Helpful Answers for Your Home

RCL Mechanical works to make a service call straightforward from the moment you schedule. Our service team will help arrange an appointment window, and before arrival you can expect communication letting you know that your technician is on the way. RCL's Perfect Service Call process includes an arrival text with information about the technician coming to your home.

Once there, your technician will listen to what you have been experiencing, evaluate the system or plumbing concern and work to identify the source of the problem. RCL uses flat rate pricing, which means recommended work and pricing can be reviewed with you before approved repairs begin.

RCL technicians are expected to treat your property with care. Service standards include clean uniforms, boot covers and drop cloths when appropriate, along with answering questions and cleaning up after the work is complete.

Replacing a furnace or boiler is a larger project than a typical repair, so the process begins before installation day. RCL Mechanical evaluates the home's heating needs and existing system before recommending replacement equipment. The appropriate solution can depend on the type of heating system, the home itself, comfort needs and the condition of the existing equipment.

Before installation, it helps to make the area around the heating equipment accessible and clear a reasonable path from the entrance to the work area. During the project, existing equipment may need to be disconnected and removed before the new system is installed and connected.

After installation, the new heating system should be started and checked for proper operation. Your RCL technician can answer questions about normal operation, thermostat use and recommended maintenance for the new equipment.

Annual professional maintenance is one of the best ways to protect the heating equipment you have invested in. RCL offers ongoing maintenance through its Total Home Care Club.

An estimate gives RCL Mechanical an opportunity to understand what you are trying to accomplish before recommending equipment or a larger home improvement. Depending on the project, the visit may include reviewing your existing system, available space, current plumbing or HVAC configuration and the concerns or goals that led you to request an estimate.

For heating and cooling projects, RCL can review the current equipment and discuss replacement options appropriate for the home. For water filtration, RCL offers whole house water filtration solutions and can help determine the type of system that makes sense for the property and existing water concerns.

This is also a good time to ask questions about equipment options, project scope, maintenance, available financing and what to expect on installation day.

RCL Mechanical's Total Home Care Club is designed to help homeowners protect the heating, cooling and plumbing systems they have already invested in. Regular professional maintenance can help equipment operate properly, identify smaller concerns before they become larger problems and support a longer useful equipment life.

RCL's current membership information includes annual maintenance, a safety and performance inspection, priority emergency service, service call savings and installation credits. Members can also receive qualifying service savings and accumulate installation credits toward future heating systems, cooling systems, water heaters or complete system upgrades.

Routine professional maintenance is also important because many equipment manufacturers include maintenance requirements within their warranty terms. Homeowners should always follow the specific maintenance and documentation requirements provided by their equipment manufacturer.

The goal is simple: stay ahead of routine maintenance rather than waiting for one of the home's most important systems to fail unexpectedly.

A clean HVAC filter helps maintain proper airflow through your heating and cooling system. Dirty or blocked filters can restrict airflow, reduce efficiency, affect comfort and put unnecessary strain on HVAC equipment.

• Turn the HVAC system off at the thermostat before changing the filter.
• Locate the existing filter at the return grille, filter cabinet or air handler.
• Check the dimensions printed on the existing filter and use the same properly sized replacement unless the equipment documentation specifies otherwise.
• Locate the airflow arrow on the new filter and install it so the arrow points toward the furnace or air handler.
• Make sure the filter is seated correctly, close the cover and return the system to normal operation.

Filters should be checked regularly. Many residential filters are replaced approximately every one to three months, although the proper interval varies based on filter type, pets, dust, allergies and system use.

ecobee thermostats allow homeowners to create heating and cooling schedules around when the home is occupied, asleep or away. Menus can vary by model and software version, so the manufacturer's instructions for your exact thermostat should remain your primary reference.

• Open the thermostat menu or ecobee app and locate the schedule settings.
• Review Comfort Settings such as Home, Away and Sleep and select the heating and cooling temperatures you prefer.
• Open the weekly schedule and assign those Comfort Settings to the appropriate times.
• Review each day to make sure the schedule matches your normal routine.
• Save the changes and monitor comfort before making additional adjustments.

If the thermostat controls a heat pump, multi stage system or another specialized HVAC configuration, avoid changing installer or equipment configuration settings unless directed by a qualified technician.

Honeywell Home thermostats are available in several configurations, including the T4 and T6 families referenced in RCL Mechanical's equipment resources. Programming steps differ by model, but most programmable versions allow you to create scheduled temperature periods based on your normal routine.

• Confirm that the thermostat is set to the correct heating or cooling mode.
• Open the Menu or Schedule option.
• Set the desired temperature for each available schedule period.
• Choose the times when each scheduled period should begin.
• Review the schedule and save the settings.

Some Honeywell models support app control or WiFi features. If your thermostat does not match these general steps, locate the exact model number and use the corresponding Resideo manual.

Ductless mini splits use reusable filters in the indoor unit to help keep dust and debris from entering the system. Keeping those filters clean supports airflow and can help the system operate efficiently.

• Turn the mini split off before opening the indoor unit.
• Carefully lift the front cover according to the manufacturer's instructions.
• Remove the reusable mesh filters without forcing or bending them.
• Light dust can usually be removed with a vacuum. If the manufacturer permits washing, gently rinse the filters with water.
• Allow washable filters to dry completely before reinstalling them.
• Reinstall the filters, close the cover and return the unit to normal operation.

Different manufacturers can use additional specialty filters. Cleaning the homeowner accessible filter is also different from a professional mini split cleaning or maintenance service.

Water heater controls vary between traditional gas tanks, electric tanks, tankless systems and newer electronic equipment. Before making an adjustment, identify the type and model of water heater you have and review the manufacturer's instructions.

On many gas tank water heaters, temperature is adjusted using an accessible control on the gas valve. Many tankless systems use a digital control panel. Electric tank water heaters may place thermostats behind access panels near live electrical components.

Small temperature adjustments are generally better than large changes. Allow the water heater time to reach the new setting before carefully testing the hot water.

Start by locating the manufacturer's data plate on the side of the water heater. The label normally includes the manufacturer, model number and serial number. The serial number is commonly used to determine when the equipment was manufactured.

Serial number formats vary by manufacturer. Some clearly include the year and month, while others use a manufacturer specific coding system. Once you have the manufacturer and serial number, use that manufacturer's official information to determine the production date.

Age alone does not determine whether a water heater needs replacement. RCL evaluates equipment condition, leaks, corrosion, repair history, hot water performance and tank condition before recommending whether repair or replacement makes sense.

As a water heater gets older, pay attention to visible corrosion, inconsistent temperatures, unusual noises, slow recovery, discolored water and moisture around the tank.

Whole house water filtration systems vary by manufacturer, so identify the system and correct replacement cartridge before opening the filter housing. RCL Mechanical installs, repairs and maintains whole house water filtration systems.

• Confirm the correct replacement filter for your specific system.
• Shut off water to the filtration housing using the appropriate isolation valve or main water supply.
• Relieve pressure from the housing using the system's pressure release method when equipped.
• Carefully remove the filter housing and old cartridge.
• Inspect and clean the housing and check the sealing O ring for damage.
• Insert the new filter, reinstall the housing and slowly restore water while checking for leaks.

Filter replacement schedules depend on the filtration equipment, cartridge, water quality and household water usage. Follow the manufacturer's recommended replacement interval.

Knowing where the main water shutoff is located before a plumbing emergency occurs can make a major difference. The valve is generally located where the main water service enters the home, although the exact location depends on the property's plumbing layout.

Common locations include a basement wall facing the street, utility room, mechanical room or an area near the water meter. Homes supplied by a private well may have a different arrangement involving the pressure tank and well system.

Once you identify the main valve, make sure everyone responsible for the home knows where it is. Labeling the area can also make it easier to find quickly during an emergency.

If an active plumbing leak occurs, shutting off the water can help limit additional damage while professional help is on the way.

New England winters can put plumbing in exterior walls, crawl spaces, garages and other cold areas at greater risk of freezing. A few preventative steps before very cold weather arrives can reduce the chance of a frozen or burst pipe.

• Disconnect outdoor hoses and properly protect exterior plumbing before freezing weather.
• Keep the home heated consistently during periods of extreme cold.
• Keep garage doors closed when plumbing runs through or near the garage.
• Open sink cabinet doors when appropriate to allow warmer household air to reach plumbing against cold exterior walls.
• Know where the home's main water shutoff is located before an emergency occurs.
• Address areas where pipes are repeatedly exposed to unusually cold temperatures.

If you turn on a faucet during freezing weather and only a small amount of water comes out, a pipe may already be frozen. A frozen pipe can split and begin leaking once it thaws.