By Jim Ellia on Aug 11, 2016 in Air Conditioning, Furnaces |

Your home’s HVAC system is one of the most complex systems within the house. If your current heating and air conditioning system is on its way out, or perhaps you’re just looking to upgrade to a more energy efficient system, it’s vital that you choose a reputable, experienced contractor who knows the ins and outs of all the components, from the electrical wiring to maximizing airflow through the ductwork. After all, this is an expensive purchase and your entire family’s comfort and safety is at stake! 5 Tips for Choosing a Heating and Air Conditioning Contractor Here’s how to start your research on local heating and air conditioning contractors to make sure you’re choosing the best company for your needs: Ask for referrals from people you trust. If any of your family members, friends or neighbors have recently had their HVAC system replaced, asking about their experience is a great place to start. Get some information about what type of system they have, how professional the team involved was, etc. Study up and check references. After you have a few heating and air conditioning contractors in mind, it’s time to start doing some research online. All candidates should have the correct licenses and certifications, be in good standing with the Better Business Bureau, and have decent reviews on Google or websites like Angie’s List. Ask the right questions. After you’ve narrowed down your list, start calling the heating and air conditioning contractors and conduct a brief interview. As if they can provide references, if they are licensed, bonded and properly insured, what brands they carry and if they have prior experience with your type of system in particular. Get some estimates. When gathering estimates, it’s important that the heating and air conditioning contractors provide them in person rather than over the phone. This allows them to inspect your current system and all the components, looking for air leaks, checking air flow and insulation. The estimate should be itemized so you can easily compare not only the cost, but also any warranties and the level of energy efficiency provided. Remember, it’s not always advisable to go with the lowest bid; this can mean higher costs in the long run if...

By Jim Ellia on Feb 8, 2016 in energy efficiency, Furnaces |

You might be getting ready to start thinking about spring, but here in Northeast Ohio, you know that winter can last well into April. Keeping your home comfortable throughout these colder months sometimes can be difficult if you haven’t taken the proper steps in winterizing your home before the snow started falling. However, it’s not too late to make some adjustments and get your home as cozy and warm as possible for the remainder of the winter. Winterizing Your Home – Steps You Can Take to Increase Comfort When the wind is howling outside and the temperatures are frigid, it’s time to hunker down inside with a movie and some hot chocolate, probably nestled under a blanket on your couch. If you forgot to take some time to winterize your home before those temps dropped, however, you might feel chilly inside no matter how many blankets you pile on! Here are the steps you need to take to winterize your home until those spring flowers start blooming: Seal up any leaks. Go around your home and feel for drafts around windows and doors. Add weather-stripping or plastic around windows and sliding glass doors you won’t be opening until it warms up outside. Even a small leak can affect your home’s energy efficiency by 5% to 30% as your furnace has to work that much harder to heat your home. Check your attic insulation. Making sure your attic is well-insulated is an easy way to increase your energy savings and stay warmer this winter. In fact, a properly insulated attic can save you up to 50% on your heating costs, according to the U.S. Department of Energy! If the insulation levels in your attic seem low, it’s time to increase it. Change your furnace filters. You should change your furnace filter every month, and this is very important to remember to do throughout the winter! A dirty filter will restrict the airflow and increase the energy your furnace needs to properly heat your home. Put ceiling fans on reverse. Did you know you should continue to use your ceiling fans throughout the winter? Keep them on low but make sure you reverse the direction of the blades. They should be...

By Jim Ellia on Jan 18, 2016 in Furnaces |

Although there are several different ways to heat your home, from boilers, radiant floor heaters and even ductless systems, the furnace remains the most popular home heating system to this day. However, even furnaces come in different options that run from various heating sources, with the two sources most often found in today’s homes being electricity and gas. Knowing what is best for your home will ensure your family’s comfort throughout the colder months. The Differences between Gas and Electric Furnaces The earliest modern furnaces used sources like wood or coal to heat our homes. Over time, furnaces became more efficient and cleaner, and began relying on natural gas, electricity or propane. Propane furnaces waned in popularity, as more homes converted over to gas. Nowadays, most homes choose between gas or electric furnaces when installing a new model. Both systems have various pros and cons, so be sure to consult a professional like Efficient Heating and Cooling when you’re replacing your furnace.  Here are some of the facts and the main differences between gas and electric furnaces: Gas furnaces: Gas furnaces combust natural gas to provide heat throughout the home. They transition heat into the air by using a metal chamber known as a heat exchanger, which warms the air from the using the heat from the metal. Gas is an affordable fuel option piped directly into the home. They tend to cost less to run than electric furnaces, as gas is a cheaper source of energy than electricity. Gas furnaces emit a high BTU to keep even the draftiest house warm. Not all homes are located near a gas main, which means installing a gas furnace is not an option for some homeowners. It’s important to note that gas furnace still requires electricity to run – both the blower fan and the ignition system require electricity. If you lose power, your furnace still will not run even with a gas furnace installed in your home. Electric furnaces: With regular maintenance, an electric furnace will last much longer than a gas furnace because they do not require combustion gas or vent exhaust. Electric furnaces use heating elements including electric coils that burn hot when heat runs through them. The...

By Jim Ellia on Jan 4, 2016 in Furnaces |

As a homeowner, buying a furnace can be one of the most expensive things you may have to do. However, if your furnace is more than twenty years old or isn’t functioning properly anymore, upgrading to a new, quality, energy-efficient furnace is important not only for your home’s value, but to improve your comfort levels and potentially lower your utility bills, too! Tips for Buying a Furnace When it’s time to buy a new furnace, make sure you do some research or contact the experts here at Efficient Heating and Cooling. We’re ready to help you make the purchase decision that’s right for you and your home. In general, here are a few things to keep in mind before buying a furnace: Get a professional opinion. As we mentioned, first and foremost, you should have a professional come and look at your current furnace if it isn’t working properly. It’s possible you only need some minor repairs instead of an entirely new system. However, if the problem is on a larger scale, like a cracked heat exchanger or just its age in general, an expert can give you the right advice for when it’s truly time to replace your furnace and also make recommendations. Know the type of system you need and your fuel source. If you don’t have a basement, crawl space or attic in your home where your furnace resides, you might need what’s called a packaged system, which contains both the heating and cooling components in one convenient outdoor unit. A split system, on the other hand, is what people more commonly think of when they picture a heating and cooling system; these have a condensing unit, furnace and coil that sit on top of your furnace. Plus, know the different options that are available whether you utilize gas, electric or oil heating. Pricing and size matter. The size of the unit and the actual furnace are what comprise the majority of the costs associated with replacing your heating and cooling system. You need to make sure the size of the unit is correct for your home to improve the overall comfort levels. A unit that is too big or too small will not heat your...

By Jim Ellia on Oct 5, 2015 in Furnaces |

It’s the time of year when many of us are closing up the windows and switching on our furnaces for the first time. When the temperature inside starts to dip down into the lower 60s, it can make for a very chilly situation, even if you’re dressed in layers and bundled up under a blanket on the couch. But what happens if you turn on your furnace and nothing happens? Is it time for a new furnace or a service call? Furnace Troubleshooting Tips Before you call in the professionals at Efficient Heating and Cooling, there are a few things you can try on your own in an attempt to get your furnace up and running. However, if at any point you don’t feel comfortable about what you’re doing, be sure to call us! Here are a few simple furnace troubleshooting tips to try out: Check the thermostat. The thermostat should be the first place you start. Make sure the thermostat is set to “heat”; while this may seem fairly obvious, it can be common for people to just simply have their thermostats incorrectly set. If it’s on and set to heat, try replacing the batteries as a weak battery could interfere with the messages it’s attempting to send to the furnace. Check the filter. A dirty filter can make it difficult for the heat to reach all the rooms in your home. Or, sometimes a clogged filter even can cause your HVAC system to overheat, and it will then shut down to avoid a fire. If the filter is full of dust and debris, it’s definitely time to change it out. Check the breakers and switches. Go to the breaker panel in your home and find the circuit that controls the furnace. It should be one of the larger switches on the board if it happens to not be labeled correctly. Switch the breaker all the way off, wait a few seconds, and then turn it back to the on position. Check the vents and intakes. Make sure that none of the vents or air intakes are blocked or covered, as this can prevent heat from reaching the room, as well as prevent the furnace from receiving air....

By Jim Ellia on Sep 8, 2015 in Furnaces |

Now that Labor Day has passed, it’s officially considered the fall season here in Northeast Ohio. People are getting ready for warmer clothes, pumpkin drinks and treats, and the beautiful colors of the changing leaves. It’s also time to start thinking about the fact that soon enough you’ll be firing up the furnace again! It seems hard to believe that these lovely warm days are about to turn frigid and icy, but winter will be here before we know it. Essential Fall Furnace Maintenance If your current furnace is more than ten years old, it’s recommended to get service from a professional company like Efficient Heating and Cooling before you really need to start using it. The last thing you want is to go to heat up the home on that first chilly night, only to have your furnace not turn on or blow out lukewarm air! Why else should you consider having fall furnace maintenance done? Well, here are just a few of the top reasons: Increase your home’s energy efficiency. Maintaining your HVAC system on an annual basis can help lower your energy bills and increase efficiency. In fact, annual furnace maintenance can reduce your home’s energy consumption by as much as 10%! Ensure consistent operation of your unit. Usually, your furnace will break down due to an issue that’s been not attended to previously. Help prevent a future breakdown and ensure your furnace operates consistently and reliably with a service check this fall. Keep your home cozy and comfortable. When your system is being properly maintained, not only will this help lower your energy bills, but your home will feel more comfortable overall. The system will warm your home effectively, just the way it should. Avoid exposure to carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide poisoning affects over 20,000 people every year, and 400 people in the United States die from it, usually while in their own homes. This is a big reason why your fall furnace maintenance is so important; a technician will check for cracks in the heat exchanger or flue pipes that might let deadly carbon monoxide into your home. Extend the life of your furnace. A new furnace is a large expense, and you want...