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6 Reasons Why Your Air Conditioner Isn’t Cooling Your House and How to Fix It

August 23, 2021

Air conditioner running but your house doesn’t feel cool? Fixing the problem could be as simple as adjusting your thermostat or changing your air filter. Learn about six of the most common problems why you’re getting hot air and how you can fix them. 1. Wrong Thermostat Setting Fixing a lack of cool air can be as easy as adjusting your thermostat: Check that it’s set to “cool” and “auto.” Make sure your desired temperature is lower than the room’s temperature. If settings were causing a problem, your air conditioner should kick on momentarily. If not, we recommend checking your air filter next. 2. Dirty Air Filter Your air filter keeps dirt, dust and other particles from circulating throughout your home. It also keeps your home comfort equipment clean. For optimal performance, we recommend changing flat filters once a month and pleated filters every three months. An air filter that gets too dirty can restrict airflow and affect your comfort. Your air conditioner will have to work harder and longer to reach your desired temperature. This additional strain can:

You May Have to Replace Your Air Conditioner if It Uses R-22 Refrigerant

July 21, 2021

Your air conditioner’s refrigerant is crucial for fast and effective cooling at home. One coolant, Freon, was used extensively and can still be found in homes across the country. If your air conditioner was installed before 2010, it’s likely that it uses Freon. R-22 Freon was found to be environmentally harmful and is being slowly phased out of use. As a result, R-22 air conditioners are much more difficult to maintain as the supply of Freon diminishes. Paying to keep your old AC system around may no longer be worth it. Thankfully, you have access to professional help for R-22 replacement. Aspinwall Plumbing & Heating can provide fast and hassle-free air conditioning installation in Quincy, MA, and the surrounding communities. We can swap your R-22 air conditioner for a new model with more environmentally friendly coolant options. For more than 50 years, we’ve helped families all along the South Shore with cooling problems just like this. Here’s some additional info about R-22 Freon and how you can find the ideal replacement. What Is R-22 Freon? R-22 is also known as Freon or HCFC-22. Like other refrigerants, Freon traps heat

How to Fix Hot and Cold Spots in Your Home

June 23, 2021

What Causes Hot and Cold Spots in Your Home and How You Can Fix Them One of the most frustrating problems as a homeowner is dealing with hot and cold spots in your home. When you’re experiencing temperature inconsistencies, an upstairs bedroom feels like a sauna while a basement family room is too chilly. We often get calls about this issue, so we wanted to share advice on why this common problem happens and how you can fix it. At Aspinwall Plumbing & Heating, our family has been serving families like yours across the South Shore for more than 50 years. Whatever comfort issue you’re facing, you can feel good knowing you’re in experienced hands when you call us. 5 Reasons Why Your Home Has Hot and Cold Spots Here are five of the most common reasons why your home has temperature swings. 1. Your Home is Under-Insulated Most homes in the United States don’t have enough attic insulation. In fact, the Insulation Institute says 90% of homes are under-insulated. Not having enough insulation can make your home feel less comfortable and drive up energy bills. It’s simple to

Tankless Water Heaters vs. Tank: Which is More Energy Efficient?

June 4, 2021

Tankless Water Heaters vs. Tank: Which is More Energy Efficient? Because your water heater can last a decade (or longer), it’s important to keep energy efficiency in mind when you’re planning for water heater replacement. That’s because the average American family spends more than $2,000 each year on energy bills, according to ENERGY STAR®. About 13% of that bill, or around $260, goes toward water heating. There are two types of water heaters, tankless and tank. Let’s review the differences between the two so you can make the best decision for your home and budget. Tankless Water Heaters As the name suggests, a tankless water heater doesn’t have a tank. It heats water on demand, which makes it much more energy efficient than a tank water heater that constantly heats large quantities of water. The style of on-demand water heater we install is a tankless gas water heater. If you install a certified gas model, ENERGY STAR says it can save you up to 9 percent on energy costs when compared to a conventional gas tankless water heater. 5 Benefits of a Tankless Water Heater Here are a few

What to Do About Frozen Pipes

March 9, 2021

If you turn on a faucet and water only trickles out, it’s likely you have a frozen pipe. You can try to thaw a frozen pipe, but ideally, you’ll want to prevent them from freezing in the first place. Prevent Frozen Pipes From the Start If you have water supply pipes in your garage, leave the garage doors open so they stay warmer. Open kitchen and cabinet doors so warm air circulates in them. When it’s freezing, open a cold-water tap, so water keeps moving through the pipes. It only needs to be a trickle. You shouldn’t allow your home to get any colder than 55 degrees. While it raises your energy bills a bit, consider keeping the nighttime temperature of your home the same as its daytime temperature when it’s freezing outside. It will cost less than calling a plumber to fix a burst pipe. Aspinwall Baystate of Quincy, MA, can help you with frozen and burst pipes. Our experienced plumbers can handle any plumbing task with effectiveness and efficiency. Thaw Frozen Pipes: Here’s How If you suspect you have a frozen pipe, keep a faucet open. This will

What Are The Most Common Plumbing Problems?

February 5, 2021

The typical homeowner may encounter a broad spectrum of plumbing problems while trying to maintain their property. Of course, some are more common than others, and some are easier for homeowners to repair by themselves. Others require the knowledge and skill of a professional plumber. Dripping Faucet Almost everyone has experience with a dripping faucet. Besides being irritating, a dripping faucet costs you money on your water bill. The most common reason a faucet drips is that the internal washer has worn out or become dislodged. You can fix this yourself with some basic tools and plumbing skills. Clogged Bath or Shower Drain This is another incredibly common plumbing problem. Soap and hair collect in the drain, eventually causing a blockage to develop. First, try pouring vinegar and baking soda down the drain. If that doesn’t work, use a plunger. Before you resort to harsh chemicals, you might be better off calling in a professional. You can buy a drain guard to prevent this problem in the future. Clogged Toilet It’s usually a mixture of human waste and toilet paper that causes a toilet to clog. You can often clear the blockage with a

Do Gas Fireplaces Need Maintenance?

January 5, 2021

Many homes today come with gas fireplaces. People rarely think about them until something goes wrong. However, they need regular maintenance. Just like a gas furnace, they need to be checked by a professional once a year. Prevents Carbon Monoxide The most important reason to have your gas fireplace receive maintenance is safety. They produce carbon monoxide, which is supposed to vent out of your home. If something goes wrong, it could leak into your home. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that poses a serious health risk. Aspinwall Baystate is an HVAC company in Quincy, MA, that performs gas fireplace maintenance. We’ve been helping people in the greater Quincy area for more than 50 years. Problems That Can Occur Incomplete combustion is one of the most common gas fireplace problems. This occurs when there isn’t a sufficient draft to provide enough air for substantial combustion. The result is carbon monoxide, which can leak out into your living area. Another common problem is condensation. This occurs when there’s not enough draft combined with low temperatures. Condensation is very acidic, which means it can do substantial damage. It will eat

Annual Gas Furnace Maintenance: A Good Idea?

December 3, 2020

You want your gas furnace to run quietly and efficiently during the winter, but this can’t really happen without annual maintenance. Below are some good reasons for requesting professional heating maintenance the next time autumn rolls around. Keeping Your Warranty Valid Chances are that your furnace comes with a manufacturer’s warranty. Most warranties come with a disclaimer that they won’t cover any damage that has resulted from neglect of your system. The last thing that you want is to face a costly repair with a warranty that’s void. Avoiding Unnecessary Repairs Let’s think, though, about the kind of things a tune-up covers. It all starts with the inspection, where technicians check for problems like: Loose electrical wiring Out-of-balance parts Dirty burner assemblies Clogged air filters Carbon monoxide leaks It should go without saying that many of these issues, if left unaddressed, can be harmful. Old or loose wiring is a fire hazard. Dirty components hinder airflow, raise the risk for overheating and cause the furnace to blow out more lukewarm air than anything else.

Tips for Avoiding Plumbing Problems This Winter

November 16, 2020

During the winter season, pipes that are exposed to cold temperatures are at a higher risk of cracking or shattering. If water is present in a broken or damaged pipe it could spill freely into your basement or other parts of your home. Therefore, it is important to take action now to prevent pipe issues during the cold season. Use Fiberglass or Foam to Insulate the Pipes Pipes that are insulated tend to stay warmer than those that are not encased in a foam or fiberglass sleeve. Therefore, the water that flows through them is less likely to freeze and expand, which is the leading cause of pipe damage. The folks at Aspinwall Plumbing in Quincy, MA, may be able to insulate your home’s pipes or take other steps to prevent them from cracking or fracturing. Add Insulation to Your Home’s Basement or Attic Insulating a basement or attic may help to regulate its temperature throughout the late fall and winter months. Generally speaking, pipes located in these parts of the home are most likely to freeze because they tend to be exposed to consistently cold temperatures. You might also want to put a space heater

What Causes Furnace Leaks?

October 20, 2020

As we approach the cold winter season, you will need to fire up your furnace more often to warm your house. Nothing can be as frustrating as having a major furnace problem in the dead of winter. One of the likely challenges you may encounter with your furnace is leaking water. A furnace leaking water will stall the entire HVAC system, thereby prompting you to call the experts for comprehensive repairs. Here are some of the probable reasons why your furnace may be leaking. Excessive Condensation As the furnace is cooling down, condensation may accumulate on the colder parts. These tiny water droplets will then drop to the bottom of the furnace. Over time, the water will collect in tiny pools, giving you an impression of a leaking furnace. When your furnace is leaking because of condensation, chances are that the condensation tube designed to remove the moisture is clogged or has malfunctioned. The Humidifier The built-in humidifier that is connected to the plumbing in your home could also be the culprit, leading to leakage from your furnace. When the humidifier pipe is clogged as a result of debris in the pipework, it can cause water

6 Reasons Why Your Air Conditioner Isn’t Cooling Your House and How to Fix It

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