It’s been a hot summer in central and eastern Massachusetts. The summer heat doesn’t just bring humidity and sunburns. Electrical systems can run into problems during hot summer weather. Landry Mechanical is here to break down the most common summer electrical problems: how to prevent them.

Damage From Insects and Pests

Humans aren’t the only animals that seek the shade when heat waves hit. Small animals like mice, rats, squirrels, and chipmunks can all nest within your home. These pests chew through electrical wires causing issues. Insects like termites and ants can build nests within your home’s electrical system leading to damaged fixtures and outlets.

To keep insects and small animals out of your home consider the following:

Inspect your attic and garage wiring at least once per season
Inspect the outside of your home and look for potential access points
Use mouse traps, ant bait, and other poisons to kill small animals before they can build nests
Consider hiring a pest control company to remove pests from the home

Termites like this one can eat through electrical wires!

Did you end up finding any electrical damage from pests? “Just Call Landry” Our local electrical experts can help with electrical repair & troubleshooting to find and fix your problems.

Pool & Hot Tub Wiring Issues

Water exposure from pools and hot tubs can cause electrical issues. To prevent electrocution, it’s important to make sure your electrical system is running properly.

Consider checking the following before your next pool party:

Check any pool or hot tub wiring for cracked conduits or exposed wiring
Check GFCI outlets and make sure the outlets are functioning

GFCI Outlet Outdoors — GFCI outlets protect your home from power surges and keeps your outlets safe from water damage

Need a new GFCI outlet for your pool or hot tub? “Just Call Landry” Our electricians can install and repair GFCI outlets to keep your backyard safe.

Faulty Outdoor Lighting

Outdoor lighting can add ambiance to any backyard pool party or cookout. However, summer weather can degrade wires and bulbs leaving your event in the dark.

Here are some tips to keep your backyard lit up:

Use Proper Outdoor Lighting Fixtures that are Weather Rated
Check all lighting fixtures for corroded wires
Switch to LED’s to prevent overheating
Change any broken bulbs

IP Rating Chart for Outdoor Lighting — IP Ratings are important when it comes to outdoor lighting. The higher the rating the better the protection!

Need help with your faulty outdoor lighting? “Just Call Landry” our expert electricians offer tailored outdoor lighting solutions to light up your summer!

Overheated Electrical Panel

High heat with increased electrical usage can lead to overheating your electrical panel. Overheated electrical panels are dangerous and can cause electrical fires and breaker failure.

Here are some tips to prevent electrical panel overload:

Inspect your electrical panel for loose connections or rust
Ensure your electrical panel isn’t near anything flammable
Ensure your electrical panel is in a well-ventilated area
Have a Landry Electrician evaluate panel load and balance the circuit

Rusty Electrical Panel — Does your electrical panel look like this? Time For A Replacement From Landry!

Need a new electrical panel? “Just Call Landry” Our local electricians can inspect, repair, upgrade, and replace electrical panels!

Power Outages

Higher electrical use and thunderstorms often lead to power outages that can damage electronics.

Here are some steps you can take to stay safe during power outages:

Be prepared by keeping batteries, flashlights and candles in an easy to access place
Consider installing a whole home generator to keep electronics running smoothly
Install Whole-Home Surge Protectors to keep appliances safe from surges

Interested in a generator or whole-home surge protector? “Just Call Landry” our local electrical experts can install generators and surge protectors to keep your home safe.

Air Conditioner Overload

Air conditioning units use a lot of power. If the circuit isn’t built to handle this increased usage it can cause breakers to trip or overheated wires.

Here are some tips to prevent A/C Overload:

Ensure your A/C filter and coils are cleaned regularly
Confirm the breaker size matches your A/C’s amp draw
Check to see if your A/C is on a dedicated circuit
If your circuit is undersized, “Just Call Landry”

Dirty A/C Filter — Does your A/C Filter look like this? Time to clean or replace it!

If you’re worried about air conditioner overload it’s best to “Just Call Landry” Our electrical experts are standing by ready to make sure your A/C runs smoothly this summer!

Conclusion

New England summers can cause many problems for your home’s electrical system. By taking preventive measures you can keep your electrical system running smoothly this summer.

If you run into any issues, “Just Call Landry” and we’ll do our best to keep your comfortable this summer.

Landry Mechanical We Take COMFORT in YOUR Comfort!

When Should I Repair or Replace My AC?

Spring is finally here! Many homeowners wonder when should I repair or replace my AC?

Landry Mechanical is here to offer expert advice on when you should consider repairing or replacing your AC.

How Long Do Air Conditioners Last?

According to Carrier, you can expect a good 15 to 20 years of cooling from a new high-efficiency air conditioning system.

However, there are a number of factors that impact how long air conditioners last.

Climate (Especially High Humidity)
Air Quality Issues such as pollution or salty sea air
Regular or Irregular AC Maintenance
Installation Quality & Proper Sizing
How Often The System is Used

Signs Your Air Conditioner Isn’t Working

There are many tell-tale signs that your air conditioner isn’t working. Here are some of the most common signs we run into at Landry Mechanical.

Frequent Breakdowns
Water or Refrigerant Leaks
Thermostat Problems
Unit Won’t Turn Off or Turn On
Poor Airflow/Uneven Cooling
Burning or Moldy Smell Coming From Unit
Excessive Noise Coming From The Unit
Excessive Dust Accumulation
Hot Air Blows Out Of The Unit

AC Refrigerant Leaks Small & Large — If You Notice Bubbles like these you have a refrigerant leak

If you notice these signs it’s best to “Just Call Landry” Our Air Conditioning Experts frequently repair and replace Air Conditioning Systems in Central and Eastern Massachusetts.

When Should I Repair My AC?

New Central Air Conditioners can be an expensive investment.

Therefore, if your existing unit isn’t running properly it might be a good idea to consider repairs before replacements.

You Have A Newer Air Conditioner

If you have a newer air conditioner that’s less than five years old, it would be best to repair it. Many Air Conditioners come with a warranty that may cover repair costs.

You Have a Small One-Time Repair Need

If your ac has newer and you experience a small one time repair need it’s not a sign that you’ll need a replacement.

However, if you notice repeated breakdowns, it’s time to “Just Call Landry” and we’ll replace your AC system.

Air Conditioning Unit Being Installed By Landry! — New Air Conditioning System Being Installed By Landry!

When Should I Replace My AC?

When it is no longer feasible to repair your AC it’s time to consider replacing it.

Here are some of the best reasons to replace your AC.

You Want To Lower Your Energy Bill

Older AC systems are not as energy efficient as newer models.

One of the best ways to reduce your energy cost is to replace old AC systems with new more efficient models.

However, this must be balanced with the cost of the new system.

Your Old AC Unit Is Rusty Or Ugly

If your old AC unit has signs of rust, corrosion, or is just ugly it’s time to replace the unit. Repair will not be an option in this case.

Your Air Conditioner is Too Small

Not All AC Units are equally powerful. Some AC systems are great for one room, but are unable to cool an entire house efficiently.

Also, underpowered AC units can raise your energy costs and shorten the unit’s lifespan by running it constantly.

Your AC System is Mismatched

In a central air system you have indoor units and outdoor units.

These components need to be compatible in order to cool your home effectively.

If you have a mismatched AC system, it won’t run smoothly and is far more likely to break down.

Conclusion

No homeowner wants their Air Conditioner to break down in the hot summer heat.

Fortunately, Landry Mechanical is here to help!

Our Air Conditioning Experts will keep you cool this summer with repairs and replacements when you need us.

Landry Mechanical, We Take COMFORT in YOUR Comfort!

Tag: Landry HVAC

Common Summer Electrical Problems: How To Prevent Them

Damage From Insects and Pests

Pool & Hot Tub Wiring Issues

Faulty Outdoor Lighting

Overheated Electrical Panel

Power Outages

Air Conditioner Overload

Conclusion