Your home’s electrical system should always be in good shape. Not only does it need to safely provide power to your home, it also needs to be capable of delivering sufficient power to meet the needs of you and your family! There are only two spots where you should come into contact with your home’s electrical wiring: switches and outlets. If these become damaged, it could put you and your family at risk. To make sure that your outlets, switches, and other electrical features are working properly, call Cranney Home Services.

Protect Switches and Outlets

Switches and outlets are designed to protect you and your family from the electrical current they’re connected to. However, if they’re cracked or otherwise broken, they’re no longer effective — plus, they might not even function anymore. Prevent them from getting cracked, busted or broken by being extra careful when moving heavy objects like furniture.

Prevent Electrical Overloads

In addition to damage from physical force, switches and outlets can be damaged by electrical overloads. These occur when a circuit gets too much electrical current, and they’re extremely dangerous. You can prevent overloads by always plugging major appliances directly into a wall outlet.  A multi-outlet converter or extension cord should only be used as needed, so try to use power strips wisely as well.  They don’t change the amount of power being received from the outlet but can become overloaded.

Watch out for warm plates, a burning odor, or a tingling sensation when you touch them. You’ll need to find out what’s causing the damage and have it fixed right away. Since electrical matters can be extremely hazardous, it’s important to call a Cranney professional

Do You Need an Upgrade?

It’s important to understand that if you live in an older home, your wiring system probably isn’t geared to your household’s electricity use. The reason for this is that even as recently as 20 years ago, homes had far fewer appliances and personal electronics than we have today. If you find yourself worrying about using too many extension cords, then you probably don’t have sufficient power outlets for your needs.

For all of your electrical needs, call Cranney Home Services today!

By nshec

Warm weather is right around the corner, so your air conditioner should be ready to work for you. If you turn your AC on for the first time of the season and it experiences startup problems, or it begins to struggle after a few uses, you may need repairs. No matter what the problem is, you need to have it fixed before the warm weather hits! Here are some of the most common AC problems, and how you can troubleshoot:

Common AC Problems

• Start-up problems: Your AC should turn on when you want it to. If it’s experiencing start-up issues, it’s a sure sign that you have a problem. You can try resetting the circuit breaker or replacing a fuse. If this doesn’t work, you should call a Cranney professional. You need your AC to be ready to work when the weather gets hot!
• Thermostat problems: If your thermostat is broken or damaged it may have trouble reaching your desired temperature. If you find yourself setting your thermostat lower than usual and it still doesn’t feel as cool as it should, you should call Cranney. We will know whether your thermostat needs to be recalibrated or replaced.
• Airflow inconsistencies: Weak air flow and inconsistent heating can make your home uncomfortable. If your AC is showing these signs of wear and tear, it should be dealt with immediately.
• Moisture: Condensation can cause mold or mildew to grow very quickly. If left untreated, they can be introduced into your air supply. Exposure to these particles can worsen asthma symptoms as well as other breathing related illnesses.
• Strange smells: The air coming from your AC shouldn’t smell like anything at all. A musty smell is a sign of mold or mildew buildup inside the unit or connecting ducts. A rotten egg or meat smell may be a sign that pests are present. Burning smells need to be addressed as well.
• Unusual sounds: The older the AC, the more likely it is to make noise. All models have a fan, so they aren’t ever completely soundless. If you hear any loud bangs or whistles, it could be caused by buildup, broken fan motor, or a worn-down fan belt. These problems can escalate over time, so it’s best to have them repaired as soon as possible.
• Frequent cycling: This can happen for several reasons, but a Cranney professional will be able to locate the source of the problem.
• Model Size: Some of these issues are caused by one simple thing– the size of your AC unit.  If it’s too big or too small, it won’t be able to properly cool your home.

By nshec