Tag: air conditioning

Ways You Can Slash AC Prices This Summer

Jun 29, 2020

Ways You Can Slash AC Prices This Summer

  • Air Conditioning
Milltown AC tune-up

As temperatures continue to rise this summer, you’ll be spending more time indoors with your air conditioner. Over the course of several months, it’s possible that your frequent AC use can cause your electric bills to skyrocket. There are things that you can do, however, to keep cool and not break the bank. Here are a few ways to help you slash your AC costs this summer:

Keep a Fan Handy

On the days and nights that aren’t excruciatingly hot, do you really need to crank the AC full blast? A fan isn’t capable of cooling down an entire room or area like an air conditioning unit can. However, as long as it’s on, it can bring the immediate temperature down nearly 10 degrees due to its wind chill. They are often a more convenient choice as most models are portable. Ceiling fans are no exception, either! They help to disperse air evenly throughout an entire room or open area. Like your AC, they should only be kept on when you need them. Forgetting to shut them off will lead to wasted electricity.

Use Your AC Responsibly

You don’t need to set your AC to the lowest temperature to be comfortable. By keeping it at a reasonable temperature, you will surely see the savings on your electric bill. You should also turn it off when you’re not around. Unless you have pets that need to stay cool, or your home heats up very quickly, you don’t need your AC on when you’re gone. Programmable thermostats can make this easier for you – they can lower temperatures or turn off your cooling system when you need them to.

Maintenance is Key

The most important part in keeping your cooling system working properly is routine maintenance performed by a trained professional. This allows a technician to fully examine and service your entire system – from the outdoor unit to the ventilation system. If there are any issues or areas of concern, they will be fixed before they have time to escalate. Routine maintenance boosts energy efficiency, reliability, and give your AC a longer lifespan. It also helps you keep the air quality in your home safe! To schedule your tune-up, call Milltown today!

Close Your Curtains

Most people don’t realize that something as simple as closing your curtains, blinds, or shades during the day can help keep your home cool. Heat from the sun can quickly raise the temperature in your home – especially if you keep the shades open all day. Not only does closing them keep the heat out, it helps to trap the cool air inside. If the temperature is already lowered in your house, you won’t need to put as much stress on your AC. This will help you save money on your utilities.

Avoid Excessive Heat Buildup

When temperatures are scorching outdoors, you can help stay cool indoors by minimizing chores and activities that quickly cause the heat to build up. Using your oven or stove, running the dishwasher, drying clothes in the dryer – these are all heat generating activities. Instead, you can use the microwave or grill to cook or let your clothes dry outdoors. Finding alternatives for these routine activities will help you stay cool and comfortable indoors while cutting back on your electricity bill.

How Milltown Can Help You

We want you and your loved ones to stay cool and comfortable all summer long. If you are concerned your cooling system is not working to the best of its ability, don’t wait for the problem to get worse — call our cooling experts today. All of our fully trained technicians have the proper knowledge to restore your home to the cool, comfortable environment it should be. We offer repairs and tune-ups that will help to keep your cooling system working properly and efficiently for years to come.

Call Milltown today to schedule your AC service!

By Milltown Plumbing

Warm Weather is Here – Get a New AC From MillTown!

May 29, 2020

Warm Weather is Here – Get a New AC From MillTown!

  • Air Conditioning
AC replacement in Massachusetts by MillTown

Do you need AC replacement? MillTown can tell you the signs that you’ll need an AC replacement in Massachusetts. In addition, we can tell you why it’s a good idea to get a newer model.

First, here are six signs you should get an AC replacement in Massachusetts:

The AC reached retirement age.

Well-maintained AC units can last anywhere from 10 to 15 years. If your AC has reached this point and isn’t working like it used to, it might be time to retire it. It may seem like a major cost, but don’t worry! You can use this opportunity to purchase a modern unit that’s more energy efficient.

The AC has a refrigerant leak.

A refrigerant leak is a serious problem with your AC. The leaking coolant can pose a health risk to your family and the water leakage can damage your home. It’s possible to fix serious leaks by getting a new coil, but it might be a sign you should get a new AC.

A repair would cost too much.

Sometimes replacement parts and repairs for your AC don’t justify their high costs. It gets more unappealing when you’re talking about a unit with an expired warranty. If this is the case, you should pick up a new unit and get a new warranty.

The AC is making strange noises.

Is your AC operating louder than it normally does? AC units are supposed to run quietly, so any grinding, banging, or rattling noises are a major concern. These noises can represent something like a slipped belt or broken motor bearings. If these issues aren’t fixed quickly, you’ll have a costly repair or replacement on your hands.

The AC air isn’t cold.

If you turn on the AC and cool air doesn’t come out within a few minutes, there’s a problem. A wide variety of issues can cause this problem, like low Freon levels or a broken compressor. Whatever the case may be, it’s an obvious sign that your AC has an issue.

The AC needs frequent repairs.

You may want to keep an AC operational for a good while through repeated repairs. However, doing this may eventually lead you to spend more than you would from getting a replacement. This is more likely if your warranty has expired and isn’t helping with repair costs. It’s likely cheaper to simply bite the bullet and get an AC replacement in Massachusetts

Next, here are four benefits of switching out to a better AC model:

Reduced energy usage

Air conditioners have improved a lot in the past ten or twenty years. Not only do we have ones that can cool entire houses, but they’re also more efficient than before. These efficient ACs can do more work with the same amount of energy older models could output. In addition to being better at using energy, these ACs will result in lower utility bills.

Increased comfort

As ACs get older, they’ll have a harder time keeping you and your home cool. By switching to a newer model, you can reset the clock on your AC’s lifespan and guarantee yourself a cool home. In addition, newer ACs tend to have longer lifespans than older models.

Better air quality

The other purpose of ACs is to keep the air in your home clean. Newer models come with a variety of features that help your home’s air quality, including ventilation, humidity control, and superior air purification. If you’ve had troubles with humidity or ventilation, most new ACs are compatible with HVAC add-ons.

Increased home resale value

If someone is looking for a new home, they generally don’t want one they’ll have to renovate for a year after moving in. Because of this, they’ll often look for homes that have recently been renovated. One of the things they’ll look at is a home’s AC system. If you get an AC replacement in Massachusetts, it’ll boost your home’s value and make it more attractive to buyers.

What makes MillTown a good choice for someone looking for a home service company?

MillTown is a company known for their long service record in Northeastern Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire. We help homeowners with a wide variety of issues, and we can repair or replace your AC unit in a snap! All of our highly-trained technicians have the proper knowledge and tools to quickly and efficiently give you an AC replacement in Massachusetts. If you need a company that can provide reliable home service help for an affordable price, call MillTown right away!

By Milltown Plumbing

Get an AC Tune-Up Before the Hot Weather Arrives!

May 15, 2020

Get an AC Tune-Up Before the Hot Weather Arrives!

  • Air Conditioning
  • Maintenance
AC Maintenance done in Chelmsford, MA by MillTown

Do you need an AC Tune-up in Your Chelmsford Home?

Other than the obvious (it’s getting hot in here!) signs, there are multiple ways to determine that your system either needs maintenance or replacement. However, if you’re not as experienced with home maintenance and air conditioners, you may wonder if the problem is in your head or if it truly exists. Since air conditioners are used most heavily during the summer months, it’s important to get a tune-up before the heat of summer really kicks in. Qualified and licensed professionals perform a full system inspection to catch some standard problems that can occur. A check up generally includes:

  • Performance test of the full system
  • Visual review of all air conditioner components
  • Tests to determine the state of the refrigerant charge and overall system control testing
  • The use of an approved leak detector to perform a leak test
  • If slow leaks are suspected, your professional may perform a dye detection test

Signs You Need an AC Tune-up in Chelmsford, MA

  • Air is not flowing as easily as it should be. If you’re seeing poor air flow through your vents, it’s probably time to call a professional.
  • Zone issues — where part of your home is comfortable and another part is too hot or cool — are a good sign that there may be something wrong with your thermostat.
  • Excess moisture where it doesn’t belong can also be an indicator that it’s time to call a professional.
  • Foul odors coming from your air conditioning unit are never a good sign. Mold can grow in wet, dark spaces and an air conditioning unit certainly fits those parameters.
  • Squeaking or squealing sounds coming from your air conditioning unit may indicate that a belt has slipped. This generally requires professional assistance to resolve.
  • Of course, if you find that your home is heating up unexpectedly, or the air conditioner is cycling (turning on and off quickly), you should have your unit checked out.

Your system should receive maintenance at least once a year. It’s best in the spring before it’s heavily used in the summer heat. This ensures that you’re catching any small problems before they have a large impact on your system. The cost of not performing regular maintenance could be decreased system efficiency or even having a system that freezes up or sustains serious damage from broken items such as motor bearings.

How MillTown Can Help You

Get your air conditioner serviced once a year at the beginning of the warm-weather season. MillTown will clean and inspect the wiring and mechanical parts, check for wear and tear and make recommendations for repair. Getting a tune-up can help improve the efficiency of the system and prevent break downs in the future. This will make sure your air conditioner will be operating at optimal levels throughout the cooling season.

To schedule your Spring AC tune-up, call MillTown today!

By Milltown Plumbing