Make no design mistake – pick art for your home like a pro

Adding décor and art to your walls is an effective way to express your unique style. And the best part is that you can update artwork as often as your taste changes. Whether you decide to use dimensional décor, canvases, mirrors, paintings, or decorative shelves, wall art allows you to use your creativity. However, selecting the right size and style of art and figuring out how to arrange it may intimidate you, especially if this is the first time you decorate the interior of a house.

Art can add interest to your rooms, but identifying the best elements for each space and arranging them can be overwhelming. The trick is to determine what the ideal places for hanging art are. To guide you through the process, we discussed with pro interior designers, who provided us with a couple of tips to share with you. Here is what you need to know. 

Choose your art style

Whether you prefer bold abstract canvases, traditional landscape paintings, travel posters, or modern images, there is artwork available to match your style. Pick something that fits your interior design, and accessorise your walls to compliment your rooms. If the artwork is the first decorative element you choose, you can tie it with the rest of the room by bringing inside pieces in the same colour (so repeat the colour palette in decorations, rugs, blankets, and pillows. 

If you are still trying to figure out what artwork you prefer, here are the main categories you can choose from. 

Drinking cabinet in a hotel
Used with permission of Jane Beiles Photography

Animals – from pets to wildlife and birds, you can find animal prints featuring every living thing on Earth. Animal artwork can add contemporary cuteness and sophistication to a room. 

Transportation – if you’re a fan of the industrial home décor style, wall art featuring automobiles, trains, and planes is the ideal pick for you. 

Botanical – artwork with plants, trees, and flowers are people’s favourites for a reason. Botanical images are a great option when looking for something to celebrate natural beauty. 

Abstract – abstract art uses colours, textures, and shapes to produce versatile pieces that work in any space. 

Symbols and typography – sometimes, you don’t even have to use a picture to bring a touch of style to your house. Words and symbols could work the trick as they fit perfectly with bohemian, contemporary, industrial, and eclectic decors. 

Figure out the size

One piece is too small, another is too big. How can you tell which size is ideal for a room? How do you position artwork on the wall? Novice home decorators often pick too small pieces or hang them too high, making their rooms look out of balance. Professional designers use some maths tricks to choose the right wall art scale and identify the ideal spot to hang it. 

If you’re in doubt about which size to choose, always go bigger than your first choice because a piece of art that fills up the space makes a statement and looks more intentional. The specialists from Made at No 7, a provider of a wide selection of decorative images, revealed that the rule of thumb is to fill up between 60% and 75% of open space on a wall with artwork. 

However, if you want to hang the artwork on a wall that has furniture against it, the piece should be smaller because it reduces the available space. Go for something that measures between ⅔ and ¾ the width of the item placed against the wall.

Now let’s see where to hang the art. You may be tempted to pick the highest point on the wall, but keep in mind that it should be placed somewhere where it can easily be admired from a standing position. Ideally the centre of the artwork hangs at eye level. 

Let’s talk about different rooms

Bedroom with framed double bed
Used with permission of Breeze Giannasio

Bedroom

Your bedroom is your sanctuary, and understandably, you want to get more personal with the art you select for decorating the walls. Your tendency would be to establish a strong emotional connection to your selection and invest more than in any other piece. You may even consider commissioning an artist to create something unique. 

When you pick the artwork for the bedroom, stay away from overwhelming and bold designs because this should be the room where you relax and unwind. Bring inside art in natural shades, blue hues, and a design that encourages you to curl up in bed. 

Living room

Interior designers often recommend creating a gallery wall in the living room. You could use something like landscapes or still lives to create a statement wall. However, when picking the artwork, be sure to vary the mediums and types of frames to make it look more interesting. Playing with several sizes is crucial, so ensure no piece takes centre stage and all elements take equal importance. 

Kitchen

Only because the kitchen is a functional room doesn’t mean you cannot accessorise the walls. But you may want to keep some practical considerations in mind because it’s still the room where you’re cooking. Therefore, don’t use glass framed art because it’ll get greasy in time. The classic choices for the kitchen are canvas paintings of landscapes and fruits. 

Dining room with round table and three chairs around it in the corner of the room beside the window
Used with permission of Jane Beiles Photography

Dining room

 You may use the dining room daily or only for special occasions; it doesn’t matter, it’s the place where you can hang colourful and loud artwork. The dining room is ideal for experimenting with the wall art design because it allows you to go bold. Use pieces interesting enough to start conversations. And if you have a passion for sculptural pieces, please do use them because they’ll definitely capture your guests’ attention. 

Match your artwork to our interior home décor

When shopping for artwork, pick items that complement the colour scheme and match the room’s other elements. You can use art to introduce an additional accent colour, but make sure it fits your overall colour scheme. 

Thanks to madeatnumber7.com for consulting.

House Upgrades That Can Increase Its Value

Over the years, real estate has proven to be one of the most stable investment options around, particularly for those who are able to buy properties in sought-after areas. Still, if you’re working within a budget, the right upgrades can transform even a relatively low-value home into an asset. Read on for tried and tested tips on boosting the value of your property without breaking the bank.

Used with permission of Blackband Design

Upgrade the kitchen

The kitchen is the focal point of most homes, and a major selling point for any potential buyer; the catch is that it can be very expensive to renovate, particularly when it comes to adding or replacing appliances. Even if you hate your existing kitchen, you might be tempted to put off the renovation project for this very reason. The good news is that you can get results without taking on a floor-to-ceiling renovation project. Simple fixes like replacing worn-out knobs, faucets and bench top coverings often make all the difference, and they can be done for a few hundred dollars or even less. 

Remodel the bathroom

Bathroom with designed bath tub, mirror and sink
Used with permission of Melanie Gowen

In many homes, the bathroom has made the jump from a purely practical space to a luxury retreat over the past few years. Chic minimalism is high on the list of current trends in bathrooms, characterised by floating vanities, floating shelves and matte black hardware – and with features like benches, basins and free-standing baths also on-trend, there’s plenty of room to make changes on the (relatively) cheap. Just remember, if a long-term gain is the goal, you’ll be wise to avoid buying into the annual bathroom trends – a classic, clean minimalist approach never loses its appeal. 

Add insulation

Even the slightest up or down-turn in external temperatures can take a building from pleasant to positively uninhabitable, so it’s important to be mindful of the impact weather extremes can have on your home, particularly if you’re in a naturally hot or cold climate. Depending on the size of your home, installing insulation may be a little pricey, but it will be well worth the investment come the peak of summer or the low of winter. Plus, by naturally regulating your inside temperatures, you can expect to save a whole lot of money on your power bills – a perk that will no doubt get future buyers on the hook faster, too. 

Go green

Environmentally friendly design is one of the biggest trends of its time, and one that will carry on giving long after your smart devices are installed. There are plenty of ways to do it, too, which means you can start with something simple – low-flow toilet fixtures, for example – and still see a positive impact on your cost of living. Popular options include solar power installation, energy-efficient lights and appliances, and smart home systems that switch your devices off automatically. If you’re serious about capitalising on natural light and air, consider installing skylights or extra windows at various vantage points around your home. Future buyers (and current inhabitants) will thank you for it. 

Create a home office 

Designed home office with desk, plant and chair
Used with permission of Breeze Giannasio

Since 2020 and the work-from-home revolution, a home office has been a must-have for those who spend their working days at a desk. Still, even if you haven’t already created an office space of your own, it’s not too late to jump on the trend – and add immediate value to your home in the process. Finding the right room for your W FH office set-up – a space with natural lighting and airflow that can accommodate your normal work set-up (and then some) – is very important. It’s all about creating a space that’s conducive to focus and flow so that you can get more done in less time – and save on the daily commute!

Give your home a new paint job

If you’re looking to sell soon and want to make a strong first impression on potential buyers, a fresh coat of paint is a great way to do it. Just remember that if you’re painting to sell, an avant-garde style may hurt your prospects more than it helps, so when in doubt, stick to a truly classic scheme. If you’re painting the internal walls, you can’t go wrong with a neutral colour palette, whereas the outdoors leaves you with a little more room for creative expression and visual drama. All you need is a roller, a paint tin and a few hours to spare – or, if you really want to up the ante and sell faster, you could always call in a professional and get the job done.

Your home is one of the most important and valuable things you can invest in, and when you do so wisely, you can continue to add value for as long as you live there. For maximum impact, stick to upgrades that represent long-term investments rather than passing phases, and hire a professional to do any more challenging DIY jobs.

Thanks to renovationkingdom.com.au for consulting.

Toilets for sale

A rest room is a chunk of sanitary hardware that collects human urine, and every so often restroom paper, commonly for disposal. Flush lavatories use water, at the same time as dry or non-flush lavatories do now no longer.

They may be designed for a sitting function famous in Europe and North America with a rest room seat, with extra issues for people with disabilities, or for a squatting posture extra famous in Asia.

In city areas, flush lavatories are commonly linked to a sewer device that ends in septic tanks in remote areas. The waste is called black water and the blended effluent along with different re-assets is sewage.

Dry lavatories are linked to a pit, detachable container, composting chamber, or different garage and remedy tool, along with urine diversion with a urine-diverting rest room.

How it is made

The generation used for present day lavatories varies. Toilets are usually made from ceramic (porcelain), concrete, plastic, or wood. Newer rest room technology consists of twin flushing, low flushing, rest room seat warming, self-cleaning, girl urinals and waterless urinals.

Functionality

Japan is understood for its restroom generation. Aeroplane lavatories are specifically designed to function within side the air. They want to hold anal hygiene post-defecation is universally diagnosed and rest room paper (frequently held with the aid of using a rest room roll holder), which can also be used to wipe the vulva after urination, is extensively used (in addition to bidets).

Types

Bathroom with shower and bathtub
Used with permission of Emily Followill

Flush toilets

A normal flush rest room is a ceramic bowl (pan) linked at the “up” aspect to a cistern (tank) that allows fast filling with water, and at the “down” aspect to a drain pipe that gets rid of the effluent. When a restroom is flushed, the sewage has to circulate through a septic tank or right into a device linked to a sewage remedy plant.

Vacuum toilets

A vacuum rest room is a flush rest room this is linked to a vacuum sewer device and gets rid of waste with the aid of using suction. They may also use little or no water (much less than 1 / 4 of a litre in keeping with flush) or none, (as in waterless urinals). Some flush with a coloured disinfectant answer as opposed to with water.

Floating toilets

A floating rest room is largely a rest room on a platform constructed above or floating on the water. Instead of excreta going into the floor they may be gathered in a tank or barrel.

To lessen the number of excreta that desires to shore, many use urine diversion. The floating rest room became advanced for citizens without brief get entry to land or connection to a sewer system.

Portable toilets

A transportable or cellular rest room is any kind of rest room that may be moved around, a few with the aid of using one person, a few with the aid of using mechanical system inclusive of a truck and crane.

Most kinds do now no longer require any pre-current offerings or infrastructure, inclusive of sewerage, however, are absolutely self-contained.

Flying toilets

A flying rest room is a facetious call for a plastic bag this is used as an easy series tool for human faeces while there may be a loss of right lavatories and those are pressured to prepare open defecation.

Conclusion

White and blue designed bathroom
Used with permission of Kara Miller Interiors and Brantley Photography

This blog post gathers information about toilets for sale and explains the best ever selling toilets in this. This article also mentioned some popular toilets i.e portable, flying, vacuum, flush and floating toilets that are for sale.

Thanks to alibaba.com for consulting.

Tips For Buying The Perfect Condo For You In 2022

Are you thinking about buying a new condo but you want to make sure that it is absolutely perfect for you? If so, there are some important factors that you will need to consider. It is easy to get swept up in the excitement of property hunting, which is why having a plan in place is essential before making any commitments.

In this article, we’re going to share some tips for buying the perfect condo for you in 2022.

1. Carefully consider your lifestyle

Think about your lifestyle and the kind of life that you want to live. Is having a green space important to you? Or would you be satisfied with a nice, spacious balcony? Do you want to be close to work or would you rather be closer to the action? Take your time and write a list of all the things that are important to you. This will go a long way toward finding the perfect condo in a suitable area.

2. Hire a real estate agency to help you

Trying to navigate the complex real estate market in Thailand without some assistance is difficult. When you work with the professionals it makes life so much easier. The best agencies will not only have plenty of connections, but they should have a thorough knowledge of the area in which you are interested in buying.

Designed bedroom with bed with frame
Used with permission of Lisa Furey Interiors

For example: if you are looking for a 2-bedroom condo to buy, a reputable real estate agency will likely already have access to a great selection of viable properties for you to explore. This can save you an awful lot of time with the searching process.

3. Decide what kind of amenities you need

Many great condominiums offer a wide variety of in-house facilities and amenities, so make sure you think carefully about what you would like. Yes, there are certain things that you will need, but you should also think about the amenities that are not so much essential but would be an amazing addition for your lifestyle.

For example: some of the best condominium complexes in Bangkok will have fitness rooms, saunas & steam rooms, and rooftop swimming pools. While these are not necessarily a “need”, why settle for anything less when such wonderful amenities are available?

4. Research the property development company

Room with sofa, coffee table, chairs and arm chairs
Used with permission of Kara Miller Interiors and Brantley Photography

When you have a few prospective condos in mind, make sure you research the respective property development company. What is their track record like? Do their ethics align with your own? Who will be in charge of maintaining the condominium? Reputation is important, particularly when making such a large investment.

5. Review regulations and additional fees

 Make sure that you are completely up to date with all regulations and aware of any additional fees before making your commitment. Most condos will have a monthly maintenance charge on top (aka common area management fees), so it helps to know exactly what to expect when making an investment.

Thanks to ddproperty.com for consulting.

5 Best Part-Time Work-From-Home Jobs to Boost Your Income

Part-time, work-from-home jobs are ideal for anyone looking to supplement their income without leaving their homes. These jobs give you more freedom than in-office or full-time positions. Based on your needs and expertise, you can easily find a job that suits you. This article outlines the five best part-time work-from-home jobs to boost your income.

Home office with black wall and white table
Used with permission of Kira David Design

1. Sewing jobs

Sewing is a passion you can utilize to earn extra money. Some of the sewing from home jobs you may consider are alteration jobs and repair work, custom designing, homewares, stuffed animals, or a combination of these jobs and more. When looking for freelance sewing work, it’s essential to understand your skillset and the time you can dedicate to work.

Sewing experience and the ability to operate sewing machinery while meeting deadlines are essential. To kickstart your part-time, work-from-home sewing job, look for quality, fairly priced sewing machines with warranties and ample working space. Alternatively, you can start your own sewing-from-home business based on a niche you love and enjoy.

2. Virtual call center agent

Designed home office with desk, plant and chair
Used with permission of Breeze Giannasio

A virtual call center agent offers customer support remotely through various forums, including phone calls, emails, online chat, messaging, and more. You can specialize in technical issues, telemarketing, sales, customer service, or any other area of interest. As a virtual call center agent, you’re usually the first contact point with the public. Your responsibilities may include answering inbound calls, following up on outbound communications, or offering further instructions.

An excellent virtual call center agent should have a thorough knowledge of their company’s product or services to answer questions and explain technical problems effectively. Your oral and written communication skills should be outstanding.

3. Online tutoring

Online tutoring is a flexible work-from-home job alternative that lets you develop your schedule while working for shorter periods at a time. An online tutoring session can last from half an hour to one hour with students needing extra support in particular subjects. You may be required to showcase your expertise in the chosen subject and undergo a background check before getting hired.

4. Virtual consulting

Virtual consulting involves offering business consulting services remotely. Your responsibilities may include offering business decision guidance, delivering project analysis, and reviewing documents. Specific duties differ based on the industry to decide to work in. To succeed, you require solid organizational and communication skills. To fulfill your responsibilities as a virtual consultant, you’ll need solid communication, problem-solving and critical thinking skills. Remote working experience is also vital and requires motivation and self-discipline to secure clients and network.

5. Virtual medical billing

As a virtual medical billing assistant, you’ll remotely handle insurance company claims for medical offices. You’ll also take care of medical coding and billing and take charge of medical invoices and payments. A medical billing virtual assistant tracks essential parts of operating any business, including cash flows and collections. An entry-level position requires you to complete a medical billing and coding certificate and pass one of the certification examinations or an associate degree program.

Endnote

Work-from-home jobs are an excellent way to supplement your earnings. Consider these best part-time work-from-home jobs to boost your income. 

Thanks to all companies linked above.

Selling Your Home? Embrace Minimalism

Minimalism has its supporters and detractors. There are people who roll their eyes at the trend and people who live by a ‘less is more’ mentality. But one thing’s for sure when selling a home, minimalism has the potential to work wonders in the preparation, listing and sale of your house.

Minimalist style designed living room
Credit: Mikhail Nilov via Pexels

Clutter, memories, and piles of storage don’t help in selling a home in Hamilton. While it’s not just a design style, minimalism can be a huge help when getting a house ready to sell. Here are just a few ways embracing minimalism can help to make homes for sale in Hamilton Ontario more appealing to potential buyers.

Makes Your Home Look Tidier

By going through your home and removing excess belongings, it makes your house look much, much neater. By taking away the extra stuff and leaving only the bare necessities, any room can look bigger, brighter, and more stylish. Alternatively, if it’s crammed full of extra furniture, decor, collections and knick-knacks, it gives off a messy, cramped, claustrophobic feeling, making your home seem less appealing and attractive.

Kitchen and dining table with bar chairs
Used with permission of Patterson Custom Homes, architect David Pierce Hohmann, architect and associates and photographer Ryan Garvin

This mentality extends to storage areas, too. By decluttering your closets and storage spaces, it gives off a feeling that there is plenty of room in the house. Closets filled to the brim are going to indicate the house is easy to grow out of and turn off buyers.

Pack away anything and everything that is necessary to the function of a room before listing. You can use this as an opportunity to remove excess clutter from your own life before you move, or you can have the items stored at another location for the duration your house is on the market.

Allows Buyers to Imagine Their Own Life There

When looking at potential homes, it can be difficult enough to imagine your own life there, but even more so when you’re being bombarded by personal tokens like family photos, quirky furniture, personal tchotchkes, and artwork suited to someone else’s tastes.

Leaving just the necessities behind allows them to picture different functions of a room and what their life will be like living there. They can imagine where they’ll hang their favorite painting or where their own furniture will go.

Is Great for Staging

Living room with couch with pillows, table and chairs
Used with permission of Melanie Gowen

Minimalism helps every step of the selling process, including by making it easier to clean and get into every single nook and cranny that’s necessary when having potential buyers come through for showings or an open house.

Keeping things minimal also allows you stage your house. In this way, you can amplify the highlights and features of your home that you want to amplify, rather than having them outshined by your personal belongings.

Keeping windows clear and unobstructed as much as possible while still retaining privacy where necessary helps to allow an abundance of natural light in, which always helps a home look its best.

Thanks to all companies linked above.

Don’t Let Your Roof Repairs Spiral Out Of Control!

Before you spend money on a roofing professional, consider if you can diagnose and fix your
roof issue on your own. The greatest and most cost-effective approach to ensure a trouble-
free roof is to examine it regularly so that you can see any problems early on.

House and Cottage
Used with permission of Lisa Furey Interiors

Water may have dripped into your spare room by the time you realise it. This indicates that
the whole roof structure has been drenched, and the ceiling will need to be rebuilt.
A leak from a single loosened tile is inconvenient, but it will go undiscovered if you do not
regularly examine your roof.

Common Roof Problems

After a windstorm, inspect your roof since most roofing is not intended to resist high winds.
Look for cracks, splits, and torn-off edges in the tiles and lifting. Roof leaks are often caused
by lifting, which is a simple fix. Multiple tiles lifting might indicate that the roofing material is
too old and is warping due to the weather.

Climb into your attic or loft and double-check that any insulation in your roof isn’t right up
against the roof itself. There must be a space for air to flow; when a roof warms up, and
there is insulation right behind it, the heat is reflected into the roofing, causing damage and
warping.

Roof Flashing

The flashing is another flaw in all roofs. Flashing provides a watertight seal between the roof
materials and the structure, which is particularly important if the roof extends out or changes
shape (as with extension roofs). It’s important getting the flashing inspected if you’re
constructing a new roof.

If you are not comfortable with inspecting your roof, you can get a professional to do the
work. Pros like A. Brooks Construction Kanga Roof will hop to getting your new roof installed
if there are any major damages.

Runoff

Roofs must have enough runoff, particularly in places where snow may fall. The mere fact
that the gutters, which lead to the roof’s down pipes, are clogged with leaves and twigs may
be an issue.

Water caught in the gutter will back up a few inches on the roof, giving it time to soak into the
margins of the roofing tiles. Although this is an excellent feature to ask for on a new roof, not
all houses have appropriate perimeter protection on their roofs.

If you can locate the problem area, an emergency repair may be built using roofing felt and
plastic cement to keep it in place until hiring a professional. If it’s simply a broken shingle,
you may try to fix it yourself.

When Should You Get Your Roof Inspected?

Modern farmhouse
Used with permission of Patterson Custom Homes, Architect: Brandon Architects Interior Designer: Tru Studio Photographer: Manolo Langis

A roof check should be done twice a year. A roof check in the spring or early summer is a
good idea to ensure it hasn’t been damaged by winter storms, snow, ice, or hail. Consider
storm-proofing your roof and learn how to prepare your home for the harsh cold before
winter arrives.

In the autumn, inspect the roof for damage caused by summer thunderstorms, fallen tree
branches, and other risks.

Thanks to abrooksconstruction.com for consulting on this post.

How To Protect Your Home From Termites

Warm and humid areas of the world that are full of lush vegetation and lots of wood are the breeding grounds for termites. These little critters may not look like much, but they can destroy all the wood in your house in a very short time. The biggest problem with these pests is that you will not even know that you have them until it is too late. That is why it is vital to be diligent with your preventative measures. Check periodically to ensure that a nest of them has not set foot into your home.

Living room with armchairs, sofa, coffee table and TV
Used with permission of Blackband Design

The best way to prevent termites from targeting your home is to be proactive rather than reactive. That means that you should take every precaution to prevent them from nesting anywhere near you. Let’s take a look at some of the most proven ways to protect your home from termites and the damage that they can cause.

  • Access Points – Your first step will be to remove all the access points that termites like to use to gain access. You may not realize it, but it only takes a crack or hole that is 1/32 of an inch for a termite to gain access. That is not much of a gap, so you need to check all your windows and doors to ensure no space. You will also need to seal off any vents or pipes that you may have that are open to the outside. Fill in any gaps that you see in your concrete foundation, paint the house to seal any cracks in the wood, and use bug screens that are small enough to deny the little pests entrance to your home.
  • Reduce Moisture – Moisture around your home can be easy to overlook because the weather does as it pleases. Still, you need to notice any issues you have with water. Termites cause over $1 billion in property damage, so they are not something to mess with. You will want to rent, or buy, a laser level and make sure that the grade of the land from your foundation is sloping down, away from your home. Make sure that all your gutters are installed and working correctly. Have a drainage system, such as rocks and PVC pipes, to remove excess water and ensure that your sprinklers are not watering the house.
Bedroom with big windows and balcony beside the bed
Used with permission of Kara Miller Interiors and Brantley Photography
  • Eliminate Food Sources – Termites love to chew on old rotten wood. Hopefully, your house is not rotting, but you need to get it fixed if it is. Replace the area that you are having problems with. Keep all the wood primered and painted to help protect them and remove any rotten stumps in the yard. This is an attractant to termites that they simply cannot resist.
  • Remove Dirt To Wood Contact – One of the most critical steps your builder should take is to make sure that the ground around the foundation is set up to drain excess water, as explained above. The dirt should never be over the top of the foundation. If you have soil touching any wood on your house, you need to dig it out and slope the ground down and away.
  • Install Bait Stations – If you live in an area famous for termite infestations, you will want to put some bait stations around your home. These will attract pests and distract them from going into the wood around your home. Bait stations offer a great way to target termites with the least amount of insecticides possible.
Used with permission of Patterson Custom Homes, Brandon Architects and photographer Darlene Halaby

Termites are nasty pests that can cause all kinds of damage to your home if they are not dealt with before they form a huge nest. It is always a good idea to be proactive rather than reactive. Once they have taken hold of your home, it is much harder to remove them. Take steps to prevent termites from making your home into theirs.

Thanks to smithereen.com for consulting.

What To Do When Your Central Air Conditioning Compressor Stops Working

Your air conditioner may not look overly complex but there are several different systems working inside it to produce the ice-cold air you need. One of the best ways of extending the life of your AC unit is to look after it. Of course, that doesn’t mean it will never fail, but it’s less likely and almost certain that your unit will last for years longer than one that hasn’t been looked after. 

Used with permission of Patterson Custom Homes, Brandon Architects and photographer Darlene Halaby

Naturally, when your central air conditioning compressor stops working will be when you need it the most. That’s why it’s a good idea to have it serviced in the winter and know the most common reasons it has stopped working.

Understanding The Function Of The Compressor

Your air conditioner is full of fluid, known as refrigerant. This fluid is capable of removing the warmth from the air around it. The higher the pressure of this refrigerant, the more efficient it is in drawing warm air from the surrounding air.

One fan pushes the now cold air into the house while the other pushes air past the hot refrigerant, allowing the heat to leave the house.

The compressor is critical to this process as it compresses the refrigerant, this increases the pressure of the liquid, turning it into a hot gas which is most efficient at removing heat from the air.

Naturally, if the compressor stops working, the heat can’t be removed and the air conditioner won’t offer the cold air you need.

There are several things that can be wrong with your compressor. Although it is worth taking a look, you should also contact the specialist in industrial air conditioning to ensure your unit is inspected and repaired if possible.

Don’t forget that refrigerant leaks will affect the ability of the unit to function. You should inspect it regularly to ensure there are n leaks and, if there is, get the professionals to fix the leak and refill the refrigerant, if possible.

Dirty Filters

Window with flowers and statues
Used with permission of Breeze Giannasio

This is one of the easiest fixes. When the filters in your AC unit aren’t cleaned or replaced regularly, there will be a build-up of debris. This will reduce the ability of air to flow through the machine, lowering the amount of cold air created.

Unfortunately, this lack of airflow will also place a strain on the compressor and it is likely to overheat. In most cases the unit will shut down, allowing it to cool while you clean the filters. In some cases, the compressor will simply stop working altogether.

In short, keep the filters clean to avoid this issue in the first place.

Starter Relay & Associated Capacitors

Air conditioners have an array of electronics inside them, including capacitors that are designed to accept power from the main supply and transfer it to the compressor, as well as the fans for blowing cold air in and hot air out.

The capacitors develop the power needed but you need to have a starter relay between them and the various parts to ensure they start properly. If these components fail then the air conditioner will no longer work. This is generally the issue when the compressor isn’t doing anything but the unit is humming.

The good news is that these parts can be easily replaced by a professional.

Power Issues

Bedroom with double bed, nightstand and a lamp on it
Used with permission of Breeze Giannasio

If the compressor isn’t working but the rest of the unit seems to be fine, then you may have an electrical issue. You’ll need to trace the wires to locate the ones that aren’t delivering power In many cases this is simply a blown fuse or a loose connection.

If the entire unit is failing to do anything then the power issue is probably with your circuit breaker.

The Compressor Has Died

The compressor can cope with a lot. But, if left to overheat it can be finished for good. Equally, a capacitor going down or some other electrical fault shorts the compressor, it is likely to be damaged beyond repair.

You’ll then be left with two options, replace the compressor or replace the entire unit. The decision regarding which is the better option will depend on the budget you have available and how often the unit is breaking down. The older and more fragile the unit is the more likely it is you’ll have more issues. In this instance, it’s generally better to replace the unit rather than to keep fixing it.

Don’t forget, the best way to reduce the likelihood of these problems arising is to have regular maintenance done by someone that knows what they are doing.

Thanks to all the companies linked above.

Important Things Seniors Should Know When Buying a New Home

It may seem odd to some people that seniors should be buying a new home at this stage of their lives, but there are many good reasons for doing so. Perhaps they want to downsize since all those extra bedrooms and living space won’t be required anymore. The kids have long flown the coop and have families of their own now. Even when they visit, they rarely spend more than a night or two.

Exterior of the small, white house and garden in front of the house
Used with permission of Lisa Furey Interiors

A single guest room plus the master bedroom would be sufficient and require a whole lot less care as well. Also, it may be a seller’s market, and no better time to get the most considerable ROI on their home of many years. But, please make no mistake about it. Your home is probably the most significant investment you’ll ever make, and so that Return on Investment everyone talks about is now going to give you a bit of cushion for your golden years. So, with that in mind, and as you begin looking around for a suitable new home, here are some essential things to keep in the back of your mind.

How Will You Pay?

You have a couple of choices here. You can either use the money from the sale of your current home to pay for the new home outright, or you can get a mortgage loan on your new home. If you can afford to pay for your new, smaller home in total, that would typically be the best option because you will not be paying what amounts to interest only in those first few years after closing. One thing to be aware of is that even though you may not be required to purchase a good homeowners insurance policy if you don’t have a mortgage, homeowners insurance will protect your investment, so it is an absolute must.

If You Are Relocating at a Distance

Hall with staircase and a desk with decorations
Used with permission of Blackband Design

How far from your current location do you plan to relocate to? Are your grown children living in the area, or are you joining other snowbirds and moving your residence to the Sunshine State? If you will be going any great distance, it is probably better to hire movers than to rent U-Haul trucks to be driven by a family member. A full-service moving company can help you pack up the house, load the truck, and then unload and unpack at your new destination.

Senior Amenities in the Area

Living room with red wall, blue armchairs and a firework
Used with permission of Massucco Warner

If you are not looking for a home with a specific location in mind, then you will want to check out senior amenities in the area. Sometimes, you buy a new home to be nearer to your adult children and grandchildren. In this situation, senior amenities and activities will pale compared to being close to your family.

There is much to consider, but don’t feel you are locked into a home because you own it free and clear. If you want or need to move, then that is perfectly okay! Whether you are 39 like Jack Benny always was or 79 like your ‘older’ brother really is, you have every right to choose where you want to live. Do you want a new home? Go for it! You deserve it.

Thanks to leisurecare.com for consulting.