Boston Plumbing and Heating Blog

Fall is right around the corner here in Worcester, and winter is sneaking up fast. This season means that you will be spending more time inside your home. It is always good to have your heating system checked before you need it during the winter. With the proper planning and the help of experts, you can improve your heating system to make sure everyone at home stays cozy and warm throughout the cold season.

The furnace keeps the home warm in the winter. Having it cleaned and maintained before the cold weather rolls in can help ensure you will be able to enjoy the snow in the comfort of your home. Before winter strikes have heating system experts check your furnace to ensure that it is working to its capacity.

Heating Systems in Worcester, MA should run safely and efficiently to save on winter home heating expenses. Winter is an expensive time of year for utility bills. So having your heating system checked and cleaned before you need it will help keep your home at the most comfortable temperature and will decrease home heating costs.

Contact Greater Boston Plumbing & Heating.

Fall is here and the colder weather is on the way. If you want to cut down on your heating bills this winter, put heating system maintenance on your list of essential fall chores. Make your HVAC system work harder and smarter for you.

Annual heating system tune-ups are recommended to clear a year’s worth of dust and gunk from your furnace or boiler. During your heating system regular maintenance call, plumbers will check or replace air filters, oil filters, and nozzles; clean the heat exchanger; determine if the chimney needs to be professionally cleaned; adjust the burner; and test combustion safety. This maintenance is a good investment that can shave 3-8% off your heating bill and help you avoid costly crises in the dead of winter. Your furnace needs to keep you warm in the winter, Greater Boston Plumbing will keep your furnace running safely and efficiently. Our expert technicians repair, service and maintain gas furnaces of any make, model or brand.

It takes more than just a boiler or furnace to heat your home effectively, though.  The whole system includes pipes or ducts that distribute heat throughout your home; thermostats that control when the burner fires; and whole-house insulation that provides the context and keeps the heat where you want it. The fall is the perfect time to determine where your house is wasting energy. Plan improvements that help your whole house – not just your heating system – function at a higher level.

In fact, it’s not unusual for whole-house air sealing and insulation upgrades to cut heating and cooling costs by 25-50%. Even better, the improvements that dramatically reduce energy costs also make homes more comfortable year-round, treat basement moisture problems, and reduce the likelihood of ice dams.

Need a new, more efficient heating system, we can help with that too. Contact Greater Boston Plumbing and Heating.

Original article - BDNMaine

Cooler weather is fast approaching and smart home owners are making sure that their furnaces are ready to perform properly and efficiently. Make sure you home is warm this winter and that your heating bills are as low as they can be.

Do you know if your furnace or boiler is working optimally and that you are not wasting energy? This will ensure that you are as warm as you can be this winter. Did you know that almost half of all heating equipment in our homes does not perform to its optimal standards and efficiency? This is mostly due to incorrect installation. And if you have an older heating system built before more modern efficiency standards, you could be spending more than you need to on heating your home this winter.

If your boiler or furnace needs to be replaced have it installed properly by a professional, certified technician.

Beyond that, there are some other steps to make your home warmer and more efficient:

Have your heating filters cleaned and check them every couple of weeks. Change them at least twice in the season, or as directed by the manufacturer.

Check and maintain insulation and add weather stripping and caulk around windows and doors. This can also improve a home’s insulation.

Turn down the thermostat or install a programmable thermostat.

Clean around the furnace or boiler. Don’t keep chemicals or cleaning products near a heater, and don’t store anything next to it that could impede ventilation.

Keep the vents and returns free of obstructions. Don’t lay carpet over vents, place furniture over or in front of them, or obstruct the flow of air.

Dry air feels cooler than moist air, so install a humidifier. A simple humidifier may make the home feel five degrees warmer than a home with dry air.

Have your heating system, furnace or boiler serviced regularly for optimal performance. Greater Boston Plumbing & Heating can service and repair all of your forced hot water boiler or steam boiler system issues. By making sure your heating system is operating properly you can maintain a warm, comfortable home while keeping heating costs down.

For more information, contact Greater Boston Plumbing & Heating.

Heating is one of the biggest expenses in your home. Too many homes have inefficient heating systems, making heating bills cost hundreds or thousands of dollars more expensive than they should be. Heating systems that are 20 or 30 years old just aren’t as efficient as they are today.

There are different heating systems for your home:

Heat Pumps - are becoming very popular.  A Heat Pump moves hot air.  But, one of the biggest advantages of heat pumps is that they can also cool your home too.  Heat pumps are a extremely efficient because cooling and heating runs off one system and because they transfer the heat, they don’t burn fuel to make heat.  This also makes them the more environmentally friendly choice.
 
Furnaces – Gas Furnaces are more efficient to run than electric furnaces.  Gas furnaces are the most common type of furnace being installed in newer homes and as replacements.

Boilers – are a often found in older homes and apartment buildings.  Boilers are actually a great way to heat your home because they usually have a very long service life.  If gas in in place, installing a new boiler upgrade is much simpler.

For more information on a more efficient heating system for your home, contact Greater Boston Plumbing and Heating.

Did you know that there is still a tax credit available for those homeowners who spent money on qualifying energy efficient heating systems and cooling systems in 2012 or for those who intend to in 2013? Homeowners can receive up to $300.

The tax credit has been extended for energy efficiency improvements that were set to expire January 1, 2013. The newly extended credit will expire December 31, 2013.

The tax credit is available for energy efficient heating and cooling equipment purchased in 2012. If you are planning to replace your existing HVAC system, now is the time, because the tax credit is available for 2013 too.

The tax credit is available for energy efficient home improvements including central air conditioners ($300), heat pumps ($300), and furnaces ($150).

For more information, or for quotes on your new heating or cooling system, contact Greater Boston Plumbing and Heating.