Tag Archive for snow

Kate Miller | October 22, 2012
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To Cover of Not to Cover Your Air Conditioner

Don’t be fooled by the little blast of warm weather, winter is still just around the corner! Dropping temperatures and snow blowing will be here before you know it! Are you ready? Have you protected your air conditioner with a proper fitting cover? If not be prepared for the potential damage ice and snow can cause your unit. Today’s manufacturers’ do not require a cover for your unit, but they do recommend one, especially when you live in an area that frequently experiences large snowfalls.

Warped Air Conditioner Blades

The fan blades on modern air conditioners are larger than older models. These larger blades hold more ice and snow causing your blades to warp creating a louder unit that will use higher amount of electricity. These blades will put excess wear and tear on the motor shortening its life span. You can prevent this all from happening by simply covering your unit with a proper fitting cover. 

Getting a Proper Fit

You can’t install just any cover on your air conditioner. The cover you purchase should be specifically made for your air conditioner make and model. This will prevent moisture from getting trapped inside the unit which can cause rust and decay. It will also allow for adequate amount of air flow during the long months the air conditioner is under wraps. Read more

Category: Air Conditioning, Contractors, Cooling, Helpful Tips, Maintenance | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Kate Miller | December 7, 2011
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Cleaning and Organizing Your Garage

As the temperatures continue to drop, it is only a matter of time before the snow begins to fall. Those of us that have been using the garage as a dumping ground are going to find it very difficult to fit the car in with all of the other items in the way. Leaving the car out in the snow is not an option unless you want to dig your car out every morning before work. The only real solution is to get that garage cleaned and organized, and why not make improvements that will allow you to keep it that way for good?

3 Steps to Organization:

  • Sorting: The first step towards creating a cleaner garage is to look through and organize the things that are currently occupying this space. Assess which items you want to keep and which can be thrown out or donated. You will be surprised how many things you are holding onto that you haven’t used in years! Create two distinct piles: what you want to keep and what you want to go. Once you know what you are going to need to store, you are one step closer to a clean and organized garage.
  • Permanent Storage: There are two ways to tackle garage storage. You can either do it yourself or enlist the help of a professional. Slapping together wire shelves that can be purchased at nearly any hardware store is easy enough for most people to handle on their own. All you need are some plastic storage containers to place on the wire shelves and you are set to store the items you want to keep. For a more polished and professional look, you may want to consult a contractor. Professionally installed cabinetry, wall hangers, and work stations can truly transform your garage. These jobs are more complex, and if you are going to be hanging or storing heavy objects, you are going to want to make sure that these storage solutions are installed correctly! Read more
Category: Helpful Tips, Home Improvements, Home Repairs, Home Services | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Kate Miller | November 28, 2011
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Snow and Your High Efficiency Furnace

It is the middle of winter. Through the night several inches of snow have fallen and suddenly the furnace won’t kick on. Everything seems to be working properly, but there is something standing in the way between you and your comfort! If you are the owner of a high efficiency furnace, finding yourself in this situation may be common, but luckily, there is a quick fix that may not even require the help of an HVAC serviceman.

New Technology

The technology that makes it possible for your furnace to operate at such high efficiencies is relatively new, and because of this fact, you may not be aware of some of the differences your new system has compared to the unit you had in the home before it. By improving the way that the system is vented, the manufacturers of your high efficiency furnace were able to get more energy out of the natural gas that the furnace would consume. However, this new venting system can become easily obstructed and the obstruction will trigger safety systems to prevent proper function of the system. Read more

Category: Furnace, Go Green and Energy Efficiency, Heating, Safety | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,
Kate Miller | November 7, 2011
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Protect Your Air Conditioner from the Cold

The cool nights mark the end of summer and signal the on coming winter. Areas of the United States have already experienced dramatic winter weather. We should use this time to consider winterizing our air conditioners. Allowing the air conditioner to go through winter after winter without protection could severely shorten the lifespan of the system. Snow buildup on the unit causes damage to the fins and water and ice cause rust to eat through your coils. Before you know it, you are replacing the air conditioner years before you expected. Giving the system a few minutes of your time every winter could prevent all of this, but you must winterize the system properly.

The Wrong and Right Way to Winterize

We have all seen a relative or a friend who wraps his air conditioner with a tarp like it was a Christmas present. The problem with completely wrapping your air conditioner like this is that the tarp will not allow moisture to leave the unit. Rust will begin to form on all the components within the air conditioner, and this may occur even fast than if you had just left the air conditioner alone all together! Winterizing your air conditioner takes a small investment, and all manufactures design and sell covers that custom fit their units. There are also a number of companies that make after market covers if you have trouble finding someone that sells a cover for your make and model. Read more

Category: Air Conditioning | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Kate Miller | February 17, 2011
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A Brutal Winter for Furnaces

Winter Furnace Failure

This winter has been particularly brutal for many parts of the country. The icy temperatures and pounds of snow have caused several problems for many homeowners, and they have taken a toll on new and old furnaces alike. The persistently low temperatures keep the furnace running for long periods of time, and as a result, many older furnaces haven’t been able to keep up. Many of these units are ten to fifteen years old and are on their last leg. A homeowner could spend hundreds of dollars trying to get the unit going again, but now may be the time to replace it. Many of the key components in your furnace are used during the summer when the air conditioner runs, and unless you want to suffer a summer without air conditioning in your home replacement is recommended. Put your hard earned money towards the purchase of a new unit. Don’t waste it on repairs. Read more

Category: Consumer Protection, Furnace, Heating, Safety | Tags: , , , , , , , ,