HVAC Services

Single Zone – This is exactly what it sounds like; it heats one area of your home or business. There will be one thermostat for the entire building. The rooms of the house share heating and cooling vents. Multiple Zone – This type of zoned heating allows different areas of your home to be regulated individually. Each zone will have its own thermostat which can be set for your comfort level. Constant Volume – With a constant volume system the air flow is just that, constant. Heat or cool air will be circulated until the unit is switched off. Variable Volume – Variable volume units allow the volume of heat or cooling to be adjusted as to how much air is distributed in each area. Due to the variable controls, this type of system can cause overheating or overcooling of a room. Radiant System – If you have a radiant system you have water running through the pipes in your home that is either cooled or heated. There are even radiant systems that can be installed beneath floors to keep them warm in colder weather. You will find radiant systems in many older homes. Repairing your HVAC system usually comes at the worst time; in the middle of an arctic blast or a sweltering heat wave. The ideal time to check on your system would be before the winter and summer seasons arrive. Plumbers 911 has an excellent maintenance program that will save you frustration and money. You will have peace of mind knowing your system is in tip top shape to start with. But if you are faced with a heating or cooling emergency, immediately call a trusted Illinois plumber. Some typical problem with your heating system may be one of the following;

• Heat pump issues. The first thing to know is that a heat pump does not create the heat. What it does is to pump the heated air through your system. And a heat pump is also used to pump that cool air in the summer. A heat pump can malfunction for many reasons. The most common are leaks in the line, inaccurate thermostat, inadequate air flow or dirty filters.
• Radiant heating is a durable system, but not an indestructible one. You may realize your room is not heating to your comfort level. This can be caused by broken heating cables or mats.  The thermostat may have malfunctioned. Carpets can sometimes stop the heat from coming through the pipes causing frozen and bursting pipes. Flooring that works better would be tile, wood or laminate. Laminate is a better choice than wood due to the swelling and contracting of the wood with temperature and humidity changes that can cause the wood to crack.
• An out of date system. Many of the homes in and around Chicago were built between 1850 and 1960. These homes still have the original heating systems in them. Yes, at the time those systems were state of the art, but now, not so much. The efficiency of a heating unit from that era is extremely poor. Updating to a new, more efficient HVAC unit will heat your home better and save you money in fuel costs.

Since we are in the middle of winter, now is the time to start thinking about the cooling part of your HVAC system. It can get incredibly hot around all the concrete and tall buildings in Chicago. You definitely want to stay comfortable in your home or business. What can you do to prepare in advance for summer?

What If Your Units Sit In the Windows, Can The Experts Help with Those, Too?

If you have individual window units, make sure the filters are clean and mildew free. Sometimes cleaning them isn’t an option, replace them. Also check to make sure the wires are intact and without cracks. By plugging it in and turning it on you can see if the unit runs and emits cool air. Simple enough. Central air units need much the same maintenance. Those filters need to be changed out for the same reason. Dirty filters decrease the air flow to your home, meaning you are running the unit inefficiently and wasting money. Mildew on the filters will send that mildew into your home for you and your family to breathe. You will also want to clear out any leaves and other debris from the compressor. A clogged compressor will overheat the unit causing damage. Checking the refrigerant levels and electrical connections is another maintenance tip to keep your central air unit working at its optimum best. If you are just installing a new central air unit, try and pick a shaded area for it to operate best. The whole reason to have heating and cooling systems is to be comfortable during temperature changes that don’t work by just opening a window. You can keep yours running trouble free by scheduling biannual maintenance with Plumbers 911. Scheduled maintenance, installations or emergency repairs: we are there for you in your time of need.