It is almost fall, and winter will be upon us in no time. Along with the return of these seasons comes the return of cold weather and the need to heat our homes. Spending a few minutes now checking and replacing your furnace filter can reap multiple benefits come the winter months.
A dirty filter on your furnace can lead to poorer indoor air quality and decreased efficiency during heating operations. Replacing the filter is an easy job, and should take no time at all to do. At most, you may need a screwdriver to help pry off the access panel. Other than that, no tools will likely be required. Follow the steps below to check and clean or replace your filter:
- Turn off power to the furnace. For extra safety, you should always turn off the power to whatever appliance you are working on. Your best bet is to do this at the circuit box.
- Locate the filter. For most furnaces this will likely be slack an access panel on the furnace itself. Some installers may have installed the filter in a cut-out near the return air. If the state around your filter is dirty, a quick cleaning will help you avoid putting dirt back into the furnace system.
- Remove the access panel and slide the filter out. The panel will usually pop out or slide off in one direction. If it has not been removed in a while, it may be stuck.
- Check the filter by holding it up to the light. If you can easily discover through it, then you probably do not need to change the filter. If it looks dirty, or you cannot see through it at all, it is time to either clean or replace the filter.
- If you have a reusable plastic or wire frame filter, you can clean it according to the manufacturer’s directions. This is usually done by rinsing the filter with water, a hose in the backyard or driveway works best, then completely drying it. Once complete, reinstall the filter and the access panel.
- If you have a fiberglass mesh filter (usually in a cardboard frame), it is not reusable. Take brand of the filter size printed on the cardboard and purchase a replacement at a local hardware or discount store. Filters can often be bought in money-saving multipacks. Slide the new filter back in and replace the access panel.
- Finally, restore power to the furnace and enjoy another season of warming power.
To ensure best performance, you should check your filter every year as summer turns to fall and once a month during the heating season. Now you know that this is something that you can easily do for yourself.
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Filed under Whole House Replacement Water Filters by on Feb 5th, 2012. 
My husband and I decided to purchase a house in 2002. The house we decided to purchase was 19 years old and no one had lived in the house for over a year. The previous owners had passed away. Our realtor had informed us that we should consider having a home inspection done to make sure that there would no costly repairs or headaches later on. Here are the key things that our home inspector looked at which is something all new home buyer and sellers should be aware of before buying or selling a home. This home inspection was done in New York and every state has different regulations.
Driveways & Sidewalks
The home inspector will first check the outside of the home including the grounds. He will check blacktop driveways and sidewalks for cracks, erosion, trip hazards and poor drainage. The inspector will check the slope toward the foundation to design sure that water does not come towards the house and if any trees or plants touch the house that may be locking moisture in.
Decks & Porches
If your potential novel home has a porch or deck the inspector will check the steps, and railings to make sure they are not uneven or loose. He will also look to see if any sections are damages, or missing.
Exterior Stairs
The inspector will check all stairs leading into the home for damage, loose rails, loose steps and unfavorable landings.
Fences & Gates
If there is a fence or gate the inspector will look to see if there are rotted posts, cracks, loose or missing sections or boards, and will check the latches to make positive that they lock properly. If there is a swimming pool will also make sure that there is a fence around that pool.
Condition of Roof and Gutters
The inspector will inspect for loose shingles, if there are any missing, and if there are any cracks or curling of shingles. He was also advice you if it is nearing the end of its useful life. The inspector will look at gutters and downspouts for blockage, disconnections, or loose areas, to construct obvious that there is proper drainage from the roof.
Exterior Doors & Garage
During the inspection he will check to create sure that exterior doors are not rotted, and that they open and close properly, and lock. He looks at weather stripping and sealants to be sure that no water or air comes in and for loose hinges.
If your potential new home has a garage he will perceive at the floor to make sure there are no cracks, and if it has settled or not. He will perceive at the conditions of the walls and ceilings for moisture stains, or holes. If you have a garage opener, vehicle door it is called, he will make definite that it is working properly, if the door is warped and will inspect wires, rollers, and springs to make obvious that it operates safely.
Condition of Chimney
The inspector will check the condition of the bricks if they are cracked, deteriorated and if the chimney is leaning or not.
Inspection of interior and exterior windows and walls
The inspector will check for broken glass, and condition of the window frame and if they need to be replaced or sealed.
He will inspect all drywall throughout the inside of the house for water stains, damage such as cracks or holes.
Plumbing
The inspector will check all water connections throughout the house and test them by flushing the toilet, turning on all water faucets in the home in sinks and also the tub. Will check for leaks coming from the pipes or faucets coming from underneath the sinks in your kitchen and bathroom. Will also see if drains are slow draining and if traps need to be replaced. The inspector will also check out the water heater to make sure that there is a water shutoff valve installed and a TPR valve. He will check the burner flame to make sure that is it functioning properly.
Heating System
He will turn on your heating system to make determined that heat distrubutes throughout the home correctly. Will check the controls, filters, duct work and venting pipes. The inspector will make sure that the burner works correctly.
Electrical
The inspector will check the electrical box to make sure that everything is labeled and will turn on and off every switch on the box. He will look for wires hanging, loose wires throughout the home. That all outlets are grounded and polarized properly. This is where he will also check any air conditioning unit you may have. Our inspector also checked all ceiling fans we had by turning them on and off and making sure they were connected and running properly.
Trims & Molding
He will check the entire house for loose, damaged and missing trims and molding. The inspector will also check the condition of the running boards under your kitchen cabinets.
Kitchen Appliances
The home inspector will check any garbage disposals to beget sure they operate correctly, will examine the blade, and wiring to it. Also will look at your range to make sure that a shutoff valve is installed if gas, will turn it on to make positive that the burner operates properly, and if there is a fan/hood that is operational.
If your home has a dishwasher he will also inspect the condition of the door, liner and racks and if there is leaks at the drain lines.
He will look at the condition of your kitchen floor to see if the linoleum or vinyl is cracked, curling or extremely customary. Also will perceive kitchen cabinets for missing or loose cabinet doors, or warping and settling of the cabinets.
Bathroom
Other than making sure the toilet flushes he will check for leaks coming from the pipes, and check the wax seal and if the toilet is loose or not connected to the floor. He will look the counter and cabinet to see if caulking is needed this also goes for the shower. He will fabricate determined that there is proper outlets near any water that has the emergency shut off so you don’t obtain electrocuted. The inspector will look at the exhaust fan and make sure one is installed in the bathroom.
He will turn on the tub and shower to produce distinct there is proper drainage, water pressure and no leaks coming from the shower heads or faucet handles. Also will see if there is water stains or odor.
Attic or Crawlspace
The inspector will check insulation of all attics and crawlspaces. Also for wires, loose boards in the floor, any holes or damage to the ceiling such as moisture.
Why you should have a home inspection
We paid $200 for our house to be inspected and what we found out was that the roof was not going to make it through the Spring, it was falling apart and we would rep severe water damage when it rained. We approached the sellers of the house with the written report the inspector gave us. We were able to get them to pay for half of the roof replacement. This saved my husband and I over $1500 in repairs.
In my opinion it is better to know what is wrong with a house before you buy it, so you are prepared on what headaches you will have and how many things will need repair. For us it gave us piece of mind in buying our home.
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Filed under Whole House Replacement Water Filters by on Jan 31st, 2012.
Rural America is a beautiful place that offers breathtaking sunsets, open, star-filled skies and peace and quiet. Another reality of country living is that, if the land around your water well is sandstone, you can kill up with sand and other sediments in your household water. Not a pretty sight. Especially when the sand clogs up your faucet screens and comes out your bathtub faucet. Who needs a loofah when you have gritty sand in your bath water? Fortunately for country dwellers like me, there is an easy, not-very-costly solution to this problem. Read this GE Smartwater Household Sediment Filtration System review to learn about this nifty solution!
Besides contaminating your drinking water, scratching your bathtub and clogging your faucet screens, sand and other sediment in your household water can also damage your hot water heater, the icemaker in your refrigerator, as well as other appliances. That’s why it’s so important to remove the impurities as soon as the well water enters into your home. That’s why I chose a household filtration system.
Price and Availability
I found the GE Smartwater Household Sediment Filtration System at my local Home Depot. It cost around $30. I later found one on eBay® for $14.99, so you can save money if you look around. The poly spun replacement filters come in a handy two-pack. They cost around $7 a pack at Home Depot. According to the package, they remove “sand, soil, silt, sediment, and rust”, but they don’t remove Fluoride from your water. The directions status you’re supposed to change the filter every three months, or after cleaning 16,000 gallons of water, whichever comes first.
Note: This filtration system, model GXWH20F, fits water pipes that measure 3/4″ in diameter.
Pros
Everything’s In the Box
The first thing that impressed me about the GE Smartwater Household Sediment Filtration System is that everything you need is included in the box. You rep the filter housing and head, one sediment filter, two- 3/4″ brass compression fittings, Teflon tape, canister wrench, grounding clamps and wire, mounting bracket with screws and a remote reminder for your refrigerator. (To remind you when to change the filter.) To install this system, all you need are a few tools.
Easy-to-Follow Instructions
The instruction booklet is sixteen pages thick. It made me say, “What?!?!” when I first saw it. Until I realized only five pages are written in English. The instructions were concise and easy-to-understand, at least to this avid “do-it-yourselfer.” I think as long as you have a basic understanding of plumbing, you could install this filtration system yourself.
Water Bypass Valve
My brother advised me to look for a water filtration system that has a “water bypass” on it, and I would advise anyone in the market for one to do the same. The water bypass allows you to shut the water off at the system so you can easily change the replaceable filter. Otherwise, you’d have to shut off the main water valve to your home.
Cons
None!
Conclusion
The GE Smartwater Household Sediment Filtration System was affordable to buy, easy to install and it does what it says it does. It has the capability of filtering four to twenty gallons of water a minute. I haven’t noticed a drop in the water which is a plus. For anyone who is shopping for a whole house water filtration system, I would highly recommend this unit.
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Filed under Whole House Replacement Water Filters by on Jan 16th, 2012.
Having a garden right at your backyard is indeed a good source of good vibes. It is the best status in the house to recharge for the next working day. But for those who are not delighted with just a plot with tiny bushes and flowers here and there, you might want to consider putting up a koi fish pond in your garden. This water feature will not only serve as an upgrade to your fish pond, but will also add more appeal and tranquillity to your garden.
Unlike other types of pond, a koi fish pond has to be well-maintained and requires more koi pond supplies. Many assume that the fish is the most important part of a fish pond is of course the fish. But the truth is that if the pond itself is not well-built, you will not be able to enjoy the pleasures it can offer. Not to mention the fact that the lives of the koi in the pond will not last. Considering these things, we can say that the most important portion would be the design and installation of the whole water feature.
The first thing you need to think of is the size of the pond. If you have really decided to put koi in your fish pond, you should make it spacious. Koi fish can grow big even in a small area so it is essential to keep them in a big pond to avoid congestion. You should also think of the number of koi you will put in the pond. The size of the pond should be at least equal to the number of fish again, to avoid overcrowding since koi grow in size.
After you have settled the size of you pond, the next thing you need to focus on is the set in your garden where there is ample shade. This is where your koi pond can be perfectly placed. But remember that your pond should not be placed under a large tree of some sort. This is because of the leaves that may fall in the water. The dried leaves can ignite the growth of algae in the pond. It is advisable to put some marine ornamental plants to add more shade to the koi pond.
There are pond equipments that are needed to bear your koi pond. Pond filters, pond ventilators, pumps and water conditioners are in fact necessary to keep the pond in mint condition. Although it may be costly, a pond fountain can be added not just to accentuate the pond itself but also to help the water be always in motion. This is to keep organic matters and algae from building up rapidly. Anguish not since these things are available at any pet or garden stores and even in the internet.
Try not to be discouraged by the things that need to be done when putting up a koi fish pond. They may be laborious at first, but the benefits the pond can offer will not even match the work you have build to it.
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Filed under Whole House Replacement Water Filters by on Dec 14th, 2011.
Having a garden right at your backyard is indeed a gracious source of favorable vibes. It is the best area in the house to recharge for the next working day. But for those who are not glad with unprejudiced a dwelling with tiny bushes and flowers here and there, you might want to consider putting up a koi fish pond in your garden. This water feature will not only serve as an upgrade to your fish pond, but will also add more appeal and tranquillity to your garden.
Unlike other types of pond, a koi fish pond has to be well-maintained and requires more koi pond supplies. Many assume that the fish is the most important part of a fish pond is of course the fish. But the truth is that if the pond itself is not well-built, you will not be able to bask in the pleasures it can offer. Not to mention the fact that the lives of the koi in the pond will not last. Considering these things, we can say that the most important part would be the design and installation of the whole water feature.
The first thing you need to think of is the size of the pond. If you have really decided to put koi in your fish pond, you should acquire it spacious. Koi fish can grow stout even in a microscopic area so it is essential to put them in a big pond to avoid congestion. You should also think of the number of koi you will put in the pond. The size of the pond should be at least equal to the number of fish again, to avoid overcrowding since koi grow in size.
After you have settled the size of you pond, the next thing you need to focus on is the dwelling in your garden where there is ample shade. This is where your koi pond can be perfectly placed. But remember that your pond should not be placed under a large tree of some sort. This is because of the leaves that may fall in the water. The dried leaves can ignite the growth of algae in the pond. It is advisable to effect some marine ornamental plants to add more shade to the koi pond.
There are pond equipments that are needed to maintain your koi pond. Pond filters, pond ventilators, pumps and water conditioners are in fact necessary to keep the pond in mint condition. Although it may be costly, a pond fountain can be added not just to accentuate the pond itself but also to help the water be always in motion. This is to keep organic matters and algae from building up rapidly. Worry not since these things are available at any pet or garden stores and even in the internet.
Try not to be discouraged by the things that need to be done when putting up a koi fish pond. They may be laborious at first, but the benefits the pond can offer will not even match the work you have put to it.
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Filed under Whole House Replacement Water Filters by on Nov 27th, 2011.