Air Conditioning|Cooling|Indoor Air Quality

If you’re looking for ways to keep your home cool this summer, this cheat sheet will help you to do just that — and save money!

Home Cooling Cheat Sheet for Air Conditioning in Cleveland

• Close curtains and blinds. Use light blocking curtains and blinds on windows where the sun blazes into your home. Keep them closed during the hottest part of the day.
• Use a programmable thermostat. Set your programmable thermostat to a higher temperature when you aren’t at home, and program it to start cooling down an hour before you’re expected to return.
• Use fans. Ceiling, box and pedestal fans can help your home feel cooler by circulating the air. You also can use them to push the air from downstairs to your upstairs areas.
• Have a well-maintained AC system. If you haven’t had an AC system tune-up or maintenance call this year, now is the perfect time. A well-maintained AC system will run more effectively and efficiently.
• Open windows. On cooler days and nights, open the windows and let the cool air in. This also will help to clean out the air in your home. Remember to keep windows closed during the hottest times of the day.
• Use appliances less. By air drying dishes instead of using the dishwasher and cooking on the outside grill rather than with the oven, you can help reduce heat build-up in your home.
• Replace your old air conditioning unit. If you have an old air conditioning unit it may be time for a replacement. New units are built to be more effective and efficient and can save you money in the long run.

When you need more information on air conditioning in Cleveland, the team at P.K. Wadsworth can help. We offer a full range of air conditioning services, including installation, repairs and maintenance. Contact us today at 1-440-248-2110 for all your air conditioning needs.

During the dog days of summer, homeowners in our area become increasingly sensitive to higher humidity. And when it’s too humid outdoors, it can also be too humid in your home, leaving you feeling clammy and uncomfortable.

On the other hand, when our homes are too dry, we’re also uncomfortable. Excessively dry air aggravates allergies, causes breathing problems and can leave your skin feeling inflamed and itchy.

Balancing Humidity

Maintaining a home that’s neither too humid or too dry can be a balancing act, but it can be done. The first thing to do is to acquire a hygrometer. This handy device, available at a hardware store, measures the moisture in the air, or the relative humidity. The ideal is between 40-50%, although the ideal may be slightly lower in the winter.

Too Humid

In the summer, when temperatures are warmer, you want less humidity in the air or you’ll be inclined to turn down the thermostat and waste energy. If humidity is a problem in your home, then find the source and contain it. Among the possible reasons for high home humidity:

• Leaks in the roof or plumbing
• Unventilated moisture buildup in bathroom or kitchen
• Malfunctioning HVAC system
• Dirty air filter
• Obstruction in the condensate drain

Too much humidity in the home not only makes it feel uncomfortable, but can also promote mold. If the relative humidity is still too high after making repairs or changing the filter, you may need to install a whole home dehumidifier.  These whole home units have only recently become available and perform much better than old basement dehumidifiers that you might have grown up with.

Too Dry

Respiratory issues and skin irritations aren’t the only problems caused by excessively dry air. In the winter dry air makes you feel colder than you need to, and may make it easier to catch the flu virus. Low humidity can also dry out and crack wooden floors and home furnishings.

Boost humidity in the home with these tactics:

• Add house plants
• Boil pans of water on the stove
• Leave the door open when showering
• Install a whole-house or portable humidifier

For more tips on balancing humidity, contact P.K. Wadsworth Heating & Cooling. We serve the Greater Cleveland area.

Before summer rolls in and it’s time to turn on the air conditioning, it’s a wise idea to have your air conditioner inspected by a qualified HVAC technician. Taking this one simple step will reduce the chances of your AC unit breaking down when you need it most. If there are any loose or failing parts, your HVAC technician can catch and repair them before they get any worse. Here’s a look at what to expect during your inspection appointment.

Cleaning the system: Your outdoor unit is exposed to a lot of dirt and debris. Your HVAC technician will remove the cover from the unit and clean out any dirt that has accumulated. This will ensure your unit operates efficiently. If the outdoor coil needs to be chemically cleaned, he will advise you.

Checking thermostat settings: By setting the thermostat at a certain level and observing how your system responds, your technician will make sure your air conditioner is properly integrated with the thermostat and that the temperature being displayed is accurate.

Clearing the condensate drain: A blocked condensate drain can cause serious water damage to your property and HVAC equipment, so your technician will ensure this drain and the associated pipes are open and clear.

Securing electrical connections: Your technician will make sure all of the electrical connections are in good shape so that your unit does not suffer from a power failure.

Lubricating moving parts: A lack of lubrication leads to friction that can cause parts to rust and break prematurely. Your technician will make sure all moving parts are well lubricated and that the associated screws and bolts are properly tightened.

Checking the filter: If you haven’t changed your filter recently, your technician will do it for you. A clean filter reduces wear and tear on your air conditioner, ensures cleaner air, and also lowers your energy bills.

Checking over and tuning up your air conditioning system should only take your HVAC technician an hour or so. If any larger issues are detected, an appointment will be made to repair them before cooling season arrives.  This insures that your system will be working when you need it even if there are some follow-up repairs. Contact P.K. Wadsworth to schedule your springtime air conditioning inspection today.

One of the most common questions we get here at P.K. Wadsworth is “why does my AC smell bad?” While this question can be hard to answer over the phone, there are actually a lot of reasons why a not-so-sweet scent will be wafting throughout your entire home from your AC unit or furnace. Luckily, our team of experts has seen (and smelled) it all, and is here to take you through multiple different scents you might be sniffing, and what they could mean for you and your home’s safety.

What’s That Smell Coming Out of My Cleveland Air Conditioning Unit?

Here are six of the most common air conditioner smells and what might be causing them:

• Sulfur or rotten eggs: This scent is almost always a sign that you have a gas leak or an unlit pilot light that is allowing gas to seep continually into your home. We highly suggest you do not investigate this smell on your own, because gas is highly flammable and could cause bodily harm. Instead, we recommend you call your gas company ASAP to report this smell. In the meantime, visit a neighbor or friend until the issue has been fixed.
• Electrical or burnt smell: These scents are pretty unmistakable. It usually indicates that your motor is overheating, your electrical wiring is damaged, or oil is burning. We recommend that you turn off your system and call your HVAC company immediately.
  • It’s important to note that a type of burning smell can occur annually at the beginning of the heating season. This often happens when the dust that accumulates on your heating surfaces begins to burn off when your heater starts up. Generally, this smell disappears after a few cycles because the dust is consumed. If the odor continues, however, it’s a good idea to get your unit checked out by a professional.
• Musty or damp smell: In almost all cases, a damp or musty smell indicates mold or mildew is present in your air ducts and/or ventilation system. Not only does this lead to an unpleasant odor, it also means indoor air quality is compromised since mold can both cause and exacerbate respiratory issues. Schedule an HVAC appointment to have air ducts inspected and cleaned, if necessary. Filters should be replaced regularly as well. These smells are also a sign that interior humidity levels are too high, in which case you should consider the benefits of a whole-house dehumidifier.
• Dirty socks or stinky feet: This is literally called “dirty sock syndrome” and occurs when your unit has dirty evaporator coils, clogged condensation drain pans, or stagnant water. Usually, dirty sock syndrome is not a risk to your health, but you should still call your local HVAC company to inquire about it. However, if you or someone in your home suffers from asthma or extreme allergies, you may want to take “dirty sock syndrome” more seriously.
• Rotting carcass or dirty trash: As upsetting as it is to think about, sometimes critters from outside will try and crawl toward your furnace for warmth in the winter. If they die near your unit, you’ll be able to identify the smell of it pretty quickly. If you go inspecting and find a decomposing animal, you better call your HVAC company ASAP
• Sewage: We know – ew! But sometimes your sewer gases can back up into your home if your unit has dry p-taps. This isn’t necessarily an AC problem; however, it is still something to sort out with your HVAC or plumbing company right away. You can try to run water through all your sinks to get rid of the scent, but your best bet is to give a professional a call.

Premier HVAC Services Throughout the Cleveland Area

If you’re worried about the smell coming from your air conditioning unit or furnace, look no further for help than P.K. Wadsworth Heating & Cooling. We have been family-owned and -operated and serving the Cleveland area for over 80 years. We pride ourselves on our customer service, attentiveness, a high degree of training, and use of the latest technologies to get the job done. Let us help you get your home back to feeling (and smelling) normal!

When most homeowners think of central air conditioning, they picture a system that integrates with a forced air furnace and a system of ducts. If your home has boiler heating, you may assume that AC installation simply isn’t an option. But while installing a standard, duct-based central air conditioning system may not work well, there are modern air conditioning systems that are perfect for homes with boiler-style heating. You can enjoy a cool home without window air conditioners, after all! Here’s a look.

Ductless Mini split Systems

Installing a duct-based air conditioning system in a home with boiler heating is a major endeavor that can require gutting rooms, installing ugly soffits and moving walls to accommodate expansive ducts. There is, however, another style of air conditioning that doesn’t require large ducts to be run behind the walls. A ductless, mini split air conditioning system consists of an outdoor condenser and an air handling unit, which is mounted on the wall.

You can have several different air handling units installed, one for each floor or section of the home, which allow you to independently control the temperatures of these zones. This makes for greater energy-efficiency and enhanced comfort. Mini split AC systems also operate quietly and cleanly.

Unico Systems

If you’d rather not have a large air handling unit mounted on your wall, another option is a type of AC system called the Unico System. This system consists of a main air handling unit along with a series of thin pipes that carry the cooled air to various rooms. These small pipes are easy to run behind walls or above ceilings without the need for remodeling. The air emerges from small, circular vents that are easy to decorate around.

The air handling units of the Unico System are typically placed in crawl spaces, attics, or closets so they don’t get in the way or serve as an eyesore.

To learn more about ductless minisplit A/C installation and Unico System installation in the Cleveland area, contact the experts at P.K. Wadsworth Heating & Cooling.

Air conditioners are far from silent while they are operating. Usually the noise fades into the background after a few minutes. You may hear the hum of the fan motor, the rush of the air as the system starts, and the occasional pinging or banging as air ducts expand and contract with temperature changes. Outside, you may hear the condenser unit start the compressor and fan each cycle. But if you hear sounds that are out of the ordinary or noises that suddenly become louder, it may be time to call an HVAC professional.

Abnormal Air Conditioning Noises and Their Causes

Not every unusual noise is a sign of a problem, but it is important to investigate each to prevent the need for costly repairs in the future. Here are some of the most common air conditioner noises and their possible causes:

• Humming or buzzing – In most cases, humming will be caused by vibration of loose components, like access cover screws, fan motor or compressor mounts, or improperly secured refrigerant lines. Though loose parts are not an immediate concern, they could lead to damage in the future. Humming could also be caused by a fan motor or the compressor failing to start due to a damaged relay, start capacitor, or a problem with the motor itself.
• Clicking – Clicking while the system is on may indicate something is stuck in the blower fan, or if the sound is coming from the outdoor unit, there may debris in the condenser fan. If the system is off, repeated clicking may be a sign of a faulty relay or contactor as the compressor or fan try to start.
• Rattling – Rattling is typically a sign of loose components, but if it is coming from the outdoor unit, there may be twigs, leaves, or debris in the fan blades, or the blades may be loose or damaged.
• Tapping – Fast tapping or clicking noises may indicate that the belt for the blower fan is damaged and may break soon.
• Squealing or screaming – A blower fan belt may cause squealing if it is loose and slipping on the pulleys. Squealing or screaming sounds may also indicate bearing failures in a fan motor, or if the sound is coming from the outdoor unit, a compressor failure.
• Gurgling noises – A partially clogged condensate drain may cause gurgling or bubbling noises and should be addressed quickly to avoid water leaks or a system shutdown when the float switch is triggered.

While some noises can be repaired by simple things like shutting the power off and tightening loose fasteners or removing debris from a fan, most will require professional assistance.

Air Conditioner Repair in Cleveland

If your air conditioner is making odd noises, call our team at P.K. Wadsworth. We offer fast, professional air conditioning repairs throughout the Greater Cleveland area.

Call 855-996-5675 or Contact Us to schedule AC repairs today!