Posts Tagged ‘furnaces’

Don’t Wait for Winter! | Country Club Hills, Carpentersville

Tuesday, August 16th, 2011

Unfortunately, winter is right around the corner, and within a matter of a couple months, we will be turning on our furnaces. However, here at Four Seasons, we think that you should have your furnace checked sooner rather than later, or you could miss out on major savings! End of summer sales are coming to an end, and by the time there is a chill in the air, they may be gone for good!

The Benefit of Time

By having a serviceman out now to inspect your furnace you can detect any major problems that may be lurking inside your unit before you need to turn it on to heat the home. This gives you the benefit of time. You can plan out replacing the system or decide on repairs with a clear mind in a comfortable home. Wait until the first frigid day of winter and you could find yourself unprepared to put forth the necessary funds for replacement or repairs. You may also make a spur of the moment decision that you will regret later just because you want the unit fixed as quickly as possible. (more…)

Natural Gas vs. Electric | Hickory Hills, Oak Park, Mokena

Monday, December 6th, 2010

When comparing and contrasting furnaces, fuel type will play a big role in the decision making process. Electricity and natural gas are the two most popular choices among homeowners, but what sets them apart? Cost is the main factor, and for most homeowners, it is often the factor that makes or breaks the sale. At first glance, electric furnaces may seem like the way to go, but upon further inspection, you may find that heating your Chicago home is done much more effectively with natural gas heat.

  • Efficiency Ratings: When it comes of efficiency, gas and electric furnaces are neck and neck. High efficiency electric furnaces are usually between 95-100% efficient because no fuel is lost to combustion. However, the gas furnaces on the market today are at about the same efficiency rating. For example, we offer the SLP98V natural gas furnace here at Four Seasons. This system has an efficiency rating up to 98.2%, so I think we can take efficiency comparisons out of the equation.
  • Installation Cost: Installation costs for electric furnaces are often what attract the buyer in the first place. Gas furnaces need to be vented properly to the outdoors, so the installation cost may be a bit higher. Electric furnaces can pretty much be plugged in, and they are ready to go. So, why does Four Seasons recommend gas furnaces for Chicago home when electric is cheaper initially? Well, we like to focus more on the long term cost rather than the initial installation cost. (more…)

Get Nicor Rebates Now!

Monday, August 23rd, 2010

Beginning May 1, 2010 until May 31, 2011, residential rebates are available to Nicor Gas customers for purchases and installation of the following high efficiency products. Rebates as much as $400 on boilers, between $200 – $250 on furnaces.

The eligible products include high efficiency water heaters, furnaces, and gas boilers. These products must be installed by a professional heating & cooling contractor.  Your purchase must be made between May 1, 2010, and May 31, 2011. Your application must be received by Nicor, and be postmarked no later than 60 days after purchase.  Unlike, some other tax credits or rebates, this one is available to landlords.

This is a great time to capitalize on the Nicor rebate if you are a Nicor customer because you can also take advantage of manufacturer discounts and the federal tax credit on energy efficient products like furnaces, air conditioners and boilers. A reminder, purchase and installation of attic insulation also qualifies for a tax credit of up to $1,500.00.

Chicago Energy Efficiency Rebates

Sunday, August 1st, 2010

The Chicagoland Natural Gas Savings Program offers rebates to encourage customers to make energy-efficient improvements to their homes, apartment buildings and businesses.

Energy Efficiency Rebates

Non-Residential customers on Service Classification 2 are eligible for rebates on energy-efficient furnaces, boilers, water heaters, commercial kitchen equipment, boiler controls, insulation and other measures purchased between now and September 30, 2010.

To qualify, equipment must meet efficiency and installation requirements and be installed by professional contractors. Rebate amounts vary from $0.15 per square foot (for roof/ceiling insulation) to $6.00 per MBTUH (for high efficiency space heating boilers).

To see a full list of eligible equpiment and learn how to apply, visit Chicagoland Natural Gas Savings Program or call 866-964-7345. Applications must be made no later than 60 days after the purchase or by October 31, 2010, whichever comes first.