Frequently Asked Questions

The reason for the use of alternating current in modern homes has to do with the nature of power itself, and its relationship to voltage and current. Power is defined as the product of voltage and current, so lower voltage requires higher current in order to produce a given amount of power, which calls for a larger conductor.

That means using a larger cable for conducting the power, which is more expensive. A solution that allows for the use of a cable that is smaller in diameter is more cost–effective. That’s where the difference between AC and DC comes in. Simply put, AC can be converted more simply to a form that has high voltage and low current, therefore requiring less bulky wiring.

On the other hand, while transformers can readily convert AC to a more usable form, this is much more difficult with DC, hence this is why AC is the current of choice at home.

Electrical work is tricky and requires a good deal of training, and for good reason. It can be dangerous to work on wiring without the proper skills and training, which is why so much education is involved in becoming a professional electrician. Many people may be tempted to do their own electrical installation or repairs in order to save the expense of hiring an electrician, but this can be very unsafe. Even for minor repairs, if you are even the least bit unsure about how to address it, it’s best to call in a professional.

Safety is not the only reason to eschew doing your own electrical work. Every area has its own rules, regulations and codes. Only a trained electrician will know how to follow these exactly so that all parts your system will comply.

Generally speaking, all outlets within six feet of a sink or above the countertop in a kitchen should be protected, either by a GFCI outlet or GFCI circuit breaker. You have almost certainly seen GFCI outlets before. They are the outlets that have the “Test” and “Reset” buttons on them, common in kitchens and bathrooms. These outlets are designed to trip suddenly if there is a sudden difference in energy flow, in order to prevent short circuits, electrocution or electrical fires.

An alternative to multiple GFCI outlets is to have one GFCI circuit breaker attached to multiple outlets. The exceptions to the GFCI rule are refrigerators and freezers, which should not be left without power for obvious reasons, and lights, which would just be a nuisance if they got tripped off frequently. There are other specific requirements for safe wiring in the kitchen, so be sure to consult your electrical contractor when the time comes.

Among the most frequent and easily detected electrical hazards is an overloaded electrical system. The signs and symptoms of this are usually pretty clear, but you should be vigilant about watching for them. If your lights temporarily dim or shudder when an appliance (dishwasher, air conditioner, refrigerator, etc.) kicks on, if the light switches in your home are hot when you touch them, or if you find that your circuit breaker is tripping very frequently, call an electrician right away. An overloaded electrical system is very dangerous and can lead to injury or fire.

High efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters are extremely effective at removing many types of contaminants from your indoor air. In fact, they can reliably remove up to 99.97% of particles measuring 0.3 microns or more in diameter.

This covers many of the common indoor air contaminants you may have a problem with. Most people need to remove both large and small particles from their indoor air, and HEPA filters are certainly a great asset when you’re trying to accomplish this. While they are not the only type of mechanical filter on the market today, HEPA filters are certainly the most effective. If you’re going to invest in some type of mechanical filtration, a HEPA filter is really the only one you should go for.

While things like HEPA filters and air ionizers can remove many types of particulate air contaminants, both large and small, they are not often particularly effective against germs like the bacteria and viruses that are routinely floating around your house. UV germicidal lights, on the other hand, can be extremely effective and efficient at killing those germs.

UV germicidal lights are usually used as part of a complete air quality improvement system. They’re typically placed just past the HEPA filter or other purification device so that they can catch the viruses and bacteria that pass through these other filtration systems. Once they are exposed to the UV radiation produced by the lights, these germs are quickly killed and cannot continue to circulate throughout your house.

There are many factors to consider when you’re trying to select the right air cleaner for your home. One of the main things to keep in mind is that not all air cleaners are equally as good at removing certain types of particulate contaminants. For instance, some are better at catching larger particles, while others do a better job of trapping small particles and absorbing odors.

Of course, you’ll also have to take into account the size and dimensions of your home as you make your selection. You want to make sure that the air cleaner you choose is going to be able to handle the volume of air that will pass through it each day, but you don’t want to go needlessly overboard and spend more than is necessary for something that you didn’t really need.

You’ll also need to have some idea about how significant your indoor air quality problem is so that you’ll know the system you buy can handle that level of contamination. With all of these elements to take into account, it can be pretty tough to sort through all of your options on your own. Professional advice can definitely come in handy.

Each type of filter will probably come with its own recommendations in terms of a replacement timeline. However, it’s generally a good rule of thumb to change your filter at least once every 90 days. Some super high efficiency filters can go considerably longer without being changed, however, and if you have a very high contaminant load, you may need to change it more often than the manufacturer recommends.

A tankless water heater is one that uses direct heating to only heat the water you need. They are slightly more expensive to install than tank water heaters, but unlike tank water heaters you can place them anywhere in your home. They are portable and are much more energy-efficient, especially if you don’t use hot water at a consistent rate.

If you’re interested in a tankless hot water heater or want to know if one is right for you, the first thing to do is measure your average hot water use. You also need to take into account the number of places where hot water is needed and you should discuss potential pitfalls of tankless heating with a professional technician.

A hot water heater needs to be replaced about once every 10 years, though some newer models can last as long as 15–20 years with proper maintenance. To get the most out of your system, annual maintenance is important.

During these annual service visits, basic cleaning and maintenance is done to replace worn out parts and check for any looming problems with your water heater that may require replacement in the near or immediate future.

A hot water heater is one of the simplest pieces of equipment you’ll have installed in your home, but it should be done by a professional for a number of reasons. First, you must understand and follow all local building codes, not only for installation, but for possible future inspections. If your hot water heater is gas or oil fueled, safety is of the utmost importance.

Second, you must have your old hot water heater disposed of. A professional has the resources to dispose of your hot water heater for much less money than it would cost you, and it’s less of a hassle as well. Professionals are also better equipped to deal with factors like proper insulation, secondary heating sources, and backup water supplies.

Hot water heating should be done according to your particular needs, but most people have their tanks set too high. The default setting on many hot water heaters is 140°F. This is about 20°F warmer than is necessary for household tasks like showering, washing dishes or cleaning clothes. Follow your manufacturer’s instructions or have a professional help you turn your hot water temperature down to no more than 120°F.

The most common sign that there’s a problem in your hot water heater is a lack of hot water. If you notice your hot water supply dropping sharply or if it doesn’t last nearly as long as it once did, it may be time for additional service.

You can perform some basic maintenance on your own as well. You should remove sediment from your hot water heater at least once per year by following the manufacturer’s instructions. This usually involves simply turning off the device and draining it through a tap provided at the base. If you have hard water, this should be done more frequently, sometimes as often as every six months.

However, if basic maintenance does not solve the problem, it’s time to call a professional to check your hot water heater for problems that may have developed since their last visit.

There are a number of alternative hot water heating sources these days. The most common is currently solar powered hot water, which uses simple panels on your roof to collect the energy from the sun to heat your water. Another popular method is to use the excess heat generated by a geothermal heat pump when cooling your house in the summer. Ask your plumber when they arrive about these alternative options and to find out if they can be incorporated into your particular system.