Home and Garden_Fall 09.23.2022

Carey provides award-winning service

There are many benefits to remodeling a home. A remodel is a great way to give an older home a fresh look and to increase property value on a house. But a remodel is also a great way to add stress into a homeowner’s life with concerns over budgeting, decision-making and timelines for the renovations.

However, stress does not have to be part of the process. Homeowners feeling overwhelmed by the daunting task of home remodeling may find it much more manage able when partnering with professionals who can help them navigate the process. That’s where Carey Bros. Remodeling comes in.

Carey Bros. Remodeling is an awardwinning East County business run by third-generation licensed general contrac tors James and Morris Carey. The brothers, Pittsburg natives, have been in business for

nearly 40 years, running a company that has completed over 750 projects in that time, according to their website.

“When we began, our office was in a bedroom in my brother’s home in Pittsburg,” James said. “Things began to grow, the demand for our services increased, so my brother’s wife said she wanted us out of the bedroom, so we looked for a new home for our office.”Asbusiness continued to grow over the years, the company relocated to larger and larger spaces before finally settling in the

Brentwood location it occupies today. James credits the Carey Bros. Remodeling team as a major part of what makes their work stand“Weout.have a competent team of design ers, and we have, of course, a very well qualified crew in the field that performs the work,” he said. “We have a marvelous team of people who are the best in their field. We are just a part of something bigger and I think my brother and I both feel very honored and fortunate to be surrounded by so many talented people who share our passion and

love what they do. We love what we do, we love our clients and we love seeing and experiencing the transformation.”

The team prides itself on its planning and being thorough from start to finish, according to their website. They have a nine-step process in place that begins with assessing a client’s needs and their budget to create the most effective design solution and ends with their five-year written guar antee on all home improvements.

A meticulously detailed estimate –“right down to door bumpers,” according to their website – is provided by Carey Bros. Remodeling before a contract is signed by the client to ensure that they are not caught off guard. A review of the estimate is provided to the client that can be changed if it exceeds their budget before the project begins. To this end, the team also provides different financing plans.

“We do our best to be thorough and include as much detail as possible to prevent unnecessary change orders, cost overages and project delays and extensions,” the brothers write on their website. “We like to think that our commitment to quality and our personal integrity will come shining through to you before, during and after we have completed your project.”

More information on Carey Bros. Remodeling can be found by visiting www.careybros.com or by calling them at 877-734-6404.

JAKE MENEZ

Photo courtesy of the Carey Bros.

Carey Bros. Remodeling is an award-winning local business that has been serving the East Bay community for nearly forty years. The company is run by brothers James and Morris Carey, third-generation licensed general contractors with a commitment to quality.

ON THE COVER: Brothers James and Morris Carey, owners of Carey Bros. Remodeling, take their years of experience and mastery of their craft to create beautiful spaces that their clients will love forever.

A beginner’s guide to fall planting and maintenance

Spring and summer are perhaps the busiest times of year for gardeners. However, fall also is a prime time to tend to gardens.

Fall planting and maintenance can extend gardening season and improve the chances of growing a healthy spring garden.The tree and bare root retailer Bower & Branch says that soil temperatures in many regions of the country may still be warm enough to encourage root growth well into the start of winter. Furthermore, fall is often the ideal time to plant, fertilize and keep a garden going or to get a head start on next year’s bounty.

Here are some tips to make the most of the fall gardening season.

Think about fall annuals and bulb planting.

Near the end of September, start planting cool-weather-loving pansies and violas for pops of color as summer flowers fade. Also, stock up on bulbs that will bloom in the months to come before they sell out in stores. Wait until the tempera tures really cool down before planting them in desired spots for spring sprouts.

Sow salad seeds.

Lettuce, spinach, radishes, and arugula tolerate cooler temperatures. Try new and interesting lettuce varieties and enjoy salads well into the fall season.

Check where the sun is.

Positioning a garden carefully means maximizing hours of sunlight, which begin to dwindle in the fall. Experts say gardens grow best in sunny locations that receive six hours of direct sunlight each day. This is where container gardens can be helpful, as

Clean unwantedup growth.

Fall is an ideal time to cut back spent vegetable plants and get rid of errant weeds. Rather than bagging leaves, mow them with a grass catcher and then add the mix to a vegetable garden as an excellent soil insulator. The nitrogen and carbon will fertilize the soil, enhancing growing possibilities and limiting weed growth.

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courtesyPhoto of Metro Creative

they allow gardeners to move plants into spots that will get ample sunlight.

Fill in landscaping gaps.

Some fall plants can add color around the landscape and brighten up homes to add curb appeal. In addition to pansies and violas, asters, kale and chrysanthemums are fall blooms. Keep in mind that mums can come back year after year. So take them out of those flower pots and get them into the ground. They can be enjoyed next year as well, sprouting in early spring and develop ing leaves and buds through late summer.

As temperatures gradually begin to cool, start taking cuttings from perenni als, gathering seed pods from azaleas and rhododendrons and dividing hardwood cuttings, says the resource Gardening Know How. Consult with a garden center or horticulturist on the proper ways to propagate stems using rooting hormone and other techniques.

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Water is essential in the fall and winter as roots can still be growing. Gradually reduce watering duration as plants go dormant.

– Courtesy of Metro Creative

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5 Perfect Steps to Extend the Life of Your HVAC System and Save Money!

The team at the 3-time “Best of Brentwood” winning Perfect Star Heating and Air Conditioning were asked for their tips on extending the life of your home’s central heating and cooling system while saving you lots of headaches and money along the way.

1) Changing your Filter: “This is hands down the easiest step in keeping your system running properly all year long,” says Perfect Star Senior Comfort Advisor Chuck Anderson. “We recommend changing your filter every 2-3 months,” says Anderson. Bonus tip: Find out what kind of filter your system uses and stock up on them. Purchasing filters directly from stores like Walmart, Target, or any home improvement store will give you peace of mind while also saving you a lot of money.

2) Annual Seasonal Maintenance: “This is critical in improving performance and preventing breakdowns” says Perfect Star Senior Comfort Advisor Gilbert Caceres. “Scheduling your maintenances before peak usage seasons is important because it prevents breakdowns on hot summer days or cold winter nights, when the systems are working their hardest. On every maintenance call, we ensure that everything is working properly. We test all running parts and make sure all the safety sensors are fully functioning.  On top of that, we provide a thorough safety inspection on your furnace and air conditioner.” Tip: Perfect Star offers membership plans for everyone. The

The Perfect Star team is more than happy to pass its expertise on to you. The team includes Senior Comfort Advisor: Chuck Anderson and Perfect Star Owner: Chris Donzelli.

Perfect Star membership allows clients to get their system serviced biannually. Perfect Star Members are contacted seasonally to schedule their maintenances and in addition to that, members receive a 20% discount and earn $100 in Perfect Star Rewards for every year of membership that can be used for repairs or new equipment.

3) Don’t Put Off Repairs: “If your system starts acting irregularly, such as making a weird noise or not working to its fullest capacity, contact an HVAC service technician ASAP,” says Perfect Star Owner Chris Donzelli. “The sooner you address the issue and get it solved, the less chance you have of facing unnecessary long-term damage to your system.”

Bonus Tip: If necessary repairs are beyond your current budget, Perfect Star is happy to announce that they not only have 0% financing available on new home comfort systems but now offer 0% financing available for repairs over $999.

4) Your Thermostat: This one’s super easy! “Changing the batteries in your thermostat once a year, can erase connectivity issues between your thermostat and your HVAC units,” says Anderson. “Also upgrading to a programmable thermostat can take a lot of stress off your plate and allow you to plan out your ideal temperature throughout your morning, afternoon and evening.”

5) Your Indoor Air Quality: “Living in a confined space means that the cleanest home may still be unsani tary. Think about it this way: the average person needs 2 quarts of water a day to survive, but needs 15,000 quarts of air to survive so you must ask yourself ‘Why do people purchase filtered/bottled water yet don’t feel the need to purify and clean their air?’” Donzelli says. “We are proud to be able to offer our clients the Plasma Air, an affordable, safe, and effective whole home air purifica tion system. Plasma Air not only neutralizes and reduces pollen, dust, pet dander, mold spores, smoke and odors, but it has been tested and proven to reduce viruses and bacteria such as the live SARS-CoV-2 virus.” Plus, in addition to keeping your air clean it also helps keep your HVAC system clean!

For more information, please call Perfect Star at 925-255-5527 or visit us at www.PerfectStarHVAC.com.

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How to determine if it’s time to downsize

Individuals work hard to save enough money to purchase their homes.

And the hard work doesn’t end there. Once homeowners settle into a new home, they may set their sights on renovations that suit their individual needs. And even when buyers find a home that needs no such work, maintenance requires homeowners’ utmost attention.

All that hard work is perhaps one reason why seniors may be a little reluctant to move into a smaller house as they advance through their golden years. In addition to the sweat equity homeowners put into their homes, all the memories they’ve made within their walls can make it harder to put a home on the market.

Downsizing is a difficult decision that’s unique to each homeowner. Seniors who aren’t certain if moving into a smaller place is right for them can consider three key factors to make a decision that’s in their best interests.

♦ Cost: Perhaps no variable affects senior homeowners’ decisions to make their homes smaller as much as cost. No one wants to out live their money, and moving to a smaller home can help seniors reduce their monthly expenses a lot. Even homeowners who have long since

paid off their mortgages can save substantial amounts of money by downsizing to a smaller home or even an apartment or condominium. Lower property taxes, reduced insurance premi ums and the need to pay for fewer repairs are just some of the ways such a move can save seniors money.

♦ Space: Many people love the extra space that single-family homes provide. But seniors can take a walk through their homes and see how many rooms they still use consistently. If much of the home is unused, seniors can prob ably move to a smaller place without much effect on their daily lives.

♦ Market: The real estate market is another factor to consider when deciding if the time is right to downsize. A seller’s market can help se niors get the biggest return on their real estate investment, potentially helping them make up for meager retirement savings. For example, home prices have skyrocketed across the coun try during the COVID-19 pandemic, making that a great time for sellers to put their homes on the market. Seniors selling to downsize may capitalize on such spikes since they won’t be looking to turn around and buy larger, equally expensive homes once they sell their current place. If the market is down and seniors can withstand the work and cost a little longer, it may be best to wait until things bounce back in sellers’ favor.

– Courtesy of Metro Creative

DIY projects that can conserve energy around the house

Home renovation projects can pay dividends.numerousTheyhelp resale

value, make homes more livable for residents and, in some ways, make homes more affordable.

Renovation projects that aim to conserve energy can save homeown ers substantial amounts of money. Such projects don’t often require considerable effort or even sizable financial investments, which can make homeowners skeptical as to just how much they can save after completing the project. But the scale of a project may have little to do with how much homeowners will save. For example, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) notes that a relatively effortless task like turning back a thermostat between 7 degrees and 10 degrees for eight hours per day can save homeowners as much as $83 per year. A more labor-intensive task like planting shade trees saves homeowners an average of between $35 and $119 per year.

When looking for ways to conserve energy around the house and save money, homeowners need not necessarily commit to expensive projects. The DOE notes that the following are some energy-saving projects and details what homeowners can expect to save after completing them.

While each individual project may not result in jaw-dropping savings, homeown ers who follow many of these recom mendations may end up saving more than $1,000 per year.

Project: Seal uncontrolled air leaks.

What is it? Air leaks let cool air in during winter and warm air in during summer. Caulking, sealing and weather stripping all cracks and large openings can cut back on costly air leaks. The DOE recommends hiring a contractor to seal any leaks on heating and cooling ducts.

How much can I save? Homeowners who seal uncontrolled air leaks can save 10-20 percent on their annual heating and cooling bills.

Project: Plant shade trees.

What is it? If you plant a deciduous tree 6-8 feet tall near your home, it will begin to shade your windows within a year of being planted. Depending on the species of the tree and the home, the shade tree will begin shad ing the roof within five to 10 years. The DOE notes that shading is the most cost-effective way to reduce air conditioning costs.

How much can I save? Properly planted shade trees can reduce air conditioning costs by 15-50 percent.

Project: Insulate the water heater tank.

What is it? New water tanks are likely already insulated. But homeowners with older hot water tanks can insulate their tanks with a water heater insulating blanket kit.

How much can I save? Insulating a water heater tank can save homeowners as much as 16 percent on their annual water heating bills.

Even the smallest DIY projects can produce big savings. More information about energy-saving home improvement projects can be found at www.energy.gov

– Courtesy of Metro Creative

Caulking and sealing cracks can seal off expensive air leaks

Photo

3 DIY mistakes to avoid

Homeowners feel proud when they successfully complete do-it-yourself (DIY) projects on their homes. In addition to saving homeowners money, DIY projects provide a unique way for men and women to personally connect with their homes.

As fun and fulfilling as DIY projects can be, they also can be nerve-wracking and induce anxiety. When DIY projects falter, fixing them can prove costly, as homeowners typi cally must call in contractors to correct their mistakes and get a project back on track. That results in additional labor and material costs that might have been avoidable, especially for homeowners who make an effort to avoid some common DIY mistakes.

♦ Failure to secure permits. Even though homeowners own their homes, that does not mean they have carte blanche to do what they want with them. Many renovation projects require homeowners to secure permits before projects can commence. Some may even require additional permits as the projects advance. If proper permits are not secured, homeowners may be fined and projects may be nixed, regardless of how much money homeowners have spent up to that point.

Before beginning a home renovation project, homeowners should always contact their local permit office to determine if any permits are required. Bankrate.com notes that permits are often required for any project larger than paint ing or wallpapering.

♦ Overestimating your abilities. DIY televi sion shows make home renovation projects look easy, but reality suggests otherwise. Homeowners with little or no experience renovating a home may want to take classes before they think about starting a project on their own. Even online tutorials tend to make jobs appear easier than they are. Roofing and plumbing projects tend to be best left to the professionals, as these projects can be either dangerous or vulnerable to disaster if not ad dressed by trained professionals.

♦ Incorrect materials. Whether it’s to save money or a byproduct of inexperience, DIYers do not always choose the correct materials for a job. Experienced contractors have ample experience working with all sorts of materials and are therefore in a unique position to rec ommend the best materials for any given job. That resource is not available for DIYers, who must perform ample research before beginning a job so the project involves the most appro priate materials. Incorrect materials can be a sunken cost that derails a project, but even jobs completed using incorrect materials may need to be redone a lot more quickly than those that employed the right materials the first time.

– Courtesy of Metro Creative

Signs

Taking care of a home or buying a new one can be stressful enough without having to contend with a potential pest infestation. Much like any other home issue, like a leak or faulty electrical system, pests can cause significant damage if left unchecked.

The best way to stay ahead of potential pest problems is to recognize signs that pests are present.

♦ Droppings

A classic sign of infestation, pet waste includes fecal droppings or urine trails. Certain waste is easier to spot than others. For example, bed bug droppings are much smaller than mice or rat droppings. Homeowners can carry out thorough examinations of furniture, bedding, walls, floors, and areas of the home that get little foot traffic to look for pests.

♦ Dead bodies

Another sign that points to pests is the presence of dead insect or animal bodies. A large number is indicative of a pest problem.

♦ Active pests

The experts at Batzner Pest Control

say that live animals or insects in and around the home are potential signs of infestation. Most are very good at hiding, so finding live specimens may require some investigating in the kitchen, bathrooms and outdoors near the perimeter of the home.

♦ Evidence of nesting

Most animals want somewhere cozy and comfortable to bed down and will use materials available to them when making nests. Look for shredded paper, feathers, gathered twigs or grasses, home insulation piles, or any other red flags that could be nests.

♦ Smells, sights and sounds

Animals and insects can give off smells and make sounds. Roaches are said to have an “oily” odor, while mice may produce “musty” smells. Homeowners may hear gnawing, squeaking, scurrying, or scratching. In addition, there may be holes, gnaw marks, signs of burrows, and other signs of pests. Wood shavings or sawdust could indicate the presence of termites, which cause serious structural damage.

♦ Stored pesticides

People who are viewing a potential new home and find cans and canisters of pesticides or pest traps should recognize that there is likely a problem with animals or insects there.

– Courtesy of Metro Creative

your landscape

Family-owned-and-operated, Morgan’s Home and Garden has a wide selection of high-quality landscaping supplies. Along with our trained, knowledgeable our store has the resources you need to complete the landscape your property us be your primary source for stone, concrete pavers, gravel, and sod. You will not regret it. We proudly feature an affordable and extensive inventory that is constantly being updated to include the latest products.

Symptoms gutters may need repairs

Fall marks a great time to prepare for upcoming projects that can make winter work that much easier. For example, fall is a great time to take stock of your gutters so you can address any issues before leaves begin to fall or the first snowstorm touches down. Compromised gutters can contribute to water issues in basements and adversely affect a home’s foundation if not addressed immediately, so it behooves homeowners to learn the signs that gutters are in need of repair or replacement.

♦ Gutters hanging off the home: Gutters were once installed predominantly with spikes. However, many industry profession als now install gutters with hanger brackets. Why the change? Spikes loosen over time, leading to the gutters hanging off the home. That can contribute to serious issues if left

untreated. Gutters hanging off the home need not necessarily be replaced, but rather secured to the home, ideally with hanger brackets instead of spikes. Brackets hook into the front of the gutter and are then screwed into the fascia of a home. A profes sional who specializes in gutter repair can perform this task relatively quickly, and it’s an inexpensive yet highly effective solution.

♦ Gutter separation: Gutters that are no longer fastened together can leak and con tribute to issues that affect the home’s foun dation, siding and appearance. Clogs and the accumulation of debris can cause gutters to separate because they are not designed to hold too much weight. Replacement of separated gutters may or may not be neces sary depending on how big the problem is and the condition of the existing gutters. If replacement is not necessary, separated gut ters may be remedied by securing the joints, another relatively simple and inexpensive fix.

♦ Peeling exterior paint: Paint that ap pears to be peeling off of your home may indicate that water is seeping over the edge of the gutter closest to your home. When that happens, water is coming down the side of the house, causing the paint to peel. In such instances, replacing the gutters is often necessary.

Low-maintenance lawn alternatives

Atraditional lawn may not be right for every property nor desired by every homeowner.

There is no denying that lawns take time and effort to establish and daily or weekly maintenance to thrive. Homeowners who find that a traditional lawn is not practical can explore some low-maintenance alternatives.

Wildflower meadow

Homeowners with wide swaths of property may discover meadows are cost- and time-efficient. Stores sell special wildflower meadow mixes of seeds or homeowners can use wildflower plug plants throughout areas where grasses are left to grow longer. This

natural area can be a home to wildlife and an idyllic backdrop to a home. Most meadows only require a spring or summer and autumn cut to thrive and look good.

Ornamental grasses

Partition areas of the property for ornamental grasses to grow. The gardening resource Elemental Green says ornamental grasses tend to be drought-resistant and low-maintenance. They won’t need much fertilizer and are often resistant to pests as well. Ornamental grasses grow in tufts or sprays and will not require mowing. However, they are not ideal for areas that get busy with people.

Moss

Moss can thrive in shady areas and ones where the soil tends to stay a bit damp. Moss is velvety soft and green, so it can mimic the look of a traditional lawn but won’t require

quite rapidly. You will need to protect areas where you do not want moss by creating barriers to stop spread.

Gravel

Stone and gravel areas can reduce maintenance in the landscape and require very little upkeep. When gravel is installed correctly, weeds may not grow readily. Gravel installation may include laying heavyduty, semi-permeable landscape fabric, which is available in home improvement centers. Gravel is cheaper than pavers and can be just as beautiful.

Artificial turf

If the desired look is a lawn with out all the upkeep, there are various artificial grass options on the market. Homeowners who opt for artificial turf can save money and space devoted to lawn mowers and other lawn tools.

Grass may be ideal for some, but there are alternatives for people who have troublesome landscapes or desire a low-maintenance product for their homes.–Courtesy of Metro Creative

6 steps to organize your home office

Remote working has become popular in recent years, but the “working-fromhome” economy bloomed exponentially as the world was forced to confront the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Stanford economist Nicholas Bloom, as of summer 2020, 42 percent of the United States labor force was working from home full time.

The need for home office spaces has increased as more people work from home. Many people have retrofitted vari ous spaces around their homes into areas to get work done. More organized home work spaces can increase productivity. Individuals can follow these guidelines to create effective, organized home offices and help remedy common problems.

Begin with the desk

The desk is the primary spot where work will take place. The right desk accessories can provide visual appeal and also serve practical purposes. Have cups for holding pens and pencils, baskets and bins for larger items, and store whatever you can elsewhere so it does not lead to clutter on the desk. Store wireless printers in a cabinet or even on a bookshelf so it doesn’t take up space on the desk.

Create a printing station

While you’re moving that wireless printer elsewhere, designate a space to serve as the central printing hub. This way, children who need to print assignments for school will know where to go as well. Printer supplies like extra ink cartridges and printer paper can be kept in decorative storage boxes nearby.

More shelf space

Shelves can help keep items organized and off the desk in home offices without closets or drawers. Look for shelves that blend in with decor but are sturdy enough to be functional.

Organize paperwork

Figure out a system that works for you to help tidy up papers you choose to save. While some papers can be scanned and stored as digital files, color-coded file folders can organize statements and other important documents. This makes it easy to find the folder you need when looking for certain documents.

Establish a charging station

Repurpose certain items, such as a desk organizer, into an easily accessible electronics charging station where phones and tablets can charge at one time.

Make essential binders

HGTV suggests making binders that can store the most important papers for easy access - even in an emergency. Set up a binder for automotive paperwork, including repair receipts, a medical binder where key medical records are kept, a binder for manuals for devices in the home, and one to store financial planning documents.

– Courtesy of Metro Creative

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Photo courtesy of Adobe Stock

Revitalize your landscape on a budget

Many homeowners think they have to spend lots of green to get green in their landscape, but that isn’t necessarily so. Homeowners can improve their landscapes without digging themselves into financial holes. These strategies can help anyone save some cash and still end up with attractive gardens and more.

Use stones or gravel for a walkway.

If commercially installed pavers or concrete walkways are not within your budget, there are some affordable alternatives. Flagstone or individually purchased and spaced pavers and pea gravel can be used to create pathways. Some construction sites even offer free stones when asked. Soften the look with moss or other plants on the perimeter.

Remove some lawn.

Lawns can require hours of upkeep that may involve the application of expen sive fertilizers and weed-killing products that are not always so eco-friendly. Reduce the size of a lawn by putting in a mixed planting bed of perennials or ornamental grasses, or use landscape fabric and mulch.

Look for free mulch.

Municipal recycling centers may offer residents access to free mulch made from grinding up leaves, branches and other plant debris collected throughout the town. Simply bring a few containers to the recy cling center and spread the mulch for an ornamental look or to insulate landscapes over winter and protect against weeds.

Repurpose old items into planters.

Old wheelbarrows, barrels, watering cans, and other items can be repurposed into container gardening vessels. Figure out if items marked for the garbage bin can be incorporated into garden features instead.

Invest in plants that are easy to propagate.

Perennials are the gardener’s friend when it comes to saving money. These plants sprout anew each year, and many, such as sedum, catmint, ferns, hostas, and black-eyed Susans, can propagate by division. Figure out the best times of year to divide the plants and start growing them in individual containers before planting the sturdy new shoots in the ground. A single variety of plants grouped together in mass plantings is affordable and easy.

Shop end-of-season sales.

Garden centers may begin to make room for holiday items come the fall. Take advantage of reduced costs on remaining plants and landscape accessories during this time of year. Plants can be covered or allowed to thrive indoors until they can be planted in the spring.

Pool your resources.

Homeowners planning on a big land scaping or revitalization project may want to speak with neighbors to see if they’re interested in doing the same. Contractors guaranteed business from a few homes in the same neighborhood may be willing to negotiate lower prices for the volume of work on things like driveway repaving, deck- or fence-building, or installation of paver patios.

– Courtesy of Metro Creative

Photo courtesy of Adobe Stock

Pea gravel edged with moss and plants is a budget-friendly way to create a walkway in your home’s landscape.

Signs your air-conditioner could be fading

Aday outdoors soaking up the sun’s rays is many people’s idea of the perfect way to spend a summer or early fall afternoon. On such days, a periodic retreat indoors into an air-conditioned home can offer some much-needed relief from the heat.

Learning to recognize the signs of a fading HVAC system can help homeowners replace their units before they cease work ing, saving everyone the uncomfortable ordeal of being stuck at home without cool air on hot summer days.

Weak air flow

An HVAC unit operating at peak capac ity produces a strong flow of air through the vents of a home. The experts at Select Home Warranty note that when the air flow from the vent is weak, this could be a warning sign of a damaged AC compressor or blocked or damaged vents. Damaged vents might be replaceable, but issues with the AC unit might require a replacement. That’s especially so if the unit is old. Repairs might be possible, but it might be more cost-effective to replace an aging unit rather than commit to costly repairs.

Excessive moisture around the unit

Excessive moisture around the unit may indicate that its refrigerant is leak ing. In addition, Home Select Warranty notes that large pools of water around the unit could contribute to mold growth and floor damage. Homeowners are urged to contact a qualified HVAC technician immediately if they notice any leakage or moisture issues around their units.

Interior temperature

If your home is not the respite from summer heat that it once was, despite the AC being on and running, then this could be indicative of a fading system that may need to be replaced. However, the home warranty firm American Home Shield notes that hot interior temperatures also may indicate a clogged ductwork. HVAC technicians may be able to fix clogged ductwork without replacing the AC unit. If the problem persists even after ducts have been cleaned and unclogged, then a new unit might be homeowners’ best bet.

Foul odor

Sometimes the nose knows best when an AC unit needs to be replaced. Unusual odors emanating from the vents when the AC is on suggest that the unit is distribut ing mold or mildew throughout the home.

– Courtesy of Metro Creative