DuAll Heating & Cooling Blog

3 Advantages of Zoning Systems

May 2nd, 2014

A zoning system is a method of dividing your home into separate sections, each with its own set of controls to adjust the heat and air conditioning systems. With centralized system, zone controls consist of a series of valves and seals in the ducts to direct the air flow. With ductless mini-split systems, zone control is usually a de facto reality, since the system involves numerous smaller units spaced throughout the home. When it comes to air conditioning, Romeoville IL residents should explore all their options, and zoning systems offer some tangible benefits that are often worth the cost of installation.

3 advantages of zoning systems that you should consider

  • Flexibility. Say you’re cooking in the kitchen over a hot stove. Another family member is reading in the living room. Zoning systems allow you to increase the air conditioner in the kitchen to help keep you comfortable, while letting the other family member maintain a warmer temperature in the living room: ensuring that you both feel cozy.
  • Savings. Zone control systems allow you to shut off the heat or air conditioning in parts of the home you aren’t using, which can save you a great deal in monthly energy expenses.
  • Longevity. Because zone control systems reduce the load on your heating and air conditioning system, they help your system last longer and reduce the risk of repairs. Again, the inferred savings might even be enough to offset the cost of installation, depending on the specifics.

Zoning systems are a standard option that many air conditioning companies can install, but as always, you want to choose a company with the skills and experience to do the job right. When it comes to air conditioning, Romeoville IL residents have a tried and true option in DuAll Heating & Cooling. We know the advantages of zoning systems and we can help you find the type of zone controls that are right for your home.

Our trained technicians can go through all of your options with you, then perform the installation with courtesy and pride.  Give us a call today to make an appointment.

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3 Reasons to Install a Ductless Mini Split System

April 30th, 2014

Once upon a time, all forced-air central heating and cooling systems needed to use ductwork to distribute comfort through the rooms of a house. However, the invention of the ductless mini split heat pump changed this. Although ductless systems at first remained limited to commercial use, they have now entered homes as an alternative to standard ductwork-based air conditioners, heat pumps, and furnaces.

Ductless systems work through blower units mounted on walls in different rooms. Each blower contains a fan and refrigerant coil to send conditioned air directly into a room. Each of the blowers connects separately to the single outdoor unit through a condensing, refrigerant, and power line. Otherwise, the ductless system operates identically to a central heat pump.

To find out more about ductless heating and air conditioning installation in Naperville, IL, call DuAll Heating & Cooling today. We can help you discover if ductless will work for your home.

Why go ductless? Here are 3 reasons!

  1. Save money through zone control: Because a ductless system uses individual blowers mounted in different parts of a home, you do not need to cool or heat the whole house every time the heat pump turns on. You can shut off the blowers in rooms that aren’t being used, and this will result in large energy savings. (It also means improved comfort for people in your house, since they can adjust the blowers nearest to them.)
  2. Remove air quality issues due to ducts: Ducts develop dust, dirt, and other contaminants over time, and without regular cleaning they can negatively affect your indoor air quality. Because ductless mini split heat pumps do not use ducts at all, you will have higher quality air—and no need to spend money on duct cleaning or duct repairs.
  3. Add-on rooms: You don’t have to replace your old system with a ductless mini split; you can make it an addition to cool and heat new rooms. If you add on a new room to your home, you don’t need to worry about linking it to the current ventilation network or requiring a replacement installation for your current HVAC system because it cannot handle the new space. You simply install a mini split heat pump for the new room.

Also keep in mind that ductless systems are heat pumps, so you will have both your heater and air conditioner needs taken care of with one system. As a replacement for separate air conditioning and heating systems, a heat pump is a great way to save money and space.

Ductless systems will not work ideally for every home, so call DuAll Heating & Cooling today and make an appointment to learn your best options for heating and air conditioning installation in Naperville, IL.

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Replace vs. Repair Your Water Heater

April 24th, 2014

No home appliance lasts forever, and with any one of them you will eventually face the question of whether you should continue with repairs to keep the device running, or invest in a replacement.

A storage water heater lasts, on average, between 10 to 15 years. (Tankless systems tend to last longer.) The longevity depends on the model, the quality of water from the municipal source, the regularity of maintenance and repairs, and other factors. The manufacturer of the water heater in your home should have listed an estimated lifespan for the system on the tank. But even with this guideline, it often isn’t easy to tell when you should repair or replace. We’ll help focus your decision when it comes to the “repair vs. replace” debate. However, you should still seek a professional opinion before you make the choice. For a water heater in Bolingbrook, IL, call the experts at DuAll Heating & Cooling for advice, repairs, and installation.

Repair?

If your water heater is still under the estimated lifespan by a few years, and especially if it is still under the manufacturer’s warranty or an extended warranty from the installer, you should look into repairs first when the system shows signs of malfunctions. If you have kept up with annual routine maintenance, the system should still be in good enough health that a targeted repair from a professional will restore the system and keep it moving toward its estimated lifespan. (And don’t delay with any repairs; prompt action is the key to a long lifespan.)

Replace?

If a water heater is 15 years or older, you should already be thinking of replacing it even before a malfunction occurs… but a malfunction should serve as the final warning flag. If a water heater is close to the end of its estimated lifespan, pay special attention to problems like less available hot water or rusty-colored water coming from the taps. Rust inside the tank is usually a strong sign the system is close to a complete and final failure.

If you do choose to replace the water heater, you may want to consider going with a tankless model. These systems have greater longevity and energy efficiency, and they do not run out of hot water. Ask your installer about this option to see if it fits your home.

DuAll Heating & Cooling is ready with repairs for your water heater in Bolingbrook, IL, or with advice for new installation—whichever ends up the case we’ll help you make the right choice.

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Who Should You Trust to Check Your Home Systems?

April 16th, 2014

If you’re like most folks, your home is your most valuable financial asset. The systems that run your home represent a sizeable part of your investment, of course. So you’ll only want reputable, qualified and competent contractors to take care of them for you.

When you need service done, many of you ask family, friends and neighbors for names of companies, and that’s a great way to check for a sound reputation. You can also take a close look at the testimonials from satisfied customers. Get a sense of how the company presents itself on the Web and in other advertising.

Your trust should grow the more you know. But when there’s something in the back of your mind that says you’re not sure about what you’re hearing, stop and reassess. For example, the Federal Trade Commission says tip-offs to rip-offs from a less-than-reputable contractor could include any of the following: solicits door-to-door; only accepts cash payments; does not list a business number in the local telephone directory; pressures you for an immediate decision; and asks you to pay for the entire job up front.

If you’re tired of people touting services that are too good to be true, you’re not alone.

That’s why for our customers we keep it plain and simple: 24 hour service; 10 year system warranties; hassle-free Maintenance Savings Plans; “Fixed Right” guarantee; 30% energy savings guarantee; on-time service guarantee; up-front pricing; free energy survey.

If you want your air conditioning to stay reliable all summer long, doesn’t it make sense to call a reliable company for your tune-up?

We’d be honored to have you trust your system to us. Give us a call today!

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Connecting the Dots to Your Call

April 15th, 2014

When we get a call or email from someone in Naperville, Bolingbrook, Romeoville, Lisle, Woodridge or any of the surrounding communities, asking for service or repair on an air conditioning system, that means we’ve done something right. And we’ve got an opportunity to do something even better.

Here’s what I mean. When we get a call from someone who invites us into their home, there are several reasons why we just got that opportunity. One, we advertised in a way that increased your trust in us. Two, we performed a past service for you that made your home more comfortable. Or three, someone you know told you to give us a call.

Now, when we get that call, we get to come to your home – an honor indeed. Whether we provide service on your air conditioning and heating, or install a new system, this is our chance to exceed your expectations so that you’ll want to call us the next time you need us.

Frankly, we don’t know a better business strategy than developing strong relationships with our customers. So we’re sticking with that one.

Of course, others choose a different strategy. And you’ll hear from them too.

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Don’t Put Off Air Conditioner Repair Until the Summer

April 15th, 2014

Procrastinating is the art of delaying doing something until the point where you must do it out of desperation. That’s not something you want to happen with your air conditioner! Although it’s tempting during the cool spring days to put away thoughts of repairs for your air conditioner—especially if the repair need seems minor, like an odd noise, and it isn’t noticeably lowering the AC’s performance—you should always move on scheduling air conditioning repair in Plainfield, IL as soon as you know there’s a malfunction.

Fortunately, it’s easy to have repairs taken care of, fast and accurately: call DuAll Heating & Cooling today and talk to our air conditioning specialists. We have emergency repairs available as well.

Beware the spring heat shocks

Here’s one reason that repairs are important before summer: spring can pull out some surprisingly hot streaks, and if your air conditioner is skirting around a major malfunction, this is the moment when it will topple over the edge and break down. The closer we move to summer, the more you’ll need your AC at a moment’s notice. Be prepared!

Avoid wasting money on a poorly operating cooling system

An air conditioner may seem to run fine with a malfunction, but it’s likely working harder to overcome that fault to provide you with the same level of comfort. And overworking means higher power bills. As long as your AC runs with repairs that should be taken care of, it will cost more to run.

Take advantage of the slower spring season

Summer is one of the busiest times of the year for HVAC technicians: they have to answer numerous emergency calls when overtaxed air conditioners start failing. You’ll have a more difficult time scheduling a convenient appointment for repairs if you wait until the crunch time.

Breakdowns are the worst

Even if your malfunctioning air conditioning system makes it to summer without failing, the chances of a breakdown will increase tremendously when the summer heat starts. Breakdowns will not only leave you stranded in the heat until repairs arrive (remember, it’s a busy season for repair technicians!), but they are also costly to fix—and you may even need to have the broken air conditioner replaced.

An air conditioner repair doesn’t need to be a major hassle. A company like DuAll Heating & Cooling, with trained and experienced repair technicians, can solve most repairs fast and with little inconvenience to you. Call us right now for air conditioning repair in Plainfield, IL and make sure your AC is ready for anything.

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Why Schedule Duct Cleaning at the End of Heating Season

April 8th, 2014

*DuAll Heating & Cooling no longer offers duct cleaning services. Take a look at our other indoor air quality services to find the best solution for your needs.

A heating system in Illinois never fully closes down during the spring or summer: we can expect a few cool days to come along when we’ll need to turn the furnace back on, or switch the heat pump from cooling back to heating mode. Nevertheless, by the end of April we’ll start scaling back on how much work our heaters do.

This is a good time to schedule duct cleaning to clear away the dust, dirt, lint, and other contaminants that have entered your ductwork. We’ll look into why you should have duct cleaning in Naperville, IL done at the tail end of heating season.

Duct cleaning at the end of winter

If you have a heat pump or furnace, then your heating relies on the same ductwork system that your air conditioner will use. When the AC comes on for the first time during a hot spring day, you’ll want the air coming from it to have the smoothest, cleanest path to reach the vents. All the dust that can build up during the winter from your closed-up house can gather thickly along the ductwork walls, and this will place resistance against the AC’s airflow. The harder the air conditioner has to work, the more expensive it will be to run.

You can also expect lower air quality because of dirty ducts. The air conditioner will spread around the build up inside the ventilation system throughout your home. You don’t want to spend the summer battling congestion, skin and eye irritation, asthma, and other symptoms similar to the cold and the flu—but this is what will happen without clean ducts.

Winter snows also bring moisture that enters ductwork. This can lead to one of the major troubles that can start inside ventilation systems: the growth of mold and bacteria. You’ll need duct cleaning, and possibly UV germicidal lights, to stop this before it adversely affects your indoor air quality.

Call professional duct cleaners

It requires special training and equipment to clean a home’s ducts; you can’t effectively access the ductwork on your own.

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3 Advantages of Roof-Mounted HVAC Commercial Units

March 28th, 2014

You need to have an effective and efficient HVAC system keeping your business comfortable throughout the year, whether it’s warmth during the winter, refreshing cool during the summer, or all the mixtures of temperatures in the seasons between.

One of the most popular ways to provide heating and cooling for businesses is a roof-top HVAC unit. There are a number of reasons these rooftop HVAC systems are so popular. We’ll look at three.

When you’re ready for commercial HVAC installation in Romeoville, IL, call on DuAll Heating & Cooling. Many companies in Romeoville and the surrounding towns have placed their trust in our services, and we’ve delivered them the comfort they needed. We can do the same quality work for you.

3 Reasons to Install Rooftop Package Units for Your Business

  • Space-saving: Unless for some reason you like to do business on the roof of your building, the roof is the best place to install an HVAC system as large as the one necessary to condition a significant space. Since all the components found in larger commercial HVAC units are put into one self-contained cabinet, the rooftop system won’t even take up that much room at the top of your business.
  • Cooling and heating in one (if you want it): Rooftop units are often configured to contain all the heating and cooling needs for a building, so you won’t need to have separate systems. This is convenient for you, and it also makes it easier for technicians to repair the unit. However, you don’t need to have heating installed in your rooftop unit; installers can configure them for air conditioning only if you wish.
  • Pre-assembled and easy to install: Putting in a roof-mounted HVAC system is a simple job for installers, since the units come as complete packages with all their components already in place. This means that having new units installed will pose no major interruption to your business.

Roof-Mounted Units Require Regular Maintenance

There is one drawback to a rooftop HVAC unit, and that is that it receives exposure to the elements, such as rain, snow, and occasional hail. Manufacturers build these units for durability, but they aren’t indestructible. To get the maximum life from your commercial rooftop HVAC system, make sure you schedule annual maintenance from specialists.

Call DuAll Heating & Cooling for fast service that will bring your business the comfort it needs. We can also take care of the regular maintenance that will keep your investment running. Contact us for commercial HVAC services in Romeoville, IL.

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Problems Caused by a Faulty Boiler Pump

March 21st, 2014

One of the great advantages boilers have as heating systems is longevity. A well-manufactured boiler with regular maintenance can outlast most other heating systems available on the market.

What’s the secret to how well they age? It’s not much of a trick: boilers contain few mechanical parts that will wear down with use. This means reduced repairs as well.

But boilers do have some mechanical parts that require attention. One of them is the circulator pump. We’ll look at problems you can encounter if you have a bad pump on your boiler. Call up a professional for boiler repairs in Plainfield, IL whenever you have troubles from your boiler’s circulator pump. Our technicians at DuAll Heating & Cooling are ready to help whenever you need us.

Circulator Pump Malfunctions

Essentially, the circulator pump on a boiler performs the same job a blower fan does in a furnace: it sends whatever the system heated up through the distribution channels, in this case heated water sent through pipes to baseboard heaters or radiators. The pump uses an impeller motor to pull hot water from the tank and draw in cold water. It isn’t a powerful motor—it doesn’t blast water out, just move it enough to circulate through the pipes.

Water will still circulate through the boiler’s system via convection should the pump break… but it will be very weak. This will result in a drop in heating power, and when you notice it you should immediately call for repairs. (As with any motorized system, never attempt to fix the problem on your own unless you have the proper training. Remember, it might not be the pump at fault; professionals will track down what’s wrong.)

Another problem you can have with a faulty pump—one you won’t notice from its heating power—is energy waste. The pump uses electricity to run its motor, and if it begins to malfunction it will start draining inordinate amounts of power to keep up. If your electricity bills start to suddenly rise, listen for any strange sounds the pump makes when it comes on that might indicate it is at fault.

We should group “noise” here as well, since a bad circulator pump will create a level of noise that you don’t expect from the otherwise quiet operation of a boiler. If grinding and shrieking noises start to affect your boiler, you probably have a pump impeller motor problem.

Call for Professional Boiler Repairs

The pump on a boiler is the component that is most likely to develop trouble because of the amount of mechanical work it performs. You need to have repairs done on it quickly when it malfunctions or it will require a full replacement. Make certain to have regular maintenance done on the boiler so its pump remains properly lubricated and corrosion-free.

DuAll Heating & Cooling has years of experience working on boiler and other heating system services Plainfield, IL, and we offer a quality maintenance savings plan to keep your boiler in good shape all year. Contact us today and schedule your next service appointment to get started.

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Common Water Heater Repair Issues

March 12th, 2014

The job that a water heater does on a daily basis is easy to take for granted. Today we think of running hot water much the same way that we think about electricity: always there when we need it, with only a single hand motion.

And then suddenly…it’s not. Just as blown fuses or a power outage can deny you electrical power, so can a failed water heater take away the warmth you require to shower, clean, and cook. You need to make certain that your water heater receives regular maintenance and the necessary repairs that will keep it working. When you need fast water heater services in Bolingbrook, IL, call DuAll Heating & Cooling. We have emergency service available.

Some Common Water Heater Repair Needs We See:

  • Rusted-through anode rod: Have you ever wondered why your water heater doesn’t rust even though it contains water in contact with metal? It’s because of a small device called the anode rod (also the “sacrificial rod”) at the top of the water tank. This rod is designed to rust in place of the water tank, attracting oxidation to it and away from the metal of the tank. However, if the rod rusts completely, then rust can enter the heater and damage it. At the first sign of corrosion, call for repairs. Make sure that you have annual maintenance to catch when the anode rod needs replacement.
  • Excess sediment in the tank: Over time, sediment—any particle that doesn’t dissolve in water—will start to gather at the bottom of the heater’s tank. This can include any number of impurities that might enter the municipal water system: sand, grit, calcites, magnesium. Sediment at the bottom of the tank can block valves and lead to overheating inside the tank. Professionals can flush out the system to remove sediment. (They do this during regular maintenance, yet another reason to schedule it every year.)
  • Failed burner/heating elements: If you have a gas-powered water heater, a failed pilot light or dirt along the burner that prevents the jets from coming on will result in a drop in heating power, and possibly cut off all hot water entirely. For an electric-powered water heater, the heating elements inside the tank can fail and cause a drop in the water temperature. A professional will need to replace the broken elements.

When you call a professional HVAC service to help repair your water heater in Bolingbrook, IL, you’ll find out just what the problem is and what steps the technician needs to take to fix it. In some cases, the technician may advise you replace the older heater with a new one.

Call DuAll Heating & Cooling for an honest and accurate assessment of the problems with your water heater.

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