Shavitz Heating and Air Conditioning Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Chicago’

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!

Tags: Chicago, furnace repairs
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Have You Made the Switch to Ductless Yet?

Monday, August 23rd, 2021

You may have seen ductless air conditioning in the past, but maybe you weren’t even sure what exactly it was. If you have noticed a unit up on the wall of a room that looks like a sleeker version of a window AC–or even on the floor of a hotel room or Dr. office, this is likely the air handler of a ductless mini-split heat pump system.

Ductless systems work through these independently operated air handlers, each of which connects to a single outdoor unit, where heat from your home is exhausted. A ductless system is essentially like a central air conditioner, but with the indoor component divided into smaller parts that send air directly into the living space rather than using ductwork.

Ductless systems have become increasingly popular in homes throughout the country, and for a number of reasons. Read on as we uncover some of the best reasons for you to consider going ductless this year.

Tags: Air Conditioning Installation, Chicago
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Why the Size of Your Central AC Matters

Monday, August 9th, 2021

When it comes to having a central air conditioner installed this time of the year, homeowners are often in a rush to make a purchase and get it put in so they can start enjoying a cooler indoor environment.

Unfortunately, rushing into a purchase like this could leave you with a system that is improperly matched for your home, and therefore works very inefficiently and may even have a shortened lifespan.

What do we mean by this? Well just like you should make sure you have the right air conditioner for your home (i.e. central air conditioner, heat pump, or ductless cooling system) you want to make sure it’s the right size. Wondering why? Read on!

Tags: AC Installation, Chicago
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Is It Ever Too Late for an AC Tune-Up?

Monday, July 26th, 2021

How’s your air conditioner performing this summer? Have you noticed any suspicious symptoms that might indicate you need repair? Of course, you’ll know for sure if you need AC repairs if you had AC maintenance done this past spring. Maintenance, after all, allows our technicians to thoroughly inspect, clean, and adjust the components of that system to make sure it operates as efficiently and effectively as possible for as long as possible.

So maybe you skipped it this year. Perhaps you think you may as well wait until next year at this point, since summer is halfway over anyway.

Here’s the thing though–we still have plenty of opportunity for heat waves here in the coming months, and if that happens you’ll be very grateful for a fully functional air conditioner. Read on as we uncover the importance of AC maintenance, even if it’s a little late!

Tags: Chicago, HVAC Maintenance
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AC Installation Guide

Monday, July 12th, 2021

homeowner-talking-to-smiling-ac-technician-working-on-outside-ac-unit

This isn’t an instructional guide on how to install an air conditioner on your own–that would be ill-advised. Rather, we want to arm you with factors to consider before you pay for an air conditioner to be installed. This could save you time, money, and major headaches!

After all, this is a big investment. Considering that the energy your HVAC systems use accounts for half of all your energy use, that’s a big deal! We want your air conditioner installation to be as painless as possible. So, what is it that you should consider? Read on to find out!

Tags: Air Conditioning Installation, Chicago
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Is Professional Duct Sealing Worth It?

Monday, June 28th, 2021

In many cases, particularly in older homes with ductwork that’s just as old, it may benefit you to replace your ductwork when you get a new HVAC system. This helps your HVAC system work as effectively and efficiently as it’s meant to for years on end. But, your ductwork damage isn’t always that detrimental. Sometimes, the answer is instead duct sealing.

Duct sealing is a professional service we provide. Of course, you might be thinking, “why can’t I just use duct tape to seal my ducts?” Well unfortunately, duct tape is not appropriately named. It’s not really appropriate for problems with your air ducts after all! The reason for this is because it gets brittle and starts breaking off due to temperature fluctuations. Instead, you need the special mastic sealant that our professionals use. Read on to learn more!

Tags: Chicago, Duct Sealing
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Why Do Business Owners Choose Rooftop AC Installation?

Tuesday, June 1st, 2021

When it comes to providing effective heating and air conditioning to businesses and commercial properties throughout Chicagoland, the most popular option on the market is the packaged rooftop HVAC system. You’re familiar with these, even if you think you aren’t.

You can probably look up at any commercial space, including apartment buildings, and see modular units on top of the roof. Maybe you never noticed these were full-service HVAC systems, but they’re actually pretty popular for areas such as ours with a big population and lots of buildings.

Why are these such a popular choice? Read on to find out!

Tags: Chicago, Commercial HVAC, Rooftop Air Conditioners
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Should You Go Ductless This Summer?

Monday, May 17th, 2021

hand-using-remote-to-turn-on-ductless-air-handler

When it comes to cooling down your living space or heating it up, wouldn’t it be nice if you could use just one system? Well, you can! A ductless system, also referred to as a ductless mini-split due to its setup, is a heat pump-style system that’s become the preferred HVAC choice for many homeowners throughout Chicago and beyond, for good reason.

Ductless systems are not only a fantastic option for keeping your home comfortably cool in the summer, but they can also heat up your home in the winter, too. So, if you’re considering going ductless this summer for your cooling needs, it may benefit you this fall as well! Read on to learn more.

Tags: Air Conditioning, Chicago, Ductless Air Conditioner Installation
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Don’t Ignore These End-of-Season Furnace Noises

Monday, May 3rd, 2021

It’s the end of the heating season, and you’re probably just about ready to shut your furnace down in favor of your cooling system, right? Before you do that though, it’s important to make sure you address any heating repair needs you might have, so that you don’t find yourself with an inefficient or even completely broken down furnace next fall when you need the system again.

One of the most apparent signs that something is amiss with your furnace is loud, unfamiliar noises. Now, your furnace is always going to make some noise. You’re probably even used to the standard sounds you hear from it… like the whir of the motor starting up for the blower fan or the whoosh of the air coming through the vents.

However, you know the typical noises you hear on a daily basis better than anyone. So if your furnace starts making unfamiliar or loud noises, it’s time to give our team a call for repairs. Read on as we uncover some of the most common signs we get called for and what they might mean.

Tags: Chicago, Furnace Repair, Skokie
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Signs You Might Need Boiler Repairs

Monday, March 22nd, 2021

If you asked us what one of the most dependable types of heating systems is, we’d definitely say the boiler system. Since they need fewer moving parts than more conventional systems like heat pumps or furnaces, boilers tend to accumulate less wear and tear, and have a longer lifespan.

But, like any other important home appliance, boiler systems still need repairs on occasion. Read on as we uncover some of the signs that your boiler needs repairs sooner rather than later.

Tags: Boiler Repair, Chicago
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