Air Conditioners Guide and Energy Saving Tips

Understanding your Air Conditioning System

There are three essential components to your AC system, heating, cooling, ventilation ductwork, and the thermostats. Each one of these parts contains a whole set of subsystems on their own. Let’s look at each part individually to get a better idea of that each one does.

The Heating System

The Heat in an HVAC system is supplied by a natural gas or oil-fired furnace. The furnace unit contains a heat exchanger- responsible for the actual warming of the air. 

The Cooling System

Unlike the furnace, the air-conditioner unit is placed outside the home and runs on electricity. It uses a compressor and coolants to remove the heat from the air.

The Ductwork

Once the heat is extracted from the air, the ventilation ductwork moves heated air to the outside of the home, and cooled air throughout the inside. 

The Thermostat

You can think of your thermostat as the brains to the system. This is the part of the operation that controls everything that happens to your system. Thermostats can turn systems on and off and can be operated manually or set to a predetermined temperature. 

Note: Using an automatic thermostat can save you up to 10% off your air conditioning bill.

How Long Will my Air Conditioner Last?

Most air conditioners have a lifespan of 10 to 15 years. Unfortunately, most homeowners neglect to perform proper maintenance on their units, which takes down the average life span of your unit to around the 8 to 10 year mark. 

The most common causes of premature system deterioration are improper installation and improper maintenance.

It is essential that you conduct proper maintenance like changing the filter, cleaning the ductwork, flushing your piping systems and other basic maintenance tasks. This will not only extend the life of your system, but will also save you money on your electrical bill.

Improving Your Units Efficiency

Your air conditioner and heating system uses about 44% of the energy in your home. If you want to save money on your monthly electricity bill, start by tackling the air conditioner. 

Here are some of the things you can do to improve its efficiency:

· Replace your old system with more modern Energy Star qualified equipment. This alone can cut your bill by more than $400 a year.

· Seal and insulate every part of your duct work. This can improve your systems efficiency by %20 percent or more. 90 percent of homes in America have leaking or damaged ductwork.

· Install a programmable thermostat – Like I mentioned earlier, having a programmable thermostat allows you to control air temperatures even when you are not home, this little smart tool alone can shave off $180 of your yearly costs.

· Replace single-pane windows with Energy Star approved windows can save you around $300 a year. 

· Increasing insulation thickness can save $100 for every 1200 square feet of ceiling area.

· A heating and cooling loss of up to 12% occurs around windows and doors. Proper weather stripping can prevent this loss.

We hope you enjoyed this article. If you have any questions in regards to your air conditioner system please contact us at AC Repair Miami. We are glad to help!

A Plumbing 101 For First-Time Homeowners

So you’ve just bought your first home? Well first off all…congratulations! With so many things running through your mind, I’d venture to guess that plumbing isn’t one of them. 

While this isn’t the most glamorous of topics, why not take a few minutes to read through some of the basic plumbing issues that may occur in your home. If you can fix these problems while they are still minor hiccups, just think about all money you can save and put towards decorating your new humble abode.  

So here we go…

The Clogged Toilet: Toilets are fairly innocuous and straightforward appliances however occasionally you will find that when you flush the toilet water will rise in the bowl as opposed to descending. Should this occur, simply shut off the valve to the toilet and turn it off quickly. The valve will likely be located under the toilet tank. Once you’ve done this, use your plunger and relieve the clog that has occurred.

Sweating Toilet: During the summer months, toilet tanks have a tendency to sweat…wait what? As I said, these plumbing issues wouldn’t be the nicest, but just hang in there! When the temperature rises, hot and humid air comes into contact with a toilet tank filled with water. To prevent a sweating toilet, install insulating rubber or foam materials inside the tank. 

Continuously Running Toilet: This is a common plumbing problem that people seem to have. It occurs when the float arm does not raise high enough to turn the inlet valve inside the toilet.  It can happen when the float ball filling with water or the inlet valve stopper no longer shuts off properly. Should this occur, check the assembly of both the float ball and the inlet valve. Replacing either one is very easy and inexpensive.   

The Noisy Toilet: Another very irritating plumbing issue. When the toilet tank fills with water causing you to hear a high pitched noise it is most likely due to a blockage in the supply line. To remedy this, shut the toilet supply valve off and disconnect the supply line hose. Check both the hose and the valve area for potential blockages that could be constricting the flow of water. Should the supply line hose be crimped in any way, it is recommended that you replace it. 

Toilet Doesn’t Flush Well: If you find your toilet is not flushing properly it could be caused by the toilet flapper not rising up far enough or staying up long enough when you push the handle on the toilet. In this case, remove the toilet tank cover and check the toilet lever arm to see if it is working properly. When checking it, make sure that it pulls up the toilet flapper high enough and long enough to allow an adequate amount of the toilet tank water to enter into the toilet bowl.

Now that you’ve learned some basic plumbing tips you are ready to tackle any problems that hopefully never arise! 

Author Bio: Sarah Saadoun works for HMS Plumbing, a family-owned business in Manassas, Northern Virginia. If you need plumbers in Fairfax, Herve and his dedicated employees at HMS are proud to be serving the plumbing needs of Northern Virginia residents and businesses. For a reliable Northern Virginia plumber, HMS Plumbing is your first choice.

Choosing the Right Roofing Material

It’s important to ensure that when developing your roof, you get the important decisions right. After all, a roof gone wrong can cause all sorts of problems, including a loss of heat and water leaks.  In the long run, it can also lead to the decrease in value of your property.  That’s why we’ve written this guide on how to choose the right materials.

Location is one of the most important aspects in choosing the material, as the climate can make a significant difference to the needs of the occupant.  If you live in naturally very warm climates, then light-coloured roofs are more suitable as they will reflect the heat.  Vice versa for colder climates and darker roofs.   Anyone who wants to save money on heating bills should definitely consider a darker roof!

Another choice that needs to be considered is whether or not you want to make a long term investment or a short term investment.  Materials such as fibreglass are more expensive initially but are far more resistant to wear and tear due to their lack of joinery.  Typical slate roofing, though, is cheaper to get started with but will also require more maintenance in the long run.  As with all areas of substantial investment, this requires careful thought!

Take into account your energy costs.  A lot of people aren’t necessarily aware that certain roofing materials can make a significant difference to the costs of their home energy bills.  If you live in an area where your central heating is on at all times, then a material such as fibreglass can make for a great investment, as it will keep the heat in and bring the bills down.  Obviously if you live in an extremely hot climate then you won’t have to worry about the issues.

The last point to consider is which firm you get to fit the roof.  With such a substantial investment, it’s important that you pick a company who has a substantial reputation for efficiency and excellent value for money.   Whilst many jobs out there can be considered  for a bit of do it yourself, roofing is definitely not one of them.  Unless you’re a certified builder yourself, of course!

This article was written on behalf of Stuart Pease Ltd, UK experts in fibreglass construction.

The kitchen benchtop

The kitchen benchtop has to be able to take a lot of abuse including the heat of pots, cutting and knives and abrasive cleansers. The ideal benchtop should be able to stand up to heat and the sharp edge of a knife.

Let us take a look at 7 of the most popular kitchen benchtop materials being used today:
Granite - A natural stone, granite is a popular choice for its classic beauty and durability.  Granite is the hardest and densest of the natural stones.   It can create a kitchen benchtop that is extremely scratch resistant and can keep its luster longer than most materials.  They are the most expensive of all kitchen benchtop surfaces; although it is still considered a very practical material in that it is virtually imperishable.

Marble – Marble is considered to be the height of stylishness and will last longer than most kitchens. It is however, is very exclusive and requires some care: acidic foods such as orange juice will scrape the finished surface of a marble kitchen benchtop.

Slate – Because of it richness and beauty slate is usually used in interior applications such as kitchen benchtops, bathroom basins or fireplace surrounds. It can be used in either modern or traditional kitchens as well as in combination with marble.  Slate is durable, sturdy, and can withstand hard use.  It is less expensive than marble.

Concrete – This is one of the biggest trends in kitchen benchtops today. Available in pre formed sections or poured and formed on-site.  Concrete is a good material for unusually shaped counters.  Concrete kitchen benchtops are expensive and must be treated with care.  The benchtop can crack if the concrete should contract.  Concrete can be stained any colour.  The most popular colour is a natural grey tone. The top layer can be finished as desired.

Corian - A solid surface material that first became popular in the 1990’s it is highly recommended by kitchen benchtop experts.  It is a totally manmade product and is not porous.  As a solid surface it can easily be repaired if scratched or burned.

Stainless Steel - Advantages include very hygienic, easy to clean, has ability to stand up to extreme wear and heat.  Stainless steel can provide a great look for an ultra-modern kitchen.  Some disadvantages with stainless is that it can be noisy and that scratches can develop.

Tile - Tile surfaces can be tough, hard-wearing, takes hot pans, heat and stain resistant as well as beautiful. There are many types of tiles including ceramic, porcelain, quarry, glass, natural stone and mosaic.  Available in many colours, sizes and textures.  It has good design flexibility.  Tile can often be used for trim or backsplashes.  The downside of tile is that the grouts can be easily stained.  Also the tiles can become chipped or cracked.

Sell flats fast without giving a discount

If you are somebody who wants to sell his flat fast, it may be that you are in need of money and there are a lot of reasons for that. You probably need that money because you are shifting, or you are changing jobs, or your have some urgent investment coming up soon. The crux of the matter is that when you go out and sell your flat, the challenge is to offer as low a rate of discount as possible, and that’s where it gets a little murky.

It’s also possible that you will land up in a tough market where the mortgage rates are very low and finding a buyer may take up a lot of time, more time than you might want to afford. Sometimes it can even take over a year to get a buyer for a property.

Selling a flat fast is hard work

Selling a flat fast is hard because of the simple fact that there are many first time buyers who may have already planned for a family or may even be having one already, in which case they will look for a complete house instead of an apartment.

It may even be possible that some mortgage payments may have been missed by you. In that case you have the added burden of ensuring that the house is not repossessed. You will need all the tips you can get.

There is even a possibility that you may have come to terms with quick payment companies that may have landed you up in murkier waters and some of these companies won’t even have the required funds to cover the mortgages!

We are different from the crowd

I know you may be thinking that Easy Home Sale are just another home buyer, but you will be pleasantly surprised that we are not. There is no need for you to discount your flats in order to sell it; you just need to be sensible about the valuation. You don’t have to worry regarding the cases of negative equity either, as we have ways and means of coping with that too.

Get expert help to sell your flat fast

Many people across Kent and for that matter the whole of UK have tried Easy Home Sale and reaped handsome rewards. We have to our credit a lot of qualified and expert advisors who will help you in your dilemma.

Roofing Work: DIY Or Hire A Professional

There might be problems involving your roof that you believe can be handled on your own fairly easily. Then there are problems to do with your roof that you would much rather trust the professionals to take care of.

It never hurts to take on a roofing repair or replacement job by yourself, but you don’t want to get in on over your head. That can sometimes lead to problems that will be even more costly when you finally have to call a professional.

The Pluses And Negatives Of DIY Roofing

It goes without saying that DIY roofing work is generally going to be cheaper than hiring a contractor. Roofing work can become pretty expensive, depending on what you want to do, and if you’re someone on a tight budget, doing the work yourself might be the way to go.

That doesn’t mean you should take on a job you’re unsure about. Not being aware of safety precautions can be an obvious hazard, as can improper work, which can lead to a leaky roof. You can also find yourself running into problems with your roof that you didn’t plan for. But if you’re comfortable with your skill level, and if the job is one that falls under that skill level, then by all means.

DIY roofing is also great for those who want be in control of work schedule.

The Pluses And Negatives Of Professional Roofers

It may cost a little money, and it may involve doing some research to find a quality roofing service in your area, but hiring a professional roofing company carries with it several critical benefits for many people.

You get the comfort of knowing the job will be done properly with professional materials and professional experience. You get professionals who will be able to handle any additional problems that might come up. You get a level of quality that will keep your roof in great condition for years to come.

Which Way Should You Go?

Use your own judgment. Weigh the pros and cons of DIY and professional roofing work. No one wants to pay for work they could have done themselves, but professionals can also save you time and money in the long run. No matter what you decide, keep in mind things like your budget, your needs, your schedule, and your skill level. These things will go a long way towards helping you make the decision.