Heating and Cooling » Health

The #1 Rated Filtration System | Oak Brook, North Aurora, Winfield

Kate — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 08:00:09 +0000

There are certain times in life where second best simply is not good enough, and the when it comes to the indoor air quality in your home, settling for second best shouldn’t be an option especially if you have people in the home that suffer from respiratory conditions. The air you breathe during the winter months is full of leftover pollen from the previous season and heaping amounts of dust that accumulate during the long months spent inside. These contaminants are often the cause of respiratory illnesses, asthma and allergy flares, and bad smells in the home. These things will not go away without intervention, and now is the time to do something about it. At Four Seasons we offer our customers the number one rated professionally installed whole house filtration system from Lennox.

Get Cleaner, Healthier Air Today!

The Healthy Climate 16 Media Air Cleaner is one of the most impressive air cleaners out there. The unit is professionally installed into the duct work of any forced air heating and cooling system, and as air circulates through the home it all passes through this high tech system to be purified. Here are some of the many perks of choosing this air cleaner for your home:

No additional energy costs beyond what you already pay to operate the furnace or air conditioner
The level of air cleaning ability that this filter achieves is on par with the air cleaning requirements for hospital rooms and general surgery suits
Helps protect the HVAC equipment so that the units can run cleaner for longer
Removes over 95% of particles from the air that size down to 0.3 micon!
Removes over 90% of bioaerosols and microorganisms down to 0.01 micron!
Cartridges only need to be changed once a year! No more monthly filter changes, and Four Seasons can change the cartridge for you at your furnace’s yearly maintenance check
No cleaning of the system is required just yearly cartridge changes
Works with any make and model of HVAC system

These are just some of the many features that this system boasts, and you can get this high level of protection in your home today by simply calling Four Seasons. Our Home Comfort Specialists will set you up with a free quote and you can start enjoying cleaner air within days.

The #1 Rated Filtration System | Oak Brook, North Aurora, Winfield is a post from: Heating and Cooling furnace repair

Protect Your Family from The Flu with a Germicidal Light Chicago!

Kate — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 08:00:10 +0000

The Chicagoland air quality this time of year can vary. The local weather report may indicate that the ragweed is at a moderate level or the mold count level is high. The same may be true of the air quality in your home. Mold and contaminants can affect the air in your home and your health. It may also interfere with your heating and cooling system. A germicidal light such as a Healthy Climate UVC-24V from Four Seasons can help to produce cleaner air in your home. The germicidal light produces strong rays of ultraviolet light to help reduce harmful pathogens in your home.

Do More that Just Get a Flu Shot!

As any mom knows, flu season can be an exhausting time of the year. It usually hits around the Holidays, right when you have the most going on. You can protect your family from harmful viruses like the flu by getting more than just a flu shot. Do more to protect your family by having a Four Seasons germicidal UV light installed. The UV light operates whether your heating and cooling system is running or not. It continuously destroys bacteria and viruses before the pollutants enter your duct system. You can give your family peace of mind knowing that this same technology is used in operating rooms and clinics across the U.S. Call and ask one of our friendly representatives about what you can do to protect your family’s health this winter, and get a free quote on one of our germicidal UV lights today!

Protect Your Family from The Flu with a Germicidal Light Chicago! is a post from: Heating and Cooling furnace repair

What Condition is Your Humidifier In? | St. Charles, Arlington Heights

Kate — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 08:00:09 +0000

At this time of year, most people are fussing about their furnaces and many forget to even take a second glance at the humidifier. The unit has been off all summer, but as the temperatures plummet, the humidity levels in your home will sink too. The heat from the furnace will dry out the air in your home to desert like conditions, and you don’t want to go turn on the humidifier only to find that it is not working properly or worse that it is leaking. Four Seasons Heating and Air Conditioning includes a free humidifier inspection with every furnace or boiler tune up that we perform, and we can help you get the humidifier back up and running before the air in your home becomes too parched.

Leaks, Clogs, and Filter Pads

Humidifier maintenance is fairly simple. If you keep on top of filter changes, you should never have any real problems with the system, but if you ever do find something wrong with the unit it is usually manifested as a leak. An old filter and a clog in the water line are the two most common causes of the leak, but many homeowners don’t spend enough time around their system to even notice if there are any issues. First let’s talk about that filter. It needs to be replaced yearly in order for the system to work properly, and if it isn’t, it becomes a breeding ground for mold. Mold in the humidifier can quickly become mold all over your home if you are not careful. The humidifier feeds moisture directly into the air circulation of the home, and with that moisture, it can also spread the mold.

All In One Clean and Check

Leaks from the humidifier are another problem that you cannot let go unchecked. A leak near the humidifier means you have a leak near the furnace. Water is like poison for your furnace and will damage parts and create rust in this vital system. The take away lesson here is to have your humidifier checked every year when you have your furnace checked. Other companies may charge extra fees for this additional service, but when you have your unit cleaned by a Four Seasons technician, this service is included. Take full advantage of everything Four Seasons has to offer this fall and schedule your cleaning today.

What Condition is Your Humidifier In? | St. Charles, Arlington Heights is a post from: Heating and Cooling furnace repair

More Carbon Monoxide Safety Tips | Barrington, Harvey, Hometown

Kate — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 08:00:27 +0000

You can never have enough information when it comes to protecting your family from carbon monoxide poisoning, so we have come up with four more tips to keep in mind this winter as we all begin to use our heating equipment once again. We went straight to our technicians and asked for some of their advice, and these four tips are what they produced:

Yearly Check-up: When you have your furnace maintained yearly by Four Seasons, the technician will always test for the presence of carbon monoxide. During the inspection he will be able to locate even small carbon monoxide leaks and repair them before they become a major safety hazard in the home. There are many benefits to having the furnace or boiler tuned up, but this is probably one of the most critical reasons to consider this service this fall.
CO Detector Life Spans: Many homeowners believe the misconception that you only need to purchase carbon monoxide detectors once, but this belief could not be more wrong. Most carbon monoxide detectors last only a few years although some may last up to ten. After their expiration, they can no longer be considered a reliable source for carbon monoxide readings. There have been many times our technicians will enter a home, find very high readings of CO, and then find that the carbon monoxide detectors were no longer functioning. The unit may still test as functional, but unless you know for sure that they last longer, your carbon monoxide detectors should be replaced every five years.
CO Blood Levels: Before you can notice any of the signs and symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, it must first build up in your blood stream. Depending on the levels in your home, this could take some time, and therefore you could have a leak for a while before you and your family becomes sick. However, birds and other small animals may succumb to the effects much sooner than you because they are smaller. The unexplained death of a pet bird may be reason to have your home checked for carbon monoxide.
Condemned Units: Every winter, our service technicians are forced to condemn hundreds systems that have cracked heat exchangers because of the large amount of carbon monoxide that they are pouring into the home. If the homeowner cannot replace the unit right away, we have to flag the system as dangerous and we instruct the homeowners to not operate the system. If you find yourself in this position, you must not turn the unit back on! You have to bite the bullet and buy a new unit, and not doing so could be a death sentence for your family.

Get a Safety Check from Your Four Seasons Tech!

Here at Four Seasons Heating and Air Conditioning, we are not trying to scare you. We just want you to take action this winter to prevent your family from becoming another statistic. If you have worries about the condition of your unit, new or old, contact your Four Seasons representative today. We will do a thorough assessment of the carbon monoxide producing systems in your home, and make sure that you are protected this winter.

More Carbon Monoxide Safety Tips | Barrington, Harvey, Hometown is a post from: Heating and Cooling furnace repair

Asthma, Humidity, and Your Air Conditioner | New Lenox, Wheaton

Kate — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 08:00:54 +0000

The heat and humidity that this summer has brought us has created a plethora of problems for people across the Chicagoland area. From broken down air conditioners to irritated allergies, almost everyone has been negatively affected in some way. However, those that suffer with asthma or other respiratory problems have had it much worse than the rest of us. When the humidity and the heat are high, breathing becomes a difficult task for anyone with asthma. Imagine breathing thick moisture laden air through a straw on a very hot day, and you may be able to picture what it is like for someone with asthma to breathe during this season. Their only source of relief can be found in a well maintained air conditioning unit, and if you have been suffering with asthma without one, it is now time to call Four Seasons.

How Air Conditioners Relieve Asthma

The biggest impact that air conditioners have on asthma symptoms is found in their ability to remove humidity from the air. Excess moisture in the air can really make getting a full deep breath difficult, but every time the air conditioner turns on, its first task is to remove as much excess moisture from the air as possible. Once the moisture is gone, it begins to cool the home which further eases difficulty breathing. Another big benefit that comes from having an air conditioner is its ability to remove asthma irritants from the air in the home. When equipped with a clean and high efficiency filter, your air conditioner will filter out mold, pollen, dust, and many other pollutants that can exacerbate asthma symptoms.

Is Your Air Conditioner the Source of the Problem?

For those that are reading this and wondering why your air conditioner doesn’t seem to relieve your asthma symptoms, your problem may be due to the fact that you haven’t had the system cleaned or maintained in years. Instead of filtering out pollutants, a dirty air conditioner will spread them around. Years of dust and dirt buildup on the air conditioner can even reduce its ability to remove humidity and cool down the home. If this sounds like your unit, call Four Seasons. Our expert technicians can help you get symptom relief by cleaning up your air conditioner and upgrading your air filter. We can help you eliminate any air conditioning problems that you may have in your home, and all you have to do is call! Don’t suffer another summer and call today!

Asthma, Humidity, and Your Air Conditioner | New Lenox, Wheaton is a post from: Heating and Cooling furnace repair

Simple Air Quality Improvement | Round Lake Beach, Sauk Village

Kate — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 08:00:41 +0000

If you are in the market for an air purification system, then you have probably noticed how complex and confusing some of these air quality improvement systems can be. Special chemicals, monthly filter changes, and water refills are among the problems that many homeowners find with the majority of air quality systems. Although these units may boast about their ability to remove particles from the air in your home, why does it have to be so complicated? Well, with Four Seasons it doesn’t. Our air quality improvement systems offer simple and effective pollutant removal, and when you think about it, isn’t that all that you are looking for?

Simplifying Air Quality

Air Cleaners: Air cleaners like the Healthy Climate 16 Media air cleaner from Lennox work just like your furnace’s filter, but better because they have the ability to remove far more debris than the typical furnace filter. This particular unit is incorporated right into your duct work and it will remove over 95% of particles down to 0.3 micron. It is also able to remove over 90% of bioaerosols and microbes down to .01micron. It does all this with basically no need for maintenance besides one yearly filter change that can be handled during your normal furnace cleanings.
Air Purifiers and Filters: These systems are slightly more high tech than the air cleaners because they generally have their own power source. Systems like the Healthy Climate HEPA Filtration System can clean all of the air in the home by being installed into your Lennox furnace system. This big difference with this product is its enclosed design that can capture and hold up to 99.97% of the particles and bioaerosols in your home down to 0.3 micon! It does all of this without using harmful chemicals or producing ozone gas.
UV Lights: Healthy Climate UV Germicidal Lights are yet another option that you could have installed by Four Seasons to drastically improve your indoor air quality. By having our technicians incorporate this unit into your duct work, it will be able to sterilize the air in your home as it circulates through your HVAC system. Ultraviolet light destroys bioaerosols like bacteria and viruses and when combined with an air cleaner or filter, you can rest assured that the air quality problems in your home are more than taken care of.

Don’t get mixed up with confusing air quality systems that promise the world and deliver next to nothing. Instead, call Four Seasons Heating and Air Conditioning and have your professional HVAC technician install one of these systems in your home this summer season.

Simple Air Quality Improvement | Round Lake Beach, Sauk Village is a post from: Heating and Cooling furnace repair

Dryer Venting Dangers | Fox Valley, Glendale Heights, Warrenville

Kate — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 08:00:27 +0000

When you own a home, there could be hundreds of little problems within its walls that are hidden from view. A builder may decide to cut corners or a repairman may “jerry-rig” something to make it work. Either way, you end up with a problem inside the home that is not up to code. At Four Seasons, we have been running across several homes in the Chicagoland area that have problems with their clothes dryer duct and vent. The worst of these problems are vents that do not vent to the outdoors. Instead, they dump into a ceiling or attic, and the problems this can cause could be devastating to a home.

Improperly Venting Dryer Ducts

Encouraging Mold Growth: As your dryer dries your clothes, it vents out large amounts of hot humid air. In homes that don’t have a proper venting system, all of this hot air could be filling up the damp dark spaces under floorboards and inside the attic. All of this excess moisture creates the perfect environment for mold and mildew to thrive! We have discussed in the past the many dangers of having mold growth in the home, and allowing a problem like this to go unchecked could be encouraging this very serious issue.
Highly Flammable Lint: Not only is that improperly installed dryer vent pumping large amounts of moisture into the home, but it is also pumping in huge amounts of highly flammable lint. A problem like this could lead to a house fire at the slightest spark. Remove this hazard from your home can call Four Seasons now!

Professional Assessments

Four Seasons Home Services has the professional home repair servicemen that you need to get your dryer duct venting properly. Duct problems of any kind can cause a plethora of issues within the home, and if you suspect that your home may be having these types of issues, a Four Seasons technician can help you find out for sure. Don’t put the safety of your family in jeopardy and get Four Seasons out now!

Dryer Venting Dangers | Fox Valley, Glendale Heights, Warrenville is a post from: Heating and Cooling furnace repair

Condensation Drainage and Your Air Conditioner| Bristol, Oswego

Kate — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 08:00:40 +0000

During the hottest days of summer here in Chicago, the biggest complaint that most people have is with the humidity not the heat. The muggy and uncomfortable atmosphere created by large amounts of moisture in the air makes it hard to breathe and many turn to the aid of their air conditioning system to remove all of the excess unwanted moisture from the air. If your unit is working properly, it will do this without problems, but if there is a backup in your condensation drain system, you could end up with some serious damage to the entire unit.

Removing Humidity from the Home

The air conditioner must first pull the moisture or humidity from the air in the home before it is able to effectively bring down the temperature to the desired level. It does this by condensing water from its gaseous form to a liquid form as it passes over the coils. The water is then dumped into a condensation drain pan and eventually down a condensation drain. This safely removes the water from the home’s air.

Drain System Clogs

If this drain system becomes clogged in any way, the problem could manifest itself as a leak. The parts of the air conditioner inside the home will be surrounded by drainage, and if it is not repaired quickly, water damage and mold growth may be the result. Water can cause your air conditioner to prematurely rust and it can also short out valuable electrical components.

Subsequent Mold Growth

Mold growth is a common problem that follows prolonged water exposure. If you are not having your drain system cleaned out annually, you could have this problem even if a clog or leak is not present. The result could be mold spore circulation through the home, and if someone in the home has sensitive lungs, health problems could become exacerbated by the mold growth.

Repairs and Maintenance

If you have a leak like this in your home or if you haven’t had the air conditioner maintained in years, contact Four Seasons! Our servicemen will inspect your system and make the necessary repairs to ensure that your air conditioner drains properly. A 20 plus point tune-up includes inspection of your condensation drain system, and will make sure that any problems, including mold growth, are caught early. Don’t wait until the water has caused costly problems, and get your Four Seasons technician out today!

Condensation Drainage and Your Air Conditioner| Bristol, Oswego is a post from: Heating and Cooling furnace repair

An Asthma Friendly Air Conditioner and Home| Elk Grove Village

Kate — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 08:00:37 +0000

This summer, asthma and allergy symptoms are being exacerbated by the painfully high levels of pollen and other allergens in the air, and for many homeowners, the indoors offer very little relief from the poor outdoor air quality here in Chicago. What these homes need is a comprehensive indoor air quality overhaul performed by Four Seasons Heating and Air Conditioning. We can help you transform your home into a fresh air oasis this summer season. It only takes a few steps.

6 Indoor Air Quality Improvements:

Duct Cleaning: A professional duct cleaning from Four Seasons will remove any asthma irritating contaminants that have been growing or lingering in your ducts over the years.
Cartridge Filter: The typical furnace setup only have a one inch filter cartridge. Imagine how much more debris you could capture if you had Four Seasons expand that cartridge to 5 inches of filter material.
Whole House Air Exchange: Stale air is a side effect of the air tight seal between the outdoors and indoors of your home. You could replace that stale air with freshly filtered outdoor air by installing a whole house air exchange. Enjoy clean air without loosing energy.
UV Light: A UV light will help zap any lingering contaminants in your ducts like mold, mildew, and fungus.
Maintenance Checks: Air conditioner cleanings and maintenance checks are essential to proper indoor air quality and reliable system performance.
Humidifier Pad Replacement: The humidifier pad can easily become a breading ground for mold if it is not replaced yearly. Have your Four Seasons technician replace the pad every summer and shut the system down until winter arrives again.

Let Four Seasons Heating and Air Conditioning create a whole house air purification plan for your home! The allergy and asthma sufferers in your family will thank your, and we guarantee that you will be happy with the results!

An Asthma Friendly Air Conditioner and Home| Elk Grove Village is a post from: Heating and Cooling furnace repair

Indoor Air Pollutants: Formaldehyde | Des Plaines, Glenview, Oak Park

Kate — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 08:00:48 +0000

When it comes to indoor air pollution, many immediately think of carbon monoxide, pollen, or mold as the main contributors. You may install CO detectors, clean up after floods, and take allergy medications to prevent any of these pollutants from taking effect in your home, but are you doing anything to protect your family from formaldehyde? Here at Four Seasons, we find that many people know little to nothing about the potential health effects of this harmful compound, and many more don’t even realize that they could have formaldehyde already in their home! There is one easy way to remove this pollutant, and as always, Four Seasons Heating and Air Conditioning has the solution!

Formaldehyde Can Affect Anyone!

Certain pollutants are more common in older homes when compared to newer constructions, but when it comes to formaldehyde, any home at any age can have a high presence of this chemical. Years ago this compound was used in insulation materials, and these days, formaldehyde is still used in many construction materials and carpets. The effects that this pollutant can have on your family are truly shocking, and those that are extra sensitive, like the elderly, the very young, and those with respiratory conditions, can become very sick by breathing in this microscopic poison. Some of the health problems that have been found include:

Acute Exposure

Irritation of the throat, nose, eyes, noise, and skin
Respiratory irritation
Asthma symptoms
Increases susceptibility to infection

Chronic Exposure

Chronic runny nose
Chronic bronchitis
Obstructive lung disease
Cancer

For many people, the amounts of formaldehyde in their home will not be enough to cause chronic symptoms, but many people do experience acute symptoms and often contribute them to seasonal allergies or colds. Every homeowner should take action to prevent any airborne pollutants from invading their home, but if you are having construction done in the home, it is especially important to be cautious with the air that you and your family breathe.

Air Purification Systems

So, what will you do? Call Four Seasons! We have a full line of air purification products that can be professionally installed today! These machines take on harmful pollutants and restore clean fresh, breathable air to your home. Don’t wait till you see the symptoms to call! Act now and breathe easy this summer season with Four Seasons!

Indoor Air Pollutants: Formaldehyde | Des Plaines, Glenview, Oak Park is a post from: Heating and Cooling furnace repair

Staying Cool While the A/C is Out | Lynwood, Jefferson Park, Kildeer

Kate — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 08:00:06 +0000

For many the summer heat is no surprise. Every year we face high 80s and even the occasional 90 or 100 degree day in Chicago. Most have an air conditioned home to seek refuge in during these dangerously hot days, but even air conditioned homes face the potential for system failures. The stifling heat can choke an air conditioner and cause the system to overheat. Those that take good care of their systems don’t usually have this problem, but for those that haven’t cared for their units in years, this problem is all too common.

24 Hour Emergency Service

Luckily, Four Seasons Heating and Air Conditioning is there for you even when your air conditioner isn’t! We are open 24 hours a day to service your system, but odds are these hot days will have a bit of a waiting list. We will still service your unit same day but you may have to go without cooling for a few hours. For some this may not be a big deal, but for others, scorching hot temperatures could be a death sentence! That is why we are offering our customers a few tips to keep in mind while they wait for their service technician to fix their air conditioner:

Drink plenty of water even when you are not thirsty
Check children and the elderly frequently for signs of heat exhaustion
Stay out of the sun!
Close blinds and drapes to help shade the inside of the home
Use ceiling and plug in fans
Take a cold bath or shower
Wear light clothing when indoors
Stay inside as much as possible
Make friends with a neighbor that has a functional cooling system
Stay cool in any way you can because help is on the way!

Staying Cool While the A/C is Out | Lynwood, Jefferson Park, Kildeer is a post from: Heating and Cooling furnace repair

What is GAMA? | Harwood Heights, Villa Park, Oak Lawn

Ray S- Service Technician — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 14:13:21 +0000

I had a customer last summer who was one of the hundreds of Chicagoans that had a flood in their basement. She was very upset with us when she found out we were unable to repair her furnace. It had been submerged under a few feet of water, and according to GAMA, any gas appliance that has been under flood waters is unsafe to operate. These systems must be replaced. But, who is GAMA, and why would they care what I do?

Who is GAMA?

GAMA stands for Gas Appliance Manufacturer Association. They are the national trade association that represents the manufacturers of gas appliances like furnaces, boilers, and hot water tanks. GAMA makes sure that the gas appliances we buy meet stringent safety standards, and they are the reason we cannot fix flooded equipment. Well, to be fair, they aren’t the only reason. Common sense also tells us that trying to repair water damaged equipment is a terrible way to conduct business, and GAMA simply reinforces common sense.

Flooded Gas Valves

In the GAMA report on flooding, they point out different problems that have occurred in the past from operating flooded equipment. These include: run away gas valves, gas valves that have bleed through, and of course intermittent operation.

Run Away Gas Valves: A run away gas valve means it opens when turned on but it won’t close when turned off. This is a very bad situation. Your furnace could conceivably run until it destroys itself.
Gas Valves that Bleed: A valve that is experiencing bleed through will shut off when it’s supposed to but not completely. Every time I have seen bleed through, the gas is leaking out in such a small quantity that the flame is extinguished, but the there is a real strong gas smell around the furnace. This type of leak needs to be repaired immediately.
Intermittent Gas Valves: An intermittent gas valve will start and stop at inappropriate times. This condition is really frustrating for the homeowner, because you will never know when it will just stop working. Your furnace could act up in the middle of the night or during the coldest day of the year. This problem is not only inconvenient to have to deal with, but it will also seriously compromise your family’s comfort.

Mold and Mildew Dispersal

Another problem that the technicians from Four Seasons have noticed when examining flood damaged units is the growth of mold in the cabinet’s insulation. This I think is one of the sneakiest problems. Every time your AC or furnace starts, it is blowing mildew and mold spores throughout your home. This will have you scratching your head, wondering why everyone in the family gets sick so easily. It is especially dangerous to people with asthma, infants and the elderly.

One of the more important points that GAMA brings up in their report is that problems will some times show up months after the flood is forgotten. Dirt and other residues will adhere to everything the flood touched and in a short amount of time will have corroded the critical parts of your furnace, air conditioner, boiler, or hot water tank. Electrical parts will short out and motors will burn out. Most of these problems may go undetected for months or maybe even a few years, but why wait for an expensive and possibly disastrous breakdown to have your unit replaced?

A Four Seasons Promise

At Four Seasons Heating and Air Conditioning we abide by the recommendations set forth by GAMA. The last thing we want to do is put our customers in danger, and if we were to repair flooded units, we would be doing just that. Fires and potential for other serious breakdowns are enough to convince us that these systems should not be operating, and we defiantly don’t want to put the Four Seasons name on a system that could seriously harm one of our customers. We will do everything in our power to make replacing the system as affordable as possible and even install the system in a way that it will be protected in case of future floods, but we will not jeopardize your safety. The only advice that we can give is to never repair a flooded appliance.

What is GAMA? | Harwood Heights, Villa Park, Oak Lawn is a post from: Heating and Cooling furnace repair

Wet Insulation Removal and Replacement| Downers Grove, Lemont

Kate — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 08:00:35 +0000

With all of the cleaning and maintenance checks that you will be making of your home during spring cleaning, don’t forget to check the attic. This past winter we had some crazy weather and all of the snow and rain may have caused leaks or allowed water to get into your attic space in some way. For many, there isn’t much in the attic besides a little storage and some insulation material, so you may not think that a little water in the attic is big deal. However, here at Four Seasons we want you to know about 2 major problems that wet insulation can cause in your home if you don’t have it promptly removed and replaced.

Problem #1: Heat Barrier Damage

No matter what type of insulation material you have in your attic, water can damage them all both temporarily and permanently. Your insulation is what protects your home from heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer. The material is resistant to the transfer of heat, and therefore allows for your heating and cooling systems to work efficiently keeping your home at a comfortable temperature. However, water has the opposite effect.

Water is a great conductor of heat and will allow is to pass easily through your insulation when it is wet. This will lower your insulation’s r-value and therefore lower the energy efficiency of your home. Some insulation materials can gain back some of the r-value once they dry out, but rarely do they ever achieve their previous strength. Replacement or reinforcement with blown-in attic insulation is the only way to regain your homes energy efficiency.

Problem #2: Potential for Mold Growth

Water damaged insulation can become the perfect surface for mold and mildew to grow and quickly take over your attic. Mold can spread to wood and floors below quickly, and the cost of removal can skyrocket unless you address the problem quickly. Having this insulation replaced is the only way to keep the potential for mold growth at a minimum. This is defiantly something you will want Four Seasons to take care of quickly because mold can cause serious health problems especially in those that already have compromised immune systems. Don’t wait for the damage to spread.

Your Insulation Specialists

Four Seasons Heating and Air Conditioning is not only your HVAC specialist, but we are your insulation specialist as well. Our Home Services division can help you find and repair the source of your water leak and then we will lay fresh insulation as we dispose of the water damaged portions. With the assistance of Four Seasons you will be able to keep or possibly even improve both your home’s energy efficiency and your comfort.

Wet Insulation Removal and Replacement| Downers Grove, Lemont is a post from: Heating and Cooling furnace repair

Air Cleaner Vs. Furnace Filter| Country Club Hills, River Forest

Kate — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 08:00:57 +0000

When it comes to getting the air inside your home clean, many homeowners believe that the furnace filter is getting the job done. These people probably change their cheap fiberglass filters on a regular basis and believe that fancy air purifiers and air cleaners are for germaphobes that fear even the smallest of unseen particles. Well, Four Seasons is here to tell your that just changing the furnace filter on a regular basis is not enough to keep the air in most homes clean, and if you are one of those homeowners that uses cheap fiberglass filters as your replacement, the air in your home is probably much more contaminated than you may even realize.

The Trouble with Furnace Filters

The real problem with furnace filters is that purchasing a high quality filter every month or every 3 months can get very costly very quickly. For many homeowners it is much easier to purchase a stack of cheap thin fiberglass filters and replace them every month. The problem is that these cheap filters, though they may save you a few bucks, do very little to capture particles that float around in the air of your home. In fact the only particles they do catch are large dust particles, and if they catch anything smaller it is due to the fact that the filter is clogged with dust that makes it harder for tiny particles to get through.

In our opinion, a filter should not work better dirty than when it is clean. The majority of harmful particles that could be in your air supply are smaller than .03microns. Particles like mold spores and bacteria can be harmful to your health and are just too small to be picked up by traditional fiberglass filters. To be fair, it is possible to purchase filters that can catch smaller particles, but these filters cost more and still need to be changed every 2 to 3 months. Four Seasons has a better option!

Air Cleaner Benefits!

Forget about changing your furnace filter all together and invest in a whole house air cleaner from Four Seasons! Having us install a whole house air cleaner is like placing a beefed up filter in your furnace. These systems tackle everything from bio aerosols and microorganisms to everyday dust and allergens, and they do without needing monthly filter changes.

No Added Cost, Just Cleaner Air!

These systems use cartridges that are changed yearly and can be completed by your Four Seasons tech during your HVAC tune-ups. Unlike some air purifiers that need a hefty power source, these air cleaners use the air movement already created by your HVAC system to clean the air in your home. That means that there will be no added cost to your energy bills! There really is no downside to switching your home to a whole house air cleaner from Four Seasons. With our help you will enjoy hassle free indoor air quality control all year round!

Air Cleaner Vs. Furnace Filter| Country Club Hills, River Forest is a post from: Heating and Cooling furnace repair

Calling All Springtime Allergy Sufferers! | Glenwood, Dolton, Alsip

Kate — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 15:28:40 +0000

Many allergy sufferers have enjoyed the long winter away from itchy eyes, sore throats, and nasal congestion, but spring is almost here. As the flowers bloom and the grass grows, allergens will be released into the air and into our homes. If you use a furnace or air conditioner with a duct work system to circulate the air, these allergens could be flying around in the air of your home making it very difficult to get control of your allergy symptoms. Luckily, there are a few steps you can take to rid your home of as many allergens as possible, and Four Seasons has the experts to help you get it done.

Your Duct Work

The duct work system in your home is breeding ground for mold, dust mites, pet dander, and a plethora of other allergy causing particles. The dark and sometimes damp bends and twists of your duct work system are the perfect place for these microorganisms and particles to collect, and removing them is nearly impossible without help from a duct cleaning company.

Disgusting Dust!

Contrary to what some companies may tell you, not every home has a mold problem, but many homes have an overabundance of dust that accumulates over the years in the duct work system. If you have never had your ducts cleaned before, at the very least you have a dust problem. If you have pets or several people living in your home the problem could be much worse, but Four Seasons can end this mess with our professional duct cleaning services.

Get Control of Your Indoor Air Quality!

By cleaning out the duct work in your home, you will have better control over what circulates through the air in your home. Couple this service with monthly carpet and furniture cleanings, and your allergy problems could be greatly reduced! Another tip to consider when improving the air quality in your home is the type of filter that you are using. If you use cheap fiberglass filters to clean the air that passes through the furnace, you may need backup from another source.

Four Seasons also offers a wide variety of air cleaners and purifiers that will keep your air and your ducts free from debris all year round. So, if you are ready to reduce your allergy symptoms this spring, call Four Seasons now and take advantage of the many air quality products and services that we offer in the Chicagoland area.

Calling All Springtime Allergy Sufferers! | Glenwood, Dolton, Alsip is a post from: Heating and Cooling furnace repair

Spring Preparation: Get a UV Light| Posen, Hinsdale, Glenwood

Kate — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 08:00:20 +0000

As spring approaches, allergy sufferers prepare for the dreaded return of pollen and other spring time allergens. Our eyes water and itch, our noses drip, and our heads hurt. Just the thought of the most potent allergy season approaching makes many of us wish that winter would stick around. But, this year you can win the battle between you and pollen by having a UV light installed by Four Seasons Heating and Air Conditioning.

The Solution to Your Indoor Air Pollution

Our powerful UV lights from Lennox Healthy Climate Solutions are your solution to the indoor air quality problems in your home. When placed inside your duct work system, these lights are able to attack the biological contaminants in your air supply as they are circulated through your home. Having one of these lights in place as spring approaches will help you sterilize and eliminate any biological contaminants that may try to penetrate your home. This will help reduce your allergy symptoms all year round, and keep the air inside your home clean and contaminant free. In a few short months the snow will be gone and the trees will be budding, so act now and get your UV light installed today!

Spring Preparation: Get a UV Light| Posen, Hinsdale, Glenwood is a post from: Heating and Cooling furnace repair

Warning: Furnace Exhaust Vent| Crest Hill, Tinley Park, Alsip

Kate — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 08:00:18 +0000

The multiple feet of snow that we received across the Chicagoland area have caused several problems for furnaces for many homeowners. The biggest problems resulted from old worn out units overworking to keep up with the cold and blocked exhaust pipes on newer high efficiency model furnaces. Furnace problems are not only frustrating and inconvenient, but they also can be dangerous. Furnaces create hazardous gases during the combustion process and unless they are vented safely from the home, these gases can backup into the home.

Older furnaces are traditionally vented through a chimney to the roof, but newer high efficiency units vent directly from the unit through plastic pipes that are often only a few feet off of the ground. When the snow reaches the levels that it has in recent weeks, these pipes can become blocked. Unless the snow is removed the furnace will either shut down or emit carbon monoxide in the home. Safety mechanisms usually will protect homeowners by not allowing the furnace to come on, but problems can occur that cause these mechanisms to not function properly. As a homeowner, there are a few steps you can take to stop this from happening in your home:

Clear Away the Snow: Locate your furnace’s venting pipes and make sure that snow is cleared from the area. Periodically check the situation to ensure that there are no other obstructions.
Install CO Detectors: Every home in Illinois should have several functional carbon monoxide detectors located on every floor. If your detectors are old or if you do not have any at all, have them replaced or installed immediately. Four Seasons Home Services offers both battery powered and hard wired systems that will help alert your family when levels of CO rise to dangerous levels.
Call Four Seasons: If you don’t know where your venting system is or if your furnace is malfunctioning, you need to call Four Seasons. We will help locate the problem before if causes any more damage to your home and your family. If the problem is a blocked venting system, we can help clear the blockage and get your unit up and running safely in no time at all. We are open 24 hours a day for your convenience and safety.

Warning: Furnace Exhaust Vent| Crest Hill, Tinley Park, Alsip is a post from: Heating and Cooling furnace repair

Source Removal Air Duct Cleaning| Calumet City, Merionette Park

Kate — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 08:00:27 +0000

Source removal is the only method of air duct cleaning supported by NADCA. As a member of NADCA, Four Seasons abides by this standard of practice, but what does source removal mean for our customers? Simply put, source removal is a method of removing particles from the duct work of a home without allowing them into the homeowner’s breathing air. Seems like the logical way to remove contaminants from a home right? Well, for many unscrupulous companies, this is not a common practice. Accidentally hiring one of these companies to clean the duct in your home could actually make the air quality in your home worse rather than better.

Major Mishap

During a duct cleaning, a legitimate company like Four Seasons will seal the vents and use certain devices to agitate the particles in your duct work while a large vacuum system sucks the particles from the ducts to a collection device. If this process were not done properly, it could lead to the release of dust, pollen, mold spores, and other airborne particles into the air of the home. This would drastically raise the levels of these particulates in your breathing air, and require immediate cleaning in order to prevent any health problems.

The biggest error that illegitimate companies make is not sealing all of the vent openings before beginning a cleaning. In a recent episode of Dateline, a duct cleaning company was shown making this devastating mistake in a customer’s home. Dust and debris flew all around in the air while the “cleaning” was being performed, and caused a mess that no homeowner would want to have in their home.

NADCA Standards Should Be Your Standards

For this reason alone, you should choose only NADCA certified duct cleaning services like those offered by Four Seasons. We adhere to this and ALL of the National Air Duct Cleaners Association’s guidelines, and will clean your ducts efficiently, safely, and at the best price possible! Call today to schedule your air duct cleaning services with the pros at Four Seasons Heating and Air Conditioning.

Source Removal Air Duct Cleaning| Calumet City, Merionette Park is a post from: Heating and Cooling furnace repair

Your Comfort is Our Priority| Hoffman Estates, Elmhurst, Joliet

Kate — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 08:00:32 +0000

Four Seasons Heating and Air Conditioning is a 24 hour service company for a reason. Every year in Chicago, we experience months of frigid temperatures, and heating the home becomes a major priority for every homeowner. Four Seasons strives daily to offer around the clock service 365 days a year to the citizens of Chicago land, and we do this because going without heat threatens your family’s safety, health, and comfort. We know that not all HVAC companies offer this level of service, but here are some of the reasons why Four Seasons has made your warmth our priority no matter what time of day it may be:

Safety Hazards: When the furnace goes out on a particularly cold night, many people search for other ways to heat their homes. These methods often pose dangers to the safety of your home and your family. Space heaters can be a fire hazard if not used properly. If the heater needs to be vented and is not or if the homeowner is using the oven for heating, poisonous carbon monoxide could leak into the home. Another home safety issue is pipe freezing. If the heat is out for an extended period of time, there is a good chance that pipes in the home will begin to freeze. If you are not quick to act, they could burst. The gallons of water that flow from the busted pipe will cause damage to anything around it, and could cost you hundreds or thousands to repair.
Health Hazard: Children, seniors, and those who are ill are put in a dangerous position when there is no heat in the home. They are more susceptible to hypothermia, and the cold could worsen an existing illness. It is important that heat is restored quickly to these people in order to prevent any complications caused by the cold.
Comfort Concerns: Four Seasons is genuinely concerned about your comfort, and we pride ourselves in being able to restore heat to a customer’s home in hours, not days. Going without heat seriously interrupts you and your family’s lives, and here at Four Seasons, we have made it our goal to put your comfort first in everything that we do. So the next time the heat goes out in your home, have our number ready to call night or day.

Your Comfort is Our Priority| Hoffman Estates, Elmhurst, Joliet is a post from: Heating and Cooling furnace repair

Whole House vs. Portable Air Purifiers| Homer Glen, Glen Ellyn

Kate — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 08:00:20 +0000

Having good indoor air quality is important. I think we can all agree on that, but what type of system we use to achieve good indoor air quality is we some of us may differ in opinion. When it comes to purchasing an air purifier for your home, you will have many decisions to make, but one of the first choices you will have to make is whether you want a whole house air purification system or a portable air purifier. Although portable units do have some advantages, here at Four Seasons we believe that whole house systems are your best choice when you want to clean the air in your entire home.

The BIG Problem with Portable Systems

If you or someone living in your home has allergies or asthma, the air purifier is crucial to their comfort. The biggest problem that exists with portable units is that they can only cover a small area of space. Unless you buy multiple systems and place them in every room of the home, you could be limiting the areas in the home where people with this problem can be comfortable.

Even if you don’t have someone living in the home with one of these medical conditions, do you really only want to clean the air in one room? No! You want to clean the air in the ENTIRE home! You could always purchase a purifier for every room, but when you do so, you encounter even more problems, including:

High Cost: Depending on the number of rooms in your home, buying several portable units can be much more expensive when compared to buying one whole house unit.
System Maintenance: Instead of maintaining one whole house system, you would have to clean and replace filters regularly on several portable units. Whole house systems often require less maintenance than portable units, and your Four Seasons maintenance technician can clean up the unit for you while he is out for your furnace tune-up!
Noise: Many portable units are noisy and cumbersome. Having multiple units in your home can become very noisy, and their bulky design may even become an eyesore interfering with the room’s décor. Whole house systems from Lennox are hidden from site with the furnace, and they are virtually silent when in operation.
Energy Efficiency: Using one whole house air purifier is much more energy efficient than using several portable units to do the same job.

Whole House Air Purification System

Installing a Lennox Healthy Climate whole house air purifier from Four Seasons is the best and easiest way to drastically improve your home’s indoor air quality problem. These systems can be integrated into the existing central air system in the home, and they are able to clean all of the air in the home effectively! As the air passes through the furnace or air conditioner, it will also pass through the purifier to be cleaned and circulated back into the home.

These systems from Lennox offer near perfect air filtration, and can remove up to 99.97% of particles and bio aerosols from the air down to .3 microns. So if you want to clean ALL of the air in your home and not just part of it, call Four Seasons today for your free estimate on a new air filtration system!

Whole House vs. Portable Air Purifiers| Homer Glen, Glen Ellyn is a post from: Heating and Cooling furnace repair