Category: Heating

5 Signs You Need a New Furnace Filter

Nov 15, 2019

5 Signs You Need a New Furnace Filter

  • Heating
furnace filter in Kingston by North Shore Home Energy

The average furnace has a variety of parts that allow it to heat your home. However, one part of the furnace homeowners can easily work with is the filter. The filter helps clear out the air that flows into the furnace to cool it down. While we clean it out during our maintenance visits, knowing how to do it yourself is very important. To replace it, you’ll first have to know when the filter needs replacing.

Here are five signs you should get a replacement furnace filter:

 

Low air quality

Your home’s air quality can suffer when your furnace has a dirty filter. The dust and contaminants that accumulate can often make you feel sick. If your allergies are hitting you harder lately, it might be worth checking the filter.

 

Visible dirt

It’s easy to tell if you need a replacement when you see your filter looking dirty. Dirty filters are usually gray and are covered in dirt and grime.

 

Regular replacements

There’s no exact “right” time you for replacing your filter. However, a common suggestion is every three months. You can tweak that suggestion depending on factors like your furnace’s workload or the presence of pets. If you need help determining the best ways or times to replace it, we can offer some advice.

 

Higher energy bills

Filters in need of replacement can put a damper on your furnace’s efficiency. Lower efficiency means your furnace will take more energy to heat your home, costing you more money. Also, inefficient furnaces tend to die out quicker. If you stay on top of your furnace filter’s health, you can save about 5-15% on energy costs.

 

Burning smells

A furnace’s filters or burner motor can smell like they’re burning when they overheat. This is because the clogged filter is causing your furnace to overheat, as it can’t get the airflow it needs to stay cool. A new filter can keep your furnace cool while it keeps you warm.

 

Why call North Shore Home Energy to keep my furnace working?

North Shore Home Energy LLC is a small local dedicated HVAC & Refrigeration service company in the North Shore providing excellent service to homes, businesses, and restaurants. With over 25 years in the industry, North Shore Home Energy is here to educate our customers on maintenance and strive for 100% customer satisfaction. Our attention to detail, on-demand service, and fair pricing will keep you running smoothly year after year. We are a proud participating contractor with the Mass Save program. Ask us about rebates up to $3,500 and 0% financing for 7 years. Call North Shore Home Energy today to learn more about keeping your furnace in good condition!

By nshec

6 Reasons to Get HVAC Duct Repair

Oct 25, 2019

6 Reasons to Get HVAC Duct Repair

  • Cooling
  • Heating
HVAC duct repair in Kingston by North Shore Home Energy

Getting an HVAC system for your home requires you to also get ductwork installed in your home. It can look out of place in your home, but those ducts are very important for your HVAC system. When these ducts get damaged, they’ll become useless as the air they’re supposed to transport leaks out of the ducts. Calling for HVAC duct repair requires you to be able to know that your system has a problem. At North Shore Home Energy, we can tell you about some of the problems you should look for.

Here are six issues that require HVAC duct repair to solve:

 

Dirt and dust

HVAC ducts use your home’s air, which means airborne contaminants can travel the ducts. Fortunately, most of them can be stopped by the replaceable filter the HVAC system has. However, the filter can get clogged, allowing dust to get in and damage the inner workings of the HVAC system. If your ducts are getting too dirty, you might need to switch the filter.

 

Decreased airflow

HVAC systems work by circulating your home’s air through ducts and expelling heated or cooled air through vents. However, several issues can weaken the airflow, making it hard to heat or cool your home. You might have an animal’s nest in the ducts, or the ductwork might be damaged or disconnected. Best-case scenario, there’s just some furniture or a rug blocking a vent. If you follow the ducts to where the air isn’t flowing as strongly, you might find the source of the problem.

 

Damaged ducts

Damage to your ducts, such as holes and tears, can leak the air you’re trying to heat or cool. The holes make it harder to regulate your home’s temperature and your HVAC system will become more inefficient. If your ducts are getting too holey, call us today to get them patched up.

 

Higher energy bills

Energy bills usually rise during the summers and winters. However, rising energy bills can also be caused by damaged appliances and systems. Take a close look at your HVAC system’s filters, refrigerant levels, and fans. Also, the problem can be caused by worn-down electrical connections. In those cases, you should call a professional electrician to fix those.

 

Hot and cold spots

Do you find parts of your house are still cold even when the heat is on? Damage to your ducts might cause cold air to leak, preventing your ducts from cooling your home. The reverse is also true. Having hot spots when the AC is on can also be caused by duct damage.

 

Strange noises

When you turn on your HVAC, you might hear a popping noise. That’s just the ducts expanding or contracting due to the temperature and is nothing to worry about. However, continuous loud or rattling noises are caused by damaged ducts. It’s also possible that your ducts are too small for your home. Give us a call and we can tell if you need bigger ducts or simply a repair.

 

What makes North Shore Home Energy my best bet for fixing my ducts?

North Shore Home Energy LLC is a small local dedicated HVAC & Refrigeration service company in the North Shore providing excellent service to homes, businesses, and restaurants. With over 25 years in the industry, North Shore Home Energy is here to educate our customers on maintenance and strive for 100% customer satisfaction. Our attention to detail, on-demand service, and fair pricing will keep you running smoothly year after year. We are a proud participating contractor with the Mass Save program. Ask us about rebates up to $3,500 and 0% financing for 7 years. Call North Shore Home Energy today to schedule your duct repair work!

By nshec

6 Benefits of a Boiler Inspection

Oct 11, 2019

6 Benefits of a Boiler Inspection

  • Heating
boiler inspection in Kingston by North Shore Home Energy

There’s only two months and change left until winter starts, and it’s time to start thinking about your home’s heating. If you’re using a boiler for heat, you likely need someone to perform an inspection. Too much inactivity can be bad for machines, and the summer-long break might have hampered your boiler’s efficiency. Having a boiler fail can be extremely dangerous, and we want to ensure your safety and warmth this winter.

Here are six ways a boiler inspection can help you and your home:

 

Keep it energy-efficient

Boilers are complex machines with many parts, and some of those parts wear out faster than others. To keep your boiler efficient, you want to make sure every part is in good condition. By doing so, your boiler will use less energy to heat your home.

 

Maximize the boiler’s life

Boilers are a large financial investment, and you’ll want to maximize your investment by keeping it functional for as long as possible. Regular inspections and professional maintenance can keep your boiler running for as long as it can. Depending on who you ask, a well-maintained boiler can last ten to fifteen years.

 

Legal obligations

Certain parts of the country have laws that require you to get regular inspections. These laws are put in place to help prevent catastrophic boiler failures. If you don’t follow these laws, you’ll have to pay fines and also have a poorly-maintained boiler. Following local inspection laws will help you avoid legal trouble and ensure you and your boiler’s safety.

 

Save money on energy

Boilers are second only to HVAC systems in how much energy they use annually. However, regular inspections can help you save up to 10% on its energy usage. Also, well-maintained boilers are at a lower risk of breakdowns, which cost money to fix or replace.

 

Stay safe

Boilers generate carbon monoxide when they run, but the gas is safely vented outside your home via an exhaust pipe. However, poorly-maintained boilers may have holes in the exhaust pipe that allow the deadly and odorless gas into your home. Also, boilers are known for explosive failures, so keeping it healthy is important for your safety.

 

Maintain warranties

There are many boiler manufacturers with different ways of doing business. However, many of their boiler warranties require you to give their products regular maintenance and inspections. Failing to follow the requirements will void the warranty, disqualifying you from any money to help with repairs or replacements.

 

Why trust North Shore Home Energy to keep my boiler working this winter?

North Shore Home Energy LLC is a small local dedicated HVAC & Refrigeration service company in the North Shore providing excellent service to homes, businesses, and restaurants. With over 25 years in the industry, North Shore Home Energy is here to educate our customers on maintenance and strive for 100% customer satisfaction. Our attention to detail, on-demand service, and fair pricing will keep you running smoothly year after year. We are a proud participating contractor with the Mass Save program. Ask us about rebates up to $3,500 and 0% financing for 7 years. Call North Shore Home Energy today to schedule your furnace inspection!

By nshec

5 Pros of a High Efficiency Forced Air System

Jun 21, 2019

5 Pros of a High Efficiency Forced Air System

  • Heating
force air system in Kingston by North Shore Home Energy

Forced air heaters and furnaces are a way to heat your home by burning gas, oil, or propane. By using return ducts, it takes air from your home, heats it, and delivers the air back into your home via supply ducts. These are one of the most popular types of home heating system in the country. Here at North Shore Home Energy, we can tell you what’s so great about a forced air system.

Here are five reasons to consider installing a high efficiency forced air system:

 

Low operating cost

Although they may have higher installation costs than other systems, their operating cost is much lower. Forced air furnaces are highly efficient, with efficiency rates generally in the 90% range. In addition, if you properly maintain them, these furnaces can last over two decades and are cheap to fix.

 

High air quality

A major benefit of forced air systems is how they can condition your home’s air in a variety of ways. Not only can you filter your home’s air, but you can also install whole-home humidification systems or air cleaners to clean the air as it passes through the system.

 

Quick heating

Most heating systems, like electric ones, can take a good while to get your home heated up. Meanwhile, furnaces have much quicker start times and can provide home-wide comfort in just a matter of minutes.

 

Highly safe

You may be aware of some of the dangers of furnaces. If not properly vented, carbon monoxide and other harmful gasses can get into your home and pose serious health risks. Fortunately, our furnaces have multiple safety switches that help prevent fires and toxic fumes from getting into your home. Even so, you’ll want to install CO detectors in your home if you get a furnace.

 

Compatible with duct cooling systems

If you have a central AC system, the forced air system can work with it to provide year-round comfort. Both systems can make use of the same ductwork to keep your home comfortable.

 

Why is North Shore Home Energy my best choice for purchasing a heating system?

North Shore Home Energy has over 25 years of experience with various heating and cooling systems. We’re dedicated to helping our customers get the best HVAC for their money and use it to its best potential. As a proudly participating contractor in the Mass Save program, we offer rebates of up to $3,500 and 0% financing for up to seven years. Call North Shore Home Energy today to learn more about our forced air systems!

By nshec