

For the second year in a row, Total Comfort Mechanical Heating and Air Conditioning Specialists have earned the coveted Angie’s List Super Service Award, reflecting another exemplary year of service provided to members of the consumer review group.
“It’s a mark of consistently great customer service and value,” said Angie’s List Founder Angie Hicks, “only about 5 percent of the HVAC companies in Massachusetts are able to earn the Super Service Award.”
Angie’s List Super Service Award winners must meet strict eligibility requirements, which include an “A” rating in overall grade, recent grade, and review period grade; the company must be in good standing with Angie’s List, have a fully complete profile, pass a background check and abide by Angie’s List operational guidelines.
Service company ratings are updated daily on Angie’s List (www.angieslist.com). Service Providers are graded on an A through F scale in various areas, including professionalism, affordability and even punctuality.
“I am absolutely thrilled that Total Comfort Mechanical is being honored with this accolade from Angie’s List,” said HVAC expert and owner Wendell DePaiva. “When we hear that our customers are satisfied beyond their expectations, we have fulfilled our goal.” Total Comfort Mechanical has been serving the cities of Burlington, Lexington and surrounding New England areas since 2009.
To contact Burlington’s “people’s choice” heating and air conditioning service, call (718) 697-9016 or visit: http://totalcomfortmech.com.
This entry was tagged Burlington MA, Heating, Air Conditioning and posted on December 31, 2014
Everything you wanted to know about Air Conditioning
HVAC (Heating - Ventilation - Air Conditioning) can sometimes be overwhelming. Here we'll break down some of the most commonly used terms in the business, so the next time you call your heating and air conditioning service specialist for help, you'll impress the expert!
Air Conditioning, HVAC for Dummies
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Air conditioner: A mechanical device used to control temperature and air movement in a confined space.
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BTU/H: (British Thermal Units per Hour): A measure of cooling or heating capacity.
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Capacity or Load: A refrigeration rating system usually measured in Btu/h.
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Compressor: A refrigeration or air-conditioning system pump that circulates refrigerant through pipes between an outdoor and indoor unit using pressure.
- Ductless Mini-Split: Ductless systems consist of one or more outdoor compressor units and indoor air-handling units, called “heads”, linked by a dedicated refrigerant line. There is no ductwork required.
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External Static Pressure (ESP): Measure of static pressure losses from ductwork, fittings, dampers, grills, and any other devices located in the airstream.
- Freon: See Refrigerant.
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Heat pump: An air conditioning system that provides either heating or cooling - because it can reverse the direction of refrigerant flow.
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HSPF (Heating Season Performance Factor): A rating of the seasonal efficiency of a heat pump unit when operating in the heating mode.
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Indoor unit: The air handler of the air conditioning system. It contains a heat exchange coil, filters, remote signal receiver and fan.
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Outdoor Unit: A component of the air conditioning system which contains the compressor, fan, circuit board, and heat exchange coil. It pumps refrigerant to or from the indoor unit.
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Refrigerant: Many people commonly refer to refrigerant as Freon, which is actually a 'brand' name (much like Kleenex). Refrigerant is a gas/liquid substance that is used to provide cooling, by direct absorption of heat. The most environmentally-friendly refrigerant at this time is R410A.
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Refrigerant lines: Insulated copper tubing through which refrigerant flows to and from the indoor and outdoor unit.
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SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio): The rating of the seasonal efficiency of air conditioning or heating units. The higher the SEER, the more energy efficient the unit is.
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Split-Ductless System: A system comprised of a remote outdoor condensing unit connected by refrigerant pipes to a matching, non-ducted indoor air handler and a remote controller. Special cases for introducing ventilated air may call for limited ducting to air handler from outside.
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Split-zoning System: A system comprised of a remote outdoor condensing unit connected by refrigerant pipes to a matching, indoor air handler that conditions single or multiple room space that is conditioned to a set temperature and is independent from other rooms within the same structure.
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Zone (zoning): A single or multiple room space that is conditioned to a set temperature and is independent from other rooms within the same structure.
A trained and licensed HVAC contractor can help you determine the appropriate options for your home's air conditioning. For more information, contact the Total Comfort Mechanical Heating and Air Conditioning Service website or call us at (781) 697-9016.
This entry was tagged AC, Ductless, Tips, Heating, Air Conditioning, MiniSplit and posted on August 29, 2014
Turn off ceiling fans when not in use
Some people believe that keeping a ceiling fan running all the time, even when the room is unoccupied, will keep the room cooler than if turned off. While they do help circulate air, ceiling fans have no effect on the temperature of the area. They simply redistribute already conditioned (or unconditioned) air and make it feel cooler because it's creating a breeze against your body. Leaving the fan on while the room is empty will not make the room any cooler upon your return. Turn them off when leaving a room to prevent wasted electricity.
Go Green (and not the way you're thinking, either)
We're talking actual green in color - whatever shades appeal to you : forest green, emerald green, moss or fir. Adding more trees and bushes to your home's exterior not only provides a more beautiful landscape, but can considerably block the amount of solar heat beaming on the roof and through the windows. All that heat makes your air conditioning system work harder. In addition, if the air conditioning unit itself receives shading from trees or shrubbery, it can improve your AC's effectiveness up to ten percent!
Massachusetts lies in the "temperate" area on the US Dept. of Energy's climate region map. Unlike the hot and arid Southwest and hot and humid Southeast, energy-saving landscaping strategies for this area must be balanced - keeping heat out in summer and keeping it in during winter months (see more at Landscape for Life).
Get with the Program...
...with a digital programmable thermostat (DPT)! Smart and relatively inexpensive, DPT's allow you to adjust the settings for a higher temperature when no one's home or during cooler parts of the day. With today's technologically-advanced controls you can truly set it and forget it, and even manage your home's central air conditioning system via mobile device. (Side note to self: if you're reading this article on a smartphone and you still don't have a digital t-stat yet, you should be embarrassed.)
Chill Out Down Under
If your home has a basement, why not convert it into a summer family room or hangout? Naturally cooler than the rest of the home, the basement can provide instant relief on a hot day. Be careful about opening basement windows though, especially during very hot and humid weather. Damp, tropical air can cause surface condensation which will increase indoor humidity as well.
To be absolutely certain you are obtaining optimal efficiency from your home's A/C system, schedule a system maintenance check with us. We will check multiple factors to ensure all air conditioning system components are operating properly, that the system is meeting the manufacturer’s expectations for efficiency, and recommend alternatives if not.
This entry was tagged Burlington MA, Tips, Energy, MA, Efficiency, Air Conditioning, Massachusetts, Keep Cool, Energy bill and posted on July 18, 2014
What is a Ductless Mini-Split air conditioning system? Only one of the hottest-selling cooling systems in the country - Massachusetts included! A trend that took Europe by storm and is now heading westward, these modern, energy-efficient and stylish air conditioners have become such fast sellers that Mitsubishi is challenged to keep up with the growing demand.
Mitsubishi, the world’s top-selling brand of ductless cooling and heating systems, experienced a complete sell-out of its 2013 U.S. inventory well before the end of last year. This caused limited availability and back-orders with Mitsubishi Diamond HVAC specialists throughout the United States.
Nearly six weeks ago, the out-of-stock inventory was made available again and has been flying off the shelves ever since. “Heating and air conditioning specialists” Total Comfort Mechanical of Burlington, MA happily announced the new 2014 mini-split systems were back in stock and contacted their customers to arrange installation to those that had been anxiously awaiting their new Mitsubishi ductless mini-split systems.
The ductless mini-split wave is keeping HVAC contractors extremely busy. "We can hardly keep up with the demand", said Total Comfort Mechanical owner Wendell DePaiva. "We've had so many requests for ductless installs that we completely wiped out our inventory in just a few weeks," DePaiva said, "but we have already restocked and are ready to install."
It seems Massachusetts residents are some of the most energy-conscious the country - the U.S. Green Building Council recently ranked the state #4 in the top 10 list of states leading the nation in green building.
How Ductless Mini-Split Air Conditioners Work
Like central air conditioners, ductless units have a split design and don't require a complicated system of ducts. The split system (also called a mini-split, ductless split, or duct-free system) has at least one indoor unit in the home or office (this is the evaporator) and one outdoor unit (the condenser). Line sets, which are copper tubes of refrigerant, are run to the indoor unit from the outdoor unit.
The indoor component can be mounted on the ceiling or the wall and are extremely quiet when in operation. Read more about ductless ac systems here.

With the booming popularity of ductless systems, the product selection is getting wider - many electronics manufacturers now offer their versions of ductless appliances. Considering that many smaller brand names typically don't specialize in heating and cooling solutions, it's important to note that it can be a challenge to find qualified technicians to install and service them.
The specialists at Total Comfort Mechanical recommend sticking with a trusted, industry leader that provides a solid warranty on their product and has a network of certified and trained Diamond Contractors to perform the installation and service. "It's smart to get a few estimates from qualified and certified HVAC contractors before making the investment," DePaiva advises.
Check with your local Better Business Bureau or other local chamber organizations to learn about the reputation of the heating and air conditioning contractors in your area. Burlington MA residents and neighboring MA cities can request a quote or more information on ductless AC solutions here or the following link:
This entry was tagged Energy Efficiency, Energy Rebates, Ductless, Burlington MA, Air Conditioning, Air Conditioner, Mitsubishi AC, MiniSplit, Ductless AC, Mitsubishi and posted on April 08, 2014
Burlington, MA – In recent weeks, heating and cooling customers in Massachusetts and throughout the country have anxiously awaited the availability of Mitsubishi heating and cooling products. Due to the explosive popularity of these high-efficiency air conditioning and heat pump systems, the manufactured inventory by Mitsubishi Electric sold out before the end of 2013, causing a limited availability of the popular ductless heating and cooling mini-split products in the United States. HVAC specialists and Mitsubishi Diamond Contractors like Total Comfort Mechanical, Inc. of Burlington unfortunately experienced back-orders of the product of up to six weeks.
Total Comfort Mechanical is pleased to announce that the wait is over! We are re-stocked and ready to provide customers throughout Middlesex County MA the latest, most energy-efficient ductless air conditioning systems available.
There are plenty of reasons for the better-than-anticipated-growth of the Mr. Slim ductless system and ductless mini-split heating and cooling systems in general. Happy customers from all over the world are raving about the product.
When compared to window A/C units, duct extensions, baseboard heating and other alternatives to central heating & air – Ductless Systems beat them out when it comes to energy efficiency, noise level, comfort control, reliability, air filtration, and space-saving design.
Reasons Homeowners are going Ductless
Installation is quick and easy – typically one day is all that is needed for installation of a ductless unit (one zone or Air Handling Unit ) by an experienced heating and cooling expert team – two days at most. In addition, there are generally no home modifications required to install a ductless mini split.
Versatility – the units fit well into virtually any interior design plan. They can be mounted in a number of ways to complement your home or office décor, including high-wall mounting, floor mounting, ceiling mounting, or even recessed wall and ceiling mounts.
Refined, SMART system controls and components such as floor-to-ceiling temperature sensors which save energy while providing supreme performance.
Many rebates and incentives are available from local utility providers. Some offer incentives up to 30%.
Ductless air conditioning systems consume less energy than traditional central air conditioning, and zoned systems provide control over individual room temperature.
They are also an attractive option for any on-the-spot heating or cooling needs, including enclosed sun rooms, upstairs bedrooms, computer rooms, exercise rooms, classrooms, hospitals, nursing homes, restaurants, hotels and churches.
To learn more about the best Ductless Air Conditioning system options for your home or office, visit the heating and cooling specialists at Total Comfort Mechanical online or call (781) 697-9016.
This entry was tagged Energy Efficiency, Air Conditioning, Energy Star, Mitsubishi AC, Heat Pumps, Ductless AC and posted on February 17, 2014
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