• 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.
• Warranty Coverage: Your new furnace will come equipped with a warranty that will protect you from the high cost of repairs for years and years to come. Replacing the air conditioner with the furnace ensures that your entire system is covered by a warranty and not just part of it.
• Equipment Age: If your 25 year old furnace broke down, it is only a matter of time before your 25 year old air conditioner breaks down too! You could eliminate the hassle of going without air conditioning on a hot Chicago summer day, and replace both the furnace and the air conditioner this winter.

When you have a matched system operating in your home you will experience increased comfort, savings, and reliability. Call Four Seasons Heating and Air Conditioning today to learn more about how you can benefit from having a matched furnace and air conditioner in your home.

Our inspectors work to ensure that each and every installation that we perform meets Four Seasons’ standard of quality. At the time of the inspection, the serviceman will be able to identify any problems that the customer may be having with the unit, and address questions that may be on the homeowner’s mind since the installation was completed. The goal is to make sure that the unit we installed is everything the customer wanted it to be. Quality control inspections are just another part of the Four Seasons difference. Experience it for yourself, and call today!

Keeping Your in the Loop

At Four Seasons Heating and Air Conditioning, we want you to be confident in the value of the services that we perform on your HVAC systems. For example, if you are having a repair done on the furnace, our serviceman can walk you through step by step, and show you exactly what the problem is and why it needs to be repaired. When we perform maintenance check-ups, our servicemen can provide you with a detailed list of each of the components that he will clean and check during the service.

When you have this information you will be able to see for yourself exactly what is being done to your furnace or air conditioner. Four Seasons strives daily to eliminate the confusion that some homeowners may feel by getting our customers involved in the care of their heating and cooling systems. Together we can keep you and your family comfortable all year round.

Problems with “Do it Yourself” Furnace Replacement

Installing a furnace is a very tedious and involved task. It takes our technicians at Four Seasons months just to learn the basics of installation, and they then receive countless hours of hands-on training before they ever step foot in the field. We take such care in preparing our technicians because installing a furnace properly is not easy. When a homeowner attempts to complete the project on their own, these are some of the problems we find:

• Gas Leaks: Attaching the new furnace to the gas line is easier said than done. Making a mistake in this area could lead to dangerous gas leaks that could cause fires or even explosions if not detected promptly.
• Sizing Issues: There are two issues when it comes to sizing the furnace. First, many homeowners assume that their old furnace was the correct size for their home in regards to heat output. Many contractors find that old furnaces are often over-sized or undersized for the heating needs of the home. Also, don’t assume that a new furnace will have the same dimensions as the old furnace. Newer furnaces are often more compact due to the advances that have been made in HVAC technology. The smaller furnace may require extensions to the homes existing duct work among other things, and if you don’t have experience with sheet metal, this project will be very difficult.
• Carbon Monoxide Leaks: When a furnace is installed improperly, the potential for carbon monoxide leaks increases dramatically. The combustion gases created by your furnace need to be filtered safely from the home, and if you do this wrong, the consequences could be very severe.
• Permits: Most municipalities require building permits to perform this kind of work, and when the work is complete an inspector must check to make sure that the unit is up to code. If the unit doesn’t pass code it could be deemed unfit for use until the necessary repairs are made.
• Furnace Won’t Work: If you don’t install the furnace the correct way, you may never get it up and running. Suddenly all of that money you though you saved is going to pay a professional to perform furnace repairs on a brand new unit. Do it right the first time, and trust the pros at Four Seasons to install your furnace.

At Four Seasons Heating and Air Conditioning replacing the furnace doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. We will search for a unit that fits in your budget, and we even offer attractive financing options for those that may need assistance. Give Four Seasons a call, schedule your free estimate, and learn more about how much care we put into each and every furnace that we install.

Frugal Heating this Winter

Every winter, thousands of homes rely on systems other than the central furnace or boiler to heat their homes, and unfortunately, many do so without taking the necessary precautions. When using a fireplace, space heater, or stove, you should keep these tips in mind:

• Fireplace: Using the fireplace to heat the home won’t necessarily save you money when compared to using the furnace or boiler. But if you are going to use the fireplace at all, do not use to get the fire going, don’t leave the fire unattended, and always close the fire screen when the fire is lit. Also, if you have a wood burning fireplace, never burn garbage, newspaper, or plastic in the fireplace.
• Space Heater: Here at Four Seasons, we have given homeowners a lot of advice about space heaters, but here is a tip you may not have considered. Never run a space heater 24/7! Many homeowners rely on several space heaters to heat the home during the winter, and these units will run all of the time. This could cause the system to malfunction and cause a fire while the family is sleeping or not closely attending to the heater.
• Stove: Using a pellet stove that is designed for heating is a good way to stay warm and save money. Inspect the flue regularly to make sure that the stove is venting properly. Using a cooking stove or oven for heating is NEVER a good idea. The threat of carbon monoxide poisoning alone should scare you away from using the oven for heating.

The safest way to heat your home is to use the furnace or boiler, but any heating system is dangerous to use if not properly maintained by the professionals at Four Seasons Heating and Air Conditioning. You need to have your heating systems inspected annually to make sure that everything is running as it should be. Have a safe, happy, and fire-free New Year!

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!

Home Improvement Resolutions

• Replace the Furnace: The older the heating system is, the better the chances are that it is extremely inefficient. If you were to swap out that old unit with a high efficiency Lennox system from Four Seasons, you could save up to 30% or more on your energy bills every year!
• Improve the Efficiency of the Furnace You Have: If you unit is fairly new and rated at 80% AFUE or higher, you may want to just consider starting a maintenance routine this year. A seasonal tune-up from Four Seasons will keep that unit running at peak efficiency for years to come, and prevent problems that could shorten your system’s lifespan. This service will also help you get the most out of your heating system this year!
• Install a Programmable Thermostat: Another low cost improvement that can be made to your existing furnace is the replacement of the thermostat. Swapping out the thermostat with a programmable one will allow you to easily set back the temperature in the home while you are away. This will save you both time and money!
• Insulate the Attic: If your attic is lacking insulation, improving that situation could end up being the most beneficial improvement you make in your home. An attic that allows heated air to escape your home could be costing you hundreds extra every year. Any other improvements to the heating systems will not improve your home’s energy efficiency until this problem is taken care of. Luckily, Four Seasons has expertly trained attic insulation crews that can check this resolution off your list in a matter of a few hours.
• Replace the Old Water Heater: Many of us don’t even think about our water heater until we wake up one morning to a cold shower, but that old water heater could be costing you big time! Replace the old system with a new high efficiency water heater from Four Seasons, or at the very least, turn the temperature back to 120 degrees in order to conserve some energy.

The best part about committing to these resolutions is that they don’t take an entire year to complete! When you have Four Seasons lend you a hand, you can improve your home’s energy efficiency in no time at all. Give Four Seasons a call today, and stick to your resolutions in 2011!

A Common Furnace Repair Scam

Probably one of the most common furnace repair scams involves heat exchanger inspections. A cracked heat exchanger can cause carbon monoxide to leak into the homes air supply, and it can cause several health problems including the possibility of death. But, it can only do these things if it is actually cracked! A cracked heat exchanger usually results in the purchase of an entire new system, because when a customer hears that there is a problem with the unit that could harm their family, they are quick to fork over large amounts of money to repair the problem. However, if this ever happens to you, stop, take a breath, and remember to think logically.

• Did the technician show me the crack?
• How old is my unit?
• Is there a manufacturer’s warranty on my heat exchanger?
• How much time did the serviceman invest in the inspection?
• Do the CO detectors in the home detect the presence of carbon monoxide?

These questions will help you think more clearly about the assessment that your contractor is giving you. If you have had dealings with this HVAC contractor in the past and have not had any problems, there is a good chance that they are being honest. But, it doesn’t hurt to get a second opinion! Here at Four Seasons, we encourage you to give us a call if your heat exchanger is diagnosed as cracked. Each of our servicemen is a trained expert in diagnosing heat exchangers, and has the tools to properly examine the exchanger.

Many times the heat exchanger is hidden deep within your unit, and a proper inspection may be difficult with traditional mirrors and cameras. The heat exchanger may even have to be removed completely, but in the end, you will know for sure whether or not your unit should be replaced. Four Seasons understands how dangerous a unit with this type of leak can be, and we take these inspections very seriously. Our A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and our 100% satisfaction guarantee on all services should be enough to convince you that we are in the HVAC business for all the right reasons, but if you need a little more convincing, see what some of our satisfied customers have to say about Four Seasons, and give us a call today to learn more!

We Never Stop Learning

Each of our service and install technicians are required to be EPA and NATE certified before they ever step foot in a customer’s home, but initial certification just isn’t enough anymore. Whether a service technician is new to the company or a veteran of Four Seasons, they are constantly taking classes in our on-site learning facility to sharpen their knowledge of this industry.

Our full-time instructors are constantly researching new advances in HVAC technology and passing on their findings to our crews. So when you have a Four Seasons technician in your home, you can know with confidence that he has experience with your systems technology. Not many HVAC contractors can say that, but we say it about every make and model of furnace and air conditioner. This is just one more reason why Four Seasons is a cut above the rest!

How Does SilentComfort™ Work?

Most of the noise complaints that come from operating gas furnaces are the result of noisy burner firing and noisy blower motor operation. By creating innovative insulating enclosures around the burners and the furnace cabinet, Lennox was able to significantly reduce noise produced by the furnace. Furnaces that are equipped with this technology are up to 7 times quieter than competitive models! These systems are virtually silent!

No more being woken up in the middle of the night by the furnace chugging away, and no more being startled by your freight train furnace attempting to ignite. For many homeowners that have noisy units, this will come as welcome news when it does come time to replace that old unit. SilentComfort™ technology is only one of the many innovative technologies that Lennox has put into their heating systems. If you would like to learn more about this technology or any of the other offers that Lennox has, call Four Seasons and schedule your free in-home estimate today!

1. Abnormal Flame: As the furnace gets older, it becomes more and more likely that it will suffer a leak at the heat exchanger. From time to time, you may want to inspect the flame on the furnace or boiler. A proper flame should burn clean, steady, and blue. If the flame in your furnace “dances” or” jumps,” you may have a problem. Also if the flame is yellow or orange in color, cracks in the heat exchanger are also suspected.
2. Soot Buildup: Soot buildup results from improper combustion, and this could be the result of a cracked heat exchanger. If this problem is suspected, you will notice black buildup on the internal components of the furnace or boiler or on or near the crack in the heat exchanger.
3. High Carbon Monoxide Levels: It is critical that every home has a functional carbon monoxide detector installed close to the ground on every level of the home. If this detector goes off, call the fire department immediately to find the source of your carbon monoxide leak. The furnace or boiler is often the source because carbon monoxide is a byproduct of the combustion of natural gas. If the furnace or boiler is leaking carbon monoxide, it is usually due to a crack in the heat exchanger.
4. Cracks/ Rust on Metal: If the furnace or boiler has been exposed to water or has developed rust or cracks in any of the metal components, you may want to have a professional inspection of the heat exchanger performed by one of the servicemen at Four Seasons. We train our technicians to properly search for a detect leaks, cracks, or rust on the heat exchanger, and if a major problem is suspected, they will be able to explain the proper mode of repair. Sometimes the problem can be repaired, but when the heat exchanger cracks, it is often best to replace the unit all together.

If you find any of these symptoms present on your unit, call Four Seasons as soon as possible! We will help you determine whether or not there is a major problem. If you act fast, the symptom may be repaired before a crack ever appears. Keep your family safe, and keep your furnace running. Call Four Seasons today!

1. Never Forget a Cleaning Again: Many of us have trouble remembering what day of the week it is, nevertheless the last time the furnace or air conditioner was cleaned, but under the CMP, we will remind you. Every year you will receive a letter in the mail reminding you of the need to schedule your cleaning.
2. Lower Prices: Everybody likes to save money, and when you sign up for the CMP you will save a lot of it! 15% off parts and labor as well as reduced service charges will save you big bucks if the system every breaks down. Also, a cleaning and efficiency tune-up is included in the cost of the CMP!
3. Priority Service: When it gets extremely hot or extremely cold, Four Seasons is flooded with calls from people with broken heating and cooling systems. If this happens to you, you can rest assured that your call will receive priority even on the most extreme of days. Nights, weekends, holidays. 24 hours a day and 365 days a year Four Seasons is at your beck and call!
4. Cover Systems that No Longer have Coverage: When the warranty on your furnace, boiler, hot water tank, air conditioner, humidifier, whole house generator, or electronic air cleaner expires, you may feel vulnerable to the potential cost of repairs if the unit should break. The CMP will act as a buffer to help lessen the blow of repair costs after the warranty has expired.
5. Peace of Mind: When you know that you have a trusted and reliable heating and cooling company to rely on 24 hours a day, you will feel the peace of mind that comes from knowing that you are protected in an emergency. No matter what problem your HVAC system may throw at you, you will have the power of Four Seasons on your side!

• Insufficient Removal of Particles: Most of the sites that offer “do it yourself” duct cleaning tips suggest using your vacuum cleaners hose to remove dust and other particles from the areas of the duct work that you can access. The first problem with attempting to use this technique is the fact that a good portion of the duct work in your home is inaccessible using the 4 foot hose on your vacuum cleaner. That leaves large portions of the duct work untouched and therefore still dirty.
• Inefficient Removal of Particles: When professional duct cleaners, like those at Four Seasons, clean your duct work, they will hook up a powerful vacuum system that will create negative air pressure within your duct work. As their tools kick up the particles in your air ducts, they are removed from the home safely and efficiently by this vacuum system. When you attempt to use your little vacuums hose, you kick up the particles in the duct work, but have no way to capture them. Suddenly the home is covered in dust and debris from the duct work.
• Mold Dispersal: There may be mold present in your duct work that you don’t even know about, and cleaning the duct work on your own can cause a major problem in your home. When the mold spores trapped in the duct work, they cause damage to your home and your health. However, attempting to clean the duct work on your home released these spores into the air, and now the mold problem in the duct work is now a mold problem all over your home! If you suspect the presence of mold at all, you must contact a professional for the safety of your home and your family.
• Damage to the Duct Work: The material that duct work systems are made out of can vary from home to home. Some types of duct work are more sensitive than others, and if you do not know how to properly handle the system, you may cause damage. Loose duct work that has gaps or leaks can adversely affect the efficiency of your heating and cooling systems, and replacing damaged duct work can become very costly very quickly.

Four Seasons Heating and Air Conditioning performs professional duct cleaning services all over Chicago and the Chicago land area. When you trust Four Seasons with the work, you will be able prevent each of the problems listed here and restore clean air to your home. Don’t take a risk your money, your comfort, or your safety and call Four Seasons today!

Some of the areas were a thermostat can be poorly located include:

• Thermostat too close to a heat source: When the thermostat is located very close to a heat source, it will think that the home is warmer than it actually is. During the winter, this will cause the furnace to run much less than normal and you will have to crank up the temperature setting in order to get adequate heat in the home. In the summer, the thermostat will turn on the air conditioner much more than normal to compensate for the added heat. In both instances, you waste energy running the HVAC systems more than necessary. Some sources of heat include: sunlight, lamps, computers, televisions, and supply vents that push out heat in the winter. Overexposure to cold temperatures also has a similar effect.
• Thermostat located on an exterior wall: When the furnace is located on an exterior wall, it is overly exposed to exterior temperatures, especially if the wall is poorly insulated. The thermostat will not be accurately reading the indoor temperatures, and will therefore run the HVAC longer to compensate for the added chill in the winter and the added heat in the summer. Running the systems longer than necessary wastes money and energy.
• Thermostat located in an enclosed or infrequently occupied area: The thermostat should be centrally located in an area that is most commonly occupied by those who live in the home. The thermostat should also be located close to a return air vent, so that is receives adequate exposure to airflow. This will ensure maximum comfort to the home’s occupants, and allow the thermostat to operate as efficiently as possible.
• Thermostat located in an area that is prone to drafts: Drafts can be created by windows, doors, and poorly insulated areas of the home. When the thermostat is located too close to one of these areas it will be forced to adjust the temperature based on the affects of the drafts in the one area. This will use more energy than necessary and create uneven temperatures in the home.

If you suspect that your thermostat may be causing your comfort and cost problems, call Four Seasons Heating and Air Conditioning today! We will help you figure out where the thermostat should be located, and we will reinstall or replace your thermostat for you! Don’t let this easily repaired issue be the reason why you pay more every month on your energy bills!

• Experience, Experience, Experience: Furnaces and boilers are very complicated systems that require vast amounts of knowledge to properly repair. A self proclaimed “handyman” may know a thing or two about furnace systems, but their knowledge base pales in comparison to the years of experience that professional, certified technicians are required to have. Think about it this way. The average technician at Four Seasons has literally worked on hundreds of furnaces while working for our company, and they are also NATE certified. Your handyman friend on the other hand has maybe worked on a handful of furnaces, and probably is not certified in any way.
• Warranty Coverage: When you hire a professional serviceman from Four Seasons, the work performed will come with at the very least a 90 day warranty. So if you have any problems with the parts or the service, you can rest assured that the technician will return free of charge to resolve the issue. Also, Four Seasons backs up their work with a 100% satisfaction guarantee that promises our dedication to not only fixing the unit but also to making you happy with every aspect of the service call. When you have a friend repair the unit, there is no warranty on the work, and if you did have a manufacturer’s warranty on the unit, it is now voided because you had an non-certified serviceman work on the system.
• Safety Concerns: Furnaces and boilers that are powered by gas can be dangerous if not repaired properly. Not only do you risk gas leaks by having the unit repair unprofessionally, but the combustion gases created by these systems are also poisonous if released into the home. Servicemen at Four Seasons are trained to check and double check for either of these problems before and after a service. They also perform a thorough heat exchanger inspection for cracks or leaks that could allow carbon monoxide into the home. Choosing a professional for your services is your best bet when it comes to protecting the safety of your family.
• Save Money: Having the unit repaired by a friend may seem like the more economical option, but if they do not know what they are doing or if they make a mistake, you could end up paying much more when you finally are forced to call in a professional. Your furnace or boiler is an expensive system to own, operate, and replace, so don’t put it in the hands of someone who may not know what they are doing.

Instead, call the pros at Four Seasons Heating and Air Conditioning! You will get the unit fixed in no time and all, and save yourself money in the long run compared to trusting a non-professional with the repairs. Give us a chance to prove to you the many benefits of hiring professionals, and we know that you will continue to use our services for all of your heating and cooling needs.

• Duct Cleaning Services: Four Seasons offers professional duct cleaning services that will clear the pollen, dust, mold, and dander from your duct work system. These are allergens that are constantly circulating in the air when the furnace is running, and a duct cleaning will greatly reduce their presence in your home.
• Furnace Cleaning Services: Yearly furnace maintenance tune-ups are important if you want to keep your furnace running reliably all winter long. But, these cleanings can also help relieve allergy symptoms. A dirty furnace is packed with dust and other allergens and as the air in your home passes through the furnace to be warmed, it picks up these allergens. These particles are then delivered to all of the rooms in your home. Combine this service with a monthly filter change and a duct cleaning, and you will greatly improve your indoor air quality.
• Air Purifiers: For those of us that suffer with severe allergies, asthma, or any other respiratory condition, we could benefit from the installation of a whole house air purifier. Here at Four Seasons we have air purification systems that can remove up to 99.97% of particles and bio aerosols down to .3 microns!
• Humidifiers: Low humidity in the home makes having allergies even more unbearable and increases the likelihood of sickness during this long winter season. Have a humidifier installed by Four Seasons today to increase the moisture in your home, and you will be breathing easy in no time at all!

Four Seasons Heating and Air Conditioning is your home comfort specialist, and this winter, allergy sufferers do not have to give up their comfort to high levels of indoor air pollution. Combine a duct cleaning, furnace cleaning, air purifier, and humidifier in your home for the best possible results, and we will have you on your way to restoring home comfort even to those with allergies.

Where Does the Soot Come From?

If your heating system has been diagnosed as “clogged with soot,” you may be wondering where all of that destructive black power came from. Well there are several different conditions that can cause this problem, but when large amounts of soot are present in a furnace or boiler, it is usually the result of a combustion problem. When combustion occurs, carbon dioxide is created, but when the combustion process is interrupted or not fully completed, carbon deposits, or soot, begin to build up inside the furnace. When the problem goes unchecked, soot build up can begin to deposit on surfaces in the home and the furnace will eventually stop working all together.

This problem is usually due to lack of proper maintenance, and a good relationship with a certified HVAC contractor can ensure that your unit never goes without necessary care. Some of the basics of heating system maintenance include:

• Monthly filter cleaning or replacement
• Seasonal Maintenance Checks- fall furnace check-up and spring a/c cleaning
• Duct Cleaning- If you home has experiences flooding or leaks of any kind, the duct work is a good place for mold to hide

Four Seasons Heating and Air Conditioning can help you manage your furnace or boiler’s maintenance around your schedule. We are available 24 hours a day to take your calls and handle your emergencies, and we also offer flexible scheduling for our yearly cleaning services on both the furnace and the air conditioner. You may worry that these are services that you simply cannot afford, but Four Seasons has made each of these services budget friendly, and we even offer discount coupons that are available both online and in many local papers. Caring for your heating system is easy when you trust Four Seasons.

What if it is too Late?

Soot accumulation is just one of the main issues that result from lack of maintenance, and it can cause other major problems to the furnace that may require replacement of the heating system. Cracks in the heat exchanger as well as rust buildup often couple the soot problem. These issues regularly result in another combustion product entering the air in the home. That combustion product is carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide poisoning can be deadly, and when you consider that prevention of this problem is so affordable, you would be crazy not to take the necessary steps to protect your family from these dangers. Cracks in the heat exchanger are a death sentence for your furnace or boiler, and replacement is your only option when you receive this diagnosis.

If your unit has already been deemed unfit for use, replacing it with a new high efficiency unit is your chance to start fresh and take care of your new system properly. When you purchase your unit from Four Seasons, we will get you on a maintenance program that will make remembering to care for the furnace easier than ever before. So whether you just need a cleaning or if you are looking to replace, Four Seasons is waiting for your call today!

Sound, Sight, and Smell

There are three main ways that you can recognize the presence of a gas leak in your home:

• Sound: Even pin-hole leaks and tiny gaps in piping can release large amounts of natural gas, and one of the ways you will recognize these leaks is through sound. Natural gas leaks are known to make a hissing noise that you should be able to hear over the normal operation noises of the heating system.
• Sight: When natural gas accumulates in an area it will create a fog-like cloud.
• Smell: Most people have smelt natural gas before and can immediately recognize its distinct odor. However, for those who haven’t, you should always contact a professional whenever any unusual smell is detected.

Get Help!

If you ever suspect a natural gas leak in your home, do not try to diagnose the problem yourself. Evacuation of the home is the best way to protect your family from harm, and once the leak is detected, everyone should leave the home as quickly as possible.

• Do not try to find the leak on your own
• Do not use any electrical appliances including light switches and telephones
• Do not light matches, candles, or any other flame
• Do open doors and windows, but if gas can be smelt all over the home, do not waste time opening doors and windows and simply evacuate the home
• Call the gas company or fire department for help

The gas company or the fire department will be able to shut down the gas to your home properly and possibly even locate the source of the leak. However, you may need to have the leak repaired by an HVAC serviceman once the firemen or gas servicemen declare the home safe to reenter. If the leak is coming from your furnace, boiler, or hot water tank, call Four Seasons Heating and Air Conditioning.

We are available 24 hours a day 365 days a year to service your home. With the cold winter temperatures, you won’t be able to go long without heat, so keep our number handy, and we will have your unit back up and running in no time at all! Our professional and reliable services are available to you no matter what type of problem you may have with your heating systems this winter.

What is a Zoning System?

A zoning system can be installed into your existing duct work and furnace, and it allows each zone in the home to be controlled by a different thermostat. It consists of a series of dampers that will open and close to varying degrees, so that the homeowner can regulate which rooms of the home need the most heating and which ones need less. Some of the benefits of a zoning system include:

• Increased Comfort: Each person can control a zone in the home to meet their specific comfort needs.
• Energy Savings: Since you will only be heating the rooms that require warmth, you will no longer be wasting energy heating rooms that go unoccupied for large portions of the day.
• No More Overheating: Often times in larger homes, some rooms will be much cooler than others. To compensate for this, many homeowners will crank up the heat. This overheats rooms that don’t need the extra warmth and wastes energy.

If this sounds like something that your family can benefit from, now is the time to call Four Seasons. Zoning systems make heating your home easy and comfortable for everyone, and with holiday season upon us, everyone can afford to save money on their energy bills. So, call Four Seasons today to learn more about having a zoning system installed in your home.

The furnace starts back up and everything seems to be working fine. The only problem is you never do remember to replace the filter, and in a matter of weeks you have a very costly furnace repair on your hands. Running a furnace without a filter is like a death sentence for the unit’s internal components. It is one of the biggest heating mistakes you can make, and here at Four Seasons we find this mistake a lot more than we would like to.

Running the Furnace without a Filter

The filter does a lot more than just clean the air in your home. It also protects the furnace from the dust and debris that is in the air that is circulated through the furnace. When the furnace is ran without a filter, all of those particles that would have been caught by the filter are allowed to come into contact with some of the main parts of your furnace like the blower motor and the heat exchanger. Depending on the level of particles in the air, it could take a couple months or maybe even a few weeks before these components are completely coated in particles.

Clogging the Blower Motor

For a component like the blower motor, the fins that spin to circulate air through the home will become clogged. In the best case scenario this will reduce airflow throughout the home which will lower the systems efficiency and drive up the energy bills. In the worst case scenario, the motor will break and need to be replaced completely. That is one costly repair that can be avoided with a simple, low cost filter replacement.

What Should I Do?

If you have been running your furnace without a filter and have been lucky enough to not have any problems yet, you need to call Four Seasons. The sooner you have one of our servicemen out, the better the chance you have of saving your furnace from major repairs. Our serviceman will need to do a full inspection and 20+ point cleaning and tune up to get the unit back in shape. He will expertly assess the condition of the system, and will even be equipped with replacement filters.

The best thing you can do for your furnace is stock up on filters. At the beginning of the furnace season, purchase enough filters to last you the entire heating season, and you won’t have to worry about remembering to buy one ever time the filter needs to be replaced. Couple this with a yearly tune-up from Four Seasons, and your furnace will be in the best condition possible to provide your family with reliable heat the entire winter season.