Signs an AC unit may need to be replaced
By METRO CREATIVE
Summer is a season of relaxation. Warm air, longer hours of daylight and vacations from school and work make summer a laid back time of year. Many people enjoy the warmer air of summer, but it’s important to have a cool place to retreat once temperatures become particularly warm. That means a well-cooled home with an air conditioning system operating at peak capacity. A new HVAC system can last between 15 and 25 years. Homeowners whose systems are at least a decade and a half old can keep an eye out for the following signs that an HVAC may need to be replaced.
Higher energy bills
Energy costs can vary widely by location, but homeowners know that their energy bills have been on the rise for years. FirstEnergy estimated that energy costs for New Jersey residents in 2025 could increase by more than 19% by the middle of the year, a point in time when many Garden State residents begin using their air conditioning units every day. That can make it hard to gauge if higher energy bills are a reflection of market price increases or a unit that needs replacement. But higher energy bills could indicate a unit is not working efficiently, which is a telltale sign of an HVAC that may need to be replaced. Compare energy bills from a year ago to current bills, and then factor in the price increase. If energy consumption is on the rise compared to a year ago, that could indicate an HVAC unit is working less efficiently.
A humid home
Humidity is a part of summer, but
it’s typically felt outdoors, not inside. A home with a humid interior while the AC is running could indicate a problem with the HVAC unit. According to HVAC.com, a functioning HVAC unit utilizes an evaporator coil to pull excess water vapor from the air in a home and drain it away from the home. If the air inside a home is humid, the unit might be having a mechanical issue that’s preventing this important task from being performed.
Frequent repairs
A telltale sign a unit needs to be replaced is the need for frequent repairs. Homeowners who are now on a first-name basis with their HVAC contractor may want to ask that professional if it’s time to replace the unit. Money being spent on frequent repairs may be better repurposed toward financing the purchase of a new unit that could last as long as a quarter century.
Poor air flow
An HVAC unit operating at peak capacity will produce a steady flow of cool air through the vents throughout a home. Poor air flow through those vents means it will take longer than normal to cool a home, and homeowners can put their hands near the vents to see how well or how poorly air is flowing through them. If air is flowing poorly, the unit will have to work harder to cool the home, which will contribute to higher energy bills.
A fully functional air conditioning system is vital in summer. Some telltale signs any homeowner can spot may indicate an existing HVAC unit needs to be replaced.
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Tips to maximize closet space
By METRO CREATIVE
Who couldn’t use a little more closet space at home? As individuals accumulate more belongings, they need places to store all of these items. While modern homes may be built with extra storage in mind, older homes often place a premium on closet space. Homes built earlier than the 1980s may have small closets in bedrooms and only one or two additional closets around the home for linens and other items.
The most obvious solution to a lack of closet space is to build more closets. But too often home floor plans cannot accommodate new closets. Therefore, homeowners may have to get creative to maximize their space.
Sort and discard
Individuals can take some time to empty closets and assess what is in them. Sometimes more space can come from simply thinning out belongings that are no longer used. Take off the plastic coverings on dry cleaning and discard bulky shoe boxes.
Invest in thinner hangers
Clothes hangers come in all types, but the thinnest and most durable ones tend to be the no-slip velvet variety. Such hangers keep garments from slipping off and feature an ultra-thin design, says Real Simple magazine.
Use storage containers
Grouping items together and con-
densing them can free up space. Tuck belts, handbags and other items into storage bins that can be labeled and stacked. Loose items can look more cluttered and even take up more space when spread out.
Pair shelves with rods
For those with enough space, hanging a few shelves in unused areas in the closet can provide more storage space. If there is sufficient space above the rod, install a shelf and place seldom-used items up high.
Get a closet system
A customized closet system will certainly provide the best chances to maximize closet space. These companies will measure the closet and assess the contents to draw up a design that will give homeowners what they need. Closet systems also can adjust and grow with lifestyle changes.
Choose other storage solutions
In addition to closets, people can identify other spaces to store items. This can include bins under beds, storage benches or ottomans, the back sides of doors, or in furniture with built-in drawers. Individuals also can purchase free-standing closets or armoires that can fill in when rooms do not have enough closet space or no closet at all.
Maximizing closet space comes down to some creativity, de-cluttering and utilizing additional furniture to meet needs.
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Tech upgrades for your home entertainment space
By METRO CREATIVE
Life in the 21st century can feel like it’s moving at breakneck speed. Perhaps nowhere is that feeling more pronounced than within the technology sector, where new products are often upstaged by more advanced models, sometimes within a few weeks of an item’s initial release.
The speed with which technology advances can make it difficult to keep up. However, it’s important to note that software updates can bring devices up to speed in a matter of minutes, often at no cost to users. That can quiet concerns some may have about investing in entertainment room technology. For those ready to move forward with their entertainment room remodel, these tech upgrades can take such spaces to the next level.
New television
Consumers who like to watch television but are not necessarily into what makes certain televisions more suit-
able to their viewing habits than others may find their heads spinning when they begin their search for a new device. Indeed, the alphabet soup of OLED, QLED, 4K, and other television styles can be difficult to navigate. If confusion reins over your television shopping trips, it might help to identify what you watch most often and then find the type of TV that most suits your viewing habits. Though opinions vary and consumers should always trust their own eyes, the United Kingdom-based Smart Home Sounds recommends OLED televisions for movie and television lovers as well as gamers who require fast response times. Sports fans may benefit by prioritizing refresh rate when shopping for a new television. Though refresh rate is not the only variable to consider, a faster refresh rate can ensure games don’t look fuzzy when the action picks up.
Speaker system
Surround sound can take any entertainment setup to the next level. Mod-
ern televisions are slim and that sleek design does not always translate to great built-in sound. Though some recent models feature dramatically improved built-in sound capabilities compared to their slim screen ancestors, a home theater system featuring superior sound is still a must. A home theater surround sound system with subwoofer and Bluetooth connectivity can greatly improve the viewing experience no matter what’s on-screen. For consumers working on a tight budget, a soundbar that can be upgraded with additional surround sound speakers down the road can be a great way to slowly build a theater-like sound system in your living room. When purchasing a surround sound system, consumers also can consider speaker stands that hold larger rear speakers in place.
Lighting
Entertainment room lighting can be easy to overlook, particularly when consumers go down the television and
sound system rabbit holes. But the right lighting can set the perfect tone in an entertainment room. The decision of which lighting to go with should include consideration of how the space will (or won’t) be used when you aren’t watching the latest blockbuster or big game. If the room is exclusively for movies or big games, then lighting that calls to mind a movie theater, complete with LED strip lights on the walls, is an option worth considering. If the entertaining space is your living room and a space where you’re just as likely to read a book as enjoy a family movie night, then recessed lighting in the ceiling with dimmable bulbs allows you to pivot back and forth between lighting schemes depending on how the room is being used at any given moment.
It’s easy to get lost when considering tech upgrades for an entertainment room. But pairing the right television with great sound and appropriate lighting can make for a consistently impressive viewing experience.
Drainage is crucial to outdoor living spaces
By METRO CREATIVE
Outdoor living spaces can be welcoming areas to spend time in nature. Such spaces expand the possibilities for entertaining, as they tend to have more room for guests than home interiors, and they enable people to enjoy sunshine, fresh air and the sounds and sights of wildlife in relaxing settings. When planning outdoor living areas, homeowners must not underestimate the significance of drainage.
Patios, pergolas, decks and landscaping can increase comfort and convenience for homeowners. In fact, connection to the outdoors ranked high on the top 10 list of design drivers in “The Future of Home Design,” a survey conducted by the New Home Trends Institute in collaboration with Pro Builder. Fifty-eight percent of survey respondents said connection to the outdoors will be an important influence on their design choices in the years to come.
When planning outdoor living spaces, it is easy to focus on aesthetic appeal and the finished project. But homeowners must carefully consider the impact these modifications will have on the landscape, particularly how they will affect drainage so it will not compromise the integrity of the new design nor impact the surrounding home and other structures.
According to Kelly Masonry in Pennsylvania, without proper drainage, water can accumulate and that can lead to various issues. Here’s a more in-depth look at why drainage is crucial when planning outdoor living areas.
• Drainage prevents water damage. When water is allowed to collect on patios and in and around hardscaping features, it can cause the materials to deteriorate over the years. Pavers or stones may shift, crack or become discolored, eventually becoming less safe.
• Drainage reduces accessibility issues and safety hazards. Pooling
water can make hard surfaces slippery, possibly leading to falls and other accidents. It also can make lawns soggy and muddy, which can limit easy access to areas of the yard.
• Drainage reduces soil erosion. Water can cause erosion of surrounding soil, leading to uneven surfaces. Erosion also may threaten the stability of nearby structures.
• Drainage deters water infiltration. Water has a way of finding cracks and crevices and thus entering structures. Rainwater that is not properly directed away from a home may eventually seep into the foundation, causing anything from structural damage to mold and mildew to making damp areas conducive to pests.
Homeowners have different options when it comes to drainage in their outdoor living areas. Masonry experts will design patios with a slight slope to allow water to naturally flow away from the surface toward drainage
areas. Together with well-placed gutters and downspouts, water can be directed away from the home.
Homeowners also might want to consider two different types of drain systems. French drains are a system that involves a trench filled with perforated pipe and gravel to allow water to drain naturally from the yard, according to the Home Depot. French drains can redirect water away from living areas. Channel drains are another type of system. Central Turf & Irrigation Supply says channel drains are perimeter drains around patios and other hardscaping that act as an intercepter to prevent water from going where it isn’t desired. They are narrow trenches with a grate on top so that water enters and flows away.
Drainage is an essential consideration when planning outdoor living areas. Homeowners must use slope, drains and even vegetation to mitigate water issues on a property.
Ensure your furnace runs well this winter
By METRO CREATIVE
Turning on the heat may be the furthest thing from homeowners’ minds come the end of summer or early fall. After all, there are plenty more days of comfortable temperatures to expect over the weeks to come. However, failing to inspect a furnace prior to when it is needed could lay a foundation for cold evenings.
Many HVAC experts recommend that homeowners get their furnaces tuned up before the first cold spell arrives. When the heat is needed for the first time, it will be guaranteed to work if it’s been examined and any underlying issues have been addressed.
HVAC technicians are busy at the start of summer and winter. If a furnace is not working correctly, it could take some time before a professional can make a service call. Having the furnace and related equipment checked prior to when it’s time to turn
on the furnace means homeowners will not be left in the lurch or potentially spending premium prices for repairs.
It is important to get a furnace checkup for a variety of reasons. Doing so can make the HVAC system run more efficiently, which could result in savings over the winter. Regular maintenance also can help the furnace last longer, delaying the need for a costly replacement. No one wants the furnace to break down in the middle of a frigid night. Annual checkups can help reduce the risk of that happening. In addition, many furnace manufacturers offer warranties on their systems that require annual maintenance from a professional. Failure to have the system inspected could void the warranty.
Even if homeowners are floating in the pool and cranking up the air conditioning, they should give consideration to having their furnaces inspected and serviced soon to prepare for the colder months ahead.
