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Clear Water Michigan

Livonia, MI

Call: (734) 502-5060
  • Home
  • About
    • What We Live By
    • Staff
  • Residential Services
    • Plumbing
    • Heating & Cooling
    • Pools & Spas
      • Inground Pools
    • Electrical
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    • Air Conditioning
    • Boiler Services
  • Commercial Services
    • Plumbing Services
    • Heating & Cooling
    • Pools & Spas
      • Inground Pools
    • Electrical
    • HVAC Services
    • Air Conditioning
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  • Testimonials
  • Blog
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  • Contact

service

Shocking News about Electricity and Your Home!

September 2, 2016

shock

All right, that’s a bit overstated. There is nothing new to add to the field of residential electrical work. But we thought we might cover a few things that as a homeowner you might be interested in knowing should you need to call an electrician or even if you like to Do It Yourself.

Like most homeowners, you probably know (let’s hope you know this) that water and electricity don’t mix. Beyond that, perhaps you can do a little wiring or perhaps not. After that, the knowledge becomes hazy or non-existent. Still, you will probably have electrical problems at some point. If you’re not a DIYer, you should call a professional, LICENSED electrician.

#1 Mmmmm…The Warm, Comforting Glow of Flickering Lights

If you have an older home and you notice when the air conditioning powers on, your lights flicker. This could mean one of two things: you have undersized service or an overloaded circuit. You’ll want to take care of that unless you enjoy the lighting demonstrated by the GIF below.  animated-light-bulb-gif-20

#2 “Captain, the Circuits Are Overloaded!”

Homes built in the 1920s-1950s are especially prone to this: outdated or overloaded circuit breakers. Our current appliances have a much larger power demand (not to mention that we have many more kinds than were available in the past) than anything prior. Even hair dryers and curling irons can overload your home circuits.

The fix requires creating a split circuit or a dedicated circuit for a particular device or devices.

#3 The Lineman for the County Will Not Help with this

You know that cable that connects from the power pole to your house and electric meter?

Threadbare600

You are responsible for the care of part of that cable above and below your meter. If it looks weathered, you may want it replaced. It can be a fire hazard if it isn’t properly insulated.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#4 GFCI–It Stands for Protection

Newer homes and those with electrical updates should have GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) outlets. They are designed to prevent shocks in wet conditions. They should be tested every 30 days; some newer models feature self-testing. But you can test them yourself.

aid18389-728px-Replace-a-Defective-Electrical-Switch-or-Outlet-Step-5-Version-2

You should see a test button. Press it, though you may want to unplug whatever may be plugged in first. Press the reset button. If it doesn’t trip, you’ll want to change the device, it’s bad, either by yourself or by an electrician.

 

 

 

 

 

 

#5 Surge: It’s Worse Than a Sugary Drink 

Again, liquids and electricity don't mix.

Again, liquids and electricity don’t mix.

That power surges can ruin expensive electronic equipment is not a secret, but what’s less well-known is that furnaces can be damaged in power spikes. Contemporary furnaces have delicate circuit boards, much like a computer, that can easily be ruined. So, it makes good sense to not only have surge protection for your electronic entertainment devices, but your furnace as well. Though, we recommend having a professional install the one for your furnace.

#6 Generators–They Can’t Just Sit There

Whether you have a stand-by or (God forbid, those eardrum-busting) portable generator, you do need to maintain them. We’ll focus on the stand-by generator.

Stand-by generators should have an automatic test cycle (so you don’t have to), but if you notice that the test cycle fails to occur, well…you might want to call your friendly-neighborhood electrician.

#7 Big Boxes

Whether you’re going to install it yourself or hire it out, be sure the box is properly rated for a ceiling fan any any other heavy fixture you may want.

Who says electrical work isn't sexy? Look at that gleam!

Who says electrical work isn’t sexy? Look at that gleam!

So, that’s it. No matter how you handle your home electrical problems and projects, always, always, ALWAYS use caution and don’t take shortcuts.

 

 

 

Filed Under: Electrical Tagged With: electrical, electrical problems, electrician, electricity, generators, GFCI, service, wiring

How to Get Your Heating and Cooling System to Love You

August 2, 2016

download (1)“Everyone needs love. Everyone desires love.*” But, sometimes we fail in giving it for a number of reasons.

We’re not even going to attempt to tell you how to navigate love with humans, but we can offer some suggestions for you to show some love to your HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, Air-Conditioning, if you didn’t know) system.

  • The number one act of love that EVERYONE recommends is to change your furnace filter. Here’s a handy tip to help you figure out how often this should happen: if your filter is an inch thick, change it monthly. For four-inch filters two times a year will suffice.
"What the world needs now..."

“What the world needs now…”

If someone in your house is fanatical about cleaning, so much so that they dust before the dust settles, you shouldn’t have to change your filter more than once every two years. For the rest of us…see above.

  • Your second act, during warmer months is to wash your A/C condenser coil. Watch the following short film for details. (Note: the audio isn’t the best, but the visual is easy to follow.) http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKYMTGL_9Fo

 

  • Staying outside by your condenser, the number three way to get your heating and cooling system to love you is to clear away any plants or other obstructions that might restrict airflow, clog the coil, or make it hard to access the unit for service.AC_clearance

Your yard can make excellent habitat for all kinds of creatures with the right plants, but don’t let them grow next to the A/C unit.

  • Head back inside for tip number four.

Do you have lots and lots of furniture? Are any of the pieces covering your registers? If so, you’re restricting air flow and causing your equipment to work harder than it has to, wasting energy, and inefficiently cooling or heating your home.

"Keep away, people."

“Keep away, people.”

Solution? Move the furniture off of the vents. That was easy, wasn’t it?

 

  • Tip number five is another relatively easy thing: change your humidifier pads annually. What happens if you don’t? Bacteria and mold will accumulate in the air you breathe and consequently accumulate in your lungs. That’s not a good thing at all.

It’s also advised to have your humidifier checked every two years.

 

"I'm breathing what?"

“I’m breathing what?”

A cry for help

A cry for help

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Lastly, if your energy costs have increased by 50% or more in the time since you’ve owned your heating and cooling system, it’s probably time to replace what you have. Technological advances have bettered the efficiency of many systems now. A new furnace and/or A/C will pay for save you money in the long run.

Perhaps you don’t care if your HVAC system loves you, fair enough. But for the sake of money, energy, and clean air in your home, you may want to learn to love it in the right way.

*Pope Benedict XVI

 

 

Filed Under: HVAC Tagged With: A/C, air conditioning, cleaning, cooling, filter, furnace, Heating, love, maintenance, service

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Location & Hours

ClearWater Michigan
12351 Stark Rd
Livonia, MI 48150

Phone:
734-502-5060

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