D'Spain Sales and Service Blog : Archive for the ‘Electrical’ Category

Why You Should Have Carbon Monoxide Detectors Installed

Wednesday, January 21st, 2015

Carbon monoxide is a deadly gas that kills thousands of people a year worldwide. It is invisible, tasteless, and odorless, making it virtually undetectable to human senses. This is part of what makes it so dangerous. Unfortunately, it also happens to be far more common than you would think. The largest producers of carbon monoxide are natural gas burning furnaces, which also happen to be among the most common types of heating systems. Let’s take a look at how furnaces actually produce carbon monoxide, and why installing carbon monoxide detectors is the best way to keep you and your family safe.

Incomplete Combustion

Carbon monoxide is one of several kinds of toxic gases that are all produced as byproducts of what is called “incomplete combustion.” Incomplete combustion simply means that not all of the fuel burned is converted into heat. Regardless of the kind of fuel you’re burning, if you’re using a combustion system there will always be byproducts left over. Obviously, furnaces would not be viable heating systems if they vented deadly gas into the home every time they were turned on. Therefore, it became necessary to construct a part that could heat the air while venting combustion byproducts out of the house. This part is called the “heat exchanger.”

The Heat Exchanger

The heat exchanger is a tube that connects the furnace burner assembly to the exhaust flue. As the burner assembly creates heat, it also creates combustion byproducts like carbon monoxide, which rise up the heat exchanger. The heat radiates through the heat exchanger and into the air being circulated throughout the home. The combustion byproducts continue to the exhaust flue to be safely disposed of.

The problem is that, over time, the heat exchanger can develop cracks from the stress of being exposed to high temperatures. In some cases, the combustion gases can then travel through these cracks and enter the air in your home. There is no reliable way to test whether or not you have been exposed unless you begin to feel the symptoms, which include headaches, nausea, blurred vision, seizures, and unconsciousness. You don’t want to wait until you experience these symptoms before acting, which is why carbon monoxide detectors are your best bet.

If you’d like to know more or schedule a service, call D’Spain Sales & Service, Inc. today. Our professional electricians in Helotes, TX are standing by to help you answer all of your questions.

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Ways to Tell You Need Electrical Wiring Repair

Tuesday, January 13th, 2015

We count on electricity for just about everything, which is one of the reasons why it’s so important to make sure that the wiring in your home is safe and effective. Because wiring is hidden in your walls, there isn’t any way to see the actual wiring and if there are any existing problems with it. To be able to tell, you need to look for some telltale signs of electrical problems in your Bandera home. The electrical experts at D’Spain Sales & Service, Inc., have put together a list of signs that can indicate you may need electrical wiring repair:

  • Burned-out light bulbs – are you changing light bulbs in certain fixtures too frequently? The average light bulb should last about 6 months, so if you are changing bulbs far more frequently, you should call an electrician.
  • Dimming – do your lights dim when another appliance is turned on? This can indicate that your electrical system becomes imbalanced from a power surge each time that appliance is turned on. These kinds of overloads can cause damage to other appliances so it’s important to have an electrician review the problem right away.
  • Shocks from appliances – shocks from appliances are dangerous and usually indicate that an appliance is not properly grounded. All electrical appliances need to be grounded safely and correctly, so if you are getting a zap each time you use your coffee maker, call for assistance.
  • Burning smell – burning smells are serious and should be treated as such. Burning smells indicate that an electrical outlet or wire has become too hot and has actually started to burn. If you smell burning from any kind of outlet or your electrical panel, call for help immediately.
  • Charring/discoloration – if you see charring or discoloration around any kind of electrical outlet, do not use it and call for help. The charring indicates that a small fire has actually erupted and has left a mark.
  • Constantly tripping breakers or fuses – fuses or breakers that won’t stay on can indicate several things, but they all add up to one thing: an electrical problem. Faulty fuses or breakers can be replaced, but if an appliance or system is drawing too much power, or there is something wrong with your electrical panel, it’s much better to allow an expert to detect and repair the problem.

Electrical problems do not improve with time and typically become worse. If you are in need of quality electrical services in Bandera, call D’Spain Sales & Service, Inc. today to schedule an appointment.

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Qualities of an Excellent Professional Electrician

Wednesday, December 10th, 2014

There are certain vendors your home simply can’t be without: excellent heating and cooling service providers, excellent plumbers and excellent electricians.

Finding reliable service providers for your home can be challenging, and when it comes to finding good electricians, there are some specific things you need to be able to count on. Here are some tips to help you find a reliable, professional electrician in fair Oaks Ranch, TX:

  • Training and certification – working with electricity is complex and requires a number of hours of education and training. Check to make sure that any electrician you want to work with has the training and certification required for your area.
  • Licensed and insured – any tradesperson who does work on your property should be licensed and insured. If they aren’t, you will be liable for any injuries or damages that happen while he/she works on your property.
  • Be fully updated on the National Electric Code (NEC) – the National Electric Code, also known as the NEC or NFPA70, outlines the standards for the safe installation of electrical wiring and equipment in the United States. Codes can be updated at any time, so it’s important to know that your electrician is fully up-to-date on all standards.
  • Make sure there’s a physical address – whether you are hiring an individual or a company, make sure the person or company has a traceable, physical address.
  • Experience – ask your electrician what his/her experience has been working in the field. Classroom and apprenticeship learning are important, but hands-on experience is just as important.
  • Provides written estimates of work – electrical work can be complicated and can sometimes be costly. Any good electrician should be willing to give you a written estimate of the proposed scope of work.
  • Guarantees/refund policy – any tradesperson should be willing to stand behind his or her work; the best way to do that is to offer guarantees on work and/or have a refund policy.

Taking the time to find an excellent professional electrician can help you avoid problems that can occur when you hire the first person you see online or in the phonebook. Experiencing electrical problems right now?

D’Spain Sales & Service, Inc., has been offering comprehensive electrical services since 1974, so if you are in need of excellent electrical service, call us today!

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Benefits of Hiring an Electrician to Install Attic Fans

Wednesday, December 3rd, 2014

Heat naturally rises. This is a concept you’ve probably heard of before, but have you thought about what this means for your heating and air conditioning system? As heat moves into your home in the summer, it gathers in your attic, building up and having nowhere to vent so that it makes your home feel quite uncomfortable. And while running your air conditioner can help ease the discomfort, it won’t do much for all the heat trapped in your attic, which will make your home feel warmer soon after the AC shuts off.

Homeowners in Fair Oaks Ranch, TX often tend to choose attic fan installation in the summer months when looking for ways to cut cooling costs. An attic fan sits in the attic and vents warm air to the outside. This means your home will feel cooler and you won’t have to run your air conditioner for as long (or at all, in some cases), reducing the risk of repairs and cutting your energy bills.

But did you know that an attic fan can be just as useful in the winter? In the winter, the heat that collects in your attic can actually pose a health threat. As you run your heater, the warm air collects moisture from everyday activities like showering and cooking. This warm, humid air moves upwards, and can collect in the attic until mold or mildew form in the most hidden spaces of your home. This can cause allergies to act up as well as asthma, and may even lead to illness. However, an attic fan can move the trapped moist air back to the outdoors.

Why You Need Professional Service

The most important thing about attic fan installation is that you trust the job to a professional. Attic fan installation is not so simple as plugging in a fan and pressing a power button. You need your attic fan to be wired into your home’s electrical system so that it receives the right amount of power (and so that you can switch it on without climbing into the attic every day). In order to ensure safety, proper operation, and the greatest possible efficiency, be sure to schedule installation with a certified electrician in Fair Oaks Ranch, TX, like the friendly expert at D’Spain Sales & Service, Inc. Give us a call today!

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What Is a GFCI Outlet and Why Are They a Good Idea?

Wednesday, October 29th, 2014

We all know that water and electricity don’t mix, and the risk of electrical shock is not worth taking a chance with your electrical appliances. However, water can come into contact with your electrical appliances even when you don’t expect it, and other electrical accidents may also occur. That’s why many bathrooms and kitchens contain GFCI outlets, which you may recognize from the “test” and “reset” buttons on the fixture.

GFCI outlets help protect you and your family members from the very real risk of electrical shock. In fact, some municipalities mandate the installation of GFCI outlets in certain areas of home, while most experts strongly recommend them. And some homeowners choose to install these outlets throughout the house for increased safety or to increase the property value.

When you need GFCI outlet installation, D’Spain Sales & Services, Inc. is an exceptional choice for a professional electrician in Bandera.

How It Works

There are three slots in any modern outlet. The larger left slot is known as “neutral” while the right slot is called “hot.” The hole at the bottom, which is non-existent in older outlets designed to accommodate two-pronged plugs, is called “ground.” The ground is meant to protect you from electrical shock from metal-encased appliances. But a ground-fault circuit interrupter provides even greater protection.

Normally, an electrical current flows from hot to neutral. Electricity flows from hot through the electrical appliance and back to the neutral slot. If something interrupts the circuit, such as water, the risk is that the current will flow to you instead, leading to electrical shock. A GFCI outlet senses any change in the current quickly, shutting off the power immediately.

Why Choose Professionals for Installation

Installing a GFCI outlet is only a job for a trained professional. This is mostly for safety reasons as a technician has the right tools for the job. A trained electrician can also let you know if additional areas of the home need protection as well, such as a laundry room or an outside outlet.

D’Spain Sales & Service, Inc. is an outstanding choice when you need an electrician in Bandera. Call us today!

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Is It Time to Upgrade Your Service Panel?

Wednesday, October 22nd, 2014

The service panel, also known as the breaker box or electrical panel, is the steel box inside or outside of your house that controls how electricity is routed throughout your home. You need a breaker box to break up the power that reaches your home in order to distribute it to different areas and specific fixtures as needed. This panel contains various circuit breakers that allow you to quickly shut off power to the entire structure or to individual areas only. The breaker panel also trips as a safety measure when it senses an overcurrent or an electrical short in order to protect your home. For this reason, it’s important to make sure your service panel is only installed and serviced by skilled and certified technicians.

For quality electrical services in Helotes, trust the experts at D’Spain Sales & Services, Inc. whenever you need an electrician.

Reasons to Consider Upgrading Your Service Panel

Eventually, you may decide to upgrade the service panel for any of the following reasons.

  • You want to upgrade from fuses to circuit breakers. Breaker boxes are sometimes called “fuse boxes” because they once contained fuses instead of breakers. When the electrical current coming into the home was unsafe, the fuses would blow in order to protect your home from fire. Today’s service panels instead use circuit breakers that switch on and off, so you won’t need to replace a fuse every time. Many homeowners choose to upgrade to this modern feature.
  • You want to add new circuits but your panel has maxed out. Many service panels max out when the panel is installed and construction of the home is completed. If you want to add circuits for any reason, generally due to home renovations, you will need to upgrade your panel or add a sub panel along with your older one.
  • Your older service panel is of inferior quality. Finally, you may simply decide to upgrade because your older system is out of date or simply does not work as it should.

No matter what the reason for your upgrade, call D’Spain Sales & Service, Inc. for a reliable electrician in Helotes today!

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Benefits of LED Lights for Your Outdoor Lighting

Wednesday, October 8th, 2014

Increasing the outdoor lighting for your home is an excellent way to make your home safer and more attractive, as well as to increase the hours you can enjoy outdoor recreational areas, such as pools and patios.

However, those outdoor lights will add up to an immense amount of wattage, making them potentially expensive to run. That’s why we recommend you have LED lights installed for your outdoor lighting in Boerne, TX. Our professionals at D’Spain Sales & Service, Inc. can help create a new energy-friendly lighting scheme for the outside of your home using LED light bulbs. You will notice the difference when you hire skilled electricians like those on our team.

The Advantages of Using LED Lights

Light emitting diodes (LED) provide light as powerful as that from incandescent and florescent lights, but they require significantly less energy to run. Here are some of the benefits that LED light bulbs provide:

  • Energy saving: Imagine using 80% less energy to power the lights outside your house. That’s a huge difference, and that is what LED lights do. They only lose 20% of the energy they use to heat, where standard bulbs lose 80%.
  • Longevity: The savings grow even larger when you consider the average lifespan of an LED light bulb is 10 times greater than a traditional bulb. The average LED bulb will burn for 100,000 hours, which means it could burn steadily for 11 straight years. You’ll receive 4 times the savings over 10 times the lifespan.
  • Less heat: Because of their high energy-efficiency, LED lights emit a small amount of heat. You won’t have to worry about the lights making summer nights too uncomfortable.
  • Good for the environment: LED lights do not contain harmful elements like mercury that could end up in landfills. And you will send far fewer bulbs to the landfills because of their long lifespans: you can expect to throw away 25 incandescent light bulbs for every one LED light bulb.

LED lights do cost more to purchase upfront than standard bulbs; however, this is a small price to pay when you consider their energy savings and immense lifespan. LED lights start to pay for themselves the moment they first come on. The LED lights now available for outdoor use have expanded from the older narrow-beam models, and they can now fill a variety of functions. Ask your electrical installer about ways to make the most out of your new outdoor lighting set-up with LED light bulbs.

At D’Spain Sales & Service, Inc. we offer many different options for outdoor lighting in Boerne, TX and the rest of Texas Hill Country. Contact us today to learn more about our different lighting and electrical services, and the ways that we can help you conserve energy.

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Why You Need a Whole House Surge Protector

Wednesday, October 1st, 2014

When people think of power surges (also known as voltage spikes), they usually imagine a lightning bolt striking an electrical cable, causing all the lights in a home to suddenly glow bright white and then go to black. This is a realistic scenario…but it is also not one of the more common causes for power surges in a home.

The voltage spikes that are more likely to affect your house on a routine basis are the smaller ones that happen because of power fluctuations along the electrical lines that occur when a large appliance (a refrigerator, air conditioner, heating system, etc.) make an increased demand on the power supply. The voltage imbalance causes a sudden increase in power flow to one or more of the outlets. This may not cause a light to burn out or a circuit breaker to trip, but it can damage precision appliances over time.

The best way to defend against both small and catastrophic power surges is with a whole-house surge protector installed into the electrical panel. You can contact D’Spain Sales & Service, Inc. in Bandera, TX for electrical services that will hook up your home for comprehensive surge protection.

What Whole-House Surge Protection Does

You might wonder why you need a whole-house surge protector at all when you already have power strips on the outlets. Power strip are an effective level of defense against surges: they serve as a fuse that cuts off the power from an outlet when it rises above 120 volts, and this helps protect high-end devices like computer hard drives and entertainment systems that contain microprocessors susceptible to high voltage.

However, point-of-use power strips are rarely enough. To protect all of the appliances in your home, you would need power strips for every single outlet, and it would still not be enough since many appliances are hard-wired directly into the electrical system. Power strips are also insufficient defense against massive surges that can come from lightning strikes or utility company errors; these simply overwhelm the power strip and reach the appliance anyway. A whole-house surge protector can defend against these massive voltage spikes because it redirects the energy from the surge down into the grounding of the home.

Having a whole-house surge protector installed doesn’t mean you should throw away the power strips you use for computers and other equipment with microprocessors. It’s always wise to have added layers of protection for valuable appliances…just don’t depend on the power strips alone.

Only professional electricians should install a whole-house surge protector. The device must be wired into the electrical panel, and it must be the proper size for the electrical system. Call D’Spain Sales & Service, Inc. when you need surge protection that goes beyond power strips: we are a leading provider in Bandera, TX of electrical services, and we offer quality surge protection throughout the Texas Hill Country area.

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Upgrading Your Electrical System

Monday, September 15th, 2014

Unless you’re an electrician, electrical engineer or budding electronics enthusiast, you probably don’t spend too much of your time thinking about what courses through the various wiring and outlets in your home. But it’s important that you don’t take your electrical system for granted. At the very least, it’s important to make any necessary adjustments and upgrades to the system over time so that it remains compliant with the latest codes and that it remains safe to use for your entire family. Faulty or otherwise shoddy electrics should always be fixed immediately. But even if you don’t have an urgent problem, there are some good reasons to consider upgrading your electrical system.

Whether you want to add functionality, extend electricity to an addition on your home or property or improve the safety of your home, we offer a number of different electrical service upgrades. Let’s have a look:

  • Whole house surge protection. Sure, power strips have their place, but they simply cannot compare to whole house surge protection devices that integrate directly with your circuit breaker panel. These devices are excellent because they not only provider a much greater level of protection against the threat that internal and external surges present to your home, but they also provide coverage for your entire electrical system and everything that’s plugged in, including your HVAC system and other major appliances.
  • Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. When was the last time you had your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors tested? It’s important to make sure that they will be there for you when you need them most. It may be time to upgrade these safety devices and to ensure that they are hard-wired with battery back-ups.
  • Generator installation. Whether you opt for a portable or a whole house generator, it’s important to know what you can and cannot use it for. A portable model is good in a pinch, but it lacks the power, comprehensive coverage, and convenience of a whole-house generator. The latter can even run your HVAC system as well as various appliances.

These are just a few ways to upgrade your existing electrical system. Contact a professional on our team to learn more about our professional electrical services in Boerne, TX.

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The Whole-House Difference: Choosing the Right Generator

Monday, September 1st, 2014

Are you tired of going without the basics every time you lose power? Do you worry about adequate ventilation when operating your portable generator? Do you want backup power that you don’t have to lift a finger for? If you’re in the market for a generator, then you may want to consider making the jump to whole house models. There are a number of different systems that run on various fuels and they provide an unparalleled amount of power throughout the various parts of your living space. But all of this depends upon the quality of the generator installation, which is where professionals like us come in.

So, how do you know what type of generator is right for you home. You can begin by asking yourself a few questions.

  • How much power do you require? This is probably the greatest difference between portable generators and those at are permanently installed on your property. Whole house generators offer plenty of power for various parts of your electrical system, including major appliances and your HVAC system.
  • Do you look forward to filling up a portable generator every few hours, despite inclement weather while also making sure that it’s properly ventilated to avoid exposure to carbon monoxide? Portable generators certainly have their use, but if you want a system that involves a lot less effort and preparation, then a whole house system might be exactly what you need. Whether you opt for a diesel or a natural gas generator, it is vented properly outside its weatherproof casing to ensure that any exhaust fumes are dealt with properly.
  • What’s your stance on ease-of-use? For the ultimate in convenience, you may want to opt for an automatic standby generator, which contains a detector that allows it to turn on automatically as soon as it detects a drop in current from your utility line. That means you don’t have to be home to know that your home is fully secure.

Whatever type of generator you may need, we have a solution. We stock a diverse range of portable and whole house generators, and our electricians can make sure that you get the right one for you. Give us a call today to schedule your next generator service in Boerne,TX.

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