With cooler weather quickly approaching, now is the time to test your heating system to make sure it’s working properly. It’s a better idea to do it now when the weather is mild instead of waiting until all the HVAC companies are flooded with calls. Once the first cold snap hits, everyone will be using their systems for the first time in the season. If you wait until then, you’ll be in a long line of people who are all trying to get their heaters fixed.

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Whether your system uses oil, natural gas, propane, or a heat pump, you obviously want to make sure that it’s blowing warm air. Furnaces usually give off a bit of an odor as they burn the dust that’s accumulated through the system (which is completely normal). With natural gas or propane systems, you want to make sure that the burners come on. For an oil system, you’ll need to make sure that there aren’t any big puffbacks of oil. The tank should be full and the line from the tank to the burner should be open and flowing easily. Unlike natural gas or propane heaters, oil tanks can accumulate sediment buildup over time.

If you have a heat pump system in your home, you should turn on the electric strip backup heat to make sure it’s functioning properly. Heat pumps are basically a reversing valve in the air conditioning unit. The air conditioner is doing double duty since it’s running practically year-round. That’s why it’s very important to have a professional tune-up performed on a regular basis. Most of the studies we’ve seen say that you can end up saving as much as 20% off your energy bill.

If the heating system isn’t blowing warm air as expected, it could be something as minor as the igniter, a capacitor, or a contactor. It could also potentially be a major failure, depending on the age of the equipment. Unfortunately, the lifespan of these systems has decreased as they’ve become more energy efficient. We now see an 8-12 year average for the air conditioner and a 12-15 year average on the furnace.

As a bare minimum, you should change the filter, vacuum around the unit, and vacuum inside the area where the filter slides in (if accessible). Of course, filters should always be changed monthly/quarterly according to the system’s specifications. Otherwise, you run the risk of dramatically reducing the life of the system. Beyond those steps, there’s very little that a homeowner can do safely unless they are experienced with working on HVAC systems. There’s always the potential to make the situation worse if you don’t know what you’re doing.

Boulden Brothers are here to help you properly maintain your HVAC system throughout the year. We can either come to your home to do a tune-up or we can make a visit as part of our Boulden Buddies Club membership. Membership includes a visit twice a year to make sure your system stays in tip-top shape. To learn more, give us a call today or contact us online.

Tropical storm Joaquin has been upgraded to a category 1 hurricane, packing sustained winds of 75 mph.  This could be one of the biggest storms since Hurricane Sandy, so it’s best to keep a close eye on its path.  Here is the projected path hurricane Joaquin:

Source: wunderground.com

Whether we get hit with a major hurricane or not, one thing is certain: there will be a lot of rain.  Be prepared for flooding and high winds.  Use this Storm Safety Guide from AAA to help protect your home and family in the event of a hurricane or tropical storm.  One of the best ways to keep water outside of the home where it belongs is by using a sump pump.  Sump pumps are installed in the lowest part of your home and collect water through a drainage system around your home’s foundation.  They then pump the water from your sump to an area far away from the home.  For homes with a high water table, they are absolutely necessary to keep your basement and home dry.

For those of us who have sump pumps, their maintenance is one of the most important things to make a little time for on a regular basis.  If a sump pump is not working properly, it could mean flooding of a home or office building that sits below the water table level.  Flooding can mean excessive damage to not only the basement, but to any other lower floors, and even foundation damage which will all then need to be repaired or replaced completely.  With such simple precautionary steps as performing a few quick maintenance checks it is easy to keep that sump pump running properly without such damage.

Sump Pump Inspection Guide:

• For electric sump pumps: Ensure the sump pump is plugged into a working outlet, and that the cord is in good shape.  Due to the damp, the breakers on these outlets can trip more easily, which then shuts off the sump pump.  This is a simple fix as the breaker just needs to be reset.
• For battery powered sump pumps: replace the battery as often as is recommended by the manufacturer.  On backup battery powered pumps, replace the battery every two to three years.
• Check that the sump pump is standing upright.  Since sump pumps vibrate they can fall to one side, which can jam vital parts, causing it not to activate properly.  While upright, all working parts should be free to move as necessary.
• Pick up submersible pumps to clean the grate on the bottom.  Ensure that there are no small stones in the grate which could block the inlet or damage the pump.
• Check that outlet pipes are tightly joined together, check that their outlet is at least twenty feet from the foundation of the home or building, and that when the sump pump is on it is actually removing water through the pipes.  In some cases, the pump may run but not pump any water.
• Clean the vent hole in the discharge pipe, remove any debris which was stuck in it. Check for debris blocking the suction intake.
• Listen for strange noises coming from the motor.
• Check for oil in the sump well (may indicate a failed pump seal).
• If the activating switch for the pump works on a float, check that the float is not restricted.

One quick way you can check if your sump pump is operating correctly is to dump a bucket or two of water near the machine to make sure it starts up automatically and that it drains efficiently.  Besides performing maintenance on a sump pump annually, it is good to check it again after heavy rains to ensure that it is still removing water properly.  While most new models have indicators which alert you when the pump is not working properly, it is still good to physically check the machine periodically to ensure it is running properly.

Watch this video for more Sump Pump Tips:

With proper sump pump maintenance your Newark sump pump will give you great service for a long time.  You may also be interested in purchasing a backup generator! If your sump pump does not have a battery backup, then it won’t work if the power goes out, which is probably when you’ll need it most.  Learn how to choose the right generator for your needs and budget.

Protect your home from water damage by having Boulden Brothers install, maintain, or repair your sump pump!

Boulder Brothers is available to answer any electrical and home generator questions you may have. Your safety and comfort are out highest priorities. Feel free to give us a call at (302) 368-3848; we are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

You can also keep in touch with us through Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

A properly working electrical panel is critical because it’s responsible for distributing power to all appliances and outlets/switches in the house. Your panel is constantly heating up and cooling down whenever an appliance is used. After 15 to 25 years, that expansion and contraction will inevitably take its toll. How do you know when it’s time to replace your home’s electrical panel? Here are five things you need to look for.

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1. It’s a Federal Pacific panel.

Federal Pacific panels were frequently used in this area. They’ve lost all UL (Underwriter Laboratories) certification. All Federal Pacific panels are unsafe and we recommend that they are replaced as soon as possible.

2. It’s an old fusebox.

If your home has an old system with screws and/or fuses, we highly recommend moving to a modern circuit breaker panel.

3. The breaker is always tripping.

Most people go years before having to touch their panel. If you have a modern panel but notice that the breakers are constantly tripping, that’s a good indication that the panel is beginning to wear down.

4. There’s evidence an electrical fire occurred in the panel.

A burnt plastic smell or discoloration marks around the circuit breakers are indicators that there may have been a fire in the panel. (Fires in the panel extinguish themselves quickly because of the lack of a fuel source.) This is a situation that should be addressed to prevent further fire hazard.

5. The breakers don’t stay set.

If a breaker trips and you can’t reset it, there could be a problem with the breaker, the circuit, or the panel. A qualified professional should check it out as soon as possible.

How will Boulden Brothers help?

It’s difficult for a homeowner to spot the signs of an electrical fire. That’s why we check the panel as part of our BAM Club Electrical Safety Inspection. During the panel rejuvenation, we take the cover off the panel and make sure that all wires and components are tightly arranged. We also check every breaker, wire, and connection point to make sure they are functioning properly.

If there’s a Federal Pacific panel or fuse system in the house, we’ll replace it with a safe and modern circuit breaker system. We also look at the size of the home and its electrical demand. A professional electrician will be able to make an assessment based on what is most appropriate for the house.

As houses have grown over the decades, so has our demand for electricity. Many older houses weren’t equipped with an electrical panel designed to meet our modern needs. Back in the 1960s and 1970s, household appliances like microwaves and blenders weren’t common. In 2015, we have computers, TVs, and many other appliances that drastically increase electrical demand. We’re equipped to make sure that your home’s electrical panel has the capacity to keep up with your needs.

If it’s time to check your home’s electrical panel, give us a call today or contact us online.

Happy First Day of Fall! The beginning of fall is the perfect time to take care of all the little projects around your house before it gets too cold! Winter is coming, and faster than you think. Take care of these indoor and outdoor fall home maintenance tasks to stay calm and comfy all fall and winter long.

emboulden | \im-ˈbōl-dən\: to give someone the confidence and inspiration to do something or to behave in a Boulden Brothers way.

Outdoor Fall Home Maintenance:

• Inspect and clean gutters and downspouts.
• Inspect roof and chimney for any gaps or cracks.
• Drain and winterize faucets and irrigation systems.
• Rake leaves and shred for mulching purposes; start composting
• Plant perennials; weed annuals
• Winterize water irrigation systems, fountains, and other features.

Indoor Fall Home Maintenance:

• Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. If you don’t have a carbon monoxide alarm, it is highly recommend you have one installed.
• Check for gaps or cracks in the foundation and around windows and doors. Caulk, insulate, and make any necessary outdoor repairs.
• Clean or replace dirty furnace filters and vents.
• Treat your furnace to a tune-up by a trained professional.
• Think about getting a generator for the winter.
• Call in a chimney sweeper.

For more fall home maintenance tips, read our other blog posts on the subject:

• Tips & Tricks for Winterizing Your Home
• 5 Home Heating Tips
• Propane Benefits & Advantages
• How a Home Energy Audit Saves You Money
• Furnace Troubleshooting Tips
• Energy Efficiency Infographic
• How to Improve Indoor Air Quality
• Repair or Replace HVAC?
• Maximizing Your HVAC Lifespan

At Boulden Brothers we care about the safety and comfort of customers. Our phone lines are open 24 hours – give us a call at (302) 368‑3848.

If you want to know more about maintaining a safe and efficient home, follow us on website, Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

Garbage disposals tend to fail without any warning. Once the electric motor stops working, it’s time to replace the unit. In the meantime, you can maximize your garbage disposal’s life by following these tips for proper usage.

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Use Cold Water

You’re probably already aware that the water should be running the entire time the garbage disposal is on. Running water will flush any ground-up material through the pipes and out to the street or septic system. What you might not be aware of is that you should never use hot water. Hot water will melt fat, which will then solidify further down the line. Coldwater also helps keep the motor, bearings, and shredder from overheating.

Dispose of Appropriate Material Only

You should always first consult your owner’s manual to see what material should and should not be put down the disposal. There’s a difference of opinion as to whether the small chicken or fish bones should be placed in the disposal. The owner’s manual will have the answer. (Of course, large steak bones should never go down the disposal.)

The following items should not be placed in the garbage disposal: shrimp shells, crab shells, shellfish, un-popped popcorn kernels, hard bones, banana peels, celery, potato peelings, corn cobs, artichokes, coffee grounds, fruit pits, onion skins, eggshells, rice, pasta, grease, or garbage (such as rubber bands, glass, screws, etc.).

With the above in mind, here’s a step-by-step rundown of how you should be using the garbage disposal:

1. Turn on the cold water.
2. Turn on the garbage disposal.
3. Feed-in the material gradually.
4. Turn off the garbage disposal.
5. Let the cold water continue to run for a few seconds.
6. Turn off the cold water.

Assuming you follow these tips, what kind of lifespan should you expect from garbage disposal? It depends—it’s difficult to determine because of the wide range of quality from product to product. There are very small, low horsepower units and large, high horsepower stainless steel models. Obviously, a more powerful unit is better equipped to handle the job while also experiencing less stress.

Is bigger always better? It’s really determined on a case-by-case basis. A more powerful system will probably be a better investment in the long run. However, there are some situations where larger units will not fit the area based on the configuration of the sink. We would have to take a look and make an informed recommendation.

What if the garbage disposal gets clogged? On the occasion where you get a blockage, we have the tools to clear it effectively. That’s probably your best option. You can also try to put your hand down the disposal to clear the blockage, but for safety reasons, you must first make sure that the disposal is switched off and unplugged.

It’s also a good idea to occasionally put ice cubes down the garbage disposal. Some people think that this will sharpen the shredders—that’s simply not true. However, it will knock free any food that may have accumulated on the blades. Some people even suggest making ice cubes from lemon juice or vinegar. Another option is tossing orange peels, citrus rinds, or orange slices down the disposal. It will have a similar effect to the ice cubes along with the benefit of the citrus scent.

If your garbage disposal needs attention from a qualified professional, give us a call today or contact us online.