Electricians in Round Rock, TX

Can you help me save money on my energy bills?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. homeowners spend an average of 7% of their income on electricity costs, which adds up to almost $200 each month.

You can decrease your monthly bills by:

• Adding insulation to your attic
• Inspecting your ductwork and resealing your vents to prevent air from escaping
• Applying solar film to your windows
• Installing weatherstripping
• Improving your air circulation with an air filtration system

ABC’s Comfort Specialists understand cooling and heating your home often represents the largest portion of your utility bill, so we work to advise you on whether replacing your air conditioner with a more energy-efficient unit can significantly decrease your bills over time.

Can ABC install ethernet or phone wires?

Yes, we can! ABC’s expert technicians can put ethernet and phone wiring into your home, as well as extend wires to new locations. This service is especially useful if you recently built an addition in your home or if you want to improve connectivity on other parts of your property.

What are some warning signs of an electrical problem?

As with other home maintenance tasks, looking for warning signs now can help prevent costly repairs later.

Some red flags that might indicate an electrical problem include:

• Lights flickering on and off
• Visibly frayed or damaged wiring
• Circuit breakers tripping repeatedly
• Fuses that need to be replaced more often than usual
• A breaker panel that is hot to the touch
• A humming noise coming from your electrical panel
• A plug falling out of an outlet without your touching it

If you’ve noticed any of these problems around your household, it’s time to call an electrician to advise you on what to do next.

How can I avoid electrical problems in the future?

While most electrical repairs can’t be addressed with a DIY approach, there are many things homeowners can do to prevent future problems.

To keep electricity working properly throughout your home, we recommend that you:

• Turn off lights and other devices that run on electricity, including TVs, speakers and fans, when you leave a room.
• Keep appliances in good working order and hold onto (or scan) receipts so you know the age of each appliance.
• Label your electrical panel so that you know which circuits power which parts of your home.
• Avoid plugging too many appliances into one outlet or circuit.
• Use a programmable thermostat to keep your home a more consistent temperature, which keeps your air conditioner from cycling on and off and using more electricity.
• Increase your home’s temperature slightly in the summer and turn the heat down a bit in the winter to decrease the workload of your HVAC system.
• Use a timer on outdoor lights so that you are using them only when necessary.

Why won’t my lights come on?

As homeowners, we take for granted that when we flip a switch, we get extra light in a room. When that doesn’t happen, many of us have no clue what to do next.

Some of the reasons your lights might not be working properly include:

• A faulty bulb socket or outlet
• Improperly installed bulbs
• A malfunctioning switch or pull cord
• A blown cord
• Damaged, old or loose wiring
• Problems with your circuit

Keep in mind some electrical problems stem from more serious issues. Trust the experts at ABC to quickly determine the source of your problem and advise you on recommended next steps.

Do I need GFCI outlets in my home?

A GFCI outlet, otherwise known as a ground fault circuit interrupter, is a safety measure designed to prevent electric shocks. By constantly monitoring an electrical circuit, the GFCI can protect against electricity flowing from a grounded item, such as a plumbing fixture, into your body, which can result in electrocution. These devices were initially required by law outside and near pool areas in new homes starting in 1971 before eventually becoming mandated in other locations.

If you don’t already have GFCI outlets, we recommend upgrading your existing outlets in areas of your home which can become wet, since these locations pose the highest danger to you and your loved ones. Upgrades are usually made to outlets within six feet of a sink, any outlets outdoors and those that are inside kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms and garages.

How can I reset my breaker?

Your home’s circuits are designed to shut off (or “trip”) to avoid sending too much electricity into the circuit. Excessive electricity can cause a circuit to overheat, which, in the worst case scenario, can lead to an electrical fire. When this happens in your home, you should try to troubleshoot why the circuit tripped and turn off or unplug the device in question before resetting the breaker.

Your circuit may have become overloaded by a number of items inside your home, including your:

• Vacuum
• Heater
• Window AC units
• Old or damaged appliances
• Appliances that draw electricity all day long (toasters, coffeemakers, microwaves, air conditioners and dishwashers)
• Short circuits can also trip your breaker.

To get everything in working order, you’ll need to:

• Locate your circuit breaker. If you are not sure where your electrical panel is, look for a rectangular box placed at eye level outside of your home, in your garage or even inside a closet.
• Check to see which breaker was tripped by seeing which switch is now in the “off” position and is either red or orange.
• Switch the breaker back to the “on” position. You will usually hear a click or a snapping noise as the circuit moves from “off” or neutral back to its normal working position.