Shavitz Heating and Air Conditioning Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Park Ridge’

Is a Boiler a Wise Choice for Installation in a New Home?

Friday, October 3rd, 2014

There are a lot of choices out there for home heating systems – so many that it can be confusing to determine which kind of system is best for your home. Working with a trained professional can go a long way toward helping you determine what system is right for you; additionally, understanding the basics of different systems is also helpful. Today we’re going to review boiler systems, and we’ll outline some of the benefits these systems can provide. If you have questions about the installation of a boiler in Park Ridge, IL, call Shavitz Heating and Air Conditioning and schedule an appointment with one of our trained experts.

How Does a Boiler Work?

Boilers are part of a hydronic heating system – a system that uses hot water (or the steam from hot water) to heat your home. The water is heated by a flame that is commonly fueled by either gas or oil (fuel can also be a solid fuel, like wood or wood pellets) via a heat exchanger. Once the water heats to the right temperature, it is pumped through a system of pipes that connect to the distribution outlets, which can be radiators, baseboard heaters or hydronic floor heating. When the water cools, it circulates back to the boiler for the next heating cycle.

What Are the Benefits of a Boiler?

Boilers offer a number of benefits which make them worth considering:

  • Good energy efficiency – today’s boilers have become quite energy efficient – as high as 90% – making them an option for many homeowners.
  • Even heating – the heat that emanates from a distribution outlet in a hydronic system is gradual: as such, the heat can feel more comfortable than forced hot air.
  • No dust circulation – because a boiler system is a closed system, you don’t have to worry about circulating dust. This can be especially helpful for families with allergy sufferers.
  • Quiet operation – the only noise a boiler makes is when it is heating up the water; otherwise, the distribution and heating are silent.
  • Easy to zone – if you want to establish different heating zones in your household, this can be easily achieved with the piping system of a boiler.

Boilers have been around for a long time, which can sometimes give the impression that they may not be as good or advanced as other heating systems; this simply isn’t true. Boilers have benefited from advances in technology just as other heating systems, so if you are contemplating the installation of a new boiler for your home in Park Ridge IL, call Shavitz Heating and Air Conditioning today to schedule an appointment!

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Why Boilers Are Still Popular for Home Heating

Wednesday, September 17th, 2014

The word “boiler” can give an image of an outdated, large heating appliance, but the truth is, boilers are very energy efficient and provide comfortable radiant heating. Boilers can operate with different fuel types, and come in a variety of sizes to accommodate properties from average size to large. So why consider the installation of a boiler in Park Ridge, IL? We’ll get into more details below, but no matter what your heating needs may be, including repair, replacement or maintenance, call the professionals you can count on: Shavitz Heating and Air Conditioning.

What Is a Boiler?

A boiler is part of a hydronic heating system in which water is heated to a temperature of 180 degrees and then circulated through a system of pipes where the heat from the water is released through radiators, baseboard or radiant tubing.

What Are the Different Types of Boilers?

There are 4 main types of boilers for your home:

  • Gas boiler – the most common type of boiler, a gas boiler uses natural gas to heat the water in the system. There are 3 kinds of gas boilers available: conventional, combination (also known as combi) and condensing. Gas boilers are very energy efficient and durable.
  • Electric boiler – electric boilers use electricity to heat the water in the system. These types of boilers are very energy efficient, using a small amount of electricity to work. They also tend to be smaller in size and do not emit any kind of carbon dioxide as gas boilers can.
  • Oil boiler – like the other two boilers, oil boilers are very energy efficient and durable. However, oil prices can vary greatly, which can make the operation of them more expensive.

Benefits of Boilers

No matter what type of boiler you choose, there are benefits to be gained:

  • Even heating – the heat from boilers is distributed through outlets that radiate heat rather than blow heated air; this makes the heating even and gradual, which can be more comfortable.
  • Quiet operation – the only noise a boiler makes is when it is heating the water; otherwise, the system is very quiet.
  • Piping system allows for easy zoning – the piping system of a boiler can make it easier to designate different heating zones inside your home.
  • No blowing dust – a boiler system doesn’t use air to deliver the heat, which helps to greatly reduce the circulation of dust particles in your home.

Boilers are very energy efficient and provide comfortable heating for your home. If you are interested boiler installation service in Park Ridge, IL, call Shavitz Heating and Air Conditioning today and speak with one of our installation experts.

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Benefits of Commercial HVAC Maintenance

Tuesday, August 12th, 2014

Your commercial HVAC system keeps your customers, clients, tenants, and/or employees comfortable throughout the day. If you’re a business owner or if you manage a commercial property, you know that business is the best when everybody in your building is happy. That’s why it’s important to install a high-performance HVAC unit and call for repairs at the first sign of problems. But if a lot of time has passed since someone had a look at your unit, you should consider calling a specialist for commercial HVAC maintenance.

During a maintenance visit, a technician will inspect your entire system, clean important components such as the condenser coil, adjust anything that’s out of place, and let you know if you need to schedule additional repairs. And the cost of maintenance is considerably low when compared to the benefits you may begin to notice right away.

  • Fewer Repairs: Calling for repairs is an inconvenience that may leave your building without cool air or heat for a lengthy period of time. But maintenance can significantly reduce the chances of sudden repair needs. Loose nuts and bolts and dirty components may eventually cause other parts to malfunction, but these minor problems are caught early on when you schedule maintenance.
  • Better Performance: Even minor problems with your commercial heating and air conditioning unit may keep it from performing at its best. A dirty coil, for example, is unable to easily absorb heat from the air, so you may notice reduced cooling capacity. When this coil and other parts are cleaned, your HVAC unit may even perform as well as when it was brand new!
  • Restore Efficiency: Not only do repair needs slow performance, they also make your system inefficient. A faulty blower fan, for example, prevents your business from reaching the proper temperature, which means your HVAC unit will work harder and run longer in an attempt to meet temperature needs. And because your commercial HVAC unit services several people in a large area, your bills may increase significantly. During inspection, a technician can alert you to any problems that may be decreasing efficiency, which saves you a lot of money every month.

If you decide that you need commercial HVAC services in Park Ridge, call Shavitz Heating and Air Conditioning today!

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3 Common Issues Connected with Electric Furnace Repair

Friday, March 28th, 2014

Electrical furnaces use coils or similar components to create heat. Some units use a fan to help distribute that heat, while others simply rely on the principles of radiant heating to transfer the warm temperatures. Electrical furnaces differ from more traditional forced-air furnaces, which burn natural gas to generate heat. Here in Park Ridge IL, electric furnace repair is usually provided by any qualified company that offers “traditional” (gas-powered) furnace repair. The problems they need to address can often differ from that of other types of furnaces, however.

Here are 3 common issues connected with electric furnace repair.

  • No heat
    A lack of heat can be caused by an electrical short in the system, which prevents it from getting power. That can being an overloaded circuit, faulty wiring, trouble with the fan motor or an issue with any other electrical component. A trained technician can hunt down the source of the electrical problem and replace the faulty component.
  • Low amounts of heat
    This differs from no heat at all in that you’re getting at least a little. But it never reaches the levels you want, which can actually be worse than no heat at all sine you can limp forward with the issue and possibly cause further damage to your heater as a result. Low levels of heat can be caused by clogged air filters, blocked air filters or a problem in the heating mechanism.
  • Rapid cycling
    Rapid cycling means that the furnace turns on and off multiple times in succession. It’s a problem because that uses a lot of energy, as well as increasing wear and tear on internal components. The issue can stem from a clogged blower, a problem with the fan motor, or a thermostat that is incorrectly reading the temperature in your home.

Here at Shavitz Heating & Air Conditioning, we offer professional heating system services in Park Ridge, IL including furnace repair all the time, and we know how to respond quickly to a service call. In Park Ridge IL, electric furnace repair needs to be fast and efficient before the next cold front rolls in. Give us a call if you have a problem, and let us show you what we can do!

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Potential Causes of Reduced Efficiency in Your Gas Furnace

Thursday, March 13th, 2014

Gas furnaces are a staple of many homes, providing safe and efficient heating at a very reasonable cost. Like any appliance, however, your furnace can suffer from a loss of efficiency over time, as age and wear-and-tear take their toll. Here in Park Ridge IL, gas furnace repair services are on hand to correct such problems, but it helps to understand the potential causes of reduced efficiency in your gas furnace before you need to call in a professional. An ounce of prevention beats a pound of cure, as they say, and the more you can do to prevent the loss of efficiency, the better off both your furnace and your wallet will be.

In many cases, reduced efficiency arrives with the simple accumulation of dust and detritus in your furnace. Burners can become clogged with gunk, which lowers their heating potential and may shut them down entirely if they become too clogged. Similarly, dust can create increased friction on moving parts, which affects their ability to do their jobs and makes wear and tear worse over time. This is especially true with such key components as the fan motor, without which heated air cannot reach your home.

In addition, damage and build-up can result in reduced air flow throughout your ducts, which forces the furnace to work harder to warm your home. The same principle holds true with loose parts and fittings, which can create breaches in the air flow or cause individual components to rattle in their housings. The blower fan could become bent or broken, the fan belt may become frayed, and in some cases, the flow of gas into the furnace may become blocked by build-up in the lines.

None of these things will shut your furnace down, but they will sap its ability to do its job effectively: coating you additional money in monthly energy bills. A good technician can fix the potential causes of reduced efficiency in you gas furnace, either as part of our regular maintenance program or with a formal repair call. Gas furnace repair and other heating services in Park Ridge, IL, can be provided by the experts at Shavitz Heating & Air Conditioning. Call us today and let us show you what we can do for you!

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This is How Ductwork Should be Repaired

Tuesday, January 28th, 2014

Ductwork is a key part of your heating and cooling system, carrying conditioned air from a centralized unit throughout the corners of your home. When a breach arises in the ductwork, it can severely crimp your HVAC system’s ability to function. Here in Park Ridge, IL, ductwork can be fixed by trained professionals, which is a good reason not to attempt to fix any of it yourself. This is how ductwork should be repaired.

In the first place, you can’t simply fix any breaches with duct tape or other over-the-counter components. It sounds like a natural fit until you consider the stressors the tape will be under. Ductwork must handle extremes in temperature – hot and cold alike – which break down duct tape very quickly. The same thing happens for other types of sealant. All of that assumes that the layman understands how to reach the damage portion of the ducts to begin with: a situation that usually requires professional training.

Contrast that with a visit from an expert. If repairing the breach is required, he or she can use materials specific to the kind of ductwork you have, meaning that it can stand up to the rigors of your HVAC system. Furthermore if replacement is necessary, an expert can pinpoint the exact type of component you need and size if properly. He or she can then install it with the confidence that comes with years of experience, leaving your ductwork in the same shape it was before the breach.

Ductwork issues can be resolved by the Park Ridge, IL ductwork technicians at Shavitz Heating & Air Conditioning. We know how ductwork should be repaired and we have the trained expert to make sure it happens exactly the way it should. We’ve serviced the Chicagoland areas for over 100 years – four generations of dedicated care – and we pride ourselves on doing the job right the first time, every time. If you’re having ductwork problems and need an expert to fix them, don’t hesitate to give us a call. We’re eager to show you what we can do!

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Best Ways to Maintain Your Park Ridge Heater

Wednesday, October 9th, 2013

Are you concerned about the condition or functionality of your heater? Do you find that your heater does not meet your expectations? Are your energy bills high? As the heating season rapidly approaches us here in Park Ridge, IL, residents throughout the area are looking to make sure that their heaters are prepared to combat the low temperatures and dry air. Whatever type or brand of heater that you have, it needs to be properly cared for throughout its service life. There’s no better time than right now to get your heater in good working order. Here are some things that you can do to maximize your heater’s performance this winter.

  • Schedule a tune-up. First and foremost, schedule a heating tune-up. This is the best way to ensure that your heater has everything it needs. A comprehensive heating maintenance service visit incorporates inspection, cleaning and adjustments. A pro inspection is important because it lets us find any issues that may be lurking with your heater. It’s a great idea even for systems that are relatively new. A comprehensive cleaning of your entire system gives your heater the opportunity to function like new, and any electrical or temperature adjustments keep everything in good working order.
  • Regularly change the air filter.  It’s important to change the air filter if you own a furnace or heat pump. The reason for this is simple. The air filter is designed to protect your system components from debris, but when it becomes clogged, it can actually have an adverse effect on the ability of your heater to function. It cuts down on efficiency and can inhibit the passage of heated air.
  • Use appropriately. Do you know how to operate your heater for maximum effectiveness? Speak to your local heating technician for some tips, and to learn more about upgrades. A programmable thermostat may be able to improve your energy savings and comfort this heating season, and installing a zone control system is a great way to improve control over your system.

Call Shavitz Heating and Air Conditioning today for all of your heating service needs in Park Ridge, IL. Let us take care of your heater so that it works well all winter long.

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