Below is an image of a recent water heater replacement project we performed in Acton, MA. Call (978) 486-0904 for all of your water heater repair and water heater replacement needs!
What You Need to Know about Central Air Conditioning Systems
Adding a cooling system is one of the smartest investments you can make.
The right cooling system, installed the right way, will bring a new world of comfort to your summer living. But the wrong system could bring you untold frustration and may cost much more in high operating and maintenance costs.
Unlike heating, plumbing or electrical systems, there are no municipal inspectors who check the safety and integrity of air conditioning installations. It’s critical that you choose a company you can rely on for quality installation and service.
Central air conditioner systems are usually of two types – split systems or packaged systems. In a split system, the condenser and compressor are located in an outdoor unit but the evaporator is located inside the building. Typically, the evaporator is mounted in the air handler unit. On the other hand, in a packaged system, as the name suggests, all components – the condenser, the compressor and the evaporator are located in a single outdoor unit. The entire unit is generally located on the ground or on the roof. Packaged systems are generally used when there is limited space.
A central air conditioning system offers many advantages over conventional air conditioning systems. Central air conditioning systems can improve your indoor air quality. When the system turns on, ambient air is drawn in to the air handler unit from different rooms and corners of your building through return-air ducts. The system has a filter for air to pass through. As a result, air borne particles like dust, pollen and lint are removed before filtered air is routed back to the rooms through a separate set of ductwork. Some central air conditioning systems come with highly sophisticated filters that can remove even microscopic pollutants.
There is another important advantage of central air conditioning systems over conventional air conditioners. With a central air conditioning system the condenser, including the fan and the compressor, is located in an outdoor unit. This means the level of indoor noise is almost negligible. No wonder most hospitals, educational institutions and government offices prefer to use central air conditioning systems.
Adding air conditioning to your home can be a good investment. Make it a great one with a system from Campbell Heating & Air.
York Air Conditioning Systems in Massachusetts
Littleton, MA: We are a proud dealer of York® air conditioning split systems. You may not know it, but York® products have been all around – from the world’s most famous buildings, including the U.S. Capitol – to the entire U.S. Navy nuclear submarine fleet, as well as your local mall and corner bank. For over 130 years, the York® brand has earned trust as the first successful room air conditioner and for the world’s first mechanically cooled theater, hotel and office building. Today, they’re constantly leading the industry in residential product design, signified by the Good Housekeeping Seal and ENERGY STAR® qualified products.
This is one of the hottest Massachusetts summers on record and when it’s time to get comfortable, it’s a good time to install a new high-efficiency York® air conditioning system. Whether replacing your worn-out or outmoded system, or adding comfort to your new home, you can count on York® for years of quiet, trouble-free service and economical operation.
For more information about York® residential cooling systems call us at (877) 410-3752 and one of our Air Conditioning specialists will answer all of your questions. Let us show you why we are better than our competition.
We proudly service Massachusets and Southern New Hampshire including:
Westford, Acton, Sudbury, Chelmsford, Concord, Lincoln, Carlisle, Newton, Brookline, Wellesley, Weston, Needham, Dover, Sherborn, Wayland, and surrounding areas.
Central Air Conditioning in Massachusetts
Make sure to ask your Massachusetts AC contractor if their work meets guidelines set by ENERGY STAR® and the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA).
Proper Sizing of Equipment
Installing the right size equipment for the home is essential to getting the best performance and comfort. Many homeowners believe that bigger is better when buying new cooling equipment. But in reality, a system that’s too large will not keep your home comfortable because of frequent ‘on/off’ cycling. Incorrect sizing can also put stress on system components and shorten the equipment’s life. To ensure proper sizing your contractor should provide a copy of the home’s heat gain/loss calculations for your records.
Campbell Heating & Air provides high efficiency air conditioning systems to homes and businesses in Massachusetts. If you are interested in having a cooling system installed please call (877) 410-3752 or visit our website https://www.campbellheatingandair.com/
Some of the towns in MA we service are Westford, Acton, Sudbury, Chelmsford, Concord, Lincoln, Carlisle, Newton, Brookline, Wellesley, Weston, Needham, Dover, Sherborn, Wayland, Littleton and surrounding areas.
Choosing an Air Conditioning System in Massachusetts
Selecting an air conditioner for your Massachusetts home is a big decision. It’s an important investment today. It will play a key role in your home energy expenses for years to come. And when the Massachusetts summer heat is at its worst, you’ll want your family to have the best, most reliable cooling comfort possible. Here are a few things to consider.
What do good central air units have in common?
The best ones are efficient, operating on minimal electricity to hold utility bills down. They provide steady, dependable performance year after year when properly maintained. Good systems are quiet, long-lasting and low in service needs.
How can I be sure my Unit is the right size?
Obviously, an air conditioner that’s too small won’t keep your home sufficiently cool. But what many don’t realize is that an oversized system will cycle (turn on and off) more than necessary, wasting expensive energy and possibly putting undue strain on the compressor.
A good contractor will determine the optimum size for your home by making a careful study of your cooling requirements. Window dimensions and exposure. Floor space, insulation and local climate. Heat-generating appliances. The direction your home faces. Even the amount of your home’s exterior shaded by trees.
He’ll specify the cooling capacity of the system in either Btu/h (British thermal units of heat removed per hour) or refrigeration tons (one ton being equal to 12,000 Btu/h).
Which air conditioners are energy efficient?
Much like automobile manufacturers, today’s air conditioner manufacturers are required by law to evaluate and rate their equipment according to its energy efficiency. This rating is known in the industry as a SEER, or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating. The higher the SEER, the more efficient the equipment.
Most new homes with central air come equipped with a standard builder’s model. However, when replacement becomes necessary, property owners can upgrade their air conditioning by specifying a more energy-efficient system.
High SEER models are generally more expensive, but can easily make up the difference by reducing your home energy bills over the long run.
Are some air conditioners built better than others?
The compressor is the heart of a condensing unit. On a hot day, it works long and hard. Campbell Heating and Air installs the highly advanced scroll compressor in every condensing unit. Scroll Compressors are recognized by the industry as the leader in reliability, efficiency and quiet operation.
Other features to look for include louvered steel cabinets that protect the coils from damage and expensive repair bills.
Also, with some condensing units, the fan can be another source of bothersome noise. Our units have a grill design that minimizes air restriction for quieter fan operation.
What should I look for in an AC contractor?
Reliabiltiy. Look for a contractor you see in your community. You want one who’s close by to provide you faster, more convenient service.
They should offer a recognized name brand. And they should have a well-stocked inventory of replacement parts. You wouldn’t want to sit out a mid-summer heat wave waiting for a simple repair!
Campbell Heating and Air in Littleton, MA is knowledgeable, reliable, and as good as any you’ll find in the business. Give us a call at (877) 410-3752 or visit our website https://www.campbellheatingandair.com/
Air Conditioning Massachusetts
Did You Know?
Heating and cooling costs the average homeowner about $1,000 a year – nearly half the home’s total energy bill. If your central air conditioning unit is more than 12 years old, replacing it with an ENERGY STAR qualified model could cut your cooling costs by 30%.
Earning the ENERGY STAR means products meet strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the US Environmental Protection Agency. By choosing ENERGY STAR qualified heating and cooling equipment and taking steps to optimize its performance, you can enhance the comfort of your home while saving energy. Saving energy helps you save money on utility bills and protect the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the fight against climate change.
ENERGY STAR qualified central air conditioners:
have higher seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) and energy efficiency ratio (EER) ratings, making them about 14% more efficient than standard models.
The central air conditioner also needs a blower motor – which is usually part of the furnace – to blow the cool air through the duct system. The only way to ensure that your new air conditioner performs at its rated efficiency is to replace your heating system at the same time. It’s especially recommended if your furnace is over 15 years old. If you purchase a new energy-efficient air conditioner but connect it to an older furnace and blower motor, your system will not perform to its rated efficiency.
For more information visit https://www.campbellheatingandair.com/ or call (877) 410-3752
Money Saving Heating & Furnace Tips – Massachusetts
Money Saving Heating & Furnace Tips
1. Make certain you set your thermostat to a level you are comfortable with. We recommend setting your thermostat from 68 to 70 degrees. Once you have the thermostat set and you are content with the comfort level we also recommend that you leave it there. It takes less energy to heat air 3-4 degrees than it does to heat air 6-8 degrees. This will also help save on your heating bills. Massachusetts winters are cold so set that thermostat and leave it to save money!
2. We recommend that you clean or replace filters on a furnace once a month.
3. Make sure that any clean warm-air registers, baseboard heaters, and radiators are not being blocked by furniture, carpeting, or drapes. In other words try to maintain your vents ability to flow warm air freely.
4. You should consider placing heat-resistant radiator reflectors between any exterior walls and the radiators.
5. Although fans may help you save money on your air conditioning bill in the spring and summer, we recommend that you use kitchen, bath, and other ventilating fans wisely. These fans can pull out a houseful of warm air in no time. Make certain that you turn them off as soon as they have done their job.
6. Consider keeping draperies or shades open on the south of your home and facing windows during the winter or cold months to allow sunlight to enter your home. You should also close them at night to reduce the cold.
7. Make certain that you purchase energy-efficient equipment if you are replacing any of the appliances or the furnaces in your home. Our technicians are trained on repair, maintenance and installation of all major energy efficient brands and are also an authorized re-seller of most major well known brands.
8. So that you don’t waste your hard earned money you should always check these three items to make certain you need a technician:
-Check your thermostat to verify that it is set for “heating”.
-Go to your breaker box and make sure that the breaker is on.
-You’ll want to check your furnace’s switch to make certain that your gas is on.
If you need furnace heating repair, service, or installation and live in the area of Massachusetts of: Westford, Acton, Sudbury, Chelmsford, Concord, Lincoln, Carlisle, Newton, Brookline, Wellesley, Weston, Needham, Dover, Sherborn, Wayland – Call us at (877) 410-3752 or visit us at https://www.campbellheatingandair.com/
Save Energy in Your Home
Your Energy Bill Breakdown
Energy doesn’t come cheap.
According to Maria Vargas, spokesperson for EnergyStar, a division of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), energy bills can differ depending on the size and location on your home, but the average household spends $2,200 a year. The good news is these costs can be cut dramatically.
Energy Star, a program started in 1992 to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and lower energy costs for consumers, offers suggestions for how to reduce your annual electric costs by a third. In other words, you can save about $700 a year on electricity. Last year, Vargas points out, Americans saved about $17 billion on energy bills and reduced green house gas emissions by nearly the equivalent of 30 million cars.
Using data compiled by EnergyStar, MainStreet breaks down your energy bill and identifies the biggest wasters to help you save money (and reduce greenhouse gas emissions!) this winter.
HVAC Systems
“If you really want to cut back on your energy use, you need to focus on heating and cooling your home,” Vargas says. That’s because these two categories combined account for 46% of your overall electric bill. While most homeowners can’t afford a complete overhaul of their homes’ heating, ventilating and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems, some changes can increase energy efficiency and include:
• Installing a programmable thermostat, which lets you set temperatures for specific times of day. These devices can save about $180 each year on energy costs.
• Change air filters regularly. The harder your HVAC unit has to work, the more energy it eats away. Filters should really be changed out monthly, especially during the summer and winter months when the HVAC unit has a heavy workload. If you find this tedious, EnergyStar suggests changing filters a minimum of every three months.
• Seal your heating and cooling ducts, especially those running through the attic, crawlspace, unheated basement or garage, as that improves the efficiency of your HVAC unit by as much as 20%.
Water Heater
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According to EnergyStar, your water heating system accounts for 14% of your energy bill. Monetarily speaking, the average household spends $400-$600 per year on water heating. To reduce this expense, lower standby losses, such as heat that escapes the water heater and seeps into the surrounding basement area, as well as the amount of hot water you use in your home.
When set too high, or at 140 degrees Fahrenheit, your water heater can waste anywhere from $36 to $61 annually in standby heat losses, and more than $400 thanks to overall consumption. Lower that expense by bringing the heater’s thermostat to 120 degrees Fahrenheit or below.
Lights Out
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In EnergyStar’s breakdown, lighting accounts for 12% of bill, but it also represents one of the easiest fixes. In fact, by simply replacing five of your standard incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs, you can save $70 a year.
Hot Stuff
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Appliances only account for 13% of electric bills, so naturally, most people don’t upgrade to an energy efficient toaster. Still, if you are committed to reducing the amount of energy you use, you need to focus on larger appliances that use a heat coil, such as a refrigerator or washer and dryer. To do that, make sure that your fridge’s filters are cleaned regularly, and consider using only cold water to wash laundry loads. That can save $30 to $40 each year.
But don’t be too stingy, Vargas says. Replacing a major appliance, like a refrigerator that is 10 to 15 years old, may help you save in the long term as new technology is constantly subject to federal standards that adjust every year.
Energy Vampires
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Any appliance or device that sucks up energy when it’s plugged in, despite being turned off, is one of these money-draining culprits. According to EnergyStar, this includes most electronic devices, especially those that use some sort of display, like a television, laptop or DVD player.
Slaying energy vampires won’t lower your energy bill significantly — electronics only account for about 4% of the total cost — but it’s important to keep them in mind, as they consume 75% of the electricity used to power home electronics and appliances.
Powering Down
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The best way to eliminate this phantom menace is not only to turn energy vampires off, but unplug them. This may be easier said than done, but unplugging a laptop in between uses isn’t particularly problematic. However, doing so with your television would require you to wait for the cable to reboot every time you wanted to watch a program.
As an alternative, EnergyStar suggests plugging your television and/or DVD player into a power strip and then turning that off when your television is in stand-by mode. Put your computers on sleep mode, or manually turn off the monitor inbetween visits, as opposed to utilizing a screen saver, which, contrary to popular belief, does not reduce energy output. Also, make sure you unplug a battery charger of adapter as it continues to draw energy even when the product no longer needs it.
Put Stand By on Stand by
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The final 11% of your electric bill comprises devices that don’t exactly fit into any particular category. This includes dehumidifiers, external power adapters and video game consoles, which are all considered energy vampires.
An Xbox 360, for example, if left on the draws approximately 1,000 kWh/yr. The PS3 draws 1,300 kWh/yr. According to EnergyStar, these values drop dramatically when users routinely turn the device off after use, lowering annual energy levels down to 110 and 120 kWh/yr, respectively. Since it costs about 12 cents per kWh/yr in the average residential home in the U.S., it costs $120 if to leave your Xbox plugged in for the entire year.
To lower these costs, unplug the devices when you are not playing and only resort to stand-by mode as, well, a stand-by. Energy Star estimates that stand-by power accounts for more than 100 billion kilowatt hours (kWh) of annual U.S. electricity consumption, and $11 billion in annual energy costs.
More information on HVAC can be found at https://www.campbellheatingandair.com/
Home Heating System Care
When filters become clogged with debris, they cut down on a heating system’s efficiency and, over time, can cause parts to wear out faster. A permanent air screen or electronic air filter should be cleaned according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Disposable filters should be checked periodically—monthly during winter—and cleaned or changed as needed. Pleated fabric filters are a good, inexpensive choice for reducing dust and allergens.
In addition to regularly inspecting your heating system’s filter, brush and vacuum the heat exchanger surfaces every year if recommended by your owner’s manual. Before heating season, clean the blower blades and seal any air leaks in ducts with several wraps of duct tape.
Here’s how to change or clean a filter:
1) Turn off the power to the unit.
2) Look for the door or panel that conceals the blower; sometimes this is marked “Filter.” Lift this door or panel off its holding hooks, or unscrew its retaining screws to remove it.
3) Standard filters are mounted next to or under the blower motor. Slide the filter out along its tracks. Check to see whether it is a disposable filter or intended to be cleaned and replaced—this information should be marked on the filter’s edge, along with directions for cleaning, if applicable. If it’s a disposable filter, its size will be printed on the frame’s edge. Make a note of it.
4) Buy a replacement, and slide it into place, noting that arrows stamped on the side indicate the proper direction of airflow; be sure you face these in the proper direction.
5) While you have the furnace open, vacuum out the area around the blower. If possible, slide out the fan unit, clean each fan blade with a toothbrush, and then vacuum with a brush attachment on a vacuum cleaner.
6) Look for oil ports on the motor, normally located near the motor shaft. If the motor has these, apply two to three drops of non-detergent motor oil into each port (you may have to remove a cover plate to do this). Most contemporary motors don’t require lubrication, but motors with oil ports should be lubricated once a year.
7) Look for worn belts between the motor and pulleys.
Ideally, you would want to have an expert inspect your heating system at least once a year.