Circle-E. Facility & Home Services

Yes, this is normal. A heat pump generally produces air that is 80°, which is considered warm and will heat the house evenly. However, 80° may feel cool to your hand, which is usually closer to 90°.

You should have maintenance done on your air conditioning system twice a year. This not only ensures maximum efficiency but also enables us to foresee any possible problems that may occur shortly.

Changing out your air filter regularly is the primary maintenance you can perform. When talking about ground mounted outdoor units the units will need to be kept clear of debris, which includes any foliage in the area. Additional maintenance should only be performed by qualified personnel.

For peak efficiency, performance and filtration, it is recommended that you replace your disposable filters at least once a month. If you have washable filters, they should be cleaned once a month.

In general, no. HVAC systems are the least efficient when first turning on. A system with too much capacity will run in numerous short cycles, turning on and off repeatedly, therefore causing it to be less efficient and increasing energy consumption. Another primary function of an air conditioner is to remove humidity from the air and running shorter cycles doesn’t remove humidity from the air very well.

As a consumer the most important tasks you can perform involve cleaning and replacement of your filters regularly. Also, shades, drapes, shutters, or screens can be installed on windows that are exposed to extreme sunlight to help reduce temperatures as well.

HVAC systems use a metric called S.E.E.R. (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) when assessing efficiency. S.E.E.R. is the amount of cooling your system will deliver per dollar spent on electricity. For example, a 3-ton unit may have a S.E.E.R. efficiency rating of 13, 14, or 15. The higher the S.E.E.R., which ranges from 13 -17, the more efficient the system will be.

In general, one (1) ton of air conditioning can cool anywhere from 300 to 800 square feet of home. The primary factor impacting the effectiveness of an AC unit is the construction of your home. The best way to assess your home's needs is to have a licensed professional evaluate them.

Heating and cooling systems are sized according to their tonnage. One (1) ton equals 12,000 BTU/H (British Thermal Units/ Hour).

HVAC is short for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. The acronym is often used as an abbreviation to refer to your whole heating and cooling system.

The most common plumbing problems are clogged drains and toilets, leaky faucets and pipes, water heater issues, low water pressure, and a running toilet. While most of these can be solved in a DIY fashion, some more serious issues will require a licensed professional to come out and assess issues with your current plumbing system.

Toilets typically use the most water in the home, beating out showers, dishwashers, and sinks. This is because of the frequency toilets are often used. You can adjust the water level that the basin fills up to with a couple of quick adjustments. Also, there is the option to install a low-flush toilet, which uses less water.

The best way to prevent your pipes from freezing is by insulating your pipes. If you are not able to insulate your pipes you can leave the water on a slow drip on very cold nights. The water constantly running will prevent your pipes from freezing.

The biggest benefit of a tankless water heater is that they never run out of hot water. A storage tank hot water has a limited capacity (whatever the size of the tank), while a tankless can heat unlimited amounts as it passes through the system. Tankless water heaters can also save you money by only heating the water you use, not the amount of water that is sitting in the storage tank.

The most common cause of faucet leaks is a corroded gasket, o-ring, or valve. This is often an easy fix. Most of the time, those parts can simply be replaced without replacing the whole faucet.

The most common reason for this is a clogged drain basket. Start by running your garbage disposal. From there clean your sink's air gap and remove standing water. A shop vacuum is recommended for this. Clean up any detergent that could have accumulated on sensors. Check the drain basket/ filter in the bottom of your dishwasher and clean it out thoroughly. At this point check the drain hose for kinks, as well as any possible clogs/ obstructions. If necessary replace the drain hose and if problems persist then contact a licensed professional.

In short, no. Chemical drain cleaners can cause damage to pipes. The chemicals can cause degradation when used in old pipes repeatedly. When used in plastic pipes, chemical drain cleaners create heat which can damage the plastic pipes. In addition to possible damage to your home's plumbing system, chemical drain cleaners are bad for the environment and septic systems.

Your garbage disposal can handle fruit scraps, fruit pits, vegetable scraps, corn cobs, cooked meat, small bones, leftovers, and ice. Avoid grease, oil, none food items, fibrous vegetables and peels, eggshells, shellfish, and coffee grounds.

When you use an electrical appliance, the current flows from your service panel to the device. A grounded wire gives the unused electrical current a safe way back to the service panel so there’s no danger in the event of a short circuit.

This is often the result of the handle getting stuck. This causes the flapper to remain open which will allow water to continue to flow into the bowl. Fixes could include tightening, lubricating, or replacing the handle.

You may have seen an electrical outlet with a “test” and “reset” button in the middle – this is a GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter). It automatically shuts off an electrical circuit when it detects that the current isn’t flowing correctly. It’s also used to reduce the risk of electrical shock from a receptacle located in damp locations and/or counter top areas

The most common signs to tell if your plumbing system requires service include odd sounds coming from the faucets, low water pressure, unpleasant smells coming from the drains, sinks or tubs draining slowly, and stained or damaged walls.

Low-voltage fixtures include a transformer to reduce voltage (say from 120 volts to 12 volts). The downside to low-voltage fixtures, however, can be higher installation costs. Also, transformers tend to create heat and mounting locations can be tricky.

LED lights are more expensive to purchase than incandescent lights, but they’re more efficient (they’ll last 50,000 hours instead of 1,200 hours). They also have a lower annual operating cost, which is great for people trying to “go green.”

When the electrical current that passes through a fuse exceeds the limit, it burns a hole in the thin strip of metal. This stops the flow of current and it means you have a blown a fuse. Fuses need to be replaced (not reset). When the electrical current exceeds the limit through a circuit breaker, however, the breaker trip setting opens to stop the flow of current. Breakers are re-settable by flipping the handle on the face of the breaker.

First, make sure there are not too many appliances plugged into one circuit, as this can overload it. If it’s just one appliance, unplug it and either replace it or call us to repair it. You could also try connecting another appliance to the problematic receptacle. If it still shows signs of trouble, have the receptacle and or the circuit checked by our home electrical service experts

The third prong on a plug is a grounding prong. Two-prong receptacles do not have the same level of grounding as a three-prong device. The third grounding prong provides additional protection to the electrical system, the item plugged in, and you from electrical shock.

When you reach to your light switch to turn it off, only to find that it is hot to the touch, you have a problem. This is not a normal phenomenon, and it indicates that there are serious issues hiding behind your walls. If you don't get help right away, you could end up facing a serious electrical fire in your home.

A surge protector is a piece of equipment that suppresses the excess voltage in your system to prevent it from causing harm to your appliances and devices. You should get some to protect your appliances and devices from power surges.

Several years ago, the code was updated and it requires us to install arc fault breakers in the house wherever there are new lines being installed except for where GFCI devices are required (kitchens and bathrooms, etc.). This is a major breakthrough in our industry. This is one of the most intelligent breakers. They monitor the current and discriminate between normal and unwanted arcing conditions. Arc fault breakers are primarily designed to protect against electrical fires caused by arcing.