Regular filter replacements help maintain the efficiency of your heating and cooling equipment. A regularly replaced air filter will also improve airflow, increase heating and cooling performance and cause less stress or wear and tear on the system. It is important to replace your filters regularly to keep your home free from dust, pollen and other contaminants.

Different system may have different filter locations. The first place to look is at the indoor equipment. The filter door is generally located on the return duct side of the furnace or fan coil. On some older systems the filter may be located in the furnace or fan coil cabinet in the blower compartment. If you are having trouble locating your filter or think you may not have a filter installed please call Lamco and we can walk through it with you.

Is it making strange noises? Is it cooling or heating all areas of your home sufficiently and evenly? Has it been taking longer to cool or heat the space? Have your utility bills been rising for no apparent reason? Any of these are signs that you may have a problem that needs service.

Regardless of what kind of system you have or how big your HVAC system is, to maintain optimum efficiency and to catch early warning signs of potential HVAC breakdowns your system should be inspected and serviced at least once a year. We recommend twice as some seasons may be harder on your system from year to year

It is important to maintain proper levels of humidity in the home. Too much humidity in the home and condensate can build up on the windows and mold and allergens can thrive. Too little humidity and you may experience dry skin or a sore throat. Also to little humidity can cause static electricity damaging electronics. The ideal level of humidity is between 35 and 45%. Another benefit of ideal levels of humidity is comfort and energy saving, you feel warmer so you may be able to set the thermostat to a lower temperature saving energy.

SEER– Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio- the SEER rating of a unit is the cooling output during a typical cooling-season divided by the total electric energy input during the same period. The higher the unit’s SEER rating the more energy efficient it is and will cost you less every time you turn the system on. Since 2006 the government mandated minimum SEER is 13 in the Northeast region of the country. Currently systems range in Seer from 13 up to 33.

EER-Energy Efficiency Ratio- EER is a measure of the efficiency of a heating or cooling system, as a heat pump or air conditioner, equal to the ratio of the output in B.T.U./hour to the input in watts. The difference between SEER and EER rating is the EER is the measured efficiency at peak load and Seer is over a cooling season.

HSPF– Heating Season Performance Factor- Similar to SEER, it is a measurement of efficiency of the heating portion of a heat pump. HSPF ratings range from 6.8 to 13; high-efficiency units have efficiencies of 8.5 HSPF or above.

AFUE– Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency- A measurement of the percent of heat produced by a furnace for every dollar of fuel consumed. The higher the AFUE rating, the lower the fuel costs. All furnaces manufactured today must meet at least 78%. Efficiencies above 90% now are considered High efficient. Current systems are achieving AFUE ratings of up to 98%.

The answer is yes. Lamco has a few different solutions to get central cooling. A free consultation with a Comfort specialist can help you determine what the right approach is for you and your home.

No, and it may be worse for you than an undersized system. An oversized system to start is more costly to purchase than the properly sized smaller system and it will use more energy during operation. A larger than required unit will also have frequent on and off cycles because it is heating or cooling the space too quickly. This frequent cycling causes a lot of wear and tear on equipment and will reduce the lifespan of the equipment and inconsistent temperatures in the space. Properly sizing your system is critical to will require some careful calculations from your Comfort specialist.

A crack in the heat exchanger allows carbon monoxide to escape into your home. You may experience dizziness, flu-like symptoms, or even death by asphyxiation. Carbon monoxide limits the body’s ability to take in oxygen. This is an extremely dangerous situation to have in the home, because the effects of carbon monoxide poisoning may be gradual and undetected.

Two-stage heating means a furnace has two levels of heat output: high for really cold winter days and low for milder days. Two-stage furnaces start in the first stage, instead of reaching full capacity all at once. That means there is no sudden blast of air. You will find that low stage heating will keep the home comfortable most of the time while allowing the unit to run for longer periods and provide more even distribution of heated air. Because the furnace operates mostly in its lower-capacity first stage, it burns less fuel than a furnace that always runs at full capacity and then has to shut off when the heating demand has been met.

Boiler refers to a hot water heating system and a furnace is a hot air heating system

The answer is yes but you need to keep in mind that the AC unit needs to breathe. Maintain some distance from the unit and avoid invasive plants or ground cover that will grow into the unit.

The very first thing to do is check the thermostat and make sure it is calling for heat or air conditioning. If the screen is blank you likely need to replace the batteries. Check power to the equipment. Look in the circuit breaker box to see if the breaker is in the on position. Check the switch at the furnace or AC unit to make sure it wasn’t turned off accidentally. Check the GFCI outlet at the furnace and make sure it hasn’t tripped. This is a safety outlet like the ones you might find at the bathroom vanity. If the thermostat is calling and you have power to the system and the HVAC is still not working call our Service team at Lamco. We are available 24/7 for your assistance

If you notice discolored water, odd metallic odors, water leaking around the unit, lukewarm water instead of hot, or clanging and banging noises, it’s time to call a professional. Boilers are closed systems, so any leaks or strange smells should be inspected by our technicians immediately to prevent failure.

If your furnace requires frequent repairs, is causing your energy bills to spike, or is over 15 years old, a replacement might be the most cost-effective option. However, if the issue is minor, a quick repair may suffice. Our team can inspect your unit and give you an honest recommendation based on the condition of your heat exchanger and internal parts.

A freezing condenser is often caused by restricted airflow (like a severely clogged filter) or low refrigerant levels. If it's making loud whining or clanging noises, you may be dealing with a failing fan motor or compressor issue. Turn the system off to prevent further damage and call our 24/7 emergency service team for a fast diagnosis.

Bigger is not always better. An oversized unit will cool the house too quickly and shut off (short-cycling), leaving your home humid and putting excess wear on the equipment. An undersized unit will run constantly and drive up your energy bills. Our Comfort Specialists perform careful calculations based on your home’s layout to find the perfect fit.

Absolutely. Modern heat pump technology has advanced significantly, making them highly efficient even in cold New England winters. They provide both powerful heating and cooling in one system, making them a very cost-effective, year-round solution for our local climate.

Yes! Ductless mini-splits are excellent all-year solutions. They provide targeted, energy-efficient cooling in the summer and reliable heating during the winter without the need for traditional ductwork. They are perfect for older homes, additions, or rooms that are chronically too hot or too cold.

We proudly provide comprehensive heating, cooling, and boiler services to Tyngsboro, the greater Merrimack Valley, North Shore Massachusetts, and Southern New Hampshire. If you are experiencing a heating or cooling emergency in these areas, our team is available 24/7 to help.