HVAC Service Blog By Johansen & Anderson Inc

Boiler Repairs That Can’t Wait

November 27th, 2023

There are so many reasons why boilers are an ideal home heating system. They’re long-lasting and very effective, providing more even heat than most systems. And one of the best things is that they don’t generally need repairs as often as furnaces or other heaters.

But even the almighty boiler occasionally experiences a problem. The important thing is to recognize that a problem is happening and get repairs promptly before a small issue becomes a big one. How do you know when your boiler is having a problem so you won’t neglect an urgent repair need? We’ve got some information for you.

Is Your Water Heater Ready for the Holidays?

November 13th, 2023

Happy holiday season! Fall and winter are about to bring you all the best holiday gatherings of the year. You’ll be washing your hands a hundred times while making those big holiday meals, and then washing what seems like a hundred holiday dirty dishes. Your guests will be washing their hands, too, and also taking showers.

Holidays cause major increases in hot water usage, and they’re also a time when you don’t want to have to call a plumber. Is your water heater ready?

Why You Need a Professional for Commercial HVAC Repair

October 16th, 2023

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Owning a building, commercial property, or business is a lot of pressure. Any time something goes wrong, the responsibility for it is entirely on your shoulders. When you’re pressed for time or money and you have tenants or employees making urgent complaints about being too hot or too cold, it’s tempting to take shortcuts.

Should you attempt to DIY a repair on your commercial HVAC system, or hire a general property manager or handyperson to do the work? Your repairs need to be done by a qualified HVAC technician, and not one who only has residential experience. You need a commercial HVAC expert. Here’s why.

Should I Get a Ductless Mini Split?

October 2nd, 2023

Autumn is the perfect time of year to evaluate how your AC performed during the heat of the summer and consider whether it’s time to make a change. As you look into the available options, you might realize you don’t know much about ductless mini splits. The more you know, the better able you’ll be to make a choice you’ll be happy with for years to come.

We’d like to give you a primer on ductless mini splits. Consider the benefits, the reasons some people choose them, and whether one would be right for you.

Heat Pump or a Furnace: Which Is Better for Illinois?

September 18th, 2023

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It’s about to get chilly out there again, folks. How happy are you with your heating system? Did it do a fantastic job last winter? Is it still relatively new? Or do you have some concerns? If your heater is getting older, would need repair in order to get running again, or just isn’t performing efficiently, it’s time to consider what you might want to replace it with.

You’ve surely heard that heat pumps are incredibly efficient. But do they work in our climate in Illinois? Or would a furnace be better?

Why Boilers Are Still Popular for Home Heating

September 4th, 2023

There are many options for how to heat your home these days. Forced air heat can be provided by a furnace that uses gas, propane, heating oil, or electricity to heat air that’s conducted through the same ductwork your central air conditioner uses. Heat pumps can warm your home, not by generating heat but by transferring it from one place to another.

It might seem like boilers are a very old-fashioned way to heat a home, and you might imagine ornate, antique radiators when you think of them. Modern boilers are not quite the same as the old-fashioned ones, and they’re still a popular choice for home heating. Here’s why.

How to Combat Wildfire Smoke in Illinois

August 21st, 2023

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Despite how far we are from the areas of Canada that have burned with wildfires this summer, we’ve been significantly impacted by it. The smoke has created such poor air quality at times that it’s been dangerous for people with sensitive respiratory systems or underlying health conditions, not to mention unpleasant for everyone. And according to experts, the conditions that led to this situation are only going to get worse. To avoid breathing the smoke, people were told to stay indoors. But is that any better? Can you really escape wildfire smoke by staying inside your home? How can you be sure your indoor air quality is healthy? Here’s our best recommendation.

Why Is My Commercial Walk-In Cooler Not Cooling?

August 7th, 2023

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A commercial walk-in cooler is an absolutely critical part of many businesses. Not only does it make things more appealing, but it also ensures health and safety by keeping foods and beverages at a temperature that prevents bacterial growth.

In some medical or laboratory settings, a cooler preserves the integrity of medications, vaccines, or samples. Regardless of the type of business using commercial coolers, the one thing nobody wants is a cooler that isn’t cooling. If your commercial walk-in cooler isn’t staying cold enough, it needs to be addressed immediately. Here’s what you should know.

5 Signs You Need Air Duct Replacement

July 24th, 2023

Ductwork for central air conditioning became common in the US in new homes that were built starting in the 1970s. For the first time, people had control over the temperatures of their homes, not just when it was too cold outside, but also when it was too hot. It was an amazing innovation, and central air conditioners and the ductwork they use to distribute their cooled air continue to be popular today.

But every system has its pros and cons, and nothing works perfectly forever without needing to be repaired or replaced. Problems can occur with ductwork, especially if it has been in use for many years. What problems? We’ll give you a list. If you notice any of these things happening in your home, have your ductwork inspected by a professional. It may need to be replaced.

How to Tell if Your AC Compressor Is Bad

July 10th, 2023

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The compressor is the single most expensive component of your air conditioning system, and you do not want to ever have to replace it. Often, when a compressor fails completely, it’s a better investment to replace the entire AC system than to get a new compressor.

Your air conditioner has both an indoor unit, or evaporator, and an outdoor unit, or condenser. The compressor is located in the condenser unit and it does the critical job of pressurizing the refrigerant to keep it flowing through the system, taking in heat from your home in the evaporator coils and releasing it from the condenser coils.

So how do you protect your compressor and keep your air conditioner running for as long as possible? Know how to catch problems early! Here are some tips.