Johansen & Anderson Inc Blog: Archive for the ‘Heating’ Category

Will a Furnace Work without a Filter?

Monday, January 29th, 2018

filter-change-ductsMost people associate a filter with one important thing: air quality. Filters keep dust from blowing around the home. More importantly to many people, it picks up allergens like pollen and pet dander, and may even stop the circulation of some germs that could make you ill.

However, not everyone suffers from allergies, asthma, or other conditions that would require excellent indoor air quality. If you’re one of the lucky few who doesn’t suffer from allergies, you might not worry too much about the filter. In fact, many such people—especially those who don’t want to deal with regular filter changes—have asked us this question: “Can’t I just run the furnace without a filter?”

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The Differences Between Furnaces and Boilers

Monday, January 1st, 2018

radiator-relaxing-boiler

New homeowners or those who have never had to service their heating systems before may be a bit unclear on what type of heating system goes in their homes, or what their options are for a heating system replacement. Depending on who you speak to, a heating system may be called either a boiler or a furnace. But the fact is that these are two very different systems.

We want to make sure that you understand the differences between how these systems work and how they are set up in your home. By going over the very basics, you’re much better equipped to determine which system you have in your home, how you should keep up with maintenance, or which system is the best fit for a new home.

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How Does a Gas Heating Ignition System Work?

Monday, December 18th, 2017

opening-furnace-cabinet-glovesWhen you hear the furnace power on, do you know exactly what goes on to bring that heat to you? You likely know the basics: that heat is generated by an ignition system and that a fan then blows heated air into your home.

While it’s not important to know too much more about the operation of your heating system—technicians can take care of most of what you need—it’s nice to know a thing or two about furnace operation so you know what to do when things go haywire.

Whether you have a standing gas pilot or an electronic ignition system, here are the very basics about how heat is generated. Contact our team for more information!

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Preventing HVAC Safety Risks

Monday, December 4th, 2017

gas-furnace-burner-flamesHeating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems are a modern innovation, so we rarely think of the safety risks sometimes associated with them. Today’s heating systems are safer than ever before, but there are still injuries and even deaths associated with them each year. Caring for your heating system, along with knowing the risks, can help you avoid them.

Today, we present a brief guide on how to keep your HVAC systems free from danger, or how to detect potential dangers early. In case of emergency, or when you worry about a safety risk, contact a 24-hour heating contractor, like our team!

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What’s That Smell from the Heater?

Monday, November 20th, 2017

nose-smell-childThe heater has just started up again, and you’ve got a problem. There seems to be a smell coming directly from the vents. This can be a scary situation. Of course, if you have any cause to believe it’s a gas leak, you should turn off the system ASAP. Otherwise, the urgency of the issue can range quite a bit.

In some cases, there’s no cause for alarm when you notice a smell from the vents. Otherwise, you may need someone to investigate the heating system or the vents. Avoid this possibility with our maintenance services and call us if you do require heater repair!

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4 Common Boiler Repairs

Monday, November 6th, 2017

radiator-relaxing-boilerA boiler is a complex piece of equipment. And yet, it’s one that rarely requires repair. That’s one of the great things about a boiler; it’s highly durable and tends to require little maintenance. That’s why you might be surprised when you notice problems with your boiler, but it’s bound to happen at some point or another.

Take a look at some of the problems you might come across when you own a boiler instead of a forced-air heating system like a furnace. (These are two very different systems, aside from their ignition systems.) It’s good to know what you might expect, and better to realize that routine preventative maintenance may be a good option for your home.

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How to Prevent Heating Repair

Monday, October 23rd, 2017

old-furnace-openAlthough we love being heating technicians and installers, we understand that most people don’t really want to run into a situation where they have to call us. Your heating system won’t last forever, though, and you’ll have to call in technicians eventually. But we’re here to help see that an emergency heating repair or replacement call happens later, not sooner.

Heating repair prevention is a little bit of work, but it’s worth it when you know you are more likely to get through the fall and winter without having to call us in. (We understand.)

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Why HVAC Maintenance Is So Important

Monday, October 9th, 2017

vent-wall-whiteWhen we recommend maintenance for an air conditioner or heating system, we know that it’s an easy suggestion to dismiss. Unless something is seriously wrong with your system—if you cannot get any heat on a cold winter’s night—you might put off calling a technician, especially if things were working just fine last season. And yet, like maintenance for your car, routine air conditioning and heater maintenance is so important for repair prevention.

As HVAC specialists (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning specialists), we believe it is our duty to tell you why routine maintenance is so important. For more information, reach out to our team and schedule your heating maintenance service ASAP!

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6 Ways to Improve Heating Efficiency

Monday, March 13th, 2017

lose-money-heatSaving money isn’t always easy when temperatures drop and you need your heating system to run almost all the time. Heating systems take up a large portion of our energy and fuel expenses, sometimes accounting for the highest amount of energy use when the weather is chilly. And you know that it’s not practical to simply shut your system off.

Improve heating efficiency with these 6 tips from our expert technicians. Call a professional technician to schedule service for your furnace in Plainfield, IL.

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4 Facts to Know about Your Boiler

Tuesday, February 28th, 2017

radiator-relaxing-boilerBoilers provide a comforting heat that other heating systems simply cannot match. Heat radiates out into a room, rather than moving through ductwork and vents in a home, as hot water allows for easy, reliable heat transfer.

There is a lot of confusion surrounding boilers and their associated components: underfloor heating systems, radiators, and baseboard heaters. As experienced heating technicians, we hear a lot of misconceptions every day, and we feel it’s our job to clear them up. Read on to learn what we think any boiler owner should know, and call our team for boilers in Lockport, IL.

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