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Advice

HVAC advice for Northeast Ohio homeowners

Raber HVAC publishes heating, heat pump, cooling, plumbing and indoor air quality guides for homeowners in Northeast Ohio. For an answer about your own system, call (216) 888-4822.

  • 37 articles
  • Written for Northeast Ohio housing stock
  • No sales pitch, just what we would tell you on the phone
  • OH LIC #28728
Guides

Answers to the questions homeowners ask

Heat pumps, plumbing and more, with the official sources linked in each guide.

  • MaintenanceHeating

    What should a furnace tune up include?

    A real furnace tune up checks the gas connections and pressure, the burners and flame, the heat exchanger, the vent pipes, the safety controls, the wiring, the blower and airflow, and the condensate drain, and includes a combustion analysis with written readings. In Northeast Ohio, book it in early fall, before the first freeze.

    October 1, 2026Read

  • Heating

    Why is my radiator or baseboard heat not working?

    Baseboard heat not working, or a radiator not heating, usually comes down to trapped air, low boiler pressure, a stuck zone valve or a failed circulator on a hot water system, or a closed valve or bad air vent on a steam system. Work out which system you have first, because the fixes differ.

    October 1, 2026Read

  • Heating

    Why does my furnace turn on but not heat?

    When a furnace turns on but gives no heat, or clicks but will not ignite, one step of its start up sequence is failing: the inducer fan, pressure switch, ignitor, gas supply, flame sensor or blower. Check the thermostat, power, filter and outdoor vent pipes yourself. Leave every part inside the burner area to a technician.

    October 1, 2026Read

  • HeatingMaintenance

    Why is my furnace leaking water?

    A furnace leaking water is usually a high efficiency furnace whose condensate, the water it pulls out of its own exhaust, is not reaching the drain: a clogged trap or drain line, a failed condensate pump or a loose line. Water dripping from above is often the AC coil pan or a humidifier.

    October 1, 2026Read

  • HeatingEmergency

    Cracked heat exchanger symptoms and what to do about them

    Cracked heat exchanger symptoms include soot around the furnace or flue pipe, rust, yellow or flickering flames, a furnace that keeps shutting itself off, and a carbon monoxide alarm. None of them proves a crack, and you cannot confirm one by looking. If a CO alarm sounds or anyone feels sick, get everyone outside and call 911.

    October 1, 2026Read

  • HeatingMaintenance

    Why does my furnace smell like burning when I first turn it on?

    That first burning smell of the fall is usually summer dust burning off the burners and heat exchanger. It is normal and should fade within a few hours. Burning plastic or hot wiring is not: turn the furnace off and call. A rotten egg smell can mean gas: get everyone outside, then call 911 or your gas utility.

    September 30, 2026Read

  • Heat PumpsCooling

    Where ductless mini splits make sense in a Northeast Ohio house

    A ductless mini split makes the most sense where ducts are missing or cannot reach: a boiler or radiator house that never had central air, an attic bedroom, a sunroom, an addition, a finished basement or a garage used as living space. Cold climate models keep heating through a Northeast Ohio winter, with backup heat for the coldest nights.

    September 30, 2026Read

  • PlumbingEmergency

    Water heater leaking from the bottom? What it means and what to do right now

    Water under a water heater often is not a failed tank: condensation, a slightly open drain valve or relief valve discharge can put water on the floor. If you can reach it without standing in water, set a gas control to OFF or switch off an electric heater's breaker, then close the cold water valve. A leaking tank means replacement.

    September 30, 2026Read

  • Plumbing

    Is a tankless water heater worth it in Northeast Ohio?

    It can be, for a Northeast Ohio home on natural gas, if it is sized for January, when Lake Erie water can reach the house in the mid 30s F. It gives continuous hot water and a life expectancy ENERGY STAR puts at 20 years, but costs more to install and needs enough gas, its own vent and regular flushing.

    September 30, 2026Read

  • Heat PumpsHeating

    Dual fuel heat pump or gas furnace? Choosing for a Northeast Ohio home

    For most Northeast Ohio homes with a gas or propane furnace and ductwork, dual fuel fits best: the heat pump cools all summer and heats when it is cheaper, and the furnace handles the cold. At January 2026 Ohio averages, a 95 percent gas furnace heated for less than a heat pump; propane cost about as much or more.

    September 30, 2026Read

Around Northeast Ohio

Articles about individual towns

Newest first.

  • CoolingEmergencyTips & Advice

    AC Repair in Shaker Heights: What You Need to Know

    The most common AC problems in Shaker Heights homes are warm air, a system that will not start, weak airflow, strange noises and nonstop running. Check the thermostat, filter, breaker and outdoor unit first. An older system that needs frequent repairs or still uses R-22 refrigerant is usually worth replacing rather than repairing.

    July 6, 2026Read

  • MaintenanceIndoor Air QualityTips & Advice

    Air Duct Repair in Fairview Park: What Homeowners Need to Know

    ENERGY STAR says a typical house loses about 20 to 30 percent of the air moving through its ducts to leaks, holes and poor connections. Signs include uneven temperatures, high energy bills, extra dust and weak airflow. Repair can mean sealing leaks with mastic or metal-backed tape, reconnecting loose sections and replacing crushed flexible duct.

    July 1, 2026Read

  • HeatingTips & AdviceEmergency

    Gas Furnace Installation in Fairview Park, OH

    A proper gas furnace installation starts with a Manual J load calculation to size the unit, then safe removal of the old furnace, gas leak tests, airflow balancing and a thermostat walkthrough. Raber HVAC delivers expert installation, honest pricing, and a 24/7 emergency line to keep your home warm all winter long.

    June 19, 2026Read

  • MaintenanceTips & Advice

    HVAC Annual Maintenance in Bay Village, OH

    HVAC annual maintenance in Bay Village means a heating tune-up in early fall (September or October) and a cooling tune-up in early spring (March or April). The fall visit checks the heat exchanger, ignition, burners, gas pressure and venting; the spring visit cleans the coils and checks refrigerant, the condensate drain and electrical parts.

    June 18, 2026Read

  • HeatingEmergencyMaintenance

    Furnace Repair in Bay Village, OH

    Raber HVAC repairs furnaces in Bay Village, OH, with a 24/7 emergency line. No heat can mean a faulty thermostat, clogged filter or bad ignitor. Repair a furnace under 15 years old if the fix costs a small share of a new one; consider replacing one past 15 years or needing frequent repairs.

    June 15, 2026Read

  • CoolingEmergencyTips & Advice

    Air Conditioner Repair Man in Bay Village, OH

    Raber HVAC handles air conditioner repair in Bay Village, OH, with a 24/7 emergency line at (216) 888-4822. Call when vents blow warm air, the unit short cycles, the house stays sticky or bills spike. A technician checks refrigerant, electrical parts, coils, filters and airflow.

    June 11, 2026Read

  • HeatingCoolingMaintenance

    HVAC Services in Bay Village, OH

    Raber HVAC delivers expert heating, cooling, and maintenance services to Bay Village homeowners, keeping your home comfortable through every Ohio season.

    June 10, 2026Read

  • HeatingMaintenanceTips & Advice

    Furnace Servicing in Fairview Park: What to Know

    Have your Fairview Park furnace serviced once a year, ideally in September or October, before the first hard freeze. A thorough tune-up takes 60 to 90 minutes: heat exchanger and carbon monoxide safety checks, cleaning the burners and blower, testing gas pressure and temperature rise, and replacing the air filter.

    June 10, 2026Read

  • CoolingEmergencyTips & Advice

    AC Repair in Independence, OH

    Is your air conditioner struggling to keep up with a hot Ohio summer? Raber HVAC provides fast, reliable AC repair in Independence, with a 24/7 emergency line.

    June 10, 2026Read

  • HeatingMaintenanceTips & Advice

    Furnace Replacement in Fairview Park: What to Know

    Price a furnace replacement when the furnace is more than 15 years old, or needs frequent repairs while energy bills climb, as ENERGY STAR advises. Uneven heating, banging or a burning smell are other signs. Compare the repair price and a replacement quote side by side. Installation typically takes a single day.

    June 8, 2026Read

  • CoolingTips & Advice

    AC Installation in Strongsville, OH

    A central air installation in Strongsville typically takes 4 to 8 hours: an in-home assessment, sizing by Manual J load calculation, removal of the old unit, then the new condenser and indoor coil or air handler, tested for airflow, refrigerant charge and thermostat operation. For Ohio, we generally recommend SEER2 15 or higher.

    June 7, 2026Read

  • EmergencyHeatingTips & Advice

    24/7 Emergency HVAC Twinsburg: We're Always Ready

    Raber HVAC's emergency line is open 24/7 for Twinsburg homes. Call right away for no heat in freezing weather, AC failure in extreme heat or standing water around HVAC equipment. Smell gas? Leave, call your gas provider, then us. Carbon monoxide alarm? Get out first, then call for emergency service.

    June 7, 2026Read

  • HeatingTips & Advice

    Furnace Install in Fairview Park: What to Expect

    A furnace install in Fairview Park starts with an in-home assessment of your system, ductwork and venting, and a Manual J load calculation to size the new furnace. You then get a recommendation and quote. Most replacements are completed in a single day, followed by system testing and a walkthrough.

    June 5, 2026Read

  • CoolingTips & Advice

    AC Installation in Independence, OH

    A professional AC installation in Independence, OH starts with a Manual J load calculation to size the system, then equipment selection using SEER2 ratings, removal of the old unit, and code-compliant connection of refrigerant lines, wiring and the condensate drain. It ends with system testing and a walkthrough.

    June 5, 2026Read

  • CoolingEmergencyTips & Advice

    AC Repair in Bay Village, OH: Fast & Reliable

    Is your AC struggling through a hot Ohio summer? Raber HVAC provides expert air conditioner repair in Bay Village, with a 24/7 emergency line when you need it most.

    June 4, 2026Read

  • HeatingMaintenanceEmergency

    Furnace Repair in Fairview Park, OH

    When your furnace fails during a Cleveland-area winter, you need fast, reliable help. Raber HVAC delivers expert furnace repair, maintenance, and replacement in Fairview Park, with a 24/7 emergency line.

    June 2, 2026Read

  • HeatingMaintenanceTips & Advice

    Furnace Maintenance in Fairview Park: What Homeowners Need to Know

    Schedule a professional furnace tune-up once a year, ideally in early fall. It should inspect the heat exchanger, clean the burners, test the ignitor and flame sensor, check the venting and measure carbon monoxide. Between visits, check the filter monthly in heavy-use seasons and replace it every 1 to 3 months.

    June 2, 2026Read

  • CoolingEmergencyTips & Advice

    AC Installation in Fairview Park: What Homeowners Need to Know

    Consider a new air conditioner once yours is more than 10 years old, as ENERGY STAR suggests, or when repair bills keep coming. A Manual J load calculation sets the right size, and a standard central air installation in Fairview Park typically takes one full day. Booking before peak summer means faster service.

    June 2, 2026Read

  • CoolingTips & Advice

    AC Installation in Bay Village, OH

    Need AC installation in Bay Village, OH? Raber HVAC delivers expert cooling solutions for Greater Cleveland homeowners, with a 24/7 emergency line and local service.

    June 2, 2026Read

  • EmergencyHeatingCooling

    Emergency HVAC Repair in Fairview Park, OH

    When your heating or AC breaks down in Fairview Park, Raber HVAC has a 24/7 emergency line. Call (216) 888-4822 for no heat in freezing weather, an AC failing in dangerous heat, or an AC sparking or smelling of burning. If you smell gas or a carbon monoxide alarm sounds, get out first.

    May 31, 2026Read

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