hand with a glass of water against a water dispenser in the fridge

How Effective Are Refrigerator Water Filters?

Nothing is as refreshing as a cold glass of water on a hot summer’s day, but before you dispense your next glass of water from your refrigerator, consider when you last changed your refrigerator water filter.

Yes, even if the water tastes and looks the same, your filter must be changed regularly.

How Do Refrigerator Water Filters Work?

hand with a glass of water against a water dispenser in the fridge

Most refrigerator water filters are designed to remove three major contaminants from your water:

  • Lead
  • Chlorine
  • Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)

More advanced filters are rated to remove cysts and chloramine as well. This filtration process also removes bad tastes and odors from your water.

How does a refrigerator water filter work? When water flows from your local area’s supply to your tap, it picks up a lot of contaminants along the way, and that’s not to mention the contaminants your water treatment plant failed to get rid of.

Refrigerator filters use activated carbon to remove contaminants using a three-step process:

  1. The filter’s surface physically traps contaminants.
  2. The activated carbon acts like a magnet and traps compounds like lead and other VOCs.
  3. Chemical reactions within the carbon react with chemicals like chlorine, making them harmless.

This filtration process makes a huge difference in the quality of water you drink. As long as you replace it regularly, your refrigerator water filter will be effective in ensuring you and your loved ones are drinking safe and clean water.

How Often Should You Replace Your Filter?

Your refrigerator water filter is designed to work on water that’s free of biological organisms like germs. However, when it gets worn out, it becomes a prime breeding ground for organisms that could make you sick. That’s why it’s recommended that you replace yours every six months.

Replace Your Refrigerator Water Filter Today

If you need to replace your refrigerator water filter today, we’ve got you covered. Simply browse through our inventory and take your pick. Alternatively, you can call us at 855-573-6683 for advice on which filter is best for you.

automatic garage door opener electric engine gear mounted on ceiling with emergency cord

Which Garage Door Opener Is Right for Me?

Whether you’re thinking of a first-time install or looking for a replacement garage door opener, you’ll be spoilt for choice. So, which is the best garage door opener for you?

Factors to Consider Beforehand

automatic garage door opener electric engine gear mounted on ceiling with emergency cord

Before you go on the hunt for the best garage door opener, here are a few things to consider before you make your choice:

  • Budget
  • Features
  • Horsepower

These three factors will help you determine which garage door opener is best suited to your needs.

Types of Garage Door Openers

Now that you know what to look out for as you look for your next garage door opener, let’s quickly look at the different types of garage door openers on the market.

Chain-driven

This type of garage door opener uses a chain to pull the trolley that lifts or lowers the garage door when the garage door opener remote is pressed. Because of the metal to metal contact in the system, they tend to be noisy and require the most maintenance.

Belt-driven

Belt-driven garage door openers use a belt instead of a chain. Because of this, they tend to be quieter than chain-drive models and require less maintenance.

Screw-driven

Screw-driven garage door openers use a threaded rod to lift or lower the garage door. As the rod rotates, it moves the trolley along the track, resulting in the door going up or down. These are quiet and also require less maintenance.

Direct-driven

With this type of garage door opener, the motor itself acts as the trolley and moves along the track as it raises or lowers the garage door. Because there’s only one moving part—the motor—these are the quietest garage openers.

Jack-shaft

These are unique in that the system is mounted on the wall beside the garage door and connected to the garage door’s torsion bar to lift or lower the garage door.

Check Out Our Replacement Remotes for Garage Doors

Whether you’re looking for a garage door opener or just a garage door opener remote, check out our selection or give us a call at 855-573-6683, and we’ll get you sorted.

Hand holding the remote to open the sliding door

Benefits of a Garage Door Opener

Automation is all around us, from the tools we use at work to the toys we play with at home. Yet one of the most important parts of the home that needs to be automated is nearly always the last—the garage door. Upgrade your home by installing a garage door opener.

Hand holding the remote to open the sliding door

Here are 5 reasons why:

1. Convenience

One of the biggest benefits of a garage door opener is the convenience it offers, as you don’t have to get out of your car to open the garage door. This is particularly helpful when the weather is unfavorable.

2. Security

Security is a major issue in today’s world. Your garage is one of the most vulnerable parts of your house. This is where a remote control garage door opener helps. It beefs up your home’s security, as the garage is no longer easily accessible to intruders.

3. Lighting

Automatic garage doors come with extra lighting. Whether you already have lights in your garage or not, these lights offer the convenience of switching them on automatically when the door is opening.

4. Low Energy Use

You might think that automating your garage door will cause your utility bill to shoot up, but that isn’t so. Most garage door openers have been designed with efficiency in mind, meaning they don’t use much electricity.

5. Cost

Most people think a garage door opener will burn a huge hole in their pockets. That’s until they start shopping for one, only to be surprised at how affordable they can be. So, don’t shy away from this important upgrade to your home, especially now that you know just how important it is.

Need a garage door remote control? Browse our selection and take your pick. Alternatively, give us a call at 855-573-6683. We’re more than happy to be of service.

Air conditioner temperature adjustment with remote controller in room at home

What You Should Know When Looking for an AC Remote

With the sweltering heat coming in fast every year, you may want to do everything in your power to get a jump on the season and keep your home as comfortable as possible. One accessory you may need to get ready is your air conditioner remote control. Don’t worry if it’s lost or if it has stopped functioning. You can always get a universal a/c remote.

Types of AC Remotes

Yes, there are different types of a/c remote controls, and you need to know them to get the best experience from your a/c unit. Let’s briefly take a look at the three most common types of a/c remote controls, shall we?

Air conditioner temperature adjustment with remote controller in room at home

1. Standard A/C Remote Controls

These are the remote controls that come with your a/c unit. Depending on the type of air conditioner you have, functions and features may vary.

2. Universal A/C Remote Controls

These are aftermarket a/c remotes that work with almost every type of a/c unit. If you’ve lost your standard a/c remote or it simply stopped working, this is the perfect solution for you.

3. Smart A/C Remote Controls

These are a type of universal a/c remote with one major difference—they use Wi-Fi to connect to your smart a/c unit. These come with a lot of functions you won’t find in other remote types.

A/C Remote Controls – Choose Your Type

So, what type of remote control do you need for your a/c? If your a/c remote control of choice is a universal a/c remote control, we’ve got you covered. Simply browse our catalog or give us a call at 855-573-6683 and we’ll help you get the perfect a/c remote control.

Source:

  1. http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/aftermarket.html
brown and white 5 blade ceiling fan with light fixture

Benefits of Owning a Ceiling Fan

A ceiling fan is a great appliance to have in your home. If you’ve been sitting on the fence about installing one, sit no more. Here are a few great benefits you’ll enjoy with your fan:

Reduced Energy Costs

brown and white 5 blade ceiling fan with light fixture

Sure, you may have a/c in your house, but throwing a ceiling fan into the mix will help you save on energy costs. While a ceiling fan doesn’t necessarily cause a decrease in temperature, the air movement it causes makes you feel cooler.

Lighting

Another benefit of installing a remote-controlled ceiling fan is that they usually come with inbuilt lights. These add to the ambiance of the room, giving it a cooler feel.

Enhance Your Rooms Decor

With many styles and looks to choose from, your ceiling fan of choice can be a great way to complement your room’s décor—and don’t worry: Even if you don’t know how to install a remote-controlled ceiling fan, you’ll find it a breeze.

Convenience

Unlike the ceiling fans of old, modern ones come packed with technology for your convenience. One such feature is the remote. This allows you to change the fan speed from anywhere in the room. If your ceiling fan doesn’t come with one, you can always get a universal ceiling fan remote kit.

So, go ahead, enjoy a cool summer breeze right in your home. Replacement Remotes can help supply you with the means to control them. Call us at 855-573-6683.

Source:

  1. https://homeguides.sfgate.com/use-ceiling-fan-reduce-heating-costs-50085.html
Many remote control devices in in hands

Keep Losing Your Remotes? Check Out These TV Remote Control Storage Ideas

Nothing is more troubling than to go to turn on the big game or sit down to binge-watch your favorite program only to not be able to find the remote control. You start checking down the sides of the sofa and chairs. You get on the floor and try looking under furniture.

As funny as it might sound, you may even look in the refrigerator or bathroom. After searching for what seems like hours—or days—you may get lucky or you might be left having to try to figure out how to turn the TV on without a TV remote control.

Fortunately, there are several great storage ideas to help prevent lost remotes, including:

1. Wall Mount Clips

Wall mount clips are special holders you mount to the wall. You could also mount them to the side of an end table. When you are done using the remote, you just slide it back into the clip.

2. Velcro Strips

Attach some Velcro to the bottom of the remote and the other part to an end table or coffee table within reach. The Velcro will hold the remote in place and prevent it from getting knocked off the table or lost down the sides of the sofa or chairs.

Many remote control devices in in hands

3. Tie a String on It

There are special “cables” you can use to attach one end to the remote and the other to a piece of furniture. All you have to do is follow the cable from one end to the other to find the remote.

4. Sofa/Chair Caddy

There are special caddies that hang off the side of sofas and chairs with pockets in them for storing remotes, magazines, books, and other such essential items you want to keep nearby.

5. Keep a Spare Universal Remote on Hand

Invest in a universal remote control that you keep stored away in a drawer or another location you can use as a backup when you misplace one of your remote controls.

We hope these storage ideas help you stop losing your remotes. To find wall mount clips, universal remotes, and TV remote controls, please feel free to browse online at Replacements Remotes or contact us at 855-573-6683 today!

Two professional technicians workers installing television on the wall

How to Set Up Your Living Room for Optimal TV Viewing

Deciding where to put your TV in the living room is an important decision. After all, it will affect your viewing pleasure whether you are watching movies, TV, sports, or playing games. Two factors that determine the best place to install your TV are the size of the television and the TV viewing distance between the TV and the sofa.

The smaller the TV, the closer you will want to be, so you do not have to strain your eyes. Conversely, the larger the TV, the further back the better, so you are not too close to the TV.

TV Stand or Wall Mount?

Once you determine the spacing between the TV and furniture, then you need to decide if you want to put the TV on a TV stand or mount it on the wall. Wall mounting does require installing the appropriate wall mount kit and securing it to the wall by attaching the wall mount into the studs.

Two professional technicians workers installing television on the wall

How High Is Too High?

Make sure you don’t install the TV too high on a stand or the wall, so you are straining your neck looking up when watching TV. If you must place it above a fireplace or higher up on the wall, make sure you can swivel the TV to a downward viewing angle.

Other Considerations

Once you know if you are using a TV stand or wall mounting your TV, remember to take the time to hide all those unsightly cords. There are cord covers and organizers to keep them neat, tidy, and hidden away. Most importantly, make sure you have a TV remote control holder within easy reach of the sofa or your recliner.

To find TV wall mount kits and replacement television remote and universal remote controls, please feel free to browse online at Replacements Remotes or contact us at 855-573-6683 today!

Business & online shopping e-commerce icon on USB drive

USB Thumb Drive Uses and Ideas to Improve Your Business

USB flash drives and thumb drives provide you with a wide range of thumb drive uses and ideas to improve your business. While you might already be using flash drives to transfer data for storage or easily share it between computers, there are several other great ways to put USB flash drives to work for your business.

1. Use branded flash drives for marketing purposes.

You can give away USB drives that are preloaded with your business card, mobile app demonstration, and other such marketing materials to entice and attract new business and repeat business as part of a promotion. You could even use it as part of a contest, where each drive has a coupon or deal on it and one has the “grand prize.”

2. Use flash drives for two-factor authentication.

If you are worried about computer and network security, USB flash drives are a great tool to use for two-factor authentication. The drive contains the “key” to unlock the computer after the username and password have been entered. Plus, each employee can have their own unique “key.”

Business & online shopping e-commerce icon on USB drive

3. Put sales presentations on USB thumb drives.

You can put sales presentations for your salespeople to use, so that all presentations are the same, no matter who does the presentation. You can also pass thumb drives out with the presentations, brochures, and product literature at tradeshows and conferences.

4. Load product installation and use videos on thumb drives.

You can include a thumb drive that is preloaded with product installation videos service technicians or your customers can use to install and configure their new product.

5. Select drives that fit your brand, logo, or product colors.

Make sure the drives you use fit your brand image, logo, or product colors so customers will better associate those with your business. You will also want to put other customizations on the drives like your business name, website, and phone number.

We hope these thumb drive uses have sparked your imagination to come up with even more great ideas to improve your business with flash drives. To find USB drives for these uses and more, please feel free to shop online at Replacement Remotes today! You can also call us at 855-573-6683 for further assistance.

hand with usb flash drive inserting it into laptop computer closeup

What Is a Flash Drive Used For?

There are plenty of uses for a portable flash drive. Most people are familiar with USB flash drives that plug into the USB ports on their computers or portable devices. Numerous people use these drives for storing backups of their files. Yet, there are plenty of other cool uses for USB flash drives.

1. Use it as a key to unlock your computer.

A USB drive can be used for two-factor authentication to help keep the data on your computer more secure. With the drive, even if someone knows your password, they cannot log onto the computer.

2. Use it to stand out when looking for a job.

Put your resume, video presentation, professional references, and other relevant information tailored to the job you applied for. By sending a USB drive to the employer, they will remember you better, and it could even land you the job.

3. Use it to give your computer a speed boost.

You can use a USB drive as virtual memory to provide more available memory for your computer to use. There are also various apps that can be used to do the same thing.

hand with usb flash drive inserting it into laptop computer closeup

4. Run portable applications on any computer.

You can download Google Chrome, games, secure browsing apps, antivirus apps, and more, and run these directly from the portable flash drive without having to install anything onto the computer you are using.

5. Remove spyware, malware, and viruses from your computer.

If your computer gets infected, having your anti-virus app on a USB drive will make it easier to remove these things from your computer.

6. Create a backup/recovery program for your operating system.

If your computer’s operating system crashes, having a backup/recovery program is useful to try to repair the operating system and get the computer back up and running.

This is just a sampling of the cool uses for USB flash drives. To get USB drives for these uses and more, please feel free to shop online at Replacement Remotes today! You can also call us at 855-573-6683 for further assistance.

Young woman switching on air conditioner while sitting in armchair

What AC Features Should I Look For?

Young woman switching on air conditioner while sitting in armchair

Modern air conditioners include many features that impact their performance and usability. While a new remote control is easy to come by on the internet, finding an AC with the features you need is trickier. Here are a few to look for:

  • Remote Control: An air conditioner remote control is a convenient feature that lets you adjust the temperature and fan speed from your couch or bed.
  • Energy-Saver Switch: When you turn this switch on, the air conditioner fan will shut off as soon as the thermostat turns off the unit’s compressor, saving energy.
  • Oscillating Vents: Controlled by an internal motor, oscillating vents automatically shift airflow from side to side to allow for more even cooling.
  • Coil Size: The larger the coil size, the more efficiently the A/C will transfer heat.
  • Noise Control: Noise emissions should be under 50dB; you can find noise level parameters in the unit’s product specifications.
  • Filter Indicator Light: Changing the filter boosts efficiency; an indicator light can let you know when the filter needs to be changed to ensure your AC works properly.
  • Ventilation/Exhaust: These can allow fresh air in from outside. It then circulates in the room while stale air can be exhausted out of your home.
  • Manufacturer’s Warranty: The warranty covers the cost of parts and labor, enabling you to save on repairs; warranties are generally from one to two years (extended warranties may provide up to five years of coverage).

Buy an Air Conditioner Remote Today

Replacement Remotes carries remote controls for nearly every major brand of air conditioner. To receive your air conditioner remote control replacement, place your order online. Call 855-573-6683 to learn more.