Tag: furnace

A Tewksbury Homeowner’s Guide to Furnace Maintenance

Dec 16, 2021

A Tewksbury Homeowner’s Guide to Furnace Maintenance

  • Furnaces
  • Heating
furnace maintenance Tewksbury

Let’s face it: Nobody likes being without heat during the winter. A cold home is profoundly uncomfortable and when the weather turns frigidly cold, it can even be dangerous. Not to mention that without heating, you could get frozen pipes, which could cause a whole host of problems. As a homeowner, therefore, it’s important to have a basic understanding of furnace maintenance so you can keep your Tewksbury home’s heating system in good working order throughout the year. 

How a Furnace Works

In order to properly maintain your furnace, you need to understand how a furnace works. Air is mixed with either gas, propane or oil and ignited in a specially-designed combustion chamber. Filtered air is blown across the heated chamber to heat. The heated air is then led into the air ducts, from where it’s distributed throughout the home. 

Step-by-Step Furnace Maintenance

To keep your furnace in good working order, follow these steps:

  • Check the pilot light. Regardless of the type of fuel your furnace uses, the pilot light should be blue. If it’s yellow of some other color, it indicates that too much carbon monoxide is being produced, and you need to call a technician right away.
  • Listen for strange sounds. If you hear clunks, squeaks, or any other unusual sounds, it’s a sign that something could be amiss, so call a technician before trying to do any maintenance.

If the pilot light is blue and there are no strange noises coming from the furnace, you can proceed with the actual maintenance

  • Switch off the power and shut off the fuel supply. This is imperative to your safety, so never forget this all-important step! Usually, the power shut off is located close to the furnace and the fuel shutoff valve will be on the gas pipe or oil tank.
  • Clean the combustion chamber. The combustion chamber quickly gets covered in soot, which can corrode its sides over time. To remove the soot, scrape it out gently with a wire brush and vacuum up any dust. 
  • If you have an oil furnace, change the filter. The oil valve needs to be closed so you can remove the old filter and replace it with a new one.
  • Clean or change the air filter. Check whether the system uses reusable or disposable air filters. If the filter is reusable, follow the instructions in the manufacturer’s manual to clean it. If it’s a disposable filter, remove the old one and replace it.
  • Inspect the flue pipe for damage. Any corrosion or holes in the flue pipe could potentially be hazardous, as they can leak carbon monoxide. Visually inspect the flue pipe for damage. You can cover small holes with foil tape, but if you see corrosion or larger holes, you’ll need to replace the pipe.  

It’s important to keep your furnace well-maintained, as it will keep your heating costs low and ensure your furnace lasts a long time. That’s why, in addition to performing regular maintenance yourself, you should schedule professional cleaning and maintenance at least once a year. Before hiring a technician, make sure that he or she is specialized in the type of furnace you have and has good reviews on Angie’s List, Yelp, Google+, and the Yellow Pages

Call MillTown today and schedule your checkup to see if you need furnace maintenance in your Tewksbury home!

Read What Our Happy Customers Had To Say!

By Milltown Plumbing

10 Questions to Ask Before Furnace Replacement in Nashua

Nov 23, 2021

10 Questions to Ask Before Furnace Replacement in Nashua

  • Furnaces
  • Heating
furnace replacement Nashua

When chilly weather rolls around, nothing could be more important than being comfortable in your own home and having peace of mind. Having the right home heating system for your home and specific needs can provide that comfort and peace.  According to the U.S. Department of Energy, home heating and cooling accounts for more than half of the average homeowner’s utility costs. If your home has an outdated, inefficient older furnace, it could be needlessly raising your energy bill. Likewise, if you purchase a new, energy-efficient furnace model that is incorrectly sized for your home, you could still be at risk for higher costs. Here’s what to  consider before pulling the trigger on a furnace replacement in your Nashua home.

Careful consideration when selecting a new furnace provides many benefits. Your new furnace will be able to handle the comfort needs of everyone in your family, reduce your utility bill, improve your indoor air quality, and extend your furnace’s lifespan, allowing you to enjoy a warm, stress-free fall and winter for years to come.

Various characteristics of your new furnace unit, such as type, size and efficiency, affect the amount it will cost to keep your home toasty when the temperature drops, as well as how long your furnace will continue operating at peak levels after years of use during the peak heating season. Purchasing the incorrect furnace for your home will result in a variety of potential issues that will cause stress instead of keeping you warm and comfortable during the winter months:

  • Poor system efficiency – Each home has its own specific heating needs. The incorrect system, even an energy-efficient model, can be inefficient in your home due to size or type.
  • Increased repair and maintenance costs – When you install the wrong size or type of furnace for your home’s size or needs, it can put stress and strain on the unit to keep your home comfortable, resulting in more frequent maintenance and need for repairs.
  • Shortened furnace lifespan – When your furnace struggles to keep up with your heating needs, it will cycle on and off frequently, increasing wear on your system, and eventually require replacement, whereas a unit suited to your home will provide years of service.
  • Inconsistent heating during fall and winter – Your furnace needs to be carefully selected for your home and your geographical location to ensure that it not only provides sporadic heating during cooler fall months, but can handle constant use during frigid winters.
  • Increased safety risks – Installing a furnace that is incompatible with your home’s specific size and needs can greatly increase the chance of residential fires as well as heighten risks of carbon monoxide exposure.

Asking the Right Questions About Your New Furnace 

When it comes to time to select a new furnace for your home, there is no such thing as a bad question. In order to reduce headaches due to heating issues created by purchasing the wrong system, here are some basic questions all homeowners should ask themselves and their heating contractor before any installation begins:

  1. How has your family’s heating needs changed since the last time you purchased a furnace? If you have added members to your family, they might have different comfort needs than yours. For example, welcoming a new baby or an elderly parent into your home may require higher temperatures.
  2. What are your heating needs other than “warm air?” Newer furnace models are able to be programmed to heat specific rooms or areas, and automatically turn on or off as scheduled.
  3. What energy-efficient models are available, and how can you compare them? Higher-rated annual fuel utilization efficiency models can save you considerably on your utility costs.
  4. What brands of furnaces are available? Some of the more popular brand names include Trane, Lennox, Goodman, Rheem, York and Carrier. Find out which models are available in your area to compare them.
  5. Are there any special deals/ warranty/rebate? In addition to specific deals offered by your contractor or the furnace company, many government agencies and utility companies offer incentives such as rebates and tax credits to encourage purchasing energy-efficient furnaces.
  6. How much space do you have in your  home? The square footage of your home is an important consideration in order to select a furnace model that can tackle heating that specific size of indoor space.
  7. What areas of your home need the most heat? Many systems offer furnace types that can specifically heat only certain rooms or areas, so that the furnace only sends warm air to spaces that need it.
  8. How is your indoor air quality? Many people suffer from allergies due to indoor air quality issues such as mold, mildew, pollen and dust. Upgrading your system can significantly improve your indoor air quality.
  9. What fuel type should you choose? Depending on your geographical location, there are a variety of fuel type options available, such as gas, electric or solar.
  10. What is the age of your current furnace? Heating technology has seen big advancements in the last decade. If your current furnace is more than 10 years old, it’s time to consider replacing it with a more energy-efficient model. Even if it is still keeping your home warm, it’s most likely costing you more to run than a newer model.

No matter what type of furnace you ultimately choose to heat your home, you should always select the most energy-efficient model you can afford. The Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) is the standard measure of furnace efficiency determined by how much of the energy entering a furnace converts to heat for your home. In order to be certified by Energy Star, gas models in northern states must have an efficiency rating of 95% AFUE or greater, and those in southern states must have an AFUE rating of 90% or higher. Oil furnaces in all regions must have an efficiency rating of 85% or higher. By choosing the highest efficiency model you can afford, you will save the maximum amount on your seasonal heating costs. 

Call MillTown today and schedule your checkup to see if you need furnace replacement in your Nashua home!

Read What Our Happy Customers Had To Say!

By Milltown Plumbing

Cleansing Your Sewer Line and Drains This Spring

Apr 15, 2021

Cleansing Your Sewer Line and Drains This Spring

  • Furnaces
  • Heating
Cleansing Your Sewer Line and Drains

Cleansing Your Sewer Line and Drains This Spring

Nothing is more important than cleansing your sewer line and drains this spring. Much like any other system in your home, both of these systems are prone to problems, especially clogs. A clog usually occurs when there is some sort of blockage found within your pipes. 

Thankfully, there are ways around these series of backups. If you follow the following steps, you can keep your pipes running smoothly this season. 

Typical Causes of Sewer Backups

Sewer backups can lead to In terms of residential backups; there are many contributing factors. These include:

  • Tree Root Intrusion 
  • Grease Accumulation
  • Improper disposal of paper products

If you do have a sewer line clog, follow these following steps to clear the blockage.

How to Remove a Sewer Line Clog

Use a pipe wrench to loosen the cap on your main drain line before you open it entirely. Once the cap is loosened, open it and let the buildup drain out. Once the cap is opened, make sure to step out of the way. If there is any waste caused by the clog, the backflow will spill out of the main line drain. Make sure to let it run off entirely before attempting any further repairs. 

Next, feed the auger cable down the drainpipe. Each auger, or plumbing snake, is different, so be sure to follow the instructions that come with the tool for best results. However, the general principle is that you should gently feed the auger cable into your drainpipe until you hit the clog. You’ll know when you’ve hit it because the cable will get progressively harder to move through the pipe. Allow the auger to run until the clog has been removed. You’ll be able to see when it happens because the water level in the drainpipe will begin to gradually decrease and then drain out entirely.

That said, don’t stop running the machine as soon as the clog disappears. There could still be smaller pockets elsewhere in the pipe, which may cause additional problems down the road. Once the clog has been removed, spray the hose down your drainpipe at full blast. Doing so will simultaneously remove any lingering debris that is stuck in the pipe and clean off the auger. 

Afterwards, pull the plumbing snake out of the pipe slowly. You most likely want to hose the auger cable off a few times before winding it back onto the machine. When you’re done, place the cap back on your drainpipe and use the pipe wrench to tighten it up. 

Avoid Clogging Your Drains

While grease is the absolute worst substance you can put in your drain, there are other objects that should be avoided all together. This is especially pertinent if you have a garbage disposal unit as part of your drain system. These items include the following:

  • Bones
  • Fibrous fruits/vegetables: This includes celery, artichokes, asparagus, lettuce
  • Coffee Grinds
  • Fruit Pits: Includes avocado pits, peach pits, etc.
  • Corn Husks
  • Egg Shells
  • Potato Peels
  • Pasta, Rice and Grains

If these items much like grease or oil, can clog up your drain or prevent the garbage disposal blades from working properly. If the blades are jammed, this can also increase the buildup in the disposal drain.

If you do experience a clogged drain, there are ways to remedy it. 

Cleansing Your Drains

If your drains do have a clog, there can be a number of indicators. Thankfully, there are ways to prevent drains from clogging. 

  • Run hot water through the sink after each use. Hot water keeps oils in food products running down the drain, rather than building up on the interior surface of pipes, which can make drains sluggish and lead to clogs.
  • Throw a handful of baking soda into the drain and follow it with hot water. Baking soda is a terrific cleaning agent, and it’s also great for absorbing foul odors and leaving your drainpipes smelling like a rose. Okay, maybe not like a rose, but a lot better than they otherwise would.
  • Pour 1 cup of vinegar down the drain and let it sit for 30 minutes; then chase it down with very hot water. Vinegar is a wonder cleaner. It contains acetic acid, which acts as an excellent organic solvent in removing an organic buildup of crud in pipes. 

Call MillTown today and schedule your heating service checkup to see if you need furnace repair or replacement!

Read What Our Happy Customers Had To Say!

By Milltown Plumbing