Cleaning Air Conditioner Filters

It seems that not much time passes before your air conditioner filters get all grimy and dusty - especially in the sandbox that is Israel! Most people when cleaning their filters, only rinse them under water, dry them and put them back in. These filters are the perfect environment for allergens and dangerous bacteria to grow and multiply! The following simple cleaning steps will help to ensure that your filters are clean and germ free! (Not only that, a clean air conditioner filter helps to keep the cooling system working at top efficiency.)

Six easy steps:

1. Remove the washable filter from the air conditioner and vacuum off any visable dust and grime. It won't all come off - just do the best you can.
2. Use a pan, basin or bathtub big enough to submerge the filter.
3. Mix a solution of 1/2 vinegar 1/2 water in the container. This will kill and remove any harmfull bacteria that has collected on the filter.
4. Submerge the filter into the solution and leave it to soak for an hour. If you have not cleaned them in a while, several hours is better.
5. Remove the filter from the cleaning solution - but do not rinse.
6. Allow the filter to air dry before returning it to the air conditioner.

It's very important to clean your filters regularily, meaning several times per month - if possible.

Removing Broken Light Bulbs

So... you broke a bulb in the socket, and now what do you do?

I'm sure you've heard of the ol' potatoe trick. Cut a potatoe in half, push it into the bulb base, and twist it out. Does it really work? It might, although we've never tried it. Why not? I guess because we don't carry potatoes in our tool boxes!

How many potatoes does it take to electrocute a handyman?
Only one if the power is on!

Now the how to:

1. First make sure that the power is off to the light. If you can't figure out the correct circuit, then turn all the power off.

2. Put down a sheet to collect any residual glass that may fall.

3. Wear protective gloves if there is any remaining glass in the bulb.

4. Wear eye protection, especially if the bulb is in an overhead light.

Two options for removing the bulb base:

Option 1

• Insert pliers as far into the broken base as you can
• Spread the plier handles apart, exerting force against the sides of the bulb base with the plier tips, and turn the pliers counter-clockwise.
• Continue turning until the base is out. If you meet resistance, turn base back in slightly and then back out.

Option 2

• Using needlenose pliers, insert one tine between the bulb base and the light socket, and the other tine on the inside of the bulb base, pinching the bulb between the tines.
• Keeping a firm pinch, turn the bulb counter-clockwise until it moves.

How to avoid broken bulbs? Don't overtighten them!

When you replace a bulb, turn the bulb in just until you feel slight resistance. Turn on the switch. If the bulb lights without flickering, you are done. Do not turn the bulb any further. If the bulb didn't light, then turn only a 1/4 turn more and try again.

How To Clear a Clogged Drain

The following are the steps to take when trying to solve various types of drain problems.

1. If a drain is simply moving slowly, a clog may be starting to form or the vent system may be blocked. You can use a chemical drain cleaner to open a slow-moving drain, but beware - the caustic nature of most drain cleaners can damage certain kinds of pipes. And if the drain becomes fully clogged, the caustic solution can back up into a fixture, making it hazardous to plunge the drain.

2. Plunge the drain at the fixture.

3. Try to clear out a hair blockage in a sink or tub drain with the help of a straightened coat hanger with a small hook at one end.

4. Try to clear the blockage with a snake.

5. If all else fails, call in a Handyman or Plumber.

It's much easier, of course to prevent a drain blockage in the first place than to clear a clogged drain. Scalding water can clear drains of grease. Install a strainer in kitchen and bathroom sinks to prevent hair and soap, small utensils, and other objects from slipping down the drains.

Are You A "Fan" of Fans? Some Very Good Reasons Why You Should Be!

Hey, I have central air and heating, why should I bother with ceiling fans?

It's hot outside: really, really hot. But inside, you are nice and cool. You have your central air running on XXX high and the only thing sweating is your ice-filled lemonade glass. And while you are smiling your cool smile, your electricity meter outside is rotating at the speed of light driving your electricity bill to a level just below the annual income of Bill Gates. Did you just wilt? But here is good news, the use of ceiling fans around your house can optimize the cooling of your environment and considerably lower your electricity bill to a more manageable level.

Here is how it works. Your air conditioner has the double task of both cooling the air and blowing it into the room. The addition of a ceiling fan means your unit doesn't have to work as hard. The ceiling fan takes the cold air blowing from your vents and spreads it further into the room, thus providing a cooler ambiance in the areas not normally reached by vents. This means you can, both, raise the temperature and lower the fan on your central air unit. And here is another interesting little factoid: as well as circulating the air around the room to prevent stagnation, the breeze created by a ceiling fan speeds the evaporation of perspiration on human skin, which makes the body's natural cooling mechanism much more efficient!

Helpful hint #1: Since ceiling fans don't actually change environmental temperature, you don't need to leave them running if there is no one in the room, this also saves on electricity.

I've heard you can use your ceiling fans in the winter to optimize the heating of your house. C'mon, is that true?

It's true! In a closed room, warmer air rises to the ceiling while cooler air sinks towards the floor. This means that it is usually colder on or near the floor. All ceiling fans are equipped with a switch to change the direction of the rotation. A fan which has its direction of rotation set so that air is drawn upward at low speed, pulls up the colder air below, forcing the warmer air nearer the ceiling to move down to take its place. The low rotation speed of the blades gives you nice air circulation without blowing a stream of air directly at occupants of the room. The use of a ceiling fan in conjunction with your heating unit works to even-out the temperature in a room, making it cooler nearer to the ceiling, but wamer nearer to the floor. This also saves energy as the thermostat in the area can be set a few degrees lower, while still maintaining the same level of comfort.

Cool! (no pun intended) Now I want a ceiling fan in EVERY room, how do I choose the right one?

There are many different styles of ceiling fans to choose from. Nowadays, you can find a fan to suit pretty much any decor and any need. Ceiling fan/light combos are perfect for any room. You get all the advantages of a ceiling mounted light fixture with the added bonus of a ceiling fan all in one. The length of the baldes and the number of blades varies from model to model, as does the strength of the motor. Fan blades can be 32", 42" and 52" from tip to tip. Ceiling fans with longer blades are more powerful and efficient. Some of the more expensive brands of ceiling fans also tend to run more quietly than cheaper ones. Remember also that if a ceiling fan is not an option for a certain room, i.e., the ceiling is not high enough or you absolutely cannot part with your grandmother's antique chandelier, a wall-mounted fan can give you similar results.

Helpful hint #2 - For peak efficiency, a ceiling fan must be properly sized for the room in which it is operating.

Not to brag or anything, but I'm quite the do-it-yourself kinda guy, so I'm going to put up the ceiling fans I just bought all by myself. This is a great idea, huh?

Well, not so much. There are seveal concerns with the installation of ceiling fans. A typical ceiling fan weighs anywhere between 15 and 30 pounds when fully assembled, so depending on the fan, that's quite a lot to take up a ladder. Furthermore, positioning the fan can be problematic, especially if you have to drill through the concrete to mount the fan. If you don't know exactly what you are doing, there is a real danger of cutting through the electrical wires causing blackouts or even personal injury.

Another concern with installing a ceiling fan relates to the height of the blades relative to the floor. If a person fully extends his or her arms into the air they may become seriously injured if there is an operating ceiling fan mounted too low. In Israel, we have the added problem that instead of closets, we have aronot in our rooms. Special care must be taken so that there is more than enough space between the top of an open aron door and a ceiling mounted fan or severe damage can occur to both. A trained professional can help you decide the perfect position for your ceiling fan from both a esthetic and functional point of view.

Helpful hint #3 - Call Handy Randy & Son for all your ceiling fan installations!

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Welcome to the new Handy Randy & Son blog!

Come back to our blog often for helpful home repair tips and general advice in caring for your home.