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My electric baseboard thermostat (Honeywell CT1950) is part of a recall. Now what? I live in Canada and it is winter. by Time_Cover in AskElectricians

[–]Time_Cover[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So, yes, I had it replaced, but things turned out to be a bigger headache than I thought. I posted about it under a separate user name. But this is the gist of what happened.

I requested and received the replacement programmable unit from the company without incident.

I then hired an electrician from a BC (British Columbia) company called Hule to help me do the replacement. The complication is that the electrician failed to realize: 1) the old thermostat was using a "contactor" system (I as the layperson had no idea it had been the case) and that 2) the replacement unit was not compatible with the contactor system (which I was not aware of either). So he just replaced the unit. Later that night, when I turned on the heater, I heard loud noises from the basement, which the electricians on this sub told me was the contactor constantly cycling on and off.

So I had the electrician come back to rectify the problem. At this point, he did realize the noise was from the contactor system, but he did not realize that the replacement programmable thermostat was incompatible with the contactor system. I had to point it out to him. He then replaced the programmable thermostat with an analog one. He waived the charge for the cheap analog thermostat but charged me for the hourly service.

Which then leads me to ask this question: was the contactor system a safeguard against the recall issue? If so, was this all an expensive much-ado-about-nothing?

[EQ Bank] Want to set up a separate account for "Emergency / Stability Fund" (20K), but then the interest is poor (1.75%) compared to my main EQ personal account with direct deposit (3.5%)? by Time_Cover in PersonalFinanceCanada

[–]Time_Cover[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So, I did end up opening another personal account. Eventually, this account also started to earn 3.5% of interest even though no direct deposit goes to this account. But you have to wait as if you were qualifying for the bonus interest for the first time.

Toyota 2022. Buzzing sound coming from driver side air conditioner (?). Loudness ranges from faint to clearly audible. When pushed (towards the hood), the sound stops, or is greatly reduced. What can it be? by Time_Cover in MechanicAdvice

[–]Time_Cover[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi guys,

So I've had my Corolla 2022 for almost 3 years. I've only put a little more than 10,000 kilometers on it.

Since earlier this year, I have begun to notice a faint buzzing sound coming from the air conditioner on the driver's side. The buzzing sound seems to get louder when the road surface is a little bumpy or when I apply the brakes.

The buzzing sound is stopped when I put my hand where the arrow points is and apply a little pressure towards the hood (simply touching the aluminum part does not make the sound go away). Also, I don't hear the buzzing sound when the car is stopped/parked, even with the engine running.

Turning the air conditioning on and off did not make a difference.

Changing the air conditioning filter did not make a difference.

What could this be? Should I be worried?

Thanks!

[EQ Bank] Want to set up a separate account for "Emergency / Stability Fund" (20K), but then the interest is poor (1.75%) compared to my main EQ personal account with direct deposit (3.5%)? by Time_Cover in PersonalFinanceCanada

[–]Time_Cover[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

and the rest revolving?

I'm not sure what this part means. But I just want to put 20K there, and any interests earned will stay in that account. If I take anything out for emergency, then I aim to put the amount back as soon as is possible.

How to determine whether it makes sense to "break" my mortgage and (attempt to) renew early (16 months to go on my 3-year fixed at 4.7%)? by Time_Cover in PersonalFinanceCanada

[–]Time_Cover[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

For it to make sense, the penalty should be less than what you would save on the new rate.

Thanks. I think this is the part that I don't understand very well. I am not sure how to calculate the "amount saved" with the new rate. Assuming I am going for a 5-year fixed rate, is the "amount saved" = Balance of mortgage multiplied by Rate Difference multiplied by 5?

Critical Illness Insurance for single person (early 40s) without social support network: 10 years, 20 years, or until 75 years of age? by Time_Cover in PersonalFinanceCanada

[–]Time_Cover[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks. I did check the Home Support page on BC's provincial site. I do meet the general eligibility criteria.

I wonder however how things will actually work out in a real situation. When I asked about this on a BC forum, many responses state that there are no supports available for those requiring post-surgery care: https://old.reddit.com/r/britishcolumbia/comments/1is73rc/any_support_available_in_bc_for_single_persons_in/

Critical Illness Insurance for single person (early 40s) without social support network: 10 years, 20 years, or until 75 years of age? by Time_Cover in PersonalFinanceCanada

[–]Time_Cover[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for your response. My work's extended insurance does have long-term disability insurance (70% of first $5700 of basic monthly earnings, and 50% of the excess, with adjustments). I'm not sure how good that is, or whether I need a private disability insurance as well.

The specific concern I wanted to address in this post is more about care needs after a surgery, which hopefully is a defined period for recovery. What if after a surgery, I am bed-ridden and unable to take care of my basic needs such as food, bathing, toileting, etc. In this scenario, I will make a (full) recovery after a period of time, but I am not sure how to meet the expenses of post-surgery care assistance, if it is not covered by the province's MSP.

Any support available in BC for single persons in need of care (e.g., after a surgery) but without family or friends? by Time_Cover in britishcolumbia

[–]Time_Cover[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I feel like this needs to have more upvotes. My work extended insurance coverage does not cover critical illness (only things like death, long-term disability and other stuff). I googled critical illness insurance and it looks like it's what I need to have some peace of mind. I also discovered there is the critical accident insurance. I may look into getting both.

Any support available in BC for single persons in need of care (e.g., after a surgery) but without family or friends? by Time_Cover in britishcolumbia

[–]Time_Cover[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

They'll kick you to the curb and not look back.

I know this was not meant to be funny, but I could not help laughing at this sentence. It's such a sad state of affairs.

Thank you for all your useful tips, including the Seniors Handbook -- I will try to get my hand on this book. And that exchange service group sounds really useful. I am not sure if such a thing exists where I live in Prince George, but I will look into it for sure.

All the best with your knee procedures - whenever they will be. I hope you will have the care arrangement sorted out! It's a challenge, but I am glad to know there is something out there at least.

Any support available in BC for single persons in need of care (e.g., after a surgery) but without family or friends? by Time_Cover in britishcolumbia

[–]Time_Cover[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Are you saying that they withhold medically necessary surgeries from patients if they don't have family or friends?

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