Shavitz Heating and Air Conditioning Blog: Archive for March, 2014

3 Common Issues Connected with Electric Furnace Repair

Friday, March 28th, 2014

Electrical furnaces use coils or similar components to create heat. Some units use a fan to help distribute that heat, while others simply rely on the principles of radiant heating to transfer the warm temperatures. Electrical furnaces differ from more traditional forced-air furnaces, which burn natural gas to generate heat. Here in Park Ridge IL, electric furnace repair is usually provided by any qualified company that offers “traditional” (gas-powered) furnace repair. The problems they need to address can often differ from that of other types of furnaces, however.

Here are 3 common issues connected with electric furnace repair.

  • No heat
    A lack of heat can be caused by an electrical short in the system, which prevents it from getting power. That can being an overloaded circuit, faulty wiring, trouble with the fan motor or an issue with any other electrical component. A trained technician can hunt down the source of the electrical problem and replace the faulty component.
  • Low amounts of heat
    This differs from no heat at all in that you’re getting at least a little. But it never reaches the levels you want, which can actually be worse than no heat at all sine you can limp forward with the issue and possibly cause further damage to your heater as a result. Low levels of heat can be caused by clogged air filters, blocked air filters or a problem in the heating mechanism.
  • Rapid cycling
    Rapid cycling means that the furnace turns on and off multiple times in succession. It’s a problem because that uses a lot of energy, as well as increasing wear and tear on internal components. The issue can stem from a clogged blower, a problem with the fan motor, or a thermostat that is incorrectly reading the temperature in your home.

Here at Shavitz Heating & Air Conditioning, we offer professional heating system services in Park Ridge, IL including furnace repair all the time, and we know how to respond quickly to a service call. In Park Ridge IL, electric furnace repair needs to be fast and efficient before the next cold front rolls in. Give us a call if you have a problem, and let us show you what we can do!

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How Radiant Heat Installation Can Save You Money

Friday, March 21st, 2014

Services that offer heating repair in Evanston, IL often provide services beyond traditional forced-air furnaces. For example, many companies can provide radiant heat installation and repair services, allowing local homeowners to consider alternate options for their heating needs. Radiant heating systems are an efficient and attractive form of heating that can provide a great deal of savings for those so interested. The system involves a series of tubes and reflective panels placed beneath the floorboards of your home. Hot water is piped through the tubes, warming the home directly through your feet and furnishings in the room. Initial installation can cost quite a bit, but here’s a few reasons explaining how radiant heat installation can save you money.

In the first case, radiant heating in and of itself is more efficient than forced air systems. With a forced-air furnace, the heat needs to travel through the air, requiring additional energy to move and a comparatively haphazard way of warming the temperatures. Radiant heaters send their energy directly into your feet or furnishings, which takes a lot less energy to attain the same results. You need only a pump to circulate the hot water, leading to lowered monthly costs without skimping on the quality heating you expect.

Furthermore, because there are very few moving parts in a radiant system, breakdowns are less frequent and repairs tend to cost less. That puts further money back in your pocket, as well as giving you increased peace of mind on the operation of your system.

Finally, the existence of a radiant heating system in your home will increase the resale value considerably, allowing you to recoup some of the initial investment of the system when the time comes to sell your house.

For more on how radiant heat installation can save you money, the experts at Shavitz Heating & Air Conditioning are standing by to help. We’re experts at heating repair in Evanston, IL and we have the expertise not only to install a radiant heating system, but to keep it maintained and repaired so that it functions at its best. If you’re interested in seeing if radiant heating is for you, pick up the phone and give us a call today. You’ll be glad you did!

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Potential Causes of Reduced Efficiency in Your Gas Furnace

Thursday, March 13th, 2014

Gas furnaces are a staple of many homes, providing safe and efficient heating at a very reasonable cost. Like any appliance, however, your furnace can suffer from a loss of efficiency over time, as age and wear-and-tear take their toll. Here in Park Ridge IL, gas furnace repair services are on hand to correct such problems, but it helps to understand the potential causes of reduced efficiency in your gas furnace before you need to call in a professional. An ounce of prevention beats a pound of cure, as they say, and the more you can do to prevent the loss of efficiency, the better off both your furnace and your wallet will be.

In many cases, reduced efficiency arrives with the simple accumulation of dust and detritus in your furnace. Burners can become clogged with gunk, which lowers their heating potential and may shut them down entirely if they become too clogged. Similarly, dust can create increased friction on moving parts, which affects their ability to do their jobs and makes wear and tear worse over time. This is especially true with such key components as the fan motor, without which heated air cannot reach your home.

In addition, damage and build-up can result in reduced air flow throughout your ducts, which forces the furnace to work harder to warm your home. The same principle holds true with loose parts and fittings, which can create breaches in the air flow or cause individual components to rattle in their housings. The blower fan could become bent or broken, the fan belt may become frayed, and in some cases, the flow of gas into the furnace may become blocked by build-up in the lines.

None of these things will shut your furnace down, but they will sap its ability to do its job effectively: coating you additional money in monthly energy bills. A good technician can fix the potential causes of reduced efficiency in you gas furnace, either as part of our regular maintenance program or with a formal repair call. Gas furnace repair and other heating services in Park Ridge, IL, can be provided by the experts at Shavitz Heating & Air Conditioning. Call us today and let us show you what we can do for you!

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Benefits of Using Rooftop Units for Your Business

Wednesday, March 12th, 2014

Here in Northbrook IL, rooftop units are standard for many businesses and office centers. These are modular commercial HVAC systems with a very simple operating system, placed on the roof of the building and heating or cooling the air through an extended series of ducts.  Business spaces have needs that residential homes don’t: they must condition a larger amount of square footage that supports a larger number of people for longer periods of time. In that sense, the benefits of using rooftop units for your business cannot be denied.

The biggest advantage of rooftop units is their versatility. Each unit is designed to handle a certain power load. As your business grows and your heating and air conditioning needs increase, you can simply add another unit to cover the additional workload. The same principle holds true if you have an office building that supports multiple businesses, The sectional nature of rooftop units lets you assign specific units to specific businesses, helping to keep track of energy use and ensuring that every occupant gets the heating and cooling he or she needs.

Then there’s the issue of placement. Space can be at a premium in any business and you don’t always have the square footage to handle a large HVAC system. Placing them on the roof keeps them out of the way, as well as ensuring that your outside space stays pristine and attractive. If repairs are needed, the technician can easily access all of the units, and the rooftop location means that there’s no mucking about in basements or other tough-to-reach locales. That not only lets repairs take place more quickly, but permits preventative maintenance sessions to take place with greater regularity: stopping many HVAC problems before they start.

The benefits of using rooftop units for your business can be further enhanced by hiring the right service to install and repair them. Rooftop units and other HVAC system services in Northbrook can be handled by the experts at Shavitz Heating & Air Conditioning. Our trained staff can ensure that your business stays comfortable for employees and customers alike. Give us a call today and let us show you what we can do!

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3 Benefits of Commercial Boiler Maintenance

Friday, March 7th, 2014

A commercial boiler works in a manner very similar to a residential boiler, save that it’s larger and must handle a greater demand. Here in Lincolnwood IL, commercial boilers do yeoman duty in keeping the snow and cold at bay for all kinds of businesses. Repairs will crop up from time to time, just like any other appliance, and if you own a business with a commercial boiler, you would do very well to schedule routine maintenance from a qualified technician that specializes in commercial HVAC services. A maintenance session acts as a sort of tune-up for the boiler: cleaning dirty parts, fixing loose screws and bolts, and checking for any small problems that could turn into larger ones. Here are 3 benefits to commercial boiler maintenance that you should consider.

  • It reduces the risk of breakdowns
    This is perhaps the most important aspect of having your commercial boiler maintained regularly. A technician can spot any big problems while they’re still small ones, allowing you to schedule a repair session when it’s most convenient to you. You can set it up after hours, on a weekend, or even during a warm day when you won’t need the boiler. Contrast that to allowing a breakdown to take place. Not only will it likely cost you a lot more money, but it could break down at the worst possible time, forcing customers and employees to endure a chilly space.
  • It runs more efficiently
    Maintenance sessions help the boiler do its job without as much wasted energy. That cuts down on your monthly heating costs, which helps your bottom line.
  • It keeps your business comfortable
    An uncomfortable place of business means that your employees can’t work as efficiently and customers will stay away. That can be catastrophic to your business if you allow it to continue. A maintenance session can keep your boiler running the way it should.

The benefits of commercial boiler maintenance depend a great deal on the type of service you employ for it. Commercial boiler maintenance and other heating system services in Lincolnwood, IL, can be handled by the experts at Shavitz Heating & Air Conditioning. We know the difference between residential boilers and commercial boilers, and we know how much your business depends on keeping yours running. Call us today and let us keep it in the best shape it can be!

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