By Jim Ellia on Jun 11, 2018 in Air Conditioning |

As the temperatures finally start to rise, many of us here in northeast Ohio have already turned our air conditioning units on to keep our homes cool and comfortable. A/C is a luxury we all appreciate on those hot and muggy days! As your home begins to cool down, however, you might notice that your air conditioning is running for a few minutes, shutting off, and then starting back up again. What’s causing this, and should you be concerned? 5 Reasons an Air Conditioning Unit Short Cycles Air conditioning units switch between off and on modes by design in order to maintain the temperature you’ve set on your thermostat. It’s a process that’s essential to proper functioning of your unit – the A/C removes heat from the air using refrigerant chemicals such as Freon, and afterwards cools the air by using compression. Then, the excess heat is absorbed and expelled outside. However, when the system goes through those off and on modes too quickly, this is known as “short cycling.” There are a few reasons this occurs, including: A dirty or clogged air filter. If the air filter is dirty, the airflow becomes restricted, making your system work harder to effectively cool the air. The unit won’t be able to absorb the heat sufficiently, and consequently will shut down early. Always make sure to clean or change out the air filter monthly throughout the summer. Your A/C unit is too big for your home. We recently talked about how an improperly sized system can cause a variety of issues. Short cycling is one of those issues. When your air conditioning unit is too big and powerful for your home, it can cool your home too quickly, turning off and on constantly and causing big temperature changes. This can also lead to higher monthly energy bills, too. Issues with your thermostat. Sometimes, air conditioning short cycling is due to issues with the thermostat. For instance, maybe the thermostat is positioned in such a way that it’s in a drafty spot or in direct sunlight, which will make the compressor turn off and on incorrectly. In this case, you may need to consult a professional to move your thermostat to a...

By Jim Ellia on May 28, 2018 in Air Conditioning |

When you’re upgrading the central air conditioning unit in your home, a common notion is that the bigger the unit, the more comfortable your home will be – even on the hottest, most humid summer days. And while installing a unit that’s too small causes an array of problems, such as the unit cycling more frequently to keep your home cool, which means overworking the system and driving up your energy bills, an A/C unit that is too big can also be harmful. 5 Issues that Occur with an Oversized A/C Unit When your air conditioning unit is too big for your home, the following issues can develop: Inconsistent temperatures. When your system is oversized, the air cannot be distributed properly and you’ll notice uneven temperatures throughout your home. Short-cycling is a common problem, and when the unit keeps shutting off too quickly, some of the rooms in your home won’t get enough airflow to truly cool off. Higher humidity. When your air conditioning unit runs, the humidity in the air is simultaneously removed, increasing the comfort levels in your home. However, a unit that is too big may be doing a decent job cooling off the home, but it’s not running long enough to remove the humidity completely. Mold growth. Because the humidity is not being effectively removed from the air, mold can easily start growing in your home. If the humidity levels aren’t being kept below 50 percent, mold can become a real problem. Less energy efficiency. A bigger air conditioning unit is not only more expensive upfront, but it will also increase your energy bills. Because the air will feel more humid, you’ll find yourself cranking down the temperatures in an attempt to keep your home comfortable. A properly sized unit may run for longer cycles, but it will be using less energy and hence, saving you money every month. More frequent repairs. Excessive cycling – when the unit is constantly starting and stopping – is hard on the system and can lead to it breaking down more often. All that wear and tear could even mean the unit will have a much shorter lifespan than it should. The Proper Size Air Conditioning Unit for Your...

By Jim Ellia on Apr 16, 2018 in Air Conditioning |

With the arrival of spring, you’re probably most looking forward to opening the windows and letting in some of that fresh, warmer air. Your HVAC system is finally getting a little break from the nonstop running of the furnace throughout the winter, but don’t forget – summer will be here before you know it. And, summer in northeast Ohio often means heat, humidity, and time to crank the air conditioning to keep your family cool and comfortable. Why Schedule Air Conditioning Maintenance before Summer Comes Just like the fall when you should get a maintenance check on your HVAC unit to ensure your furnace is in top shape for the winter ahead, spring is considered the best time to schedule an annual maintenance on your air conditioning unit. Why? Here are five great reasons: Fix issues before they arise. Modern HVAC systems are certainly durable and made to last, however, inevitably certain parts will start to wear out over time. By scheduling a spring maintenance check, the HVAC professional will check all the parts and replace anything looking worn before it breaks completely, which can cause even more issues with your unit. Beat the rush. Unlike those who wait until they turn on their AC unit only to find that it’s not working properly, you’ll have already ensured that your system is good to go. This means you won’t have to make a frantic call on a hot summer day if something goes awry, only to be told it will be several days before a professional can get to your house to fix it. Keep your unit running as efficiently as possible. When all the components are working properly, your air conditioning unit will run as it should. During an annual A/C maintenance check, the technician will not only address any worn out parts, but your system will also get thoroughly cleaned. A clean system endures less daily wear and tear, and also ensures it’s running as efficiently as it should. Improve indoor air quality. All kinds of pollutants can build up in your air conditioning unit. Dust, pollen, pet dander, and more can create air inside your home that’s actually up to five times dirtier than the air...

By Jim Ellia on Aug 7, 2017 in Air Conditioning, Furnaces, Indoor Air Quality |

The air filter is a vital component of your HVAC system. Most people are aware of their existence, and they probably also know you’re supposed to swap it out on a regular basis. But what does that air filter actually do? Is its sole purpose to clean and improve the indoor air quality in your home? 5 Facts about Air Filters The air filter often looks like a flat cardboard box of sorts, with pleated or fiberglass materials throughout. Because they are out of sight and therefore out of mind, it’s not uncommon for us to forget about them altogether.  However, proper maintenance and care (in other words, regularly replacing) the air filter is key to the comfort levels, air quality and an efficiently-running HVAC system in your home. Here are five facts about HVAC air filters: Air filters improve indoor air quality. Air filters trap dust, dirt, pollen, pet dander and fur, lint, mold and mold spores and more. So, what this means is that these particles are less likely to get into your home’s duct work and into the air. Air filters keep your system working properly and efficiently. While the air filter helps trap the contaminants mentioned above from polluting the air in your home, it also keeps them from clogging up your HVAC system. It’s important to choose the right air filter for your system. MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Values, and they are expressed on a scale from one to twenty. The lower the number, the lower the quality of the air filter. In general, most homes can utilize an air filter with a MERV rating of 3-10. In fact, filters with a MERV rating of higher than 16 are so thick and dense they may interfere with the airflow inside your system. Choosing the right air filter is key to getting the most out of your system. Stocking up on air filters for the year is a good idea. Buy an entire box of air filters the next time you visit your local hardware store. If you have a supply of air filters ready at all times, you’ll be more likely to replace them on a regular basis – and keep your...

By Jim Ellia on Jul 17, 2017 in Air Conditioning |

We’re right in the middle of summer in Northeast Ohio, and as usual, it’s been pretty hot and steamy. This generally means that your air conditioning has been running regularly, and sometimes, even a well-maintained system can experience issues during these peak months. For that reason, it’s important to learn about some of the most common air conditioning problems and the complaints we hear so you have a better understanding of how to deal with them. 5 Air Conditioning Problems that Occur in the Summer Keep your home comfortable, your family cool, and avoid issues leading to big, expensive problems with your air conditioner. Here are some of the top air conditioning problems you might face throughout the rest of the summer: Odd noises coming from your unit. The only sounds you should hear when your air conditioning turns on is the click of the unit starting up, the hum of air blowing, and possibly the motor running in the outside condenser. If you’re hearing rattling, banging, squeaking, clanging or bumping, these are often signs of problems with your system, or that it’s working inefficiently. A home that isn’t cooling down enough. If the air coming from the vents doesn’t seem as cool as it should, or your home isn’t getting comfortable while the air conditioning is running, the problem could be as simple as a dirty air filter or debris on the outside unit. However, if you’ve checked and corrected those air conditioning problems and your home is still feeling warm, it’s time to call for service as it might be an issue with the refrigerant. Your air conditioner is running constantly. Of course, on those really hot and humid summer days, your system is going to run a lot more than on a 75 degree day. However, if it’s never turning off, this is a sure sign something is wrong. First, make sure your thermostat isn’t set too low, that all your doors and windows are sealed and that the air filter is clean. If your system continues to run nonstop, a professional probably needs to step in and take a look. Or, your air conditioner keeps turning on and off. On the other hand, maybe your...

By Jim Ellia on Jul 3, 2017 in Air Conditioning |

One of the most common problems homeowners experience with their air conditioning units is leaking water, indoors and outdoors. In fact, nearly 90 percent of service calls over the summer months are in regards to leaks. Even if there’s not a large amount of water pooling around your unit, if you don’t take care of the leak as soon as possible it can easily cause a great amount of damage to your system. The Top 5 Reasons for a Leaky Air Conditioner While a small amount of condensation on or around your air conditioner is normal, especially on a hot, humid day when it’s working hard, if the leak persists for longer than 24 hours, it’s possible there’s another issue at hand. And, it’s fairly simple to do a little troubleshooting if or when you notice your air conditioning leaking water. Here are five reasons your A/C unit is leaky, and how to deal with the issue: The filter is clogged. We can’t stress enough how important it is to have a clean air filter at all times! A dirty, clogged filter causes a variety of problems with your system, including leaks. If the filter is dirty, the evaporator coils can freeze up, which causes excess water to spill over from the drain pan. There’s a hole in the overflow pan. If your air conditioner is getting up there in years, the overflow pan may start to rust, which leads to cracks or holes that water can spill right through. You can check the pan by shining a flashlight into it, and if you notice any sort of damage, it’s time to replace the pan. The condensate drain pipe is blocked. This is another fairly common reason water is leaking from your air conditioning unit. The drain line can get clogged with dirt, dust, or even mold, which causes the water to back up into your home. In this case, it’s worthwhile to call a professional to unclog the drain pipe. The refrigerant levels are low. If the refrigerant is low, pressure in your A/C system is also low, and the evaporator coil can freeze up, just like it would with a dirty air filter. As the coil melts, water...