In-Register Products May Help With Zone Climate Control

Even when you adjust the dampers to accommodate awkward system design, you may end up with cold- and hot-spots in your heating and cooling system. This has less to do with the equipment you use and more to do with the design of the heating and cooling system in the home. Often, big errors (like a single heating and cooling zone for an entire house), can’t be corrected with manual damper adjustments alone. The result is that areas of the house are chronically too hot or too cold to be comfortable.

A new line of in-register devices may allow your home heating and cooling systems to deliver a more consistent comfort level throughout your home, and reduce your energy consumption at the same time. Wireless, battery-controlled in-register dampers can automatically open and close the registers and prevent air leakage to achieve a pre-programmed comfort level. These devices can automatically restrict airflow in areas of the home that are too hot or too cold, and direct more heated/cooled air to areas of the home where additional airflow is needed to achieve your preferred comfort level.

In most homes, between 20%-40% of the rooms are either much warmer or much colder than the thermostat’s set point. This means that you use more energy you need to, and spend fruitless time trying to balance out the airflow in your living space. It also means that you may be heating or cooling areas of your home that you don’t use regularly or that don’t need precise heating and cooling to keep you comfortable.

In-register systems contain a thermostat control unit and electronically controlled register covers that open and close based on the way the thermostat control is programmed. Generally, no modifications are needed for existing ductwork, and no additional wiring is needed to make the system work. The thermostat control unit can control registers within a 20-ft radius, and the register covers are paintable, so you can match them to your existing décor.

These systems offer the benefit of more precise comfort control and a reduction in energy usage. On average, homeowners can expect to reduce their energy consumption by as much as 5% per room when they use electronic dampers to control airflow in their homes.

If you would like more information about in-register dampers and to learn whether this approach may solve your home’s uneven climate control issues, please give us a call at Boston Standard Plumbing & Heating at (617) 288-2911 anytime. We’ll be happy to schedule a consultation! Don’t forget to like Boston Standard Plumbing on Facebook!

Photo Credit : Activent

Political Agreements Mean Changes For Home Air Conditioners

R-22 falls into a class of refrigerants that has been identified as harmful to the Earth’s ozone layer. The largest known “hole” in the Earth’s ozone layer is concentrated over Antarctica. Certain chemicals, known as halogenated hydrocarbons, deplete the ozone layer and decrease the protection the Earth’s atmosphere offers against solar radiation.

In 1987, many countries began to sign on to a global treaty called the “Montreal Protocol On Substances That Deplete The Ozone Layer,” referred to in short as “the Montreal Protocol.” This treaty aims to phase out the use of chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) and hydrochlorofluorcarbons (HCFC), to prevent harmful substances from entering the ozone layer. R-22 is considered a HCFC.

As of 2010, manufacturers may not ship new air conditioning units that are charged with new R-22 refrigerant. New R-22 is still available as a recharge refrigerant for existing units. Manufacturers are skirting this portion of the agreement by shipping “dry-charged” units, or units filled with nitrogen instead of R-22. Once the unit is installed, the installer “re-charges” the unit with new R-22. By 2020, however, even recharging with R-22 will be limited to the use of recycled or reclaimed R-22, and no new R-22 will be manufactured anywhere.

So, what is the current alternative to R-22? A refrigerant known as R-410a is currently used as a substitute for R-22. R-410a works at a higher pressure than R-22 does, and it isn’t possible to use R-410a as a direct substitute for R-22. In other words, if your air conditioner was designed to work with R-22, you can’t simply recharge the unit with R-410a instead.

R-410a is also classified as a HCFC, but unlike R-22, it doesn’t have the same ozone-depleting consequences that R-22 does. Unfortunately, R-410a does contribute to global warming, so the plan is to eliminate R-410a from use with other HCFCs, according to the timetable established by the Montreal Protocol.
Consumers should be aware that air conditioners have become a lot more efficient in the last 10 years. Replacing an older air conditioner that is still in good working condition might make economic sense when the replacement unit is significantly more efficient than the existing one. Consumers will need to factor in the cost of recharging (which will become significantly more expensive as R-22 supplies decline) an existing air conditioner when considering possible replacement. Additionally, it will become harder to replace older, R-22 units over time as more manufacturers adopt R-410a designs.

Fortunately for consumers, R-410a performs about as well as R-22 does in most circumstances, including those typically encountered in Boston. In any case, consumers should work only with certified technicians when it comes to recharging air conditioner units and recovering R-22 refrigerant.

If you would like more information about air conditioners, air conditioner maintenance, recommendations, or you would like to have your own air conditioning system cleaned and prepared for use this season, give Boston Standard Plumbing & Heating a call at (617) 288-2911, and we’ll schedule an appointment. Don’t forget to like Boston Standard Plumbing on Facebook!

Photo Credit: NASA Goddard Photo and Video, via Flickr

Cleaning Your Air Conditioner's Evaporator Coil

The inside maintenance on your air conditioner is just as important as the outside maintenance. Keeping your evaporator clean and free of corrosion will ensure that your unit operates efficiently year round. It will also allow you to spot potential problems before they lead to a major repair.

The inside unit is the evaporator, and it will be located near your furnace (if you have a furnace) or in your air handler if you have a heat pump. For this post, I’m going to assume that the evaporator sits on/near a furnace, but the steps for cleaning the evaporator are the same if you have an air handler instead.

Access your evaporator coil by opening the metal case that encloses it. The coil is often designed as an “A-frame” device, which means it has two panels that appear to lean toward each other (like the letter “A”). The evaporator panels will have thin metal fins on the outside and a series of copper tubes on the ends of the unit. The entire set-up will rest on a plastic (or metal) frame of channels that catch water and shunt it to the drain. The bottom of the evaporator is open to allow air to circulate from the blower motor of your furnace. Check the plastic frame for cracks, or if your unit has metal channels, check them for corrosion or rust. If a channel is cracked or rusted through, you’ll need to replace it to avoid damaging the rest of the furnace.

The evaporator’s job is to remove water from the air. On a very hot, humid day, your evaporator might eliminate several gallons of water from the air in your home, so it’s important to keep the condensate drain free-flowing at all times. Even though you’re condensing out “clean” water, biological matter can accumulate in the drain tube for your system and cause a backup. If your air conditioner is pulling gallons of water out of your home’s air and the tube that leads to your floor drain is clogged, you’ll find very quickly that you have drain problem AND a big mess to clean up!

Before you do anything on the evaporator, make sure the condensate drain is clear and free-flowing by running a little water in the catch basins at the bottom of your evaporator unit. If the water you add doesn’t flow freely to the drain, you can use a little Bio-Clean to clear out any accumulated biological debris in the drain. You can also use a solution of bleach and water to clear out any biologically active organisms in the drain.

Once you know the drain is fully open, examine the evaporator coils. If they’ve never been cleaned, or haven’t been cleaned recently, they’ll be coated with dust and other “inside” debris, like pet hair and cobwebs. You’ll need to make a decision about how well you can manually clean debris from the unit using the access you have. If you can’t get the fins clean without damaging them or the debris is crusted on, you may want to have a professional perform the inside maintenance. A badly clogged evaporator may need to be removed for cleaning, and that’s outside the realm of a do-it-yourself task.

You can find spray-on condenser coil cleaner at your hardware store or a home-improvement store. Usually, these cleaners are foaming and will break down debris and any greenish deposits that accumulate on the copper without needing a rinse. Spray the cleaner on the copper tubing and on the fins of the evaporator. The foaming cleaner will clean debris, return to a liquid state, and drain into the condenser pan on its own. You can use this when the air conditioner is running to get a little “rinse” from the water the evaporator is removing from the air. The cleaner takes just a few minutes to work, and you should be good to go, once you close the unit back up.

Change the air filter as long as you have the unit open. Just as in the heating season, you’ll want to change your furnace filter monthly to ensure that your system isn’t working harder than it has to. If you have questions about cleaning your evaporator unit, or you would like professional assistance, contact us at Boston Standard Plumbing & Heating at (617) 288-2911 to schedule an appointment. Also, you can “like” Boston Standard Plumbing on Facebook anytime!

Photo Credit: Velo Steve, via Flickr

Regular Air Conditioner Maintenance Is A Must

Don’t skip this step, even if it seems complicated. That’s because a central air conditioning unit can lose 5%-10% of its rated efficiency each year that regular maintenance isn’t performed. Within a couple of years, the high-efficiency air conditioner you paid a premium will provide lower performance than a well-maintained moderately efficient air conditioner!

Keeping your system clean is one of the primary ways in which you preserve the unit’s efficiency. Cleaning the unit means cleaning the condenser, which is outside, and the evaporator coils, which are inside your home. Neither of these tasks are difficult, and they’re certainly within reach of the DIY’er, but they do take a little time and effort, and you’ll need to have a good understanding of your heating and cooling equipment.

The outside condenser unit is covered with a metal case, which can be removed easily for cleaning. Before you remove the cover, you’ll want to cut the electricity to the unit at the circuit breaker. Once the unit is safely powered down, you’ll want to make sure that all organic debris (i.e., dead leaves, sticks, old grass clippings, nests, seeds, etc.) that may have found their way into the condenser unit are cleared away. This is also a good time to remove grass, weeds and other growth from the condenser unit to prevent this kind of material from entering the condenser unit later this season.

This is also a good place to point out that you may need to clean your condenser several times during the summer season. If you live near cottonwood trees, for example, they “seed” in June. Their cottony seeds float through the air like snow and will get sucked into your condenser. Any debris – including lawn clippings, petals from flowering trees, seeds and seed coats from landscaping – can clog your condenser and reduce its efficiency. Check the condenser regularly during the cooling season for debris. This will help keep your unit working at peak efficiency and can prevent premature failure for some components.

This unit is built for outdoor use, so you can use a hose and running water to clear out the condenser unit and the coils. Take special care to avoid damaging the “fins” or any delicate metal tubing you see in this unit. Make sure the drip pan (at the very bottom of the unit) is free from debris that can trap moisture and promote rust and other corrosion.

After you have the condenser unit clean, you can oil the unit if your unit requires it. Many units are self-lubricating or are sealed, so no additional lubrication is required. If your fan motor has oil ports, however, you’ll want to ensure that your unit is lubricated at least seasonally. You can do this by adding about 5 drops of oil to the oil port. Don’t use penetrating oil and don’t use an “all-purpose” oil. Instead, use the oil recommended by your manufacturer, or you can find lubricating oil for electric motors at your local hardware store.

Again, if the compressor motor requires lubrication, add a few drops through the oil port. (Check your owner’s manual if you’re not sure where the port is located, or if you need to lubricate your compressor motor.) Do not over-lubricate your unit.

If your compressor is belt-driven, inspect the belt for wear, glazing, cracking and signs of overheating. Also check under the motor for evidence of oil leaks. (Old oil will be dark and may pool under the compressor motor or at a connection point, or you may find evidence of oil spray buildup on the motor case.)

If you find evidence of a leak, chances are good that you’ll need to replace the motor. Unless you find a connection that is obviously loose, don’t attempt to tighten connections where you suspect an oil leak. Over-tightening can cause more damage to your unit and isn’t likely to solve your problem.

Check for coolant problems to the extent you are able. To do this, you’ll need to power on the unit. Adjust the inside thermostat so that the unit runs for about 5-10 minutes. Carefully move the insulation on the copper pipe that leads to the inside unit to expose the metal. The metal pipe should be cool (but not super-cold) to the touch. If the temperature of this pipe isn’t cool, call a professional to check the coolant level in your unit. Your unit may need to be recharged.

One more note on compressors: they’re not designed to work in cold temperatures, so reserve your unit maintenance until the outside temperature is in the 60°F-65°F degree range.

After you’ve checked for evidence of proper cooling, shut the unit back down and return the cover to its operating position.

In my next post, I’ll cover the inside work you’ll need to complete to make sure your air conditioning unit is ready for the cooling season.

If you have questions about air conditioner maintenance, or would like the pros at Boston Standard Plumbing & Heating to perform your air conditioning maintenance for you, please give us a call at (617) 288-2911 anytime and we’ll schedule a visit. Don’t forget to like us Boston Standard Plumbing on Facebook!

Photo Credit: Chris Johnston Photography, via Flickr

Best Bet For A Great Deal? Trane, Lowe’s and Boston Standard!

This offer can allow you to replace your current low-efficiency heating and cooling systems with a highly reliable home heating and cooling solution from Trane. Depending upon which system and financing option you choose, you could collect a rebate from Trane worth between $100 and $1,250! You can also choose 0% financing with fixed monthly payments using a Lowe’s Consumer Credit Card.

Boston Standard Plumbing & Heating is an authorized Trane installer, so you can purchase your system through Lowe’s, get great financing options, and get the installation and service from Boston Standard Plumbing, the first name in heating and cooling in Boston!

If you’re not sure about what system you should choose, contact us for a consultation. We’ll examine your home and your current heating and cooling equipment, and let you know which Trane system will provide your home with the best performance.

You can also rely on Boston Standard Plumbing and Heating for reliable, cost-effective service and maintenance, to keep your Trane equipment working efficiently and trouble-free year-round. Our technicians are Trane-certified installers, so you’ll get help from knowledgeable, trained technicians, and fast, friendly service.

This is a great financing deal for homeowners, but it won’t last long. This special offer is only available through May 31, so you’ll want to act now to be sure you make the most of this awesome opportunity. For more information about qualifying Trane products, this financing offer or to consult with us to determine which Trane solution best meets your needs, contact us at Boston Standard Plumbing at (617) 288-2911 anytime. We’ll schedule an appointment and work with you to make sure you get the heating and cooling products and service you need.

Don’t forget to like Boston Standard Plumbing on Facebook!

Photo Credit: Trane

Keeping Your Cool This Summer In Boston

As far as operation goes, one of the best, easiest and nicest things you can do for your air conditioner is change the filter regularly. Use pleated filters and change them no less often than 90 days. If you have pets in your home, change the filter more frequently. This will help protect the unit’s secondary heat exchanger and the evaporator coil, and it will keep dirt and other debris out of the blower wheel, which can cause your unit to malfunction.

Can’t find your AC filter? Check your furnace! (It’s usually the same filter you change during the heating season.) Some units have a filter located in a ceiling return air grille, but if you have central air conditioning that uses your furnace ductwork, your filter’s most likely in your furnace.

Changing the filter regularly has some other benefits, as well. Pushing air through a dirty, or clogged filter can decrease the efficiency of your air conditioner. It can also introduce dirt into other moving parts of the air conditioner, reducing their effectiveness and increasing the amount of electricity your air conditioner consumes.

Dirty air filters can also be a source of odor and airborne allergens in your home. Filters will collect contaminants like mold, mold spores, pollen and other irritants. If you inspect your air conditioner filter and notice that it has mold growth or has a funny smell, change it immediately.

Keep some clean filters on hand so you can perform a quick change whenever you need to. If you’re not certain how often to change the filter, inspect the filter periodically to note its condition. When you see a lot of dirt or debris collecting on the filter, change it.
If you’re thinking about skipping the filter altogether, don’t. Running your system without a filter will cause the evaporator coil the air handler to clog. This will lead to icing on the air conditioner – something you definitely don’t want.

If you have questions about your air conditioner, or would like to schedule pre-season maintenance, give us a call at Boston Standard Plumbing & Heating at (617) 288-2911 anytime. We’ll be happy to schedule a seasonal maintenance check and show you how to maintain your system during the summer.

Don’t forget to like Boston Standard Plumbing on Facebook, and if you make a platelet donation to the Kraft Family Blood Donor Center during the month of April, we’ll take $50 off of any Boston Standard Plumbing & Heating purchase or service call worth $100 or more!
Photo Credit: G & A Sattler, via Flickr

MassSave Rebate For Heat Pump Water Heaters Really Adds Up!

Many homeowners are familiar with the heat pump as a piece of heating and cooling equipment, but similar technology can be used to provide hot water for a home. A heat pump water heater “moves” heat from one place to another to heat water stored in a tank, rather than applying heat directly to the water to raise the water temperature. By transferring heat to the stored water rather than trying to raise the temperature directly, the heat pump water heater becomes an extraordinarily efficient device.

The pump pulls heat from the surrounding air and transfers it to the water stored in the tank. Heat pump water heaters come in a number of different configurations. You can purchase a unit that features the heat pump, an integrated storage tank and a back-up resistance heater. Alternately, you can retrofit a conventional water storage tank to use a separate heat pump unit.

Heat pump water heaters don’t operate efficiently in a cold space, but they can work well if they’re situated next to a furnace or in a warm space in the house. Typically, the heat pump water heater will need to be located in a space that is normally in the 40°F to 90°F range. The heat pump water heater also needs to have a certain amount of open space around it to operate as designed. The heat pump water heater will exhaust cool air into the room. Alternately, the cool exhaust air can be vented to the outside of the house. If you’re looking for an all-season solution, you can install a combination unit that will provide heating, cooling and hot water year-round.

Heat pump water heaters cost more than conventional waters heater do, but in the right circumstances, homeowners save on operational costs and actually spend less over the life of the system than they would if they had gone with a conventional hot water storage system. With the MassSave rebate, you can decrease the cost of the heat pump water heater to about the cost of a conventional system. Unfortunately, these systems are not currently eligible for any energy efficiency tax credits.

For more information about the MassSave program, program rules, financing information or to determine whether heat pump water heater would work in your home, please give Boston Standard Plumbing & Heating a call at (617) 288-2911. We’ll be happy to schedule a consultation.
Like Boston Standard Plumbing on Facebook, and don’t forget to schedule your platelet donation to the Kraft Family Blood Donor Center during the month of April and Boston Standard Plumbing & Heating will take $50 off any Boston Standard Plumbing & Heating purchase of $100 or more.

Photo Credit: Whirlpool Corporation

How You Can Help Your Neighbors And Save Money At The Same Time!

Platelets are found in blood, and they help the body form blood clots for healing. Platelets also play a role in healthy growth and tissue regeneration. Unfortunately for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, their platelet counts can drop. This leads to slower healing and a host of other problems.

To counteract the effects of chemotherapy, patients often need platelet transfusions. Using a special collection process that somewhat resembles blood donation, platelets are separated from the donor’s blood and the rest of the donor’s blood is returned to the donor. The process of collecting the platelets is simple, but it takes a little time.

This method of platelet donation is preferred over separating platelets from whole blood units because the donor center can collect an entire “therapeutic dose” of platelets at one time from one person, rather than having to make a therapeutic dose from multiple units of whole blood. Also, it is not critical to match the blood type of platelet donors to that of platelet recipients. In the case of platelets, just about anyone can donate to just about anyone, regardless of blood type, provided that the donor is otherwise healthy.

Unlike whole blood, which can be preserved for later use, platelets don’t store very well, so they are needed frequently and used quickly. With a “shelf-life” of just about 5 days, and the need to test platelets for transmissible diseases, time is of the essence! A platelet donation is used just about as quickly as it is made available, and it makes a big difference in the life of the recipient, especially when that recipient is a child.

The staff at Boston Standard Plumbing & Heating regularly volunteers to make platelet donations, and these donations are used virtually immediately in the Boston area for friends and neighbors in need. We’re proud to support the Kraft Family Blood Donor Center at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, and we’d like to challenge our customers and friends to step up to the plate.

To make this easier, we’re willing to give you $50 off any service from Boston Standard Plumbing & Heating for the month of April on a purchase of $100 or more, if you provide proof of a platelet donation to the Kraft Family Blood Donor Center during the month of April. Our next staff donation is scheduled over three days – April 16, April 17 and April 18. The Kraft Family Blood Donor Center offers free, validated parking for donors, and the Center often hosts a raffle exclusively for donors.

To make an appointment to donate platelets, please contact the Kraft Family Blood Donor Center at 888-533-7448. To collect your coupon, contact us at Boston Standard Plumbing & Heating at (617) 288-2911 to schedule a visit, and we’ll knock $50 off your bottom line if you schedule a visit or make a purchase of $100 or more in April!

Photo Credit: Scragz, via Flickr

The price for R-22 refrigerant has increased significantly in the past year, and that’s a trend that’s most likely to continue. If you have an air conditioning unit that uses <a href="http://www.bostonstandardplumbing.com">R-22 refrigerant in Boston</a>, you could be in for an unpleasant surprise the next time your unit needs a recharge. The production and distribution of R-22 is carefully controlled by the Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA is responsible for ensuring that the United States complies with the Montreal Protocol, an agreement designed to reduce the use of refrigerants that are known to harm the Earth’s ozone layer. The EPA’s regulatory approach includes rationing the materials used to make R-22, and controlling how much gas can be imported in any given year. Late last year, the EPA needed to make an adjustment to the allocations it had proposed for the years 2012-2014. The adjustment was necessary in order to meet the terms of a settlement between the EPA and two R-22 producers whose allocations from 2009 were improperly calculated. The end result is that most manufacturers and importers received sizably smaller allocations for 2012 than they expected, and the allocations will be reduced through 2014. What does this mean for the consumer? Basically, it means consumers will be paying higher prices for R-22 refrigerants in the foreseeable future. Although the total amount of R-22 on the market in 2012 hasn’t changed, the amount of refrigerant that each producer can make has decreased. Further, the amount of R-22 is being slowly-but-surely reduced. In 2011, manufacturers were prohibited for the first time from shipping new air conditioning units charged with R-22 refrigerant. Thanks to a loophole in the law, manufacturers were able to ship the units “dry-charged” - without any refrigerant at all. Once the units reached the consumer, the consumer would pay an installer to “recharge” the empty unit, skirting the regulation and preserving their opportunity to use what many consumers view as a more capable refrigerant in their air conditioners. Right now, with the price of R-22 having increased by nearly 2.5 times seemingly overnight, that strategy may not have much of a payout, but the escalating cost of R-22 may provide a little extra incentive to take better care of R-22 units that are still in service. Routine maintenance is the best, most cost-effective way to ensure that your R-22 unit works as efficiently as possible. Having a technician on hand to make sure your R-22 unit is properly maintained reduces the chance that you’ll encounter a catastrophic system failure that will send your R-22 unit to an early retirement. The market alternative to R-22 is a refrigerant known as R410A. While some industry professionals say that the newer refrigerant isn’t as good at cooling as R-22 has been, it appears to be adequate for most Boston-area applications, given that Boston doesn’t typically suffer from excessively high summertime temperatures. Unfortunately, R410A isn’t a direct substitution for R-22. Units are designed to work with one refrigerant or another, but you simply can’t put R410A into a unit designed to work with R-22. If you have a central air conditioning unit, routine maintenance is a must. You’ll save time and money by ensuring that your unit operates as efficiently as possible, and you’ll prolong the life of your unit. Don’t expect to catch a break by skipping maintenance for a season or two. Your unit can lose 5-10% of its efficiency every time you skip a maintenance cycle! Contact Boston Standard Plumbing and Heating at (617) 288-2911 to schedule a maintenance appointment for your central air conditioning unit. We’ll perform all routine maintenance recommended by the manufacturer and we’ll check your system for leaks and other performance problems. Like <a target=new href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Boston-Standard-Plumbing/242708262138">Boston Standard Plumbing</a> on Facebook, and look for a special announcement here to find out how you can save $50 on any service over $100 from Boston Standard Plumbing & Heating through the end of April and help your neighbors in Boston at the same time. <i>Photo Credit: <a target=new href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevensnodgrass/6610029017/" rel="nofollow">Steven Snodgrass</a>, via Flickr</i>

The EPA is responsible for ensuring that the United States complies with the Montreal Protocol, an agreement designed to reduce the use of refrigerants that are known to harm the Earth’s ozone layer. The EPA’s regulatory approach includes rationing the materials used to make R-22, and controlling how much gas can be imported in any given year.

Late last year, the EPA needed to make an adjustment to the allocations it had proposed for the years 2012-2014. The adjustment was necessary in order to meet the terms of a settlement between the EPA and two R-22 producers whose allocations from 2009 were improperly calculated.

The end result is that most manufacturers and importers received sizably smaller allocations for 2012 than they expected, and the allocations will be reduced through 2014.
What does this mean for the consumer? Basically, it means consumers will be paying higher prices for R-22 refrigerants in the foreseeable future. Although the total amount of R-22 on the market in 2012 hasn’t changed, the amount of refrigerant that each producer can make has decreased. Further, the amount of R-22 is being slowly-but-surely reduced.

In 2011, manufacturers were prohibited for the first time from shipping new air conditioning units charged with R-22 refrigerant. Thanks to a loophole in the law, manufacturers were able to ship the units “dry-charged” – without any refrigerant at all. Once the units reached the consumer, the consumer would pay an installer to “recharge” the empty unit, skirting the regulation and preserving their opportunity to use what many consumers view as a more capable refrigerant in their air conditioners.

Right now, with the price of R-22 having increased by nearly 2.5 times seemingly overnight, that strategy may not have much of a payout, but the escalating cost of R-22 may provide a little extra incentive to take better care of R-22 units that are still in service. Routine maintenance is the best, most cost-effective way to ensure that your R-22 unit works as efficiently as possible. Having a technician on hand to make sure your R-22 unit is properly maintained reduces the chance that you’ll encounter a catastrophic system failure that will send your R-22 unit to an early retirement.

The market alternative to R-22 is a refrigerant known as R410A. While some industry professionals say that the newer refrigerant isn’t as good at cooling as R-22 has been, it appears to be adequate for most Boston-area applications, given that Boston doesn’t typically suffer from excessively high summertime temperatures. Unfortunately, R410A isn’t a direct substitution for R-22. Units are designed to work with one refrigerant or another, but you simply can’t put R410A into a unit designed to work with R-22.

If you have a central air conditioning unit, routine maintenance is a must. You’ll save time and money by ensuring that your unit operates as efficiently as possible, and you’ll prolong the life of your unit. Don’t expect to catch a break by skipping maintenance for a season or two. Your unit can lose 5-10% of its efficiency every time you skip a maintenance cycle!
Contact Boston Standard Plumbing and Heating at (617) 288-2911 to schedule a maintenance appointment for your central air conditioning unit. We’ll perform all routine maintenance recommended by the manufacturer and we’ll check your system for leaks and other performance problems.

Like Boston Standard Plumbing on Facebook, and look for a special announcement here to find out how you can save $50 on any service over $100 from Boston Standard Plumbing & Heating through the end of April and help your neighbors in Boston at the same time.

Photo Credit: Steven Snodgrass, via Flickr

Buying Mini-Split Air Conditioners Online May Not Make Sense

Mini-split (or ductless) air conditioners are less expensive to purchase and install than central air conditioning is and they’re efficient, but there are two big caveat you should know about if you’re considering purchasing a mini-split air conditioner online for a DIY installation. Purchasing a mini-split air conditioner system online normally voids the manufacturer’s warranty on the device. Also, not all mini-split units available for sale online have service and support options in case you run into trouble.

If you plan to purchase a mini-split air conditioner online in the hope of saving a few bucks, you’ll probably be able to do just that. If you need service or your unit fails, however, you’ll be out on your own. Before you purchase any mini-split systems online, check the manufacturer’s website and read the terms of their warranty carefully. You’ll need to decide for yourself whether the savings you may find through an online purchase is worth the risk of losing your warranty protection.

Further, before you choose a brand, check the manufacturer’s website to verify that service, support and replacement parts are readily available after your purchase. Some online retailers have no parts and service operations in the United States. You could purchase a unit directly from a manufacturer in China, for example, but you may have no way to get replacement parts or service quickly. That could leave you in a bind over the summer if your AC gives out and you need to wait on a parts delivery from overseas.

The availability of parts and warranty service is very important, and as ductless air conditioners become more popular in the US, these issues will arise more frequently. While you may save a few bucks up front by buying online, you could be spending more on parts and service over the life of the unit. Worse, you may end up replacing the unit prematurely when parts and service aren’t readily available locally.

If you have questions about mini-split or ductless air conditioning systems, give Boston Standard Plumbing & Heating a call at (617) 288-2911. We’ll be happy to consult with you on an existing ductless system, or help you choose a system that meets your needs. Don’t forget to like Boston Standard Plumbing on Facebook!

Photo Credit: Mitsubishi