How to Get Your Home Cooling Units Ready for Summer

Summer is just around the corner, and most of us are cleaning off the outdoor furniture, planting our gardens, and generally getting ready for warmer temps. There’s a lot to love about summer, but many of us find the extreme heat and humidity a bit…well, extreme…and we rely on our cooling units—whether fans or air conditioners—to keep us comfortable when the temperatures rise.

Like everything else in the home, both fans and air conditioners require regular attention to run at peak efficiency. These quick cleaning and maintenance tips can help you extend the life of your cooling unit, which can save you both time and money in the long run.

Window air conditioners

Unplug the unit so you can clean it safely, then give the front cover a thorough cleaning.

Taking care of the filter is one of the easiest ways to keep your AC unit running well. Dust, mold, and mildew can collect in the filter, clogging the unit and slowing down the cool air flow.  If you have a disposable filter, change it regularly.  If it’s a reusable filter, clean it when you put the unit in your window.  For most AC models with reusable filters, you simply pop off the front cover, remove the filter, wipe it with a damp cloth or rinse it in warm, soapy water, let it dry, and reinsert the filter.

Straighten any bent fins on the unit, and vacuum the inside—the brush attachment for the vacuum cleaner works well for this task.

Outside air conditioners

Turn the the unit’s power off at the electrical disconnect (this is usually a metal box near the unit).

Spray off any dirt, grass, leaves, and other debris with a hose.

Use coil cleaner to give the unit’s coils a thorough cleaning.

Ceiling fans

Ceiling fan blades are the prime collection site for all the dust and debris that floats through the air in your house, so they probably need a good cleaning (unless you’ve been diligent about dusting them all winter).  A dry mop or duster works best for cleaning the blades. Of course, you can always remove the blades and give them a deep cleaning in warm soapy water.

“Box” / window or oscillating fans

These units are also prone to collecting dust and debris, and they're a bit harder to clean than ceiling fans. You usually have to remove the grille first, then clean that with spray cleaner or soak it in warm, soapy water. If you can remove the blades, do so and give them a thorough cleaning. If you cannot remove the blades, simply use spray cleaner to do the job, or use the brush attachment from your vacuum cleaner to get into those hard-to-reach areas.

Maybe your window cooling units aren’t enough and you’re considering an upgrade—even a full-scale central AC system. Some home remodeling or improvement projects can impact your homeowners’ insurance premiums, so check your policy or contact your agent before you get started.

Do you use fans or AC units to keep cool all summer? Are there any cleaning or maintenance tips you’d add to our list? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below!

How to "Go Green" With Your Insurance

Photo: The Well-Tempered Ear

Earth Day 2018 is April 22, so it’s the perfect opportunity to do something positive for the environment and “go green” with your insurance.

But wait—how can you “go green” with your insurance (besides pay your premiums with green cash)? Glad you asked! Let’s look at few little things you can do that can make a big difference to the environment.

Online quotes

One of the easiest ways to save some time (and paper!) is to request a quote online.  This is a great way to check one item off your to-do list whenever it's convenient for you, because you can request a quote through our website 24/7; we do our best to respond to all requests in a timely manner—if not the day we receive it, within the next 1-2 business days.   As an independent agency, we work with several carriers for all types of insurance, so we can shop around with our network to obtain quotes that best meet your needs and your budget.   

Electronic documents and e-Signatures

We strive to meet our customers’ needs and keep up with the ever-changing nature of technology. As a result, we try to send necessary documents to our customers electronically, via email or fax, as much as we can.  As an added convenience, some of our carriers offer an e-sign option, so you can “sign” the paperwork electronically and not have to worry about printing and signing a hard copy.

Additionally, more and more carriers have a “Go Paperless” option, so you can receive all your information from them electronically.  Check out your carrier to see if they have this option available.

Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)

Some customers still make their payments the old-fashioned way with a paper check, but have you thought about switching to paying electronically? Many carriers now give customers the option of enrolling in an Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) payment plan, in which the company automatically withdraws funds from your checking account every month.  Contact us for more information or if you’d like to set up this type of payment plan.

Technology has been a game-changer for essentially every industry; here at ETA Benefits Group we are always looking at ways to make your experience with our office easier and more convenient.

Have you used any or all of these options for your insurance needs? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below!

Prom Night Safety for Your Teen

Prom is usually a highlight of a student’s high school years—a time to get all dressed up and dance the night away with their friends. But Prom Night is stressful for parents. Any occasion that combines teen drivers and partying means an anxious evening for Mom and Dad.

Nothing except your teen walking through the front door safely will erase your stress, but there are a few things you can do ahead of time to prepare your child for a safe prom night and ease your mind, at least a little.

-First and foremost, have an honest discussion with your teen about making smart decisions and resisting peer pressure. Talk to them about the dangers of alcohol and other substances and the potential consequences of irresponsible behavior. Reassure them that if they’re in an uncomfortable situation, they can always call you for a ride at any time.

- Do you know who your teen will be with and where they’re going? Make sure that you get a call or text when your teen arrives at the prom and/or any after-parties.

        

- If your child will be driving, give the car a once-over a few days before the prom. Check the air in the tires, wiper fluid, wiper blades, headlights, and make sure the gas tank is full!
         

-Think about hiring a limo for your teen and their friends.  This way no one in the group has to worry about driving and everyone’s parents can rest assured that their child will be home at a reasonable time.
  

- Keep your cell phone on all night so you’re ready to pick up your teen at a moment’s notice. But at the same time, don’t check your phone constantly, waiting for a call or text. Give them a little breathing room!
        

- Finally, trust your teen to make good decisions. They’re smarter and more capable than you might think.

Are there any other tips you’d add to our list? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below!

Porch, Veranda, Portico: What's the Difference?

Now that winter seems to be behind us (hopefully, anyway!), it’s time to look forward to spring! For many of us, spring means decluttering our home’s interior and sprucing up its exterior.  Maybe you’re thinking of planting a garden or tackling a home improvement project that will add that perfect finishing touch to your home.  Have you ever thought of adding a covering to your entryway, such as a porch, veranda, or portico? Do you know the differences between them? Read on below for a brief explanation of each and how they can bring a little something extra to the outside of your home.

A porch usually runs across the front of a house

Porch

A porch is an extension to the exterior of a house or building. It runs across the entire front of the structure and usually has a roof and may be enclosed with walls, columns, or screens.  Porches can be a small area where visitors wait prior to entering the house or the homeowners dispose of weather gear, or large, full-sized rooms (think sunporch) used for entertaining guests or just relaxing.

A veranda runs across the front and sides of a house or building
Photo: YourDictionary.com

Veranda

Most of us refer to any outside extension on a house as a “porch”, but there are actually subtle differences between a porch and its close counterpart, the veranda (or “verandah”).  A porch only runs across the front of a house or building; a verandah runs along the front and sides. It typically has a roof, as well.

A portico covers a home or building's entryway

Portico

A portico is a small porch extending from a home or building’s entryway. It usually has a roof and is supported by columns.

Besides making an attractive addition to your home, these exterior structures can add some much-needed protection from the elements.  No matter what type of exterior structure you add or renovate, you want to be sure to get the necessary building permits required by your borough or township. You should also notify your insurance agent about the project so your insurance premiums can be adjusted accordingly or you can purchase new insurance. Here at ETA Benefits Group, we work with several carriers and can shop around to find the best coverage for your needs. 

Do you have a large-scale home improvement project planned for the spring? We'd love to hear about it in the comments below!