D'Spain Sales and Service Blog : Posts Tagged ‘Fair Oaks Ranch’

How to Tell if You Need an Electrical Panel Upgrade

Monday, February 13th, 2023

The electrical panel (or circuit breaker box) is like the nervous system of your home. It directs all the electrical traffic and makes sure energy gets where it needs to go. It also lets you know when there’s a problem, and tries to prevent disasters in your home, the way your nervous system sends pain signals to tell you that something’s wrong.

All of the work that your electrical panel does is critical, so you need it to be working properly. How can you tell when that system needs to be replaced? Here are some signs that you shouldn’t ignore. If you notice any of these things, it’s time for an electrical panel upgrade.

Tags: Electrician, Fair Oaks Ranch
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AC Neglect: A Tricky Situation

Monday, August 16th, 2021

Neglecting your air conditioner is never a good option. We know that nobody neglects their AC system on purpose, but it’s one of the most damaging things that can be done to an AC. We’d much rather be confronted with a malfunctioning air conditioner by a homeowner that’s confounded, than stumble upon a forgotten AC that’s really veering towards replacement much earlier than it should be.

Neglected systems, or systems that are ignored or forgotten about, tend to break down only in a few years. Well-maintained systems and units that are paid close attention can last upwards of 10-15 years in age because problems are promptly addressed.

This blog post is part PSA and part advice about how you can avoid neglecting your air conditioner, and what could happen if you do forget about your precious system. Don’t forget to schedule AC repair in Fair Oaks Ranch, TX if you encounter a problem!

Tags: AC Repair, Air Conditioning, Fair Oaks Ranch
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Is It Time for a New Thermostat?

Monday, June 15th, 2015

In an effort to be more energy conscious, many homeowners make some needed changes: installing a ceiling fan, using blinds or drapes to block out heat from the sun or scheduling annual maintenance. But there is one component that can be overlooked: upgrading your home’s thermostat. Its size and outward simplicity can mask how powerful a tool your thermostat is, but without it, your air conditioning won’t turn on or off. If you can better set and control your thermostat, you can have better control over your cooling. The experts at D’Spain Sales & Service, Inc., can help you choose and install a new thermostat for your home in Fair Oaks Ranch, TX that complements your air conditioning system, maximizing the control you have over your home’s cooling – just give us a call!

Tags: Fair Oaks Ranch, Thermostats
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Do I Have to Have My Well Water Tested?

Monday, May 25th, 2015

For those of us in rural areas, well water is the common source for providing your home’s water needs. One of the benefits of using a well is that you don’t have to worry about a monthly or quarterly water bill, but the water is considered private and as such is your total responsibility. This means that all maintenance for your well, including testing the water, is entirely up to you. Many homeowners mistakenly believe that any contamination can be tasted in the water, thereby keeping you safe, but this isn’t necessarily true; you could be imbibing contaminants and not know it. The experts at D’Spain Sales & Service, Inc., can help you with all your well water testing needs in Fair Oaks Ranch, TX. Just give us a call and we’ll get you scheduled for an appointment right away.

Tags: Fair Oaks Ranch, water testing, well water testing
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Should I Get a Surge Protector?

Monday, May 11th, 2015

When most people think of surge protectors, they think of the big strip of outlets you can find at a retail store. While these kinds of surge protecting strips can offset some damage caused by electrical surges, they can’t handle a major surge. You’ve likely invested a lot of money over the years in your home’s electronics, including computers, phones and televisions; the problem is, a single large surge can destroy these items in a matter of seconds – but not when you have whole-house surge protection installed by the electrical experts at D’Spain Sales & Service, Inc.

Tags: Fair Oaks Ranch, surge protection
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What Is an AFCI Outlet?

Wednesday, March 11th, 2015

Electrical outlets in homes and businesses have advanced a long way from the old style of two-prong outlets without grounding. Some homes still have these outdated types of outlet, and if your home is one of them, you should contact a professional electrician to put in updated outlets, such as GFCI and AFCI outlets. Both these outlets help provide safety in a home, but from two different types of electrical dangers. A GFCI outlet prevents sending high voltage electrical shocks into a person. We’ll explain below what the AFCI outlet does.

If you need to have upgrades for the outlets in your home, call the excellent electrical team at D’Spain Sales & Service, Inc. We offer comprehensive residential electrical services in Fair Oaks Ranch, TX, from installing new outlets and circuit breaker panels to full safety inspections.

AFCI outlets: arc fault protection

When an appliance is plugged into an outlet, it can cause the heat to rise inside the outlet, a phenomenon known as arcing, when electricity is conducted through the air and converted into heat. An AFCI (“arc fault circuit interrupter”) outlet is designed to detect when arcing occurs and then immediately cut off the circuit inside the outlet and stop the flow of electricity and the arcing. Arc fault protection is not limited to outlets; it is often part of the electrical panel, so your home may already have arc fault protection even if it does not have specific AFCI outlets for it.

Currently, the National Electric Code (NEC) requires AFCI protection for wiring that serves bedrooms and other sleeping areas in a house, since these are locations where a fire could start in the outlet and catch someone by surprise. However, the NEC is not a federal law, only a set of guidelines, and all local jurisdictions select their own version of the code to enforce. A professional electrician will know what the local code requirements are for your area.

If you have doubts about the electrical safety of your home, or if you’re unsure if you have arc protection or not, please call D’Spain Sales & Service, Inc. We can provide an electrical inspection to determine what safety measures you may need. Afterwards, we can install GFCI and AFCI outlets, or place arc fault protection into your electrical panel. We will help see that your home has the best level of electrical safety to protect your family. Rely on us for any job you need that’s electrical in Fair Oaks Ranch, TX.

Tags: Electrical, Fair Oaks Ranch
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Common Heating System Problems

Monday, February 16th, 2015

As a homeowner, it’s always good to have a basic understanding of what kinds of common problems can develop with your heating system. This isn’t so you embark on repairing your system yourself – that should be left to the experts – but so that you aren’t completely in the dark when your technician tells you what is going on should your heating system needs repair. Following are some examples of the common problems our D’Spain Sales & Service, Inc. technicians encounter pretty frequently:

Thermostat Issues

Whenever you have a heating system problem, one of the first places your technician will check is the thermostat; this is because your thermostat controls the operation of your system, and if it is malfunctioning, your system won’t work as it should. Common issues with thermostats are dying or dead batteries, worn and/or corroded wiring, dusty instrumentation and calibration problems.

No/Low Heat

Depending on the type of system you have, there are several causes for low or no heat, and one of the easiest to diagnose and repair is a clogged air filter. Other reasons can be electrical issues, refrigerant leaks (heat pumps) and issues with the blower (forced air systems). Because there are a number of reasons that can cause a lack of heating for your home, it’s important to always hire a professional for repair.

Ignition Problems

If you have a combustion heating system, a number of problems can develop with the components that help ignite your burner. Systems with electronic ignition can have problems with the flame sensor, placement of the igniter and dirt and dust; systems with standing pilots may have an issue keeping the pilot lit. Ignition issues can be complex, so it isn’t advisable to try and repair an ignition problem on your own; instead, call for an expert.

Your heater is a mechanical device, so at some point it is likely that a problem will develop with the system. Only trained experts should work on a heating system, so if yours needs repair, call the professionals you can count on: D’Spain Sales & Service, Inc. We provide quality heating repair in the Fair Oaks Ranch area.

Tags: Fair Oaks Ranch, Heating Repair
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Some Benefits of Heat Pump Installation

Wednesday, January 14th, 2015

Compared to other parts of the country, our weather stays fairly moderate during the winter months, making a heat pump heating installation a great option for homeowners in Fair Oaks Ranch. Why? Heat pumps have a number of benefits, and they work very well in temperate climates. Not sure what a heat pump can offer you? Let’s take a look.

2-in-1 Device

With the installation of a heat pump, you get both heating and cooling for your home in one device, eliminating the need for two separate whole-home systems. Heat pumps can do this because they have a component called a reversing valve that allows them to change the directional flow of the refrigerant.

Great Energy Efficiency

Heat pumps don’t generate hot or cool air; therefore, they don’t need any fossil fuels and the amount of electricity they need to operate is about a quarter of that used by a whole-home heating or cooling system.

Very Versatile

Heat pumps can be used with several kinds of systems, including geothermal, hybrid heating, ducted and ductless systems.

Long Lifespan

The average lifespan for a heat pump is 20-25 years, as compared to a combustion heating system, which is 15-20 years, and an air conditioning system, which is 10-12 years.

Quiet and Comfortable

Heat pumps blow air in a low-volume, gentle way, allowing for quiet and comfortable dispersal of air.

How Do They Work?

You may be wondering how a device can offer both heating and cooling without benefit of fossil fuels; it’s really quite simple. Heat pumps work by transferring heat from one location to another; they use refrigerant to facilitate this transfer. In winter, the heat pump absorbs the heat that surrounds it, concentrates it and transfers the warm air into your home; in summer, it does the opposite. The reversing valve, mentioned above, allows the heat pump to change the way the refrigerant flows, which allows the heat pump to change from heating to cooling. As the homeowner, all you have to do to change modes is press a button on your thermostat.

If a heat pump sounds like the right heating system to install in your Fair Oaks Ranch home, call D’Spain Sales & Service, Inc. today and schedule an appointment with one of our installation experts.

Tags: Fair Oaks Ranch, Heating Installation
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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!

Tags: Electrician, Fair Oaks Ranch
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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!

Tags: Electrician, Fair Oaks Ranch
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