We all know about the worst plumbing emergency winter has to offer: frozen, burst pipes. But other seasons have their risks as well. During the summer, there are unique strains on various parts of our plumbing systems. If you know what to look out for, you can prevent some of these issues from occurring, or at least catch them promptly and make sure they get addressed when they do occur. Here are four of the plumbing emergencies you’re most likely to encounter during the summer.
If you’re considering getting a heat pump for your home, that’s great! But you’ve still got some research to do. Can it fully replace both your air conditioner and your heating system? What are the options? What are ducted and ductless heat pumps, and what are the benefits of each? Knowing these details will help you make a decision you’ll be happy with long term.
Before you settle on a specific heat pump, some calculations need to be made. A qualified technician can assess the size and layout of your home to determine the size of the heat pump system you need. Just like a traditional central air conditioner, a heat pump must be chosen to precisely fit the needs of the home.
If it’s either too large and powerful, or too small and not powerful enough, extra wear and tear and strain on the compressor will occur, increasing the likelihood that the heat pump will need frequent repairs, and shortening the life expectancy of the system.
Because heat pumps transfer heat from one location to another rather than generating heat, they are the most efficient option that exists for home heating. And it doesn’t need to be warm in order for the system to bring warmth into your home—the outdoor air just needs to be warmer than the very cold refrigerant.
In temperatures as low as 40 °F, heat pumps maintain this incredible efficiency, so spring and fall heating costs can be reduced dramatically. But our winters drop well below that temperature, sometimes for weeks at a time! We’ve got good news, though. A dual-fuel system can provide auxiliary heat as needed during the deepest winter chill. You can also consider a cold-weather heat pump that works efficiently in colder temperatures.
If your home already has a system of ductwork, the simplest heat pump installation would make use of that existing framework and continue to use the ducts to convey heat throughout your home. If your home has no ductwork, or the ductwork is in very poor condition, you might consider a ductless mini split alternative in Boston.
This involves making a small hole in your exterior wall for the conduit which contains refrigerant, drainage, and power lines. Inside your home, air handlers are mounted on walls in separate parts of the home, each with its own thermostat for zone control, further reducing energy waste by only heating or cooling as necessary.
If your home does have ductwork and you’d like to continue to use it, you should have it inspected to see if any sealing or repair is necessary. While the operating cost of a ductless system is lower, the inconvenience and expense of the more complex installation might affect your choice as well.
Specific recommendations based on your home, your needs, and your budget can be provided by a member of our team to help you decide how to move forward.
Reach out to Cooling Unlimited, Inc. to speak with qualified heat pump experts.
You’re probably pretty good at spotting the signs when a person isn’t feeling well. Coughing, sniffling, fever, stomach symptoms, aches, and pains can be pretty obvious. And of course, most people are able to describe how they’re feeling.
But your air conditioner can’t tell you what’s wrong, can it? You have to be able to spot the symptoms of AC problems. One of the best ways to do this is with your ears. Listen for these telltale sounds.
It’s been about fifty years since most newly-constructed homes in the US started to be built with ductwork to accommodate the central air conditioners which were becoming so popular. But these systems were a little slower to catch on in northern regions which were less dependent upon air conditioning, and in New England in particular, many of our houses have been standing for much longer than fifty years. If you want to install a central air conditioner in your home, you might encounter some challenges. High velocity AC systems might provide the solution.
Air conditioner issues, especially when they happen during a heat wave, are extremely unpleasant. When an AC unit starts acting up, the first thing you’ll worry is that it’s going to break down completely and leave you sweltering. In some cases, getting an immediate repair can mean the difference between continuing to have air conditioning and having to replace the unit entirely. But how do you know whether your problem is one of those cases? We’ll give you some pointers to help gauge when an AC issue calls for emergency repair, and when you can safely wait for a scheduled appointment.
As the summer heat is starting to hit, and you’re turning on your air conditioning for the first time in several months, you might realize that it’s not working as well as it should. Does your AC unit need repair? Or is it past that point, and you should replace it? Here’s what to consider, and a handy metric for making that determination.
If you’re not satisfied with your heating or cooling system, or they’re aging and you know you’ll need to consider replacement soon, it’s time to learn about your options. The more knowledge you have, the easier it will be to make a choice for your home that you’ll be happy with for years and years to come. One excellent HVAC option is a mini split. We’ll give you all the info about it so you can decide if it’s the right choice for your home.
If the time has come to consider water heater replacement, you’ll want to know what all your options are so you can determine which water heater system is ideal for the needs of your home and your family.
One of the first ways to narrow down your options is to decide whether you want a tank or tankless water heater. How will you choose? They both have benefits and drawbacks.
We’ll give you the rundown of the differences between the two systems, so you can consider what will work best for you.
What a relief that spring is finally here! With all the beautiful weather and outdoor opportunities, it can be easy to forget the important tasks that should be done this time of year. If you have a heat pump, scheduling maintenance for it should be at the top of your to-do list. And yes, that’s true even if you had maintenance in the fall.
Oh no! Something’s wrong with the kitchen sink! Should you call a plumber right away? Well, maybe. But there might be something you can try yourself first. We’ll go over the common plumbing problems that plague kitchen sinks, give tips for resolving some yourself, and point out when plumbers are necessary.
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