All About SEER Ratings

July 17, 2019

If you are shopping for cooling systems, you probably come across the term “SEER.” This is an acronym that stands for “Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio.” How The Ratio is Determined The ratio is calculated for a unit by taking one season’s typical cooling output and dividing it by the season’s total energy input. It shows the efficiency of the unit. Just like when you consider miles per gallon in your vehicle, a higher rating is better. A Range of SEERs? The government has set a minimum of a SEER of 13 for all air conditioners currently being sold. Ratings could go up to 21 or 22. Ratings of 16 or 18 would be fairly efficient, with anything above 20 being ideal for those who are very energy-conscious. Most older air conditioning systems have SEERs below 10; that’s perfectly acceptable in many cases. It doesn’t mean that anyone with an old unit needs to run out and buy a new one immediately. It just shows how standards have improved and how advancements have allowed for greater efficiency. Units with higher SEER ratings usually have a variable-speed blower and either a two-stage or variable-speed compressor. These components allow them to work at...

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Leaking Air and Losing Money?

June 11, 2019

Is your home leaking air, and are you losing money in the process? You’re not the only one. This is a common problem. In fact, the Department of Energy estimates that the average homeowner can save 10% by focusing on the airtightness of their building. Ducts has been serving homeowners in Solon, Ohio, with HVAC services since 1927. Our company cannot stress enough how important it is to have your ducts cleaned and inspected every several years or so. Joint seals will wear out over time and allow conditioned air to escape. Such leakage can be particularly problematic and expensive if the air is leaking into the attic. Natural Ventilation A hallmark of modern home construction is that they are sealed well. This is not the case with older homes, including those just built 10 years ago or so. A home that is not sealed well can leak air through walls and even the foundation. Windows and Doors Doors and windows are other common areas where air leaks can occur. Sometimes, the fix can be as simple as new weather-stripping, fresh caulk and a door sock or three. In more serious cases, it may be necessary to upgrade to energy-efficient...

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Symptoms of a Broken AC Motor

May 22, 2019

At , we’ve been providing quality air conditioning repairs, replacement and maintenance services to the people of Solon, OH, since 1927. We pride ourselves on keeping the air conditioning motors of Cuyahoga County running smoothly and efficiently. If your AC motor is displaying the following symptoms, we hope you’ll give us the chance to address them for you. Lack of Cold Air If your air conditioner isn’t able to produce enough cold air, then you may have a motor issue. A professional will be able to evaluate your system and confirm whether or not your motor is to blame for this cooling problem. Inability to Turn Off Your fan’s motor may keep running even after you’ve turned the system off. This is evidence of a probable motor issue. Ignoring this problem can lead to trouble further down the road. Keeps Turning On and Off Even if your motor runs, it might cut on and off intermittently. This is another sign that your air conditioning motor needs to be fixed. An expert will be able to get your AC motor back up and running again. Humming and Other Odd Noises Unusual sounds like humming, buzzing or rattling can signify trouble with...

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Fixing Uneven Cooling in a Home

April 19, 2019

At in Solon, OH, we understand the stresses that come with a home that won’t stay cool. A poorly cooled home can leave one area freezing and another spot too hot to handle. Blockages in your HVAC system can cause air to not flow freely through your property. Causes of Uneven Cooling Dirty air filters can cause certain rooms in your home not to cool down. They can also be detrimental to the air quality in your home. Filters should be cleaned or replaced regularly. Blocked registers can also cause a room to not to cool down. Making sure that you don’t have anything blocking vents can improve the air circulation in your home. Your ductwork system can also have various problems. If there are leaks and holes, cool air might be escaping to places where it is not needed. Getting these leaks identified and fixed by a professional can increase the efficiency and functionality of your cooling system. The Importance of a Proper HVAC System An improperly sized HVAC system may not have the power that it needs to keep your entire home cool. Having the right cooling system can ensure that all of the rooms in your building...

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Protect Your Investment With a Warranty

March 18, 2019

The heating and cooling system in your home is a valuable asset for keeping your family healthy and comfortable. It is important that the system is maintained, repaired or replaced when there is a problem with it. Product warranties can be helpful tools when you are facing a malfunctioning heating or cooling unit. How to Learn More About Warranties Warranties are generally issued by the equipment manufacturer. For example, Carrier would issue the warranties for the furnaces, heat pumps and air conditioners that it manufactures. Warranties vary from product to product. Furthermore, every manufacturer is different in terms of: What is included in the limited warranty What is included in the extended warranty The cost of an extended warranty What keeps either the limited or the extended warranty in effect The best way to find information on product warranties in the Cleveland, OH, area is to ask the heating and cooling professionals at . Warranty Coverage Most limited and extended warranties cover the critical parts of your system. Labor, belts, filters, and lubricants are generally not covered by manufacturers’ warranties. With a warranty in hand, you can have the peace of mind knowing that you should not face an unexpected...

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How to Choose the Right HVAC Contractor

February 11, 2019

The repair or replacement of your home’s heating, cooling or ventilation equipment could represent a substantial investment. The choice of a contractor is too important for you to merely leave it to chance. To find a qualified HVAC contractor, we suggest that you follow these steps. 3 Ways to Find Companies With Good Reputations Start by creating a short list of heating and cooling companies in your region. You can then narrow down your options by: 1. Asking family, friends and neighbors for references 2. Looking at online review sites for top performers 3. Checking ratings at the Better Business Bureau Ask the Right Questions When You Make Contact Before you schedule a home visit for an estimate, confirm that the company has proper licensing and insurance. The firm should provide this information, and you can check it easily with a telephone call or website visit to a licensing agency or insurance office. During your initial contact, find out if the contractor will provide any references. You’ll probably want to look into a few of these references before hiring someone. You should also discuss with the contractor the types of furnaces, air conditioners or heat pumps the company sells and...

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3 Heating Hacks

January 21, 2019

During the cold winter months, many homeowners find their rising energy bills to be quite daunting. While there will always be a bigger expense with heating your home in the winter, you also have plenty of ways to reduce your bills by being more efficient. Three heating hacks, in particular, could help you save money and keep your home comfortable and warm. 1. Minimize Leaks One of the most effective ways to save money on your heating bills is to minimize leaks. People waste hundreds of dollars per year due to warm air leaking out of their homes. To minimize leaks, you should caulk all of your window frames, purchase and install weather stripping on your doors, and confirm that there are no leaks in your ductwork. If there are leaks in your ductwork, they likely can be sealed with tape. 2. Close Vents in Unused Rooms If you have unused bedrooms in your home, you could save money by reducing the heat that is sent to these rooms. The best way to do this is by closing and sealing the vents. This ensures all of the heated air in your home will be sent to other areas of the...

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How to Find the Best Furnace for My Home?

December 18, 2018

As the colder months are creeping closer, it is time to think about how families are going to produce the heat that they need to keep their loved ones comfortable. Yes, there is probably an older system already in the home. Unfortunately, this system is eventually going to break or will get too expensive to maintain. With this in mind, how should families go about looking for the right furnace for their new home? What are some of the important points that everyone should keep in mind? Lots of Factors Involved in the Cost Families need to try to stay under their budget; however, this involves much more than just the price tag. Many of the furnaces have an efficiency rating that is attached to them. It is important to take a look at this because some furnaces are more efficient than others. The more efficient a furnace is, the more “bang” families will get for their “buck.” Select an efficient furnace to keep those utility bills low. Think About the Maintenance While utility bills are one hidden cost, the maintenance is another one. Furnaces are going to need to be maintained just like any other machine. Families should try...

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Benefits of Our Green Technology

November 30, 2018

The heating and air conditioning system in your home is incredibly important. When you are looking for a new heating and air conditioning system, one great option would be to purchase ones that are energy efficient. There are a variety of different benefits of green technology. Lower Energy Bills One of the main advantages of having an energy-efficient heating and air conditioning system is that it will provide you with lower energy bills. Due to the continued rise in energy costs, many people are seeing that their heating and electricity bills are going up dramatically. For those that are looking for ways to cut back on their monthly expenses, investing in an energy efficient heating and air conditioning system could result in dramatic savings. Better Product Quality Heating and air conditioning systems that are designed to be more energy efficient are also designed with other advanced technology. When you have one of these systems, they will be able to heat or cool your home much faster than your older appliances. At the same time, there are also more built-in controls that help to filter the air to improve overall air quality. Ultimately, this will result in a better overall product...

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3 Tips for Furnace Efficiency

October 15, 2018

When people are looking to heat their homes during the cooler winter months, it is important to make sure that a reliable furnace is available. With many different styles and options to choose from, it can be a challenge to find the right one. There are a lot of different factors to keep in mind and everyone needs to make sure that their furnace is working efficiently. Furthermore, it is vital to make sure that the furnace is reliable and will not break during the months that it is needed most. With this in mind, what are a few of the tips furnace efficiency? 1. Clean the Flame Sensor Most furnaces have a flame sensor that it uses to make sure that the flames are at the right temperature. If the sensor is dirty, the measurements become inaccurate. This can cause the heating system to work harder than it has to, driving up the utility costs. Clean this sensor to make sure that the furnace is taking accurate measurements. 2. Keep the Filters Clean Perhaps the most important tip to make sure that the furnace is efficient is to make sure that the filters are clean. The furnace relies on...

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