Spring is here and summer isn’t far behind. For Boston, MA residents, that means stifling heat and humidity, which requires a reliable air conditioning system to successfully fight. If you have an older or outdated system, now is the perfect time to have it replaced, before the mercury creeps up too high. Before you pull the trigger, however, you need to make sure you’ve picked the right air conditioner for your needs. Here are 3 things to look for when replacing your air conditioning system.

Sizing in this case refers to the power output of the air conditioner. It needs to be sized properly for your home: too powerful and it will cycle on and off rapidly, increasing strain and using unnecessary amounts of energy. Not powerful enough and it won’t do the job effectively. A good technician can make the proper measurements and select a system that is perfectly sized for your needs.

Air conditioners measure their efficiency with a SEER rating, which stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. The higher the rating, the less energy the system wastes, and the lower your monthly bills will be. Look for a system with the highest SEER rating you can afford to maximize your system’s potentials.

Air conditioners are fairly straightforward, but there are a few bells and whistles you might want to consider. For instance, some models come equipped with UV lights and similar filters to improve the quality of your air, while others have multi-speed fans to let you better control the air flow. Any of all of these may help improve the quality of life in your home.

If you want to replace an outdated AC system with a new one, the professionals at FB Electrical Services, Inc. are standing by to help. Give us a call today!

If you’re experiencing shocks when you pull a plug out of the wall, or if you notice a spark when turning a particular electrical switch on and off, a faulty appliance or bad wiring may be to blame. Be careful to make the distinction, however, between an electrical issue and a shock that might occur after, say, crossing a carpet. The latter is caused by static and is not a serious issue.

Flickering lights are irritating, but they aren’t always cause for concern. They may just be flickering because of a faulty or loose bulb, so try swapping out the bulb in a flickering light before calling in a professional. If that doesn’t work, the wiring in your circuit breaker may need to be reworked, or there may be an issue with the connections in your light fixture.

If a bad burn-like odor emanates from the outlets and switches in your home, the first step you should take is to turn off the power from the electrical panel. The second step should involve placing a call to your electrician, who can tell you if the problem is with a particular device or a potentially serious wiring issue. Don’t ignore a burn smell – if left unassessed, it could lead to an electrical fire.

While some of these signs don’t always indicate a serious problem, others are cause for concern. When it comes to electricity, it’s always best to err on the side of caution, so if you’re experiencing any of these issues and can’t determine the cause, it is time to make a phone call.

While ductwork can be quite efficient and effective in its distribution of conditioned air throughout a home, this is only the case when that ductwork is in impeccable working condition. Air leaks in ductwork are among the most common causes of efficiency drops in residential cooling systems. By eliminating the need for air ducts entirely, you can eliminate the risk of such air leaks in your home.

When using a ducted HVAC system, you can also utilize a zone control system in order to better regulate the distribution of heated and cooled air throughout your home. With a ductless system, though, this level of control is just part of the package. Such systems use individual, wall mounted blowers in order to distribute conditioned air directly to the spaces in which they are installed. Each is controlled by its own, individual thermostat. This allows you, the user, to set different temperatures in different areas.

You can have a designated ductless AC system, but you may also choose to utilize heat pump technology in order to both heat and cool your home with one convenient system. When you do, your ductless mini slit system will be able to absorb existing heat from the air outside, and to use that heat in order to efficiently warm your home. Contact us today to learn more or to schedule ductless AC services with trained professionals.