Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Below are some FAQ's submitted to the Dallas-Forth Worth, TX Electrician, HORNCO Electrical Services. Remember! It is always our recommendation that you hire a licensed & trained electrician to handle all electrical jobs in the home.
Q: What will It cost to fix my electrical problem?
A: Our prices are upfront - you know before we start the work. No surprises, no hidden fees. Diagnosing or troubleshooting a problem can be a lengthy process -- but HORNCO Electrical Services has fixed prices to offer depending on the service. If our price seems high, consider an hourly company with a price of $95.00 for the first half hour and $65.00 an hour after that; and a usual repair time of 3.5 hours! That "Cheaper Guy" just cost you $322.50, and did not even fix the problem! They not only offer extremely poor services, but they may not have a warranty, if they have one at all! We want you as a lifetime satisfied customer. We back up our work with 100% Customer Satisfaction Guarantee.
Q: Can HORNCO Electrical Services fix my problem today?
A: We provide same day service for all of your electrical needs. Call us by 10 AM and we will guarantee that we will have your problem solved by the end of the day! Our vans are stocked with 1000's of parts and we are capable of repairing or replacing all systems, circuits, breaker boxes, meter bases, or grounding systems - the same day.
Q: How do I reset my breaker?
A: Please follow the steps below:
- First, take hold of the circuit breaker handle between your thumb and forefinger and firmly push to the "off" position. When it is reset, you will hear or feel it "click".
- Next, take hold of the handle, and move it to the "on" position.
- Now your tripped breaker should be successfully reset!
What happens if it trips again? The circuit breaker may be doing its job, i.e. there may be an uncleared fault on the circuit, or the circuit may be overloaded.
Q: What should I do if my panels is making strange noises and
or strange smells?
A: Sizzling noises and strange smells could mean your home is in immediate danger of an electrical fire. Call HORNCO Electrical Services - The Home Safety Experts - we're one of Dallas/Fort Worth's most trusted & highly referred electricians!
Q: What is the difference in aluminum and copper wiring?
A: In a word, "safety". What makes aluminum wiring unsafe? Not all aluminum wiring is hazardous, aluminum wiring can be safe if properly utilized, but here are some reasons why small aluminum conductors make a poor substitute for copper.
- Aluminum is not as conductive as other metals like copper.
- Because it has a higher resistance, and because of its metallic properties, aluminum expands and contracts under loads significantly more than copper.
- As the "load" or amperage increases on the conductor it begins to expand, and when the load decreases, the conductor contracts back to its initial size.
- The constant expansion and contraction or aluminum wire, combined with oxidation, cause terminations in wire connectors, and on devices such as outlets and switches, cause them to become loose.
- When the wiring becomes loose, it will arc, and arcing will eventually lead to a fire.
Q: Why did my heating and air conditioning technician tell me to call an electrician for my tripped breaker?
A: It could be for a number of reasons. Please read below:
- Motors can trip circuit breakers
Motors create inductive loads, which means their current lags behind their voltage. When a motor is started, large amount of energy are used. However, much less energy is required to keep it running.
- Loose bus bar connections may cause overloads
Loose connections between the breaker and bus bar often are the source for breaker tripping. If this situation occurs frequently, it can cause a burn out where the breaker and bus bar meet. If this situation does occur, the breaker box needs to be replaced.
- What is "Lock Rotor Amperage" on home A/C units?
"Lock Rotor Amperage" refers to the amount of current that will be demanded if voltage is applied to a motor and the motor shaft seizes.
Q: My energy bill is too high, what can I do to save?
A: First and foremost you can have a thorough check of your electrical system. Loose connections release large amounts of wasted energy, which you end up paying for in terms of additional wasted kilowatt hours. Often, A/C units cause unnecessary energy lost. If your unit is older, or seems to take more energy to start, you may want to invest in a hard start kit. When using a hard start kit, less energy will be demanded on the frequent start ups. One of the simplest ways to save money on y our energy bills is by turning your thermostat to 78 degrees in the summer and 68 degrees in the winter. An even better way to control your homes temperature is by investing in a digital thermostat, and setting a reasonable work schedule. There are many ways to save. Please see our "Going Green" page for more information.
Q: How do I fix my chirping smoke detector?
A: First off, check your batteries; they may need to be replaced. Most newer homes or those recently remodeled will have linked smoke detectors. These all sound off simultaneously, even when only one unit detects smoke. In most cases, replacing the battery fixes the problem. Many "hardwired" or 120 volt units will have a battery back up, so try this fix even for hard wired smoke detectors. If all else fails, give us a call!
Q: How do I install a ceiling fan?
A: Remember, it is always our recommendation that you hire a licensed & trained electrician to handle all electrical jobs in the home. Need help installing a ceiling fan? Give the experts at HORNCO Electrical Services a call today! We're one of DFW's' most trusted and referred service companies.
Q: Why do my lights dim or brighten periodically?
A: There could be a number of reasons. Please see below:
- Larger loads, like A/C units can cause a brief "dimming" of lights. Most often this is caused by an excessive load on the service, resulting in a voltage drop. It may be remedied by simply installing a "hard start" capacitor on your A/C unit. However, In some cases your A/C may need servicing or even replacement. If the condition is severe, it may require an upgrade to your service; it simply may be too small for the load it now serves.
- Proper grounding is crucial to your home or office electrical system. A grounding system is the pathway to the earth for ground fault currents, and the ID point for the neutral conductor. If you do not have a proper grounding system, your electrical system may experience serious problems. Occasionally this will result in dimming lights, and even lights that mysteriously get brighter.
- If your lights are dimming or getting brighter, you need to have a professional electrician inspect your electrical system. It may be something minor like a loose connection or something bigger, like a loose connection at the utility companies transformer.
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