DuAll Heating & Cooling Blog : Posts Tagged ‘Bolingbrook’

3 Signs that You May Need Commercial Heating System Replacement

Monday, November 10th, 2014

Winters in Illinois can be tough. For your commercial enterprise to thrive during this chilly time, you need to have an efficient and effecting heating system to maintain a comfortable indoor environment. Although regular maintenance and prompt repairs will help keep your business’ heating system operating, eventually an aging heater will reach a point where the best option is to retire it and have professionals install a new one.

Below are three warning signs of a commercial heater that is coming to the end of its life. If you suspect you may need commercial heating system replacement in Bollingbrook, IL soon, contact our specialists at DuAll Heating & Cooling right away. We will help determine if it’s time for a replacement and handle the installation work if it is.

3 ways to tell that you may need heating replacement

Continually rising bills: A single spike in your company’s heating bills may indicate that the system requires repairs. But if the bills keep rising each month, and no amount of repairs or maintenance can stop it, you probably have a system that is too worn down from the decays of age. It is more cost-effective at this point to retire the heater and have a new, energy-efficient model replace it.
Constant noisy operation: Is the sound from your heating system creating a disruption inside the work place? Loud operation is an almost certain sign that the heating system requires repairs, and if this has become the norm rather than the exception, you should consider having the whole system replaced. These sounds usually come from components that are too worn down to work well any more.
High repair costs: Take a look at the bills for the repairs the heating system has needed over the last two years and tally them up against the cost of replacing the system. If the cost of any single repair is half the price of putting in a new heater, then it is costing you far too much to keep the system running. Call for heating technicians to examine the heater and give you a more definite answer about your best path going forward.

Our team of professionals stays up-to-date with the latest developments in commercial HVAC technology, so you will know that your new heating system is state-of-the-art. Put our experience to work for your company.

For the finest quality commercial heating system replacement in Bollingbrook, IL, call on the NATE-certified technicians at DuAll Heating & Cooling today.

Tags: Bolingbrook, Commercial Heating System Replacement
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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
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Can a Tankless Water Heater Save Me Money?

Monday, September 15th, 2014

Environmental consciousness is part of what fueled the invention of tankless water heaters, but some homeowners have other concerns as well. Despite increasing interest in tankless water heaters, traditional storage tank water heaters, which keep water heated in a large tank, continue to be the most popular systems installed in homes. Because of this, many may think that a conventional water heater is the best choice for installation or replacement, but can a tankless unit save some money?

Traditional water heaters contain either an electric heating element or a gas burner which keeps water heated throughout the day. Water flows in through a long dip tube that leads to the bottom of a tank, where the heating element heats the cold water. Hot water is less dense than cold water, so it naturally rises to the top of the tank, where a short tube carries it to the faucet or showerhead when needed. The unit continues to heat water throughout the day, so that it is available for use when a hot water tap is turned on.

As a result, energy is used throughout the day even though you only use the hot water a handful of time, resulting in a good amount of standby energy loss. This problem is eliminated with tankless water heaters, which only heat water as soon as a tap is turned on. Tankless water heaters activate as soon as you need hot water, and water heats up as soon as it flows past the heating element. This means that no energy is used throughout the day, so you won’t have to worry about any money lost with standby energy loss.

In fact, tankless water heaters may have a longer lifespan so long as they are properly maintained. Tankless water heaters may cost more upfront, but most continue to work for over 20 years. Ultimately, the energy savings throughout the years, combined with the fact that you won’t have to replace your unit for a long time, means you can actually save money over time.

Still not convinced? To talk to a professional about tankless water heaters in Bolingbrook, talk to one of the water heater experts at DuAll Heating & Cooling. Give us a call!

Tags: Bolingbrook, Tankless Water Heaters
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Why You Should Install a Humidifier for Your Home

Monday, September 8th, 2014

Most people are aware that excessive humidity can be a problem, but did you know that too little humidity can be equally problematic? Making homes energy efficient is a good thing, but sometimes a home can be so air-tight that it reduces the indoor moisture levels too much. A great way to counteract this problem is to install a whole-home humidifier. Humidifiers help balance the indoor moisture levels, improving the indoor air quality of your Bolingbrook home. However, to gain the benefits of any upgrade to your air conditioner, it’s important to hire trained professionals for the installation – this is where Duall Heating & Cooling can help.

Problems Caused by Low Humidity

Low humidity can cause the following kinds of problems:

Health – low humidity levels dry out your skin and mucous membranes, causing rashes, skin irritations, nose bleeds, sore throats and lower immunity to germs.

Damage to woodwork – too little humidity can dry out and splinter wood, so anything in your home made of wood, including furniture pieces, trim, and baseboards, can splinter and shrink.

Peeling paint and drywall – when paint becomes too dry due to low humidity, it can chip and peel.

Feeling cold – dry air sucks up humidity, and humidity holds heat. This can make your heating season challenging as your indoor air won’t hold the extra heat it needs to help keep your home feeling comfortable.

Proper Humidity Levels

Proper indoor humidity levels vary somewhat depending on the season. During the summer, humidity levels over 60% start to feel uncomfortable and can cause problems; during winter, the ideal humidity level is in the 25-40% range.

Benefits of Installing a Humidifier

Adding a whole-home humidifier to your existing HVAC system can help keep you healthy and prevent damage to woodwork and home furnishings. More importantly, it can help you feel warmer in the winter. According to the EPA, you can save as much as 3% on your heating bill for every degree that you turn down your thermostat in winter.

If you see the signs of excessively low humidity in your home, it may be time to improve your indoor air quality with a humidifier.

Call DuAll Heating & Cooling today and speak to one of our experts about our whole-home humidifier solutions and related products.

Tags: Bolingbrook, Indoor Air Quality
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How Do Energy Recovery Ventilators Work?

Friday, June 27th, 2014

An energy recovery ventilator (ERV) is a home comfort and efficiency innovation that helps you circumvent a serious problem that many houses face today. Because of the heavy heat and air sealing on modern buildings to protect their energy efficiency (excess heat cannot enter in the summer, and cannot escape in the winter), very little fresh air circulates through the indoor ventilation system. This leads to stale and contaminated indoor air that runs through the ductwork gathering dust, dirt, debris, and other pollutants that can affect your health.

By installing one of the energy recovery ventilators in Bolingbrook, IL available from DuAll Heating & Cooling, you can bring fresh air into your home without losing or gaining heat; in fact, you will conserve power and “recover” energy that would otherwise be lost. To find out how our technicians can set up an ERV in your home today, call our expert staff. They can answer all your questions about ERVs and other indoor air quality appliances.

The operation of an energy recovery ventilators

An ERV brings in fresh air through and outside vent and into the ventilation system attached to your heater/air conditioner. Then, through a process called counter-flow heat exchange, the ERV runs this outside air past the stale air from the inside of your home. Energy transfers from one to the other, and the stale air gets removed without you losing or gaining heat.

During the summer, the warm air from outside your house transfers its heat to the outgoing air from inside, cooling itself down in the process and making your air conditioner need to work less to lower its temperature. During the winter, the warm indoor air transfers its heat to the cold incoming outdoor air, and your heater will need to work less. Before reaching the indoors, the air from outside runs through a filter to remove any particles that might have come in with it.

A properly installed ERV will recover 85% of the energy of the outgoing air, and so not only will you have fresh air brought into your home and better health, you’ll also save money on your utility bills each month.

We must emphasize “properly installed.” You cannot select and put in an ERV yourself; it requires the work of indoor air quality professionals with experience working with air conditioners, heaters, and ventilation systems. You’ll find the necessary skills at DuAll Heating & Cooling.

Our NATE-certified technicians handle installation of energy recovery ventilators in Bolingbrook, IL and many other ways to improve your home’s air and energy efficiency.

Tags: Bolingbrook, Energy Recovery Ventilators
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How Energy Recovery Ventilators Improves Indoor Air Quality

Friday, June 6th, 2014

On average, people in the U.S. spend 90% of their time indoors, and that means the quality of the air found inside homes and buildings is vital for good health. Unfortunately, too few buildings have the proper ventilation to remove stale air, and the indoor air quality suffers as a result. The quality of your home’s air is probably much lower than it should be.

To combat this decline in air quality, you can open up your home to the outside through the windows and doors. However, this ends up breaking the energy efficient heat seal on your home, making it harder for you to keep cool in summer and warm in winter. During an Illinois winter, you especially don’t want to have windows and doors open!

But there’s a way to receive fresh outdoor air without energy loss and discomfort: have installation of energy recover ventilators in Bolingbrook, IL. Our team at DuAll Heating & Cooling is familiar with these helpful devices, and we’ll explain how they give you better indoor air quality.

How energy recovery ventilators work

Energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) are installations in the ventilation network of your HVAC system that remove the stale air from your home—without losing excess energy, either too keep you cool or keep you warm. An ERV returns approximately 85% of its outgoing energy to the incoming fresh air.

Here’s how an ERV does this: The ventilation system runs to the outside of a home and pulls in fresh outdoor air. The ERV draws the stale air from inside the house and runs it past the incoming fresh air, and a process of heat transfer occurs between the two that is called counter-flow heat exchange. If the air from outside is cold, then the stale indoor air transfers its heat to it, helping you receive warm fresh air. If the air outside is warm, it will lose its heat to the colder air from indoors, helping you to receive cool fresh air.

So whether its winter or summer, you receive fresh outdoor air that has been conditioned to fit your temperature needs. This will also reduce the stress on your heating and cooling system.

An energy recovery ventilator is like having your home’s windows and door always open to fresh air—but without any of the inconveniences. In fact, you’ll save more energy than ever before.

Professional installation

ERVs are complex devices, and it takes professional installers to set them up so they fit a home’s HVAC system and ductwork.

Call the indoor air quality specialists at DuAll Heating & Cooling for fast and knowledgeable work installing energy recovery ventilators in Bolingbrook, IL. Our NATE-certified technicians are ready to tackle the job.

Tags: Bolingbrook, Energy Recovery Ventilators
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Repair or Replace: What’s the Best Step for My Air Conditioner?

Friday, May 16th, 2014

In the world of home heating and cooling, one of the perennial questions that customers ask is, “Repair or replace?” When an air conditioning system appears to be approaching the end of its service life, you must decide whether you should continue repairs or schedule a replacement installation. Which one is the best choice, both for your comfort and your budget?

There’s no simple answer we can provide you here, because we don’t yet know about the situation with your air conditioner. Perhaps a targeted repair from a skilled technician will give you a few more years of energy-efficient performance. Perhaps your AC is only a few weeks away from a complete breakdown and you need to act now before the hot weather arrives.

However, if you call us at DuAll Heating & Cooling, we can make the process much easier for you. One of our AC specialists will inspect your air conditioner to see if there are repairs that will help. If it turns out that new installation is the better choice, our experts will help you with excellent air conditioning replacement in Bolingbrook, IL.

What factors will decide between “repair or replace”?

System age: Central air conditioners will last, on average, between 10 and 15 years, depending on the model. Your air conditioner will have a manufacturer’s estimated lifespan on its cabinet. An air conditioner that is still a few years away from this estimate—and which has received diligent regular maintenance during its life—will usually respond favorably to quality repair work. On the other hand, an air conditioner that is older than its estimate should be replaced even if it is still outwardly capable of cooling a house down.
Energy efficiency: An air conditioner can still seem to work well, with effective cooling power, but if its components are wearing down to the point where the system will not recover, it will start to cost more to run. When determining if an AC should be retired or not, check if your cooling bills have changed over the last two years. Continually rising bills are a major red flag that repairs will not do any good.
Repair frequency: Since air conditioners need the majority of their repairs done during the last two years of their service life, an increase in the amount of repair jobs indicates a system is probably ready for replacement. Once it costs more than $500 a year to keep an AC scraping by, you should retire it.

The NATE-certified technicians at DuAll Heating & Cooling will help you find out the right path to take when it comes to your air conditioner.

We can perform skilled repairs and air conditioning replacement in Bolingbrook, IL—whatever you need. Call us today to beat out the summer heat.

Tags: Air Conditioning Replacement, Bolingbrook
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Replace vs. Repair Your Water Heater

Thursday, 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.

Tags: Bolingbrook, Water Heater
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Common Water Heater Repair Issues

Wednesday, 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.

Tags: Bolingbrook, Water Heater Repair
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3 Reasons You May Not Have Enough Hot Water

Wednesday, October 9th, 2013

If you have a water heater in Bolingbrook – or anywhere in the greater Chicagoland area, for that matter – you probably don’t think much about it. As long as it works, it’s out of sight and out of mind. But what happens when it doesn’t work – when your hot water runs out too quickly or never arrives in the first place? A qualified technician can likely correct the issue, but it helps to first have some idea of the causes. Here are 3 reasons you may not have enough hot water: not the only reasons, but certainly among the most prevalent.

Thermostat. The thermostat controls the temperature setting and ensures that the water is hot and ready to go when you need it. If the thermostat is misreading the temperature, you won’t get water of the proper temperature. It’s usually attached to the gas valve, which controls the flow of gas into the water heater (thus controlling the temperature) if there are problems with the valve, the thermostat won’t work either.
Dip Tube. The dip tube runs from the top of your water heater to the bottom, and moves cold water from the plumbing system to the bottom of your tank. This keeps the water at the top of the tank hot and allows it to be sent into your home when you need it. If the dip tube develops a fissure or a leak, cold water will leak out into the top of the tank, turning the hot water into lukewarm or cold water.
Burner. The main burner receives gas which is lit by the pilot light and heats the water. If the burner isn’t working, then the amount of gas feeding the fire will be lowered and may be cut off entirely. That results in reduced hot water, which you can feel whenever you turn on the tap.

There are many reasons you may not have enough hot water, beyond these three. For issues with your water heater in Bolingbrook, call upon the experts at DuAll Heating & Cooling for help. Our trained professionals are dedicated to your complete satisfaction, so don’t hesitate to contact us!

Tags: Bolingbrook, Water Heater
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