By Nancy Brumback, Contributing Writer
Charlton??””We save energy one house at a time.”
That's how Sue Meacham sums up the business that she and her husband, Mark, have run since 1986. They can recommend systems that will provide the highest levels of comfort and the greatest savings.
Meacham Heating, Cooling & Energy Solutions designs and installs new heating, air conditioning and hot water systems. The company also services and maintains existing systems in both homes and businesses.
Massachusetts is the leader in the country for energy efficient programs, and Meacham recommends that every qualifying homeowner start with a professional energy assessment. “There's no reason not to do that,” she said, especially since a portion of your utility bills goes to finance the program.? Mass Save manages the energy programs.
Homeowners can contact Mass Save directly, or call Meacham, which can help facilitate the process.
When an energy assessment is done, homeowners receive well over $1,000 worth of free products such as light bulbs, water aerators and programmable thermostats. The Mass Save program will also pay 75 percent, up to $2,000, for recommended additional insulation. The energy assessment is a prerequisite for Mass Save's zero percent financing program for up to seven years, up to $25,000, for qualified energy improvements.
If those recommended improvements include new heating or cooling systems, that's where Meacham comes in.
“A heating system is not like buying an appliance, where you can see the Energy Star rating,” she said.? “Realizing the benefits of the Energy Star rating depends on the skill of the contractor engineering and installing the system. Our work is performance-based.? We test and measure to insure we'se optimizing the energy savings.
“We specialize in energy efficiency. It's better to pay a little more upfront and get a system that will give you all the savings possible. And we are talking about huge savings, not just a little bit. We'se been able to cut customers” fuel bills by 50 percent.” In addition to conventional systems, Meacham can advise homeowners about solar, geothermal and hybrid systems.
Meacham pointed out that 50 to 60 percent of the energy used in a home goes for heating, cooling and hot water. The Department of Energy and the Energy Star program have estimated that, if a home's boiler or furnace is over 15 years old, or the air conditioning system is over 12 years old, the efficiencies available with the technology improvements in new systems are enough to justify replacing older systems.
“Our new systems are engineered and designed for safety, health, comfort, and energy efficiency,” Meacham said.? “When you think about it, we control the air that you breathe and, for those of you who suffer from allergies, we can greatly improve the quality of air in your home or place of business.”
For businesses, a properly-designed and well-maintained system can greatly improve the quality of indoor air, making employees more alert and productive, therefore reducing lost time from sickness, she added.
The most important component for optimizing energy efficiency from a new or an existing system is to maintain it properly.? All manufacturers of heating and cooling equipment recommend specific maintenance schedules.? For years, manufacturers have said homeowners need proof of maintenance in order for them to honor their warrantees.
“Today, some manufacturers are enforcing that, and, believe me, that can be costly and painful,” Meacham said.? “We can set up a scheduled maintenance program for heating and cooling systems, oil or gas.”
Meacham Heating, Cooling & Energy Solutions is based in Charlton and serves most communities in central Massachusetts.? For additional information, call 508-248-551 or visit the website, www.markemeacham.com.
