Blog | ServiceMax

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.

The Hard Starting AC—What It Means and What to Do About It

June 26th, 2023

The one thing you want to make sure of when it comes to your air conditioner is that you don’t let anything bad happen to your compressor. It’s the most vital part of the system, and it’s the most expensive component. Like a car’s transmission, when your AC compressor fails, it might just be time to get a new air conditioner. So you should always try to catch problems early if they might put strain on the compressor.

One AC problem that can indicate compressor issues, and can also cause damage to the compressor if it’s allowed to continue, is hard starting. Here are some details to help you catch this problem when it starts so you can get repairs before you end up needing to replace your air conditioner.

Important Facts to Know About Your AC’s Service Life Expectancy

June 12th, 2023

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When it comes to an important system like your air conditioner, you don’t want to be caught by surprise by a sudden need to replace it. While no one can tell you the exact day on which your AC unit will completely cease to function, there are some ways to get a pretty good idea. Here are the most important things to keep in mind when considering how long you should expect your air conditioner to keep working.

Leaky AC? Here’s What That Means

May 15th, 2023

Oh, no! What’s going on with your air conditioner? Do you hear that trickling, dripping sound? Water is dripping out of the air conditioner! What could possibly be wrong? And how can you get it to stop?

Water leaks from an AC unit are a fairly common problem. We’ll give you the rundown on how they happen and what to do about it.