Category: Homeowner Tips

That funky smell.

It’s one of the biggest complaints from owners of front-loading washing machines. If you have one, you know what we’re talking about.

The energy savings from high-efficiency machines is awesome! But, that smell… is NOT.

Here’s how to avoid the bad smell, plus a few more pointers to keep your washer and dryer in top shape.

How to keep your high-efficiency washer from smelling

1. Remove damp clothes immediately.  Ever run a load on Sunday then forget about it until Tuesday? We’re guilty too, but DON’T do that! It’s the recipe for a smelly washing machine. Do whatever it takes — set a reminder on your phone or put a simple sticky note in a visible place — so you fetch that load promptly!
2. Leave the door ajar.  Okay, the Type A folks among us hate this, but DON’T close the door right after you wash a load. You need to allow air to circulate. A perk of living in Arizona — our dry climate means it should dry out more quickly than many other places.
3. Clean the rubber seal around the door.  We get it — who wants to clean the machine that’s supposed to do the cleaning? But this really isn’t so hard, and it’s worth it to avoid a smelly laundry room. A solution of half vinegar and half water is all it takes. Apply this regularly to prevent buildup of hair, debris or water around the seal.
4. Run a cleaning cycle too.  Pour distilled white vinegar where you would normally put detergent, and run the machine as normal. This helps clean out and deodorize the whole shebang. If you want, you can also purchase a product specifically to clean the drum and keep things smelling fresh.
5. Level your washer, if needed.  This won’t help with the smell, but it’s a bonus tip to help extend the life of your washing machine. If your washer is rattling or shaking, don’t just ignore it. By leveling it out, you’ll prevent damage to your floors, walls and machine.

Ways to take care of your high-efficiency dryer too

1. Clean out the lint filter.  This is a must for any dryer and can prevent fires too. Beyond simply removing the lint that accumulates, rinse the lint trap with water every so often. Nothing fancy — just a quick rinse under the sink will do!
2. Check the dryer exhaust.  You know that big metal duct at the back of your dryer? Often debris builds up in there and prevents air from moving easily through the exhaust. That makes it hard for your dryer to dry clothes properly. It can also create a smelly or humid laundry room and can cause fires. No bueno. The best way to clean it out is to get a brush designed specifically to reach far in and remove lint from the walls of the duct.

Ah, the thrills of homeownership 😉 Regular maintenance may not be exciting, but that bit of time and effort can help you keep your machines running for as long as possible! If you’d prefer, you can, of course, hire a professional to help you tackle these things.

Steve Higgins, our VP of Field Operations, talks with ABC15 about some easy ways to save energy at home.

• This segment touches on topics like:
• Turning down the temperature on your water heater
• Using a programmable thermostat
• Changing the filter for your air conditioning unit
• Changing out light bulbs to the newer CFLs
• Considering air purification systems
• Upgrading your pool pump

KNXV-PHX (ABC)
Aired: 3/25/2017 9:49:21 AM

 

As you shop for a new heating and cooling system for a home, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Single-stage? Two-stage? Variable speed? The options are plentiful, and the lingo can leave you feeling a bit lost. Given that you’re putting a solid chunk of money on the line, how can you and your clients possibly choose the best system for your homes?

Let’s take a moment to break down the differences between systems. We’ll go through the biggest variables — price, efficiency, noise, humidity control and overall air quality — so you can choose accordingly.

Efficiency

When it comes to efficiency, the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) is your go-to. This measures how much a cooling system puts out for each unit of energy it consumes. The higher the SEER rating, the more efficiently the system performs.

Single-stage systems are the least efficient of the bunch. As the name suggests, they have one “on” setting. The only option is for the system to run at 100% capacity, regardless of whether conditions really demand it. So these systems frequently use more energy than necessary.

Two-stage systems offer some efficiency improvements because they have two settings — high and low. On more mild days, the second setting allows the system to run at a lower, reduced level of operation. These two-stage units typically have a SEER rating between 16 and 18.

Variable speed systems are the most efficient systems available. They can operate at many different levels specific to your home, down to as low as 20% capacity, and they boast the highest SEER ratings at 25 or higher.

Humidity Control

These different types of systems offer varying levels of humidity control as well. This, of course, is important to help prevent the growth of mold and mildew. In a nutshell, when your unit is running and producing a consistent flow, humidity is reduced. The longer it runs, the greater the reduction in humidity.

Single-stage systems are designed to stop once they reach the desired temperature. Thus they actually spend the least time running and offer the least humidity reduction. A two-stage system will actually run longer, which helps cut humidity levels more. A variable speed system ultimately takes the cake. These systems allow for constant air flow, decreasing the humidity most effectively.

Price

When it comes to cost, it’s important to consider two factors — the purchase price and the cost of operation long-term. A single-stage system boasts the most affordable upfront cost, but will cost the most to operate long-term. A two-stage system will be more expensive up front, but will cost less to operate than a single-stage unit. And — you guessed it — a variable speed system will have the heftiest price tag but see the biggest benefits in term of operating costs, along with the perks of efficiency and indoor comfort.

Do keep in mind, more efficient systems often qualify for with tax credits and rebates, so that can help with costs as well. Potential credits include federal tax credits, APS rebates and SRP rebates.

Air Quality

When considering air quality, the differences between the different types of systems is a bit like the story with humidity control. The longer the unit runs, the better the air quality too. Why? The more air that passes through the filter, the greater the opportunity to catch all those undesirable bits of dust, debris and allergens. On top of that, continual air movement can minimize hot and cold spots within your home. Given this, variable speed systems are able to provide the most impressive levels of air quality and comfort (and single-stage systems the least).

Noise Level

This factor can easily get overlooked when considering a system, but it’s good to realize what you’re getting into in terms of noise with each type of system.
Because they only operate at full capacity, single-stage units are the noisiest of the bunch. They are notorious for a noticeably loud start and stop. Two-stage systems offer a bit of reduction in noise. Variable speed systems can operate at a much lower, less noisy level. Unlike single-stage and two-stage systems, they do not produce the noisy kick in whenever airflow is needed and instead can run at the low background level much of the time.

Summary

In many ways, the world of heating and cooling systems is actually relatively straightforward. More costly variable speed systems offer more in efficiency, energy savings, humidity control, air quality and noise reduction. Less costly single and two-stage systems provide less in these arenas.

It ultimately comes down to your budget and desires and expectations for your home. Variable systems are a great option for those who have a more sizable budget and a desire to make a greater investment in the long-term future of their home. For many homeowners wanting some flexibility and efficiency at a more affordable cost, two-stage systems can be helpful. If you’re after the absolutely least expensive upfront cost, single-stage systems are the route.

 

It’s safe to say — no homeowner wants their AC to give out smack dab in the midst of the summer here in Phoenix. While that may not be something you can control, there are a few ways to know if your AC is about to fail.

Steve Higgins, our VP of Field Operations, caught up with NBC to talk about some key signs that your AC is about to give out. *Spoiler* — if your AC unit is continuously running, never reaching a set point or sounding strange, you may have a problem on your hands. Check out the full segment for the scoop…

 

 

KPNX-PHX (NBC)

5/14/2018 5:16:09 PM

A dirty oven has quite a few downsides. It can impart an unpleasant smoky taste on your food, obstruct proper flow from heat sources and even contribute to kitchen fires. To avoid all of these, it’s important to take some time for oven maintenance. Be sure to tackle more than just obvious food on the bottom of the interior. Invest a bit of elbow grease to keep your extractor fan and hood clean.

Extractor Fan

Before cleaning, switch the extractor off from the mains.

Make a cleaning mixture, by adding some mild detergent to water.

Using a soft cleaning cloth, dampen it with your mixture, and clean the extractor fan.

If there is dirt caught in the fan, you can lightly clean it off with an old toothbrush.

On most extractor fans, you can take off the filter.

The filter can be washed in a sink of hot soapy water.

You can clean the filter in a dishwasher as well, keeping it in an upright position. Note: It may discolor slightly, but doesn’t stop it from working.

If you have a charcoal filter, you’ll need to replace it every four to six months, depending on how often you cook. These cannot be cleaned as it will reduce their efficiency.

Extractor Hood

Switch your extractor hood off from the mains.

Make a cleaning mixture, by adding some mild detergent to water.

Using a soft cleaning cloth, dampen it with your mixture, and clean the interior and exterior of the extractor hood.

Dependent on your extractor hood, you’ll have one of the following filters below. Please check your manufacturer’s manual to see which one you have.

• Paper filter: These are disposable and can be easily replaced. Typically you should change them every month or once you notice them discoloring.
• Metal filter: The filter can be washed in a sink of hot soapy water. You can clean the filter in a dishwasher as well, keeping it in an upright position. Note: It may discolor slightly, but doesn’t stop it from working.
• Sponge filter: The filter can be washed in a sink of warm soapy water. After five to six washes, you will need to replace them.
• Carbon filter: These cannot be washed and should be changed every six months if you cook regularly.

We’ve made it through the summer heat! Hallelujah. That means, of course, it’s no longer peak AC season. But we still want to talk AC. Why? It doesn’t matter what time of the year it is, the air conditioning system is an especially important home system here in the Valley. In any home purchase, it’s vital to take into account.

When you’re considering a home purchase, we recommend that you be sure to get the full scoop on the AC unit in the home and factor it into your game plan. It’s easy to get wrapped up in the excitement of the purchase and overlook this piece of the picture. Since it’s one of the priciest systems and can have a tremendous impact on potential expenses, we think it’s worth taking a bit of time on.

Assessing the state of the AC system

When considering a property, find out how old the system is and get the scoop on the overall state of the system. The home inspection should help make this clear. If the AC unit is past its prime or in poor condition, you’ll want to plan for significant out-of-pocket expenses. You may want to make the replacement cost a negotiating factor in the purchase, whether that’s by getting the seller to help cover the expense or by reducing your offer accordingly.

This sort of expense should be considered above and beyond the cost of a home warranty. A common misunderstanding and unrealistic expectation for home warranty coverage is that a home warranty company will immediately take on the burden of a massive expense like total replacement of an extremely aged AC unit. We want to be totally transparent — a home warranty will help reduce costs of future repairs, but is NOT likely to cover the entire cost of replacing an aging AC unit, so do keep that in mind.

When it comes to the AC system, it’s more appropriate to count on home warranty coverage for common wear and tear needs (e.g. repair and replacement of components like thermostats, motors, capacitors, filter dryers, fan blades, compressors, coils, boards and valves). Plus, some companies offer seasonal checkups as part of their coverage, which is a big added value to keep your system in good working order.

The life expectancy and cost of an AC unit

In order to consider the AC unit and plan for relevant expenses, it’s of course helpful to know — how long does a typical unit last? And, how much does a new system even cost? Because AC units work so hard in our harsh desert climate, they tend to have a lower life expectancy than in other areas of the country. Most will last roughly 10 years. With regular maintenance, you may be able to extend the life to 15 years. As far as cost, these systems come in all shapes and sizes. Much like a car, there are countless models to choose from. A typical system will run anywhere from $4,000 to $8,000, though more complex systems can run as high as $13,000.

Boosting energy efficiency with new systems

When a system upgrade is part of the conversation, homeowners often ask us about the perks one can expect with a newer system. Two major advantages include performance and utility savings. Switching to a new unit can improve overall comfort within your home by providing more effective heating/cooling and provide quieter operation. Upgrading also can substantially reduce your operating costs and help protect the environment by phasing out the R22 Freon that depletes the ozone. Data shows that you may even able to reduce your electricity bill by 47%-60% (Source: Energy Star and American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning).

Keeping AC top of mind

By taking the AC system into account when you first consider purchasing a home, you can get a better sense of expenses to expect and alleviate a few surprises. If you have questions along the way, be sure to reach out. We’re more than happy to help you!

To learn more about AC upgrades head here, or call 602.733.5000.

Fall is setting in, and we recently caught up with The List to talk home maintenance. This segment covers three top items that often need attention come autumn.
1.  Gutters and downspouts – How dry leaves can plug up your downspouts, posing a fire danger or creating flooding issues and what you can do to prevent problems.

2. Washer and dryer – How summer’s heat can encourage mold growth in your washer and how properly cleaning both your washer and dryer can help you prep for fall.

3. Oven – How a dirty door seal and grease build up can impact your oven’s performance and how to best clean it.

Featuring:

Steve Higgins, VP of Field Services, Platinum Home Warranty

Need help with home maintenance? We can help! Just give us a call at 602.733.5000, and ask for our retail division.

Aired: 09/05/2017 04:30:18 PM

Full Transcript:

Jared Cotter: These lazy late summer days may be easy on us but can be super hard on your home. Happily, we’ve got a few simple ways to fix up your home for fall without walloping your wallet. All on the top of our list.
As much as we’d like to, we can’t put our homes on autopilot. Our friends at Platinum Home Warranty show us three things that need your attention come autumn. Number one thing, the gutters and down spouts. David, why is the fall season so hard on gutters?

David Tolsdorf: The leaves are changing, drying, falling, hitting the roof, going into the gutters. The dry leaves will plug up your gutters and down spouts. It’s a huge fire danger.

Jared: Even in cool fall weather, sunlight on metal gutters can spark dry leaves.

David: Not only can it clog up the gutters, it can clog up your downspouts and not allow them to do their job.

Jared: The means rainwaters can’t drain and before you know it, a flood in the house. What can we do to prevent it?

David: For a couple hundred dollars for your entire home, there are gutter guards. The debris will fall on here and won’t go into the gutter itself.

Jared: Next, the washing machine and dryer.

Steve: Because of the heat, in the laundry room, causes a lot of these mold and mildew spores to start growing around the room of the washing machines. That is mold.

Jared: Summer’s heat caused more mold to collect, so give it a good clean for the fall.

Steve: Use anything, any kind of a cleaner. Anything but your fingers.

Jared: What about the dryer?

Steve: The dryer, simple stuff. The lint trap on here everybody is aware of, but not everybody cleans like they should. And if you don’t keep this clean and a lot of this plugs up, not only will the dryer use a lot more electricity, but it also creates a fire hazard with that lint going outside. A little spark will ignite a lot of stuff on that roof.

Jared: And our final fall home hazard, the oven.

Steve: Okay, so we’re inarguably the most important room in the house, the kitchen. Going into baking season. A lot of people neglect the oven. The door seal gets a lot of grime and stuff on it, causes it to get crusty and prevents it from making the proper seal.

Jared: That means an inefficient oven and a higher electric bill.

Steve: If grease allowed to stay on there at 400 degrees, it will melt a hole in the elements. you’ll see it catch on fire.

Jared: Steve says to clean after each baking while the oven is still warm. Falling for autumn home maintenance on the top of the list.

School may be back in session, but the summer season is still in full force. While temperatures are still toasty, how can you save energy and money? This segment tackles that question and more. Earlier this year, Steve Higgins, our VP of Field Operations, walked 3TV through questions like:

– How can a programmable thermostat help you save energy?

– Why should you consider using cheaper, thinner AC filters?

– Why do you need to clean the coils on your heating and cooling system?

– What does SEER refer to?

– How can fans help you with cooling and energy savings in your home?
 
KTVK-PHX

Aired: 4/9/2017 7:36:47 AM

Steve Higgins, our VP of Field Operations, walks AZTV through some basics to keep your pool in top shape.
This segment touches on questions like:

• What are some of the best tools to keep the pool clean of debris?
• Why is it important to stay on top of chemicals?
• What does a home warranty cover when it comes to a pool system?
• What options do I have as far as a pool pump?

AZ-TV 7 Cable 13

Aired: 3/30/2017 8:40:33 AM

Steve Higgins, our VP of Field Operations, discusses pool care with CBS 5 just in time for the summer season.

This segment touches on topics like:

• How Phoenix’s extreme heat summer heat taxes your pool and impacts chemical performance

• The importance of staying on top of cleaning and debris removal, especially during monsoon season

• The negative impacts of older pool pumps — uses more electricity, can cause leaks and tax pipes and filters

• Why investing in a newer pump that runs at a lower speed (typically about $500-800) is a worthwhile investment to consider

If you’re thinking about upgrading your pool pump, be sure to reach out! We’d love to help you explore your options and get the best value for your needs. Contact us here or call 602.733.5000.