177 posts, read 1,313,607 times 50 posts, read 108,199 times Originally Posted by newlocustpt Thanks, I imagine you then took the top off then to wash from the inside? Lots of screws, but sort of hard to direct the water inside with the top on right? 25,644 posts, read 21,697,976 times 662 posts, read 1,223,982 times Originally Posted by timfountain Well I kind of figured that was obvious. HOWEVER, you are correct and I am sure many people would forget or neglect this little item.Air conditioners can grow mold and start to blow smelly, unhealthy air into your home if not cleaned properly. Fortunately, a windowed unit doesn't cost much to keep clean; you just need a bleach and water solution and the right approach. The video above demonstrates how you can easily clean out an odor and keep your air conditioner running at top efficiency. It basically boils down to this:Wash the filter: Your air conditioner's filter collects a lot of dust and debris.

It can effectively blow cold air into your home if that filter is full of crap. Wash it off with the bleach and water solution for better airflow without a funky odor.Clean the coils: Evaporator coils lie beneath the air filter. You'll need a brush attachment on a vacuum (or a handheld with a similar function) to get the dirt off quickly, but you can just use a scrub brush if your prefer the old-fashioned way.Straighten the fins: If you've got bent fins on your air conditioner, fix 'em! You just need to pick up a fin comb at your local hardware store and use it.For the most part, you really just need to wash the filter. Unless you've been using the air conditioner for a long time, that's likely causing the most inefficiency and where you'll find trapped smells first. If not, move your way down the list. My Air Conditioner Smells Bad! | Help your kitty discover the Great Indoors It's a myth that going outside is a requirement for feline happiness. Playing regularly with a cat and providing their entertaining toys can easily satisfy their stalking instinct, keep them stimulated and provide the exercise they need to stay healthy and happy.

It also keeps local wildlife safe! With the cold weather upon us, here are some tips for making the great indoors an interesting, feline-friendly environment that meets all of your cat's needs.how much does it cost to repair car ac Good fences = happy kittiesac window unit no power Bring the outdoors inbest ac air filters for house Chip in for safety Kittens who are kept indoors are usually happy to stay there as they grow up. Provide a screened porch for your cat to experience the outdoors safely. Consider building or purchasing a "catio" or similar enclosure to allow your cat to get a taste of the outside without the risks. A regular fence may not prevent other animals from entering your yard, so you should always be present when you allow your cat outside in your yard.

Be sure to cat-proof the yard by checking that your fence has no escape routes and by making toxic plants, garden chemicals and other dangerous objects inaccessible. If you live in a peaceful neighborhood in which you can walk without encountering loose dogs, consider buying a harness and training your cat to walk on a leash. This training takes time and patience, for both you and the cat, and it's easiest when your cat is young. Some cats can even be harnessed and tied to a stationary object to enjoy the outdoors while you are gardening nearby (but be sure to never leave your cat alone while they are tethered). Install a perch indoors near a sunny window; padded perches can be purchased at many pet supply stores, through catalog retailers or at our online store. Another option is an enclosure that sits in a window frame (much like an air conditioning unit) and provides a secure space in which your kitty can hang out. Larger perches can attach to the side of a house or ground-floor apartment patio.

Buy a ready-made cat tree (often called a "kitty condo"), or make your own. A cat tree can be short, or may stretch from floor to ceiling. It provides great climbing opportunities and, in multi-cat households, creates more play and rest areas by taking advantage of vertical space. If you can, locate the cat tree next to a window so your cat can watch the action outdoors. Play with your cat each day. Try different types of toys that allow your cat to stalk, chase, pounce and kick. When you've tired out your cat, store toys that could harm them (such as toys with strings attached) out of reach. When you can't be there to supervise, leave out "toys" such as paper bags (with the handles removed) or cardboard boxes. Be sure to switch the toys from time to time so that they seem "new" and more interesting to your cat. Plant cat grass (available from pet supply stores) in indoor pots so your feline can graze. Cats can be neat freaks, so clean the litter box regularly. Here are some tips for preventing and solving litter box problems.

Even indoor cats should still be outfitted with a collar and visible identification. The occasional open window (make sure your windows have secure screens) or door offers a tempting opportunity for your cat. And your cat may become frightened and make their way outside if strangers come to work on your house or if there is a fire or similar disaster. The collar and visible ID could help someone get your pet back to you. For extra insurance, consider having your cat microchipped and keep your contact information with the microchip registry up to date. If you do lose your cat, contact your local animal shelter immediately to file a report. Shelter workers can give you tips on getting your pet back home safely. Also read our tips for finding a lost pet. We're helping other people keep their pets safe. Read about our Pets for Life program »Q: How often should I change or clean my air conditioner filters? A: Filters should generally be replaced every month when the system is running.

Replace filters with the same kind and size as the original filter. If your filter is not disposable, follow the manufacturer instructions for cleaning. Q: Where is my air filter located? A: Your air filter should be located in either the blower compartment of the furnace, in an attached filter case, or in a return air grille in a wall of your home. If you cannot find the air filter, contact us for assistance. Q: Where can I purchase filters for my air conditioner / furnace? A: If you are unable to find the appropriate-size air filter at your local hardware outlet, you can contact us. Q: Why is a matched HVAC system so important? A: A matched system is important for a variety of reasons. When all your components are properly sized to your home, you can control exactly how much heating or cooling you need so you can relax. Also, a properly sized matched system enables every component to perform as designed, meaning proper cycle times are maintained, humidity is controlled, and system sound is minimized.

Another reason matched systems are important is efficiency. Most systems people buy are too large for their homes, meaning they pay to heat and cool space that isn’t even there. A matched system outlined when we’ve completed a load calculation for your home provides just the right amount of heating and cooling you need so you get the most value for your utility dollar. Q: What is a SEER rating and how does it impact my energy costs? A: SEER means Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. Like its “mpg” counterpart in the automotive industry, the SEER gives an indication of the performance efficiency of the system. The higher the SEER, the more efficient the unit, and, the more efficient the unit is, the lower the operating costs will be. Experts say that by purchasing a system with a high SEER, you’ll use less energy to cool your house, resulting in lower electric bills. In many cases, these savings are enough to partially or fully offset the cost of the new equipment within a few years.

Q: What do all those rating numbers mean? A: The federal government requires all air conditioning and heating equipment to be rated for efficiency. The higher the rating, the more efficient the model. Gas furnaces are rated for (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency). This defines the amount of heat used to warm your home from the burned fuel. A 90% furnace will use 90% of the available heat to heat your home. 10% of the heat is vented outdoors. Many older gas furnaces are only 60% efficient. The other 40% is vented outdoors. You can see that a new high-efficiency furnace will require much less fuel to heat your home. For air conditioning, the rating is (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio). This rating is based on general design criteria such as the compressor and outdoor coil. SEER ratings are for comparison purposes only, so that homeowners will know how they can compare different brands of products with similar efficiency ratings. The rating for the outdoor unit will reference a general efficiency range, such as 14 SEER.

The actual efficiency rating for a specific system will depend on the combination of the outdoor unit and the indoor coil. These ratings are available from us and the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute’s Energy Guide. A variable-speed indoor blower unit will increase the efficiency rating of the system, as well. Heat pumps are rated by SEER for cooling efficiency and by (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor) for heating efficiency. As with other ratings, the higher the HSPF, the less energy it will take to warm your home. Q: How much will my new air conditioning & heating system cost?There are many factors that must be considered. In most cases, replacing your whole system, including both indoor and outdoor components, will result in a more efficient, longer-lasting system but will also cost a little more. Q: Will anything help control the humidity in my house? A: Humidity is a problem in many areas. The best way to control excessive humidity is to have a system that runs longer at lower speeds.

Variable-speed air-handling equipment runs at very low speeds, which keeps the air circulating against the cooling coil and removes much more moisture than conventional systems. At these low speeds, the variable-speed motor also uses much less electricity than conventional motors. A two-stage outdoor air conditioning unit will operate at a low speed, removing more moisture and allowing greater comfort than a single-stage air conditioning unit. Some variable-speed indoor blower units have Enhanced Mode that runs a very cold coil and enables the blower to slowly ramp up and down. This will wring-out extra moisture from the indoor air. Q: How do I know how much air conditioning and heating I need? A: Be careful using any rule of thumb method to determine the capacity requirement for your home. Under-sized equipment obviously will not keep your home comfortable during peak cooling demand times, and over-sized equipment could be more expensive to operate and cause problems of high humidity.

All manufacturers and HVAC experts agree the only way to determine the size air conditioner you need is by using a formula called a “load calculation.”  Magic Touch will be happy to come to your home or office and perform a load calculation using the latest computer software on the market. Q: What is Carbon Monoxide? A: Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a toxic gas that is odorless, colorless, and tasteless. You can feel the effects of CO and not even be aware of what the cause is until it is too late. The symptoms of Carbon Monoxide poisoning in its mild form are often mistaken with the flu. These symptoms can include dizziness, headaches, nausea, fatigue and disorientation. The effects of CO exposure can vary from person to person, overall health, age, the concentration and length of exposure. Q: Where does Carbon Monoxide come from? A: Carbon Monoxide comes from many different sources: back drafting from furnaces, gas water heaters, wood stoves, fireplaces, gas stoves, unvented kerosene and gas space heaters, leaking chimneys and furnaces, automobile exhaust from attached garages, and tobacco smoke.

Magic Touch Mechanical believes any home with an attached garage and/or gas appliances should have a Carbon Monoxide Detector in the house. Q: How often should I have my HVAC equipment serviced? A: Heating and Air Conditioning equipment should be serviced at least once a year. The best scenario is to have the heating system checked in the Fall and the air conditioning checked in the Spring. Gas-fired equipment should definitely be cleaned and serviced annually. Q: Why should I have my HVAC equipment serviced? A: Annual servicing includes cleaning the system, checking for any problems or potential problems and adjusting for peak efficiency. Servicing drastically reduces the chance of a break-down which usually happens at night or on weekends when repair rates are higher. Q: What services need to be performed for preventative maintenance on my heating and air conditioning equipment? How often should this maintenance be performed? A: We recommend you have us perform preventative maintenance before the winter heating season and before the summer cooling season.

We offer comfort saving plans (CSP’s) that include reduced rates on labor and parts and provide a priority response. CSP’s include washing outdoor coils if accessible, tightening electrical connections, checking supply voltage and operating current, checking refrigerant charge, measuring temperature differential at supply and return registers, cleaning blower wheel and motor, inspecting and adjusting burner, checking heat exchangers, cleaning drain lines and pan, checking ductwork for leaks and insulation, and checking thermostat. Q: What are the average life expectancies for heating and air conditioning equipment? A: The average expected life of an air conditioner is approximately 15 years. The average expected life of a heat pump is approximately 10 to 12 years, since it operates year round. The average expected life of a gas furnace or air handler may be longer. Units in corrosive environments, such as, coastal installations, will tend to have shorter lives. Q: Is there any advantage to setting my thermostat fan to “ON” so the fan runs constantly?