All Temp's New Company Video
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Important News That Affects All Chicago Area Homeowners
All Temp Heating & Air Conditioning would like to inform our customers of major changes to laws that will affect what type of furnace and air conditioning systems homeowners will be allowed to purchase.
We have written an informative article that we encourage everyone to take the time to read. These are changes that can potentially cost thousands of dollars more in the future.
Click here to read the article
Peoples Gas/Nicor & ComEd Rebates
Peoples Gas and Nicor customers, talk to an All Temp sales representative
about gas company rebates, combined with ComEd (up to $800) and additional
Lennox rebates on furnaces and furnace & air conditioning systems.
Contact our sales department for more information
All Temp has been awarded another Angie's List Super Service Award!
For the 4th year in a row, All Temp Heating & Air Conditioning has been awarded Angie's List's Super Service Award. This award is only achieved by the top 5 percent of all companies listed on Angie's List and it reflects our consistently high level of customer service.
We are proud of our achievements and look forward to serving both our current and future customers in 2012!
Is Your Old Furnace Costing you Money? Furnace Replacement Signs
Even though your old furnace is working well, you could increase your efficiency significantly, as well as reducing both indoor and outdoor pollutants, by purchasing a new system. Energy bills are extremely high, so it simply makes good financial sense to think about putting in a new furnace. Depending on your old furnace inefficiencies, a new system could save you as much as 40 percent on a gas furnace and also save you significant money on an electric furnace as well. The most efficient modern gas furnaces, all of which can easily be converted to propane, have efficiency ratings as high as 98 percent. That means only 2 percent of the heat generated is lost. In contrast, an old furnace can lose more than 40 percent of its heat content out of the chimney. In addition, the burning of gas or propane in a properly operating system will produce little air pollution. Carbon dioxide emissions can be reduced as much as 40 percent in a new model. This is important because carbon dioxide has been linked to climate change and global warming. Old furnace inefficiencies include the design of old gas systems. Today’s systems use a special gas valve that controls the amount of heat the furnace produces. There are some designs that have a low- and high-output burn rate, while others have a modulating gas valve that can be used to vary the gas output in percentage increments. The main advantage is that when the weather is mild and you lose less heat, the furnace runs at the low level. When it’s cold and you need more heat, the furnace switches itself to the high setting. This allows the furnace to run fewer on/off cycles, conserving energy. Just like a car operates more efficiently on the highway than in stop-and-go traffic, a gas furnace runs more efficiently when it does not have to start and stop repeatedly. That also means less wear and longer system life. You will also likely want to consider installing a matching thermostat from the manufacturer of the furnace to take full advantage of the comfort and efficiency features. These thermostats provide you control of over blower speeds, humidity and temperature. If you are interested in learning more about how a new furnace can save money by eliminating old furnace inefficiencies, please call us at 847-526-9082
7 Deadly CO2 Dangers You Can Avoid With Routine Furnace Service
Carbon monoxide, or CO, is a colorless, odorless gas that is formed through incomplete combustion of organic matter such as fuel. There are several carbon monoxide dangers, chiefly associated with the fact that CO interferes with oxygen intake. When an indoor fuel-burning device such as a furnace is not properly operated, maintained or vented, CO can build up to dangerous concentrations. The Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that as many as 15,000 people are examined in hospitals each year for CO poisoning. An estimated 500 deaths occur to unintentional CO exposure. If a person inhales low concentrations of CO over a long period of time, it can lead to other illnesses. However, there are measures that can be taken to prevent CO exposure. You can install a CO alarm to detect potentially deadly concentrations. Also, make sure your gas furnace is properly maintained and vented. Here are some of the problems that could lead to CO exposure due to a fuel-burning appliance such as a gas furnace: Another particularly troubling carbon monoxide danger is that many people confuse low levels of exposure to CO with the flu. Here are some of the signs that you may be experiencing CO exposure instead of the flu: If you have any concerns regarding carbon monoxide dangers that may be present in your home, or you would like your furnace checked for potential leaks by a trained and qualified technician, please call All Temp Heating & Air Conditioning as soon as you can at (847) 526-9082
How to Clean Your Air Conditioning Unit
Cleaning your air conditioner on a regular basis can increase the efficiency of the unit and prolong its life as well. If you have not had the unit cleaned previously, then you should probably carve out a half a day in order to carefully work through the process. If that is not realistic for you, call a professional. The first step is to turn off the power, then remove the grille and clean it. Unscrew the top grille and hold it open. The fan will usually come with it, so support it carefully to avoid stretching the electrical wires and stressing the connections. If the fan doesn't lift out, avoid hitting it with a direct spray of water when you clean the fins. Vacuum the condenser fins with a soft-bristle brush attachment. The metal fins are very delicate, so take special care and avoid bending them. Clear away weeds, grass and other debris that block airflow through the coil. You often have to unscrew a protective metal case and lift it off to get at the condenser fins. The fan inside the condenser coil brings in air through the fins, and that air contains dirt and debris such as dead grass, leaves, dust and more. Any of this debris that collects on the unit’s fins will reduce airflow and hurt the air conditioner’s efficiency. In particular, grass clippings and spores from cottonwood trees and dandelions can really affect your A/C system. During spring, you might need to clean the fins on a weekly or even daily basis. This would also be a good time to make sure your fan motor is properly lubricated, if you can get to it. If you see lubrication ports, get some special oil that is used for electric motors (do NOT use penetrating or all-purpose oil) and apply five drops of that oil to the ports. There are several A/C models with fan motors that do not have oil ports and therefore cannot be lubricated. Make sure you check your owner’s manual if you are not sure. Typically, the compressor and motor are sealed and won’t require maintenance. But if you have an older compressor that is belt-driven by a separate motor, you can lubricate that motor through its oil ports. Make sure you watch for dark drip marks on the bottom of the compressor case, because this could indicate an oil leak. In addition, the compressor or tubes could be leaking coolant. If you find this leak, please call a professional – NEVER try and tighten the joints or you could make the problem worse. Plus, only a professional with the right equipment can recharge your system with the correct level of coolant.
What You Need to Know About Your Air Conditioner's Compressor
Problems with your air conditioner’s compressor can cause an incredible amount of stress. Homeowners who find themselves with an A/C that is non-functional have the need to be able to rely on an air conditioning professional that can help them quickly work on their air conditioning compressor repair. The air conditioning compressor motor is a steel-encased container that functions as a pump for your AC system. If the compressor fails then your entire air conditioning system will be unable to perform its duty to cool down your home. The pump draws in refrigerant gas that is laden with heat from the inside unit of your system and it compresses the refrigerant gas (which is a low pressure gas) to a higher temperature and a higher pressure. When this gas refrigerant enters the air conditioners condenser coil it is rapidly cooled into a liquid state. The heat from the gas is then transferred to the outside unit and is blown out into the air. The cooled refrigerant then returns to the indoor unit to continue to the interior of your home. When the system’s compressor fails, the refrigerant is not able to be pushed to where it is needed – and your air conditioner is essentially useless at that point. Some of the signs that your AC’s compressor might be to blame re as follows: Compressors will occasionally come off of their mounts. In a case like this, it is generally a quick and easy fix by just reattaching the compressor and testing it to make sure that everything is fully operational. There are a few things that might cause your air conditioner’s compressor to fail, including some of the following situations.What is a Compressor?
The Easiest, Most Important Maintenance Advice We Can Give: Change Those Air Filters Regularly
With spring upon us and summer quickly approaching Chicago's northwest suburbs, you should take the time to make sure your air conditioner is ready to work efficiently. Besides providing cool air, you air conditioner will also play a key role in maintaining your home’s indoor air quality level. The EPA recently ranked bad indoor air quality as one of the top five environmental risks to public health and according to the National Safety Council, we spend 65 percent of our time inside of our own home. This means that the air in your home can put you at risk for developing health problems. By ensuring that the air you breathe indoors is clean and fresh, you will provide yourself and your family with a comfortable and healthy living environment. The most important thing that you can do to improve the air quality in your home is to change your filters on a regular basis. Dirty air filters can accumulate dust, pollen and other allergens in your heating and cooling equipment. These dirty filters will lead to poor indoor air quality levels in your home and unhealthy conditions for anyone who suffers from asthma or allergies. According to the government’s Energy Star program, you should change the air filters in your heating and cooling system at least every three months. The easiest way to choose an efficient air filter is to check its MERV rating. The filter’s MERV rating shows how effective it is at removing airborne particles from the air. The scale ranges from 1-16. The higher the rating, the more productive the air filter. Generally speaking, a filter with a rating of 10 or higher is considered to be a good option. Your home’s indoor air quality is a vital component to maintaining a comfortable living space. Make sure you're using an adequate filter and change it on a regular basis. For more information on the correct usage of air filters for your heating and cooling equipment, contact the professionals at All Temp Heating & Air Conditioning today. They are more than willing to assist you in all of your home comfort needs. All Temp Heating & Air Conditioning services Lake, McHenry, and northern Cook County in Illinois.
All Temp has been awarded the Angie's List Super Service Award for 2010
For the 3rd year in a row, All Temp Heating & Air Conditioning has been awarded Angie's List's Super Service Award. This award is only achieved by the top 5 percent of all companies listed on Angie's List and it reflects our consistently high level of customer service.
We are proud of our achievements and look forward to serving both our current and future customers in 2011!
