Skip to content
APRIL SPECIAL — $400 OFF a New Heating or Cooling System! Contact Us to Learn More!
24/7 Emergency Service
Call 978-274-7820

Schedule Online

Should I turn my heat off during the day?

Saving on energy costs is a serious concern, especially in the winter.  Even though the cost of oil is lower than in the recent past, it always makes sense to save money on the fuel we use to heat our homes.  I am often asked about the value of turning the heat down, only to have to turn it up again.  People wonder if this wastes more energy than it saves, making the furnace or boiler work harder. A thermostat doesn’t work like a gas pedal, where pressing it down hard makes the engine work harder. Your thermostat tells your heating and cooling systems when to operate and when to stop - never how intense to work. A heating system bringing the room from 60 degrees to 70 degrees works just as hard at any given moment as one bringing the room from 50 degrees to 80 degrees.  The only difference is at what point the system stops itself. When it comes to heating systems, it never makes sense to leave them running when the heat isn’t needed. You can turn them down or off when not in use and you will conserve energy (and save money). The idea of saving energy by only heating rooms when needed is the entire idea behind smart thermostats, ones that you can program when the heat comes on and when it shuts off.  This way, you can program the thermostat to turn the heat down at 8 am -- around the time you leave in the morning -- and tell it to raise the temperature in the room around the time you return home, so you can come home to a warm house. In addition, you can create zones within your home using multiple thermostats so that each zone can be programmed individually. Smart thermostats also let users savm, be heating costs at night when family members are in their beds in just two or three rooms and the rest of the house is empty. Most people tend to sleep deeper and longer in a cool roout want to wake up to a warm house. The same principle applies.  Program the thermostat to turn down when it is bedtime and turn up again just before the family gets up in the morning. By using a smart thermostat, you can reduce heating costs twice in the same day - when the family goes to bed and when they go to work or school.
Much like Christmas lights, many homeowners don’t know when it’s time to shut down their air conditioning system for the season. Even with the end of the hot summer days, some people delay shutting it down just incase they get hit with an unexpected hot fall day, but no one wants to have to wade through snow to put a cover on the outdoor unit. Weather fluctuates from year to year, so there’s really no good day to mark on the calendar in advance. Our recommendation is to link the task to some other change of seasons task you’re already doing. For example, when you put away your patio furniture, cover your swimming pool, untie your hammock, winterize your lawnmower or put your motorcycle battery on a trickle-charger. Alternatively, you could wait for the first frost to hit. That’s a dead give-away that you won’t need to cool the house anytime soon. If you find yourself turning the heat on and you haven’t prepared your cooling system for the season yet, it’s time to get on it right away. Why it matters Some units, not all but some, have an internal heating system for the cooling system’s condenser. This keeps some of the liquids in the machine from freezing during operation. Unfortunately, the warmth can make an attractive nest for field mice once the cold weather hits. During the summer, the field mice have plenty of warm places to dwell in, but once it gets cold out they get desperate and will enter a condenser unit. Wilson Brothers technicians install an electric switch for customers in their electric panel marked “AC Condenser” that will stop all power from going to the condenser. Homeowners also need to go shut down their control panels for the season as well. Go outside and shut it off, but unless that power switch is thrown, electricity will still get to the unit. In addition, not enough people place outdoor covers on their condensers for the winter. The units are made to be outside year round and the refrigeration oils and other liquids can safely be left inside, but a cover is still needed to protect it from direct contact with ice and snow. Use only true factory-made covers for your specific outdoor unit. Some people try to make their own covers with blue tarps and bungee cords. While that does create a barrier for the elements, it lacks the ventilation that the proper covers have. The tarps will trap air inside and create a small habitat with trapped moisture inside. The condensation will pit and corrode the electric contractors and damage the unit.

Heat Pump Installation in Central MA

For every dollar of electricity you use on a heat pump, you get back $2 to $4 of heat. Now that is real energy efficiency! You see, a heat pump doesn’t “make” heat – it extracts heat from the outside air. A great example of a one-way heat pump is your refrigerator. It removes heat from the air inside the refrigerator and moves it to the coils on the back or bottom of the refrigerator. A heat pump uses the same principle – extracting heat from the air and moving it to where it is needed. The winter air holds heat, even when the outside temperature gets down to zero degrees Fahrenheit. Here’s how: when it is 47 degrees outside, an air-to-air heat pump extracts three units of energy for each unit of energy they consume. At 17 degrees, it extracts two units of energy for each unit of energy consumed. When the temperature dips even lower, that’s when your fuel-eating furnace kicks in. Heat pumps are reliable. In fact, studies show that after 20 years of operation, more than half of the heat pumps were still working. Of those that were removed, less than half were for mechanical failures. The rest were for other reasons, such as upgrading to a newer, more efficient model or a different size. Another reason to install a heat pump is that it “morphs” into an air conditioner in the summer. Instead of moving the heat inside, it reverses operation and collects the heat from inside the home and moves it outside. A heat pump is ideal for homes without ducts. No need to spend money to install ducts for central air. Your heat pump will provide cool air while saving energy and money. Mitsubishi Heat Pump, Ductless Heat Pump, Energy Efficient, Pepperell MA, Methuen MA, Lowell MA, Billerica MA, Townshend MA, Nashua NH, Tyngsboro, Westford MA, Littletone MA, Nashoba Valley MA

Heating and cooling your home accounts for about half of your home energy use. Installing a heat pump is an easy way to take a bite out of your energy bills while maintaining year-round comfort.

Five Reasons to Install a Heat Pump:

 
  1. Save money on energy year-round.
  2. Get air conditioning in the summer without ducts.
  3. Beautify your home by getting rid of window a/c units.
  4. Help the environment by using less oil or gas.
  5. Enjoy whisper-quiet operation and all-season comfort.
    6. Get a FREE ESTIMATE from Wilson Brothers today for more information about installing a heat pump and to set up an appointment for a no-obligation estimate. Heat Savings MA | Heat Pump Installations Pepperell, Westford, Lowell MA, Nashua NH, Littleton MA, Chelmsford MA, Groton MA, Ayer MA, Shirley MA, Leominster MA
    Winter heating costs are rising each year, but you can keep your heating bills to a minimum if you schedule routine furnace maintenance and follow other important tips for increasing furnace efficiency. Read on to learn about the top ways to reduce your winter heating costs. Turn Down Your Thermostat According to the California Energy Commission, turning down the thermostat one degree when it is in the 60- to 70-degree range will save you up to 5 percent on your heating costs. Instead of wearing just a t-shirt inside, set the thermostat to 68 degrees or lower and wear warm clothing. At night or when you are not at home, set the thermostat to 55 degrees to save up to 20 percent on your heating bill. Replace and Clean the Furnace Filter                                                A dirty filter restricts airflow, which increases the energy required to run the furnace. The furnace filter should be replaced every month during heating season, or cleaned every week if you have a long-lasting filter. Schedule furnace maintenance to ensure that your furnace is properly cleaned and lubricated to save up to 5 percent on your heating bill. Reduce the Hot Water Temperature If your dishwasher permits it, set your water heater to the normal setting, which is usually 120°F. For homeowners who previously had a higher setting, switching to the normal setting can save between 7 and 11 percent on your water heating costs. Seal the Doors, Windows, and Ducts Use caulking and weatherstripping to seal the leaks around the doors and windows. Use sealing products to seal pipes, vents, and the area around electrical outlets. Closing these gaps is inexpensive, but will result in a warmer house that is less expensive to heat. Contact Wilson Brothers for quality furnace repair in the Concord, MA area. Founded in 1987, we offer repair and installation services for heating and cooling systems. Call us at (888) 865-4162 or visit our website for more information about our furnace repair and maintenance services.

    More from Wilson Brothers Heating & Air Conditioning: Reduce the Hot Water Temperature, Save On Your Winter Heating Costs, weatherstripping to seal the leaks.

    Radiant floor heating provides direct heat to the floors of a house. By using infrared radiation technology, radiant floor heating is able to deliver heat directly from the surface to the people and objects in the room. Many homeowners who are performing a home addition will add radiant floor heating to make the new rooms more comfortable during the winter months. To find answers to your questions about installing radiant floor heating, read this article. How Does Radiant Floor Heating Work? Radiant floor heating systems circulate warm water through flexible plastic tubing called cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) found beneath or inside the floor. By carrying the warm water, PEX tubing is able to heat the floor to distribute even heat that does not create noise or even a draft. Can the Floor Get Too Hot? A high-quality radiant floor heating system delivers energy-efficient warmth without creating a safety issue for people, furniture, pets, or carpets. You can safely walk, lie, or sit on a floor heated by a radiant heating system. Wilson Brothers of Concord, MA has specialized in heating system installation since 1987. Our family-owned heating company can install a radiant floor heating system in your home without even needing to break up the concrete slab in your system. We also offer furnace repair, fuel oil delivery, and heating system maintenance. Call us at (888) 865-4162 or visit our website for more information about how we can help maintain the comfort inside your home all year long.

    More from Wilson Brothers Heating & Air Conditioning: How Does Radiant Floor Heating Work, radiant floor heating system.

    If you are looking to improve the way you heat your home, consider the advantages of electrically powered heat pumps. Cheap, effective, and eco-friendly, heat pumps are one of the simplest and best methods of providing heat to a building. Heat pumps are not only useful during the winter season; they are also useful to homeowners all year round. Read on to learn just some of the reasons that electrically powered heat pumps are so popular. They’re highly effective. Electrically powered heating pumps provide consistent and even heating throughout the area they are designed to heat. You won’t have to worry about a room’s temperature unpredictably rising and falling throughout the day; instead, you can keep it at the temperature you prefer. As a bonus, heat pumps operate with minimal noise. They’re more efficient. Unlike other types of heating systems, electrically powered heat pumps don’t run by burning fuel, but by transferring outside heat into your home. They generate much more heat than they consume energy, which means that you won’t have to pay as much in order to heat your home. In addition to helping you reduce your monthly heating bills, heat pumps are also one of the most environmentally friendly heating methods available. They’re also cooling systems. When the temperature starts to rise, most heating systems become redundant. However, heat pumps are different because they can also work as ductless air conditioning units when necessary. Instead of moving outside heat inside, a heat pump moves hot indoor air outside and cools down your home. When you are in need of HVAC service in the Concord area, contact Wilson Brothers. We are proud to provide all of our customers with high-quality heating and cooling service, exclusive warranties, and round-the-clock emergency services. Call (888) 865-4162 today to schedule an appointment, and visit our website to learn more about our services.

    More from Wilson Brothers Heating & Air Conditioning: high-quality heating and cooling service, HVAC service, best methods of providing heat to a building, advantages of electrically powered heat pumps.

    Great Job!! Cliff and Al were very professional and did a great job with our new system installation.They took pride in their work. Great Job!! Reviewed on Wilson Brothers Testimonial at 1/30/14 Reviewed by Mike B.

    More from Wilson Brothers Heating & Air Conditioning: new system installation, Wilson Brothers Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc., Wilson Brothers Heating & Air Conditioning MA Review

    Buying a backup generator for your home is a great way to guard against the possibility of a power outage. Once you’ve decided to purchase a generator, you will need to decide whether you want a whole-house generator or a portable generator. In part, this depends on the size of your home. If your home is small enough that all of your essentials—such as the refrigerator and your HVAC system—can be powered by a portable generator, you may not need a whole-house generator. If your home frequently experiences power outages, however, a whole-house generator may be a more convenient option for you. While portable generators must be switched on manually, a whole-house generator instantly kicks into gear whenever your home’s power is shut off. A whole-house generator also switches off as soon as your power is back on, which saves you from wasting energy. Eliminate one of life's interruptions.  Call Wilson Brothers today to learn about how easy it is for us to install a Generac Home Stand-by Generator in your home to ensure an uninterrupted tomorrow.  Available from 7kW to 45kW,  Generac Stand-by Generators are compact, dependable, and ready to provide electricity when you need it most!  Call Wilson Brothers for a home assessment to see what size generator is best for your home.  Since 1987, Wilson Brothers has been providing custom-designed heating and cooling systems to customers in New England. We offer the most energy-efficient HVAC equipment along with high-quality, capable service. Visit our website to learn more, and call (888) 865-4162 if you have any questions.

    More from Wilson Brothers Heating & Air Conditioning: whole-house generator or a portable generator, Buying a backup generator, custom-designed heating and cooling systems

    Is your home heating system ready for the upcoming winter? If your furnace is in need of replacement or repair, it is important to schedule a maintenance appointment before the cold weather begins to set in. Over time, your furnace will experience normal wear and tear, and may eventually need to be replaced. To make sure that you are not caught out in the cold this winter, here is an overview of some signs that it may be time to replace your furnace. Rising Heating Costs If your home heating bills have begun to rise, your increased heating costs may be a sign that it is time for a new furnace. As your furnace ages, it will begin to reduce in efficiency and effectiveness. Once you notice that your heating bills are much higher than normal, you may want to consider replacing your furnace. Inefficient Heating Inefficient heating is another sign that your furnace may need to be replaced. If your furnace is no longer functioning properly, you may notice that certain areas of your home remain cold, while others are too hot. By installing a new furnace, you will achieve consistent and comfortable heat throughout your home. Unusual Sounds Your furnace may begin making strange or unusual sounds when it’s time for a replacement. As the many internal components in your furnace begin to age, they can begin to make banging, popping, or rattling sounds. You may also hear your furnace blower making noises, even when the heating element is off. When it’s time to replace your furnace, do not hesitate to contact Wilson Brothers. We provide our many satisfied customers in the Concord area with a complete range of furnace installations, repairs, and maintenance. To make an appointment for your home today, give us a call at (888) 865-4162.

    More from Wilson Brothers Heating & Air Conditioning: Time to Replace Your Furnace, installing a new furnace, increased heating costs

    Tom When Patricia Stern joined the Devens Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry about 1 ½ years ago as Executive Director, one of her main goals was to create a steering committee to preserve their building, renovated in 2006, so that it will operate efficiently well into the future. One of the areas that had been neglected was the heating and cooling system which is sorely in need of servicing – a tune-up, change of filters, and whatever preventative maintenance that would help it to function optimally. Stern asked Tom Wilson, President of Wilson Brothers, HVAC in Pepperell to come in and “take a look at the system.” Wilson prepared a list of repairs and preventative maintenance that was necessary and presented a proposal with a total charge of zero dollars. “I’m not going to charge you for this work!” exclaimed Wilson. “Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry is a mission of love and faith to serve people of Ayer, Devens, Groton, Harvard, Littleton, and Shirley. This is just my way of giving back to the communities who have supported Wilson Brothers in the past.” Wilson contacted one of his vendors, Total Air Supply in Nashua NH and encouraged the owner, Sue Quintiliani to donate some equipment – in fact, they donated all the materials used, valued at more than $1,500. Sue explained, “This organization is important to the Wilson Brothers … so it became important to us to be a part of this project.” The work resulted in Loaves and Fishes being able to utilize an unusable part of the building they left vacant because they were not able to heat it properly. Now the building has two zones which provides even heat and lower utility bills. The Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry has a staff of four including Stern, a Site Administrator, Food Coordinator, and Client Advocate, a social worker who supervises the volunteers who work with clients. Stern explained that the facility serves more than 80 families in each of their two- to three-hour “shopping” sessions. In today’s challenging economy, the Pantry sees 8 – 10 new families each week. “The Pantry is driven by volunteers numbering more than 400 who do everything from legal work to sweeping the floors,” said Stern. She further explained that food donations typically drop off between February and April and again in summer when folks go on vacation and don’t think about the need to contribute food staples. “Our clients eat 52 weeks a year, so the need is year-round.” Currently, the shelves can use 100% juice, cans of tuna, jelly, Ramon noodles, chicken noodle soup and personal care products, such as shampoo, conditioner, soap, and toothpaste.” In early May, Wilson Brothers was asked to participate in the Post Office Food Drive which benefited The Pantry. Tom Wilson provided two of his trucks and two employees, Scott McIntire and Matt Blood, accompanied Tom to pick up the donations from the post office and delivered them to Loaves and Fishes. “We carted more than 80 boxes and filled the trucks – it was amazing!” exclaimed Tom. “We thought we were just going to deliver the donations, but it turned out to be fun! We got involved and met the Loaves and Fishes staff and volunteers. I’m sure we’ll do this again – it was pretty cool!” Loaves and Fishes accepts donations year round. Canned goods and non-perishables can be dropped off at The Pantry, located at 234 Barnum Road, Devens. Call 978-722-4627 or check the Web site for hours of operation: www.devenspantry.org.