why do my lights flicker?

Posted on October 17, 2011 by Cornerstones

When your lights flicker, it means that you have a loose connection somewhere.

A loose connection almost always means there is heat buildup somewhere. Sometimes it can be a utility problem and some times it can be a breaker failing or a loose connection in one of your outlets or switches.

It is strongly recommended that you have a licensed electrician inspect your panel, meterbase and electrical systems.

mention this blog and get $25.00 of on a 29 point electrical evaluation

Thanks  Carl Pratt  801.255.6239  Sandy, Midvale, West Jordan, West Valley, Salt Lake City, and entire wasatch front in Utah.

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Why do I need a furnace tune up?

Posted on October 17, 2011 by Cornerstones

Your furnace needs good airflow, clean flame sensors, clean pilot light tubes, clean filters, clear cold air returns, clean flame rods, clean flame ignitors, clean condensate drains, good inducer motor, good blower motor. etc..

a good furnace tune up should inspect all these and notify you if any of these condition exist.

Thanks

Carl Pratt

801.255.6239  Salt Lake City, Utah

Posted in Heating | Leave a comment

Why does my furnace go out or just quit?

Posted on October 17, 2011 by Cornerstones

Why does the flame on my furnace just go out?

The most common cause of this is when the furnace lights and runs for about 20 minutes and goes out, the furnace needs the airflow through the heat exchanger to keep the heat exchanger cool, if the airflow is not there then the furnace will overheat and shut down.

This can be caused for several reasons:

*  the cold air return could be obstructed such as when a couch or box is in front of the cold air return register.

*  the furnace filter is plugged or dirty, such as when it does not get replaced regularly, it is recommended to change your furnace filter at least every 3 months or every month if you have alot of traffic or pets.

*  Dirty ducts, it is recommended to have your ducts cleaned on an annual basis

Thanks

Carl Pratt

Posted in Heating | Leave a comment

Home Owners Manual, What should go into a Manual for Air Conditioning?

Posted on July 20, 2011 by Cornerstones

Furnaces need the filter changed every 3 months and should be changed monthly.

I believe it is important for the Furnace filter to fit properly, any dust and particles that get past the filter will plug the Evaporator Coil in the air conditioner and limit the air flow going into the rooms.

What are your thoughts and ideas?

Carl Pratt  Salt Lake City, Utah area   http://www.cornerstonesservices.com

Posted in Homeowners Manual | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Home Owners Manual, What does the Homeowner need to know about Furnaces?

Posted on July 20, 2011 by Cornerstones

Furnaces need the filter changed every 3 months and should be changed monthly.

Furnaces need the flame sensor cleaned annually to assure reliability

I believe it is important for the Furnace filter to fit properly, any dust and particles that get past the filter will plug the Evaporator Coil in the air conditioner and limit the air flow going into the rooms.

What are your thoughts and ideas?

Carl Pratt  Salt Lake City, Utah area   http://www.cornerstonesservices.com

Posted in Homeowners Manual | 2 Comments

Home Owners Manual, What about Plumbing, Drains, Hoses, P traps

Posted on July 20, 2011 by Cornerstones

What does the Home Owner need to know about Plumbing and Drains etc….

What are your comments?

Carl Pratt 801.255.6239  http://www.cornerstonesservices.com

Posted in Homeowners Manual | 2 Comments

Home Owners Manual? What does a homeowner need to know about their home

Posted on July 20, 2011 by Cornerstones

I have built hundreds of homes in my Electrical Career, all paperwork that the homeowner needs to know usually ends up just being thrown into a cupboard and it is up to the homeowner to organize it and remember it.

Such as:

GFCI Outlet and Breakers should be tested once a month

AFCI Breakers should be tested once a month

SMOKE ALARM Batteries should be replace annually

SMOKE ALARMS Should be tested once a month

SMOKE ALARMS Should be replaced every 10 years

CO DETECTORS Should be replaced every 5 years

FURNACE FILTERS NEED to be replaced every three months and should be replaced MONTHLY, especially if you have pets.

FURNACE should be cleaned and serviced annually

A/C should be cleaned and serviced annually

SWAMP COOLERS need the pads replace at least yearly and preferably twice per season

SWAMP COOLERS need to be inspected and oiled yearly

SWAMP COOLER water needs to be disconnected for the winter.

DRYER FILTERS Should be cleaned out every load

CIRCUIT BREAKERS Should be tested yearly

WHEN GOING ON VACATION:

*     Unplug all appliances

*    Turn water off on clothes washer

*    Turn water off on Swamp Cooler

*    Turn water off on Ice Maker to Fridge

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS……

by Carl Pratt     http://www.cornerstonesservices.com

 

 

Posted in Homeowners Manual | 11 Comments

What is Legal Insurance?

Posted on June 23, 2011 by Cornerstones

Every one owns Car Insurance just in case of an accident, Home Owners Insurance just in case of a fire, flood, etc. Health Insurance just in case of an illness or accident, Life Insurance just in case of accidental or pre-mature death.

What happens if you get named in a lawsuit?, What happens if someone wrongs you?, What happens if you suffer from Identity Theft?,  What happens if you get arrested?.

You are more than twice as likely to need a Lawyer than a Hospital.

goto this website to learn more about free attorney services: https://www.prepaidlegal.com/MS/Multisite?site=hub&assoc=cjpratt

cjpratt@prepaidlegal.com

 

 

Posted in Legal Insurance | Leave a comment

When do I change the batteries on my smoke alarms

Posted on June 10, 2011 by Cornerstones

You should change your batteries at least once a year

a good way to remember is to pick a day of the year (such as the first day of spring) and change your batteries on that day.

I have a maintenance program for which I will come to your house twice a year. Once in the spring I will service your A/C system and change the Smoke / CO detector batteries, then in the fall, I will service your furnace system and check out your electrical system for maintenance items. ie… bad breakers, burnt meterbase, loose connections etc…

for more information you can send me an email to: cjpratt@cornerstonesservices.com

Thanks,

Carl Pratt  801.255.6239  Serving the entire wasatch front.

 

Posted in Electrical | 15 Comments

Partial Power: You have power in approximately half of your house

Posted on April 6, 2011 by Cornerstones

Half of your house will work and none of your 220Volt appliances will work, typically this can be caused by one of 3 things,

#1  Your utility company is having a problem and you don’t have all the power coming from the Utility companies transformer:

#1 Solution is to contact your Utility company and have them verify that the problem is not coming from their end.

#2 The meterbase can have a bad connection to the meter or a wire leading from the meter.

#2 Solution, The Utility Company is typically responsible for the meter itself but not the socket the meter plugs into. this must be taken care of by the homeowner and should be repaired by a qualified Licensed Electrician who will most likely need to replace the meterbase. This should be permitted by the city or county and typically must have an inspection.

#3 The main breaker will sometimes fail, I have found this to be typical with certain brands, where you turn the breaker off to work on it and then it will not reset (fails mechanically). or sometimes one side will trip and the other side will not.

#3 Solution, Breaker should be replaced. I recommend this to be done by a Qualified and Licensed Electrician.

Posted in Electrical | 17 Comments