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A furnace tune up checks and cleans the parts of your system that keep it running safely and efficiently, so it's ready before the first cold snap instead of failing during one. It usually takes 45 minutes to an hour and costs less than a single emergency repair call. At Encore, we've been keeping furnaces running across Windsor-Essex for two generations. Late summer and early fall is when we book the most tune-ups, and there's a reason for that: it's the window between "nobo

The clearest signs furnace needs replacing are age past 15 years, repair costs that keep climbing, uneven heat between rooms, and a system that's started making unfamiliar noises. On their own, any one of these might just mean a repair. Together, they usually mean it's time to start planning for something new. At Encore, we get called out on a lot of "is it worth fixing" questions every fall, right when homeowners are testing their furnace for the first time since spring. Her

The single most important thing you can do in a plumbing emergency is shut off the water at the source, and the best time to learn where that valve is happens to be right now, while nothing is leaking. At Encore Mechanical, our plumbers see the same pattern on emergency calls across Windsor-Essex: the damage is rarely caused by the failure itself. It is caused by the 20 minutes of searching for a shut-off valve while water keeps flowing. This guide covers what to do in the fi

The short answer: most Windsor-Essex homeowners can combine Ontario's Home Renovation Savings Program rebates (up to $7,500 for a cold-climate heat pump, up to $12,000 for geothermal) with flexible monthly financing, so a new heating and cooling system costs far less upfront than the sticker price suggests. At Encore Mechanical, we handle the rebate paperwork and set up the financing as part of the install, so you are not chasing cheques or deciphering government forms on you

Your furnace or air conditioner is one of the most expensive systems in your home. The contractor you hire to install, repair, or service it will affect how long that system lasts, how efficiently it runs, and whether it operates safely. Knowing how to choose HVAC contractor Ontario homeowners can trust comes down to a handful of questions worth asking before anyone sets foot in your home. Encore Mechanical has been doing this work in Windsor-Essex for over 40 years, and the

Most Windsor-Essex homeowners only think about their HVAC system when something goes wrong. A furnace that quits in January. An AC that stops cooling in July. The good news: most of those breakdowns are preventable with a simple routine. Encore Mechanical has been keeping homes comfortable in this region for over 40 years, and the pattern is consistent: the homes that avoid emergency calls are the ones with a basic maintenance rhythm. This guide breaks that rhythm down into p

The best way to deal with a clogged drain is to stop it from happening in the first place. Most drain blockages are caused by everyday habits — things that go down the drain without a second thought but build up over time into a real problem. With a few simple changes, you can protect your pipes and avoid the mess and cost of a serious blockage. At Encore Mechanical, we've been helping Windsor-Essex homeowners with plumbing issues for over 40 years. These are the same tips ou

When your air conditioner stops cooling on a hot July afternoon in Windsor, you need answers fast. Encore Mechanical has been helping Windsor-Essex homeowners diagnose and repair cooling systems for over 40 years — and most problems follow predictable patterns that are worth knowing before something goes wrong. This guide covers the most common AC issues, what they typically cost to fix, and when repair makes sense versus replacement. Common Signs You Need AC Repair in Windso

Windsor has a large stock of homes built before central air was standard: century homes in Walkerville, post-war bungalows in South Windsor, and older houses across LaSalle, Riverside, and East Windsor.

A breakdown of what's driving your AC bill up and how to fix it.

At Encore Mechanical, we help Windsor-Essex homeowners navigate these programs every day. Here's a breakdown of what's actually available right now, what you qualify for, and how the process works.

If you're planning ahead for summer, or your current AC didn't make it through last season, you're probably wondering what a new central air conditioner actually costs in Ontario.

If you smell a "burning" aroma when your furnace kicks on, the cause ranges from harmless dust to a critical electrical failure.

In 2026, deciding whether to repair or replace a 15-year-old furnace depends primarily on the cost of the repair versus the unit's remaining life expectancy.

This article breaks down how replacing a furnace near end-of-life often costs less over time, and provides clear comparisons of when it makes more sense to repair a part or replace the unit.

This guide walks through the exact factors our HVAC technicians use to decide whether repairing or replacing a furnace is the smarter move.

Signs it's time to retrofit your HVAC system for older homes in Windsor-Essex

Fix or replace your furnace? A guide to furnace retrofit.

No hot water? This is a simple, straight-to-the-point checklist you can run through before calling a technician.

This is a practical, no-nonsense breakdown of the most common furnace issues in Windsor-Essex and what you can check fast, so you can decide if it’s time to call a technician.