Calgary HVAC Questions, Answered

Yes. GBL HVAC LTD is open 24 hours, 7 days a week, including holidays. Call 403-970-6988 and you'll talk to Quinn directly, not a call centre.

It depends on the furnace's age, its condition and what the repair involves. A newer furnace with a failed part is usually worth repairing. An older furnace that needs a major component, or keeps breaking down, is often better replaced. We'll give you both options and let you decide.

Don't touch light switches or use anything that could spark. Leave the building, then call 911 or your gas utility's emergency line from outside. Once the utility has made it safe, call us to repair the appliance.

On high-efficiency furnaces, a common cause is snow or frost blocking the intake or exhaust pipes outside. Other causes include a dirty flame sensor, a clogged filter or a failing pressure switch. Clear the pipes if it's safe to do so, and call us if it keeps happening.

Yes. We service furnaces, boilers, unit heaters and rooftop unit heating sections for restaurants, stores, offices and other businesses in Calgary.

Yes. GBL HVAC LTD answers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays. Call 403-970-6988.

Ask when you call. We'll explain how the visit is charged before we come out, so there are no surprises.

It depends on the outside temperature, your insulation and how airtight the house is. In a deep cold snap a house can lose a lot of heat overnight, which is why we recommend protecting pipes on outside walls and calling right away rather than waiting until morning.

Call 911 first and get everyone out of the house. Once emergency responders say it's safe, call us to inspect and repair the furnace or other appliance involved.

Yes. We answer commercial heating emergencies around the clock for restaurants, stores, offices and other businesses in Calgary.

If your home has a forced-air furnace and ductwork, central air can usually be added using the existing system. We'll check your furnace, ducts and electrical service and tell you what's involved.

Common causes include a dirty filter, a failed capacitor or contactor at the outdoor unit, low refrigerant from a leak, or a frozen indoor coil. Turn the system off if you see ice and call us.

Spring is ideal, before the first heat wave when demand jumps. That said, we install and repair year-round.

Once a year, ideally in spring before you need it. Pairing it with a fall furnace tune-up keeps both systems checked on a regular schedule.

Yes. We work on commercial split systems and rooftop units for offices, stores and restaurants across Calgary.

Yes. We're open 24 hours, 7 days a week. Call 403-970-6988 any time a cooler or freezer starts failing.

Keep the door closed, move high-value product to another working unit if you can, and keep a thermometer inside so you know the real temperature. Write down the readings and times.

Usually a defrost problem, a failing evaporator fan, a door that isn't sealing, or low refrigerant. Heavy ice blocks airflow and the box warms up, so it should be checked soon.

It depends on the equipment and the environment. Busy kitchens with grease and heat usually need more frequent coil cleaning than a dry storage area. We'll recommend a schedule after looking at your equipment.

Yes. One company for every system in your building: refrigeration, heating, air conditioning, ventilation and water heaters.

A heat recovery ventilator exchanges stale indoor air for fresh outdoor air while recovering heat. It's usually a box near the furnace with two insulated ducts running to the outside wall. Many newer Calgary homes have one.

Usually indoor humidity is too high for the outdoor temperature, and the house isn't getting enough ventilation. Running an HRV correctly and using bathroom and kitchen fans normally helps. We can check whether your ventilation is working as it should.

Filters and the core need regular cleaning, often every few months, according to the manufacturer's manual. A yearly professional check is a good idea, and it fits naturally with a furnace tune-up.

Yes. We add and modify duct runs for renovations and basement developments so new rooms get proper heating and airflow.

Typically somewhere around 8 to 12 years, depending on water quality, usage and maintenance. If yours is in that range and starting to show problems, it's worth planning a replacement before it fails.

For many households it is: endless hot water and a smaller footprint. It depends on your gas line, venting and how you use hot water. We'll look at your setup and give you an honest recommendation.

Usually sediment built up in the bottom of the tank. Water trapped under the sediment boils and pops. Flushing can help on a newer tank. On an older tank it's often a sign it's near the end of its life.

Shut off the cold water supply to the tank, turn the gas control to Off or Pilot (or switch off the breaker on an electric tank), and call 403-970-6988. We answer 24/7.

Once a year, ideally in early fall before heating season. It's the best way to catch small problems before they cause a breakdown.

Yes. Many homeowners book both together. We can also split them into a fall furnace visit and a spring AC visit so each is checked right before it's needed.

Yes. We set up scheduled maintenance for commercial heating, cooling, ventilation and refrigeration, timed around your business hours.

It depends on the filter type, pets and how much the system runs. Check it monthly during heating season and replace it when it looks dirty. Your filter's packaging gives the maximum interval.

Yes. GBL HVAC LTD is open 24 hours, 7 days a week. Call 403-970-6988 any time your unit stops heating or cooling.

Often a blocked condensate drain, damaged curb seal or failed roof flashing around the unit. A blocked drain is something we check and clear on every maintenance visit. If the leak is in the roof itself, you may also need a roofer.

At least twice a year is common: once before heating season and once before cooling season. Filters may need changing more often, depending on the building and the environment.

It depends on the unit's age and condition and what the repair involves. We'll give you both options with the trade-offs so you can decide.

Yes. We also work on kitchen hood fans and make-up air units, which often sit on the same roof and affect how the building's heating and cooling perform.

Yes. GBL HVAC LTD is open 24 hours, 7 days a week. Call 403-970-6988 as soon as you notice the temperature rising.

Usually a defrost problem: a failed heater, timer or control. A door that isn't sealing, a failing evaporator fan or low refrigerant can also cause it. Heavy ice blocks airflow, so the box warms up. Call us before it gets worse.

Commonly a blocked or frozen drain line, or ice on the coil melting during defrost faster than the drain can handle. We'll find the cause and clear it.

Coolers holding food generally need to keep it at 4°C or below. Freezers should keep food frozen solid; many operators aim for around -18°C. Check your local health requirements for your operation.

Yes. We service reach-in coolers and freezers, display cases, prep tables and ice machines as well.

Common causes are scale build-up, a dirty condenser, a clogged water filter or a hot location. Low production can also point to a refrigeration or water valve problem. We'll find the actual cause.

Follow the manufacturer's schedule as a minimum. Many machines need cleaning and sanitizing every few months, and more often in busy kitchens, warm locations or with hard water.

Usually slime or mould in the water system or bin, an overdue water filter, or the machine picking up odours from nearby food. A full clean and sanitize normally fixes it.

Turn off the water supply to the machine if you can do so safely, and call 403-970-6988. Common causes are a blocked drain, a cracked water line or a failing water valve.

Usually the kitchen exhaust is pulling out more air than is coming back in, often because the make-up air unit isn't running or isn't bringing in enough air. We'll check both units and the controls that link them.

The make-up air unit is most likely running without heating the air. Common causes are an igniter, flame sensor, gas valve or control problem. Call us and we'll get it heating again.

A squeal often means a slipping or worn belt, or failing bearings. It's best dealt with soon, before the belt breaks or the motor fails mid-service.

Grease cleaning of hoods and ducts is a separate specialty from fan and make-up air repair. Ask us if you're not sure who to call and we'll point you in the right direction.

Yes. We're open 24 hours, 7 days a week, so we can work around your kitchen's schedule.