ServiceMax Blog: Archive for the ‘Heating’ Category

Are Gas Furnaces Hazardous? How to Keep Them Safe

Monday, December 9th, 2024

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.

Tags: Heating, Skokie
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Does This Smell Mean I Need Furnace Repair?

Monday, November 11th, 2024

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.

Tags: furnace repair, Winnetka
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Spooky Sounds: Does Your Furnace Need Repair?

Monday, October 14th, 2024

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.

Tags: furnace repair, Skokie
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Have You Scheduled Your Heating Maintenance?

Monday, September 16th, 2024

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.

Tags: Chicago, Heating Maintenance
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Troubleshooting an Electric Furnace

Monday, March 4th, 2024

marking-off-items-on-a-checklist-with-a-red-pen

We’d like to make it very clear that an untrained homeowner should never attempt DIY repairs on an electric furnace. There’s immediate risk, like electrocution, that can be fatal. And there’s delayed risk, like leaving the furnace with a wiring problem that creates a fire hazard. Every time actual repairs are required, your electric furnace needs the help of a qualified professional.

Does that mean there’s nothing you can do when you’ve got a heating system issue? No! There are definitely things you can do. The problem might not be one that requires actual repair. A bit of electric furnace troubleshooting could get your issue resolved in just a few minutes.

Tags: electric furnace repair, Winnetka
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Boilers and Furnaces: Is There a Clear Choice for Homes?

Monday, January 22nd, 2024

young-couple-looking-at-information-and-trying-to-make-a-decision

It’s always a relief to know that you’re making the right decision. Especially when it comes to something that’s a big investment, like a heating system. It would be so good to know which one would definitely be the exact right choice.

Is there a correct choice when it comes to boilers and furnaces? Measured side by side, would one of them come out on top? It’s a little more complex than that.

Tags: boiler vs furnace, Winnetka
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What You Can Do to Stop Your Boiler From Freezing

Monday, January 8th, 2024

ice-crystals-in-a-feathery-frost-pattern

Winter temperatures in our area are no joke. But it might sound a little bit like a joke when even your heating system might freeze solid! If your home is heated by a boiler, water is running through pipes, and wherever there are water pipes, freezing is a risk. Don’t let that happen! Here’s how.

Tags: boiler service, Evanston
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Why Your Furnace’s Burners Aren’t Coming On

Monday, December 25th, 2023

blue-flames-on-burners-inside-a-gas-furnace

Ah, the comforting whoosh and hum of a running furnace. It’s a cozy reminder that your heat is working and your home is being kept nice and warm. But it’s also one of those things you don’t pay much attention to. It’s the absence of that sound that you really notice. What could be going wrong?

If your furnace is trying to start but not getting running, a variety of things could be occurring. Here are the most likely culprits if your furnace’s burners aren’t coming on. Chances are, it’s straightforward for a qualified professional to fix.

Tags: Evanston, Heating Repair
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The Top Boiler Problems You May Encounter

Monday, December 11th, 2023

If you have a boiler to heat your home, congratulations! What a great heating system. They provide particularly even heat, can last up to thirty years, and best of all, they rarely need repairs. But if you’re reading this, chances are, this could be one of those times when boiler repairs are necessary.

Here are the top problems you might be facing.

Tags: Boiler Repair, Evanston
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How to Early Detect Gas Furnace Problems

Monday, October 16th, 2023

Have you started up your furnace yet this fall? If you haven’t, you’ll be doing it soon. And this is the perfect time for a little refresher course in how to keep your gas furnace happy. Annual maintenance is important, of course. But once you have that done, you should also keep an eye (or an ear) out for any problems.

Knowing the signs of common furnace issues can save you considerable time and money and help you steer clear of major inconvenience. Detecting gas furnace problems as promptly as possible helps you keep repairs small and avoid having a total breakdown in cold weather.

Tags: Evanston, furnace repair
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