By Jim Ellia on Jan 8, 2018 in energy efficiency, Residential |

You know the phrase: new year, new you. The start of a new year represents a perfect time to create some goals designed to improve your life in some way, whether it’s to work out regularly, eat more vegetables, or spend more time with family and friends. However, while you’re making this year’s resolutions, don’t forget about one more important aspect of your life – your home. 5 New Year’s Resolutions for Your Home – and How to Keep Them Home is where the heart is, and you and your family deserve a comfortable, clean and healthy space to live your lives. That’s why one of the top New Year’s resolutions is to get the home organized and tidy. Additionally, we recommend making sure your household is running as smoothly and as efficiently as possible. Here are 5 achievable goals you can set for your home this year: Get rid of the clutter. Did you know that clutter can actually add to the stress in your life? It’s true! Clutter can overwhelm and overstimulate your mind, as your brain has to work extra hard to process everything it’s seeing. It’s time to downsize some of your belongings. Start with items you know you don’t use or need regularly. Then stick to the rule where for every new thing you bring into your home, you must purge one item. Conduct an energy audit. When your home isn’t energy efficient, you’re simply paying too much on your monthly energy bill. Start by swapping out old incandescent light bulbs for LEDs or CFLs. Secondly, check your windows and doors for drafts and make sure to seal them up using caulk and weatherstripping. Just a few small steps can result in a major monthly savings. For bigger savings, it could be time to upgrade your HVAC system or your appliances this year. Organize your storage spaces. Make it a goal to go through one storage space every month, whether it’s the junk drawer in the kitchen, the coat closet, or the basement shelves. Get rid of broken items, donate extra items or things you no longer use, and arrange the spaces in a way that makes sense. For instance, combining all hats, scarves...

By Jim Ellia on Dec 18, 2017 in Humidity |

Throughout the chilly winter months, you might notice the air inside your home seems much drier than normal as your furnace constantly works to keep everyone warm and cozy. This dry air can lead to a variety of problems, like itchy, dry skin, irritated sinuses and more instances of the flu or common cold in your household. The good news is that having a furnace is equipped with a humidifier can help keep the relative humidity levels constant, closer to the recommended 30 to 50 percent. Home Humidifier Problems – and How to Fix Them If your humidifier isn’t working properly, you’ll probably notice right away. When in doubt, it’s always better to call in the professionals to take a look, but here are five of the most common home humidifier problems and some troubleshooting tips to keep in mind: The humidifier is noisy. If your home humidifier is making more noise lately, it could be the fan motor bearings. Consult the manual for proper care and lubricate the bearings. Or, you might need to replace it altogether. It’s normal, however, to hear some water sloshing around or to hear the fan spinning as the humidifier works. A leaky home humidifier. First, check for the source of the leak. The humidifier is connected to your home’s water supply, so inspect all the connections to make sure all the tubes, valves and hoses are attached tightly. The plastic hoses can break down over time, so see if any components need replaced. Disconnect the power and check the reservoir, too, emptying it if necessary. The humidifier isn’t working effectively. If your home humidifier isn’t increasing the relative humidity levels to that recommended 30 to 50 percent, it’s possible it’s not the right size for your home. First, consult the manual for the specifications. If that’s not the problem, make sure all the doors and windows in your home are tightly closed, as well as the fireplace damper if you have one. Also, check to see if there’s anything blocking the humidifier, like drapery. You can also try disconnecting the power and cleaning the unit according to the manual. There’s a strange odor coming from the humidifier. This could be a sign...

By Jim Ellia on Dec 4, 2017 in Heat Pump |

During certain weather conditions, it’s normal for the coils of your heat pump to be covered in a light frost, or even ice over. Throughout the winter in particular, it’s common for heat pumps to ice-up. However, if the entire unit, including the coils and the top of the unit, are covered in thicker ice, this could be a sign of a problem. To make sure you’re keeping your home as energy-efficient as possible and to avoid any major damage to your HVAC system, it’s important to address this issue as soon as possible. Troubleshooting Tips for Freezing Heat Pumps As the heat pump generates heat, the refrigerant turns into gas form as it reaches the outdoor coil. As it condenses and releases moisture, a defrost component helps melt the moisture if it freezes. However, if there’s some sort of malfunction, ice can build up on the coil much thicker than it should. This is why if you have a heat pump, it’s important to inspect the unit throughout the winter so you can watch out for ice building up on the coils or other components. Here are a few troubleshooting tips you can try to ensure your heat pump does not freeze up this winter: Replace dirty or clogged filters. Dirty filters can restrict the airflow to the coils, so make sure to check the filter regularly. If it’s seen better days, it’s time to replace it. In fact, make a reminder on your calendar to replace the air filter on a monthly basis to keep everything working efficiently. Unblock indoor air registers. If furniture, drapery, doors or carpeting is blocking any of the registers in your home, this could also decrease the airflow to the coils and cause ice to build up. This winter, check around the house to ensure all registers are exposed as they should be. Repair dripping gutters. If your unit is located beneath gutters, make sure there are no leaks dripping down onto the outdoor unit and causing ice to accumulate. Inspect the gutters near your unit regularly and promptly fix any issues. Clear the area around the unit. Keep the outdoor unit free of snow, leaves, dirt, twigs, and any other type...

By Jim Ellia on Nov 20, 2017 in Furnaces |

When the temperatures drop, the thermostats in many northeast Ohio homes start to get cranked up. However, if over the past few winters you’ve noticed your utility bills getting more and more outrageous, or that there’s certain areas of your home that never seem to get warm enough, there are a few things you can do before winter rears its ugly head to ensure you’re ready for the cold months ahead. How to Winterize Your Home Ensure your family’s comfort this winter and save on your energy bills. Here are a few of the best ways to winterize your home this season: Schedule a furnace tune-up. Before the first snowstorm hits, make an appointment for your annual furnace maintenance check. The last thing you want is to be stuck inside during a blizzard and have your furnace fail on you. The technician will inspect all the components and your thermostat, lubricate motors and bearings, tighten up electrical connections and more. Also, make sure you use the change in seasons as a reminder to change your furnace filter! Weatherproof your plumbing. The harsh winter weather and frigid temperatures can easily cause pipes to freeze, and when they thaw you’ll have a real mess on your hands as they burst. Shut off the supply to any outside water lines and drain them. You can also cover outside spigots with insulated coverings to further protect them from the elements. Swap out the screen door. Simply installing a storm door over the winter can decrease your energy bills by up to 45 percent. Storm doors help seal up drafts and reducing the flow of cold air into your home. Just make sure to look for energy-efficient models. Cover the windows with plastic. Window insulation kits are fairly inexpensive, and once you’ve properly installed it you can barely even tell it’s there. These kits provide a good barrier against those drafty winds that creep in through those old windows. Speaking of old windows, you might want to consider starting to save your money to upgrade to new, more efficient windows in time for next winter. Install weather-stripping and/or caulking. Even those small leaks in your windows, doors or any other tiny cracks can increase...

By Jim Ellia on Nov 6, 2017 in energy efficiency |

Did you remember to set your clocks back this weekend? Daylight savings ended early yesterday morning, so you’ll now notice a much darker sky earlier in the late afternoon/evening. And, this means when you’ll be getting home from work you’ll be flipping those light switches right away to see your way around without bumping into furniture or stepping on your cat. If you’re still using some of those old, incandescent light bulbs, it’s time to consider swapping them out to more energy-efficient options. In fact, according to Energy.gov more than 70 percent of homes in the country are still using inefficient bulbs, and 5 percent of the average household’s energy budget is dedicated to lighting. By making the switch to energy-efficient options like halogen incandescent, compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) or LED lightbulbs, you might notice a saving of as much as 75 dollars a year! As an added bonus, you’ll be reducing your carbon footprint and helping the environment. Top Options for Energy-Efficient Lighting Since 2012, traditional incandescent lightbulbs have been phased out and replaced with more energy-efficient choices. Let’s take a look at each of the energy-efficient lightbulb options available today that will help save you some money on your monthly energy bill: Halogen Incandescent Lightbulbs Halogen incandescent bulbs are more energy-efficient than the traditional incandescent bulb, but of the energy-efficient lighting options, they actually only meet the federal minimum energy efficient standards. Available in a wide variety of colors and sizes, they contain a capsule that holds gas around a filament to increase bulb efficiency. Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) You know those long tube lightbulbs you may have in your office building? CFLs are smaller, curly versions of those. They’re a little pricier than the traditional incandescent bulbs, but after about nine months you’ll have saved enough on your energy bill for them to have paid for themselves, and they’ll also last ten times longer than your old bulbs. And then the real savings kicks in. Compared to halogen incandescent bulbs, CFLs save around a third of the energy of those. LED Lightbulbs Light-emitting diodes, or LEDs as they’re much more commonly known as, use only about 20-25 percent of the energy of a traditional incandescent bulb...

By Jim Ellia on Oct 23, 2017 in Indoor Air Quality |

Now that fall is here and there’s a chill in the air, you’ve probably already resigned yourself to the fact that your windows and doors will be closed up tight for the next several months. While this keeps your home cozy and warm throughout the cold Cleveland winters, it also can have a slightly detrimental effect on your and your family’s health. Why? Well, airing out your house by opening the doors and windows provides a chance to lower concentrations of any toxic chemicals, carbon dioxide and any other “bad stuff” to escape out into the great wide open. Improving Indoor Air Quality in Your Home Don’t despair! There are still a few things you can do throughout the fall and winter to ensure the indoor air quality of your home is the best it can be. Your options include: Purchase a better vacuum. If your current vacuum tends to spit out more dust and dirt than it picks up, it’s time to invest in a new one. There are plenty of affordable vacuum cleaners on the market today that include a HEPA air filter, stronger suction, and faster rotating brushes to make sure you’re getting rid of as much grime on your floors – and thus, keeping it out of the air – as possible. Make sure to use the attachment brush from time to time to clean moldings, walls and carpet edges. Ditch the synthetic air fresheners. Those plug-in air fresheners do make your home smell lovely, but some of them contain synthetic fragrances that can emit harmful chemicals into the air. In fact, one study revealed that some popular air fresheners release as much as 100 volatile organic chemicals into the air in your home! The same goes for some candles, or even cleaning products and detergents. Look for natural or fragrance-free cleaning options. And, if you’re looking for a way to make your home smell nice, try simmering some cinnamon, cloves and apples on your stove. Let plants go to work. One of the simplest ways to improve indoor air quality? Pick up some houseplants and let them naturally purify the air in your home. For example, Bamboo Palms are highly effective at removing chemical...

By Jim Ellia on Oct 9, 2017 in Thermostats |

Fall is here, and each day is getting a little bit shorter than the last. You’ve probably also noticed a certain crispness in the air; the true hallmark of the season. While you’re layering up your wardrobe and enjoying pumpkin-flavored everything, you also may be tempted to crank up the heat on those chilly nights. Before you do, you should make sure you know you to properly set your thermostat to save some money on your energy bills the colder the weather gets. 5 Tips to Get the Most out of Your Programmable Thermostat The U.S. Department of Energy reports that the average American home will spend the majority of their energy bills on heating costs. In fact, 42 percent of your home’s energy usage goes towards heat! This is why it’s so important to make sure you’re really getting the most out of your programmable thermostat to help lower some of those costs. Ready to save some money this fall? Here are five ways to utilize your programmable thermostat to the fullest extent: Find the most comfortable setting for your family. When fall first arrives, you’ll probably want to immediately turn up the heat so your house feels warm and cozy. However, remember that it will just take a little time for your body to adjust to the cooler temperatures. The U.S. Department of Energy’s recommended setting for heat is 68 degrees. Although this might seem chilly after the long, hot summer, your family should get used to this temperature inside in no time. Turn the heat down at night. Lowering the temperature in the home by 10 to 15 degrees at night can help you save up to 15 percent on your energy bills. You’re all snuggled in under the covers anyway, and while you’re sleeping you won’t even notice the change in temperature. Set the heat lower when no one is home. Likewise, adjust your programmable thermostat settings to reduce the temperature throughout the day while you’re at work and the kids are at school. You can program it to start warming the home at least an hour before everyone returns for the day. Replace the batteries. Use the change in seasons as a reminder to...

By Jim Ellia on Sep 18, 2017 in Cooling, Heating |

As homeowners, it’s easy to get caught up in the daily grind, and the thought of our HVAC system working properly never really crosses our minds – until there’s a problem, that is. Sometimes, we simply put things off or try to cut corners to save some money every month, but in the long run you’ll only end up paying more. So, we’ve compiled a list of some of the common HVAC mistakes people make that affect how well your system works, your family’s comfort and your home’s energy efficiency, too. 5 Common Heating and Cooling Mistakes These HVAC mistakes include: Not scheduling annual HVAC maintenance. Annual maintenance on your HVAC system is crucial to ensuring its efficiency and longevity. A professional will check all the components and controls, lubricate the motors and bearings, tighten all electrical connections and inspect the thermostat. Properly maintaining your system helps you avoid unexpected breakdowns and extra costs. Hiding the outdoor unit because it’s an eyesore. We get it; that bulky outdoor unit looks awkward in your nicely landscaped yard. This is why some people choose to try to cover it up or conceal it behind thick shrubbery or other objects. However, blocking the system can cause issues with the ventilation and clog it, so it’s best to leave some open space around it. Installing your thermostat in the wrong place. Your programmable thermostat is a key component in improving your home’s energy efficiency, but if it’s installed in the wrong spot it may actually cost you more. The thermostat should be placed on an interior wall, out of sunlight, and away from appliances, hot lamps and furniture. Ignoring those weird thumps, bumps or smells from your system. If your HVAC system consistently makes sounds it shouldn’t, or there’s a weird odor emanating from the vents, don’t ignore them! This is especially true if the noises or smells get worse as time goes on. Strange sounds and smells are a good indicator that something isn’t working properly, like a loose blower wheel, bad motor bearings, or maybe even an animal got stuck in your unit! Forgetting to swap out your filter regularly. With every change of season, or every three months, it’s recommended...

By Jim Ellia on Sep 4, 2017 in energy efficiency |

We all want a home that’s as energy efficient as possible. However, many homes waste energy on a daily basis for a variety of reasons. You might have drafty old windows and doors, an old HVAC system, or old appliances that not only use a lot of energy, but also cost you a lot of money on your monthly utility bills. That said, there’s also a lot of confusion around home energy usage. From 2008 to 2030, world energy consumption is expected to increase by more than 55 percent. This is why it’s vital to understand the facts about energy usage and how to make your home as energy efficient as possible. Energy Efficiency Myths Debunked Some of the common myths about home energy usage include: Myth #1: Don’t turn out the lights. Do you remember your parents yelling at you to turn off the light when you left your bedroom? It turns out they were right. You might think leaving the light on instead of constantly switching them off and back on does not actually take up more energy, but leaving lights on draws more energy than the small burst needed to turn them on and off. Myth #2: Ceiling fans cool the air effectively. While the wind produced by ceiling fans cools your skin, it does not actually cool down the air in your home. And, this might allow you to turn off the air conditioning for a time, however, in the long run, leaving a ceiling fan running nonstop will waste energy, too. Myth #3: Unplugging appliances doesn’t save energy. There’s been some confusion about “phantom” energy and whether it actually exists. We’re here to assure you that yes, this is actually a thing. While turning off appliances when you’re done using them helps cut energy usage, when they’re left plugged in they’re still drawing electricity. Consider using a power strip for small kitchen appliances, as you can easily power all of them off at once with a single switch. Myth #4: Home energy use is largely consumed by your HVAC system. HVAC systems are becoming more and more energy efficient, and an efficient system is responsible for about 48 percent of your home’s energy usage....

By Jim Ellia on Aug 21, 2017 in Thermostats |

One of the best benefits of a programmable thermostat is that you can essentially “set it and forget it.” With summer’s arrival you probably switched your thermostat to air conditioning, double-checked the settings, and haven’t really thought about it since. The same goes for fall, when it’s time to turn it back to the heating setting. However, there are a few common problems that arise when it comes to programmable thermostats, and before you worry your entire HVAC system is malfunctioning, you can check and troubleshoot your thermostat first. Troubleshooting Programmable Thermostat Problems The most common programmable thermostat problems, and how to deal with them, include: The system suddenly shuts off. If the display on the thermostat is working, it could be that the internal components are dirty. It’s common for dust, soot and dirt to build up on the mechanical and electrical parts, and this can affect the thermostat’s functioning. Once the components are clean, also check for loose wiring or connections that need tightening. The room temperature and temperature setting doesn’t match. The dirty internal parts mentioned above can also cause inconsistencies between the temperature setting and the actual room temperature. Or, it could be possible that the thermostat was installed in a poor location, such as in direct sunlight or by a drafty window, making it unable to properly regulate the temperature. The display on the thermostat is erratic. If the features on the display aren’t showing up or the screen is blank, it could simply be a case of old batteries. Try replacing them and see if that solves the problem. Another issue could be a tripped circuit breaker. If you’ve checked both of those and the display still isn’t working correctly, it could be time to request professional assistance with your thermostat. The thermostat isn’t working at all. Again, before you start getting quotes for an entire new HVAC system because your thermostat appears to be totally dead, check the batteries and the fuse. The batteries could be expired, so make sure to replace them first and foremost. If the fuse appears blown, you can take it out and bring it with you to the hardware store to ensure you’re purchasing the right one. Forgetting...