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

Is It Ever Too Late for a Furnace Tune-Up?

Monday, December 28th, 2020
woman-huddled-under-blanket-drinking-from-mug

There is one scenario where it would be too late for a furnace tune-up, and that’s if your heating system is completely broken down to a point that it’s beyond repair. We are going to assume that if you’ve come across this blog post, that is hopefully not the case for you! If you’ve made it to winter without having your heater maintained yet, it’s not too late.

True, we typically recommend this service in the fall. The reason for this is because it’s before you need your system the most. Maintenance allows our technicians to make sure it’s in the best shape possible for the cooler season. But what matters more than timing is consistency. So long as you’re having your furnace tuned-up once a year, you’ll be able to keep it in good shape throughout its service life. Read on as we uncover why consistent professional maintenance is so important.

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The Weather Outside is Frightful, and… My Heater Just Broke Down?!

Monday, December 14th, 2020
couple-sitting-on-couch-shivering

This is clearly a scenario that no homeowner wants to face—being home on a chilly day during the winter, with snow falling outside, when all of the sudden their furnace just stops working.

Ideally, you’d never face this kind of issue, because you’d ensure your heater was properly maintained. What we mean when we say this is that you should be scheduling professional maintenance for your furnace or boiler system once a year, and if you have a heat pump system twice a year. Maintenance allows our technicians to thoroughly inspect, clean, and adjust your heater to make sure it performs as best it can. It also extends the lifespan of your heater and makes it a lot less likely that you’ll run into something like an emergency breakdown.

Still though, sudden breakdowns happen. When they do, we’re here for you! In the meantime, however, we’re sure you’d like to know how to stay warm while you wait for our techs to arrive.

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4 Sounds You Don’t Want to Hear from Your Furnace

Monday, November 30th, 2020
woman-holding-hand-to-ear-to-listen

We’ve written on this topic before, but it’s definitely one of those that deserves a refresher, especially around wintertime and especially for anyone who hasn’t used a furnace before (perhaps you’ve been utilizing space heaters or a boiler system).

But we really cannot overstate how important it is that you know the signs of a furnace in disrepair. When you have yours professionally installed and maintained by our experienced team, you’ll definitely have less to worry about on this front. Still though, it’s a good idea to know these signs. This means you will know to call us sooner, and we can help you avoid harmful problems with your heater.

We are here to protect your family and your home! Give us a call if you hear any of the following suspicious noises, and please don’t ever hesitate to come to us with your questions or concerns. We are here to help and would much rather have you safe than sorry.

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Is a Heat Pump a Good Investment?

Monday, November 16th, 2020
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With that familiar chill in the air, many homeowners are starting to turn their attention away from air conditioning to their heating systems. Is yours in good shape? If not, you may be considering the installation of a new heater. There are a number of options to choose from! This includes the versatile heat pump system.

Heat pumps are great HVAC units for many reasons. First off, they’re year-round. So if you have an aging heater and an aging air conditioner, this could be the ideal replacement for you. Imagine buying just one system for your home comfort needs all year, instead of two separate systems. Read on as we uncover just why a heat pump may be a good investment for your home.

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Get Your Heating System Installed the Right Way

Monday, November 2nd, 2020

So, maybe you’ve been following our blog posts for a while. You’re always keen on following our advice, and to the best of your knowledge, we’ve said everything right so far. “Wow, these Shavitz people really know what they’re talking about when it comes to HVAC work, if only I had a good reason to switch over from my normal HVAC guy.”

Well, you’re kind of right. You don’t have a good reason to switch to us. You have several good reasons to switch to our service.

As winter approaches, heating service in Chicago, IL is going to become more and more important. You’re going to get into tussles with your “HVAC guy” and sometimes you’re going to wish there were a better crew out there that really understood your comfort needs. Well, take a look at why you might be in the perfect position to switch to our team.

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The Problem with a Cracked Heat Exchanger

Monday, October 19th, 2020
furnace-burners

Did you know that over 64 million homes in the United States are equipped with natural gas-powered heaters? Most of these homes use a furnace for heat, and Chicagoland residents make up a considerable handful of these households. It’s no surprise that gas-powered furnaces remain the leading choice for winter comfort around here—they deliver powerful heat and do it quickly without draining your household budget.

There are, however, risks to using a gas-powered heating system of any kind if you don’t care for that system properly. Sure, they’re constructed to be safe, and have safety features that force them to shut down if the unit overheats or whatnot. However, there are hazards to be aware of, and one potential is a cracked heat exchanger. Read on as we uncover why this is a problem and what to do about it.

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Time for This Important Furnace Service!

Monday, October 5th, 2020
technician-inspecting-gas-furnace

Temperatures are starting to cool down, and you know what that means. It’s time to make sure your heater is ready to be used throughout the day, every day.

There are a number of steps you can take to get your home properly prepared for the heating season, and scheduling maintenance for your furnace or heat pump system is one of them.

Keep reading to learn why this service is so important not only for the health of your system, but for your budget too. And remember, if you want to get the most out of your heater then you’ll want to schedule a tune-up through our team!

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Why You Shouldn’t Wait on Your Furnace Replacement

Monday, May 4th, 2020
technician-working-on-furnace

We’re nearing the end of the heating season, so if you’ve been discussing replacing or upgrading your current heater at all, you’re probably tempted to wait until next fall when you need it. We understand this temptation. After all, why spend money on something you don’t need right now?

Well, if you paid for repairs a couple of times already this past winter and spring, and your system is aging, you’re wasting money anyway. Why not look into a replacement? Additionally, it’s always better to replace your system now rather than waiting until fall and struggling to get on your HVAC technician’s schedule.

Plus, considering your furnace replacement now gives you time to look into various system options without the pressure of needing the system very shortly. But, how do you know it’s really time for a new furnace? Luckily, we’ve shared some common indicators, below!

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How Can You Boost Your Heating Efficiency?

Monday, April 6th, 2020
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In a recent blog post, we talked about how neglecting repair needs would be a disservice to your heating system’s efficiency, as would skipping maintenance. It’s fine to know what not to do, but as chillier temperatures carry on and we still use our heaters quite frequently, you’d probably like to know what to do to boost efficiency, and therefore save money this time of the year.

The good news is, we have 4 ways you can in fact boost your heater’s efficiency, resulting in a more reliable and more effective heating system. Our heating seasons can last beyond the “official” fall and winter, so making sure you know everything you can do to boost efficiency and lower energy bills is essential to your wallet!

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How NOT to Boost Your Furnace Efficiency

Monday, March 9th, 2020
technician-working-on-furnace

You won’t boost your furnace efficiency by neglecting repair needs!

Look, we get it. In other parts of the country, they’d consider our springtime weather “heating system” weather—but for us, that’s almost laughable. It’s 56° degrees out? Time for shorts and t-shirts. And it’s time to shut off our furnaces for the season.

But there is a mistake that many Chicagoland homeowners make when they stop using their heaters for the season. If they skipped maintenance, or noticed—and ignored—signs of furnace repair needs they might just figure it can wait until next year when they need their furnace again. This can be detrimental to the performance and efficiency of your furnace, and perhaps even your air conditioner, depending on the problem.

Curious to learn more? Read on to learn about some of the furnace repair needs you’re likely to run into as the heating season ends.

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