One of the services we offer to the Chicagoland area, and have offered since we started in business in 1998, is solutions to improve indoor air quality for homes. Although people assume that outdoor air is unhealthier than indoor air, the reverse is often true. The U.S. EPA has discovered that the air inside buildings is often 3 to 4 times worse than that outside.
What’s In Your Home’s Air That Might Be Harmful?
February 8th, 2016What Do Those Odd Smells Coming from My Furnace Mean?
February 1st, 2016Keeping the Outdoor Cabinet of Your Heat Pump Clear
January 25th, 2016If your home uses a heat pump to provide for its comfort throughout the year, you need to take special care of it to make sure it continues to work efficiently—especially during the winter. Modern heat pumps have better energy efficiency during cold temperatures than older one, but improper care can quickly alter that. Something to pay close attention to is how much clearance the heat pump’s outdoor cabinet (the compressor) has.
You Can Still Schedule Heating Maintenance for the Season
January 18th, 2016And in fact, you should if you didn’t have it done in the fall. It’s always preferable to arrange to have professionals inspect, clean, and generally tune-up your home’s heating system before the winter cold arrives. But if you forgot or didn’t have time during the fall to arrange the visit, don’t decide to skip it for the year and wait until next fall! This is a vital service for your household, even at a later date, for the following reasons:
Why You Should Consider Installing an Energy Recovery Ventilator This Winter
January 11th, 2016Winter is a time when you close up your house tight to keep as much heat trapped indoors as possible so you can keep your heating cost effective. One of the side effects of sealing up the home, however, is that it traps air indoors. This air will often become stale, dry, and filled with contaminants. One of the ways to solve this problem is to have special IAQ devices installed, such as air purifiers. In this post, we’ll look at the energy recovery ventilator (ERV), which offers some advantages for homes in winter.
Here’s How to Maximize Winter Heating with Your Thermostat
January 4th, 2016The thermostat is a critical part of the HVAC system that warms your home in winter and cools it during the summer. But its importance is too often overlooked, and homeowners simply change its settings up and down according to their comfort whims. This can mean a great deal of energy going to waste, especially during the cold months when the heating system puts in an enormous amount of work. When you use some planning—along with an upgrade to newer thermostat technology—you can make your thermostat work to help you conserve energy while still providing the cozy warmth your family needs during this season.
Watch for Snow Blocking Vents or the Heat Pumps This Winter
December 29th, 2015We want you to enjoy a warm and safe winter season this year, no matter what sort of heating system you use to provide comfort for your house. If you use either a gas furnace or a heat pump as your main heating system, we have some advice for you regarding the presence of snow. Snow can create issues for either type of heater unless you take some precautions.
Why Are Gas Furnaces More Efficient Today Than They Once Were?
December 21st, 2015Do you have a natural gas furnace in your home that’s more than 15 or 20 years old? Then it’s probably a unit that wastes power every time it turns on. It isn’t just because the furnace is old and starting to deteriorate. It’s also because it has a lower energy efficiency rating than modern furnaces that have the benefit of superior construction and recent advances in heating technology.
Another Furnace Safety Tip: Check the Color of the Pilot Light
December 14th, 2015Last week we offered up a number of important tips that will help you keep your heating system working safely through the winter months. Today, we are going to focus on the natural gas furnace in particular. Gas furnaces are the most common type of home heater found in the country, and although they are not inherently dangerous as sometimes described, they do require some special maintenance care to work at their safest.
Stay Safe with Your Home Heating This Winter!
December 7th, 2015The cooler weather has arrived here, and the colder weather is right around the bend. You’re probably already running the heating system in your home, and it will start on its steady work routine during the next few weeks and continue running until the spring.
It’s important during the winter to make sure that your residential heating system operates as safely as possible. Safety concerns are not limited to natural gas heaters—although you do need to take some special precautions with gas-powered furnaces and boilers. Electric heaters can pose a number of risks as well if they aren’t properly cared for.