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Oct 22
0

How To Save Energy By Replacing Your Home’s Boiler

By | Boiler | No Comments

Chicago Boiler Installation and Repair

Replacing Your Boiler With An Energy Efficient Model

Boilers expend about 60% of energy annually. To minimize energy costs generated using a boiler, many consumers will decide to replace their old gas boiler with a modern, high-efficiency model. The costs for replacing a boiler varies, but the usual cost to replace an old gas boiler can cost up to $9,000 or more. This will not only improve your heating controls but will also reduce the volume of your carbon dioxide emissions. However, once your new unit is installed, the savings of a new boiler will pay for itself in the long term.

Since all modern boilers recover more efficiently, the main thing for you to focus on is finding the right type to best fit your needs. If you have gas main lines, a gas boiler is usually the most inexpensive heating system available. If there is no gas pipe in close proximity to your home, then you may need to select an oil, LPG or coal boiler or one that operates on solar energy. Other considerations you may want to take note of is whether or not to use a combination or regular boiler. Factors that will help you make your decision include:

• Family size
• Space available
• Type of energy source used

Once you’ve decided on the type of boiler you will install in your home, you’ll need to make sure you purchase a boiler of the highest efficiency, by choosing one that is Energy Saving Trust Recommended. These types of heat recovery units can give you additional savings when heating your water. There are websites that can provide helpful tips about boiler quotes, and anything else that is necessary for you to be educated on once your new boiler is installed. Your registered installer will ensure that your boiler system is building code compliant, and assist you with obtaining any paperwork needed to prove that you have a code compliant boiler.

Need to replace your boiler? Contact MBR Services, your Chicago boiler specialists, today at (708) 417-0725.

Oct 15
0

Green Your Home for Winter: Benefits of Having a Permanent Furnace Filter Professionally Installed

By | Furnace, Indoor Air Quality | No Comments

Professional Installation of Chicago Furnace Filter

With the winter season approaching very quickly, now is a great time to have a permanent furnace filter installed professionally. A major reason is for health concerns. In the winter months, more time is spent inside and germs are very prevalent. Indoors, the air pollutants and viruses have excellent conditions for continuously reproducing if precautions are not taken to destroy or at least control their growth. The level of pollutants indoors during the winter months may be much higher at times than the levels found outdoors due to the warm climate control being kept inside.

Permanent furnace filters help to remove air health hazards such as smoke, mildew, pollen, dust and lint. These filters remove many of the irritants that affect our breathing, allergies, cold symptoms and general health during the winter months. The permanent furnace filters literally clean the air you breathe and help you to stay healthy. Physicians are suggesting these filters to their patients as one way of beginning steps to improve health during the cold winter months.

Outdoors, we have the advantage of sunshine and fresh air to help destroy germs before we breathe them into our bodies. Indoors, the sun is not strong enough to filter through our windows to destroy the germs and the air does not circulate as freely. Having a permanent furnace filter installed by a professional will help to eliminate the cost factor of replacing filters each month. The individual who installs your filter can be hired to come each month and clean the filter for you. The permanent furnace filter can easily be removed and cleaned with water and a very mild detergent. You do not have to limit cleaning to once a month and can do so more often if their has been those with a cold or flu in the home. A regular monthly cleaning helps to assure the long life of your filter and much better health for you and family.

Looking to have a permanent filter installed in your home’s furnace? Contact MBR Services, your Chicago heating experts, today at (708) 417-0725.

Oct 08
0

Signs it’s Time to Replace Your Furnace

By | Furnace | No Comments

Signs it's time to replace your Chicago Furnace

A general rule of thumb is furnaces have a life span of about 15 to 20 years. That number will vary depending on maintenance and how much the furnace is used. There are signs your furnace is nearing the end of its usefulness other than the general rule of thumb. If your furnace needs constant repairs, it is time to think about a new furnace.  Your heating technician can only make so many repairs on a furnace before it gives up completely. In addition, parts for furnaces at the end of their life span may be more and more difficult to find, as heating technology is always improving, and may even come out to be more expensive than simply replacing the system entirely. Following are the main signs to look for when determining if it may be time to replace your home’s furnace.

A spike in energy bills is a red flag that something is not working correctly with the furnace. If the furnace has reached about 75% of its life span, putting money into its repair probably is not the economical answer. Cleaning or a simple repair might be the temporary answer, but it is probably time to start looking around.

After your furnace has come on and shut off a few times, you will have a good sense of the timing of the heating system. If you notice the timing of the furnace is out of the ordinary, this is a clue something is not right with the furnace.

Furnaces run with a fair amount of noise where it is located, but the noise should not be very noticeable in other parts of the house. Excess noise, whether it is something squeaking or rumbling is usually an indication it’s best heating days are behind it.
If you can smell gas or oil or find the registers emitting what looks like dust, just might mean your furnace is headed for the scrap pile. Your technician may be able to keep it going for a while longer, but how long that while is, may not be as long as you hope it is.

If your furnace experiences any of these problems, described above, it is time to start checking out a new furnace for your home. With the holidays quickly approaching, you don’t want to postpone the inevitable and be left with hunting for a new furnace during one of the busiest times of the year!  Have questions? Call us today, we look forward to hearing from you.

Need to replace or repair your furnace? Contact your Chicago furnace specialists, MBR Services, today at (708) 417-0725 to schedule an appointment.

Oct 01
0

The Advantages Of Using A Digital Thermostat

By | Electronic Thermostat | No Comments

Electronic Thermostat for Chicago HeatingThe modern world is witnessing technological advancements at a pace faster than any other time period in history. Digital technologies are replacing conventional ones every day. From music to how paychecks are issued, the digital method is the inevitable path of the future. Common household appliances are as much a part of this technological shift as anything else. Digital thermostats have greatly improved the safety and function of the average heater. However, many people are hesitant about making the shift to a digital thermostat. This is mostly because they do not fully understand the benefits of a digital thermostat.

Digital thermostats give the home owner greater control over the temperatures that the heater will provide. Conventional heaters were much less efficient and more costly. A digital thermostat will actually save the home owner money by preventing the heater from over working to maintain a loose and uncertain temperature. Older thermostats used mercury to determine the temperature of the water. Mercury thermostats do not handle major fluctuations in temperature very well. This would usually cause the heater to either become too hot or too cold. A digital thermostat can accurately determine the temperature of the air as well as the temperature of the walls of a home. Judging the temperature of the walls allows the heater to bring a room up to the desired temperature before it drops too low.

Digital thermostats can be programmed to turn on and off at designated times of the day. This makes it easy to conserve energy when at work or away. One of the most interesting recent developments in thermostat technology is the ability to program the thermostat from your iPhone. This gives the home owner complete control over the temperature of their home even when they are away. This is perfect for anyone with an unpredictable schedule. If you need to stay out for the night, you can turn down the heater and know that you are saving energy in the most efficient way possible.

Looking to simplify your life with an electronic thermostat? Contact MBR Services, your Chicago heating specialists, at (708) 417-0725 to schedule a stress-free installation today.

Sep 25
0

Radiator Vs. Heater to Save on Your Electricity Bill

By | Heater Installation, Heater Repair | No Comments

Radiator vs Heater to save on your Chicago Electricity Bill

Electric heaters and radiators are made to provide warmth for single rooms in your home, but they put out heat in different ways. To know which one is the best for your home, compare the cost effectiveness of both, the safety features of both and the conveniences that both offer.

Space heaters and radiators are just about 100 percent efficient in the way they use energy, but you can get a better efficiency based on what your heating needs are. For example, a small reading room could be warmed up by using a 600 watt heating element, but a family of 3 people sitting in the living room watching television would get better usage out of a much higher watt oscillating heater.

Space heaters have to rely on a quartz heating element, ribbon, or wire that produces the orange glow which radiates heat when activated. These units heat instantly the moment they start up unlike a radiator. They come in various sizes and shapes. You can find low watt heaters that will fit under your desk, or larger heaters that can be used to heat your family room or bedrooms.

Looking to install a new radiator or need to repair your current one? Contact MBR Services today in Chicago at (708) 417-0725. Our experienced Heating Specialists will help you determine which heating system best fits your home’s needs.

Sep 18
0

8 Ways to Lower Your Heating Bill This Fall

By | Heater Installation, Heater Repair | No Comments

Save money on furnace boiler heating system in Chicago

With the cold weather quickly approaching, everyone is looking for ways to reduce their heating bills. The following eight money-saving tips will help you conserve energy without having to sacrifice heating comfort.

1. Schedule a System Tune Up. All machinery works better when it regularly receives maintenance. Have a service tech come in and look over your system and make any necessary adjustments so that it will run at peak performance.

2. Change Your Filter. You should change your air filter at least once a month. Keeping your filter clean will reduce strain on your system.

3. Replace Your Thermostat. If your thermostat is not a programmable one, you are throwing money away. You can program your home to be cooler when you are away, and warmer when you are home.

4. Have Ducts Cleaned. The easier that air flows through your system, the easier it will work. Clean ducts will also help you reduce allergens in your home.

5. Insulate Attic Spaces. Heat rises, and in many cases escapes through your attic space. By insulating this area the heat will remain in your home.

6. Buy Draft Guards For Your Doors. Draft guards laid across the bottom of your doors keeps cold air out and warm air in your home.

7. Check Your Windows For Drafts. Older windows often have leaky areas around the seals. You can either caulk around the windows, or if the drafts are bad, cover over the windows with plastic coverings until spring.

8. Close Vents in Unused Rooms. Heating spare rooms is a waste of energy. Only open the vents in these rooms when they are in use.

Ready to lower your heating bill this fall? Contact MBR Services in Chicago at (708) 417-0725 to have your expert HVAC Specialist check your home’s heating system and make your home more efficient and economical today.

Sep 11
0

Is an Electric Space Heater More Efficient Than Your Gas Furnace?

By | Air Conditioning, Heater Installation, Heater Repair | No Comments

Electric Space Heater Vs Gas Furnace in my Chicago Home

When the weather turns cooler, it signals the need for warm clothes and efficient heat sources. If you live in a temperate climate, you are probably not affected too much by the change in the weather. Not so for people living in areas that experience all four seasons. Cold climates get snow for several months during winter and adequate heating is necessary.

The question has been asked a dozen times or more,”Is an electric space heater more efficient than your gas furnace?” The answer is, it depends on the size of the space you are heating and how often you use it. Space heaters are designed to be used to heat small spaces when a furnace is not available.

One reason people purchase space heaters is to maximize the heat in certain rooms when their furnace is not doing an adequate job. This, of course, will increase your utility bill because you are running two heat sources to heat the same space. To save money, you would need to lower your thermostat and use the heater during times of the day when temperatures are slightly warmer.

Electric Space Heater from Lowes for Chicago Home

For cost efficiency, it is best to use space heaters in rooms that are not frequently used such as a garage, workroom, or outbuilding. Closing off areas that are not used is a way to save money by not heating them. You should also check your home’s insulation levels to determine if additional insulation is needed.

For a space heater to be cost effective, it must be used in place of your normal heating system. If you have a large home, you will see that this is impossible. However, it can be used in a small apartment according to the dimensions listed by the manufacturer.

Unfortunately, an electric space heater will not take the place of your furnace. If your furnace or heating system is not heating your home adequately, you should consider purchasing a new, more efficient heating system. Energy-efficient appliances use less energy, saving you money over time. Make sure to choose a furnace or heat pump that will efficiently heat the size of your home.

Considering purchasing a new, more efficient heating system or have questions on your current heating system? Contact MBR Services today at (708) 417-0725 for an in-home consultation. You’ll be happy you did!

Sep 04
0

Chicagoland Home Remodeling & Design Expo September 22nd & 23rd, 2012

By | Air Conditioning, Chicago Community Events, Heater Installation, Heater Repair | No Comments

Odeum Chicagoland Home Remodeling Show and Expo in Chicago IL

Don’t miss the big home remodeling and design exposition that will be held in Chicago at the Odeum Expo Center, Sept. 22 and 23, 2012! There will be several exhibits from both local and national landscaping and home improvement organizations to inspire your current or next home improvement project. Pick out candles, purchase some fall arts and crafts, or get ideas on your next bathroom remodel.

When visiting the various booths be sure to collect appropriate brochures so that you can make relevant notes about items you could potentially install in your project. Though critical measurements are usually printed on brochures, you will often find that you will need to make a few measurements of your own. Therefore, it is a good idea to take along a retractable measuring tape. A small pen-light is also handy. It is not infrequent that one needs to look underneath an appliance or fixture of one kind or another.

With free admission open to the public, free parking, and live entertainment, food, and do-it-yourself educational activities, this Home Remodeling and Design Expo is budget-friendly and fun for the whole family. Show hours are Saturday, September 22nd from 10 am to 6 pm and Sunday, September 23rd from 10 am to 5pm at the Odeum Expo Center. Be sure to get there early so you don’t miss out on the free give-aways, drawings, and prizes!

For more information on attending this show, visit www.HomeShowEvent.com for more details.

Have questions? We have the answers! Contact MBR Services, your trusted Chicago Community Heating and Air Conditioning Specialists, today at (708) 417-0725.

Aug 22
0

Preparing Your Heater for Fall in Chicago

By | Emergency Plumber, Heater Installation, Heater Repair, Indoor Air Quality, Residential Plumber | No Comments

Preparing your heater for Fall in ChicagoIt is important to have your heater serviced on a yearly basis. It will be easier in the fall to schedule a preventive maintenance appointment in between air conditioner season and heater season. If you wait to schedule a visit in the winter, you may go on a non-emergency waiting list. Waiting for winter to service your furnace puts you at risk of a furnace break down and becoming one of those people on the emergency list.

Technicians will not be nearly as busy or pressed for time like they are during peak times. Off peak season works to a customer’s advantage. There is often a variety of discounts offered if you have your furnace serviced in the fall. It is possible you will receive a more thorough furnace check-up since employees do not have to rush to get to the next job. Preventive maintenance potentially catches problems before major damage occurs.

Repairing minor problems early can avoid a major problem later and save homeowners money. Taking care of one furnace problem early can pay for having your furnace serviced for several years. People who skip having their furnaces serviced yearly can end up having to replace the furnace altogether. Each service company has their own way of doing things, but a furnace check-up is going to be similar from all companies.

A good technician will do several things. Almost everyone knows to change furnace filters on a regular basis, but the technician will check them for cleanliness anyway. You can expect them to check your thermostat for accuracy and proper operation. It is common to check all connections including gas and electric for looseness or leakage.
Technicians will tighten or replace them as needed.

Contractors will properly lubricate the moving parts on your furnace. Repair people will make sure any drainage pipes remain unclogged and operating freely. Included in a check-up is verifying the proper operation of motors, heat exchangers, burners, and capacitors. When the technician leaves, your furnace will be clean, serviced and ready to operate at its most efficient level when winter comes.

Need to have your heater cleaned, serviced and ready for the coming winter this year? Call MBR Services today at (708) 417-0725 to schedule a service call.

Aug 15
0

Negative Effects of Poor Indoor Air Quality in Your Chicago Home

By | Emergency Plumber, Indoor Air Quality, Residential Plumber | No Comments

Poor Indoor Air Quality in ChicagoPoor indoor air quality can affect the health of you and your loved ones. One of the main reasons poor indoor air quality occurs is because your air conditioner’s filter is too old, or there is too much dust buildup. Many may believe that dust is not an issue that you should be worried about, however it can cause serious damage to your lungs if it is present in your household. Breathing any type of material into your lungs can prove to show negative effects, which is why you should regularly change your air filter. Dust will not only collect inside your home, but it can cause lung problems for you and your loved ones. This is why it is imperative to have a professional come out and inspect the air quality in your home.

Indoor air quality can also be affected by the types of gases that are being omitted into your home. Air conditioning units contain a chemical known as Freon, which is a key ingredient in cooling the air. Although it may only occur rarely, Freon leaks can be dangerous to breathe in. Freon can pose danger to your lungs and skin. Freon contains no oxygen, and can take the place of air in the lungs. This renders air inside the home unable to be breathed. Freon also may damage the skin, since it is a coolant it can freeze the skin and pose serious health hazards.

Air vents and ducts are usually prone to attracting dirt and dust that the filter does not catch. Changing your filter every so often as well as cleaning out your air ducts periodically can help improve your indoor air quality and also prevent future issues, especially if you own any pets or if there is a presence of smoke. Ducts are subject to many unwanted items such as dust, dirt, and even various pests. Over time, waste will build up and affect the air quality of your home. It is important to hire a professional in the air conditioning field in order to learn how to improve the air quality inside your home. If you do not improve your air quality as soon as possible, you risk impacting your health significantly over time.

Looking to improve your indoor air quality this season? Contact MBR Services in Chicago today at (708) 417-0725.