warm seasons is all but a distant memory, and many of us have already begun the process of preparing out homes for the cold months ahead. we dust off the heater, change filters, weather-strip, and insulate, but many people neglect to protect the cooling system. covering the cooling system during the cold seasons is a smart way to keep the unit safe from falling ice and other garbage, but only if the correct cover is chosen. for those who use window or wall air conditioning units, covering the cooling system is especially important because of the potential for heat loss.
Archive for the ‘Heating’ Category
protect the cooling system this cold seasons| orland park, lynwood, hinsdale
Thursday, May 17th, 2012space heating precautions
Monday, May 14th, 2012space heaters are convenient for use in times when the centric heater fails to operate correctly, and when there is a need for supplemental heat in certain areas of the house. however, the consequences of using a space heater improperly can be devastating to your family. every year space heater fires destroy thousands of homes, and cause hundreds of deaths and injuries due to fire, burns, and carbon monoxide poisoning. preventing these horrible situations in your house requires a few precautions that, if taken seriously, make operating space heaters safe.
a match made in heaven| downers grove, oak brook, calumet park
Sunday, May 13th, 2012picture yourself in this situation. the heater has finally called it quits after 20 years of somewhat reliable service. you call four seasons to schedule your free in-home estimate on a new system, and the salesman arrives to do an assessment of your house heating needs. he takes a step outside and notices that your cooling system is the same age as your heater. he comes back inside and suggests that you now replace the cooling system along with the heater. before jumping to the conclusion that this salesman is full of it or that he is just trying to maximize his profits, you should take a moment to consider the many benefits that come from replacing the entire system at once rather than replacing it in pieces. these benefits include:
- system efficiency: whenever you replace just one component in a system, the older units limit the efficiency of the new system. there have been drastic improvements in the power efficiency of heating and cooling units, and replacing both systems at the same time will allow you to maximize the efficiency of both units.
- savings: when you maximize the power efficiency of your units, you maximize your savings as well! also, there is a preferred chance that you will get that cooling system at a discounted price during the off season.
- warranty coverage: your new heater will come equipped with a warranty that will protect you from the formidable cost of repairs for years and years to come. replacing the cooling system with the heater ensures that your entire system is covered by a warranty and not just part of it.
- equipment age: if your 25 year old heater broke down, it is only a matter of time before your 25 year old cooling system breaks down too! you could remove the hassle of going without air conditioning on a hot chicago warm seasons day, and replace both the heater and the cooling system this cold seasons.
when you have a matched system operating in your house you will experience increased comfort, savings, and reliability. call four seasons heating and air conditioning today to learn more about how you can benefit from having a matched heater and cooling system in your house.
a match made in heaven| downers grove, oak brook, calumet park is a post from: heating and cooling heater rebuild
Home Star Rebates Look Promising
Saturday, May 12th, 2012On June 7, 2010 The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Home Star Energy Act. The purpose of the bill is to not only help job growth but also to reduce our consumption of energy. The rebates if passed by Congress would give consumers significant money back on purchases of air conditioners, furnaces boilers and more.
The eligible products would have to be energy efficient and provide significant energy savings. The Home Star program has been compared to the “Cash for Clunkers” program in which consumers would replace existing air conditioners, furnaces and boilers for more energy efficient models. The rebates would go directly to the homeowner to offset the purchase price. In addition to the bonus that the rebates provide consumers should also benefit from long-term savings related to reduced energy bills every month.
For more information visit the Four Seasons Heating & Air Conditioning website and the Four Seasons news blog.
Flooding and Your HVAC Systems
Friday, May 11th, 2012With the recent flooding across our country, there are a lot of Americans who are trying to salvage their homes. Flooding can destroy anything from carpet to appliances, and one of the more expensive casualties may be the heating and air conditioning systems. However, these units will be well worth the cost to either repair or replace when compared to the dangers that they can cause. There are several measures that homeowners must take to ensure renewed safety in your home after a flood.
winter cooling system covers
Wednesday, May 9th, 2012with the cold weather creeping into the chicago land area, the last thing on your mind is the cooling system. unfortunately, the long hot days of warm seasons are long gone, but if you use a window or wall cooling system, you could have a problem on your hands. unless the unit can be removed easily and stored for the cold seasons, you need to create or purchase an air conditioning cover for your unit. if you fail to do so, you could be throwing your hard earned money out the window.
don’t blame the thermostat; blame the location
Tuesday, May 8th, 2012thermostats are known for having problems regulating temperatures in the house accurately. but, sometimes the real problem isn’t the thermostat; it is where it is located! thermostat that are:
- exposed to sunlight
- exposed to heat from appliances like televisions and computers
- exposed to heat from a lamp or other light source that emits heat
- installed on an exterior wall of the house
- installed too close to a window
- installed too close to a supply vent
- installed in an enclosed area far from a return vent
- installed too close to a door
- installed in an area that is prone to drafts
- installed in an area this is not frequently occupied
if your thermostat is located in any of these areas this may be what is causing your problem. poor location causes the thermostat to misinterpret the temperature in the house. as a result, it will run the heater and the cooling system more than necessary, or it will force you to change the setting on the thermostat to compensate for the lack of heating or cooling in other areas of the house.
when this happens your power bills begin to increase due to the longer run times needed from the heating, ventalation, and air conditioning equipment. you could be wasting a lot of money every month because of poor thermostat placement, and if you think that you may have this problem in your house, you should contact a expert.
a expert heating, ventalation, and air conditioning craftsperson will be able to determine if any of these factors are influencing your thermostat. if he finds that they are, he may be able to offer some solutions or he may even have to relocate the thermostat to another area in the house. thermostat location is crucial to the correct function and efficiency of your heating and cooling equipment, so it is in your best interest to have this problem examined as soon as possible.
Proper Installation of Heating and Cooling System
Monday, May 7th, 2012Replacing your old heating and cooling system with new, energy-efficient central heating and air conditioning system is a great start. But to make sure that you get the best performance, the new equipment must be properly installed. This is no gimmick, an improper installed system can reduce system efficiency by up to 30 percent, costing you more on your utility bills and possibly shortening the equipment’s life.
tank-less hot water: gas or electric?
Friday, May 4th, 2012tank-less hot water heaters have become very popular in the recent years as power efficiency has become a priority in households across the united states. these compact systems offer many benefits when compared to traditional hot water tanks. as with any appliance there are some possible complications, but with correct installation and sizing, many of the drawbacks can be eliminated. there is, however, one key factor that you must take into consideration before installing one of these systems: fuel type!
carbon monoxide detector maintenance| western springs, shorewood
Thursday, May 3rd, 2012as of the year 2007 it became an illinois law that every house must have carbon monoxide detectors installed. nevertheless, many households have yet to comply, and of those that have installed detectors many have allowed them to fall into disrepair over the years. among the appliances in your house that can crack carbon monoxide, furnaces and boilers that are poorly cared for are often the source of this deadly gas. around the clock cleanings performed by professionals are the best way to keep your system in review. but, accidents do happen, and that is why carbon monoxide detectors are so crucial to your family’s safety in the house.