DuAll Heating & Cooling Blog : Posts Tagged ‘Heating’

Now Is a Good Time to Replace That Heater

Monday, September 4th, 2017

service-timeWe’re just inching our way into September right now, and many homeowners are probably going to have a hard time letting the warmth and comfort of the sunny summer days go. Let go we must, though, as all summers must pass. If you’re looking for a project to help distract yourself from the chilling of the air surrounding you, while also preparing for the really cold weather just around the corner, we suggest that you take stock of your heater and get your heating replacement in Bolingbrook, IL out of the way now.

Investing in a new heater may not have the excitement level of booking a tropical vacation or purchasing a sleek new vehicle, but it is something that we all have to do eventually. Replacing a heater before you really need it to go into full service mode is always preferable to waiting too long and winding up with a heating replacement during the coldest time of the year. Here are some tips to help you decide if the time is right for a heating replacement.

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Call to Schedule Late Season Heating Repairs

Monday, March 20th, 2017

opening-heating-panelWell, it’s spring — but nobody seems to have told the weatherman that, apparently. March is a notoriously unpredictable month in terms of weather, and our nighttime temperatures especially are still looking more like winter than anything approaching warm summer days. As recently as last week, the Northeast was battered by a late season snowstorm. These are precisely the reasons why you should always schedule heating repairs when problems develop, regardless of how much more work your heater has ahead of it for the season.

If your heater seems to be struggling, do not hesitate to give us a call. By all means, start making your summer plans and look forward to the coming warm weather. Until then, let us make sure that you are able to make it through the rest of this season in comfort. 

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HVAC FAQ: What Is Short Cycling?

Friday, February 17th, 2017

HVAC-repair-technician-on-the-jobWe live in an area where we have cold winters and hot summers. That means that your heating and air conditioning systems are both of equal importance. Any problems with either of these systems really must be dealt with as soon as possible. Ignoring any signs of trouble with your HVAC systems will only give existing problems the time that they need to get worse and to do more damage to the system(s) in question.

Short cycling is a problem that can affect both heating and air conditioning systems. Like any other HVAC problem, there are many different reasons as to why short cycling may occur. We’ve provided some information regarding the potential causes of short cycling below. Remember, if you need any heating or air conditioning repair services in Bolingbrook, IL, give the professional technicians on our team a call right away.

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Don’t Make These Heating Mistakes This Winter

Monday, November 7th, 2016

We all hope to live comfortably throughout the winter season without spending too much on heating bills. Sometimes, the very tricks that we employ to reduce heating costs can actually have the opposite effect. Here are a few common mistakes that you should avoid making if your goal is efficient heating in Bolingbrook, IL this winter.

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How a Faulty Thermostat Affects Your Heating

Thursday, December 18th, 2014

The thermostat is very likely the only component of your heating and air conditioning system you really interact with. Your heating system’s thermostat communicates to your heater when the temperature has dropped below the desired setting. The heating system then switches on and heats up the air until the necessary conditions have been met.

You may think that a thermostat works under a fairly simple mode of operation. But a faulty thermostat will have a huge impact on how effectively your heating system operates. Thermostats can be responsible for anything from no heating at all to severely worn down parts and controls. This list details a few of the ways a faulty thermostat can affect your heating in Naperville.

  • Reduced Heating: One of the most common side effects of a faulty thermostat is reduced or absent heating. Your broken thermostat may prevent heat from entering your home or it may simply reduce the amount of heating you feel throughout the house. Reduced heating could be symptomatic of a number of problems, like a broken safety switch or a faulty blower fan, but an issue with the thermostat generally indicates a new one is necessary.
  • Poor Efficiency: Even if you own one of the most efficient types of heating systems available on the market, a broken thermostat can reduce efficiency by quite a stretch. This component may at some point be unable to communicate to the heater when it is time to shut off, not only making you feel uncomfortable, but also requiring far more energy to run.
  • Worn Parts: A faulty thermostat may also cause your unit to short cycle if there is a faulty wiring connection. Short cycling is when the unit turns on and then shuts off shortly afterwards. This can cause the parts to become damaged and wear down over time.

Replacing a thermostat doesn’t have to be a negative experience. A trained technician can help you select a thermostat with advanced settings so that you can have greater control over what times of day your unit switches on and off in order to better track your energy usage over time.

Contact DuAll Heating & Cooling when you need any services for your heating in Naperville, IL.

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Why Does My Home’s Air Get Dry in the Winter?

Friday, November 15th, 2013

It’s a common complaint in the wintertime: your heater delivers plenty of warmth for your home, only to render your air bone dry. Winter air starts out dry to begin with, a condition that’s only exacerbated by the warm air of a heater or furnace.  Humidity levels play a huge role in the comfort of your home, and here in Plainfield, heating systems can sometimes contribute to the problem if you’re not heads up about it. “Why does my home’s air get dry in the winter?” The answer is a little complex, but can help you understand why your home doesn’t feel as comfortable as it should.

When we talk about humidity, we’re usually talking about relative humidity, which should be between 30% and 60% for your home to be comfortable. This becomes more important in the winter because cold air doesn’t hold water as well as hot air does. Warm air expands, which gives it a greater capacity to hold water, while cold air contracts (this is why condensation appears on a cold drink in the summertime; the warm air just outside the glass is being cooled, forcing out the moisture which condenses on the colder surface.) That means when warm air passes over water, it tends to pull it out, drying the air.

You can see how your furnace might contribute to this issue: cycling warm air through your home and pulling moisture out of it. Excessively dry air can cause all kinds of health problems, exacerbating allergies and leading to irritation in the nose and throat. You can remedy this in part by taking a shower, heating up water in a pan or using a portable humidifier. The best long-term solution, however, is to install a whole-house humidifier in your heating system, It will allow you to continue to heat your house while still keeping humidity levels in check.

For more extensive answers to the question “why does my home’s air get dry in the winter?” or to handle other issues regarding Plainfield heating, call upon the pros at DuAll Heating & Cooling. Trained experts are on hand to answer all your questions, so contact us today!

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Heating Problems Caused by a Lack of Maintenance

Thursday, November 7th, 2013

During an Illinois winter, you can expect the heater in your home to do a large amount of work keeping you comfortable. All machines require some level of maintenance to make sure they do not wear down early and break, and this is especially true for heating systems that stay on through most of a cold winter season. Unless you schedule regular maintenance for your heater—annually, at least—you can expect to have numerous headaches from faulty parts and poor performance.

Enrolling in a maintenance program, like the one we offer at DuAll Heating & Cooling, is an investment in your future comfort and a way to save money from costly repairs. Here are some repair issues you might encounter if you let your heating go without regular maintenance.

Remember that even the best maintained heater can still experience an occasional malfunction, so if you require repairs for your heating system in Plainfield, IL, give us a call at DuAll Heating & Cooling and we can take care of it.

3 heating problems lack of maintenance can cause

Reduced air flow: If you have a furnace, you will know that it’s working when you feel warm air wafting from the vents. But if your heater goes without tune-ups and inspections, it can lead to broken blower motors and clogged air filters, and this will cause a reduction in the flow of air and a much colder home.

Overheating boiler: This is a common trouble for boilers that haven’t received regular flushing of their system—an important part of annual maintenance. System flushing removes sediment that can build up in the tank and cause overheating. An overheating boiler will threaten to cause leaking throughout the pipes connected to the water tank.

Full break down: This is the nightmare situation, and the best reason for getting regular maintenance. A combination of stress on moving parts, dirt and dust infiltration, and electrical trouble—all of which a technician could detect and remedy during an inspection—will eventually lead to the heater shutting down during the coldest day of the year (when it has to strain the most). Because HVAC companies must respond to numerous emergency calls on days like this, it can be difficult to get repairs done in timely fashion—and that means some very uncomfortable hours ahead.

Take advantage of the time left before the heavy winter weather arrives to have your annual maintenance done on your heater. DuAll Heating & Cooling has a Maintenance Saving Plan with discounts on parts and labor. Enroll now to get dependable heating for your home.

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When Should I Consider Installing A New Furnace?

Thursday, October 24th, 2013

In towns like Plainfield, a furnace installation means comfort and reliability during our lengthy Chicagoland winters. Sooner or later, every old furnace needs replacing, no matter how well it may perform or how long. Installing a new one is not a light undertaking, but it offers numerous advantages, and there comes a time when those advantages easily outweigh the initial cost of a set-up. “When should I install a new furnace?” you ask. The answers vary by homeowner, but it boils down to a question of money saved.

Older furnaces tend to be less efficient furnaces. Parts wear out, components need to be replaced, and even the most well-maintained unit will start to lose heating potential to waste and inefficiency. You can spot signs of trouble if your heating bill increases significantly, even though you’re not using your furnace any more than you normally do. A more formal measurement comes with the unit’s AFUE (annual fuel utilization efficiency) rating, which is normally higher in newer units than older ones. (The EnergyStar sticker is given to gas furnaces of AFUE 95% or higher and oil furnaces of AFUE 85% or higher, making it a handy guide to finding a more efficient furnace.)

You might also decide to install a new furnace if repairs on the old one rise higher than you’re willing to tolerate. Every furnace needs repairs sooner or later, but if the frequency of repairs and/or their escalating costs keep climbing, it may be more worthwhile to install a new unit. New units tend to be protected by warranties, and with regular maintenance and upkeep will last quite a long time. Moreover, the energy saved from month to month will help offset the cost of installation, as will the improved resale value your home could enjoy from the addition of a new furnace.

If you’ve answered the question “when should I consider installing a new furnace?” call on the experts at DuAll Heating & Cooling to help. We handle Plainfield furnace installation of all varieties, and our staff operates throughout the southern Chicagland area.

Call us today to set up an appointment

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Boiler FAQ: What Does Boiler Maintenance Involve?

Monday, February 4th, 2013

If you ask any home heating professional what the most important action you can take to preserve the integrity of your boiler is, they will likely say scheduling regular boiler maintenance. When it comes to getting the best, most efficient and reliable performance from your boiler there is just no substitute for high-quality maintenance service. Many homeowners in Naperville still fail to schedule routine maintenance. We at DuAll Heating & Cooling want to try and change that. Here is some information about what boiler maintenance actually involves. We hope that you are convinced of its importance.

When you schedule professional boiler maintenance in Naperville, your entire home heating system is evaluated, tuned up and, if necessary, repaired. A thorough visual inspection will be completed. All joint fittings and connections will be checked for signs of leaks. All gaskets on the doors will be replaced as necessary.

The front and rear doors of your furnace will be opened and surfaces will be cleaned when needed. The doors will then be sealed and closed. Water cut off controls will be removed, inspected and replaced as needed. Your boiler will be flushed to remove any sediment and buildup within the boiler.

Your burner will be inspected and cleaned, and you pilot electrode will be adjusted or, if necessary replaced. The motor, its contacts and moving parts will also be inspected, cleaned and repaired if needed. A number of safety checks will be performed and the results recorded.

As you can probably tell, boiler maintenance is not a job that can be successfully completed by anyone other than a qualified professional. There are simply too many tasks that must be completed to ensure the safe, efficient and effective operation of your boiler. From the lubrication of all moving parts to the cleaning of the system and everything in between, your boiler maintenance needs the expertise that only a professional can provide.

For more information about boiler maintenance in Naperville or to schedule service, call DuAll Heating & Cooling. We can make sure that you are getting the best performance possible from your boiler. Contact us today with any questions you may have.

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Residential Heating Tip: Benefits of a Maintenance Savings Plan

Monday, January 28th, 2013

At DuAll Heating & Cooling, we offer comprehensive Naperville heating maintenance savings plans for customers throughout the area. We know that the heating system in your home is big investment and that you want it to work when you need it most during the winter.

We created our maintenance savings plan with all of this in mind. When you enroll, you get many benefits. Here are just a few:

  1. Discounts on parts and labor on all repairs: With our seasonal maintenance plan, you can save 10% on any needed repairs during the season. You also get routine tune-ups every year for no additional charge.
  2. Free tune-up reminders: You no longer have to remember to schedule your heating tune-up. now we can keep you on schedule with reminders to schedule your yearly maintenance exam.
  3. Extended equipment life: With regular maintenance, you can prevent the number one reason for system failure—improper maintenance. Systems that are properly maintained will last a lot longer.
  4. Reduced heating bills: Do you want lower utility bills? Regular maintenance with one of our maintenance plans can save energy and put money back in your pocket.
  5. Priority service: Enrolling in one of your plans allows you to get ahead of non–members, even during the busiest time of the heating season. We guarantee that you won’t wait more than a day for service.
  6. Safety: Perhaps the greatest benefit is that you get the peace of mind that your heating system has been through a safety check before the heating season begins.
  7. Satisfaction guarantee: With our plans, you can cancel it at any time and for any reason, no questions asked. We refund any unused portion of your investment as well.

For all these reasons and more, call DuAll Heating & Cooling for all your home heating maintenance needs!

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