The Importance of Shopping Local and Supporting Small Businesses
Often the reason business owners decide to branch out on their own is because they feel as though they can offer a better service or product than what is currently available, because of this there are so many benefits to shopping local and supporting small businesses.
We’ll delve deeper into a couple of those benefits and also talk about the different ways you can show your support.
A Better Shopping Experience
In today’s fast-paced world, online shopping is the preferred method of shopping. It’s quick, it’s easy and it’s cheaper however it completely eliminates human interaction. When you shop in store, you’re getting the desired product and/or service as well as an experience. The character of the business will often reflect the owner’s personality and by choosing to visit the store, you’re not only giving yourself the opportunity to get to know the person behind the service and/or product but you’re also giving them the opportunity to get to know you. Often, you’ll find employees will happily take the time to listen to your needs and find you the best solution because they care (and not just about your money) which is difficult to say about larger corporations with monthly sales targets determined by an interstate head office.
Strengthen the Local Economy
When you shop local, it comes back to full circle. Let’s break that down, shall we? By spending money, you’re creating demand. By creating a demand, there is an increased need for jobs. With an increased need for jobs, there are lower unemployment rates and lower unemployment rates lead to more people having a disposable income. That disposable income will (hopefully) be spent locally which then creates more demand and starts the cycle all over again.
It’s simple, when you shop local – you’re investing in your community.
So, how can you support local and small businesses?
Spend money, of course – particularly important during the holiday season! However, if you are unable to do so here are a couple of other ways to show your support for free.
Raise Awareness
Talk to your friends and family, share a Facebook or Instagram page or leave a positive review for others to see.
Educate Yourself Research the local businesses in your area and make some time to go see what they have to offer.
Unfortunately, owning a business is tough these days. Online shopping and large franchises pose bigger and bigger issues to business owner’s every day. So remember that when you support a local or small business – you’re supporting local people, local jobs and someone’s dream.
Our hot South Australian climate means that we rely a lot on our air conditioners in our homes and businesses to keep us cool and comfortable. But air conditioners are a lot like cars – they need regular servicing and maintenance to run at their most efficient.
Regular servicing should be carried out yearly, but every now and then small issues may arise which can indicate a need for a technician to thoroughly inspect it.
Here are some signs that you may need to book a service:
1. Your System Isn’t Cooling
If your system isn’t doing what it is designed to do, then it needs an inspection. A unit that isn’t blowing out cold air may indicate an issue with its compressor, mechanical failure within the system or that the system has lost its refrigerant charge. Neither cause is impossible to fix, but you will need to have it seen to if you plan on using your system to stay cool throughout summer.
2. Reduced Airflow
If air is not circulating through your rooms as strongly, then your unit’s fitler may be clogged, it’s ductwork may be squashed or damaged or its zone motors may have malfunctioned. It’s important to clean your filters regularly as mentioned here, to avoid overworking your system. But damaged ductwork or zone motor failure needs to be left for a technician to inspect and attend to during a service.
Regularly using your system when it is struggling to maintain airflow can severely overwork your system’s compressor and can easily cause extra damage.
Our technicians attended a service call for a faulty air conditioner and upon further inspection, the issue was simply dirty filters.
3. Strange Smells or Noises
During operation, an air conditioner should be relatively silent. It should also not be emitting any strange smells after being turned on. If your unit is doing one, or both of these things, then a service is needed immediately to get to the bottom of it.
One role of an air conditioner is to filter dust and small debris from the air, as well as dehumidifying it. A musty smell may indicate that there is dust entering your ductwork or a build-up of foreign material on your indoor coil, which can be harmful to your health if you breathe it in, and potentially dangerous to asthmatics.
A burning smell though may indicate something far more serious such as overheating of internal components, loose wire connections, mechanical issues, etc. If your system is giving off a burning smell it is best to turn it off and discontinue use until you can schedule a time for a technician to inspect it.
Depending on what noise you are hearing coming from your unit, there may be a number of issues it could be:
Humming or Rattling
An air conditioner naturally hums due to the mechanics involved with it. But if a light hum or whir turns into a much more sinister noise, often followed by a rattling, then it may indicate that a fan is loose, there is debris caught in your unit, there are issues with your ductwork or more.
Grinding
Any grinding noise coming from your unit during operation is cause for concern and needs immediate attention from a professional. This noise may indicate serious mechanical issues within your system and operation should cease immediately.
Hissing
A hissing sound can either indicate a minor issue such as a water leak, or a major issue such as a refrigerant leak. If you are untrained, distinguishing between the two can be difficult, so it is best to have a professional take a look at it.
Any other noises coming from your system during operation should also be investigated by a professional. It is better to be on the safe side and have a clean, healthy running unit, than one that may fall apart at the wrong time of the year, or worse yet, create an unsafe situation.
4. Leaks
As mentioned, if your unit is leaking it can either be a minor issue that results in a quick fix or a major issue that can have an unsuspected effect on your home. If you do notice a leak, it is important to cease the systems operation and contact your installer/service mechanic. They will ask a number of questions that can help them distinguish what the leak might be and just how serious it is. Water leaking from your unit isn’t a large issue and is generally a quick fix, however a refrigerant leak is potentially dangerous. Don’t try to distinguish between the two yourself. Call a professional and have them assess the situation.
5. High Energy Bills
If your energy bills seem higher than normal but you are not using your system any differently, then there may be an underlying reason why. When you don’t maintain your air conditioner regularly, it will become less energy efficient and your energy bills will start to rise. This may be due to issues with your ductwork, you may not be using your system correctly, or maybe your unit is reaching the end of its life.
If you are finding that one, or a number of these issues are occuring during operation of your system, the best thing to do is schedule a technician to do a thorough inspection and service on it to find the leading causes.
As summer is fast approaching, the smartest thing to do is to have a professional from Green Efficient Living come and do a pre-summer service on your unit to ensure that it is in prime working condition before constant use during the upcoming hot weather.
Note: Green Efficient Living is currently holding their annual Pre-Summer Service Sale! Take advantage of our discounted prices and have your unit serviced before the hot weather hits! Click here to find out more.
Why Should You Have Your Air Conditioner Serviced?
Having your air conditioner serviced before the hot weather hits is smart for two reasons. Not only does it mean that you will be prepared for when the temperature starts to rise, but it also means that you will beat the rush of people trying to get theirs serviced during summer.
What Is Done During A Service?
During a scheduled routine service, a Green Efficient Living technician will complete a number of checks on the outdoor unit and indoor unit to ensure its compliance and that it is operating as it should.
The first thing that our technicians do will ask you whether or not your system is functioning properly. Have you heard any noises lately? Has it been playing up or not running as it normally would? Etc.
The return air will be then taken out and checked over, during which time our technicians run your system to inspect the outdoor unit. They will get the pressure readings, check electrical voltages and currents and ensure that there is no debris on the rear coilers of the unit.
After the service of the outdoor unit, they will then get into your roof to inspect that all electrical terminals are still tight, that the ductwork does not have any imperfections such as rips and that the main condensate drain isn’t blocked. During this time they will also inspect all zones by turning them on and off to ensure that they are all opening and closing as they should.
Our technicians attended a service call for a faulty air conditioner and upon further inspection, the issue was simply dirty filters.
Can You Service Your Own Air Conditioner?
There are basic maintenance jobs that you can do yourself as the homeowner, such as cleaning the filters and ensuring that the outdoor unit stays unrestricted (see our post on that here). But when it comes to a complete annual service of your unit before using it again, this MUST be left entirely to the professionals. The smallest of attempts at servicing your own air conditioner can lead to serious unit damage or even electrocution!
Why Should You Have Your Air Conditioner Serviced?
The easiest way to understand exactly why you need to regularly service your air conditioner is for the same reason that you regularly service your car. You do not drive your car unserviced until it breaks down beyond repair and you are forced to buy a new one. Instead, you service it regularly to AVOID any serious breakdowns – an air conditioner is much the same.
There are many reasons why having your air conditioner professionally serviced is important:
1. It improves energy efficiency and saves you money on your electricity bills
Without periodic maintenance, your air conditioner will find it hard to run in prime condition. When this happens, it has to work a lot harder and consume more energy which in turn costs you more on your electricity bills! Avoid paying more by having a professional complete a service on your air conditioner to ensure that it is running as efficiently as possible.
2. It improves air quality
When your air conditioner isn’t working efficiently, it cannot properly filter the air is distributed into your home. An air conditioner that is running in perfect conditioner successfully filters out pollutants, pollen, dust and allergens, meaning the air that you and your family are breathing is cleaner and safer.
3. It extends your unit’s lifespan
Regular servicing and maintenance will extend the lifespan of your unit for all of the reasons mentioned above. It faults are left undetected, they can cause serious issues for your system in the future. These issues may result in costly repairs or even a unit replacement! However, by servicing it regularly you are increasing your system’s lifespan and keeping it running in perfect working order for many more years to come.
The professionals at Green Efficient Living recommend having your unit serviced annually, even if it is not showing any signs of faults or issues. To book your annual service, call us today on (08) 8297 3422.
Note: Green Efficient Living is currently holding their annual Pre-Summer Service Sale! Take advantage of our discounted prices and have your unit serviced before the hot weather is here!
