Archive

Archive for the ‘Home Stuff’ Category

The Solution Of AC Leaks

July 19th, 2010

When the heat is so strong, especially in some parts of the world more than others, an air conditioner is essential for a comfortable time at home for you and your family.

AC Leaks are one of the major problems in most households at this time of the year. The AC leaking can be easily stopped if you’re willing to go through a bit of a work.

Instead of calling AC Repair companies you can solve the problem yourself which is a lot more cost effective(even if you have a repair contract with the retailer/manufacturer the chances are your going to be paying a handsome sum to someone).

What Causes AC Leaks?

There are many internal issues that can cause an air conditioner to leak. If you can’t find out what is yours, you might need to call a air conditioner service.

The best situation would be to avoid that, here are some of the air conditioning problems.

  • Hot Air Infiltration

This one is the most common problems, if your ac was installed professionally I doubt the problem was the following so you just might want to skip it.

If water is dripping from the front side(the side with the controls). The problem here is that the warm air from outside is coming inside once it goes in the AC, the cold air and warm air will meet.

Thus creating condensation which will create small liquid drops. Now the water drops will drip on the drain pan and leak downwards, probably falling on your floor, creating a mess.

Like I said if a professional installed the AC this might not occur unless they missed a spot where the warm air could come in from.

The Solution: Whatever that is blocking holes around your AC, use that on the spot where the warm wind is coming from. Usually the material is foam insulation, you get it with the AC product. If you can’t find any use anything else that could cover the area required.

The problem often strikes on new ACs, other problems that require cleaning the dirt on the drain pan are often occurred on much older ACs.

Note(North America): If you have a Danby Air Conditioner, it’s leaking and it’s new this just might be the problem. I have many friends who have had such problems with Danby ACs(who leak notoriously quick).


  • Internal Issues(Drain Hole Block, Dirt on The Drain Pan/AC Vents)

For the previous problem, you didn’t need to remove the AC from the window, but this one requires a bit more effort and work.

The two other most common problems are Drain Hole Block and a Dirty Drain Pan which is the front of the ac(you can just remove it manually on most ACs).

The Drain Hole is what lets the water escape from the back. If it gets block, the water keeps increasing and it gets to an amount where it floods out from the front. This is a situation you certainly want to avoid(I know by experience).

The Solution: Turn the power off, take the AC outside and put it on something solid like cement, concrete, avoid placing it on dirt or grass.
Take a piece of wood(clean) and open drain holes at the back of the metal machine.

Note: If you think it’s the Drain Pan, just manually remove it, clean it with a hose or an air compressor. This problem occurs with an aging AC more often then not.

I hope this little piece helped you with some of the problems your having with your home air conditioner. Some people might suggest air conditioner tools that might help you clean the drain or clear blockages, such as EasyKlear but I would rather do it myself with materials(hose, air compressor) already at my disposal. If you believe the problem is with the ac compressor I would suggest that you find a ac repair or use your guarantee. The same could be said if a problem happens with the ac condenser.

If I couldn’t help you with your air conditioner problem and you can’t afford ac repair or other ac services, you might want to check other sources on the web. I would recommend checking out the following web pages.

Daniel Grummett’s 6 Reasons Why Air Conditioners Leak

Dan Vandervort’s Home Tips: Central AC Repair

And if you just want learn a bit more about your air conditioner you can read Energy Quest’s How Does An Air Conditioner Work?

Home Stuff ac leak, ac leak fix, ac leak solutions, ac problems, ac repair, ac services, ac tools, air condition tools, air conditioning companies, air conditioning compressor, Danby AC

9 Tips for Making Your Home More Welcoming to Guests

March 19th, 2009

Do you love having guests stay at your home but you worry that your home may not feel like “home” to them?  Follow these suggestions and before you know it, your guests won’t want to leave.  For our first tips, we will assume that you have a guest room.  If you don’t have one, do not worry, we will include tips for making the rest of your home so inviting that guests won’t even mind sleeping on an air mattress or pull-out sofa.

First, if you have a guest room, make sure there is space in the room for your guests to store their belongings.  This includes closet space as well as a dresser or other piece of furniture with empty drawers.  If you really want to please your guests, consider our second tip.  Hang a few simple shelves on the walls where they can store items they need to keep handy such as a book or car keys.  Speaking of books, our third suggestion is to provide your guests with some books and magazines on a range of topics in the guest room.  If your guest forgot a book or just needs to unwind before going to sleep, he’ll have something to keep him entertained.

Your guest will also appreciate it if you include a few creature comforts in the guest bedroom.  This brings us to tip number four which is to make sure there is at least one mirror in the guest bedroom.  It doesn’t have to be large and in fact, if you hang a mirror it can make the room look larger.  If you can, take our fifth suggestion, which is to provide comfortable bedding.  Don’t give your guest flat, worn-out pillows or itchy sheets.  Treat him to high thread-count sheets and fluffy pillows and a high quality comforter.  Make him feel as if he’s sleeping at a five-star hotel!  Our sixth suggestion is to not neglect your guest bedroom.   Of course you should make sure it is neat and clean but also make sure that it is as tastefully decorated as the rest of your home.  It doesn’t have to be extravagant but adding some soft color to the walls and some curtains to the window, as well as some basics like a clock can go a long way towards making your guests feel welcome.

If you don’t have a guest bedroom, don’t fret.  We have some excellent suggestions that require just a little bit of effort but will make your guests feel like royalty.  For tip number seven, we suggest that you provide your guest with a comfortable bathrobe and disposable slippers.  Most people who have limited space in a suitcase don’t bother packing a big heavy robe.  By providing one, you eliminate any awkwardness your guest might feel about walking between the bedroom and the bathroom.  Eighth, keep towels, washcloths and anything else your guests might need within sight and available.  You can do this by putting out a basket with these items and maybe even add trial-sized shampoo, conditioner and lotion for your guests to use.  Also make sure you have plenty of toilet paper and tissues on hand.  Finally, at number nine keep candy or other snack foods out where your guests can access them so they can help themselves whenever they need a snack.  If you follow these tips, your guests will think you are a very thoughtful and welcoming host, people will be happy to stay at your home and they will want to come to visit you again and again.

Home Stuff

8 Tips to Make Your Home Look Hot in 2009

March 19th, 2009

If you want your home to look like the hottest interior decorators have personally styled it, follow these tips.  For the first tip, start in your dining room.  Believe it or not, matching chairs at your dining room table are out.   Look at secondhand stores and inexpensive retailers for chairs that have something in common – be it color or shape or something else.  This will give your dining set a unique look while still being cohesive.  The second tip is to include shades of grey or coral in your decorating.  Colors in the grey and coral family are very in right now for both furniture and paints.

Next take a walk into your kitchen where you can implement tip number three.  If you want to replace your kitchen appliances, once again consider shopping at a secondhand store or even garage sales.  Old model appliances from as far back as the 1940s are hot.  Older appliances are often more durable than their modern equivalents and with a fresh coat of bright paint, they will look incredible.  You’re also helping to keep them out of landfills and you can feel good about that!  While we’re on the topic of your kitchen, stainless steel appliances are on their way out.  People want to feel more at home and stainless steel gives a kitchen an institutional feel rather than a warm feeling.  Also for the kitchen is the fourth tip, which is to consider alternatives to granite and marble countertops.  Granite and marble countertops are beautiful but they are on the outs because they are both expensive and not very environmentally-friendly.  More natural alternatives which are just as lovely, such as soapstone, are now in.

You probably have not given any thought to your garage doors but these are actually the subject of the fifth tip.  Decorative garage doors are in and plain doors are out.  Look for doors with stylized windows and other features.  If you really want your house to keep up with the times, take our sixth suggestion and lighten up.  More specifically, the heavy and bulky furniture that was in a few years ago is now out.  When you buy furniture, look for pieces that are literally light – ones that you can easily pick up and move around.  Not only will your home look stylish but your back will thank you for it.

Next up, at number seven is creating a luxurious bedroom.  The trend is for people to create a truly luxurious bedroom with luxury bed linens, numerous pillows and a top-end mattress.  Eighth, people are no longer buying things just because they look good.  People are buying things that are practical and well-made and that will last a long time.  Keep this in mind whenever you are making a purchase for your home this year.

Our list wouldn’t be complete without a little green up at number nine.  We don’t mean the color – we mean being eco-friendly.  Using organic and renewable materials for everything from linens to flooring is definitely in, as are house wares that are colored with nontoxic dyes.  Homemade crafts and décor are also in, as is simplicity. Keep these tips in mind the next time you are shopping for your home and you will be sure to have the hottest house on the block!

Home Stuff