Air Conditioner Disposal Tips: How to Recycle or Sell Your AC Unit

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Girl examining broken AC unit

Air conditioners are some of the most common household appliances in the country, and certainly among the most frequently purchased products on our website. Depending on the type, a good AC unit can last you up to 15 years. However, even the best ACs need to be replaced at some point.

When it comes to air conditioner disposal, many homeowners make the mistake of throwing away their old air conditioners, but take note – you should never throw your air conditioner in the trash. It is actually illegal to just discard your air conditioner with your regular garbage, and if you are caught doing so you will be fined.

If you have an old AC unit that you’re looking to get rid of, keep reading. We’ll talk about proper air conditioner disposal methods, including how to correctly recycle, sell or donate your AC unit. Following these steps will help protect yourself against a hefty fine — and protect the environment, too.

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Cleaning & Maintaining a Vented Gas Heater

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vented gas heater
Williams Furnace Company 3003 30,000 BTU Direct Vent Wall Furnace

For their ease of installation and promise of even, consistent heat, vented gas furnaces are popular heating options for both residential and commercial spaces. As with any major appliance, your vented gas heater requires routine cleaning and maintenance to ensure better safety and function throughout high Autumn and winter. Such a routine involves a thorough inspection and cleaning of the inside of the furnace, as well as testing and, if necessary, readjusting the burner flame.

General maintenance and upkeep should be conducted annually, at the start of each heating season. We recommend a professional be hired to perform these checks unless the homeowner is a highly skilled professional him/herself with experience in electrical, gas, or maintenance work.

Since the process is fairly involved and requires detailed knowledge of what to look for and consider, we at Total Home Supply have assembled a guide to the cleaning and maintenance of both direct-vent and b-vent gas heaters. The unit’s manual should still be considered before undertaking any maintenance routine, however, as guidelines and instructions of use may vary from unit to unit.

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Installing Insulation: Everything You Need to Know

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Copyright: mreco99 / 123RF Stock Photo
Copyright: mreco99 / 123RF Stock Photo

No home is built to be air-tight, and nothing brings attention to this quite like the outside temperature dropping below freezing. With high Autumn and winter just around the corner, now’s the time to check up on your windows and doors and fix any drafty gaps. While it’s not possible to completely seal off your home from the outside air (or safe – you still need oxygen, no matter how cold it is out there), there are very simple measures you can take to better prepare your home for the cold.

 

Checking Existing Insulation

Chances are, you won’t have to install or repair insulation for all your doors and windows year to year, but you should check in on your existing insulation annually to see where repairs need to be made.

Most of the initial checks can be made with a simple visual inspection. If you can see daylight peeking through around your doors, windows, or through-the-wall or window ACs, then that is a sure sign those areas need to be insulated. Open your doors and windows and check existing weatherstripping for cracks and gaps, and check the caulking around stationary windows for cracks, as well.

Gently rattle your windows and ACs and if they are movable, that means there are gaps big enough to let in drafts. Finish your inspection by running your hand around the perimeter of your doors, windows, and AC units to feel for any extra gaps or cracks you may have missed.

After you’ve noted which areas of your home need attention, it’s time to think about exactly how to go about repairing or installing insulation.

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Amana PTAC Maintenance & Cleaning: A Reference Guide

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Amana PTC153G50AXXX 15000 BTU Class PTAC Air Conditioner - 30 Amp
Amana PTC153G50AXXX 15000 BTU Class PTAC Air Conditioner – 30 Amp

Amana PTACs are some of the most popular items we sell here at Total Home Supply, and for good reason: quiet and efficient, Amana PTACs are made in the USA and have been a trusted name in the world of AC units for years. An especially popular choice among hotel owners, Amana PTACs are also common fixtures in nursing homes, offices, college dorms, and apartment buildings.

Like any indoor appliance, your PTAC unit requires routine cleaning and maintenance to ensure maximum efficiency and a long lifespan. Dirty or clogged PTAC parts not only hinder your unit’s performance but can also pose a dangerous fire and/or electric shock hazard if left unattended for too long. We receive frequent questions from customers about how to go about properly (and safely) maintaining their PTAC units, and so we’ve decided to put together a comprehensive resource guide, based on Amana’s own instructions, on how to clean and care for your Amana PTAC.

 

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A Guide to Using Your Wood-Burning Indoor Fireplace

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There are few things better than grabbing a book and a cup of hot chocolate and cozying up to a beautiful fire gleaming from the hearth. It is the quintessential wintertime setting, and Total Home Supply is always thrilled to offer an ever-growing selection of high-quality indoor fireplaces and accessories for purchase on our website.

Last year, we wrote a simple guide to gas versus electric fireplaces, and while we still maintain that either choice would be a terrific addition to your home, we understand that many people who live in older houses or buildings may already have a built-in, wood-burning fireplace. The trouble is, do you know how to properly (and safely) use it?

There’s a lot to know before you set to work building that perfect indoor fire, from safely laying the logs to hearth preparation to what kind of wood to use indoors (because your indoor fireplace is not your backyard firepit). Here, we have provided a simple guide to everything you need to know to get that gorgeous fire going, just in time for the first (official) day of winter.

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