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FAQ
Cleaning Stages of Oil and Gas Furnace
- Oil and Gas Furnace Differences: Cleaning oil and gas furnaces involves distinct processes. For oil furnaces, the oil burner requires special attention—it’s essential to clean and tune the oil burner to ensure efficient operation. This step is unique to oil furnaces and is not required for gas furnaces.
- Blower Motor and Filters: Both oil and gas furnaces need regular maintenance of their blower motor compartments. This includes thoroughly cleaning the blower motor and replacing the air filters. Keeping these components clean ensures that the furnace operates efficiently, reduces wear and tear on the system, and maintains good indoor air quality.
- Flue Pipe and Exhaust Chambers: Another critical step in maintaining both oil and gas furnaces is the cleaning and inspection of the flue pipe and exhaust chambers. These components must be vacuumed out to remove soot, debris, and any potential blockages. Inspecting these areas is crucial for safe operation, as any obstruction could lead to dangerous conditions such as carbon monoxide buildup.
- Oil Burner Cleaning and Tuning: For oil furnaces, the cleaning and tuning of the oil burner involve several specific tasks:
- Changing Filters: The oil tank filter and the pump screen filter are replaced to ensure a clean supply of oil to the burner.
- Drawer Assembly Maintenance: The drawer assembly, which houses the oil burner components, is cleaned and adjusted. During this process, the furnace electrodes and the nozzle are inspected and replaced if necessary.
- Checking Oil Pressure: The oil pressure is checked and adjusted to ensure it is within the manufacturer’s recommended settings. Proper pressure is crucial for efficient combustion.
- System Setup and Combustion Analysis: After the burner has been cleaned and tuned, the entire system is set up according to the manufacturer’s specifications found in the burner manual. The furnace is then fired up, and a combustion analyzer is used to measure and adjust the oil-burning parameters. This step ensures the furnace operates at peak efficiency and within safe limits.
- Report and Smoke Test: A printout report is generated from the combustion analyzer, providing a detailed overview of the system’s performance and any adjustments made. Additionally, a smoke test is conducted during the burn to ensure that the combustion process is clean and efficient. This test checks for the presence of soot or other combustion byproducts, which could indicate incomplete combustion or other issues.
This comprehensive approach to cleaning and maintaining oil and gas furnaces ensures their longevity, efficiency, and safety, helping to prevent breakdowns and ensuring optimal performance throughout the heating season.
Fall is the best time for winterizing your Home.
1- One of the simplest things a homeowner can do to protect their real estate investment is to shut off the main water supply if they are going to be out of the their house for any length of time.
Water does the most damage to any piece of property whether it is your primary home or a second home. One of the simplest things to do is to winterize the house or a property you might not be in through the winter months or you will visit in frequently through winter.
2- If you have a hot water heating system you can Glycol the system to help prevent baseboard and heating coils from freezing.
Winterizing Glycols are not harmful to the environment and or to your plumbing system.
3- If you are going away for a weekend or longer get into the habit of shutting down the main water supply.
4- After closing off the main water supply drain down the system to the lowest point.
This can be a basement bathroom or slop sink or even drawing water off the bottom of the water heater.
Living through a remodeling project is difficult. Your world is upside down and washing dishes in the tub is no fun. Some people pretend that they are camping in their home and look at it as an adventure. For a large scale project, securing temporary housing is optimal.
We help our clients select all of the materials, products, colors and fixtures before we apply for a building permit. This helps the building team to finish on time or ahead of schedule.
Our philosophy and process is all about you and your needs and goals. Our goal is to guide you through the design process and confirm that your ideas can be built.
We will make design suggestions, but ultimately you have the final decision.
Defining a realistic financial investment range upfront helps homeowners reduce the risk of over-spending and prevents the design team from over-designing the project.
Generally that depends on the scope of work. Our 3D design communication tools can increase design productivity and reduce the number of design meetings. Having the build team involved with the design process improves construction efficiency.
Yes. Simple projects remain simple to build if the design team has provided easy to read building plans.
Call a builder who can offer professional residential design or a designer who will partner with building professionals.
Because it makes planning so much Easier, Quick and a LOT of Fun!
At Chelmsford Plumberworks, we believe that empowered homeowners make informed decisions. That’s why we created this in-depth FAQ resource. Whether you’re dealing with a dripping faucet, a noisy furnace, or an AC that just won’t cool, you’ll find expert answers here.
We’ve grouped the most common questions by category—plumbing, heating, cooling, and water heaters—so you can quickly find the information you need.
Plumbing
Q: Why is my faucet dripping even after I turn it off?
A dripping faucet is usually caused by a worn washer, cartridge, or O-ring. Not only is it annoying, but it can waste hundreds of gallons of water each year. Our licensed plumbers can replace the faulty parts and stop the leak.
Q: What causes low water pressure in my home? Low water pressure may come from sediment buildup in pipes, corroded plumbing, or hidden leaks. Sometimes the issue is in the municipal supply. We diagnose the cause and restore steady pressure.
Q: How can I prevent clogged drains? Avoid pouring grease, coffee grounds, and non-flushable items down your drains. Scheduling professional drain cleaning once a year helps prevent backups.
Q: Do you offer 24/7 emergency plumbing services? Yes. Burst pipes, sewer backups, and sudden leaks can happen anytime. Our Chelmsford emergency plumbers are on call day and night.
Heating
Q: How often should I service my furnace or boiler? Once a year. Annual maintenance ensures your system runs safely, efficiently, and reliably during New England winters.
Q: What are signs my heating system is failing? Uneven heating, frequent cycling, banging or whistling noises, yellow pilot lights, or rising energy bills all indicate it’s time for professional service.
Q: Is it worth upgrading to a high-efficiency heating system? Yes. Modern boilers and furnaces, including Navien combi boilers, use less fuel and deliver better comfort. Rebates and tax credits may be available for upgrades.
Q: Do you handle both gas and oil heating systems? Absolutely. We service gas, oil, and electric systems, as well as radiant and hydronic heating.
Cooling
Q: Why is my air conditioner blowing warm air? Warm air could mean low refrigerant, dirty condenser coils, clogged filters, or compressor problems. A professional inspection pinpoints the issue.
Q: How often should my AC system be serviced? At least once a year, ideally before summer. Regular maintenance helps lower energy bills and reduces emergency breakdowns.
Q: What’s the benefit of a ductless mini-split system? Ductless systems, like Samsung mini splits, allow for room-by-room temperature control, improved efficiency, and a quieter, cleaner home environment.
Q: Why does my AC leak water? Condensate drain line clogs or frozen evaporator coils often cause leaks. If you notice water pooling, call us quickly to prevent damage.
Water Heater
Q: How long should my water heater last? Tank water heaters generally last 8–12 years. Tankless systems can last 15–20 years with regular maintenance.
Q: What are signs I need a new water heater? Rusty water, rumbling noises, leaking tanks, or frequent breakdowns are clear signs it’s time to replace your unit.
Q: Are tankless water heaters worth it? Yes. They deliver unlimited hot water, take up less space, and use less energy. We install and service top tankless brands in Chelmsford.
Q: Do you provide emergency water heater repair? Absolutely. If your hot water suddenly stops, we provide same-day and 24/7 emergency repairs to restore comfort fast.
General HVAC & Home Service
Q: Do you offer maintenance plans? Yes. Our service plans include seasonal checkups for plumbing, heating, and cooling systems, giving you peace of mind all year long.
Q: Do you serve both residential and commercial properties? We do. From single-family homes to apartment complexes and small businesses, we deliver reliable plumbing and HVAC services across Chelmsford.
Q: How quickly can you respond to service calls? For emergencies, we’re available 24/7. For scheduled services, we offer prompt appointments at your convenience.
Stay Comfortable Year-Round with Chelmsford Plumberworks
Your home deserves dependable systems for plumbing, heating, and cooling. If you didn’t see your question above, don’t worry — our team is always ready to provide answers and service.
Call Chelmsford Plumberworks today at 978.251.2994 to schedule your next service in Chelmsford, MA, and enjoy comfort and reliability all year round.
Manufacturers that We Have Been Working With for more than 30 Years
