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Building an extension for my mother-in-law

I love my mother-in-law but I never planned on living with her permanently. I have been enjoying her living with us now that we have kids but I feel like we all need some extra space so I am getting a granny flat built at the back of our block. This should allow us to have some extra space to make sure everyone has the privacy that they need whilst we can still be a family. This block has some tip on the process of building a granny flat including how to choose a contractor and how to get the council approval for the build.

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Building an extension for my mother-in-law

Air Conditioning Diagnosis and Repair

by Chloe Cooper

Air conditioners help increase the comfort of your home. A broken air conditioner can make your home inhabitable during cold or very hot days. In this article, you will learn how to diagnose and repair a variety of air conditioning problems. 

The AC does not start

If your AC has trouble starting, you should first inspect the electrical wiring. Most likely, you could be dealing with a tripped circuit breaker or a blown fuse. Also, check your thermostat and ensure it is set below the current room temperature. A clogged air filter could also cause your AC to shut off. If you are unable to detect the problem, call an HVAC professional to conduct repairs as you could be dealing with a broken motor or compressor.

Low refrigerant levels

The primary role of a refrigerant in an AC is to absorb warm air inside your home and release it outside. Therefore, low refrigerant levels will result in warmer indoor temperatures even when you set the air conditioner to cool. Low refrigerant levels will lead to increased power bills since the AC requires more energy to cool your home. If the refrigerant is leaking, you will hear a hissing sound from the unit. 

Broken condenser

The condenser is the outdoor unit of the AC, comprising a set of coils that cool the refrigerant from gaseous to liquid state. If your condenser is dirty or broken, you will experience warmer indoor temperatures since the refrigerant remains in a gaseous state. Basic condenser maintenance includes cleaning grime and dirt on the coils and fins. During cleaning, remove debris on the condenser using a soft brush. Straighten bent condenser fins using a fin comb. Finally, apply a coil cleaner and spray the condenser with running water to remove dirt on the fins and coils. Avoid pressurised water as it will bend the fins. If the coils are damaged, call a professional to conduct air conditioning repairs

Clogged air filter

The air filter cleans air circulating through the AC. The filter sieves dirt particles, pollen, fibres and moulds, thus ensuring you breathe in clean air. A dirty filter will prevent air from circulating in the AC. Therefore, you will notice reduced airflow in the system. Clogged filters also increase your home's energy bills since the system will require more power to run. You should regularly inspect the air filter and change it if it is clogged. Consult the AC user manual to know the type and quality of air filter to use. 

Common air conditioning problems include failure to start, low refrigerant levels, a broken condenser or a clogged air filter. 

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