Month: July 2015

An air conditioner is your most important ally when it comes to staying cool during the summer months. It keeps your home at just the right temperature so you can live in comfort when the heat is on outside. How can you help it run better? The tips below will help.

Don’t Close Off Your Rooms

It’s a common belief held by homeowners that closing off rooms will help them save money on their utility bill – this isn’t the case. You won’t automatically cut down costs with this action. When you do something like this, you block proper air flow and cause problems for the air conditioner. Instead of shutting your vents and doors, keep them open.

Seal the Ducts

Duct leaks are a huge problem. According to ENERGY STAR, you can lose between 20 and 30 percent of the air that flows through your home if you don’t seal any weak spots in your ducts.

Change Your Air Filter

Some people think their air conditioner doesn’t need any attention. But taking care of the inside of your air conditioner is just as important as caring for the environment around it. Make sure you check your air filter once a month and change it if needed. When your filter gets dirty, your air conditioner has to work harder to give the environment cool air. This compromises your comfort.

Use Your Curtains

While there is nothing wrong with letting a little sunlight into a room, too much will make the room hot and give your air conditioner more work. Keep your energy costs low by pulling down the shades or closing the curtains. You only need to do this when the outside temperature is at its peak.

If you want your air conditioner to run well and keep costs down, the information above will help.

Norcal Electric & Pump Work is Chico, Los Molinos, Red Bluff , Corning and Northern California’s one-stop-shop for all your Well-Pump Services, Electrical and custom construction project needs. From Well-Pump Services to Electrical Repairs – we’re here for you every step of the way. We pride ourselves on going above and beyond to provide our customers with practical solutions for their Electrical needs. Please give us a call today at one of the following numbers and we’d be more than happy to take care of whatever you need from well-pump services, electrical and lighting, and more! Give us a call at 530-521-7553

Most people know they need an HVAC system in order to stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer, but they don’t put any thought into how it runs. They don’t realize that its parts should be checked at certain intervals, and this includes the air filter. But how do you check, and is it really that important?

Checking the Filter

Step 1 – Turn off the thermostat and locate the air filter.

Step 2 – If the air filter is non-disposable, cleaning it is easy. Take a garden hose with a good amount of water pressure and spray the filter on both sides. If it’s very dirty, you will have to repeat this step more than once. Be careful to avoid damaging anything.

Step 3 – Shake the filter to get rid of excess water. It’s an excellent idea to leave it out to dry before you put it back in the system.

Step 4 – Turn the thermostat back on. Repeat these steps in a month.

Please note: If your filter is disposable and needs a deep cleaning, just throw it out and put in a new one. It’s that simple.

Why Is It So Important To Check the Filter And Change It When Necessary?

If you don’t understand why you should care about the air filter, keep reading. If the air filter is clogged, it can greatly damage the HVAC system. When you check the air filter, you extend the life of your system. Second, checking the filter ensures your home will be filled with cleaner, healthier air. You won’t have to worry about keeping your family’s allergies in check. Finally, a dirty filter uses up a lot more energy, and that means a higher electricity bill. If your household has a tight budget, this is information you can’t toss aside.

From an environmental and financial standpoint, it just makes sense to check on and change your air filter when necessary. The information above will help you understand why this is the case.

Norcal Electric & Pump Work is Chico, Los Molinos, Red Bluff , Corning and Northern California’s one-stop-shop for all your Well-Pump Services, Electrical and custom construction project needs. From Well-Pump Services to Electrical Repairs – we’re here for you every step of the way. We pride ourselves on going above and beyond to provide our customers with practical solutions for their Electrical needs. Please give us a call today at one of the following numbers and we’d be more than happy to take care of whatever you need from well-pump services, electrical and lighting, and more! Give us a call at 530-521-7553

When the summer heat hits, your home becomes an oasis. It turns into a place where you can cool down and take shelter, at least for a few hours. Your air conditioner works very hard at this time of year, but there are things you can do to increase its efficiency and keep it in good shape. The tips below will help you achieve these goals.

1. Put a Special Film on the Windows

If you’re looking for an affordable way to keep your house cool in the summer and warm in the winter, window film fits the bill. You can do the job yourself or ask someone you trust to take on the task.

2. Take Steps to Weatherize

The last thing you want to do is provide cool air for the entire neighborhood. Stop this from happening by weatherizing your home. Insulation should be placed around air conditioning ducts, and you should also cover potential air leak spots with caulking.

3. Keep Debris Away

If you have an outdoor unit, make sure it has proper airflow by keeping shrubs, bushes, and other landscaping touches at least two feet away. If you see sticks and leaves on the unit, remove them.

4. Don’t Overdo the Pavement

Rocks and cement are great landscaping options, but if you use them too much, it increases the heat on your property.

5. Use Your Ceiling Fans

Run your ceiling fans counterclockwise during the summer. This pushes cool air down and puts less pressure on your air conditioner.

6. Replace Your Old HVAC System

Get an energy-efficient model for your home. This kind of unit costs more money, but it’s worth it in the long run. Make sure the replacement unit is the right size.

7. Get a Smart Thermostat

A smart thermostat can be manipulated through your smartphone. If you forget to change the temperature before you leave for work, all it takes is a few taps to set things right.

8. Plant Tall Trees near Windows

Tall trees provide shade. Place one in front of a window to help cut down on the amount of heat that gets into the house.

9. Don’t Mess With the Dial

When you dial below 78 degrees on your thermostat, you increase your energy consumption.

10. Put Your A/C in a Shady Place

Find a shaded area in your home away from windows. The cooler the spot is, the less work there is for the air conditioner.

11. Look at the Filters

It’s important to check your air filter once a month and replace it if necessary.

12. Be Careful About Heating Your Air Conditioning

Don’t put heat-producing appliances next to your air conditioner. This includes lamps and televisions.

Norcal Electric & Pump Work is Chico, Los Molinos, Red Bluff , Corning and Northern California’s one-stop-shop for all your Well-Pump Services, Electrical and custom construction project needs. From Well-Pump Services to Electrical Repairs – we’re here for you every step of the way. We pride ourselves on going above and beyond to provide our customers with practical solutions for their Electrical needs. Please give us a call today at one of the following numbers and we’d be more than happy to take care of whatever you need from well-pump services, electrical and lighting, and more! Give us a call at 530-521-7553

When it comes to keeping your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter, your HVAC system plays a critical role. You need it to be in great shape throughout the year, but you might not be aware of how to do this. The information below will help you in your quest.

1. Clear Away Leaves, Sticks, and Other Debris

Your outdoor HVAC system can’t do its job if it’s covered in debris. Take the time to clean it off at least once a week.

2. Listen and Look for Anything Unusual

If you’re attentive and spend enough time working on your HVAC system, you will notice if something isn’t right. If you see or hear anything strange, it could be time to inspect the system.

3. Don’t Allow Children or Animals to Play around the Outdoor System

Never allow your children or pets to play on or around your outdoor HVAC system. Keep an eye on them when they’re in the yard. They could suffer an injury or damage this utility.

4. Replace Filters Every Few Months

You might not be aware of the fact that filters capture dust, and this dust could house and provide food for mold or mold spores. You need to replace your filters as frequently as possible. If you don’t know what the right time should be, keep an eye on the filters and check them every month to determine the best interval.

5. Clean the Condenser Coils and Evaporator

Damp coils are another potential breeding place for mold. A coil can degrade if you don’t do anything to keep it clean.

6. Check the Area Where the Air Intake Is

Do this twice a year. You don’t want water gathering around air handlers

7. Inspect the Belts, Fan, and Bearings

Fan motors should be running in the right direction. Impeller blades can fill up with dirt and impact air flow, so keep this in mind.

8. Pay Attention to Smells

If a musty odor is coming from the air in your home, mold could be present. Act as quickly as possible to rectify the situation.

9. Keep Records

Keeping track of maintenance can be overwhelming and confusing. Write it all down in a book or create a special folder on your computer.

10. Adjust and Clean Dampers

Improper damper operation is a leading cause of HVAC problems. Clean and lubricate dampers once a year.

Norcal Electric & Pump Work is Chico, Los Molinos, Red Bluff , Corning and Northern California’s one-stop-shop for all your Well-Pump Services, Electrical and custom construction project needs. From Well-Pump Services to Electrical Repairs – we’re here for you every step of the way. We pride ourselves on going above and beyond to provide our customers with practical solutions for their Electrical needs. Please give us a call today at one of the following numbers and we’d be more than happy to take care of whatever you need from well-pump services, electrical and lighting, and more! Give us a call at 530-521-7553

Gone are the days where the average person had to use a bucket and rope to get water from a well. Modern conveniences make it possible to get fresh water into your home using a pump. If you need to replace your pump, you might wonder what you should take under consideration. Read the information below before you browse the market and make a decision.

Think About the Size of Your Current Pump

It’s important to be aware of the size of your pump before you purchase a new one. There should be identification on the pump, and it’s a good idea to look for it. This will help you discover what the horsepower (HP) is. If the well pump is submersible, dig up the installation paperwork that came with it. If this isn’t possible, take the pump out of the well as gently as you can to avoid damage. The more power a pump has, the longer it will last. However, if you choose to up the horsepower, only buy a pump that is one size bigger than your old model.

What Kind Of Pump Do You Have On Your Property?

Now you need to know the type of pump you have. Believe it or not, figuring this out isn’t difficult. For example, a shallow well jet pump is what you have if it consists of one pipe. You have a jet pump if the well is in your basement or it’s above the ground. A submersible well pump connects to a pressure tank. Once you identify what you have, finding a replacement is easy.

Now that you have the answers you seek, go out and get the pump you want. Remember – use caution and don’t buy the first thing you see. You want a quality, reliable pump. See to it that you get one.

Norcal Electric & Pump Work is Chico, Los Molinos, Red Bluff , Corning and Northern California’s one-stop-shop for all your Well-Pump Services, Electrical and custom construction project needs. From Well-Pump Services to Electrical Repairs – we’re here for you every step of the way. We pride ourselves on going above and beyond to provide our customers with practical solutions for their Electrical needs. Please give us a call today at one of the following numbers and we’d be more than happy to take care of whatever you need from well-pump services, electrical and lighting, and more! Give us a call at 530-521-7553