Lennox International | $LII Stock | Shares Slip Despite Q2 Profit Jump & Guidance Lift

Shares of Lennox International, Inc. are down $6.11, or 2.83% to $210.02 in the early hours of regular trading on Monday.

Before the opening bell, the Texas-based company announced better-than-expected second-quarter financial results, and raised the lower end of its full-year earnings guidance.

The company reported net income of $139.2 million, or $3.39 a share, versus $116.4, or $2.71 a share, in the same period last year.

Excluding one-time items, earnings were $3.67 a share during the quarter, surpassing Wall Street expectations of $3.56 a share.

Total revenue for the quarter came in at $1.18 billion, up 7% from $1.1 billion in the earlier-year quarter.

Analysts expected adjusted earnings per share of $3.56 a share on $1.13 billion revenue for the second quarter, according to figures compiled by Thompson Reuters.

Lennox sees its yearly diluted earnings in the range of $9.95 to $10.35 per share, from the previous forecast of $9.75 to $10.35 per diluted share.

Lennox International CEO Comments
“Lennox International posted record revenue, profit and margin in the second quarter led by broad strength in our Residential and Commercial businesses. In Residential, revenue and profit hit new highs on strength in both replacement and new construction business. Residential revenue was up 9% at constant currency, and profit rose 9% as segment margin remained at the record 21.5% level. In Commercial, revenue and profit also set new highs. Commercial revenue was up 12% at constant currency on strength in North America equipment and services. Commercial profit rose 18% as segment margin expanded 70 basis points to 18.0%. In Refrigeration, revenue was up 1% at constant currency, and profit rose 5% as segment margin expanded 40 basis points to 14.9%,” said Chairman and CEO Todd Bluedorn.

“With the record first half for the company and strong start in the third quarter, we are raising our outlook for 2018 as we continue to expect another record year for Lennox International. We now expect adjusted revenue growth of 6-8% in 2018 and adjusted EPS from continuing operations of $9.95-$10.35. In addition, we are raising our stock repurchase guidance to a total of $450 million for the full year,” Bluedorn concluded.

Lennox International, Inc. Company Profile
Lennox International, Inc. is engaged in the provision of climate control solutions in the US, Canada, and worldwide. The company designs, makes, and sells various products for the refrigeration, heating, air conditioning, and ventilation markets.

It operates through three segments: Refrigeration, Commercial Heating & Cooling, and Residential Heating & Cooling.

The Refrigeration segment provides unit coolers, air handlers, condensing units, fluid coolers, display cases, refrigeration rack systems, and air cooled condensers that help in preserving items in warehouses, convenience stores, distribution centers, restaurants, and supermarkets, as well as for machine tooling, data centers, industrial process chillers, compressor racks, and other cooling applications.

The Commercial Heating & Cooling division provides small package units, rooftop units, air handler combinations/split system, fan coils, and chillers for shopping malls, commercial buildings, and entertainment buildings.

It also offers variable refrigerant flow commercial products, and engages in the installation and servicing of commercial cooling and heating equipment.

The Residential Heating & Cooling segment offers heat pumps, furnaces, packaged cooling and heating air conditioners, comfort control products, indoor air quality equipment, and replacement supplies and parts for new construction and residential replacement markets.

Lennox International, Inc. sells its services and products via distributors, direct sales, and company-owned supplies stores. The company was founded in 1895 by Dave Lennox. Its headquarters are based in Richardson, Texas. –Reuters

HVAC Filters market – Insights and Trends 2018 – 2023

North America HVAC filters market size is estimated to exhibit considerable growth over the forecast period. Canada is estimated to be valued over USD 16 billion in 2015 and it is expected to grow at a CAGR of around 2% from 2016 to 2023. The spur in the region can be attributed to rising HVAC installations in residential as well as non-residential buildings.

The global HVAC filters market can be segmented on the basis of heating, cooling, ventilation and application areas. Heating uses include furnace, heat pumps and boilers. Based on cooling the industry can be segregated as chillers, air conditioners and cooling towers. On the basis of ventilation, the industry can be segmented into air handling and treatment equipment. On the basis of application the industry is segregates as commercial, residential and industrial.

Asia Pacific HVAC filters market size is anticipated to witness intensifying growth rates owing to extreme climatic conditions along with rising construction activities in developing economies such as India and China.

Key industry participants accumulating major HVAC filters market share include Lennox International Inc., Ebara, Broad, Media, DB, Mammoth lnc, United Technologies Corporation, Haier, CLIMAVENETA, Mitsubishi, Tring, Carrier, AUX, OSPIRIT, Ingersoll-Rand, DunAn, Hitachi, Sanyo, Gree, Shuangliang, BOSCH and Daikin Industries Ltd., TOSHIBA, TSINGHUA TONGFANG, Lennox CHIGO and  YOKR among others.

Flourishing significance in commercial, residential and in marine construction is likely to propel industry demand. These are mainly used in order to keep the air fresh as well as to maintain its consistent circulation in the buildings. These systems can be used individually or collectively to provide filtered and hygienic air in the various facilities. In addition, these systems also facilitates in cooling, heating and also providing humidity control to any infrastructure facility. HVAC filters also helps in improvising building efficiency and facilitates in generating high revenue.

The global air filters market size is estimated to increase owing to speedy growth of the air conditioning industry in emerging nations. Flourishing construction activities in various regions is estimated to fuel the industry demand over the forecast period. Furthermore, escalating application of these filters in various market sectors namely retail industry, healthcare sector, real estate, special economic zones (SEZs), hospitality sector, metro rail as well as airports should elevate revenue significantly over the forecast period.

Consumer Confidence Gives HVAC Manufacturers a Positive Outlook for 2018

For the year ending December 2017, sales of HVACR equipment showed solid mid-single-digit growth. That is according to Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI), which reported that year-to-date combined U.S. shipments of central air conditioners and air-source heat pumps increased 6.5 percent over 2016, and shipments of gas warm-air furnaces also increased 6.5 percent for the same time period.

These figures come on the heels of surprisingly good news from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, which reported the real gross domestic product (GDP) of the U.S. increased at an annual rate of 2.6 percent in the fourth quarter of 2017, following an increase of 3.2 percent in the third quarter. Overall, real GDP increased 2.3 percent in 2017, compared with an increase of only 1.5 percent in 2016.

Add in low unemployment and a strong housing market, and it is no wonder why manufacturers are bullish about 2018.

SALES GROWTH
For the last two years, Rheem Mfg. Co. has outpaced the industry in terms of growth, and the company is very optimistic about the outlook for 2018, said Mike Branson, executive vice president and general manager, Rheem Air Operations.

“The industry is stable, demand for housing is strong, and we are building a diverse product portfolio,” he said. “While we are optimistic about the economy and anticipate another growth year in 2018, we also appreciate the reality that it has been 10 years since the start of the Great Recession. The recovery has been strong and long, so we need to be prepared for the next cycle.”

Rheem’s diverse product portfolio includes a new residential platform and EcoNet™ connected solutions, both of which sold very well in 2017, noted Branson. The company also has a new commercial platform, which will be introduced this year. While sales were strong across the country, they were particularly robust in the southern U.S. due to growing demand as baby boomers retire and relocate to this region.

“Multifamily housing has been a solid growth area that will likely get even stronger as the rental market across the U.S. continues to outpace homeownership, predominantly in dense urban areas,” said Branson.

Lennox also experienced  growth in 2017 and is expecting another solid year in 2018.

“I think this will be a strong year, with increases in the mid-single digits,” said Quan Nguyen, vice president and general manager, residential, Lennox Industries. “If you look at the economy, we have a high level of consumer confidence right now, with continued job growth and a strong housing market, which are all good indicators that 2018 will be a strong year for Lennox and for the industry.”

Sales of replacement equipment may be particularly strong this year, thanks to the millennium echo, which involves the record number of houses that were constructed between 2001 and 2007.

“Those houses are going to start needing replacement systems, and that could provide a little bit of additional tailwind for an even stronger 2018,” said Nguyen. “Those are largely R-22 systems, and with the new refrigerant regulations, it makes more sense to replace rather than repair them.”

Fujitsu General America experienced double-digit sales growth in both its residential and commercial equipment lines last year, said Andy Armstrong, vice president of sales and marketing, and he expects more of the same this year.

“We are very optimistic about 2018,” he said. “We are seeing strong growth in multi-head ductless products on the residential side of our business. This comes as more contractors are beginning to use whole-home ductless heat pump solutions where more traditional unitary systems have been used in the past. Contractors are getting comfortable with the technology, and homeowners are investing in better solutions for their homes, so we expect sales to grow.”

Strong sales of geothermal equipment are also expected this year, especially since Congress revived the federal tax credits in its recent tax reform package.

“With the passing of the tax cuts, we expect additional investments will stimulate growth and additional construction,” said Tony Landers, vice president of sales and marketing, The Whalen Co. “We anticipate multifamily and hospitality sectors will continue to grow because many young workers are moving from the suburbs back into the urban areas, creating a demand for high-rise housing with amenities.”

SPEED BUMPS
As far as regulations are concerned, 2018 will probably be a quiet year, said Nguyen.

“That said, we are preparing for the fan energy rating (FER) standard that will take place in 2019, and there will likely be some discussion about refrigerants that will impact our long-range plans, though I don’t think anything will have a significant impact on volumes or the mix of products that we sell in 2018,” he said.

One of the bigger challenges for manufacturers this year will be in the form of rising costs for wages and commodities.

“The good thing about low unemployment is job growth, but the challenge is, in order to keep those employees, you have to increase wages,” said Nguyen. “The cost of transportation is also going to increase, as will component costs, so there are a number of cost increases that we need to be aware of, and those will be challenges for us this year.”

The limited capacity of transportation carriers relative to demand is another challenge for manufacturers, said Branson.

“As the economy has continued to grow and the way people purchase has evolved, this has become even more of a concern because it creates risks in terms of OEMs receiving supplies and deliveries of finished-goods to customers,” he said. “There is good work happening with technology and supply chain optimization to address this and to minimize waste in the channel.”

The increasing commoditization of HVAC products is another challenge, as it puts pricing pressure on manufacturers to offer high-quality products at lower and lower prices, said Landers.

“This leads to us finding niche markets or products different from cookie-cutter products to provide something different at a reasonable price and profit,” he said.

Manufacturers are also concerned about the contractor labor shortage, which has been a struggle in the industry for a long time.

“Attracting enough people to the HVAC trade and then helping our distributor and contractor customers ensure that they are properly trained is our biggest challenge,” said Armstrong.

Nguyen agreed, noting whenever he talks with dealers, he hears that finding, recruiting, and hiring good technicians continues to be a challenge.

“Contractors seem to be in a perpetual state of recruiting and hiring because they just can’t get the amount of skilled labor that they need,” he said. “We want skilled labor installing our product because we make a great product, but if it’s installed incorrectly, it doesn’t matter which manufacturer it is, it’s going to tarnish the industry’s image.”

Of course, proper training is key to making sure products are installed correctly, which is why many manufacturers are teaming up with trade schools in order to provide the necessary educational resources.

“We just partnered with Lone Star College in Houston, Texas, to open a new Construction and Skilled Trades Technology Center, which enrolled 800 students in its first semester,” said Branson. “But there is a need for training and education at all levels, which is why Rheem opened five new Innovation Learning Centers across the U.S. and Canada in 2017. These are state-of-the-art training facilities that significantly increase our capacity to help contractors grow their businesses.”

Even though challenges are expected this year, manufacturers are feeling positive about the future.

“We have an optimistic outlook and are investing across the enterprise — from facilities, to product development, to training — to make sure we and our contractor partners are well prepared to meet the demand and changes in the marketplace,” said Branson.

Goodman PTAC units recalled in U.S. and Canada

Goodman Company has recalled its packaged terminal air conditioners and heat pumps due to burn and fire hazards. About 3,400 were sold in Canada.

The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) found that the outdoor fan motors can overheat, posing burn and fire hazards. The recall was in conjunction with health Canada.

Consumers can contact Goodman for a free repair kit to be installed by an authorized technician. Commercial owners are being contacted directly and will be provided with free repair kits.

This recall involves Goodman, Amana, York International and Energy Knight branded packaged terminal air conditioners and heat pumps (PTACs).

Models that begin with the following prefixes are included in this recall: EKTC15, EKTH15, PMC15, PMH12, PMH15, PTC15, PTH12, PTH15, UCYB15 and UCYH15.

Only units with the first four digits of the serial numbers in the range between 1001 and 1709 are affected.

Most of the recalled PTAC units are installed in hotels, motels, schools, apartment buildings and commercial spaces to provide room climate control.

Tariffs Likely To Hurt HVAC Consumers

Well, that didn’t take long. The new U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum imports went into effect at the end of March, and many manufacturers are already raising prices on equipment. Even though several countries were exempted from the 25 percent tariff on steel and 10 percent tariff on aluminum, including Mexico and Canada, the cost of metals started to increase almost immediately. As a result, manufacturers started raising prices on their equipment in April — anywhere from 2 to 12 percent — and this will ultimately hurt consumers.

Even though President Donald Trump talked tough on trade before becoming president, the move to slap tariffs on steel and aluminum imports came as a bit of a surprise. And since then, he has threatened to place an additional $100 billion in tariffs on Chinese imports, including additional 25 percent tariffs on various HVACR components, such as compressors, controls, and furnace burners. In retaliation, China is considering its own tariffs on American-made goods.

As far as the steel tariffs are concerned, Trump believes they are necessary to ensure the U.S. has enough of the metal to meet demands for defense and critical industries in case of a national emergency, and he also thinks they will help protect American jobs. However, many economists think the tariffs will have the reverse impact on employment, with thousands more jobs lost than created as a result. The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) agrees with this assessment, adding that tariffs on steel and aluminum will negatively impact both manufacturers and consumers.

“So far, the economy is continuing to do well, and unemployment remains low. But if tariffs result in the predicted job losses, increased inflation, more expensive mechanical equipment, and stock market volatility, they will be a bad deal for most Americans — and especially for the HVACR industry.”
For manufacturers, the new tariffs mean that they are paying more for the raw materials needed to construct HVACR equipment. As heavy users of aluminum and steel — both of which are becoming more expensive — manufacturers are no longer able to absorb the higher prices, and they are passing the increased costs along to consumers.

So consumers will have to pay more to replace their mechanical equipment. But if the cost is too high, they may simply opt to repair rather than invest in a new system, said Paul Stalknecht, ACCA president and CEO.

“When the price of HVACR equipment increases, consumers who are in need of a new system trend toward cut-rate and unqualified individuals to service or replace their equipment,” he said. “It also shifts the mindset of consumers to opt for putting Band-Aids on aging systems instead of replacing them with today’s more efficient products.”

If homeowners are in particularly dire straits and cannot afford to repair or replace their HVAC equipment, they may opt for space heaters or window air conditioners to get them through the season. We saw this happen when the SEER rating for air conditioners was raised from 10 to 13, and again when manufacturers had to start producing systems that used R-410A instead of R-22. In both cases, the cost of cooling equipment increased significantly, and as a result, some contractors (and manufacturers) reported that homeowners were choosing to buy window units at Walmart, because they could not afford to have their systems repaired.

Higher priced mechanical equipment could also come at a bad time for the commercial refrigeration market, especially as federal and state governments increase pressure on end users to replace systems that use HFCs with units that utilize refrigerants, such as ammonia or CO2, which have a lower GWP. This is a costly undertaking for many supermarkets and convenience stores to begin with, and if refrigeration equipment becomes prohibitively expensive, it may lead owners and managers to keep repairing what they already have rather than invest in expensive new systems.

The tariffs have also caused a lot of volatility in the stock market, and there is fear they might result in higher inflation, which has been pretty stable for the last few years. Both of these could lead consumers to lose confidence in the strength of the economy and pull back on spending.

So far, the economy is continuing to do well, and unemployment remains low. But if tariffs result in the predicted job losses, increased inflation, more expensive mechanical equipment, and stock market volatility, they will be a bad deal for most Americans — and especially for the HVACR industry.

GDI Integrated Facility Services Inc. releases financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2018

First quarter revenue of $251.6 million, an increase of 3.4% over Q1 2017
First quarter net income of $1.4 million, an increase of $0.7 million over Q1 2017
First quarter Adjusted EBITDA1 of $11.7 million, up by $1.0 million and 9.5% over Q1 2017
LASALLE, QC, May 9, 2018 /CNW Telbec/ - Today, GDI Integrated Facility Services Inc. ("GDI" or the "Company") (TSX: GDI) announced its financial results for the first quarter of 2018.

For the first quarter ended March 31, 2018:

Revenue reached $251.6 million, an increase of $8.3 million, or 3.4%, compared to the first quarter of 2017. The increase in revenue of 4.0% resulted primarily from acquisitions.
Net income reached $1.4 million or $0.07 per share, compared to $0.7 million, or $0.03 per share for the first quarter of 2017.
Adjusted EBITDA1 amounted to $11.7 million, an increase of $1.0 million, or 9.5%, over the corresponding quarter of 2017. Adjusted EBITDA margin1 was 4.6% compared to 4.4% for the corresponding quarter of 2017.
"With over $250 million of revenue in the first quarter we are on track to surpass $1 billion revenue for 2018, which is a significant milestone for GDI. Adjusted EBITDA increased by 10% to $11.7 million in the quarter, and while some of our business segments had a soft quarter we remain on-track to meet our annual growth objectives. During the first quarter, we began reporting Modern within our Janitorial Canada segment, as both businesses represent GDI's service delivery platforms within the commercial janitorial services market in Canada. Our Canada Janitorial business performed well in the first quarter and I am pleased to report that we were able to work together with our clients to substantially manage the minimum wage increase in Ontario without a critical impact on our results. While we remain engaged with some clients in this regard, we expect this initiative to be completed by the end of the second quarter. Our USA Janitorial and Technical Services segments delivered lower than expected performance in the first quarter due mainly to work related timing issues, however we intend to achieve our targeted results during the course of the year. Finally, our Complementary Services segment, now principally composed of our Superior Solutions business, had a good first quarter which was in-line with expectations," stated Claude Bigras, President & CEO of GDI. 

"The outlook for the remainder of 2018 remains positive. We are working on growing our business both organically and through acquisition and on managing our costs. Our leverage ratios remain well within our comfort zone and we are well positioned to continue to execute on our business plan and to capitalize on strategic growth opportunities as they arise," concluded Mr. Bigras.

Chiller Rentals Serve Needs of Marketplace in a Variety of Ways

The HVAC industry is often influenced by the economy and how well the new construction and service and replacement markets are doing. However, there is another growing sector within the industry: the HVAC rental market. According to a new report from Technavio, the global HVAC rental market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 7.62 percent between 2018 and 2022.

Per the report, the industrial segment held the largest market share in 2017, accounting for nearly 51 percent of the market. Additionally, the U.S. was the leading region for rental equipment the same year, accounting for nearly 41 percent of the market share.

Many HVAC manufacturers and contractors have taken note of the growing trend and offer rental equipment to their clients. According to Anthony Trifiletti, director of rental services at Trane, an Ingersoll Rand brand, chiller rentals make up a significant portion of the overall temporary cooling market.

“Trane has 10-ton up to 1,000-ton units in our fleet; however, demand for different sizes varies year by year,” he said.

Trane rents chillers to both end users and contractors and can quickly provide temporary equipment to every major metropolitan market in the U.S. and Canada, Trifiletti noted.



EMERGENCY VERSUS PLANNED RENTALS
Most rental jobs typically last around one to two months, Trifiletti said. And, while emergency rentals are a large piece of the market, he actually sees more planned rentals.

“Planned rentals can be for many things, including facility shutdowns and maintenance, seasonal supplemental needs, process improvements, and special events,” he said. “When a permanent chiller fails or has a planned shutdown, temporary chillers can be mobilized to help with comfort or process cooling. Temporary chillers can also provide supplemental cooling during times of peak demand when a facility’s permanent equipment might not have enough capacity to provide the level of cooling that is desired. We have a diverse customer base, including industrial, commercial, and special event customers.”

Temp-Air Inc. supplies rental chillers to both contractors and end users for a variety of applications, including when permanent equipment fails, is in need of major repairs, or if additional chiller capacity is required during the summer months.

“Application types vary from industry to industry and include facilities, such as hospitals, schools and universities, medical clinics, manufacturing processes, food producers, and other industrial processes,” said Scott Brainard, vice president of sales, Temp-Air. “Temporary chillers are versatile and can work in many different industries.”

Daryl Pool, manager, Technical Services Temperature Control, Aggreko, said supplying emergency rentals makes up approximately 30 to 35 percent of Aggreko’s rental business.

“We see a lot of emergency work, but we also do a lot of different types of planned work,” Pool said. “We do a lot of work from an entertainment perspective, whether that’s high-profile sporting events or movie shoots in Hollywood, Houston, and New Orleans. We’re sometimes planning these projects two to three years in advance. Then you have other types of planned work, such as scheduled outages. For example, schools may plan for an HVAC outage during the summer to do some maintenance work on their systems, so we’ll bring in our equipment to supplement their cooling needs.”

Pool said in his 30-plus years at Aggreko, he has used rental chillers in almost every application imaginable, and there’s not necessarily one that’s more suited over another.

“We’ve even done pilot testing,” he said. “We had a pharmaceutical customer approach us because they wanted to develop some products, but did not want to install a permanent chiller until they had a better load profile. So we were able to bring in our equipment, set it up, and help them develop a load profile to lead them into a better purchase from an efficiency perspective on their permanent equipment.”

RENT OR BUY?
There are a number of reasons why facility owners and managers would choose rental equipment over purchasing new equipment, Trifiletti explained.

“Some reasons would be when a customer is more apt to spend maintenance funds versus capital funds,” he said. “And some customers prefer to rent versus buy because the total cost of ownership of a permanent piece of equipment can be higher than the rental equipment. Owned equipment requires the customer to set up depreciation schedules, incur costs of maintaining the equipment, refrigerant costs, and more.”

Brainard said rental equipment can often be sourced quickly and be up and running in a short amount of time, while permanent replacement chillers can often have an extensive lead time that the customer may not be able to wait for.

“We just saw that recently with a client who contacted us about a project because the permanent equipment they ordered was one-year lead time,” said Pool. “They didn’t want to wait; they needed something now.”

He has also worked with companies that did not want to spend capital funding to purchase equipment.

“We had some equipment that was on rent for 20 years,” he explained. “Those aren’t your normal jobs, but this particular customer had a project where they were renting equipment from us and expensing the cost into their plant facilities. We were also responsible for maintaining the unit, and we replaced it every couple of years.”



INCREASING CONTRACTORS’ BOTTOM LINES
The rental market also presents an opportunity for HVAC contractors. In fact, Dallas-based Entech Sales & Service has been offering rental equipment to its customers — and other contractors — since the early 1990s.

“We started Entech in 1981, and we were looking for ways to do business,” said Pat Rucker, president, Entech Sales & Service. “We specialized in servicing large tonnage chillers, and we were looking at ways to increase our revenue, and one of the things we thought about was buying and selling used equipment. We were fairly successful in doing that. We started to accumulate equipment, so we started to use those as rentals, and the rental business kept growing and growing. It has become a pretty good profit center for us.

“We’ve built up a reputation for having rental equipment,” he continued. “Other contractors will call us if they have a client with a breakdown and will rent the equipment from us to install themselves. But often, the contractor will have the customer call us directly and have us install the rental equipment. We have an answering service 24 hours a day.”

Rucker considers rentals just another tool in the bag.

“Whenever you can respond to a customer and provide everything they need, it makes a large difference,” he said. “We’re not only in the air conditioning repair business for large chillers, but we do building automation and security and access. We have plumbing and electrical services as well. These are all tools in our bag. But rental equipment has been profitable for us. In fact, it’s grown to the point where it has surpassed our mechanical service side in Dallas.”

Entech also rents generators, so it furnishes both power and cooling to its clients.

“Emergency power is a big part of our offering, especially with the storms and hurricanes,” he noted. “We have contracts with people like Exxon that reserve equipment every year for storms, and two area hospitals do as well.”

Rucker recently gave a presentation to Chiller System Group (CSG) members about the benefits of adding rental services to their business offerings.

“My point is it’s a logical way to increase their bottom lines,” he said. “Rentals are a very good fit with their existing service and repair business, and the same technicians that provide service and repairs can be used to install and maintain rental equipment. Rental equipment can also be provided to give your company an edge in quoting replacing existing equipment.”

Additionally, adding rental services has led to an unexpected value at Entech, Rucker noted — both on and off the books.

“This business builds esprit de corps,” he said. “Rentals are usually provided on an emergency basis and require a team of people to work on a moment’s notice and work long, hard hours. Whereas most service technicians work alone solving problems, working together with other technicians creates some strong bonds. Additionally, there are many different and challenging applications for rentals, and the guys appreciate the change of pace.”

NY Thermal Recalls Boilers Due to Carbon Monoxide Hazard

The grommet seal can reduce in size over time and dislodge during use, allowing the boiler to emit carbon monoxide.

Jun 04, 2018


NY Thermal of Canada, in conjunction with the U.S. Consumers Product Safety Commission and Health Canada, is recalling NY Thermal Trinity Tft and Slant/Fin CHS gas residential and commercial boilers. The grommet seal can reduce in size over time and dislodge during use, allowing the boiler to emit carbon monoxide, posing a CO poisoning hazard. No injuries have been reported.

The firm has received three reports of the grommet seal deteriorating or becoming dislodged and the boiler leaking condensation and carbon monoxide. Consumers with recalled boilers should immediately contact the installer or distributor of the boiler to schedule a free repair. Contact NY Thermal at 800/688-2575 from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or online at www.ntiboiler.com and click on “Urgent Recall Advisory” at the top of the page for more information.

Consumers who continue use of the boilers while awaiting repair should have a working carbon monoxide alarm outside of sleeping areas and on every level of the home.

The recalled boilers, manufactured in Canada, were sold through NTI professional wholesalers, heating and plumbing contractors, and home appliance wholesalers nationwide from October 2011 through January 2018 for between $5,000 and $14,000.

The Trinity Tft models have the name “NTI” printed on the front and were sold in metallic-grey. The Trinity Tft60 through Tft250 model boilers measure 33 in. tall by 20 in. wide. The Trinity Tft300 through Tft399 model boilers measure 36 in. tall and 25 in. wide.


The Slant/Fin CHS models have the name “Slant/Fin” and “CHS” printed across the front bottom and were sold in white. The Slant/Fin CHS-85 through CHS-250 model boilers measure 33 in. tall by 20 in. wide. The Slant/Fin CHS-300 through CHS-399 model boilers measure 36 in. tall and 25 in. wide.

The model and UPC numbers are printed on the nameplate located on the right side of the boiler. 

Quality Air Conditioning Offers the Best HVAC Repair and Residential and Commercial Air Conditioning in Margate and Boca Raton Florida Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/3822250#ixzz5M9P7IEbh

Quality Air Conditioning is the name to rely on when it comes to HVAC repair and residential and commercial air conditioning repair services.

This press release was orginally distributed by ReleaseWire

Fort Lauderdale, FL -- (ReleaseWire) -- 06/19/2018 -- Quality Air Conditioning is a famous establishment that provides air conditioning repair, replacement, and maintenance services. This company has been offering such services since the year 1971, and it primarily functions in the South Florida area, in addition to South Palm Beach County and Broward. By providing the best services related to commercial air conditioning in Margate and Boca Raton Florida, Quality Air Conditioning aims at ensuring that their clients live in a room which is comfortable. With around five decades of experience, the company ensures that all the solutions are provided to the customers as fast as possible so that their clients do not need to suffer.

The company believes in offering customer-centric services to the customers, and thus they aim at offering services at a price that fits into the budget of the customers. The skilled and trained technicians at Quality Air Conditioning can service air-conditioning systems of almost all brands and makes. These trained staff members thoroughly examine the present ac systems of their clients and then recommend useful options to address their specific concerns. The company also specializes in offering HVAC repair in Tamarac and Parkland Florida round the clock.

As the technicians here use the latest technologies, they can resolve any issues in absolutely no time. Whether it is a residential client or a commercial one, time plays a crucial role when it comes to addressing issues related to the ac unit. Prompt service, customer satisfaction and affordable prices are some of the few reasons why they are considered the leading name in the industry for HVAC repair and services.

Advent’s Distribution International acquires assets of Frost Insulation Supplies

Distribution International, Inc., a portfolio company of Advent International, through its wholly owned Canadian subsidiary, Crossroads C&I Distributors, Inc., has acquired certain assets of Frost Insulation Supplies, Inc. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Surrey, BC based Frost provides mechanical insulation and related supplies to some of Western Canada’s largest specialty insulation and HVAC contractors.

Since December 2011, Distribution International has completed 21 acquisitions in the mechanical insulation market, expanding its geographic presence across the U.S. and Canada and broadening its product and service offerings.

Distribution International, formerly a portfolio company of Audax Group and The CapStreet Group, recapitalized Edmonton, Alberta based Crossroads C&I Distributors in July 2012, replacing Yellow Point Equity Partners as the principal shareholder of Crossroads C&I Distributors.

Advent International acquired Distribution International from Audax and CapStreet in December 2015.

DISTRIBUTION INTERNATIONAL’S CROSSROADS C&I ACQUIRES FROST INSULATION SUPPLIES, INC.

HOUSTON- Distribution International, Inc. (“DI”), the leading distributor and fabricator in the mechanical insulation market and portfolio company of Advent International, today announced its wholly owned Canadian subsidiary, Crossroads C&I Distributors, Inc., (“Crossroads”), has acquired certain assets of Frost Insulation Supplies, Inc. (“Frost”). Located in Surrey, British Columbia, Frost provides mechanical insulation and related supplies to some of Western Canada’s largest specialty insulation and HVAC contractors. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

“This acquisition aligns perfectly with our strategy of accelerating growth by continuing to consolidate our core mechanical insulation market in North America,” said Steve Margolius, DI’s CEO. “We are excited to support the Crossroads team and expand our presence in one of our strongest markets.”

Korey Haun, President of Crossroads C&I, said, “We are thrilled to partner with the Frost team and look forward to providing our combined customers with the highest quality products and service in the industry.”

Chris Ceraldi, President of Frost Insulation Supplies, Inc. added “We are excited to be partnering with Canada’s leading mechanical insulation distributor. Crossroads, with its superior customer service and technical support, is a perfect fit with Frost’s core values.”

Mergers and acquisitions are an important element of DI’s growth strategy. Since December 2011, DI has completed 21 acquisitions in the mechanical insulation market, expanding its geographic presence across the U.S. and Canada and broadening its product and service offerings.

Fernie awards arena contract to Calgary company following deadly 2017 ammonia leak

The city of Fernie, B.C. has awarded a contract for a new refrigeration plant at its local ice rink to an Alberta company.


The need for a new system follows the deadly ammonia leak from the existing refrigeration system at the memorial arena, which killed three workers last fall.

The $882,000 contract was signed with Calgary-based Startec Refrigeration Services Ltd.

The city says the new system uses the aerosol refrigerant freon and will be installed by August so that the ice is ready for the winter season.

The city says the investigation into the ammonia leak is still ongoing.

Mississauga just changed the rules for landlords and their thermostats

It might be 22 degrees outside while your apartment is an oven, but not anymore, the City says.

Effective June 6, landlords will no longer have to follow a dated schedule to set temperatures. Throughout the year they will be expected to provide heating of at least 20 degrees Celsius, and where air-conditioning is available, landlords must ensure a maximum temperature of 26 degrees Celsius is not exceeded.

Residents paying rent for their homes won’t find themselves waking up to scorching hot temperatures because of a thermostat not inadequately adjusted to unexpected weather.

After hearing community feedback and consulting with tenants, landlords, and property managers, City staff was directed by council to update it’s adequate heat bylaw to reflect changing weather conditions.

Whereas previously landlords were required to provide a stable temperature in rental units of 20 degrees Celsius from Sept. 15 to June 1, these new updates to the bylaw scrap the dates.

Landlords were under pressure from the old bylaw preventing them from reducing the temperature until June 1. This year's weather, however, has brought heat waves weeks before that date.

The bylaw will henceforth be known as the Adequate Heat bylaw and will be reviewed every three years.

Lack of funding leaves many London schools without air-conditioning

Near record-breaking temperatures and the start of EQAO testing in Ontario left many London students forced to focus in hot classrooms over the last week of May.


While it’s common among cars, malls and workplaces, many schools across the city still lack air-conditioning.

Superintendent of business for the London District Catholic School Board (LDCSB) Jacquie Davison told 980 CFPL only 36 of their 56 buildings come equipped with air-conditioning.


“Eight of them have had additions to the building that are air-conditioned,” said Davison. “Twelve of our buildings have localized air-conditioning, where we put portable air-conditioners in particular spaces.”

The bigger Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB) did not give 980 CFPL a specific number, but superintendent for student achievement Paul Sydor said, “About 40 per cent or so” of the board’s 168 schools have air-conditioning.

READ MORE: Single-day heat event prompts special weather statement for London

According to Sydor, the problem is a lack of provincial funding and the age of many buildings in the school board.

“Retrofitting to include air-conditioning would be prohibitively expensive,” said Sydor. “However, whenever we have the opportunity to build a new school, we always include air-conditioning in that.”

Sydor that buildings do get retrofitted if it is a pressing concern. When that happens, air-conditioning is always installed.

The lack of air-conditioning is one of many problems “Fix Our Schools” intends to repair. The group’s website features photos of schools across Ontario that have fallen victim to an alleged “$15.9 billion of disrepair.”

Krista Wylie is the co-founder of the provincewide initiative that has spent the past four years pressuring the Ontario government to increase funding for school renovations. On “London Live with Mike Stubbs,” Wylie said the lack of air-conditioning has parents concerned.

“We’re hearing from lots of parents from across the province, certainly in London and the Windsor area, that the heat this week has been atrocious.”

While she understands there is no quick fix, Wylie said alternative options should be considered.

“In the short term, simply instituting ‘what is too hot,’ so kids can go home to a place that’s cooler.”

“They have not been receiving nearly enough money to even take care of basic things,” added Wylie, explaining that she places no blame on the schools.

“The tricky situation for school boards to prioritize air-conditioning… if a roof is leaking through a child’s classroom, that has to take priority.”

Wylie’s group has put forth a pledge asking MPP candidates to fix Ontario schools. With just days before the election, the pledge has received 159 signatures. All Liberal, Progressive Conservative, NDP, and Green Party candidates running in London ridings have signed.

In the meantime, both the LDCSB and the TVDSB use a number of measures to accommodate staff and students in non-air-conditioned schools. Some of the measures include reducing physical activity, using fans and moving students to cooler areas of schools if need be.

Along with those measures, students suffering from the heat will get a helping hand from Mother Nature starting Monday. Environment Canada is forecasting highs between 15 C and 21 C.

Tensions rise in South Asian community in wake of Mississauga restaurant bombing

Wild speculation over possible motivations for Thursday’s bomb blast at a popular Indian restaurant in Mississauga has exacerbated tensions within local South Asian communities.

As police continued their manhunt Saturday for two suspects behind the audacious late-night attack, which injured 15 people at a Bombay Bhel restaurant, media and online commenters suggested a multiplicity of causes, from white supremacy to Islamic terror to Sikh nationalism.

Such speculation prompted the Ontario Gurdwaras Committee (OGC), a major Sikh organization, to take the unusual step of condemning both the attack itself and the rumours that followed — some of which it claims have been spread by “foreign media outlets,” in particular Indian media.

“Upon further investigation, we can verify that Indian media outlets have engaged in the spread of misinformation regarding this tragedy,” the committee said.

The written statement, co-signed by OGC spokesperson Amarjit Singh Mann and OGC member Bhagat Singh Brar, signals distrust within the Sikh community of Indian officials in Canada. It criticizes the Indian Consulate of Toronto for overstepping its diplomatic reach by establishing a hotline to gather information on the bombing.

People with possible information on the case should be contacting Peel police, the committee said, not the Indian Consulate. It called upon Indian officials “to stay within their diplomatic parameters when operating in Canada and to immediately end their continued interference in Canadian domestic matters.”

Police clear scene of Mississauga restaurant blast, still looking for suspects

MISSISSAUGA, Ont. - Police west of Toronto are no longer at the scene of an explosion that rocked an Indian restaurant and left 15 people injured last week, but the search for two men suspected in the blast continues.

Peel regional police say investigators wrapped their work at the Bombay Bhel restaurant in Mississauga, Ont., on Sunday night, but management says the restaurant will be closed until further notice.

Police are still probing Thursday's incident, in which two suspects allegedly detonated an explosive device in the restaurant before fleeing the scene on foot and then jumping into an unidentified vehicle.

Fifteen of the approximately 40 people inside the restaurant were injured, but all have since been released from hospital.

The restaurant's website says the Mississauga establishment will remain closed until further notice, but its three other locations are open for business.

A statement posted on the restaurant's Facebook page on Saturday says that they have “been serving our customers for over 30 years and will do so for another 30 years in the great city of Mississauga.”

Appliance Repair Toronto CA Offers Same Day Services

Residents of Toronto, Canada can now bring their appliances in for repair and pick them up on the same day. Appliance Repair Toronto CA provides clients with the convenience of being able to use their appliance again, just hours after they bring it to the repair shop.
Toronto, CA - Residents of Toronto, Canada can now bring their appliances in for repair and pick them up on the same day. Appliance Repair Toronto CA provides clients with the convenience of being able to use their appliance again, just hours after they bring it to the repair shop. Appliance Repair Toronto CA employs professional technicians who check every inch of a refrigerator, vent dryer, freezer, or stove to make sure that all the electrical components are working properly. Clients will return home with their appliance working perfectly and safely.

“Today’s appliances are quite high-tech compared to those that you and your parents used. The more modern advanced home appliances incorporate an assortment of electronic control systems that require far more training, and also specified diagnostic tools, to repair correctly. Our appliance repairmen are accurately trained to handle any issue. They have the capability and training to manage any problem with an appliance, with which you are having problems. We use only factory authorized appliance replacement parts. Only original and factory certified parts on any appliance brands that we service and repair including GE, Ariston, Samsung, Subzero, LG, Electrolux, Whirlpool, Maytag, Frigidaire, KitchenAid, Bosch, Wolf, and many others. We provide same day appliance repair in Toronto. We know you don’t want to sit around with a broken home appliance any longer than you have to,” Appliance Repair Toronto CA assures its clients on its homepage.

Appliance Repair Toronto CA has been recognized as the leading REFRIGERATOR REPAIR TORONTO, CANADA. Aside from being affordable, repairs are also done quickly to minimize the damage and inconvenience that a malfunctioning appliance can cause.

Appliance Repair Toronto CA offers several services that include residential and commercial appliance service and repair, refrigeration service and repair, and heating and cooling service and repair. The appliance repair service covers all makes and models of appliances. Appliance Repair Toronto CA’s refrigeration services cover walk-in coolers, walk-in freezers, true coolers, QBD coolers, prep coolers, line coolers, ice cream freezers, beer coolers, Perlick coolers, and Lynx coolers. Appliance Repair Toronto CA also provides repair services for furnaces, boilers, unit heaters, patio heaters, gas piping, air conditioning, ductless hot water tanks, and tankless heaters, as well as gas piping installation, cleaning, and repair.

Running under Libertarian banner, Mark Mitchell calls for smaller government

Mark Mitchell used to be able to hire summer students to help out with his heating and air conditioning company.

But now, what he sees as excessive regulation has forced his business to shrink. Downsizing is an issue faced by companies across Ontario, and an important enough problem to prompt Mitchell to run for the Libertarian Party in Barrie-Springwater-Oro-Medonte in the June 7 provincial election.

“(Ruthless enforcement) has crippled our industry,” Mitchell, a Midhurst resident who is married and has three children, said. “I’m really fortunate to live in Springwater Township and Simcoe County because taxes are the most reasonable of anywhere. Our problems are provincial, not a township or city issue. By reducing the size of government, it gives Ontarians more choice, liberty and freedom.”

The party is dedicated to the principles of personal responsibility, individual liberty and restricted, limited government. Its members believe greater individual economic and personal freedom increases societal prosperity, and that government should only exist to protect citizens from criminals and foreign invaders and settle private disputes.

“They advocate for less government,” Mitchell said. “In my business, every year it suffers with a new tax and a layer of red tape. I want people to know there’s an alternative to the established parties and the government being the only one that can provide certain services like health care and education.”

Mitchell said he will not be attending all-candidates’ meetings during the campaign, and is also running to ensure the party has representation in every riding across the province.

“I’m just a blue collar worker,” he said. “I’m not a polished, practised politician. I want to support the party and its effort to run a full slate of candidates.”

New architecture school brings lessons to life

Students of Canada’s newest architecture school won’t have to venture far to see lessons from the classroom come to life. The latest addition to Laurentian University’s real estate portfolio highlights, rather than hides, the way it was constructed.

“The whole idea behind the facility was to make the entire building structure part of the pedagogy of the school, so we’ve exposed the structure to all the buildings, both old and new, so the students can see how buildings go together,” said Brad Parkes, associate vice president of facilities.

Laurentian University’s McEwen School of Architecture brings together facilities constructed from masonry, timber, concrete and steel, and engineered wood on a satellite campus spanning 72,849 square feet. Completed on a budget of $42.6 million, the project delivered classrooms and faculty offices through the adaptive reuse of two historic buildings in its first phase and an auditorium, design studios, a lecture space and library through the addition of a new building in its second phase.

Northern Ontario context
The new architecture school — Canada’s first in decades — is differentiated from the country’s 11 existing architecture schools by its curriculum, which is rooted in its northern Ontario context. This mandate is exemplified by its facilities, which also bring lessons to life by reflecting local history, resources, climate and cultures.

McEwen School is located in downtown Sudbury, roughly seven kilometres off of Laurentian University’s main campus. Parkes said selecting this site was a deliberate decision made with the post-secondary institution’s municipal, provincial and federal project partners. The goal, he said, was to breathe new life into the city core with the energy of the up to 400 students that the facilities can accommodate.

The triangular property is also where the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) and Trans-Canada Highway once met, giving it both local and national importance. Not only did these transportation routes connect the country from coast to coast, but the local construction of the CPR unearthed the resource wealth that would precipitate Sudbury’s meteoric rise in the global mining industry.

Reminders of this storied past were preserved through the adaptive reuse of the site’s two existing buildings, a masonry building that originally served as a CPR telegraph and ticketing office and a timber rail shed that was used to transfer goods from CPR boxcars to trucks and wagons. With the addition of concrete flooring and heating and cooling, the rail shed became workshops, while the upper floor of the former telegraph and ticketing office was transformed into faculty offices and meeting space.

Contemporary technologies introduced
“The new building that we introduced was a combination of CLT and steel, and part of that was to demonstrate two more contemporary technologies doing what they do best,” said Janna Levitt, founding partner of LGA Architectural Partners, “so the spans and the thinness of the steel versus the thickness and the span of the CLT building — materials that you can leave exposed and structural materials that you have to enclose because of thermal bridging.”

The addition of the L-shaped, two-wing building offers students a study in contrasts between these two modern construction methods, as well as between 19th-century-style timber construction and 21st-century CLT construction. Levitt said CLT was a natural choice considering the importance of timber and wood resources to northern Ontario, although there was little precedent for its institutional application in Canada at the time, much less on this scale.

“Everybody thinks an institutional building is supposed to be no wood, but because of the style of wood — heavy timber — it’s okay under code,” said Parkes.

He explained that at the time the new architecture school was in design, the Ontario Building Code limited the heavy timber construction of assembly buildings to two storeys, adding that this height restriction has since been lifted, paving the way for taller heavy timber assembly buildings.

George Brown College, for example, expects to break ground in 2021 on a 12-storey mass timber building at its waterfront campus. The University of Toronto, meanwhile, expects to break ground as early as late 2019 on a 14-storey building that will combine CLT and concrete at its downtown campus.

Climate-specific sustainability
McEwen School is also intended to be instructive for students in terms of how to achieve sustainable design in the north. In this geographic context, it’s not as simple as following a template provided by established standards for producing green buildings, such as LEED. As an example, Levitt pointed to the way the new building lowers the demand placed upon its mechanical systems by taking advantage of solar heat gain — a phenomenon that would need to be tempered on a traditional LEED project.

“We had to make sure that the building could operate for two or three days without any heat if some of the HVAC machinery broke down, because that’s how long it takes to get something from Toronto shipped up,” she explained.

In addition to taking advantage of heat gain during the cold but sunny winter months, the new building buffers the property from harsh northerly winds with strategic siting. During the hot summer, operable windows make it possible to take advantage of the breeze that is typical in the area at that time of year.

“I’m a firm believer in free cooling, and the more we can use it, the better,” said Parkes. “If I don’t have to turn on a fan or an air-conditioning unit, great.”

When air-conditioning is needed, the buildings run on energy-efficient HVAC equipment selected for its durability and adaptability. Parkes said he eschewed systems with 12 to 15-year lifespans in favour of systems with lifespans of 25 years or longer, citing the perennial “battle for deferred maintenance.” At the same time, said Levitt, it was important to be able to upgrade equipment as technology improved. The labelled “plug-and-play” components that were used will make it easy for the facilities department to replace parts and for students to see how the systems work.

Broader community welcomed
McEwen School of Architecture’s facilities have been up and running as intended since the fall of 2016, when their doors were opened not just to students, faculty and staff, but to Sudbury at large.

Externally, the new building gave back to the broader community by including in its programming much-needed public venues — namely, an auditorium and a theatre. Internally, the adaptive reuse of the telegraph and ticketing office considered the unique needs of the community by allocating offices to Indigenous elders. This was among several culturally sensitive provisions aimed at being inclusive of the tri-cultural community, which also has large French and English populations.

As is the case with most projects, the work isn’t entirely over. A ceremonial fire pit is still to come in the interior courtyard, as is a “storefront” slated for the ground floor of the former telegraph and ticketing office, where the broader community will be invited to bring its architecture questions, providing a place to share lessons beyond the classroom.

LEVY: Controversial NDP candidate an apparent "energy hog"

Controversial Scarborough-Agincourt NDP candidate Tasleem Riaz is an apparent “energy hog” who was taken to the Landlord and Tenant Board last July for not paying her air-conditioning bill, her landlord told the Toronto Sun Friday.

Ed (he didn’t want last name used), the landlord of the 60-unit Thorncliffe Park building where Riaz resides, said of 60 tenants, she has the fourth highest hydro bills (heat, electricity and A/C) and three air-conditioners in her two-bedroom apartment.


From May 2017 to May 2018, she used 5,577 kw/h compared to the lowest consumption at 1,202 kw/h.

A few years ago, Riaz had so many electrical appliances going, she “blew the main fuse” in her apartment, which had to be repaired, Ed added.

“She is head over heels most people in the building (in terms of energy consumption),” he said. “Yet the NDP talks (continually) about conservation.”


The hydro bills are covered in her rent but Riaz had agreed to pay the A/C herself as part of the tenancy agreement she struck with the management company in 2006, when she first moved into the Thorncliffe Dr. building.

He said Riaz hired someone from legal aide to fight the $700 bill ($200 of which was spent to file papers to get her to pay), went through the board process and then ended up just paying the bill.

We’ll have to go after her this year for it (the payment) because it seems to be an ongoing issue with her,” he said, noting she even sent the property management a letter from her doctor in May of 2017 indicating she’s suffering from a multitude of medical conditions and needs the air conditioning units.

“She’s plenty smart…she knows her way around (the system)…she knows the ropes,” he said.

Riaz has come under fire for the supposedly inspirational Hitler meme posted on her personal Facebook page in 2013 — one liked by seven friends and shared by another. She has denied posting it, claiming her Facebook page was hacked.

In another 2011 Facebook post, Riaz referred to the Canadian mission to Afghanistan as a “slaughtering machine” — urging her fellow “Muslim brothers and sisters” to vote for former NDP leader Jack Layton.

Riaz did not return requests for comment. Neither did a spokesperson from the NDP campaign.

Thermostat Changes On Tap for Mississauga Renters and Landlords

If it’s hot outside in March, your apartment in Mississauga can be cool.

A new bylaw will come into effect on June 6 and its name will change to Adequate Temperature By-Law.

City of Mississauga enforcement staff suggested changes to the Adequate Heat Bylaw, after instructions from council to review the law and the community feedback.


During the review, staff considered rules on air conditioning and the dates that the bylaw would be in effect.

In the report, staff said the changes to the bylaw will make sure landlords can be flexible when regulating heat in their buildings during fluctuating and extreme weather patterns.

Currently, the bylaw states that the owner shall provide the dwelling unit with adequate and stable heat of 20 degrees Celsius from September 15 to June 1.

Staff recommended the following changes to the Adequate Heat bylaw:

Landlords provide enough heat to keep the temperature at least at 20 degrees Celsius.
Where there is air-conditioning, landlords make sure it does not get hotter than 26 degrees Celsius.
Remove the temperature range dates (September 15 to June 1) currently found in the current By-law.
"Enforcement staff met with and received input from the public and stakeholders, including tenants, property management, owners and contractors on recommendations for the Adequate Heat By-law," said Geoff Wright, Commissioner of Transportation and Works.

"The proposed changes comply with provincial requirements and responds to changing weather conditions. The changes also addresses many of the concerns that we heard during the public meetings, are easy to understand and will be enforceable."

The report also mentions a plan to raise awareness and advise residents of the changes.

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Heat alert issued for Halton starting Sunday

Environment Canada has issued a heat alert for Halton Region starting on Sunday (June 17).

This warning is issued when temperatures are expected to reach at least 31 degrees Celsius with overnight temperatures above 20 degrees Celsius for two days, or when a humidex of 40 or higher is expected for two days.

Those especially susceptible to these conditions are older adults (65 and up), infants and young children, people who work and exercise in the heat, people without adequate housing and those without air conditioning, as well as people who have breathing difficulties, heart problems, kidney problems or take heat-sensitive medications

Here’s a few tips to few tips to minimize the risk of heat-related illness:

• avoid strenuous outdoor activities

• seek shade from the sun

• spend time in air-conditioned places, such as shopping malls and community centres

• drink plenty of cool liquids, especially water

• visit friends and neighbours who may be at risk and never leave people or pets in your care unattended in a car

If you or someone in your care experiences rapid breathing, headache, confusion, weakness or fainting, please seek medical attention right away.

Man on AirAsia flight says crew turned on air conditioning ‘full blast’ to force passengers off

A passenger aboard an AirAsia flight recorded the scary moment the cabin appeared to fill with some sort of smoke or gas while waiting on the tarmac on Tuesday.

But according to Dipankar Ray, the passenger who recorded the incident, the fumes are the result of the plane’s air conditioning being turned on “full blast” – itself a reaction to a standoff between passengers and crew.


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“The flight was scheduled to depart at 9 a.m. and was initially delayed by 30 minutes. After boarding, we kept sitting inside the aircraft for one-and-a-half hours with no food or water at all,” Ray told The Times of India.

After an extended wait, Ray says the crew asked passengers to disembark the aircraft, something many were reluctant to do due to outside weather conditions.

“When passengers refused to deboard due to heavy rains outside, the captain put the air-conditioning blower on full blast to hound the passengers out.”

Air Asia Flight I5582, the flight in question, was scheduled to depart Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata, India, on Wednesday morning for Bagdogra.

According to FlightAware, a global flight-tracking database, the flight was delayed by nearly five hours on June 20.

“This is the way Aviation industry works in India. This #AirAsiaservice was particularly scary…” Ray said in a Facebook post sharing his video, which prompted a response for AirAsia shortly after the clip went viral in India.

In a statement to media, AirAsia acknowledged the delay but said safety was their principal concern and passengers experienced no ill-treatment.

“AirAsia India would like to confirm that flight 15583 from Kolkata to Bagdogra was delayed by 4.5 hours due to a technical requirement. All affected guests were offered refreshments and provided with alternate arrangements requested for. AirAsia regrets the inconvenience caused to guests on account of this disruption and would like to reinstate that the airline always prioritizes safety above all.”

READ MORE: American Airlines, United to Trump: Don’t use our planes to separate families

The company also maintains the steam and fog created by the air conditioning was not malicious, and posed no danger to the health of passengers.

“There was no danger to any of the occupants on-board the aircraft as the cool conditioned air being circulated was condensing,” the company said.

“This is a normal occurrence on-board all aircraft when the air conditioning is operated in high humidity conditions.”

But Ray maintains that no such assurances about the health of passengers were offered at the time.

“It created a scary scene as heavy fog was created inside the plane and it was very suffocating,” Ray said.

Electricity demand record set within Alectra Utilities’ service territory

HAMILTON, Ontario, July 05, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The heat wave that has been scorching southern Ontario over the past few days, along with today’s record temperature, have increased electricity consumption in Alectra Utilities’ service territory resulting in the municipally-owned utility reaching a milestone today for peak demand.

Alectra’s System Control at 3 p.m. reported an electricity peak demand level for its service territory of 5,056 megawatts (MW), exceeding the previous peak demand record of 4,666 MW set on September 25, 2017.

Peak demand for an electric utility’s service territory occurs at a point in time when total consumption by residential and business customers is at its highest level.  Increased electricity consumption during heat waves is mostly driven by air conditioning use.

The peak demand record for Alectra Utilities’ service territory may increase even further if temperatures continue to rise during the day.

Conservation programs offered by Alectra and its predecessor utilities to homes and businesses over the last few years have played a significant role in preventing consumption levels from being even higher.  In 2017 alone, customer adoption of Alectra conservation programs helped to achieve electricity savings in the utility’s service territory of 190 gigawatt (GWh) hours, enough to power 21,000 typical homes for a year.

“When you consider the successive days of above 30 degree temperatures we have been experiencing, it’s easy to see why a peak demand record was set today within our service territory,” explained Chris Hudson, Senior Vice President, Network Operations at Alectra Utilities. “We want everyone to stay safe and cool but at the same time be energy efficient.”

Alectra offers these simple conservation tips to help reduce electricity consumption:

Make use of a programmable thermostat to regulate temperature
Make use of ceiling and portable fans to circulate air
Hang clothes outside instead of using a dryer
Use curtains or blinds to shade windows on hot sunny days

Storms leave thousands without lights, air conditioning in Quebec

MONTREAL – More than 15,000 homes and businesses in Quebec were still without power and air conditioning this afternoon following violent storms.

As of 2 p.m., 15,234 Hydro-Quebec customers were blacked out, mainly due to fallen trees and branches on power lines.

About 8,000 of the outages were in the Laurentian region north of Montreal and in the Lanaudiere area northeast of the city.

Another 5,512 customers were affected in the Outaouais region in western Quebec.


Hydro-Quebec said nearly 163,000 customers were without power at the peak of the outages Monday night.

The utility said some people will not have power back before the end of the day Wednesday.

The outages hit as Environment Canada warns of a heat wave persisting in Quebec until Friday.

Mississauga facility achieves its zero waste goals

The Toronto distribution centre for Cintas, a business supplies provider, became Canada’s second facility to earn TRUE Zero Waste certification last fall. The 60,000-square-foot Mississauga facility achieved its zero waste goals through innovative vendor partnerships, the dedication of its green team, and complete engagement among its 56 employees, or “partners” as they are referred to within Cintas. A combination of large changes to overall processes and individual partner actions contributed to the distribution centre’s success, lending itself as an excellent example of how a zero waste strategy can be implemented in any type of organization.

The result of this work was a TRUE Gold certification, which acknowledged the distribution centre’s work in diverting 93.59 percent of waste from landfill. It is one of five Cintas facilities so far to achieve TRUE Gold certification in North America, with more planned in the near future.

The TRUE Zero Waste program is part of a suite of certification and professional credentialing services administered by GBCI Canada, launched in February 2018 as a new joint venture between the Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC) and Green Business Certification Inc. With the goal of the program being to divert all solid waste from the landfill and incineration, TRUE-certified projects must meet seven minimum program requirements, including achieving an average overall waste diversion rate of 90 per cent or greater over the most recent 12-month period, and having a zero waste policy in place.

The following case study provides a closer look into the strategies, challenges and specific actions involved in Cintas’s achievement at its Toronto distribution centre.

Committing to environmental stewardship
Environmental stewardship is a priority at Cintas, which has integrated sustainable solutions throughout its operations. This includes the use of recycled plastic water bottles to create suits that customers can find for purchase within the Cintas catalogue, modernizing facilities to incorporate environmentally friendly practices, and forming a team to provide a centralized sustainability strategy.

Cintas’s company-wide zero-waste-to-landfill initiative includes the following steps:

Assessing the internal waste produced to better understand the amount, nature and composition of the waste generated;
Assembling teams and champions dedicated to the program;
Engaging employees and making it easy for them to get involved with efforts and in identifying ways to reduce, recycle, reuse or repurpose waste; and
Developing a plan to provide direction and help the organization achieve its goals.
These actions laid the foundation for Cintas’ Toronto distribution centre’s zero waste strategy and decision to pursue TRUE certification, giving the facility a workable plan to address its specific challenges.

Overcoming challenges in waste diversion
It’s often said that people are an organization’s greatest resource; as such, a successful zero waste strategy often depends on tapping into the strengths and insights of employees who are committed to sustainability. While implementing changes to existing procedures can be a complex process, Cintas’ Toronto distribution centre took a common sense, partner-led approach to its TRUE Zero Waste certification, coming up with simple, yet impactful solutions that could be easily integrated from day one.

The challenge: Determining what to do with different kinds of waste

The strategy: Assessing the internal waste produced

The solution: Work with new and existing suppliers and corporate office to assess and strategize

Cintas’ Toronto distribution centre distributes five kinds of business supplies: entrance and logo floor mats; restroom supplies such as hand soap and toilet paper dispensers; first aid and safety items; corporate apparel direct sales; and uniform rentals to commercial and industrial customers.

With the distribution centre handling such diverse products and services, a key concern was streamlining where the different types of waste generated by the business lines and partners during the normal workday should go.

The facility worked with the company that serviced its garbage and recycling needs, Waste Connections, to analyze its waste and provide recommendations on more ways to recycle. Cintas’ Toronto distribution centre also privately contracted Waste Connections to recycle its plastic and cardboard, receiving credit in return and thus generating additional cost savings.

Given the company’s large focus on garments, finding a way to recycle waste fabric proved to be a particular struggle for the distribution centre. After several years of searching for a sustainable solution, staff from Cintas’ Toronto distribution centre spoke with H&M Canada, which suggested that the facility contact GFL for fabric recycling.

Cintas’ corporate office also recommended reaching out to Wiseman Export as another way to deal with the discarded textiles. This resulted in a synergistic relationship in which Wiseman Export takes garments disposed of by Cintas’ Toronto distribution centre, shreds the fabric and then repurposes it as rags and to make mattresses.

The challenge: Getting partner buy-in

The strategies: Assembling dedicated teams and engaging partners

The solution: Frequent messaging and working with champions in different departments

Resistance to change in existing practices can often be a barrier in implementing new standards, and this was the case at Cintas’ Toronto distribution centre as well. Education about its zero waste program was a key tool in tackling this issue, with the centre’s green team providing frequent opportunities to learn about what they were trying to accomplish.

The team held a weekly show-and-tell during the first month of the switch to demonstrate which receptacles to use for each kind of garbage. Instead of providing disposable supplies at monthly partner events, they asked staff to bring in their own reusable plates, cups and cutlery. As well, the sustainability team now works with departmental waste champions to identify issues around incorrect waste sorting, gather data, and weigh collected garbage to monitor in- and outbound waste.

Cintas partners were empowered to bring their own waste reduction ideas to the table, which led to some great solutions. One partner recommended repurposing the filler paper included with garments and other packages to stuff other boxes being shipped out, a move that has also resulted in cost savings.

In addition, the facility’s green team devised opportunities for partners to incorporate zero waste strategies into life outside of the workplace, including annual events at the distribution centre to bring in old electronics for recycling and personal papers for shredding.

The challenge: Finding new ways to reuse and further reduce waste

The strategy: Developing a plan to provide direction

The solution: Rethinking existing processes around shipping

Along with the idea to reuse shipping paper and have fabrics recycled, Cintas’ Toronto distribution centre made other changes to its processes as part of its efforts to decrease waste. The facility breaks down damaged pallets to create new ones, and it has reduced its usage of cardboard boxes by switching to plastic containers where possible or reusing boxes from previous shipments. It also purchased a new machine that has halved the amount of plastic shrink wrap used in comparison to manual usage.

Achieving zero waste goals
Cintas’ Toronto distribution centre owes much of its success in reaching its diversion targets to its green team, which meets monthly and brainstorms fresh ideas to engage partners in waste reduction efforts. As well, it works with the facility’s social committee to make monthly events greener.

More broadly, the initiative at Cintas showcases how organizations can easily get started in achieving their zero waste goals, shrinking their carbon footprint, increasing efficiency and supporting sustainability. The TRUE program provided a simple blueprint for the Toronto distribution centre to follow to become more resource efficient, transforming its upstream policies and practices both organizationally and at the individual employee level.

REMI NetworkCondoBusiness cogeneration GTA-based condo building demos cogeneration

At least one condo building in the GTA won’t face the perennial dilemma of when to switch over its HVAC system from heating to cooling this spring. Its heating and cooling are available all year round, with one minor exception: cooling is disabled when the temperature outside dips below minus 10.

The 300-unit condo building runs on cogeneration or combined heat and power (CHP), which is basically like an on-site power plant. CHP installations feature natural gas-burning engines, which generate electricity efficiently, capturing and using the waste heat created in the process.

The process of generating electricity on site costs less than what building owners pay to obtain it through the grid from local utilities. And if the electricity generated on site exceeds the needs of the building, the building owners can export the excess electricity to the grid, where they can sell it to local utilities.

The 300-unit condo building is doing just that. Its 350-kilowatt CHP installation is able to satisfy demand for heat and domestic hot water for the whole building, which does not have a boiler. Deep geothermal wells work with ground-source heat pumps to create chilled water for the fan coils, which produce the building’s cooling. The building can also operate in “island mode,” whereby the cogeneration installation sustains the entire building on electricity when the grid goes down and power gets knocked out, recovering heat from the generator, as long as natural gas is available.

As shown in this case, CHP can be used to efficiently supply domestic hot water to a building, offset some of its electrical load and power emergency systems during power outages. These installations may even have extra capacity to power non-emergency systems during power outages thanks to energy-saving technologies such as LED.

CHP can be part of the original design of the building, as was the case here. Projects like this may be eligible for incentives for high-performance new construction — high performance meaning that the building is more energy efficient than its base design.

CHP can also be a retrofit solution for an existing building. Buildings that have old back-up generators due for major retrofits or replacement are good candidates for cogeneration.

These opportunities can be identified in a comprehensive energy audit or a preliminary or detailed engineering study. There are incentives available to implement a CHP system that has at least a 70-per-cent overall system efficiency in converting natural gas into hydro and using recovered waste heat. Efficiency can be far greater, depending on the amount of recovered heat being used to offset the building’s heating load.

In either case, proper engineering is required to make sure the system will work as designed and captures the expected benefits in the shortest possible payback period.

Costs can range from $500,000 for a small micro-turbine system that generates hydro and domestic hot water to multi-millions of dollars for a system that can run in island mode. Most projects pay for themselves within five years.

Not having to replace an aging back-up generator can greatly reduce the payback time. What’s more, a CHP installation is a long-term investment as it generates revenue when excess electricity can be exported to the electric grid and sold to local utilities.

Building automation systems (BAS) are used to control when the CHP will run, factoring in the price of electricity and the building’s heating and domestic hot water demands. The more waste heat that the CHP can put to use in the building, the more efficient the installation. The less waste heat the CHP can put to use in the building, the less efficient the installation. Excess heat must be vented outside to protect the CHP plant and heat pumps from overheating. The BAS ensures this occurs as needed and facilitates occupant comfort.

Once a CHP installation is set up, ongoing monitoring and optimization is advised to ensure all building systems continue running smoothly so energy savings and other benefits don’t disappear. It took a lot of commissioning work to keep the CHP installation at the 300-unit condo building functioning properly.

No air conditioning upgrades planned at Peel schools any time soon

Despite the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario’s (ETFO) attempt to push the provincial government to address extreme heat and humidity conditions in elementary schools in September, it doesn’t appear as though there will be any air conditioning upgrades to schools in Peel any time soon.

Last week, the Durham District School Board announced its $17.6 million plan to add full air conditioning to seven existing schools and partial air-condition to 22 more schools.

However, this year, the Dufferin Peel Catholic District School Board conducted a feasibility study looking into air conditioning upgrades.

All of its schools built since the year 2000 are fully air-conditioned, but 65 schools built before then have either partial air conditioning or none at all.

In September, Daniel Del Bianco, the board’s superintendent of planning and operations, said equipping those schools with full air conditioning would cost between $35 and $40 million dollars and there are also operational costs to consider.

The project in Durham would cost its board an extra $564,000 in operating costs.

The DPCDSB is also backlogged with $225 million in renewal needs for its 149 schools and it is funded $23 million annually to address renewals and operational maintenance.

The feasibility study was presented during an administration and finance committee meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 28.

According to that report, equipping the 65 schools with full air conditioning would take approximately 15-20 years to implement. On the other hand, bringing cooling stations into schools would cost an estimated five to seven million dollars and would take five to seven years to implement.

Spokesperson Bruce Campbell said there was a lot of discussion on the topic, but ultimately, the board will wait until they begin their budget talks early in the new year to determine the most feasible option moving forward.

Meanwhile, the Peel District School Board has 177 schools operating with partial air conditioning and seven that don’t have air conditioning at all.

Spokesperson Kayla Tishcoff said there are no plans to make additions to air conditioning in schools at this time as the board would have to figure out how much it would take to bring all of those schools up to par.

Rise in condo maintenance fees slowed last year, says study

It’s big and it’s real — condo buyers’ and residents’ fear of escalating monthly maintenance fees.

But a study by Condos.ca shows condo fees in Toronto rose only 2.5 per cent last year over 2016. The average maintenance cost on a 594 sq. ft., one-bedroom apartment was $386.60.

That compares to an annual increase in both 2016 and 2015 of about 4 per cent.

Condos.ca found that the average fee among 984 buildings last year was 65 cents per sq. ft. That equates to $628.02 a month on a 956 sq. ft. two-bedroom unit and $881.20 a month on a 1,354 sq. ft., three-bedroom apartment.

Those averages don’t include parking or storage lockers, which would up the monthly cost by $46.22 and $15.15 a month, respectively, says the study.

Buildings that included water, heat, hydro and air conditioning in their fees averaged 69 cents per sq. ft. Those without the utilities had a 37 cents per sq. ft. average fee.

“If you’re paying for these elements separately, the total monthly costs could be much higher than if they were included in the maintenance fees,” says the report.

Last year’s lower increase is probably due to the number of new condos on the market. Newer buildings tend to have lower fees, says Andrew Harrild, company co-founder. (Pre-construction condos were not included in the study.)

It doesn’t reduce the dread he hears every day from buyers who don’t want to pay that monthly fee.

“After your mortgage, it’s typically your next biggest expense. It’s a big issue,” he said.

But it doesn’t need to be scary.

“When done right (the fees) are definitely an important part of a healthy condo building. They’re an important part of ensuring your asset is going to grow in value in time,” said Harrild.

“There are some great buildings out there that have been around for 20 or 30 years and still have maintenance fees under control,” he said.

The maintenance costs should rise annually at about the rate of inflation, but they should also reflect the true cost of operating and maintaining a building.

A lot of buyers look for lower maintenance fees so they can allocate more of their budget to their mortgage. But in some cases the cost of a unit may be discounted because the maintenance fees are higher.

“Buildings with higher maintenance fees don’t often sell for the same price per square foot. You have to do the math,” said Harrild.

The average price of a new construction condo in the Toronto area last year rose 42.6 per cent to $702,992, from $493,137 at the end of 2016, according to the Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD).

The province also introduced new rules last year that require condo board members to take online training in areas such as avoiding conflicts of interest in purchasing decisions. Ontario also launched a new online tribunal to deal with condo disputes and new rules around mandatory meeting notices, voting and disclosures.

Those changes were expected to add $12 a year to the fees per condo unit, the government said in July.

Harrild advises buyers to always bear in mind the true cost of operating the building.

Good condo managers will make sure the reserve is healthy enough to fund major repairs so that residents aren’t hit with expensive special assessments down the line.

Sometimes condo boards will opt for higher fees for the first few years of a building’s life to build up a healthy reserve fund and then they will be able to reduce the costs for unit owners. The Toy Factory Lofts decreased fees 30 per cent between 2011 and 2012. Success Tower, reduced its fees 13 per cent from 2015 to 2016 and Minto 775 saw a drop of 19 per cent between 2015 and 2017.

At the Toy Factory, the board went through every line of the budget and cut costs wherever possible, right down to more energy efficient lighting and lowering the thermostat a couple of degrees in common areas where possible, said Harrild.

Size of building can matter too, when it comes to condo fees. If two buildings have a similar footprint, repairing the roof will likely cost about the same whether one has 40 or 14 storeys.

But the cost of repairing and maintaining common elements indoors can be distributed among more residents if there are more units. At the same time, those common features are probably going to experience more wear and tear in a bigger building simply because more people are using them.

Ontario is Banning Door-to-Door Sales Very Soon

Unsolicited door-to-door sales of certain household appliances will soon be banned across Ontario, the province announced Friday.

It’s a move to better protect consumers from aggressive and misleading contracting at home.

Starting March 1, businesses will only be able to enter into a contract in the consumer’s home if the consumer has contacted the business ahead of time and invited them in for the purpose of entering into a contract.

Contracts that are in violation of the new rules relating to door-to-door contract solicitation will be considered void, and consumers will be able to keep the goods and services with no obligations.


The new rules will apply to:

Air cleaners.
Air conditioners.
Air purifiers.
Duct cleaning services.
Furnaces.
Water filters.
Water heaters.
Water purifiers.
Water softeners.
Water treatment devices.
Bundles of these goods and services.
In addition, businesses will be required to keep a record of how contact with the consumer entering the contract was made, and all contracts signed in the home for these goods and services will also have a 10-day cooling-off period, allowing consumers to cancel the contract for any reason without penalty.

Mississauga’s Ward 2 Coun. Karen Ras - who represents Clarkson and Lorne Park - introduced a motion at the municipal level back in April 2016 as part of the ‘StoptheKnocks’ change.org campaign.

Brampton and Oakville followed suit one and three months later, respectively.

Ontario is the second province in Canada to restrict door-to-door solicitation and contracts — Alberta’s law kicked in Jan 1, 2017.

Door-to-door contracts have been among the top complaints received by the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services.

If a consumer calls for a repair, maintenance or any other reason, businesses will only be allowed to leave information about the products and services they offer, unless the business has a written contract in place with the consumer and secures the consumer's approval in advance of the visit to solicit a contract for the restricted goods or services.

Businesses will also need to keep a record of how contact with the consumer was made and provide consumers with clear information about their rights.

Provincial ban on unsolicited door-to-door sales starts March 1

DURHAM — A new provincial ban on unsolicited door-to-door sales of certain household appliances aimed at better protecting consumers from aggressive and misleading contracts will come into effect on March 1.

Under the new Ontario legislation, businesses will only be able to enter into a contract in a consumer’s home if the consumer has contacted the business ahead of time and invited them into their home for the purpose of entering into a contract. Contracts that are in violation of the new rules relating to door-to-door contract solicitation will be considered void and consumers will be able to keep the goods and services with no obligations.

The new rules will apply to the sales of air cleaners, air conditioners, air purifiers, duct cleaning services, furnaces, water filters, water heaters, water purifiers, water softeners and water treatment devices as well as bundles of these goods and services.

In addition, businesses will be required to keep a record of how contact with the consumer entering the contract was made and all contracts signed in the home for these goods and services will also have a 10-day cooling-off period, allowing consumers to cancel the contract for any reason without penalty.

If a consumer calls for a repair, maintenance or any other reason, businesses will only be allowed to leave information about the products and services they offer unless the business has a written contract in place with the consumer and secures the consumer’s approval in advance of the visit to solicit a contract for the restricted goods or services.

Businesses will also need to keep a record of how contact with the consumer was made and provide consumers with clear information about their rights.

Door-to-door contracts have been among the top complaints received by the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services and Ontario will become the second province in Canada to restrict door-to-door solicitation and contracts.

“These new laws will ensure that people aren’t being taken advantage of through unsolicited door-to-door contracting. We have heard from many consumers, including many seniors, who are being taken advantage of at their doorsteps,” said Tracy MacCharles, minister of government and consumer services, in a press release.

Why does our car smell?

We are hoping you can help us figure out a smell we get in the interior of our 2007 CR-V when we turn on the heat and AC. Our dealership has been unable to find any source in three visits. The filters have been replaced and they did a flushing of the vents. Any suggestions on possible cause and what we can ask them to do to eliminate the problem? – Pat

The completed repairs indicate to me that the dealer is directing their efforts toward the cabin heater/air-conditioning system.

The AC comes on automatically in the winter to aid with defrosting your windshield by removing moisture. Mould will grow after the leftover unvented moisture combines with dust and pollen. The “flushing of the vents” will likely give temporary relief, but will not offer a permanent fix.

As per Honda’s service bulletin guidelines, only the removal and cleaning of the complete AC evaporator core will eliminate the smell. Unfortunately, this is an expensive procedure.

All vehicles regardless of brand sometimes suffer from mould. Prevention is the most effective solution.

Here are some tips I have taken from the Honda literature. In dry weather, keep the ventilation system in fresh-air mode. In humid weather, keep it on recirculate. When you reach the last few blocks before your destination, turn off the A/C but leave the blower on. This stops the A/C’s condensing action and helps dry the inside of the evaporator case. Replace dust and pollen filters at recommended intervals.

Lou Trottier is owner-operator of All About Imports in Mississauga. Have a question about maintenance and repair? E-mail globedrive@globeandmail.com, placing “Lou’s Garage” in the subject line.

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