Blogs from June, 2022

3. Frozen Air Conditioner Evaporator Coils

The job of evaporator coils is to absorb indoor heat. They won’t be able to do this if their surface is covered in dirt or frost. The system will become unstable because it is not working as intended. Components may overheat and the unit may shut off by itself to avoid damage.

Short cycling might ensue because of frozen evaporator coils. Don’t let this go on indefinitely. Instead, shut the system down to allow the ice to melt naturally. Wipe off the excess moisture before turning it back on. It should return to normal operation. If it doesn’t, then it’s time to call in the professionals for diagnosis and repair.

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4. Low Air Conditioner Refrigerant Levels

The refrigerant is a substance that goes around the air conditioner to move heat out of the house. There must be enough of it in the system for effective cooling. Leaks will gradually reduce the amount of refrigerant present, so there is less heat absorption with each cycle. The air conditioner needs to work harder to make the house cooler. Component strain may lead to short cycling.

Fixing this is a job for HVAC technicians. They have the tools necessary to measure refrigerant levels and find leaks. They can patch these up and add more refrigerant into the system, allowing operations to get back to normal.

5. Air Conditioning Electrical Problems

Short cycling may be caused by faulty wiring and damaged control boards. These can prevent the air conditioner from receiving the power it needs to operate. With inadequate energy, it may attempt to start but fail to sustain the momentum. Electrical problems are highly technical. It is a dangerous task for amateurs, and wrong moves can make matters worse. Only trained professionals should attempt to perform diagnostics and troubleshooting. They have the skills and experience to do these with confidence.

6. Bad Thermostat Air Conditioner Placement

Sometimes short cycling is the consequence of bad thermostat placement. Ideally, it should be in an area far from heat sources to ensure proper readings. If it is near the window or a heat-generating home appliance, then it might think that the room is hot even if the space is already cooling up. This will make the air conditioner work harder before shutting right back down again. Prevent this by shielding the thermostat from the sun and heat. If possible, relocate the device to reduce the unwanted influence.

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Reasons To Avoid Air Conditioner Short Cycling

1. Cooling System Damage

Air conditioners are meant to achieve their cooling goals in a gradual manner. They are not supposed to fluctuate between on and off states quickly. Operating in such a chaotic state will only stress the components, hastening the onset of wear and tear. If allowed to continue, the system will soon need parts replacement.

2. Soaring Energy Bill

Short cycling pushes the system to its limits. The most difficult part of air conditioner operation is the startup phase, and having to go through it in quick succession will require tremendous energy. Cooling systems are known to be massive energy consumers even when they are operating normally, so elevating this even further can be quite expensive.

3. Non-Uniform Temperatures

In a large house, occupants might find that some rooms are cool while others are not while the air conditioner is short cycling. The quick bursts of cold air won’t be able to circulate properly indoors. This will make some rooms uncomfortable during the day, forcing people to move to cooler areas.

Conclusion

Short cycling in air conditioners is a problem that deserves your immediate attention. If allowed unchecked, then it can harm the system, increase energy consumption, push bills up, and create temperature inconsistencies around a house. A homeowner should prevent it from happening in the first place through competent size selection with the help of HVAC professionals. Annual air conditioner maintenance will also be useful in avoiding future problems. Technicians will clean hard-to-reach areas and deal with emerging concerns right away, reducing the risk of short cycling.

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Jun 20, 2022 AC Short Cycling: Causes & Solutions

Evidence of Mold in Your Home Air Conditioning System

Because it’s so dangerous to have mold growing in your home, you have to be vigilant to spot signs of mold in your A/C equipment. Mold has a tendency to hide in most components of air conditioning systems where it isn’t always easy to see. More importantly, if mold spores never actually sprout, you may not be able to detect them at all with the naked eye. The best way to know if your air conditioner, ventilation system, or general living environment are affected by mold is to have a certified HVAC company take a look.

HVAC professionals have the skills and necessary experience for identifying mold problems even when mold spores remain microscopic. Understanding this, you should still be on the lookout for the following indicators of mold development:

• Dank, Musty Smells: Experts recognize dank, musty smells as being the very first and most evident signs of mold and mildew development. As such, if you have a musty smell in your home and cannot determine its actually source, this is likely an indication of a moldy air conditioner.
• Visible Evidence: Even though mold can be microscopic, especially when it’s still forming, it’s capable of producing spores as it develops and it will become increasingly visible even to the naked eye. It’s also important to note that depending upon how much light, moisture, and food is available, mold can present in various hues. Mold can be white, grey, black, purple, brown, red, orange or even green among other colors. Colored molds tend to be far easier to see.
• Health Problems: If one or all building residents or pests fall sick when your air conditioner is running, you should have your home cooling equipment inspected for mold. Common symptoms of health issues that may be mold-related include coughing, itchy and watery eyes, and sneezing. Some people may experience itchy skin, stuffy noses, wheezing, or other allergic reactions of this type. People with asthma are also likely to have more frequent and more severe asthma attacks.

How to Clean Mold Out of Your Home Cooling System

Understanding the risks involved in cleaning mold, is a task that is best placed in the hands of a trained HVAC professional. You should also note that only an experienced HVAC contractor will have the expertise and skills for competently managing problems of this type. Bearing this in mind, get in touch with a reputable HVAC company in your area so that they can inspect your cooling equipment, clean it, and properly maintain it. This will allow them to eliminate all mold and prevent it from forming again.

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How to Avoid Air Conditioner Mold in Your Home

As soon as you identify mold in your home cooling equipment, and contact a licensed HVAC company to deal with it, plenty of damage will have already been done. It is always easier and cheaper to prevent A/C mold than it is to resolve this issue once it’s already present in your air conditioning system. Regular A/C maintenance performed by qualified HVAC contractors can go a long way to keeping mold problems at bay. Your HVAC technician can prevent mold by taking the following steps:

• Disinfecting Your Air Conditioner: More often than not, professional disinfection of your air conditioner, your ducting system, and other aspects of the ventilation system is an effective way to kill of harmful microorganisms like mold. Qualified HVAC contractors use EPA-approved disinfectants when completing this task.
• Regularly Replacing or Cleaning A/C Filters: Depending upon how much pollution is in your home, you may want to clean the air filter in your air conditioner once every two weeks or even more frequently. This component should be replaced by your HVAC company once every 45 to 90, as per the United States Department of Energy.
• Using a Mold Inhibitor: Mold inhibitors are chemical applications that prevent mold and mildew from forming.
• Keeping Your HVAC Air Ducts Clean and Dry: Moist surfaces provide the ideal living environments for mold and mildew. Given that HVAC air ducts are prone to retaining lots of moisture, enlist your HVAC company to help you keep them nice and dry. HVAC companies can clean your air ducts, perform all necessary repairs, and replace any components that have been damaged by water or time.
• Have a UV Light Installed: UV lights kill nearly all microbes including mold and many types of bacteria making them an effective preventative measure against air conditioner mold.

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Conclusion

Air conditioner mold can cause serious damage to your home and multiple health issues across all building residents. This makes it important to hire a trusted HVAC company to perform regular air conditioning equipment inspections and cleaning. You can also get tips from your HVAC contractor on how to prevent mold growth in your home.

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Contact Townsend Energy for Expert HVAC Services

Townsend Energy provides superior HVAC services throughout Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine. We are staffed by friendly and highly trained technicians who all have professional certifications. They can handle your system tune-ups and repairs, and they can even replace or install all-new cooling equipment. With their service experience, they’re guaranteed to service your heating and cooling equipment correctly.

When you hire Townsend Energy for mold prevention and general HVAC services, you’re sure to get competitive pricing. You can additionally count on our maintenance services to save you energy, lower your carbon footprint, and improve your home comfort. If your HVAC equipment needs to be replaced, you can even count on us to help you find the right model. Everything that we do for our clients is backed by our solid guarantee. If you want to schedule an appointment, call Townsend Energy right now. Our onsite estimates don’t cost a thing.

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Jun 13, 2022 Air Conditioner Mold: Causes & Solutions

2. Condensation

Condensation will always be an issue regardless of the position of the tank. The air vents are designed to draw in moist air from the outside. Water vapor can condense into a liquid if the internal temperature is sufficiently low. Droplets can develop on the tank’s internal walls and finally fall to the bottom of the tank. If left unchecked, condensation will likely worsen over time despite the fact that only a few drops of water are present.

3. Groundwater

If there are openings around underground oil tanks, water can enter. This is concerning since the issue is not just with water entering, but also with oil escaping and polluting the soil. Damage to an underground tank of any kind requires professional attention.

What Happens if Water Infiltrates My Heating Oil Tank?

Due to the fact that oil floats on water, determining the presence of moisture just by observation is challenging. This becomes considerably more difficult when dealing with an inaccessible subsurface tank. It’s common for water to remain hidden for long periods of time. It will only become apparent if symptoms start to show.

Avoiding water damage in the oil tank is preferable to dealing with it after it has already occurred. Maintenance and inspections performed on a regular basis can save a great deal of time and frustration. For routine checks, put a water-finding paste to the bottom of the tank, near the area where water tends to accumulate (follow your manufacturer’s suggestions or a heating oil specialist). The presence of moisture is indicated by a change in hue. The presence of considerable amounts of water requires the prompt attention of an expert full-service oil supplier.

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How to Prevent Condensation in a Heating Oil Tank

Since you are now familiar with the dangers, focus your efforts on preventing further water from getting into the oil tank. Some simple methods you might want to consider are as follows:

1. Visually Examine the Fuel Oil Tank

Ensure that you inspect the outside of the tank on a regular basis for signs of damage including corrosion, paint flaking, and perforation. Check to see that all of the lids and caps are properly attached. Screw them firmly in place.

2. Perform a Water Test

Visual inspections will miss certain things; therefore, conduct regular water tests. Make an attempt to reach the cylinder’s bottom using a water-finding paste (see your manufacturer’s guidelines or a heating oil specialist). A soil contamination test will suffice for subsurface tanks.

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3. Protect The Tank From Excessive Heat

Consider installing the tank in the shade and protect it from the sun by coating the outside with a light-colored reflecting paint. This will assist in preventing condensation from taking place inside the tank as a result of significant temperature fluctuations outside.

4. Ensure That You Have an Adequate Amount of Oil in Your Tank

By allowing the fuel level to decrease to dangerously low levels, additional moist air is allowed to enter. As a result, condensation occurs more frequently. Make sure that you schedule an oil delivery on time in order to prevent this from happening. Maintain a full home oil tank during the heating season and the off-season.

5. Consult With Oil Tank Experts

Professional oil tank technicians can inspect and, if necessary, replace your heating oil tank. Additionally, they can offer guidance on the best site to guarantee a long life.

How To Drain The Water From Your Oil Tank

If a moisture test indicates that standing water exists, one of three ways must be performed to remove it. Always seek the help of a professional to deal with the situation. A professional may take the following measures, based on the circumstances.

A professional may take the following measures, based on the circumstances.

1. Drain

A sludge valve is located at the bottom of metal tanks. A specialist can open this to allow the water to drain. It’s possible that some oil will leak out from time to time, so they’ll collect and dispose of it.

2. Pump

Although plastic tanks lack this valve, you can transfer very small amounts of water using a hand pump. Depending on the volume of water, it may not be sufficient; in that case, consult with the experts.

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3. Absorb

Additionally, a professional may insert a water-absorbent sock into the tank to prevent moisture buildup at the bottom. Socks should be changed every couple of months. The old ones will have to be disposed of in an appropriate manner. An alcohol-based dispersant can also be utilized.

Consequences Of Failure To Drain Your Oil Tank

1. A Rusty Oil Tank

Individuals may feel that water is harmless and hence ignore the matter totally. However, over time, this irresponsibility may cause damage to the heating system. For instance, water can corrode the oil tank walls. Heating oil tanks made of steel tend to develop corrosion on the interior. If you look at it from the outside, you may be staring at a perfectly good cylinder that is slowly deteriorating on the inside. There will be future issues as a result of this weakening of the walls. This will result in a decrease in the system’s overall efficiency and effectiveness.

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2. Freezing

Because oil has a low freezing point, it is unaffected by the cold during the winter. Water, on the other hand, freezes when the temperature falls below 0 degrees Celsius or 32 degrees Fahrenheit, as is common in several areas. Frozen water in storage tanks can clog oil supply lines, resulting in a total system failure at a time when the household is desperate for heat.

3. Bacteria

Bacteria generally flourish in moist areas. Due to the presence of water in oil tanks, these bacteria can thrive. They might turn into sludge at the bottom of the tank. Additionally, they may produce acid, which increases corrosion in the tank, as well as the burners, filters, and fuel lines. This can cause significant complications.

Conclusion

An oil tank should never contain any water. Keep it out of the tank to avoid damage to the tank and heating system issues. Adhere to the preventative measures indicated here and, in more severe circumstances, seek expert assistance.

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Jun 6, 2022 Oil Tank Condensation: What You Need to Know

What Is Biofuel?

Biofuel is an eco-friendly and non-toxic renewable energy source for products made of petroleum. Biofuel is created using clean energy sources like soybean oil, used cooking oil, animal fats, and other agricultural by-products. They undergo a refinement process, so we get clean-burning fuels that pass the highest standards. ULSHO and biofuel are blended in different ratios to achieve environmental benefits.

Townsend Energy takes the climate crisis seriously. We are actively involved in climate action. We deliver BioPure™ Heating Oil to our customers in New England. BioPure™ Heating Oil reduces the fuel’s sulfur content by 99%. This ULSHO blend is sustainable and economical. Even better is that they are compatible with your current oil-powered heating systems, so homeowners do not need to modify their existing systems. Take climate action now and call Townsend Energy to learn more about this fuel.

What Are the Benefits of Reduced Sulfur Content?

The heating oil industry makes determined efforts against climate change. Many ideas have popped up on how heating oil as fuel can be improved for home comfort and carbon capture. One of the most successful improvements is the removal of sulfur from the liquid. The reformulation of heating oil to generate ultra-low sulfur variants means a cleaner burn. Only 15 parts per million are better for the operation of the system. To compare, low-sulfur heating oil has 500 parts per million while conventional heating oil has about 4,000 parts per million. According to studies, the change accounts for 70% reduced emissions than the standard level, which was already low from the start. Today, it is almost down to zero.

Decreasing the sulfur amount in the fuel also limits its accumulation inside the heating system. Keep in mind that this substance can damage the components and cause severe problems. Reducing the sulfur helps extend the unit’s lifespan, lower maintenance costs, and minimize system issues. These benefits can be obtained without the need for component upgrades or other system modifications.

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Greenhouse Gas Emissions

We need to focus on the target goals of net-zero emissions to achieve greenhouse gas emissions reductions. The oil industry is a hundred percent committed to net-zero targets to limit global warming.

Greenhouse Gasses

The definition of net-zero emissions is that all man-made greenhouse gas emissions are removed from the Earth’s atmosphere. This is done through emissions reduction measures like finding and using suitable alternative fuels.

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Global Warming

Most can agree that global warming is a climate crisis that has become a current severe problem. Therefore, it is crucial to make efforts on implementing renewable energy to limit global warming and have net-zero emissions.

Conclusion

A revolution is happening in the home heating industry. People want to be more environmentally friendly without sacrificing their comforts or budget. Fortunately, the industry has made viable solutions. Introducing ultra-low sulfur heating oil and the rise of renewable biofuel mean there are lower carbon emissions. Homeowners don’t have to worry about their furnaces producing greenhouse gasses. As a matter of fact, they can be sure of their significant contribution to the net-zero goal.

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Townsend Energy also delivers heating oil to homes and businesses in the area. We deliver an ultra-low sulfur heating oil called BioPure™ Heating Oil to help in reducing carbon emissions. The oil is compatible with your current heating equipment and is more environmentally friendly than conventional heating oil. It doesn’t cost you any extra money as well. We offer different delivery plans and financing options so you can customize your oil deliveries per your preferences and needs. Call us today to learn more.

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Jun 3, 2022 Explore Net Zero Emissions & The Oil Industry