ServiceMax Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Chicago’

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

Monday, May 6th, 2019

ac-with-toolsIf 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.

Continue Reading

The MAX Comfort Plan Is the Best Thing for Your AC

Monday, April 22nd, 2019

checkmark-greenWhat 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.

Continue Reading

What Size of Generator Does My Home Need?

Monday, April 8th, 2019

emergency-home-generatorSpring 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.

Continue Reading

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

Monday, 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.

Continue Reading

Boilers Don’t Really Boil and Other Boiler Facts

Monday, February 25th, 2019

boiler-on-wallThe 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.

Continue Reading

Too Many Clogs to Start the Year? We Have the Answer!

Monday, January 14th, 2019

drain-in-metal-sink-waterDecember is a rough part of the year for the plumbing in a home. It’s the season of guests and feasts. You may start off January with drains that have gone through far too much and are now creating regular clogs or slow drainage. If you’re trying your best to get a fresh start on 2019 and dig into those resolutions, clogged drains can put a damper on things quick. You may be able to get the clogs out with a plunger or a basic drain snake (please don’t use chemical cleaners), but there’s a much better answer.

Professional drain cleaning!

Continue Reading

The Truth About Power Surges and Surge Protection

Monday, December 17th, 2018

lightning-boltHomes have more precision electrical equipment in them than ever before. You probably have multiple devices connected to the power supply at any time, with many power charging stations handling your portable devices. What is the best way to protect them in case of a power surge? It’s important to know this, because a voltage spike can cause irreparable damage to complex electrical equipment.

“I’m not worried! I’ve got the power strips in place at the outlets all over the house!”

If this is your answer … well, we have to talk a bit more about power surges and what you have to do protect equipment from them.

Continue Reading

Drain Cleaning: This Is One of the Best Times of the Year for It!

Monday, November 19th, 2018

cleaning-sideviewDrain cleaning is a service we often recommend to our customers. When someone has a serious drain clog or irritatingly slow drain in their home, they don’t need reminders about drain cleaning: it’s time to call a Chicago, IL plumber and have the obstructions removed. (Yes, you can try to use a plunger or a handcranked drain snake on clogs you run into, but if these don’t work, skip the chemical drain cleaners and call a licensed plumber.)

The drain cleaning we recommend when people don’t have immediate clogging issues is preventive drain cleaning. Just as the AC, heater, and water heater in your house need annual inspections and maintenance, your drains need attention each year from a professional. During drain cleaning, a plumber will use powerful tools such as motorized drain augers, hydro-jetters, and Bio-Clean to scrub and scour the inside of all a house’s drainpipes. This removes all build-up inside them, which not only removes a major source of clogging, it makes it hard for build-up to start again. Cleaning also protects the drain from suffering damage because of the build-up. Soap scum, for example, can cause a chemical reaction that corrodes metal pipes.

Continue Reading

Heating Services You May Need This Coming Winter

Monday, November 5th, 2018

frosty-glassAre you a “winter person”? You certainly live in a great place to enjoy a wonderful winter season! But no matter how much cheer the season brings to you and your family, it can turn miserable if you don’t have a home heating system to hold off the cold. To make sure your winter isn’t memorable for all the wrong reasons, make sure you have a contractor who offers quality residential heating services in Chicago, IL. You can always trust us, since we’re open all day, every day!

Continue Reading

Why We Recommend Generator Installation

Monday, December 18th, 2017

natural-gas-generatorElectricity is such a basic part of our lives that we rarely stop to think about all that it does for us. It’s simply always there when we flick on a switch, turn on an appliance, or plug in a phone or laptop to charge. But what if that electricity suddenly vanished? Stopped working and didn’t turn back on a few minutes later? What if it stayed off for hours or even days? Think about the impact an extended power outage like that would have on your life and on your family.

Unfortunately, long blackouts are a possibility during winter. Downed power lines, accidents at power plants, or grid failures can mean whole blocks going black for extended periods. You can’t prevent these power failures, but you can protect yourself with a generator.

Continue Reading