I saved up money for months so I could hire the Steam Whisperer to fix my steam boiler system after discovering him in an interview nerding out about steam heat in Chicago, and he did not disappoint! The original company that installed my boiler had no idea what they were doing and did a bunch of irrational things that were wearing down my heating system (and left me with an extremely oversized boiler, which I'm now stuck with). Dave creatively developed a plan for working with what is there to make some substantial improvements for the short and long term, and Matt and his helpers rebuilt some of the piping and added a valve to one of the radiators, and it's running much better now. They were both very generous and patient in answering my questions and explaining how things work, and Dave spent a long time mapping out the steam pipe network in the whole house so he wouldn't miss any details (that's how he figured out that one of the radiators upstairs was missing a valve) and I now understand my boiler system SO much better and am able to do the regular maintenance I should have been doing all along but didn't because I was scared to touch it. Having confidence that the critical systems in your home are in trusted hands is priceless. I'm really glad I decided to find a real expert and make this investment for my home, I truly sleep better for it. Highly recommend, 100% read more

Our heat went out during the first cold snap of the year when our landlord was out of town. I'm only a tenant in a three-story multi-unit building. After troubleshooting some with the landlord over the phone, he got a hold of Brad from The Steam Whisperer who tried troubleshooting some more with me over the phone. When all else failed, Brad came out around 11 or 12 PM on a Saturday, figured out the problem, and temporarily got our heat working for the night. He even checked in the following morning to see if it was still working, which it wasn't by then, and helped me get it working again over the phone. All-in-all, great and fast customer service. I can't speak to the cost as a tenant, but I can imagine it's worth it. read more

Steam Whisperer is capable of understanding the underlying problem causing issues with a boiler. Further, Dave Bunnell, the owner, is honest about doing what is needed to fix a problem. His company does not add on unneeded equipment, like many steam boiler companies do. The staff are always polite and capable. Our boiler had been poorly maintained for years. They cleaned it out, breaking the boiler down instead of merely flushing it with chemicals. Steam Whisperer was, most importantly for us, able to install vents on the returns in the proper quantity and with proper placement. Most companies do not have the knowledge to do this. read more

Brad and his colleagues were able to pin point, in a matter of minutes, a heating issue in my unit that had stumped everyone else. The Steam Whisperer has in depth knowledge that other companies, who have serviced our building in the past, have lacked. In addition, The Steam Whisperer is trustworthy and exceedingly professional. Very grateful! read more

Dave and his business partner (Brad's heating) installed a boiler in our building that failed after two years and nothing was done to stand behind the work. They went so far as to blame our association for a boiler that was improperly installed and was, per opinions from other contractors, undersized for our building. read more

Just woke up from my first night of uninterrupted winter sleep in over twelve years. Yesterday, in about 30min and on the first try, Matt from The Steam Whisperer ceased the radiator water hammer that's plagued our lives - our entire side of the building's lives, in fact - since moving in. I say this because there's been several other attempts by other techs at other companies over the years, and none of them had more than a clue. Matt had more than a clue. Matt actually understands this mystery called steam heating, and what levers to pull to fix specific problems. After the job was done, he also out of curiosity wanted to see the boiler room as he noted with his steam whisperer ears that it sounded like there was a lot of water in the system (loud hissing/sloshy). He quickly pointed out a few details in the boiler setup and explained how they could be tweaked to solve those noises & further optimize our building's heating, if we wanted to do so someday. But with science, not salesmanship. They are not surprisingly very busy folks. Get in the queue - it will be worth the wait, and done right the first time. read more

Supremely disappointed. Guy sounds like he know the business. What he doesn't know is ethics and doesn't have an ounce of integrity. We purchased a boiler for 40k. FOURTY THOUSAND DOLLARS. It failed after 2 years. Steam Whisperer is no where. No response for weeks. No accountability. No nothing. Instead he sent us an invoice. It's comical. Do yourself a favor and look elsewhere. This company is seriously the pits. The most illogical, unethical, unacceptable and disingenuous company ever. Astounding, to say the least. Steer clear. Bad news at every turn read more

Regularly use these guys. Always kind and willing to problem solve an old system on a 100 year old house. Also, they have taught me how to clean it and problem solve myself, which is even better. They come out once a year to tweak our radiators and help us get rid of all the creepy sounds. :) read more

Might be great for either small problems or really large companies. Not ideal for the in between. I called for a consultation and received a call back within a day or two. Dave came out to my house to give me a...rather lengthy but very expensive overview of what needed to be done. Given his expertise in the field I was willing to pay. The stars above are strictly for his thorough write up. I had to knock 3 stars off because the prices quoted to do any of the work were super unreasonable. I'm talking about the most basic things that would take minutes were priced at 3 figures. Now being a new home owner, I was originally unaware that these prices were not normal. However, after speaking with more than a few plumbers I found out I was being taken for a ride. Glad I got off before we got too far along. read more

Fantastic work. After trying and failing with two other companies, I turned to The Steam Whisperer. Not only did they fix the problems I had, they fixed one I didn't know I had (something a previous company had screwed up). These guys are responsive, show up when they say they're going to, and are efficient. Of the three companies I tried, they're the only ones who charge you just to show up, but they're also the only company that fixed my problem so I guess you get what you pay for. As far as I'm concerned, they're the only heating company I'll use from here on out. read more

After trying two other heating companies, I switched to the Steam Whisperer six years ago and am so glad I did. The two other companies sent out guys who seemed to either know a very minimal amount or nothing at all about steam heat. in contrast, the Steam Whisperer workers are very knowledgeable, experienced professionals in steam heat. They have fixed a couple of problems but also come every year to clean the boiler. Their annual clean and maintenance routine is way more extensive than the other companies. They also are very good at educating me about steam heat and what maintenance I need to do. This last Wednesday before Thanksgiving, the boiler was not igniting properly. I called and left a message thinking that there was no way anyone would come out the day before a major holiday but they did. The worker stopped by after his last appointment, identified the problem, and was able to fix it quickly. I'm so thankful and grateful that they saved us from a cold Thanksgiving! They are an A+++ company. read more

I can't believe this guy only has two reviews. So we live in a vintage condo in the city. Steam heat. Clanging pipes and a whole lot of leakage...so much so that it was hard to sleep at night if the radiators got going all hot and heavy. That was Problem 1. Problem 2 was having a radiator that was too big to fit into a corner post-kitchen reno - (yeah, all that talk about measure twice and cut once? all true, kids). Our kitchen-reno guy basically shrugged his shoulders and said sorry, it won't fit. You'll have to get a new radiator or live without. We hemmed a lot and hawed for a whole year before biting the the bullet and calling in the experts. This was right before the abominable Chicago-polar-vortex winterpocalypse of 2014 -- not sure we would've survived without getting our heat in the kitchen fixed -- that said -- the Steam Whisperer came in, had a look, futzed about for a couple of hours with some pipe fittings (ok, maybe a few hours), and got it done. I can't say enough about those three words. Got. It. Done. TLDR: Efficient, worth-the-money, great if you have steam radiators that need fixin'. read more

Just wow. I love the Steam Whisperer! I requested service to deal with some radiator and piping issues in my condo. Matt arrived on time, and after I described the piping problem (that I was worried would prevent completing the radiator work) he let me know that he thought he could fix it in less than two hours. This shocked me, given the number and time estimates I'd gotten from a competitor. Sure enough, 2.5 hrs later (extra time was the result of an unanticipated double thickness for a brick that needed removal) he was on to the radiator problems. He cracked those out quickly and was done! Sweet guy, did great work! I've found my new go-to for steam heating issues! (edited to fix tech name- put in name from a rehab project originally) read more

I am absolutely pleased with the Steam Whisperer. Look - steam heat is almost a dead art. Dave from the Steam Whisperer has kept this art alive and knows exactly how to balance a steam system. His philosophy matches that of Dan Holohan (the "big wig" of steam systems). You will NOT be disappointed by this company. Matt has done much of the work for our church, as well as Brad (top-notch guy) and Marcus. I have NEVER been disappointed. Price-wise - you get what you pay for. They might not be the cheapest folks in town, but they WILL get your issue(s) resolved and they will do it the right way. Don't call anyone else. read more

I was fortunate to meet Dave at a steam heat seminar late last year, that he was presenting. I was impressed with his knowledge of steam boilers, repair and maintenance. I knew I needed a professional and I was very worried about finding the right person. I did contact Dave and he provided an inspection that exposed a few more problems that I was not aware of. He provided a detailed report of what was needed to repair and the maintenance that should be done. I hired the Steam Whisperer to do the work. The work was even completed around my schedule. The cost was a concern in the beginning but after the work was done I was very happy with the cost. Matt was the plumber that actually did the work. He is a hard worker, dedicated to getting the job done, a professional and a good guy. I would highly recommend the Steam Whisperer to anybody without hesitation. Steve B. Chicago northside read more

Seemingly the only hvac pro that I called that actually worked on radiators. It took a few days for them to get back to me after requesting a quote on here, but once they set up an appointment they were prompt and addressed the problem very well. They were knowledgeable, efficient, and friendly. I would recommend them. read more

For a large facility, the Steam Whisper, failed to find a few simple localized solutions (which we later found) and instead had us implement grand plans which cost us a tremendous amount of money. As an fellow steam pipe expert said, that guy is a 'smooth talker' but he doesn't solve the problem. read more

I called The Steam Whisperer about repairing my boiler. I called sometime before New Years and left a message. They called me back, the day after New Years, to tell me they didn't work on water systems, only steam. I really appreciate that they went out of their way to call me back. That was so courteous. I wish I had a steam system just so I could patronize this company. I am so impressed by their professional manner. read more

This review is intended as a public service. Do not do what I did. 1.When you call, ask if you are responsible for paying for "parking search time." It didn't occur to me to do so. I found out when I read the contract that was presented to me after the repairs were made. Maybe meet the guy at the curb to help with the search. 2. Do not let the guy into your unit so that he could look it over and then go back down to turn off the boiler. His boss told me that is required so his worker had to know that as well. Ten minutes for this. 3. Don't listen to a 10 minute ad for what he described as an evaluation of the building's system conducted by the owner. "He's expensive, but worth it." 4. He said he had to move his car because he was afraid it might get "kinked up" in some way. That took 15 minutes. It is his version of "I have to go get my tools from my truck." 5. I told him I have plenty of washers. He declined. Red flag.He slid no more than15 washers under the legs of a radiator. In parting, he said that he "didn't charge me for the washers." Washers of the size cost 8 cents or less. Gee, thanks. 6. Do not show any sympathy when you are told "it's tough to get the old valve off." Ten minutes. 7. If you have vents, insist on using them. He was actually crestfallen when he saw that I had one already. 8. He told me that they do not do jobs in their area (Beverly?) because the people do not pay their bills. I took the bait and said that I think that is wrong, etc. 9. Never, never sign a contract once the job is finished. Ignore the "Aw shucks, ma'am, I forgot" schtick. I looked at the hours he logged and did not challenge them because he said that he "would leave all that to his boss." BIG MISTAKE. 10. When I received the bill I called and the owner was not interested in anything I had to say. I told him that my recollection was a base charge was $40. He said it was $80 and used my signature as evidence that I agreed. Never mind that the contract was presented after the service was completed. I subtracted the $40. but actually paid the remainder of totaling just over $600. I have told many many people in the maintenance and home sales business about this. Some actually asked "And after you talked to the owner, he made it right?" There is no way that this guy was going to negotiate. I kept my notes which is why I have the details. Now, if you think that is a fair price for someone to replace a valve on one radiator, screw in three vents and provide some washers at no cost, then this is the company for you. I am glad that it worked well for others. Misery does not always like company. Friends think that Yelp provides feedback to consumers as a public service. And so I have. I wish that there was a common-sense handbook out there that would help us dodge some of this. I know that they will pad the bill in other ways, but at least I would not feel so disappointed and naive. As for me, building manager said I should have shaved $200.00 off the bill. My bad. read more

Brad and the Steam Whisperer team were very responsive, knowledgeable and professional. They were able to get someone out to repair our boiler the same day. In addition to quickly identifying and fixing the issue, Brad took the time to teach me about the system we have (how to light the pilot, what pressure the system should be at, etc.). We have an old system and have had a number of other heating companies out to look at our boiler since we moved to our home, The Steam Whisperer is the first company that seemed to fully understand the system. I highly recommend them and will definitely hire them for any future heating needs we have. read more

Dave is the best. He understands steam systems inside and out. You'll get work done and other contractors and appraisers will be complimenting your boiler forever. read more

If you have steam heat you must call The Steam Whisperer. After having work done on our system thru a subcontracter (who totally messed it up) we had 4 "experts" on steam heat come out to assess our problems (e.g. no heat in various rooms and lots of banging etc). Some clearly had no idea what was wrong and the others suggested a wide variety of fixes and couldn't promise it would help. Then I happened to see an ad about Dave the owner of The Steam Whisperer. He has now been out here and the heat is almost all working. He does charge to come and do an evaluation, unlike other companies, but he really knows his stuff. He spoke to my husband several times on the phone to consult about how things were going, and was the only person who recognized the problems (there were many) and knew what to do. He confirmed that dispite what the contractors told us, the way the system was configured, it could never have worked! I highly recommend him for any steam heat issues! read more