Q. I have two homes equipped with hard-wired smoke alarms, original equipment now about 17 years old. The alarms respond appropriately to the test buttons. But the instructions on a battery-operated alarm say it should be replaced in 10 years. What about mine?—William Pohlmann, Manitowoc, WI A. The life expectancy of smoke alarms is generally 10 years, after which point their sensors can begin to lose sensitivity. The test button only confirms that the battery, electronics, and alert system are working; it doesn’t mean that the smoke sensor is working. To test the sensor, use an aerosol can of smoke alarm test spray that simulates smoke. But even if the 17-year-old smoke alarms in your homes can still detect smoke, we recommend replacing them with new models. Check our smoke alarm buying guide and Ratings to find the most effective models. Editor's Note: This article also appeared in the May 2014 issue of Consumer Reports magazine. View and compare all Smoke alarms ratings.

If a customer's air conditioning system needs service, it might depending on its age be time to consider replacing it, rather than to throw good money after bad. Depending ont he age, efficiency and condition of the air conditioning system, often time it makes better sense to invest the money they could spend repairing the old system into replacing it. Replacing the old AC will mean lower utility bills and improved home comfort. The average life expectancy of an air conditioner is approximately 15 years, so it's crucial your customer makes the right decision. KEY 1: Substance over Status The brand of air conditioner they buy is important, but it's not the most important factor. The manufacturer is not the one who is going to service and support them through the years. The company they hire, plus the standards they follow to install your air conditioner are the critical factors; that is what effects the true cost of ownership over a long period of time. KEY 2: Size is a Factor Nearly one out of two air conditioners are over-sized, meaning they're too large for the homes in which they're installed.

When it comes to air conditioning, bigger is definitely not better. Over-sized systems cost more to purchase and to operate. what ton unit for acA professional load analysis of the home is of course critical, especially if the customer has made alterations to the size of the home or made other improvements since the original system was installed. how much does a 3 ton ac unit costENTER A RECENT HOME HVAC PROJECT INTO THE QUALITY HOME COMFORT AWARDS KEY 3: Blow Hard Airflow through your air conditioner is how cooling is exchanged in your home. decorative cover for air conditioner unitImproper airflow means the air conditioner can't do its job efficiently. Research shows that more than two-thirds of air conditioning systems suffer from low airflow.

"Low flow" translates directly into decreased cooling capacity and increased utility costs. A thorough analysis of the ductwork is required to ensure the replacement system will deliver the comfort and efficiency they expect. KEY 4: Tight is Right After ensuring proper airflow, it's vital to ensure the new air conditioning system is not supplying leaky ductwork. If the supply ductwork leaks air they just paid to cool before it is delivered to their conditioned living space, they pay for something they are not getting. If the return ductwork leaks air from a hot , humid, nasty, dirty space like an attic or crawl space, they end up lowering the air quality in their home by introducing contaminants into the system. Plus, it costs much more to cool hot, humid, nasty air than it does to remove cooler, cleaner air from your home. The average duct system leaks 30 percent of its airflow, meaning they could be cooling the outdoors if they're not careful. KEY 5: Take Charge A new air conditioning system will use a modern, environmentally friendly refrigerant.

Field studies show that 44 percent of systems are incorrectly charged. Precise charging of your air conditioning system is required to achieve optimum efficiency and performance. A light under-or over-charge will have a dramatic negative impact on system SEER ratings. Professional system commissioning is essential to air conditioner replacement. A successful air conditioning system replacement starts with a professional consultation, to learn about customer goals and objectives, allow the contractor to survey the entire home, inspect all units and ductwork, and perform a series of engineering checks to ensure that the new system is properly sized with adequate ductwork. Then, the contractor can provide multiple options that include best practices, to ensure guaranteed performance.What is the Life Expectancy of a Water Heater? Replacing a water heater can be a hassle, and quite costly depending on the type of replacement needed. The life expectancy of a water heater is usually between eight and twelve years, depending on certain factors

such as the quality of the model, the installation and maintenance of the unit. Design of the Unit The quality of the water heater is a main factor in how long it will last. A tip on how to determine whether or not the construction quality is good is to check the warranty. If it has a longer warranty, it will most likelyAlso, when it comes to water heaters, you get what you payNewer, higher-end and more expensive units are known to last longer. The installation of a water heater can determine whether or not it willIt should be installed upright, in a well-ventilated area and placed in an area easily accessible for maintenance. incorrectly could cause structural stress, rusting and leaks. in areas with higher mineral content in water can shorten the lifespan of a water heater, because the mineral buildup causes blockage and can lead to other issues. Regularly flushing the water heater can decrease the chances of having mineral buildup, and it can also lead to the water heating faster.