As summer’s heat fades and fall’s cool breeze arrives in Chicago, it’s time to shift from sunburn to preparing your HVAC system for the colder months ahead. At Althoff Home Services, we’ve been Chicago’s trusted HVAC experts since 1961. Our Performance Tune-Up and White Glove Club membership ensure your system avoids burnout, keeping your home comfortable all season. Here’s how to prep your HVAC for fall.
Althoff Home Services Blog: Archive for the ‘Heating’ Category
From Sunburn to System Burnout: Fall Prep for Your HVAC
Monday, September 8th, 2025Preparing for Fall Heating With Four Simple Tips
Monday, August 25th, 2025As summer winds down and crisp fall weather approaches, it’s the perfect time to turn your attention to your home’s heating system. The last thing any homeowner wants is to switch on the furnace during the first chilly night only to discover it’s not working properly.
Preparing now can help you avoid costly breakdowns, improve efficiency, and ensure a warm, comfortable home all season long. Here are four simple tips to get your heating system ready for fall.
4 Common Furnace Repair Problems
Monday, January 27th, 2025
When your furnace is having problems operating, it may be showing signs of strain. Being able to identify these problems early is the best way to stay ahead of them and prevent a total furnace breakdown or lasting damage. Just give us a call when your furnace won’t turn on in Crystal Lake.
We can visit your home for a service appointment and get down to the root of the problem. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about the signs of furnace problems so you can get them fixed sooner rather than later. For more urgent situations, here’s everything about emergency furnace repair services.
Oh No! Why Won’t Your Furnace Turn On?
Monday, January 13th, 2025
If your furnace won’t turn on automatically, you may feel as though you’ve been left shivering in the cold. Contributing problems can range from thermostat malfunctions to ignition system failures and many other potential causes in between.
The good news is that our team is here to help! You can keep reading to learn more about why your furnace may not turn on automatically and how to get it back to working like normal again. After all, a furnace not turning on automatically in Hinsdale can be alarming.
3 Easy Ways to Boost Furnace Efficiency
Monday, November 18th, 2024
Your furnace has a base energy efficiency rating, but there are always steps that you can take to get a little extra efficiency boost. And let’s face it, every little bit that you can save on heating your home this winter will add up.
When considering a new furnace or upgrading your heating system, understanding efficiency AFUE ratings can help you choose a model that will keep your home comfortable while saving on energy bills. Before making a decision, it’s important to evaluate your current budget and assess your current system to determine what makes the most sense for your needs.
If you decide to invest in a high efficiency unit, be sure to look into available financing options to help manage the upfront expense, and consider installation costs, which can vary depending on the type of system you choose. Financing options may offer homeowners the opportunity to pay for their furnace system over time while reaping monthly energy cost savings. Scheduling a tune-up for your existing system can also help avoid extra costs and fewer repairs, ensuring your furnace operates efficiently while you plan for an upgrade.
Give us a call whenever you need furnace service in Oak Brook, IL. You can also keep reading to learn about a few of the ways that you can help boost heater efficiency and potentially save some money on energy costs while also lessening the wear and tear on your unit. If you’re already noticing warning signs, these furnace issues deserve quick attention.
Introduction to Furnace Efficiency
Furnace efficiency plays a major role in how much energy your home uses and how much you spend on heating costs each winter. The key measurement to look for is the Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) rating, which tells you how effectively a furnace converts fuel into usable heat. For example, a high efficiency furnace with a 95% AFUE rating means that 95% of the fuel is turned into heat for your home, while only 5% is lost. On the other hand, a furnace with an 80% AFUE rating loses 20% of heat energy as inefficiency. The higher the AFUE rating, the less energy and money you waste. The minimum AFUE rating for furnaces is 80%, which means even the least efficient models must meet this standard. When considering a new furnace or upgrading your heating system, understanding efficiency AFUE ratings can help you choose a model that will keep your home comfortable while saving on energy bills. Investing in a high efficiency unit not only reduces your fuel bills but also helps your heating system last longer and perform better throughout the season.
Types of Furnaces
When it comes to choosing a furnace, there are several types to consider, each with its own features and efficiency levels. Natural gas furnaces are among the most popular due to their reliability and cost-effectiveness, but propane and electric furnaces are also common options. High efficiency furnaces, such as condensing furnaces, use a second heat exchanger to capture more heat from exhaust gases, making them much more efficient than standard models. Systems with higher AFUE ratings are usually condensing furnaces, which are designed to maximize energy efficiency. A high-efficiency gas furnace can have an AFUE rating as high as 98.5%, making it one of the most efficient options available. Gas furnaces are available in single stage, two stage, and variable speed designs, each offering different levels of comfort and energy savings. Single stage furnaces operate at full blast whenever they’re on, while two stage and variable speed models can adjust their output to better match your home’s heating needs, improving efficiency and comfort. Understanding these options can help you select the right furnace for your home, whether you’re looking for a new furnace or upgrading your existing system.
What’s That Noise? 5 Furnace Sounds and What They Mean
Monday, September 23rd, 2024
As we gear up for the fall and winter seasons, it’s time to turn your furnace on and begin heating your home up. Temperatures are beginning to dip lower and you want to make sure your heater is ready to stand up to the challenge of heating your home.
But if your furnace is making unusual noises, you may have doubts about how well it will do. You can give our team a call for a furnace tune-up in Hawthorn Woods. In the meantime, keep reading to you learn about some unusual furnace noises and what they might mean for your heating system.
Common Signs Your Heater Needs to Be Repaired
Monday, March 25th, 2024
Heater problems are not always loud or obvious. Sometimes they are quiet or even completely silent. When you can identify the quieter signs that your heater is having problems with operation, you can schedule service sooner rather than later.
And when you need heating service in Barrington, IL, you can call our team. We are always here to help, even if it is just answering your questions about heater concerns. If you’re still unsure what to look for, here’s how to spot heater problems.
Last-Minute HVAC, Plumbing, and Electrical Checklist Before a Severe Snowstorm Lands
Monday, January 15th, 2024
With bad weather heading into our area, we want to make sure that you are prepared. Even if you have reviewed checklists like this before, it’s always great to have a refresher right before a storm.
Whether you need plumbing, electrical, or furnace service in Hinsdale, IL, our team is here to help. You can review the checklist below to learn more about ways to prepare your home for a snowstorm. Then give our team a call you have any concerns or need service now or after the storm.
Key Signs of Boiler Repair You Can’t Afford to Ignore
Monday, December 18th, 2023
Boilers are excellent heating systems and very well known for their durability. But when boilers do have problems, they can be very significant. You want to identify the signs of serious boiler problems early so that you can reduce the impact to your home and family.
When you need boiler repair in Mundelein, IL, give our team a call to schedule service. Even if you are only scheduling service because you think something may be wrong with your boiler but you’re not sure what it is, we are here to help. It’s always better to be safe than sorry. You can keep reading to learn more about the signs of boiler problems and what could potentially be wrong.
Uncommon Heating Repair Requests You Might Run Into
Monday, December 4th, 2023
There are heater problems, and then there are heater problems. Some heater issues are very common and easy to deal with. Others are less common and can lead to expensive and involved repairs. The best way to stay ahead of any type of heater problem is to know what signs to look for.
You can keep reading to learn more about the benefits of prioritizing heater repair in Lake Zurich, IL. We’re highlighting some of the less common heater repairs that we see along with the signs of each one so that you can stay ahead of a furnace breakdown.