Is Your Aircon Ready For Summer?

Summer is almost here, and you are probably already planning for a break, but your aircon system at home will likely be hard at work. To ensure that your AC works efficiently instead of working hard, here are some things you can do now to make sure that your air conditioning unit is at its best condition, especially during the warmer days of the summertime.

1. Clean or change your filter every month

Change the filters regularly. It is the easiest aircon maintenance step one can do. Unfortunately, many are not doing it as often as they are supposed to. Aircon filters must be replaced once a month to keep your air conditioning unit running efficiently. For those units with reusable filter, clean them with water at least twice a month.

For central air conditioning systems, the filter is often found behind the panel near the blower. Unscrew the panel, remove the filter and replace it with a new one.

For window type AC units, the filter is often located on the face of the aircon unit behind the panel. Many of this type of AC units come with a reusable filter. As what your air conditioning repair man from Singapore have probably recommended, clean the reusable filter by taking it out and gently cleaning it with a mixture of water and vinegar. Then, let it air dry before putting it back into the unit.

2. Clean the condensation pipes

Besides the filter, the pipe that keeps the condensation away from the AC unit can also be clogged with dirt. If this becomes congested, the condensation may leak somewhere else in the unit or in your house, resulting to messier problem and costlier aircon repair.

To avoid this problem, always check the pipe and the drain to make sure that the water from your AC unit is disposed properly. You can also use algaecide to remove formation of algae when cleaning the pipe.

3. Keep the outdoor unit clean

The condenser, which is the AC system’s outdoor extension, should always be clear of any blockages, whether it is dust, debris or plants. These things can easily block and damage the system, causing your AC to work less efficiently. Remember to turn off the thermostat when cleaning your aircon’s outdoor unit.

4. Check the concrete slab

After ensuring that the condenser is free from blockages, the next thing to do is to check whether the concrete slab that supports the outdoor unit of your AC is equally levelled. If it is not, your air conditioning system will tend to work harder to keep your home cool. To level the slab, simply add more gravel to the base of the slab until you get an equal height.

5. Use a programmable thermostat

If you do not have one yet, you can save significant energy with a programmable thermostat. This device lets you set it to automatically reduce the use of your aircon at times when you do not need it, like when no one is at home. Fortunately, this accessory is pretty easy to install and require only a few tools.

6. Clean the fins

Keeping the fin of your outdoor AC unit clean helps your air conditioning system run economically. To clean the fins, use a toothbrush or any soft cleaning brush. Gently rub the brush across the fins, being extra careful not to bend the metals. If you find any bent or damage on the metal fins, we suggest calling an aircon servicing expert in Singapore to have your aircon unit professionally cleaned.

7. Check the ducts for leakages

According to aircon servicing experts, sealing leakages can save you significant amount on your power bill, since leaky ducts can cause your AC unit to work harder. Look for disconnected lines and joints, small holes and separated parts in your aircon’s ductwork. If you happen to find any leakage, call an aircon servicing company here in Singapore like www.airconmaster.sg to help you fix and seal the leakage for good.

8. Clean the coils on the outdoor unit

During the cooler months, the aircon’s outdoor unit tend to collect mud, dust and other debris, especially if you do not cover them. The build-up of dust, dirt and all those gunk can clog up the unit, causing your AC to run sluggishly. To clean the coils, make sure first to disconnect the power source before spraying the outdoor unit with water using a garden hose. For heavily soiled ACs, use an aircon cleaner (available in most hardware stores) to clean the unit.

9. Inspect the fan belts

Like cars, outdoor aircon units have fan belts. Check them regularly to know if they already need replacement. Just be sure to get one that matches your home’s air conditioning system. Again, getting the right parts means that your AC will work efficiently, resulting to more savings on your electric bill.

10. Keep your aircon regularly maintained by professionals

Once to twice a year, call a professional aircon servicing or aircon maintenance here in Singapore to inspect your AC system. These experts have enough experience and skills to anticipate potential problems and the right tools to fix any problem with your air conditioning system.

If you think your aircon is already in need of a tune-up before it goes to work this summer, contact a reliable aircon servicing in Singapore. Treat these professional inspections and aircon maintenance works as an investment instead of an expense. You are spending money to prolong the life of your AC system to keep your home cool and comfortable for you and your family during the summertime.

Locksmith Services for Car Lock Systems

Regardless of how updated and high-tech and sophisticated central locking systems in cars are, they can still be compromised or become faulty at a certain point.

Car lock cylinders are a good example of this for some models. This is because they essentially work the same as with a door lock, with a metal tube containing pin stacks that need the right amount of pressure so that the plug can be turned.

Older car models without central locking rely on this lock installed to unlock door for the driver’s side and the trunk. They can be easily compromised and broken in, which makes hiring a locksmith to repair lock cylinders in these older cars crucial. The good news is that these models are phased out in Singapore, in favor of ones that have built-in central locking systems.

With that in mind, here are some signs that you need to hire a lock master in Singapore to replace or repair lock cylinder:

1. The key won’t turn in the car door – This can happen for many reasons. For instance, if the car is brand new, something may have been jammed in the car lock cylinder, or that you have the wrong key. If you’ve previously picked your car door, you might also have to hire a locksmith services to unpick lock cylinder.

2. Replacing the ignition cylinder – After lock installation, some locksmith services may miss out on re-keying the new ignition cylinder, which can leave car owners with several keys. This can be confusing especially when car owners take of the key for the car’s lock instead of the ignition, and could end up taking more time.

3. Lock functionality has decreased – Even the best locks and cylinders can deteriorate over time with constant use, and need to be replaced. Regular lock installation for either the car door lock cylinder or the ignition cylinder should be done every few years to keep the car working properly.
Keep in mind that the car lock cylinder should not be confused with the car’s ignition cylinder, as the latter is what turns the engine on and is activated only after the car door has been opened and the car key has been inserted and rotated to start the ignition.

How Locksmiths Can Help You

Locksmith services can help you with all these things, however, there’s always more that they can do for you. A few more ways that a reliable 24 hour locksmith service in Singapore can help you with installing locks in your car include services such as the following:

• Providing a replacement car lock
• Installing or repairing a central locking system
• Unpick lock cylinders that have been picked/damaged
• Adjusting vehicle door locks

Even if you think you can do it yourself, chances are that it will reduce the overall quality and security of the car’s locking system. Your safest option is to contact a 24 hour locksmith service in Singapore like www.lockmaster.sg to handle the problem for you and help you avoid encountering these problems again in the future.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Investing in the Biggest Entertainment Wave in Vung Tau

New laws have recently opened up property in Vietnam to expats, and it’s no surprise that foreigners with either resident or tourist visas can now dabble in property investment with a fifty-year lease hold, and can even extend that hold.
This makes opportunities for a prime piece of real estate, such as a Vung Tau condo in Kahuna Ho Tram, up for grabs, and prices are ever changing at auctions. So how do you start investing? Here’s a step-by-step guide to get you started on its ins and outs.

1. Check your finances.

List your assets and liabilities mean taking into account all your incomes as well as working out your expenses.
Once you know this, you will have a much clearer picture in how much you’re capable and/or willing to put in holiday resort investment.
When considering how much you can invest, you don’t have to worry too much as long as your income is stable and your employment history is solid.

Aside from checking, it’s important that you stay up-to-date, especially now that you can invest in condo units in Kahuna Ho Tram Strip and Kahuna Ho Tram Resort. Read business news and stay on the loop of the latest updates in the world of property investment and finance.

2. Get pre-approval.

Applying for a loan is usually how most purchases for real estate usually go through, as many upstart investors usually don’t have too much cash on hand to win the Kahuna Ho Tram auction.

Getting a pre-approval through your lender or your trusted mortgage broker can benefit you greatly if you’re not sure of your readiness to invest. One is enough – multiple pre-approvals will mean red flags to lenders who might refuse your application.

3. Set a goal.

What do you want to achieve? In order for you to achieve your goals, you must first know what they are as well as set a deadline for when you want to achieve these.

Preferably, you want to aim for an investment that will give you a good return in ten years or less. A Vung Tau condo, a beach villa for sale, or a villa beside golf course – these are all good investment choices in Vietnam, and these choices are all yours for the picking with Kahuna Ho Tram. For more info about property investment at Kahuna Ho Tram, visit http://www.kahunahotramresort.com/ to find out more.

4. Start budgeting for your goal.

It’s the only way to balance your income and expenses. Even though it doesn’t look fun or interesting, it allows you to see how much you can invest.

There are many ways as well as software to help you do this, and you should set this up beforehand when accomplishing step 1.

5. Establish a purchase plan.

When you invest in Kahuna Ho Tram Resort, consider that the property can increase in value depending on changes in the market, and could be trickier than other types of investments. Because of this, it’s important that you know your attitude towards risk to help you create an effective strategy.

Your purchase plan should facilitate your goals to produce what you’re aiming for. There are different ways that real estate investors make money. These are:

    • Cash flow income – Cash flow income can be generated from buying property, such as well-run units (i.e., car washes, apartment buildings, and rental houses), and operating it to collect a steady stream of income.
    • Real Estate-related income – Real estate brokers generate this income through commissions from buying and selling property or running the daily operations of an existing property.
    • Ancillary Real Estate Investment income – This kind of income can be a huge source of profit, as this is essentially running smaller businesses within larger investments.

6. Focus and stay informed.

Staying up to date in the world of real estate, especially in Vietnam, is important so that you can know the changes you need to take into account for making informed decisions. There are many sources online that you can use to help you focus on landing that beach villa for sale.

5 Warning Signs of Home Electrical Problems You Should Never Ignore

Electrical glitches, such as a burning odor, flickering lights, frequent electrical sparks, and other related issues often indicate home electrical problems. Home electrical problems give off early warning signs before they turn into a serious problem – so it pays a lot to pay attention to them.

For you and your family’s safety, it’s advised to familiarize yourself with the early symptoms of an electrical problem. Know what the red flags are and take immediate action when you find them. Being vigilant may enable you to protect your home from full-blown disasters brought by glitches in electrical works.

Regular assessment and repairs by a good electrician is necessary to prevent dangerous situations. Keep in mind that even a small electrical problem that might seem unimportant may lead to electrocution or massive property damage later.

Some homeowners opt to troubleshoot electrical issues in their residences themselves. Common electrical problems are often easy to remedy, especially if one has some background in basic electrician services. Even if you’re confident you know your way with wires, always follow safety protocols and practice caution.

However, knowledge over the basics can only do so much. Some technical problems need a proper diagnosis from a licensed electrician, as they are the only one with the expertise to properly handle electrical problems. Keep in mind that an electrician is well-trained on his/her area of expertise. Booking the help of an electrical services Singapore can help you fix your electrical issues.

If you notice or experience the following electrical problems, contact your local electrician services company to fix the issue before it does further damage to your person or property.

1. Electrical shocks

Electrical shocks generally come as an unpleasant surprise after plugging a wire in a socket or touching appliances. If you feel a mild shock or tingle every time you do so, the appliance may have a ground fault or improper electrical wiring. This is a dangerous electrical condition that can cause further damage if left unattended.

It’s encouraged to take every type of electrical shock seriously. Avoid touching electrical appliances such as plugged-in extension cords or electric blow dryers when your hand is wet. Dry your hands first to prevent any shock that may ensue.

If the shocks continue to happen frequently, it’s best to consider booking the assistance of a nearby electrician in Singapore. You wouldn’t want to risk the situation growing worse.

2. Circuit breaker problems

An electrical circuit can become overloaded; when this happens, the circuit breaker is designed to prevent the wires from overheating and possibly starting a fire after it shuts off the main electrical supply. However, even this safety measure can pose a problem when they become old.

Frequent circuit breaker tripping can suggest simple overloads. One way to test this is to plug the appliance in a different circuit. If the breaker trips occasionally, it’s in your best interests to seek the help of an electrician. Working your way inside an electrical panel requires expertise and skill – and it’s considerably unwise to risk ‘doing it yourself’ if you don’t have a solid background in electrician services.

Keep in mind that power may still enter the panel despite shutting off the main breaker. One simple mistake can cause overheating or fire, as this type of work isn’t meant for experimenting. Thus, it’s better to leave the job to an experienced professional.

3. Flickering lights

A staple of horror movies, flickering lights indicate a loose or defective light bulb. Although this can be averted by simply replacing the bulb, in some cases, the problem may still continue even after replacement. One fault might be because of the light fixture but this is not always the case. To address the problem, consult a skilled electrician nearby in Singapore.

Another common reason is a loose fixture connections or loose electrical wiring in the circuit breaker box. Either way, it’s ideal to book professional diagnosis to ensure a complete electrical repair.

4. Burning odor, sparks

Once you notice a burning odor emanating from any switch or outlets, turn off the electrical panel’s power immediately. It is also encouraged to contact an electrician for appropriate and necessary repairs as soon as the odor is noticed. The issue might be because of a faulty device or a wiring/overload problem which is highly urged to be resolved ASAP. It is also considerably a serious issue because it may indicate the beginning of an electrical fire.

Also, beware of large and frequent sparks every time you plug in a device. While occasional sparks are not unusual, its frequent occurrence may indicate a problem with the circuit or the outlet. If it is accompanied with a popping sound, it may be because a wire is loose.

5. Defective electrical outlets

Defective electrical outlets, along with light switches that only work intermittently, are also early signs of a home electrical problem. Common faults may be due to loosened wiring or internally cracked device. A loose plug in a receptacle can pose a serious problem to the residents of your house. The plug may partially fall out, and any unsuspecting person can end up accidentally receiving a nasty shock after unplugging the chord.

Have a skilled electrician inspect and assess your wiring at home to determine if there are any necessary repairs to be done as soon as possible.

Diagnosing these electrical problems may be tricky, so it’s better to seek assistance from an experienced professional. There are risks involved in wirings and electrical works. It’s always better to follow safety procedures and consult a nearby electrician to address the problems in your household.

*This list is compiled in no particular order.*