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

Signs That Your Boiler Needs Repair

Monday, April 4th, 2022
checklist-with-red-marker

It’s important to keep an eye out for any potential signs that your boiler may need to be repaired. These signs can help you avoid expensive repairs or, even worse, a total boiler breakdown.

Some common signs that your boiler needs repair include:

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Boosting Your Heating Efficiency This Season

Monday, February 21st, 2022
vent-near-floor

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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Why Ductwork Is No Longer Necessary for Efficient Heating!

Monday, December 13th, 2021
ductless-air-handler-in-modern-living-room

You may have read the title of this blog post and be scratching your head at this point. How is it that your heating system can even work, yet be efficient if it lacks ductwork? Your air ducts are what bring the conditioned/heated air into your living space from your HVAC systems, after all!

Well, you apparently have not yet heard of ductless systems! The fact is, you’ve probably seen them even if you didn’t recognize them for what they are. Instead of using ductwork, a ductless system includes one outdoor unit connected to up to four indoor air handlers. Each air handler can be controlled independently of one another, and is connected to the outdoor unit via a conduit containing a power line, condensate line, and refrigerant line.

These air handlers are typically wall-mounted above doorways or even floor-mounted in some cases. They are the chosen method of heating for more and more homeowners these days–and we’re about to tell you why below.

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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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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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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.

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Why the Size of Your Central AC Matters

Monday, August 9th, 2021
two-techs-working-on-outdoor-ac-unit

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!

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Is It Ever Too Late for an AC Tune-Up?

Monday, July 26th, 2021
womans-hand-writing-in-day-calendar

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!

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