How to Tell If Your Thermostat is Not Properly Calibrated

Is your home feeling a little off temperature? While this can be a sign of something wrong with your HVAC system, your own thermostat could also be the culprit as well. Over time and with regular use, your thermostat can fall out of calibration and misread the temperature. This means it can begin to read the temperature incorrectly resulting in your home not getting as hot or as cool as you want it.

Testing to see if your thermostat has fallen out of calibration is something a homeowner can easily do themselves. All you need is a thermometer that you can placed right next to the thermostat. If the thermometer and the thermostat don't match up in their reading, then the thermostat has fallen out of calibration. This means that your home can either be too cool or too hot for you, likely burning up energy bills as well as making you feel uncomfortable.

To recalibrate your thermostat, you will want to call an HVAC technician. While it is possible to do it yourself, you will want your thermostat thoroughly inspected. Your HVAC technician will check to make sure the calibration issue is from natural use and not from a problem. They can also make sure the inner workings of the thermostat are cleaned as well, something that doesn't get done too often. In some cases, calibration issues can be a sign that your thermostat is on its way out. In these instances, they can make quick work of installing a new one.

If your old thermostat has fallen out of calibration and needs replaced, we highly recommend replacing it with a programmable model. This makes it easier to control the temperature when you are in the house and when you are out. This will help cut even more off your energy bills. Give us a call today!

Signs That You Should Call an HVAC Contractor

Few things are more frustrating than having to deal with a malfunctioning heater in the dead of winter or a fickle air conditioner during a blazing summer. When worst comes to worst, all you can really do is call the professionals and have them either fix the problem or replace the appliance entirely. However, you can save a lot of stress and money if you catch these issues before they bloom into complete catastrophes. In order to give you the most comfortable home possible, here are some key signs that you should call out an HVAC contractor ASAP.

Your Air Quality Is Low
There are a variety of ways that low air quality can manifest, ranging from increased sickness in the house to a noticeable scent when the air conditioner or heater are turned on. In some cases (and especially if cash is tight), this may seem like a temporary problem and mild inconvenience that will soon pass, but that's not always true. Poor air quality is often a warning sign that things will be getting much worse in the future. The filters could be clogged, which can lead to overheating and damage in the appliances themselves. Mold can grow quickly and spread throughout the home via ventilation, leading to severe health risks.

Your Appliance Is Making Strange Noises
If you hear strange noises coming from your heater or air conditioner while they're running, then those may be indicators of much worse problems. If pieces are loose inside, then they may break entirely. This isn't necessarily a common problem in state-of-the-art models, but it can be a serious issue for older appliances. In the worst-case scenario, this could potentially lead to an electrical or gas hazard that could become a fire.

How a Contractor Can Help
Getting a contractor to your home as soon as possible is one of the best ways to nip these problems in the bud. They can identify what's causing the problem, how serious it is, and determine the best way to go about fixing it. Of course, they can also help you in other ways that people don't often think about. Your air conditioner may be working fine, and the problem may be minor, but it may also be an extremely old model that simply doesn't have the efficiency of modern air conditioners. A contractor can help you decide if an upgrade is worth it and how much you stand to save. If you’re experiencing any of these issues, give us a call today!

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!

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.

Don't Let These Common Furnace Mistakes Ruin Your Winter

As the temperature outside descends into below freezing territory, you rely on your furnace to keep your home and family warm. Unfortunately, the health and dependability of your heating system can drastically drop when your furnace is not properly attended to. Homeowners often make a handful of mistakes that put their unit in jeopardy of breaking down. To help you avoid or correct those missteps, we've listed them below.

Ignoring the Warning Signs

As long as hot air is blowing through your vents, it's easy to believe your furnace is functioning at its most optimal level. However, strange noises, abnormal smells, and physical indicators can point to an impending breakdown. Ignoring these signs will only turn a potentially easy repair into a more serious and expensive malfunction. As a responsible homeowner, it is important to have all unusual symptoms addressed by your New England Cooling Towers, Inc. HVAC specialist to ensure your furnace doesn't call it quits during a particularly cold winter day.

Not Replacing an Old Furnace

Nobody likes spending a large amount of money at once, however, when it comes to replacing your furnace, putting off the purchase year after year can end up costing you an even larger amount of cash. The average life expectancy of a heating system is around 15 years. If your unit is close to that age or older than that, and it's experiencing frequent malfunctions, it's time to start shopping for a new one. While the initial cost may feel like a hard pill to swallow, the money and stress it will save you in the long run is well worth the investment.

Not Having Your Furnace Tuned Up at the Start of Each Season

A furnace tune-up ensures your system is clean and its many components are functioning properly. Often times, homeowners will put off a tune-up simply because their unit ran perfectly fine the previous winter. This way of thinking does not take into consideration the wear and tear your furnace inevitably experienced last heating season. Ignoring the need for a tune-up can cut back on your system's efficiency and increase its chances of breaking down at some point during the winter. If you didn't get your heating system tuned up at the beginning of the season, don't worry; scheduling a tune-up in the middle of the season is still extremely beneficial and will help your system run smoothly for the rest of the winter

If you're concerned with your furnace's performance or you would like to schedule a tune-up, please contact us today.

3 Smells That Indicate Your Furnace is Malfunctioning

Your furnace can emit all sorts of smells. While some are less serious, others can indicate a major problem. To help you distinguish between a not so significant issue and an urgent malfunction, we've listed 3 odors you shouldn't ignore when it comes to your furnace.

Burning Dust

Most homeowners, at one time or another, have noticed a burning dust smell coming from their furnace. This is especially common when the heat is turned on for the first time. The dirt and dust that has gathered inside the furnace, as it sat unused, is being burned away. While this is normal for a short period, it shouldn't continue after your furnace's initial start-up. However, if the smell does not go away, you may need to change the air filter. Replacing the filter on a regular basis helps maintain a healthy furnace. If you have installed a new air filter, and the smell is still present, you are likely dealing with a more serious issue. Calling a heating repair specialist to inspect your system is the next best step.

An Electrical or Metallic Smell

When components in your furnace are overheating they will produce a distinctive electrical or metallic smell. Unfortunately, the odor can indicate a number of malfunctions, such as, a burned-out motor or frayed wiring. If you get a whiff of either of these smells while your furnace is on, stop what you are doing and immediately shut it off. Continuing to run your system may be dangerous. Once the furnace is no longer operating, contact a HVAC professional to inspect and repair your furnace.

A Sulfur or Rotten Egg Smell

To help people easily detect a leak, a harmless sulfur containing chemical called mercaptan is added to gas. The chemical causes gas to smell like rotten eggs. If your furnace is on and your home is suddenly filled with this unpleasant odor, a gas leak is most likely the source. Immediately gather your family and exit your house. Once everyone is out of your home, you should call for emergency assistance. After the gas to your home has been turned off, call a HVAC technician to come locate and repair the leak.

Furnace malfunctions are bound to happen, however, you can ensure they happen less frequently by having your system serviced at the start of the heating season. If you would like to schedule an annual furnace inspection, please contact New England Cooling Towers today to take a look at your appliance.

How to Keep Your Family Safe and Your Furnace Well Maintained During the Heating Season

We often take our furnaces for granted. They provide our homes with heat and ensure our families warmth during cold winter days and nights. Unfortunately, not properly maintaining your furnace can lead to unsafe conditions. If you haven't paid much attention to your furnace lately, we suggest reading the safety tips below.

• Keep the area around your furnace clutter free. Stacked boxes or other flammable materials are best kept as far away from your furnace as possible. Storing objects, especially easily combustible items, near your furnace is a huge fire risk. Keeping the area clear is the only way to guarantee you are not creating a fire hazard in your home.
•  Only trust a professional to install your new furnace. Although DIY projects are in right now, there are still many home endeavors you should not try yourself and installing a new furnace is definitely on that list. Hiring a professional who understands every intricate part of your new heating system is essential to a safe and proper installation.
• Install and maintain your carbon monoxide detectors. Known as the invisible killer, carbon monoxide is an odorless and colorless poisonous gas. Undetected leaks in your home, due to a faulty furnace, can have devastating consequences on your family. Installing detectors throughout your house is the only way to know if a leak has occurred. We recommend having a detector installed near your furnace and on every floor of your home. It is also crucial to replace the batteries in your carbon monoxide detectors every year, and be sure to test them once a month to confirm they are working properly.
• Schedule an annual furnace inspection. An inspection performed by a HVAC technician at the start of the heating season can alert you to big and small issues with your furnace. While there are numerous benefits to having your furnace inspected, the safety of your family is by far the most important.

Ignoring unusual smells and strange noises coming from you furnace is never a safe or smart decision. If you are experiencing either situation or you simply want to schedule a yearly furnace inspection, please contact New England Cooling Towers, Inc today to make an appointment.