By Jim Ellia on Aug 22, 2016 in Residential |

Technology today helps make our lives easier, more efficient and even more comfortable. In fact, our mobile phones in particular are able to help us out with so many different tasks, like setting reminders, mapping out directions, keeping our health in check, balancing our checkbooks, and so much more. One of the most recent innovations in technology is the rise of the “smart home”. This term is used to describe a residence that has appliances, lighting, heating and air conditioning, television and entertainment systems, security systems and more that are all capable of communicating with each other, connected via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth and can be controlled remotely through the use of a mobile phone, tablet or computer. How Smart Homes Work Many people are jumping on the smart home bandwagon, retro-fitting their homes with smart products to save money, time or provide added peace of mind. When is the last time you left the home and wondered if you left the garage open or the coffee pot on? Having a smart home helps alleviate these worries, as a simple app on your mobile phone can allow you to take care of any tasks you may have forgotten. While the idea of automating systems in the home isn’t necessarily brand new- have you ever set a light on a timer while you’re away on vacation, for instance? – smart home technology products can all work together depending on how sophisticated the system is. For example, there are now refrigerators that can let you know what items you’re starting to run low on, or pull up recipes based on the ingredients you do have. Washers and dryers can send a text message when the last cycle is completed. Smart lighting systems can allow you to turn lights off and on, no matter your current location. And of course, smart thermostats provide full control over your home’s temperature remotely, and can even “learn” your behaviors as far as when you’re in the house and when you’re away at work to ensure it’s at the optimal temperature for comfort and energy savings. Benefits of a Smart Home One of the major benefits of a smart home is the energy savings it can provide,...

By Jim Ellia on Jun 20, 2016 in Cleveland, Residential |

In northeast Ohio, people make the most of the summer by spending as much time outside as possible. After all, we only get so much time to enjoy the warmer weather! Whether it’s working in the backyard garden, enjoying a barbecue on the patio, or kids swinging on their swing-sets, families across the region take pleasure in basking in the sun on these long summer days. 5 Summer Home Safety Tips for a Fun and Healthy Summer While you’re out spending time in your yard, there are a few tasks to complete to ensure your family and friends stay safe throughout the season. Keep these summer home safety tips in mind to avoid any injuries worse than the occasional skinned knee or two: Examine the entire yard regularly. Every week, it’s recommended to walk around the yard and take note of any divots or holes in the grass, filling these in with fresh soil. Critters have been known cause uneven ground, which can lead to a fall and injury. If you have any type of water feature in your backyard like a pool or pond, keep a close eye on children when they’re out playing; remember, kids can drown in as little as an inch or two of water! Inspect the kids’ playsets or swing-sets. The harsh winter weather can do a number on kids’ playsets, so make sure to check for any damage before letting the kids swing on the swings or slide down the slide. Look for loose or rusty bolts, wood rot and sturdiness, making any necessary repairs right away. Playsets should be on level ground with mulch or soft material underneath to help cushion any falls. Wear the necessary safety gear. Even if kids are just biking or skateboarding around the driveway or cul-de-sac, insist on the proper safety gear like helmets and pads. Protective gear helps lessen the likelihood of broken bones or head injuries, so it’s vital that kids (and adults!) always wear the right safety equipment. Practice proper grilling safety. You’ve probably already enjoyed some burgers or hot dogs on the grill this season, and if you didn’t perform a few safety measures when you first lit it up, now is definitely...

By Jim Ellia on Nov 2, 2015 in energy efficiency, Residential, Thermostats |

When you’re walking throughout your home, do you notice a vast difference in room temperatures? Are there certain cold spots that just never seem to warm up, or rooms that get vast amounts of sunlight and seem stuffy and hot all the time? Do you have an addition on your house where the temperature never matches the other rooms? If the answers to any of these questions were yes, then it might be a good idea to consider a zoning system. What is a Zoning System? Unlike a traditional HVAC system with one thermostat to control the heating and cooling throughout the entire house, a zoning system allows a homeowner to control the temperatures for various rooms of the home independently. One thermostat can be somewhat ineffective, because the different floors and areas of your home may have several factors that affect the temperatures. Having multiple thermostats instead of just one allows homeowners to direct the heated or cooled air where it’s most needed. A zoning system communicates with the thermostats, opening and closing dampers installed within your home’s ductwork. The Benefits of Zoning Systems for Your Home   The types of homes that can benefit from a zoning system include those with multiple levels or finished attics or basements, a new addition (usually built on a concrete slab or over the garage, for instance), and homes with larger floor plans. Or, if some of the rooms in your home have large windows or even an entire wall of windows, zoning systems can help regulate the temperatures in these spaces. Some of the other benefits of a zoning system include: Increase energy efficiency. Homeowners can see an increase in their home’s energy efficiency with a zoning system. According to the Department of Energy, the average savings you can see in your energy bills is around 30%! Maximize indoor air comfort. When you’re able to control the temperature levels throughout your home, you’ll notice a different in the comfort of each room. Maybe one member of your family is always cold at night; you can adjust the settings so that person’s room is warmer than the others. Decrease wear and tear on your HVAC system. A zoning system can increase...

By Jim Ellia on Sep 22, 2015 in Residential |

It seems like just yesterday we were finishing up our spring cleaning tasks, doesn’t it? You got your home organized and prepped your patio or deck for the summer months ahead just as the air started to get warmer and the days were getting longer. Well, now that the air is cooling down and the days are getting shorter, it’s time to prepare your home for winter. Fall Home Maintenance Tasks – Outside the Home Starting some outside fall home maintenance tasks while the weather is still decent is a good idea. Before the snow starts falling, take some time to prepare the outside of your home for winter. Some of the tasks you should consider completing are: Store the patio furniture. Patio furniture can be a large investment, so keep it in good condition by moving it into the garage or shed. At the very least, you should cover it with a tarp to protect it from the elements. Make sure you clean it thoroughly before storing, too. Protect the deck or patio. Wood decks should be sealed with a high quality seal or stain before the first snowfall. Sweep leaves and debris from the patio and give it a good power washing for a deep clean. Clean out the gutters. This is an important task, because a clogged gutter can cause serious damage to your home. Clear out the leaves, twigs and dirt and hose gutters down to ensure there won’t be any flooding in your home as the snow melts in the spring. Drain hoses and faucets. Make sure your hoses and faucets are completely drained of water to protect your home’s plumbing. You can further protect outside faucets by covering them with an insulated faucet cover. Clean the chimney. If you have a fireplace and you plan on using it over the winter, make sure you get it cleaned before the cold weather sets in. Left uncleaned, the chimney could clog and lead to a home full of thick smoke! Inspect the roof. Get up on the roof and make sure no shingles are missing and that there doesn’t appear to be any visible damage anywhere. It’s easy for snow and wind to penetrate the...

By Jim Ellia on Jun 22, 2015 in Residential |

As a homeowner, sometimes you need to pick and choose which home repair project to tackle next on what can seem like a never-ending list. However, there are a few projects that should take precedence over others. Replacing the cracked tile floor in the bathroom, for example, is something that may not look aesthetically pleasing, but can be put on hold if there are more serious home repairs that need to be completed first. Important Home Repair & Maintenance Tasks The following home repair and maintenance issues are necessary because spending a little money fixing these problems will save you money in the long run. Plus, many of these problems could affect you and your family’s safety. Don’t wait to get the following issues in your fixed as soon as possible: HVAC repair and maintenance: Simply having regular maintenance on your HVAC system annually can help you avoid costly repair work in the future. If you’re already hearing strange noises from your system, it’s time to call Efficient right away! Remember, if even if just one part is damaged, this can affect the entire system. Electrical problems: When left unrepaired, faulty wiring and other electrical problems can put your family at serious risk. If you’re seeing flickering lights or blowing fuses all the time, these can be signs of larger issues, so don’t wait to have a professional come in and perform an assessment. Plumbing/water issues: A minor leak in your plumbing might not seem like a catastrophe, but if left unrepaired can cause thousands of dollars of damage to your home. A leaky pipe under a sink, for example, can ruin your cabinets, flooring and sub-floor, or the ceilings, and can cause dangerous mold, too. Not to mention, your water bill is probably much higher than it should be. Roof repair: Speaking of water damage, a roof that’s cracked or missing shingles needs immediate repair or replacement to avoid water infiltration into your home. Given their exposure to the elements, it’s somewhat easy for roofs to get damaged, especially after a harsh summer storm. Foundation cracks: If you’re seeing cracks in your walls or the foundation outside, make sure you pay special attention to these. Some cracks are...

By Jim Ellia on Oct 23, 2014 in Cleveland, Heating, Residential, Uncategorized |

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, home heating and cooling accounts for 48% of your energy bill. The average American household spends over $2,000 on home energy every year, and the 115 million residences in the United States today use around 22.5% of the nation’s energy. Making sure your home is energy efficient is vital. Many homes waste energy on a daily basis due to factors like old appliances or leaky windows and doors, but there are ways you can save energy, as well as the money you spend on your utility bills. 10 Energy Efficiency Tips for Your Home As winter is approaching, furnaces throughout Northeast Ohio will be kicking into high gear very soon. Here are some simple and effective tips to improve your home’s energy efficiency through the entire year: 1) Install a programmable thermostat. A programmable thermostat allows you to set the temperature in your home throughout the day. You can lower the temperature when no one is home, and overnight just throw an extra blanket on the bed and you’ll stay cozy. A programmable thermostat can save you up to 10% on your heating and cooling costs. 2) Check your furnace’s air filter. Clean or change the filter monthly. A dirty air filter will block the air flow through the vents, and over time this can even damage your heating and cooling system. 3) Turn things off. This might sound like common sense, but people do have a tendency to walk out of a room and forget to turn off the lights or the television. Make sure you shut off all electronics that aren’t in use, too. You can use a power strip to turn off TVs and DVD players or computers, monitors and printers all at once to make it even simpler. 4) Lower your water temperature. Ideally, your water heater should be set no higher than 130 degrees. You can even wrap the water tank in a special “blanket” to help retain the heat inside. About 15% of the home’s energy bill goes to heating water. 5) Take showers. Speaking of water, try to lessen your shower times and don’t take baths often. You can also install low-flow faucets or showerheads...