The importance of regular maintenance on your heating and cooling equipment cannot be stressed enough. Not only does maintenance prolong the life of your equipment, but MillTown’s licensed technicians have the opportunity to identify issues before they become problematic. That’s exactly what happened to this Bedford customer. When MillTown Plumbing, Heating, AC, Drain Cleaning, and Electric was inspecting this customer’s heating system, making sure it was ready to go for this winter, it was noticed that there were issues. Specifically, the exhaust flue had begun rotting and was letting carbon monoxide (CO) into the client’s home. After discussing options, the solution was a 95% furnace replacement in their Bedford, MA home.
Furnace and Heat Pump Inspection
A heating system inspection won’t just identify issues with your furnace’s exhaust flue. These inspections are in-depth checks to make sure everything is working properly and safely. Here is a list of what is checked during a heating inspection:
Gas lines
Heat exchanger
Exhaust vents
Blower motor
Condensate pump
Condensate drain line
Wiring
Ductwork
Air filters
Evaporator coil
As you can see, this list is extensive. It is critical to your family’s safety and health to make sure your heating and AC system is working properly.
Old 80% Furnace
Symptoms of a Failing 80% Furnace and Heat Pump
Older 80% furnace and heat pump combinations are designed to last up to 15 years when properly maintained. If your 80% furnace is an older unit, you may experience any of the following symptoms:
Reduced heat output
Strange noises
Discolored pilot light
Frequent cycling on and off
Increased heating bill
Reduced airflow
Refrigerant leaks
Benefits of a 95% Furnace Replacement in Your Bedford Home
With a new, replacement 95% furnace, there are several benefits you can expect, such as:
Lower energy bills
Increased comfort
Better indoor air quality
Longer lifespan
Lower maintenance costs
Bedford, MA 95% Furnace and Heat Pump Replacement Process
This Bedford, Massachusetts client would be replacing their 80% furnace and unenclosed air conditioning system with a 95% furnace and Bosch heat pump. The furnace would net 15% more efficiency than the previous furnace (80% vs. 95%). The furnace is supported by the heat pump, utilizing the heat pump until outside temperatures dropped below 30 degrees Fahrenheit.
A 95% furnace is a great choice for Bedford homeowners due to its energy efficiency when temperatures are moderate, and its ability to still perform in the extreme cold.
80% Furnace and Heat Pump Removal Preparation
To begin the replacement process, the natural gas supply to the furnace was turned off. Electrical power to the furnace was also turned off. After that, refrigerant from the air conditioning condenser was reclaimed. Once the refrigerant had been reclaimed, the disassembly process began.
AC Refrigerant Reclaim
Disassembly and Removal
All remaining electrical, gas, and refrigerant connections to the furnace and heat pump were removed first. Next, the units were disconnected from any ductwork they were connected to, including the air ducts and intake and exhaust flues. Once everything was disconnected from the existing assembly, the heat pump was removed from the top of the furnace. Then, the furnace was removed, revealing the cinder block foundation it had been sitting on.
Moving the new Rheem furnace replacement into place within this Bedford client’s home required minimal modification to the existing ductwork. The intake duct was cut back to accommodate the new, larger filter housing.
Cutting Intake Furnace Duct
The new 95% furnace was placed on the old bricks as a foundation to keep the unit off the ground. It was also set up facing away from the open area for ease of install when considering existing gas lines and connections. Once the furnace was in place, the new filter housing was installed.
Furnace Foundation
This involved simply drilling the housing to both the intake duct and the furnace. Both connections were then sealed with foil tape to prevent efficiency loss from escaping air.
Furnace Air Filter Install
The Bosch heat pump was installed on top of the furnace replacement in this Bedford home. The way this unit was set up is classified as cased coil, whereas the previous unit was uncased coil. Minimal modification of the hot side of the ductwork was needed, only a small transition for the long side of the furnace. Otherwise, the duct was joined to the heat pump with a simple slip.
Heat Pump On FurnaceNew Heat Pump Needs Transition To Ductwork
When hooking up the gas supply lines, a new shut-off valve was installed. The valve was updated to current code requirements, those being that the valve needs to be able to be turned by hand without a wrench. A drip tee was also added to collect water and moisture from the natural gas.
Gas Shut Off Valve
New plumbing was run for the drain to the new 4Pro condensate pump. Included in the routing was a deliberate U-shaped pipe. This U-shaped pipe collects sediment and debris from the exhaust condensate so it doesn’t collect in the condensate pump.
Condensate Catch
The AC system was also recharged with refrigerant once the heat pump’s refrigerant lines were reconnected. New intake and exhaust flues were installed, per Massachusetts code.
New Intake and Exhaust Flues
Final Steps
To supplement the new furnace and heat pump, a new GFI outlet was installed along with a power switch controlling power only to the furnace.
GFI Outlet and Kill Switch
Once everything had been installed, the electrician checked all the wiring while the HVAC technician checked all the plumbing connections. Since everything was installed properly, it was time to fire up the new unit to ensure everything was working.
Finished Furnace Replacement
Bedford, MA 95% Furnace Replacement Contractor
Here at MillTown, we provide cost-effective, permanent solutions to keep your home in tip-top shape. We commit to your satisfaction and offer high-quality, same-day service. Our technicians are clean, courteous, and respectful of your home. It is why Massachusetts and New Hampshire homeowners have trusted us for over 35 years. Contact MillTown today if you are a local Bedford homeowner interested in furnace replacement, repair, or maintenance!
I cannot recommend Milltown based on their practices and up charged quote they gave me. To even get a quote, they charge you $85 to come out and evaluate what needs to be done. I needed a hybrid water heater replacement, installation, and piping that had to be brought up to code.Of the 12 contractors who quoted the job, Milltown was the highest by far at $6,991, which is about double the average ($3,400) and $1900 over my second highest quote. This outrageously inflated price included the $750 state rebate for a water heater priced at $1,349. The $6,392 remaining is for the rest of the associated parts and labor.As for the $85 evaluation fee, it completely feels like a scam. If you choose their inflated service, they put the $85 fee towards the service cost but if not, you’re left with that bill. To me this feels as if they are preying on the “sunk cost fallacy” so you don’t waste your $85. Either way, they get a profit; it’s a win-win situation for them. There is no way I can recommend them. There are cheaper options in the area for the same work. Please be diligent and learn from my mistakes. Don’t get a quote from them. Don’t hire their services. I hope this will save you the headache.
I had a badly blocked shower drain. Called Milltown in the morning, and the call was handled in a friendly and professional manner. The call-back to schedule a next-day appointment was also quick, pleasant, and courteous. A subsequent call informing me that my appointment could be squeezed in same day was most welcome, and when the plumber arrived, she quickly and efficiently resolved the issue. Everyone was very pleasant to interact with. Thanks!
Kenny P. Is a top notch plumber! He arrived on time and was incredibly professional. Our situation was quite unique and he was very patient with our problem. Kenny is an incredible representative of Milltown. He would not give up until he solved our issue- all the while working with a smile and great demeanor. Booties on his shoes, left the sink and area cleaner than it was when he arrived. We are SO greatful to him and will be telling everyone to call Milltown! A++++++ for Kenny !!!!!!!
The Gentleman Ralph who came to my home and installed the toilet did a Great job! He was very knowledgeable of what needed to be done , and performed the installation efficiently and with superior professionalism. During and after the job was completed Ralph kept me informed of the services of Milltown. No pun intended I was truly " relieved " after completion of the installation.
I've used Miltown several times now. Each technician has been extremely knowledgeable and helpful. They've resolved every issue in a timely manner. Scheduling an appointment is very easy and the answering service is very helpful in getting this accomplished. Highly recommend!!
I got a toilet replacement and the charged me almost 3,000. I won't them to anyone. They're way to expensive and come to find out its still leaking. Like seriously, if your going to charge the most do the job correctly without any mistakes!!!!!!!!! I won't recommend them to anyone. Call a local plumber would be the better option. On top of that they charged me 2,000 for traveling fees, like your located in Chelmsford - Lowell. I couldn't gave you 40 bucks for gas. They pretty much robbed me.
Making an appointment was fast and easy. Mike arrived exactly on time, and diagnosed the problem very quickly, but still checked other possibilities just to be sure. On the day of the repair, Mike and his partner arrived again on time, with booties in hand. They introduced themselves, interacted playfully with our curious child, and explained exactly what they would be doing. At the end of the day, they provided a full summary of the work, including many before & after photos. They provided some information on next steps, and emailed everything to me on the spot. 100% will use them again!
The pros are Milltown was very professional. They were clean, prompt and the quality of work was good. The cons are they were VERY expensive. I was able to talk them down by approximately 40% and it'd be better if the initial price were reasonable.
Matt and his assistant arrived on time and carefully assessed my exhaust fan replacement. As the fan in place was over 10 years old Matt provided me with the different options I had for how to replace the unit and how it would look when finished. We discussed my options and Matt went to work. Unfortunately it meant Matt needed to access the fan from the attic which was extremely hot and pretty much a crawl space. The job was well done, they were very professional and cleaned up when finished. I would definitely recommend Mill Town for professionalism and fast scheduling. And I would absolutely recommend Matt for electrical work!! Thank you Mill Town!
I needed my kitchen faucet replaced on Friday as we are entertaining the next day. Milltown responded to my inquiry immediately. Customer service was excellent. The technician was there the next day. He was professional in his manner and extremely friendly. He resolved the problem and provided me with insightful information.In my opinion the price was a high but you get what you pay for so yes I recommend Milltown.Shawn M
Outstanding overall experience! They worked with me to meet a critical deadline (thank you Kevin) Great communication, they pick up the phone when i called, return calls promptly, arrive on time as promised and do great work (thank you Josh and Danny) and follow up after the job is completed. I am very happy and will be sure to call them again when i need additional work!
Mathew came to do an electrical safety inspection. He was early, polite and professional. He gave me a fair estimate of work that I need done in my house and was thorough in his inspection - even giving me some extra advice on smoke detectors in my home and explained some issues that I've been having.Definitely will use MillTown again.
Such a pleasure to work with this competent, knowledgeable, and polite team! They follow through on their promises, handle the issue, and clean up after themselves. I only knew that Milltown did plumbing, but I’ll be using them to handle everything I can now that I see their full range of services! Shout out to Izzy and Kenny for being so lovely and helpful!
I had 2 experiences with Mill Town recently.I had a new gas hot water heater installed in my home and was shocked at the price of $3,000 - but proceeded due to lack of how water. No complaints about the tech, he was considerate and nice. But shortly after the install the safety relief valve started to leak. They came back and put an expansion tank on system which made no sense since one had not been needed in the 25 years we had been there. It continued to leak and they then told me the town water pressure was too high and a pressure reducer would be needed. Again, pressure had been the same over the 25 years we had been there (yes I measure it) - and the town water department confirmed same. I refused to accept that and had to travel. When I returned the leak had stopped so I did not pursue further.2nd experience was have leaky tub drain fixed. The only offered to replace the entire drain and not repair it - a bit disappointed about that. The price was a bit high, but the work was high quality.Milltown has great customer service. I feel their prices are high (why 3 stars only) but they are a premium plumbing service so you know things will be done right.
I was delighted to have called Milltown Plumbing and Heating into my home to clean and service my furnace for the very first time (with this company). The technician did an exceptional job and was extremely skilled at what he did, explaining the furnace cleaning step-by-step to ensure the owner knew the process. He ran down his checklist and completed all the electrical checks and readings to reassume me that, even though my furnace was an older model, it was still up and running. I would not hesitate to refer friends and family to Milltown Plumbing and Heating moving forward.
Izzie was the plumber who diagnosed our toilet problem and provided 3 quotes. She was great. She Was 99% sure she could resolve the plug with snake and a fair price. she was very friendly polite and resolved the plug quickly. I would highly recommend her.I was also very pleased with the customer service that Milltown provided. They called to confirm appointments, notify me of change in time due to tech that called in sick and notified me when the plumber was on the way. Very friendly and respectful of my time. Also a fair price to unplug my toilet. Thank you Milltown!!
Liam came in Monday morning to provide us the quote on EV charger. He explained everything in details about the installation & provided us the quote. Quote was reasonable & we agreed to move forward. He came back next day with his co-worker & install the charger. Everything went so smooth. He was very professional & answered all our questions. We are very happy with their work. Will definitely use them again for future needs. Keep up the good work Liam👍🏼
I’ve had very extensive work done by Milltown electricians, hvac and plumbing (hot water and boiler, basement bathroom plumbing and pump installation, whole basement electrical installation) The company has great communication and responsiveness. They are on time, get out quickly to my home and they stand behind their work. With the large scope if projects we have hired them for it is inevitable that something needs attention after the invoice has been paid. Many companies make excuses or find a way to charge an additional cost. They did not do this. This makes me feel they are trustworthy.Additionally, all of their employees (I’ve probably met 5 at this point) speak highly of the company and how it treats them. I like supporting companies that treat their employees fairly and with respect.We joined their membership program and have staved lots of money with it. I have had so many disappointing experiences trying to remodel or maintain my home. It’s nice to finally not have to think about who to call when we have maintenance or projects that need to be done. Great job Milltown!
The Milltown Plumbing team was very professional in all aspects of their work. I had a great experience and am glad that I chose them for their services. They got the job done instantly with no problems which made it a smooth and worry free experience. While encountering finance issues, the team also responded in a professional manner and addressed the issue. They also make your heating options very clear and do not seek to confuse you on getting a service that you do not need done. I highly recommend them if you need heating, AC or draining services done on your home/property!
You really do get what you pay for. Yes they can be pricey but it is worth it. Pedro is the man. I was attempting a DIY repair and learned my lesson trying to play plumber I turned a mole hill into a mountain, ended up with broken fittings and broken pipe and ultimately no toilet for a few days I tried looking at videos and reading tutorials to try and figure out how to remedy my self inflicted disaster. Eventually i bowed my head, checked my ego, threw in the towel and called in the professionals and what a Pro Pedro was man. Not only did they get someone in fast but Pedro was super personable, friendly, very respectful and most importantly clearly a master at his trade who knew what he was doing and truly cared about doing a great job. It’s wonderful seeing someone have true pride in their work and passion for what they do. He accomplished his task quickly and cleanly and left me with 100% confidence in the quality and durability of this repair. I have had so many bad experiences with trade folks but never with Milltown you really do get what you pay for and next time I know to leave it to the Pros. Thanks again for the save Pedro you the man.
Called Milltown for regular maintenance on our gas boiler. Nathan B did a super thorough inspection, then explained our options in a professional and friendly way. I really appreciated the time he took to go over the results of his inspection with me. We chose to do a meaningful repair that we'd been putting off. Price for the repair was very competitive with a quote we'd gotten a year earlier from a different plumbing/HVAC company. Since we started using them last spring, quality of service from Milltown has always been excellent and this was no exception.
My review is more for Pedro my tech, than Milltown. Pedro was amazing! He took the time to walk me through not only my issue, but also just general utility care I should know as a homeowner. He was personable, and really took the time. And it was greatly appreciated! I’d have him back for all my plumbing needs! I think nearly $600 was a little steep to replace a hose spigot… But I was willing to pay it because of the service Pedro provided.
Less than eight hours after I first called Milltown with a dead water heater and no hot water, I now have a brand new unit working perfectly. The technician, Jonathan, and the supervisor with him were wonderful. I am so grateful that I didn’t have to wait several days, and that these folks were so nice to work with. And the dispatcher, Ralph, was very helpful as well. I am very happy right now!
Our shower started leaking the week before I was having surgery. Milltown sent Darrin out to assess our situation . Darrin recommended we completely replace our shower unit . We agreed. He was able to get things expedited and was in our home working on it two days after my surgery. He was kind, knowledgeable, worked cleanly, and efficiently. His partner James was also very good. Thank you Milltown for sending such a good crew.
I was already a Milltown customer for both plumbing and water heater services, so I didn’t hesitate to contact them for some needed electrical work at my 100+ year old house. Based on my experience with this company, I expected good service. The service I received from the Electrical Team was OUTSTANDING!. Matthew H was so helpful during the estimating process, and in his recommendations, and patiently answered all of my questions. On the scheduled work days, Matthew and his team always arrived on time, and were as professional and courteous as they could possibly be. This is a two-family home, and the amount of work that they have completed on time, as promised, has been amazing. So organized, and informative every step of the way, and I’m thrilled with the results. The peace-of-mind I now have in knowing that the work was done correctly by licensed professionals like Matthew and his team is so important, especially for electrical services. I highly recommend Matthew H and the whole Milltown electrical crew!March 23rd: For the last package of work, Matt and Dan came back to install all of the new ceiling light fixtures, all NINE of them. Each new fixture was replacing a really old one that was not LED compatible. The installation was fast, and perfect, and they even cleaned up each area as they went!. Service doesn’t get any better than this. Milltown is the best!!
Customer service was good. They set up an appointment for the day after my call, even though it was not an emergency request. Technicians Pedro and James were friendly, knowledgeable, and very helpful in explaining the repair and costs. I decided not to wait on getting another quote, since the price was within the range I expected. They had their tools right there. After struggling to fix the clog myself for months, the drain finally flows again! I definitely recommend this company for their professional team and quick response.
