Choosing a new refrigerator can be overwhelming. You could be remodeling your home, or maybe you just feel the need to get a newer model. Either way, you need one with a good design that will still serve your needs, without requiring maintenance every few months. Here are a few factors you need to consider before making a purchase.

Cost

Before looking at any other factors, you need to come up with a budget. How much are you willing to spend on a refrigerator without breaking your bank? As you start shopping around, always keep in mind that you have a budget to stick to, and let each salesperson know about your preferred price range.

Size

This depends on your family size and the number of items you store in your refrigerator based on your cooking and shopping habits. If you are all alone and barely cook or store anything, opt for smaller sizes. However, if you have a big family or most of your items are refrigerated, we recommend choosing larger sizes. You should also consider whether your family is bound to grow soon before settling on a size.

Moreover, you also need to measure the space you have in your kitchen and focus on buying a fridge that can fit the dimension. This should also take into account the ventilation space, door opening space, and the cleaning space.

Style and Design

Once you have settled on the right size, you can now look at the different designs offered in the market. French door refrigerators are more elegant and offer an ample freezer compartment at the bottom. If you have limited space in the kitchen, opt for a side by side refrigerator. It’s designed with adjustable shelves for maximum flexibility.

There are more designs from which you can pick your preferred one based on elegance, space, and compartment size.  If you’re keen on décor, go for a color that best complements the decor in your kitchen.

Energy Efficiency

This has quickly become a great selling point, especially since we all should contribute to conservation efforts. Look at the energy guide label on a refrigerator to gauge its effectiveness. Appliances with an EPA Energy Star rating are a great starting point. This shows that they make the top 25% of the market. However, keep in mind that efficiency is different with each model and therefore you should be keen when testing and reading the labels.

Additional Features

If it’s within your budget, go for a refrigerator which is designed with extra features such as a water dispenser, door-in-door storage access, temperature controls and freshness features. These are key to ensuring maximum efficiency. With most models, these additional features come at an extra cost. If you can afford to spend a few more bucks, do it and you will not be disappointed.

Keeping a clean refrigerator is very important not only for aesthetic reasons but a messy fridge can be a paradise for germs and bacteria that can cause serious digestive problems. Making sure that your food is contained in a clean environment and the right temperature is crucial if you want to enjoy every meal. A clean fridge will impact your everyday meals, and will improve your lifestyle.

Start your refrigerator cleaning by throwing away the expired food and the old vegetables. We all have those old, forgotten items stored in the fridge. Nobody remembers buying them, and they are so old that you might want to use gloves when you are throwing them away. The first step in having a clean fridge is to dispose of those ancient products and make room for new, tasty edibles.

The next step in cleaning your fridge is washing it. We recommend avoid using soap or detergent since their smell might get absorbed by the food, but you can make your own fridge-cleaning potion with white vinegar. Mix one part of white vinegar with two parts of water and you’ll obtain one of the most effective kitchen cleaning products. The white vinegar has amazing disinfectant properties and it also removes any unpleasant smells. Another great home-made mix is made of 2 tablespoons of baking soda and hot water. For the tough stains that do not disappear when cleaning with the home-made products we recommend using toothpaste, it is effective and it has a pleasant, refreshing smell.

You should make sure that you wipe up the spills in your fridge before they get to dry. A spill of milk is one of the most horrific things that you can see in a fridge. After they have dried the spills become sticky, smelly and harder to remove. Avoid the spills by cleaning everything that goes into the fridge. Make sure to wipe off any jars, bottles and containers that you plan to store in your refrigerator.

Another important task that you should do every few days is to check for spoilage. It is a proven fact that one bad apple ruins the whole bag, so make sure that you throw away any vegetables and fruits that have rotten. Check the terms of expiration of the items in your fridge and make sure that you put the ones that will expire in less than a month in the front, so you can see them and consume them before they get spoiled.

Deposit the left overs in sealed containers that can be easily seen. Never should you deposit your food on a plate and directly into the fridge. This way you avoid strong, unpleasant odors and keep a very organized refrigerator. You can buy special containers from any supermarket. Not storing the food in special sealed containers is one of the most common mistake people do when it comes to keeping the fridge clean. Use baskets for storing the fruits, vegetables and other foods.

A musty or stuffy home, with water condensing on pipes and windows is a sign of high humidity levels in your home. Running the common household appliances like a dishwasher, washing machine, or even activities such as taking a shower all contribute to moisture in the air. Not only is balanced humidity levels important for your family’s comfort, but also for their health and well-being. It can cause problems such as pests or even make you sick.

Humidity simply refers to water or moisture in the air. Air is able to hold a certain amount of moisture and when it reaches saturation point, the effects are felt all around. It seems to dampen everything including your moods.

There are different ones in the market to serve the varying needs in different homes. The two main types of dehumidifiers include;

• Desiccant Dehumidifier
• Refrigerant Dehumidifier

The most common type in the market today is the refrigerant type. They are generally composed of a fan, cooling coils, compressor and a water tank. These

Dehumidifiers Buying Guide

Different homes have different dehumidifier needs. The most popular ones in the market today are the portable dehumidifiers. You can find them in home improvement centers and bi box hardware stores. Here are the factors that you should take into consideration when choosing one for your home includes;

1. Size

To pick a suitable size, you should know the square footage of the area/room you plan to dehumidify. You also need to have a rough idea of moisture levels in the area.

2. Mobility

Dehumidifiers with casters are convenient as they can be moved from one room to the other. The unit can be placed anywhere in the house as long as you have a long power cord.

3. Humidity Control

Automated controls are great for setting certain humidity levels and for monitoring. Some of the dehumidifiers have in-built hygrometers which measure the levels of relative humidity in your home. Those with humidistats allow you to set a desired level of humidity and the unit will maintain it. Optimal relative humidity should range between 30-50 percent in winter and 40-50 percent in the summer.

4. Noise

It is advisable you test the noise levels of a dehumidifier before purchase. A two-speed fan dehumidifier will ensure reduced noise levels at a lower level of humidity. Noise can be a disturbance especially if it is close to the bedroom area.

5. Water Capacity

The larger the capacity of the bucket, the more expensive the dehumidifier. Smaller buckets need to be emptied more often. Some dehumidifiers are self-draining while others employ the use of evaporation technology so no draining is required.

6. Defrost Features

An automatic defrost feature is an absolute must for those living in areas with very low temperatures. It might be an additional cost but it saves you from expensive future expenses of damaged units from iced coils.

7. Auto Shut Off Feature

When the tub is full, a dehumidifier with this feature will have an overflow protection valve causing the unit to switch off. This will indicate that the tab needs to be emptied. Some contain indicator lights to signal a full bucket.

8. Washable Filters

A more economical option would be to get washable filters which are more durable. They are more convenient as they allow you to do fewer filter replacements. Washing should be done at least twice a month.

9. Energy Efficient

Dehumidifiers certified by Energy Star Label are guaranteed to save you some money on utility bills. This applies to the government sponsored ones as well which consume less energy but still maintain optimum functionality.

Humidity refers to the amount of air in the atmosphere. Dry indoor air can cause certain body irritations like dry sinuses, cracked lips, or even bloody noses. Humidifier adds moisture to the air to ease some of these symptoms and conditions. Humidifiers can bring relief to symptoms such as colds, flu, dry skin, dry throat/irritated vocal cords, dry cough, headache. Etc.

Humidifiers are classified into two sizes; portable or console. Portable, as the name suggests, are small and an excellent option when traveling. Sometimes they are referred to as personal. Console units are quite large and mostly for use to the whole house. They have wheels so they can be moved from one location to the other and can also serve a room at a time.

Types of Humidifiers

• Ultrasonic Humidifiers

With the help of ultrasonic vibrations, these humidifiers give out either a cool or warm mist. They are available at varying prices depending on the size suitable for your home. Cool-mist is the best version if you have kids.

• Central Humidifiers

These are the most expensive and are built into your home’s AC or heating unit to serve the whole house. While central humidifiers don’t emit steam, traditional ones do which increases the risk of burns.

• Impeller Humidifiers

Impeller humidifiers are also child-friendly as they produce cool mists with no risks of burns. They are less expensive and can only be used in one room at a time. They expel humidity through high-speed rotating disks.

• Evaporators

Although they can only be used in one room, these are quite affordable. Evaporators work by blowing the moisture through a filter. The fans expel the humidity as they power the unit through a single-unit system. They provide high levels of humidity and can be bothersome to asthmatic people.

• Steam Vaporizers

Steam vaporizers are the most inexpensive humidifiers and are readily available at drug stores. They work by heating water and then cooling it and expelling it into the indoor air. This makes them least child-friendly because of high burn risks. They also operate on electricity.

Humidity Control Levels

Some humidifiers come with hygrometers to measure the amount of humidity in the air or your home. Consider a built-in hygrometer (humidistat) when buying a humidifier. It keeps moisture within a reasonable range. If not, you can purchase one easily at your local hardware stores or department stores. A 30-50 percent range is recommended. If someone in your household has respiratory problems, test the humidity daily. Low or high humidity will cause problems either way.

Possible Risks Associated with Humidifiers

Caution should be exercised as failure to maintain the humidifier or humidity levels properly can cause health problems.

• Burns

There have been high incidences of humidifier-associated burn injuries especially around children. Warm-mist steamers and humidifiers should be kept away from the children’s bedroom.

• High Moisture Levels

Too much moisture can bring about condensation on the walls causing the growth of mold and mildew.

• Coughs and Colds

Bacterial growth from unclean humidifiers can promote or worsen coughs and colds. Some minerals and micro-organisms emitted from humidifiers can be a bother to people suffering from asthma.

It should be noted that this is a home remedy and not an alternative for medical treatment. Call your doctor and seek medical advice if symptoms persist. Humidifiers will make a significant difference to your airways and dry skin.

Another article on this topic can be found here.

Air conditioners are definitely a lifesaver during the dreaded summer heat. An interesting fact about air conditioners is that they work the same way as refrigerators. The difference is that your refrigerator cools only a small area while your air conditioner is responsible for cooling the home. A refrigerator also has a housing unit but your conditioner does not.

How Air Conditioning Work

The AC unit has chemicals that work to transfer the heat from inside your property to the outside. It consists of three parts namely the compressor, evaporator, and condenser. The evaporator is mostly inside the house while the compressor and condenser form the outside part of the condensing unit.

The compressor receives the cooling fluid as low-pressure gas. The fluid and gas are packed closely together causing the temperature and energy to rise. It then moves from the compressor to the condenser as a high pressure, hot gas. The metal fins located on the outside of the AC unit act as radiators on a vehicle to dissipate the heat quicker.

The fluid leaves the condenser as much cooler and changes into liquid form because of the high pressure. Through a narrow hole, it proceeds to the evaporator where the pressure has dropped causing it to change to low-pressure gas form.

Air is sucked through the vents into the ducts, which cools the gas in the evaporator while removing the heat from the air. The cool air is blown back into the house by the ducts. It is a continuous process. The thermostat will turn the air conditioner off once it senses that the interior temperature is at its desired level. If the temperatures start to rise again, the thermostat will turn it back on.

Air Conditioner Filters

The most important maintenance to ensure the efficiency of your air conditioner is to replace or constantly clean the filters. If they are clogged and dirty, they will interfere with the working of the conditioning system. Normal airflow will be blocked resulting in reducing a system’s effectiveness.

Some types of filters are reusable while others have to be replaced. Clean or replace the filters after about a month or two. If the air conditioner is used regularly, prone to dust,  or fur pets in the home, it may need more attention.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Central AC

• Maintenance

Choose a package that is all inclusive of regular inspections, labor warranty, discount repairs, etc.

• Efficiency

Energy efficiency is expressed as Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating (SEER). The minimum allowed SEER is 13 or higher. The higher the SEER the lower your energy costs.

• Size

This will depend on your house and so some sizing guidance from professionals is advised.

• Programmable thermostat

These are low maintenance, cooler and will ultimately reduce cooling costs by a considerable 20 percent.

• Upgrades

Depending on the changes you have made to your home, you may not need a system the same size. For instance, if you have upgraded your windows insulation, your cooling needs may be reduced. If you have additional rooms, you may need more cooling.