ServiceMax Blog: Archive for the ‘Heating’ Category

As Winter Winds Down, Think About What Your Boiler May Need

Monday, March 11th, 2019

The official first day of spring never means anything solid in Chicago. Cold days can continue to strike us through April. But we are definitely in the last part of the winter, and it’s at this time you are most likely to run into trouble with your central heating system. The heater has been doing an immense amount of work, especially during this extremely brutal winter, and all that strain may easily lead to a breakdown or a significant malfunction.

If you use a hydronic boiler for comfort in your house, here are a few things to consider that your boiler may need.

Continue Reading

Why Many Homeowners Love Radiant Heating

Monday, January 28th, 2019

floor-heating-installationWe provide many heating services to our customers in the Chicagoland area, from handling furnace repairs to installing ductless mini split heat pumps. One service that continues to grow in popularity is fitting out homes with radiant heating systems that use in-floor tubing to provide heat. Radiant heating systems are becoming top choices for new home construction and even more retrofits.

But why? Why have many homeowners found that radiant heating was exactly what they wanted?

Continue Reading

Common Misunderstandings About Gas Furnaces

Monday, December 31st, 2018

furnace-burners-smallThe gas furnace is the heating system found in more homes across the country than any other. In areas with harsh winters, a gas furnace has the power to overcome the coldest days without running up the enormous bills an electric furnace would. And a gas furnace can deliver warmth faster than electric heating systems.

But despite their popularity, gas furnaces have a large number of myths and misunderstandings surrounding them. We’d like to shine a spotlight on a few of these and tell you the truth. That way you’ll get the most out of your home’s gas furnace.

Continue Reading

Boiler Problems: Time to Repair or Replace?

Monday, December 3rd, 2018

boiler-residentialWe all have been there: do I buy a new car, or do I spend the money to fix the one I own? Do I buy the latest cellphone, or do I get the broken screen fixed on mine? Well, you should be asking yourself these questions when it comes to your boiler, too.

We know it can be a daunting task. Deciding where to put your money can be stressful, but we are here to help! Scheduling a visit from one of our friendly technicians can help you make the right choice for your home.

In the meantime, we have provided a few hints about what your boiler might be telling you:

The lifespan of a boiler is typically between 15 and 20 years. However, the actual lifespan of your boiler depends on the type of boiler you own, the size, and if it is regularly maintained.

Continue Reading

Heating Services You May Need This Coming Winter

Monday, November 5th, 2018

frosty-glassAre you a “winter person”? You certainly live in a great place to enjoy a wonderful winter season! But no matter how much cheer the season brings to you and your family, it can turn miserable if you don’t have a home heating system to hold off the cold. To make sure your winter isn’t memorable for all the wrong reasons, make sure you have a contractor who offers quality residential heating services in Chicago, IL. You can always trust us, since we’re open all day, every day!

Continue Reading

Replacing Your Heater—Some of Your Choices

Monday, October 22nd, 2018

hands-over-a-radiatorEach fall we stress to all our customers (and future customers) how important it is to schedule regular maintenance for their heating system—whatever type of heating system they have. There are many benefits of having this done, and one of them is it can help you find out if your heater is no longer up to the task of a Chicago winter. When you have a heating system that’s more than 15 to 20 years old, it’s probably ready to retire. During maintenance, a technician can tell you when it’s best to install a new heater.

You have a range of choices for central heating, and you may wish to consider changing to a new type or staying with what you already use. Below are a few of the systems available to warm your home. We hope this helps you start thinking about the replacement system you want.

Continue Reading

Heating Maintenance—Now’s the Time!

Monday, October 8th, 2018

calendar-scheduling-bookThere’s always a special feeling in the air when October arrives. No matter if the weather is still occasionally warm, the crisp fall is arriving—and around the corner is the cold of winter. October means Halloween to many. To HVAC professionals, it means it’s time for heating maintenance. Have you signed up for your fall heating maintenance in Evanston, IL yet?

What’s This Heating Maintenance of Which You Speak?

Heating maintenance is an annual visit from an HVAC professional to inspect your home’s heater and take care of adjustments, cleanings, and tune-ups. We recommend it each fall for all types of heating systems, from gas furnaces to heat pumps. The job takes around an hour and is easy to schedule through our MAX Comfort Plan.

Continue Reading

High-Efficiency Furnaces—Are They Worth It?

Monday, September 24th, 2018

man-putting-money-in-piggy-bankFall is here: time for homeowners to evaluate their readiness for cold weather. For many, this means replacing an old gas furnace.

If you are one of the homeowners hunting for a new heating system to help you through another winter in Chicagoland, then we need to discuss high-efficiency furnaces. You’ve probably already given some thought to going high-efficiency, but aren’t sure if it’s worth the additional cost to upgrade. We’ll shed some light on the question of whether a high-efficiency gas furnace is worth it. When you’re ready, call us to arrange for furnace installation in Winnetka, IL or elsewhere in Chicagoland, and we can help you make the best unit choice and have it put in place.

Continue Reading

Shutting Down Your Gas Furnace at the End of the Season

Monday, March 26th, 2018

furnace-burner-flamesThe change of seasons is coming up, and I’m sure everyone here in Chicagoland is looking forward to warmer weather. We still have a few more weeks of temperatures in the 40s and possible cold snaps, but this is the time of year to prepare a home for the seasonal shift.

Should those preparations include a gas furnace shutdown? It’s a question people often ask, and we’ll provide you with an answer.

Continue Reading

Electrical Problems May Be the Trouble with Your Heating, Not the Heater

Monday, March 12th, 2018

electrical-panel-repairsYou need electricity to run your heating system. That’s true even if you have a gas-powered system like a gas furnace or boiler. Modern gas heaters use electronic ignition systems to fire up their burners and they also need electrical power for other components, such as the blower fan that sends heated air from a furnace and into the ventilation system.

If you run into trouble getting your heater to run, it’s possible you have an external electrical issue rather than an issue inside the heater. Regardless of what the source of the problem is, you’ll need experts—either in HVAC or residential electrical systems—to assist you with locating, identifying, and fixing the problem. Since we’re both electricians and HVAC technicians, you can trust us to find out what’s wrong with your heater and get your house warm again.

Continue Reading