Furnace Safety 101

October 15, 2019

What Can You Do to Keep Your Furnace Safe? Although it’s rare for a furnace to catch on fire or leak carbon monoxide, these issues are possibilities. To prevent these problems from occurring, you should take a few safety measures. These include vacuuming the furnace, noticing when the pilot light has changed color, keeping items away from the furnace and scheduling annual maintenance. Vacuum Dust Away From the Vents Dust and pet dander collect on your vents and around the furnace. This lint and dust buildup could start a fire. You should vacuum the furnace and the vents once a month. Your manufacturer’s manual will explain how to clean and maintain the unit. If you have a wall furnace, remember to clean inside the burner compartment. Pay Attention to the Pilot Light Color A safe furnace will have a blue pilot light. If the pilot light is yellow or orange, then your furnace needs a professional cleaning or repair. in Solon is a trustworthy furnace repair company serving the Cleveland area. Keep Flammable and Combustible Items Away From the Furnace Never store paper, clothing, wood scraps, paint, gasoline and other flammable objects in front of a furnace. You shouldn’t even...

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4 Ways to Prep Your Home for Winter

September 25, 2019

The winter season is known for cold temperatures and inclement weather conditions. As a homeowner, you’ll want to stay warm and comfortable while inside. Here are a few top ways to prep your home for the winter season ahead. 1. Perform a Furnace Tune-Up The furnace is often in use each day during the colder months of the year. Therefore, it can suffer from wear due to excess use. You’ll need a professional to perform a tune-up so you can avoid mechanical issues that may develop. The technician will clean all of the parts, identify potential issues, and improve the efficiency of the product. This could lead to lower energy bills. 2. Check for Drafts Any drafts that are present can contribute to your energy usage and can make you spend more than necessary to heat your home. The heater will work harder than necessary to control the climate indoors if drafts are present. Check for leaks that may be present around doors and windows where air can escape or enter the building. Adding new weatherstripping or caulking holes or cracks will help to reduce your energy usage and maintain a comfortable temperature in the home. 3. Check the Insulation...

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Reasons to Work With a Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer

August 6, 2019

Carrier is one of the heating and cooling industry’s most familiar brands. Since it was Willis Carrier who invented the modern method of keeping homes cool more than a century ago, the name is rightfully associated with the latest technology and overall dependability. The company authorizes dealers, making it easy for you to work with a company that you can trust. Here are a few reasons to work with a Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer. What It Means to Be an Authorized Dealer To become a Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer, an HVAC company must do more than just sell the company’s equipment. There is a rigorous set of standards that a company must follow. For instance, an HVAC company must: Take part in extended training to learn the ins and outs of Carrier’s equipment Learn how to assess home comfort issues to recommend the best solutions Effectively encourage consumers to buy the most dependable equipment Hire technicians who are NATE certified Work to turn unhappy customers into happy ones by resolving issues Follow up with customers to ensure 100% satisfaction What It Takes to Be a Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer For eligibility, HVAC companies must be professional. They must have the...

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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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