Bear Creek Heating and Cooling

What a crazy summer, all heat and no rain. Worked mostly nonstop, not much time for anything else. Tired and burnt out, also getting older. But the weather is changing to a bit cooler, it will take the edge off AC calls. So effective next week, our hours are changing , Monday to Thursday 8:00am to 5:00pm. Calls received on Friday, will be answered on Monday morning, if a message is left at 204-268-3610. There is more to a business than, showing up at your door to do work. Countless hours doing paperwork, estimates, billing, permits etc. This will give me Friday, to get this done, instead of my usual Sundays. Appreciate the work, looking forward to serving you. But I’m good at what I do, pictures below, of an old wood electric converted to a new Stelpro furnace.

Crazy times, worked non stop, right through Canada Day, Saturday, Sunday, and a long day today. Phone never stopped ringing, so many calls, but managed to repair 22 systems since July 1st. Apologize to the callers who I couldn’t help, sorry just a one man show. Cooler week ahead, have to get back on track on my new installs. Here is a video of the Airease AC’s I sell, in my mind one of the best units made. They are easy to clean and service. This is also for all the other AC’s out there that need a good cleaning to function in this heat.

Crazy weather, 48c inside my work truck today at Little Black River. 108f against the building I was working under for the last few hours. Never in my 46 year career have I been so busy. Been going nonstop on installs, lots of these were booked in March and April, everyone I bid on, I got! I apologize for all the calls, that come in every day, and I can’t help. Still try to help over the phone if I can, yesterday helped 3 customers in this way. Now booked solid right into the end of August, but will be taking requests and estimates on furnaces and hrv’s after that time. Try to keep cool, I had previous posts on taking care of your systems, during heatwaves. Filters plugged, especially pleated ones, and plugged drain lines from your coil, number 1 and 2.

Crazy times, some people have no work due to covid, which need our support. Some like myself, it has been unstoppable work. Just recently worked the last 21 days straight, finally took a morning off and went fishing. In March, I estimated 15 big jobs, which in my books,with the pickup of material, has to be over 3 days, and I got all 15. Last 3 days over 75 cooling related problems. Weeks behind on my jobs ahead. My answering machine, says booked to the end of July. I feel bad that I can’t help everyone out, but I’m just a one man show in his 60’s. So I know that I can’t be there for everyone, but I will try the best that I can. Few pictures of some of my recent projects. Take care everyone

A big shout out, to Eldon, from Beausejour Electric, and Tom from Sunrise Heating, for coming to my aid, with the furnace breakdowns, they where just so overwhelming. Not always about the money, but taking care of our community. After so many days of non stop day and nite calls, I can see the weather changing for the better. Might even take next weekend off, hey it’s my Birthday!

Wow, finally Sunday afternoon, and the phone hasn’t rang for the last few hours. Was out today, this morning, late Friday nite till 10:30, and Saturday nite till 11pm. Mostly myself now, and I have had furnace breakdowns, almost on a continuous basis since the cold started. I have counted and have worked continuously for the past 4 weeks, without a day off. Super tired, can’t help everyone, but I try my best, even to give recommendations over the phone to help, or a referral ...to another company. Some of the calls could be avoided, with some of my observations I have made. 1) Air filters, during these cold times, clean filters are a must, because your furnace is in overload mode. During these times I would recommend just a plain filter, that are non pleated. It will offer protection, with the least amount of static pressure. This week I had filters so bad, that the furnace will overload, shut the systems down, even I had to replace some of the controls, after malfunctioning due to excess heat. 2)check your chimneys, be it plastic vents through the side wall or through the roof. Even on the older metal chimneys, due to the extreme conditions, are freezing over. Had a call yesterday that their CO monitors went off due to a blocked plastic vent going through the roof. Driving through Beausejour I see ice extending 2 or feet above the vents. 3) once you decide on your house temperature, leave it there, there is nothing gained by turning your temp down for the evening. During this cold you are really taxing your furnace as it tries to bring your house up to temp in the morning. Causing furnaces again to overheat, and blow limit switches. 4) Always plan in the winter for the worst to happen. In Case your furnace goes down, have some type of auxiliary heat, to keep your water pipes from freezing. Be cautious of heaters though that use propane or kerosene, make sure they are approved for indoor use, people have succumbed by this. Electric heaters would be best. I have been getting an average of 10 calls a day, so you may have to wait, for help. Especially for the gas furnaces, if a part is needed, may require a trip to Winnipeg. Also if your furnace has been running rough all week, don’t wait till Friday nite to ask for service. Extra charges, parts stores close 5pm most days, not open on weekends. 5) burning gas, wood, should have a CO monitor in your home. 6) lots of old furnaces out there,especially gas, just waiting to die, seen some this week over 40 years old, why,I ask. Phone is ringing constantly, and is hard on a old service guy. Take care, be warm. Gary See more