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Gas vs Electric Fireplaces

January 4, 2020

A fireplace can be an effective tool for keeping your home warm during the winter months. Whether you choose to power your fireplace with gas or electricity depends on your preferences, budget and if a gas line is available. Electric Fireplaces Can Be Ideal for Smaller Rooms If you are simply looking for a way to heat a living room, guest bedroom or finished attic, an electric fireplace may be worth buying. All you need to do is find the right spot for it, plug it into the wall and turn it on. In a matter of minutes, you will start to feel warm air radiating from the device. As electric fireplaces don’t transmit as much heat, you can feel confident putting them in your child’s room without worrying about them getting hurt. Gas Fireplaces Are Ideal for Those Who Want Maximum Heat Generally speaking, gas fireplaces generate more heat because they create an actual flame within the fireplace. They can either attach directly to an existing gas line or through a propane tank that connects to the fireplace. The folks at Aspinwall Plumbing in Quincy

7 Benefits of Heating Maintenance

December 17, 2019

Heating and ventilation are some of the essential utilities that we rely upon daily in our homes. In fact, to keep this equipment running right, it is essential to maintain the equipment used properly. Here are the seven benefits you stand to gain by investing in regular heating maintenance in your house. 1. Reducing Repair Costs Undertaking regular maintenance on your heating systems keeps your furnace in pristine condition. In fact, this eliminates common damages on your heating system that may otherwise cost you heavily. Above all, having a professional heating technician inspect your heating equipment is the only way to avoid costly repairs. 2. Boosting Efficiency In order to determine the efficiency of your heating furnaces in your home, the condition of the equipment is necessary. Maintaining the efficiency of the heating equipment benefits the entire system and allows it to function properly. 3. Home Safety The heating services installed in your home can easily turn into a hazard if they get damaged. Therefore, inspecting and maintaining the entire heating system as regularly as technicians recommend prevents incidences, such as cracked heat exchangers and blocked pipes, which

5 Benefits of Heating Maintenance

November 12, 2019

A home’s heating and cooling systems are comprised of many different components and mechanical parts. A system this complex and technical requires regular heating maintenance for optimal operation. Regular Maintenance Is Vital for Your HVAC System Just as you take steps to properly maintain your vehicle (e.g., oil changes, fluid replacements, brake jobs), it’s important to practice regular maintenance for your heating and cooling system. You can call on us at Aspinwall Baystate, headquartered in Quincy when you want to arrange regularly scheduled maintenance. This can help to circumvent problems before they spiral out of control. Here are five benefits that come with investing in regularly scheduled service. 1. Safety and Reliability Above all else, safety is the most important thing to area homeowners. A malfunctioning heater can be a serious fire hazard. With regular inspections and maintenance from HVAC professionals at Aspinwall Baystate, developing issues can be identified and addressed. Plus, with regular maintenance, you don’t have to worry about unexpected breakdowns. 2. Better Energy Efficiency When an HVAC system develops issues from damaged ductwork to weak airflow, it can hurt its efficiency. This can lead to

Is a Maintenance Agreement Worth the Cost?

October 22, 2019

Several customers question the value of a maintenance agreement. Some even perceive it as being an optional expense. However, at Aspinwall Baystate, we know that regular maintenance is the key to getting the most out of your heating or cooling system. Here are a few benefits to maintenance agreements and why they are worth the cost. Prolonged Life of System We know that regular maintenance is critical. For example, maintenance services are crucial for keeping your car on the driving efficiently. If you take proper care of your vehicle, it will work longer without needing constant and costly repairs. Your furnace or cooling system is the same. With regular maintenance from a professional at Aspinwall Baystate, your furnace or air conditioner will have an extended operating life. Purchasing a new heating or cooling system can be expensive. Take care of your system the best you can by investing in a maintenance agreement. Increase in Energy Efficiency When you first install a new system, it should run without any difficulties. During installation, our technicians make certain that everything is configured to run at its best. Your home will have consistent comfort for

How Hard Water Affects Your Plumbing

October 15, 2019

Hard water is a term that refers to freshwater containing high levels of natural elements like magnesium, calcium and trace metals. It is not harmful when it comes to a person’s health, but when it comes to the plumbing in the home, hard water can be harmful indeed. It can damage appliances and pipes, and it can leave unsightly mineral deposits in tubs, showers, sinks and everywhere else. Hard water can leave hair and skin with a dry feeling, and it can leave spots on dishes. Where Does Hard Water Come From? Water is always soft when it falls to the ground as rain. Rainwater around Boston, though, travels through the ground on its way to aquifers, and on the way, it picks up minerals, including calcium. The U.S. Geological Survey measures the hardness of water based on how much calcium carbonate it carries, with four different categories: More than 181 milligrams per liter – Very hard 121 to 180 milligrams per liter – Hard 61 to 120 milligrams per liter – Moderately hard 0 to 60 milligrams per liter – Soft What

Advantages of Air Purifiers

September 10, 2019

There is a good chance that the air inside your home is more polluted than the air outside. This may be hard to believe, but the ventilation in most houses is inadequate to assure that the air you and your family are breathing is pleasant and healthy. When you want to improve the air inside your property, Aspinwall Baystate in Quincy, MA, can help you out with air purifiers that works to improve your indoor air quality in three different ways. Filter Out Particles One of the most important jobs of an air purification system is to get rid of pollution that is in your air in the form of particles. These particles may be composed of: Dust Pollen Pet dander Tobacco smoke Asbestos Air-borne insects Studies have shown that with the elimination of these unpleasant and dangerous particles from the air, your family could enjoy reduced stress levels and improved sleep. Filter Out Odors An air purification system from Aspinwall Baystate uses two methods to destroy odors: photocatalytic oxidation and the Carbon Clean 16® filter. These

5 Benefits of a Smart Thermostat

August 5, 2019

A new generation of smart thermostats has arrived. These thermostats can support your modern lifestyle through advanced features. Your thermostat serves as the electronic brain that controls your air conditioning. The more sophisticated it is, the better your AC unit’s performance will be. A smart thermostat will help to keep you cool during the hot summers here in Massachusetts. Let’s look at five benefits of a smart thermostat. 1. Save Money on Your Cooling Bill Dollar for dollar, a smart thermostat is more efficient than alternatives from previous generations. Your air conditioner will run for shorter periods and maintain your desired temperature for longer. Your thermostat will also last longer before repairs or replacement are needed. 2. Help Protect the Environment Homeowners are more concerned than ever about being environmentally friendly. With a smart thermostat, you can trim hundreds of hours off your air conditioner’s annual operating time. That translates to less electricity usage and fuel consumption. 3. Keep Cool on Your Schedule We don’t call them “smart” thermostats for nothing. Many of these thermostats learn from your preferences, record the changes you make, and anticipate your future

3 Easy Ways to Achieve Greater Energy Efficiency

July 9, 2019

In our busy daily routine, we sometimes practice behaviors that are not the most efficient in terms of energy consumption. In other cases, our behaviors may not necessarily be wasteful, but tweaking them slightly could improve energy efficiency considerably. The good news is that with some conscious effort we can make small changes that mean significant energy savings. This will have the benefit of reducing our utility bills while being more environmentally friendly. Some changes we can make fall into the category of simple things we could start doing immediately. Others are easy cost-reducing improvements we can implement with the help of an expert. Here are three easy ways to be more energy efficient in your home. 1. Use Sunlight Appropriately If your house gets a lot of sunlight during the day, you can modulate the temperature effects it has on your home. In the hot months of summer, try keeping the shades and drapes closed to avoid having your air conditioning unit operate continually and intensely to keep your space cool. In the winter, let the sun in to help keep your home a few degrees warmer. 2. Use

You Know You Need Plumbing Help When This Happens

June 23, 2019

Your plumbing is an integral part of your home in Quincy, and it can only take a slight hiccup to cause a real problem. You don’t need to have your pipes completely rusted or your sink releasing sludge water to know that you’re having trouble. Here are some surefire signs that something is wrong with your plumbing. Water On the Ceiling Have you noticed any discoloration on the ceiling directly below a bathroom? It could be due to a slow trickle of water. These leaks are concerning, as they can mean not only an unflattering appearance but also possibly mold buildup. A plumber will locate the source of the leak and determine how it can be remedied. Slow Drainage If one drain in your home is going slowly, you can just use a drain snake to get things flowing. However, if practically all of your drains are acting up, then it’s a sign you might be dealing with a bigger problem. There could be intrusions from nature affecting your sewer line. Keep a close eye on your drains and seek help if there’s any kind of remarkably slow activity from them.

What to Look for In An Air Conditioning Company

February 7, 2017

For most of us, a house represents the largest financial investment we’ll ever make. That means finding a company to handle your AC needs is of utmost importance, as well. The company you pick will be your partner in choosing and maintaining your home’s HVAC unit, which has consequences you might not have thought about. Since cooling and heating can account for almost half of a typical homeowner’s energy costs, making the right decision can have an impact on your financial well-being, in addition to the comfort of you and your family. For years, people in Massachusetts have trusted Aspinwall Baystate for their HVAC needs. We’ve assembled a list of things to consider when you’re looking for an air conditioning company to trust. It pays to seek out a firm with that gets consistently good reviews. Do your homework and see what the Better Business Bureau has to say, and check for consumer reviews on Yelp and other sites that post real-life feedback on local companies. An HVAC company should hire technicians who are certified by North American Technician Excellence. A NATE certification signifies a firm believes in hiring employees who are knowledgeable and know

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