In today’s connected world, smart doorbells have become a must-have upgrade for many Canadian homeowners. They offer convenience, visibility, and peace of mind right at your doorstep(and fingertips).

Beyond a simple chime to let you know someone is the door, these devices stream live video, send real-time alerts, and let you talk to visitors directly from your smart device, even if you’re out getting groceries or on vacation.

How smart video doorbells provide you with more security

Smart video doorbells have quickly become one of the most accessible ways for homeowners to enhance their security without major renovations or complicated installations.

These devices allow you to see, hear, and speak to visitors from anywhere, giving you real-time awareness of what’s happening at your front door. Motion-activated alerts and high-definition video mean you’re notified the moment someone steps onto your property. For busy Canadian households, this added visibility offers peace of mind whether you’re at the office, running errands, or away on vacation.

Beyond monitoring, smart doorbells act as a powerful deterrent. The presence of a camera alone can discourage unwanted visitors, while two-way audio lets you say something instantly and create the impression that someone is always home.

Many models also store video clips that can help resolve delivery issues or support police reports if needed. Combined with simple installation and integrations with existing smart-home systems, smart video doorbells offer a practical, affordable way for Canadian homeowners to strengthen their home’s security.

Common concerns about smart doorbell

Even with their rising popularity, some homeowners still feel unsure about whether a smart video doorbell is right for them. Questions about setup, cost, and long-term reliability can make the decision feel more complicated than it needs to be. The good news? Newer models have come a long way, offering smarter features, easier installation, and thoughtful design updates that address many of these concerns.

Here are a few common worries and what to consider when choosing a model.

• Subscription costs: Some brands charge a small monthly fee for video storage or advanced features. If that’s a concern, look for options with local storage or free cloud plans that still offer essential functionality.

• Installation challenges: Older homes, condos, or units without existing doorbell wiring might require a different setup. In those cases, battery-powered models provide a simple, reliable solution with minimal tools required.

• Privacy and data protection: Many homeowners want to ensure their footage stays secure. Look for smart doorbells that offer strong encryption, customizable activity zones, and flexible recording settings so you stay in control of what gets captured.

• Cold-weather performance: Canadian winters can be tough on electronics, especially battery-powered devices. If you’re in a colder climate, consider wired or hybrid systems that maintain consistent performance year-round.

How secure are smart doorbells

Security is a key consideration when investing in a smart camera doorbell. Leading models now feature encrypted video, secure logins, and regular firmware updates to safeguard your home and data.

Added tools such as night vision, two-way audio, and motion detection enhance both protection and convenience.

Below are some key features to look for and why.

• Encrypted video streams: Keep footage private and protected.

• Tamper alerts: Warns you if the device is disturbed or removed.

• Local storage: Saves recordings directly on the device instead of the cloud.

• Two-step verification: Strengthens account security.

Are smart doorbells difficult to install?

Most smart doorbells are built with simplicity in mind, making them easy for homeowners to install without professional support. Battery-powered models are especially straightforward as you just charge the device, connect it to your home’s Wi-Fi, and snap it into place using the included mounting bracket. No wiring, drilling, or electrician required.

Wired options do take a bit more planning. You’ll need to switch off the power and connect the doorbell to your existing chime system, which can be a good fit for homeowners who want a consistent power source.

For renters and condo dwellers, wireless doorbells with adhesive or removable mounts offer a convenient, no-damage alternative.

While professional installation is always an option, it’s typically only necessary for more advanced or fully integrated home security setups.

What to consider when choosing a smart doorbell in Canada

Choose models specifically designed for Canada’s climate, with hardware and batteries tested to perform well in freezing temperatures and wet weather.

Look for smart doorbells that offer bilingual English and French support and meet Canadian privacy and data protection requirements (the good news is most products for sale in Canada will adhere to these requirements).

Select devices with built-in local storage if you want to keep your footage private and reduce dependence on external cloud servers. Remember, a , reliable night vision feature is essential for clear footage in low light. Ensure your home Wi-Fi provides a strong and stable signal at the front door to maintain clear video and reliable alerts, and try to select a reputable brand that provides solid customer support and warranty coverage in Canada.

Your next step toward a smarter, safer home

Investing in a smart doorbell is an easy, practical way to make your home feel safer, more convenient, and more connected. With thoughtful features designed for different lifestyles and property types, today’s devices do far more than send a simple alert.

Source: https://www.realtor.ca/blog/upgrade-your-front-door-smart-doorbells-canadian-homeowners-loved-in-2025/40079/1367

For most, the extent of our heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems knowledge is as follows: when it’s cold out, turn on the heat and when it’s hot, turn on the A/C. However, as homeowners, it’s important to know how these systems work, what maintenance is required, and when it’s time to look at updating your system.

The basics of HVAC systems

Your home’s temperature control system typically includes three basic components:

• a source for warm or cool air, such as an air conditioner or furnace;

• a means of distributing the air throughout your home, such as ducts or vents and

• a way to regulate the temperature, such as a thermostat. Fuel or energy is used to make the system run – everything from electricity to natural gas to propane.

The whole system, including the air conditioner, heat pump, furnace, ductwork, filter, air quality products, etc., is also known as a Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system.

How HVAC systems work

With most heating systems, fuel or energy, such as electricity, gas, oil, or wood, is used to produce heat. This heat is distributed through your home via ducts or pipes depending on your system. Some systems (like a ductless heat pump) distribute the heated (or cooled) air directly.

Traditional air conditioners have two components: an indoor coil and an outdoor condenser. These components absorb heat and humidity from within your home and move it outside to an outdoor unit. Refrigerant in your cooling system is key to this process. The refrigerant undergoes a transition from a gas to a liquid state, cooling warm when it comes into contact with the coils.

Ventilation refers to things like air distribution (ductwork), exhaust, filtering, energy recovery, and the like.

Most systems fall into one of these categories:

• Split systems—These are the most common systems, where there is one unit to heat air and another to cool it. The heating system is housed inside (usually in a basement) and the cooling system is placed outside. Hot and cold air is distributed throughout the home by ducts.

• Ductless systems—These systems have individual units that produce both hot and cold air for a specific room or zone. An unit is mounted indoors and is connected to an outdoor compressor.

• Hybrid systems—These systems are set up and function similarly to a split system. The difference is they can switch between fuel source (typically gas and electricity) to help maximize efficiency.

Common heating and cooling systems

Forced-air systems
These systems blow heated or cooled air through your home. A forced-air system distributes heat produced by the furnace or the coolness produced by a central air conditioner through an electrically powered fan, called a blower. The blower forces the air through a system of ducts throughout your home. As the warm air from the furnace flows into the rooms, colder air in the rooms flows down through another set of ducts (the cold air return system), to the furnace to be warmed. Central air conditioning systems use the same forced-air system, including the blower, to distribute cool air and bring warmer air back to be cooled.

Heat pumps
A fuel burning furnace is different from a heat pump in that it requires a fuel to produce heat. A heat pump takes heat out of the air (even when it’s really cold), compresses it, and moves it to another location. In the winter, that means moving heat inside, and the reverse in the summer. Heat pumps can be used in a split system (and ducted) or there are ductless options.

Geothermal heat pump
Where a traditional heat pump uses the outside air, a geothermal system uses the relatively constant temperature of the earth to transfer heat to and from your home through buried pipes (ground loops) to a heat pump.

Boilers
A boiler heats water which is then distributed through the home through pipes via radiators or a coil in your ductwork which is then distributed by an air handler. Boilers send cold water, hot water, or steam through pipes that run throughout your home.

Radiant systems
Radiant systems are run by a boiler and distribute heat using a radiator. Water is heated up by the furnace and heat is distributed through pipes that are embedded in the walls, floors, or ceilings. Radiant systems can only be used for heating.

How to maintain your HVAC system

No matter what HVAC system you have, like most things in your home, they require regular maintenance. Taking care of your system can reduce your energy bills, resulting in the need for fewer costly repairs, better air quality, and less system breakdowns. While it’s best to leave maintenance of these systems to the pros, there are some things you can do to help extend their life:

Maintenance checklist

• replace air filters regularly (every 30 to 90 days);

• check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors monthly;

• inspect ducts for dust, mould, or debris and consider having them cleaned (especially if you have pets or after a reno);

• during and after a heavy snowfall, make sure your furnace’s exhaust vent isn’t obstructed;

• remove any debris from around your outside HVAC unit and clutter from the indoor unit;

• ensure your outdoor HVAC unit is level;

• ensure your thermostat is calibrated to your comfort preferences and monitor your energy bills accordingly;

• check the batteries in your thermostat at least once a year; and

• schedule regular HVAC maintenance with a trusted professional.

Signs your heating or cooling system needs to be replaced

The average lifespan of an HVAC system varies, typically anywhere from 10 to 25 years. Some symptoms that may suggest it’s time for a replacement include:

• it’s old;

• it’s unreliable and needs frequent repairs;

• it runs constantly;

• some rooms or zones in your home are not heating or cooling properly;

• air quality in your home is noticeably poor, such as excessive dust, high humidity, or the presence of a mouldy odour; and/or

• your energy bills have been unexpectedly increasing.

An outdated heating or cooling system won’t be as effective or energy efficient and can cost you more money compared to the cost of a new system. The cost of a new HVAC system depends on many factors, including the type of unit you’re installing, if new ducts are required, labour requirements, the size of your home, number of floors and bedrooms and bathrooms, and weather.

Understanding the heating and cooling system you have, as well as how to maintain it, is a key component to homeownership. After all, an HVAC system that runs smoothly means comfort no matter the season!

Source: https://www.realtor.ca/blog/home-maintenance-101-understanding-heating-ventilation-and-air-conditioning-hvac-systems/30159/1367