Homeowner Digest

CassandraM asked:


www.nhir.org

Did you ever hire a contractor through this service, and if so, were you pleased with the results?

Cash For Shopping

markatger asked:


Ones with forums would be helpful too

Discount Shopping

laurelee asked:


I am a homeowner and would like to improve my carpentry/construction skills. I am a teacher and have the summers off, which I would like to spend improving my house. This isn’t just to save money; I really want to learn how to do it.

I once converted a garage into a sculpture studio, so I have some skills/successes (can build a wall, install new windows and doors, wiring, put in a floor) and some failures (leaking skylights). I’ve also put in fences, built bookshelves and done some plumbing. Plus sculpture!

I know I could take classes at a tech school, but I’m looking for other hands-on ideas where I could learn from someone. Books are great but I need to SEE it and be able to ask questions. Though I have the summers off, they are short and I have young kids. I’d like to work a bit for someone for free in exchange for the teaching - is that feasible? I’m not incompetant, but I am female

Online Cash Back

Bandit asked:


My house has a Rudd Air conditioner installed in 1994 when the house was built. The contact points on the 24v relay at the unit are burnt. I sanded them as best I could but I really want to replace the part. It’s a Honeywell R52426. Problem is that part # no longer exists. Grainger’s has 2 in their catalog and both look a lot like the one I am replacing. Does anyone know if it makes a difference ? If I go with the most expenxive one, will that work for either application ?
Kinda stumped here, so any help is appreciated.
Thanks

air conditioner install

e.ingram_usn asked:


2002 kia spectra. last year my air conditioner suddenly stopped working, my heater does work well but winter is over!!
i have added freon, checked all fuses, the pipes are cold, thoroughly pushed and turned the knobs and buttons inside the cabin but i cant figure out what is wrong. my vehicle manual and the repair manual i bought from auto zone , which has come in handy for many repairs, does not help either.
what is interesting is when my serpentine belt broke and i was driving on battery only for about a day the airconditioner worked. when i put on a new belt the airconditioner just blew out hot air as usual. the air conditioner and alternator are attached to the same belt please help
2002 kia spectra. About a year ago my air conditioner suddenly stopped working while i was driving. Since then only hot air blows out even when the air conditioner is on.
The HEATER WORKS but i cannot control the temperature it is always HOT and winter is over!!
I have checked all fuses, all knobs, the freon is full, the large “low side” airconditioning line is COLD. What is interesting is when my alternator/water pump belt broke and i drove around on battery for the day the AIR CONDITIONER WORKED FINE. When i put a new belt on there was only heat again. My repair manuel is useless please help.

air conditioner maintenance

amac73 asked:


We bought half of a brand new duplex 1 year ago and have had many problems with the air conditioner since we moved in. We finally had a new repair person come in and he says that we need a new compressor, and that it is under warranty, but that the labor and additional parts would be $900! We also talked to the owner of the other half of our duplex and she just had to replace hers as well. I can’t help but wonder if the units were installed incorrectly in the first place and that is why they broke. Is there any reason why 2 separate 1 year old air conditioning units would both break down. Isn’t this something the builder should take care of?

furnace repair

joe_blue_collar asked:


I live in an apartment. One Saturday morning my air conditioner broke (100+ degrees). The maintenance people sent a repair person who came that afternoon to look at it, and fixed it around 5pm, but it broke again that night. It was fixed again on Tuesday. They told me I could stay at a hotel or a relative’s house and take $50 a day credit off my rent for doing so. I am new to the area so don’t know anyone, and can’t afford a hotel. So I suffered through 3 days with no air conditioning (110 degrees avg- yikes!).

My question is, should I still take advantage of the rent credit even though I didn’t stay with relatives/friends, or a hotel, I stayed at home and suffered through it? Or is that wrong? I

air conditioner install

Michael asked:


I have a 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Over the winter the heat would work sometimes and not work other times. It seemed very random but I got through it. Now that the summer is here, I’ve been using my air conditioning a little more however now the A/C occasionally decides not to work at random. It seems that the air works as I drive at higher speeds but I shouldn’t have to drive 65 mph just to stay cool when it’s 95 degrees out. I’m hesitant to take it in because I got taken for a ride by one mechanic a few years back and they could give me some technical lingo that I have no idea about and would be forced to basically agree and pay to have them fix it along with 18 other things they “recommend”. Any thoughts on problem/diagnosis/cost to repair before I take it in? Thanks.

heat pump service

Dr. Acula asked:


Double pane window -
Sliding glass door -
New roof (we’d put it on ourselves so just the materials) -
Air conditioner -
6-8 ft. privacy fence (50 ft. long) -
And mabe some tileing/reflooring -

I know i didn’t give a lot of info but what do you think each of those would cost roughly?

furnace install

Chad F asked:


My a/c unit is on my roof, but when we have heavy rain and wind I get a leak in the ceiling right below where the main ventilation duct enters the house. During a normal “light” rainstorm there is no leakage. So is there any way to cap the main vent of the a/c unit to help keep as much water out of the ventilation without compromising the airflow to the unit? and if there is a way, where would I find the best part for such a repair?

air conditioner service