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Electricity Tips for New Homeowners of Old Homes


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Electricity Tips for New Homeowners of Old Homes

Hi, my name is Henry. I grew up in an old home and saw my parents frequently tackle projects such as rewiring the home or installing new garage doors to meet updated safety standards. As a kid, it just felt like a lot of busy activity, but as I got older and began working in real estate, I could see how essential these tasks were to owners of old homes. If you are a new homeowner with an old home, you are in for a treat, but you will also face challenges inherent with owning a home with old wiring. To help you, this blog has tips on repairing, rewiring and assessing the electricity in old homes. Thanks for reading!

3 Simple Tips for Avoiding Common Appliance Repairs

Appliance repairs are eventually going to be necessary for any homeowner, as parts eventually break down and need replacement or repair. However, homeowners often make mistakes in how they use or maintain their appliances so that those repairs are needed far too soon. A few simple changes in how you use and care for your appliances can keep them running and operational as long as possible. Note a few simple tips.

1. Don't overfill the fridge or freezer

A common mistake by homeowners is to overfill the refrigerator or freezer, and in turn these appliances struggle to work and eventually break down. Both the fridge and freezer have vents in the back that circulate cold air and when these vents are blocked, the motor and blower both need to work harder to push that air into the unit. Items that are stacked next to each other also won't allow cold air to circulate through the unit.

Be sure you can run your hand around all the items in your unit and that there is room for the air to circulate as well. This will alleviate unnecessary wear and tear on the motor and blower of these appliances and avoid unnecessary replacement of those parts.

2. Have your home's ductwork cleaned

Your furnace and air conditioner both work to push air through your home's ductwork. When the ducts and vents are dirty and clogged, both need to work harder to push that air through. A home's ductwork can be full of dirt as well as pet hair and dander, human hair and shed skin cells, rodent droppings, dead insects, and other contaminants. These things are unhealthy for you to breathe but also make it harder for air to get through to each room of the home.

To maintain your furnace and air conditioner and protect the motor and blower of both, have your ductwork cleaned at least annually. Do this more often if you live in a dusty area where your home may collect even more dirt and debris, and if you have pets whose shed fur can wind up in the ducts.

3. Protect your air conditioning unit

The outside unit of your central air conditioner should be protected at all times, as grass clippings and other debris can pile up around it and cause the motor and blower to work overtime. If necessary, build a small wall or gate that will keep the unit protected. Be sure it's not flush with the unit as air needs to circulate around it, but this can protect the unit from damage to the motor or blower.

For more information, check out companies such as Graeme Kent Electrical Appliance Geelong Service Pty Ltd.