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Signs That Indicate AC Installation or Air Conditioning Repair Services Are Needed

When the air conditioner is running and the house is still warm, it can instill fear in homeowners. They might start to worry about whether they should repair their air conditioner or if it is time to replace it. To help homeowners determine how to restore comfort to their house, AC contractors have identified three key signs that signal they need an AC repair or air conditioner replacement, including odd sounds, rising energy bills, or uneven cooling.

Unusual Sounds Coming From the AC

A well-functioning air conditioner should operate quietly. However, from time to time, homeowners might notice strange noises coming from their AC system. If they hear certain noises, it can indicate they need air conditioner repairs or AC replacements:

• Screeching sounds due to worn-out bearings or a loose belt. Repairing these issues quickly is important, as they can get worse over time. 
• Banging noises can indicate there is debris stuck in the fan or loose components rattling around. 
• Hissing sounds can signal a refrigerant leak. This needs to be inspected by a pro quickly, as this can pose a safety hazard. 

Increasing Energy Bills Due To Inefficient AC Units

Rising energy bills can leave homeowners scratching their heads, trying to figure out if they ran their air conditioner more than usual or what caused the increase. This can signal their air conditioner needs to be repaired or replaced. 

• Low Refrigerant Levels: Without the right amount of refrigerant, air conditioners cannot function correctly and cannot properly cool homes. If it gets too low, it can cause the air conditioner to work harder and use more energy.
• Dirty Coils: If an air filter is dirty or clogged, the AC unit needs to work harder to cool a house. This can cause energy bills to rise. 
• Failing Components: If a compressor or another part of the AC is failing, it can cause the air conditioner to run more than needed, resulting in a surge in energy costs.

Uneven Cooling Throughout the House Can Require Air Conditioner Installations

When air conditioners work correctly, homes are evenly cooled. However, if homeowners start to notice some rooms are cooler than others, it can indicate the system needs to be repaired or replaced. Certain issues can lead to uneven cooling, including:

• If furniture or other clutter is blocking the vent, preventing air from properly flowing throughout the house. 
• If a filter is dirty or clogged and restricting airflow. 
• If air ducts are leaking due to holes in the ductwork. This can allow cool air to escape before it reaches the right rooms of the house. This can cause some areas of the house to be warmer than others.
• If air conditioners are too small for a home, they can fail to properly cool the entire house. 

About E.F. Winslow Home Services

E.F. Winslow Plumbing & Heating has provided quality home services on Cape Cod and surrounding areas since 1971. They offer emergency services and 24/7 live answering services. Call them today for air conditioning services, including air conditioning installations and air conditioning replacements in South Yarmouth, MA.

How Households Can Keep Their Homes Safe 

Homeowners need to address electrical issues of any significance quickly to avoid dangerous situations. From malfunctioning outlets to outdated electrical panels, households must act quickly to prevent potential fires, electrocution, and even inconveniences throughout the home. 

During May, which is Electrical Safety Month, electricians recommend ensuring homes are safe, ensuring electrical systems are working correctly to avoid electrical hazards, and understanding when to call an electrician for services.

How To Avoid Overloaded Outlets and Circuits

A risky situation in homes is an overloaded electrical outlet or circuit. It can pose severe risks to homeowners and their families if this happens. If too many appliances are trying to be powered by an outlet, it can lead to problems like overheated wires, arcing, and circuit breaker issues. When this happens, households can be at risk of fires, and family members can suffer from shocks. 

When overloaded, circuits can also lead to inconveniences throughout a house. The lights might dim, appliances might not work, power outages can happen, and other issues. 

To avoid these problems, electrical contractors recommend taking these steps:

• Take precautions not to plug too many items into an electrical outlet. Households should also use power strips with surge protection.
• Unplug unused electronics. These can use electricity, even when they are not in use. 
• Use dedicated circuits for large appliances like refrigerators, stoves, and washing machines. 
• Label your electrical system to help electricians quickly identify which circuits power which outlets.

Property owners must hire experienced electricians to inspect outlets and circuits and determine if defects must be repaired or addressed. This will keep the system running correctly and keep the household safe.

Benefits of Adding Childproof Outlets

An overlooked electrical device many families neglect to install is childproof outlets. These offer safe alternatives to plastic outlet covers many parents might use and provide tamper-resistant outlets to keep young children safe. 

When childproofing homes, these outlets are ideal. They offer many benefits to households, including:

• Better Electrical Safety: Childproof outlets have built-in shutters that block access to the live electrical contacts. This helps reduce the risk of electrical shock to toddlers who put a toy or object into the outlet.
• Decreased Fire Risk: Tamper-resistant outlets prevent young children from inserting metal objects into outlets, which can lead to sparking and potentially a fire.
• Assurances for Parents: Adding an extra layer of protection by installing childproof outlets can provide significant peace of mind for parents. These devices give parents confidence that their children are less likely to get hurt by accidentally coming into contact with live electrical currents.

When To Call an Electrician

To keep households safe, homeowners must know when to call an electrician. When electrical problems occur, households must hire an experienced electrical contractor to repair and replace them. 

There are numerous warning signs homeowners can watch for that can indicate they need professional electrical services, including:

• Hot Outlets or Switches: Warm outlets or switches indicate a problem that can pose a fire hazard. If homeowners notice outlets are hot when plugging or unplugging an item, they should schedule services with an electrician. 
• Flickering or Dimming Lights: If families notice flickering or dimming lights, it can indicate a loose connection or an overloaded circuit. Homeowners need to call an electrician to accurately diagnose and repair the issue.
• Electrical Shocks: A light switch or outlet shock should be addressed immediately, as it can indicate a serious issue. This can be due to faulty wiring that needs to be inspected as soon as possible.
• Burning Odors: Burning odors coming from outlets or switches can be a potential fire hazard and must be inspected by an electrician. To reduce risks, homeowners might turn off the power to the affected circuit immediately and call an electrician immediately. 
• Buzzing Sounds: Buzzing sounds from switches or outlets can indicate serious problems, like loose wiring, overloaded circuits, or other electrical problems. Homeowners need to call for electrical repairs as soon as possible.

Homeowners need to call an electrician as soon as they notice these symptoms. The faster they schedule repairs or replacements, the sooner safety can be restored to homes. 

About E.F. Winslow Home Services

The team at E.F. Winslow Home Services honors its commitments. They provide 24/7 live answering and emergency services and bring over 50 years of experience. Call them today for electrical services in South Yarmouth, MA.

Ways to Lower High Water Costs

Homeowners are often looking for ways to save money on their household expenses. One way to trim their costs is to reduce their water bills. This post will share simple tips to save money on water bills, including stopping wasting water, installing water-conserving plumbing fixtures, and fixing leaks.

Stop Wasting Water

A fundamental way to reduce water bills is to conserve water at home with cost-saving changes to habits involving water. Plumbers recommend making manageable changes, like turning off the water when brushing teeth and shaving. People should also try to take shorter showers when possible.

Households can also reduce water wastage by only running dishwashers and washing machines when they have a full load instead of doing several smaller half-empty cycles. Using the dishwasher to wash dishes instead of doing them by hand can also use less water.

Property owners should also be mindful to reduce water usage outside. To save water when watering the grass, they should limit their watering to the early morning or at night when the temperatures are lower and evaporation doesn’t occur as quickly. This will reduce the amount of water needed to keep the yard healthy. Another way for property owners to reduce their water bills is to install smart irrigation systems. These sprinkler systems can use less water by using weather data and soil moisture sensors to water the lawn and reduce wasted water.

Install Water-Saving Plumbing Fixtures

Property owners can also reduce their water bills by installing water-saving fixtures to replace old and inefficient ones. Some common water-efficient fixtures are low-flow showerheads, faucets, and water-saving toilets. These fixtures perform the same function as their older counterparts but use less water.

Low-flow showerheads and faucets come in various styles and can combine air with water to maintain good water pressure while using less water to achieve it. Water-saving toilets also come in various models including dual-flush toilets, which have low-volume or high-volume flushing options, depending on the type of waste they are flushing.

Find and Repair Leaks

One significant source of water wasteage and a cause of high water bills is often a water leak in the plumbing. Homeowners need to quickly identify the signs of a leak and have it repaired to stop wasting water and reduce their water bills. To schedule water leak detection and water leak repair quickly, homeowners must know some common signs of a leak, including:

• Higher water bills than usual
• Lower water pressure from plumbing fixtures
• Wet spots or puddles inside or outside the home
• Water stains or water damage on the floors, walls, or ceilings
• Dripping or running water sounds
• Mold growth and the resulting musty odor

Another way homeowners can find a leak in their plumbing is to check if their water meter continues running after a period where no water is used. Before checking and rechecking the water meter, property owners should double-check that all plumbing fixtures and appliances are turned off.

About E.F. Winslow Home Services

E.F. Winslow Home Services is a family-owned and operated company with more than 50 years of experience serving the Cape Cod area. They offer the latest technology, on-time service, and 24/7 live answers. Call them for plumbing services in South Yarmouth, MA.