Don’t be fooled by the hot temperatures that have continued to make summer in Chicago feel like it’s going to last forever!! It’s still Chicago and we know from experience that the colder weather is inevitable. When the cold weather is finally here, be sure to have your heating system in tip-top shape to be ready to heat your home on those chilly fall and winter nights. Right now is a great time to get next day or same day priority service to do a furnace maintenance check on your heating system. (more…)
September 3, 2010
September 1, 2010
Understanding Your Furnace
Have you ever had your furnace break down on you? You may pop open the door on the unit, but odds are the inside just looks like a jumble of wires and metal. Unless you are an HVAC technician, you probably don’t know much about your furnace or furnace repairs. But, understanding the basic parts and operation of the unit could make the trouble-shooting process a little easier.
Basic Components of a Gas Central Air Furnace
- Pilot light- The pilot is source of fire that your furnace uses to fire up when your thermostat calls for heat. There are two types of pilot lights: standing pilot and electronic ignition. (more…)
August 30, 2010
Winter Air-Flow Dilemma
Most people despise winters in Chicago because of the bitter cold wind, the unpredictable amounts of snow, and the months without so much as a ray of sunlight. These unpleasant features of winter are what force us indoors to crank up the heat. For many homes, it is difficult to get the temperature in the home balanced, and some rooms remain ice cold. As a result, we have to raise the thermostat higher and higher. The higher we raise the temperature, the higher our energy bills will be. What can be done to stop this from happening? You have to find the source of the problem, and for many homes, that problem is poor air flow!
Poor air flow causes your heating and cooling systems run poorly. In the summer, it is easy to simply not use the air conditioner to save a few bucks, but in the winter, turning off the furnace for long periods of time just isn’t an option. There is good news though! All it takes is a few simple checks and maybe the help of an HVAC contractor like Four Seasons Heating and Air Conditioning, and your furnace could be heating more efficiently than it ever has before. (more…)
August 27, 2010
Refrigerant Leak? Repair or Replace
This summer, just like every summer before it, there have been hundreds of consumers without functional air conditioning. Their main complaint is that there is no cold air blowing. What causes this problem? Nine times out of ten it will be a refrigerant leak. If this has happened to you, chances are the technician gave you three options:
- Fill up the unit with refrigerant
- Repair the leak
- Replace the unit
Hopefully you made the right choice, but unfortunately most people just fill up the unit with refrigerant, cross their fingers, and hope that it doesn’t leak out before the summer heat ends. Why would they take this risk? The reason why is because of all three options, filling the unit with refrigerant is by far the cheapest initially. Most people do not consider the long term possibilities. If the unit is low on refrigerant that means that there is leak somewhere in the system. It is often very costly to find the leak and then repair it, but if it is not done, the unit will continue to leak. (more…)
August 25, 2010
Boiler Installation: Pros and Cons
A boiler system uses hot water to provide heat for your home. If you already have a boiler system in your home, then you should have baseboards, radiators, or floor radiant heating. But, is a boiler really what is best for you and your heating needs? Are there problems to be aware of? Do you need to upgrade? These are questions that any person should mull over when deciding what type of unit to go with. When considering a boiler system, there are benefits and potential problems that should be discussed before a purchase is made.
The Pros
- The Circulating Pump- This is the part of the boiler that helps the water move through the system. When compared to the blower motor of a forced air furnace, the circulating pump is more efficient at moving the same amount of heat. (more…)
August 24, 2010
Nicor Rebates for Illinois Customers
There is good news for Northern Illinois residents who plan to purchase a new furnace, water heater or boiler. Nicor Gas Rebates for high efficiency furnaces, boilers and water heaters are available to customers of Nicor Gas. Even landlord’s are eligible for the rebate program.
August 23, 2010
WARNING: Damage Caused by Ozone Air Purifiers
As a homeowner, it is important that you take notice of the quality of air inside your home. If ignored, it can lead to a build-up for mold, mildew, dust, and other pollutants. For many, poor indoor air quality can be solved by simply purchasing an air purifier. However, choosing the right air purifier for your home can be tricky. The number one product to avoid is anything that claims to be an ozone air purifier. This type of unit is not effective, and it can even cause severe damage to the health of your family.
How Does an Ozone Air Purifier Work?
For starters, ozone is a gas that is present in our atmosphere. It consists of three oxygen atoms. Two of those atoms make up the oxygen our bodies normally use to breathe, and the third atom makes the molecule unstable. Oxygen molecules want to consist of only two atoms, so the third atom will detach. This solitary oxygen will then bind with another organic molecule in the air and change its chemical structure. The goal of these air purifiers is for the single oxygen atom to bind with pollutants and make them harmless or odorless. (more…)
August 20, 2010
Furnaces: The Good and the Bad
When considering making an investment in your home and your comfort, the furnace is a good place to start. As with many important decisions that have to be made, there is a downside and an upside, and your choice in heating equipment is no different. There are a few key benefits to replacing or converting your HVAC system to a furnace, and the problems that could arise are easily solved with the help of Four Seasons Heating and Air Conditioning.
Lets first look at the benefits: (more…)
August 18, 2010
Pre-Season Boiler Maintenance
As the sun burns down on you during one of these 90 degree days, I am sure that the last thing on your mind is boiler maintenance. However, when you think about it, the winter months are not far off. So, it is time to start thinking about what kind of condition your boiler system is in. Many people take their heating for granted and assume that it will always work, but without proper maintenance checks there is no guarantee the unit will even start when the cold hits. To prevent this from happening to you, I have taken the time to compile a list of a few things any homeowner should do to get their boiler in shape for the winter season. (more…)
August 16, 2010
Flooded HVAC to be Trashed, Not Salvaged
Fire, Flashbacks, Electric Shock, and EXPLOSIONS are not things you want happening inside your home. However, everyday that you use a flood damaged heating unit you are risking one of these disasters under your roof. According to a GAMA, Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association, news release, gas, oil and electric control devices that are found on heating equipment and hot water tanks can malfunction if they are exposed to water. This can result in a disaster much bigger then the original flood that caused the problem. It is this fact that should convince you of the importance of replacing the units in the event that they become flood damaged.
However, it is also important to have a certified HVAC technician out to check the systems before you jump to any conclusions. Only a professional can determine the condition of the unit and deem it fit for use. (more…)
