With five generations of knowledge, Verne & Ellsworth Hann has provided our clients in Shaker Heights with outstanding customer service. When you need trained HVAC technicians or certified plumbing services, you can count on Verne & Ellsworth.
Northeast Ohio’s Heating, Air Conditioning, Boilers, Plumbing experts. If you’re having problems with your HVAC or plumbing, contact us today!

Reliable Heating Replacement & Repair
The average winter temperature for Shaker Heights is 36 degrees. When the weather is that cold, you need to know you can count on your heating unit to do its job. Inevitably, heating units will break down, but you can always count on Verne & Ellsworth for reliable heating services. We can install, replace, repair, and maintain your home’s heating unit.Â
Our qualified heating technicians have decades of experience with:
- Gas and electric furnaces: These are tried and tested methods for keeping your home warm. With reliable fuel sources and the ability to share your AC’s existing ductwork, a furnace is a fantastic option for heating your home.
- Boilers: Boilers heat the home by boiling water, piped throughout to radiate heat into the air. This centuries-old device uses one of the most reliable methods around.
- Heat pumps: Heat pumps are a modern way to heat your home. They work without external heat sources, such as furnaces and boilers, and can pull heat from the air, ground, or a nearby water source.Â
Comprehensive Cooling & AC Services
When the humidity spikes and the temperature approaches 90 degrees, it’s no time for your AC to stop. No matter the issue, you can count on Verne & Ellsworth for trustworthy cooling services. Our certified AC technicians can install, replace, repair, and maintain your home’s AC unit.
We have decades of knowledge in:
- Ductless mini-splits: A ductless mini-split gives you complete control over your home’s temperature without the cumbersome ductwork of traditional units. A ductless mini-split cools your home through an individual unit mounted to the wall in each room.
- High-velocity ACs: High-velocity AC units are a perfect option for historic homes in the Shaker Heights area. Instead of ductwork, they use small, flexible tubing to pipe air throughout your home.
Air Quality & Ductwork Services in Shaker Heights
The air quality in your home has a significant impact on your health and well-being. This is why Verne & Ellsworth is proud to work with units such as:
- Air scrubbers and cleaners: These units keep the air free of germs and allergens, keeping your lungs happy and healthy.
- Carbon monoxide detection: These can be life-saving devices for those using gas or oil furnaces.
- Whole-house humidifiers: Dry air pulls moisture from anywhere it can. Protect your home, furniture, and skin with a whole-house humidifier.
- Whole-house dehumidifiers: Too much moisture in the air can lead to mildew and mold issues. A dehumidifier is an easy way to prevent this.Â
Top-Rated Plumbing Services
Malfunctioning plumbing is a fast way to ruin your day. You can count on Verne & Ellsworth when you need qualified plumbing services. We’ll keep your plumbing running smoothly with such services as:
- Water heaters: We can install or repair your traditional or tankless water heaters.
- Water lines: We can install or repair your water lines to keep your potable water flowing.Â
- Gas lines: We can pipe, repair, and test your gas lines to ensure your home’s safety.
- Drain snaking: We’ll keep your home draining smoothly, removing any pesky clogs you may face.
Schedule With Verne & Ellsworth Hann in Shaker Heights
One of the oldest family-run businesses in the area, Verne & Ellsworth has won the Angi Super Service Award and the Best of the Heights Award. We are committed to outstanding customer service, professionalism, and integrity. When our licensed and insured technicians set foot on your property, you can rest assured the job will be done right.
Contact our team today to request a free estimate or to schedule services in Shaker Heights.
Recent Jobs and Reviews in Shaker Heights, OH
Job Locations and Reviews
Removed existing conventional water heater and installed new wall-mounted tankless water heater unit in basement utility area. Completed all necessary plumbing connections including copper supply lines, PVC venting system, and associated shut-off valves to ensure proper operation and code compliance.
Responded to a clogged drain issue affecting both a floor drain in the utility/laundry room and a third-floor bathroom in a 95-year-old residential property. Upon arrival, assessed the floor drain which showed significant accumulation of debris, grime, and organic matter causing restricted water flow. The drain cover exhibited heavy soiling with buildup blocking the perforated openings. Given the age of the home's plumbing system, evaluated potential complications related to older cast iron or galvanized piping that may contribute to recurring drainage issues.
Cleared the floor drain by removing the drain cover and extracting accumulated debris and blockage material. Utilized appropriate drain cleaning equipment to break up and remove obstructions within the drain line. Addressed the third-floor bathroom clog, which was likely connected to the same drainage system given the simultaneous occurrence of both issues. The vintage plumbing configuration in this older home required careful a
Responded to no cooling complaint on six-year-old air conditioning system. Upon arrival, performed diagnostic testing using refrigerant manifold gauges and temperature measurements. System pressures indicated low refrigerant charge with suction pressure reading 45.6 psig and evaporator temperature at 87.7°F, confirming insufficient cooling capacity. Inspected outdoor condensing unit and indoor air handler components. Located compromised ductwork insulation in attic space with visible tears and gaps affecting system efficiency. Flexible duct connections showed proper sealing with foil tape, but surrounding fiberglass insulation exhibited deterioration and sagging sections that could impact overall system performance. Documented system conditions with photos for member records. Recommended refrigerant recharge and ductwork insulation repair to restore proper cooling operation.
Responded to no cooling complaint and performed comprehensive system evaluation. Upon inspection, found outdoor condenser unit in severely deteriorated condition with significant corrosion on fan grille and cabinet, indicating advanced age and exposure damage. Unit showed signs of neglect with vegetation overgrowth impeding proper airflow and clearance requirements. Provided complete replacement estimate for new HVAC system to restore cooling functionality and improve energy efficiency.
Completed installation of Nest thermostat on 9-year-old boiler system. Assessed existing wiring configuration at terminal block and determined common wire requirements. Successfully integrated Nest Power Connector to provide adequate power supply for thermostat operation, ensuring compatibility with boiler control system and proper communication between thermostat and heating equipment.
Responded to no cooling complaint on 20+ year old residential air conditioning system. Upon arrival, confirmed outdoor condenser unit was running with fan motor operational and capacitor recently replaced. Performed system diagnostics and found low refrigerant charge as primary cause of inadequate cooling. Identified small refrigerant leak in evaporator coil through pressure testing and leak detection procedures. Discussed repair options with customer, who declined major repairs or system replacement at this time. Added refrigerant to restore proper charge levels and system returned to normal cooling operation. Advised customer that leak will require future attention and system may need additional refrigerant in coming months. All components tested and verified operational before departure.
Responded to air conditioner water leak affecting the entire system. Upon arrival, inspected the Amana HVAC unit and associated condensate drainage system in the basement. Identified issues with the condensate drain line routing and verified proper operation of the drainage components. Documented equipment condition with photographs showing the furnace, ductwork, and white PVC condensate piping configuration for service records.
Responded to clogged drain service call at a 90-year-old residential property. Assessed bathroom plumbing system including bathtub drain, overflow assembly, and associated fixtures. Successfully cleared drain obstruction and restored proper water flow, verifying all chrome fixtures and drain components were functioning correctly upon completion.
Performed comprehensive AC tune-up on residential split system with outdoor condenser unit and indoor air handler. Completed standard maintenance protocol including inspection of refrigerant lines, electrical connections, and condensate drainage system. All components found to be operating within normal parameters with no immediate service needs identified.
Responded to service call for 3-year-old Bryant system experiencing icing on evaporator coils and excessive condensation. Performed diagnostic evaluation using manifold gauges to check refrigerant pressures and temperatures on the outdoor condensing unit. System readings indicated low refrigerant charge; added R-410A refrigerant to manufacturer specifications, verified proper superheat and subcooling values, and confirmed normal system operation with no further icing concerns.
Completed comprehensive tune-up maintenance on 2-year-old HVAC system including air handler located in attic space and outdoor condensing unit. Performed standard preventive maintenance procedures including inspection of electrical connections, ductwork integrity verification, condensate drain line check, and overall system operational assessment. All components found to be functioning within normal parameters with no deficiencies requiring immediate correction.
Responded to service call for leaking bathroom faucet in century-old home. Upon inspection, identified worn internal components in chrome widespread faucet assembly mounted on granite countertop. Disassembled faucet handles and spout, replaced deteriorated cartridges and O-rings, and reassured proper seating of all fixtures. Tested for leaks under pressure and confirmed complete seal restoration. All fixtures left in proper working condition with no active leaks detected.
Completed courtesy cooling maintenance on 6-year-old air conditioning system. Performed comprehensive system diagnostics using refrigerant manifold and micron gauge, measuring operating pressures, temperatures, superheat, and subcooling values to verify proper refrigerant charge and system performance. All readings were within manufacturer specifications, and the unit is operating efficiently for the cooling season.
Performed annual maintenance flush on a one-year-old Energy Star certified tankless water heater unit as part of a courtesy plumbing visit. Successfully completed descaling procedure by isolating the unit using the installed service valves, connecting flush equipment via the brass isolation valves with blue handles, and circulating cleaning solution through the heat exchanger to remove mineral buildup and maintain optimal efficiency. Unit tested and returned to normal operation with all connections verified leak-free.
Responded to tub drain issue at 90-year-old residential building, apartment F109. Upon investigation, accessed plumbing system through wall cavity behind closet area, revealing aged brass/copper drain fittings and horizontal support piping. Assessed drainage components within wall structure to diagnose and address the reported bathtub drain concern.
Responded to no cooling complaint on one-year-old Carrier central air conditioning system affecting entire residence. Upon arrival, performed comprehensive system diagnostics including refrigerant charge verification, electrical component testing, and airflow assessment at both indoor air handler and outdoor condensing unit. Documented equipment conditions with photographs showing Carrier furnace with evaporator coil installation in basement mechanical room, noting clean installation with proper clearances and accessible service access points. Completed diagnostic evaluation and identified root cause of cooling failure, restoring system to proper operation with normal temperature differential and adequate airflow throughout residence.
Completed routine maintenance and tune-up on a 10-year-old residential air conditioning system. Performed comprehensive inspection of all system components, checked refrigerant levels, cleaned condenser coils, inspected return air grille and ductwork, verified proper airflow through horizontal louver vents, and confirmed system operation. No deficiencies identified and unit operating within normal parameters per manufacturer specifications.
Provided estimate for replacement of existing Unico air conditioning system. Current system operational but experiencing refrigerant leak from evaporator coil. Assessed basement installation including furnace, ductwork configuration, and existing high-velocity AC components to determine replacement specifications and scope of work.
Responded to service call for attic-mounted air handler with reported evaporator coil leak. Upon inspection, confirmed active leak at evaporator coil with condensate accumulating in drain pan requiring frequent manual emptying. Assessed condensate drainage system including primary drain pan, overflow safety switch, and condensate pump assembly. Documented existing conditions with photographs showing drain pan configuration, PVC drain lines, and condensate pump installation for further evaluation and repair planning.
Responded to no cooling complaint on residential air conditioning system. Upon arrival, confirmed compressor was not operating and thermostat batteries had already been replaced by homeowner without resolving issue. Performed comprehensive diagnostic testing using digital multimeter to assess electrical components and system functionality. Identified failed capacitor preventing compressor from starting. Replaced defective dual run capacitor with properly rated OEM replacement part. Verified proper voltage and amperage readings across all electrical connections. Tested system operation through complete cooling cycle, confirming compressor engagement and proper refrigerant pressures. System restored to normal cooling operation with all components functioning within manufacturer specifications.