Modern home appliances have reduced a lot of labor inside the household, and it is difficult to operate in some spaces without them. Unfortunately, home appliances can fail due to lack of regular maintenance. Taking care of them will not only save expensive repairs but keep them functioning for a longer duration of time.

For example, say your fridge doesn鈥檛 cool things even if the temperature is set up at the max. It doesn鈥檛 mean it already requires it to be repaired or replaced- the issue might be a dirty gasket. You can clean it with soapy water and a clean cloth.  If your microwave oven doesn鈥檛 warm food, perhaps the dried spillover liquids are to blame. Even the help of a clean rag to wipe the oven鈥檚 interior walls can make a difference.

There are some basic troubleshooting steps that you need to follow before going to the pros. Read on for tips on appliance maintenance and when to opt for repair or replacement.

The Average Lifespan of Modern Kitchen Appliances

Having an idea of the average lifespan of modern kitchen appliances will help you get an idea about the frequency of repair and replacement required. Here are some of the average lifespans of common appliances:

• Fridge- 13 years
• Microwave ovens-9 years
• Dishwashers- 9 years
• Electric ranges- 13 years
• Gas ranges- 15 years

All that being discussed, the actual service life depends on the brand and maintenance of the appliance.

Warning Signs That Home Appliances Need Repair

If your home appliances require repairs, you will need to get in touch with someone who specializes in the appliance. Here are the warning signs that your modern home appliances require work from a professional:

1. Strange Noises

Appliances such as fridges, air conditioners, and freezers run without a stop, thus making noises when they start and stop. They can make humming, whistles, or electrical sounds; however, if there’s excessive noise that doesn鈥檛 seem normal, you likely need a repair. Consult with a repair person who is knowledgeable about the appliance in question.

2. The Appliance Doesn’t Start

If your appliances don’t turn on, it means they will require repair or even replacement. Before going for a professional, try doing simple troubleshooting to see if it works. Manuals are often available in print and online. If the appliance still won鈥檛 work after taking the suggested steps, it is time to call a technician for help.

If your appliance has stopped functioning and there鈥檚 no scope left for repair, it is better to invest in an appliance upgrade. Not only will it provide you with a new appliance, but it will also save you the effort and cost of continuous future repairs. Appliances have a lifespan!

3. Leaking Water

If you see water around the home appliance, especially a water heater, there is likely a problem with it. Standing water around appliances can be due to broken parts, clogged pipes, or even a damaged seal. If you don鈥檛 get this issue checked at the earliest, it is possible to run into trouble with mold.

4. Malfunctioning Appliances

Using your appliances every day will provide you with a clear picture of the appliance鈥檚 normal function. So, when any home appliance acts strangely or starts to decrease in quality, you will notice it in your daily routine. For example, if the clothes are taking longer to dry than usual, then there might be a problem with the washer spin cycle or the dryer. The refrigerator may be cool but cannot maintain lower temperatures.聽 In both examples the appliance still works, but it is not performing as it should.

You should pay proper attention to the malfunctions and call the service provider before your appliances fully break down. However, to avoid all the trouble of finding a repair person, you can instead go for a home warranty service. The home warranty covers the major home appliances and systems which are caused due to normal wear and tear. There are several that cover major home appliances and systems.

5. Higher Utility Bills

If there鈥檚 a surge in utility bills, your home appliances might be at fault here. If your appliance needs repair or replacement, it can take more energy to perform. Putting off appliance repair for a long period of time will only get expensive. Instead, you should take the help of a professional to deal with the situation, especially if you experience a hike in utility bills as compared to previous bills.

Final Words

Modern home appliances can work for years if properly maintained and repaired on a timely basis. Make it a point to check them every six months to check their working condition and get their maintenance done annually.

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There are many things to consider when buying a home warranty, which is different from homeowners insurance. A home warranty is a policy that covers major appliances and some systems, , inside the house. Some policies can be tailored to fit your needs and cover additional things such as electronics, septic systems, and hot tubs. Although homeowners insurance will be required for many real estate purchases, a home warranty is entirely optional.

Advantages of a home warranty

A home warranty policy can protect you from the full expense of repairs or replacement of major appliances and, in some cases, systems in your home. Such a policy can also make getting repairs less stressful, as the issuer of your policy will likely guide you to reputable service people. If you鈥檙e selling a home, will make it more appealing to buyers, particularly if it is a home with older appliances and systems.

How to determine what type of coverage you need

Home warranties can vary a great deal in what they cover, ranging from the barebones to the possibility of adding specific appliances at an additional cost. Consider the types of plumbing, electrical systems, and major appliances in the home, as well as the age of each. You may want to review the costs of various policies at this point to help you figure out how much it is worth to invest in multiple levels of coverage.

Be aware that most policies will replace an appliance with something considered to be an equivalent. , you鈥檒l want to check and see if this would be a possibility.  In some cases, you can upgrade by paying the difference in the costs of the various models.

If you鈥檝e recently purchased a home with older systems and appliances, then buying a home warranty should be near the top of your priority list. Although a seller may purchase a policy to entice buyers, if they don鈥檛, buying a warranty after closing on the home is still possible.

Shopping tips

Once you鈥檝e determined what type of coverage you need, it鈥檚 time to do some research. For example, by reading reviews of various companies to see what customers and experts have to say about their reliability, promptness, and service.

Once you have selected several possible companies, compare what they offer. Be sure to look at coverage caps that limit the extent to which they will pay for specific items, . Consider the pricing for various plans in light of your own budget. Compare price quotes, and once you鈥檙e sure you鈥檝e found the best fit for you and your home, take time to read the fine print on the contract you are offered. Although several lists of 鈥渢he best鈥� available home warranties exist and are worth considering, remember that you should research your options and select the option that is the best fit for your personal needs.

Keep your documents organized

Once you鈥檝e selected and purchased a policy, make sure to keep the related documents organized. You can do this in digital format, which makes it easy to access if filing a claim becomes necessary. It鈥檚 possible to create one main PDF to take parts of other documents, such as appliance warranties. You can then combine only the pages you need to form one document that has all the pertinent information in it.

Before you buy a home warranty, take the time to assess your home, appliances, and the systems within your home. Once you have determined what needs to be covered, you鈥檒l be ready to shop for a policy. Be sure to read reviews of the companies you are considering, learn about their customer service, and do price comparisons. Keep your warranty information along with documents on each appliance together so you can find it easily. Even if you鈥檝e already purchased your home, it鈥檚 not too late to invest in a home warranty.

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When it comes to buying a new refrigerator, you may be interested in choosing one with a built-in ice and water dispenser. These modern fridge features have become increasingly trendy amongst homeowners in the US and Canada, where cold drinks are a household staple.

Having your own ice and cold water dispenser includes several advantages. They鈥檙e convenient to have, easy for people of all ages to operate, and they look great in every kitchen.

However, a refrigerator filtration system isn鈥檛 perfect, so it comes with some drawbacks too. If you鈥檙e contemplating the installation of a refrigerator water dispenser and ice machine, this post will help you to separate the pros from the cons.

Getting a refrigerator water dispenser and ice machine: The pros

Having your own refrigerator water dispenser and ice machine at home comes with many benefits. Apart from the fact that it has become a standard feature in many modern homes in Canada and the US, these systems bring with them a range of exciting advantages worth looking into.

1. Convenience

The biggest pro of having a water and ice dispenser in your home is convenience. Instead of needing to refill a jug of water in the refrigerator every few days, you have access to fresh, cold water at the press of a button. Similarly, fresh ice is always quite literally on tap.

This makes it easy for you to go about your daily business without needing to think about where you will get your cold water or ice from. For entertaining guests, this can also be very useful. There鈥檚 no need to fill several ice trays ahead of time or to buy bags of ice that take up valuable freezer space.

2. Improved smell and taste of water

The water and ice that comes out of a refrigerator dispenser automatically runs through a filtration system, giving you a cleaner, better-tasting, and better-smelling product. If you鈥檙e sensitive to the quality of the water and ice you consume, this is a huge advantage.

3. Increases sell-ability of house

Many of the people seeking to buy homes in the US and Canada prioritize a modern, high-quality kitchen. By installing a refrigerator with a built-in water dispenser and ice machine, you can make it easier to sell your home later down the line.

Any additional appliances and technological features you add to your home make it and help to increase the overall value of the home itself.

If you鈥檙e considering selling your home at some point, investing in a high-tech refrigerator can result in a faster, more agreeable sale in the future.

4. Chic, modern appeal

There鈥檚 something intrinsically satisfying about having automatic dispensaries in your home. They may not be 100% necessary, but they make life feel easier and more luxurious. For the perks it provides, a water and ice dispenser is well worth the investment.

Getting a refrigerator water dispenser and ice machine: The cons

Just like anything in life, these high-tech refrigerator systems come with both positives and negatives. While water and ice dispensers can make life more convenient, there are other variables which contradict that idea.

1. Expensive to purchase and run

Buying a refrigerator that comes kitted out with both a water dispenser and an ice machine is a costly affair. These features have been carefully designed to give you the smoothest, cleanest, and highest quality experience possible, which naturally comes at a high price.

The average cost of a refrigerator with water freezing and filtration systems is in the range of $1,000 – $2,000, making it one of the most expensive types of refrigerators to buy.

Not only that, but these fancy fridges also require more electricity to run, elevating your monthly energy bill. There鈥檚 no doubt that cost is one of the main disadvantages of this appliance.

2. Requires maintenance

Unfortunately, refrigerators with water and ice dispenser features tend to than those without. This can be frustrating for a few reasons.

First, it requires the admin of organizing contractors to fix your refrigerator when the dispenser stops working, which can take up time and energy from your life. Second, those repairs can become expensive. It鈥檚 a finicky job that requires a specialized contractor to properly fix. Last, most systems require regular replacement of the water filter, which is an extra chore and expense that some may not enjoy.

3. Reduces capacity for storage

All that water and ice must be kept somewhere鈥攁nd that somewhere is in the door of your refrigerator. When you have a refrigerator that features these dispensers, it diminishes the amount of storage space available in the rest of the appliance.

Even though many of these refrigerators are designed to take up as little space as possible, the dispensers and storage still steal significant space that you could use for keeping other products cool.

4. The filtering system is fundamental

Not all refrigerators with ice and water dispensers include a robust filtration system. The water that passes through these systems will be an improvement from straight tap water. However, if you鈥檙e particularly sensitive to poor-tasting or smelling water, it may not be enough.

Should this be the case for you, a full-house filtration system may be necessary to achieve the quality you seek. Because the filtration system is fundamental to the outcome of your refrigerator鈥檚 water and ice, you may need to set up a whole-house system that costs a pretty penny to install.

The verdict

At the end of the day, determining if installing a refrigerator water dispenser and ice machine is a good idea is up to you.

Clearly, there are both positives and negatives, but the decision ultimately lies with your budget and lifestyle preferences. If you are happy to take on the financial responsibility of and other necessary components and you love the idea of cold water and ice on demand, installing one is a good idea. However, if you are working with a smaller budget or have a busy schedule, this piece of kitchen technology may end up being more of a drain on resources.

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Moving into your first apartment is not an easy task. You need to keep track of so many things that you鈥檙e practically guaranteed to forget some of them. Don鈥檛 worry, though. We are here to take some of that load off. We鈥檝e made a comprehensive list of home appliances you need for your first apartment. We鈥檒l tell you what to buy and why.

Choosing a Product

When shopping for home appliances, it鈥檚 always a good idea to scour the internet for honest reviews of your chosen products. Better yet, find a trustworthy source that you can always turn to. For example, is a Canadian company specializing in exactly that鈥攖hey provide unbiased reviews of various home products. By doing this, they aim to help you, the customer, make the best possible choice in home appliances. If you live in the US, you could check out .

Now, on to our list of essential home appliances.

1. Vacuum Cleaner

A vacuum cleaner is an irreplaceable home appliance, and yet, it鈥檚 so easy to forget about it. Without one, you鈥檒l never be able to keep your new place clean, and dusty living spaces are breeding grounds for .

When choosing a vacuum cleaner, you must get acquainted with the various types available. Older vacuum models were armed with a dust bag. Now there are options for upright, stick, and handheld. There are bagless vacuums that suck the dirt into a plastic container. Finally, some more expensive models use a water tank, minimizing the possibility of dust escaping into the air.

You鈥檝e probably heard of the new robot vacuum cleaners as well. They can be very convenient, as they鈥檒l do the job for you.  You can schedule time and frequency for cleaning. The only drawback is that they cost significantly more than more traditional models. 

2. Microwave Oven

Believe us when we say a microwave oven is the star of any kitchen. It鈥檚 incredibly versatile: you can use it for cooking food or even boiling water in a pinch. You鈥檒l be using your microwave a lot, so it makes sense to buy a good one. Go for a reputable brand and make sure it has sufficient power. A precise digital timer is a helpful addition鈥攊t will ensure you get identical results every time.

The home appliance market offers a vast choice of microwave ovens. When making a choice, never go for the bottom dollar, but don鈥檛 go overboard either. A mid-tier microwave will serve you just fine.

3. Coffee Maker

What鈥檚 a new apartment without the smell of fresh morning coffee? Depending on your taste in coffee, you can choose between an espresso machine or an American-style coffee maker. If you鈥檙e on a budget, will do a fine job as well.

A word of warning, though: coffee brewing can be an expensive hobby. If you find yourself spending all your money on espresso machines and coffee grinders鈥攄on鈥檛 say we didn鈥檛 warn you.

On the off-chance that you don鈥檛 care for the taste of coffee, you can always go with an electric tea kettle. It will boil water in a flash, which you can use to make tea or anything else you need. You鈥檒l be surprised at how helpful boiling water can be around the house.

4. Air Conditioning

We know what you鈥檙e thinking: air conditioning is expensive! While this may have been true in the past, it鈥檚 the opposite today. If your home doesn鈥檛 already have an AC unit, a portable unit is relatively cheap to buy and very efficient to use.

The most widely known benefit of air conditioning is its ability to keep your apartment cool in the summer. However, nowadays AC units can be very good at heating as well. Some would say that air conditioning is the most efficient source of heat. To do this, make sure to buy an air conditioner labeled 鈥渋nverter.鈥� This type is much better at heating than the average AC.

A bonus of a good AC unit is its ability to suck moisture from the air. Depending on the location of your apartment, humidity can pose a problem.

5. Handheld Mixer

A handheld mixer is a practical and affordable appliance. Even though it鈥檚 not an absolute necessity, just thinking of making pancake batter by hand gives us carpal tunnel syndrome. Not only is a mixer faster and more comfortable than whisking by hand, but it does a better job as well. With a mixer, you can say goodbye to the chunky batter.

6. Smart Bulbs and Socket Plugs

Smart homes have lately become very popular, and it鈥檚 not hard to tell why. We quickly went from the old 鈥渃lap to toggle the lights鈥� to complete voice control of everything. However, as fun, as they are, smart homes can be costly.

The good news is that you can start small, smartening up your apartment step by step. With smart socket plugs comes the ability to control them with your voice or your phone. Of course, most smart plugs offer straightforward ways to charge your various electronic devices.

The most noticeable benefit of smart socket plugs is that they can make your home more energy-efficient. Home appliances, even when not turned on, can still use considerable amounts of electricity. With these small smart devices, you can pull the plug on needless spending鈥攑un intended.

It鈥檚 a similar story with . Put simply: they turn themselves off when not in use.

Summary

We hope that our list has given you an idea of what home appliances you need for your new apartment. Appliances such as microwave ovens, coffee makers, and handheld mixers are sure to add convenience to your everyday life. We hope that this article will help alleviate some of the stress of moving into your first apartment. If you consider our advice, we guarantee it will make life in your new apartment much easier.

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When buying an old home, it is common to check that all appliances and systems still work as intended. Having one or a few of them broken simply will not do. But what if there is concern that these aging appliances and systems will break down in the near future? You can maintain, repair, and replace, but the costs are not cheap. You should have a home warranty plan.

If you are worried about your appliances and home systems wearing out, buying a home warranty is a good way to mitigate anxiety. Of course, the payment for the warranty is upfront, but we can assure you that it is worth the added expense. This is especially true if you do not know how to fix the issues yourself or have time to research and hire a reliable, licensed contractor.

Simply put, when you have a home warranty, the warranty company becomes your concierge. When you call them to report an issue with an appliance or system, they will find a suitable licensed contractor to inspect the appliance or home system and determine if it needs to be repaired or replaced. This can save money and shave off time since you do not have to find the contractor or negotiate pricing.

Before we delve into the reasons why you should buy a home warranty plan, let us first discuss what a home warranty is.

What is a home warranty plan?

Disclaimer: a home warranty is not an insurance policy. It is far from it. Instead, it is a service contract that pays for repairing and maintaining your appliances and home systems such as kitchen appliances, water heaters, HVAC systems, plumbing, etc. It is important to note that it does not provide coverage for structural parts of your house like the doors and windows.

If you are wondering what the , home insurance provides coverage for damages and loss caused by events like fire, theft, and some natural disasters. It is intended to help the policyholder rebuild or replace the damaged portions of the home. Home warranty plans provide repair or replacement coverage for appliances and home systems that stop working properly due to age or general wear and tear.

The appliances and systems covered by the home warranty will depend on the contract you signed with your chosen company and will likely be listed within the contract. Basic provide coverage for several appliances, while the more expensive ones can also cover your home systems and a few extra items.

Why should you buy a home warranty plan?

Read on for a few of the reasons why you should buy a home warranty plan.

Save Money

There are many appliances and home systems in a single home and, of course, the most important ones are the ones we use almost every day. When one of them breaks, we want to have them repaired as soon as possible. Normally, having an appliance repaired in a rush can require a lot of money.

Having a home warranty is optimal if you do not want to negotiate pricing or pay the full cost of repair or replacement out of pocket. Double check your plan to see what appliances are included or excluded and look for additional expenses such as deductibles or trade call fees that you would be responsible for.

Save Time Locating Service Providers

As mentioned earlier, one of the struggles of having a home system or appliance fixed is the time required to find a suitable, reputable technician. There are many service providers with varying levels of expertise, so it is important to do your research before hiring one. With home warranty plans, you do not have to find the technician yourself- the warranty company has already vetted and contracted with reliable service providers.

An additional benefit is the availability of the warranty company.  You do not have to worry about calling at night or during the weekends with most warranty companies.  They can be reached online or via phone 24/7, which means they can quickly connect you to a .

Provide Security for Potential Buyers

If you are planning to sell your house in the future, there are several ways for you to increase its perceived value. One of them is by purchasing a home warranty plan that can be transferred to the new owner. Many homebuyers want to minimize financial risks post-sale.  After all, buying a home is likely the largest investment a person will make in his or her lifetime. A home warranty provides new homeowners with a sense of security by avoiding unexpected repair costs that could arise after purchasing the home.

Home Warranty Plans, In Summation

Having home warranty plans are excellent for making sure your house is operating as intended and mitigating expenses in the future. Although it is not mandatory, a home warranty plan is just as important as home insurance. Being financially secure in and out of the house is surely a great way to save yourself money and the hassle.

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Home and appliance upgrades can lighten your wallet. However, in the long run, you can actually pad your wallet with money you save by investing in certain upgrades.

Not all home upgrades are created equal in terms of saving money. Explore some of the smartest home upgrades you can invest your money in to save some green.

Smart Thermostat

Programmable thermostats electronically control the temperature and heating system in your house. Smart thermostats make it easy to stay energy efficient and properly control the temperature in your home.

These thermostats make your home more energy efficient and will significantly reduce the energy you use on heating and cooling your home.

While some of these thermostats can start as high as $500, you鈥檒l easily make this and more back in the long term. Smart thermostats can . In Canada, studies show up to per year.

Upgraded Dishwasher

Older models of dishwashers are extremely inefficient. They can use up to , which may make your utility bills skyrocket. Newer models of dishwashers can run cycles with half that amount of water to save you money on your utilities.

Compared to non-certified dishwashers, Energy Star certified dishwashers and are . A new dishwasher can be pricey, but the energy (and money) you鈥檒l save with a new model will pay off.

Ceiling Fans

With summer approaching, most people are getting ready to shut the windows, crank up the air conditioner, and bliss out while eating popsicles.

However, blasting your air conditioner all summer is a surefire way to have ridiculously high bills and use up a ton of energy. Supplementing air conditioner use with ceiling and house fans will reduce the amount of energy you use when using an air conditioner by itself.

Fans work to reduce the temperature in your home using less energy than an AC system. Certain days and nights may be bearable with fans alone, allowing you to turn off your AC.

Buying and installing ceiling fans can cost anywhere from $300-$400 dollars. But, they will likely reduce your energy bills and save you money each year, quickly making up for your initial investment.

Solar Panels

Solar energy is only becoming more popular with in the U.S in 2016, a number which doubled since 2015. In Canada, solar isn鈥檛 as popular as other renewable fuel options but, the number of panels are growing significantly, .

Solar panel installation will save you on energy bills by converting the sun鈥檚 rays into usable energy.

Not only will your energy bills be reduced with the addition of solar panels to your home, but you can also get some if you鈥檙e a U.S resident. These credits can amount to thousands of dollars that will go right in your pocket.

Overall, the you鈥檒l get from solar panels can range from $10,000 to approximately $45,000 . That doesn鈥檛 include the fact that solar panels can $15,000 to the value of your home in both the U.S .

This post is intended for informational purposes only and should not be taken as professional advice. The point of view and opinions expressed in this post are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of 皇冠体育app International. This post was written for 皇冠体育app by Elliot Walsh. Elliot is a dual-degree graduate from the University of Rochester with a B.S in Cell Biology and a B.A in English Literature. He is a full-time freelance writer from Boston, specializing in veganism, humor, and health. His articles have appeared in The Rival Rochester and his work experience can be found here:.

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But that doesn鈥檛 mean you have to surrender helplessly to rising cooling costs.

Regular maintenance on your unit stands to reduce the energy consumption of your central air unit by anywhere from . To get those benefits, you could enroll in a service program from your HVAC repair technician鈥攂ut it will cost you. About $150 to $500 a year, to be exact. However, with a few AC smarts, you can do much of the work on your own and save the rest for your summer vacation.

Here鈥檚 your checklist for home air conditioning maintenance to keep you cool well before summer highs drive you indoors.

Inside your home

An air conditioner is only as good as the sum of its parts, and for central AC units, that means that both the indoor and outdoor components need to be running like a well-oiled machine. Specifically, here鈥檚 what to look for inside your house.

• Change your filters. Dirty filters are a big drain on energy. Changing your filters every four to six weeks makes your unit more energy-efficient and improves its longevity to boot. Clogged filters create extra resistance inside your system, meaning your unit has to work overtime to carry cooled air to you. That extra effort eats up energy鈥攁nd it can wear down your components over time, shortening the life of your system. Fifteen dollar filter or $500 compressor replacement? You see where we鈥檙e going here.
• Check your thermostat. Even your thermostat plays a part in energy performance. For instance, you鈥檒l want to make sure your thermostat settings reflect the correct temperatures. Also, turn your thermostat to the 鈥渁uto鈥� setting, rather than 鈥渙n鈥� or 鈥渇an.鈥� Keeping the thermostat set to 鈥渙n鈥� means the AC鈥檚 fan is running continuously, rather than cycling on and off, and that can tack on to your energy expenses. If you have programmable settings on your thermostat, find out how to use those, too. Turning the AC off while you鈥檙e out for the day could save on your electricity bills!
• Clean your condensate drain line and pan. Your AC doesn鈥檛 just cool your home, it reduces the humidity, too. This collects as condensation, which is funneled through the condensate drain line to the condensation pan below. Over time, these pipes can become grimy, bacteria-ridden, and clogged. This reduces the effectiveness of your unit, and can potentially cause water damage, too! To clean the unit, shut off your system, disconnect the drain line, and run a solution of water and vinegar in a 1:1 ratio through the pipe until it runs clean. For really clogged lines, you can allow it to sit in the solution for about 30 minutes. Next, clean out the pan with liquid dish soap and hot water and put everything back. A clean system is a more energy efficient system!

Outside your home

Meanwhile, most AC systems have an external unit as well. Positioned outside your home, these units frequently bear the brunt of pollen, dust, grass clippings, and other contaminants that can clog up your components, impacting overall efficiency. Here鈥檚 how to keep yours running smooth.

• Cut back brush around your outdoor unit. Over the winter, grass and weeds can grow around the side of your outdoor unit, restricting airflow to your unit, which鈥攜ou guessed it!鈥攎akes it work harder and consume more energy. Trim weeds and bushes surrounding the unit and move plants and garden beds away to prevent obstruction.
• Clean your condenser coils. The inside of the unit needs to be clean, too, though. Dust, pollen, grass clippings and other debris from outside the unit can collect on the coils, and that can massively affect unit performance鈥攊t may drop by some estimates. Your system relies on those coils to condense the refrigerant to a liquid and remove heat from your system. In essence, it鈥檚 where some of the real cooling happens. To clean your coils, turn off the power to your unit, and give them a once over with a soft-bristled brush and some liquid dish soap and water. Then spray them clean with a hose鈥攕queaky-clean energy performance!

Is it time for a new AC?

All of that aside, there鈥檚 no fixing a truly outdated unit. Many older ACs have very low seasonal energy efficiency ratings, or SEERs. In the 90s, for instance, it wasn鈥檛 uncommon for units to be rated with a SEER of around 10, whereas now, that rating doesn鈥檛 even clear the minimum standards.

If your unit is fairly old, or you鈥檝e noticed a steady drop off in cooling performance鈥攅ven after a little tune up鈥攊t may be time for a replacement air conditioner. A high efficiency air conditioner can reduce energy consumption by 20 to 50 percent鈥攁nd you鈥檒l feel the effect on your utility bills. If you do choose to upgrade to a more efficient unit, make sure to go with a system that鈥檚 sized correctly for your home. Don鈥檛 just get the same size as your last unit鈥攖hat won鈥檛 fix your energy woes if your unit was too large or too small in the first place. No matter how you slice it, taking some preventative steps to improve your AC鈥檚 performance means you鈥檒l have one very cool summer!

This guest post was written by Erin Vaughan, a blogger, gardener and aspiring homeowner.聽She currently resides in Austin, TX where she writes full time for , with the goal of empowering homeowners with the expert guidance and educational tools they need to take on big home projects with confidence.

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The lifespan of an air conditioner is 15 to 20 years, depending on how often it鈥檚 used. But chances are you鈥檙e going to need to replace your AC unit at one point or another, and when you do you鈥檒l probably have some questions. For example, is buying an air conditioner online safe? Or is it safe to buy a second-hand or refurbished AC unit? We asked a 25-year veteran of the HVAC industry all of the important AC questions so you don鈥檛 have to.

We spoke to Erik Bryan, a licensed HVAC contractor and owner of , and asked what you need to know about buying an air conditioner online.

1. Be wary of 鈥榯oo good to be true鈥� pricing

If a low-priced unit looks too good to be true, it probably is. According to Bryan, most AC units sold online are sold by resellers and are not manufacturer endorsed, which can result in seemingly attractive pricing. 鈥淭he consumer can purchase a new AC unit at a deep discount, but those generally do not include the product warranty,鈥� explains Bryan. 鈥淭hen they still need to find an installer and most licensed contractors will not install equipment from third-party sources,鈥� he adds.

Be sure to verify exactly what is included with the air conditioner if the retail price is significantly lower than competitors.

2. Double-check the warranty

Read the full warranty before you make your purchase so that you鈥檙e aware of how long it will last, whether it鈥檚 a seller or manufacturer warranty, what it covers, and whether there are any limitations or conditions on the warranty.

鈥淥ne of the most common mistakes that consumers make is not checking out the warranty details. You want the product warranty intact on such a large expenditure,鈥� says Bryan.

Warranties for air conditioners range from one to 10 years and can cover everything from complete parts and labor, to the compressor. However, installing the unit improperly can void the warranty, so Bryan suggests securing a licensed contractor for the job.

How to maintain your appliances without voiding the warranty

3. Second-hand units might not be worth the savings

鈥淗aving a used unit without being able to register a warranty with the manufacturer, gives you absolutely no recourse on repairs or breakdown issues. Just like buying a used car, or a used appliance, you don鈥檛 know what you are really getting and there are no guarantees on how long it will last,鈥� warns Bryan.

If you鈥檙e considering purchasing a second-hand or refurbished unit, try to avoid buying it 鈥榓s is.鈥� Check if the seller has a current manufacturer鈥檚 warranty that is transferable, and what the terms of that warranty are. If the air conditioner is refurbished, ask the seller for details on what changes have been made to the unit.

4. Know what upgrades are required vs. recommended

While shopping for an air conditioner online, be sure to distinguish between required and recommended upgrades.

鈥淩ecommended upgrades might include the power system for the unit with things like a disconnect, whip, and plenum box, a new thermostat, or possibly some ductwork modifications. 聽In most cases, if these are recommendations, you can choose to add them on at the time of your installation or defer them until later as your budget permits,鈥� explains Bryan.
Ask your HVAC professional about any add-ons prior to the installation to avoid any costly surprises.

5. Replacing broken parts may not be the best solution

Replacing broken components of your old unit may not be the most cost effective solution. According to the , today鈥檚 best air conditioners are 30% to 50% more efficient than units built in the 1970s, using significantly less energy to produce the same results.

鈥淎 15-year-old condenser unit may not be compatible with a new air handler or vice versa. They might work, but the efficiency and lifespan of the unit can be greatly compromised,鈥� adds Bryan.

Be sure to test the efficiency of your current unit along with the energy costs required to cool your home, and compare this to the cost of a new unit with installation. If you鈥檒l be spending more money to maintain an old unit long-term, it may be worth installing a newer and more efficient unit.

How long will your home and everything in it last?

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