4 Signs Your Home's Electrical System Needs Repair

Many homeowners don't give much thought to the electrical wiring in their homes until an obvious problem arises. However, home electrical problems can be dangerous if they're not dealt with quickly. If you notice any of these warning signs, it's time to contact a qualified electrician.

Frequently tripped circuit breakers or blown fuses. When a single outlet repeatedly trips the same circuit breaker, this is a sign that the circuit may be overloaded.

A loose plug. If plugs repeatedly slide out of an electrical outlet, the likely culprit is a worn contact in the receptacle. Worn contacts will not firmly grip the prongs. Loose contacts can lead to arcing, which can cause dust or dry wood to ignite. Replace the old receptacle as soon as you can.

A burning odor. A short in the electrical wiring behind the wall can lead to an electrical fire. If you detect a burning smell coming from an electrical outlet, unplug everything connected to the outlet, and remove the fuse or turn off the circuit breaker. Call an electrician to inspect the circuit right away.

Flickering or dimming lights. Some appliances draw large amounts of power. You may notice that the lights flicker or dim when an appliance turns on. This is a symptom of a voltage problem. An electrician can fix this by installing dedicated circuits for high-voltage appliances.

Flickering lights may also be caused by loose electrical wiring. Loose wiring is a fire hazard, so have an electrician examine the wiring as soon as possible.  

Please contact us to find out how we can assist you with repairing your home's electrical system.  

Why You Shouldn't Wait Until Winter to Have Your Heater Checked Out

Since the weather hasn't turned too cold yet, the last thing that you might want to think about is turning on your heater. However, it's a good idea to have your heat pump and accompanying system inspect now, even before the weather changes. These are a few reasons why you shouldn't wait until the last minute to have your system looked at.

You Could Save Money

Did you know that many heating and air conditioning contractors offer special deals and pricing during the off-season? If you wait until the weather turns cold, you might miss out on great deals. If you need to have your system repaired or replaced, now might be the best time to do so if you are on a budget.

You Might Need Time to Budget

You probably do not want to find out at the last minute that your heating system is in need of an expensive repair. Then, you might find yourself struggling to come up with the money that you need to finance the repair or pay for the replacement, and your family could be stuck in the cold in the meantime. If you have your heat pump inspected now, however, you can help ensure that this won't be an issue by giving yourself some extra time to budget for necessary repairs or to come up with financing options.

Prepare for Early Winter Weather

You never know when it might turn cold. Even though you might not be expecting any major temperature changes in the next few weeks, you don't want to find out that your heater isn't working if your area experiences early cold weather. If you have your heat pump inspected now, however, you can ensure that you are ready for the weather, no matter when it comes.

If you need help with having your heating system inspected before the winter comes, contact us. Then, we can schedule you an appointment ASAP to inspect and maintain your unit -- and repair it if necessary.

Three steps to maintain your air conditioning unit's fan

To keep your air conditioning unit in good shape, you need to not only have it serviced regularly and keep a good repair company's phone number at the ready, you also need to take some basic maintenance steps yourself. One of the most important parts of the AC unit is the fan, so follow these three steps to keep your fan in optimal working condition.

1. Clean

Because so much air moves past it, the fan is a prime candidate for rust. It can also get a lot of dust and grime buildup. You should clean your fan occasionally (remember to disconnect the unit from power before opening it) with a damp cloth. You can also spray it with an anti-rust spray to protect it.

2. Check screws

Loose screws can become a big problem with your AC fan because they allow the fan to hang crooked. This means your fan blades can smash themselves against other bits of the unit with every spin, bending and nicking the blades. So every time you open your unit, remember to tighten up your fan blade screws.

3. Lubricate

Unlubricated fans sometimes make annoying sounds, but more often they just quietly run at a sub-optimal level. Regular lubrication is a must, so try to find some special HVAC lubricant (or just use a regular lubricant if need be) to keep spinning components working smoothly.

Use these tips to prevent and manage any AC fan problems. If you have problems with some other part of your unit, feel free to contact us any time for repairs.