Shavitz Heating and Air Conditioning Blog: Archive for the ‘Heating’ Category

How to Determine When It’s Time to Replace Your Heater

Monday, March 7th, 2022
technician-inspecting-furnace

As many of us in Winnetka know, the winters can be harsh. If your furnace isn’t up to par, it can not only make it uncomfortable at home, but it can also cause damage to your house if there’s no heat. 

To keep that from happening, you need to know when it’s time to replace your heater so you can catch issues before they turn into big problems. Here are 5 signs that it’s time to upgrade your heater. 

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Boosting Your Heating Efficiency This Season

Monday, February 21st, 2022
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Keeping your home warm and cozy doesn’t mean you need to break the bank. Even though winters in Chicago can be brutal, there are simple measures you can take to help lower your monthly energy bill. Plus, saving more money during the cold season can help you do more fun things when the temps rise.

Our goal is to help you get the most out of your heater. That’s why we’ve put together a few tips and tricks you can use so you can get the most out of your heater this season– all while keeping the bill at a reasonable price.

However, if you’re still seeing high energy bills after implementing the tips below, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at Shavitz Heating and Air Conditioning. Let’s dive in.

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What Kind of Furnace Is Best for Installation?

Monday, February 7th, 2022
technician-servicing-furnace

If you are wondering which type of furnace to get for your home, then you’ve come to the right place. 

When it comes to choosing a furnace, you need to consider the differences, advantages, and disadvantages of electric furnaces versus gas furnaces.

Choosing the right furnace for your home is a big decision. It has been estimated that every household spends an average of over $2,000 per year on energy costs to heat and cool their homes. You may want to not rely on external fuel for your unit, so you opt for the electric one, but then sit with high electricity bills each month.

So, it’s important to do your research on each. Both have their pros and cons, but in the end, the decision behind which furnace to install in your home will depend on your specific needs. 

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Signs That You Need Boiler Repairs

Monday, January 24th, 2022
boiler-pressure-gauge
Industrial boiler gas regulation and metering module

When it comes to your boiler, there are several warning signs to look out for which may indicate that it needs a repair. Some of the signs may not be as obvious as others, so it is important to keep an eye (or an ear) out for all of them. 

Often these signs are ignored, which only leads to bigger (and more expensive problems down the line). When it comes to potential boiler repairs, these are some of the signs to look out for that may mean it’s time to call in the professionals to take a look. 

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Sounds You Don’t Want Your Furnace Making

Monday, January 10th, 2022
woman-holding-hand-to-ear

We all want a silent HVAC system. No matter what system you have, as they operate there are certain noises that just come with the territory. The sound of air being moved around your home, the furnace switching on and off, and air duct fluctuations, are all usual sounds that can be expected.

While some HVAC systems are quieter than others, what noises should you be looking (or listening) out for that is a sign that something is wrong with your furnace?

In this post, we share some insights into what noises you should be taking careful note of.

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Heed These Signs of a Furnace in Disrepair

Monday, December 27th, 2021
technician-working-on-furnace

As an Illinois homeowner, the last thing you should have to worry about is a heating system that is going to break down at any second. Fortunately, if you’ve kept up on your annual furnace maintenance appointments with a trained and experienced professional, you won’t need to worry about this. Also, if you know the signs to watch out for that your furnace is, in fact, in disrepair, you can keep the system in good shape.

Oh, what’s that? You don’t know what signs to watch out for? Well, then you’ve come across the right blog post!

Before we continue though, we want to mention the “M” word again. That’s right, maintenance. Whether you have a gas-powered furnace or an electric one in place, you should have professional tune-ups done every year. This helps your heater work as effectively and efficiently as possible throughout its entire lifespan and can help you avoid the majority of surprise repair needs that ill-maintained furnaces face.

Still, though, it’s good to know those aforementioned signs. So, read on!

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How to Use Your Electric Furnace More Efficiently

Monday, November 15th, 2021
piggy-bank-with-person-budgeting-in-background

Electric appliances often get a bad rep. Why’s that? Well, because when compared to natural gas, it’s not exactly the most affordable fuel source out there.

But still, there are many reasons consumers choose electric appliances, particularly electric furnaces for their homes. First off, they might not actually have access to a municipal gas line, in which case propane and electricity are the only options–and propane isn’t the most convenient! Secondly, while gas-powered furnaces are not inherently dangerous, homeowners do often choose electric furnaces due to safety concerns.

This doesn’t mean you have to pay an arm and a leg to use an electric furnace, however! Read on as we uncover how to use your electric furnace as efficiently as possible.

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These Steps of Heating Installation will Help You Avoid Repairs

Monday, November 1st, 2021
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You might be wondering how exactly installation can help you avoid repairs. Well, simply put, when an HVAC system isn’t adequately installed, damages are a lot more likely. Inefficient operation is also a lot more likely, which exacerbates wear and tear. You could find yourself not only with an increased frequency in repairs, but a furnace that breaks down years before it should have.

That said, it is important that you only trust trained, qualified, and experienced professionals with your heating installation. We have very specific steps that we follow. We’ll outline these steps below, and let you know why it’s important that they get followed correctly. Read on, and then call us when you’re ready for a new heater that will work reliably and efficiently!

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Why a Cracked Furnace Heat Exchanger Is Bad News…

Monday, October 18th, 2021
woman-looking-surprised-with-hands-covering-mouth

Do you know what the function of your furnace heat exchanger is? This is the component actually responsible for providing heat to your home. But it can only do so effectively throughout its lifetime if you care for your furnace properly through professional maintenance and timely repairs.

A cracked heat exchanger is rare in a newer furnace, but this problem becomes more likely in an aging system that’s suffered from wear and tear and potentially corrosion throughout the years. When well maintained, a furnace can last about 10-15 years. Routine maintenance allows us to comprehensively inspect your entire furnace, including the heat exchanger.

Read on to learn why this is so important, and why a cracked heat exchanger is bad news!

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Don’t Let High Heating Bills Haunt You–Schedule This HVAC Service Today!

Monday, October 4th, 2021
woman-looking-at-bill-with-shocked-expression-on-face

The weather is getting colder. You will require more heat to keep your home comfortable. This does not mean your heating bill needs to become unreasonable. Shavitz Heating and Air Conditioning have been providing HVAC in Glenview, IL for four generations.

We are experts at spotting potential problems that will cause your heating bill to rise. Now is the time to prepare your home and HVAC system for the winter freeze by scheduling a pre-season inspection. 

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