By Jim Ellia on Sep 25, 2014 in Cleveland, Furnaces, Heating, Service Agreements |

If you take proper care of your forced-air furnace, it will provide you with an average of 15 years of workable life. Unfortunately, many people are unaware of even the most basic techniques that they can utilize to extend the life of their heating unit. Here are a few essential tips that can help you take care of your furnace and achieve the most out of your investment. How to take care of your furnace: the importance of regular maintenance Even if your furnace appears to be working perfectly, it is still a good idea to get it inspected on an annual basis as a precautionary measure. After all, a professional inspection can pinpoint many small issues before they add up to a major problem, and this will allow you to take the necessary steps to prevent a costly breakdown. Efficient Heating & Cooling offers a furnace service agreement to make it easier for you to receive an annual inspection and tune-up without spending an exorbitant amount of money. What items can I do to take care of my furnace? Annual preventative maintenance is only one aspect of the many minor things that can be done to greatly enhance the efficiency and lifespan of your forced-air furnace. We highly recommend changing the filter on a regular basis, keeping the unit free of dust and any debris. It’s also a good idea to invest in a programmable thermostat and embracing energy-efficient methods such as keeping your thermostat set to the lowest possible temperature without sacrificing your desire to have a comfortable climate throughout your home. What will a contractor do to extend the life of my furnace? When you sign up for a furnace service agreement, your contractor will schedule an annual appointment. During these appointments, a professional contractor will check your heat exchanger, inspect your pilot light and perform an overall inspection of all of the working components of your furnace. All of this is vital if you want to get the most out of your unit, but it is actually critical to have your heat exchanger inspected on a regular basis. In fact, even new heat exchangers can become dangerous and possibly life-threatening if a crack develops. Homeowners...

By Jim Ellia on Aug 20, 2013 in Cleveland, Furnaces, Heating, Service Agreements |

If you are a homeowner in Cleveland, you probably have an air conditioning system. But you definitely have a furnace (or a boiler) to beat the cold during the winter. A forced-air furnace system can provide your home many years of trouble-free service if maintained properly. A furnace can last up to 15 years (maybe even longer) with proper maintenance. But they won’t last that long if you install it and then forget about it. What is a service agreement? Basic furnace maintenance involves changing the filter according to the manufacturer specifications. This will go a long way in extending the life of your furnace and avoiding expensive maintenance calls. Beyond that, we strongly recommend service agreements. What is a service agreement? It means that a professional technician will service your equipment once year. They will check for any issues that may arise due to regular equipment use. What will the technician looks for? A technician will evaluate many things, but checking the heat exchanger is important because leaks can develop over time. A crack that turns into a leak could fill your home with dangerous, life-threatening carbon monoxide. And this isn’t just true for old furnaces. Even new heat exchangers can still crack over time. So as you can see, regular maintenance of your furnace can never be neglected. Having a furnace service agreement is a smart and practical option. All HVAC systems need routine maintenance. Regular maintenance is critical in extending the life of your unit. This is what is commonly called “preventive maintenance”. Moreover, the regular maintenance on your HVAC systems will also save you money because it will ensure that your unit is running efficiently. What’s surprising is that a lot of people choose to ignore the importance of having a furnace service agreement simply because they think these agreements are costly and worthless. In reality, the cost of a furnace service agreement can actually be substantially less than the cost of one emergency service call when something goes wrong. So if you think about it, a furnace service agreement will eventually work out for the best for you. Have more questions about furnace service agreements? Leave a question below or call us at...

By Jim Ellia on Oct 10, 2012 in Cleveland, Furnaces, Heating, Indoor Air Quality, Residential, Service Agreements |

We might have one last chance for 70 degree temps, but the reality is, we’re basically done with our A/C units in Cleveland this year.  It’s time to turn your attention inside to the appliance that accounts for most of our energy use in the winter.  That’s right; it’s time to get your furnace ready for Cleveland’s winter!  Here are some steps you should take before the snow starts to fly. Replace your furnace filter – What’s the easiest way to keep your indoor air clean and your furnace running efficiently?  Replace your furnace filter!  Every model is a little different, so pay attention to the manufacturer’s instructions.  Some filters need replaced twice a year while others need replace every two to three months.  If you don’t feel comfortable doing this yourself, be sure to call a professional. Schedule a furnace inspection – Remember that your furnace is like your car.  Regular maintenance can ensure it runs efficiently and lasts for years to come.  Ideally you want your furnace inspected by a professional every year, which is one of the reasons we recommend service agreements to our customers.  During an inspection, we’ll give the equipment a thorough check-up.  We’ll clean the burners, check all electrical connections and verify operation of the igniters. Check your thermostat – You should also verify that your thermostat is working properly.  Sometimes heat-related issues can stem from a broken thermostat.  If possible, install a programmable thermostat to help regulate the temperature when you’re asleep or at work.  Lowering the temperature when you’re not at home is an easy way to save on energy costs this winter. These are just a few ways you can be better prepared for the cold weather ahead.  If you want to be certain your furnace is ready for our Cleveland winter, give us a call for a furnace inspection at...

By Jim Ellia on Mar 12, 2012 in Air Conditioning, Cooling, Residential, Service Agreements |

Spring is just around the corner and that means sunny weather and warmer temperatures.  If the mild weather we’ve been having in Cleveland continues, we’ll be turning on our air conditioning units before you know it! While that’s exciting to think about, there are a few precautions you’ll want to take before you turn on your unit.  Every year we see damage caused by chipmunks that have made their home in A/C units all winter long.  We hate to say, but chipmunks bring us so much 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. Unfortunately there is nothing you can do to stop chipmunks from living inside your unit, but you can save yourself a lot of money but getting it looked over now.  Replacing a few damaged parts is much easier on the bank account then replacing the entire unit.  In fact savvy homeowners would consider a service agreement to help ensure everything is running smoothly year after year.  If you have any questions, give us a...