Is Your Furnace Seeing its Last Massachusetts Winter?

Total Comfort Mechanical Earns Esteemed 2016 Angie’s List Super Service Award

Award reflects company’s consistently high level of customer service

BURLINGTON, Mass. – Dec. 20, 2016 – PRLog--Total Comfort Mechanical has earned the home service industry’s coveted Angie’s List Super Service Award, reflecting another exemplary year of customer service to members of the local services marketplace and consumer review site in 2016.

This achievement is particularly significant as Angie’s List experienced unprecedented member growth in 2016. More than 1.6 million consumers, many of whom were eager to quickly hire highly qualified service pros, joined Angie’s List after the company added a new, free membership tier.

“Companies that can meet higher demands without missing a beat in their exemplary performance standards truly do stand apart from their peers,” said Angie’s List Founder Angie Hicks. “Only a fraction of the Heating and Air Conditioning companies in Massachusetts were able to do it.”

Angie’s List Super Service Award 2016 winners have met strict eligibility requirements, which include an “A” rating in overall grade, recent grade, and review period grade. The SSA winners must also be in good standing with Angie’s List, pass a background check and abide by Angie’s List operational guidelines.

“This is the fourth consecutive year that Total Comfort Mechanical has been honored with this award,” said Wendell DePaiva, General Manager. “It is a testament to our commitment to total customer satisfaction, and we truly thank our customers for making it possible.”

Service company ratings are updated daily on Angie’s List as new, verified consumer reviews are submitted. Companies are graded on an A through F scale in areas ranging from price to professionalism to punctuality.

For more than 21 years, Angie’s List restricted access to its verified reviews to consumers who paid membership fees. When the company removed that barrier, some companies worried that the new, non-paying members would not be as engaged as members of the past. Experience has shown, however, that these newly added members are just as engaged – across all age groups – as prior members. Also, because the company continues to adhere to its review verification process, there has been no degradation of review quality.

“The biggest change at Angie’s List is that we are connecting even more consumers to high quality service professionals,” Hicks said. “And that’s good for everyone.”

Founded by DePaiva in 2009, Total Comfort Mechanical serves the Massachusetts cities of Burlington, Bedford, Lexington, Winchester and surrounding MA locations. The company offers a wide range of heating and cooling services and specializes in energy-efficient indoor climate options, with a focus on ductless heat pump and air conditioning installation.  For more information, visit the company website at www.totalcomfortmech.com.

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Angie's List helps facilitate happy transactions between more than 4.5 million consumers nationwide and its collection of highly rated service providers in more than 720 categories of service, ranging from home improvement to health care. Built on a foundation of more than 10 million verified reviews of local service, Angie's List connects consumers directly to its online marketplace of services from member-reviewed providers, and offers unique tools and support designed to improve the local service experience for both consumers and service professionals.

Winter storms often come with extremely low temperatures and also strong winds, icing, and sleet. This makes them hazardous and dangerous.

Regardless of how severe an expected storm might be, you should always be prepared.

Know the Difference

Regardless of the severity of a winter storm, you should be prepared in order to keep you and loved ones safe.  According to the Red Cross, winter storm preparedness advisories include:

Winter Weather Advisory - Winter weather conditions are expected to cause significant inconveniences and may be hazardous. When caution is used, these situations should not be life threatening.

Winter Storm Watch - Winter storm conditions are possible within the next 36 to 48 hours. People in a watch area should review their winter storm plans and stay informed about weather conditions.

Winter Storm Warning - Life-threatening, severe winter conditions have begun or will begin within 24 hours. People in a warning area should take precautions immediately.

Winter Storm Tips

When heavy snow and ice is in the forecast, remember these tips to help keep you and your loved ones warm:

• Change your filters now, before your system goes into overdrive. This also helps with airflow putting less stress on your system.
• Use space heaters and ceiling fans to further disperse heat throughout your house.
• Clear all snow and ice off of your outdoor units if you can, as this allows for much better air flow.
• Close off rooms that are not being used, and place door draft stoppers under the doors to further contain the heat in your home. A rolled towel can also act as a draft stopper.
• Consider buying a protective cover for your outdoor faucet; these are often the cause of frozen lines.
• Keep all indoor plumbing lines running at a drip - a burst pipe is no fun to deal with.
• Bundle up; layering is very effective.
• Nothing is worth having a an accident in inclement weather. Stay off of the roadways as much as possible.

If you find yourself in a heating emergency without heat, contact Total Comfort Mechanical for assistance. We will get your system running and get you back in Total Comfort.

Award reflects company’s consistently high level of customer service

BURLINGTON, Mass. - Jan. 17, 2016 - PRLog - Total Comfort Mechanical, Inc. of Burlington, MA has earned the service industry’s coveted Angie’s List Super Service Award, reflecting an exemplary year of service provided to members of the local services marketplace and consumer review site in 2015. The company also was awarded this honor in 2013 and 2014.

“Having won this award for the third year in a row makes us extremely proud,” said General Manager Wendell DePaiva, “…as not only meeting but exceeding the customers’ expectations is our ultimate goal”.

“Only about 5 percent of the Heating and Air-Conditioning service companies within Middlesex County (MA) have performed so consistently well enough to earn our Super Service Award,” said Angie’s List Founder Angie Hicks. “It’s a really high standard.”

Angie’s List Super Service Award 2015 winners have met 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, pass a background check and abide by Angie’s List operational guidelines.

Service company ratings are updated daily on Angie’s List. Companies are graded on an A through F scale in areas ranging from price to professionalism to punctuality.

To set up an appointment with Burlington's favorite heating and air conditioning service, call (718) 697-9016. For more information, visit their website: http://totalcomfortmech.com.

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Angie's List helps facilitate happy transactions between more than three million consumers nationwide and its collection of highly rated service providers in more than 720 categories of service, ranging from home improvement to health care. Built on a foundation of more than 10 million verified reviews of local service, Angie's List connects consumers directly to its online marketplace of services from member-reviewed providers, and offers unique tools and support designed to improve the local service experience for both consumers and service professionals.

Source Total Comfort Mechanical, Inc.

Original post:  http://prlog.org/12525524

You don’t have to freeze to save on your heating bill this winter.

Did you know that heating and cooling your home uses more energy than any other system in your home and accounts for approximately 56% of your total utility bill or more? With recent forecasts for a spike in this winters’ fuel costs – it’s a wise decision to prepare for the colder weather ahead. Following a few small steps can help you to save big on your home heating costs.

Why Massachusetts residents should pay attention

According to energy.gov:

• Natural Gas customers will pay an average of $679 this winter for heating, up 13% from last year.
• Electricity customers will pay $909, up 2 %
• Propane customers in the Northeast US will pay $2,146; an increase of 11%
• Heating oil customers will pay $2,046, down 2%.

Here are a few strategies for reducing your heating bill this winter:

1. Use a programmable thermostat. Save money by simply setting your thermostat 10 degrees lower when you’re away from home or asleep.
2. Keep air vents clean and uncovered so heat can easily flow throughout your home.
3. Use natural sunlight to your advantage. Open drapes when you are getting direct sunlight, then close them at night to keep heat from escaping. Think of the sun as a heater and your drapes as a blanket.
4. Make sure the damper in your fireplace is closed when not in use.
5. Replace the air filter at least once a month.
6. Schedule a heat system check-up with a reputable heating contractor. Regularly scheduled maintenance of your heating system keeps it running most efficiently and increases the life of the equipment.

Many states, including Massachusetts, offer rebates for homeowners who invest in Energy Star products which utilize the latest technologies designed to consume less energy. These incentives being offered are above and beyond Federal Tax Credits for installing approved heating and cooling systems. For example, Massachusetts utility customers can receive up to an additional $300 mail-in rebate from Cool Smart on qualifying installations. Check with your local HVAC contractor experts at Total Comfort Mechanical for more information.