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.

New England has had it's fair share of tough weather over the last few years. During the variety of hurricanes, nor'easters and blizzards, you may have found yourself without power for a long period of time. Here are a few reasons to invest in a generator for your home you may have not thought of.

Keep your furnace running in the cold weather or AC on in the summer. This will prevent pipes from freezing and keep your family, and pets comfortable.
Provide you with hot water heating.
Keep your sump pump system running.
Keep your stove running so you can cook and your refrigerator on so your food will keep.
Keep your alarm system on.
Provide power for computers, wi-fi and communications.
Continue to provide power for medical equipment.

How the Generac Standby Generator works:

When you experience a power outage in your home, your generac generator will detect there is a problem. Within seconds, it will automatically turn on and provide your home with power until the utility is restored, whether it’s 2 hours or 2 weeks. This works even if you’re not home so you can have peace of mind while you’re at work or away on vacation. Our Generac Generators also run off of propane or natural gas, which makes it easier to maintain as no manual fueling is necessary. You can have a generator power your entire home or you can run it for specific appliances. We’ll install your electrical hook up so there’s no need to run extension cords and hope that you have it done correctly. With the variety of weather we experience all year long in New England, a generator is a worthwhile investment for your home. Standby generators are also a good investment for your home's resale value, in addition to saving you money during power outages.

Save up to $200 on a Generac Home Stand-by Generator

Contact us today to get an evaluation of your residential needs for a standby generator.

Allergy sufferers can tell the exciting days of summer are almost over each year when they first step outside and start to sneeze or feel their eyes burn. Fall allergies, brought on by the increased pollen and mold spores in the air, cause havoc to 35 million Americans each year and without appropriate steps the suffering will continue inside their own homes. That’s why we sell and install indoor air quality systems, so one’s house can be an oasis of relief from fall allergies. Our systems are silent and can be connected directly to the home’s central heating or cooling system to prevent pollen and other unwanted particles from entering. They can be programed it to work continuously or only at certain times. But as helpful as all of that is, it’s not a complete approach to ending indoor allergy problems. Homeowners still need to make small efforts to keep their indoor air quality high, just as owners of a welcome mat still need people to take muddy boots off before they enter. Both the Environmental Protection Agency and American Lung Association recommend indoor air filters for people with allergies or asthma. The EPA also recommends some additional steps to maintain top-notch indoor air quality: *Choosing hard flooring over carpeting to give allergens fewer pockets to inhabit. *Use outdoor-venting fans in the kitchen and bathroom. *Keep pets out of bedrooms and outside as often as possible. *Ban all indoor smoking. *Keep heating and cooling systems maintained. An indoor air quality system does a great job of filtering air coming into the building and moving throughout it, but the result will be much better if air pollutants have no indoor sources or places to hide.

The hot days of summer can be a menace to your utility bills if you’re not careful. Here’s a trio of handy tips to keep cool and reduce your need to run your cooling system. We previously recommended clearing the filter on your cooling system at the beginning of summer. Well, even if you did it then it’s now a good idea to check it once more. Clogged filters slow down the air flow and make your system work harder than it has to. We recommend checking the filter every month. Remember that upright and ceiling fans do not cool rooms; they only cool people. The fan blades create a wind chill effect when they blow air on a person, but the heat produced by their motors actually warms makes the room slightly warmer. That means leaving a fan on in an empty room isn't just wasteful, it's counterproductive. Your outdoor grill is probably a hit at Fourth of July parties when you load it up with burgers, hot dogs and BBQ chicken, but don’t think that’s the limit of what you can use it for. Using the grill won’t heat up the house the way your oven will so use it every chance you get. The Internet is filled with tips on how to cook all sorts of things outdoors on the grill, including corn on the cob, lobster tails and even buttermilk biscuits.

Most people have Independence Day off from work, but your air conditioner will probably run longer than normal to comfort the people lounging around the house. Give the AC a break and cut down on your utility bill by using these simple tips to reduce the need for home cooling during your Fourth of July party. Go for a swim Going for a swim on a hot day not only cools you down while you’re in the water, but will leave you feeling cool and comfortable hours later. Now that it’s July, all of the local swimming holes, public beaches and neighborhood pools should be open. Show up early to beat the crowds and if you feel up for it, take a second dip in the late afternoon. Use the BBQ exclusively Traditional Fourth of July parties use the outdoor grill to avoid heating up the house, but some people still end up preparing side dishes inside using the oven or the top of the stove. Resist that temptation and limit the non-BBQ items to cold and room temperature foods like potato salad, chips and fruit salad that was prepared in advance. Block out the sun You should already keep your window blinds and shades closed during the day to stop your home from heating up, but don’t forget to shield your outdoor guests from the sun’s rays too. You can install a sunshade, umbrella or canopy pretty cheaply outside. If your garage naturally stays cool, consider opening the door and setting up some chairs inside to provide an oasis from the sunlight. Cut that hair! Now is the perfect time to change your hairstyle to a new summer cut, but even if you’re not making a radical departure, now might be a good time to trim things up to stay cool. As a bonus, you’ll get a chance to show it off to your family and friends at the party.

Air conditioning systems require regular maintenance to keep them working at highest efficiency, whether they are window units or central A/C.

The inner components can collect dust, dirt, and mildew, which can lower their operating efficiency and your home's air quality. Check the manual that came with your unit and follow basic procedures to keep it working properly. Here are Five Tips to get your system working properly:

Make sure the air conditioner is installed at least two feet away from foliage and 10 feet away from your dryer's vent. Trim foliage and clean up nearby debris to minimize dirt near the condenser unit. If you have an outdoor unit for central air, do not surround it with shrubs or solid fencing.
Clean or replace your air conditioner's filter every month during regular use. If you have dogs or cats indoors or if you live in a dusty area, you may need to change or clean it more frequently.
Be sure the drain line of your central air unit isn't clogged with mold and mildew, which can cause water to back up into the home. Pour a cup of bleach into the line's access hole each spring. If a clog occurs, place the nozzle of your wet/dry vacuum over the line's opening to suck it out.
Wipe off the housing when it becomes dirty and then remove it. Sweep any debris away from the inner components with a paintbrush. If the aluminum fins are bent, contact a repair person to adjust them.
Contact a service technician yearly to inspect the condenser and evaporator coils which may require chemical cleaning. The technician can also check the motor and electrical components to ensure that everything is functioning properly.
If you have questions about proper air conditioning maintenance or to schedule an Air Conditioning Tune-Up, Lowell, Nashua NH, Burlington MA, Chelmsford MA from the All Season Comfort Specialists, call Wilson Brothers today!

800-498-5373 or 978-433-5373

Spring has Arrived! (Thankfully)

With the melting of the huge amount of snow we experienced this winter combined with April Showers, the threat of flooding is always a risk. Here are Ten Tips to help you control ground water around your house, which is the source of most basement flooding ... AND to limit damage should you experience a wet basement. 1) Make sure your roof gutters are clean and clear of obstruction. Spring Cleaning - gutter maintenance to avoid spring flooding, or leaks.

Spring Cleaning - gutter maintenance to avoid spring flooding, or leaks.

2) Check the downspouts on your house. Does water flow freely out of the bottom opening? Make sure the water discharges a few feet away from the foundation wall and that it has an unobstructed path that leads it well away from the house. Center splash blocks under downspouts so the water is directed properly. If you have downspout extension pipes, make sure they are connected and pointed in the right direction to lead water away from the house. 3) To prevent window wells filling with water, cover them with plastic well covers or a sheet of plywood that leans against the house. 4) Make sure garden borders, debris and mulch do not create dams that hold surface water up next to the house. 5) Inspect any exposed walls inside your basement. Caulk any gaps or cracks. 6) If you have a sump pump, make sure it is plugged in and working. Check it by dumping a few gallons of water into the sump pit and confirm that it drains the water properly. If you don't have a sump pump, consider getting one now, especially if you have had problems with wet basements in the past. 7) If you have an interior drain in the basement floor, be sure that it is clear. 8) A backwater valve will stop water and sewage in an overloaded sewer line from flooding back into your basement. 9) Pick up boxes and anything that is vulnerable to water and put them on shelves or put down oak pallets under boxes to lift them up a few inches or more off the floor. 10) Remove important documents, files, photos, or memorabilia from the basement to avoid mildew or ruin if the basement does get flooded.

Save up to $200

On a Generac Home Stand-by Generator!

Power Outages Should Not Be an Acceptable Way of Life!

Don’t let another Northeast power outage cause major interruptions in your life! Wilson Brothers can save you up to $200 on a Generac Home Stand-by Generator that will make the next loss of power less traumatic!

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. And for a limited time, you can save up to $200! Available from 7kW to 45kW, Generac Home 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.

Those Icicles Can Spell Trouble!

This unusually cold and snowy winter has all the ingredients for disaster to develop on the roof of your home!

Icicles hanging along the eaves of your house may look pretty, but they can cause lots of problems. Icicles can foreshadow the formation of ice dams along the eaves - thick ridges of solid ice that can tear off gutters, loosen roof shingles and cause water to back up and leak into the house. Here's how ice dams form. Snow collects on the roof. Ice accumulates along the eaves. If heat is escaping through the roof or if the sun is shining on the roof during the day, the ice begins to melt. Lower night temperatures re-freeze the ice into thick blocks in gutters and along the eaves.

What can be done to prevent or remove ice dams? Here are some tips:

1) Pull off snow on the roof with a long-handled aluminum roof rake while you stand safely on the ground. Take off at least the first four feet of snow from the edge of the roof toward the peak. If you have a flat roof, you made need to remove all the snow to prevent a roof collapse.

2) Be careful when attempting to remove ice dams with a hammer, chisel, or shovel. That can cause damage to the roof or gutter. Don't throw salt on them either, as the salt can damage plantings below. Instead try this: Fill the leg of discarded pair of panty hose with a calcium chloride ice melt. Lay the hose onto the roof so it crosses the ice dam and overhangs the gutter. If necessary, use a long-handled garden rake or hoe to push it into position. The calcium chloride will eventually melt through the snow and ice and create a channel for water to flow down into the gutters or off the roof.

3) There are oversized "tablets" made of ice melt that can be tossed onto the roof to stimulate melting of snow and ice.

4) If you are already experiencing a leak in the roof, take a box fan into the attic and aim it at the underside of the roof where water is seeping in. This cold air will freeze the water in a manner of minutes.

Next winter, before the snow arrives, you can take the following precautions:

1) Equalize the roof temperature by attaching heated cables to the roof's edge in a zigzag pattern.

2) Ventilate eaves and ridge. A ridge vent paired with continuous soffit vents circulates cold air under the entire roof. Both ridge and soffit vents should have the same size openings and provide at least one square foot of opening for every 300 square feet of attic floor. Place baffles at the eaves to maintain a clear path for the airflow from the soffit vents.

3) Be sure your attic hatch is sealed or your whole-house attic fan is covered with weather stripping to prevent heat from escaping from the attic.

4) Make certain that any ducts connected to kitchen, bathroom, and dryer vents lead outdoors through either the roof or walls ... never through the soffit.

5) Add insulation to the attic floor which will keep the heat where it belongs - in the house and not escaping through the roof.

6) Check the flashing around the chimney and dormers. Be sure to use steel flashing held in place with unbroken beads of a fire-stop sealant. Don't use canned spray foam - it isn't safe!

7) Be sure that you have fiber-reinforced mastic on the joints of HVAC ducts and exhaust ducts. They should be covered with R-5 or R-6 foil-faced fiberglass.

8) Seal around electrical cables and vent pipes with a fire-stop sealant. Look for spots where light shines up from below or the insulation is stained black by the dirt from air flow.

Resource: This Old House www.thisoldhouse.com

The holiday season is upon us. You may be wondering how you can save a little extra on your energy and heating bills, whether you’re traveling or hosting family. Here are a few tips from Wilson Brothers to help you keep a few extra dollars in your pocket this holiday season.

Hosting:

While hosting guests at your house you may feel the need to crank up the heat for them. The opposite is actually true. Before guests arrive in your home, drop your thermostat by 2 degrees and allow your guests to “naturally” heat your home.
Turn down or turn off the heat in the kitchen. You’re likely to have the stove and oven cranked all day. Consider turning off or turning down the heat in your kitchen. Let your food prep help to heat your home and this will also keep you more comfortable while cooking. Once you’re done cooking, open your oven door and let the heat of the oven out (if it’s safe to do so, be careful of pets and little ones). This heat will keep your kitchen warm for additional time after dinner.
Burn smartly. If you plan to have a fire or run your wood stove, turn down that heat! The fire is fueled by the air in the room, so once the flame is out, your furnace works overtime to replace that warm air.
Make your thermostat work for you. Programmable thermostats are your best friend all year long, but can be especially helpful during the holidays. Program it to be lower when no one is home and when you’re asleep.
Use the sun wisely. Open your shades on the windows that get sun. You’ll be amazed as to how much this can warm up your home!

Thermostat Installation, Heat Savings Heat Pump Installation, Hot Water Heater Installation, Westford MA, Chelmsford MA, Lowell MA, Nashua NH, Dunstable MA, Groton MA, Ayer MA

Traveling:

Thermal curtains and insulation. While you’re planning to be away, your house won’t be inhabited so it will make it more difficult to keep it warm. By insulating doors, drafts and leaks in your system before you leave, you’ll keep your empty home warmer and more efficient.
Turn down that hot water heater. If no one is home, you’re hot water won’t be running. Turn your hot water heater down to low or “vacation mode”. Just remember to turn it back up when you return and a few hours before you jump in the shower.
Turn down your thermostat but not too much. We live in New England, we know storms, power outages and sudden cold snaps happen. Turn your thermostat down to 58-60 degrees. This will keep your house warm enough to prevent pipes from freezing.
Have a neighbor keep an eye out. If the weather is expected to make a turn for the worse while you’re away, have a neighbor turn your heat up in case of a power outage.
Turn off all space heaters. This is the number one cause of fires during the winter. Leaving a space heater on while you’re away can result in your home being a lump of coal when you return.

Should I turn my heat off during the day?