Most modern homes that use forced-air for heating and cooling have an HVAC setup that consists of a furnace and air conditioner inside a single cabinet with the same air handler working for both. A filter mounted near the air handler where the return ducts connects to the cabinet does the job of protecting the internal mechanisms in the cabinet from dust and dirt. In order for an HVAC system to continue to work effectively—whether during cold or hot weather—this filter must be free from heavy clogs.
FAQ: How Often Should I Replace My HVAC System’s Air Filter?
February 29th, 2016What Happens During Standby Generator Maintenance?
February 22nd, 2016If your home has an automatic standby generator, it’s essential that you schedule annual maintenance for it. After all, what good is an emergency generator that will see to your home’s electric needs during a power loss if you can’t count on it to actually work when the time comes? Regular generator maintenance is like and insurance policy for an insurance policy, essentially.
Sealed Combustion vs. Atmospheric Combustion in Gas Furnaces
February 15th, 2016The technology of heating and cooling is never static. New developments are constantly finding better and less expensive ways to provide comfort for homes and commercial buildings. For example, even though gas furnaces have been around for decades, they remain a competitive type of heating system because new advances in design have made them safer and more energy efficient.
What’s In Your Home’s Air That Might Be Harmful?
February 8th, 2016One of the services we offer to the Chicagoland area, and have offered since we started in business in 1998, is solutions to improve indoor air quality for homes. Although people assume that outdoor air is unhealthier than indoor air, the reverse is often true. The U.S. EPA has discovered that the air inside buildings is often 3 to 4 times worse than that outside.
What Do Those Odd Smells Coming from My Furnace Mean?
February 1st, 2016Keeping the Outdoor Cabinet of Your Heat Pump Clear
January 25th, 2016If your home uses a heat pump to provide for its comfort throughout the year, you need to take special care of it to make sure it continues to work efficiently—especially during the winter. Modern heat pumps have better energy efficiency during cold temperatures than older one, but improper care can quickly alter that. Something to pay close attention to is how much clearance the heat pump’s outdoor cabinet (the compressor) has.
You Can Still Schedule Heating Maintenance for the Season
January 18th, 2016And in fact, you should if you didn’t have it done in the fall. It’s always preferable to arrange to have professionals inspect, clean, and generally tune-up your home’s heating system before the winter cold arrives. But if you forgot or didn’t have time during the fall to arrange the visit, don’t decide to skip it for the year and wait until next fall! This is a vital service for your household, even at a later date, for the following reasons:
Why You Should Consider Installing an Energy Recovery Ventilator This Winter
January 11th, 2016Winter is a time when you close up your house tight to keep as much heat trapped indoors as possible so you can keep your heating cost effective. One of the side effects of sealing up the home, however, is that it traps air indoors. This air will often become stale, dry, and filled with contaminants. One of the ways to solve this problem is to have special IAQ devices installed, such as air purifiers. In this post, we’ll look at the energy recovery ventilator (ERV), which offers some advantages for homes in winter.
Here’s How to Maximize Winter Heating with Your Thermostat
January 4th, 2016The thermostat is a critical part of the HVAC system that warms your home in winter and cools it during the summer. But its importance is too often overlooked, and homeowners simply change its settings up and down according to their comfort whims. This can mean a great deal of energy going to waste, especially during the cold months when the heating system puts in an enormous amount of work. When you use some planning—along with an upgrade to newer thermostat technology—you can make your thermostat work to help you conserve energy while still providing the cozy warmth your family needs during this season.
Watch for Snow Blocking Vents or the Heat Pumps This Winter
December 29th, 2015We want you to enjoy a warm and safe winter season this year, no matter what sort of heating system you use to provide comfort for your house. If you use either a gas furnace or a heat pump as your main heating system, we have some advice for you regarding the presence of snow. Snow can create issues for either type of heater unless you take some precautions.