnace and heat pump. Along with the rebates you will realize energy savings of up to 40%.

The Trane furnace will fit nicely into the existing furnace pocket. The return and supply air match up to your existing ductwork so there is no major transitions to do. There may have to be some modifications done to the closet door on some installations, but once complete, you will have a quiet, energy efficient furnace. With the addition of a heat pump you can benefit from the air conditioning in the summer as well as greater energy savings in the winter.

The photographs courtesy of Kootenay Cooling & Heating fromCranbrookshow a completed installation of a furnace with a heat pump and the second is a furnace installed with Trane’s Clean Effects air cleaner.

The proper selection of a Furnace, Air Conditioner or Heat Pump system is based on the heat gain, and / or losses from your home. Heat gain and loss must be equally balanced by adding or removing heat to get the desired room comfort that you want. This depends on the following factors:

1. The temperature difference between the outside temperature and your desired indoor temperature.
2. The type of construction – amount of insulation in your ceilings and walls, the number and sizes of doors and windows. Let’s say that you have two identical sized and shaped buildings, one is built out of glass, and the other insulated wood framing. The one built with glass would require much more additional heat (in winter), or removal of heat (in summer), compared to the other – given the same day. This is because the glass has a high thermal conductivity (U-value) as compared to the insulated wood framing and because glass is transparent, it allows the direct transmission of solar heat into the home.
3. How much shade is on your building’s windows, walls, and roof? Two identical homes with different orientation with respect to the direction of sun rise and fall will also influence the system sizing.
4. How large is your home? The surface area of the walls and roof – the larger the surface area – the more heat that can be gained or lost through them.
5. How much air leaks into or out of your home? Infiltration plays a large part in determining your system sizing. Door gaps, improper insulation / vapor barrier, leaky windows, and chimneys – are the “doorways” for air to enter or leave your home.
6. Number of occupants in the house. Each person generates heat. When you are at a gathering, you can feel the temperature in the space rise as more people come in.
7. Activities and other equipment in your house. Cooking? Hot baths? Gymnasium? Etc..
8. Amount of lighting in the space. Large 100 watt pot lamps generate a tremendous amount of heat. High efficiency lighting fixtures generate less heat.
9. How much heat your appliances generate. The number of powered devices such as the oven, washing machine, computers, TV etc., all contribute to heat.

The systems efficiency, performance, durability, and cost depend on matching its size to the above factors. Many designers use a simple square foot method for sizing the system. The most common rule of thumb is to use “1 ton for every 500 square feet of floor area”. Or replace the existing furnace with the same size “because the initial installer must have been right”. Such a method could only be useful in preliminary estimation of the equipment size. The main drawback of rules-of-thumb methods is the presumption that the building design will not make any difference.

Regardless of what equipment, or who you want to install your new Home Comfort System, always make sure the licensed contractor performs a proper room by room heat load/heat gain calculation. This is the ONLY way for them to design your new heating and cooling system to meet your needs.  Installing an improperly sized, high efficient system only costs you money over the long run…not saves you.

The unique modulating communicating technology of the Trane XC95m prevents the system from overshooting the set temperature and almost eliminates temperature swings.  This innovative and unique technology allows the furnace to modulate from 40 percent to 100 percent of capacity, in less than 1 percent increments.

As the difference between set and indoor temperatures increases, the furnace increases its heat output to meet the load requirement of the house.  Once the load requirements decrease, a modulating furnace lowers its heat output to meet the set temperature within the home.  It’s almost as if your furnace can read your mind, or your home’s mind, for that matter.

3 main reasons Trane Modulating Furnace provides ultimate comfort:

1. Furnace modulates its heat output based on difference between indoor and set temperatures (load requirements)
2. Minimizes temperature swings and prevents temperature overshooting
3. Modulates from 40% to 100% capacity in less than 1% increments