What Does it Mean to be NATE Certified?

July 18, 2018

North American Technician Excellence (NATE) was founded in 1997 as a certification organization for technicians in the heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration industries. This NATE certified program is supported by the entire HVAC industry and when considering a contractor to provide services, it gives peace of mind to customers all over North America. Why NATE Certify In order to receive NATE certification, technicians must prove their knowledge in one or more specialty areas. They take exams developed by experts from all over the country. The tests are designed to validate the knowledge of the technicians who will need to prove that they have hands-on experience in the area they want to be certified. Some technicians will be certified in only one area and others will opt for multiple specialties. According to the NATE website testing is “rigorous, multiple choice and knowledge-based.” The specialties for which certification is available include; air condition and air distribution, heat pumps, gas heating and oil heating, ground source heat pump loop installer and Senior HVAC efficiency analyst. In the service only area, hydronics gas and hydronics oil, light commercial refrigeration, and commercial refrigeration are offered. NATE Certification Tests NATE Certification consists of more than...

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Air Cleaners For Allergies

July 16, 2018

One of the most frustrating, common health problems the average person experiences is allergies. People spend money on a variety of medications and treatments to ease the effects of environmental triggers. Allergies can cause additional problems such as tooth pain, bronchitis, and headaches. There is, however, a solution to maintaining your indoor atmosphere that can help ease allergy symptoms. Air cleaners are an effective solution that can make daily life easier and less of a headache. Indoor Air Quality The quality of the air circulating inside the home or business may not be something that most people think about, but if you are an allergy sufferer, then this issue should be a priority. The majority of allergy issues can be attributed to the quality of the air inside of the structure, whether it be at home or at work. If there are allergens being circulated throughout the area both day and night, it compounds the problem. Having the right equipment such as air purifiers, HVAC UV lights, and allergy air filters can dramatically improve air quality. Also, it is important to have your HVAC unit cleaned regularly to remove trapped pollutants from inside of the ducts. Analyze Indoor Air Quality...

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What is Preventative Maintenance?

June 8, 2018

Preventive maintenance can add years of life to your heating and cooling system, and at the very least, it will give you more efficient and better service throughout its lifetime. Poorly maintained HVAC systems break down more often, use more energy to heat and cool and may not do their job very well. To improve your HVAC system and keep it running longer, it is important to do at minimum yearly preventive maintenance. What is Preventative Maintenance? The name says it all. Preventative maintenance is doing maintenance on a scheduled basis to prevent larger issues to crop up unexpectedly. Similar to visiting your doctor yearly for a well checkup, preventative maintenance is a check on all HVAC systems to make sure they are working correctly, are clean and undamaged. Some preventative maintenance can be done by the homeowner. HVAC experts recommend checking air filters periodically, depending on usage, and replacing them when needed. You can also keep the outside of your unit clean and free of dust. Expert Maintenance Once or twice per year, you should schedule a qualified repair company to do a preventative maintenance check on your HVAC system. Experts, such as Fire N’ Ice Heating and Cooling,...

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5 Benefits of Indoor Air Quality

June 7, 2018

In Downers Grove, indoor air quality is a constant worry for our clients. The quality of the air you breathe in is impacted by many factors. Whether it is just the operation of your heating and cooling system, poor outside air quality, or even allergens present, you need help improving the air quality in your home. At Fire ‘n’ Ice Heating & Cooling, we provide you with solutions to do just that. Here’s why you need to do so: 1. Reduce Impurities Causing Illness If you have individuals in your home with an autoimmune disease, asthma, or allergies, you need to ensure the air quality is at its highest. Removing harmful products allows these individuals – as well as infants and seniors – to breathe better. 2. Helps Minimize Mold and Mildew Risks Most homes have some presence of mold and mildew. By improving the air quality, you can stop the spread of these dangerous pathogens through your home. You may find this is one of the best ways to get rid of that musky smell, too. 3. Better Sleep By removing the particles in the air, you do not have to breathe in these elements during the night. You...

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How Does Upgrading Your AC Unit Actually Save You Money?

May 21, 2018

If your old AC unit breaks down, repairing it is the first thing that will come to mind. Although it may seem cheaper at the moment, the best option is to actually replace it. The age of the system plays an important role in the process of deciding whether to repair or replace a broken-down HVAC system. Has the system been working for ten or more years? Do you have to endure hot or cold spells in certain rooms of the house? If the answer to any of the above questions is affirmative, you should consider having a new AC unit installed. Also, if you have to repair the AC unit every now and then, you need to replace it. Be proactive, have a licensed HVAC professional evaluate the unit and get their opinion. Having a worn out, inefficient model replaced with one that’s Energy Star-rated can save you a lot of money and make your house more comfortable. Here’s how upgrading your AC unit can save you money. Cut Repair Costs Repairing an old, inefficient AC unit can be expensive. During this exercise, you will have to buy complementary spare parts and meet the technician’s dues. It gets worse...

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What Is the Importance of an AC Maintenance?

April 27, 2018

When was the last time you had your air conditioning system serviced? For the average family on a hectic schedule, it’s easy for AC maintenance to fall by the wayside, especially if you haven’t had any problems out of your AC unit lately. But the longer you ignore AC maintenance, the greater your chances become of your AC system breaking down or failing to perform as it should. The importance of keeping your AC system in excellent shape can’t be overstated. Without regularly scheduled maintenance, your unit won’t be able to deliver the performance you’ve come to expect from your air conditioner. If you don’t want to be left sweaty and uncomfortable in your own home this summer, you should have your AC system serviced on a regular basis. As our team of highly-skilled technicians would tell you, there are plenty of good reasons why you should invest in AC maintenance: Better Performance – A well-maintained AC system is more than capable of keeping your home cool and comfortable no matter how hot the weather outside gets. Better Efficiency – With regularly scheduled AC maintenance, your AC system uses less energy to keep your home cool, resulting in lower utility...

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Should I get a Infinity Thermostat?

March 19, 2018

Many people wonder if it’s worth it to upgrade to a modern “smart” thermostat, like an Infinity Touch Control. Smart thermostats offer far more by way of utility than a traditional thermostat. In other words, an Infinity thermostat is just better. Here’s why. An Infinity Thermostat is more than Just a Thermostat Traditional thermostats only control the temperature. Traditional thermostats can also suffer in performance based on their location in the home or facility. For example, if the thermostat sits close to a light or heat source, it will use that immediate temperature as a baseline for the whole home or facility. That can lead to uneven heating and cooling problems. An Infinity thermostat can certainly control the temperature. However, these smart thermostats represent the brain behind an entire environment control system. You can control more of your heating and cooling features, and you can do it from anywhere. An Infinity Thermostat is more than Just a Programmable Thermostat Programmable thermostats can help in many ways. You can set them to change the temperature at different times of the day or night automatically. In this way, you can keep your home comfortable and save money on your utility bills as...

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3 Reasons Why Your Furnace Isn’t Working

February 12, 2018

The heating system is one of the most important appliances in your home, but it doesn’t always run smoothly. These three common problems may be why your furnace isn’t working. Some furnace problems have simple solutions, while others should be handled by experienced HVAC technicians. If you live in the Downers Grove, IL, area and need help with your furnace, be sure to call us at Fire ‘n’ Ice Heating & Cooling, Inc. See below for why your furnace might not be working: 1. Clogged Air Filter Regularly changing air filters is an important type of maintenance that often gets overlooked. Over time, dust and other particulates accumulate, limiting airflow to the furnace. Although older furnaces will continue to run with a dirty air filter, they’ll become less efficient and will produce less heat as the filter becomes more clogged. Newer energy efficient models, however, are sensitive to these changes and will shut down before damage can be done. 2. Tripped Circuit Breaker Check your home’s breaker panel to make sure the circuit supplying power to your furnace is set to “on.” It may have been tripped by a recent electrical storm. Keep in mind that other electrical problems can also cause issues with your...

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How to Maintain Your Furnace

January 17, 2018

Your furnace helps to keep your home warm and comfortable. During winter when the temperatures are low, it circulates warm air, and during summer, it still has an essential task of circulating cooled air. Proper maintenance will help in keeping it running throughout the year. Below are some tips to help you take proper care of your furnace. Check the Flue Pipe for Leaks There is a flue pipe that comes out of the top of the furnace whose work is to ensure that the furnace is venting properly. Presence of holes in the flue pipe may mean that the pipe is leaking nasty combustion byproducts such as carbon monoxide which is dangerous. Always inspect the point where the pipe meets the furnace and patch any small holes that you may identify with foil tape. You should also make a point of replacing your flue if it is corroded. A faulty installation may lead to a leak, and in this case, you may require furnace re-installation. Clean Out the Access Area and Furnace Blower Compartment You can call a professional heating and air conditioning expert to help you open all the access panels to the core and blow away any dust or debris buildup....

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How to Avoid Asthma Triggers in Your Home

December 21, 2017

Preventing the Problem When a person with asthma has an attack it can be a very devastating and frightening experience.  Many asthma attacks happen while the individual is at home.  There are certain measures that can be taken to help prevent the onset of an asthma attack.  Most people are aware of the fact that the home of an asthmatic should be free of dust and powdery substances that may fill the air.  It is also important to keep the maintenance in order on heating and air conditioning units.  Proper maintenance is vital to ensure that the units operate efficiently.  Clean air is crucial for those who suffer with asthma. Finding the Solution Fire N Ice Heating and Cooling is a family owned, and family operated company that has provided services to the residents of Illinois since 1977.  They will inspect your home heating and a/c unit, then explain the procedure needed for making your home an asthma preventive environment.  They will schedule regular maintenance to assure you that your home is safe, and the air is clean.  You can check your filters regularly and replace them easily.  Have all of the ducts cleaned to make sure that dirt and debris will not interfere...

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