Category: Home Improvement

An air conditioning system can take about ten to twenty years before it needs to be replaced, but this lifespan is dependent on how often it gets aircon maintenance from an aircon servicing crew in Singapore. This is especially true with air conditioning systems for commercial and industrial buildings, but even residential aircon units are prone to the same problems.

The best aircon servicing company in Singapore understands how these units work and are willing to send technicians for repairs, maintenance, and inspection. Here are some of the commonly asked questions you might encounter about air conditioning.

What are the common problems in air conditioning?

Some of the most common air conditioner problems encountered by aircon repair companies are refrigerant leaks, worn-out compressor, faulty fan controls, sensor issues, drainage problems, and poor overall maintenance. Most of these problems can be addressed without having to spend too much on aircon servicing if stick to a scheduled aircon maintenance. Minor problems will be solved as early as possible and the aircon technician can also recommend steps to extend the unit’s lifespan.

How do I diagnose the problem?

Aircon problems are quite easy to detect if you know what signs to look for. First, check the quality of the air produced by the unit. Is it slightly warmer in other parts of the room? Are there strange sounds and odors coming from the unit? Does the thermostat work properly? Does the fan work if you turn it on? Do you see any leaks in the unit? Has the aircon been inspected in the last six months? If you suspect there is a problem with your aircon, call the nearest aircon maintenance company for a checkup.

What are the factors to consider when installing an aircon?

Call a reputable aircon servicing crew if you need a new aircon unit installed. Most of the problems listed above can be minimized with proper installation, because factors such as exterior installation, the position of the unit, the area of the room that needs to be cooled, and the number of hour the unit has to be used.

How do I determine if the aircon needs repair?

If your air conditioning unit has stopped working or is not working properly, you should check if there is a display on the thermostat and see if the blower is working by turning on the fan. There could also be a problem in the condenser or the source of the power, so make sure that the aircon is getting enough power or the fuses have not been tripped. If you don’t have any experience with handling the air conditioner or the power source, turn off the aircon and call the nearest aircon repair shop in Singapore for an inspection.

What is HVAC?

It stands for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, the collective name for a system used in large buildings that provide both heating and cooling. In some buildings, the two systems operate separately using several different equipment. You will often hear this term for most commercial and industrial buildings in Singapore such as offices, hotels, and residential complexes that need both air conditioning and water heating services.

How often should aircon maintenance be performed?

Ideally, residential type air-conditioners should be checked by a professional at least once a year, but clogged air filter must be cleaned once a week or once every two weeks. Aircon maintenance should be done even if there are no obvious problems with the AC unit. For commercial and industrial buildings in Singapore, it is recommended to upkeep air cooling systems at least twice a year by an AC servicing personnel. These pros have the right tools and experience to properly clean and maintain your unit, as well as detect any small issue that can potentially turn into a costlier damage.

When should the aircon be replaced?

An air conditioner than is ten years or older might have to be replaced if it needs more repair than usual, it is eating up more energy than it used to, there is a refrigerant leak, and if you can’t afford the aircon repair bills anymore.

How often should I replace the filter?

The air filter should be cleaned regularly or replaced after several months to make sure that the quality of the cool air is maintained. Read the user’s manual that came with your air conditioner to determine the best size. Each filter also comes with a unit of measurement that indicates its effectivity. This is indicated by the word MERV or minimum efficiency reporting value.

The higher the number, the more effective the filter is. The air filter can be washable, pleaded, electronic or made from fiberglass. Your trusted aircon maintenance technician can also recommend which filter you should use and it would be better to let a professional handle the cleaning and replacement.

Why does the aircon keep freezing up?

This is a common problem in most aircon units and can be caused by any of the following factors: low refrigerant level, dirty or clogged air filter, closed vents, blocked or dirty evaporator coils, dirty or broken fan, and incorrect thermostat settings. If cleaning the filter and resetting the thermostat does not improve the quality of the cool air from the aircon, turn off the unit and call the nearest aircon servicing company in Singapore for an evaluation. Do not turn it on again because you could damage the compressor if the unit is not working properly.

How do I know if there are leaks?

Aircon units sometimes leak, but the amount of the leak and where it is coming from can indicate that the unit has a problem. Leaks can be caused by faulty installation, low refrigerant levels, clogged condensate line, dirt evaporator coil, rusting condensate pan, and dirty air filter.

One of the most basic instructions when caring for clothes is to use the correct washing, drying, and ironing method to avoid shrinking or expanding the fabric. Not only will this allow you to save money by making your clothes last longer, but you will also look your best because even a cheap shirt can look great when cared for properly.

Read the Care Label Instructions

Not only do the care labels contain instructions for washing and bleaching options, but they also include drying, ironing, dry cleaning, ironing, and steaming instructions. If you’re opting for a laundry pick up and laundry delivery service, you can leave instructions for the staff especially if you have an expensive piece that needs cleaning. Most laundry service staff, however, will make it a point to inspect your clothes and linens when sorting the items. Your 24 hours laundry service will also remind you which clothes can be washed, dry-cleaned, dry clean only, or spot-clean only in case you’re sending items that need special care.

Choosing Between Air-Dry and Tumble Dry

Drying can potentially set any remaining stain permanently on the fabrics; that is why before sending your clothes to a fast laundry service in Singapore make sure to inspect the items for stains. Using the tumble dryer isn’t also ideal for clothes that are prone to wrinkling such as uniform laundry and wool, while delicate materials such as silk can shrink when exposed to high temperatures. Delicate fabrics should be air-dried but not exposed directly to sunlight.

Some fabric blends are ideal for tumble-drying, but make sure to follow these pointers:

• Use low heat when tumble-drying acrylic, but take the clothes out before they’re fully dry.
• Cotton can shrink, but pre-shrunk cotton is mostly safe, as well as some cotton blends such as most materials used in uniform laundry. When towel washing, take out the item before it’s completely dry to avoid damaging it.
• Linen can shrink and will also leave permanent creases when over-dried.
• Microfiber can be tumble-dried, but use the coolest setting possible.
• Nylon can be placed in the dryer, but use the lowest heat setting and place the item in a washing bag.
• Polyester is also used in most uniform laundry and can be safely dried in a low heat cycle.
• Spandex should be air-dried instead of machine-dried.
• Wool can shrink when exposed to heat. Lay the item on a flat surface to dry it.
• Silk, rayon, lace, and embellished clothes should not be tumble-dried. These fabrics are ideal only for wash and fold services.

How does the laundry service shop dry my clothes if some of them should be air dried? Cool or delicate cycle is used by the laundry service for hand-wash only items such as lingerie and woolens, while fabrics that are prone to shrinkage are dried using the warm or permanent press cycle.

For the rest of your clothes, the commercial laundry services will use the warm, hot or regular wash cycle. Permanent press is ideal for uniform laundry while the regular cycle is used for jeans and towel washing. As for dry cleaning services, the dry cleaning machine usually includes a drying process that will evaporate the dry cleaning solvent from the fabric.

As a homeowner in Singapore, you can troubleshoot and fix basic electrical problems without having to consult an electrician services company or a licensed electrician. These electrical jobs that you will most likely encounter range from replacing light bulbs to covering exposed wires with electrical tape to avoid getting electrocuted or having the wires themselves overheat.

However, while there are electrical problems that you can solve at home, there are also others that should be best left to an electrician services company in Singapore, such as the following:

1. Frequent circuit breaker trips

Having fuses that blow frequently are an indication that your circuits are drawing in more current than they are supposed to, which could lead to potential fire hazards if left unchecked. If you do encounter this problem, switch off the main power and contact a licensed electrician in Singapore for a thorough electrical check-up.

A good electrician will be able to tell you the source of this problem as well as provide you with the necessary replacement fuses and repairs to prevent circuit breaker tripping in the future. However, you also need to take preventive measures yourself – the best way is by simply not crowding the service panel.

A service panel needs a clearance at least thirty inches wide, three feet deep, and six feet eight inches high. To simplify, you can keep this in mind instead: if you can’t place a refrigerator in front of the panel, you don’t have enough working space.

2. Flickering lights

LED lights are a common reason for flickering lights, as they are a popular option to compact fluorescent bulbs. They may last longer than CFL bulb, but do tend to be more expensive at first and tend to flicker. If this is the case, switching to a CFL bulb might be your solution.

However, if the lights continue to flicker even after you’ve replaced the light bulb, the problem might be somewhere within your circuit. Switch off that particular circuit and consult an electrician right away.

3. Having too few outlets or receptacles

Extension cords, though useful, can be inconvenient and ugly to look at. They also create potential tripping, fire hazards, short circuiting at any moment, and even start a chain reaction. Consult an electrician to install more outlets at your home as a safer option.

Dead outlets are also a common problem in older homes, though they may simply be older outlets that have been disconnected from the main circuit.

4. Your electrical works are covered in rust

More specifically, if you start to notice rust and/or moisture on or under your electrical panels, service box, or other delicate electrical works, you need to switch them off and contact an electrician services company right away.

This is a sign of a major deterioration problem that could result in a fire hazard if left unchecked, and all rusty electrical equipment should be replaced with new electrical works that are up to code.

5. Having plugs that won’t stay in the outlet/loose outlets

Outlets have sockets that hold the prongs in the plug, which allow for a good connection. A loose connection is not only annoying, as you would be unable to reliable use that socket, but can also put you at risk for electric shock in the form of electrical discharge (e.g. electric arcs).

This discharge of energy and heat could also start a fire within the wall the socket is installed in, especially if the wall is made of wood. Replacing an outlet should be best left to an electrician.

6. Your electricity bill is rising even though you use less electricity

This might be caused by other problems in your circuiting that could lower energy efficiency at home, such as poor insulation, but it could also be caused by old appliances. If this is the case, be sure to ask your electrician whether the proposed works qualify for energy efficiency rebates.

Taking steps to prevent electrical problems starts with making sure that your electrical works at home are both up to date and up to code. The first thing you can do is to call www.powermax.com.sg from Singapore to conduct a thorough inspection of your electrical works at home and see if there is anything that needs to be fixed.

If you do decide to work on things yourself, keep safety in mind. As much as possible, avoid working with live wires. Identify the circuit where the equipment is connected to before switching off that circuit from the electrical panel.

Another thing to keep in mind is to know which switch goes into which electrical circuit at home. For instance, your living room and kitchen could share the same circuit, or each part of the house with its own light could have their own individual circuits.

To avoid repeatedly turning circuits on or off, look for the electrical blueprints of your home that show which outlets and light bulbs are connected to which circuits. If the circuits are already labeled, this should be easy enough for you.

You should also read the labels on the receptacles and the different types of equipment you’re working with. Terminals for neutral and live wires can be made of different materials, which makes it important that you read them closely to know which wire goes into which terminal.

Always connect wires to their proper terminals. If you feel that you aren’t sure with what you’re doing, call an electrician.

*This list is compiled in no particular order.*