You air conditioning unit is a amazing on hot summer days. That is why you should make sure it's well maintained and functioning properly. Ignoring AC management will raise your energy bills, decrease the efficiency of your system and ultimately require repairs. So avoid these 10 common mistakes to stay cool. Never Cleaning Fins and Coils Air conditioning evaporator coils and fins allow heat to pass from the refrigerant in the system out into the air, just as condenser coils

Painting tips to make your next project easier an less stressful. Stop Paint Lid from Splashing Ever hammer down a paint can lid, or stomp the lid on, only to have paint splatter everywhere? You can prevent that by grabbing a 5-in-1 tool or a nail to punch a few holes through the groove of the can's rim The holes allow excess paint to drain back into the can. The lid will cover the holes and make an airtight seal. Preserve Your Brush and Roller The Paint Brush Cover is a uniq

Hang Drywall with Adhesive To eliminate the risk of popped fasteners, you can use drywall adhesive along with screws for a much more secure hold. You’ll only want to apply enough adhesive for one sheet at a time. So use a 4-ft. level to mark each stud. Choose a construction adhesive intended for drywall installation and cut the tip on a slant, leaving an opening of about 1/4 in. to 3/8 in. Apply a continuous bead of adhesive across the top plate. Then, from the top down, appl

If your cedar fence posts are rotting at the bottom, you need to replace them. The rot is probably due to improper installation. If you install your new posts the same way the old posts were installed, you’ll just have to do the whole thing over again in a few years. Cedar has a reputation for durability, but unless a few seteps are followed, cedar posts can fail in as few as five years. 3 factors contribute to this early failure: poor drainage, low-quality wood and poor prot

When it comes to staying cool in the summertime heat, one of the primary concerns is cost. Cranking the air conditioner and running all the fans in the house can both do some serious damage to your energy bill, so the key is to find the right balance. Ceiling fan: Clockwise or counterclockwise? Yes, it does make a difference — and determining which way your fans should spin depends on the time of year. During the summer, ceiling fans should spin counterclockwise to blow the a

Use Your AC Less Cooling down doesn't always require a blasting AC, which will increase your energy bill. Here are some tips to make an informed purchase. A ceiling fan is a cost-effective and efficient way to cool off without cranking up the AC. Below are some tips on how to choose and install a ceiling fan. Buy the Right Size Select a fan with the appropriate span: 36 inches for rooms up to 100 square feet, 42 inches for up to 200 square feet, 52 inches for up to 400 squa

Your summer plans should include keeping up with these home and yard maintenance projects. The month of July can be a busy one for homeowners. Summer vacation, celebrations, a change in the family schedule and increased heat can create fun but active weekends. To keep your summer home costs down, maintain your air conditioning units and practice smart water conservation in the yard. July can be a great month to tackle larger home improvement projects, especially on the exteri