Quick AnswerIce dams are caused by heat leaking from your house into the attic, which warms the roof enough to melt snow that refreezes at the colder eaves. The roof is the victim, not the cause. Sealing air leaks and topping up insulation is the lasting fix. For...
Quick Answer Furnace short cycling means your furnace shuts off before the house reaches the temperature on the thermostat. The usual culprits are a dirty filter, blocked airflow, a misplaced thermostat, or a furnace that is too big for the house. Start with the...
Quick AnswerThe ideal indoor humidity in winter is 30% to 45%, according to the EPA and most furnace manufacturers. Chicago homes often run well under that once the furnace kicks on for the season. Below 30%, dry air starts affecting your sinuses, your woodwork, and...
Quick AnswerChange a 1-inch furnace filter every 1 to 3 months, and look at it monthly during heating season. Thicker 4-inch and 5-inch media filters usually last 6 to 12 months. Pets, remodeling dust and a furnace running hard through a Chicago January all shorten...
Quick AnswerA furnace blowing cool air is often normal for the first minute, while the blower runs before the burners heat the exchanger. If the air never warms up, the usual causes are a thermostat set to FAN ON, a clogged filter, a dirty flame sensor, or a tripped...
Quick AnswerMost Chicago-area attics need R-49 to R-60, which is roughly 14 to 18 inches of blown-in fiberglass. The Department of Energy places our region in Climate Zone 5, where that range is the target for existing homes. Anything under about 8 inches is thin for...
