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

How to Tell an Experienced HVAC Pro from an Amateur

Monday, February 24th, 2020
technician-in-front-of-van

It’s easy for someone to call themselves a “heating professional” or “HVAC expert,” but how can you find someone who will make promises they can guarantee about the services they offer? Whether you need a new heating system installed, need your AC repaired, or want to know how to improve your indoor air quality, you need someone with experience and training to turn to.

We’ve provided some basic guidelines to think about when deciding to work with any HVAC professional. Read on, and if you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to our team!

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Should I Get Radiant Heating Installed for Next Winter?

Monday, January 27th, 2020
radiant-floor-heating-installation

You might be wondering why we’re saying “next” winter instead of “this” winter. Well, because the installation of radiant heating can be complex, and to truly enjoy the comfort it brings, you don’t want this job to be rushed! But if you currently have an inefficient system, are having a new home built this year, or simply want to enjoy the benefits of radiant heat, then you’d do well to consider this installation.

We do want to stress how vital it is you hire a pro for a job of this caliber.

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How to Best Boost Heating Efficiency

Monday, January 13th, 2020
animation-of-house-on-seesaw-with-money-symbol

If there’s anything we know about Chicagoland residents, it’s that you need an effective heater to get you through winter comfortably and even healthfully. If there’s something else we know, it’s that you want this without having to pay an arm and a leg for that comfort.

Even if you’re staying comfortable this winter, if you find yourself paying more than you should in order to warm your home, then you aren’t getting the most from your furnace or heat pump system. Fortunately, there are some simple steps you can take. Some of these steps don’t take anything but a bit of your time. Curious? Read on!

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Signs It’s Time to Upgrade Your Furnace

Monday, December 30th, 2019
jets-of-gas-furnace

Saying goodbye to your heating system is never fun, but there comes a time in every homeowner’s life where it becomes inevitable. We understand that the process of buying a new furnace can be overwhelming, since new furnaces can be a bit expensive, and having technicians working inside your home isn’t exactly the most convenient thing ever. But allow us to be the ones to say, it’s worth it in the end.

That said, do you know what signs to watch out for that indicate it’s even time for a furnace upgrade? There are actually quite a few signs, which we’ll get into below. Remember, whether you need a repair or replacement, we’re the team to trust for the job.

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How to Tell When Your Furnace Is In Trouble

Monday, December 2nd, 2019
technician-working-on-furnace

We’re guessing that in the middle of a Chicagoland winter, the last thing you want to worry about is a broken-down heating system all of the sudden. If you don’t know the signs of a heater that needs repair though, you could very well find yourself facing this problem. A furnace breaking down this time of the year could mean an emergency call and costly repairs.

HVAC pros will tell you that it’s important to repair your heating system early, when needed, to avoid sudden system breakdowns and increased repair costs. Additionally, the sooner you repair your system, the lower your monthly bills may be, and the longer your system will last. Check out these signs that you might have a furnace in need of repairs sooner rather than later.

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Would Your Home Benefit from a Boiler Installation?

Monday, November 18th, 2019

Temperatures are already cooling down, which means you, hopefully, already had maintenance scheduled for your heating system, and found out it’s in great shape to get you through the rest of fall and all through winter without any trouble.

But we’re willing to place a bet that if you’re reading this blog post, it’s either because your heater broke down, or you have an aging system that’s well on its way to that final breakdown.

The good news is, when you do need a heater, we’re the team to turn to for installation and any follow-up services you need. But we don’t want you to rush into this purchase. If you’ve always had a furnace, you may be tempted to get another one, but this isn’t always the best option.

Have you ever considered a boiler installation? Here are some reasons your home might benefit from this:

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How to Choose the Right Heating Technician for the Job

Monday, November 4th, 2019
technician-smiling-on-white-background

Are you in search for a new service provider for your HVAC systems? Perhaps you’re ready to schedule heating maintenance for the season—now is the perfect time! Or maybe you’re looking for a new system to install, or need repairs on an existing system. No matter the job, one thing is for sure—you want a qualified and experienced heating technician to complete it.

But how do you find such an individual? With colder weather creeping up on us fast, it may be tempting for you to just reach out to the first one you know of or saw driving around town. While we do hope you recognize our trucks out on the road, this isn’t always the greatest method to choose a professional heating technician. Read on to learn what you should look for as you explore different companies throughout Chicagoland.

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Don’t Let a Cracked Heat Exchanger Haunt You This Fall

Monday, October 21st, 2019
jets-of-a-furnace

Do you use a gas-powered furnace in your home? Well, then there is one safety risk that is essential you know. This isn’t to say that that gas furnaces are inherently dangerous—they’re not! But there is a component within it that can be dangerous if you ignore it for too long, and that’s its heat exchanger.

Like most powerful appliances or any type of equipment that creates combustion gases, a furnace can potentially create health hazards if it’s not regularly maintained, or repaired as soon as symptoms of a malfunction appear.

Cracked heat exchangers aren’t a problem that typically afflicts new furnaces—old gas-powered heaters are more prone to such a problem. When we say old, we mean about 10-15 years—this is the average lifespan for a well-maintained furnace.  

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It’s That Time of Year: Have you Scheduled Your Furnace Tune-Up?

Monday, October 7th, 2019
technician-working-on-furnace

It’s October! That means it’s time for pumpkin spice latte’s, planning your kids’ Halloween costumes (or your own), and enjoying fall activities like prepping your furnace for the heating season!

Wait, what’s that? Did you forget about that last one? Don’t you worry, it’s not too late to schedule this service. In fact, now is the perfect time to schedule a furnace tune-up, also known as furnace maintenance. After all, the best time for this service is before the consistent cold weather hits.

During maintenance, our technicians thoroughly inspect your furnace, checking for cleanliness, any parts that need adjusting, and any repair needs that exist. This benefits you in a number of ways, including:

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Can Your Furnace Replacement Wait Until Next Year?

Monday, May 6th, 2019

technician-working-on-furnaceWinter has been over for a while. We’re now finally starting to get to enjoy the warmer weather and tune-up our air conditioners to prep them for higher temps. As such, you might not be thinking very much about your furnace. But, should you?

Well, if it struggled at all to do its job this past winter, yes. And if you’ve needed to call for repairs in order to keep it running? Also yes. What about if it’s older than a decade?

You probably see where this is going…

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