Home Improvement Editorial

Archive for the ‘Appliances’ Category

If you own a dryer, than you already know just how useful they can really be. It’s better to make sure that your dryer is running smoothly for a wide variety of reasons. For starters, a dryer that’s running at maximum performance and efficiency will save you money as well as dry your clothes better. Having a dryer at home is very convenient, but having a dryer at home that has dryer parts that aren’t working properly is stressful.

If you’ve got a GE dryer, you’ll be pleased to know that there are plenty of outlets that sell GE parts. If you get the parts separately, you can pursue cheap appliance repair and fine tuning that will help you get the most out of your dryer.

A quick search on any search engine should yield a local appliance repair shop that can help you wring every last bit of performance out of your dryer. If you have a large family, you may even find that replacing dryer for maximum performance is a really good way to save big on your monthly budget. However, no matter what your personal situation is, you can definitely benefit from replacing dryer parts for better performance!

It’s said that the world temperature is getting hotter, much hotter than it’s been in the previous years. However, if the temperatures are reaching record highs where you live, that doesn’t mean that you have to put up with that. There’s something to be said about looking for cooling solutions that will keep you refreshed and relaxed through the entire hot seasons for not only this current year, but for many years to come. Excessive heat is hard on the body, and if you’re sensitive to the heat for medical reasons, or if you just don’t want to deal with a hot house, you will definitely need to look into how to beat the summer heat with a portable A/C or air conditioner.

A portable A/C is something that can really improve your life, and make it much easier to actually move around the house. When it’s too hot outside, it’s difficult to actually focus on the things that matter most to you. With a portable A/C, you can bring a cool, refreshing feeling to any room that you happen to be in at the time. The best part is that instead of having to deal with a fixed unit, you can actually go with a portable A/C where you can move the unit around as you move from room to room. If you have a member of the family that’s especially heat sensitive staying with you, you can move the portable A/C to their room and then move it elsewhere when they move out of the house.

So, if you’re really looking to beat the summer heat in a way that will leave you cool and refreshed, you really can’t go wrong with going out and getting a portable air conditioner that will take care of you for many years to come — get started today!

If your home is equipped with a hot water heater, it is important to check on it periodically to make sure the unit remains operational and safe. Many people ignore their appliances and then call a repair person when a problem occurs. This can be costly and inconvenient, especially if the problem occurs at night, over the weekend, or during the holidays. It is better to keep an eye on the water heater routinely and inspect it every few months to check for problems that may be brewing.

One thing that is easy to check is the temperature of your hot water that comes through the kitchen and bathroom taps. After setting the tank’s thermostat to a desired temperature, you will soon get used to the feel of the water to ensure it is neither too hot nor too cold. But if the temperature begins to get hotter or colder, either abruptly or gradually, then you will have to check the gauge to see if it is still set at the right level. If it is, then the tank may not be working correctly, and you will have to make an appointment for service.

Another way to check your hot water tank is by visually inspecting the spigot handle and the tank’s exterior for signs of drips, leaks, or condensation. Also look for signs of rust or mold. Check the floor under the unit to see if it is damp. If any of these indicators reveal evidence of a problem, don’t delay in calling a repair person immediately. Even a small leak or drip could grow into a larger problem, so don’t take chances by letting it go.

Don’t forget to check out the gas or electrical connection that operates the hot water tank. Make sure the cord has not become frayed or torn, and that the plug is still solid and usable. If any part of the electrical connection appears doubtful, call an electrician for a checkup. The same goes for a gas connection. Sniff occasionally for fumes, but never light a candle or other incendiary device if you believe there may be fumes in the area, as this could cause a fire or an explosion. Check the pilot light from time to time to make sure it is lit and burning at the proper level. Again, if you have any doubts at all, call the gas company to report the problem and wait for someone to come and check the unit. If there is a smell of gas or if you believe there is a gas leak, leave your home and stay elsewhere, taking care to let the repair person know in advance of your concerns.

Even though a hot water tank doesn’t take up a huge amount of room, isn’t loud, and doesn’t require frequent attention, it still plays an important role in our homes. Don’t neglect yours; believing it will care for itself. With a little forethought, your tank can remain functional for many years.

Portable air conditioners have become very popular in recent years. Many people use them even if they have a central system because portable A/C can provide excellent cooling for a significantly lower cost. Find out about the pros and cons of a mobile A/C unit and if one could work for you.

A portable air conditioner is a self contained unit, usually about 30 inches tall and about 80 pounds in weight. The best thing is that it doesn’t require any installation: it stands on the floor and you don’t have to fit it in your window or your wall. Most mobile A/C units have little wheels, so you can easily move them around.

Portable A/C pros:

- you can move your portable unit from room to room, so there is no need to buy a window-mounted air conditioner for each room
- you don’t have to block your window or make holes in your wall – a portable air conditioner is ready to use as soon as you unpack it
- using a mobile air conditioner to cool only one room instead of switching on a central system saves you a lot on energy bills

Portable air conditioner cons:

- a portable unit costs slightly more than a window air conditioner with a similar cooling capacity
- comparable to central air conditioning and mini-split systems (where the compressor is outside), portable A/C is loud. If noise is an issue, look at the reviews of several portable units and select the one that makes the least noise.

Is portable A/C effective in cooling large rooms?

That depends on the size of your unit. Small portable units with cooling capacities of about 8000 BTU are perfect for a 300 sq. foot room, while larger 24000 BTU air conditioners can effectively cool a 1000 sq. foot room. So, as you can see, a properly sized mobile air conditioner can do a good job even in a very large room. However, you should know that larger doesn’t necessarily mean better. An air conditioner that is too large will consume more energy and won’t cool your room effectively, because it will stop and start constantly.

Portable air conditioner energy efficiency.

Everybody knows that air conditioners chew a lot of energy, so energy efficiency is a big issue. However, recent developments in technology allow manufacturers to produce very efficient air conditioners. A few years ago an EER (energy efficiency ratio) of 6 or 7 was considered good. Now the standard is 12 or higher.

Modern portable air conditioners are as energy efficient as window or mini split units. To select the most efficient air conditioner, look at its EER – the higher, the better. Also choose a unit with an Energy Star. The Energy Star means that an air conditioner meets energy efficiency guidelines set by the US Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy.

How affordable is a mobile air conditioner?

You might be surprised to learn that portable A/C is not too expensive. The prices have gone down significantly, in recent years, and now you can buy a good unit from around $300. Of course, air conditioners with a larger cooling capacity cost more, and so do those with higher energy efficiency ratings. However, when it comes to paying more for a more efficient unit, you actually save money because your energy bill will be lower.

To conclude, if you don’t have air conditioning and don’t feel like investing in a central system, a portable air conditioner can be a great alternative. And if you have a central A/C, it’s still a good idea to have a portable unit for cooling just the room you are in, instead of the entire house. It can significantly reduce your bills.

Do you know that, in summer, the average American family pays about 40% of their energy bill for air conditioning of the house? But it doesn’t have to be this way, Use these simple tips to help you keep your house cool and significantly reduce your energy bills during the hot months.

1. If you need to cool only one room, don’t use your central air conditioning. Invest in a portable air conditioner, instead. Modern portable units have a very high energy efficiency rating, so it will cool your room effectively and save you a lot.

2. Install mini-blinds or white window shades. Mini-blinds can be very effective and can reduce heat gain from direct sunlight by 40-50 percent. You can also hang bamboo shades or tightly woven screens outside your windows. This will stop up to 80 percent of the sun’s heat from getting through your windows.

3. Keep all windows closed during the day. At night you can open them for ventilation and switch on a fan instead of an air conditioner.

4. If you are using a mini split air conditioner, make sure that the outside compressor is well shaded. However, trees and shrubs shouldn’t be planted right next to it; it needs some room for air flow.

5. It is best to clean your air conditioner filter at least once a month. Dust build-ups can significantly reduce air flow.

6. When buying an air conditioner unit, make sure that it is the right size for your room. A unit that is too small will not cool your room effectively, and an A/C that is too large will consume much more energy than necessary. See recommendations for proper air conditioner sizes for your room.

7. If you use central air conditioning, seal all A/C ducts. Insulate ducts that run through rooms that don’t need cooling, like the basement or the attic.

8. If your air conditioner is old, consider replacing it with a modern high efficiency unit. Older A/C systems have a SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) of only 6 or 7, while the best air conditioners on the market today offer SEER as high as 13. That means that it will consume almost 50% less energy.

9. Cooking, drying cloth or dishwashing generates a lot of heat. Try to delay these activities until the evening, when it gets cooler.

Most people just switch their air conditioners on and set the desired temperature. This will cool your room, of course, but it will cost you, too. Furthermore, excessive energy consumption is not environmentally friendly, so by following our simple advice you could not only save on your bills, but you could also help to reduce pollution in your area.