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!

When to Hire a Furnace Repair Technician

A furnace in your home is a very valuable appliance as it will help to keep your home safe and warm when it is cold outside.  While a furnace is built to last a long time, having access to a qualified furnace repair technician would be very beneficial.  There are several different situations in which you should contact a furnace repair technician.

Routine Maintenance

One situation in which you should hire a technician for furnace repair is when you are in need of routine maintenance.  While a furnace can last for a long period of time, those that are looking to extend its useful life for as long as possible should hire a technician to come once per year before the winter season starts.  The technician will be able to ensure the furnace is working well, is safe, and is operating efficiently.

Increased Heating Bills

Another situation in which you should call a professional for furnace repair is if your heating bills are going up.  While heating bills will fluctuate from one month to the next based on the temperature and other factors, if your bills are much higher than the prior year it could be an indication that your furnace is not working properly.  A technician will be able to diagnose the issue with your furnace and make any necessary repairs to ensure it works efficiently again.

Odd Smells or Noises

The third situation in which you should call a technician is if you notice odd smells or noises.  If your furnace seems to be omitting a smell of gas or a burning sensation, it could be an indication of a more serious problem.  In these cases, you will need to contact your technician immediately.  It would also be ideal to turn off your furnace until the issue is resolved.

Do you have questions? Please contact us here at New England Cooling Towers, Inc. so that we can provide you with answers and/or service.

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!

It's New England Cooling Towers 25th Anniversary!

Since 1990, New England Cooling Towers, Inc. has been providing the highest standard in heating, air conditioning, air quality and plumbing products and services to customers throughout the Greater Boston area. With the expertise of our highly-trained staff, we can handle the needs of all commercial, industrial and residential clients from system design to installation and preventative maintenance to 24-hour service.

How to Prep Your Furnace for Winter

Winter is quickly approaching, which means you’ll want to be sure your furnace is ready for the cold weather! Today we’re going to give you a few tips and tricks, so that you can be sure your furnace is in tip top shape for the cold months ahead.

1. Check the filters on a monthly basis and, if need be, change them. Typically, filters should be changed every one to three months.
2. Do not store anything, especially flammable items, near the furnace. When your furnace starts to heat up, so will the items resting against it, which could cause a fire.
3. Bleed the valves if you have a hot water radiator. You can do this by opening and closing the valves when water is present.
4. Vacuum the dust and dirt off of your furnace – this will make for cleaner air and a system that runs smoothly!
5. Be sure nothing is blocking the exhaust flue, which is located outside.

Interested in preventative maintenance for your system? Click here to learn about New England Cooling Towers’ Maintenance Plans.

Sources:

http://www.nectinc.com/heating-ac/maintenance-plans.php

http://homeguides.sfgate.com/properly-prepare-furnace-winter-25994.html

The Importance of Indoor Air Quality

Did you know that indoor air pollution can be worse for you than outdoor pollution? We know it’s hard to believe, but now that you know you’ll want to be sure to keep the air inside your home is clean, with low levels of dust, particulates and contaminates, and the right level of humidity.

One important element to remember is the importance of testing your home for carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide is a dangerous gas that you can’t see, smell or taste. It can build up in enclosed spaces in your home. Carbon Monoxide is a deadly, poisonous gas that can contaminate your home. It’s important to be cognizant of this and make sure your home is protected with Carbon Monoxide alarms.

Are you interested in cleaner, healthier indoor air? If so, call New England Cooling Towers today at (978) 649-6001, and we will help supply and install the latest air quality products, listed below.

•  Air filtration systems
•   Air purification systems
•  Dehumidifiers
• Whole house/building humidifiers
• Ventilation systems