May 22nd, 2013
With every passing month here in Chicago another energy bill arrives. At this point you probably cringe at the cost, and the weather doesn’t look like it is getting any warmer any time soon. So, the only option is to conserve energy, and here at Four Seasons, we have an idea that you probably haven’t thought of. Use the sun! On days that the sun is shining bright, you could easily cut back on your heating costs and cut down your electricity costs as well!
Sunny Day Savings
On the next sunny day, take a walk around your home and open the curtains, blinds, and any other coverings that you may have on your windows. Kick the thermostat back a few degrees, and we bet you won’t even notice the difference. The sun is the earth’s natural heating source, and though it may be freezing outside, you can still take in the sun’s heat through the windows in your home. However, you must remember to recover the windows at night to prevent drafts and air leaks from reversing your energy savings. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: electricity, energy efficiency, Four Seasons, Hazel Crest, Heating, IL, Robbins, save energy, save money, sun, thermostat, utility bills, Westmont
Posted in Go Green, Heating, Informational, Savings | No Comments »
May 21st, 2013
Are you one of the many people who have had to replace their hot water tank multiple times over a relatively short period of time? There are thousands of homeowners all over Chicago land that find themselves throwing away money on a new hot water tank every five years, and many of them have no idea why. The problem is corrosion. The inside of your hot water tank corrodes because of the particles and minerals that are in your water supply, but Four Seasons Heating and Air Conditioning can help.
How Does the Tank Corrode?
Over time, these particles eat away at the inside of the tank, and the process is accelerated by the high temperatures created by the tank to heat the water for your home. However, water tank manufacturers have tried to counter this process by installing an “anode” in the tank. This device is used to attract the particles to it rather than to the metal in the tank. This part of the system can only protect the tank for so long before it needs to be replace, and if you are not having the system properly maintained, it will eventually fall victim to the disastrous effects of corrosion. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: corrosion, energy efficiency, Four Seasons, Hometown, hot water tank, La Grange, maintenance, minerals, replacement, Richton Park, save money
Posted in Heating, Hot Water Heater, Informational, maintenance, Savings | No Comments »
May 20th, 2013
Unfortunately, Chicago is no stranger to freezing temperatures. Recent weather forecasts have predicted that January is going to be coldest month yet this winter, and that means that more freezing temperatures are on the way. When the temperature outside drops below freezing there is always the possibility that pipes in your home will freeze if you are not careful. When pipes freeze, they may crack and burst costing you hundreds and maybe even thousands to repair due to the devastating effects of water damage. This is something that every homeowner should do their best to prevent, but if a pipe does burst in your home, you need to have Four Seasons’ phone number on hand.
Preventing Frozen Pipes
In order to prevent frozen pipes, you first need to recognize areas of your home that are at risk. Common areas where pipes will freeze are:
Tags: Burbank, burst pipe, Chicago, Dolton, Four Seasons, frozen pipes, Furnace, Homer Glen, IL, Insulation, temperature, water damage, winter
Posted in Boiler, Furnace, Heating, Home Services, Informational | No Comments »
May 19th, 2013
Picture yourself in this situation. The furnace has finally called it quits after 20 years of somewhat reliable service. You call Four Seasons to schedule your free in-home estimate on a new system, and the salesman arrives to do an assessment of your home heating needs. He takes a step outside and notices that your air conditioner is the same age as your furnace. He comes back inside and suggests that you now replace the air conditioner along with the furnace. Before jumping to the conclusion that this salesman is full of it or that he is just trying to maximize his profits, you should take a moment to consider the many benefits that come from replacing the entire system at once rather than replacing it in pieces. These benefits include:
- System Efficiency: Whenever you replace just one component in a system, the older units limit the efficiency of the new system. There have been drastic improvements in the energy efficiency of heating and cooling units, and replacing both systems at the same time will allow you to maximize the efficiency of both units.
- Savings: When you maximize the energy efficiency of your units, you maximize your savings as well! Also, there is a good chance that you will get that air conditioner at a discounted price during the off season. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: air conditioner, Calumet Park, Chicago, Downers Grove, energy efficiency, Four Seasons, furnace replacement, matched system, Oak Brook, reliability, save money, warranty coverage
Posted in Air conditioning, Furnace, Heating, Savings | No Comments »
