By Jim Ellia on Feb 14, 2019 in Uncategorized |

Did you just get the keys to your new home? Feeling overwhelmed by the to do list that seems to be never ending? Take a few minutes to read over our new homeowners checklist; by breaking down your to do list you will most likely save yourself a few headaches.   Before Moving In:  Research local utilities; gas, electric, garbage; internet/tv research their policies, does someone over the age of 18 need to be present for them to install or turn on these utilities. Also check if there are any local tax credits for using energy efficient utilities.   Get you home professionally inspected; this will allow you to know your home is safe to start moving your stuff into, this may feel like a useless step in the moment but you will be thankful you did it just in case they find something wrong with your house.  Sign your homeowners insurance policy; making sure that your homeowners insurance is coming for you the moment you have those keys. This will protect you God forbid in case something happen as you are moving in.   Once you are in your house:  Label all main utility lines; this will help if something is every wrong you know right where to look.   Test heating & cooling units; this is important incase either need to be serviced prior to you moving it, no one wants a hot or cold house as they are moving in.   Test washer & dryer units, as well as stoves and ovens; this is important because these are considered large appliances and if one or both is not in working order it could cause issues with the whole house.   Install your smoke & carbon monoxide detectors; in most homes these are required for your homeowners insurance to be valid as this is a safety concern when they are not in working order.    Check all outlets & light switch covers; this could be a fire starter, so making sure they are up to code and in working order is important for your safety.    Change all of your important addresses to your new address; including USPS, IRS, Banks, Family & Friends.   Update your license and registration; sometimes you might get fined if this...

By Jim Ellia on Nov 16, 2015 in Uncategorized |

No one likes to imagine the possibility of a disaster striking the home or the town in which you live. However, being prepared in the case of an emergency is so important for the safety of your family. In northeast Ohio, winter can bring blizzards and icy roads, and this type of weather can easily leave you stranded without electricity or unable to leave to get supplies. However, keeping your family safe, comfortable and healthy throughout these situations is possible if you take some precautions. This is where creating a home emergency kit can be extremely helpful. Prepare for the Unexpected with a Home Emergency Kit After a disaster strikes your access to food, water, and even indoor plumbing can be compromised. Having enough supplies to last up to 72 hours is recommended as this is the time frame it generally takes for emergency relief to arrive. Of course, help could come sooner, but in this case it’s better to be over-prepared than under-prepared! Here are the items you should include in a home emergency kit: Water- the most important item in your emergency kit is clean water. You should plan on having a gallon of water per person in your household per day. You’ll use this water for both drinking and sanitation. At least a three day supply of non-perishable food. Don’t forget a manual can opener! A first aid kit containing not only bandages, but antibiotic ointment, hydrogen peroxide, aspirin or ibuprofen, etc. and also, if you’re on any prescription drugs, an extra supply of those. Flashlight- one or two flashlights with working and extra batteries. Emergency blankets and changes of clothing. Make sure to include seasonal clothing like t-shirts and shorts for the summer and warmer items for the fall and winter. Personal care products like soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, contact lens solution if necessary, etc. Personal sanitation items- moist towelettes, garbage bags and twist ties. Items you can use to create shelter, like plastic sheeting and duct tape. In case you need to turn off utilities, a multi-purpose tool. Dust masks to filter possibly contaminated air. Whistles to signal for help and maps of the area. Copies of important documents like immunization records and insurance cards. Cell...

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...

By Jim Ellia on Dec 18, 2013 in Uncategorized |

We always stress the importance of providing your heating system with routine maintenance because we know the consequences that can happen if you don’t. Just like how a car needs regular attention to run properly, so does your furnace.  Without scheduled maintenance and check-ups you may end up paying more for repairs and home heating bills then you would like. Below is a list of common furnace problems that can occur from a lack of maintenance. All of these problems could either be avoided or, when found early, can prevent further damage to your system. Dirty air filters – A dirty air filter will restrict the airflow from your furnace and prevent it from performing efficiently. As a result this could lead to higher home heating bills. Air filters should be changed at least every three months but preferably every month. Wear and tear on internal parts – If the internal parts of your system haven’t been cleaned and lubricated then this can hurt the efficiency and lifespan of your furnace. Also, if you needed a part to be replaced it’s better to catch it sooner than later to prevent additional damage done to your system. Broken igniter – If the igniter is broken then your furnace will not produce heat. The lifespan of an igniter is much shorter than a furnace and will need to be replaced in 5-7 years. Blower motor stopped – The blower motor forces the heat from your furnace to your home. The blower motor can go out if it hasn’t been properly oiled and lubricated. Dirty flame sensors – Flame sensors allow the flame burners to turn on. If the sensors are dirty from not being properly cleaned, then your furnace will not produce heat. Remember, these common furnace problems can lead to the loss of overall furnace efficiency, shortened furnace lifespan and costly repair bills. If you want to get the most out of your furnace then schedule a heating and cooling professional to perform maintenance on your system at least once a year. If you are interested in scheduling maintenance for your furnace, then give us a call at...