By Jim Ellia on Aug 27, 2018 in Air Conditioning, Furnaces |

Every home and commercial building utilizes HVAC – heating, ventilation and air conditioning – systems to control the temperature, humidity and air quality indoors. This means residential houses, offices, schools, stores, restaurants, factories and so on all rely on the same basic type of system to keep the people indoors comfortable throughout the entire year. An HVAC technician, therefore, is trained in all three components, and uses those skills to install, maintain and repair heating, air conditioning, ventilation, and refrigeration systems. What Does an HVAC Technician Do? A typical day in the life of an HVAC technician will begin with learning about which types of specific jobs are on the schedule for the day. The technician may be required to fix a broken component, advise whether an entire new system is needed, or simply adjust settings so the system is working more efficiently. Here are a few more tasks HVAC technicians are responsible for on a daily basis: Installation: HVAC systems need to be installed by licensed professionals to ensure their safety and effectiveness. Additionally, a technician will understand and recommend the right size system for both residential and commercial sites, completing the necessary calculations to determine that information correctly. He or she will connect the systems to water lines, fuel lines, air ducts, electrical wiring and more to ensure everything is working effectively. Repair: HVAC technicians are often called in to troubleshoot issues with the HVAC unit itself, the thermostat, compressors, refrigerant levels, air handling systems and more. He or she understand how all components work and can fix the problem or recommend the necessary solution. Maintenance: Properly maintaining an HVAC system is key to keeping it working efficiently for as long as possible. This is why it’s recommended to schedule an annual furnace check or an annual air conditioning check. In these checks, usually performed in the spring and fall, the technician will test and clean the blower fan, inspect the level of coolant, and test the system’s overall operation and functioning. HVAC technicians generally travel to several different customers every day. They might have a fairly regulated schedule if they’re working on a construction site. Or, they may not know what tasks are ahead for the...

By Jim Ellia on Feb 19, 2018 in Furnaces |

According to the CDC, carbon monoxide (CO) claims the lives over 400 people in the United States every year. Additionally, over 4,000 individuals are sent to the hospital annually with CO poisoning. Carbon monoxide can build up in the home from gas ranges, furnaces, fireplaces, and it’s also produced any time fuel is burned in cars, generators, lanterns and more. This is why is so essential to arm yourself with as much information as possible about this “silent killer,” so you can ensure you and your family are safe in your home. 5 Carbon Monoxide Facts You Should Know Everyone is at risk for carbon monoxide poisoning, although children and those with chronic conditions like heart disease and breathing problems are more likely to feel the effects. Here are five facts about carbon monoxide to help educate you about this dangerous, poisonous gas: You cannot smell or taste carbon monoxide. CO is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas that cannot be noticed without a detector. This makes it especially dangerous, because if you’re sleeping, for instance, you would not notice its effects until it’s too late. If someone says they can smell carbon monoxide, it’s often some other combustible byproducts – and this should also be addressed immediately. Carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms feel like the flu. If you and your family suddenly feel ill all at the same time, this should not be ignored. When everyone is experiencing simultaneous symptoms like headaches, nausea, dizziness, chest pain, difficulty breathing or blurred vision, these could actually be signs of CO poisoning, not the flu. Your appliances can cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Your appliances should always be installed by a trained professional. Why? Well, gas appliances, in general, need to be properly vented to ensure no carbon monoxide is leaking into your home. You can reduce your risk of CO poisoning with a CO detector. Installing carbon monoxide detectors on every level of your home can greatly reduce the risk of CO poisoning in your home. These detectors are designed to set off an alarm before life-threatening levels of carbon monoxide are reached inside, allowing you and your family to safely get outside as quickly as possible. Make sure to change the...

By Jim Ellia on Feb 5, 2018 in Furnaces |

Some days, spring still feels like it’s never going to get here, doesn’t it? We’ve certainly had our fair share of frigid days in Cleveland this winter, and we’re all very thankful for our furnaces, which have been working hard to keep our homes comfortable and cozy this season. That said, as we do, unfortunately, still have another month or so of winter ahead of us, it’s important to ensure your furnace is not only running as efficiently as possible, but that it’s running safely, too. Furnace Safety Tips for Winter Most furnaces have built-in safety features to keep them from situations like overheating or sensing if the flame has gone out, and some even have an air pressure switch, which can detect if carbon monoxide or other contaminants aren’t venting properly from the system. However, there are a few things you can do to ensure your furnace is not only keeping your home warm, but that no one in your family is at risk due to a malfunctioning system. Here are five furnace safety tips to keep in mind the rest of this winter – and next winter, too: Mark your calendar for an annual furnace maintenance check. You should’ve scheduled your annual furnace check earlier in the fall, before the cold weather really hit. If you didn’t, make sure to get one on the calendar for this year. An annual maintenance check is vital to making sure all components of your system are working properly, plus the technician will also check for issues like frayed wiring or a cracked heat exchanger, both of which could lead to safety hazards. Change the air filter regularly. If your filter is dirty, air cannot flow through your system as it should. Plus, dirt could build up on the components and cause all sorts of safety and efficiency issues. Additionally, a dirty air filter could lead to the system overworking, increasing the chances of a carbon monoxide leak. Install or test your carbon monoxide detector. Speaking of carbon monoxide, if you don’t have a carbon monoxide detector, there’s no time like the present to pick one up at your local hardware store and get it installed in your home. If you...

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 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 May 8, 2017 in Air Conditioning, Furnaces |

No matter the time of year, you want your HVAC system to work reliably. Whether it’s a hot summer night and you’re trying to get comfortable to sleep, or it’s a frigid winter day that’s best spent indoors, your HVAC system is key to improving the comfort levels in your home. The Top 3 HVAC Problems In order to help you troubleshoot some of the issues you may be having with your system, three of the most common HVAC problems include: Your HVAC system is blowing lukewarm or semi-cool air. If you’ve got the heat or air conditioning running but the house is never quite warming up or cooling down, you might have a dirty filter. Don’t forget to change your filter on a monthly basis, as it greatly aids in helping your system run as efficiently as possible. If the filter was just recently swapped out for a new one, check your thermostat to make sure you’ve got it properly set to heat or cool. For air conditioning, if you have an outdoor unit, it could simply need to be reset; there may be a red button on the unit to push. Or, you might be low on refrigerant, and this is when it’s time to call in a professional. The HVAC system is leaking. Your indoor unit should never leak under any circumstances. But, if it is, this doesn’t necessarily indicate a major problem. When the air conditioning is on, sometimes condensation can accumulate on the evaporator coil. If you notice leakage in the winter months, sometimes today’s high efficiency furnaces have also been known to produce some condensation. When in doubt, get leaks checked by a heating and cooling company. The outdoor unit is making weird noises. Are you hearing thumping, humming, squealing, popping, banging or rumbling sounds? Some of these noises may indicate a fairly serious problem, like a loose blower wheel, broken motor mount, bad motor bearings, etc., and should be check out by a professional. This is especially true if any of the sounds get worse or louder and louder over time. Remember, the majority of these common HVAC problems can be addressed by scheduling your annual maintenance check. You can not only...