By Jim Ellia on May 20, 2014 in Air Conditioning, Cleveland, Cooling |

Whether it’s freezing cold or sweltering hot, it’s important for us in Cleveland to pay attention to the energy efficiency of our homes.  Hot and cold air is constantly trying to escape through windows, doors, electrical outlets, light fixtures and gaps in the corner of a room.  The majority of our energy bills go toward heating and cooling, so it’s important to take steps to reduce the escape of hot air in the winter and cold air in the summer. Here are some tips from a Cleveland air conditioning contractor on how to find and fix drafts in your home. Locate the drafty areas Walk around your house. If you’ve noticed that a room is much warmer or colder than the rest of your house, then take a close look at the windows and doors. Check the entire area around your windows and doors and see if you can find where air is escaping. If you have having trouble locating drafty areas, try walking around your home with a lit candle. If the flame flickers or goes out then you’ve found a draft. Check your windows for cracks in the seal Windows are the most common place where drafts can occur. If you don’t want to spend the money to replace the windows, then easy fixes like hanging heavy curtains or installing weather strips will help reduce the drafts.  In the summer months, keep your curtains or blinds closed so your rooms aren’t baking in the sun Make sure your doors have a tight seal Air can enter and escape through the door frame or from the space under the door. To solve this issue, install a door sweep at the bottom of your door. Check your chimney If you don’t want cold air to come down the chimney, be sure to install doors on your fireplace and cover when not in use. Check your outlets and light fixtures Air can easily escape into your attic or into the walls through outlets and light fixtures.  Make sure these are caulked to reduce the amount of air that escapes. These are all small and inexpensive ways to make sure your home is energy efficient. Taking the time to find and...

By Jim Ellia on May 6, 2014 in Air Conditioning, Cleveland, Cooling, Heating |

Many of the older homes in Cleveland – particularly in the Cleveland Heights and Shaker Heights area – were not originally built with central heating air conditioning.  Although they have a boiler system, there are advantages to having the central heating and air conditioning.  But it can be difficult to install these systems in older homes without compromising the design or architecture of the home.  In fact, it’s so challenging that most heating and cooling companies in Cleveland won’t even touch the work! The Unico System is perfect for older homes near Cleveland that weren’t originally built with central heating and air conditioning Luckily there is a product available that is perfect for these older homes when the homeowner wants to keep many of the architectural details in place.  They are what’s known as high velocity (or small duct) heating and cooling systems that offer many advantages for older homes.  We install the Unico System, which uses compact, modular air handlers and flexible tubing to supply conditioned air.  The flexible tubing is run through the structure’s existing crevices and nooks, eliminating the need for remodeling or extensive construction. There are many great features about this particular system.  It can be used anywhere that space is a constraint.  It also helps keep more even temperature throughout a home.  Another nice feature is the fact that the system is barely noticeable.  The outlets are only a few inches in diameter and are available in number of colors.  They can blend easily into the existing structure.  Our customers also like the system because of its energy efficiency.  There is little to no duct leakage or thermal loss. Be aware that it takes a team with a clear vision and a strong understanding of construction to install the system correctly.  It’s a complex and high-tech process that not every heating and cooling contractor is willing to learn.  We’ve installed numerous Unico Systems with success.  It’s about being creative and finding the best solution to a complex problem.  If you’d like to talk to us more about your particular project, give us a call at...

By Jim Ellia on Apr 29, 2014 in Air Conditioning, Cleveland, Cooling, Residential |

If you’re in the market for a new air conditioning system, chances are your unit is broken and you’re in a rush to replace it quickly.  A new air conditioning system is a big investment so you have to consider several important factors before making your final decision. To help you make an informed choice, we’ve got some advice on how to buy the best new air conditioner for your home. Get three quotes from reputable air conditioning companies Getting a quote from a company you trust is important.  It’s also wise to get a few quotes.  Each heating and cooling expert should go around your house, take measurements in each room and ask you questions. They should measure the floors, ceilings, and walls—including all the windows—and check insulation in the attic, walls, and crawlspaces. Additional factors they might consider include: indoor and outdoor temperatures, number of occupants, shading from trees and roof color. Watch out if someone you talk to says that the size of your unit should be based solely on your home’s square footage. That’s a red flag. Experts should calculate how much cooling a home needs according to the manufacturer guidelines. It’s also important to compare apples to apples when you’re looking at quotes.  Don’t hesitate to ask about anything that you don’t understand.  Your new air conditioning system should last for many years, so take your time and choose wisely.   Consider more than just the price of the air conditioner Don’t be tempted by the lowest price when replacing your air conditioner. Be willing to pay for the time the contractor must spend to do the job right. An air conditioner that’s installed properly is well worth the investment.  Also, consider any guarantees or warranties since reputable contractors will often guarantee parts and labor for a certain number of years.   Understand the efficiency of the air conditioning system The efficiency of each air conditioning systems is rated by the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio also known as SEER.  The ranges are between 13 and 21.  Federal law requires new air conditioning systems to have a SEER of 13 or higher. A higher SEER means a more efficient unit.  You should also look for...

By Jim Ellia on Apr 16, 2014 in Air Conditioning, Cleveland, Cooling, Residential |

We are hopefully on the brink of warm weather here in Cleveland, and that means it’s time to make sure your air conditioner is in good working condition.  Every year around this time (ok, usually a little earlier) homeowner’s fire up the A/C and feel the cold air start to fill the house.  But just because your air conditioner is blowing cold, that doesn’t mean it’s doing its job efficiently. Remember that your air conditioner is a piece of mechanical equipment.  It periodically needs some attention the same way your car gets periodic tune-ups.  You probably change the oil, filters and tires on your car at regular intervals.  You should do the same thing with your air conditioner! Avoiding Air Conditioner Repairs   Tip #1 – Do a quick visual inspection.  Remove any debris and trim back plants or shrubs that have started to grow around the air conditioning unit.  Take a peek inside as well.  Every year we see damage caused by chipmunks that have made their home in A/C units during the winter.  We hate to say, but chipmunks bring us a lot of business!  They eat insulation from the wiring, and when unsuspecting home owners turn the unit on for the first time it will often overheat and burn-up. Tip #2 – Change your filter.  Every unit is different and we recommend following the manufactures recommendations. Filters help your unit run at its optimal performance.  This is especially important if you have pets or you have bad allergies.  Filters help keep debris and dust out of your system. Tip # 3. Schedule your yearly maintenance.  Having your unit checked by a professional and making periodic improvements can extend its life.  Typically you want to have your unit inspected at the beginning and end of each cooling season.  For optimum performance, have a professional vacuum out the unit and lubricate the motor. Make a note on your calendar every April to schedule routine maintenance for both your A/C and your furnace.  If you can schedule your contractor to come in between seasons, you’ll get better attention and have more flexibility with scheduling the appointment. Have more questions about air conditioning repairs or maintenance? Leave a comment below...

By Jim Ellia on Mar 26, 2014 in Cleveland, Cooling, Heating, Residential |

If you’re like most homeowners, the sight of your utilities bill, and the rising cost of fuel have you looking for ways to save money, and cut back on wasting that precious energy.  We’ve come up with a list of things you can do for both.  Some of these items can greatly improve the value of your home too!  Take a look and see what you can do to reduce those costs. First, you should get an energy audit to find out where you can make improvements.  One of the best things you can do before you start, is to find out where your home is costing you on wasted electricity, and heating and cooling.  Before you start spending money to make improvements on your homes energy efficiency, you should find out where it actually needs it. Our list is arranged by cost.  We’ve grouped them in cost brackets, starting with free.  That’s right, there are things you can start doing right now, that won’t cost you anything!   Easy ways to save money on your energy bills   Turn down the water heater – turn it to warm, about 120°F.  Any higher than that and you’re really wasting your money.  120°F is warm and comfortable, and it’s easier for you water heater to keep this temperature. Adjust the thermostat – try changing it from 1-5 degrees from where you usually keep it.  This can reduce 7-10% on energy costs. Wash full loads in the dishwasher and washing machines. Use cold or warm water on the “wash” cycle, when doing laundry, and use  the cold water rinse. Turn off appliances completely when not in use.  Make sure items are off, not just in “sleep” or “standby” mode, which still uses electricity.  If you’d like an easier solution, see #1 in the next section. Vacuum dirt and dust from refrigerator coils and fan.  When this part of your refrigerator gets dirty, it works harder to get air, therefore using more electricity.  Be sure to unplug the refrigerator, or flip off the circuit breaker, first.  Disconnect water lines, if it is equipped with an ice maker. Close curtains and blinds to keep cold drafts out in winter, and keep heat out...

By Jim Ellia on Mar 15, 2014 in Cleveland, Cooling, Geothermal, Heating |

Geothermal heating and cooling: everything you’ve ever wanted to know Geothermal energy for your home is a way to heat your house using the earth’s natural heat, instead of using fuel. Just below the surface of the ground there is warmth. It makes sense when you think about it. In school you learned that the Earth’s core is molten lava. So you know that inside the earth it is very hot. The temperature inside the earth gets cooler closer to the surface. Several feet below the surface, the ground has a constant temperature of about 50°F. That is why some animals will burrow into the ground to stay warm during winter. Geothermal heating & cooling is the technology that uses that constant temperature to heat your home in winter, and to cool it in summer. Components of a geothermal system There are three basic components of a geothermal HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning) system for you home: The ground loop (pipes), a heat pump, and an air delivery system. Pipes are used to transfer the heat from below the ground, up to your house. Usually liquid, but sometimes air, runs through the pipes being warmed by the earth’s heat. A heat pump, where a contained refrigerant-liquid is held and compressed, raises the temperature up to 100°F. A heat exchanger removes the heat to then use in the house, for winter heating purposes. This process also works in reverse, taking heat out of your house, sending it back into the earth, cooling the air in the summer. Your house water can be heated with this same process. The pipes can run vertically, in a deep and narrow path, or they can be laid out horizontally. This depends on the needs of your home, and the ground surrounding it. The cost of installing a geothermal system depends on these things.  Other factors include the type of ground on your property and the depth to which is needed to reach the ideal temperature. Benefits of geothermal heat The upsides of having a geothermal energy system include cleaner air, since you won’t be using fuel oil for heating, and it is cheaper than using oil. Most people say that the geothermal energy is...