Blog | ServiceMax

What Is a “Hard-Starting AC” and What Can I Do About It?

July 1st, 2019

You’ve probably experienced a car that has trouble getting started on a chilly winter day. The engine grinds, but it takes a few times before it turns over. This is an example of “hard starting.” It can happen to any type of machinery that uses motors, no matter if it’s powered by natural gas, petroleum, or electricity.

Hard starting is a problem you might encounter with your air conditioning system. Although a hard-starting AC can continue to work at providing cool air to a house, it’s not good for the system, it drains excess power, and it can eventually deal a fatal blow to the air conditioner. A hard-starting AC will make noises at startup and have trouble at how fast it can cool down the house.

Go Ductless and Get Rid of Those Window AC Units

June 17th, 2019

Do you live in a house that uses a boiler for heat and doesn’t have any ductwork to allow for a central air conditioning system? If so, you probably have window AC units around the house to help cool down during the summers.

You probably also don’t like using window units.

AC Problems You Want Fixed Before It Gets Hotter

June 3rd, 2019

If you’ve lived in Chicago for even a year, you know the summers can be tough to beat unless you have a solid AC system in your home.

So now is the time to ask yourself if your AC system is solid. Is it showing indications that it’s wearing down or has a malfunction? Right now, in the last stretch of milder weather before summer gets underway, is the right time to arrange for repairs for your air conditioning in Oak Park, IL. Below we’ve put together a list of a few AC issues to have fixed in these last days of spring.

How an Energy Recovery Ventilator Can Make a Big Difference in Your HVAC System

May 20th, 2019

Spring is the best time to focus on preparing your air conditioning system for the hotter weather in the middle of the year. This is why we recommend scheduling AC maintenance through our MAX Comfort Plan in spring. It gets your air conditioning system into the best possible shape to sail through the hot weather.

But we’re also concerned about the complete HVAC system in your house. We recommend making updates that can increase proper home ventilation so you enjoy fresher air and reduce the amount of energy you need to put into the AC. Installing an energy recovery ventilator into your HVAC system is a way to make big improvements in your comfort and savings during the summer—and throughout the rest of the year as well.

A Bad AC Installation Is Truly Bad! Here’s Why

May 6th, 2019

If you enjoy “do-it-yourself” projects around the home, there are probably a few big jobs you’re itching to see if you can handle on your own. What about installing a new central air conditioning system? That sounds like it might be a genuine adventure, and you’ll end up saving money on labor costs when you make the project your own.

Hold it right there! We understand your enthusiasm—but central AC installation must only be done by licensed HVAC professionals. This rule applies both to DIY attempts and allowing unlicensed amateur “handymen” to take on the work. A bad air conditioning system installation has many consequences that will cost you in comfort, money, and time.

The MAX Comfort Plan Is the Best Thing for Your AC

April 22nd, 2019

What does your air conditioning system need right now? If the weather is still cool, you might think the answer is “nothing.” But just because an AC isn’t currently running doesn’t mean it’s doing fine and won’t need any air conditioning services in Chicago, IL until later in the summer.

Right now, the best thing for your AC is maintenance through our MAX Comfort Plan. We don’t even have to take a look at your home’s air conditioner to know this, because every air conditioner benefits from a spring tune-up—and our MAX Comfort Plan tune-ups are among the best around.

What Size of Generator Does My Home Need?

April 8th, 2019

Spring is always a good time to make big plans regarding your HVAC and electrical needs for your house. As the weather becomes warmer, you’ll have a nice window of opportunity where you won’t be dealing with temperature extremes. You can schedule updates and upgrades to your heating and cooling systems. Another job you can take care of is to install that whole-house generator you keep meaning to get.

However, arranging for the installation of a whole-house generator in Chicago, IL isn’t as simple as pointing toward a unit and saying, “Let’s go with that one!” You have to make a few important decisions, such as what size (i.e. how powerful) a generator you need.

Regularly Change CO and Smoke Detector Batteries

March 25th, 2019

Any home that uses natural gas to power its appliances, from the heating system to the stove and range in the kitchen, must have carbon monoxide detectors installed strategically in different rooms. And all homes, regardless of what type of energy they use, need to have smoke detectors to alert the family in case a fire starts. It’s common today for most detectors to have both smoke detection and carbon detection abilities. If you don’t have proper detectors in place or need help finding the right places to have them installed, an electrician in Chicagoland can help you. Our electricians are experts at hardwiring smoke and CO detectors into homes to provide the best defense in case of carbon monoxide leaks and fires.

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

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.

Boilers Don’t Really Boil and Other Boiler Facts

February 25th, 2019

The boiler is one of the basic central home heating systems, competing with the furnace and the heat pump for the best way to deliver whole-house comfort. We have extensive experience working with boilers, from new installations to repairs of just about any type. We’d like to share some of our boiler knowledge with you to help you understand a few basic, but often misunderstood, facts about these heating systems.