January 28, 2019
Dear Ken: Should I do anything with my central air conditioner over the winter? Chris
I would shroud the condensing unit to protect it from winter weather. Theoretically, it will be OK regardless, but if you cover it for the several months when it's not in use, it will probably last an extra year or two on the other end. Most hardware stores sell a kit consisting of a plastic shroud and a bungee strap.
Once it’s in pace, curl the bottom edge of the plastic up an inch or two. That will discourage mice from nesting inside and also will allow moisture to escape which othweise might condense on the metal parts.
Look for an electrical disconnect box next to the unit. Inside, it will have a simple switch or perhaps a little connecting bar. Turn the switch to the OFF position or follow the printed instructions to pull and turn the bar. That turns off the circuit power to the condenser so it isn't accidentally energized while covered.
One caveat, though: In the unlikely event that you have a heated compressor, you must leave it open. These are extremely rare here, but if you are unsure of what system you have, check the A/C operating manual or contact your HVAC company.
Dear Ken: We have a fireplace in the lower level of our 1974 home. After we used the fireplace last winter, the house smelled like smoke for days afterward, even though we closed the damper. Any suggestions keep the smell out? Dee
With a wood burning fireplace, that residual smell is pretty common. First, have a chimney sweep check the flue pipe and damper area to make sure there are no obstructions. In any event the wood smoke deposits creosote and other condensed combustion products up inside the firebox, which give off that telltale smell afterwards.
Try using more hardwoods in your fireplace, like aspen, cedar and oak. They not only burn hotter, but they also produce less deposits in the chimney, and will actually help clean it.
Finally, but most importantly, get a set of glass doors on your fireplace. They will isolate the odor-producing products to the inside of the firebox. Plus they create a dead air space between the doors and the damper--and that will help prevent your expensive BTU's from escaping up the chimney.
Dear Ken: I'd like to insulate my garage for the cool months ahead. The previous owner installed drywall without insulation inside. Is there a way to remove the drywall and then re-use it? Jeff
Not really. Check with an insulation contractor about injecting material directly into the stud cavities. Garage walls aren't crisscrossed inside with a lot of pipes and wires, so they should be able to blow in some loose cellulose insulation. They'll have to cut a few 2" holes in the walls to blow the material through, but afterwards they re-insert the "holes" and tape them. It's a little pricey, but not nearly as disruptive and expensive as removing the drywall and replacing it.
One other thing. Is your garage door insulated? If not, that’s where I would start. Purchase insulating panels from the dealer, or if you have an old wooden clunker from bygone decades, it’s time for an insulated steel unit.
Dear Ken: My cabinets are about 20 years old. They have lots of little ridges and crevices which are impossible to clean. I've tried oil soap and wood cleaner. Any other ideas? Bobbi
For really tough cases, you need a strong degreaser. There are two to choose from: white vinegar or mineral spirits. Try the vinegar first. Soak a shop towel with it and then wrap the towel around the end of a slotted screwdriver. That will let you get into those little grooves and slots.
If you still have trouble, upgrade to the mineral spirits. It is the last resort, as it has a strong odor you shouldn't breathe too long, and it's flammable. If you should use it, take frequent breaks and ventilate! Once the cabinets are clean, all you'll probably need to do is to spiff them up with some Scott's Liquid Gold or the Magic brand of cabinet cleaners available on line.
Dear Ken: When my furnace comes on, the blower comes on for a few seconds, then off, then on for the remainder of the cycle. What's going on? Doug
Sometimes, it's normal. If the furnace has been off for an extended period, its insides get cold and may cause the fan control circuit cycle on and off until the furnace stabilizes at a warmer temperature. That will also happen if the filter is excessively dirty; try a new one and see if it continues.
Modern furnaces have a small pilot light on the computer board that blinks on and off in pre-programmed sequences. Check the owner’s manual and match up the codes with the troubleshooting list. That might give you a clue of what's going on so you can be more informative when you make the appointment.
