ServiceMax Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Chicago’

Post-Holiday Water Heater Repairs

Monday, January 13th, 2020

The holidays are finally over! No more buying gifts, planning parties, cleaning to prepare for visits, or anything! It’s all done!

The holiday season can be a lot, and while most of us enjoy the fun events and visits from loved ones, we also come away pretty worn out. And you know what else gets worn down by this busy season? Your water heater.

We promise it is true. Between the dishes washed, the bathroom trips, the food made and so on, your water heater has been working hard. Of course, water heaters in Chicago, IL do need to continue to provide hot water. This is Chicago after all–icy showers are really not an option. So whether you need maintenance or repairs, we’ve got you covered.

The question now is, what might be going on with your hot water heater that requires help from a professional?

Tags: Chicago, Hot Water Heaters
Posted in Water Heaters | Comments Off on Post-Holiday Water Heater Repairs

The Most Important Furnace Repair to Make

Monday, December 30th, 2019

There are a variety of furnace repairs that you may need to make throughout your system’s service life. However, there is one particular repair need that is more important than most others simply because it involves the safety of you and everyone else in your household.

We are discussing the heat exchanger. The repair that may need to be made is if that heat exchanger has a crack in it. Not only can this issue create a problem with your furnace’s ability to heat your home but it can be fairly dangerous too.

If and when you encounter the need for furnace repair in Chicago, IL, whether it is a filter replacement or a cracked heat exchanger, make sure you work with e pro to get the job done right.

For now, however, let’s delve into why you should be concerned about a cracked heat exchanger.

Tags: Chicago, furnace repair, Furnaces
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You Don’t Have To Choose Stale Air To Stay Warm

Monday, December 16th, 2019

It is wintertime in Chicago and it goes without saying that there aren’t many people who would want to spend extended periods of time outdoors. The problem that you’ve been facing, though, is that you still feel uncomfortable indoors. While you certainly aren’t freezing, it feels like your skin is drying out and your lungs are craving fresh air that you could get if you just opened a window…which is obviously something that you can’t do when its freezing cold out there.

We know that the cost of fresh air during the winter in Chicago isn’t one that anybody can opt for. But what if we told you there was a way to enjoy fresh air into your home during winter without sacrificing all of your warmth?

Tags: Chicago, energy recovery ventilators, heat recovery ventilator
Posted in Indoor Air Quality | Comments Off on You Don’t Have To Choose Stale Air To Stay Warm

4 Signs Your Boiler Needs Repair

Monday, 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?

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

Tags: Boiler Installation, Boiler Repair, Boiler Replacement, Chicago, Heater Repair
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Boiler Services Will Ensure You Don’t Freeze This Fall

Monday, 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?

Tags: Boiler Maintenance, Boiler Repair, Boiler Replacement, Boilers, Chicago, Heaters
Posted in Heating | Comments Off on Boiler Services Will Ensure You Don’t Freeze This Fall

3 Signs Your Generator Needs Repairs

Monday, October 21st, 2019

The 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?

Tags: Chicago, Electrical Repair, electrical services, Generators
Posted in Electrical | Comments Off on 3 Signs Your Generator Needs Repairs

Why Should I Care About My Local Electrical Code?

Monday, October 7th, 2019

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.

Tags: Chicago, electrical code, Electrical Repair
Posted in Electrical | Comments Off on Why Should I Care About My Local Electrical Code?

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

Monday, September 23rd, 2019

Our 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.

Tags: AFCI Outlets, Chicago, Electrical Installations, GFCI Outlets
Posted in Generators | Comments Off on Differences Between AFCI and GFCI Outlets (And Where They Go)

Why the Compressor in Your AC Is Crucial

Monday, September 9th, 2019

All 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.

Tags: Air Conditioning Repair, Air Conditioning Replacement, Chicago
Posted in Air Conditioning | Comments Off on Why the Compressor in Your AC Is Crucial

How Long Should My AC Stay Running?

Monday, August 26th, 2019

One 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.

Tags: Air Conditioning Repair, Chicago
Posted in Air Conditioning | Comments Off on How Long Should My AC Stay Running?