Routine maintenance is important for any air conditioning system, from large central AC units to ductless mini-splits and window units. It can help prevent breakdowns and premature equipment failures while maximizing comfort and keeping cooling costs as low as possible. Though most air conditioning maintenance should be left to a professional, you can clean certain components yourself to keep your AC working reliably and efficiently between service visits. How To Clean a Ductless Mini-Split To clean your ductless mini-split effectively, you’ll need a garden hose, a shop vacuum with a crevice a ..read more

Garbage disposals are incredibly handy tools in the kitchen, making it easy to get rid of food waste quickly and efficiently. However, while they offer convenience, it’s important to be mindful of what you put down your disposal. Certain items can cause clogs or even damage your system, leading to costly repairs in the future. Blue Bear Plumbing, Heating & Air is here to explain how garbage disposals work, what can clog them, and what to do if you have a severe blockage in your system. How Does a Garbage Disposal Work? A garbage disposal grinds food waste into tiny particles that can easi ..read more

When most people think of home heating, they think of furnaces, but that’s not the only option. Blue Bear Plumbing, Heating & Air is here to help you determine the best heating solution for your South Shore home and how to optimize your system for optimal energy efficiency. Average Monthly Temperatures in MA Winters in Massachusetts are cold, icy, and snowy. From December to March, daytime high temperatures rarely rise above the 40s and drop to well below freezing in the evening, with low temperatures typically hovering between 20 to 25 degrees Fahrenheit. As such, it is imperati ..read more

Is it time to upgrade your South Shore home’s heating or air conditioning? Installing a new HVAC system can have a huge impact on your comfort, as well as your utility costs, with new models providing better performance and efficiency all around. Knowing what to expect during an HVAC installation can help you prepare, as the process can take several hours to a few days to complete, and a few important decisions will need to be made. Choosing Your New System Every home is different, and to maximize your comfort, you will need to choose the best system for your needs and budget ..read more

When you use plumbing fixtures like sinks, toilets, or bathtubs, as well as appliances like the dishwasher, all the wastewater will eventually find its way from those drains to your main sewer line. Any clogs or damage in that pipe can affect the entire home’s plumbing system, causing slow drains, clogs, or messy sewer backups. If you have problems with your sewer line, it’s best to call a professional plumber for a sewer inspection. In many cases, unclogging or repairing the sewer line may solve the problem, but if necessary, your plumber may recommend a sewer replacement. Signs Yo ..read more

Have you noticed slow drainage, odd smells, gurgling, or bubbling from your drains? You need drain cleaning. Clogged drains are common in many homes, but calling a plumber for every clog is simply not practical. Many clogs are relatively easy to clear with DIY methods, and it usually doesn’t hurt to try a few before calling in a professional. If a few minutes of work with a plunger or a pipe snake doesn’t solve the problem, then it is time to call a local plumbing company. They will have the tools and equipment to remove the clog quickly without damaging your drain and sewer lines ..read more

Hurricanes can bring powerful winds and heavy rains to Massachusetts, and although the chances of a direct hit from a storm are minimal—it’s likely to happen once every six years or so—it’s important to be prepared. Even a weak hurricane or a tropical storm can quickly cause extensive damage to your home. Here are some tips to help prepare your HVAC and plumbing systems if a hurricane or heavy rain from a nearby storm is possible near your home: Find Your Emergency Shut-Off Valve Learn where the shut-off valve for the main water line is so that you can turn it off if a pipe bursts or sta ..read more

We have great news for South Shore residents! Energy-efficiency tax credits for home and business owners under 2022’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) have now been extended through 2032. Make energy-efficient improvements and invest in ENERGY STAR®-certified equipment to benefit from federal income tax credits and rebates. This program reduces the cost of transitioning to a clean energy future. If you’ve been waiting to invest in more energy-efficient HVAC systems until they become more affordable, financial help is now available when you upgrade your property’s heating  ..read more

A water heater is one of the most essential appliances in your home. It provides the hot water necessary to clean and sanitize, keep up with dishes and laundry, and take a relaxing shower. It’s important to recognize the symptoms of water heater problems to avoid being without hot water. That way, you can schedule repairs or a replacement before your water heater fails completely. The most common signs of a possible water heater failure include: 1. No Hot Water Production When the water heater is producing no hot water at all, the thermostat may have failed, the gas valve may b ..read more

To prepare your cooling system for Massachusetts’ hot, humid summers, we recommend scheduling a professional inspection and tune-up each spring. This ensures your system will be ready to go for the first hot day of the season. Whether you have central AC or a ductless mini-split, routine maintenance will keep your cooling system running reliably all summer long. Benefits of Routine Air Conditioning Tune-Ups When you keep your cooling system maintained with routine tune-ups, you can expect the following benefits: Maximized system life span Fewer breakdowns over the li ..read more