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A Smart Thermostat Controls Your Comfort

February 20, 2019

The thermostat is a basic part of any heating system, allowing you to set the temperature of the rooms in your home. Like all technology, thermostats have been improving in both quality and ability. Using a smart thermostat will change the way you heat your home. Here are some of the benefits a smart thermostat brings to your heating system. Programmable Comfort Many homes now use programmable thermostats. You can set the thermostat at different temperatures depending on when you are around during the day. The house will be comfortable when people are home and cooler when everyone is out. Smart thermostats are taking this programming to the next level. Not only can you input a daily or weekly schedule, but some thermostats can learn your habits over time, creating a schedule based on your family’s coming and going. Other thermostats can coordinate with sensors, only warming or cooling rooms when someone is present. Remote Access Many smart thermostats can be accessed via an internet connection or paired with your smartphone. You can set the thermostat from anywhere in the world. If you are getting home from work early, you can tell the thermostat to warm your house during the...

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Why Do Utility Companies Care if You Maintain Your System?

February 2, 2019

HVAC maintenance is a noble cause because of several reasons. All stakeholders, from manufacturers to utility companies, have an interest in how every system that draws its source of energy from the supply line works. Every year, each homeowner should inspect and maintain his or her system. Here are the top reasons why utility companies care about the state of your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system. 1. Poorly Maintained Systems Consume More Energy Energy is a premium commodity globally. The price of energy continues to increase each passing day thanks to the growing demand and scarcity of the resource. When utility companies are planning production and distribution, they have to factor in consumption levels. If the systems are in perfect conditions, they’ll require optimal energy to run them. If that’s not the case, then consumption levels will be erratic. The utility companies will not have an easy time keeping up with demand for energy, especially during the peak season such as winter. 2. System Maintenance Determines the Safety Levels A well-maintained system is secure, and the risk of it breaking down is minimal. When the systems are secure, the chances of systems causing stress on the overall utility lines...

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Aspects of an HVAC System

January 25, 2019

Our HVAC company, is often asked by our customers what an HVAC system entails. First, HVAC stands or heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. These components keep our customers’ homes comfortable in all seasons and in all weather, and our professionals install, repair and maintain them. Here are more details about the HVAC system and what it encompasses. Heating There are five main types of heating systems. One uses forced air. The air originates in a furnace and is blown through supply ducts and up and out of registers. When the air cools, it falls into return air registers and goes back to the furnace to be heated again. Hot water and steam systems use a boiler to send hot water or steam through supply lines and into radiators. A radiant system uses electrical cables or tubes filled with hot water installed beneath the floor or even in the walls or ceiling. Heat pumps can be used for both heating and cooling. Most people in the United States still use furnaces, boilers or heat pumps. Furnaces and boilers can be powered by: Oil Gas Propane Electricity Solar power Heat pumps, which resemble and work like central air conditioning units, take heat...

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3 Heating System Myths

January 5, 2019

Illinois homeowners know that keeping a heating system in great shape is a top priority. Unfortunately, there are many heating system myths that the average citizen believes. Here are a few heating myths that need to be busted. 1. Closing Vents and Registers Lowers Bills Most homeowners believe that reducing the space being heated will reduce energy expenditures. The reality is that closed vents throw off the balance of a forced-air system and make it work harder to heat a home. A better way to cut back on wasted energy is by cleaning vents, registers and ducts to ensure unimpeded airflow. Make sure that there are no leaks in conduits by applying duct insulation. Hire an HVAC technician to help you with the maintenance of your heating system. 2. Turning Up the Thermostat Heats a Home Faster Regardless of the fuel being used, a furnace can only produce so many BTUs per minute. Setting the thermostat higher than your target temperature won’t make your heating system magically warm the house faster. A better way to achieve quicker heating results is to keep the house at a moderate temperature while you’re away. Programmable smart thermostats can maintain a minimum temperature during...

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What to Expect from a Furnace Replacement

December 20, 2018

It is time to replace your furnace in your Downers Grove, IL area home. You have tried to repair the old unit for the last time and would rather enjoy your home instead of always worrying about the heat. The technicians at Fire “N’ Ice Heating and Cooling Inc. are here to make this important repair as easy on you as possible. Here are a few things to expect on the big day. Ordering the Right Unit for Your Home Before we get down to replacing your furnace, we need to make sure we are ordering the correct one for your home. We will complete a heating survey and match the output of a new furnace to the size of your home while taking into account its insulating factors. We will try to source the new unit as quickly as possible, but if you are replacing in the summer we can take extra time to get the perfect fit. Expect it to Take a Day If we are just removing an old unit and popping the same model in place, it could take as little as 4 hours. However, if you need any adjustments to your pipes, electrical, or ducting,...

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The Wonderful Invention of Furnaces

December 17, 2018

Furnaces are among the most remarkable inventions of all time. Before we dive a little more into the details of this awesome human discovery that has solved the ancient agony of unbearable weather conditions, it’s important to work with qualified furnace expert for all your installation and repair works. With a seasoned, qualified professional watching your back, you are at liberty to enjoy a far-reaching comfort of mind on matters heating, cooling, repairs, and maintenance services in your home. Fire ‘n’ Ice Heating & Cooling, Inc. does top-notch installations and ensures that your heating system or AC unit functions optimally & reliably. Origin and Usage of Furnaces The name furnace is from Latin Fornax, meaning oven; a device that achieves high-temperature heating by fuel combustion, electricity, or induction heating. A furnace can either be used in a home heating system or for industrial purposes. Alice Parker is the brain behind the first home central heating system which allowed temperature regulation functionality and more efficient heating. By 1935, a forced air wall furnace was consequently developed. What are the Components of a Home Furnace? A home furnace is made up of several components that work together to achieve the heating effect....

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Can Furnaces Run Without Filters?

November 30, 2018

Operating your furnace without a filter is technically possible, but it’s not something that’s advised. The presence of a filter is not a fail-safe that keeps the furnace from running, so you can leave it out and the furnace will still cycle as it otherwise would for the temperature you have it set on. But it’s important to remember that the filter in your furnace is there for a reason. What Does a Furnace Filter Do? Your furnace’s filter takes dust, allergens, and particles out of the air. Depending on the size and type of filter, it could be rated for larger particles or smaller ones. HEPA filters, for example, take more minute particles from the air along with larger ones. These filters reduce allergy problems and provide you with cleaner air in your home. The furnace filter keeps dust and particles from getting into your lungs, and it keeps them from getting into the main part of the furnace where they can build up, do damage, and reduce efficiency. Over time, these particles can also reduce the lifespan of your furnace. Change Your Furnace’s Filter Regularly You’ll want to make sure that the furnace filter is being changed and...

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Heat Pump Vs. Furnace

November 12, 2018

Downers Grove, IL, and the surrounding area can be very cold in the winter, but it can also have hot summers with quite a bit of humidity at times. If you live there, you know you need good options to help keep your home comfortable all year round. Among those options are furnaces and heat pumps. But which one should you choose? That depends on exactly what you need and want, along with what you already have in your home and the budget you’re looking at. Heat Pumps Can Provide More Options A heat pump will give you more options than a furnace. Heat pumps have both heating and cooling capabilities, while furnaces can only offer heat. Because of that, heat pumps are more popular in areas where heating and cooling are both needed. That’s most parts of the country, but not all of them. Additionally, some people have other cooling methods, like window units, so they don’t want to add a heat pump to their existing furnace. If you use a heat pump for heating and cooling, though, you may be able to use less energy and save money. Your furnace can be used for supplemental heat when it’s...

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Why Product Warranties are Important

October 5, 2018

If you’re like most consumers, you spend a lot of time researching the price and the performance of new systems when you’re shopping for a new heating or cooling system. However, most of us spend little or no time to analyze what type of warranties the system’s manufacturer offers. While this part of the sales package is less glamorous than energy efficiency or cost savings, it’s still an important part of the transaction. Why Product Warranties are Important A warranty is a promise from the manufacturer that the heating system will perform as advertised and outlined in the sales documents. Because factory defects are often not apparent simply by looking at the system, warranties provide a way for the manufacturer to make it right to the buyer should he or she have issues with the system shortly after purchase. Most warranties have a time limit and many limit the parts of the system that are covered. 1. Protection Against Huge Repair Expenses A strong warranty gives you confidence that the manufacturer feels they have produced a quality product. If something fails on their furnace system, they are willing to stand behind it. 2. Value When Reselling Your Home Many warranties...

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3 Energy Efficiency Tips

September 25, 2018

What if you could save the environment and money at the same time? Most of us would love to do that, which is where energy efficient tips come in. Today Fire ‘n’ Ice Heating and Cooling presents three energy efficient tips for homeowners in Downers Grove, IL. Reduce all of the costs of powering your home by going more efficient with actions you can take today. 1. Use a Programmable Thermostat All too often we see homeowners who have a programmable thermostat installed but they never use it. What a shame because this is one of the best ways to make your house energy efficient. Start by programming your thermostat when you are at work or away for a length of time. For winter months, set the thermostat for the heating system lower. In the summer and on warm days raise the temperature on your air conditioning. According to the US Department of Energy, this will cut your energy costs by 10 percent. 2. Schedule Professional HVAC Maintenance When is the last time you had HVAC maintenance conducted? Typically, homeowners wait until their heating and air conditioning system is broken before they call for service. However, by getting routine maintenance...

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