With bitter cold winters and frigid breezes blowing off Lake Michigan, reliable heating is necessary for every Chicago home. If you’re more familiar with forced-air heating, you may hesitate to buy or build a home with radiator heating. However, even though it’s less common in modern buildings, the warmth radiators give off simply cannot be matched. Here’s what to expect if you purchase a property in Chicago with radiator heating:
If you’re ready to enjoy the benefits of radiator heating for yourself, give us a call at 847-999-4595 to discuss your installation, repair, and maintenance options.
Hot water and steam are the two main methods of distributing heat in a radiator system. Both types of radiators connect to a boiler, which may be powered by electricity or natural gas.
In a hot water heating system, the boiler heats water and sends it through a circulating pump to the radiator. As the water flows through the coils, heat radiates into the room. Cool outgoing water flows back to the boiler to be reheated. The cycle continues for as long as the heat is on.
Here’s how to tell if you have a hot water heating system:
A steam heating system converts water into steam before sending it through the pipes toward the radiators. As the steam cools, it condenses back into water and returns to the boiler to be reheated.
Here’s how to tell if you have a steam heating system:
Electric boilers are less expensive upfront, easier to install, smaller in size, and require no natural gas line. If you have a small property, want to supplement another heating method, or don’t have a gas line, an electric boiler could be right for you.
Gas boilers are more energy-efficient, making them cheaper to operate. They also generate higher temperatures for faster, more powerful heating. If radiators are your main heat source, a gas boiler is probably the most cost-effective choice, especially if you live in a large house.
Now that you understand the different types of radiators available, you may be ready to install, repair, or maintain your system. Contact American Vintage Home to learn more.
All home heating systems require routine maintenance to remain in proper working order. Here are the yearly tasks we recommend to keep your boiler and radiator functioning as they should:
By keeping up with proper radiator maintenance, you can expect to enjoy these benefits:
The next time you need dependable radiator maintenance in the Chicago North Shore, call American Vintage Home at 847-999-4595.
While maintenance reduces the need for emergency repairs, wear and tear may eventually cause a boiler or radiator malfunction. Here are the most common reasons to schedule boiler repair:
It’s usually possible to repair a radiator heating system, but eventually, even the most robust equipment must be replaced. Watch for these signs you should replace your boiler:
If it’s time to repair or replace your radiator heating system, contact us to schedule an appointment today!
Are you looking for a reliable company to service your boiler and radiators? With decades of experience and a passion for vintage homes in the Chicago North Shore area, we are perfect for the job! We’ll make sure you stay warm and comfortable this winter and for many winters to come with our proven radiator installation, repair, and maintenance services.
Contact American Vintage Home online or call 847-999-4595 today to schedule a visit from one of our dedicated technicians.