HVAC Blog Crystal Lake, IL

Why Chemicals Are No Substitute for Professional Drain Cleaning

January 16th, 2023

When you have a clogged drain, it is very tempting to run to the nearest hardware store and grab an over-the-counter drain cleaner to pour into your sink or tub drain. This is a bad idea because it is only a temporary fix and has the possibility of doing more damage than good.

If you need drain cleaning in Hinsdale, IL, it’s important to call a team of plumbing professionals. You don’t just want to put a bandage on a plumbing problem; you want to fix it completely so that you don’t have to worry about it anymore. Keep reading to learn why chemicals like over-the-counter drain cleaners are no substitute for professional drain cleaning.

Hard Water Has an Easy Solution With Althoff Home Services!

January 3rd, 2023

Althoff Home Services now offers water testing and water softener solutions to treat hard water.

Hard water is a problem for many people who live in the Greater Chicago area, and our team is excited to now offer testing and solutions to our customers!

If you’ve noticed any of the following in your home, you probably have hard water.

Sink stains?
Excess soap usage?
Odd tasting water?
High energy and maintenance bills?
You probably have hard water.

Now is the perfect time to invest in a water softener if you’d like to make some major improvements in your life, like the following:

Extend the lifespan of your water-using appliances. Minerals can slowly degrade your dishwashing, laundry, and bathing appliances. A water softener will keep them running for longer.
Prevent scale deposits and keep pipes in good shape. Scale deposits can cause discoloration in your bathroom or kitchen while blocking up the inside of your pipes.
Use up to 50% less detergent for your laundry and dishes. Detergents and soaps dissolve much better in soft water than in hard water.
Achieve healthier and smoother skin and hair. Softer water will lead to more voluminous, soft hair, and smoother skin that feels healthier.

Already have a water softener installed but still experiencing these symptoms? Now might be a great time to consider an upgrade.

Call today or click here to learn more and discuss our available solutions! Chicago’s Choice Since 1961. Hand It Off to Althoff!

These Sounds Indicate Your Furnace Is in Trouble

December 19th, 2022

Your furnace is working great – until it isn’t. And what are the most common indicators of furnace problems? Unusual sounds top the list. There are sounds that your furnace makes as a part of normal operation, but there are also sounds that should sound like warning alarms when you hear them.

If you think you may need furnace repair in Barrington, IL, our team can help. But first, you have to know when to call us for service. Learn the top three sounds that indicate your furnace is in trouble so that you can stay ahead of furnace breakdowns by addressing repairs early.

Do You Know How To Tell When It’s Time for a New Generator?

December 5th, 2022

When you first install a new generator, you know that you have years of reliable protection ahead of you. But, as with all things, your generator wears down over time. You can invest in regular maintenance and take the best care of your generator, but you’ll still need to replace it eventually.

The question is how do you know if it’s time to invest in generator replacement in Mundelein, IL? Some problems your generator may face are easy to fix so you can extend the life of your current unit. There comes a point that the cost of repairs outweighs the cost of replacing your generator with a new one.

6 Signs That Your Furnace Needs Repair

November 21st, 2022

Your furnace is arguably the most important appliance in your home during the winter season. It keeps your home warm and your family comfortable, but it also does more than that. Your heater protects your home’s pipes from freezing or bursting on the coldest winter days.

But when your furnace goes unused for around half of the year, it may need a tune-up before taking on the freezing temperatures that are around the corner for our community. If you need furnace repair in Lake Zurich, IL, give our team a call. You can also keep reading to learn more about the signs that your furnace needs repair.

Schedule This Important Heating Service Today! Here’s Why

November 7th, 2022

Your furnace has a big, important job at your house. It keeps your home and family comfortably warm all winter long. But since it usually works without a hiccup and doesn’t make much noise, you probably don’t give your furnace much thought. Sure, you change the air filter each month, but aside from that as long as it’s working you don’t have to worry about your furnace, right?

Wrong! Your furnace deserves more attention when it’s working right than when it’s working wrong. That’s because the only way to keep it running great is to take steps toward maintaining that high level of functionality. When you invest in your furnace at its best, it can stay at its best for even longer without any problems. Give our team a call if you’re ready to schedule heater maintenance in Algonquin, IL. In the meantime you can keep reading to learn why furnace maintenance is so important.

Why You Should Choose a Whole-House Air Purifier

October 24th, 2022

When you think about air quality, you might think about the mold and pollen levels outside. You can’t do much to improve the outdoor air, but you can improve the air quality inside your home. Don’t think that high mold and pollen levels have to come inside with you when you go home.

There’s something you can do to improve our indoor air quality. When you invest in an air purifier in Hinsdale, IL, you also invest in your family’s health and well-being. Air purifiers can even help protect your home from mold and mildew damage. If you’re ready to breathe easy when you’re in the comfort of your own home, give us a call. We can help you pick the best whole-house air purifier to fit your needs.

Preparing for Utility Price Hikes

October 14th, 2022

It’s been all over the news–the prices of gas and electricity have gone up tremendously, to the point where a lot of homeowners are struggling to meet their home comfort demands. Unfortunately, most of us don’t have a choice when it comes to our utility bills. We practically rely on electrical appliances and devices to live life or work from home, and our gas furnaces are our best friends when fall and winter arrive.

Today, we want to talk about a few strategies we can help with to combat these price hikes. Our team wants to keep your home and life comfortable without breaking the bank.

The Refrigerant Misconception You Don’t Want to Believe

October 10th, 2022

Most air conditioners use refrigerant to cool your home. With temperatures dropping, you may not be thinking much about your AC’s cooling function, but it’s still important, even in fall and winter. Some homeowners think they know what refrigerant is and how it works. Others know that their AC has refrigerant, but don’t know its function inside the AC unit.

Cooling your home is only possible because of refrigerant in your HVAC unit. Your AC unit functions differently when you switch from cooling to heating, but refrigerant is the key to cooling. Many people believe that refrigerant runs out over time and has to be replaced, but this isn’t true. Your AC unit is installed with a lifetime supply of refrigerant.

The next time you need air conditioning repair in Hinsdale, IL, trust our team of professionals to help you. If your system is losing refrigerant for some reason, we can recharge your supply – not replace it. Plus, we can identify the problem and get your AC back to working like new again.

Is It Time to Upgrade Your Electrical Panel?

September 26th, 2022

Your electrical panel plays a big part in how efficient your home is when it comes to energy use. Some people also call their electrical panel the circuit breaker. No matter what you call it, the panel serves as the central “hub” for all of your home’s electricity.

So, why would you need to upgrade your electrical panel? Well, as technology advances we have more and more needs for electricity in our homes. When your home was first designed, there was a certain amount of electrical power allotted to each room in your home. When you have more things to plug in, your electricity needs increase.

Most circuit breakers last between 25 and 40 years, so if your home is in that age range it may be time to upgrade your electrical panel. If you need an electrician in Algonquin, IL, give our team a call. We can help explain the process of upgrading your electrical panel based on your personal needs and your home’s design. In the meantime, you can read on for additional signs that it’s time for an upgrade.