Middlcreek Homeowners Association

Home Repair Hints

To change lamps in those outdoor lights with the globes, you'll need an angled straightedge screwdriver to loosen the two screws on the bottom of the globe. I suggest an extended life bulb (2000 hours or more) for this fixture, because changing it is not easy.

JP.
1996 Georgia Cir S.

Here is a safety concern for our community.
We recently had our dryer vent ducting cleaned out due to being clogged with lint over the years. It was jam packed causing our dryer to also get a large quantity of lint buildup inside the dryer (not at the lint screen, but inside the unit near the heating element).
The lint buildup in the dryer had been so overheated near the heating element that there were some burnt pieces, a potential source for a full blown fire. The buildup in the venting that goes to the roof was a substantial amount (13 years worth). It would be a prudent measure if anyone who has not checked their dryer for lint buildup and/or cleaned out their venting, to consider doing this, not only for the protection of their unit, but for that of their attached neighbors also.
We had Sears clean out the venting for a charge of $85.00, a small price to pay for peace of mind. As far as checking and cleaning out the dryer inside near the element, that was covered in our personal appliance warranty we have with Sears. You may want to consider checking the vent the next time you have a dryer problem, or anytime you have the chimney cleaned, or routine maintenance work done.

Mario Biagini
1985 Georgia Circle S.

Hints and kinks for your air conditioning system.

· Make sure the drainage pipe close to the compressor unit on the outside, is clear of debris. In many cases, it is fairly close to the ground and grass clippings and other detritus can easily block it. Also, algae may find the water to be an ideal growth medium. If any of this happens, it will prevent the flow of accumulated water from the drip pan of the air exchanger in your house. There is a sensor on this pan that will prevent your air conditioner from coming on when the water reaches too high a level. If this occurs, you will need to have the line cleared.

· Clean or replace your filter whenever the system is being used frequently as during the summer months. At least once a month should do it.

- Increase the insulation capacity. For less than 350 dollars, you can have additional insulation blown in that will bring the original R-19 value up to R-30. This will not only improve the heating and cooling efficiency, but also help to make your home quieter as well.

· If you want to replace your compressor unit for any reason, please apply to the association through Condominium Associates at 573-9300, before doing so. There are certain standards for noise, size, and appearance that must be observed before a replacement is approved.

Walk away from the thermostat. Your house won't cool down any faster if you lower the thermostat setting. When your air conditioner is on it cools at the same rate regardless of the temperature setting.

Open the doors. A breeze on a summer day can be enough to keep you cool. Instead of turning the air conditioner on, open doors and windows on opposite sides of the house for cross ventilation.

Save the chores for later. Avoid activities that add heat or humidity to your home, particularly during the hottest parts of the day or limit them to times when nobody is home. For example, turn on your dishwasher as you leave the house or let dishes air dry rather than use the dishwasher's heater.

Close the Curtains. Close drapes and shades on windows during the day to keep heat from the sun out of your house. (particularly on windows with an eastern and western exposure). In the evening opening drapes and shades lets heat escape through the windows.

Raise the Thermostat. The breeze created by a ceiling fan or portable fan typically makes you feel just as comfortable at a temperature 6° F warmer. Raising the thermostat 6° F can save 10% on your cooling bill.

Dehumidifier Benefits. Consider using a dehumidifier instead of turning on the air conditioning. You will be comfortable at much higher temperatures if you reduce the humidity.

Shut the vents. Closing off air conditioning vents in an unoccupied room can save 5-10% on your cooling costs.

Resist opening and closing doors. Shut the door or at least try to minimize the number of times that doors to the outside are opened and closed. Each time you open the door heat enters the house.

If you would like to share some of the insights you have acquired in the course of repairing or maintaining your unit, please write to us at the address below.