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HVAC System: The Hidden Comfort System

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Does your HVAC system seem mysterious to you? Don’t worry! We’re here to help with this great article that will give the low-down on how it works.

HVAC stands for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning. It’s 3 systems in one (although not all homes have all 3 systems in place).

 

  • There’s the Heating System, which is the furnace. It draws in fresh air, heats it and pushes that air through a filter and out into your house. Some homes have electric heat, others have oil heat and others have natural gas.
  • There’s the Air Conditioning System, which is your air conditioner. It draws in fresh air, runs that air over cold coils, and then pushes that air out into your house. Some homes have an external air conditioning unit, others have a window unit that is not actually connected to your ventilation system (but just cools the air in the room), and some homes don’t have any air conditioning.
  • There’s the Ventilation System, which includes your ductwork that runs through the walls, delivering hot or cold air to each room.

These 3 systems work together to make sure your home is as warm or as cool as you want. Some can be very complex (including special filters and programmable thermostats) and others can be very simple.

So, what do you need to know about your system?

First, it’s good to be familiar with where your furnace and air conditioner are located. Second, it’s good to know which circuits power the plugs that your furnace and air conditioner use (so you can shut them off if necessary). Third, it’s good to know if there are filters that each system uses so that you can clean and replace them regularly.

Here’s what to do with your system regularly:

#1. Make sure your system runs from time to time. Use your sense of sight, smell, and hearing to detect anything unusual about your system. (Note: if you are starting your system up after a long time of not running, you may detect a very slight burning smell, which is probably a light accumulation of dust on the heating unit. As long as it disappears quickly, this is usually nothing to worry about, although you should call your local HVAC company if you are at all concerned.

#2. Keep vents clear. There are intake vents where fresh air is drawn in, and exhaust vents where warmed or cooled air is pushed out. Keep these vents clear so you can create circulation throughout your home.

#3. Have your ducts cleaned regularly. Dirty ducts will distribute dust and allergens throughout the house, and plug up your furnace filter. Clean ducts will move warmed or cooled air freely.

#4. Clean your filters regularly (about every 1-3 months) and replace them regularly (about every 3-4 months) for maximum efficiency and the cleanest air.

#5. Check for cold spots or hot spots. Your home should be comfortable but sometimes you may find that some areas of your home are colder or warmer than others. This can be fixed by running fans or by calling your local HVAC company to see what they recommend.

#6. Have your local HVAC company service your HVAC system regularly and recommend ways to improve efficiency and cost savings. They probably have many tools and strategies that you weren’t even aware of, which can help you save money and breathe easier.

Summary

Your HVAC system may seem like a complicated system but it’s really quite simple. It warms or cools the air, and it moves the air around your house, all so you can keep your family safer and more comfortable. Get to know your system and learn how to keep it running smoothly and you’ll enjoy it for a long time to come.

Top Tips To Take Care Of Your HVAC Unit This Fall

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Your home is an investment, and your home’s HVAC system is an investment into the comfort and safety of your family. A well-maintained HVAC system is an important part of your home.

Homeowners who take the time to care for their HVAC systems will get a long life out of their systems and save money and time in the long-run while enjoying a comfortable home year ‘round.

Use these tips to help you:

#1. Clean the fan blades and coils near the end of fall. Falling leaves from trees can clog up your air conditioning unit’s fan and coils so clear it out after the leaves have fallen, and don’t let too many leaves pile up around the unit. Pay particular attention to grass clippings while mowing and when you use a leaf blower. Note: make sure to turn off the power before cleaning the unit.

#2. Have your HVAC system serviced twice per year, in the fall and the spring. This type if preventative maintenance is highly necessary to ward off any expensive troubles from coming your way.

#3. As the temperature outside drops, remember to turn off your outdoor condenser unit. This means that you should turn it off to prevent damage if the weather falls under 60 degrees Fahrenheit. This will ensure your system works well each year, which could save you quite a bit in repair costs.

#4. Equipping your home with a programmable thermostat can be an excellent way to cut utility costs. In fact, you can save as much as 10 percent on both heating and cooling when you turn your thermostat down by 10-15 percent for at least 8 hours daily. Some can even be controlled from a computer or smartphone.

#5. Clean your ducts and filters. As temperatures drop, HVAC systems will run, and can burn off the dust that has accumulated over the summer. To avoid a smoky smell, and to avoid blowing dust around your home, have your ducts and filters cleaned.

#6. Walk around your home and check to make sure there is no furniture blocking the vents. Not only do blocked vents make your HVAC system work unnecessarily harder, it can also be dangerous to have something sitting on a hot vent for too long!

It is important that you take care of your unit. When HVAC systems fail, they can be costly to repair. But these tips can help to prolong the life of your HVAC unit and keep your family safe and comfortable for many years.

What to Check if You Have an Air Conditioning Issue

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HVAC Repair WoburnFor residents in Middlesex, Suffolk and Essex Counties, Massachusetts, late summer can be a great time to enjoy the last days of summer and chill before school starts up again. But it’s also the time when air conditioning systems can start to act up, and stop working efficiently. Rather than waiting until your air conditioning system fails, it is the perfect time to have Addario’s Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical do an A/C check of your home’s systems.

There are things you can check before you call us for service, but our inspection will pinpoint any hidden issues your air conditioning system may have, and we can help you save money and increase your system’s efficiency. Here are some questions to think about if your A/C unit isn’t running effectively.

Home zoning – is it right for you?

Home zoning is installed in most new homes being built today because it’s so efficient and can save big money on utility bills. The good news is these systems can be installed in older homes as well. If your home has areas where it is hotter or cooler even though the thermostat is on one temperature setting, you may benefit from a zoned thermostat system. Addario’s technicians can evaluate your existing A/C unit and install home zoning thermostats.

Is your current thermostat performing as efficiently as it used to?

If you notice your thermostat is set for a certain temperature, but the thermometer shows your home’s temperature is either cooler or warmer that what it’s set to, you may need to have it inspected. Our cooling experts are able to check your thermostats and asses their efficiency and recommend solutions.

Have you considered an energy audit?

You may be eligible for tax credits and incentives when you have an Addario’s energy expert conduct an inspection of your home’s energy usage. Our technicians are knowledgeable about all the tax incentives and other options for homeowners and we can offer a variety of energy-saving solutions tailored to your needs.

During an energy audit, we’ll use the latest technology—including video cameras and specialized tools— to assess your home’s efficiency. Call Addario’s to schedule an air conditioning inspection and get the highest quality service for homeowners in Massachusetts.

Homeowner Tips – Addario’s Offers Advice on HVAC Repairs and Replacements

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HVAC Repair WoburnLeading Massachusetts HVAC and plumbing company offers advice on the best timing for HVAC repair and replacement

WOBURN, Massachusetts – Addario’s Plumbing Heating Cooling & Electrical, a leading HVAC and plumbing company serving Woburn, Massachusetts and surrounding counties since 1998, is offering advice to Boston area homeowners on the proper time to replace or repair existing HVAC systems.

“The heat this summer in the Boston area and around Massachusetts can put serious stress on a home’s HVAC system, especially on older units that may have been in a home for a long time,” said Steven Addario Jr., president and owner of Addario’s. “While most HVAC systems can be repaired without substantial investment from a homeowner, if breakdowns are a consistent problem, it may be time to think about replacing the unit with a more efficient model.”

Addario’s offers the following advice for homeowners to help determine if repairing or replacement is the best option for an existing HVAC system:

  • HVAC System Age – If the HVAC system is 10 years old or less, the best option is to contact a licensed service technician for a repair. If the system is more than 10 years old and is consistently breaking down, replacement is the better option, especially if you factor in the cost of ongoing repairs to the existing system.
  • Cost Savings – If you are noticing that your energy bills continue to rise month over month and year over year, the energy cost savings with a new HVAC system will help pay for a replacement quickly over time. In addition, many newer HVAC systems with an ENERGY STAR rating may include tax credits and incentives that can offset the cost of replacement versus repair.
  • Comfort Level and Air Quality – If your existing HVAC system is consistently breaking down or cools your home unevenly, repairs can be done to maintain your system, but the best option is for a replacement HVAC system. In addition to offering proper cooling for your whole home, a new HVAC system can also improve the overall air quality in your home through better control of indoor temperatures and humidity, helping to reduce mold and mildew growth.

The HVAC experts at Addario’s have helped numerous Woburn and Boston area residents upgrade current HVAC systems to newer, more efficient models that can save money and cool more effectively while also offering repairs to existing HVAC brands to help extend their effectiveness.

For more information about repair or replacement of HVAC systems in the Boston area, visit www.addarios.com.

About Addario’s Plumbing Heating Cooling & Electrical

Addario’s offers a wide array of services in the areas of heating and cooling, plumbing, drain cleaning, and electrical solutions, including 24-hour emergency assistance for more than 30,000 commercial and residential customers in the Massachusetts market. In addition, has expanded services for turnkey bathroom remodels and more. Family-owned and operated, Addario’s was established by Steven Addario, Jr., in 1998. The company is recognized as the leading trusted choice as it is built upon customer satisfaction, reliability, safety, and ethical business practices. To learn more, visit www.addarios.com.

Ready Your Air Conditioning & HVAC Systems For Summer

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HVAC MAFor residents in Middlesex, Suffolk and Essex Counties, Massachusetts, summer time often means trips to the beach, enjoying the sun and hoping that your Air Conditioning and HVAC units are prepared for the heat of summertime. If you haven’t had the A/C and HVAC units in your home inspected, now is a great time to let the cooling experts at Addario’s inspect your cooling system to make sure it works properly all summer long.

As Massachusetts cooling repair, maintenance and service experts, we know that air conditioning and HVAC units that have not been inspected, maintained or replaced for years can’t keep up with the cooling demands of summer. Addario’s specializes in the installation of high velocity and traditional air conditioning systems for homes and if you are in an apartment, addition or have a home without ducts, we also offer single area cooling solutions to help keep you cool this summer season.

So, how can you make sure that your home air conditioning and HVAC units are ready to handle summer heat? While we recommend using a professional to handle maintenance and repairs of the A/C unit in your home, you can follow these tips to keep your systems working at peak efficiency:

Clean and Replace your Indoor Air Filters: Air filters in your home should be replaced at least twice a year. When air filters are clogged with dust or grime, your system has to work harder due to restricted air flow, which can reduce efficiency and recirculate dust inside your home. Fresh air filters will help your system run smoother, delivering chilled air to your home.

Clear any debris from the A/C unit: In the same way that dirty indoor air filters restrict flow in your home, debris surrounding an air conditioning unit outdoors can restrict the efficiency of your system. Removing any leaves, brush or other dirt from the unit, along with the trimming of any weeds or brush around the system, will help your unit cool your home easier.

Examine your Coolant Lines: Look at the coolant lines that are on the outside of your air conditioning unit; these are the tubes or pipes that are usually covered with a foam insulation to minimize energy loss. If the insulation is torn or missing, you could be expending a great deal more energy from the unit, which will not only make your system work harder, but it will also cost you money in lost energy savings. If you find that there is missing or torn insulation, contact the cooling experts at Addario’s to help you add the insulation to your unit.

Preventative maintenance for your home air conditioning or HVAC unit can help you lower your energy bills and make sure that you have cool, comfortable air all season long. Before the heat of summer descends on Boston this year, give Addario’s Plumbing a call today for a free home inspection of your air conditioning or HVAC unit and get the highest quality service for homeowners in Massachusetts.