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

Will I Save Money with a Geothermal System?

Wednesday, December 17th, 2014

Using a geothermal system to heat and cool homes grows more popular as an option with each passing year. A geothermal heat pump offers homeowners a level of stability and dependability for comfort that they could not receive from a standard air-source heat pump. This is especially important in a place like Chicagoland, with our intense winters that put heavy stress on air-source heat pumps, but which won’t bother a geothermal system that has access to the stable temperatures in the earth below the frost line.

Another reason to consider installing a geothermal system in Northbrook, IL is that geothermal power can help you save money. Installing a geothermal system costs more than a standard heat pump because of the digging and extra material and equipment involved, and this sometimes causes potential customers to hesitate: will a geothermal installation save money in the long run? Our technicians at Shavitz Heating and Air Conditioning, who have years of experience installing different kinds of heat pumps, can help answer that question.

How Geothermal Systems Save Money

The reason that geothermal heat pumps (also knowns as GHPs or ground-source heat pumps) are energy efficient is the same reason they work so well in temperature extremes: they access a reliable source of heat from underground so they will not need to overwork either to extract or deposit heat. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, geothermal heat pumps can reach high efficiencies of 300% to 400% on even the coldest winter nights, compared to 175% to 250% for air-source heat pumps on only a cool day.

How much can this efficiency save you? We cannot provide an exact dollar amount, of course, because it depends on the size of your home, the geothermal system, and your pattern of heating and cooling. However, the Department of Energy estimates that the savings from a ground-source heat pump will allow it to earn back its installation cost in 5–10 years. When you consider that, according to the DOE, the average system life expectancy for a geothermal heat pump is 25 years for the inside components and more than 50 years for the ground loops, you will have at the minimum 15 years of excellent energy savings after the end of the payback period. In addition, geothermal systems often raise the value of a home, adding to the amount of money they return on their investment.

Contact Us for More Information About Geothermal Heat Pumps

There are so many reasons to consider installing a geothermal system in Northbrook, IL and other parts of Chicagoland that we cannot list them all in this space. We encourage you to give us a call at Shavitz Heating and Air Conditioning and take advantage of our many decades of work in heating and cooling to provide you with all the information you need to decide if you want geothermal installation for your home.

Continue Reading

Signs You Need Professional Duct Repair

Monday, October 13th, 2014

People often underestimate the importance of the ductwork in the HVAC system of their home. It’s easy to take for granted that the ducts will stay in good shape no matter what happens, since most of the time they are out of sight–and therefore out of mind.

However, ductwork that sustains damage from corrosion and age, or which received poor initial installation, will have a severe negative effect on how well your HVAC system operates. It can mean a drop in comfort and an increase the contamination that enters your indoor air. When your ducts have gaps, leaks, or bad connections, they must be taken care of with a professional duct repair service to restore their integrity and protect your comfort, budget, and health.

Look to experience when you need duct repair in Northbrook, IL and other parts of Chicagoland: Shavitz Heating and Air Conditioning. We have been in business so long that we are only two years younger than the invention of the air conditioner itself! We also offer 24-hour emergency service for your convenience.

Look for These Warnings That it’s Time for Duct Repair

  • Hot or cold spots: Broken ductwork will create spots in your house that are the wrong temperature from what you want. If you have the heater running during winter, but certain rooms still feel too frigid, you probably have busted ducts preventing proper airflow from reaching those rooms. The same problem applies in reverse to the summer, when you will notice abnormally warm rooms while the air conditioner is running.
  • Strange noises from the ductwork: As air flows through the ventilation system, the ducts will expand and contract with the changes in heat. An occasional “popping” noise when the heater or AC first comes on is normal. But loud rattling and shaking noises that happen continuously are warning you that the ducts are loose or damaged in some way and need repair work.
  • Higher utility bills: An HVAC system trying to send conditioned air through leaking or broken ductwork will have to battle uphill to reach its expected temperature. That means the system will draw more energy, and your heating and cooling bills will start to climb. If you notice a rise in your bills that you cannot account for because of increased use or a change in energy costs, you are either dealing with a malfunctioning comfort system or damaged ductwork. Call for HVAC professionals right away.

Shavitz Heating and Air Conditioning is a full-service company for home comfort, from AC and heater repairs to indoor air quality solutions. We can handle your needs for duct repair in Northbrook, IL: just give us a call at the first sign of trouble.

Continue Reading

How Maintenance Prevents the Need for Electric Furnace Repair

Wednesday, September 10th, 2014

One of the advantages of electric furnaces for home heating is their flexibility. Because almost all homes are wired for electricity, electric furnaces are options everywhere. They are also safer than gas furnaces because they don’t pose any hazards from toxic or combustible gases. Although electric furnace models tend to be less energy-efficient than gas models, current technology is far superior to what it once was and makes electricity a competitive option for reduced energy use.

But perhaps the greatest advantage of electric furnaces is their longevity and durability. An electric furnace will often last 10 years longer than a gas furnace, and they need fewer repairs in general. However, they still require regular maintenance to help ward off repair calls. If you neglect regular maintenance for your electric furnace, you can’t expect it to give you a long and productive service life.

To help avoid unnecessary electric furnace repair in Northbrook, IL, arrange for annual furnace maintenance from HVAC professionals. The maintenance program at Shavitz Heating and Air Conditioning will see that your electric furnace is prepared for the winter. Call us today for more details.

The Importance of Maintenance for Preventing Furnace Repairs

Electric furnaces work through resistance heating: power runs through the coils of the heating elements inside the furnace cabinet, turning them hot, which in turn heats up the air which is then blown out through the ductwork. This places a great deal of stress on the heating elements, which can burn out if they are not regularly cared for and occasionally replaced. During maintenance, the technician will inspect the heating elements to make sure that none of them are in need of repairs of replacements in the near future.

The technician will also look over the whole electrical system that powers the furnace to make adjustments and tightenings. This will help ward off potential electrical failures that could shut down the entire system.

Another crucial part of an electric furnace that a technician investigates is the air handler: the blower fan responsible for sending the heated air from the cabinet and distributing it into the ventilation system. The technician will make sure the motors are lubricated and not dirty, and that none of the capacitors are on the verge of failing.

After the maintenance session is done, you will have a furnace that is in the best condition possible for the coming winter. If the technician does locate places that need preventive repairs, he or she will tell you about them and help you schedule the repair work that will fix them before the cold weather arrives.

Call Shavitz Heating and Air Conditioning today and sign one of our Residential Maintenance Agreements. When you agree to have maintenance from us, you’ll actually need us less…since your furnace will keep working so well you shouldn’t need to contact us for repairs. However, in the event anything goes wrong, you can always count on us for fast electric furnace repair in Northbrook, IL.

Continue Reading

3 Advantages of a Modular Commercial HVAC System

Friday, April 11th, 2014

A commercial HVAC system is a complicated endeavor. It needs to support a large amount of square footage and keep both your customers and your business comfortable at all times. If you run a large building – with multiple floors and constant fluctuations in tenants – then you can go out of your mind trying to attend to all their needs. A modular system can be the perfect solution, and when it comes to commercial HVAC services, Northbrook, IL has experts who can help. Here are 3 advantages of a modular commercial HVAC system that you should consider when installing commercial air conditioning in your office.

  • Adaptable
    Modular systems contain a series of separate units, which can be added or removed from the system very easily. That means if your business grows and you need more air conditioning power, you don’t need to replace the whole system. You just need to add another modular unit. The versatility allows you maximum flexibility while ensuring that you’re never paying for more of a system than you need.
  • Space-saving
    Because commercial units are placed on the roof, you don’t need to use any valuable square footage on it. That leaves more room for storage, extra personnel or whatever your business needs to remain competitive.
  • Efficient
    Commercial HVAC systems are sturdy and reliable, which means they can handle the hottest days as well as the coldest nights. They’re built of solid materials, and can handle much larger loads to boot. While repairs are sometimes necessary, a regular schedule of maintenance and timely repairs will allow them to run for a good long line.

The advantages of a modular commercial HVAC system won’t mean much unless you have the right company for the job. And when it comes to professional HVAC services in Northbrook, IL, the experts at Shavitz Heating & Air Conditioning are here to help. Our trained professionals can install a system that’s right for your business, and will be on hand to correct any problems or maintenance issues that crop up in the ensuing years. Pick up the phone and give us a call today. You’ll be glad you did!

Continue Reading

Benefits of Using Rooftop Units for Your Business

Wednesday, March 12th, 2014

Here in Northbrook IL, rooftop units are standard for many businesses and office centers. These are modular commercial HVAC systems with a very simple operating system, placed on the roof of the building and heating or cooling the air through an extended series of ducts.  Business spaces have needs that residential homes don’t: they must condition a larger amount of square footage that supports a larger number of people for longer periods of time. In that sense, the benefits of using rooftop units for your business cannot be denied.

The biggest advantage of rooftop units is their versatility. Each unit is designed to handle a certain power load. As your business grows and your heating and air conditioning needs increase, you can simply add another unit to cover the additional workload. The same principle holds true if you have an office building that supports multiple businesses, The sectional nature of rooftop units lets you assign specific units to specific businesses, helping to keep track of energy use and ensuring that every occupant gets the heating and cooling he or she needs.

Then there’s the issue of placement. Space can be at a premium in any business and you don’t always have the square footage to handle a large HVAC system. Placing them on the roof keeps them out of the way, as well as ensuring that your outside space stays pristine and attractive. If repairs are needed, the technician can easily access all of the units, and the rooftop location means that there’s no mucking about in basements or other tough-to-reach locales. That not only lets repairs take place more quickly, but permits preventative maintenance sessions to take place with greater regularity: stopping many HVAC problems before they start.

The benefits of using rooftop units for your business can be further enhanced by hiring the right service to install and repair them. Rooftop units and other HVAC system services in Northbrook can be handled by the experts at Shavitz Heating & Air Conditioning. Our trained staff can ensure that your business stays comfortable for employees and customers alike. Give us a call today and let us show you what we can do!

Continue Reading

Is Metal Ductwork Better Than Flexible Ductwork?

Friday, August 30th, 2013

The air conditioning and heating systems that allow us to control our indoor climate are incredibly vital to the present and future comfort of our homes. While the range of system types and brands on the market today seems daunting, if not overwhelming, you must begin by finding an HVAC contractor you can trust to get the job done right. If you’re in the market for a new forced-air distribution system, you need to make sure that your ductwork is just as good as the rest of the system. There’s simply no substitution for the quality craftsmanship of a trained and experienced ductwork professional in Northbrook, IL. Let Shavitz take care of your duct installation or replacement. We will make the entire process run smoothly. Call us today.

There are two basic types of ductwork to keep in mind when deciding upon your new system: rigid sheet metal and flexible ductwork. Each has its advantages.

  • Sheet metal. One of the major advantages of sheet metal ductwork is its staying power. Because of what it’s made out of, it tends to last a long time, especially when it is properly cared for. As a rigid material, your sheet metal ductwork needs to have adequate space. Your ducts will need to be appropriately sized in order to match the heating and cooling system. That way, you can be sure to have excellent performance and energy efficiency.
  • Flexible. Flexible ducts are made out of corrugated plastic, often wrapped in insulation. While they tend not to last as long as sheet metal, they are very cost-effective. Their shape and size also allows them to be installed in locations that would not accept full-sized sheet metal ductwork.

While sheet metal ductwork tends to be a better long-term choice, flexible ductwork has the advantage of relatively low upfront cost and versatility. It all depends on the unique needs of your home and your budget. At Shavitz, our friendly technicians can make sure that your Northbrook, IL home has excellent ductwork so that you and your family remains comfortable year-round. Call us today to schedule an appointment.

 

Continue Reading