Frequently Asked Questions by Our Customers
Bartlett Heating and Air response. It depends on maintenance. The average furnace In Illinois with regular maintenance typically lasts 15-18 years. Lack of regular maintenance will decrease that average quickly.
Bartlett Heating and Air response. Typically, if the ac unit is out of manufactures warranty and is over the age of 15 years old or if the repair is over 25% of a new air conditioner. Replace the AC due to the condition of the air conditioner based on the technician’s findings. Replace the AC if the technician feels the air conditioner is not worth repairing based on the condition it is in.
Bartlett Heating and Air response. Heat pumps are starting to make their way up north from typically starting in the south regions where natural gas lines are not around, and heat load is not bad. Heat pumps are good to go down to below 30 degrees on average. Natural gas furnaces will kick in once the heat pump can’t keep up. Depending on rebates, heat pumps are typically more money and can be more to repair. Upfront costs on heat pumps and heat load of Illinois are the common reasons that keep customers from purchasing in Illinois. Some customers choose to do a combination of forced natural gas furnace and a heat pump system, and that is an option. We would recommend talking to the technician about that, your house and your needs. Every set up is a little different, and the technician can help guide you on the best decision for you and your family.
Bartlett Heating and Air Response. The furnace could be dirty, a part could of went bad or is starting to go bad. Our recommendation before you call us is to check all breakers and check the filters. Furnaces have a lot of sensors and moving parts. If breakers are ok and the filter is clean, we recommend you call us if the furnace is still not operating.
Bartlett Heating and Air Response. When your air conditioner is not working, we always recommend checking the breakers and checking the filters. If the air conditioner is still not running, we recommend you call us. The air conditioner could be overheating due to age, being dirty or a part could be going bad.
Bartlett Heating and Air Response. The manufactures recommend yearly maintenance on the furnace and air conditioner. We recommend here at Bartlett Heating and Air that you clean the furnace in the fall and the air conditioner in the spring. Filters should be changed regularly between these checkups and cleanings.
Bartlett Heating and Air Response. This is a difficult question to answer. The cost depends on the size of the house and the type of furnace the customer has. Every installation is a little different. We have so many different types of furnaces and sizes. You can get a single stage 80% or you can go all the way to a 2-stage variable high efficiency 97% furnace. We would recommend that you have a service tech go over all these options with you. Depending on your family’s needs and your set up will dictate your costs.
Bartlett Heating and Air Response. Ultimately, this is a personal choice that depends on your comfort level and your budget. The average customer in Chicago keeps their furnace temperate between 68-71 in Chicago in the winter. We don’t recommend you set furnace over 78 degrees in the winter because that can overheat the furnace and break it.
Bartlett Heating and Air Response. Changing your filters regularly is the best way to keep indoor air quality good. We recommend changing your filters every 30 days. We do not recommend filters over a MERV 10. The MERV rating of a filter can be found on the side of every filter. MERV 1 being the thinnest and cheapest filter letting the best air flow through but not the best for allergies and dirt. MERV 6 is the best of both worlds, checking all the boxes of cleaning the dirt and allergens and letting air through. Once we go over a MERV 10, we can really restrict air flow on the equipment, raise energy costs, and possibly break the furnace or air conditioner.
Bartlett Heating and Air Response. Hardware stores that sell filters will always sell materials that make them the most money. If they can sell you a $6 filter or a $20 filter, which one do you think they will sell you? Yes, the $20 filter. They are not in charge of your furnace maintenance; they are in charge of making money and selling products. Always ask Bartlett Heating and Air Conditioning which filters we would recommend.
