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.

Need Heating Repair? Heat Pump on the Fritz? Try These Tips First

Although we aren't going to advocate that you take on particularly large or complicated jobs that require expertise and know-how, we understand that as a home or business owner, sometimes heating repair needs taken into your own hands.

But because much of your personal expertise has to do with the specific type of system that you have, some general tips might work for you the best. 

So with that in mind, here are some tips and tricks covering a large swath of HVAC, condensers, and furnaces. We hope you can find something to help you if you're in a pinch.

Heat Pumps

Heat pumps can be a headache when they aren't working. So if your heat pump is acting funny or simply not turning on, try these steps:

- Check that the power to the thermostat is on by taking a look at the circuit breakers.

- If your heating or cooling air fluctuates wildly, try adjusting the temperature by 5 degrees, waiting, and checking again. If that doesn't work, try cleaning filters and coils.

- If your heat pump freezes up, ensure that the registers aren't blocked.

- If all else fails, contact a professional.

HVAC

Your HVAC system handles all the cooling and heating in your property. With this double-duty, it means they stand a greater chance of failing.

- Establish a preventative maintenance routine. Regular care can mean the difference between a high-functioning system and one that costs your extra money.

- Check filters and clean coils regularly. 

- If your system functions poorly, consider having an electronic thermostat installed.

- If allergies are a concern in your home, use a denser filter designed for pets.

Furnaces

A furnace is like your best friend: it's always there when you need it most. Keep it working by following these tips.

- Ensure that the switch is set to heat. You'd be surprised the amount of people who forget this simple step and end up wasting money on a service call.

- If you have fan-forced heat, and you hear a whistle while your furnace is on, you need to change the filter.

- Furnace not cycling on at all? Check the circuit breaker or power switch. 

- If your furnace was built after 1990 it has a tiny window with a light. If you are having trouble, the circuit board inside the unit will flash the light in a sequence. Try counting the flashes to crack the code to your problems.

For more information on how we can help you, please contact us any time.

Home Electrical Safety Tips from Your Austin Electrician

We all care about keeping our families safe, and while our homes are often the safest and most comfortable place, they have potential to be the most dangerous too.

As an electrician, we have seen some situations where safety wasn't of the highest concern. When that happens, we always take the time to explain to customers what needs changed, and do our best to help them reach the high level of safety that they deserve.

Because, let's face it, electricity has potential to be dangerous; there's no reason to let it be that way.

Here are some home electrical safety tips.

Extension Cords

They make life easier, but there some big no-no's involving extension cords.

- Never route them under rugs.

- Only use them temporarily.

- Throw old, cracked cords away.

- Only buy approved cords.

- Do no overload extension cords.

Receptacles/Outlets

Receptacles are important to how we use electricity, but are often the first thing to go bad.

- They are inexpensive, replace them if they crack.

- If they feel hot, stop using them and call an electrician.

- If they spark when you plug something in, cut the power and contact us.

- Check that the ground is connected if you must use a grounded plug.

- Only replace like receptacles; don't install 20-amp circuits where 15's go.

- Use lockouts if you have small children.

GFCI Receptacles

A GFCI (ground-fault circuit interrupter) receptacle is perfect for those looking to add extra safety to their home.

- Ideal for wet environments like kitchens, baths, laundry, and garages.

- They constantly monitor current levels, and switch off for imbalances.

- They prevent fires by detecting ground faults.

- Appliances that you plug into them are safe from damage.

Need more information on how we can help you with your home electric? Please don't hesitate to contact us any time.

How Efficient Is Your HVAC?

Your HVAC system is a major energy expenditure. Whether you're turning up the heat or cooling things down, you spend a significant amount of energy getting your indoor environment under control. When operating on a budget, you have two choices.

1) Endure the Distress of Shrinking Your Footprint

You hear it on the news. You see it on television. Turning your temperatures up or down by a few degrees can help you shrink your footprint. If you're comfortable at 70 degrees in winter, you can put on a sweater and turn it down to 67 degrees instead. If you're comfortable at 75 degrees in summer, you can wear shorts and turn it up to 78 degrees. Little adjustments can lower you energy bills and shrink your footprint. 

2) Enjoy Comfort with Energy Efficiency

The real reason you might need to reduce your comfort to reduce your environmental impact, not to mention lower your energy bills, is because you are probably using an older, inefficient HVAC system. Investing in a new, contemporary system can improve your comfort by reducing your footprint and your energy bills with increased efficiency.

Along with the benefits of improved efficiency, increased comfort, and lowered energy bills, a quality contemporary HVAC system can reduce illnesses and allergic reactions by improving the quality of the air in your home or business. Improved indoor air quality has a big impact on health, as well as comfort. See how efficient your HVAC could be with a free inspection. Contact us today to take the first step to better comfort.

Easy Tips to Keep Your HVAC System Up and Running

Your HVAC unit is like the comfort center of your home or business. On hot days, it keeps everyone cool and relaxed. On cool days, it warms everything up so you can go about your day as content and comfortable.

So what do you do when your unit is running poorly, or seems to be working less efficiently than normal? Do you know how to ensure that your HVAC unit is functioning properly with some minor checks?

In this post, we'll give you some tips on maintaining your HVAC unit, helping to prolong its use, and lessening the time in between regularly scheduled maintenance.

Check Filters: How often? During peak operation, give them the once over at least once a month; replace them once every six. A clean filter helps your HVAC system run smoothly and at optimum performance at all times of the year.

Clean Coils: Evaporator coils are an easy target for mold. Disinfecting them with a spray bottle mixed half and half with bleach and water keeps them clean and working as expected. Just turn the unit off before applying cleaner, and wave goodbye to any potential mold problems.

Wipe Fans: Dirt accumulates on fans in a short amount of time. This dirt can cause strain on the system, ruining your HVAC's efficiency. Wipe fans clean at the same time you check your filter.

Sop up Water: Some water accumulation during peak running times is expected. However, if you see large pools of water, it means something more serious is going on. This is why a regular inspection by a service professional is important.

Keeping your HVAC system in tip-top shape is important to every individual in your home. So keeping it running with regular, professional maintenance should be on the top of your list.

For more information on how we can help you with your HVAC system, please contact us any time. Providing 24/7 service. Call Comfort Control today to service your HVAC system and if service is required, we’ll waive the service call fee!