Posts Tagged ‘energy efficiency’
Monday, January 30th, 2012
You can’t always control the way that your home was built. When you purchased the home odds are you were looking for the obvious flaws and when those were ruled out, everything seemed to be in order. However, many older homes suffer from problems that lie beneath the surface. The problem is that the older the home is the less air tight it was made. Insulating the walls and attic were not a priority at the time and many of these older homes experience air leaks and drafts that not only disturb comfort but they also cost the homeowners big bucks in energy costs. In the past, the only way to get in and add more insulation was to tear down the walls, fill, and then reseal them. However, with blown-in insulation from Four Seasons, you can add insulation to nearly any crevice in the home without tearing the walls down.
Popular Places to Add Insulation
- Attics: Attics in older homes often have little to no insulation within them. Any insulation that was placed has long since settled and is offering little protection. Have Four Seasons pump in a fresh thick layer of fiberglass and give your home an air tight cap to help keep heat in this winter.
- Crawl Spaces: Many older homes have crawl spaces that lack insulation. A crawl space can be as cold as the chilliest of winter nights and that cold air will seep into your warm home if you do not prevent it from happening. Simply have Four Seasons fill in the spaces with fresh insulation and eliminate this source of heat loss. (more…)
Tags: air tight, attic, basement, Burnham, Chicago, cost effective, drafts, energy efficiency, Four Seasons, garage, heat gain, heat loss, IL, Insulation, Rolling Meadows, Savings, un-insulated rooms, walls
Posted in Air Quality, Heating, Home Services, Savings, attic insulation | No Comments »
Thursday, January 26th, 2012
Having work performed in the home can create quite a mess. From dirty floors and walls to construction dust on every surface, getting the home back to its original condition after the repairs or remodeling jobs have been completed can prove to be quite a task. Many construction companies will clean up after themselves, but nearly all of them forget about the mess they made of one very crucial system in the home: the HVAC system! All of that dust, debris, and odor will be swept up into the duct work to be transferred through the furnace and then re-circulated throughout the home. Depending on how extensive the work was, you may have a serious air quality and furnace efficiency problem leftover. You are going to need someone to clean up this system, and Four Seasons has got your back.
Cleaning Up After Construction
- Duct Cleaning: Many homeowners have never had the ducts cleaned in the home, so odds are they are not only full of construction debris but also years and years of particle build up. A professional duct cleaning from Four Seasons Heating and Air Conditioning is the only way to restore this part of the system back to peak performance and bring clean air back into your home. Without this service, you could be left breathing in construction dust for years to come.
- Heating and Cooling Cleaning: With all of that debris circulating through the ducts, it will have to pass through the furnace and air conditioner as well. If you aren’t using advanced filtration system to capture these particles before they dirty up the furnace, then you probably have a mess inside your system that could be causing a massive decrease in energy efficiency. Burners and heat exchangers that are coated in a layer or dust and debris cannot transfer heat as effectively and energy efficiency suffers. You will end up paying more to use the furnace every month because the system will need to burn more fuel to keep up. (more…)
Tags: air conditioner, Air filtration, Air Quality, Chicago, cleaning, debris, Duct Cleaning, duct work, dust, energy efficiency, Four Seasons, Furnace, IL, maintenance, professional, remodeling
Posted in Air Quality, Air conditioning, Air filtration, Duct Cleaning, Heating, Home Services, Tips and Suggestions, furnace filtration | No Comments »
Friday, January 20th, 2012
As January inches closer and closer to its close, many of us are beginning to realize that this winter is not going to be as fierce as expected. We haven’t had to rely on the furnace as much as we have in recent years, and the decreased demand for heat has driven down the price of natural gas. The savings have begun to roll in and now all of this money that was to be allocated for heating and home is sitting around in need of use. Why not put that money to good use and invest it in your home? We cannot hope for these mild winters to continue in the future, but you could energy costs down even in the harshest of winters by making energy efficient improvements with Four Seasons!
Efficiency Improvements from Four Seasons
Any efficiency improvement from insulation to light bulb upgrades would make a difference, but upgrading the furnace and air conditioner will literally transform the way your home consumes energy. The combined energy use of these two systems makes up the majority of the energy use within the home. If these units are inefficient, that could add up to a lot of waste especially during the heavy use seasons. (more…)
Tags: affordable, Bedford Park, Bridgeview, Chicago, energy efficiency, Four Seasons, Furnace, Heating, heating company, HVAC, IL, investment, mild, Posen, Savings, winter
Posted in Air conditioning, Furnace, Go Green, Heating, Savings, Tips and Suggestions | No Comments »
Thursday, January 12th, 2012
Have you ever thought that going green was simply out of your reach? Well, if you have you are not alone. When many of the energy efficiency technologies were first put into furnaces and air conditioners, the prices of these systems dramatically increased to a level that made them impractical for the average homeowner. Nowadays things are different. Sure there are still the super fancy, super high tech systems that cost a bit more, but now there are also more affordable systems that can still reach the high efficiency levels that you are looking for. Four Seasons wants you to know that you don’t have to spend your life savings just to save a little more every month on your energy bills, and we will show you how!
Affordable Energy Efficiency
The Lennox G43 Gas Furnace may be the perfect system for your home if you are working on a tight budget and still want to save some money. This system falls under our lowest price range, yet it is still rated at 92.1% AFUE! That level of efficiency could save you hundreds of dollars each year compared to your current standard furnace. Couple this with our attractive financing options and almost anyone can afford a high efficiency furnace from Four Seasons Heating and Air Conditioning. Get started today by calling your Home Comfort Specialist for more information, and go green on a budget now!
Tags: affordable, AFUE rating, Blue Island, budget, Chicago, energy efficiency, financing options, Four Seasons, Furnace, gas furnace, Go Green, Heating, Ingleside, installation, Lennox, replacement, save money
Posted in Furnace, Go Green, Heating, Savings | Comments Off
Wednesday, January 11th, 2012
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 (more…)
Tags: #1 air cleaner, 16 Media filter, Air Cleaner, air purifier, Air Quality, cartridges, duct work, energy efficiency, Four Seasons, hvac system, indoor air, installed professionally, Lennox, microns, purity
Posted in Air Quality, Air filtration, Furnace, Health, Tips and Suggestions, furnace filtration | Comments Off
Monday, January 9th, 2012
Boilers have a very long lifetime especially when they are cared for properly. At Four Seasons, we have seen old boilers last 20, 30 and even 40 years before breaking down to the point that they need to be replaced. So, how old is your boiler? Is your boiler still the original unit that was there when you moved into your home? If so, you can save money and energy by replacing that old system with a new high efficiency boiler from Four Seasons Heating and Air Conditioning.
Overpaying Every Month
You run into two problems when you allow an old outdated boiler to run in your home. The first problem is the cost. The older the boiler the odds are the less energy efficient it will be. Some older boilers waste as much as 50% of the natural gas they consume during the combustion process. That adds up to a hefty cost every month on your utility bills and for most of us, overpaying every month by 50% is simply not an option! (more…)
Tags: age, Boiler, energy efficiency, Four Seasons, heat exchanger, Heating, hot water, installation, Peerless, replacement, Safety, save money, steam, utility bills
Posted in Boiler, Heating, Savings, Tips and Suggestions, maintenance | Comments Off
Monday, December 26th, 2011
The biggest threat to the condition of the hot water tank is corrosion. The steel within your hot water tank is susceptible to damage done by the water that the tank is heating, but thanks to one very valuable part, your hot water tank is able to avoid disaster. The anode is a magnesium or aluminum rod that has been inserted into the top of your hot water tank and its number one job is to corrode. However, once this anode is gone, so is the protection your tank has against corrosion. Four Seasons Heating and Air Conditioning offers hot water heating services that can secure safety for your hot water tank for years to come.
Anode Erosion Protection
The magnesium or aluminum anode in your water tank has been attracting erosion since your unit was first installed. By doing so, it protects the steel within the tank from corroding because aluminum and magnesium are more corrosive than steel. The steel is spared until the anode has eroded. Once this happens, the water will begin to corrode the steel in the tank. This problem usually manifests itself as a leak in the bottom of the tank that simply cannot be fixed. Once the tank is at this point, the corrosion is so extensive that it is beyond repair. (more…)
Tags: aluminum, anode, Chicago, cleaning, corrosion, energy efficiency, erosion, Four Seasons, hot water tank, IL, leaks, longevity, magnesium, maintenance checks, Midlothian, protection, repair, save money, steel, Vernon Hills
Posted in Heating, Home Services, Hot Water Heater, Plumbing Services, maintenance | Comments Off
Friday, December 23rd, 2011
As the year winds down, we begin to assess the year past and the year to come. What goals have we met and which ones have we still to complete? Make 2012 the year where these goals become a reality, and take the necessary steps towards making them happen. If these goals concern the energy efficiency of the home, getting them done becomes even more important. Failure to do so would mean wasted money and wasted resources. If you can’t afford to pay for another year of waste on your energy bills, now is the time to make a goal and get on the path to completion. Four Seasons Heating and Air Conditioning has several ways that you can improve the energy efficiency in your home and now is the time to start planning with us.
Planning Your Energy Efficiency Improvements
The most popular energy efficiency resolution is to replace the home’s old inefficient HVAC system with a new high tech and high efficiency system from Four Seasons Heating and Air Conditioning. However, investing in a heating and cooling system is not an easy feat for many homeowners these days. But there are options. You could either find other ways to save money for the investment, or you could take advantage of the financing options offered by Four Seasons. One of the more affordable energy efficiency boosting services that are offered by Four Seasons is our insulation services. Investing a small amount of your money into increasing the amount of insulation in your attic could be just what your budget needs to make saving for that new furnace and air conditioner easier than ever before. (more…)
Tags: 2012, attic insulation, Aurora, Chicago, energy audit, energy efficiency, financing, Four Seasons, furnace and air conditioner, Go Green, goals, heating and cooling, hvac system, IL, insulation services, investment, Naperville, save money, ugrade
Posted in Air conditioning, Furnace, Heating, Home Improvement and Repair, Savings, Tips and Suggestions, attic insulation | Comments Off
Friday, December 9th, 2011
Buying a new furnace for your home can feel like running through a maze. There are so many options to choose from and it’s hard to figure out exactly which is the right way to go. Four Seasons has sought to simplify this process for the homeowner, but in doing so, we have found that many homeowners think that AFUE ratings are the only thing that matter when buying a new unit. Yes, these percentages are important because they reflect the amount of energy your furnace will use and waste, but they are not the bottom line when it comes to picking the right unit for your home.
How Much Electricity Does Your Furnace Use?
There are many other factors to take into account and one of them is the amount of electricity your furnace will be using. Many homeowners don’t even realize that their furnace does consume electricity, and depending on the unit you choose, some consume more than others. It comes down to what kind of circulating fan, or blower motor, is inside the unit and how much you will be using this fan to move air throughout your home. (more…)
Tags: AFUE rating, blower motor, Chicago, circulating fan, electricity, energy bills, energy efficiency, Four Seasons, Frankfort, Furnace, Heating, high efficiency furnace, IL, installation, new furnace, save money, variable speed furnace, Wilmette
Posted in Air Quality, Furnace, Heating, Savings, Tips and Suggestions, furnace filtration | Comments Off
Wednesday, November 30th, 2011
Our congress may be debating day in and day out the value of going green as far as our government is concerned, but for the average American, going green should be common sense. Our argument isn’t about global warming or diminishing fossil fuels, but it is about saving you money! Any homeowner that is looking to save money should care about going green, and should be taking certain steps to make their home more energy efficient. Four Seasons Heating and Air Conditioning is in the business of saving you and your family money and that is why we are also in the business of going green. From energy efficient furnaces to attic insulation services, we have a plethora of ways that you can go green and start saving today.
The Best Big and Little Changes You Can Make
Not all green home improvements are created equal. Some will save you more money than others, and depending on your home’s situation, you may be in greater need of one improvement over another. You should also consider your budget when you are looking to go green. Some home improvements are more expensive than others, but you don’t have to break the bank in order to go green. In our humble opinion, replacing the furnace is the best large investment and adding attic insulation is the best small investment you can make into the energy efficiency of your home. (more…)
Tags: 95%, AFUE, attic insulation, Chicago, energy efficiency, Evergreen Park, Four Seasons, furnace replacement, Go Green, high efficiency furnace, IL, Naperville
Posted in Furnace, Go Green, Heating, Savings, Tips and Suggestions, attic insulation | Comments Off
