ServiceMax Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Chicago’

Holiday Lights? Follow These Electrical Safety Tips!

Monday, November 25th, 2024

‘Tis the season for untangling strands of thousands of tiny holiday lights! Are you excited? Well, don’t be too hasty. There are so many things to do this time of year that it’s easy to rush or cut corners, especially with things that are so familiar and routine that you might not be paying close attention.

As much as we want our friends and neighbors to be festive, celebrate, and enjoy the season, we also want everyone to stay safe. Don’t take risks with anything electrical!

How can you be sure you’re handling your holiday lights safely? We’ve got some simple tips for you.

Tags: Chicago, electrician
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Have You Scheduled Your Heating Maintenance?

Monday, September 16th, 2024

In Chicago, winters are nothing to scoff at. You really need to be prepared. This means everything from sealing up drafty gaps to pulling out your hats and mittens from seasonal storage. But it also means getting your HVAC system ready. Have you scheduled your heating maintenance yet this fall? Make sure you do! Here’s what you need to know about it.

Tags: Chicago, Heating Maintenance
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Recent Advances in AC and Heat Pump Technology

Monday, September 2nd, 2024

hand-writing-energy-management-and-drawing-a-house-on-a-chalkboard

The basic concept behind air conditioning and heat pumps is quite old. After all, refrigeration was invented in 1755. It was during the 1970s when central air conditioners became so popular in American homes that virtually all new construction was built with ductwork for them.

But as much as these things have been around forever, they have also been evolving.

AC and heat pump manufacturers don’t want to simply keep selling the same old systems. They want customers to be happier and more comfortable and, perhaps most importantly, to spend less money on the energy that powers these systems.

In recent years, there have been some exciting advances in AC and heat pump technology that boost the efficiency of these systems. Check it out!

Tags: Chicago, heat pump repair
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Get Ready for Your AC Replacement Appointment

Monday, July 22nd, 2024

a-very-old-air-conditioner-that-needs-to-be-replaced

Congratulations! You’ll be so happy with your new air conditioner. After all, that old one really just wasn’t cutting it anymore, was it? And since today’s air conditioners are so effective and efficient, the new one will be better than the old one ever was, even in its prime.

Before you can enjoy that fantastic new AC system, however, you need to have it installed. What’s that going to be like? Have you been through it before? If so, chances are, it was quite a while ago. With proper maintenance, that old air conditioner might have been running for ten or twelve years. We can tell you exactly what to expect from your AC replacement appointment and how to make it go quickly and easily.

Tags: AC replacement, Chicago
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How Long Can You Expect Your Boiler to Last?

Monday, 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?

Tags: Chicago, how long do boilers last
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Some Specific Repairs an Electric Furnace May Need

Monday, August 21st, 2023

technician-opening-a-furnace-to-perform-repairs

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.

Tags: Chicago, electric furnace repair
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How Long Can I Expect My Home’s Boiler to Last?

Monday, 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.

Tags: Chicago, how long do boilers last
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The Hard Starting AC—What It Means and What to Do About It

Monday, 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.

Tags: air conditioner kicks on hard, Chicago
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Important Facts to Know About Your AC’s Service Life Expectancy

Monday, June 12th, 2023

an-old-air-conditioner-in-need-of-replacement

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.

Tags: Chicago, how old is my AC unit
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What to Expect From a Mini Split AC

Monday, May 1st, 2023

air-handler-of-a-ductless-mini-split-blowing-cold-air

If you’ve heard of ductless air conditioning options and aren’t sure exactly what benefits they offer, we’ve got some information for you. Ductless mini splits can be used in a wide variety of situations and are becoming popular for some good reasons. Here are some of the things you can expect to enjoy when you decide to go ductless and get a mini split air conditioning system for your home.

Tags: Chicago, mitsubishi mini split
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