Althoff Home Services Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Residential HVAC’

A Clog Free Condensate Line Keeps Your Property Safe from Water Damage

Wednesday, December 13th, 2017

Next to the safety of your family, the highest priority of the team at Althoff Industries is to make sure your property is protected from damage from your HVAC system. To help ensure that, one of the routine maintenance tasks we perform on every clean and check and repair is to make sure the condensate line is clear.

What is the purpose of a condensate line or drain, how does it get clogged, and what can be the result if it does clog?

The Role of a Condensate Line

Many homeowners don’t understand that their air conditioner not only cools the air it treats but it dehumidifies it as well. On a humid day in Chicago, as much as five to 10 gallons of water can be removed from the air. This water is funneled into a drip pan and then removed through the condensate line to the outside of your house or to a drain inside the home.

How Does a Condensate Line Become Clogged?

Even if you are diligent in keeping air filters clean and even if you have a whole house air cleaner, dust and dirt can still collect in and around your HVAC system. The moisture that is removed from the air can serve as a “dust magnet”, attracting dust and dirt particles into the drip pan and eventually the condensate drain. If not cleaned, this can clog the condensate line.

What are the Potential Ramifications of a Clogged Condensate Line?

If the condensate drain is clogged, the water in the drip pan has nowhere to go and will overflow. This can cause damage to your HVAC equipment, flooring, and walls. If not promptly corrected, it can even lead to mold, which can be expensive to remediate. You are far better off having your condensate line cleaned with your annual furnace maintenance and HVAC check.

Cleaning the condensate line is a relatively simple task, yet some HVAC companies won’t perform a condensate drain cleaning unless a clog is apparent. At Althoff Industries, we understand that clogs usually don’t just occur overnight, they develop over time. By cleaning the condensate line on every visit, we are conducting proactive maintenance to prevent a potential problem in the future. We’ve created a brief video explaining condensate drain cleaning if you’d like to learn more.

If you have any questions about your HVAC equipment or would like to schedule an annual furnace maintenance clean and check, we invite you to give us a call. Next to the safety of you and your family, protecting your home is our next highest priority.

Tags: Cooling, Heating, HVAC, Residential Cooling, Residential Heating, Residential HVAC, Residential Services
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Why These 3 Things are Important to HVAC Combustion

Wednesday, December 6th, 2017

You don’t have to be a mechanic to own or operate a vehicle. Some knowledge, however, can be valuable when encountering an issue or even when purchasing a car. Likewise, you don’t have to be an HVAC technician to own a home with a furnace but having some basic knowledge can help keep you safe and help you make better decisions when it comes time for repairs or an HVAC replacement.

Homeowners, for example, should understand the basics and importance of combustion. If you have any gas appliance, whether it is a water heater or furnace, combustion is taking place in your home on a regular basis. You certainly want it to occur efficiently. It is critical that it takes place safely. Knowing how combustion takes place and why a combustion analysis with draft gauge measurement is so important can be helpful.

The Three Components of Combustion

The three components to maintain combustion are fuel, heat, and oxygen. If any one of these is insufficient, combustion won’t occur.

Fuel – As it relates to your natural gas furnace, the fuel is the natural gas itself. We tend to take the supply of gas for granted but corrosion and debris impede the supply of fuel to your furnace.
Heat – The heat to your furnace is generally supplied by the igniter on your furnace. Your thermostat controls when the igniter will supply heat to the natural gas based on the temperature it is set at. If the ignition source fails, safety features will keep gas from flowing into the combustion chamber.
Oxygen – Air that is supplied to your furnace or water heater provides the necessary oxygen to complete the combustion triangle. High-efficiency furnaces will have air pumped directly into the combustion chamber from the outside. Less efficient furnaces will draw in air through louvers in the furnace cabinet. If this air is restricted the furnace can’t operate efficiently and may not ignite at all.

Along with the three components of combustion, draft is also critical to the safe and efficient operation of any gas appliance. That is because, after combustion, carbon monoxide and flue gasses need to be removed from the home. The proper draft is important in removing these gasses. This is why our Althoff HVAV technicians perform a draft check and combustion analysis on each service call.

Our technicians use three tools to ensure the safe operation of your HVAC system. A recent short video we created helps demonstrate the importance of these tools as a way to diagnose your equipment.

Your HVAC equipment may be the largest mechanical component of your home. Make sure it is operating safely and efficiently. For a furnace clean and check, professional repairs, and for recommendations on the most efficient equipment to choose for your application, we invite you to contact the professionals at Althoff Industries. We are here to keep you safe and comfortable.

Tags: Heating, HVAC, Residential Heating, Residential HVAC, Residential Services
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The Best Overall Furnace Filter for Your Residential HVAC System

Wednesday, November 22nd, 2017

There are more choices than ever when choosing a furnace air filter for your home. How do you know what is the best furnace filter for you?

Furnace Filter Purpose

It can help to have a basic understanding of the purpose of an air filter. A furnace air filter should remove larger particulate matter from the air flowing into your furnace, keeping it from accumulating in your HVAC system and being redistributed into your home. It also should facilitate proper airflow through your HVAC system and into your home. It seems simple enough, so why the confusion?

The sheer number of choices in furnace filters complicates the matter for many. Today’s furnace filters range from just a few dollars up to $50 or more. Some feel that more expensive filters must be better. That is simply not the case. Some consumers are impacted by the clever marketing of some companies producing filters that promise fresher, cleaner, healthier air. The challenge is that some of these filters restrict airflow to the point of causing inefficiencies, potentially overworking your furnace and perhaps even causing mechanical problems.

Standard Air Filter, the Best?

So what’s a homeowner to do? The reality is for the vast majority, the inexpensive, fiberglass, disposable furnace filters will perform fine, especially when replaced frequently. These filters range from 1-4 on the MERV scale, removing 80% of the particles that are 50 microns and larger while collecting 25% of the particles within the 3 to 10-micron range. Pleated filters may improve filtration by 15-20% over the spun fiberglass variety but they can cost four to five times as much and inhibit airflow.

Video embedded here- https://youtu.be/muHQReOx7Y8

What about Air Filters and Allergies?

Now, if someone in your family suffers from severe allergies or is sensitive to dust, you may want a filter that can remove smaller particles without negatively impacting airflow. At Althoff Industries, we offer such filters that can be compatible with your system. These thicker air filters we recommend will upgrade your indoor air quality, while minimizing negative impact on air flow. Our professionals will measure the airflow to ensure your equipment is being protected while improving filtration. This is not something you should guess at on your own, however.

It’s a Balancing Act

The appropriate air filter strikes the balance between protecting equipment, facilitating airflow, and keeping your indoor air quality in check. Keep in mind, the main function of your furnace is to heat your home, not clean the air. Asking it to perform the added task of an air cleaner with an inappropriate filter may ultimately cause mechanical issues.

If you have questions on how to improve your indoor air quality without damaging your HVAC system or would like to schedule a thorough clean and check of your system for the winter, contact the professionals at Althoff Industries.

Tags: Air Quality, HVAC, Residential Air Quality, Residential HVAC, Residential Services
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How to Choose the Right Air Filter for Your HVAC Equipment

Wednesday, November 15th, 2017

If you find yourself having to set your thermostat at unusually high or low temperatures just to stay comfortable, your problem may be poor air flow. Poor air flow may be caused by too much friction in your HVAC system or too much turbulence. One of the most significant causes of friction in an HVAC system is the air filter.

How is an Air Filter Related to the Comfort of a Home?

Even a clean HVAC air filter will offer some friction to the air flow in a furnace. If a filter is dirty or too restrictive in its design, it will not allow a sufficient airflow through your system and into the rooms it serves. This can lead to your system overworking and struggling to provide the comfort you desire. It will also increase the inefficiency of your unit. While we find that more and more homeowners understand the importance of changing filters, many still fail to remember to do it or are purchasing filters that are too restrictive for their systems to operate properly.

How Do You Determine the Best Filter for You?

HVAC filters are rated based on a minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV). This is a 1-16 scale but most home filters fall within the 4 to 12 range. The higher the rating, the smaller the particles are that can be trapped by the filter. Higher ratings also make filters more restrictive to air flow and generally are more expensive.

Selecting the right filter for you and your family will depend on the balance you place on comfort, expense, clean indoor air quality, and furnace efficiency. Most homeowners can usually settle in the 6-8 MERV range without negatively impacting air flow. The 6-8 range filters are also still affordable.

Before You Switch to a High-Efficiency Furnace Filter

A high-efficiency HVAC air filter can remove up to 99% of particulate matter in the air. This can be terrific news if you or someone in your family suffers from allergies or are sensitive to dust. A word of caution about high-efficiency filters, however. Before making the switch, contact your HVAC professional. A trained technician can help determine how disruptive the filter will be and perhaps even make adjustments to increase fan speed to make up for the reduced airflow. You’ll also want to make sure you stay on top of changing these more restrictive filters on schedule.

Keep in mind that a dirty HVAC air filter can cause more than just discomfort. They can lead to damage to the blower motor or heat exchanger. You can see the difference between a minimally restrictive fiberglass filter and a pleated filter in the below video.

If you have rooms that just don’t seem to get comfortable, check your air filters. If you are interested in switching to a higher MERV rated filter for cleaner indoor air, contact us at Althoff Industries, We’ll conduct an inexpensive clean and check and help determine the best HVAC air filter for your family. If adjustments need to be made, we can accomplish that on the same call.

Don’t settle for anything less than superior comfort when it comes to your indoor air. Contact Althoff Industries and get the indoor air quality you deserve.

Tags: Air Quality, Cooling, Heating, HVAC, Residential Air Quality, Residential Cooling, Residential Heating, Residential HVAC, Residential Services
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3 Essential HVAC Tools that Provide Accurate Diagnostics

Wednesday, November 1st, 2017

At Althoff Industries, our priority is not only hiring and training talented technicians but equipping them with the highest quality tools to get the job done accurately. We ensure our technicians are not only well-trained and proficient in HVAC repair and installations but that they have the essential HVAC tools to assist them in the accurate diagnosis of your heating and air conditioning equipment.

While our trucks are filled with many parts, equipment, and tools, there are three HVAC technician tools that we use at every service call. They are the combustion analyzer, draft gauge, and manometer. These tools give us the ability to measure and analyze things happening with the system that cannot be seen by just visually looking at it. Our highly trained technicians understand that the proper diagnosis involves digging deeper to uncover hidden problems that impact safety, performance, and can cause breakdowns.

3 Essential HVAC Tools

1. Combustion Analyzer

A combustion analyzer is a handheld device that looks much like a multi-meter an electrician would use to check circuits. Like blood work being analyzed at the lab, the combustion analyzer gives our technicians all the components of the combustion process at once. The three main components checked are carbon monoxide levels, oxygen levels, and flue temperature. A trained technician knows that having just one of those numbers doesn’t tell you the whole story. It takes putting all the pieces together to accurately understand what’s happening. The purpose of the combustion analysis unit is to measure the percentages of oxygen and carbon dioxide along with the flue temperature. These measurements help our technicians determine whether or not the furnace is operating within the parameters that the manufacturer of the equipment has specified.

A combustion analyzer is important for three different reasons. It can help in determining and achieving optimum fuel efficiency, it is critical for the safe operation of your equipment, and it can ensure your HVAC system is operating within the guidelines of any warranty.

2. Draft Gauge

A draft gauge is a device that verifies that your chimney has proper draft pressure. Improper draft can be caused by lack of combustion air, too much combustion air, outside temperature and wind conditions, or a blocked chimney. A proper draft is critical to make sure the by products of combustion are safely disposed of outside the home. Most companies just assume this is happening correctly, at Althoff our technicians are trained to verify it. HVAC tools like a draft gauge help our technician determine if there are any problems creating these potential draft issues.

3. Manometer

The manometer is a device used to measure differences in pressure. We use this in a couple different ways. First, we use it to measure duct static pressure to make sure that you have proper air flow through the furnace and duct system. Another way is by measuring gas pressure to the equipment. Equipment is rated for certain gas pressures and those outside of those ranges can have very negative effects on performance, safety, longevity of the equipment

Other Trade Tools Used on Daily Basis

The three critical HVAC tools listed above are just part of what technicians need to perform their job on a daily basis. Other such tools may include:

A refrigerant recovery machine
Hand seamer
Swage tools
Leak detectors
Hand and power tools
Tin snips
Multimeter
Humidity and temperature gauges…and more!

Our technicians in the field often play the role of part technician, mechanic, sheet metal worker, detective, and chemist/scientist. It is why they are so extensively trained and outfitted with the latest equipment. It is not an inexpensive proposition but we take what we do very seriously here at Althoff Industries. After all, it is not just the efficient operation of your HVAC equipment that is at stake. It is also the safety of your family.

When you experience an issue with your furnace, trust the experts at Althoff Industries.

Tags: Cooling, Heating, HVAC, Residential Cooling, Residential Heating, Residential HVAC, Residential Services
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2 Important Reasons Why Your HVAC Technician Measures Draft

Thursday, October 26th, 2017

One of the most important aspects of your furnace is how it drafts. When air drafts properly from your gas furnace or gas water heater, spent oxygen and carbon monoxide go up a chimney or chimney pipe where it is dispersed outside your home. As most are aware, too much carbon monoxide in an enclosed area can have tragic results. The importance of proper drafting of a furnace can not be overstated for both operating efficiency and monitoring safe conditions.

How do we know, however, that a gas furnace has the appropriate draft pressure and draft intensity to operate efficiently and safely? It can be done using a furnace diagnostic tool called a draft gauge. A modern draft gauge is a digital device that helps a technician conduct a draft test, measuring aspects like draft pressure, draft intensity, backdrafting, and the percentage of oxygen and carbon monoxide. A draft test is a critical part of any furnace maintenance or tune-up.

How Does a Draft Gauge Work?

A differential pressure draft gauge measures the difference in the pressures of the air flowing inside a chimney or ductwork and that of the air on the outside. A draft gauge will not tell our technician what the specific cause of the draft issue is, only that there is some issue causing a draft pressure problem. The technician will then rely on his training, experience, and knowledge to discover the source of the draft problem.

Common Causes of Poor Drafting in a Furnace

A variety of causes can create poor drafting for a furnace. These can include extremes in indoor and outdoor temperatures, blockage of the vent pipe, loss of a vent or chimney cap, high winds, and others. This can cause poor ventilation or backdrafting, causing harmful gasses to spill back into the home.

While a slow or diminished draft can cause safety issues, excessive drafts can create inefficiencies in your furnace. If too much air is delivered to the burner fan, it can result in air leaking into the heating plant. This reduces the amount of CO2 and creates an increased stack temperature. This, in turn, results in poor efficiency of the furnace.

Why a Draft Gauge is often Used with a Combustion Analyzer

A draft gauge is often used with combustion analyzer so a technician can better determine the extent of the poor drafting and see its effect on the air in a room. Depending on the readings of the combustion analyzer, it can direct the technician to check on potential issues with the heat exchanger. It can also be an indication there may be a gas pressure issue or a combustion air problem. A high carbon monoxide parts-per-million reading on a combustion analyzer could also mean that a furnace is recirculating flue products and re-burning them in the heat exchanger. We’ve created a brief video on how a draft gauge and combustion analyzer work together as terrific furnace diagnostic tools in helping direct us to the heart of many furnace issues promptly. This saves us time and you money.

Monitoring Safe Conditions

Many Chicago area homeowners will schedule a fall furnace check-up or tune-up to head off potential maintenance issues in the winter and to ensure their furnace is operating at peak efficiency. Another important aspect of an annual furnace check-up, however, is that it monitors the safety of you and your family. It determines the quality of the draft of your furnace, making sure it is operating without putting harmful gasses back into your home.

If you have yet to have a furnace maintenance check this fall, we invite you to contact the well-trained, well-equipped team at Althoff Industries.

Tags: Heating, HVAC, Residential Heating, Residential HVAC, Residential Services
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The #1 Way to Improve Air Flow in Your Home

Tuesday, October 17th, 2017

Many homeowners don’t fully appreciate the importance of airflow when it comes to the performance of their HVAC system and ultimately, the comfort of each room in your home. The fact is, if you have one room or many rooms that are less comfortable than others, it is quite possible it is an issue with airflow. Free airflow is disturbed by two basic forces friction and turbulence. What are some of the causes of poor or restrictive airflow in a home and how can it be improved? What is the #1 way to improve airflow in your home?

To find out the #1 way to improve airflow, we will first discuss 5 causes of poor airflow. At Althoff, our goal is always to get to the root of the problem first then provide solutions to improve comfort, function and performance of your equipment.

5 Causes of Poor Airflow

5. Duct Work That is Improperly Installed or Blocked

This happens more frequently than you may think. Improperly installed ductwork may not be sized properly or may even not be connected correctly. We have seen ductwork runs that seem to simply and mysteriously end! More common is ductwork that becomes blocked through the years by layers of dirt and dust or even foreign objects like clothing and toys. These improperly installed or blocked ducts create frictions that restrict proper airflow and will negatively affect the comfort of a room.

4. Lengthy Duct Runs and Those That Contain Too Many Turns

Some installers just expect too much from their HVAC, installing lengthy duct runs or duct runs that have too many turns. These turns create turbulence that doesn’t allow them to efficiently reach their desired destinations.

3. Too Few or too Small Return Air Vents

An efficiently installed and operating HVAC system with good airflow will both push air into a room and pull it out at the same rate. If too much air is being pushed into a room, it becomes slightly pressurized and uncomfortable. A frequent problem with rooms with poor air flow is that of having too few or too small return air vents.

2. Ducts That “Leak” Air

Over the course of the life of a structure, duct work can easily get holes or cracks from a combination of age, settling, and alterations to the structure. Duct work is often inadvertently punctured through nails. Like holes in a water hose, this leaking air can make the duct work and thus the furnace, much less effective in delivering treated air and in returning fresh air. It is estimated that nine out of ten homes have duct work that is leaking on some level. Depending on the number, size, and location of these holes, airflow can be dramatically negatively affected.

1. Dirty Air Filter

While the above issues negatively affecting air flow in your home may take the assistance of a professional to properly correct, the simple, most effective way to improve air flow is to keep your air filter clean by performing regular air filter maintenance. Air filters are inexpensive and easy to change on your own. Ideally, they should be changed bi-monthly. If you have gone to a more restrictive air filter to get cleaner air in your home, it may be too restrictive for your HVAC system. If you have found some rooms becoming more uncomfortable, you may want to select a less restrictive filter. We’ve put together a brief video that helps explain why this is such an effective and simple idea to improve airflow in your home.

Vdiego embedded- https://youtu.be/Xkzy0FNC3HY

Althoff Can Service Your AirFlow Issue

If you have areas of your home that never quite seem to get warm enough during our Chicago winters, airflow just may be the problem. Our technicians at Althoff Industries can check your furnace, airflow, and duct work to ensure they are working in harmony. If not, we will come up with a solution to resolve your airflow problem. Don’t just keep turning your furnace higher and higher. Solve your comfort issues at it core cause with an HVAC airflow check and a call to Althoff Industries.

Tags: Air Quality, HVAC, Residential Air Quality, Residential HVAC, Residential Services
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How Do You Define HVAC Contractor? This Definition Is Pretty Hard To Beat

Wednesday, October 11th, 2017

The Althoff Definition of a Quality HVAC Technician

You probably have seen, read or heard advertisements from HVAC contractor companies in the greater Chicago area that talk about their “quality”. They’ll boast of the quality of their equipment, the quality of their service, and even the quality of the technicians they hire. Quality has become a word that is so overused in the service industry that it often loses its meaning. When it comes to HVAC, through the years, we’ve discovered there is a big difference in what they refer to as “quality”, and what our high standards are at Althoff Industries. Our definition of a quality HVAC technician reaches beyond most HVAC companies in the Crystal Lake IL area.

Treating Problems at the Core Cause

At Althoff Industries, our technicians are trained to find the core cause of a problem. They are not on a mission to “find” problems that may or may not exist. They are not there to sell you something. From the moment an Althoff team member answers your call to the moment we arrive at your home, we are there to resolve your HVAC problem at its root cause, keep your family safe, and restore comfort to your home. They are there to offer logical options and let you make the final choice. They are often asked, “What would you do?”. In fairness, every family has different budget restraints. Our technicians are there to provide you HVAC options that are safe. The choice is ultimately yours, the way it should be. Don’t let an HVAC contractor sell you on a solution that may be their own best interest.

Why Finding the Core Cause is Important

Our technicians are trained to find the core cause of a problem because without that knowledge, technicians often just treat the symptoms. Our Althoff technicians are there to determine WHY a part failed and WHY your HVAC system isn’t performing properly. When an HVAC contractor tells you you need a new part, they should be able to tell you WHY the part failed. If they say “normal wear and tear” and your furnace is less than ten years old, it should raise red flags. If they can’t offer a logical reason for the part failure and you simply replace it, you may just soon experience the same failure sometime in the near future.

Technicians, Training, and Tools

Want to hear something you may already know? Some HVAC people are more interested in selling you something than helping resolve your problem. Shocker right? At Althoff, we have a client-centered focus that compels us to determine your problem at its root cause and then offer you the best options to resolve it. No hidden agendas. We do this through good people who embrace our mission. They have families and understand the challenges of dealing with unexpected issues like HVAC maintenance problems. Next, we provide our HVAC technicians with superior training and exposure to the latest available techniques and technology. That technology includes innovative digital tools that can better determine exactly what is going on with your HVAC system. These tools accurately determine the underlying cause of your problem. We are not just guessing. We use precise instrumentation to verify how your system is performing. We know you expect more than an educated guess from a “quality” HVAC company. At Althoff Industries, we deliver.

Discover a Higher Definition of Quality at Althoff Industries

If you have been frustrated with an HVAC technician who “guesses” at your problem, or simply replaces a failed part without being able to tell you why it failed, contact Althoff Industries. Our service technicians are trained and have the latest tools to diagnose your HVAC problem efficiently and effectively. Best of all, they offer honest solutions that can best fit your family’s needs. Expect more and get more.

Althoff Home What Makes HVAC contractors Different

Tags: Cooling, Heating, HVAC, Residential Cooling, Residential Heating, Residential HVAC, Residential Services
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6 Items to Check Before Calling for Furnace Service

Wednesday, October 4th, 2017

At Althoff Industries, we make our living helping people keep their families safe and cozy with efficient operating HVAC systems. We have built our business and reputation by providing superior service that prevents and resolves issues, not creates them. It’s why many of our customers trust us for their annual furnace tune-ups in the fall. They know our extensive furnace tune-ups provide peace of mind. But furnace tune-up or not, problems can still occur.

Losing heat can be frustrating in winter weather but that frustration can be compounded when realizing, after the fact, that a problem was simple to resolve on your own. If you live in the Crystal Lake area of Northwest Chicago, before you call Althoff Industries or any HVAC company, here are six items you should check.

Check the thermostat setting. Many families will reset thermostats when they leave for work or retire for the evening. Depending on your thermostat, it is possible a temperature setting gets accidentally way low or even takes the thermostat off of the “heat” setting. Before calling for furnace service, take a close look at your thermostat to make sure it is set properly.
Make sure your furnace has power. Even if you use natural gas, your furnace is reliant on electricity. If that electricity is interrupted, you won’t have heat. It may just be that a circuit breaker got shut off for a variety of reasons. Check the circuit breaker for your furnace and reset it if it is in the “off” position. If it immediately pops off again, call a technician.
Check your furnace filter. If rooms are not being heated properly, it could be because fresh air is not getting into the furnace. A common cause is a clogged or dirty air filter that is restricting air flow. Check your furnace’s air filter. You should be able to see through it when held up to a light. A common symptom of restricted air flow is when a furnace “short-cycles”, going on and off far too frequently to be efficient or to provide adequate heating.
Check the pilot light. Gas furnaces have a small pilot light that should be constantly lit to provide an ignition source for the furnace. This pilot light is usually covered by a small door or metal plate near the base of the furnace, near the base of the base of the heating element. If this pilot light is out, you can try to relight it. This can be done by following the instructions on the on/off/pilot control on the furnace and using an extended barbecue grill type lighter or fireplace length match. Of course, if you have any hesitation about relighting your furnace, call a professional technician.
Take note if your gas service has been interrupted. If your gas supply has been interrupted for any reason, the pilot light will need to be reignited. See tip number 4 above.
Your blower motor may not be functioning. In some cases, furnaces may be producing heat, but that heat is not being dissipated through your home because the blower motor is not working properly. Stand by your furnace and when you hear it ignite, you should shortly hear the start of the electric blower motor. You should feel heat blowing from your vents. If you hear the furnace ignite but don’t hear the blower motor start or feel hot air from a vent, it is likely your blower motor. If you are an exceptional do-it-yourselfer, you may be able to replace the blower yourself. We, however, would suggest calling a professional.

A Few Final Tips Before Calling for Furnace Service in Crystal Lake

Winters can be tough in Crystal Lake and Chicagoland area but before you pay for a service call, take the above steps. You may be able to resolve the issue with a few simple checks. If the above steps are unsuccessful, write down the furnace brand name and model number along with the approximate age of your furnace and relay that to your service company. Let them know the steps you took and your results. This can expedite the service call, potentially saving you money.

If you experience a heating problem and need professional help, we invite you to call us at Althoff Industries. We have over 50 years of experience serving Northwest Chicago and have a highly trained staff of technicians with the latest technology to make sure your repair is done promptly and safely. When it comes to the comfort and safety of your family, trust the experts at Althoff Industries.

Tags: Heating, HVAC, Residential Heating, Residential HVAC, Residential Services
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8 Common Questions About Annual Furnace Tune Ups

Thursday, September 28th, 2017

This is the time of year many families schedule their annual furnace tune up. We can’t assume, however, that everyone knows what is involved in a furnace tune up or why it is important. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of eight questions and answers about an annual furnace tune up.

Furnace Tune-Up FAQ’s

What is an annual furnace tune up? An annual tune up is a yearly inspection and cleaning of your furnace to look for potential problems and ensure the heating system is operating efficiently and safely.
When should I schedule an annual furnace tune up? An annual furnace tune up can be done any time, but most families schedule them in the fall, typically around September and October. Scheduling before cold weather hits, when HVAC techs aren’t as busy, makes it easier to get an appointment time that’s convenient for you.
What is involved in a furnace tune up? This depends somewhat on the company that performs the furnace tune up. At minimum, a tune up typically consists of changing the filter, cleaning the furnace, checking electrical connections and voltage, lubricating moving parts, checking burners and ignition, inspection of the condensate drain, chimney, and flue, checking thermostat performance, visually inspecting the heat exchanger, checking and tightening all electrical connections and testing for carbon monoxide. Althoff’s complete furnace tune up also includes a combustion analysis on both the water heater and furnace to ensure they’re working safely, as well as a measure of the draft pressure on the water heater. We also measure ductwork system static pressure to check for leaks, blockages and other inefficiencies in the system. Not every HVAC company does a combustion analysis, draft check and static pressure test, but we include them because they’re the best way to ensure the safe operation of your gas furnace.
Why is a furnace tune up important? A furnace tune up is important not only for the safety of your family but to also make sure your furnace will perform as intended throughout the cold weather months. It can also help your furnace run more efficiently.
Can I perform a furnace tune up on my own? While there may be some elements of a tune up that the average homeowner could handle, like changing the furnace filter, it’s unsafe to perform a complete furnace tune up without the proper equipment and training.
What should I expect to pay for a furnace tune up? You may see furnace tune up coupons advertising $39 or $49 specials, but be cautious. Many time these coupon specials are nothing more than a way for an HVAC company to get into your home so they can recommend more extensive (and costly) repairs or services. Make sure you select an experienced company with a solid reputation. In the Chicago area, a thorough furnace tune up from a reputable HVAC service typically costs anywhere from $80-$140, depending on what’s included and if there are any special offers.
Is a an annual furnace tune up worth it? A furnace tune up provides several valuable results:
- Save on heating energy costs. A regularly-maintained furnace will operate more efficiently, using less energy and saving you money on your heating bills.
- Keep you and your family safer. A gas furnace that isn’t operating properly can can give off lethal levels of carbon monoxide and even pose a fire hazard. An annual tune up can find leaks and other potential problems so they can be addressed.
- Prevent inconvenient breakdowns. No one wants to have to call for emergency HVAC service in the middle of a cold winter night. A fall furnace tune up can detect developing issues so they can be resolved before they become serious.
- Extend the life of your furnace. Dirt and deterioration put added stress on your heating system. A furnace that’s clean and in good working order will last longer and have fewer costly breakdowns.
Why should I choose Althoff Industries for a furnace tune up? Althoff Industries has been serving the Chicago area for over 50 years. Your appointment will be scheduled within a convenient 2-hour window. Our experienced technicians call when they’re on their way and then park the clearly-marked service truck in front of your house, not in the driveway. Your technician will greet you with a smile and a business card and will be dressed in a clean uniform with a name badge. We truly stand behind our work and do not consider a job complete until the customer is completely satisfied with our services. Contact us today to schedule an appointment, or call us at 815-455-7000.

Tags: Heating, HVAC, Residential HVAC, Residential Services
Posted in Heating | Comments Off on 8 Common Questions About Annual Furnace Tune Ups