Despite the warm start to September, experts are forecasting a wet, cool fall and winter for the coast this year. And with service appointments for fireplaces and heat pumps already booking into October, Chad Befus, owner of Pacific Fireplaces in Saanich, notes that residents are taking the risk of a cooler winter seriously.
“Many individuals wait until late fall to book their annual service inspections and, unfortunately, find themselves on a long waitlist after the weather has already taken a turn for the worse,” Befus says. “Booking your service appointment early for gas, as well as heat pumps, is a great way to ensure you’re prepared for the cold weather when it arrives.”
Fortis B.C. recommends that natural gas appliances, including fireplaces, be serviced annually to ensure they operate safely and at peak performance. Regular servicing also helps extend the lifespan of fireplaces and heat pumps, reducing the risk of untimely and expensive breakdowns, Befus adds.
“During annual servicing appointments, our certified technicians do much more than just clean the glass on fireplaces or swap out filters,” Befus explains. “They follow a detailed checklist to ensure your fireplaces and heat pumps are ready to operate safely and efficiently for the next 12 months. Technicians also compile a list of potential issues and areas of concern for each appliance, helping forecast future issues and assisting in keeping their systems running smoothly for years to come.”
What’s included in an annual service appointment?
For gas fireplaces:
- Review of internal notes from previous visits.
- Non-invasive cleaning and inspection of the pilot light.
- Draft testing (if applicable).
- General cleaning, vacuuming of the combustion chamber (if required), and adjusting embers to enhance the fireplace's visual appeal according to manufacturer instructions.
For heat pumps:
- Visual inspection and confirmation of basic operations.
- Cleaning of indoor filters and coils.
- Inspection and cleaning of the outdoor unit.
- Establishment of a performance baseline using special tools for future comparisons and troubleshooting.
Pacific Fireplaces services & repair gas, electric and heat pump systems. As the only authorized Dimplex Fireplace service centre on Vancouver Island, the team is gearing up for a busy fall.
“When electric fireplaces stop working, it’s often due to fan issues from dust build-up,” Befus says. “Regular cleaning can help prevent this and reduce the risk of breakdown. If your Dimplex fireplace does stop working, we’re here to help.”
Stay ahead of the cold weather by booking your annual service for your fireplace or heat pump. Call Pacific Fireplaces at 250-544-6789 or email info@PacificFireplaces.com. For more information, visit www.pacificfireplaces.com.