HOW TO TROUBLESHOOT A MALFUNCTIONING A/C
TAKE THESE STEPS BEFORE CALLING THE PROS
2. Double-check your thermostat. We know it sounds basic, but your A/C might have turned off because your spouse reset the temperature, the kids flipped the thermostat from “heat” to “cool,” or the device’s batteries died. Don’t rule these silly problems out without checking them! 3. Clean your condenser coils. Dust, dirt, and pet hair can clog your A/C’s condenser coils and limit the unit’s function. If you’re careful and handy, you can use compressed air or a shop vacuum to clean the copper tubing and aluminum fins composing the coils, which typically form the side walls of your outdoor A/C unit. 4. Test your circuit breaker. It’s possible that the entire circuit covering your A/C has been tripped, turning the A/C off with it. To test this, turn your thermostat off and head to your breaker box and look for any switch in the neutral position. If you find one, push it to off (right) then on (left). Wait 30 minutes, then turn your thermostat back on and set it to cool. These four steps may be the only ones you need to fix your A/C problem! If you try them with no success, then it’s time to call in the experts. Of course, you can also make that call from the get- go if you’re not comfortable DIYing your household systems. We promise they won’t judge you! It’s always better to be cautious than accidentally worsen the problem.
It’s 100 degrees F outside. The sun is pounding relentlessly on the sidewalk. Vegetation is wilting. Meanwhile, you’re huddled indoors, basking in the A/C … until it rattles to a stop. This stomach-dropping scenario happens to hundreds of people every summer. A/C units across America are overstressed right now, and when you run your unit at full blast, it’s more prone to malfunctioning. Fortunately, you don’t have to call in the pros for every little issue. Here are a few DIY ways to fix an A/C problem.
1. Replace your air filter. The experts
recommend changing the filter in your A/C system every month. If you don’t do this, it can get clogged and cause your A/C to turn off! Replacing the filter could kick start a nonfunctioning A/C.
LAUGH THERAPY
R
Inspired by FoodAndWine.com
INGREDIENTS
• • • •
12 oz bucatini pasta
• • • • • •
3 oz Pecorino Romano cheese, grated 1/2 cup fresh chives, thinly sliced
1/2 cup olive oil
2 tbsp garlic, finely chopped
8 oz fresh crabmeat
1/4 cup drained and rinsed capers, chopped 1 tsp coarsely ground black pepper
1 tbsp grated lemon zest 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• •
Sea salt or kosher salt, to taste
6 large egg yolks, beaten
DIRECTIONS
1. In a pot of boiling water, cook pasta until not yet al dente. Drain and reserve 1 cup cooking liquid. 2. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook oil and garlic until lightly toasted. Add capers and black pepper, then stir for 2 minutes. 3. Add reserved cooking liquid to skillet and bring to a boil over medium heat. Stir in pasta and cook until al dente. Remove from heat. 4. Stirring constantly, pour egg yolks quickly into the mixture. Add cheese and chives, stirring well until sauce is creamy. Add crab, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Toss together and season with salt. 3 (858) 675-1133
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator