DuAll Heating & Cooling Blog : Archive for October, 2014

Reasons That Water Heater Replacement is Only a Job for Professionals

Monday, October 27th, 2014

A water heater that receives regular maintenance from professionals once a year and has any repair needs that come up attended to promptly can often last for over 20 years. But eventually, the stress of operation and general wear and tear from water and sediment in contact with metal over so many years will cause the heater to reach a point where it is too expensive to operate, or will no longer deliver you the amount of hot water your family needs.

When that happens, you should contact local skilled professionals with experience installing water heaters to replace your old system and put in a new one. DuAll Heating & Cooling has the training and tools to give you a great replacement for your water heater in Naperville, IL. Give us a call today if you’re ready for a fresh start with your water heater.

Yes… you do need professionals for this job

You may have had you water heater long enough that you won’t recall the type of work that went into installing it. Or perhaps you inherited the water heater with the house. Either way, you don’t want to find out how much labor and technical skill is required for this job the hard way: by attempting it yourself.

First, even before a single tool comes out to hook up the water tank to pipes, a water heater needs to be properly sized for a home. It’s important that the water heater can supply 1) a sufficient supply of hot water for your family’s needs, and 2) not waste energy doing it. It will require experienced professionals to determine the right sized heater for your needs, and you do not want to risk making the wrong choice.

When it comes to the actual work, there is a great risk from amateur installation of leaking pipes and poor soldering jobs. One of the most prominent reasons for later repairs on water heaters is shoddy initial installation work. You don’t want to live with a water heater that needs continual repair work and which leaks water everywhere.

It is especially important that you call for professionals if you use a gas-powered water heater, which is the most common type. (And for excellent reasons, and they are very cost-efficient to run.) In most locales, it is illegal to work on any system hooked to a gas main unless you are a licensed professional. You don’t want to take any risks of creating toxic and combustible gas leaks.

Water heater replacement is a simple and fast job when you call on experts like the team at DuAll Heating & Cooling. Water heater replacement is a job we handle often.

Don’t waste time and money on amateur work, and don’t risk you or your family’s health: call DuAll Heating & Cooling when it’s time for a new water heater in Naperville, IL.

Tags: Naperville, Water Heater Replacement
Posted in Water Heaters | Comments Off on Reasons That Water Heater Replacement is Only a Job for Professionals

New water heater efficiencies as of April 16, 2015

Wednesday, October 22nd, 2014

The US National Appliance Conservation ACT (NAECA) will require water heaters to be more energy efficient beginning April 16, 2015.. What this means to you? You will be able to have existing water heaters installed past this date until existing supplies last. Manufacturers, however, will not be allowed to make or sell products that meet the new standard. How to prepare? Budget for higher cost water heaters or proactively replace older water heaters before that date. And if your water heater looks anything like this, then you have waited too long!!!

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on New water heater efficiencies as of April 16, 2015

Plainfield Furnace Repair Guide: Is Your Home Not Getting Enough Heat?

Monday, October 20th, 2014

Is your heater working, but not quite as well as it should be? Is your heater not achieving the temperature set on your thermostat? A heating system that is working ok, but not great, most likely needs furnace repair in Plainfield. There can be a few reasons why your furnace isn’t producing the heat it should be, and it’s best to hire a professional to determine the reason why. At DuAll Heating & Cooling, our NATE-certified technicians can handle any heating issues you may have, so call us today.

Reasons for Reduced Heat

There are a few reasons you may experience reduced heating with your furnace:

Dirty air filter – dirty air filters can restrict air flow, which can decrease the volume of air flowing through your system, including the amount of warm air being delivered to your living spaces.

Faulty ductwork – your ductwork suffers wear and tear like any other part of your system. Cracks, holes and disconnections can create a great deal of air loss, which can result in less heating reaching your home.

Problems with the blower – the indoor fan that blows the hot air into your ductwork may be experiencing issues. A worn fan belt can decrease the amount of air flow, as can a problematic blower motor.

Imbalance in the system – there is a certain balance of pressure that needs to be maintained in order for your furnace to work correctly. Faulty ductwork can throw this balance off, making it hard to heat.

Blocked registers – make sure all vent registers are clear of debris, furniture or drapes as this can interrupt the flow of air.

Dirty burner – a burner that has a layer of dust and dirt can’t operate as it should, which may reduce its heating output.

Reduced heating can compromise your comfort and cost you money in extra energy usage. As you can see, there are a number of reasons why a furnace may have decreased levels of heating, which is why it’s important to hire an expert to inspect and make needed furnace repairs in Plainfield.

If you are experiencing problems with your furnace, call DuAll Heating & Cooling today and schedule an appointment with one of our professionals.

Tags: Furnace Repair, Plainfield
Posted in Heating | Comments Off on Plainfield Furnace Repair Guide: Is Your Home Not Getting Enough Heat?

When Is It Time for a New Boiler?

Monday, October 13th, 2014

Boilers are durable heaters that may last up to 15 years with proper maintenance. But if you wait until the last minute for replacement, you’re bound to have a mess on your hands, as you may only think to call for service after leaks damage your home, or you are left without any heating until replacement is finished.

This is why it’s important to be able to spot the signs that your old boiler is shot. The heating experts at DuAll Heating & Cooling have put together this list of a few of the ways you can tell it may be time for boiler replacement. Of course, every boiler is different, so always be sure to consult an expert before making a decision.

Old Age: If your boiler is approaching its expected lifespan, replacement is generally a good choice. Your older boiler has gotten a lot of use over the years, and, unfortunately, a breakdown is possible, especially if you seem to call for repairs frequently. In may be less expensive to replace your boiler now than to replace a broken system in the future.
Improper Size: Unfortunately, some contractors simply do not heed the proper sizing guidelines for boilers. Many choose larger boilers to ensure the customer gets adequate heat. But an oversized boiler will cost you more to run, using a lot of fuel and ultimately wearing down much sooner. If an oversized boiler causes you trouble, a new unit may be necessary sooner rather than later. A contractor should resize your new unit rather than replacing older components with similar ones.
Leaks: Leaks can indicate minor issues, such as a problem in the pressure valve, that simply mean your boiler needs minor adjustments or a couple of new components. However, leaks could also indicate corrosion or other damages that are beyond repairs. Calling for replacement is sometimes the only option when leaks are caused by rust and corrosion.

DuAll Heating & Cooling can help you decide whether you need boiler replacement in Bolingbrook. We can install, repair, or maintain any boiler model, so give us a call today!

Tags: Boiler Replacement, Bolingbrook
Posted in Heating | Comments Off on When Is It Time for a New Boiler?

Which Needs More Repairs: Furnaces or Boilers?

Monday, October 6th, 2014

If you are purchasing a new heating unit, you may be most concerned about the initial cost of installation. However, there are often more important considerations to take into account that may help you save money over time, such as energy efficiency and repair costs. Saving money over time with your system is important, and a professional can help you choose the most efficient system which could eventually compensate for the initial price. But how can you predict how much money your unit will cost in repairs throughout the life of the system?

For the most part, there’s no way to tell how much heating repair your unit will need over time. With proper care and maintenance, a heating system may need very few repairs in its lifespan. However, there are a few differences between the types of repairs you will need for a furnace or boiler, two of the most common heating systems available. But which requires the most repairs: a furnace or a boiler?

How much heating repair your unit will need depends on a variety of factors. First, you can prevent repairs by scheduling proper maintenance. With maintenance, a technician inspects your system, cleans components, and makes some adjustments to keep it working as it should. Second, some heating systems will need more repair if they are sized or installed improperly. Incorrect installation is an unfortunate reason for heating repair, which is why it’s important to choose qualified technicians for the job.

In general, however, a unit with more mechanical parts may be more likely to run into trouble. Boilers use water to transfer heat to your home, while furnaces distribute warm air through the ductwork. Furnaces use a lot of power to move fans and other mechanical parts, which means they may be more be likely to break down than boilers, which instead radiate heat throughout the home.

However, only a heating technician can help you choose the right system for your home.

If you need furnace or boiler installation, or if you run into the need for heating repair in Romeoville, call DuAll Heating & Cooling today!

Tags: Heating Repair, Romeoville
Posted in Heating | Comments Off on Which Needs More Repairs: Furnaces or Boilers?