Electricians in Bryan-College Station, TX

Keeping an eye out 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 you touching it

If you are experiencing any of these problems, it’s time to call an electrician to address the problem.

Although electrical repairs don’t often lend themselves to a DIY approach, there are things homeowners can do to help prevent problems. To keep your electricity working properly throughout your home:

• 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 keep purchase records so you know the age of each appliance.
• Clearly label your electrical panel so that you have a good understanding of 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.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, households spend an average of 7% of their income on electricity costs–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 to increase efficiency
• Adding solar film to your windows
• Installing weatherstripping
• Improving your air circulation with an air filtration system

Since cooling and heating your home represents the largest part of your utility bill, ABC’s Comfort Specialists can also help advise you on whether replacing your air conditioner with a more energy-efficient unit can significantly decrease your electric bills over time.

A ground fault circuit interrupter, otherwise known as a GFCI outlet, 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, and were eventually mandated in other locations.

If you don’t already have GFCI outlets, consider upgrading your existing outlets in areas of your home which can become wet. This could include outlets within six feet of a sink, any outlets which are outside and those that are inside kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms and garages.

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

Some electrical problems stem from more serious issues. The licensed electricians at ABC can quickly determine the source of your problem and report back to you on recommended next steps.

Your home’s circuits are designed to shut off (or “trip”) to avoid sending too much electricity into the circuit, which can cause it to overheat and, if left unchecked, 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 your:

• Vacuum
• Heater
• Window AC units
• Old or damaged appliances
• Appliances that draw electricity all day long (toasters, coffeemakers, microwave, air conditioner and dishwasher)

To get everything working again, 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.