Inexpensive, disposable fiberglass filters are rated in the MERV range of 1 to 4. These remove particles of dust, pollen and fibers larger than 10 microns. At the high end of the spectrum are filters in the 15 to 16 range. Utilized mainly in medical or high-tech environments, these filters remove particles as small as 0.30 microns and are effective against airborne bacteria and other organic contaminants.

For household HVAC systems, the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers recommends a MERV of 6 or above. These are pleated filters capable of removing all dust and most allergens including mold spores. Residences with sensitive individuals might choose a filter rated up to 12 for superior filtration. Filters rated higher than 12 restrict airflow excessively.

For optimum air conditioner efficiency, filter rating must be balanced against system airflow. The higher the rating, the more restrictive the filter and the more it decreases airflow. Air conditioners are engineered for greatest efficiency when airflow is within the design range. Low airflow will result in less cooling and lower comfort level. The air conditioning compressor may run longer, struggling to meet cooling demands with less air. This causes higher electricity consumption and may shorten component life.

Conversely, filters with low ratings that allow too much airflow can cause buildup of dust in the system. Air passing over system components produces condensation. Dirt in insufficiently filtered air builds up on dam evaporator coils and elsewhere in the ducts, producing an environment that supports mold and bacteria.

For more information on improving HVAC efficiency, contact the pros at Stack Heating & Cooling. We’ve been helping homeowners in the Cleveland area since 1976.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about MERV numbers and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Stack Heating services Cleveland, Ohio and the surrounding areas. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!     

• Changing your air filter every one to three months will not only prolong the life of your system, but also increase energy efficiency.
• Clear away all debris, such as leaves or sticks, from your outdoor unit. These can impede airflow and even damage the fan blades or coils.

According to the Energy Star program, professionals should handle other yearly air conditioner maintenance tasks, including:

• Cleaning the evaporator and condenser coils.
• Checking the unit’s refrigerant level.
• Lubrication of all moving parts.
• Inspection of the condensate drain.
• Checking for safe operation of system controls.
• Tightening of all electrical connections.
• Testing of thermostat.
• Cleaning of blower motor.

By properly maintaining your air conditioning system now, the chances of breakdowns that can cause extensive damage to your system are lessened.

For professional advice on your home’s air conditioning or heating systems, feel free to contact us at Stack Heating & Cooling. We have been serving the greater Cleveland area since 1976.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about air conditioner maintenance and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Stack Heating services Cleveland, Ohio and the surrounding areas. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!     

Many surges last only a millionth of a second. Yet, in that brief span, rogue electricity entering your house can surge from a few hundred to several thousand volts above normal. This transient event can take down household appliances and HVAC equipment instantly. Or, the continuous exposure to low level surges over a period of time may degrade systems gradually, leading to unreliability and shorter component life.

Power surges can result from external causes such as anomalies at the electrical utility. Appliances within your home that draw high amperage may also cause a brief surge when cycled on or off.  Lightning is a common cause, too, and your house doesn’t have to take a direct hit — a strike nearby can send voltage surging through all electrical wires in the vicinity.

Surge protection technology can preserve HVAC systems and other possessions. These devices monitor line voltage, automatically sense dangerous spikes and disconnect power before the damage is done. Whole-house surge protection, also known as service-entrance suppressors, are available to safeguard the entire circuitry of your home. Installed behind your electric meter or wired into the circuit breaker box, service-entrance units filter all incoming voltage before it enters your circuits and cut off power when a surge is detected. Point-of-use suppressors can also be installed at individual major appliances and HVAC equipment. They add an extra level of surge protection by also guarding against surges originating inside your home or entering through non-electrical sources like cable wires or satellite dishes.

Protect your electronic valuables with more information on surge-suppression strategies from Stack Heating & Cooling. We’re your go-to source for HVAC technology in the greater Cleveland area.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about surge protection and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Stack Heating services Cleveland, Ohio and the surrounding areas. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!     

Programmable thermostats now employ “smart” technology to greatly enhance your knowledge of your HVAC system, the best settings for your household and the ability to keep an eye on your energy provider’s rates.

• System maintenance: When your system is inefficient, it costs you money. These models maintain a constant internet connection that allows them to keep track of when your equipment needs to be serviced and whether the system is functioning at peak levels.
• Access from anywhere: They also come with a smartphone application and web interface that allow you to control your settings from your phone or any internet connection. So you can go to happy hour and save money on energy while you’re there.
• Rate monitoring: Not only do you have constant access, the thermostat uses the internet to track peak hour rates from your energy provider. With the information, you can easily tweak the settings to use less energy when it is most expensive.
• Humidity control: Smart programmable thermostats check the humidity and air flow in your home and use the ventilation system and air handler to keep it at comfortable levels. You can then raise or lower the temperature according to the season, without sacrificing comfort.
• Pollutant removal: This same testing feature allows them to detect any toxins or pollutant and remove them from your home, replacing stale air with fresh air.

Basically, the new generation of programmable thermostats are smart because they provide you with all the information you need to maximize your savings. They’re very simple to use, as well, so you can put this information to good use.

For help finding the perfect smart thermostat, contact Stack Heating & Cooling. With more than 35 years of service to greater Cleveland, we have the expertise you need.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about programmable thermostats and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Stack Heating services Cleveland, Ohio and the surrounding areas. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!     

• Keep your home as clean as possible by declaring war on clutter and dust. Keep your house clean and dust-free through frequent cleanings and by keeping your windows shut during windy days.
• Attack the dust mites in your home. Vacuum your home at least once a week and wash your bedding in hot water — at least 130 degrees — on a weekly basis. This will help reduce these tiny little mites that can wreak havoc on your allergies.
• Install a whole-house filter on your heating and air conditioning system. These filters work by removing the dust and pollen particles that are sucked into your home’s ductwork and redistributed by your heating and air conditioning system. This is by far the best way to allergy-proof your home, particularly if you happen to suffer from allergies to dust or mold.
• Replace your window treatments. Blinds are a wonderful breeding ground for dust and dust mites. Switch to washable cotton fabrics that are easy to clean. Once you have drapes up, try to wash them at least twice a month to keep the dust levels in your home at a low level.
• Use a dehumidifier in damp areas. Mold can quickly can a foothold in your home, especially in bathrooms and basements. A dehumidifier can help reduce the amount of mold in your home and make the air easier to breathe.

Need some help allergy-proofing your northeast Ohio home? Give the experts at Stack Heating & Cooling a call today.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about allergy season and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Stack Heating services Cleveland, Ohio and the surrounding areas. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!     

Some of this air pollution comes from the fossil fuels that are burned to generate the electricity that runs our homes. So whatever we do to reduce our use of these fossil fuels is better for the air around us.

Environmentally-conscious habits among homeowners can begin with steps as simple as turning off the light when you leave the room. Going further, energy-efficient appliances will help because they require less energy to operate.

If you’d like to learn more, take a look at our free report, “Energy Use in Your Home Affects the World Around You”.

According to Home Energy Savers, a program of the federal government, many people believe that their car is the largest single source of air pollution for which they are personally responsible. Yet the average home causes the emission of more than twice as much carbon dioxide as the average car.

This is because most of the energy consumed in our homes is produced by burning fossil fuels like coal, oil and natural gas. When these fuels are burned, they release air pollutants such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and particles that contribute to smog, acid rain and respiratory disease.

Energy efficient equipment, such as those with the Energy Star label, consumes less energy and produces less pollutants – which benefits the environment. It also costs less for you to operate – which benefits your wallet.

Not only that, energy-efficient homes are more comfortable and are safer.

Breathing Leads to… Death??

Heart attacks, strokes, respiratory illness, cardiovascular disease… It’s hard to imagine that there could be one source for such different sicknesses. However, both the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) are focusing on a single culprit: air pollution.

The Numbers

The NRDC has established that roughly 64,000 Americans die each year from pollution, while the WHO reports over 3 million fatalities annually. For anyone with family or friends suffering from the illnesses above, those numbers aren’t just scary – they’re horrifying.

The Solution

A one-stop solution has yet to be found, but experts agree that there are precautions and steps that can be taken to reduce the effects of pollution. Air purifiers, clean fuel sources, tuned cars and cars that use natural gas or electricity can all reduce pollution exposure. And so can replacing your old, struggling home comfort system with an energy-efficient model.

Is your old home comfort system contributing to bad air in your community?  Keeping our customers informed for this season, especially when it means protecting you and the earth we live on, is a huge priority for Stack Heating & Cooling.  Stay tuned for more educational reports so that we can offer our years of knowledge and expertise to you.

With a zoning system, you can control the temperature of each room or section in your home. A zoning system uses multiple thermostats and duct dampers that all function independently to ensure even heating/cooling throughout.

Most homes need to be split up into two or three zones. For example, at night and in the early morning when the bedroom is occupied, you can select only that room to be heated/cooled, while the rest of the house can be set to an energy-saving temperature. Being able to only heat specific rooms instead of trying to control the temperature of the entire house means you reduce your energy usage and in turn cut your energy costs.

A zoning system will be especially effective in houses with multiple floors, large glass windows or large open areas. In most cases, all that is required to install a zoning system is a control panel, proper ductwork, dampers and thermostats. This means zoning systems can be fitted onto nearly all forced-air systems.

For expert advice on zoning systems in northeast Ohio, contact us at Stack Heating & Cooling.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about zoning systems and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Stack Heating services Cleveland, Ohio and the surrounding areas. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!     

A heat pump doesn’t create heat — it simply moves heat from one place to another; the only fuel it uses is electricity. These systems are capable of creating three times the heat from each watt of electricity they use, making them an energy-efficient alternative to using combustible fuels. However, their effectiveness declines when temperatures drop into the 30s, but the dual-fuel systems combine the efficiency of heat pumps with a backup fuel-burning furnace to fill in when temperatures drop.

The greater Cleveland area is an ideal climate for a dual-fuel system, where you can heat your home using the heat in the air during the fall and winter when temperatures are above the mid-30s, and switch to combustion fuel during December, January and February. Since the most efficient fuel-burning furnace burns at 98 percent efficiency and a pump may generate 300 percent efficiency, using the heat pump makes sense when temperatures are above 35 degrees F. Instead of paying for fuel during the entire heating season, you rely on the latent heat in the air during milder weather with dual-fuel heat pumps.

In the summer, the heat pump works just like an air conditioner, taking heat and humidity away from your home. Heat pumps have two ratings: SEER and HSPF. SEER denotes the seasonal energy efficiency ratio, and HSPF is the heating season performance factor. The lowest SEER and HSPF equipment available stand at 13 and 7.7, respectively. Choosing a system with higher ratings lowers your conditioning costs year-round.

If you would like more information about dual-fuel systems, contact Stack Heating & Cooling. We’ve served the greater Cleveland area since 1976. We’re here to help you lower your HVAC bills without sacrificing comfort.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about dual-fuel systems and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Stack Heating services Cleveland, Ohio and the surrounding areas. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!     

• Friction or contact with other objects, such as framework or pipes.
• Stress in duct joints from expansion and contraction.
• Damaged, disconnected or loose ducts at joints, including air-supply registers.

Rattle, Clatter And Boom

Ducts sometimes come into contact with other structures, either from the house settling and shifting, or from poor duct installation. There should be a minimum of one inch between ducts and framework and other objects. This space is provided to allow ducts room for expansion and contraction, which is normal as conditioned airflow causes temperature changes to duct walls. Ducts expand both when heated, and when they return to normal temperature.

How To Stop The Noise

Noise caused by contact between ducts and framework may be muffled by placing padding at the friction points. If this doesn’t work, then a heating and cooling professional will need to assess the best solution, which may be repositioning ducts, or cutting into the framework.

Noise caused by stresses at duct joints may be solved by installing expansion collar joints. If one of the noises you hear is a very loud “boom,” this may be at the plenum and duct trunk connection near the furnace. The expansion collar should do the trick.

Rattling and clattering noises are often signs of damaged, disconnected or loose ducts. If this is the case, you may by wasting substantial heating and cooling energy. The average home loses more than 20 percent of conditioned air before it reaches the living space. Find the leaks and disjointed ducts, and seal them with mastic or aluminum tape.

Ducts aren’t always easily accessible. Use caution. If you have questions, contact Stack Heating & Cooling, and we’ll be glad to help. We’re a family-owned and operated company, and we’ve proudly served northeast Ohio since 1976.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about duct noise and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Stack Heating services Cleveland, Ohio and the surrounding areas. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!