My friend's cat is stuck in her apartment's A/C duct system. What should she do? [more inside]
posted by holympus on Sep 26, 2009 - 29 answers

Need help from mechanics! Asking for a friend: On a 2005 Mercury Marquis, the air temperature control does not work. What could be the cause and possible ways to fix it? [more inside]
posted by Houstonian on Sep 24, 2009 - 12 answers

Where can I find a 2/3a 700mAh 2.4v AC adapter? [more inside]
posted by brenton on Aug 28, 2009 - 6 answers

Replacing the AC and furnace -- is now the time to buy? Tell me what you know about rebates! [more inside]
posted by amanda on Jul 28, 2009 - 10 answers

From an energy-/cost-saving POV, is it better to ramp down your AC to a lower temp when you're not in the house or using the space, or turn it off completely and then crank up when you're back? What about, say, if you're away for a week or more. I know this is not like heat where pipes can freeze if you turn off. I should know this by now but I don't. Thanks for any advice.
posted by terrier319 on Jul 25, 2009 - 11 answers

Is genuine best in with the Aprilaire Whole-Home Air Cleaner?I am having trouble sussing out what is best for our situation. I might just have a general air flow issue. [more inside]
posted by stormygrey on Jun 21, 2009 - 2 answers

We need to salvage an the blower motor in the our ac unit. [more inside]
posted by stormygrey on May 27, 2009 - 12 answers

Can a 3ton ac intake be incresed by adding floor fans to the intake? [more inside]
posted by brent_h on May 19, 2009 - 6 answers

Lost my laptop's AC adapter, time to find a new one. [more inside]
posted by theichibun on Mar 28, 2009 - 3 answers

What DC voltage does an average LCD monitor use? [more inside]
posted by leafxor on Mar 27, 2009 - 4 answers

New, generic AC adapter is causing my computer speaker system to hum. I thought it was a ground loop, but a cheater plug (fitted on the jack of the AC adapter) didn't help. (The speaker system itself is not grounded.) I know it's the AC adapter, because if I run my laptop on battery power, the hum disappears. Anything I can do, short of forking out $70 for an original adapter? This adapter has been working fine otherwise. [more inside]
posted by ori on Mar 23, 2009 - 8 answers

lI have a through-the-wal air conditioning unit. How do I stop the cold air outside from coming in through the cracks? [more inside]
posted by kmtiszen on Jan 27, 2009 - 8 answers

My old laptop blew the motherboard after 3 years of great use (Acer Aspire 5670). I just bought a new laptop (Acer Extensa 5630Z). Can I use the power charger/AC Adapter from my old on my new without doing damage? The new one is rated 19V 3.43A. The old one is 19V 4.4A. (plugs are the same). Long live the hive mind!
posted by bytemover on Dec 20, 2008 - 10 answers

Should we replace our furnace and AC and go with this company's maintenance agreement/guarantee? [more inside]
posted by SallyHitMeOntheHead on Dec 16, 2008 - 7 answers

What did I do to my HVAC system when I changed my thermostat? [more inside]
posted by jefficator on Nov 26, 2008 - 3 answers

Does my window air conditioner use just as much electricity on the "fan" setting as it does on the "cool" setting? [more inside]
posted by amro on Sep 28, 2008 - 7 answers

Does anyone know a good residential AC company in Tampa, FL? The company I have been using (Atlas Air) has been out 3 times in 6 months, and with my AC out again (this time for two weeks while we try to fix it ourselves), I'd like to try someone else before calling Atlas out again.
posted by Ikazuchi on Sep 18, 2008 - 6 answers

Help me keep cool! Ok, I'm a bit OCD about this I realize. I'm wondering if there's some way to test the AC in my apartment to see if it's working properly. Is there a special thermometer to use to test the air temperature coming out of the vents? If so, what should that temperature be? [more inside]
posted by odayoday on Aug 19, 2008 - 8 answers

I'm looking for a simple "let's listen to music while we're camping far away from our cars" power solution. [more inside]
posted by Overzealous on Aug 12, 2008 - 19 answers

Apartment filter: I need my apartment to be cool inside! We moved into a very nice 3rd (top) floor, west facing apartment... in March... came home in June and no exaggeration, it was 94 degrees in my living room. The AC has a 20 degree difference and runs nonstop from 4pm to 11pm and its 84 degrees in the bed room till 11pm. [more inside]
posted by phritosan on Aug 4, 2008 - 38 answers

The previous question about mini-splits (one type of "ductless" AC) on askMe dealt only with complications of apartment dwellers. So, as a more general question, does anyone have advice on picking a good mini-split unit, and a reliable installer? I know that Mitsubishi is a big player for this type of item, but are they still as evil (environmentally) as they were last time I checked, in the '80's?
posted by ericbop on Jul 14, 2008 - 3 answers

I have a Dell Latitude X300, which uses the same ac adapter that every other Dell I’ve seen lately uses. Is there anything that will work for my laptop that is smaller and easier for me to carry around? [more inside]
posted by SirNovember on Jun 26, 2008 - 2 answers

Where can I find a AC power adapter (not battery charger!) for the Canon EOS / Digital Rebel series? [more inside]
posted by lord_yo on Jun 18, 2008 - 4 answers

What to do with a portable air conditioner that does not cool! [more inside]
posted by convex on Jun 14, 2008 - 5 answers

Like most mefites, I have far too many gadgets, and the wall warts to match. I suspect most of them could be replaced with a single USB charger - is this something that already exists? [more inside]
posted by spaceman_spiff on Dec 28, 2007 - 8 answers

IsraelFilter: Where can i Buy This Powerthingy In Israel? [more inside]
posted by Izzmeister on Sep 24, 2007 - 3 answers

After having the A/C compressor replaced in our VW Golf, the engine idle speed drops way down to near-stalling whenever the clutch is released while driving. It pops right back up, but it's a bit unnerving. [more inside]
posted by odinsdream on Sep 8, 2007 - 9 answers

Is my car's air conditioner releasing deadly fumes or something? [more inside]
posted by exceptinsects on Aug 21, 2007 - 3 answers

My brother is looking for an inverter to use with a deep cycle battery while camping. [more inside]
posted by croutonsupafreak on Aug 12, 2007 - 8 answers

Mysterious mosquito attacks within a small living space... [more inside]
posted by Blazecock Pileon on Jul 23, 2007 - 8 answers

I am moving into an apartment with a pre-existing wall hole for a thru-wall AC. (It's a Fedders building -- but I don't need a Fedders unit, right?) Despite my best google search skills, I'm having trouble figuring out what exactly I need to make this work. Help! [more inside]
posted by alleycat01 on Jul 4, 2007 - 5 answers

Our homeowner's association doesn't allow window air conditioning units to be mounted outside of dwellings. But with our built-in inside window ledge, we can put our AC window unit right against the screen, keeping it fully indoors while still venting outside. Are there any health or safety reasons why we shouldn't do this?
posted by croutonsupafreak on May 31, 2007 - 15 answers

I'm probably going to need to leave my air conditioner in the window during the '07-'08 winter, and I have a few questions about air conditioners and winter. [more inside]
posted by WCityMike on May 22, 2007 - 16 answers

Am I crazy for thinking of living in Durham, NC without air conditioning? Considerations: I get really really hot, have a somewhat crazy internal thermometer, I have lots of books, and I don't want to be miserable. Problem: we found a super cute house and it doesn't have AC. What to do? [more inside]
posted by fionab on Nov 28, 2006 - 22 answers

How much exactly will using my laptop on AC destroy my battery? [more inside]
posted by qvantamon on Nov 25, 2006 - 15 answers

This may seem like one of those "duh" questions, but I've just put in my very first air conditioner (thanks to MeFites) and have a few quick questions. [more inside]
posted by WCityMike on Aug 1, 2006 - 26 answers

Creative (non-insane) ways to keep cool in Florida needed [more inside]
posted by pallen123 on Jul 17, 2006 - 18 answers

Please help me iron out two weird quirks relating to the purchase of an air conditioner, says the Chicago MeFite looking at a 104-degree heat index coming down the pike. (And even if you don't have an answer, check out two simple corollary queries you might be able to help me with at the end.) [more inside]
posted by WCityMike on Jul 15, 2006 - 22 answers

For a friend: How would a semi-mechaically-inclined person with their own tools find, remove, clean & lubricate -OR- find, clean & lubricate without removing, the vent/AC van which is under/behind the dash in a 93-95 Cadillac Eldorado ETC? [more inside]
posted by sandra_s on Jun 26, 2006 - 5 answers

I'm trying to insulate my window/frame... can anyone help me devise a solution? [more inside]
posted by mhuckaba on May 31, 2006 - 13 answers

Should I buy a window / portable air conditioner for my home office? [more inside]
posted by cowmix on May 14, 2006 - 18 answers

Can you buy power strips in the US that have separate on/off switches for each socket? [more inside]
posted by holgate on Dec 22, 2005 - 15 answers

What DC to AC power inverter can I buy for use in a car that won't contribute hum to an audio signal from devices it powers? [more inside]
posted by odinsdream on Nov 15, 2005 - 11 answers

What's the simplest and cheapest way for me to have a setup where when one electric appliance is turned on it turns another one on? [more inside]
posted by phearlez on Jul 20, 2005 - 8 answers

Hot outside, hot inside. One open window, one fan (like this one). Where do I place it to cool my room down most efficiently. By the window, or on the other side of the room? Or somewhere else? [more inside]
posted by mr.marx on Jun 21, 2005 - 16 answers

Owning a home is fun! Our latest adventure in homemaking involves our heating and cooling system, so we're having to make some long-term decisions with very little first-hand experience. [more inside]
posted by grabbingsand on Apr 22, 2005 - 3 answers

I just purchased a Mitsubishi WD-52525 DLP HDTV and the manual suggest that some problems might occur if a surge protector and AC line conditioner are not used. Any recommendations on satisfactory surge protectors and line conditioners (something in the mid-price range)? Also, could someone explain how a line conditioner works and why it is necessary?
posted by sharksandwich on Feb 1, 2005 - 10 answers

Electricity: I'm wiring up a new dishwasher with the power cord from the old dishwasher. Just to make things interesting, the power cord has absolutely no indication of which side is positive and which side is negative. Is this because it's AC and it doesn't matter? I'm in the US on 110.
posted by yerfatma on Dec 6, 2004 - 14 answers

TransformerFilter: I've just relocated to the US and have a rechargeable drill that uses a 17V DC transformer. I need to replace the transformer, since the one I have runs on 240V power (and has the UK prongs). The problem here is that I can't find a suitable replacement at the likely suspect places: hardware stores, Radio Shack...

I know that the voltage must match precisely and that the amperage must be at least as high as the noted amperage, and that the polarity must also match. So where can I go to find a good transformer? I'm in NYC, but I prefer to shop online.
posted by yellowcandy on Nov 28, 2004 - 9 answers

Another air conditioner question. In both my car and my window units at home, there is a feature that I will generically call "air exchange." I can turn it on or off. It seems to somehow bring in air from the outside for some reason. What is this for, and when is it useful?
posted by stupidsexyFlanders on Jul 7, 2004 - 13 answers