ophvac

Why Air Conditioners Freeze Up and How to Prevent the Problem

Tue, 26 May 2026 19:15:50 GMT

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Ever noticed ice on your AC unit? The AC is supposed to make things cold, so it’s no problem, right? Wrong! Air should definitely blow cold, but there should never be ice on the appliance. So, what can you do? Air conditioner freeze-ups are usually a symptom of an underlying issue, not the problem itself. Here, we explain why air conditioners freeze and what’s needed to fix the various causes.

What to Do if Your AC Freezes

If it’s the middle of summer and your air conditioner freezes up (i.e., if you notice ice forming on the coils) turn the unit off right away.

The next step is to contact Ottawa Plumbing and Heating for a service call. In many cases, the issue can be resolved quickly, but if left untreated, a frozen air conditioner can lead to serious system damage and costly repairs.

Common Causes of a Frozen Air Conditioner

Several factors can cause your air conditioner to freeze. The most common include:

Insufficient airflow
Low refrigerant levels or refrigerant leaks
Faulty thermostat operation
Improper fan function

These issues disrupt the normal heat exchange process inside your system, allowing condensation on the coils to freeze instead of evaporating.

Because these problems often require specialized tools and training, they should be diagnosed and repaired by a qualified HVAC technician only.

Why You Shouldn’t Ignore a Frozen AC Unit

It may be tempting to let the ice melt and turn your system back on, but that won’t solve the root problem.

Without proper repair, a frozen air conditioner can lead to:

Reduced cooling performance
Increased energy consumption
Compressor damage
Complete system failure

In some cases, ignoring the issue can result in needing a full system replacement sooner than expected. While modern air conditioners offer excellent efficiency and performance, replacing one unexpectedly is never ideal.

The Role of Airflow and Maintenance

Air conditioners rely on consistent airflow to operate efficiently. When airflow is restricted, the system can’t properly absorb heat, which can lead to freezing.

Common airflow issues include:

Dirty or clogged air filters
Blocked or closed vents
Dust buildup within the system

Regular air filter replacement and seasonal maintenance play a key role in preventing these problems. Plus, it’s the simplest fix you can do. Beyond that, make sure you book annual maintenance.

During a professional maintenance visit, Ottawa Plumbing and Heating technicians will:

Check refrigerant levels
Clean and inspect coils
Lubricate moving components
Test system performance
Identify potential issues before they become major repairs

You may not have time to manage all of this, but the Ottawa Plumbing and Heating team does.

How to Prevent Your Air Conditioner from Freezing

Preventative maintenance is the most effective way to reduce the risk of AC freeze-ups.

With proper care, your system can run more efficiently, last longer, and deliver consistent comfort throughout the cooling season.

A WeCARE Maintenance Plan helps ensure your system receives the right service at the right time. Regular inspections and tune-ups significantly reduce the likelihood of unexpected issues. If you want even greater coverage, WePROTECT offers extended warranty on labour and parts.

Experience the OPHVAC Advantage

Ottawa Plumbing and Heatin is your trusted partner for air conditioner maintenance and repair in Ottawa and surrounding areas. Our trained professionals are committed to high-quality service and dependable support.

Contact Ottawa Plumbing and Heating today to schedule a service visit or learn more about WeCARE + WePROTECT plans .

Spring HVAC Maintenance Tips Every Homeowner Should Know

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 14:40:15 GMT

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It feels like Spring has finally sprung throughout most of the province, and not a moment too soon! Just a few weeks ago, much of Ontario was still covered with metre-high snowbanks. The arrival of warmer weather – not to mention increased hours of sunlight – has many of us refocusing on the outdoors: getting back into regular walk routines, setting up our patio furniture, and firing up that BBQ!

While you’re welcoming the new season, don’t overlook the mechanical appliances that got you through the winter. Now is the perfect time to show them some love, and make sure you’re prepared for the seasons ahead!

Here are some tips to keep you prepared:

Test Your AC Early

You likely won’t need it yet, but making sure it’s ready to go for the summer is always a smart move.

Clean Your ERV/HRV Core & Filters

Getting fresh indoor air into your home, and getting the stale air out, is important for your health.

Check Your CO Detectors

It could save your life! Ensure your home stays safe by testing and replacing batteries as needed.

Change Your Furnace Filter

It’s important for the air quality in your home, and critical to ensure your air conditioner will work well when the time comes.

Bonus Tip: Improve Your Indoor Air Quality

It’s worth noting that there are many other steps you can take to improve indoor air quality .

Ready to Get Your Home Spring-Ready?

Whether you need help with maintenance, indoor air quality, or system upgrades, Ottawa Plumbing and Heating is here to help. Connect with us today to book a seasonal check-up and enjoy peace of mind all spring and summer long!

The Benefits of a Whole House Humidifier for Ontario Families

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 14:13:17 GMT

What does your humidifier situation look like? Some families take the strength-in-numbers approach. Sometime in November, they bring the humidifier brigade out of storage and put one on the bedside table in each bedroom, filling it up and turning it on every night. From here, it’s not difficult to see the benefits of a whole house humidifier.

Compared to portable units, the choice becomes much easier, especially for Ontario families dealing with long, dry winters. Read on to see why proper humidity is important, and why a whole house humidifier is often the most effective solution.

Why Humidity Is Your Friend

Running the shower all day isn’t a good way to make the house more humid. There’s a reason the desert is short on life, and the rainforest is teeming. Humidity is more conducive to life.

Plants in humid environments are more vibrant. They scrub the air more efficiently and display better overall health. This is as true for the plants in your home as it is for the kapok tree in the Amazon. Those same plants help filter contaminants out of the air, supporting a healthier indoor environment.

Balanced humidity also supports your comfort and well-being. Low relative humidity can make your body more susceptible to seasonal illnesses and allergies, while properly humidified air helps keep nasal passages clear and comfortable. Humidity also helps prevent the woes of dry, cracked skin in the winter.

We also tend to sleep better when humidity is balanced. It helps keep sinuses from drying out, supports healthy mucous membranes, and allows the natural defences in your respiratory system to work as intended. Canadian guidelines say 30-50% indoor humidity is best during the winter.

Why Ontario Homes Struggle With Dry Air

Ontario winters are especially hard on indoor humidity levels. Cold outdoor air holds very little moisture, and once that air is heated by your furnace , indoor humidity can easily drop below comfortable levels.

Forced-air heating systems, which are common across Ontario, simply dry out the air. This is why dry air is often most noticeable between January and March, even in well-sealed homes.

A whole house humidifier works with your HVAC system to restore and maintain balanced humidity throughout your home, instead of treating individual rooms one at a time.

Whole House Humidifier vs. Portable Units

Portable humidifiers can help in small spaces, but they come with limitations:

Limited coverage area
Daily refilling and cleaning
Inconsistent humidity levels
Visual clutter throughout the home

A whole house humidifier, on the other hand, distributes moisture evenly through your ductwork, maintaining consistent humidity across all living spaces with far less day-to-day effort. It’s also out of sight!

How About Saving a Bit of Money Too?

One of the most compelling benefits of a whole house humidifier is the potential reduction in heating costs.

Moist air carries heat differently, so humid air feels warmer than dry air at the exact same temperature. When your home feels more comfortable, you may be able to lower your thermostat slightly without sacrificing warmth.

For every degree you heat your home, you can add approximately 4% to your energy bill. Reducing your thermostat by even one or two degrees over the winter can translate into meaningful savings, depending on usage and home size.

Want to Know Which Humidifier to Buy?

Whole house humidifiers come in several styles, including bypass, fan-powered, and steam models. The right option depends on factors like:

Home size
Furnace type
Desired level of humidity control

A properly sized and installed system will keep humidity balanced throughout your home with minimal maintenance.

Is a Whole House Humidifier Worth It?

For Ontario families, dry air can affect comfort, health, and even energy costs. A whole house humidifier addresses the root of the problem by working with your HVAC system to maintain consistent indoor humidity all winter long.

It requires less daily effort than managing multiple portable units, keeps humidity even across your entire home, and helps protect both your comfort and your home environment. So, yes. We think it is definitely worth it!

Install a Whole-Home Humidifier to Reap These Benefits Today

Call us today to learn whether a whole house humidifier is right for your home.

Winter Home Comfort Tips: Keep Your House Warm, Safe, and Healthy

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 15:12:38 GMT

Winter has certainly arrived in Canada! Over the last few weeks, a polar vortex swept through Ontario rendering it the coldest place on the planet and delivering record-breaking snowfall amounts in select regions. The forecast across much of the nation isn’t much brighter over the next week, either. It’s cold – and it looks like that’s here to stay for at least another week. It’s the perfect time to make sure that your home is as comfortable as possible! Here are a handful of helpful tips to make sure that your home is warm, cozy, and healthy – and best prepared for another storm.

Check Your Furnace’s Air Filter

Change it if it’s dirty and you can’t see light shine through it. If you’re using 1″ filters you can buy at the hardware store, check it monthly – or more, if you’ve got furry pets or have been doing any renovations especially. A dirty filter causes your furnace’s blower motor to work harder to get the airflow the system requires, which increases its electrical draw (and therefore your electrical bill). It’s also a key cause of failures in both heating and cooling season! We recommend always having at least one spare filter in your mechanical room to swap when needed. Learn more about the ins and outs of air filters here.

Pro Tip: If you use a thicker ~5″ pleated media filter instead, you can get away with changing it far less frequently – often once a year is plenty. Ask your OPHVAC about installing a media cabinet to your furnace or air handler to accommodate this more capable filter.

Keep an Eye on RH (Relative Humidity)

Winter’s cold air is notoriously dry for much of the season. If you’ve got an ERV or HRV that’s exchanging stale, indoor air with fresh, outdoor air, you’ve probably noticed a big dip in your home’s relative humidity in heating season. Appliances like fireplaces also dry out the heat as it gets heated, compounding the issue. Health Canada advises keeping your home’s RH between 30 and 50%. If your thermostat’s hydrometer is reading outside this range, it’s time for action! Humidity that’s too low can cause health challenges like dry skin and scalp, and compound respiratory issues. It also means you have to heat the air more for it to “feel” hot. Humidity that’s too high can feel uncomfortable and pose risks to your building too. Luckily, whole home humidifiers and ERV/HRV service are some of the things our specialists deal with all the time, so we’re here to help!

Unblock Your Vents

As snow accumulates around the perimeter of our homes, or even in isolated storms with high winds, the outdoor vents to our mechanical appliances can become blocked. Gas-powered hot water heaters, furnaces, and our ERV/HRVs all require both fresh air intake, as well as combusted air exhaust to operate safely. If snow or built-up ice blocks either of these vents, these appliances will work inefficiently to draw in/exhaust the air, until they shut down as they can’t get the airflow needed. Take a moment to ensure your outdoor pipes are clear of snow, and ice, and clear the screens of any dust or debris if you have screens installed.

Maintain Your Appliances

In the same way that your car needs its oil changed and tires rotated to run reliably, your furnace and/or heat pump are also mechanical appliances that require maintenance by a licensed technician for peak performance, efficiency, and reliability. Many contractors, including OPHVAC, offer maintenance plans to ensure that this gets done on a yearly basis.

Monitor Your Utility Bills

Whether you heat with natural gas, propane, oil or even electricity, we can all agree that the costs to do this haven’t gotten much easier lately. Heating and cooling your home also occupy the lion’s share of your utility consumption in most cases, so keeping it in check is critical. In addition to ensuring you have a proper relative humidity level indoors, and that your appliances are regularly maintained, if you find your bills increase, it may be time to have a conversation about using a more efficient system to heat your home in the winter months. Heat pumps are the obvious solution as they offer solutions appropriate to our Canadian climate, and efficiency that far exceeds the 1:1 ratio you’d get from an electric furnace or baseboard heating. They’re also much more environmentally friendly than gas-burning appliances.

Your Step-by-Step Guide for What to Do When Your Basement Floods in Ottawa

Fri, 12 Dec 2025 17:11:09 GMT

A flooded basement is one of the most stressful plumbing emergencies a homeowner in Ottawa can face. They can have a number of causes including heavy rainfall, a sewer backup, or a failed sump pump, but one thing remains the same. You must act fast to minimize damage and protect your home. If your basement floods in Ottawa, here’s exactly what to do and how our experts can help.

Prioritize Safety Before Entering a Flooded Basement

If water has filled your basement, do not enter until it’s safe. Water and electricity are a dangerous. Turn off your home’s power supply only if you can do so safely from a dry area. If you’re unsure, contact a licensed electrician or plumber’s emergency team. Once it’s safe, document the damage with photos for insurance purposes.

Find the Source of the Flooding and Stop It If Possible

Common causes of basement floods in Ottawa include blocked floor drains, overflowing eavestroughs, failed sump pumps, and sewer backups. If the flooding is due to a plumbing issue, such as a burst pipe or leaking fixture, shut off the main water supply and call Ottawa Plumbing and Heating immediately. Avoid using any plumbing fixtures until the cause is diagnosed.

Call a Professional Plumber and Restoration Company Right Away

Don’t try to handle serious flooding alone. Once you’ve stopped the water (if possible), call a licensed plumber and, if needed, a water damage restoration team. Ottawa Plumbing and Heating’s experienced professionals can assess the source, fix the problem, and coordinate with cleanup crews to prevent long-term structural or mould issues. The sooner you bring in expert help, the more you can limit damage and recovery costs.

Start Water Removal and Drying to Prevent Mould

This can be done yourself, or by hiring a restoration service. Use a wet/dry vacuum, pump, or mop to remove standing water. Once the water is cleared, use fans and dehumidifiers to dry out the space. Timing does matter. Mould can start to grow within 24–48 hours. Remove soaked items like carpets and furniture if they can’t be salvaged.

If the damage is extensive, don’t attempt any of this yourself. Call a professional water damage restoration service.

Contact Your Insurance Provider and Document the Damage

Notify your insurer as soon as possible. Provide clear photos, videos, and notes. Ottawa homeowners should also check if their policy includes coverage for overland water or sewer backups, as many standard policies do not. Ottawa Plumbing and Heating can help you identify what kind of plumbing documentation or reporting may be needed.

Prevent Future Basement Floods with Expert Plumbing Solutions

After cleaning up, it’s time to focus on prevention so there isn’t a next time. Consider installing or upgrading a sump pump with a battery backup, adding a backwater valve, or scheduling a sewer line inspection. Our team at Ottawa Plumbing and Heating offers customized plumbing solutions and service plans designed specifically for Ottawa’s climate and infrastructure.

Call Ottawa Plumbing and Heating for 24/7 Emergency Basement Flood Response in Ottawa

When your basement floods, every minute counts. Ottawa Plumbing and Heating offers fast, professional plumbing and water mitigation services throughout the National Capital region.

Call us any time—day or night—for trusted help when you need it most. We’re here to protect your home and restore your peace of mind.