4 Effective Ways to Reduce Allergens this Spring

It's that dreaded time of year again, when spring allergies have got you feeling at your worst. Most people who deal with springtime allergies know exactly when the pollen is in the air. Here are four effective ways to reduce allergens this spring and improve your quality of air inside your home.

Get Your AC Unit Serviced by a HVAC Technician

Schedule an appointment to have your air conditioning unit serviced. AC units need regular maintenance to operate properly. The best time to schedule maintenance is the beginning of spring. However, it's better to do so late than to not get it serviced at all. As the months get warmer, the need to run your air conditioner grows. Keeping your air conditioning unit free of dust and other allergen particles will help reduce allergy symptoms. However, waiting until the last minute could have you sniffling, sneezing, and overall feeling poorly. It could also lead to an AC unit that stops working in the dead of summer.

Change AC Filters

Check your AC filter to see if it is clogged with dust and needs changing. Filters get dusty quickly; they become clogged with particles that travel through the air. Changing a filter is easy and will improve the air flow and quality in your home. However, be sure you are using the most effective filters. Ask your New England Cooling Towers, Inc. technician for their recommendations.

Keep Windows Closed

Keep windows closed on days the pollen count is extremely high. On low count days, you can crack a window, but remember to check window sills just to be sure nothing is blowing inside. Sometimes, it is best to avoid opening windows in bedrooms to keep pollen away from your bed linen and mattress.

Clear Out Debris Around Outdoor AC Unit

Keep your outdoor AC unit free of debris and dust. If debris is kept around the unit, unwanted dust particles will eventually end up in your home. Usually, while an HVAC technician is servicing your unit, they will make sure debris and other items are not clogging the system and interfering with proper air flow. Preventative maintenance care for your system is a healthy way to manage your air quality and reduce allergens throughout your home.

To find out more about keeping your air conditioner operating at its best, contact our team today.

5 Reasons to Have Your Furnace Inspected This Winter

Now that winter has arrived, you depend on your furnace to keep you warm. An annual inspection and regular maintenance are essential to keep your heating system running smoothly. Unfortunately, many homeowners neglect to have their furnaces inspected each year. Here are five reasons why annual heating service is important.

Catch Problems Early

A number of heating problems can be avoided with routine maintenance. Regular furnace inspections allow you to detect any problems and fix them before they become more serious (and more expensive). Compared to the high cost of an emergency heating repair, regular maintenance is a worthwhile investment.

Extend Your Furnace's Lifespan

Not only will regular maintenance let you address potential problems early, it also ensures that your furnace keeps performing at its best. When your furnace isn't running as efficiently as it should, it creates additional wear and tear. Routine heating maintenance ensures that your furnace will last as long as possible.

Save Energy and Lower Heating Costs

Keeping your furnace in good working order ensures that it's running as efficiently as possible. Heating costs account for as much as 42% of your utility bill. By properly maintaining your furnace, you can enjoy significant savings on your winter energy bills.

Stay Comfortable

Nothing is worse than having your heating system stop working in the middle of a cold night. Annual furnace maintenance ensures that your heat keeps working when you need it most. Your home will stay warm and comfortable all winter long.

Increase Safety

An unchecked furnace carries the risk of a gas leak or a carbon monoxide leak. Gas leaks and carbon monoxide leaks are dangerous. Having your furnace inspected each year will ensure that any potential safety issues are dealt with right away. Contact us at New England Cooling Towers, Inc. today to schedule a maintenance check and you'll have peace of mind knowing that your furnace is working comfortably and safely.

Benefits of Hiring a Heating Contractor

Your home furnace is a very important appliance as it is responsible for keeping your home warm and safe. Due to the importance of it, having access to a heating contractor to provide repair and maintenance services is extremely important. There are several important services that a heating contractor in Lowel MA can provide to you and your furnace.

Improve Efficiency

One of the services that a heating contractor can provide to you is to ensure it is running efficiently. While a furnace will be able to last well over a decade, they do tend to break down and run less efficiently overtime. If your furnace is not running as efficiently as possible, this could lead to higher energy bills. The contractor will be able to complete a check of your furnace and determine why the furnace is not working as efficiently as possible.

Ensure Safety

Another valuable service that a heating contractor can provide is that they can help to ensure the safety of your furnace. While furnaces are relatively safe appliances, they do pose a number of potential risks to you and your home. Some of the biggest risks can include leaking carbon monoxide, leaking gas, and the potential for a fire occurring. A heating contractor will be able to complete a range of different tests on the furnace to ensure it is running safely and will be able to fix any issues that they find.

Installation and Consultation

If you are in need of a new furnace, a heating contractor will also be able to help you by finding and installing a new furnace for you. The contractor will be able to help you to determine what type of furnace best meets your needs. Once you decide on a furnace, the contractor will be able to make sure it is properly installed and working correctly.

If you are looking for a reliable heating contractor, make sure to contact New England Cooling Towers, Inc for more information or to schedule an appointment.

Maximizing Your Furnace's Fuel Efficiency with an Automatic Vent Damper

In a time when energy prices seem to be increasingly rising, it is natural to be worried about the costs associated with operating your furnace. Fortunately, there are numerous things you can do to help keep your fuel costs down. One useful strategy is to have a heating contractor add what is known as an automatic vent damper installed in your flue. To learn more about how this component can boost your heating efficiency, read on.

Automatic Vent Damper 

The purpose of an automatic vent damper is to prevent heat from escaping your exhaust flue. This allows the heat exchanger inside of your furnace to extract a greater amount of thermal energy, which then passes on to the rooms of your home. This helps to reduce the number of times your furnace has to turn on--and thus the amount of gas it consumes in heating your home.

A Closer Look 

An automatic vent damper does not close off your flue all the time, however. If it did, poisonous exhaust gases would build up to dangerous levels inside of your furnace. Instead, an automatic vent damper is designed to only close the flue when the furnace’s burners have shut down. At all times when the furnace is running, it must remain open; in fact, a special electrical switch prevents the furnace from starting up unless the automatic vent damper is in its open position.

The moment your furnace’s burners shut down, however, the automatic vent damper closes. This helps to keep the residual heat trapped inside of the furnace for a greater period of time, thus maximizing the amount that can be passed on to your home.

We encourage you to call New England Cooling Towers, Inc with any questions or service needs you may have.