Electric fireplaces are a modern convenience. They are easy to install, run on electricity, and require no venting. You don’t need to stockpile wood, tend the burning logs, and clean up the soot and ashes if you have an electric fireplace. However, many people find it difficult to turn on an electric fireplace. It’s not at all difficult to turn on an electric fireplace. Just like any other electric device, you have to follow some procedures to make it work.
How to Turn on an Electric Fireplace Without Remote?
Though most of the models come with remote control, some electric fireplaces come without a remote. Sometimes, remote controls are not dependable too. It can get lost or run out of batteries. So, it’s necessary to learn how to turn on an electric fireplace without a remote. The best place to know about turning on an e-fireplace is the user manual. Most of the user manuals describe how to install, start, and maintain your e-fireplace. However, the basics are the same for all e-fireplaces. I’m going to discuss the most common ways to turn on an electric fireplace. How to turn on an electric fireplace?
Plug the electric fireplace straight into a nearby wall socket.
Try not to use an extension cable or surge protector. Plug it in directly into the wall socket.
If your manufacturer recommends using an extension cord, do it.
Make sure the wall socket is switched on.
Find the controls on your e-fireplace to turn it on.
The location of the controls may be different, depending on the model of your EF.
Typically, you can find the switches on the front or sides of the unit with or without a cover.
Turn on the power switch of your electric fireplace. Switching the power on will also turn on the flames.
Turn on the heat switch on the fireplace.
When your e-fireplace is on, you can control the heating switches (high heat and low heat) to adjust the heating level.
Set the thermostat dial above the current room temperature.
Effects of Thermostat on the E-Fireplace
Most of the e-fireplaces have a thermostat to keep the room at a consistent temperature. With the help of a thermostat, an e-fireplace can adjust its heat output and make sure that the room stays at the right temperature. When your room is colder than the temperature set on the thermostat, the heater will automatically start working to reach the temperature set on the thermostat. When the ideal temperature is achieved, the heater will keep the room at this temperature. Now, the CAUTION is, if the thermostat is set to a temp lower than the room temp, the EF heater won’t turn on. So, keep your thermostat temp higher than room temp to automate the heater.
How to Turn on an E-Fireplace with Remote?
The process is quite similar to turning on an e-fireplace without a remote. Just make sure that the power of the wall socket and the e-fireplace is on. Then use the remote to turn on and control the fireplace. Make sure your remote works perfectly. Change the battery if necessary.
Electric Fireplace Won’t Turn on
Sometimes it happens that your electric fireplace won’t turn on. You try this way and that way, but still, it doesn’t turn on. If there is a technical problem, you need to call an expert electrician to solve the problem. But how do you know whether there’s a technical problem or a simple connection problem? Well, we’ve to go through the basics of turning on an electric fireplace and see if we overlooked any necessary steps.
Make sure the fireplace is plugged directly into the wall socket.
Get rid of any extension cable and plug straight into the outlet.
Check the power switch of the outlet. Is it on or off?
Ensure that the main power button of your electric fireplace is turned on.
Use your remote if your fireplace came with remote control.
Make sure the remote works perfectly.
Check whether the power cable is bent or over-stretched.
Don’t put the e-fireplace in a confined space.
Make sure it’s free from any obstruction and all the parts are clean.
Examine the fuse of your electric fireplace and change it if necessary.
Try another outlet.
Contact the manufacturer if the fireplace is new and within a warranty period.
Call an expert electrician if nothing works.
How to Turn off an Electric Fireplace?
Simply disconnecting the electricity will turn off your e-fireplace. However, to avoid any damage to the unit, you need to follow the user manual of your device. In fact, reversing the procedures to turn on the fireplace will turn off the fireplace. Here’s how you can turn off an electric fireplace cleanly:
Turn off the heating switches.
Switch off the main power button on the electric fireplace.
Turn off the power switch on the outlet.
Remove the power cord from the wall socket.
It’s always best practice to switch off the e-fireplace before unplugging it from the wall socket. Also, keep the appliance unplugged when it’s not in use.
Conclusion
I hope you’ve turned your electric fireplace on after reading this. If not, there must be technical problems within your electric fireplace. Read the user manual and check if you’ve done anything wrong. A user manual is the best guide for your electric fireplace. Don’t do anything technical if you’re not an expert. You may mess up and damage the unit. Contact the manufacturer if you have a warranty. Otherwise, you need the help of an expert electrician.
Laser printers have become a much better alternative for inkjet printers in recent years. Many offices and schools use laser printers for their faster output and low cost per page. How do they do it? Do laser printers use ink? Unlike inkjet printers, laser printers don’t use ink. They use toner instead of ink. What is toner in printer? The toner is the secret behind laser printers’ better and faster performance. There are also fundamental differences in the printing process of laser printers. Let’s get started.
Do Laser Printers Need Ink?
No. Laser printers don’t need ink. They use toner. It’s a more modern technology than ink. What is toner? The toner is a fine powder made of plastic (polyester) and iron particles. There are many advantages to using toner. The cost per page for toner is much less than ink. It doesn’t dry out like ink when it remains unused. It’s perfect for high volume, text-based printing. A toner cartridge can print thousands of pages. It’s also faster than ink. Because of these advantages, laser printers use toner instead of ink. Besides, laser printers are not built to use ink. The technology and printing process of a laser printer is completely different from inkjet printers. That’s why they are not suitable for using ink. The laser technology is compatible with toner, not ink.
What is Toner in Printer?
Toner is used in laser printers. Instead of ink, laser printers use toner to print documents and images. The toner is a fine mixture of powder used in laser printers and photocopiers to print text and images on paper. The toner is basically granulated plastic, pigment, and iron particles that melt to the paper with special heated rollers called a fuser unit. The powdery substances in toner are electrically charged. As a result, it sticks to anything with the opposite polarity, such as a piece of paper. You can find toners in office supply stores or online. Toners come in a cartridge, which should be inserted into the printer. You can replace or refill a cartridge when it is empty. These toner cartridges last a long time. You can print thousands of pages with a single cartridge.
Does Printer Toner Dry Out?
No. Since there is no ink in a laser printer, there is nothing to dry up. Laser printers use toner instead of ink. As toner is a powdery substance, there is no question of drying out. Unlike the ink of an inkjet printer, the toner of a laser printer doesn’t dry out even if you leave it for a long time. It doesn’t matter how long you stay away from your printer or how long it stays unused – the toner won’t dry out. It’ll be usable whenever you want to print something.
How Long Does a Toner Cartridge Last?
It depends on a number of factors, such as – the size of your toner cartridge, what you print, how often you print, how dense your pages are, etc. A toner cartridge usually lasts a long time. You can easily print several thousand sheets on a single toner cartridge. If you print many image-heavy pages, the cartridge will not last long. Text-based pages, on the other hand, consume less toner. As a result, a toner cartridge lasts a long time if you print text-only, low-density pages. Compared to the ink cartridges, the toner cartridges last way longer.
Can a Toner Cartridge be Refilled?
It depends on the toner cartridge. Some cartridges give you the option to refill, some don’t. Refilling a toner cartridge is a complicated process. You may need to hire an expert to refill a toner. However, it’s not a good idea to refill a toner cartridge. Most of the refilled toner cartridges don’t work right. In fact, manufacturers don’t make toner cartridges with refilling in mind. They are made for one-time use. Consult your printer’s brand professionals to know whether it’ll be a good idea to refill or buy a new one.
Is Ink or Toner Better?
Both of them are good for particular tasks. The inkjet printers use ink, and the laser printers use toner. What are ink and toner? Ink is a liquid substance tinted with pigments or dyes, and toner is a fine powder. Ink cartridges are typically cheaper than toner cartridges. But they don’t last as long as the toner. Generally, ink is better for printing color pictures and home use. Toner, on the other hand, is better for printing high volume text documents and office use. Ink dries up if you don’t use them. But toner is free from this. Toner stays usable even if you don’t use it for a long time. So, both of them have some unique features. It’s up to you to decide which one will serve your purpose.
Why is Toner so Expensive?
Toner is not so expensive if you think about the number of pages you can print with a single toner cartridge. The cost per page is less than 5 cents. Other than that, top printer brands spend a huge amount of money on toner research and development to create better toner. There are also labor and material cost to produce perfect toner. Companies also want to make a profit from selling toners because they sell the printers at a low price. Sometimes, without any profit. It’s their marketing strategy to make money from the toners, not the printers. The toner is expensive because of these reasons. However, the price is reasonable from a cost per page perspective.
Is Ink Cheaper than Toner?
Yes. Ink is cheaper than toner. However, the cost per page for ink is higher than the toner. That’s not the whole thing. Even if the ink is cheaper, you have to buy ink repeatedly to run your printer. Besides, if you don’t use the ink on a regular basis, it dries out. As a result, you’ll have to buy a new ink cartridge. This pattern goes on. Laser printers and toners, on the other hand, can be expensive upfront, but in the long run, they are cheaper than inkjet printers. The cost per page in a laser printer is one-tenth of what it is for inkjet printers. Generally, a typical laser printer costs around only 3 cents per page.
Conclusion
So, do laser printers use ink? Now you know the answer. The toner is the magic ingredient behind the laser printer’s success. It makes printing faster and easier than inkjet printers.
Electric razors are not a novelty anymore. It is one of the most used gadgets for modern men. According to Statista.com, the number of electric shaver users in the US is more than 75 million. And it’s increasing every year. When using an electric razor, many of us wonder, how do electric razors work? How does an electric shaver cut our beards so efficiently and smoothly? What are the mechanisms of an electric razor? Well, the technology behind electric shavers is very simple. Let’s read how it works.
How Do Electric Razors Work?
There are two main parts in an electric razor to cut the hair. Those are – an ultra-thin, perforated metal foil and a set of tiny blades, also known as undercutter. The function of the perforated metal foil is to cover the oscillating blades of the shaver and to protect your skin from direct contact with the blades inside. The foil also has some tiny holes in it to trap the hair. These holes are smooth on the outside but sharp on the inside. Body hair can enter through the hole to be cut by the sharp blades inside. The set of tiny blades oscillate back and forth very quickly on the other side of the foil. When the hair enters through the metal foil, the sharp blades slice off the hair.
Types of Electric Shavers
There are two types of electric shavers. They are Rotary shavers and Foil shavers. Both of them can give you a clean shave, but a foil shaver can give you a cleaner and smoother shave than a rotary shaver. Rotary shavers are especially suitable for thick, long, and uneven hair. There is also a difference in their design, shaving process, technology, and noise level. But the basic mechanism is the same. Both electric shavers have a thin layer of perforated foil with tiny holes that touches the skin and captures the hair. Then the fast oscillating blades cut the hair inside. The main difference between the two types of shaver is in the shaving process. A foil shaver should be used in a linear motion, and a rotary shaver should be used in a circular motion.
How Does a Rotary Shaver Work?
Rotary shavers, as the name suggests, have three or four rotating heads. Usually, they come with three heads in a triangular shape. Move a rotary razor in a circular motion so that it reaches the deep crevices and curves of your face. The circular motion pulls the facial hair into the shaver and cut them inside with the tiny blades. It is easy to maneuver around the chin and the neck with a rotary shaver. An ideal rotary shaver can get hair in all the nooks and crannies on your face. Rotary shavers are perfect for fast-growing and uneven facial hair. If you don’t have a daily shaving routine, and you shave only once or twice a week, a rotary razor will give you the best result.
How Does a Foil Shaver Work?
A foil shaver is named after the foil that covers the blade inside the shaver. The word foil refers to the thin sheets of metal that have tiny holes. In a foil shaver, a thin layer of foil covers its oscillating blades. The thin layer lifts the hair from the skin to cut it neatly. There are three or four blades options in an electric foil shaver. Four blades give you a faster and closer shave than a three blades shaver. You can move the foil shaver in a linear motion, the way you use a standard razor. There is minimal contact between the blade and the skin. As a result, it doesn’t cut or irritate your sensitive skin. If you shave every day, and you want perfection for trimming sideburns, mustache, or beard, then a foil electric shaver is the right choice for you.
Can You Cut Your Face With an Electric Razor?
It’s very unlikely if you use the shaver correctly. The blades of an electric razor do not come in direct contact with your skin. Your skin is protected from the blades by the foil, the thin layer that touches your skin. So, it’s less likely that you’ll cut your face with an electric shaver. The makers of electric razors are aware of the possibility of cutting your face with an electric shaver. That’s why they designed it in a way to protect your face.
Are Electric Shavers Bad for Skin?
Not at all. In fact, electric razors are excellent for sensitive skin. The blades of an electric shaver do not touch your skin. It is the ultra-thin layer of foil that touches and comes in direct contact with your skin. So, there is hardly any chance of skin irritation and razor cuts while shaving.
Do Electric Razors Hurt?
No. Every precaution is taken to prevent an electric razor from hurting us. It’s understandable that we think an electric shaver might hurt us. But there is no chance of an electric razor hurting us. As mentioned above, blades do not come in direct contact with your skin. Body hair is trapped through the tiny holes of the foil, and then the oscillating blades inside do their job. Don’t press the shaver too hard on your skin. And you’ll be fine.
Are Electric Shavers Worth It?
Certainly. If you are a busy person and you need to shave every day, an e-razor is highly worth it. E-razors shave faster than a manual razor. You don’t need to get water, shaving brush, shaving cream, foam, or gel to shave with an e-razor. Within a few minutes, you can get a perfect shave anywhere you want. Plus, there is less chance of skin irritation, nicks, and razor cuts with an e-razor. Shaving every day with a manual razor is bad for your skin since the blades come in direct contact with your skin. Electric razors are perfect for daily shavers in every way.
Can Electric Razors Give You a Clean Shave?
Yes. E-razors can give you a clean shave. But not as clean as a safety razor. The blades of an e-razors barely touch your skin. The thin layer of foil comes between the blades and your skin. That’s why the e-razors give less clean shave than the manual safety razor. That doesn’t mean e-razors can’t give you a clean shave. They can. And the level of clean shave they give is enough for most people. The foil shavers are better to get a clean shave than the rotary shavers.
Conclusion
Using an electric razor is easier than you think. You just need to know how to use it perfectly and get used to it.
It may seem a straightforward question with an obvious answer. But it’s a tough question because of the receding boundary between a computer and other ‘computer-like’ devices. Modern gadgets can do so many things like a computer. Therefore, many of us are not sure about the exact definition of a pc even though we use the term every day.
What is a PC?
PC means personal computer. The term PC was coined by Ed Roberts when he introduced the MITS Altair 8800 in the 70s. Later, the word PC was popularized by IBM (International Business Machine Corporation). The first personal computer produced by IBM in 1981 was called the IBM PC. Later, many other companies started making computers by following the IBM technology. Those computers were also known as IBM PC or IBM Compatibles. The term ‘IBM PC’ fell out of use because of varied manufacturers and diversified modern PCs.
A pc is essentially a computer that is designed for use by one person at a time. A computer is an electronic device that stores and processes data based on the instructions provided by a software or hardware program. Personal computers are made for general users. You can use a pc to browse the web, type documents, send an email, and play games. You can also use it to edit and create a presentation, spreadsheet, and videos.
Some people also use the term pc based on the operating system of a computer. There are two most influential OS in the market — Microsoft OS and Mac OS. If a computer runs on a Microsoft operating system, people call it a pc. Many people think a Mac is different from a Windows pc. The truth is, there isn’t much of a difference between Windows OS and Mac Os. Both are operating systems for personal computers. And, only operating systems don’t determine if a device is a pc or not. Then, what are the criteria to call a device a pc?
What Makes a PC, a PC?
First of all, a personal computer is meant to be used by one person at a time. So, there is no confusion about the word “personal.” The problem lies with the word “computer.” What is a computer? Is a laptop, a tablet, or a smartphone a computer? To resolve all the confusion about the definition of a personal computer, I have figured out some basic features that every pc has. If a device contains all these features, we can call it a pc.
A PC has an operating system. It can be Windows OS, Mac OS, or even Android OS.
Personal computers have a microprocessor. It is the microprocessor that allows manufacturers to put an entire CPU on one chip.
Computers store data in its memory.
PCs have the ability to take input and produce output.
You can install software or apps on a personal computer.
A personal computer is designed to be used by one person at a time.
A pc can be any size. Size doesn’t matter. As long as it’s used by one person and has other main features of a computer, it’s a pc.
Personal computers have multitasking capabilities. That is, it can do many tasks simultaneously and efficiently.
Is a Laptop a PC?
Yes, of course, why not? A laptop is a pc in every way. Is there anything that a laptop computer cannot do, but a desktop computer can? Desktop pcs and laptops are quite identical. Their hardware and software capabilities are almost the same. Modern laptops are coming with such high-end configurations that they can certainly beat a desktop in terms of configuration and personal usage.
Every laptop has an operating system, a microprocessor, and a memory to store data. Laptops can also take inputs, process data, and produce output. You can install every desktop software and app on a laptop. Moreover, laptops have multitasking capabilities. So, what is lacking to call it a pc? Nothing. So, a laptop is a pc. Laptops are a more modern and more updated personal computer.
Some people think pc refers to only a desktop computer. That’s a wrong conception. There are some solid reasons behind people’s perception that a personal computer means a desktop computer. Compared to desktops computers, laptops are a more recent invention. Before the laptop revolution and popularity in modern life, we used desktops for our personal use and called it a PC. So, it stayed in our mind that pc means a desktop computer. However, if you look at their configuration and capabilities, there isn’t much of a difference between a desktop and a laptop.
What Does a PC Do?
A personal computer can do a lot of different things. All you need is to install a software or an app to make the computer do something for you. Every software does a specific job, such as – you can browse on the web with a browser, you can create, type, and store documents with a word processor, you can also play audio and video with a media player. Other common uses of a computer are – sending an email, playing games, creating and editing a presentation, working on a spreadsheet, editing photos, and videos, etc.
How Does a PC Work?
It’s a complicated process. But basically, a computer takes input, stores data, processes the data, and produces output. Inputs are like instructions. It’s a way of communicating with the computer. We tell a computer what to do by providing instructions and commands.
There are many input devices like — mouse, keyboard, scanner, or even software installed on the computer. After taking the input or instructions, the CPU (central processing unit) processes the information and produces results. Once the data is ready, it sends the data through an output device. An output device can be a monitor, speaker, printer, ports, etc.
Different Types of Personal Computer
Most of us think there are only two kinds of pcs — desktop and laptop. However, pcs come in many shapes and sizes, and they perform many different functions. The most common type of pcs are desktops, laptops, tablets, smartphones, etc. In the most general sense, a calculator, scan groceries at the store, and an ATM is also a computer.
Yes. There is not much of a difference between Mac and personal computers. A Mac and a pc use almost the same hardware. The reason behind differentiating between a Mac and a PC is their operating system. Most of the pcs run Windows OS, while Macs have only Mac OS. That’s why people think Macs and pcs are different. The truth is, you can even install Windows OS on a Mac computer.
Macs have all the qualities of a personal computer. It is used by an individual, which makes it a personal computer. Like other pcs, Macs have an OS, a processor, memory, input and output capabilities, apps and software installation program, multitasking capacity — every definitive feature of a pc. So, in every way a Mac is also a pc. All Macs are PCs, but all PCs are not Macs.
Is a Tablet a Computer?
Yes, a tablet is a computer. If we look at the features that make a computer a computer, we see most of the standard features of a computer are present in every tablet. A tablet has an operating system and a processor. It can take input, and store data, process information, and produce output like any other computer. Tablets are exclusively designed for use by one person at a time. They can also do many tasks simultaneously.
So, there is not much distinction between regular desktops/laptops and tablets. The main difference is the level of capacity. Tablets are usually less capable than a laptop or desktop. The process of data input is also different in a tablet. Tablets don’t have a mouse or keyboard. Instead, it has a touchpad and accepts inputs directly on its screen.
Is a Smartphone a Computer?
Yes. Why not? A smartphone has all the basic principles of a computer. Like a computer, a smartphone has an operating system, a processor, takes input, stores memory, processes, and produces output. You can install many apps on it. And it has multitasking capabilities too. So, what’s lacking in it to call it a computer? Maybe smartphones have limited capacity compared to the modern desktop and laptop pcs. But for a small device, it has way more capabilities than the 70s and 80s computers. In fact, modernsmartphones are much more powerful computers than the original pcs were. So, yes, a smartphone is also a computer.
Conclusion
A personal computer is not a particular hardware or a device. It doesn’t necessarily need to run Windows OS to call it a pc. We can classify a device as a personal computer if it contains the fundamental features that constitute a pc. Rapid advancement in technology also makes it hard for us to define a gadget. A gadget that was incapable of doing most pc tasks in the past is now excellent and efficient in doing those tasks. So, the difference between them is getting narrower. That’s why we can include those devices in our definition of a personal computer. And the definition of a personal computer is getting broader day by day.
