FAQ Category: Furnace Maintenance

You’ll need to increase the humidity level if you have low relative humidity in your Edmonton home. The best way to fix low relative humidity is to install a whole-home humidifier. This specialized home comfort appliance will significantly improve your indoor air quality and allow you to live more comfortably.

There are many benefits to maintaining good humidity levels in your Edmonton home with a whole home humidifier system. These benefits include:

• Creating a healthier indoor environment
• Making your home more comfortable
• Saving energy (moist air is easier to heat)
• Protecting wood furniture, hardwood flooring, and paint (low humidity can destroy these things)
• Decreasing static electricity, etc.

If your AC unit’s power is on, but nothing is happening. You may have blown a fuse or tripped a circuit breaker. There may be a problem with the motor. Other factors could include a refrigerant leak, a filter that needs changing and dirty condenser coils. A capacitor could be weak. If you are unable to diagnose and fix it yourself, call in ProSolutions Inc. to help. Our trained AC technicians will be able to quickly diagnose the issue.

Experience a refreshing summer with Ameristar Air Conditioning brand, recommended by ProSolutions Inc.

Compressors can make banging or rattling sounds, hissing or clinking noises, humming and screeching. Your first action is to shut down the unit. Causes include loose parts, the motor coming loose, a refrigerant leak, faulty controls, low on oil, and pressure build-ups.

For all these problems you’re best to bring in ProSolutions Inc. to diagnose and fix the problem, including possible compressor replacement.  

ProSolutions Inc. recommends Ameristar Air Conditioning brand for its advanced technology and efficient performance.

Ductless air conditioners offer reliable and efficient cooling – so installing a mini split AC is worth it for many Edmonton homeowners. That said, a ductless mini split air conditioner is not worth it for every home.

Here are some situations in which a ductless air conditioner is worth it:

• Efficiency is your top priority.
• You want to lower your monthly energy bills.
• You live in an apartment or condo.
• You are adding an addition to your home (e.g. suite, bonus room, sunroom, etc.).
• You want to control the temperature in each room separately.
• You need to cool a room with temperature issues (e.g. a room with large, south-facing windows).
• You want to install AC in a house that has no existing ductwork.

Although mini split ACs have numerous advantages, there are also several disadvantages of ductless air conditioners that homeowners must consider.

The main disadvantages of ductless air conditioning include:

• Initial cost – the cost to install a ductless mini split air conditioner is similar to that of a forced air system and much more expensive than a portable AC.
• Aesthetics – with a ductless air conditioner, the indoor evaporator unit is mounted to a wall or ceiling. Some homeowners do not like this aesthetic and prefer a more inconspicuous central air conditioning system.
• Regular maintenance – like a forced air system, a mini split AC requires routine maintenance. For example, the filter of each interior evaporator unit should be cleaned every 4 to 6 weeks (or more frequently if you smoke or have pets).
• Risk of leaking – Due to the indoor condenser being mounted on the wall inside your home, there is always a possibility of leaks. Regular maintenance should help prevent this, but there have been instances where tenants or homeowners neglected proper maintenance, resulting in leaks that damaged walls, decor, and other belongings.

Yes! With our ProWater Softener Membership, we don’t just deliver salt—we pick it up, bring it to your home, and fill your tank for you. Whether you prefer a small monthly fee or a discounted annual plan, we tailor your delivery schedule based on your softener’s usage and your household’s needs.

Plus, if your system ever needs service, our team is ready to help—whether it’s our technicians, shop crew, or installers, we’ll send the right person for the job based on your maintenance history and availability.

Salt should be refilled every 1 to 3 months, depending on your water usage, tank size, and family size. In Edmonton, with our harder water, most households check their salt monthly—especially during peak use seasons like winter.

A good rule of thumb: if the tank is less than half full, it’s time to top it up. But if that feels like one more thing to remember, our ProWater Softener Salt Membership makes it easy—we track your needs and deliver salt on a regular schedule, so your softener is always ready to go.

If humidity is too low in your house, this can lead to many different issues. Some of the most common problems created by low humidity in Edmonton homes include:

• Itchy, dry, cracked skin
• Sore, dry throat and nose
• Frequent nose bleeds
• Respiratory issues and difficulty breathing
• Lung and sinus problems
• Increased chance of colds
• Dust irritation
• Increased shocks from static electricity 

In addition to these physical effects, low humidity can damage hardwood flooring, wood furniture, paint, and wallpaper (causing it to crack/peel). Low humidity also makes it more challenging to maintain proper air temperature. Dry air is more difficult to heat. Therefore, your furnace will be forced to work harder to keep your home warm. As a result, you’ll have higher heating bills, and your furnace may experience more frequent repairs and a shorter lifespan

Any AC unit that is 15 years of age or older is not only more likely to break down and need costly repairs, but is also much less efficient & more costly to operate. Therefore, an AC unit replacement may be the best investment moving forward. Ask ProSolutions Inc. to do a cost-benefit for you, so you can decide whether it’s better to fix the problem or invest in a new unit.

Replacing an old air conditioner involves more than just swapping out the unit. Several parts of your home’s cooling system may need to be inspected, repaired, or upgraded to ensure your new AC runs efficiently and reliably. This can include:

• Ductwork: Is it properly sized, sealed, and in good condition?

• Insulation & Windows: Poor insulation or drafty windows can affect performance.

• Refrigerant Lines: Existing piping may need to be replaced or flushed, depending on the type of refrigerant.

• Condensate Drainage: Proper drainage is crucial to avoid water damage.

• Electrical Wiring: The wiring and breaker may need updating to meet current safety codes.

• Grilles & Registers: These may need to be cleaned, repaired, or resized.

• Filters & Coils: The furnace filter and evaporator coil should be inspected for cleanliness and wear.

Every home is different. That’s why a professional assessment from ProSolutions is the best way to determine exactly what’s needed for a proper air conditioning replacement in Edmonton’s climate.

In Edmonton, winter home humidity should be between 35% and 45%. In general, indoor humidity levels below 30% are too dry, and anything above 50% is too damp.

If the indoor humidity level in your home is too high in the winter, you may see condensation accumulating on the inside of your windows – or even your walls. If your home has single-pane windows or insufficient insulation, this will make matters worse. 

As a result of high humidity, mould, mildew, and rotting can occur. Therefore, it is vital to maintain appropriate humidity levels in your home, as improper humidity can lead to an uncomfortable, unhealthy, and damaged home.

• SEER is based on lab testing under ideal conditions
• SEER2 includes more realistic factors like static pressure from ducts, so it gives a clearer picture of real-life performance. 

Is It Worth Upgrading to a Higher SEER2 Unit?

Yes—especially if you want to reduce your energy bills, lower your carbon footprint, and get the most comfort from your system. Higher-efficiency ACs can also help increase the value of your home and extend the life of your system with fewer breakdowns.

Pro Tip: SEER2 is now becoming the new standard across Canada. Many newer AC models are already listed using only SEER2 rating—so if you’re comparing older and newer systems, make sure you’re looking at the same standard!