After a long summer, it’s time to clean up around your home and get everything in good shape before the winter comes. Not only does this sort of fall cleaning help your home look nice after the rain and heat of summer, but it can also aid you in finding issues or damage that you might want to take care of as you winterize your home. Some areas that often needs particular attention during these cleanup periods are patios and decks.
Part of the reason for this is that many people use their patios and decks more during the summer than any other time of the year. Various spills, dripping grease and oils from grilling, and assorted other messes can end up on the wood, while changes in weather over the course of the summer can encourage the growth of things like algae and mildew. Knowing how to effectively clean up all of these stains and other issues will not only make your deck or patio look better, but can also result in them lasting significantly longer without needing repairs.
Deck Stain Removal
Effectively cleaning up the various stains that occur on your deck or patio becomes a lot easier if you know the source of the stain. Grease stains, sauces, and similar spills can usually be cleaned with dish soap and a stiff-bristled brush, followed by washing the area thoroughly before it has a chance to start drying again. Dish soap can also be used to remove stains from decomposing leaves; allow it to sit and penetrate for 10 or 15 minutes before scrubbing and rinsing the stains away.
Other types of staining may require different solutions, however. Rust stains may need to soak in a mix of water and white vinegar or specialized acid cleaners to remove the discoloration. Tree sap can also be stubborn and difficult to remove, often needing dedicated deck or patio cleaners or cleaning solutions such as liquid oil soap cleaners. Some stone patios may require specific cleaners that won’t damage the type of brick or stone that’s used as well.
Dealing with Algae, Moss, and Mildew
Discolorations caused by algae, moss, mildew, and mold are usually a bigger problem than other stains, even though the other stains may be more common. The problem with algae, mold, and similar growths is that they actually cause damage to the wood or stone of your patio or deck and need to be dealt with as soon as possible. Some growths like moss can be removed with soap, water, and a stiff-bristled brush, but things like algae and mold typically require a bit more.
Because these grow into the wood or stone and thrive in moist environments, you’ll need a cleaner that can actually kill them and prevent them from coming back. In some cases, a bleach/water mixture will do the trick, combined with some scrubbing and general cleaning afterward. Special deck and patio washes are also available that are formulated to kill mildew, mold, algae, and similar growths, helping to ensure that you take care of the problem without having to try out different DIY mixtures.
Professional Cleaning
If you haven’t had much luck getting your deck or patio clean or simply don’t have the time to dedicate to the cleanup, there are professional services available that can get the job done for you. They typically use cleaners that are designed for the types of cleanup you need, and may employ tools such as a power wash sprayer to really get into all of the places that are hard to reach with a brush or a broom. Depending on the service, they may apply new sealants or other protectants after your deck or patio is clean as well to help you weather the winter unscathed. If you’re looking for a patio or deck cleaning service, HomeKeepr can help. Simply sign up for a free HomeKeepr account to connect to pros in your area that can get the job done the way you need it.
Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 years. Teri has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.
You deserve professional real estate service! You obtain the best results with Teri Isner plus you benefit from her marketing skills, experience and ability to network with other REALTORS®. Your job gets done pleasantly and efficiently. You are able to make important decisions easily with fast, accurate information from Teri. The Orlando Avenue Top Team handles the details and follow-up that are important to the success of your transaction.
It is time to start packing for the move, and the thought of using rolls and rolls of plastic bubble wrap, foam packing materials, or new cardboard boxes that your moving company provides can fill the eco-conscious with dread. Sure, cardboard and paper are recyclable, but what can you do to even save that much? These tips will help reduce the volume of recyclables and throwaways you will need!
Use what you have first. If you are already anticipating the move, hold on to any packaging your deliveries have come in. Stack them out of sight if your house is still on the market, or go ahead and pack non-necessities in them and hide them under the bed or storage area.
Other items you have on hand to use: suitcases, duffel bags, trash cans, and reusable grocery bags can all be utilized to cut back on cardboard boxes.
Produce boxes make great moving containers! They are very sturdy and some come with lids so you will not have to use so much tape to close them. Ask for them at local grocery stores and produce stands.
Towels, sheets, and pillows can be used in place of packing material, and towels and sheets can be used for wrapping fragile items as well. Using them is a double win because you will have one less thing to pack!
If it is within the budget, consider using an eco-friendly moving company.
Already contracted with a mover? Ask them about any green options they have in place for your move.
It only takes a quick search online to find a company that rents clean and ready-to-pack storage containers. Many of them will deliver them to your door, then pick them up at the new house when the containers are empty!
Another option is ordering a moving kit or just the boxes from UsedCardboardBoxes. The company “rescues” misprinted or in-almost-perfect-condition used cardboard boxes that are headed for a landfill, and ships them directly to you.
Once your move and unpacking are complete, recycle what you can, or offer the items to someone local who is getting ready to move or needs storage boxes. Your efforts will help cut back on what you throw away and even save a few trees!
Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 years. Teri has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.
You deserve professional real estate service! You obtain the best results with Teri Isner plus you benefit from her marketing skills, experience and ability to network with other REALTORS®. Your job gets done pleasantly and efficiently. You are able to make important decisions easily with fast, accurate information from Teri. The Orlando Avenue Top Team handles the details and follow-up that are important to the success of your transaction.
Your mailbox likely isn’t a feature of your home that you think about very often, but it can actually have a big impact on how people view your home. This is especially true if your mailbox is rusty, damaged, or otherwise has obviously seen better days. Giving your mailbox a facelift can make a big difference in how your home looks, even if your mailbox is a standalone unit that sits up by the road.
How much work should you put into a mailbox refresh, though? This depends entirely on the condition your mailbox is in and what sort of revamp you’d like to give it. If you’re looking for inspiration, here are some ideas that cover everything from basic retouches to your mailbox to entire rebuilds of your mailbox mounting to create a unique new look on your property. You might be surprised at how many ways there are to revamp your mailbox and completely change its look!
Retouching Your Mailbox
The simplest way to retouch your mailbox is to apply a coat of paint to it, or something simple like a magnetic mailbox cover. This covers and seals any rust that might be present, improving the look of the mailbox and preventing further damage by protecting it from the elements. Wash and dry the mailbox beforehand and use a wire brush or steel wool to remove any obvious rust, then wash it again just to be sure. Make sure that you cover the numbers and flag with painter’s tape before you start, or apply new numbers once you’re finished so that your house number is easy to read.
If your mailbox is in decent shape but just seems kind of dull, another option is to add decorations such as decals or other items that you can secure to the box. You can even swap out these decorations throughout the year, keeping them relevant to upcoming holidays or seasons so that the look of your mailbox stays fresh throughout the year. Just make sure that your decorations don’t obscure your house number of make it difficult for postal workers to deliver your mail.
Mailbox Revitalization Projects
Bigger mailbox renovation projects can include installing your mailbox on a custom wrought-iron post, a wooden mail station that the mailbox sits on, or inside something like a brick enclosure. These can be purely decorative or add functional elements such as a drop box for packages as well. Depending on the options you choose, you may even be able to match up the look of your mailbox area with the look of your home or other property features as well. Just keep in mind that depending on where your mailbox is located, there may be limitations on what you can install based on local ordinance.
When undertaking a project like this, you may also decide that you want to move your mailbox to a new location (such as removing it from the front of your home and installing it into an enclosure by your driveway.) This can be a great idea to improve the look of your property, but you’ll need to check with your local Post Office first. Moving a mailbox without getting it cleared by the Post Office can lead to a variety of problems, including fines and undelivered mail!
Need Some Help?
Depending on what you have in mind for your mailbox, it could be a simple DIY project, or it might be something of a larger scale. If you want something a bit bigger than what you can handle on your own, don’t worry. There are metalworking and woodworking shops that can give you what you want, and even bricklayers if you want some brickwork done. If you aren’t sure where to start, HomeKeepr can help. Just sign up for a free account today and get connected with the pros in your area who will help you get the job done the way you want it.
Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 years. Teri has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.
You deserve professional real estate service! You obtain the best results with Teri Isner plus you benefit from her marketing skills, experience and ability to network with other REALTORS®. Your job gets done pleasantly and efficiently. You are able to make important decisions easily with fast, accurate information from Teri. The Orlando Avenue Top Team handles the details and follow-up that are important to the success of your transaction.
In general, people tend to think about air conditioners as a way to keep a home cool and heating units as a way to keep it warm. There’s nothing wrong with this line of thinking, of course. If you’re only relying on heaters and air conditioners to maintain the temperature, though, then you may be spending way more than you need to keep your home comfortable.
One key part of controlling your home’s heating and cooling costs that you might be ignoring is the humble ceiling fan. By using ceiling fans effectively, you can keep your home at more consistent temperatures throughout the year while spending a lot less on heating and cooling. If you like the thought of staying comfortable while spending less, here’s what you need to know about using your ceiling fans effectively.
Ceiling Fans Save Money
Modern ceiling fans are incredibly energy efficient, giving you a way to keep air circulating in your home without breaking the bank. In fact, the average cost of running a ceiling fan comes out to around only one cent per hour; compare this to 36 cents per hour or more to run an air conditioner, and you can see how big of a potential difference a ceiling fan can make. That’s not to say that you’ll be using a ceiling fan instead of an air conditioner, but using a fan in conjunction with air conditioning helps to create a windchill effect within your home that lets you set the thermostat a few degrees higher while maintaining the same comfort level in the home. This results in less overall time with the air conditioner on and lower overall spending on cooling.
A similar effect can be had during the winter. Heat rises, meaning that you’re spending a lot of money on heating in order to essentially heat your rooms from the top down. Having your ceiling fan going keeps the air circulating, preventing the warmest air from staying near the ceiling and making it easier to maintain comfortable temperatures without having to run the heat excessively. This can actually result in a more enjoyable heat as well, since the circulating air will help you avoid cool pockets and drafts near the floor.
Proper Fan Usage
If you’re using ceiling fans in your rooms throughout the year, it’s important to make sure that the fans are placed properly. Ideally you should have fans placed near the center of the room they’re installed in, hanging around 7 to 9 feet from the floor with around a foot clearance between the fan and the ceiling. Large fans are best so long as they work with your room layout and don’t interrupt your décor; as they have larger blades, they can move more air at once even when running at lower speeds and will save you more money than smaller fans.
During the summertime, you should have your ceiling fans spinning in a counterclockwise direction to create the desired windchill effect to keep things cool. When possible, you should also close curtains and blinds to prevent sunlight from heating up the air as well. Once temperatures start to drop and you turn on the heat, flip the switch on your ceiling fan so that it starts spinning clockwise to circulate the air without the windchill. Open up the blinds and curtains as well, letting in that free heat from the winter sun.
Installing Ceiling Fans
If you’re installing new ceiling fans in your rooms, you’re going to want to bring in an electrician to get everything wired correctly and make sure that the fans are hung properly. HomeKeepr can help with that; just sign up for an account to find electricians in your area who can get the job done. Creating a new account is free, so sign up today and get started.
Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 years. Teri has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.
You deserve professional real estate service! You obtain the best results with Teri Isner plus you benefit from her marketing skills, experience and ability to network with other REALTORS®. Your job gets done pleasantly and efficiently. You are able to make important decisions easily with fast, accurate information from Teri. The Orlando Avenue Top Team handles the details and follow-up that are important to the success of your transaction.
1. DO NOT change jobs, quit your job, change pay structure, work less, or become self-employed.
2. DO NOT buy a new car (or you may be living in it!)
3. DO NOT let ANYONE pull your credit. Which means do not take on any new credit at ALL!
4. DO NOT charge up your credit cards until AFTER the closing.
5. DO NOT spend any money you have saved for the closing.
6. DO NOT deposit any cash OR make large deposits into your bank accounts.
7. DO NOT pay any bills late during the mortgage process.
8. DO NOT buy furniture or begin moving.
9. DO NOT change banks.
10. DO NOT deposit ANY cash into your accounts! (This really needs to be mentioned twice)
As long as you follow these simple steps, your transaction should be a smooth one. However, if you feel that it is necessary to do any of these items mentioned above, please call your lender to discuss how it will affect your mortgage loan approval.
Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 years. Teri has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.
You deserve professional real estate service! You obtain the best results with Teri Isner plus you benefit from her marketing skills, experience and ability to network with other REALTORS®. Your job gets done pleasantly and efficiently. You are able to make important decisions easily with fast, accurate information from Teri. The Orlando Avenue Top Team handles the details and follow-up that are important to the success of your transaction.
A woodburning stove can be a great addition to your home. Not only do they provide non-electric sources of heat during the winter, but many people enjoy the dry heat provided by woodburning stoves and similar heaters and they aren’t limited to the old-school cast iron stoves. Modern woodburning stoves come in a number of styles and forms, including pellet stoves that use small wooden pellets for a more controlled burn and more manageable heat options.
While there are certainly advantages to freestanding wood stoves, it’s important that they’re installed and used safely. It should go without saying that an improperly installed or operated wood stove can be very dangerous. To keep you, your family, and your home safe, here are some things that you should keep in mind when considering installing a freestanding wood stove or pellet stove.
Finding the Right Spot
Location is important when it comes to installing a wood stove. Obviously you’re going to want to put your stove in a location where you want heat, but there’s more to picking the right place than that. You’re going to need to find a place where your stove can provide that heat safely without creating a fire hazard or potentially creating a dangerous situation for people or pets moving through the room.
A big part of this involves finding an area with enough clearance for the stove. This is the amount of room around the stove that needs to be kept clear of flammable items and surfaces that might catch fire if they get too hot. This will differ from stove to stove, but it will be listed among the stove’s specs and other important information. The clearance indicates how far the stove needs to be placed from bare walls, and should also be considered with respect to furniture, walkways, and other areas where household items and inhabitants might be. If there isn’t enough room to give the stove the clearance it needs, you’ll have to find another location for it.
Installation Considerations
Exhaust and venting are two other safety considerations that you need to keep in mind when planning on installing a woodburning stove or pellet stove. Though you might think that these are essentially the same thing, they’re actually two different systems. The exhaust system is your chimney, while the vent is the pipe that connects your stove to the chimney.
While some older homes feature double-thick unlined brick chimneys that can be used if they’re carefully inspected for cracks and other damage, newer homes will likely need to have a new chimney installed. Ideally these should be factory built or professionally installed and lined, as you need to be sure that the chimney won’t leak or otherwise release noxious gases into the house. As for the stovepipe that’s used for the vent, it needs to be at least 24-gauge steel or similar metal and should be insulated. To avoid gas buildup, it needs to be as short as possible, and shouldn’t have more than two elbows.
Installing Your Stove
There are several other safety considerations that you need to keep in mind when installing a stove as well. If you have children or pets, gates or similar boundaries should be installed to help childproof the stove and prevent burns. A fire extinguisher should be mounted nearby for easy access. When positioning the stove, it’s important to make sure that you can access the ash drawer and other components for cleaning and maintenance so you can prevent the buildup of potentially flammable materials. There may be additional considerations that depend on the layout of your home and the type of stove you install as well.
If you’re wanting to install a new stove, HomeKeepr can help. Sign up for a free account today to get connected with pros that can make sure your chimney is properly installed, your stovepipe vents the way it should, and your stove is safely installed to keep you warm all winter long.
Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 years. Teri has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.
You deserve professional real estate service! You obtain the best results with Teri Isner plus you benefit from her marketing skills, experience and ability to network with other REALTORS®. Your job gets done pleasantly and efficiently. You are able to make important decisions easily with fast, accurate information from Teri. The Orlando Avenue Top Team handles the details and follow-up that are important to the success of your transaction.
As summer slowly shifts to autumn, cooler days and chilly nights are just around the corner. While this can be a relief after the summer heat, it won’t be as much of a relief when your heating costs start stacking up. Fortunately, it’s possible to prepare in advance to avoid some of the extra costs of winter while still keeping your home comfortable throughout the season. Though there are countless ways to do so and the right options for you will largely depend on your specific home, here are some little things you can do now that will have a big impact on how well your home keeps out the cold air this winter.
Prep for the Cold
The first thing that you should do when trying to get ready for the coming cold is to make sure you’ve blocked off many of the ways that cold air enters the house. There are a lot of potential fixes and preparations you can make, so here are a few suggestions to give you an idea of the sort of things you should do:
Check the caulking and weatherstripping on your doors and windows, making repairs as needed
Check the insulation in your attic, replacing any that’s tattered or upgrading all of it to insulation with a higher R value
Inspect your roof for signs of damage and repair any leaks or damaged shingles
Look for cracks or other damage in both your windowpanes and the frames of the windows
Store any window air conditioners or close their vents and cover them with an insulated air conditioner cover
Cover windows with a layer of thermal plastic on the inside, using a heat gun or hair dryer to shrink the plastic once it’s in place to create the strongest barrier to heat transfer
Place covers or sheets of wall insulation over crawl space doors and other areas where cold air might get under your house
These preparations should be done alongside any other winter prep that you do, such as applying insulating pipe covers and covering outdoor faucets to prevent possible pipe freezes.
Make Sure Everything Works
Alongside your checks to prevent drafts and leaks during the winter, it’s important to spend a little time to make sure that your home’s heat source will run safely once temperatures drop. Here are a few considerations when it comes to testing your home heating:
Clean your chimney and have it inspected if you have a fireplace that you plan to use for primary or secondary heating
Test your heating system to make sure that it functions properly
Replace the batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and ensure that fire extinguishers are charged and within their effective dates
Make sure that external vents for fuel-burning furnaces or heaters function properly so that they won’t stick or stay closed while in use
This is also a good time to make sure that all of your emergency supplies are in date, all your flashlights work, and that you have at least two ways to receive weather alerts in case there’s a harsh winter.
Get Ready for Winter
There are a few inspections that you should really get done around this time of year as well, before temperatures start to drop significantly. The big ones are your roof and your heating system, though having someone look at limbs that hang over your home or that could present a falling hazard during the winter is a good idea as well.
HomeKeepr can help you hook up with the pros to get these inspections done. Creating a HomeKeepr account is free, so sign up today to connect with roofers, HVAC pros, and others that can give your home a professional inspection to make sure that you’re ready for whatever this winter might bring. You’ll be glad you did once the cold weather hits.
Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 years. Teri has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.
You deserve professional real estate service! You obtain the best results with Teri Isner plus you benefit from her marketing skills, experience and ability to network with other REALTORS®. Your job gets done pleasantly and efficiently. You are able to make important decisions easily with fast, accurate information from Teri. The Orlando Avenue Top Team handles the details and follow-up that are important to the success of your transaction.
National Preparedness Month (NPM) is an observance each September to raise awareness about the importance of preparing for disasters and emergencies that could happen at any time. The 2021 theme is “Prepare to Protect. Preparing for disasters is protecting everyone you love.”
For the first time in its history, the Ready Campaign, in partnership with the Ad Council, identified the Hispanic community as a key audience, and will launch a series of Public Service Advertisements specifically designed to encourage preparedness within the underserved demographic.
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Weekly Themes
Each week in September, the campaign will focus on a different aspect of preparedness for individuals, families and communities.
Week 1 September 1-4: Make A Plan
Talk to your friends and family about how you will communicate before, during, and after a disaster. Make sure to update your plan based on the Centers for Disease Control recommendations due to the Coronavirus.
Week 2 September 5-11: Build A Kit
Gather supplies that will last for several days after a disaster for everyone living in your home. Don’t forget to consider the unique needs each person or pet may have in case you have to evacuate quickly. Update your kits and supplies based on recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control.
Week 3 September 12-18: Low-Cost, No-Cost Preparedness
Natural disasters don’t wait for a convenient time. Preparing for them shouldn’t wait either. Start today by signing up for alerts, safe-guarding important documents, and taking other low cost and no cost preparedness actions to lessen the impact of disasters and emergencies for you and your family.
Week 4 September 19-25: Teach Youth About Preparedness
Talk to your kids about preparing for emergencies and what to do in case you are separated. Reassure them by providing information about how they can get involved.
Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 years. Teri has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.
You deserve professional real estate service! You obtain the best results with Teri Isner plus you benefit from her marketing skills, experience and ability to network with other REALTORS®. Your job gets done pleasantly and efficiently. You are able to make important decisions easily with fast, accurate information from Teri. The Orlando Avenue Top Team handles the details and follow-up that are important to the success of your transaction.
Modern shingles have been in use on homes for over 100 years, and it’s no wonder that they have become more or less a default for roofing choices. Shingles tend to be more budget-friendly than some other options such as metal roofing and tile, and they’re also available in a wide range of colors and styles. The main downside to shingles is that they can suffer wear over time or be damaged during inclement weather, necessitating repairs and occasional replacements. While you might not have to replace your shingles right away, the longer you put off these needed repairs then the more likely it is that your roof will develop some problems.
When the time comes to install a new shingle roof, you may find yourself facing kind of a big decision as you consider your options. If you aren’t sure what type of shingles to get, you’re not alone; many homeowners struggle with this same decision. Here are a few things to consider to make the decision easier and to help you find the perfect shingles for your home.
Choosing the Right Look
Obviously, there are a lot of color options available when it comes to shingles. This isn’t the only way that shingle manufacturers can customize the look of shingles, however. Different shingles may feature different shapes, creating a unique look that sets your home apart from other properties in your area. Granule shading can also play a big part in the look of shingles, creating an intentional emphasis on the cuts and overlaps of the shingles to really play up their 3D look. Some shingles may take this even farther, creating an alternating design of light and dark shingles that really makes your roof pop.
Depending on your budget, other shingle options may appeal to you as well. Some shingles are highly reflective, giving them a sheen while also helping to reduce your heating and cooling costs. Shingle patterns may also alter between larger and smaller tabs, creating a patterned effect on your roof that will really catch the eye. Other options may be available as well, allowing you to create a look that few other homes will be able to replicate.
Types of Shingles Available
In addition to a wide range of looks, there are also different types of shingles that offer their own unique benefits. These shingles may offer increased algae and mildew resistance, increased stain resistance, and even increased flexibility to make them more resilient against things like hail and other harsh storms. Shingles designed for use in high-wind zones are also available, significantly decreasing the likelihood of shingle damage during wind storms.
Other types of shingles may be available as well, helping you to both achieve a desired level of roof protection and creating some unique aesthetics. You can even choose from a few types of wooden shingles to complement your home’s aesthetic or so-called “solar shingles” that are made up of interlocking solar panels which provide roof coverage instead of a standard shingle roof. Depending on your unique needs, there may be other types of shingles available to you as well.
Getting Some Help
While installing shingles can be a DIY project, many homeowners choose to call in a pro to make sure that the shingles are installed correctly. If you’re considering bringing in a roofer anyway, feel free to ask for their recommendations if you’re unsure of what type of shingles you want or which shingle features would best benefit your home. These pros have plenty of experience and can help you find the shingles that are the best fit for your home.
If you aren’t sure where to start when it comes to finding the right roofing professional, consider HomeKeepr. Using the HomeKeepr app, you can connect with roofing pros in your area that will get the job done right. Creating an account is free, so sign up today to get started on the roofing renovation you require!
Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 years. Teri has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.
You deserve professional real estate service! You obtain the best results with Teri Isner plus you benefit from her marketing skills, experience and ability to network with other REALTORS®. Your job gets done pleasantly and efficiently. You are able to make important decisions easily with fast, accurate information from Teri. The Orlando Avenue Top Team handles the details and follow-up that are important to the success of your transaction.
Air filters serve a wide range of purposes in your home. They remove dust and dander from the air, eliminate other allergens, keep some odors under control, and even reduce the wear and tear that your HVAC system experiences throughout the year. Depending on the filters you use, you may even be able to remove some viruses and bacteria from the air to keep the people in your house healthier. With all of the benefits that good air filters provide, the only real downside is that you have to replace them every few months to keep your home’s filtration system filtering at its best.
There are a few other options available when it comes to filter types, however. One air filter that’s increasingly popular with homeowners is the electrostatic filter, which not only provides excellent filtration but is also cleanable and reusable. If you’re not familiar with electrostatic filters or how they differ from the disposable filters that you’re used to, here’s the basics of what you need to know.
How Electrostatic Filters Work
Traditional air filters work by putting pleated material that’s made of a lot of material fibers in the way of air moving through your system, allowing the air itself to pass through but catching dust and other unwanted material on those fibers. It’s fairly effective, but if there aren’t any fibers in the way of any given particle then the particle will pass through without resistance. Electrostatic filters work differently, actually attracting those particles even if they would otherwise be able to pass through the filter unimpeded.
This attraction is caused by static electricity, which is the same thing that causes socks to stick to your clothes in the dryer and can make balloons stick to the wall if you rub them in your hair. These filters carry a slight static charge, allowing them to attract even microscopic particles that would normally be too small for a filter to stop. Particles passing through the filter become ionized, meaning that they pick up a charge themselves which causes them to have a natural attraction that pulls them toward a collecting layer in the filter. Once the particles are attracted to the filter, they become stuck, just like that proverbial sock or balloon.
Cleaning and Maintenance
One positive of traditional pleated filters is that they become more efficient as they build up more dust and other particles; because the stuff filtered out of the air clogs up holes that small particles could pass through in the filter, it becomes less likely that additional particles will pass through. Unfortunately, this isn’t an advantage that electrostatic filters share. As electrostatic filters attract dirt and other particles out of the air, the available attractive material becomes covered up and they actually become less efficient. The good news is that this can be taken care of simply by cleaning the filter.
Cleaning an electrostatic filter is a pretty straightforward process. After turning off the HVAC system and removing the filter, simply take it outdoors and spray it with a hose in the opposite direction that the air would normally flow. Keep rinsing until the water comes out clean, then allow the filter to air dry. Once it’s dried, simply reinstall the filter and it’s ready to start filtering fine particles out of the air again. Repeat this process once a month or whenever the filter appears dirty.
Should You Upgrade Your Home’s Filtration?
Though electrostatic filters cost more up front, the ability to clean them and the greater efficiency that they show when clean means that you can actually save money on filters in the long run. Making the switch is definitely worth considering, and might be worth discussing with an HVAC professional when you schedule a maintenance check before switching on the heat this winter. If you don’t have an HVAC check scheduled yet, HomeKeepr can help you find a pro to get the job done. Creating an account is free, so sign up today and get your HVAC inspection on the books.
Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 years. Teri has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.
You deserve professional real estate service! You obtain the best results with Teri Isner plus you benefit from her marketing skills, experience and ability to network with other REALTORS®. Your job gets done pleasantly and efficiently. You are able to make important decisions easily with fast, accurate information from Teri. The Orlando Avenue Top Team handles the details and follow-up that are important to the success of your transaction.
