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How to Keep Your Vehicle Protected on a Summer Heat Wave?

Once temperatures start to increase in the summer months, your car must be prepared to endure the heat. If you want to make sure that your vehicle will do as it should, prevention and?car detailing Honolulu?are key. Listed below are 5 tips you can apply to protect your car and endure a hot summer heatwave: 

Belt maintenance, hose, and tire 

On hot days, underinflated tires can be an issue once the pavement is scorching, possibly leading to a blowout. Moreover, hot weather can make drive belts and hoses more likely to fail. Hence, you need to have them checked to make sure that they’re in tip-top shape without any signs of deterioration or cracking.? 

Keep your vehicle protected and clean 

If you want to minimize glare and added protection, you can utilize a detailing product on your dash. You can also use seat covers to keep your car seats cool. When you have leather seats, make sure to keep them properly conditioned in hot weather to keep them from cracking. 

Hot temperatures and sunlight can fade the exterior of your vehicle. A wax job is one of the best ways to keep your car protected from the damaging UV rays of the sun.? 

Prevent direct sunlight 

If you are searching for a parking place, attempt to look for an underground parking area, a shady spot, or any place that’s protected from direct sunlight. Then, make sure to leave your windows down at least 1-2 inches. You can buy tinted visors that can help in deflecting light and make it less apparent that your windows are down. This is also great for security purposes.? 

Always top off vehicle fluids 

During a scorching summer heat, it’s particularly essential to inspect your fluids because they enable the engine to cool down. This includes power steering fluid, transmission fluid, brake fluid, and motor oil. When such fluids are low, it’s difficult for heat to be carried away from the components of the engine.? 

Have you recently replaced your engine coolant? Consult your owner’s manual to determine whether it’s time to change your coolant. Or else, guarantee that it’s filled to the right level.? 

Inspect your battery 

Keep in mind that excessively hot days are not car battery-friendly. Hence, before the summer weather starts to kick in, make sure to get your battery checked to guarantee that it still works fine. Battery fluid tends to quickly evaporate if the weather is hot. Hence, pay close attention to the battery terminals and wipe away any accumulated corrosion found in them.? 

Utilize a sunshade 

Keeping a windshield on hand is a great idea whenever you cannot prevent parking under the sun. Not only windshield shades can help maintain a cool car interior, but they can also help in preventing the harmful sunlight effects on the interior of your car. Once you allow your vehicle to get baked under the sun, you could eventually experience having a cracked and dried-out dashboard. 

Tips to Get the Perfect Mini Window AC Unit

Take advantage and relish in the comfort that a mini window air conditioner can offer to you. When you’re searching for the perfect AC unit to cool a small room, like your dorm room or studio apartment, save money, space, and cut back on the noise by investing in a mini window AC unit.? 

You can use this article as a guide to know everything that you should know regarding mini window AC units. Listed below are 5 major factors that you have to consider so that you can find the perfect window?Oahu air conditioning?unit: warranties, reviews, installation, energy efficiency, and size. Keep on reading below and know more about these factors: 

Warranties 

Once you decide to make an essential appliance purchase, you need to learn more about the warranty policies linked with the product. When it comes to mini window AC units, this can be applied because other companies may give various protection and replacement levels in case you encounter any parts or mechanical issues on your AC units.? 

Read AC unit reviews 

One more great aspect to factor in before you buy a mini window AC unit is by reading reviews. Try visiting consumer report sites, online retail review sites, or home improvement store product pages to check what the buyers and experts have to say about various models. Some important performance aspects to pay close attention to include maintenance, reliability, customer service, ease of installation, and customer satisfaction.? 

Installation 

As the majority of mini-window AC units can be installed without the help of experts, it’s still important to check the installation manual that comes with the unit before you start the installation process. Make sure to read the instructions well to make sure that your fee is qualified and comfortable enough to deal with the DIY ac unit installation. If you still find it challenging to complete, it would be best if you just leave the unit installation to the hands of professional HVAC technicians to have it done for you.? 

Energy-efficiency rating 

The efficiency of mini-window AC is determined based on its EER or energy efficiency ratio, which is a ratio of the cooling capacity of a unit in BTU to the power input in watts. Search for an AC unit with a greater EER number to get a more efficient unit and to save more when it comes to your utility bill. 

Size 

As you start looking for a new window air conditioner, you should know the perfect size based on your situation. First, determine how much space you have by measuring your window. After that, look for the precise square footage amount that you have to cool. Ultimately, factor in the amount of shade or direct sunlight that the area usually obtains. 

These factors can help you be a more informed buyer regarding the degree of BTU that your room needs. Energy Star gives a reliable BTU/square footage chart that you can use as a reference.?? 

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Is It Time to Fix Your AC?

Summer is already here. If you’re living in a humid region, you know how hot it can get during a sunny day. Most people stay indoors when the temperature heats up outside. They rely on their air-conditioning unit to cool them down.  

Unfortunately, it can be extremely difficult to make your house comfortable if your AC unit isn’t working properly. The ideal approach to avoid this is to know the indications that you need an AC repair.  

Today, we’re going to share with you some signs that you need an AC repair. If you notice at least one of these signs, make sure you hire Honolulu air conditioning contractors right away.  

Problems with the Thermostat 

The brain of your HVAC system is your home’s thermostat. Your AC will not know when to turn on if the thermostat is not properly operating. Aside from that, it will not know how cool you want your house to be.  

You should talk to a professional HVAC technician if you want to replace your thermostat. Nowadays, modern thermostats have features that can help save money on your energy bills. Make sure you schedule an appointment for a repair if your thermostat is unresponsive, has no power, or malfunctioning.  

Poor Airflow 

You need to hire a professional AC repair technician if the airflow coming from your home’s vents is poor. Keep in mind that debris can accumulate inside the air ducts. This includes pet dander, dust, and dirt.  

The debris can clog the air ducts if you have not cleaned them for many years. This clogging can lead to poor airflow. Aside from that, cold air can also escape through the hole if there’s a break or crack in the air ducts. This can also result in poor airflow.  

Furthermore, you can also have a problem with the blower or fan of your system. A professional HVAC technician can help you determine the cause of the issue and fix it right away.  

No Cold Air 

The most obvious indication that you have to fix your AC unit is if it isn’t releasing cold air across your house. First of all, you have to examine the thermostat. The system will not generate cold air if it isn’t set to cool mode. Perhaps your kid accidentally changed the settings of your thermostat.  

If your thermostat is working fine, then you should hire a professional AC technician for repair. There are a couple of reasons that can cause this issue.  

  • Crack In the Air Duct 

Cold air will escape if there is a crack in your air duct. Because of this, you won’t feel any cool air coming from your vents.  

  • Faulty Thermostat 

Your system will not register commands if you have a faulty thermostat. Because of this, your AC unit will not function properly.  

  • Low Refrigerant 

Your AC unit will not produce enough cool air for your house if there is low refrigerant in the system.  

  • Faulty Compressor 

Your system will not produce cool air if the compressor is not working properly.  

Plumbing and Mold Problems

Not all plumbers are the same when it comes to plumbing. A plumbing project is costly. That is why most homeowners hire the cheapest plumber they can find. Unfortunately, that should not be the case.  

For those who don’t know, 1 out of 10 houses in the United States has leaks in the plumbing according to statistics. These leaks can waste around 85 gallons of water each day. Leaks usually occur due to bad plumbing work from a cheap plumber.  

Though leaks might not appear like a huge deal, they can cause a lot of issues. It can cause your floors to swell, destroy your walls, and bring down your roof.  

To make things worse, leaks can also result in mold issues. That is why you should always hire reliable Port Orchard plumbers to avoid these problems.  

Here are several plumbing mistakes that can result in mold growth: 

Unsealed Connections 

Sealing connections guarantee there are no leaks in the piping system. There are several reasons why these connections unseal. This includes improper installation or the plumber did not use any sealant. All the pressure and shaking from passing water can result in the connections getting loose if the plumber did not seal them properly.  

Poor Installation 

When building the plumbing system, the plumber will have to install a lot of things. The plumber has to properly install everything, from sump pumps, boilers, washing machines, showers, and toilets. A minor mistake can result in a leak. Unfortunately, these leaks will go unnoticed for a long period. That is why it is ideal to hire an experienced plumber since he will know what does and doesn’t work with your system.  

Lack of or Poor Insulation 

There is a possibility you have frozen pipes if you suddenly have a low water pressure during winter. It is a common issue if your supply line passes through your basement, crawlspace, or attic. A reliable plumber can easily avoid this problem by insulating your pipes properly.  

Here are some of the common areas where you’ll find mold due to plumbing mistakes: 

  • Basement 

Basements offer the ideal environment for mold growth. It’s also where you place your washing machine, pressurized water, drain pipes, and sump pump. A leak from any of these pipes and appliances can go unnoticed and result in the mold infestation. 

  • Bathroom 

Just like your basement, bathrooms are the ideal place for mold. It is poorly ventilated, always wet, and humid. For those who don’t know, the most common cause of mold in the bathroom is pooling water. This typically happens if the drains are clogged. The moisture will climb up your wall. Then, you will notice mold around your sink, walls, and bathtub.  

  • Under the Sink 

The area under your sink is always close and dark. It is also filled with various cleaning supplies. Because of that, it is almost impossible to notice a minor leak or mold growing under there. The most common culprits for leaking sinks are aging and clogged pipes. Fortunately, a professional plumber can help you prevent leaks from happening.  

Tips for Buying Your First Investment Property

Investing in property is extremely common nowadays. There is a reason for that. Though it is an extremely costly investment, a property is a very safe asset with a strong possibility for capital growth.  

However, buying a property for investment is much more complicated and strategic compared to buying a house. That is why it can be a bit overwhelming for first-time buyers.  

Property investment is the gateway to financial flexibility and freedom when done right. That is why we are here to help you. Aside from hiring professional Bremerton real estate agents for help, here are a couple of tips you can follow: 

Know Your Goals 

Investing in a property is one of the best ways to earn passive income. Unfortunately, it is more like operating a business. The reason for this is that you have to always guarantee your property stays profitable while offering a desirable product to your tenants. That is why you have to do it right the first time.  

First of all, you have to think about the reasons why you want to invest in a property. Next, you should know your long-term, medium, and short goals. For example, your long-term goal can be a retirement strategy. Your medium-term goal can be wealth creation. Your short-term goal can be a rental return.  

After you define your goals clearly, you can easily create the foundation of your investment strategy.  

Consider Your Budget 

Your budget is perhaps the most crucial step when it comes to investing in a property. Aside from knowing your home loan repayments and borrowing capacity, you have to think about ongoing costs as well. This can include a forecast profit and loss, property maintenance and repairs, rates, and levies.  

There is a high possibility that you’ll rely on the income from the rental payments to support your mortgage repayments. It is a wise move to be ready for a possible shortfall between your repayments and the rent. On this occasion, you’ll have to contribute extra funds to cover the mortgage repayments.  

Look for the Right Property 

Once you set your budget and know your goals, you need to choose the right property. This is not a decision that you have to take lightly. There are a lot of things you have to think about. Property type and location are the two main things to consider. 

It is a wise move to invest in a location that you know well. That is why you should do your research first before you buy the property. Make sure that your property is desirable. Usually, properties close to public amenities, employment hubs, and public transports are the ones that have higher demands. You can hire a real estate agent for recommendations. 

After you picked the location, you need to choose the property. This greatly depends on your budget. Though it might be more affordable to invest in an old property, it might cost you more in the long run because you will have to maintain and repair it more often. Other factors to consider when choosing a property include parking spaces, natural light, and more.