Technician repairing and maintenance Air conditioner

Should You Repair or Replace Your Air Conditioner?

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With warmer weather hitting certain parts of the country and summer just around the corner, now is a good time to think about whether you should repair or replace your air conditioner. To help you decide, here are some great questions to ask:

1. How old is the AC unit?

Technician repairing and maintenance Air conditioner

AC units start to become less efficient and reliable the older they get. If your unit is 10+ years old, it may be time to get a new one. Modern AC units are more efficient than they were 10 years ago and could even help reduce your cooling costs.

2. Does the AC still blow cold air?

If all that is coming out of your unit is warm air, the first thing to do is to call and schedule an AC repair service visit. Sometimes the system can be repaired. Other times, the costs of repairs will be just as much as buying a new unit.

3. Does the air conditioner smell?

If you have a ductless indoor system, does it smell like mold and mildew? If so, then you probably want to replace the unit. Getting rid of mold and mildew from these systems is difficult because it can be growing in places where you cannot reach.

4. What maintenance does the air conditioner need?

Hand with remote control directed on air conditioner

If you have kept up with annual maintenance, your AC may still be in great shape. If you skipped annual maintenance, your system may need some major repairs. Again, depending on what repairs are needed, it may be more cost-effective to just buy a new AC.

5. Does the AC work fine, but you just lost the air conditioner remote?

If your AC works great, but is a pain turning it on and off because you lost the air conditioner remote, then you don’t need to buy a new AC. Instead, at Replacement Remotes online, you can find replacement AC remotes compatible with your unit.

To order a new AC remote control for your AC system, browse our selections online or call Replacement Remotes at 855-573-6683 today! We also carry replacement remotes for ceiling fans, garage door openers, TVs, and more!

man hand holding 3D glasses

How Do 3D Glasses Work?

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3D glasses are nothing short of a technological marvel—what with the way they make your favorite movies come alive!

However, have you ever wondered how 3D glasses work?

Early Forms of 3D Technology

man hand holding 3D glasses

It’s easy to think 3-dimension glasses are a recent invention. However, early forms of 3D glasses can be traced all the way back to 1922. Since then, technological advancements have made them better and cheaper. And now you can even get yourself a 3D glasses kit for your own home.

How 3D Glasses Work

While technology may get all the credit, 3D glasses work through a combination of filters and your brain. The two filters (lenses on the glasses) feed your eyes two images taken from slightly different perspectives. Your brain then combines the input your eyes get from the filters into a single image. This results in images that have depth.

Red/Green vs. Red/Blue

3D glasses are popularly known for their red/green or red/blue lenses. These act as filters that allow only one image through. As a result, your eyes receive two different images that the brain then combines, giving the images “depth”—the 3D effect.

Polarized 3D Glasses

Polarized 3D glasses use two lenses with different polarization as opposed to color in traditional 3D glasses. This results in each lens only allowing one of the images into each eye. Again, when the brain receives these two images, it creates an illusion of depth.

Now You Know How 3D Glasses Work

Next time you set your 3D glasses down next to your TV remote control, remember how those 3D glasses work. If you don’t have a pair yet, spoil yourself with a 3D glasses kit and enjoy an immersive entertainment experience. Go ahead and call us at 855-573-6683 with any questions, or quickly and easily place your order online.

ceiling fan

The Right Ceiling Fan for You

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ceiling fan

Choosing a ceiling fan might seem like an easy task, but the overwhelming selection at your local hardware store can quickly prove otherwise. With so many styles and sizes to choose from, how can you make the right choice?

Things to Consider When Choosing a Ceiling Fan

Thankfully, choosing between ceiling fans usually comes down to knowing your space and the accessories you’ll need, such as a ceiling fan remote.

The size of your space is arguably the most important consideration when choosing a ceiling fan; a small bedroom, for example, probably won’t need the same size ceiling fan as a large living room.

To make the best choice, consider the following:

Ceiling Height and Shape

Your ceiling’s height and shape will determine the length of the fan’s hanging rod and mounting type, respectively. While the hardware included with your fan is usually compatible with most average-sized rooms, high ceilings and angled mounting surfaces might require specialized hardware.

Room Size

Larger rooms typically need larger ceiling fans. Fan blade sizes vary from 12 to 72 inches, according to Bobvila.com, and most manufacturers will designate which sizes are suitable for which rooms.

Accessories: Ceiling Fan Kits and Remote Controls

A ceiling fan remote allows you to instantly control your fan from anywhere in the room, eliminating the need to fiddle with cords or switches. While most ceiling fans do not include remote controls, you can easily add them using ceiling fan kits.

Choose the Right Remote

A popular example of a ceiling fan remote is the Hampton Bay fan remote, which operates using a simple receiver attached to your ceiling fan of choice. For more information on the Hampton Bay remote control and other ceiling fan kits, explore our product line or call 855-573-6683 to speak with one of our experts.

Source:

  1. https://www.bobvila.com/articles/choosing-a-ceiling-fan/
giant multimedia video and image wall

All About Amazon’s Fire TV Stick

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The Amazon Fire TV Stick is a small, portable streaming video player that looks like a large USB flash drive. The Fire TV brand launched in 2014 to enable video content to be streamed to a television via an internet connection.

giant multimedia video and image wall

Setting Up Amazon Fire TV

Unlike a standard USB drive, the Fire Stick doesn’t store any data. It plugs into the HDMI port on your TV. The device will guide you through setup, from logging into existing services to connecting to your Amazon account so you can access any digital video or music purchased through the company. You can even view photos uploaded to the Amazon Cloud Drive

What You Get

Even if your TV doesn’t have the most advanced features, the TV Fire Stick can turn it into a Smart TV. You can access a range of regularly updated content. Amazon Prime, Netflix, Hulu, HBO Now, and Disney Plus are among the 15,000 apps and games you can access. You can even watch YouTube videos on your TV.

Woman watching tv serie produced by HBO

The device also lets you watch live TV programs via PS Vue or DirectTV. You can navigate the menus or just ask Alexa to find something for you. In fact, a range of Alexa Voice features are built in and can be accessed using the Alexa Fire TV remote.

Order a Replacement Fire TV Remote Today

If you need a new remote for your Fire Stick from Amazon, simply order a new one from Replacement Remotes today. It features standard navigation and playback controls and a built-in mic, and it is compatible with the Fire TV Stick and Amazon Fire TV products. Call 855-573-6683 for assistance.

three black remote controls on wooden table

Should I Invest in a Universal Remote?

ReplacementRemotes.com

three black remote controls on wooden table

When you’ve got a television, DVD player, gaming consoles, and other devices in a single entertainment center, controlling and switching between them can be a struggle. Many have turned to universal remotes, but is such a solution right for you?

The Benefits of a Universal Remote

A universal remote control provides a variety of benefits like the following:

  • Makes a complicated media center easy by consolidating all controls.
  • Minimizes the number of remotes you need, reducing clutter and eliminating the struggle of finding “the right one.”
  • A good universal remote will be compatible with a variety of TVs and devices.
  • Some models offer additional features like smart home controls and programmable routines.

Deciding Whether to Buy

If you have a few devices or are able to program an existing remote to work with other components in your entertainment system, you might not find a universal TV remote necessary. If, however, you have a multi-device setup, a universal remote can be a big help. If you have many smart home devices, the convenience of being able to control them from a compatible remote could also make it a worthwhile investment.

Find Affordable Universal Remotes Online

At Replacement Remotes, we carry a variety of universal remote controls to suit your media center needs. Unlike other programmable remotes that only work with a few device models, our products work with a large number of universal TV remote codes, allowing you to easily manage your entire entertainment system from one central hub.

Browse our selection of universal remotes online or call (855) 573-6683 for more information.

pretty lady holding tv remote control changing channel

ONKYO RC816S Audio/Video Receiver Remote Control

ReplacementRemotes.com

pretty lady holding tv remote control changing channel

Our ONKYO RC816S audio and video receiver remote control is an extremely convenient solution for managing your A/V system. For true enjoyment, most people don’t want to get up and make adjustments manually. This audio receiver remote is the perfect solution.

This OEM remote lets you control every function and feature of your home entertainment system. It can be a hassle to find the right replacement remotes, but, at replacementremotes.com, we offer many home entertainment remotes for televisions, DVDs, and other electronics that work as soon as you install the batteries.

Losing a remote control is a frustrating experience, but if your remote stops working it doesn’t mean you’re destined to turn your TV on and off manually or get up every time you want to listen to music. You can purchase your new audio remote online and have the same conveniences you had before.

Our ONKYO RC816S video and audio remote control replacement is guaranteed to work right out of the box. We offer a 60-day warranty. Plus, our no-questions-asked guaranteed-return policy makes it easy to send the remote back if necessary.

In addition to this highly functional remote control for audio, we supply a full range of other remotes. You can find a DVD, Blu-ray, or TV remote control for just about any brand-name equipment. Universal remote controls are also available—downsize and replace multiple device remotes with a single remote control

Browse our online store to learn more about the ONKYO RC816S and other replacement remotes we carry. Also, feel free to call us at 855-573-6683 to ask questions or receive help finding the right remote control.

Man pointing a universal remote control towards a television screen

Four Great Technology Gifts for Buyers on a Budget

ReplacementRemotes.com

Man pointing a universal remote control towards a television screen

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, you will want to start thinking about what great technology gifts you could get for your special someone to go along with flowers and chocolates. While you could go all out and spend a fortune showing them how much you care, you don’t have to break the bank.

There are plenty of great tech gifts that do not cost a fortune which your loved one is sure to enjoy—like these four budget-friendly gifts:

1. Universal Remote Control

If your loved one is always misplacing one of the remotes to their home entertainment system or they are tired of the pile of remotes they need to use to watch a movie or TV, then a universal remote control is a great tech gift.

2. Cable Organizers

If the sight of the gazillion cables behind the entertainment center is a major distraction when spending time with your special someone, help them get their cables organized and covered up so they are out of sight.

3. Wi-Fi Remote Control for TV

Couple gives heart to the Valentine's Day in the room

A wi-fi remote control for TV is one of the latest advances in home entertainment technology. Rather than have wires running down the wall to connected devices, you plug your devices into a wireless transmitter. On the TV, you plug in the wireless receiver. Signals are sent wirelessly from connected devices to the TV.

4. Home Theater Speaker System/Soundbar

You can find home theater speaker systems and soundbars that provide a decent output at affordable prices to surprise your loved one this Valentine’s Day. When choosing a system or soundbar, verify it is compatible with their brand of TV.

To find universal remote controls and other remote control replacements, please feel free to browse our online store or contact Replacement Remotes at 855-573-6683 today!

high quality projector bulb

When Should I Change My Projector Bulb?

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If you use a projector to watch TV and movies, you want to make sure you change the projector light bulb at the right time. If you change it before it needs it, you are throwing money away. If you wait too long, then you could damage your projector.

high quality projector bulb

To help decide “When should I change my projector bulb?” look for these common signs:

1. Colors look faded and are not as vibrant.

As the bulb nears the end of its usefulness, colors will start to appear noticeably less vibrant and rich. They can look faded or be the wrong shade.

2. The images look distorted and not as sharp.

Another effect of the bulb wearing out is that images will appear blurry and distorted.

3. The images look dim.

As the bulb wears out, images will start to appear dimmer and dimmer, until the bulb fails.

4. Images are flickering.

Flickering is when the images will get brighter for a few seconds and then return to normal. It is a sign the bulb is defective and wearing out.

5. The indicator on your projector says to replace the bulb.

Eingeschalteter Beamer (DLP)

Most newer-modeled digital light processing (DLP) projectors have an indicator light on them that will alert you when it is time to replace the blub.

Long before your projector starts showing signs that the bulb needs to be replaced, it is a good idea to order and stock at least two spare bulbs. This way, when it is time to replace the bulb, you won’t have to wait. Always make sure to use OEM (original equipment manufacturer) replacement bulbs to avoid damaging your projector.

For replacement projector bulbs and remote controls for TVs, please feel free to browse our online store or call Replacement Remotes at 855-573-6683 for further assistance today!

Man taking off eyeglasses suffering eyestrain

Can Watching TV Strain My Eyes?

ReplacementRemotes.com

Watching too much TV with the wrong setup can strain your eyes. Common eye strain symptoms are:

  • Sore, Itchy, Dry Eyes
  • Eyes Feel Tired
  • Watery Eyes
  • Double or Blurred Vision
  • Headache/Pain Above the Eyes
  • Sore/Stiff Shoulders, Back, or Neck
  • Light Sensitivity
  • Unable to Fully Open Your Eyes

Man taking off eyeglasses suffering eyestrain

You can often relieve the symptoms by taking a warm cloth and placing it over the eyes for about 10 minutes. Afterward, apply eye drops to both eyes, and your symptoms should start to alleviate. If not, then you should see an eye doctor.

How to Prevent Eye Strain

There are things you can do to help prevent eye strain by using these tips:

1. Turn on the lights.

Make sure there are a few lights turned on in the room when watching TV.

2. Reduce glare on the TV screen.

Close blinds or move the TV so there is no glare on the screen.

3. Upgrade to a larger screen.

Larger screens help reduce strain on the eyes. If you cannot upgrade to a larger screen, move the TV closer, but not too close.

4. Place the TV at the proper distance.

VOD service screen with remote control in hand

For screens 48 inches and smaller, place the TV four to six feet away. For screens greater than 48 inches, place the TV seven to ten feet away.

5. Take a break.

Get up and take a 15-minute break every hour.

By watching for symptoms of eye strain and using our tips to prevent eye strain, you won’t have to worry when binge-watching your favorite programs.

If you need a new remote control, you can find universal remote controls for sale in our online store or call Replacement Remotes at 855-573-6683 for further assistance today!

garage remote controller with visor clip

Lost or Stolen Garage Door Opener Remote? What Can I Do?

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A lost or stolen garage door opener remote can leave you wondering what you can do to help secure your home. The remote will allow access to your garage and, potentially, your home. It is vital to take action right away, even if you are not sure if the remote was actually stolen.

Step 1: Reset the Garage Door Opener

All modern automatic garage door openers can be reset. Review the owner’s manual that came with your opener to find out how to reset the garage door opener. Resetting the opener allows you to change the code the remotes use. If you have a spare opener, be sure to recode it so you can continue to use the opener.

garage remote controller with visor clip

Step 2: Order a New Garage Door Remote

You might be wondering, “Where can I buy a garage door opener remote?” The easiest option is to shop online for your make and model. Even if you have an older opener, you can still find aftermarket remotes compatible with your opener.

Step 3: Disconnect the Automatic Opener

If you do not have a spare remote you can reset and recode, and you have to wait for your replacement to arrive, you will want to disconnect the automatic opener so you can manually open and close the garage door. All you should have to do is pull the quick-disconnect cord to release the door. Just be sure to lock the garage door while using it manually.

To find replacement garage door openers and remotes, please feel free to browse online at Replacement Remotes or call us at 855-573-6683 today!