How a Thermostat Affects an HVAC System

 Think of the thermostat as the brain of your system. It connects to your furnace and tells it when to kick on and when to kick off. This means that when your thermostat is having issues, it affects the whole system in a big way.

One of the most common issues that a malfunctioning thermostat can manifest is short cycling. This means that the furnace doesn't run the full cycling, it instead just kicks on and then shortly turns off. This can be caused by a furnace too big for your house where it pushes out heat too quickly rather than the standard gradual heating. However, if you don't have a new furnace, then short cycling is likely the thermostat's issue. Depending on the malfunction, this could mean your home isn't being heated efficiently. While this is a problem, you should also keep in mind that short cycling is very hard on a furnace. The more a furnace turns on and off, the quicker parts will wear out and need repair.

Sometimes short cycling is caused by miscalibration. This means that the thermostat thinks it is warmer or cooler inside your home than it actually is. Luckily, if it is a calibration issue, this is a rather quick and painless fix for your technician. If short cycling is caused by an actual malfunction, then unfortunately your thermostat may need to be replaced.

Yet, many homeowners should think of a thermostat replacement as an exciting opportunity. Thermostat technology has progressed so much further than just a tiny dial on the wall. If you have gotten into creating an energy efficient home, a thermostat can play a huge part. Consider investing in a smart thermostat that will adjust the temperature for you based on your own unique living habits. Such as turning down the heat while the whole family is out and making sure it is nice and warm when everyone comes back. Give us a call today for more information on upgrading your thermostat!

3 Common Air Conditioning Mistakes Homeowners Should Avoid

When the weather warms up, you rely on your air conditioner to keep your home comfortable at all times. However, if you're like most homeowners, you likely end up making a few mistakes when it comes to maintaining your HVAC system. Here are a few of the most common mistakes people make with their units and how you can avoid them in the future.

Not Changing the Filters

No matter how large or small your air conditioner is, you'll need to change out the filters at regularly. Air conditioner filters keep dirt, allergens, and debris from making it inside your home. As a result, they can get clogged quickly, especially if you're running the system all day, every day. Over time, these clogs put strain on your unit and may lead to more frequent repairs. Change your filters at least once every three months and inspect them every month if you're using your system daily.

Not Scheduling Regular Tune-Ups

It's not uncommon for homeowners to only think of their HVAC system when something's broken. However, when it comes to keeping your AC unit working efficiently, you'll want to schedule annual preventative maintenance appointments with your technician. This helps keep your air conditioner in good shape and reduces the risk of unexpected repairs during the warmest part of the year. Schedule a tune-up for your AC at least once per year.

Ignoring High Energy Bills

During the heat of the summer, you expect your energy bills to increase. However, if they're higher than normal, don't assume that it's due to your AC use. When an air conditioner is failing, it becomes less efficient and has to work harder to maintain the temperature you set on the thermostat. If you notice higher-than-normal energy bills, schedule an inspection with your HVAC technician. They'll be able to make sure your unit is working properly and address any minor repair issues that may impact the unit's efficiency.

Ready to get your air conditioner ready for everything the summer heat can bring? Contact us today and schedule a tune-up with one of our experienced technicians.

Begin Your Spring Cleaning With an Air Conditioning Tuneup

As warmer weather arrives, many homeowners start to think about spring cleaning. One important part of spring cleaning that is often overlooked is your HVAC system. Maintaining your air conditioner should be part of your spring cleaning schedule. A properly-functioning air conditioner is a critical part of keeping your home comfortable. These basic maintenance tasks will help your air conditioner keep your home cool throughout the spring and summer.

Replace your air filters. Replacing the air filters on a regular basis is one of the most important HVAC maintenance tasks. Dirty air filters increase energy costs and lead to poor indoor air quality in your home, which can become a health hazard. You should replace your air filters once a month.

Clean the unit's condenser coils and evaporator coils. Coils that are dirty lower the system's ability to keep your home cool. This will cause your unit to run longer and lead to higher cooling costs.  Clean your coils to keep your unit performing its best.

Check your air conditioner's refrigerant level. If you don't have the correct amount of refrigerant, your system will run less efficiently. This will increase your energy costs and shorten the life of your unit.

Clean the ductwork. Your ductwork should be cleaned and tested for leaks. Leaks in your ductwork reduce the efficiency of your HVAC unit. Your air conditioner has to run longer to keep up with the air that leaks out. 

Schedule an air conditioning tuneup. A preventive check now can save you a lot of trouble later. Don't wait until the heat of summer to find out that your air conditioner isn't working properly. Make an appointment for an HVAC inspection. Your technician will check your HVAC system and ensure that it's running at optimal levels.  

Does your air conditioner need attention this spring? Contact us today to schedule an appointment.

Get your AC Installation Done Right the First Time

It's important to find the right company for air conditioning installation; because this is the kind of job that needs to be done right the first time. If there are issues with your air conditioning installation, you will most likely end up spending even more money for the wrongs to be made right with the system. Given that, it’s best to go with a reputable company from the start so you can rest assured that the installation is done right. Here are a few questions you should ask before hiring an HVAC company for the job…

How long have they been around?

In general, the longer a company has been around, the more reliable they are going to be. By staying within the industry for several years, a company builds their expertise in that field. Also, with being in the business for quite some time, they will most likely have a good amount of customer reviews that you can take into consideration.

How up-to-date do they seem?

Another thing you might want to be aware of is whether a company is up-to-date or whether they're stuck in the past. A lot of older companies may not even have websites as they may not understand the developments in technology. Viewing the company site will give you some great insight into their company and service.

However, you want to hire a company which knows everything there is to know about air conditioning installation. If there are new methods that are supposed to be more efficient than older methods, the company should know about them.

What does your gut tell you?

In general, most people trust their gut feelings about a company. If an air conditioning repairman comes in, solves your problem in five minutes and doesn't explain much about what went wrong, you would be right to wonder if they're reliable. You want to work with someone who solves the problem at its root, not just superficially. If you’re looking to work with a company that gives good service, we encourage you to contact us!

How to Find the Best Air Conditioning Contractor

Whether you own or rent an apartment, home, or business, you will always need an air conditioning contractor, because air conditioners are practically guaranteed to break down one day. Finding a reliable contractor who will not only be there for you in the event of an A/C emergency, but also keep your system maintained enough so that it is unlikely to even break down is important. Here are some suggestions to help you pick the right one:

Are they drug-tested and background checked?

This may seem obvious now, but many trade/journeyman companies don't do this with their employees. We would highly recommend asking your prospective contractors if their employees are checked for felonies and tested for drugs. This will ensure your own safety and help to prevent any possible damages or liabilities to your property.

Do they have good customer reviews?

Checking out customer reviews on social platforms such as Yelp, for example, can help you to gain insight into both good and bad experiences that are openly shared. If you come across a number of bad reviews that appear to be valid, it can serve as a warning for any bad business practices that the company may have gotten away with in the past.

Are they courteous and professional?

If you've only had a conversation with them on the phone, how did they treat you? Were they kind and treat you with respect, or were they dismissive and pushy? If you get a good feeling, run with it until your gut tells you otherwise; if you get a bad feeling from the star, just run.

Find out if they are required to wear shoe covers when entering the home, as this is a common business practice among top quality contractors. Also, if they have pictures on their website, notice if their uniform is more than just a plain t-shirts. Again, a polished uniform is a tradition used by top companies in the business and is a good sign of the contractor being traditional and professional when it comes to getting the job done.

What services do they offer?

This is the most important clue to whether or not you should hire a specific contractor, as their services are what you are paying for. A good air conditioning company should offer to clean and maintain your system two times per year, or once every six months. They need to have 24/7 emergency service, and also do installations, as well as repairs. And finally, do not make a decision based on price. In this business, the good companies need to charge the most because they spend the most, on you.

We encourage you to contact us at New England Cooling Towers, Inc. We’re happy to answer any questions you may have, as well as take care of your service needs.