The Most Common Summer AC Problems and How You Can Fix

As summer approaches, you’re going to want to ensure your air conditioner is working optimally to stave off the next heat wave. If you’ve turned on your unit to find it not working properly, you’re going to want to check to ensure it’s not an easily fixable problem before you call out the help of an expensive professional. Here are a few culprits to your malfunctioning air conditioner that you can possibly identify and fix yourself before you shell out hundreds of dollars for professional help. Not doing regular check-ups on your unit is one of the many mistakes you’re probably making when it comes to your AC.

Many of the AC’s vital components, by the nature of chemical reactions, do have a limited shelf life so it is important to regularly get an HVAC technician to give your systems a check-up every now and then before these components fail. 

If your air conditioner runs but blows hot air...

Check your filters

Dust and dirt are detrimental to the efficiency and performance of your electrical appliance. Filters capture dust before it can travel to your system’s interior components while allowing your HVAC system to better circulate air. According to ENERGY STAR, you should check on the state of your filters on roughly a monthly basis. 

First, find where your AC filters are located—this could be by an air duct or even by the furnace. Get the correct-sized filters for your system from your local hardware store. Turn off the power and replace or clean the filter depending on if it’s disposable (cardboard frame) or reusable (metallic frame). Ensure your filter is replaced in the correct direction.

Check your coils

Your air conditioner depends on a set of coils—heating coils and condenser coils- to absorb heat within your home and transfer it outside. Dust is an effective insulator, meaning it holds on to heat and prevents it from being moved efficiently. As stated, even a light layer of dust on your coils reduces the efficiency of your AC by capturing the heat that you’re attempting to clear away. Every now and again, it’s important to turn off the unit and go over it with a stiff brush. Also be sure to clear away any debris, shrubbery and dirt on the exterior unit to keep it running optimally.

If your air conditioner doesn’t turn on...

Check the breaker/fuse

Yep, it could be that simple. Whenever any large appliance fails, it could simply be your home’s safety apparatuses kicking in. Save yourself the embarrassment and several hundred dollars and quickly check breaker panel to see if the circuit has been switched off. If it is, sometimes it can simply be switched back on.

If you notice that the appliance repeatedly trips the breaker, check if your circuits are overloaded. This is simply a test of turning on your air conditioner and other appliances plugged into the same circuit one at a time to see how many can run at once. If your AC and other individual appliances run on their own but trips once they’re used simultaneously, then it’s a sign that you just need to run fewer things alongside it. This inconvenience generally seems to be a problem in older households and, apart from adapting to this limitation, a permanent solution will require the help of an electrician to add additional circuits to your home.

If switching on the breaker still doesn’t turn on the circuit, check to see if you’ve blown a fuse. Fuses are glass ampules that contain a wire designed to melt when overheated. When the amperage is too high it breaks the circuit to prevent a fire. Fuse boxes are typically, though not always, found in the utility area by the breaker panel. If you notice a broken, discoloured or cloudy ampule, it’s been blown. First, unplug all electrical appliances on the circuit, as restoring power once the new fuse has been installed risks creating a power surge that will blow it out again. Then turn the power off from the circuit panel to eliminate the risk of shock. From there, just purchase a new fuse from your local hardware store, take the old one with you just to be sure you’re getting an identical replacement and install the new fuse.

However, if you find that running the AC alone trips the breaker, then that indicates a short circuit inside your unit. At risk of fire or electric shock it is not safe to use until repaired by a professional.

Check the thermostat

It’s the job of your thermostat to measure the temperature and signal to your furnace or air conditioner to kick in if it gets below or above a certain threshold. Fortunately, if your thermostat malfunctions, repairs are minor and can easily be fixed by yourself. Sometimes it’s as simple as replacing the backup AA or AAA batteries. 

First, turn off power to the thermostat before removing the thermostat face. Despite the low voltage that most (but not all) thermostats use, improper handling can still result in shock. While fiddling with the thermostat, remember to also clear away any dust that has collected on the system, as this also prevents it from functioning properly.

Check the drain line

Finally, the pipe that drains water from the condenser unit may be clogged. This tends to happen overtime, as algae or other gunk is allowed to build up and another safety mechanism kicks in to ensure that water doesn’t flood into the system. Turn off your HVAC system and gather a pair of rubber gloves, bleach and water, a wire brush and a wet-dry vacuum. Locate the drain pipe outside by the condenser unit and— with gloves on—insert the wire brush to dislodge any debris. Be sure to do this on both ends of the pipe (the top end will be a T-shaped PVC with a cap on it). Then, run the wet-dry vacuum on the pipe for a minute or two. Afterwards, mix equal parts bleach and water and pour it through the top of the pipe.

Why You Should Call Beekeepers Instead of Exterminators

If you have children or pets, finding a beehive can be extremely troubling. If you don’t remove the hive, bees can cause major damage to your home or continue to grow as a colony and pose a risk to your family’s health.

Your first impulse might be to pick up the phone and call your local exterminator, but this could be a major mistake. To learn more about why you should call beekeepers instead of exterminators, continue reading below.

Beekeepers will relocate the bees rather than kill them.

When most people need hives removed from their homes, they often don’t consider relocation versus pest control. However, choosing to relocate the bees rather than exterminate them is a highly impactful decision. When exterminators use chemicals to kill bees and break up hives, they kill a vital part of our ecosystem. Bees are some of the most significant pollinators on the planet, which means killing them is highly damaging to our gardens and our environment.

Instead, call a beekeeper to relocate the hive from your home to a new, safer location. Beekeepers are skilled at effectively removing bees from homes without killing or damaging sections of the hive. Beekeepers will transport hives to areas where they will be undisturbed while they continue pollinating.

Beekeepers can extract honey from hives.

Having a beehive in your home or backyard may feel like a curse, but bees can also offer you a delicious and beneficial gift: honey. Beekeepers are experts at safely extracting honey from beehives, and they can easily prepare this honey for consumption.

If you’ve never tasted raw, unfiltered organic honey, you’re in for a sweet treat. This syrup is intensely sweet, and you can use it for recipes, skin care masks, and home remedies.

Beekeepers use smokers, not chemicals.

<p>If you worry about the chemicals exterminators use to kill pests, then you’ll be happy to know that beekeepers avoid foreign chemicals altogether. Instead of spraying toxic mixtures at bees, beekeepers use beehive smokers to keep bees calm while they’re being extracted. These smokers emit small puffs of burning smoke from standard oil fuel to cover the alarm pheromones that bees send out during inspections. Beekeepers mostly use smokers if hives are more aggressive. These smokers are highly safe compared to most pest control chemicals.

Although finding a beehive in your home or backyard may be frightening, remember the reasons why you should call beekeepers instead of exterminators Beekeepers will successfully remove the bees from your home just as effectively as exterminators. However, beekeepers will also relocate the bees so that they can continue to live prosperous lives in our ecosystem.

How to make your new place feel like Home

Moving into a new house is a very exciting but demanding process. The good news is you're getting a fresh start at a brand new place. However, the transition from your old house to the new one can be a bit difficult. It usually takes some time to get used to it. That's why many people don't feel at home right away. Luckily, there are a few things you can do in order to make this transition easier. So, let's take a look at some fun and simple ideas that will help you make your new place feel like home as soon as possible!

Clean and Paint

The first step in making your new place feel like home is cleaning it thoroughly. You don't want to start decorating a filthy space. It won't feel or look good. That's why it's time to scrub your new house from top to bottom. Wash and wax the floors, steam the carpets, clean all the surfaces in the house, including windows and doors. A clean place is a happy place!

Additionally, if you can, paint all the walls in the house. The fresh coat of paint will definitely revive the space. You can even gather your friends and family and make it a fun DIY home project. Play with the color palette and make the wall your canvas. In the end, you'll get a fresh new place ready to be filled with all your favorite stuff!

Unpack

Living out of boxes after you've moved into your new house is not a way to live comfortably. Also, you will never feel at home if you live like this. So, after you did a proper cleaning and painted all the walls, it's time to start unpacking. If you have a problem with where to begin, we recommend starting with the rooms you use the most. That can be bedroom, kitchen, bathroom and living room. Try to do two rooms at a time to finish as soon as possible. If you have troubles during this process, you can ask the moving crew from Simplify Valet Storage & Moving for some expert advice on unpacking or even hire professional help.

Start with one room

Once you move into your new house, it will take some time before you make it just the way you imagined it. This means it's practically impossible to remodel everything at the same time. So, pick the room at the house everybody loves and uses the most and start there. If you live with a partner, that can be your bedroom. If you have kids, that can be their room or a playroom. And, if you live alone, that can be a cozy reading nook. Whichever room it is, it's important to make it your own. Display some of your favorite things here and make it a space you look forward to after a long day at work. This is one of the most critical steps of making your new place feel like home.

Make your new place feel like home by hanging family photos and artwork

One of the best ways to turn your new house into a home is by personalizing the space. The simplest way to do this is by hanging all your dearest family photos and favorite artwork. If you have children, display some of their drawings on the fridge. If you want to make it more personal, you can even make the frames yourself. Don't forget about memorabilia and all the other little thing from your old house that made you happy. Find the place in your new house for them as well. This is a great way to add a personal touch to your new place and make it feel like home.

Make it cozy 

In order to make your new place feel like home, you have to give it that homey vibe. You can do that by increasing the comfort in the house. Firstly, add some cozy cushions and pillows. Choose the style you like and put them on the sofa, armchairs, and bed. Secondly, green up your space, as you can never go wrong with putting a few plants in the corners of every room. This will freshen up the space and make it more inviting. Finally, accessorize! Empty space is rarely homey. So, make sure to add some fun decor such as vases, mirrors, clocks, colorful rugs, bowls, etc.

Invite friends and family to a housewarming party

Family and friends play a big part in making your new house feel like home. Spending time with them at your new place can give it that cozy atmosphere every real home has. So, invite them over to a housewarming party! Make them feel like they're at home in order to feel like that yourself. The sooner you start creating new memories in this house, the sooner it will become your home!

Keep your belongings safe during this process

Besides thinking about how to make your new house feel like home, you should also think about where to store your stuff while remodeling. The best way to keep your belongings safe during the project is to rent a storage unit. Rely on professionals in this situation and let them take care of all your stuff properly. So, don't hesitate to contact a local moving company and ask them what storage services they offer. You will probably be able to choose the size and type of storage unit you're renting. The important thing is, your belongings will be safe and sound and ready to be picked up whenever you need them!

Take your time...

Whether you like it or not, making your new place feel like home takes time. It's not something that happens overnight. So, don't rush anything; this is an emotional transition as much as it is physical. Take your time choosing all the details that will make you feel comfortable and at peace in your new home. They say home is where the heart is, so put a piece of your heart into your house every day and, eventually, it will feel like home.

How Can Metal Roofs Save You Money in Record High Heats?

Everyone wants to save a considerable amount of money when setting up a new house, doing house updates, or remodeling part of the home. However, whether you are installing a roof on a new home or upgrading your existing roofs, you will come across various roofing materials available. Because of this, you must ensure you’re making the right decision when it comes to you and your money.

You can never go wrong with metal roofs as they deliver longevity, environmental sustainability, and energy efficiency. You might also be surprised by how much you save in the long run. Metal roofs can help you save money in record-high heats in the following ways.

Metal Roofs Increase Energy Conservation and Efficiency 

Metal roofing, also known as cool-metal roofing, can help you save up to 40% on your yearly energy cost. Metal roofs help to keep homes naturally cooler in hot weather. They are fitted with a reflective solar coating that prevents heat accumulation, thus reducing air conditioning costs. 

They achieve this by reflecting the sun to keep the heat outside of the building instead of absorbing it. This is even more effective in lighter color metal roofs as they reflect more heat than black metal roofs.

Metal Roofs Are Fire Resistant 

One of the most incredible elements of a metal roof is that it is fire-resistant. Unlike its asphalt shingles counterparts, metal roofs will not spark or catch fire in case of a fire outbreak. A metal roof can also resist damages that may occur as a result of a lightning strike. This factor alone convinces homeowners that with metal roofs, they can save their money as metal roofs can sustain extreme hot conditions.

Solar Ready Roofing 

The solar panel enables you to cut on electricity bills by creating a natural source of energy capable of powering your home. Although most roofs are solar-friendly, metal roofs provide a perfect platform for solar panel installation. This is because no drilling is required for the panel to be attached, thus helping to reduce labor costs. Also, metal roofs offer additional reflection where the sun doesn’t come into contact with the solar panel. 

Metal Roofs Replacement 

Many homeowners look for the cheapest options, and the most common product being asphalt shingles. However, there has been a major shift as homeowners are now looking for better roofing options. Most homes requiring a roof replacement are now settling for metal roof replacements as metal roofing can last three times longer than other roofing materials.

Durability 

The last thing you want to think about is what impact heat can cause on your roofs. High heat is mainly accompanied by storms and wind, which can damage the roofs. Also, UV rays from the sun can cause major damages to your roofing system because roofs tend to absorb heat, raising temperatures to as high as 160 degrees. The high temperatures, in turn, accelerate the chemical processes causing major damages to the roofing system.

Fortunately, metal roofs are very durable as they can sustain up to 140 mph without getting any damage. Other types of metal roofs can withstand impact damage caused by extreme heat. Therefore, metal roofs help save money as you don’t require expensive periodic maintenance experienced in other roofing materials. 

Although there are various materials available, metal roofs are one of the most common roof choices for those revamping their houses or building new houses. No matter what roof style you choose, a metal roof is one of the best investments you can make to improve the value of your home and save money in the long run.