FAQ

Have a question about your home's heating, cooling, electrical, plumbing, or air quality? Chances are you are not the first to ask.

General Questions

Yes. A.W.E. is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for heating, cooling, electrical, and plumbing emergencies throughout West Chicago and DuPage County. Call (630) 283-6225 any time and a member of our team will assist you.

Our technicians diagnose the issue, explain what they found, and provide you with a clear cost for the recommended work before anything begins. You decide how to proceed with full knowledge of the price. There are no hidden fees and no surprises on the invoice.

Air Conditioning

Spring, before the cooling season begins. Scheduling early ensures your system is ready to perform when temperatures climb and gives our team the scheduling flexibility to get you in quickly before the busy season fills up.

A breaker that trips repeatedly when the AC runs usually indicates the unit is drawing more current than the circuit is rated for, which can be caused by a failing capacitor, a dirty condenser coil, a refrigerant issue, or a compressor that is beginning to wear out. This is worth having diagnosed promptly rather than continuing to reset the breaker.

Most central AC systems have a lifespan of fifteen to twenty years with proper annual maintenance. Systems that are not regularly serviced tend to wear out sooner. If your system is approaching that range and requiring repairs, a replacement conversation is worth having.

Continuous running without reaching the set temperature usually points to low refrigerant from a leak, a dirty condenser coil reducing heat transfer, or a system that is undersized for the home. Each of these requires a different fix, which is why a proper diagnostic visit matters before any work is done.

Heating

Once a year is the standard recommendation, ideally in the fall before the heating season begins. Annual maintenance keeps your furnace running efficiently, extends its lifespan, and gives a licensed technician the opportunity to catch developing issues before they become breakdowns.

Age and repair history are the two most reliable indicators. A furnace under fifteen years old with a straightforward repair is usually worth fixing. One that is older, has needed repeated repairs, or has a cracked heat exchanger is often a stronger replacement candidate. Our technicians will give you an honest assessment of both options.

The most common causes are a dirty air filter restricting airflow, a faulty igniter or flame sensor, a malfunctioning thermostat, or a heat exchanger issue. A professional diagnostic visit is the most reliable way to identify the specific cause and address it correctly.

A brief click when the igniter fires is normal. A loud bang or boom at startup is not, and often indicates delayed ignition where gas accumulates before lighting. This puts stress on the heat exchanger over time and should be evaluated by a licensed technician sooner rather than later.

Plumbing

Whole-home pressure loss is often caused by a failing pressure reducing valve, a partially closed main shut-off, mineral buildup inside aging pipes, or a leak somewhere in the supply line. A sudden drop warrants a prompt call, as it can indicate an active leak.

Shut off all water-using fixtures and appliances, then check whether your water meter is still moving. If it is, water is escaping somewhere in the system. Other indicators include unexplained increases in your water bill, warm spots on the floor, musty odors, and wall or ceiling discoloration without an obvious source.

Recurring clogs in the same location usually point to a structural issue rather than a simple obstruction, such as a low spot in the pipe, a joint offset, or persistent grease buildup on the pipe walls that was not fully cleared during previous service visits. A camera inspection is the most reliable way to identify the underlying cause.

Recurring leaks in different locations, persistent low water pressure, discolored water, or a home with original galvanized steel or polybutylene supply lines are all signs that repiping may be the more practical long-term solution compared to continued spot repairs. Our plumbers can assess your system and give you an honest recommendation.

Electrical

Signs include breakers that trip frequently under normal loads, a panel that feels warm to the touch, a fuse box rather than a breaker panel, or a home with 100-amp service that now supports a modern electrical load. If your panel is a Federal Pacific Electric or Zinsco brand, an evaluation by a licensed electrician is worth scheduling regardless of whether you are currently experiencing problems.

The most common explanation is a tripped GFCI outlet somewhere else on the same circuit. Check bathrooms, the kitchen, the garage, and outdoor outlets for a GFCI with a tripped reset button and press it firmly. If that does not restore power, a loose connection or wiring fault is the likely culprit.

No. Buzzing or flickering from a switch can indicate a loose connection, a failing switch, or a wiring issue in the circuit. These conditions can generate heat inside the wall over time. A licensed electrician can diagnose the source quickly and address it before it becomes a more serious problem.

Most electrical projects beyond basic device replacements require a permit and inspection in Illinois. This includes new circuit installations, panel upgrades, and rewiring projects. A.W.E. handles the permitting process on your behalf so your work is properly documented, code-compliant, and protected when it comes time to sell your home.