A real-life look behind the scenes of the trade during the cold season
In the middle of a harsh Montreal winter, as temperatures drop below -20°C, our specialized HVAC heating technicians become the unsung heroes of the city. At AirGreen, every service call becomes a crucial mission to restore thermal comfort to homes, businesses, or apartment buildings across Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, as well as the North Shore and South Shore. In this article, we invite you to live a typical day with one of our field technicians. Between anecdotes, unforeseen challenges, and practical tips, dive into the intense daily life of a heating HVAC expert in winter.
6:30 AM: Hitting the road before sunrise
The alarm rings well before dawn. In winter, planning is everything. Our technicians meticulously prepare their van: replacement parts, specialized tools, portable generators, thermostats, CO detectors, safety gear, and hot coffee.
The schedule is packed: a central heat pump replacement in Laval, an emergency in a triplex in Rosemont where the forced-air heating system is down, and a burner malfunction diagnosis in Brossard.
“In winter, emergencies pour in. Every job can become critical, especially for elderly families or those with young children.”
8:00 AM: First job — heat pump down in Laval
Heading to Laval, Chomedey area. A 36,000 BTU central heat pump by Goodman has stopped working since the night before. The client, owner of a duplex, fears the pipes will freeze.
After a thorough diagnostic, our technician identifies a control board issue caused by a power surge. Fortunately, we have the spare part in the van.
Quick solution, the job is completed in 1 hour 45 minutes including system restart, airflow check, thermostat calibration, and preventative advice.
10:30 AM: Second stop — emergency in Montreal (Rosemont)
Priority call. A three-story home with a central forced-air heating system has lost all heat output. A family with two young children is bundled up in blankets, freezing.
Upon arrival, our expert immediately checks the electrical panel. The breaker tripped due to a short circuit in the blower motor. The motor needs replacement, but a temporary bypass allows the system to partially restart.
The relieved client schedules a full repair for the next day. At AirGreen, we know how to adapt, offering safe temporary solutions while waiting for permanent repairs.
12:00 PM: Quick break… and a weather check
Between calls, a sandwich in the van and a quick glance at the weather alerts. An arctic front is approaching—things are about to get even busier. The phone keeps ringing.
“Our teams are ready to respond 24/7 during extreme cold. Reliability is our promise.”
1:30 PM: New system installation in Longueuil
Scheduled project: replacing an old oil water heater with a Fujitsu KZAH R-32 central heat pump (48,000 BTU), eligible for a $5,000 LogisVert grant. A complex job in a 4-unit rental building.
Our technicians need to properly uninstall the oil tank, neutralize the old ducts, and install the new central system with ductwork and MERV-13 filters.
Installation completed in less than a day thanks to rigorous planning. The property manager client highlights our efficiency and quality of finish. An annual maintenance contract is signed on the spot.
4:00 PM: Back to the North Shore for preventive maintenance
Last visit of the day: annual maintenance at a residence in Blainville. The client owns a Bosch BIVA IDS Premium R-454b heat pump, installed by our team in 2022.
Our technician performs:
-
Coil cleaning
-
Electrical connection checks
-
Refrigerant level inspection
-
Smart thermostat calibration
-
Personalized tips to optimize energy consumption
The client is saving about 25% in electricity compared to their old electric system, thanks to Bosch’s energy efficiency.
5:30 PM: End of the day… or not quite
Back to AirGreen’s Montreal headquarters, filing service reports, reloading supplies, debriefing with team leads. An emergency call comes in from Sainte-Julie: an electric furnace won’t start. An on-call technician is dispatched immediately.
Every day is different. Every client deserves the best service possible, whether it’s for a full installation or a simple inspection.
Anecdotes, tips, and advice from our heating technicians
A wasp nest in an outdoor heat exchanger…
In Pierrefonds, our team was surprised to find a wasp nest wedged between the fins of an outdoor condenser. Result: restricted airflow and compressor overheating. Since then, we always inspect outdoor units carefully.
Winter tip: never block your vent grilles
Many clients place furniture or rugs in front of warm air outlets. This reduces performance and can cause premature motor wear.
AirGreen tip: Leave at least 20 cm of free space around each supply or return grille.
Think ahead with preventive maintenance before winter
Our internal stats show that 73% of winter breakdowns could be avoided with fall maintenance. A well-maintained system is a system that’s more reliable, longer-lasting, and more cost-effective.
Why choose AirGreen for your heating needs in Montreal and surrounding areas?
-
Proven field expertise in winter conditions
-
Fast, flexible, and professional service
-
Certified and trained team (TECV, RBQ, CMMTQ)
-
Support for government grant applications
-
Human, responsive, and accessible customer service
In conclusion: technicians committed to your comfort
The Quebec winter is brutal, but your thermal comfort should never be. Thanks to the dedication, passion, and expertise of our technicians, AirGreen stands out as a leader in HVAC heating in Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, North Shore, and South Shore.
Every job tells a story. Every client becomes a priority.