Important Features to Look for When Upgrading Your AC System

There are a number of reasons why you may want to upgrade your AC system - to improve indoor air quality, to purchase a better system, or your old air conditioning system may be on its last legs. It is important to understand that air conditioning systems don't last forever - the typical lifespan is about ten years, but as technology progresses, that lifespan is even shorter. When it comes to purchasing a new air conditioning system, there are a few key features to look for. Not only do you want to get the most bang for your buck, but you also want to be pragmatic and find the right system for your home. Here are some important features to look for when upgrading your AC system.

1.   Sound insulation. You've probably experienced a loud air conditioning system before - the banging, the whizzing and maybe even the squealing. Indeed, air conditioners can be loud. This is why you want to look for noise reducing filters when looking for a new AC system. In most cases, you can ask an HVAC specialist about some of the quieter air conditioners on the market.

2.  Energy efficiency. This is another important feature to look for. Most AC systems will advertise that they are energy efficient, but you want to look for some telltale cues to make sure it really is. For instance, you want to look for a system with copper coils - these coils stay cooler for longer, which allows your system to conserve much more energy. You also want to look out for the Energy Star logo, which will tell you that the system has gone through rigorous energy efficiency testing.

3.   Double stage compressor. A double stage compressor is another feature you want to look for - it will help cut down your air conditioner's usage by up to 10%. These unique compressor configurations work in tandem to consolidate your air conditioner's usage - if one compressor is working too hard, the other will kick in to balance things out. Not only will this save energy, but it will also provide the optimal cooling power for your home. These double compressor units are more expensive, but they may be worth it, especially when it comes to the energy savings.

4.   Long warranty. A long warranty is important, because you don't want your air conditioner to break down and then have to come out of pocket to make repairs - this will start to get pretty expensive. Ideally, you want to look for an extended warranty - up to ten years. With this kind of warranty, you can get a brand new system if something happens before the warranty expires.

5.   Easy access air filter. The filter of an air conditioner is critical for blocking out harmful particulates that travel through the air of your home. These particulates contain dust, dander and even mold spores. Not only do you want a system with a solid filtration system - you also want the filter to be easy to access. In the end, you will be changing the filter on a regular basis, so you don't want to be forced to take apart the whole system to complete a simple task.

Lawn Treatment Services Offer Natural Weed Control That’s Safe for Households with Children and Pets

Creating and maintaining impressive curb appeal is the desire of most homeowners. Reports reveal that an average American household is known to spend over $5,000 to maintain a perfectly manicured lawn. Five grand! That’s a lot of money. But these property owners believe that it’s all worth it; with a great looking garden or lawn, they can net in a lot of benefits such as higher market value for their property, extra useful space for the family, and of course, they have a growing patch of nature that’s a complete visual delight.

However, there are times when lawn maintenance can present some risks. The use of chemical fertilizers to encourage the healthy proliferation of grass and other plants, pesticides and weed killers typically means that the family will not be able to use the lawn for parties, picnics, and playtime with the kids and pets for some time. A lot of kids and animals, upon contact or exposure, tend to have an adverse reaction to these chemicals — some sneeze and wheeze, and then there are those who develop skin allergies.

Fortunately, there are lawn treatment services that offer non-toxic solutions for yard maintenance. They skip chemical-heavy tonics, repellents and weed control formulas because they want to offer other options, as well as allow their clients to be able to use their lawns for all sorts of activities anytime they want to.

Huntersville lawn care specialists, for example, use corn gluten meal for effective weed control. North Carolina homeowners do not have to worry about their children and pets being exposed to the substance because it’s completely safe. Corn gluten has proven to be 98 percent effective in controlling weeds.

Another non-toxic weed killer is an all-natural one – mulch of grass or oak leaves. Lawn care specialists say that spreading mulch all over the lawn, especially during the fall, can keep weeds at bay for the following year.

And lastly, to get property owners involved in the process of maintaining lawn health, they also recommend using a trusty kitchen ingredient: white vinegar. An awesome household cleaning agent and disinfectant, it has proven to be quite powerful in killing everything from crabgrass to dandelions.

Proper lawn treatment to control weeds can surely be done without posing any risk.The non-toxic solutions lawn treatment services use, aside from the ones mentioned, are safe to use that even while homeowners are continuously fighting harmful weed growth, the family can still safely use their lawns and garden for many of their outdoor activities.

About the author: Kenneth Lawrence loves to share guidelines and tips about stuff on home improvement through writing/blogging. He writes and reads almost anything that can hone my skills and increase my knowledge about DIY concepts. He visits sites like http://www.weedcontrollakenorman.com/ to increase his know-how about the home improvement industry. 

Bare Teak Trees

Choosing different route could be a right decision. Avoiding traffic jam on the main road, we took alternative route that allowed me to capture interesting view. There are teak trees along the road and uniquely, the bare ones are only located on one side of the road.

The Weekend in Black and White

5 of the Most Common Air Conditioning System Problems and their Fixes

During the hot and dry months, air conditioners are undoubtedly deemed a must-have, if not a total necessity.

After all, it has been designed and created to minimise, if not totally eradicate the discomforts that come with the scorching heat of the summer season.

However, just like most modern innovations, air conditioners sometimes fail to perform as expected. With that in mind, the need to do regular maintenance checks is more important than ever.

Below are some of the most common air conditioning problems that you will likely encounter and some of the easy ways to fix them.

Problem #1:  Unusual noise

Oftentimes, deafening noises coming from air conditioning units can be attributed to one main reason – a misplaced fan belt. While unknown to many, air conditioning fan belts have the tendency to get dislodged from time to time.

Solution: Fortunately, restoring the fan belt in its proper place can easily solve the problem. While you are at it, it would be advisable that you check the motor bearings as well. In some cases however, lubrication or replacement is the most appropriate solution to address this issue.

Problem #2: Undesirable Smell

Air conditioners undergo a continuous process of warming and cooling. Taking that fact into account, it’s safe to assume quick moisture build up is almost always inevitable. In addition, the presence of moisture will likely encourage the growth of moulds, fungi and other microorganisms that can eventually cause bad odour.

Solution: Ensure filters are changed regularly to hinder the presence of moulds and fungi so you can keep foul odour at bay.  

Problem #3:  Sensor Issues

At the back portion of the unit’s control panel is where you can find the thermostat sensor. Its main purpose is to measure the temperature of air entering the evaporative coil. When the sensor gets displaced, the unit will likely function erratically or in some cases, cycle continuously.

Solution: To prevent any likely sensor issues from occurring, it will be best to routinely check if the sensor is positioned appropriately.  

Problem #4: Abrupt Breakdown

In some instances, the unit might not turn on, or in worst case scenarios, might stop working altogether.

Solution: In cases like this, it will be best to check the fuse and circuit breakers. In addition, ensure the thermostat is adjusted to cool and should be below room temperature. Furthermore, make sure the condenser and furnace power switches are turned on.

Problem #5: Leaking Refrigerant

A faulty refrigerant can be caused by two reasons. Either it was undercharged during the installation process or it can be due to an air conditioner leak.

Solution: In a scenario like this, merely adding a refrigerant will not do the trick. That being said, it is highly advisable that you seek the help of a professional technician to help you address the problem properly. A competent one will be able to repair the leak, test the repair and recharge the unit with the suitable amount of refrigerant. Air conditioners normally perform at its best when they contain the exact same amount of refrigerant the manufacturer specified. Also, bear in mind that undercharging or overcharging can affect its efficiency over time.

Regardless of the type of air conditioner you are using, routine upkeep should be in place if you want your unit to work efficiently. In other words, whether you have a ducted air conditioning unit or a tower ac, periodic maintenance should be observed so you can look forward to many years of efficient and hassle-free usage.  

Home Spaces Organisation to Prevent Clutter

A nice and well-organised home is an important part of the life of every person. It is essential for the well-being of humans to feel good about spending time at home and to relate their places to positive emotions. When it comes to the comfort of a home, there isn't anything like clutter that can really make a place look terrible, unwelcoming, dirty and messy. Want it or not, clutter is an inevitable part of a household. Even the most organised people can sometimes find certain items lying around messily. Living in one place means we create clutter sometimes, even if we don't want it. However, there are ways to cope with the problem and limit the occurrence of clutter significantly, turning the messiest place into a lovely and organised home. Here are some suggestions on how to put your home in order and make the best of your time indoors by preventing annoying clutter.

Find the Right Place

The most essential part of dealing with clutter is to find the right place for every item. The reason why sometimes we are faced with so much clutter is because many of our belongings don't really have a special place to stay. The best you can do in the fight with clutter is to make room for everything, so that every item goes to its own place after every use, instead of being thrown on the table, bed, chair, floor or whatever. Does your towel end up lying on the chair and making it wet every time you get out of the bathroom? Simply place a hanger up on the door of your room and keep it there. Are your shoes blocking the entrance of your house? Then invest in a shoe cabinet and place your shoes in it every time you go in. Is it a routine for you to search for your keys all over your place and never find them on time? Then find them a place near the entrance of your home, so that you don't have this problem anymore. You can find a place for everything if you give it a try and you'll see how much easier and more convenient it is for you. Also, the more organised your place is, the easier it is for you to find the items you need.

Clean Up the Mess

Cleaning up your place is another essential part of the process of de-cluttering. To clean your place, start off by removing all unnecessary items that you are not planning on using ever again or others that you don't use often and can store away. All that such objects do is to take space and create clutter. Therefore, it's a great idea to simply get rid of them or place them somewhere you won't have to deal with them on a daily basis. Use storage boxes and name each one of them with labels, so that you know what they contain. For example, don't let your Christmas decoration lie messily in the closet but put it in a box to store in a much more organised way. Clean up the rest of the mess by storing different types of objects in separate boxes. If there are things you don't find useful and want to get rid off, you can either sell them (online or at a garage sale) or donate them to charity. It's a guaranteed way to see your place becoming much more orderly a lot faster than you expect.

Keep Your Home Clean

Once you have dealt with all the clutter and you have found a place for every item, it's necessary to make sure you keep it this way, so that you don't have to go through the tiring process of de-cluttering your entire place once again. Clean your home on a regular basis or have it cleaned by a professional company like Tidy Cleaners in Notting Hill. Either way, it's necessary for the organised home to be not only free of clutter but of bacteria as well.