Are Gas Furnaces Hazardous? How to Keep Them Safe

December 9th, 2024
blue-flames-inside-a-gas-furnace

Sometimes, people are concerned that natural gas heating systems are dangerous. But natural gas is such a fantastic fuel source—affordable and domestically-produced—that we don’t want anyone to be unnecessarily worried! Should you be anxious about your furnace?

At ServiceMax, we’ve been keeping our neighbors warm and safe since 1998. We’ve got the knowledge and experience to answer your pressing questions about heating system hazards. The bottom line is that gas furnaces can be perfectly safe. They do require some special care, though! Here’s how to avoid gas heating risks.

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Holiday Lights? Follow These Electrical Safety Tips!

November 25th, 2024
holiday-lights-and-decorated-greenery

‘Tis the season for untangling strands of thousands of tiny holiday lights! Are you excited? Well, don’t be too hasty. There are so many things to do this time of year that it’s easy to rush or cut corners, especially with things that are so familiar and routine that you might not be paying close attention.

As much as we want our friends and neighbors to be festive, celebrate, and enjoy the season, we also want everyone to stay safe. Don’t take risks with anything electrical!

How can you be sure you’re handling your holiday lights safely? We’ve got some simple tips for you.

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Does This Smell Mean I Need Furnace Repair?

November 11th, 2024
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In our climate, you really want to know you can rely on your heat when the winter winds start to blow. When you first need it in the fall, and every time after that, you want warm comfort, not worries and repairs! One thing that can sometimes cause major concern is when a heating system makes an odd odor.

A furnace may smell for a variety of reasons. Does it signal a serious problem? Sometimes, it’s extremely serious. But other times, it’s nothing to worry about. How can you tell whether a smell from your heating system means you need furnace repair? Here are some helpful pointers for you.

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Your Fall Air Quality Checklist

October 28th, 2024
three-children-sneezing-and-blowing-their-noses

As we move into the chillier part of the year, you’ll be spending more time indoors. Your heating system will be running. You’ll be breathing recirculated air, and that air might be contaminated by other people’s sneezes! Cold and flu germs and more will be trying to infiltrate your respiratory system. Indoor air quality has never been so important!

There are a wide variety of things you can do to improve your health and well-being, reduce pressure on your heating system, and gain even more benefits by taking control of your indoor air quality. Here’s your fall air quality checklist to help you figure out the best choices for your home and your family.

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Spooky Sounds: Does Your Furnace Need Repair?

October 14th, 2024
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Groans and wails. Something going bump in the night. What’s lurking in your basement or hiding in a closet? It’s not ghosts or ghouls. It’s actually just your heating system. Why is your furnace making all that noise? Does it need to be repaired? What could be wrong? We’ll explain, so you don’t need to fear your furnace.

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Have You Scheduled Your Heating Maintenance?

September 16th, 2024
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In Chicago, winters are nothing to scoff at. You really need to be prepared. This means everything from sealing up drafty gaps to pulling out your hats and mittens from seasonal storage. But it also means getting your HVAC system ready. Have you scheduled your heating maintenance yet this fall? Make sure you do! Here’s what you need to know about it.

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Recent Advances in AC and Heat Pump Technology

September 2nd, 2024
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The basic concept behind air conditioning and heat pumps is quite old. After all, refrigeration was invented in 1755. It was during the 1970s when central air conditioners became so popular in American homes that virtually all new construction was built with ductwork for them.

But as much as these things have been around forever, they have also been evolving.

AC and heat pump manufacturers don’t want to simply keep selling the same old systems. They want customers to be happier and more comfortable and, perhaps most importantly, to spend less money on the energy that powers these systems.

In recent years, there have been some exciting advances in AC and heat pump technology that boost the efficiency of these systems. Check it out!

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Don’t Let Mold Ruin Your Indoor Air Quality

August 19th, 2024
a-pattern-of-spotty-mold

As autumn approaches and folks start spending more and more time indoors, it’s the perfect opportunity to think more about your indoor air quality. Do you know what kind of particles are floating around in your home? Are you concerned about staying healthy, feeling well, and enjoying fresh-smelling air to breathe all winter, while you’re cooped up?

One of the deeply unpleasant things that floats around in the air in many homes is mold. Did you know that mold is not just an unsightly greenish fuzz on forgotten leftovers? Did you know it contaminates your air as well? We’ve got the details on exactly why mold is so bad for your indoor air quality and what you can do to keep your air free of that nasty contaminant.

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Signs Your Mini Split Needs Repair

August 5th, 2024
HVAC-technician-repairing-a-mini-split-air-handler

A mini split system is a fantastic way to get ideal home climate control. But like any system, things can go wrong. There are a lot of components involved, so it’s inevitable that one of them will someday need repair! The key here is to catch the problem early. Prompt repair can make all the difference between a quick and minor fix and big complications, breakdowns, skyrocketing electric bills, and more.

This means that it’s critical to notice right away when something is wrong. But how will you be able to tell? You’re not an HVAC expert. Well, we are—and we can help you. Here are some signs to keep an eye (or an ear) out for. These things indicate that it’s time to get repair for your ductless mini split system.

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Get Ready for Your AC Replacement Appointment

July 22nd, 2024
a-very-old-air-conditioner-that-needs-to-be-replaced

Congratulations! You’ll be so happy with your new air conditioner. After all, that old one really just wasn’t cutting it anymore, was it? And since today’s air conditioners are so effective and efficient, the new one will be better than the old one ever was, even in its prime. 

Before you can enjoy that fantastic new AC system, however, you need to have it installed. What’s that going to be like? Have you been through it before? If so, chances are, it was quite a while ago. With proper maintenance, that old air conditioner might have been running for ten or twelve years. We can tell you exactly what to expect from your AC replacement appointment and how to make it go quickly and easily.

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