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Why February Is the Most Expensive Month for Heating in Chicago (And How to Lower Your Bills)
Why February Heating Bills Are Highest in Chicago | HVAC Tips February heating bills are often the highest in Chicago. Learn why costs spike and how HVAC maintenance can help lower energy usage. February Heating Bills Hit Chicago Homeowners the Hardest If your gas bill feels painfully high in February, you’re not imagining it. February is typically the most expensive month for heating in Chicago due to a combination of extreme cold, longer run times, and furnace inefficiencie

Dave Planz
22 hours ago2 min read
Furnace Repair vs. Replacement: What Chicago Homeowners Should Consider in February
Furnace Repair vs Replacement in Chicago | February HVAC Guide Not sure whether to repair or replace your furnace this February? Learn what Chicago homeowners should consider before deciding. February Brings Tough HVAC Decisions When a furnace fails in February, Chicago homeowners often face a difficult question: repair the system or replace it entirely? With extreme cold, fast decisions are required, but understanding the right factors can save you money and stress in the lo

Dave Planz
22 hours ago2 min read
Is Your Furnace Ready for the Coldest Month in Chicago? February HVAC Tips
February Furnace Tips for Chicago Homes | Planz Heating February is the coldest month in Chicago. Learn how to keep your furnace running efficiently and avoid winter breakdowns. February Is the Ultimate Stress Test for Your Furnace In Chicago, February often brings the lowest temperatures of the year. Your furnace is under constant demand, and even well-maintained systems can struggle without proper care. Taking a few proactive steps can help your HVAC system run efficiently,

Dave Planz
22 hours ago2 min read
February Furnace Problems in Chicago: What Homeowners Need to Watch For
February Furnace Problems in Chicago | Planz Heating February is peak furnace season in Chicago. Learn the most common winter furnace problems and when to call a local HVAC professional. February Furnace Issues Are Common in Chicago Homes February is often the coldest month in Chicago, and that means furnaces are working overtime. By this point in winter, many systems have been running nonstop for months, which increases the risk of breakdowns, efficiency loss, and unexpected

Dave Planz
22 hours ago2 min read
Furnace Repair vs. Replacement in Chicago: What Makes Sense During Winter?
When a furnace starts malfunctioning during a Chicago winter, homeowners are often forced to make a quick decision between repair and replacement. With freezing temperatures outside, reliability becomes just as important as cost. Understanding when each option makes sense can help you avoid unnecessary expenses and discomfort. Furnace repair is usually the right choice when the system is relatively new and has not required frequent service in the past. If the furnace is under

Dave Planz
Dec 22, 20252 min read
Why Furnaces Fail in Chicago Winters (And How to Prevent Costly Repairs)
Furnace breakdowns in Chicago often feel sudden, but in most cases, they are the result of problems that have been building over time. Winter places extreme demand on heating systems, especially when temperatures stay low for weeks. Understanding why furnaces fail during Chicago winters can help homeowners prevent unexpected repairs and loss of heat. One of the most common causes of failure is constant run time. During severe cold, furnaces operate almost nonstop, which accel

Dave Planz
Dec 22, 20252 min read
Chicago Winter Heating Checklist: How to Keep Your Home Warm During Extreme Cold
Chicago winters put serious strain on home heating systems, especially during extended cold snaps and polar vortex conditions. When temperatures stay below freezing for days at a time, even small furnace issues can quickly turn into major problems. Preparing your heating system ahead of the coldest part of winter can make the difference between staying comfortable and dealing with an emergency breakdown. One of the most important steps is making sure your furnace has been ins

Dave Planz
Dec 22, 20252 min read
How Often Should You Service Your Furnace in Chicago? A Complete Winter Maintenance Guide
Chicago’s long, frigid winters mean furnaces here work significantly harder than in most parts of the country, often running 10 to 18 hours a day for months at a time. Because of this, regular maintenance isn’t just recommended—it’s essential for preventing breakdowns, reducing energy bills, and extending the lifespan of your system. Most manufacturers suggest annual furnace maintenance, but Chicago homeowners often benefit from having their system checked twice a year: once

Dave Planz
Dec 8, 20252 min read
Chicago Furnace Repair Guide: What to Do When Your Heat Stops Working
Few things are more stressful than a furnace that suddenly stops working during a Chicago winter. With temperatures frequently dropping into the single digits or below zero, losing heat isn’t just uncomfortable—it can quickly become dangerous. The good news is that many no-heat situations are caused by simple issues that can be identified and resolved with a few quick checks. In many cases, a furnace shutting off doesn’t mean the entire system has failed. In Chicago homes, ev

Dave Planz
Dec 8, 20252 min read
Why Your Furnace Isn’t Keeping Up in Chicago Winters — And How to Fix It
Chicago winters are some of the harshest in the country, and when temperatures drop into the teens or plunge below zero with windchill, even a well-maintained furnace is pushed to its limits. If your home still feels cold despite the thermostat being set high, it’s typically a sign that something inside your system is struggling. The long heating season in Chicagoland—often stretching from late October through early April—means furnaces here run longer and more frequently tha

Dave Planz
Dec 8, 20252 min read
How to Lower Your Heating Bill This Winter Without Replacing Your Furnace
Cold weather can make monthly heating bills climb quickly, but improving your home’s efficiency doesn’t always require replacing your furnace. In fact, several low-cost adjustments can significantly reduce energy usage without sacrificing comfort. One of the most effective changes is installing a programmable or smart thermostat. Because heating makes up a large portion of a home’s total energy use, a thermostat that automatically lowers temperatures while you are asleep or a

Dave Planz
Nov 13, 20252 min read
Why Your Furnace Is Blowing Cold Air (And How to Fix It Before Winter)
There’s nothing more frustrating than switching on your heat during the fall season only to have cold air blowing through your home. Before assuming something is seriously wrong, there are several common issues that may be causing it—and many are simple fixes. Sometimes, a furnace may blow cool air for the first 30 to 90 seconds of a heating cycle, which is completely normal. However, if the problem continues, the first thing to check is the thermostat. If the fan setting is

Dave Planz
Nov 13, 20252 min read
Top 7 Furnace Maintenance Tips Every Homeowner Should Do Before Winter
As temperatures begin to drop, your furnace quickly becomes the most important system in your home. A little preventative maintenance during the fall can save you from expensive repairs once freezing weather hits. The first and most essential step is replacing your furnace filter. A clean filter allows proper airflow, prevents your furnace from working harder than necessary, and helps keep your energy bills in check. During winter, filters should be replaced every 30 to 60 da

Dave Planz
Nov 13, 20252 min read
Why Regular HVAC Maintenance Saves You Money Year-Round
Most homeowners don’t think about their heating and cooling system until something goes wrong. Unfortunately, that approach can be...

Dave Planz
Sep 19, 20252 min read
7 Signs Your HVAC System Needs Repair (Before It Breaks Down)
Few things are more stressful than waking up on a frigid Chicago morning only to find that your furnace has stopped working—or losing air...

Dave Planz
Sep 19, 20252 min read
How to Choose the Right HVAC System for Your Chicago Home
When it comes to keeping your Chicago home comfortable, choosing the right HVAC system is one of the most important decisions you can...

Dave Planz
Sep 19, 20252 min read
Prepare Now for a Smooth Heating Season — Late Summer Furnace Prep in Villa Park
While it’s still warm outside, August and early September are actually the perfect time to prepare your furnace for the colder months...

Dave Planz
Aug 26, 20251 min read
End-of-Summer AC Problems? What Chicagoland Homeowners Should Watch For
As summer winds down, many Villa Park homeowners think they can ignore minor AC problems until next year. But the truth is, late-season...

Dave Planz
Aug 26, 20251 min read
Should You Replace Your AC or Wait Until Next Year? August Is the Best Time to Decide
If your air conditioner has been struggling this summer, you might be wondering if it’s worth replacing now or waiting until next year....

Dave Planz
Aug 15, 20251 min read
Late-Summer AC Tune-Ups: Why August Is Your Last Chance Before It’s Too Late
August in Villa Park still brings plenty of heat, but many homeowners forget that their air conditioner has already been working hard for...

Dave Planz
Aug 15, 20251 min read
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