Renovating and remodeling can be stressful and expensive but what’s more stressful is discovering that all your hard work has caused more problems. For your HVAC system, this means that something like adding a window can affect its performance. Here are four ways your HVAC system is affected by modifications to your home.
Heat Gain and Loss
As mentioned above, adding a window will affect your HVAC system, specifically its ability to meet the heat gain and heat loss caused by this new window. Removing or blocking off windows or changing the wall construction in any way will affect the amount of heat your furnace has to add to keep the space comfortable. Even if you’re not adding floor space, consult with a professional to determine whether your system needs to be modified to handle extra energy loads.
Air Distribution
Once you remove or add walls to a space, you need to consider how much air is going where. It’s not just a matter of having a grille throwing air into a space. It needs to be the right amount and in the right location to serve that space. Otherwise, you risk hot and cold spots or areas with stagnant, stuffy air. Even if your heating and cooling loads remain the same, you need to look at your home’s modified layout to see if any changes need to be made to the air distribution system. This also applies to hydronic based systems where you may need to add or relocate radiators to maintain comfort in your space.
Ventilation
Modifications to your home’s layout or changes to a room’s purpose may require modification to your home’s ventilation system. It’s obvious that a new bathroom will need an exhaust fan but did you know that a storage room should also have its own ventilation? Depending on what you plan to use a space for, you may need to install an exhaust fan, remove existing ones or have an energy recovery ventilator (ERV) put in.
Combustion Air
If your remodeling includes any work to your furnace room or just outside (like an addition), you need to ensure that there is still enough combustion air available for your furnace. Otherwise, you run the risk of incomplete combustion, which produces carbon monoxide, putting you and your family at risk. Tightening up construction around your furnace can also cause this problem. Always be sure to talk to a professional if you’re working in this area.
If you have concerns about whether your plumbing is prepared for spring and the coming warmer weather, give us a call or schedule service online. Our trained and certified technicians are here to take care of springtime plumbing issues and any other plumbing problems you may have.
“Life hacks” are popular these days because most people are busy, overwhelmed and need shortcuts. Between work, taking care of kids, managing the house, getting enough sleep, exercise and healthy food, you need some relief. Fortunately, your HVAC system doesn’t need daily attention. It does, however, require maintenance and skipping or postponing these core items will cause more trouble than it’s worth.
Here are four HVAC shortcuts to avoid.
Not insulating ductwork
Having uninsulated ductwork can be acceptable for certain layouts or branches of ductwork. In most cases, however, the money you save on insulation will cost you in other ways. Your heating and cooling bills will go up due to the energy losses through uninsulated ducting. You also run the risk of condensate forming on the duct during summer, leading to water damage and the cost of those repairs.
Skipping filter replacements
Putting off your filter replacement might seem like a way to save time and money. In the short term, you may be right. However, your family’s health and well-being will suffer, your own productivity will be affected, and you will end up losing money anyway. How? Between sick days exacerbated by breathing in poor air and increased energy to run your furnace with a dirty filter, you’re better off taking the time and money to stay on top of regular filter replacements.
Leaving your thermostat at one temperature
“Set it and forget it” is a life hack that can apply to some aspects of your daily routine. Not so with your thermostat. You waste precious energy and money every time you walk out of a house that’s toasty warm in the winter and comfortably cool in the summer. Fortunately, a programmable or smart thermostat can help with that so this is one upgrade that will allow you to (almost) ignore your thermostat.
Overheating and overcooling
If you’re dealing with cold or hot spots in your home, you may decide to simply turn up the heat in winter or drop the temperature in the summer. This shortcut avoids dealing with the source of the problem. It might be acceptable while you wait for a solution, but it isn’t a solution itself. Save yourself the cost of wasted energy and an overworked HVAC system by having a professional assess and repair any issues causing cold and hot spots in your home.
If you have concerns about whether your plumbing is prepared for spring and the coming warmer weather, give us a call or schedule service online. Our trained and certified technicians are here to take care of springtime plumbing issues and any other plumbing problems you may have.
As Illinois temperatures drop, proper home winterization becomes crucial for preventing costly damage and keeping energy bills manageable. This complete guide walks you through how to winterize a house, from basic DIY tasks to jobs that require professional expertise.
When to Start Winterizing Your House
September and October are ideal for winter preparation in Illinois. Starting early ensures you can complete all necessary tasks before the first freeze, which often arrives earlier than expected in our region. Some tasks become difficult or impossible once temperatures drop below freezing.
Essential Steps to Winterize Your House
Protect Your Plumbing
Frozen pipes can cause catastrophic water damage. Start with these crucial steps:
- Disconnect and drain all outdoor hoses
- Install insulated covers on exterior faucets
- Identify and insulate exposed pipes in unheated areas
- Consider professional pipe insulation in hard-to-reach areas
Prepare Your Heating System
Your furnace becomes your home's most critical system during winter. Proper preparation includes:
- Replace or clean air filters
- Test your heating system before cold weather arrives
- Schedule professional inspection and maintenance
- Check all heating vents for blockages
- Seal any ductwork leaks
Seal Your Home's Envelope
Small gaps and poor insulation can increase heating bills significantly. Address these areas:
- Check windows and doors for drafts
- Seal gaps around pipes and utility entries
- Add weatherstripping where needed
- Inspect attic insulation levels
- Consider professional weatherization for the best results
Outdoor Preparation
Prevent winter damage to your home's exterior:
- Clean gutters thoroughly
- Trim tree branches near your house
- Clear leaves from yard drains
- Store outdoor furniture
- Shut down irrigation systems
When to Call a Professional for Winterize Home Service
While many winterization tasks are DIY-friendly, some require professional expertise:
Heating System Service
Annual professional maintenance prevents mid-winter breakdowns and ensures safe operation. Tiger Services provides comprehensive furnace inspections and tune-ups.
Complex Plumbing Protection
Professional pipe insulation in crawl spaces and other difficult areas helps prevent pipes from freezing and bursting.
Energy Efficiency Improvements
Professional weatherization can significantly reduce heating costs. Our technicians identify and seal energy-wasting gaps many homeowners miss.
Emergency Winterization Tips
If cold weather arrives before you've completed winterization:
- Keep faucets dripping in extreme cold
- Open cabinet doors under sinks
- Maintain consistent indoor temperature
- Contact professionals immediately for urgent heating system issues
Schedule Professional Winterization Help
Need help winterizing your house? Contact Tiger Services at (618) 484-9822. Our expert technicians serve Collinsville, Springfield, Bloomington, and Peoria with professional home winterization services.
