4 Signs Your Boiler Needs Repair

December 2nd, 2019

Waking up in the morning to a home full of warmth is a great feeling, especially when it is icy and cold outside. There is just something special about being able to walk around barefoot inside thanks to the hard work of your boiler.

You really do rely on your boiler heater to keep your home comfortable, especially during some of the wild weather that hits Chicago. And, being the grateful and smart homeowner that you are, you know that your boiler needs the care to keep running—because even the best boilers fail.

That is why you are curious about what to look for that lets you know when your boiler needs repairs before you are facing a full boiler installation in Chicago, IL. If you want to learn more about this subject, then read on and, when you are ready, reach out to us to schedule your next repair service.

What are the warning signs that your boiler needs repair?

  1. No heat or hot water coming from the boiler
  2. Unusual smells like burning or rotten eggs
  3. Strange noises such as whistling or banging
  4. Boiler keeps shutting off unexpectedly

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What Water Heater Should You Get?

November 18th, 2019

father-son-bathtime-warm-waterThere is almost nothing worse than the feeling of your nice warm shower turning icy cold on you. On top of the fact that it is incredibly uncomfortable, it also means that your water heater might be having trouble. And if that trouble is bad enough, it may mean you need to reach out for water heater installation in Winnetka, IL because the time has come for a replacement system.

If you are in need of a new water heater you thankfully have several options to choose from. You probably already know that you want a water heater that is efficient in its use of fuel and water, but you may still have trouble deciding on what option is best for you. We can help!

We want you to know what the benefits are for different types of water heaters, so you can choose the one that suits your needs best.

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Boiler Services Will Ensure You Don’t Freeze This Fall

November 4th, 2019

Fall in many states triggers the idea of colorful leaves and light layering for lowering temperatures. For us, frigid temperatures arrived alongside the colorful leaves.

Our region is unique and because of that, it requires heating systems that can keep up with it. That is why so many of us enjoy the benefits of boilers as our home heaters. With their use of heated water, boilers are able to effectively warm homes in Chicago.

Your reliance on your boiler to keep you warm over the next several months is one of the reasons it is so important to make sure your system is in good working order. If it isn’t you will need to schedule service to get it back into tip-top shape…and fast!

The question is, what service does your boiler need? Or does it need any at all?

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3 Signs Your Generator Needs Repairs

October 21st, 2019

emergency-home-generatorThe wind is howling and an ice storm has begun. Thankfully you and yours are snuggled up within your home, safe and sound and warm. That is, you were warm before the power went out. But wait! You have a working generator!

The situation above is one that residents of Chicago are familiar with. They are also likely familiar with the (ironically) icy feeling of dread that creeps up the spine when their generator won’t turn on and things are getting colder by the minute in the house.

Even if your generator is working, if it is in need of repairs, it won’t be the reliable power provider that is usually is. This is why repair needs should be addressed as quickly as possible once they are identified.

But how do you know your generator needs repairs?

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Why Should I Care About My Local Electrical Code?

October 7th, 2019

electrical-panel-repairs

Picture this: You move into a new home and your good friend John Doe—who enjoys learning about residential electrical codes—has pointed out an electrical code violation or two. You shrug it off because it doesn’t seem like that big of a deal to you. The police won’t give you a ticket over faulty wires!

The issue with the tale above is that there is, in fact, a big problem with having an electrical code violation in your home. Why? Because it puts everyone in the home at risk. At a minimum, you will encounter short-circuiting galore; at the worst, your home could burn down.

John Doe’s knowledge of local electrical codes lets him know when he needs to call for electrical repair in Chicago, IL because of a violation. Simply being aware of common violations that happen every day can make a huge difference in keeping you are your loved ones safe.

But what do you need to know? Continue reading to find out.

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Differences Between AFCI and GFCI Outlets (And Where They Go)

September 23rd, 2019

GFCI-electrical-outletOur electricians in Chicago, IL provide many different services to help homes upgrade to modern electrical demands and the highest safety standards. One of the ways our electricians can improve household safety is with the installation of AFCI and GFCI outlets.

We’ve written before about these outlets, which you can easily recognize because they have buttons between the socket pairs marked TEST and RESET. In this post, we want to address what makes the two different and where we recommend having them installed in a house.

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Why the Compressor in Your AC Is Crucial

September 9th, 2019

air-conditioners-on-slabsAll the components in your home’s AC are important. If one or more isn’t working correctly, it affects system performance.

  • A miscalibrated thermostat causes improper cooling.
  • A frozen evaporator coil reduces how much heat the AC can absorb.
  • A broken fan motor stops air circulation.

The compressor, however, has special importance. Think of it as the engine for the entire air conditioner. It consumes the most power, and if it doesn’t work, the air conditioner cannot do its job. Period. Plus, the compressor costs more to replace than other components, so a failed compressor is a Very Big Deal.

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How Long Should My AC Stay Running?

August 26th, 2019

spinning-fan-closeupOne of the most common reasons customers call our HVAC technicians for air conditioning repair in Chicago, IL is when they have an AC that’s turning on and off almost constantly over a short time. This is known as short-cycling, and there are many different potential causes:

  • A clogged air filter
  • Undercharge of refrigerant due to leaks
  • Leaks in the ventilation system
  • AC is too powerful for the space
  • Dirty or iced-up refrigerant coils

Short-cycling is both a symptom of a problem and a problem on its own since it significantly increases the workload on the air conditioner. Parts wear down faster, cooling bills rise, and the system will end up needing an early replacement.

But how long should an air conditioner’s cooling cycle last? Understanding this is important so you can know when you’ve got an AC that’s short-cycling.

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When the Upper Floor of Your House Gets Too Hot

August 12th, 2019

digital_house_blueprintA few weeks ago, we looked at a common problem homes have with central air conditioning: uneven cooling, with some rooms much warmer than others when the AC is running.

Today, we’re going to look at the most common cause of uneven cooling for homes. In two-story homes, often the upper floor is hotter than the lower floor. This is normal when there’s no central cooling or heating system running because heat naturally rises. However, a well-designed and installed HVAC system can overcome this. If you’ve discovered during this summer that the upper floor of your house isn’t getting the same level of comfort as the lower, there are some potential solutions.

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The Midsummer Stress on Your AC Can Mean Trouble

July 29th, 2019

thermometer-going-redThe peak heat of the summer season means some pretty tough days when you’re outside. When you’re in your house with your dependable air conditioning system, it’s much different. The AC sends around cool air to the rooms and maintains a pleasantly cool and comfortable environment.

But your air conditioning system has to do a large amount of work to keep your house at a comfortable temperature when the heat outside is so intense. More heat outdoors means heat moves faster inside your house, and the AC must run for longer periods to keep the temperature at the setting you want. This is why we recommend keeping the thermostat setting as high as you find comfortable, since the smaller the difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures, the slower heat moves indoors.

But no matter how you set your thermostat, your central AC is under a great deal of work stress at this time of year—and this may lead to problems requiring air conditioning service in Chicago, IL.

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