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 Jul 25, 2016 in Air Conditioning |

With all the back to school sales going on, it might feel like summer is already coming to an end in the Cleveland area. However, we still have plenty of hot days ahead of us! In fact, meteorologists are predicting this week will be a scorcher, with temperatures well into the upper 80s and even the 90s. Add a dash of humidity to that (or a lot of humidity, depending on the day), and being outside can be downright miserable. All this heat and humidity means our A/C will be running constantly in our homes this week, which also means you might be a bit concerned about how expensive your next energy bill will be. Is there any way to help lower some of those air conditioning costs during these uncomfortably hot summer months? 7 Ways to Lower Your Air Conditioning Costs this Summer Replace the filter. One of the most inexpensive things you can do is ensure your air conditioning is running as efficiently as possible is replace the filter on your system on a monthly basis. In fact, a dirty filter is the number one cause of air conditioning malfunctions. When dirt, dust and debris get trapped in the filter it can make it that much harder for your system to properly cool off your home. Test your system’s energy efficiency. Once you have a new filter in place, on a day that is at least 80 degrees, let your system run for 15 minutes and then set a thermometer on a register that’s close to the inside cooling unit. Wait five minutes, note the temperature, and then repeat on a return register. If the air isn’t at least 14 degrees cooler than the air going in, your system might need a good tune up, have a leak or be low on refrigerant. Check your ductwork. It’s common for older homes to have some gaps in the ductwork, so unless your home was built in the last 10 years, if it’s possible, check your ducts for any leaks. If you note any cracks or bad connections, seal them up with special foil tape. Of course, calling in a professional to do this if your ducts are in an attic...

By Jim Ellia on Jun 6, 2016 in Air Conditioning |

One of the most significant home improvements you can do is to replace an old, inefficient central air conditioning unit. It can be a costly upgrade, which means you want to make sure your money is going to the best system possible for your home. This means it’s important to do some research before making this major purchase. Tips for Buying a Central Air Conditioner   If your current central air conditioning system isn’t keeping your family as comfortable as possible throughout the hot and steamy summers, or you’ve noticed a large increase in your utility bills lately, or, worst case scenario, perhaps it stopped working altogether, it’s time to consider replacing your a/c unit. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when you’re looking to buy a new central air conditioning unit: Choose the right size for your home. Studies show that over one-third of home air conditioning units don’t work properly due to being oversized. If your unit is too big, it will turn off and on more often than necessary and raise your utility bills. Go with an energy-efficient model. While an energy-efficient air conditioner might initially cost a little more, you’ll see a return on your investment in your monthly energy savings. By federal law, new air conditioners are required to have a SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating) of 13 or higher. Use a professional HVAC company. Selecting a professional heating and cooling company to install your new central air conditioning is key to your family’s overall comfort levels. A reputable company will not only complete the job in a timely manner, but will also be around for future maintenance on your system. Consider ease of maintenance. Your new a/c unit should be as easy to maintain and keep in good working condition as possible. There should be an access panel so you can reach the coils to clean them if necessary and to replace the air filter regularly in between professional maintenance calls. Where the unit is placed matters. The outside unit should be out of direct sunlight and have room on all sides for air to flow. The north or east side of the home is recommended for placement, and keep the area...

By Jim Ellia on May 2, 2016 in Air Conditioning |

Everyone knows that old saying, “If something ain’t broke, don’t fix it”. However, in regards to your air conditioning system, waiting until something goes wrong is definitely the last thing you want to do. On a hot July day when the temperatures reach 90 degrees and the humidity levels are up, you’ll want your air conditioning to be working properly to ensure your family’s comfort. Benefits of Annual Air Conditioning Maintenance Spring is the perfect time to schedule an annual air conditioning maintenance check, because you can make sure your system will be ready when you need it for the hotter months ahead. Not only that, but there are also a few other benefits to maintaining your air conditioning unit, including: Prevent problems from potentially arising. Annual air conditioning maintenance can ensure your system remains in peak condition for the summer season and reduces the risk of repair work when you need your air conditioner to run properly. Increase efficiency of your system. You not only want your air conditioning to work, but you want it to be as efficient as possible to keep costs down. Regular air conditioning maintenance will ensure your system is running at peak efficiency so you end up paying less to keep your home cool and comfortable. Improve the performance. Perhaps last summer you noticed that the air coming out of the vents wasn’t quite as cool or as blowing strong as you would’ve liked it to. Scheduling an annual maintenance check this spring will help you enjoy a better overall cooling output from your air conditioning system throughout those hot, humid months. So, what can you expect from an annual air conditioning maintenance check? First, the technician will clean the evaporator and condenser air coils, as dirty coils can decrease the ability of the system to cool your home. Dirty coils can also cause your system to overwork and in turn, raise energy costs. Second, the technician will check and adjust the refrigerant levels, because too much or too little refrigerant is another sign that your system is running inefficiently. The refrigerant levels can affect the lifespan of your system, too. Lastly, the technician will adjust and clean the blower component to ensure...

By Jim Ellia on Apr 18, 2016 in Air Conditioning |

Summer is just a couple months away, and while you might be looking forward to those warmer days ahead, part of you might also be dreading them. If throughout the summer your home becomes stuffy and uncomfortable, you’re probably preparing yourself for several months of sitting by a floor fan and taking frequent cold showers! However, there are few things you can do this spring to help improve your and your family’s comfort this coming summer. Improving Your Family’s Comfort Levels in Your Home Don’t dread the hot months coming, get ready to embrace them! Here in northeast Ohio, we can be somewhat limited in regards to nicer weather, as our winters can feel like they last forever with snow falling well into April. So, get your home prepared now and your family will stay comfortable, happy, and enjoying their summer. Here are the top 5 tips to improve your family’s comfort: Schedule a maintenance check on your air conditioning unit. Seasonal tune-ups of your air conditioning unit will ensure that all the components are in good working order, and can also help improve its efficiency. An air conditioning unit running on peak efficiency can use up to 20% less energy and will last much longer, saving you money while increasing your family’s comfort. Change the furnace air filter. A dirty furnace filter doesn’t allow air to flow properly throughout your home, plus your system will have to work that much harder to keep your family cool and comfortable. When airflow is restricted, you can also run into problems and need expensive repairs. Or, your system can fail altogether, and on a summer day when the temperatures reach into the 90s, you definitely don’t want your air conditioning to be on the fritz. Set the fan mode on your thermostat to the “on” position. Keeping the fan active on your thermostat will help promote air flow throughout the home. Plus, as an added bonus, allowing the fan to run increases your home’s air filtration, which can improve overall indoor air quality. Keep your registers open. If you think closing off the vents in the rooms you aren’t using will help keep the rooms you spend more time in cooler,...

By Jim Ellia on Aug 24, 2015 in Air Conditioning, Furnaces |

When your air conditioner or furnace is making strange noises, or just flat out stops working properly, you know it’s time to call in the professionals like Efficient Heating and Cooling. However, have you ever wanted to be a little more “in the know” during those service calls? Wouldn’t you like to know what the technician is talking about when he starts describing some of the issues with your system? The ABC’s of Heating and Cooling To help homeowners learn more about their own HVAC systems, here are a few of the most common heating and cooling terms to know when you’ve made that call for service: Air flow: This is referring to how much air your duct system is moving. It’s the indoor component of your system that move air through your home. BTU: British Thermal Unit- this is a scientific term that basically means the amount of energy needed to raise one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit. One BTU is the equivalent of the heat given off by a single match. Compressor: The compressor is the “heart” of your heating or air conditioning system. This part of the outdoor unit pumps the refrigerant and maintains adequate pressure to cause it to meet the heating or cooling of your home. Condenser coil: This is also located on the outdoor unit, and it’s a network of tubes filled with refrigerant that removes the heat from the hot, gaseous refrigerant, making it liquid again. EER: This refers to the Energy Efficiency Rating that is given to window unit air conditioners and ground source heat pumps. HSPF: High Season Performance Factor- this is a rating given to heat pumps to measure their heating efficieny. Higher numbers equal greater efficiency- it’s recommended that your system have a rating of 8 or higher for more efficient heating. HVAC: This is probably the most common acronym in the heating and cooling industry, and most people probably aren’t all too sure what those letters actually stand for! Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning are what those letters are referring to. Latent Heat: This is the heat needed to be removed from the air to remove the moisture as well. MERV: Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value – this is...