Macdonald Mechanical Inc

Macdonald Mechanical Inc Installation, service and repair of in-home HVAC systems to ensure your home comfort all year round

August in the Okanagan still feels like full summer β€” but fall has a way of arriving fast. πŸ‚Before you know it, you'll b...
08/24/2026

August in the Okanagan still feels like full summer β€” but fall has a way of arriving fast. πŸ‚

Before you know it, you'll be reaching for the heat instead of the AC. And that's exactly the wrong time to find out your heating system has a problem.

A few things worth thinking about before the season turns:

πŸ”Ή When did your furnace or heat pump last have a professional check-up?
πŸ”Ή Have you noticed any unusual smells, noises, or uneven heating last winter?
πŸ”Ή Is your system aging β€” and starting to cost more to run than it used to?

If your heating system is 15+ years old or hasn't been serviced in a while, booking a fall check-up now means you're not scrambling in October when everyone else has the same idea.

And if you've been thinking about upgrading to a heat pump β€” now is actually a great time to plan it. Qualifying Okanagan homeowners can save up to $13,000 through the CleanBC Energy Savings Program, and scheduling an install before the cold arrives means you're set for both fall and winter.

Give us a call β€” we're happy to take a look and give you an honest picture of where your system stands.

πŸ“ž (250) 681-2600

August in the Okanagan still feels like summer β€” but fall has a way of arriving fast.If you've been thinking about switc...
08/18/2026

August in the Okanagan still feels like summer β€” but fall has a way of arriving fast.

If you've been thinking about switching to a heat pump, now is the time to plan it. Not October, when installers are booked solid and the cold has already arrived.

Here's what a lot of homeowners don't realize: the heat pump keeping you cool this summer is the same system that will heat your home all winter. One efficient unit β€” no separate furnace and AC. And right now, qualifying Okanagan homeowners can save up to $13,000 through the CleanBC Energy Savings Program.

A few reasons August is a smart time to book:

πŸ”Ή Beat the fall rush β€” installation schedules fill up fast once the weather turns
πŸ”Ή You're already thinking about your home comfort system
πŸ”Ή The $13,000 CleanBC rebate applies at the time of installation β€” no waiting for a cheque

As a registered Energy Savings Program contractor, we can walk you through exactly what you qualify for and give you an honest picture of the cost and timeline.

Give us a call β€” we're happy to answer questions with no pressure.

πŸ“ž (250) 681-2600

Here's a quick tip that makes a real difference when smoke rolls in β€” and most homeowners don't know about it. πŸ‘‡On your ...
08/10/2026

Here's a quick tip that makes a real difference when smoke rolls in β€” and most homeowners don't know about it. πŸ‘‡

On your thermostat, there are two fan settings:

❌ AUTO β€” the blower fan only runs when your system is actively heating or cooling
βœ… ON β€” the blower fan runs continuously, circulating air through your filter at all times

During a smoke event, switching from AUTO to ON means your air filter is working around the clock β€” not just when the AC kicks in. If you have a good quality MERV 11 or MERV 13 filter installed, this single change can noticeably improve the air your family is breathing indoors.

Two steps to take right now if it's smoky outside:

1️⃣ Check your filter β€” if it hasn't been changed in the last month, replace it with a MERV 11 or MERV 13
2️⃣ Switch your thermostat fan from AUTO to ON

That's it. Simple, free, and effective.

Have questions about your filter or system? Give us a call β€” happy to help.

πŸ“ž (250) 681-2600

If you've lived in the Okanagan for a few summers, you know what the sky can look like in August. 🌫️What most people don...
08/01/2026

If you've lived in the Okanagan for a few summers, you know what the sky can look like in August. 🌫️

What most people don't realize is that staying indoors doesn't automatically mean you're breathing clean air. Wildfire smoke particles are extremely fine β€” they sneak through gaps in your home and pass right through basic air filters.

Your HVAC system can be one of your best defences during smoke season β€” but only if it's set up correctly.

Our latest blog covers:

πŸ” Why standard filters don't protect against smoke particles
βœ… What MERV rating you should be using during fire season
πŸ’¨ A simple thermostat setting that improves filtration immediately
🏠 When a whole-home air purifier is worth considering

Don't wait until the smoke rolls in to think about this. Read the full article and get your home ready now.

πŸ‘‰ Read the full article: https://www.macdonaldmechanical.ca/news/2026-08-01/wildfire-smoke-indoor-air-quality.html

πŸ“ž (250) 681-2600

If your air conditioner is 12–15 years old, this summer might be telling you something. πŸ”§Older systems don't just become...
07/22/2026

If your air conditioner is 12–15 years old, this summer might be telling you something. πŸ”§

Older systems don't just become less reliable β€” they become less efficient. A 15-year-old AC can cost significantly more to run than a modern equivalent, even if it's technically still working. Add in the increasing repair costs that come with aging equipment, and the math starts to shift toward replacement.

A few signs your system may be nearing the end of its lifespan:

πŸ”Ή Repairs are becoming more frequent or expensive
πŸ”Ή Your energy bills are creeping up year over year
πŸ”Ή The system struggles to keep up on the hottest days
πŸ”Ή It's using R-22 refrigerant (phased out β€” increasingly hard to source)
πŸ”Ή It's simply old β€” most systems have a 15–20 year lifespan with proper maintenance

**The upside:** If your aging system uses a gas furnace for heating, switching to a modern heat pump covers both heating and cooling in one efficient system β€” and qualifying Okanagan homeowners can save up to $13,000 through the CleanBC Energy Savings Program.

Not sure where your system stands? We're happy to take a look and give you an honest assessment β€” no pressure.

πŸ“ž (250) 681-2600

Here's one that surprises a lot of homeowners β€” your AC can literally freeze up in the middle of summer. 🧊If you've noti...
07/15/2026

Here's one that surprises a lot of homeowners β€” your AC can literally freeze up in the middle of summer. 🧊

If you've noticed ice forming on your indoor unit or the copper lines running to your outdoor unit, your system is telling you something's wrong. Running it while it's frozen can damage the compressor β€” the most expensive part of the system.

The most common causes:

1️⃣ Restricted airflow β€” a clogged filter or blocked vents starve the system of air and cause the coil to drop below freezing. Check your filter first.

2️⃣ Low refrigerant β€” if your system is low on refrigerant (from a slow leak), the pressure drops and the coil gets too cold. This one needs a technician.

3️⃣ Running in cool weather β€” AC systems aren't designed to run when outdoor temps drop below about 15Β°C. Running it anyway can cause freezing.

**What to do if your AC is frozen:**
Turn the system off and set the fan to ON (not AUTO) to let it thaw β€” usually takes a few hours. Once thawed, check and replace your filter, then restart. If it freezes again, call a technician β€” there's an underlying issue.

Questions about your system? Give us a call β€” we're happy to help.

πŸ“ž (250) 681-2600

July in the Okanagan is not the time to hope your AC figures itself out. 🌑️If your system isn't cooling the way it shoul...
07/08/2026

July in the Okanagan is not the time to hope your AC figures itself out. 🌑️

If your system isn't cooling the way it should β€” or has stopped working altogether β€” the longer you wait, the longer you're uncomfortable. Service schedules fill up fast in summer, and a small issue left alone can turn into a bigger one.

Macdonald Mechanical services all makes and models of residential AC throughout the Okanagan. Call to book your service appointment before the schedule fills up.

Signs it's time to call:
❌ System is running but not cooling
❌ AC won't turn on at all
❌ Unusual noises or smells coming from the unit
❌ Ice forming on your indoor or outdoor unit

Don't wait it out β€” book your service call now.

πŸ“ž (250) 681-2600

It never happens in April. It never happens on a mild Tuesday in June.It happens at 4 PM on the hottest day of the year....
07/01/2026

It never happens in April. It never happens on a mild Tuesday in June.

It happens at 4 PM on the hottest day of the year. 🌑️

If your AC has ever quit on you mid-summer, you know the panic. Our latest blog walks you through exactly what to do β€” starting with the simple checks you can handle yourself, and ending with when it's time to call a pro.

A few things covered:
πŸ”Œ The breaker and thermostat checks most people skip
🌬️ How a clogged air filter can shut your whole system down
❄️ What it means if your unit is icing up
πŸ“ž When to stop troubleshooting and pick up the phone

Worth a read before the next heat wave hits.

πŸ‘‰ Read the full article: https://www.macdonaldmechanical.ca/news/2026-07-01/ac-breakdown-troubleshooting.html

πŸ“ž (250) 681-2600

If you're still manually adjusting your thermostat every day, a smart thermostat might be one of the easiest upgrades yo...
06/24/2026

If you're still manually adjusting your thermostat every day, a smart thermostat might be one of the easiest upgrades you can make to your home. 🏠

Here's the short version of why it's worth considering:

βœ… Set a schedule once β€” your home cools down before you arrive and saves energy while you're away
βœ… Most models learn your preferences over time and adjust automatically
βœ… Control it from your phone β€” great for the Okanagan when the temperature swings fast
βœ… Can reduce your heating and cooling costs by 10–15% annually
βœ… Compatible with heat pump systems β€” and if you're upgrading to a heat pump, you may qualify for up to $16,000 in savings through the CleanBC Energy Savings Program

It's a small upgrade that works quietly in the background all year round.

Curious whether a smart thermostat is compatible with your current system? Give us a call β€” we can walk you through it.

πŸ“ž (250) 681-2600

June is here β€” and if your AC hasn't been looked at this season, now is the time to find out where it stands. 🌞A system ...
06/17/2026

June is here β€” and if your AC hasn't been looked at this season, now is the time to find out where it stands. 🌞

A system that's struggling in mild weather will really struggle when temperatures push past 35Β°C. And by then, wait times for service calls grow fast.

Here's what a seasonal AC tune-up covers:
πŸ”Ή Refrigerant level check
πŸ”Ή Coil cleaning for maximum efficiency
πŸ”Ή Electrical component inspection
πŸ”Ή Airflow and thermostat calibration
πŸ”Ή Full system health assessment

We service all makes and models throughout the Okanagan. Book now while appointment times are still flexible β€” before the heat wave hits and the phones start ringing.

πŸ“© Message us or call to book your tune-up.
πŸ“ž (250) 681-2600

Address

1404 Richmond Street
Kelowna, BC
V1Y3T1

Opening Hours

Monday 7am - 5pm
Tuesday 7am - 5pm
Wednesday 7am - 5pm
Thursday 7am - 5pm
Friday 7am - 5pm
Saturday 7am - 5pm

Telephone

+12506812600

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Macdonald Mechanical Inc posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Macdonald Mechanical Inc:

Shortcuts

Share