Gas fired appliances like furnaces, boilers and water heaters create gases as a byproduct of the combustion process. In order for these appliances to work safely, they must be vented properly and maintain a proper draft to make sure the gases exit your home. Gas leaks, high carbon monoxide levels, and improper drafting can all be dangerous if not addressed.
Do you know the differences between residential HVAC and commercial HVAC? Knowing the differences can help you choose the right contractor for your routine maintenance, repairs and HVAC replacements.
Most of us view our homes as inanimate objects, constructed of wood, bricks, steel, glass, and roofing materials. Few look at our houses as a representation of who we are. Literally.
Take, for example, our home's electrical system. It serves as the “nervous system” of our houses, providing the power it needs to function efficiently. A home's plumbing serves much like our own and even our insulation qualities are similar. Have you ever given thought to the fact that your home's HVAC system serves as the lungs of your home?
This has been another brutal winter in Crystal Lake and the NW Chicago area. The fact is, relatively few areas of the country have been spared from the cold. In Northwest Chicago, however, it seems we have gone weeks at a time without the temperatures reaching above freezing. It is easy to see these conditions are tough on our cars and our attitudes but they are also tough on our furnaces. Our furnaces are asked to work overtime to keep us comfortable in these weather conditions without much regard to age or condition. Eventually, the weakest link or links will fail creating a need for a furnace repair. At Althoff Industries, these are the most common repairs that we have encountered for NW Chicago area homeowners.
HVAC installation day for your new HVAC system is an exciting time for our team at Althoff Industries. While we try to minimize any negative impact HVAC installation day may have on you and your family, we want you to know what to expect. We also hope that the day brings a certain excitement to you, knowing you will soon have a new, more efficient HVAC system providing a more comfortable indoor environment.
The debate rages on at cocktail parties and family gatherings. There are some who have an extreme view to the right and those who would prefer people lean left when it comes to the subject. One thing we can all agree on is that in Crystal Lake and the Northwest Chicago area suburbs, winters are cold. So what is the definitive answer to what is the best temperature for a house in winter? What are appropriate winter thermostat settings for your home? The answer may be a bit more complicated than you think.
It's a frigid day in January and you wake up in your Crystal Lake or McHenry County, IL home. Your house is much cooler than normal and as you wake up you realize it is actually really cold. Your first thought is that you have a furnace issue and you need to call an HVAC technician. You recognize that it is not just uncomfortable in your home but if you don't get heat restored soon, you could experience even more issues like frozen pipes.
Those who live and work in the Crystal Lake, Northwest Chicago area, and its suburbs have likely seen our Althoff Industries service trucks on the area roadways. You may not, however, have given much thought to what all is contained in these vehicles.
Odds are you and your neighbors are looking for ways to save on heating costs this winter. You'll be glad to know you can cut Illinois energy costs without expensive remodeling or the purchase of brand new HVAC equipment. Here are some relatively simple, low-cost ways you can cut your heating costs on your Illinois energy bill this winter.
At Althoff Industries, our HVAC professionals are trained to do everything possible to keep your HVAC system operating efficiently and most of all, safely. There are points, however, when even a well-maintained furnace may need replacing. Here are 6 furnace replacement signs for which you should be on the outlook.
