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As the weather warms up, the average homeowner turns their thoughts to that old standby -- the air conditioner. At least, we hope it's on standby, because when the air condition stops working, the house quickly gets hot and stuffy. Air conditioners draw in warm air from the home and pass it over an evaporator coil that absorbs heat and removes humidity, which cools the air. The AC unit then expels the heat outside and pushes the cold air back into the room to make the temperature more comfortable. To achieve this procedure, most air conditioners contain the following parts: Condenser coil Compressor Metering Device, such as an expansion valve Condenser Fan Blower Electrical components Evaporator coil or “A” coil Furnace or Air Handler (central air conditioners only) If any of these parts break or work inefficiently, your AC unit may need repairs or replacement. Air Conditioner Maintenance Basics A broken, underperforming or malfunctioning home cooling system in the peak heat of summer is frustrating. Before you call a service technician about your unit, there are several basic maintenance and diagnostic steps you can perform. Knowing what’s wrong with your air conditioner is half the battle. The experts at Enercare, offer the following tip to address common AC problems. Old Age The average central air conditioner lasts about 15 years. If your unit is showing signs of old age, like poor performance or unusual noises, it’s likely time for a replacement. Frozen Coils If your evaporator coils don't get adequate airflow or they are clogged they can freeze and your AC unit may stop working. Dirt and other types of debris can clog the air filters and ducts, which restricts warm air from reaching the coils. Without the warm air, the coils can’t cool the air being pushed through your AC unit efficiently and may eventually freeze. If your coils are frozen, you may notice: Warm air coming out of the vents, despite the AC unit being on Condensation or ice on the AC unit or the outdoor refrigerant line Obvious signs of ice on the coil after opening the air handler If you discover a frozen coil, don’t try to clear the ice by hand because you may damage the unit. Instead, you can use a do-it-yourself remedy to thaw the ice before consulting with an HVAC technician. If the following steps don’t resolve your problem, we suggest you contact an AC expert. You may have a more serious malfunction, like a refrigerant leak, which must be handled by a licensed professional. Turn off the AC system using the external (wall) thermostat and make sure to turn off the unit using the furnace switch. Replace any dirty air filters. Open the furnace or air handler’s panel. Let the ice thaw naturally. Having the fan run can cause damage to the blower motor and the circuit board. After the coil has thawed (this may take 24 hours or more depending on how much ice buildup there is), reseal your unit. Turn on the power by turning on the furnace switch and adjusting the thermostat to come on and wait for your home to cool. If the home reaches the desired temperature and the AC unit turns off, you’ve probably solved the problem. If this doesn’t happen, consult an HVAC technician. Refrigerant Leak Refrigerant is the chemical found within the coils that helps cool the air, and without it your air conditioner won’t work. Refrigerant exposure can be dangerous, so if you have a leak (or suspect one) it’s crucial to contact an expert. If you have a refrigerant leak you may notice: A loss in cooling power Air vents not blowing cold air Hissing sounds coming from your AC unit Frozen evaporator or condenser coils Unusually high AC-related electric bills Overworked Capacitors and Contactors If your AC unit isn’t blowing air, you may have a capacitor or contractor issue. Capacitors and contactors work to keep essential motors running in the unit, such as the fan motor and blower motor. The parts require a significant amount of electricity to run, so they tend to get overheated and overworked during hot summer months — especially on older AC units. Defective Thermostat Sometimes the unit is not working due to other parts of the HVAC system, like a faulty thermostat. If the thermostat is not working properly, it may give the AC unit wrong information, which causes it to run when it shouldn’t or not turn on when it should. If you want to read more AC troubleshooting insights and selection information? Then check out Enercare's blog post, The 2021 Definitive Buyer's Guide to Air Conditioners.

Watering New Seeds For new grass seeds during the germination period, water twice a day, 10 minutes per watered area. , because over-watering can cause grass disease. Watering New Sod Proper watering is critical to establishing new sod. The deeper the roots, the more water the grass can absorb, which means you don’t need to water the lawn

outside, it’s also the time when outdoor issues quietly build up: clogged drains, unruly roots, or water Keep Water Moving in the Right Direction One of the most important, and often overlooked, parts of your Downspouts and rain leaders can be a hidden place for water to gather, which can lead to long-term damage Rain leaders are the pipes that carry water from your gutters into your underground drainage system. If they’re disconnected, clogged, or damaged, water can pool near your foundation, leading to cracks,

Water never touches the joists, helping prevent rot and long-term damage. The system itself is simple: downspouts catch water from each joist bay, troughs direct the water toward Apply butyl caulking beneath any ledger flashing to prevent water intrusion. This keeps the channel open, prevents sagging and helps avoid pooling water.   Forget to verify the slope and water flow before installing decking.

Leaks in the water supply line: Turn off the water supply, tighten or replace the compression nuts or Turn it clockwise to shut off the water supply. the remaining water in the bowl. new water into the toilet bowl. For insurance against leaks, replace the water line linking your toilet to the water line coming through

and prevent excess water from pooling in low spots on your property. Poor turf performance is often due to too much or too little water. Most grass varieties need half to one inch of water per week. Spread waterings apart as much as possible and avoid watering every day. If in doubt, conduct a float test by placing a handful of seeds in water.

From what I’ve read, this particular folklore originated from the idea that haints cannot cross water , so the blue color tricks them into thinking the ceiling is water or the sky, preventing them from entering You’ll thank me later. -- Weber V-groove profile (left) and beadboard profile (right).

Today, high-efficiency pumps, heaters, and filtration systems help homeowners cut down on energy use These adjust to your pool’s needs, reducing energy consumption significantly. ·       High-efficiency heaters : Newer models warm the water quickly and maintain heat with less output. ·       Advanced filtration : Improved filters mean clearer water and fewer chemicals. Modernize equipment:  Replace aging pumps, heaters, and filters to improve efficiency. 3.    

Clean the brick with dish soap, water and a rag, then rinse it well. For a light, semi-transparent finish, mix equal parts white latex paint and water in a bucket, and blend Apply water to the concrete and note any areas where water beads on the surface. Clean these areas again until water can be absorbed into the concrete. Remove excess etching residue with water, a scrub brush and a wet/dry vac.

come in a variety of sizes for different size cords, and all of them safely seal the connection from water The Tri-clone Trimmer Head from Amkor Trading Inc. attaches to an existing weed eater and allow it to It can be painted within minutes and cleans up easily with water. East Oak makes all sorts of outdoor entertainment amenities, from patio heaters and fire pits to outdoor

Spring Watering Dormant, warm season turfgrass doesn’t need much water until the active growing season need water. with about one inch of water per week including rainfall. This means that you will already be watering your lawn with the appropriate amount of water during the If the insecticide is a granular product, be sure to water it in so that it soaks into your soil.

Hissing or running water sounds Hissing or running water sounds can indicate leaks or plumbing issues Water damage can quickly become costly if not acted on quickly. Watch for any unusual increases in water usage either on your water utility bill or water meter that If there are any spikes in water usage or signs of pipe corrosion, contact a plumber.   4. Look for water backflow.