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.

5 Important Benefits of a Commercial HVAC Maintenance Agreement

Your business relies on its heating and cooling system throughout the year. Regular maintenance is critical to keep it in good working order. That's why an HVAC maintenance agreement is a worthwhile investment. Here are several benefits that an HVAC maintenance agreement can offer your business.

Extend the Life of Your Heating System

Your heating system is a large investment. Like all equipment, your HVAC system is subject to routine wear and tear. However, proper maintenance can significantly increase the lifespan of your equipment. Annual maintenance will keep it running for years to come.

Low Operating Costs

Proper maintenance can significantly reduce your HVAC system's operating costs. During a routine maintenance, your New England Cooling Towers, Inc. HVAC technician can address minor problems before they escalate into bigger, more expensive repairs. You'll ensure that your business is not interrupted by a costly HVAC failure.

Energy Efficiency

A lack of maintenance will have an adverse effect on your HVAC system over time. As your furnace starts to wear out, it will work harder and longer. Regular maintenance ensures that your heating system delivers energy efficient performance, leading to energy savings and lower utility bills.

Optimal Comfort

A well-maintained heating system is essential to keep your customers and employees comfortable. Your HVAC system should provide consistent temperatures and balanced humidity throughout your building. Inconsistent temperatures are often a sign that your furnace needs to be repaired.

Priority Service

Enjoy priority service with a maintenance agreement. You'll be able to focus on your business and know that your heating problems will be fixed as soon as possible. Contact us today to find out what additional services you can receive with a maintenance agreement from New England Cooling Towers, Inc.

Get the Right Type of Heating System Installed at the Right Price

When it comes to heating installation, there are several factors you need to consider.  One factor is the size of your home; the larger the home means the bigger the heating system. Another factor is the type of heating you're looking to install; older homes generally have radiators which are noisy and take a long time to crank up, whereas newer homes have more sophisticated, less noisy heating systems which you can control with the help of a thermostat.

What Type of Heating System Do You Need?

Once you know exactly what you're looking for in terms of heating, be sure to discuss this with your heating contractor and get their input. They'll be able to tell you if the type of heating installation you want to have done is practical or not. The will also be able to suggest alternatives, in case they feel like your ideas are not feasible. Our team of trained professionals here at New England Cooling Towers, Inc. knows all the latest trends when it comes to heating systems and can tell you what your options are.

How Much Is Your Heating System Going to Cost?

Your heating contractor will be able to give you an estimate of how much it's going to cost to get a heating system installed. A good heating contractor will thoroughly check your home in terms of size, number of rooms, vents, drafts etc. Then, only after doing this, will they give you an estimate of how much it's going to cost to install a heating system.

If a heating contractor gives you an estimate based on what you tell them over the phone or after just looking at one or two rooms, you should definitely get another one; just to be sure that they know what they are talking about.

How Good Is Your Heating Contractor?

Once you've decided exactly what you need and gotten an estimate that works for you, be sure to check the credentials of the company you're going with, the reviews they've received and the number of years they've been in business. This way, you can be sure that you've found someone efficient and reliable.

We encourage you to contact us with any questions and/or service needs that come to mind. We are here to help.

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.

The 3 Best Reasons to Buy an Air Conditioner in the Fall

Fall is right around the corner! With it comes the changing color of leaves, the crunch of the leaves underfoot once they have fallen, the smell of crisp air, pumpkin flavored everything, cozy sweaters, the start of the holidays, and so much more.

You may think that you don’t need to worry about your air conditioner so much once summer has ended, but that is not the case. Buying a new air conditioner is an investment that many homeowners avoid until it is no longer feasible to do so. Unfortunately, that often means a major malfunction forces them to purchase a new air conditioner in a hurry. When this occurs, poor buying choices are made and money is wasted.

Taking a proactive approach to replacing your old air conditioner ensures you won't regret your decision down the road. If buying a new air conditioner is on your mind, you may want to start shopping around this fall, and if that seems too early for you, the benefits listed below should change your mind.

Time for Research

Waiting until your current air conditioner breaks down shortens your window to research which air conditioner is best for your home. Making a rushed decision can cause you to purchase a unit that is too small or too big for your house, meaning your new system will create even more issues for you in the future. Evaluating your air conditioner's performance at the end of the summer and taking into account its age can tell you whether or not your air conditioner is on its way out. If your assessment reveals it's time to shop for a new unit, starting the process in the fall affords you the time to properly research your options.

The Right Price

Because most homeowners aren't shopping for an air conditioner in the fall, there will often be sales to entice homeowners into buying a unit. A sales price combined with the time to shop around provides you the opportunity to purchase a unit with a more reasonable price tag. On the other hand, if you wait until your air conditioner breaks down, you are more likely to pay a heftier amount.

Hiring an HVAC Professional

Hiring an HVAC professional in a rush can lead to money misspent and an inadequate installation. Consulting HVAC technicians in the fall affords you the time to thoroughly research your options before choosing a contractor. Waiting until summer can also lead to installation delays due to the busy time of year.

If you're interested in replacing your air conditioner this fall, please contact us here at New England Cooling Towers! We’d love to help and answer any questions that you may have.

Reasons to Replace your Dirty Air Filter

A dirty air filter in your air conditioner can spell disaster for your comfort and your A/C system. Replacing the air filter is an essential maintenance task that can help keep your air conditioner operating efficiently and problem-free. Here are four wonderful things that happen when you replace your dirty air filter with a new, clean one.

Improved Air Quality
The air filter in your air conditioner traps harmful particles in your home's air. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, particles smaller than 10 micrometers in diameter can affect your heart, lungs, exacerbate allergies, asthma, and other respiratory conditions. Replacing a dirty filter ensures that particles like mold, pollen, dust, dead skin cells, and highly allergenic dust mites are trapped and stopped from polluting the air in your home.

Increased Air Flow
A dirty filter restricts air flow through your air conditioner and makes your system work harder to keep you comfortable, increasing your cooling bill. A clogged filter and the resulting restricted air flow can also cause your air conditioner to overheat and shut down. Optimal air flow is essential for system efficiency and personal comfort, and a clean air filter is central to proper air flow.

Dust Stays Out of your System
Dust buildup inside your air conditioner can lead to reduced efficiency and operating problems. Dust on the coils prevents them from properly absorbing heat, and dust on the moving components like the fan can cause breakdowns of these parts. Dust can clog the condensate drain, leading to water damage and mold growth. A clean filter keeps dust out of your air conditioner far better than a dirty filter does.

Improved Cooling Efficiency
The more efficient your air conditioner, the less money you'll spend on cooling your home. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, replacing a dirty air filter with a clean one can reduce your system's energy consumption by up to 15 percent!

With all of that said, we hope you check your air filter each month, and replace it when it's coated with dust. Bonus Tip: For best results, choose a high quality, pleated air filter.

Please contact us with any questions and/or service needs that you may have. Take a deep breath of that indoor quality air, and remember we’re always in your corner!