Author Archives: Angie

About Angie

As a blogger for FiltersFast.com, I try to bring a fresh perspective to issues regarding air and water filtration focusing on topics that matter to those like me; a typical, yet supreme, multi-tasking, working mom. Environmental impact and health concerns are addressed in my writing, as well as fun, helpful tips to better juggle that crazy thing known as life!

Cystic Fibrosis Xtreme Hike – Donate to Cure Cystic Fibrosis

Posted on by
Reply

cystic fibrosis xtreme hikeThis year, our own CEO and Owner of FiltersFast.com, Ray Scardigno, will once again participate in the Charlotte, NC Chapter’s Xtreme Hike, on April 26, 2014. Having a personal connection to the cause and having made a commitment to help fight for a cure, Ray, representing Team FiltersFast.com, and a group of dedicated hikers, will join together on a one day hike over 30 miles, to raise awareness and funds to support the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Each year, roughly 1000 people are diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis, nearly One way the CF Foundation raises money is by holding a series of events across the U.S. known as the Cystic Fibrosis Xtreme Hike. Hikers embark on a journey across some of the most scenic terrain in the country, all with one goal and purpose in mind: to bring awareness to Cystic Fibrosis and raise money to search for a cure.

Approximately 30,000 people in the United States are currently living with Cystic Fibrosis with up to ten million more being carriers of the defective CF gene.  Cystic Fibrosis causes devastating damage to the lungs, sometimes leading to fatal infections, and digestive tract, preventing food from being absorbed and used properly.all, being under two years of age. Not long ago, as recent as the 1950’s, most children diagnosed with the disease did not live to see elementary school.  Luckily, with modern advancements in technology and medicine, with funds in part raised by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, life expectancy of CF patients has increased by decades.  Many of those affected, can now expect to live well into their 30’s and 40’s and even beyond.

Please join us, as we support the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, by making a donation to Ray’s Xtreme Hike on April 26, 2014.  FiltersFast.com will match each donation dollar for dollar up to $7,500!  For more information on Cystic Fibrosis and to learn more about this year’s Xtreme Hike, please visit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

To donate to Team FiltersFast.com‘s Xtreme Hike to battle CF, please follow this link:

Help Team FiltersFast.com

Pin It

Stay Warm This Winter Polar Vortex… Stylish Designer Space Heaters

Posted on by
Reply
polar-vortex-ap

Photo Courtesy of: The Independent

Have you noticed that it’s a little chilly this winter?  Thanks to a weather phenomenon called the “Polar Vortex” much of the US has been in a deep freeze and it doesn’t appear to be letting up anytime soon.  With temperatures colder than they have been for decades, many people are experiencing record breaking lows.

All of this cold weather has led me to think about ways to stay warm. As for myself, my best tip for staying warm during this brutal winter is simple; stay inside!  That’s right. Nothing keeps you warm like being in your nice toasty living room while the weather outside is frightful.  A warm cup of cocoa, coffee or hot tea… sounds nice, right?

One problem you might have noticed lately is that with temps this low and the wind howling like a ferocious beast, sometimes it is hard to keep your room as warm as you would like.  Sure you can crank up the furnace, but systems have to work extremely hard to keep up with the frigid temps outside; which just leads to higher energy consumption and higher bills for you.  One simple solution is to invest in a space heater.

I am very fond of the highly economical Crane Convection Heater.  This is not your parent’s old space heater!  This is an energy efficient product, available in 3 modern colors, that does not make the air drier.  It uses convection heat circulation, not the

crane-EE-8068R-filter

standard heat coils of a radiant heater.   Convection heaters offer one major benefit over radiant space heaters and that is that they heat
the entire room by circulating the air, verses only heating the immediate surrounding space. This particular, stylish heater features auto shut-off, a 24-hour programmable timer, whisper quiet operation, as well as dual output options which allow you to heat either a small or large room.

I understand that we cannot spend the next 2 months holed up inside. Life does go on… work, school, basketball games, downhill skiing, shoveling the sidewalk etc. So if you must venture outside, a science based report on TheWeek.com suggests the following tips:

  1. Stay dry.
  2. Protect your core (insulate your torso).
  3. Cover up as much skin as possible.
  4. Mittens are warmer than gloves.
  5. Drink water.

After you are finished with your mandatory time outdoors, return to your cozy nest. Turn on your Crane Convection space heater. Grab a warm beverage and put on a pair of fuzzy slippers. Grab a blanket (preferably the one with sleeves), and spend the rest of the evening contemplating Spring!

Visit FiltersFast.com for a variety of cost effective space heaters.

Pin It

How to Change Your Refrigerator Water Filter – Step-by-Step

Posted on by
Reply

 

replacing-refrigerator-filter

Ladies, we know that we are capable of doing anything.  We are the masters of multi-tasking; devoted wives and mothers, working both inside and outside of the home. So why are there still some tasks that seem to send us irrationally into panic mode? Certain “maintenance” type tasks were gender specific in the past, but by 2014 a lot of the stereotypes have broken down.

Let’s take changing your refrigerator filter as an example.  Most of us rely on our husbands to handle this, because frankly, we are not sure what, how or when to do it ourselves!  So I have complied a simple “How to Change Your Refrigerator Filter” instruction that will allow you to add this to your ever expanding skill set.

  1. Know when to change the filter.  Most need replaced every 6 – 12 months depending on the use frequency.  If you have a larger family that uses a lot of water, it might not last as long. Your water and/ or ice may start to taste funny or different.  A lot of refrigerators will display an indicator light when it is time for a change.
  2. Determine which type of filter you have:
  • Push-in filters are built into the appliance. They fit into a compartment within the refrigerator usually on the front bottom, behind the grille, or within the upper right interior and are generally easy to install.
  • Twist-in filters are just that.  Usually found in the upper right interior, they will either have a push button release, or simple twist release.
  • Inline filters attach at the back of the refrigerator to the incoming water line. These are generally going to be found on older models that do not come with a built-in filter.

 

**One important note; before you discard your old filter, make sure to note the make/ model number so that you can obtain the proper replacement filter. **

 Once you determine the filter type/location, follow these basic steps to replace it:

Push-in filter:

  1. Remove and discard the old filter by pushing the “eject” button or by twisting off the filter cap.
  2. Remove the filter cap on the end of the filter to reuse on the new filter.
  3. Line up the arrows on the new filter and on the filter cap.  Snap it into place by turning it clockwise.
  4. Continue pushing the filter in, until the eject button pops.
  5. Make sure the cap is secure.
  6. Reset Refrigerator Water Filter indicator light if equipped.

 

Twist-in (base grille) filter:

  1. Locate the filter cap in the base grille; turn to the left to remove.
  2. Slide the filter handle on the end of the filter to reuse on the new filter.
  3. Discard old filter.
  4. After removing new filter from packaging, replace filter handle and insert by twisting into place.
  5. Reset Refrigerator Water Filter indicator light if equipped.

 

Twist –in (interior) filter:

  1. Filter is located in the upper right interior of refrigerator.
  2. Open cover by either pushing or pulling.
  3. Release old filter by twisting counterclockwise.
  4. Insert new filter and lock into place by turning clockwise until it snaps.
  5. Reset Refrigerator Water Filter indicator light if equipped.

 

In-line filter:

  1. Turn off cold water supply.
  2. Between the shut-off valve and refrigerator, locate an easily accessible portion of tubing. Cut tubing, by using tubing cutters for copper/plastic. Cut square not angled to avoid leaks. Smooth cut edges with steel wool or file if necessary.
  3. Remove end cap on new filter and insert tubing. Lock into place by holding down end cap.
  4. Turn water supply back on.
  5. Hold filter over a bucket and run water until clear. Do this for both ends of the filter.
  6. Make sure to check for leaks

 

After replacing your refrigerator filter, make sure to run a gallon or two of water and discard.  This will flush the carbon residue from the filter.   And that’s it… mission accomplished!

If you need any advice on what kind of filter you have, part number or even installation assistance, you can contact Filters Fast, the experts in the air and water filtration industry.

 

Pin It