Ready to leave behind the cold weather for good—or at least for the season? Before you answer, think about your air conditioning system. Is it ready for the hot weather? Because if it isn’t, then you won’t be either! Any home air conditioner needs to have regular maintenance from HVAC professionals each spring. If you want to beat out the hot weather and have an AC that can handle the hottest days without breaking down or wasting energy, call our team today and arrange for an AC tune-up and inspection.
Have You Scheduled Annual AC Maintenance Yet?
May 21st, 2018Can a Ductless Mini Split Really Get the Job Done?
May 7th, 2018
If you’ve been looking around for a new air conditioner or heat pump installation for your home, you’ve probably run across the option for installing a ductless mini split heat pump. There are a number of excellent benefits to installing a ductless air conditioning/heating system. If you’re planning to build a new home or are renovating your current home, a ductless system is one of the best choices available because it removes the need to find room for ducts.
But you may have hesitated about using a ductless mini split because you aren’t sure if it can actually keep your home cool in summer and warm in winter. We understand why you might feel reluctant: going from years of using a conventional central heating and cooling system that uses ducts to a system that runs from smaller air handlers posted in different rooms sounds like it’s a risk. Can a ductless mini split really keep up with the weather extremes here in Illinois?
How Much Longer Can Your Heating System Last?
April 23rd, 2018
The warm weather is moving in, and although we can’t rule out a few more surprises in our local weather, we’re almost at the point where heating systems in homes will shut down for the season.
Once you no longer have need of your home’s furnace, heat pump, or boiler for the foreseeable future, it’s good to assess its performance over the last winter and ask the big question: How many more years does this system have left in it? If you have reason to suspect that it may not make it through the next winter, now is one of the best times to arrange for a professional to replace it. Spring is a less busy period for HVAC technicians, and you’ll have plenty of time to think over your options and make the best choice.
Could Your Furnace Be Unsafe to Run?
April 9th, 2018
Concerns about the safety of natural gas furnaces are common. We often have customers ask us if it’s really safe to have a natural gas furnace in their home.
The first thing we tell people is that gas furnaces are the most common type of heating system found across the U.S. If furnaces had any type of bad safety record, they wouldn’t be allowed so extensively into homes. The manufacturers of modern gas furnaces are required to design their systems with numerous safety features and to meet many national, state, and local requirements. When you see the ENERGY STAR label on a furnace, it not only means the furnace meets the standards for energy conservation, but it was also built to meet demanding safety standards.
3 Ways to Start Saving on Heating
March 26th, 2018
The end of the heating season is often a rough one. March and April can throw some of the coldest days of the year at us, and you can expect to see higher utility bills until the spring thaw finally sets in for keeps. But you’re probably paying too much for your heating—there are many small mistakes or tasks you may forget that will raise energy use and your bills.
Here are three ways you can start saving energy. They aren’t difficult to do—the last one only requires picking up the phone and calling our office!
Could Your Furnace Use a Tune-Up?
March 12th, 2018
Your heating system is working just fine, for the most part. When you set the temperature on the thermostat, the furnace turns on and heat comes out of the vents. What more could you ask for? And why would you feel the need to schedule service for a furnace that is, for the most part, running smoothly?
However, furnaces should receive one service every year, even if they appear to be running properly. This service is a tune-up, and it’s the best way to ensure your furnace is there when you need it to work properly. Could your furnace be in need of this service?
4 Ways You May Be Overworking Your Furnace
February 26th, 2018You need central heating in Lockport, IL—there’s no way around it. Portable heaters are a hassle, and they won’t protect your pipes or, of course, keep the whole house warm as you deserve. However, you may not need to be using your central heating as much as you are right now.
That doesn’t mean you should shut it off altogether. It just means taking the right steps to reduce usage, whether that’s moderating temperatures or watching the way it’s maintained. Here’s how you may currently be overworking your furnace.
What’s That Knocking Sound Coming from the Water Heater?
February 12th, 2018
Sometimes, a noise coming from an appliance is a major pain, and it may even alert you to danger in the system. Other times, however, a noise is so faint that it causes little alarm and you feel content to go about your day. A water heater can occasionally make a knocking or popping noise that falls somewhere between these two extremes.
We don’t think any noise from your water heater (or other home system) should be ignored. A knocking noise, especially, can indicate problems that can accelerate the longer you let them go on. We explain what this noise may be and what you should do about it in the guide below.
Will a Furnace Work without a Filter?
January 29th, 2018
Most 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?”
All About HVAC Maintenance Programs
January 15th, 2018
Think of the last time a technician visited your home to work on your heating and air conditioning equipment. If you’re like most people, you called a technician because something was wrong with your heating or cooling equipment, and you probably only do this every few years. Yet most technicians recommend servicing your equipment once or twice a year.
Regular HVAC maintenance helps to keep your equipment running smoothly and it can reduce the cost of operation. Your equipment may even last longer than expected, but you have to keep up with annual maintenance sessions. What’s the best way to do this? An HVAC maintenance program from a local technician.