Summer is almost here!

We're starting to use our air conditioners more and more! How ready is your air conditioner for the summer season?

It might be a good idea to get your filter cleaned or replaced. Remember: You should be doing this at least once or twice a month for your air conditioner to run most effectively.

If you're unsure how to change your filter, our friends at Antlerdreamer have made a great video on how to do this here.

Do you know the life expectancy of your appliance?

International Association of Certified Home Inspectors has given a recommended life expectancy chart for various appliances.

Check to see how old yours is! If its time to put yours out to pasture and get another one, come see us today!

APPLIANCES	YEARS
Air Conditioner (window)	5 to 7
Compactor (trash)	6
Dehumidifier	8
Dishwasher	9
Disposal (food waste)	12
Dryer Vent  (plastic)	5
Dryer Vent  (steel)	20
Dryer (clothes)	13
Exhaust Fans	10
Freezer	10 to 20
Gas Oven	10 to 18
Hand Dryer	10 to 12
Humidifier (portable)	8
Microwave Oven	9
Range/Oven Hood	14
Electric Range	13 to 15
Gas Range	15 to 17
Refrigerator	9 to 13
Swamp Cooler	5 to 15
Washing Machine	5 to 15
Whole-House Vacuum System	20

Come see us at
609 N Orchard St, Boise, ID 83706

or call us at

(208) 344-6700

To Replace, or Not to Replace?

To replace, or not to replace? That is the question. Whether its more cost effective to repair, or simply spring for a new model.

When it comes to appliances like ovens and fridges, Angie's List recommends using a "cost+age" formula to determine whether to replace or repair.  If the repair of an appliance will cost more than half the price of buying a new one, and if it's nearing the end of its useful life, replace it. 

"If the consumer made an initial investment in that that was pretty large and they can get it fixed for a couple hundred dollars, they may opt to repair," says Ryan Wagner, an appliance store manager.

Angie's List research shows that there are still plenty of repair people in the industry for when you need them, and we're one of them! Call us at 208-344-6700 anytime!

Window Unit Air-Conditioners

Most window air conditioners have an expanding curtain on either side to help seal any gaps between the window frame and the air conditioner, but sometimes this seal isn’t perfect. Even extremely small gaps can leak air, which reduces the efficiency of your air conditioner and may let bugs and dust into your home. There are several ways to seal these gaps, but the simplest method is to use adhesive-backed open-cell foam weather-stripping to fill the space and prevent air leakage. Smaller gaps can also be filled with a claylike material called rope caulk.

Gaps Larger than 1/8 Inch

1. Clean the surface of the window and air conditioner around the gaps. Remove dirt, grease and dust to ensure proper adhesion of the weather-stripping.
2. Measure the length of the first gap. Cut a piece of adhesive-backed foam weather-stripping to this length.
3. Peel the paper backing off the cut strip of weather-stripping and position the seal, sticky side up, along the underside of the window frame.
4. Press the strip along the window frame to get a smooth, tight seal. Do not adhere the weather-stripping so that it rests in front of the gap. This will not seal it properly. The foam must be within the gap so that it expands to give an airtight seal.

Narrow or Hard-To-Reach Gaps

1. Measure the length of gaps that are 1/8 inch thick or smaller. Tear off a length of rope caulk to match. Rope caulk is similar to putty or modeling clay but is removable at the end of the cooling season when you remove your air conditioner.
2. Press the caulk into the gap. If the gap is deep, you may need to press two pieces into the gap to fill it completely.
3. Smooth the caulk and wipe away excess from the window frame and air conditioner with a dry cloth.

Things You Will Need:

Tape measure

Adhesive-backed foam weather-stripping

Utility knife

Rope caulk

Cloth

Tip:

Gaps larger than 1 inch should be filled with fiberglass insulation stuffed into the gap tightly.

In most types of windows, gaps are commonly found along the top, where the window meets the air conditioners, at the corners and along the bottom at the sill.

If the rope caulk is still clean and flexible when you remove your air conditioner, peel it off the window and store it in a sealed plastic bag for later use.