When your furnace gets too old or starts giving you headaches from breaking down or increasing energy bills, it’s probably time to start researching furnace installation options.

Before any furnace installation, you need to pick a furnace according to these three factors:

As the rise in energy prices has brought about many alternate forms of household power, both good and not so good, a critical eye when searching for solutions to your household energy needs has become more of an imperative.

The tax credits available for ground source heat pump systems or geothermal systems (as they are often called) are still available. Actually the tax credits now have no cap. Earlier, when the Stimulus Bill was initially passed, there was a cap on ground source systems. Now, 30 percent of the entire cost of both equipment and installation is eligible for the tax credit. You should consult with your tax advisor for details and eligibility.

There is no shortage of heat pump options available in the marketplace today. Thankfully, most new heat pumps are designed to be more energy efficient than ever.

Electric air-source heat pumps can be a practical heating and cooling option for your Massachusetts home. However, they need to have a workable backup heating system to provide comfortable home heating when temperatures outside fall below freezing for extended periods.

Because it's colorless and odorless, poisonous carbon monoxide (CO)  gas can kill without warning. CO detectors are vital to protect the health of your family, but just like any important part of your home's safety, these detectors can malfunction from time to time, and their batteries can run low. Because of this, testing carbon monoxide detectors is an important step in protecting your Massachusetts home and your family's safety.

Exposure to daily sources of pollution is nearly unavoidable. However, when it comes to indoor air pollution in your home there are ways to avoid getting more than your share. The first way to maintain good indoor air quality is to identify all the ways that your home may be compromising it. 

The health effects of exposure to high levels of lead are very dangerous, especially to babies and children, whose bodies absorb more lead and whose nervous systems are more sensitive to lead's negative effects. But lead is harmful to adults as well.

In many households, lead-based paint is the major danger. When paint is removed during a home renovation project, lead dust can be released into the air, onto surfaces and into soil. Breathing in or unwittingly consuming this dust can cause lead poisoning.

It's easy to become distracted by a busy schedule and forget to change your HVAC system's air filter. Many people are also unaware of the many problems dirty filters can cause for the system itself and for indoor air quality. You should put air filter replacement at the top of your list for monthly home maintenance. You might not need to change it every month, but if you get in the habit, you'll ensure system efficiency and quality indoor air.