Posts Tagged ‘Insulation’
Monday, September 5th, 2011
We have now entered the half of the year that is packed with holidays. Today is Labor Day and before we know it, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas will have all arrived as well. Many of us take the holiday season as a chance to redecorate the home in festive décor, and for most that usually means a trip to the attic to pull down boxes and boxes of decorations. While you’re up there, Four Seasons would like you to take a quick moment to have a look around. How does everything look? Is the insulation damp in area? Have you begun to notice dark spots forming in various places? Is the insulation level below the level of the joists? If so, your attic insulation may need some redecorating as well, and Four Seasons Heating and Air Conditioning is still your go to contractor.
Year Round Condensation Conundrum
Attics that are inadequately insulated have many problems, but today we are going to focus on the issue of condensation and the effects that it can have on your attic, your energy efficiency, and your home. Condensation can accumulate in a poorly insulated attic all year round. During the summer it can soak the insulation and cause mold growth and rot. During the winter, it turns to frost, and all year round this moisture diminishes your insulation’s r-value and therefore its efficiency. If left long enough, this water will eventually reach the level of your ceilings and cause unsightly staining. The insulation will need to be replaced and the ventilation problem corrected before you can ever hope to have a clean and energy efficient attic. (more…)
Tags: attic, ceiling, Chicago, condensation, Four Seasons, Fox Valley, Gilberts, holidays, IL, Insulation, leaks, mold, professional, repair, replacement, ventilation, water spots, Wheeling
Posted in Home Services, Tips and Suggestions, attic insulation | Comments Off
Monday, August 8th, 2011
Is your air conditioner disturbing the peace in your backyard? If your air conditioner has a noisy condenser then you know what I’m talking about. Old inefficient air conditioners had little technology in the way of reducing noise generated while the system was operating. As our units get older, they tend to get louder, and at some point this system will have to be replaced. Most homeowners focus on energy efficiency and cost when they are looking for a new unit. This is a smart place to start, but when it comes down to it, there is so much more to consider! At Four Seasons, we try to give our customers a complete picture of what one of our Lennox systems is like when in operation and when it comes to a Lennox system, noise reduction is a major benefit. (more…)
Tags: air conditioner, Cooling, decibel rating, Four Seasons, IL, installation, Insulation, La Grange, Lennox, Lynwood, noise reduction, sales, Silent Comfort, technology, XC 21
Posted in Air conditioning, Informational, Quality | Comments Off
Thursday, May 12th, 2011
Have you noticed all of the talk about professional home energy audits? It seems like everyone from the power company to the government are telling us to go out and have our homes audited, but who really needs this service performed? Four Seasons Heating and Air Conditioning offers the citizens of Chicagoland this valuable service, but there are defiantly some people that need to have it done more than others.
The Difference between Old and New Homes
Older homes are typically in much greater need of an energy audit when compared to newer homes. Newer homes were often built for energy efficiency. The builders most likely placed adequate amounts of insulation within the walls, ceilings, and floors and the building techniques that they used created a virtually air tight home. However, if you home was built poorly or with cheap windows, doors, and HVAC appliances you could face the same problems that older homes do. (more…)
Tags: air leaks, Chicago, energy audit, energy efficiency, Hometown, HVAC, IL, Insulation, Justice, new home, old home, save money, South Holland
Posted in Home Services, Savings, attic insulation | Comments Off
Thursday, April 28th, 2011
This summer, don’t you want to make sure that you are doing everything you can to help your air conditioner run efficiently? You will have it cleaned by one of the pros at Four Seasons, install a programmable thermostat to control its use, and maybe even add a little extra insulation to the attic. However, even with all of these great services performed, your home could still bog down the operation of your air conditioner. How is this possible? Well, if you home suffers with negative pressure indoors, you could be making your air conditioner do more work every time it turns on.
Does Your Home Have Negative Pressure?
The air pressure in your home should be neither positive nor negative. A well ventilated home will be at equilibrium with the outdoors. Homes these days are made air tight. Because of this fact, exhaust fans and other appliances that vent outdoors can remove air from inside the home. When the pressure outside is higher than inside, air from the outdoors will attempt to penetrate your home in any way that it can. Hot air during the summer will seep in and make it especially difficult for your air conditioner to keep up. This could be the source of the excess cost on your energy bills. (more…)
Tags: Air conditioning, air exchanger, Air Quality, balance, Chicago, cooling services, Crestwood, Four Seasons, Hazel Crest, IL, Insulation, negative pressure, ventilation
Posted in Air Quality, Air conditioning, Air filtration | Comments Off
Wednesday, April 13th, 2011
Over the years, some homeowners begin to notice that their homes are not cooled as well as they once were. They may have the air conditioner checked yearly for problems, and even though many times there is not an issue with the system, still the home remains warm when the air conditioner is running full power. Though the sizing of your air conditioner may be the source of the problem, there is another far more likely cause to this dilemma. It’s called heat gain, and there are several factors that could be contributing to this issue. Luckily, identifying the problem and solving the issue is easy enough, and Four Seasons Heating and Air Conditioning and Home Services can help you make the improvements needed to restore comfort to your home this summer season.
Sources of Heat Gain
- Window Inspection: Take a moment to inspect the windows in your home. Old, single paned or rotted windows could be the source of your heat gain problem. Windows carry an r-value just like insulation does, and if your windows have a very low r-value, you could be allowing the sun to heat up your home. A temporary fix would be to drape your windows in thick curtains during the day light hours. This will help keep out the heat, but upgrading your windows is the true fix you should strive towards. Four Seasons Home Services can help you choose and install new energy efficient windows this summer season. (more…)
Tags: air conditioner, Chicago, Cooling, doors, energy efficiency, Harvey, heat gain, home repair, Home Services, IL, Insulation, R-Value, replacement, Streamwood, summer, windows
Posted in Air conditioning, Tips and Suggestions, attic insulation | Comments Off
Wednesday, March 30th, 2011
At this time of year, many of us are beginning to appraise the condition of our homes. After the long winter months spent indoors and the cruel weather conditions outdoors, odds are your home is showing signs of wear and tear both inside and out. Creating that to-do list is frustrating enough, but actually finding the time to complete all of the projects on that list can becomes overwhelming for any homeowner. You could either dedicate every weekend from now until next winter to repairing your home, or you could call Four Seasons Home Services!
What is Four Seasons Home Services?
Four Seasons Home Services is the rapidly expanding home repair, duct cleaning, and insulation division of Four Seasons Heating and Air Conditioning. We had noticed that many of our heating and cooling customers were in need of advice concerning these other services, and decided to meet the demand. Now, instead of searching all over town for multiple contractors to complete the various jobs in your home, you can have Four Seasons take care of it all!
First-Class Quality Services
The same high quality standards that you have come to expect from Four Seasons can also be found when you employ the services of our home services servicemen. Four Seasons Home Services is your spring cleaning and home repair experts, and we will take the hassle out of caring for your home’s maintenance. Give us a chance today, and call Four Seasons for more details about Four Seasons Home Services.
Tags: Chicago, Crestwood, Duct Cleaning, Four Seasons, haeating and cooling, home care, home repair, Home Services, IL, Insulation, maintenance, Spring Cleaning, University Park
Posted in Home Services, attic insulation, customer service, maintenance | Comments Off
Monday, March 28th, 2011
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. (more…)
Tags: attic, blown-in fiberglass, Chicago, comfort, Downers Grove, energy efficiency, Four Seasons, IL, Insulation, insulation removal, leaks, Lemont, mold growth, R-Value, water
Posted in Health, Home Services, attic insulation | Comments Off
Monday, March 14th, 2011
When putting together your spring cleaning list, you may quickly becomes overwhelmed by the large number of items that need to be scrubbed, mopped, organized, and polished, and it may be tempting to leave a few items off the list just for the sake of your time and your sanity. However, Four Seasons has come up with a list of the top 8 areas of the home that must be on your spring cleaning list. For those that don’t have the extra time to get these jobs done, Four Seasons Heating and Air Conditioning and Four Seasons Home Services can complete these projects quickly and efficiently so you can get back to enjoying the new season.
The Top 8 Checklist:
1. The Air Conditioner: The air conditioner is going to be the unit that sustains comfort in your home for the next several months. Getting the system to operates efficiently and reliably requires a thorough professional cleaning and tune-up. At Four Seasons we offer a certified 20 + point cleaning that will get rid of the debris from winter and prepare your unit for the long hot summer ahead.
2. The Lawn and Yard: After being buried under several feet of snow for much of the season, your lawn and landscape are probably in desperate need of rejuvenation. The Four Seasons Home Services division has a crew of servicemen who can get your yard looking beautiful in no time at all. Get a jump on spring and have Four Seasons clean everything from your gutters to your deck. (more…)
Tags: air conditioner, attic, Chicago, cleaning, dryer vent, efficiency, Four Seasons, Home Services, Insulation, Joliet, maintenance, Matteson, New Lenox, organization, spring, summer, Tune Up
Posted in Air conditioning, Duct Cleaning, Home Services, Hot Water Heater, attic insulation, maintenance | Comments Off
Wednesday, February 23rd, 2011
Have you ever heard of a passive house? Unless you are an energy buff you probably haven’t, but these homes may be the homes of the future. These homes have already gained massive popularity in Europe and other parts of the world, and the concept has recently reached our shores as well. Passive homes are truly revolutionary because they don’t rely on a furnace for home heating, and yet they stay incredibly comfortable. These homes are not only energy efficient, but they employ several alternative heating and cooling methods to keep costs down and comfort up.
Super thick insulation, well placed windows, an ingenious ventilation system, and a wood pellet stove work together to keep these homes comfortable, and although you may not be able to achieve this high level of efficiency without rebuilding your home, you can still take advantage of energy savings in your home with the help of Four Seasons.
Improving Your Efficiency
- Energy Assessment: Having your home professionally assessed by Four Seasons is the first step towards making energy efficient improvements. Once you know where your home is most inefficient, Four Seasons can help you improve the situation. Whether your need is for a new furnace or air conditioner or if you have leaks that need to be sealed, Four Seasons Heating and Air Conditioning and Four Seasons Home Services are here to help. (more…)
Tags: air conditioner, Chicago, Cooling, energy assessment, Four Seasons, Furnace, Heating, Home Services, Insulation, Lombard, passive home, Riverside, save money, windows
Posted in Air conditioning, Heating, Home Services, attic insulation | Comments Off
Tuesday, February 15th, 2011
For those that did not take advantage of the federal tax credits offered last year, you are in luck! The high demand for an extension of the credits was successful, and now homeowners all across the Chicagoland area have another year to get big savings by installing new high efficiency furnaces and air conditioners in their homes. Homeowners that purchased their systems last year are seeing major returns on their investment, and although the credits aren’t as substantial as last year’s, you can still save big, if you give Four Seasons a call now! (more…)
Tags: Air conditioning, Chicago, Downers Grove, energy efficiency, Four Seasons, Furnace, IL, Insulation, Riverdale, save money, Stickney, tax credits
Posted in Air conditioning, Furnace, Savings | Comments Off
