Sharing Passion & Performance. With our unique expertise and sensibilities, gained from our devotion to sound and music, we are committed to creating excitement and cultural inspiration together with people around the world.

Euro-Line Appliances has brought elite European engineered appliances to Canadian homes for over 25 years. Our brands exceed expectations and have earned awards in design, engineering, performance, and energy efficiency. All of our cooking, refrigeration, dishwashers, and laundry appliances are created to conserve our non-renewable resources.

Through our customer feedback, we have learned the importance of ‘service’. You said and we listened. We addressed your needs and improvised; bringing you services and quality no one in the industry offers.

We've been proudly serving the community for more than 160 years. We deliver natural gas safely and reliably to two million homes and businesses across Ontario. With safety as our ongoing priority, we're committed to making communities better places to live.

Created by fusion of exceptional design, superior quartz quality and cutting-edge technology, HansStone Quartz weaves together intriguing patterns and colours inspired by the diverse Canadian landscape.

Cosentino is a global, family-owned company that produces and distributes high value innovative surfaces for the world of architecture and design, leaders in their respective segments such as Silestone® Quartz surfaces and Dekton® Ultracompact surfaces. Technologically advanced surfaces that create unique designs for the home and public spaces.

Over the past 14 years Factory Tile Depot has become #1 for everything tile and stone. With 5 locations showcasing the latest and greatest trends in the tile industry, we have built the confidence of trade and retail clients alike. We are proud to offer well thought out showrooms, extensive selections of hard to find tile-stone, on site designers, and some of the best after care support in the industry. Experience the FTD difference on your next project.

At Riobel we design, create and assemble faucets, shower systems and accessories in our Canadian facility located in St-Jérôme, a suburb of Montréal. Our modern and fashionable products are designed to fit all kitchens or bathrooms. They are easy to install, while mechanical parts are accessible from above the counter to facilitate cleaning and maintenance. Riobel: a benchmark of excellence since 1995!

X-Tile is sure to have whatever you need to express your unique individual style. We offer you an exceptional variety of wall and flooring options in ceramic, porcelain, natural stone, glass, mosaic and much more from leading suppliers around the world. Let our knowledgeable and friendly staff help you in your dream renovation or building project.

For four decades, we’ve built a reputation as a leader in premium and luxury space-management, delivering truly custom products and unparalleled service.

Since 1989 Men At Work has specialized in renewing and enlarging older houses in core Toronto neighbourhoods. We are experts in managing the challenges of renovating sensitive old buildings into beautiful, functional, comfortable living spaces.

All-electric fireplace showroom and design centre with the largest selection in Toronto and York Region. Combining specialized expertise with over 20 years' interior design experience. On-wall, in-wall, fireboxes, retrofit inserts, mantels, custom cabinetry, stone and brick veneers. Residential and commercial. Trade and volume inquiries always welcome.

At JELD-WEN, we craft custom windows and doors from the highest quality materials, designed to inspire homeowners and add beauty to the world.

BONE Structure has designed and patented a structural steel frame and insulation system that is the best integrator to build Net-Zero Energy custom homes. Using an integrated process inspired by the aerospace industry, we design and build high-performance, sustainable homes.

SOPRA-CELLULOSE is a thermal and acoustic insulation used in interior and exterior walls, attics, floors and ceilings.

Custom fabrication, marble granite quartz and a boutique showroom that caters to designers, architects, contractors and more! Everyone is welcome!

Established in 1987, Caesarstone pioneered the original quartz surface and continues to be a leading developer and manufacturer of premium surfaces. Highly functional and design forward, Caesarstone surfaces have endless application possibilities including kitchen countertops, bathroom vanities, wall paneling, furniture and more.

Canadian Appliance Source has become the fastest growing provider of Major Home Appliances in Canada for over 10 years, we have grown to include over 13 locations across Ontario & Quebec.

Fusion Stone is an easy and budget-friendly way to beautifully upgrade your home, inside and out. A patented Shouldice innovation, Fusion Stone is a thin stone veneer that is easily installed with the included stainless steel clips & screws. You just screw it to the wall and it’s “Hooked for Life”.

With over 90 years of experience, BLANCO is the leading kitchen sinks and faucets manufacturer. From handcrafted in Germany Steelart® sinks and the beauty of Silgranit®, to the European design faucets, BLANCO products are celebrated worldwide for their unmatched quality and design. Blanco Silgranit® sinks are proudly manufactured in Canada TRADE ONLY.

Fisher & Paykel incorporates the world’s most innovative technologies and produce the most technically advanced, efficient and contemporary styled appliances. DCS created the first line of high end, commercial quality appliances and expanded to pioneer indoor and outdoor kitchen solutions for the at home chef. TRADE ONLY.

More than a kitchen and bath luxury showroom, The Water Closet offers unparalleled service, selection and solutions for all your plumbing and heating needs. Our goal is to be your full-service showroom while “Enhancing the Flow of Life”.

Saunacore is a world leader in the manufacturing of premium quality sauna and steam bath products. Saunacore manufactures sauna heaters, steam bath generators, far infrared sauna rooms, traditional indoor and outdoor saunas, material liner kits, accessories and much more.

DelSuites offers fully furnished and serviced condominiums in 20 locations throughout the Greater Toronto Area, including Downtown, Midtown, North York, Markham, Scarborough, Mississauga, Etobicoke and Brampton.

Over the past three decades, Ryan Design International has emerged as a true leader and innovator in the field of real estate marketing, advertising, graphic and environmental design as well as cutting-edge web marketing. Since its founding in 1977 the company has grown to be a full-service advertising agency, playing an instrumental role in the successful launching and on-going marketing of many international real estate projects.

We are one of the leading engineered stone manufacturers in the world offering over 60 unique and innovative colours and designs. Our products are widely used in interior applications such as kitchen countertops, bathroom vanities, wall panelling and flooring.

Fisher & Paykel and DCS by Fisher & Paykel appliance brands inspire people through indoor/outdoor kitchen and laundry products, designed with real life in mind. The brands incorporate innovative technologies driven from a passion to produce the most technically advanced, efficient, and contemporary styled appliances.

Master Edge Homes is built upon a foundation of expertise and unparalleled craftsmanship. With a team of dedicated and diligent personnel, Master Edge Homes executes home builds and renovations precisely how you envisioned them. From design and build to complete renovation, we are passionate about exceeding excellence with meticulous design, skilled construction, and project management.

Established in 1920 by John Romanelli, RCC quickly became the foundation experts, working on some of Toronto's finest residences and architecturally significant structures, including The Royal York Hotel. A leader and highly respected authority on concrete and foundation problems.

New units with all the bells and whistles are much more efficient than older models.

It's Murphy's Law that your furnace will conk out right when you need it most, in the coldest depths of winter. You wake up to a freezing home and start your day trying to find a technician who can come in ASAP, meaning you're not really in the position to properly research what you need. If you have a furnace that's more than a decade old, replacing it should be somewhere in the back of your mind. Here's an overview of the key features to look for when the time comes that you're forced to buy a new one. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="575"] Illustration: bigstock.com[/caption] HIGH-EFFICIENCY UPGRADE The key operating stat to look at when comparing furnaces is each unit's annual fuel-utilization efficiency (AFUE) rating. This calculates how much of the fuel used is converted to heating energy, so the higher the number, the more efficient it is. The current Ontario Building Code requires a high-efficiency condensing furnace with a minimum 90 per cent AFUE. Today's top-of-the-line furnaces have AFUE ratings of 98 per cent or higher. If your furnace is a really old conventional model that vents up the chimney, you'll have to replace it with a condensing unit. These models vent horizontally out the sidewalls, so you'll need to run PVC vent pipes. You'll also need to run a drain line for condensation to the sewer. SIZE MATTERS The heating output of a furnace is rated in British Thermal Units, or BTUs. Don't just assume that you should replace your old furnace with the exact same size as your existing one. If your home has been extensively renovated with an addition or updated basement, you may actually want a larger unit to provide even heating throughout the home. But new units with all the bells and whistles are much more efficient than older models. If you've upgraded your windows and doors, boosted the insulation in the attic, and made other energy efficiency improvements, a smaller model may be more appropriate as it will cycle on and off less frequently. An HVAC expert can calculate the requirements based on the size of your home. MOTOR ON The blower motor is, obviously enough, the component that pushes the heated air through your ductwork. Consider upgrading from a single-stage blower to a two-stage or electronically commutated motor (ECM for short). Single-stage blowers operate at full capacity all the time. Two-stage units operate primarily at the lower stage, only kicking in to the second one on the coldest days. They cost more upfront, put you'll recoup that money in long-term savings on energy consumption. SMARTER THERMOSTATS Unless you have a really old mercury thermometer, odds are that by now you've upgraded to at least an early generation "setback" thermostat that enables you to program different temperature settings for different times of day. But the latest "smart" thermostats can do a lot more than that, including enabling you to remotely raise and lower the temperature from your phone. Many also allow you to save energy by creating heating zones with reduced temperatures in little used parts of the home. Models such as the Nest actually learn your habits and adjust things accordingly, and can also be tied in to home security cameras, smoke and CO detectors, and more. RENO REBATE If your furnace needs imminent replacement, Ontario's hydro companies are offering rebates on furnace upgrades, including $250 for installing a model with a variable-speed ECM motor. The catch is that the work has to be completed by December 31, 2018. Visit SaveOnEnergy.ca for more details. Equipment manufacturers and natural gas suppliers often also offer rebates. A reputable HVAC technician will be able to tell you the offers available in your area. DIY TO-DO LIST An annual service inspection will ensure your furnace is operating at peak efficiency. But between visits from the pros, homeowners should replace the furnace filter at least as often as the manufacturer suggests. A clogged filter reduces airflow and causes the furnace to overwork. Homeowners with pets may need to be even more vigilant.

CAPTION: Photography courtesy of Margaret Mulligan

Jim Caruk, Renovation Editor We look forward to hearing from you and welcome your feedback. Do you have a reno or decor question for our team of experts? Email editorial@renoanddecor.com

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