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Q. We are replacing our AC unit this season; what advice can you give me?

A.Replacing your system is one of the biggest financial decisions you will make. The reason for this is that the life expectancy of a system is around 12 years and once your system is installed you now have given the power company and/or gas company the right to send you a bill for the next 12 years. When choosing a contractor, pick a company to install the unit based on quality and customer service, not solely on price. The name brand of the equipment is not as important as the installing contractor. Another thing to keep in mind when replacing a system is that the duct system you are connecting to is sealed tight with the proper amount of return air. With the new higher efficiency units, you also have to be careful that you replace your system with the proper sized unit so you don’t end up with a house that is cool but has high humidity. Do your homework, pick quality contractors, and find someone you trust and you will have a successful installation that will bring you years of comfort and the least amount of overall cost. - KELVIN ROGERS – AIRE SERV OWNER IN FORT WORTH, TX

Q. What type of lighting would you recommend putting inside a shower?

A.In a situation such as this, the National Electric Code requires a light fixture to be a fully enclosed, moisture resistant unit. If there is access in the ceiling, the best remedy would be to install a “recessed can” type light, with appropriate lens cover, or a surface mounted “drum” type light. Both types of light fixtures are available at your local hardware, DIY, or specialty lighting store. Be sure to contact a qualified, licensed electrical contractor for correct installation. - JIM FOLTZ – MR. ELECTRIC SENIOR SERVICE PROFESSIONAL

Q. I recently received a flyer in the mail telling me it was time to clean the coils on my AC unit. Where are these located and how should I go about doing this?

A.First you need to understand you have two coils on any air conditioning system. One is the evaporator coil which is usually located indoors with the heater section (except on package units where it is inside the box). The other coil is the condenser coil which is the outdoor coil (the coil on the outside of the package unit). While it is true that the condenser coil should be cleaned every year, you really should have a professionally trained individual do this at the time they service your unit for the cooling system. The condenser coils are only one of about 20 items that need to be examined and checked for proper operation on your cooling system.

You also need to remember that water and electricity do not mix. If you were to attempt to clean you own outdoor coils and the unit came on, you could be injured or you could cause the condenser fan motor to short out resulting in an expensive repair. The same problems exist with the indoor coils. If the electrical components of your blower/heating system were to come into contact with water, electrical shorts or damage could occur. If too much water were used, the water could overflow, flooding the house and causing damage to your home. - G. ANDREW SMITH – AIRE SERV OWNER OF SOUTHEAST TEXAS

Q. I work from home and I have two power strips plugged into one outlet, both full. How do you know you have too much plugged into one source?

A.Using plug strips in a permanent situation, although common, is not recommended. This practice allows the potential for overloading the circuit, and could cause overheating of the cord strip and/or outlet it is plugged into. One correction would be to expand the outlet to a double duplex, or quadplex outlet. This would give you four places to plug into. The best correction would be to provide a new, dedicated circuit, from the electric panel to the work station area, and install a quadplex outlet. A qualified, licensed electrical contractor can take power measurements, and make recommendations to correct your situation. - JIM FOLTZ – MR. ELECTRIC SENIOR SERVICE PROFESSIONAL

Q. As a female and first time homeowner, what information should I get beforehand about any professional coming into my home?

A.First, get to know the company itself. If you get a good feeling when they answer the phone and when talking with them, you will be comfortable dealing with them. Ask them if the employees are uniformed and have photo IDs. If they are a local, family-owned franchisee you know they have passed rigorous national training and testing. You should be able to get a written price up front for the work to be done.

When the service professional comes to your home, look for a clearly identified truck, uniform, and photo ID. Good companies use floor protectors to keep dirt and dust out of your home. Expect to pay a few dollars more for a really qualified contractor than you would for someone less desirable. The added confidence and peace of mind is well worth the small difference. - BRUCE H. ROBINSON – AIRE SERV OWNER OF TOPEKA, KS

Q. My husband and I have an older home and we are constantly blowing fuses. I know this happens when too many appliances are running at once but is there any way to prevent this from happening?

A. The correct fix for this situation is to separate and add new circuits. The current electric code calls for two gfci protected convenience outlet circuits in the kitchen. In addition, any appliances such as a garbage disposal, dishwasher, and microwave require dedicated circuits as well. Contact a qualified, licensed electrical contractor for the correct application for your scenario. - JIM FOLTZ – MR. ELECTRIC SENIOR SERVICE PROFESSIONAL

Q. Should I set my thermostat at a constant temperature during the summer months or should I turn it off while we are away and then turn it on when we are home? Which will save me money in the long run?

A. During the summer months I would recommend you set your thermostat back during the day when you are not home. However, I would not recommend that you go over your desired temperature more than five to seven degrees. Another recommendation would be that you have a programmable thermostat installed that would automatically change the setting for you once it was programmed. Our company has had people save as much as 30 percent on their utility bills just by setting the temperature back when no one is home. - KELVIN ROGERS – AIRE SERV OWNER IN FORT WORTH, TX

Q. Can I change a light out in my swimming pool or should I have a professional do this?

A. This requires working in the water in most cases. Pool lights are gfci protected and the entire apparatus is very sensitive. It is recommended that you contact a qualified, licensed electrical contractor for this repair. - JIM FOLTZ – MR. ELECTRIC SENIOR SERVICE PROFESSIONAL