Tag Archives: Feder’s

Thru-The-Wall Air Conditioners Explained

This post should describe the differences between the two types of thru-the-wall room air conditioning units.

The first type of wall unit is necessary when there is not yet an air conditioner installed.  A wall unit that has a slide-out chassis should be installed.  These units should already come with their own sleeve for easy installation.  To install, the chassis (guts) should be slid-out of its sleeve, a hole should be cut approximately 1/4″ larger than the size of the unit’s sleeve in to the wall.  The sleeve should be screwed into a stud in the wall, then the guts should be slid into the sleeve.  This type of wall unit uses a sleeve for installation because if something goes wrong in the future, it can easily be removed from its sleeve for repair or maintenance.

The second type of thru-the-wall air conditioner sold (more of a specialty item) comes into play if there is already an air conditioner installed in the wall (like the first type of unit discussed above) that needs to be replaced.  Although a little more expensive than the first type of wall unit on average, these air conditioners are much less expensive to install because a new hole does not need to be cut or an existing hole does not need to be altered.  Most relacement thru-the-wall air conditioners are smaller than 26″ wide and 16″ tall, since the old “standard” wall unit was about that size.  These thru-the-wall units are solid-sided and rear-vented so that they can slide into any existing sleeve without any trouble breathing which may result in a unit overheating.  Also, since these units are typically smaller than an existing wall air conditioner (often sized 24″ wide and 14 1/2″ tall), they come with a trim-kit that slides over the front of the air conditioner to fill most gaps between the unit and the existing sleeve.

Solid-sided, rear-vented thru-the-wall replacement air conditioner

Often times, the question comes up as to why the first type of wall air conditioner can’t be installed in to an existing sleeve.  Well, as discussed, these units have side-vents that allow the unit to breath, and more often than not, the side-vents in the unit will not match the side-vents in the existing sleeve and can cause the unit to overheat and damage its compressor, thereby rendering the unit inoperable, often times without any waranty coverage due to the fact that the unit being installed improperly.

Another distinguishing factor between these two types of air conditioners is that the first type of unit can usually also be installed in a double-hung window and often times comes with a side accordian sleeve (which can be removed for a wall installation).

Window air conditioner with accordian sleeve
Window air conditioner with accordian sleeve

Purchase from Feder’s Distributors (Nationwide shipping)

HOW LONG DO MAJOR HOME APPLIANCES LAST?

IMG_0100Whether you’re about to become a first-time homebuyer, or are already a property owner and are now going over the condition of your current appliances and your budget for new ones, it’s worth taking a closer look at some of those big ticket items. They may seem just fine but may be closer to breaking down than you think.

Below is the National Association of Home Builders general guidelines for the life expectancy of those major appliances.

For those in the market to buy right now, you may be able to negotiate a cash credit from the seller to repair or replace a high priced appliance that is worn out and old.

Gas range ovens have the longest life expectancy among appliances. They should last about 15 years.
Refrigerators and dryers are at 13 years.
Washing machines expected life at 10 years.
Electric or gas dryers at 13 years.
Dishwashers and microwave ovens should last about nine years.
Followed by trash compactors that average out at six years.
The NAHB study also found that changes in styling, technology and consumer preferences tend to push major home appliances out the door long before they’re worn out and needing to be replaced.
For example, earlier this year, GE introduced the Café Series French door refrigerator with a built-in Keurig K-Cup brewing system, available in stainless steel with an MSRP of $3,300. A selling point of the appliance is that it frees up counter space since you’ll no longer need your coffeemaker.
As far as Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning goes, these systems need to be properly maintained for maximum efficiency and life expectancy. Even in the best case scenario, most HVAC components only last 15 to 25 years. Usually furnaces last 15-20 years, heat pumps 16 years and air conditioning units 10-15 years. Thermostats usually get replaced before the end of their 35-year lifespan due to technological improvements.
Customers who want to replace their 20-year-old refrigerator are surprised when told the average life expectancy of a new one is seven to 12 years. Consumer products just don’t last as long as they used to. Keep this helpful guide in mind when planning and budgeting for your next major home improvement project.

Why new appliances matter/Biggest energy culprits in any home

The simple answer is improved technology, but keep it in prospective when considering appliance energy tips. Replacing a three year old dishwasher won’t have a huge impact – putting a 12 year old refrigerator out to pasture will, though. Any major appliance that is over a decade old is due for retirement. Just changing out these older units for ENERGY STAR models has the potential to cut electricity use by half.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the one appliance that uses by far the most energy after heating and cooling equipment is the hot water heater. This means the appliances that rely on hot water, such as the dishwasher, are costing you even more. The best move you can make when upgrading your water heater is to switch to an energy efficient or tankless model. From there, the next major appliance putting a dent in the electricity is the clothes dryer with the refrigerator coming in at a close second.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, this is how the numbers break down for the average home. These figures assume your home has newer appliances, however. The numbers would shift dramatically if the refrigerator or freestanding freezer were 15 years old, for example.
• Water heater – 2400 kWh for a family of two
• Clothes dryer – 1000 kWh
• Refrigerator – 600 kWh
• Dishwasher – 300 kWh
• Clothes washer – 200 kWh

Visit our website often to keep up to date on appliance energy tips.

Arctic King MWK-15 ENERGY STAR Certified Room Air Conditioners

mwk-15crn1GREAT LOW PRICE, MANY AVAILABLE NOW!!! Here in Southern California we all definitely know one thing one thing; continuous warm weather and it has been hot hot hot with no end in sight so far!

Many people buy an air conditioner that is too large, thinking it will provide better cooling. An oversized air conditioner is actually less effective – and WASTES ENERGY!. Save energy and fight climate change with ENERGY STAR qualified products like the MWK-15. They use less energy, save money, and help protect the environment. Remember that bigger is not always better! In addition the MWK-15 is the largest 110 V model available (with 15 amp plug).

Arctic King MWK-15
Arctic King MWK-15

DETAILS:
– 15,000 BTU
-Digital control panel with remote control
-With slide-out chassis and wall sleeve
-For double-hung (up/down) window or install in wall
-Dimensions (W” x H” x D”) 23 5/8″ x 17 3/16″ x 25½”

Helpful Chart to determine your BTU needs:

Area To Be Cooled (square feet) Capacity Needed (BTUs per hour)
100 up to 150 5,000
150 up to 250 6,000
250 up to 300 7,000
300 up to 350 8,000
350 up to 400 9,000
400 up to 450 10,000
450 up to 550 12,000
550 up to 700 14,000
700 up to 1,000 18,000
1,000 up to 1,200 21,000
1,200 up to 1,400 23,000
1,400 up to 1,500 24,000
1,500 up to 2,000 30,000
2,000 up to 2,500 34,000

So come to one of our locations as soon as you can to take a look! And beat this heat.

Santa Monica Showroom/Warehouse: 310-450-8585 or TOLL-FREE: 855-28-FEDER
North Hollywood Showroom/Warehouse: 818-769-8000 or TOLL-FREE: 866-FEDERS-0
North Hollywood Warehouse: 818-982-3300

Top Tips for Choosing an Air Conditioner

Types of Air Conditioners:
1. Portable units
2. Through-the-wall units
3. Window units
4. Ductless Mini-Splits
5. Central or whole-home units

Window units are the most popular air conditioners. They are the easiest to install and remove. This type of A/C fits in a window opening and vents to the outside.

Through-the-wall units are heavier and larger than window units. A through-the-wall unit rests within an air conditioner sleeve that is set into an exterior wall. Circuitry must be analyzed because these units often require greater amperage and voltage.

Portable air conditioners are ideal for smaller spaces and they exhaust through temporary ducting and can be moved from room to room.

Ductless Mini-split units work like a central system, but they’re made to cool/heat one room. The compressor sits outside on a pad on the ground, on the side of a building, or on the roof, while the fan sits on a bracket at the top of the interior wall.

Central or whole-home units cool the entire house. Frequently combined with heating (HVAC system) they are the most expensive option and require expert installation.

Room size is perhaps the most important factor in determining the size of air conditioner you need, but consider also:

1. The number of windows in the room
2. The room’s exposure
3. The quality of room insulation
4. Other appliances that may be in use
5. The number of people in the room

Air conditioners, especially older units, are among the most expensive appliances to run. Choosing an appropriately sized unit is critical, because a unit that is too small will not meet your cooling demands, and one that is too large will cost more to run and will not properly control humidity.

Feder’s offers a wide vairiety of the finest air conditioners, so please call or stop by and speak with our knowledgeable staff to pick the right fit for you!
Remember we have added a new showroom/warehouse in Santa Monica so you can order from either there or our North Hollywood locations.
North Hollywood Showroom/Warehouse: 818-769-8000 or TOLL-FREE: 866-FEDERS-0
North Hollywood Warehouse: 818-982-3300
Santa Monica Showroom/Warehouse: 310-450-8585 or TOLL-FREE: 855-28-FEDER

Keep Cool and Warm Together!

If you need a large air conditioner to help you get through the rest of the summer, with heating options that can help you endure a cold winter, than look no further than the Black and Decker  18,000 BTU with the model  number of BWH18A. The air conditioner includes 3 fan speeds in order to meets your needs. The unit offers both cooling and heating flexibilities too. This includes a programmable 24 hour timer to help meet your needs regardless of what temperature you need.

Black & Decker 18,000 BTU Heat Strip

The unit also offers an energy saver mode that shuts the compressor off when the desired temperature is met, limiting excess runtime and reducing energy costs effectively. The Black and Decker 18,000 BTU includes a digital time/temperature display that is easy to read. It is located the front of the unit, so you can read the display and use the remote control to make adjustments from the other side of the room.

This unit can cover a big room or area and is easy to install. Contact us for more information about the BWH18A. While the heat is still intense, it is a great time to buy an air conditioner and this is just one of our many units offered at great prices.

Santa Monica Showroom/Warehouse: 310-450-8585 or TOLL-FREE: 855-28-FEDER                                                                                                                                                       North Hollywood Showroom/Warehouse: 818-769-8000 or TOLL-FREE: 866-FEDERS-0
North Hollywood Warehouse: 818-982-3300

 

Have A BTUtiful Summer

lw1211erMake your summertime living easy and breezy with the LG 12,000 BTU Window Air Conditioner. This unit is great for a bedroom in any apartment or house. One of the key features of the air conditioner is that it has 3 powerful cooling and fan speeds allowing you to control the temperature of your room at your pace. The 4-Way Air Direction opportunity allows you to enjoy the cool air even more. By adjusting the deflection, air is directed up, down, left or right so you can move the air where it’s needed most. This way every part of the room can cool down.  In case there is ever a power outage, you are covered too. The Auto Restart function automatically turns the unit back on when power is restored. There is also a 12 Hour On/Off Timer which can turn on before you arrive home, or turn off after you leave. You won’t have to walk into a hot room again! And nothing is cooler of more energy efficient.

The air conditioner comes with a remote to help control the unit so you can change settings and temperature from anywhere within the room. Overall, it is a simple and powerful air conditioner that will make your summer a lot more enjoyable. It fits easily into the window and it one of LG’s most reliant products. If you need to purchase an air conditioner for your house or your tenant’s apartment, this LG system with the model number LW1212ER is worth giving a shot.

North Hollywood Showroom/Warehouse: 818-769-8000 or TOLL-FREE: 866-FEDERS-0
North Hollywood Warehouse: 818-982-3300
Santa Monica Showroom/Warehouse: 310-450-8585 or TOLL-FREE: 855-28-FEDER

We’ve Got You Covered

Hoods have become vital parts of kitchens and are really useful to those who love cooking. We offer a large variety of options including over-the-range microwave hoods and under counter hoods. Broan makes a couple of under the counter hoods at 30” and 42” which we have in white, black and even stainless steel.

Both sizes are part of the 42000 series which offers an effective and durable under-the-cabinet hood solution for vertical discharge installations. The range hood is designed for 7 in. round vertical duct attachment. The hood features a fan designed for years of trouble free service, an easy to clean grease filter that is dishwasher safe, an easy to clean grease filter, a protective lamp lens that distributes light evenly over the cook-top and control switches for fan speed and light activation. It even includes a built-in 7 in. duct adapter.

So for these easy to use counter hoods and all our other great hoods we offer come over to one of our locations in either North Hollywood or in Santa Monica and take a look at them yourself. You can take it with you or we can install it, all for a great deal.

North Hollywood Showroom/Warehouse: 818-769-8000 or TOLL-FREE: 866-FEDERS-0
North Hollywood Warehouse: 818-982-3300
Santa Monica Showroom/Warehouse: 310-450-8585 or TOLL-FREE: 855-28-FEDER

42″ Broan Range Hood

All in One Kitchen Appliance

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Are you looking for a sink, a small refrigerator, stove or even some kitchen storage space?  How about all four of them in one convenient piece? Avanti has special 30” and 36” complete compact kitchen sets including a refrigerator. These sets come with almost everything you will need for your kitchen while taking up a minimal amount of space. They contain many parts and are very similar with just a couple main differences.

Some of the features in the 36” set are a stainless steel sink with chrome faucet and a stainless steel countertop. There are two electric heating elements at 500 and 1000 watts with power indicator lights. There is integrated backsplash on top to help keep clean. The refrigerator is 3.0 CF and has a reversible door that you can give a right or left swing. It has an adjustable full range thermostat and an auto defroster. Also included is a crisper with a glass lid. The white cabinet has 2 adjustable and removable slide-out shelves and convenient door racks.

The 30” set is very similar with just a few key differences other than size. The grills are on the left side of the top rather than the right side and the refrigerator is on the left side in the front. This refrigerator also has reversible door with all the same features. This set is also ADA compliant to make easy to use for those with disabilities.

If this looks like the exact thing your apartment or your tenant might need come by either of our showrooms today and take a look. The model numbers for the piece are CK30-2 and CK36-2.

North Hollywood Showroom/Warehouse: 818-769-8000 or TOLL-FREE: 866-FEDERS-0
North Hollywood Warehouse: 818-982-3300
Santa Monica Showroom/Warehouse: 310-450-8585 or TOLL-FREE: 855-28-FEDER