April Showers are right around the corner! The flood season brings unique challenges to homeowners with water filtration systems. If you want to keep your water safe, maintenance is required.
Landry Mechanical has tips on how to maintain your water filtration system.
Is your water filtration system ready for spring?
Another Water Filtration System Installed By Landry!
Do Water Filters Need Maintenance?
A well maintained water filtration system removes impurities from your drinking and bathing water.
However, without proper maintenance, your water filtration system can let in chemicals like arsenic, lead, iron, and other contaminants.
Over time, the quality of your water can decline, exposing you to toxic pollutants.
Regular Maintenance can extend the lifespan of your system saving you money and protecting your investment.
Inspecting Your Water Filtration System
Inspecting your water filtration system is simple. Here’s a guide on what to look for.
Activated Carbon Replacement Filter
Activated Carbon Filters
Check for Clogs: If you have reduced water pressure, this may indicate a clog.
Replace Water Filter Cartridges every 6 months if they are made with activated carbon.
Sanitize: Periodically use a sanitizing solution to kill bacteria growth. Make sure its a solution recommended by the manufacturer of your system.
Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System
Reverse Osmosis Systems
Check Pre-Filters: Reverse Osmosis membranes are delicate and can become easily clogged. Make sure to check sediment filters, water polishers, and pre-filters for clogs.
System Flush: Run a system flush periodically to clear out build up
Water Storage Tank: Clean out your water storage tank every 2-3 weeks to prevent bacterial growth
Replace Filters: Replace your Reverse Osmosis Filters every 2 years or as often as the manufacturer recommends
Ultraviolet (UV) Water Sterilizer For Filtration
Ultraviolet Light Filters
Keep the quartz sleeve clean. This contains the light that purifies your water.
Check Electrical Connections: Make sure all electrical components are dry and connected properly
Change the Lamp Once Per Year for optimum disinfection and purity
Whole Home Water Filtration System
Whole Home Water Filtration
System Check: Inspect the entire system, including meters and gauges that could indicate issues. Check all connections for leaks
Check For Clogs: If you notice a reduction in water flow, check cartridges or filter media for clogs
When To Consider a Professional Inspection?
Water Filtration Systems can be complicated. It’s best practice to have a professional inspect your system to detect possible issues and resolve them properly.
Landry Mechanical Inc. offers a wide range of water treatment services including system installations, repairs, replacements, and routine maintenance.
Massachusetts Electrical costs have been rising for the past few years. In 2023, Eversource and National Grid announced increased electrical rates. Some of our customers have seen an increase of nearly 30%.
You can’t change the electrical rate. However, Landry Mechanical has some tips on How To Save on Electricity This Spring!
Optimize Your Thermostat
Most homeowners don’t spend much time considering their thermostats. However, they play a significant role in your energy bill.
First, pay attention to changing weather and adjust your thermostat accordingly. If the weather is cold, lower your thermostat. If the weather is hot raise the temperature on the thermostat.
This can help reduce the workload on your heating or cooling system saving you money.
Smart Home Thermostats Can Reduce Your Energy Bill!
Consider Using a Smart Thermostat
Using Programmable or Smart Thermostats can reduce your energy cost significantly. Take advantage of its adjustment and scheduling features. These will reduce your energy spend during the day when your away or at night while sleeping.
Don’t have a smart home thermostat? “Just Call Landry”. Our comfort experts can assist with repairing or replacing your current thermostat with a Smart Thermostat saving you money in the process.
Proper HVAC Maintenance
If you want to reduce your energy cost, proper HVAC maintenance is a must. Most manufacturers recommend maintenance at least once per year. Preferably, you should have it maintained twice per year, once during the spring and fall seasons.
Regular maintenance ensures your system is running at maximum efficiency, lowering your energy costs. Also, maintenance helps spot problems ahead of time before they become a larger issue.
Regular HVAC Maintenance Ensures System Efficiency, Reducing Your Energy Bill!
Thankfully, Landry Mechanical offers Heating & Cooling Maintenance services. Our comfort experts are here to help. We even offer maintenance plans that come with tune-ups included at no additional cost.
Optimize Lighting
Lighting is a huge portion of your electrical bill especially during winter months. There are some simple things you can do to reduce lighting costs.
Take advantage of Natural Light
If you’re home during the day, take advantage of natural light shining in. Open curtains and blinds during the day to light your home without electricity.
Using LED Bulbs In Your Home, Reduces Energy Costs and Generates Better Lighting In Your Home!
Switch To LED Bulbs
LED bulbs are a great way to reduce your energy bill. LED bulbs use way less energy than traditional bulbs and last longer. LED’s offer superior light quality enhancing the visual appeal of your spaces.
These are just a few of our best tips to save on electricity this spring. Landry Mechanical is here to offer top of the line HVAC, Electrical & Plumbing Services to help keep your home efficient this spring.
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI’s) are electrical safety devices that shut off power during faults. Installing GFCI’s in your home can keep you safe.
However, many homeowners don’t know why they’re important.
Landry Mechanical Inc. is here with a guide to understanding GFCI Outlets and Why They’re Important.
A common GFCI outlet
Protection Against Electrical Shocks
A key feature of GFCI outlets is that they detect ground faults.
According to spruce.com, “a ground fault occurs when a hot wire contacts either the grounding wire or a grounded portion of the system”
The main danger of ground faults is electrical shocks that happen when a person makes a contact with the past of least resistance.
GFCI’s prevent electrical shocks caused by ground faults
How GFCI’s Protect Against Electrical Shocks
A functional GFCI outlet prevents this by rapidly cutting off power in case of a ground fault.
GFCI’s can make your home safer than traditional outlets. However, they aren’t necessary in every area of your home. GCFI’s should be installed in areas that are near water or moisture.
GFCI Outlets are commonly found in bathrooms and kitchens. They should also be in areas with high moisture or outdoor areas
Some common areas for GFCI’s include:
Bathrooms
Kitchens
Laundry Rooms
Garages
Outdoor Areas
Basements
These areas often have water or moisture present that can make electrical shocks more common.
Don’t have GFCI’s in your bathroom or kitchen? “Just Call Landry” Our expert electricians excel at GFCI installations, electrical maintenance, and whole house safety inspections.
While it’s possible to install these outlets yourself, we’d recommend choosing Landry Mechanical to do so.
Landry Mechanical Inc. We Take COMFORT in YOUR Comfort!
This signals the start of the holiday season and for Central & Eastern Mass, winter weather is on the way!
However, colder temperatures put more strain on your electrical system.
Here at Landry Mechanical, we’re focused on efficiency, safety, and bringing comfort to your home. We’ve assembled our best tips for preparing your electrical system for winter.
Don’t wait till it’s snowing outside! Get your home prepared for Winter Weather TODAY!
Learn More About Your Electrical System
Do you know where your electrical panel is? If not, it’s a good idea to find it!
New England winters are harsh and lead to power outages and/or power fluctuations.
Inspect your electrical panel for signs of rust or corrosion. This means it’s time for a replacement!
The area around the electric panel should be clear of any debris so you can walk to it during an outage. Also, make sure all switches are functional and clearly labeled.
Summer is a season of warm weather, family barbecues, and time spent in the outdoors. The kids are off from school, and that means more stress on your plumbing system.
With all the summer fun, it’s easy to forget about the importance of seasonal pipe inspection and preparation.
Pipe problems often arrive when you least expect them.
Here are just a few of the common problems we see in homes.
-Low Water Pressure
-Pipe Burst or Crack
-Running Toilet
-Clogged Toilet, Garbage Disposal, or Drain
-Leaky Faucets or Spigots
You can save money by preparing your plumbing system for Summer.
Here’s how to prepare your Plumbing for Summer Time:
Make Sure Your Sump Pump Works Properly
Power up your sump pump and make sure it turns on.
Then pour a bucket of water into it.
If the pump is working it will process the water.
This is important because of summer thunderstorms and flooding.
If you don’t have a sump pump you should consider having us install one. If any part of your home is below ground level you will need one.
Long, harsh New England Winters can create massive plumbing problems you may not notice. Checking for leaks before or during Summer can give you the chance to fix problems before Winter returns.
You should inspect all appliances and equipment that use water inside or outside your home.
Here are some common areas/equipment you should check for leaks:
-Toilet
-Bathroom & Kitchen Faucets
-Bathtub or Shower
-Water Heater
-Outside or Underground Water Pipes
For the toilet, put food coloring into the tank, Then, see if the coloring leaks into the bowl without flushing. If coloring leaks into the toilet bowl it may be a sign of worn down hardware that needs replacement.
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Next, try wiggling the toilet back and forth. If the floor feels soft it may indicate a leak between the wax seal and the toilet.
For the bathtub or shower, inspect the grout around the edge and make sure its secured tightly to the tile wall. Missing grout causes water to leak under the tub or other areas it shouldn’t.
Check water heaters for signs of rust, leakage, or external damage. Look at the water heater and inspect the unit for corrosion, a flashlight will help you. Run your hand along the base of the unit to see if you feel leaking water.
Water heaters often contain mineral deposits from hard water and will need occasional flushing.
Releasing a few gallons of water from the bottom of the tank can remove deposits from your system.
For other parts of the plumbing system, you can check the water meter to find unseen leaks.
Make sure nothing in your home is using water then jot down the numbers on your water meter.
Check the meter again in 15 minutes. If the numbers have changed there may be unseen leaks in your system.
If you notice that one of your lawn areas has become particularly saturated buried water pipes are to blame.
Luckily, Landry Mechanical has plumbing experts that are able to solve theseplumbing problems. They also offerfast video inspections to check pipes to diagnose issues unseen with the naked eye.
Don’t Forget the Sprinkler System!
Summer is a great season for checking your sprinkler system.
Inspect and clean your sprinkler heads early in the season.
If you see any damaged or rusted heads you should remove and replace them.
Run each sprinkler zone and observe where it releases water. The sprinklers shouldn’t hit your foundation or any part of the house.
Under Pressure?
Good water pressure is necessary for a healthy plumbing system. You can check your household water pressure using a simple gauge. The household standard is 40-45 pounds per square inch (psi) and shouldn’t be higher than 60psi.
Connect a pressure gauge to the nearest exterior faucet. If your water pressure is higher or lower than the standard range, it’s time to “Just Call Landry”. Your main water line has a faulty regulator.
Stop The Clogs!
Do you have a slow drain or weak toilet flush?
People commonly encounter routine clogs, and they can typically resolve them with a plunger or auger.
If you see a weak flush or grey water in your tub after a rain storm it’s time for a professionalplumbing inspection.
Food or grease buildup can cause clogging in kitchen sinks. You can try flushing it with hot water or with clog-clearing chemicals.
For bathroom sinks, hair may be the cause of clogs. Using hot water or chemicals can release the clogs.
Cold weather heat pump technology is now available with incentives and rebates through mass-save programs.
Many homeowners wonder, are heat pumps right for Massachusetts Homes?
Ray Landry is the President of Landry Mechanical Inc. A Massachusetts based heat pump, furnace, and electrical contractor with locations in Shrewsbury, Charlton, Framingham, and Millbury.
He shares his thoughts on heat pumps below:
“New England has always burned fossil fuels, because of our uncertain winters, and old drafty homes. Heat pump technology has improved to create better HVAC systems for homeowners in Worcester & Middlesex County, with increased efficiency”
“Heat pump technology has advanced, but doesn’t mean that heat pumps are the best option for everyone!” Ray comments.
These are the top 3 reasons your home may not be a good fit for heat pumps.
1. Homes with Major Drafts
“Homes with loose construction have more hourly air changes, and will require a warmer supply air temperature then heat pumps provide to “feel” warm. Plus, when the temperature falls, your system may not be able to provide adequate heat.”
If you have a drafty home, don’t panic! A Mass-Save energy audit can set you on the right path to seal your dusty home!
Our team fixed a Mitsubishi ductless heat pump in Shrewsbury, MA that a different contractor had installed.
The chief complaint was the customers “were always feeling cold” even with the systems running all the time.
They struggled to reach 67 degrees indoors when outdoor temperatures dropped below 20 degrees.
During a test using an infrared camera, we discovered that the home had insufficient insulation. We determined this through a ‘J load’ test. After one of our home energy partners sealed the home, they solved the problem.
The heat pumps are now the correct size for the home’s needs. Our clients will no longer need jackets in their living room.
2. Homes With Leaky, or Undersized Duct Work
“Even the best HVAC system tied to a faulty duct layout will consume massive amounts of energy. Massachusettshas high electricity rates. Landry says that “improper design of a heat pump can lead to an expensive bill”
Therefore, an assessment of current ducting in place is important to make sure it’s adequate for supporting a new system.
(By the way, just because the old system worked with a flawed duct system, doesn’t mean it was better before. New systems are less forgiving and lack the safety feature that shuts down when detecting improper duct work.)
3. The Electrical Service Is Not Large or Modern Enough to Support a Heat Pump Installation
DANGER Overloaded Electrical Panel
“Heat pumps use a substantial amount of electricity. You must connect a primary heat pump system to an electrical service that is at least 200 amps. Homes over 2500 square feet typically fall into a 400 amp service requirement.
Consider your electrical system, its amp draws, and electrical permits during your heat pump design. We often see contractors who don’t understand the electrical code, and connect to under-sized circuits & panels.
Landry Mechanical provides expert electrical services, and we can include electrical upgrades, in our heat pump proposals when required”
How Do I Determine If a Heat Pump Is Right For My Home?
Our Comfort Advisorswill evaluate your home, perform sizing calculations, and explain heating systems in great detail.
2. Determine ROI (Return on Investment) For Your Project
Don’t just buy a system because of a rebate!
Massachusetts has expensive electricity.
If you deactivate your current HVAC system, you won’t be able to use it in the future. Also, you won’t be able to take advantage of savings if fossil fuel costs decrease.
Landry Mechanical’s HVAC experts can determine your ROI, and the best options for your home.
3. Hire Your Contractor of Choice, and Book Your Installation!
Expect action around your home during the installation. Our teams drill holes for pipes and perform mechanical work both inside and outside your home. We test each system and complete a thorough start-up process.
Now the best part… What does all this cost?
My Best Answer? It Varies!
Older homes in Westborough, MA will cost more to install a heat pump than newer homes in Shrewsbury, MA. A general (and broad) price range for HVAC installation cost (specifically heat pump installation in Massachusetts) is as follows:
Upgrading a central AC system to a modern heat pump can cost between $13,000 and $25,000. This price range exists because of the varying complexity of your homes’ electrical, duct work, and general infrastructure. A new ducted heat pump system installation in Holliston, Millbury, or Framingham, Massachusetts ranges from $35,000 to $65,000. Price can vary based on location, and various other factors.
Ductless heat pump installation costs in Massachusetts
A basic single room heat pump installation can cost as little as $7,000 and as much as $18,000 for complex projects. Multi zone systems can cost between $6,000 to $11,000 per zone. The price varies based on necessary electrical circuit or panel upgrades or if the lineset runs are long or complicated.
Massachusetts has different town or city regulations, building codes, and permits. This can add substantial costs in permit fees, inspections, and engineering.
I cannot stress enough to shop wisely during this process. Prices differ wildly between contractors.
Price Variation is effected by the following:
-Varying Size of Internal Support
-Quality of Installation
-Staff Vs. Subcontractors
-Post-Install Warranty & Service
-Training Quality
-Tooling Used
-Overall Company Structure
Landry Mechanical is a top heat pump installer in Massachusetts. They offer free in-home consultations to homeowners in Worcester and Middlesex county.
As a Mass-Save licensed HPIN contractor, we can help navigate the Mass Save heat pump rebate and loan process. Landry focuses on heat pumps, oil and gas heating, plumbing, electrical work, water filtration, and drain cleaning services. One call truly does it all!
iMarket Solutions has launched Landry Mechanical’s new custom website. To learn more about how iMarket Solutions can expand your presence on the web visit: www.imarketsolutions.com
Be sure to bookmark the Landry Mechanical’s blog to start learning the ins and outs of HVAC.
We’ll regularly post energy saving tips, how-to’s on troubleshooting your systems, and breakdowns on even the most complex industry related terms and concepts.
We offer next-day installations for AC, furnace, standby generator installations, and more to quickly get your system up and running.
Emergency Services
Our home services company is available for emergency services to quickly perform furnace repair services and AC system replacements.
We Excel In All 4 Trades
Unlike other companies, we don’t just say we specialize in all four trades—we truly do. Our AC and furnace service company, plumbing repair company, and electrical company have the expertise to handle all repairs properly.
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