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Who is Peter Scolari’s wife Tracy Shayne?

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BROADWAY star Peter Scolari and Tracy Shayne were married for only nearly a decade prior to his death.

Scolari passed away on October 22, 2021, after a two-year battle with cancer.

Tracy Shayne and Peter Scolari married in 2013

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Tracy Shayne and Peter Scolari married in 2013

Who is Peter Scolari’s wife Tracy Shayne?

Tracy Shayne is an American actress hailing from Brooklyn, New York.

The star is best known for starring in the TV series Blindspot, Law and Order, and Homeland.

She is also a Broadway actress and has appeared in productions such as Bronx Bombers, Chicago, The Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, and A Chorus Line.

Shayne is a Broadway star

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Shayne is a Broadway starCredit: Getty

When did Peter Scolari and Tracy Shayne get married?

Scolari and Shayne married on June 21, 2013.

The intimate wedding took place at a New York City apartment, which belonged to a friend of the couple. 

After the wedding, the couple celebrated at Glass Tavern restaurant with friends and family.

This was Scolari’s fourth wedding as he was formerly married to Lisa Kretzchmar, actress Debra Steagal, and Cathy Trien.

Who was Peter Scolari?

Scolari was an actor who starred in the CBS drama series, Evil, portraying Bishop Thomas Marx.

Before starring in Evil, Scolari played Tad Horvath on Girls. 

He played the father of Lena Dunham’s character and won his first Emmy for the role of Horvath.

Scolari gained fame after he co-starred with Tom Hanks in the 1980’s sitcom Bosom Buddies.

He was also nominated for an Emmy for his role as Michael Harris on Newhart from 1984-1990.

What was Peter Scolari’s net worth?

Scolari was reportedly worth $2million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.

He amassed his fortune through his work in film, TV, and Broadway.

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What Business Tools are Most Important Today?

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What Business Tools Are Most Important Today

Most businesses are only as good as their human, intellectual, financial, and physical resources.

In the current economic climate, physical resources — or business tools — keep evolving as developers push the boundaries of what business tools can do. 

Today, you can edit PDF files, scan documents with your phone, and easily handle tasks without the help of a tech expert.

In this article, we discuss the most important business tools.

Mobile marketing tools

Gone are the days when you resorted to door-to-door sales to get your products off the shelves. Today, you can reach consumers from anywhere in the world, mostly from mobile devices. 

And that’s why you must invest in mobile marketing tools for your business spot. Mobile marketing tools ensure your messages reach your consumers through instant messages and SMS notifications.

With tools like SEMRush, you can fine-tune your mobile marketing strategies to attract more consumers.

Email software

Though people think social media apps have replaced emails, stats prove otherwise. Experts predict that 4.3 billion people will use email services by 2023 — that’s more than half of the global population.

Companies can also automate product offers and messages to customers. With tools like MailChimp and SendInBlue, you can generate and monitor email campaigns to reach a specific target audience. 

You can also use ‘dummy’ email SMTP servers to test your email campaigns for deliverability and unsubscribe rates.

Content management system

If your business doesn’t have a digital presence, prioritize getting it online. Over 70% of consumers look for everything online — especially business solutions — before considering offline alternatives.

But your job doesn’t end after creating a business website; your site needs content and someone (or a system) to manage it. 

Using business management software will help optimize your site and make it appealing to visitors needing your services. 

Before choosing a CMS, check for its security features, customizations, and pricing. WordPress and Shopify are excellent CMS for anyone without the skills of a coding wizard to create and manage a site. 

Social media management tool

You need to get your business in front of consumers, and since most people spend a lot of time on social apps, you should create social media pages for your brand. 

However, curating content on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn can be challenging because every platform needs a different approach. 

So, instead of posting the same thing on every platform, use tools to target specific apps with relevant posts.

With tools like Buffer, you can schedule and optimize your posts to target specific audiences. So let the tools do the work for you while you focus on other aspects of the business.

PDF tool

When working with external teams and auditors, you will often send and receive PDFs. But if you don’t know how to edit a PDF, you will run into problems.

Luckily, you can easily find an excellent PDF editor online. Apps like LuminPDF allow you to edit PDF, as well as annotate and sign documents. 

With a handy PDF tool, your business can go paperless without any hassle.

Hiring software

During business process modeling, you should plan to employ more human and intellectual resources over time. 

Holding background checks and using external recruiters are great hiring strategies, but they take time and cost a lot. Besides, you don’t get to personalize the hiring funnel to your company’s standards.

Imagine reviewing 5000 resumés in a week. You are probably stressed just thinking about the work involved. Yet, that is the reality of many human resource managers working without hiring software.

Recruitment software helps you save money while improving your hiring process as a small business owner. So introduce human capital management tools into the business process mapping to bring the right talents on board.

Communication app

Communication is essential to all business operations and transactions. 

The fluidity of your teams’ interaction determines how successful projects are and improves the level of client satisfaction. So invest in communication apps to keep business processes running smoothly.

Use tools like Slack and Google Meet for internal communication between units. You can also use Skype and other video conferencing apps to talk to clients. But before choosing a suitable tool, consider your company size and daily processes.

You also need to adopt customer relationship management (CRM) tools. With the best CRM for small business projects, you can nurture your relationship with clients by communicating with them and requesting feedback.

Timesheet app

Time-tracking is a trusted way to measure business efficiency. Without monitoring the time you and your employees spend on tasks and projects, you leave a lot to chance. So you need a tool to help your teams avoid missed deadlines.

Apps like Toggl help you know how effectively you use your working hours. You can set start and end times to measure your input accurately. 

Besides, these time-tracking apps are also essential in handling client billing, monitoring recurring tasks, and creating project cost estimates.

Accounting software

Unless you are a one-person business, you can’t rely on old-fashioned bookkeeping. You need a better way to monitor outgoing costs, profit margins, etc. Proper accounting will let you know when and where to manage funds to keep your business running.

And if you run a small business, business intelligence software can help you handle your accounting. Besides, these BI tools include Excel features to make your accounting process smoother.

Platforms like Gravity provide a scalable software solution with a simple user interface that integrates with Microsoft Power BI.

So invest in cloud-based accounting tools once your business starts expanding. Use business intelligence tools to create reports and visualize complex financial data. 

Task management software

Task management apps are BPM tools that allow you to assign roles and duties to employees. 

Once you start employing workers, you should start thinking of delegation and task management. So get tools for assigning tasks to team members and holding them accountable.

With software like Asana and Trello, your employees receive notifications when you add them to new tasks. You also know when they start and complete the tasks, helping you focus on your job instead of monitoring employees.

Conclusion

Technology has improved business operations and helped start-ups scale quickly. Thanks to tech, running a business is more straightforward than it used to be. 

Marketing tools, accounting software, and hiring systems help business owners manage business processes and make more profits. So business owners should freely review the tools in this article and use them to grow their business in 2021.

4 Common Online Security Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

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Are you safe from all of the common cyber threats? While you might feel safe from cyber criminals due to the size of your business, about 43% of data breaches involve small and medium-sized businesses!

If you’re not careful, you might be making some of the most common online security mistakes that could ruin your business. But what are those mistakes?

Keep reading for some of the top mistakes that business owners make regarding their cybersecurity.

1. Weak Passwords

Weak passwords are common amongst people who use the internet for business and personal use alike. It’s harder than you think to make a good password!

Most people try to focus on passwords that they think are memorable. Unfortunately, a memorable password is usually not a strong password. The easier the password, the easier a cybercriminal can get into your data. 

Protecting business data means using complicated passwords that have random strings of letters and numbers. If you use common words, arrange them in abnormal ways. Don’t store your password on your computer.

2. Keeping Old Information

Do you go through and delete old accounts and information when it’s no longer useful for you?  If not, you’re opening yourself up to security threats.

When you keep old data, you’re just presenting more available fodder to cybercriminals. When you keep old accounts (such as accounts from former employees or customers), you’re creating another avenue for someone to access your data. Because these accounts are unused, you might not even notice that someone has used them until it’s too late.

3. Not Having a Designated Tech Person

Don’t underestimate the importance of a good tech team or individual. 

Many small business owners want to try to do it on their own. They may think that they can hire one-time contractors when things get rough, so why bother having someone on call all of the time? 

When you use tech professionals from a site like pics-itech.com for your tech needs, you have an online security team available to help you with online security whenever you need it. Don’t wait for an emergency to call for help.

4. Not Doing Routine Updates

We’ve all done it. We see that little notification on the top right of our computer screens asking us to update our system. We click “remind me again later.” There’s no judgment here.

It’s one thing to ignore those pop-ups when you’re using your personal computer, but when it comes to your business computer, you need to make those updates. 

When your system is trying to update, it’s updating a variety of things that can help your workflow and overall quality of life. It’s also updating security software to keep up with current threats.

It’s worth taking a few moments to restart your system if it means that it will protect your business. 

Do You Make These Common Online Security Mistakes?

These common online security mistakes might seem small, but they can have large consequences for your business. One bad data breach can destroy your reputation!

Start improving your online security and protect yourself, your customers, and your employees today.

For more helpful articles about the top trending topics, visit the rest of our site.

Replace AC Capacitor by Your Own: Pros & Cons

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How To Replace AC Capacitor

Electrical problems cause close to 80% of air conditioner malfunctions, and in most of these cases, the capacitor is usually the culprit. Yes, the capacitor might be small in size. However, when faulty, your air conditioner will not function properly. 

The capacitor functions like a battery—swapping electrons between two conductive plates. Because AC units cycle a lot, especially during the summer seasons, they turn on and off frequently. Capacitors are important for your air conditioner because it uses more energy than other appliances in your home. So, capacitors are designed to store energy and sort of jumpstart your unit. 

If your AC capacitor starts to fail, you should replace it immediately. This helps to prevent your AC system from breaking down or malfunctioning. But, how do you know that your AC capacitor is not functioning properly?

Here are a few signs to watch out for:

  • When the capacitor starts to wear out, it starts to make a loud, unusual clicking sound inside the cabinet. You should replace the capacitor immediately when you hear such a sound. This prevents the motor from burning out in case the capacitor fails to start it. 
  • If the capacitor fails completely, your AC’s motor will try to start, but will produce a humming sound, instead of completely starting up. This is one of the most notable malfunctions, and it’s a sign that the capacitor should be replaced immediately. 
  • If the capacitor connected to the compressor begins to weaken, it can make a “hard-starting” situation, where the AC struggles to start and then stops immediately. It’s important to replace the capacitor immediately when you notice this because it can make the compressor, together with other parts of the system, strain. 

Now, replacing an AC capacitor on your own isn’t a hard task, and you can do it, so long as you have the right tools and materials. However, you should understand that capacitors are designed to retain the electrical current. Thus, there’s a huge risk for shock when you attempt to touch or disconnect the capacitor without first discharging the current it’s storing. 

To discharge the current, you only need to draw the blade of your screwdriver across the two metal contacts. Failing to do this can put you at risk of a horrible shock. As said earlier, replacing your AC capacitor is something you can do on your own. This, however, comes with its pros and cons, which we shall discuss below.

Pros

It saves you money

Being able to replace an AC capacitor by yourself can help you save money in numerous ways. First, you will make sure that your AC unit is clean and properly fixed. Secondly, you don’t need to spend any money on hiring an AC technician to replace the capacitor. You don’t need to be a mechanical engineer to replace a capacitor or even do any basic maintenance. You only need to read the user manual to do the job correctly. 

You will not let strangers into your home

Today, we always have to be careful with who we let into our homes. The Covid-19 pandemic is to blame for this, since we don’t know who’s safe and who’s not. Yes, you can still hire a technician. However, since replacing a capacitor is not a challenging task, you can keep yourself and your family safe by repairing it by yourself. 

Please note the importance of this, as the Covid 19 virus is not stopping and new variants are being discovered every day. So, the information we have about the virus before is not valuable. So, allowing strangers to your home increases the risk and danger. 

Replacing AC capacitor is very easy and safe

The experts from Hartman, air conditioning installation company say that replacing your air conditioner’s capacitor is one of the easiest tasks you can do by yourself without any professional assistance. You only need to have DIY skills, as well as a keen eye for detail to get the job done correctly. Also, depending on your experience and skills, you can also recalibrate the system and do other simple repairs that you notice when replacing the capacitor.

Cons

It’s very risky

As said earlier, there is a great risk of electrocution when changing your AC’s capacitor. The risk is even greater if you don’t have the right tools needed to replace the capacitor. 

You can make costly mistakes

Yes, you might be a great DIY enthusiast. However, the last thing you want to be is over-confident when replacing an AC capacitor. If you are not sure how to do it, don’t touch the machine, otherwise, you risk causing additional damage which will be more costly to repair.

Besides, replacing the AC capacitor on your own can render your warranty void. Most manufacturers clearly state that every repair, even the smallest one, should be done by a professional technician. So, replacing your AC capacitor on your own can make the warranty useless before its end date. 

You can get hurt

This is very possible, especially when the outdoor unit is mounted high on the wall or on the roof, and you don’t have the right safety equipment. Please note that any fall from six feet and above can lead to death or permanent injuries.

Everything You Need to Know About Business Broker Fees

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Business Broker Fees

Unlike real estate agents or brokers, business brokers are paid by the seller. This is something every buyer should keep in mind. With that said an experienced business broker can help a buyer narrow down their search options for the businesses that suit their search criteria. As a seller, on the other hand, a business broker can streamline the entire process, from marketing it to prospective buyers to pricing the business. 

Now, given that selling a business is one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make, it’s important to know all the important details surrounding business broker fees. This should help you to make your experience with the business broker smooth and help you maximize your profits when selling the business. 

Understanding business broker fees

Also known as broker’s commission fees, this amount is clearly outlined in advance when signing the service contract or marketing agreement. This contract is signed by the brokerage firm and business owner. Typically, the contract included a set retainer, minimum fee, duration of the contract, as well as other legal documents and terms of the sale. 

How do business brokers get their commission?

A business broker doesn’t facilitate the sale of a business only. There are other activities that a business broker can do to make the entire process easier for the seller, like:

  • Planning business valuation
  • Preparing the required documents to introduce the business to prospective buyers
  • Creating the necessary marketing materials and making sure that your business is listed on different platforms
  • Pre-screening prospective buyers to identify the serious buyers, with the required financial standing to purchase and run your business
  • Negotiating with all the interested buyers
  • Finalizing and closing the sale of the business

If a business broker cannot perform any of the above functions, they will refer you to the right professionals, thus saving you valuable time and resources you might use when trying to figure out everything for yourself. 

Retainer fees

Apart from the agreed commission, business brokers expect their clients to pay an upfront fee known as a retainer. Generally, retainer fees differ and can range somewhere from $2,000 – $20,000. 

According to Orlando Business Broker, a broker’s retainer fee depends on the type of business on sale, the listed prices, as well as the business broker. However, not all brokers charge an upfront fee—but if the broker includes it as part of the deal, make sure that the broker gives you clear reasons behind the fee. 

Broker fees for small businesses

Mostly, business brokers are hired to broker sales for small businesses, whose value is not more than $1 million. Because such sales require as much effort as selling larger businesses, the business broker’s fee is usually set on the higher side. And while the brokers’ fee or commission varies, you shouldn’t be surprised if your business broker charges you a 10% commission for selling your small business. 

Broker fees for large businesses

Business brokers handle large business sales differently—following a sliding scale created by the Lehman brothers. Rather than charging the 10% commission charged on small businesses, business brokers follow this scale when charging their clients:

  • 5% for the first million
  • 4% for the second million
  • 3% for the third million
  • 2% for the fourth million
  • 1% for the fifth million

However, it’s important to note that commission caps can be placed at either the determined $150,000 commission for a $5 million sale, or at a base price of $100,000. 

Additional broker fees

Now, depending on the nature of your sale, your business broker can charge you additional fees. For instance, if you’ve already found a buyer, and you only need a business broker to help you in valuing your business, you will pay a flat rate fee, instead of a percentage. Besides, if you need your business broker to help you in valuing your business and preparing all the required documents for sale, they might charge you extra money for those services. Overall, always make sure that you check for any hidden fees that are not part of your standard business broker fee arrangement. 

Negotiating business broker fees

Before hiring a business broker, it’s important to understand that their fees are not fixed. That means you have room for improvement. One of the best ways to negotiate business broker fees is to get proposals from several brokers (at least three professional brokers). Now, if brokers hear that they are competing against another reputable broker, they might be willing to reduce their commission or even offer certain services for free. 

When it comes to larger businesses, business brokers usually give custom proposals for their services. So, you must have a good understanding from your business broker in terms of the quality and type of services you should expect from the brokers—this should be stated in the contract. 

The quality and type of services should be set at a level that will allow the broker to market your business in a way that your business will stand out from similar businesses on sale. Besides, your broker should give you a detailed strategy of how they plan to attract prospective buyers to your business. Please note that negotiating a broker contract is as important as choosing the right broker who will offer the services you are looking for. Also, this determines the fees the broker will charge you.

Is it Worth It To Buy New Furniture or Move It?

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Is it Worth It To Buy New Furniture or Move It

Moving is a major milestone that entails crucial decisions. Once you’ve decided to relocate, the next tough decision would be choosing what belongings to bring – and it is more challenging when it comes to home furniture.

Quite obviously, the more items you transport, the higher the moving costs. That said, many people are thinking whether relocating their furniture with the rest of their stuff is worth it or replacing them with new ones.

Although the thought of moving to a new place with a clean slate is exciting, some pieces are hard to get rid of. For example, antiques and heirloom pieces hold so many memories that you can’t afford to leave behind. Likewise, buying new furniture is a substantial expense that can be costlier than relocating your existing ones.

Weighing your options is not that simple. There are several things to consider when deciding the fate of your existing furniture. Here we take a look at some important considerations to help you decide whether to ship furniture or buy new.

Economic value and quality

You don’t want to spend on shipping old, dilapidated furniture pieces that seem rubbish. Check the furniture piece if it’s still durable, usable, and functional with good value. Pricey, high-quality furniture that will last a long time may be worth moving. Take note, however, that expensive furniture should be assessed. Also, keep in mind the depreciation value of furniture – what cost you a fortune ten years ago may not be as valuable today. If you still have time, you may want to consider selling your furniture and use the money to buy a replacement once you settle in.

Sentimental value

It’s not uncommon for people to associate furniture with memories and this can play a major factor in your decision. Heirloom furniture pieces are considered family treasures that you would want to bring to your new place. However, it’s easy to get emotionally attached to your belongings, especially if you’ve been using them for years. Always be rational. Don’t let sentimental value take over the practicality of moving expenses.

It is also possible that a sentimental piece will not fit in your new place. Perhaps it is best to have the furniture “adopted” by a friend or family so you won’t feel guilty leaving it behind.

Vintage and antique pieces

The financial worth of old pieces makes moving expense worth it. Vintage and antique furniture is made of the finest material and quality craftsmanship that remain expensive even with time. So, if your furniture pieces fall in this category and you don’t plan to dispose of them soon, then it’s wise to bring them along with you.

Risk of damage

Movers from Torex, Mississauga Moving Company, emphasized that the risk of damage will always be there when moving furniture. Whether you are hiring professional movers or doing it on your own, there is the potential for damage. For delicate or old furniture that may not survive long-distance transport, it may be wise to leave behind.

If you intend to relocate fragile belongings, be sure to hire reliable moving professionals to ensure proper handling and optimum protection during the travel. Professional movers are insured so they can guarantee the value of your expensive pieces. Here is Why Risk Taking Is Crucial In Business?

Practicality

If the furniture is past its best day, then moving it may not be worth the cost. The older furniture gets, the more likely it will get damaged during the relocation. Instead of saving, you may end up having to buy a replacement.

You should also consider how the existing furniture will fit in your new space. If it does not go well with the interior design or room layout, then relocating it may be useless. Think about how you will lay out the old pieces in your new home and how they will match up with the interior design. For sure, you don’t want your furniture to looking out of place. Sadly, some unscrupulous movers will charge more to relocate these white elephants.

Make sure that whatever you decide to move will be usable and worthwhile in your destination. Practicality should be your topmost consideration in deciding what to bring and what to leave.

Takeaways

If you’re caught in a dilemma between buying or moving furniture, know your priority and focus on your requirements. Are you concerned about your budget, the interior design, the sentimental value of furniture, or anything else? Think about what will make your space livable and what will make you happy. Consider the factors discussed above to help ensure a worthwhile furniture move.

Best Time for sealcoating: Does it Exist?

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Best Time for sealcoating

Sealcoating involves the process of applying a protective cover to asphalt roadways. In most cases, sunlight oxidation and penetrating moisture cause the damage. If the pavement is bare, the sun weakens it, and it starts to erode. Over time, moisture penetrates the tiny cracks, widening and deepening them. Every 3-4 years, you need to sealcoat your pavements to protect them from such damage.

Factors such as the time or season impact how well it goes as they play a key role in the drying and curing of the sealcoat. Such factors help the service provider to deliver high-quality and durable end products. In this article, we inform you of the best time for sealcoating.

Seasons

Sealcoating depends on two main factors; temperature and rainfall. The ideal temperature of the surface for sealcoating should be 55˚ F and rising. If the temperatures fall to freezing level, the water within the sealcoat may freeze. It causes the sealcoat to separate and peel off.

Extreme hot conditions may also be unfavorable for the process. Temperatures above 95˚ F dry the sealcoat before it adheres to the surface of the pavement. In some cases, the binder used in sealcoating melts when temperatures hit 100˚ F.

With that, the best season of the year to carry out the process is in late spring and summer, between May and September. But not every day is perfect for sealcoating. You need to find one that will ensure proper drying and curing, with all factors combined.

Weather

Cloud cover

Cloudy conditions prevent the sun from reaching the seal-coated surface. This increases the time it takes to dry up and at times prevents complete drying. sealcoating requires direct sunlight for most of the day. This ensures the durability of the coating after drying. Cloud cover also denotes more moisture in the air. The perfect drying conditions need low humidity. This is so that it may give way for the moisture in the sealcoat to evaporate.

Humidity

Humid conditions have moisture saturated in the air. The process of drying and curing involves the evaporation of moisture into the air. If the conditions are humid, it slows down the process which may affect the quality of the end product. A slight increase in the humidity percentage may double the time for drying the sealcoat. This might be inconvenient especially if you have to block the area from daily use. In an ideal case, the level of humidity in the air should be below 60 percent. Another aspect to consider is fog as it leads to ground-level clouds. The humidity level rises to 100% which affects the quality of the sealcoat. If it’s foggy in the morning, ensure you wait until it’s all clear to start the process.

Rain

In the rainy season, the sealcoat is unlikely to adhere to the asphalt surface due to wetness. The surface must be completely dry to apply the sealcoat. Even after the cover, rain is unsuitable for the drying and curing of the sealcoat. In some cases, heavy rainfall may carry away the coating from the surface before drying up. It is advisable to wait until the weather and the surface are dry to begin the process.

Wind

The wind accelerates the process of drying especially when combined with the sun. But it may lead to other problems. If the wind is gusting beyond 10 miles per hour during the spraying process, it might cause damage to nearby buildings or vehicles. You should thus avoid sealcoating on very windy days. This will help prevent extra costs in repairing the damages in the surroundings.

Time of day

 The sealcoating experts from CSG Sealcoating, Orlando, sealcoating at night may be more convenient for the business. But it will need direct sunlight for the coating to dry up. Sunlight also makes it easier for the crew to work, unlike in the dark where the process may be slower. Even when the surface feels dry, it is better to wait for daytime to sealcoat your pavements.

So, since you now understand the best time for sealcoating your asphalt pavement, how does it get to benefit from sealcoating?

  • Sealcoating protects asphalt from water damage – failing to sealcoat your pavement leaves it susceptible to water damage. If the surface has cracks, water can seep into the cracks, and this can make the cracks larger or lead to the formation of potholes. But, when you sealcoat your pavement, you seal these cracks, thus giving your pavement an extra layer of protection. With that, you don’t have to worry about your pavement whenever it rains. 
  • Protect your pavement from spills – most paved surfaces like driveways, parking lots, and roadways are subject to oil and gas spills. While these liquids might seem harmless, they can corrode your asphalt, thus shortening its lifespan. However, sealcoating your asphalt pavement prevents spills from staining and penetrating the area.
  • Sealcoating improves the curb appeal of your property – the deep, dark color of freshly sealed asphalt pavement makes your property look attractive. With sealcoating, you will get that same curb appeal as a newly paved surface.

Improves the lifespan of your pavement – generally, sealcoating your pavement can help to extend its lifespan. Besides, sealcoating helps to reduce the long-term repair costs and helps you to avoid resurfacing or replacing your pavement a few years after its installation.

5 Tips for Appliances Replacement.

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Tips for Appliances Replacement

At one point as a homeowner, you have to deal with the question, ‘is it time to replace this appliance?’. In some cases, the appliance requires a visit to the repairman. But, if your appliances break down regularly or it compromises the safety of your family, get a new one. Some appliances may get damaged and start sparking which might result in a fire. From a milder perspective, your dinner may end up uncooked or burning in a faulty oven. None of these is desirable. In this article, we look into some of the tips for replacing an appliance.

Here are 5 Tips

Extent of damage

You know it is time to replace your appliances when they start showing extreme signs of damage. Here are some of the ways to know when you need to replace several appliances;

Dishwasher

You need to replace the dishwasher if you notice that its inner elements are developing rust. Also, if there is stagnant water in the base or water leaking from any of the connections, you might have to buy a new one. Other signs include a faulty door or if the dishes are still unclean.

Dryer

After cleaning the vent duct and lint trap, your dryer should turn on and not stop mid-cycle. It should dry up the clothes, and have no strange sounds. If not, you should seek a replacement. A simple fix such as clearing the dryer duct should get it back on track. If there are lingering issues, they may affect its efficiency. It might also raise a safety concern prompting you to buy a new one.

Refrigerator

Replace your refrigerator when it packs too much frost in the freezer or doesn’t keep your food anymore. These are signs of inefficiencies and if it makes odd sounds, it is a sign the motor is about to fail.

Oven

If you notice uneven warming or cooking of food or rust in the interior, you may have to buy a new one. Also, if the oven door has a crack and the heating takes longer than usual, it’s better to find a replacement.

Washing machine

If your washing machine leaves stagnant water in the basin it’s time to replace it. The same applies if it makes loud noises with an unbalanced cycle motion. You can try fixing the laundry’s balance in the load but if it doesn’t work, buy a new one.

The cost of repair is higher than the buying price

Statistics state that appliances last for about 10-15 years. But, they base this on when people make a replacement and not on their actual length of service. Most people will push an appliance to work, trying all sorts of reparations possible. The rule of thumb is if the repair cost is higher than the buying price, buy a new one.

With that said, let’s look at the top 5 tips for appliance replacement. 

Find a deal

If you are not in a hurry, wait for the sale especially on holiday weekends. Or when the store introduces a new model, as the old ones sell at a discount. In most cases, choose the previous year’s model as it has no huge difference from the current. You do not have to pay extra for a feature you don’t think of or need. Note that prices vary from retailer to retailer. Shop around and negotiate for a better quote. Do not forget to ask about any hidden costs such as delivery, removal, and installation fees.

Energy consumption

At the current state of the world, energy consumption should be a big aspect to factor in. Consider low energy-consuming appliances. This will not only be good for the environment but it will also save on your bill. Look for the energy labels and energy star rebates to get all the info related to energy consumption.

Check whether the appliance requires extra equipment to work with

The technicians at Hartman’s Appliance Repair say that certain appliances require additional equipment for them to function properly. Some of the equipment might include vents and exhaust fans for a dryer or a certain cooktop. Also, if you want to replace your washer for your upstairs laundry room, ensure that the floor can support the washer. Besides, it’s important to make sure that you get a drain tub for your washer, especially if you have an upstairs laundry room—as water can cause costly damage to your floor, as well as the rooms below. 

Set a budget

This might seem so obvious when planning to replace your appliances. However, most people find themselves attracted to the most beautiful and costly appliances the moment they see them. That’s why you need to set a clear budget in advance to protect yourself against this temptation. 

Also, if you are looking to replace all your kitchen appliances, some dealers offer discount packages for the oven, refrigerator, dishwasher, and hood. Although this might not give you the flexibility you need if you are looking for specific features in each appliance, it can save you money. Besides, you will end up with matching appliances in your kitchen. 

Find out what other people are saying about that appliance

Whether you are reading online reviews, or you’ve heard your friend complaining about their noisy air conditioner or dryer, never ignore what other people say about an appliance that you want to buy. So, when planning to replace your appliances, ask your friends and family what they like and don’t like about their appliances. If possible, take some time to check out these appliances. Other than that, you can research more about these appliances online—there are tons of resources that can give you valuable insights about the appliances that you want to purchase.