Blog | ServiceMax

Ways to Tell It’s Time for Air Duct Cleaning

November 27th, 2023

Systems of ductwork for central air conditioning became popular around fifty years ago, and most new homes built since then have included them. At this point, they’re usually used for both air conditioners and furnaces, and distribute heated or cooled air all year long. This is a big job, and all that air can contain contaminants that build up inside the ductwork.

From time to time, it can be very beneficial to have those ducts cleaned out. It can improve the function of your HVAC system, decrease the dust in your home, improve your respiratory health, and more.

How can you tell if it’s time to get your air ducts professionally cleaned? Read this list and watch out for these signs.

Why We Recommend Mitsubishi Ductless Mini Split Systems

November 13th, 2023

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There are many ways to heat and cool your home. Boilers, gas or electric furnaces, central air conditioners, window AC units and more can all help you to keep your home at the temperature you desire. But our favorite system to recommend when a homeowner is ready for an upgrade is the Mitsubishi ductless mini split.

What’s so great about it, you ask? What is a ductless mini split? How is it better than other systems? And why do we recommend Mitsubishi specifically? We’ll tell you all about it.

How to Early Detect Gas Furnace Problems

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.

How Long Can You Expect Your Boiler to Last?

October 2nd, 2023

The weather is getting colder, the Halloween decorations are out, and it’s time to prepare for winter, so you’ll be ready to hunker down when the icy winds hit. One of the most important things to think about is how your heating system will fare during another long Chicago winter.

The age of your heating system is the main determining factor in when it’s likely to require replacement. Different heating systems have different life expectancies. Boilers are very long-lasting. But exactly how long do boilers last?

Can a Ductless Mini Split Work Well for Heating?

September 18th, 2023

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Ductless mini splits are amazing! This is a way for homes without ducts to have air conditioning that doesn’t require window units. It’s also great for homes with severely damaged ductwork. Rather than replace those ducts, you can eliminate them, and the system will be more efficient. Mini splits can also be used with heat pumps, a system that uses reversible refrigerant flow to cool homes in the summer and then also heat them when the weather gets cold!

How well do ductless mini splits work for heating homes? Are they an appropriate choice for our climate? Here’s some information.

Is There a Danger My Boiler Might Explode?

September 4th, 2023

If you’re new to owning a boiler—perhaps you’ve moved into a home that already has one—the idea of heating your home this way might strike you as odd. You might even worry about whether it’s dangerous. And if the boiler behaves in any way that raises a concern, you might become even more worried. What is going on with that boiler? Is it behaving normally? Does it need to be repaired? Is it going to explode? Don’t worry, we’ll explain everything.

Some Specific Repairs an Electric Furnace May Need

August 21st, 2023

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More Americans heat with gas than electricity: 48% as compared to 37%, according to the US Census Bureau, with the rest using other fuels.

But there are many reasons for people to choose an electric furnace. A home may not be near enough to a natural gas line to be connected without considerable expense, or even so far that it cannot be connected at all. A homeowner may be able to generate their own electricity with solar panels or other green options, making electricity the lowest-cost option. They may prioritize safety above all else and simply not wan to have a gas appliance in their home. Or they may just love the idea that an electric furnace will last longer, giving them greater peace of mind and allowing them not to worry about replacing it for two decades or more.

While there are many benefits to electric furnaces, they may still need repair on occasion. Here are the most common issues that electric furnaces run into.

Why Your Heat Pump Is Stuck in One Mode

August 7th, 2023

Heat pumps are a fantastic choice for home comfort. They’re efficient, cutting your electric bill and your carbon footprint. They’re very effective at cooling your home in the summer, and they’re unique in that they can also heat your home in the winter!

But if that versatility is lost, you’re not actually getting the main benefit of having a heat pump. Sometimes, a heat pump can get stuck in one mode, and you’ll find it trying to heat your home when you need it cooled. What went wrong? We’ll explain.

How Long Can I Expect My Home’s Boiler to Last?

July 24th, 2023

It can be a total nightmare when a major appliance unexpectedly needs to be replaced. That’s especially true for heating systems and air conditioners if they break down during the season when you need them the most. The best way to avoid being caught off guard by your boiler needing replacement is to know how long a lifespan to expect. How long do boilers last?

The general answer is that boilers are quite a long-lasting type of heating system. But in order to give you a clearer estimate of what to expect from yours, we’ll go over some specifics.

Even If You Have Ducts, You Can Still Find Uses for a Ductless Mini Split

July 10th, 2023

It’s been around fifty years since new homes in the US started to be built with ductwork as one of the standard home systems. This was when central air conditioning started to be very popular. So unless you live in a home that’s more than half a century old, chances are good that your house has ductwork. So why would you want to know about ductless HVAC systems?

There are some major advantages to ductless systems, and one of them is that their versatility means you might want one even if you have ductwork. We’ll explain some situations that would be perfect for a ductless system even in a home with ducts.