DuAll Heating & Cooling Blog : Archive for the ‘Heating’ Category

Update to May 1 Compliance Date for Gas Furnaces

Thursday, May 9th, 2013

On May 1, the U.S. Court of Appeals granted the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) motion for stay of the compliance date for non-weatherized natural gas furnaces. Under the regional standards rules, new minimum energy conservation standards of 80% AFUE would go in effect as of May 1, 2013. The stay delays the effective date until November 1, 2013 and eliminates the possibility of these rules being enforced by states, building inspectors, etc. despite the notice of ‘non-enforcement’ issued by the DOE.

At DuAll Heating & Cooling, we know it’s important for you to be aware of changes to regulations and rules that affect your home. Check our blog for regular updates, tips, and news, or call us today for more information.

Tags: gas furnaces, regulations
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Need Boiler Repair? Top 3 Repairs for your Boiler

Monday, March 25th, 2013

Boilers are one of the most popular and effective heating systems in the country. When you live in Illinois you probably use your heating system a lot during the cold winters here. With all that use it’s only natural that you would eventually need repair. Contact the Naperville, IL boiler repair experts at DuAll Heating & Cooling if you’re having any issues with your boiler. We have years of experience working with many different kind of boilers and wanted to share some of the most common repairs that we’ve seen.

Boiler Not Producing Enough Heat

When you turn on your boiler you expect it to produce heat for your home. But if you aren’t getting enough heat or if your boiler isn’t producing any heat at all you could have a serious problem. While this can sometimes be caused by a simple problem with your thermostats, it could also be something with the boiler itself. Call the Naperville, IL boiler repair professionals at DuAll Heating and Cooling if this is happening. It could be that the boiler’s water thermostat is set too low so it isn’t heating up the water enough. It might also be that there is sediment or mineral build up on the bottom of the boiler tank which is keeping the heat from getting to the water.

Boiler Leaking Water

With all of the water that your boiler uses and handles it will likely leak at some point. There are a few common places that are susceptible to leaks. The pump in your boiler is what actually pushes the hot water through your home. It can often leak water if the valves or gaskets are worn out. Also, the expansion tank is another are that can sometimes leak. The tank itself can also leak if the pressure inside is too great or if it is rusting. Call the Naperville, IL boiler repair technicians at DuAll if you’re having any water leaks with your boiler.

For Naperville, IL boiler repair make sure that you call DuAll Heating & Cooling today.

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Heating & AC: Ductless Mini Split System Installation Process

Monday, March 18th, 2013

As spring and summer approach, homeowners throughout Bolingbrook, IL are looking for ways to be more energy-efficient, to improve the indoor air quality of their home, and to be eco-friendly. More and more homes are making the switch to ductless mini splits not only for these reasons, but also because they enjoy the flexibility and minimal disruption of ductless installation. Whether you’re in the market for an air conditioning system for your new home, or thinking about switching from conventional central air, you need to know about the installation process. For more information about ductless mini split systems in Bolingbrook, IL, call DuAll Heating & Cooling today!

Let’s take a look at some of the basics of the ductless mini split system installation process:

No ducts. This is perhaps the greatest advantage to going ductless, and therefore greatly distinguishes ductless from ducted systems. Retrofitted ductwork can involve demolition and renovation of your home, as even flexible ducts have to be snaked through your walls and in the attic. Ductless systems, on the other hand, generally need only one small hole for the conduit to pass through the exterior of the home and to connect to the outdoor unit, which can placed as far away as 50 feet, depending on the model and particular home setup.
Air handler. The ductless indoor air handler is a sleek, attractive, and compact device that sits high on a wall or suspended from the ceiling. You can usually install about 4 air handlers to one single compressor/condenser unit. These can be placed around the house to create cooling zones, each with its own thermostat. The air handler is nearly silent and can also be operated by remote control. It extracts hot air as well as circulates cool air much more efficiently than duct extraction.
Outdoor unit. The outdoor unit of is not unlike its counterpart in a conventional central air. It houses the compressor, which is the engine that pumps the pressurized refrigerant through the refrigerant cycle. The condenser coils are also located there, where the heat from your home dissipates.

The ductless installation process is straightforward and relatively unobtrusive, but it needs to be done professionally to ensure that you get the most out of your cooling for years to come. For ductless mini split installation in Bolingbrook, IL, call DuAll Heating & Cooling today!

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Does Your Furnace Fan Need Repairs?

Monday, March 4th, 2013

Your home furnace consumes fuel to create heat, which it then distributes throughout your home. If it starts to make strange sounds, heats unevenly or inefficiently, or if you notice that your heating costs have spiked from one month to the next, then there may be something wrong with your heating system. One of the common problems furnaces sometimes develop concerns their fans, which force the hot air out of your furnace and into your home. If you feel that your furnace is not operating effectively or efficiently, call the Naperville, IL furnace experts at DuAll Heating & Cooling today to schedule repair service.

A professional diagnosis of your home heating system is needed to resolve the problem, but recognizing some characteristic symptoms of your furnace can go a long way to helping you make the call. In the case of your furnace fan, making sure it is running properly is important because it determines the rate at which the hot air flows into your home.

Fan is not running. If your furnace fan is not running, it could be an electrical problem, such as a tripped circuit breaker or faulty fuse. But a more serious problem may also be the culprit, such as the blower motor or its capacitor. Remember that the fan may have to be switched on at the thermostat to work.
Fan is running continuously. This might be an adjustment at the thermostat, which may have an option for the fan to run continuously, or at the furnace itself if there is a fan control switch, which may be faulty. But it may not be so straightforward. It’s always best to schedule professional repair service for your Naperville, IL furnace.

Your furnace fan is only one component of a complex heating system. Remaining alert to the various symptoms of a faulty furnace means ensuring the warmth of your home. You may also want to consider scheduling a program of routine maintenance with a local furnace technician, who can catch major problems before they damage your system. Whether it’s your furnace fan, or any of the various filters, motors, valves, and vents of your Naperville, IL furnace, you can count on DuAll Heating & Cooling to provide excellent service. Call us today!

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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.

Tags: Boiler, Boiler Maintenance, Heating, Naperville
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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:

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!

Tags: Heating, Heating Maintenance, Naperville
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Heating Tip: Why Is There No Heat In My Home?

Monday, January 14th, 2013

If you live in Naperville, then you know how important it is to have a good heating system. If your heater has stopped working, it can be miserable trying to keep warm in your home. That’s why DuAll Heating and Cooling works hard to provide complete Naperville heating services. For our customers in the Chicago and Naperville area, we thought it would be helpful to put together a quick list of some of the reasons why you might not be getting any heat in your home. If this is happening to you, make sure you contact DuAll Heating and Cooling if you don’t have any heat. We’ll send one of our trained technicians to your home to figure out what the problem is and offer a solution.

Clogged Air Filter

Believe it or not, one of the most common causes of furnace and heat pump problems is a clogged air filter. Without proper maintenance, the filter can get clogged with dirt and dust which restricts the flow of air into your home. When you call a heating contractor, one of the first places they may look is at your air filter.

Thermostat

Another common culprit of no heat is your thermostat. If the thermostat in your home has malfunctioned, it might be sensing that your home doesn’t need heat so it’s not turning on your heater. A visit from your Naperville heating contractor will be able to determine if that is the case.

Burner

If you have a gas-fired furnace or boiler, there could be an issue with the burner. If the pilot light has gone out there won’t be any heat. Additionally, there could be a problem with the thermocouple. The thermocouple is a safety device that detects if the pilot light is lit. If it detects heat, then it allows fuel to flow into the furnace. If it doesn’t detect heat, like when the pilot light goes out, it will shut off the flow of gas. If the thermocouple is malfunctioning, it could have inadvertently shut off the gas to your burner.

Fan

If the fan for your furnace or heat pump is broken, there won’t be anything to push the air through your home. This could be because the motor is broken or because the fan’s belt is broken. Either way, you should call a heating contractor as soon as possible to fix the problem.

If you have any of these problems or if you suspect that it is another issue, call DuAll Heating and Cooling for all your heating in Naperville needs today. Our technicians are highly trained and have experience repairing many different types and brands of heating systems. We’ll be able to figure out what the problem is, fix it and get you back up and running as soon as possible. Call us today!

Tags: Heating, Naperville, Thermostats
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Residential Heating Tip: Is My Home Ready for a Heating Upgrade?

Monday, December 17th, 2012

Being able to stay warm and comfortable within our own home is one of the most basic luxuries that we enjoy as homeowners. Of course, as time progresses and factors such as fuel prices, availability, the condition of your existing heating system and technology all change, an upgrade is really just an eventuality. Making the decision about when a home heating system upgrade is appropriate is more difficult. With the help of the Plainfield IL heating experts at DuAll Heating & Cooling you can be sure that you are making the best decision for your home when you decide to upgrade your heating system.

One of the main factors that will inform your decision about whether a heating system upgrade in your home is necessary is the age of your existing system. Not every piece of equipment will necessarily require and upgrade, but the longer you have had your system the more efficient newer products have become. Even if you are still able to operate your heating system near its original efficiency capability you may find that newer systems are far more efficient. If your heater simply cannot stand up to the models out today an upgrade may be the right choice.

Fuel source is another major factor that may force you to consider an upgrade. That old oil burning boiler in your basement may still have a few years left in it. The price of oil, though, has likely increased quite a bit since you first started using that boiler. Switching over to natural gas or even electricity may be an upgrade worth considering.

Whatever you do, be sure to discuss your heating system upgrade options in Plainfield IL with a professional before committing to anything. Contact DuAll Heating & Cooling today. We can help you make the best decision for your home heating system.

Tags: Heating, Plainfield
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Heating FAQ: What Is An Energy Recovery Ventilator

Monday, December 3rd, 2012

At DuAll Heating & Cooling, we get a lot of questions about installing energy recovery ventilators for our Romeoville IL area customers. Are you not sure if an energy recovery ventilator (ERV) is right for your home? This post will go over the basic benefits of an ERV system and how it works. We can also go over the installation process with you and help you select the model that works best for your home.

An energy recovery ventilator system is basically a pre-heating and pre-cooling system for your heating and AC system. These systems can normally be added to your existing forced-air system, and they also serve as an air purifier and humidity control system. In heating mode, the cold fresh air from outside is pulled in to be heated by your furnace or heat pump. Before it gets there, the energy recovery ventilator allows the warm, stale air leaving the house to transfer up to 70% of its heat to the new cooler air. In cooling mode, the process is reversed.

ERVs are not the same as heat recovery ventilators, though they operate in a similar way. While there is some debate over whether heat recovery ventilators or energy recovery ventilators are the better choice, it really depends on the home and particular situation. Overall, ERVs are intended to be used to add ventilation without losing heat that is normally lost through other venting methods. If you aren’t sure whether an ERV is right for your home, give the Romeoville IL heating experts at DuAll Heating & Cooling a call any time. We can go over your options and help you decide.

If you have an energy recovery ventilator in your home already, but you’re not sure if it’s functioning correctly or have other questions about it, call one of our technicians to diagnose the issue. Our technicians will inspect your system, and help you to set up a maintenance schedule if it is in need of more routine maintenance.

Call DuAll Heating & Cooling today to find out how an energy recovery ventilator can provide efficient ventilation for your Romeoville IL home.

Tags: Energy Recovery Ventilator, Heating, Romeoville
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Residential Heating FAQ: What Is a Dual Fuel System and Do I Need One?

Monday, November 19th, 2012

Are you considering a dual fuel system but not sure if that is the right type of heat pump system for your home? Call the Bolingbrook heating experts at DuAll Heating & Cooling if you would like to know more about the benefits of a dual fuel system. We can explain the advantages of dual fuel over a standard air source heat pump system, and we’ll be glad to assess your current system to let you know if an upgrade would be a cost-effective choice.

Backup Heating with an Air Source Heat Pump

If you have an existing air source heat pump, you probably have a backup heater. Many people believe that a heat pump will not heat the home during times of extreme cold weather. However, this is not the case. Air source heat pumps—at least the standard ones—simply do not work as efficiently during freezing weather. Using a backup heater is mostly about getting more efficient heat in the winter.

Backup heat is usually provided by a gas furnace, since natural gas tends to be more efficient than electricity. And with a duel fuel or hybrid system, the heat pump control center will know when to switch from the electric compressor to the gas furnace for more efficiency. Before you decide to upgrade, there are a few factors to consider.

Here’s how you can compare the costs of other heat pumps that don’t use this type of technology. First, make sure you know the condition and efficiency of your current heat pump if you have one. If your old system was not sized correctly, or if you’ve made significant improvements to increase overall home efficiency, you may want to upgrade to a more efficient heating and cooling system to take full advantage of those changes.

Make sure you also understand efficiency ratings. They are measured differently for the different types of systems. Check with your heating contractor if you aren’t sure how to read the numbers. You can also just look for the Energy Star label. These models with be about 10% more efficient than the ones that meet today’s basic energy requirements. Also be sure to compare the cost of fuel in your area, and keep a record of your bills every winter so that you can see when you were paying more in heating costs.

If you have further questions or would like to go over your options with one of DuAll’s Bolingbrook heating specialists, call us any time.

Tags: Bolingbrook, Furnaces, Heating
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