By Jim Ellia on Mar 20, 2017 in Air Conditioning, energy efficiency, Furnaces |

When you’re getting ready to put your home on the market, there are often a lot of questions about how you can ask and receive the highest price possible. Many buyers today are looking for a house that’s move-in ready; updated kitchen and bathrooms, gleaming hardwood floors, and a fresh coat of paint tend to go a long way in increasing home value. However, there’s another thing to consider too: Upgrading your current HVAC system. How an HVAC Upgrade Helps Ensure a Quick Sale Generally speaking, if your current system is less than ten years old and is in fine working order, you don’t need to worry about replacing it to appeal to those potential buyers. Obviously, upgrading an HVAC system is major investment, and as the saying goes – “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” However, potential buyers do like to know that all the mechanicals in the home are working properly, and many buyers are also concerned with energy efficiency. If your current furnace and air conditioning unit are getting up there in years, there may be worries that they’ll have to replace it themselves in the next year or two. Plus, the system probably isn’t running as efficiently as today’s newer versions. Prospective homebuyers are well aware that HVAC systems are not designed to last forever. And, while you might be somewhat hesitant to make such a large investment in a home you’ll be leaving, remember that the cost of the new system can be built into the sale price. In fact, a study conducted in 2015 by the National Association of Realtors, called the Remodeling Impact Report, revealed that sellers can expect to recoup 71% of the cost of replacing their HVAC system. In other words, if the system cost $7,000 to replace, sellers will recover up to $5,000 of the costs when they put their home on the market. Another great reason to upgrade your HVAC system is to increase home energy efficiency, which as mentioned before is something a lot of potential buyers are looking for in a new home. Today’s homebuyers are more financially savvy than those of the past, and they’ll be not only evaluating the cost of your home,...

By Jim Ellia on Feb 20, 2017 in Furnaces |

We’ve still got a bit of winter ahead of us here in Northeast Ohio, which means our furnaces still have some work ahead of them. However, if lately you’ve been wondering if your system is working as well and as efficiently as it should, you probably aren’t alone. Many of us put off a major home purchase like a new furnace until it’s absolutely necessary; in other words, not until the furnace has ceased working altogether. But, during the remaining chilly weeks of winter still ahead, there’s no reason to be cold and uncomfortable in your home! Replacing Your Furnace – Has the Time Arrived? Luckily, there are a few signs your furnace will give to let you know it’s on the way out. It’s time to consider replacing your furnace if you notice any of the following: Frequent repairs. Replacing a part here and there is one thing, but when those repairs start becoming necessary more and more often, or the costs of the repairs are increasing, it’s time to replace your furnace. Keep in mind that if the cost of the repair is around one-third to half of the cost of an entire new system, it doesn’t make sense to keep paying for these types of major repairs. An increase in your energy bills. Are your energy bills steadily increasing with each passing winter? While yes, the cost of gas or electricity does tend to increase a bit annually, it’s more like that your system is working harder than it should to continue to effectively heat your home. Lots of noise. If every time your furnace clicks on you’re hearing clanking, humming, popping, rattling, or screeching sounds coming from the system, or any of these sounds have been getting progressively louder and louder, this is a telltale sign that your furnace has seen better days. While tightening or replacing some of the components may help initially, if the sounds keep recurring then it’s time to consider replacing your furnace. Erratic temperatures. Maybe you’ve noticed that some rooms in your home seem might colder or warmer than others. This could mean your furnace is no longer evenly distributing heat throughout the house, and, you guessed it, it’s time...

By Jim Ellia on Jan 2, 2017 in Cleveland, Furnaces |

Winter officially arrived back in December, and we still have several (long) months of cold weather ahead. Not only will we be dressing in layers and bundling up to ward off the chilly air, but we’ll also be shoveling our driveways and digging out our cars after those lovely lake effect snowstorms.   Be Prepared for a Winter Storm in 5 Steps Winter storms can bring several inches of snow, blustery winds, freezing rain and ice, or a combination of all of those conditions. This type of weather can cause power outages that leave you without heat, plus dangerous, slippery roads that make it very difficult for emergency services to get to you. This is why it’s so vital that you have a winter storm emergency plan set in place for your home and family. If you are stuck in your home after a major snowfall or ice storm, ensuring that everyone is safe and comfortable for an indefinite amount of time is key. Here are five steps you should take to properly prepare for a winter storm this season: Review and update your home emergency kit. You’ll want to make sure you not only have a stocked pantry and plenty of water, but your home emergency kit should also be ready to go. A proper home emergency kit should contain flashlights and extra batteries, first aid supplies, extra prescription drugs, personal care and sanitation items, important documents and records, and more. Pick up snow removal gear. Head to your local hardware store and pick up a sturdy snow shovel, as well as some rock salt to melt ice on your driveway and walkways. Properly prep your car. Before a winter storm, make sure your car has a full tank of gas and is up to date on regular maintenance like oil and fluid changes. Keep a separate emergency kit in your car that has similar items as your home kit, but also has sand or kitty litter to help with traction, a windshield scraper, a snow shovel, some extra warm clothing and blankets. Make sure your home is ready. Before winter arrived, you should’ve gone through your home and double-checked that the furnace is in great working condition,...

By Jim Ellia on Nov 21, 2016 in Furnaces, Heating, Indoor Air Quality |

Throughout a long, bitter winter, everyone looks forward to coming home to a cozy house, cuddling up on the couch with a snuggly blanket and some hot tea. We want our homes to be comfortable and warm, especially since we’ll be spending so much time inside during these colder months. However, sometimes, we need to take a few extra steps to ensure our home comfort levels are as we expect them to be. Home Comfort Tips to Keep You Cozy Don’t let a chilly home get you down this winter! Instead of layering on extra sweaters and blankets, here are a few things you can do to provide optimal comfort inside: Schedule a furnace maintenance check. If you haven’t scheduled an annual furnace maintenance check, now is the perfect time to do so. Having a professional come over to check all the components and controls, repair any damaged parts, and make sure everything is running as efficiently as it should will help decrease the chances of your furnace breaking during the next big blizzard. Install a programmable thermostat. One of the main benefits of a programmable thermostat is the fact that it can improve home comfort levels. How? Well, a programmable thermostat allows for a consistent temperature throughout the house, plus it can work with your family’s schedule. Set it to warm up the home at least an hour before you’re returning from work or school so the house is as cozy as can be when you arrive. As an added bonus, since your furnace will only be running when you need it to, you’ll save money on your utility bills, too! Check your insulation. Head up into the attic and inspect your insulation. Homes tend to lose the most heat through the ceiling of the top floor, so if your insulation is old and thin, it’s definitely time to replace it. Keep in mind that insulation should be at least six to seven inches thick. Seek out drafty areas. Take note of cold air seeping through your doors or windows. If necessary, add new or replace the current weather stripping to help keep the cool air outside and the warm air inside. Check for drafty or leaky ductwork,...

By Jim Ellia on Sep 26, 2016 in Furnaces |

When you visit your local hardware store, are you sometimes amazed by all the different furnace filter options? Even in a smaller store, furnace filters can take up an entire aisle! When you’re ready to purchase a replacement filter or two, you might wonder how to make sure you’re choosing the best furnace filter for your system. With such a wide range of options and prices, you want to ensure you’re getting the right one that will help your HVAC system work as efficiently as possible. Choosing the Best Furnace Filter for Your System Knowing a little bit about the basics of furnace filters will help in your selection the next time you’re wandering down that endless aisle of filters. Here are a few things to keep in mind: There are two types of furnace filters: mechanical and electrical. A mechanical air filter works by capturing airborne pollutants and removing them via a filter medium- similar to a window screen. Electrical air filters are like a dirt magnet; they use an electric field to trap dust and debris in the air. Mechanical filters are cheaper than electrical filters and come in a variety of sizes and options. The cheaper the filter, the more often you need to change it. The better quality air filter you purchase, the longer it will last. While the cheaper versions do work, it’s important to remember to swap them out on a monthly basis so they allow your furnace to run as efficiently as possible. Consider your household needs. A higher-quality (more expensive) filter of the electrostatic variety helps keep the air in homes with pets or smokers cleaner; a big deal if family members suffer from allergies or asthma. Pleated or flat filter? A pleated filter is better at protecting your furnace from both large particles and microscopic particles simply because it covers 3-4 times the surface area of a flat filter. This means they capture particles for longer periods of time and keep the air flowing through the furnace better. Consider the season. Changing the furnace filter isn’t a chore that only needs to get done in the colder months. In fact, filters actually work harder over the hot and humid summer...

By Jim Ellia on Sep 12, 2016 in Furnaces |

Summer always seems to fly by in the blink of an eye, doesn’t it? It feels like we were just busting out the swimsuits and shorts, but now with the kids back in school and it’s time to dig out the sweatshirts and jeans. Before we know it, the first snowflake will be falling- and in Northeast Ohio, that can happen as early as October! This is why it’s never too soon to prepare your home for winter, especially now while the weather is still pleasant. Get outside now to tackle some fall home maintenance tasks and you’ll ensure your house will be comfortable and cozy when the cold weather settles in for good. Fall Home Maintenance Tasks to Start Now Check the lights. Throughout the fall, the days start getting shorter and shorter; plus, daylight savings ends in early November. This means it will be darker much earlier- often before you even get home from work or school. It’s important to make sure all the outdoor lights are in good working condition to prevent any accidents on icy sidewalks or entryways. Clean out the gutters. A clogged gutter can cause serious damage to your home, so make sure you stay on top of cleaning out those fallen leaves from the gutters throughout the season. At least a few times before all the leaves are down, get out the ladder to clear out any potential blockages. Look for leaks. Once the wind starts blowing and biting it becomes very easy for it to slip through any cracks in windows and doorways, right into your home. Look for holes or cracks in the seals and fill those in with caulk or weather-stripping. Plus, you can also consider swapping out the drapery inside to heavier curtains that can help keep out some of those cold breezes. Turn off the outside water. When you’re done watering the summer flowers and washing your car for the season, it’s time to shut off the outside water to prevent freezing pipes. First, completely drain them of water, then turn off the water in the home. For extra protection, cover outside faucets with an insulated cover. Tidy up your HVAC system. Check your outside HVAC unit...