There’s no doubt that high ceilings add a certain grandness to a room. They can make a space appear larger and brighter while providing the opportunity for skylights, exposed beams and other design features. However, as great as high ceilings may look, there is one major drawback that homeowners need to consider. Higher ceilings = more space. More space = more energy usage. More space is great. However, when it comes down to it, all of that extra space, while beautiful, means more square footage to heat and cool. It requires your HVAC system to work harder to keep you comfortable. With high ce ..read more

A quick history A familiar name appears at the dawn of air conditioning—Willis Carrier. Carrier, after much experimentation, invented the first air conditioner, that we would recognize as such, in 1902. The first application was not for home cooling, but for a printing company in search of a way to cool paper while printing. In 1914 Carrier manufactured the first air conditioner for a home, installed in a mansion in Minneapolis. The next year, in 1915, the Carrier Air Conditioning company was born. By the 1950s air conditioners were becoming popular, and by 2007 more than 85 percent of homes i ..read more

We’re well into winter now, although here in Northeast Ohio it’s sometimes been hard to tell. Be that as it may, winter is definitely here, and now is the time when common furnace problems begin to crop up. What are they and what can you do to help prevent them? Read on! Check your thermostat, stat If your thermostat isn’t working properly and doesn’t seem to be controlling your furnace, it may be broken and in need of service. Or . . . maybe not. First, if your thermostat runs on batteries, as many do, try changing the batteries. If the batteries are dead, or even low, your thermostat may not ..read more

In the depths of winter, there’s nothing quite like a hot shower. But chances are, the water suddenly turning cold is not the relaxing wake-up call you dream of. Read on for the reasons why you aren’t getting enough hot water (and what you can do about it). Demand is too high One very common reason for a lack of hot water is that there is simply too much demand. This usually means that there are multiple hot water appliances relying on the tank at one time. This can happen if you’ve recently upgraded to a new appliance that uses more water – such as a shower head with a higher flow or an added ..read more

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! And it’s no secret that part of the magic of the holidays is all of the decorations – the colorful lights, the fragrant garland, a perfectly lit tree. While all of these things certainly put us in the holly jolly mood, a wrong move when it comes to your holiday decor can present some risks to your HVAC system. Read on for our tips to avoiding catastrophe this holiday season. A place for everything and everything in its place When it comes down to it, holiday decor placement is everything. Of course, a beautifully placed tree or string of lights can mak ..read more

If you own a brick and mortar business, whether large or small, there are certain business expenses you cannot escape—payroll and employee benefits, overhead and operating expenses, inventory and supplies, taxes and insurance. Under the heading of overhead and operating expenses comes the cost of heating your commercial building (and air conditioning it during the warm months). Luckily, there are specific, concrete things you can do to keep those heating costs manageable. 10 of them, to be precise. The best defense is a good offense The best defense against spiraling energy costs is to ensure ..read more

Whether you’re hosting out of town family for Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Year’s, it’s always fun . . . and a little stressful, too. Cooking holiday meals, wrapping gifts and keeping visitors entertained and comfortable can be a lot to take on. Do your part to prepare before your guests arrive to ensure they feel right at home in your home! Prepare the guest bedrooms Wash bedding and towels in preparation for your guests. Leave an extra pillow and an extra blanket or two in the bedroom just in case they get cold. Be sure vents are cleared to ensure proper airflow in each room. For added con ..read more

As winter creeps closer, you may be thinking about installing a new furnace. If so, you’re likely thinking about the costs associated. When it comes to a large investment, such as a new furnace, it’s important to understand exactly what you’re paying for and why. Here are six factors that can affect the overall price: Type of furnace Probably one of the most obvious costs is the actual furnace itself. What is the make and model? Who is the manufacturer? Does it have added features? Is it electric, gas or oil? All of these will affect the price of the equipment. Equipment size Larger furnaces ..read more

Autumn in Northeast Ohio can be downright delightful. For many longtime residents it’s their favorite time of year, with cooler temperatures, beautiful leaves, pumpkin spice everything, football and Halloween. Those fall delights may be hiding a less than delightful secret, however. Fall can put seasonally unique stressors on your HVAC system, resulting in poor indoor air quality. About all that pumpkin spice . . . There’s another name for all those pumpkin spice and apple orchard candles, that autumn forest potpourri, the fall breeze air freshener, those logs burning in the fireplace—airborne ..read more

As a business, you likely have a large amount of expenses to budget for each year. Employee benefits, payroll, insurance, office supplies, rent . . . the list goes on. Do you have your HVAC expenses on that list? Setting a comprehensive HVAC budget — which accounts for monthly expenses, unexpected costs and new equipment — can be complex, but plays a crucial part in cost management and facility operations management. Establish an average monthly operating budget Look at past HVAC utility bills to help you anticipate future monthly spend. Keep in mind seasonal abnormalities (especially if you’r ..read more