Frequently Asked Questions
Home and business owners alike are dependent upon electrical and HVAC systems for everyday life and operations. When something goes wrong with the electrical or HVAC system, it can cause a state of panic. There is no need for panic. Peter Needham is a licensed and professional Master Electrician and HVAC specialist. Peter has over 38 years of experience in both fields and has helped home owners, business owners and municipalities to solve some of the most complex Electrical and HVAC issues.
Below is a list of Frequently Asked Questions, compiled to give you some direction when you face Electrical or HVAC dilemmas.
Frequently Asked Questions
1Do LED Lightbulbs Really Make Sense
In short - yes, LED lightbulbs really do make sense. The old incandescent lightbulbs, though less expensive, really did use more energy and did not last as long. Additionally, they got very hot during use and, in the worst case scenario, could potentially start a fire.
2Do I really need to hire a licensed electrician to upgrade my electrical panel?
Yes you do. For safety reasons, if for nothing else, you should hire a licensed electrician to upgrade your panel. In many cities, you need to pull a permit also. Additionally, if you hire someone who is unlicensed and they do a bad job, you have little recourse.
3My furnace went out and it's cold in my house. What should I do first?
The simplest thing to do first is to check and make sure the pilot light is still lit. Having said that, if you have a gas furnace and you smell gas, don't mess with it and call a professional. Peter Needham is not only an electrician, he is an HVAC specialist.
4My lights keep flickering in my living room. I have changed the bulbs several times but it keeps happening. What should I do?
Flickering lights could potentially be a problem at your panel. Unless you know what you are doing, you should call a professional. Peter Needham is a master electrician and can help you with this problem.
5I live in an old house and I don't have any GFCI outlets in my bathrooms or kitchen? What should I do?
GFCI outlets in area where there is water is not only a good idea for safety reasons, it is also code. Our recommendation is that you call Peter to come out and install GFCI's where they should be. Additionally, outdoor outlets should be GFCI with a special waterproof cover. Peter can install those also.
6Circuits on my panel trip frequently, what is going on?
This could be a few different things from an overloaded panel to an incorrectly wired panel. Do not attempt to fix this yourself. You need to hire a professional electrician. Call Peter for more information.
7I have several ungrounded outlets in my old house, what should I do?
Many older homes have outdated panels and ungrounded outlets. This is a problem especially with the load that most homeowners put on their electrical systems. Additionally, variations in power coming through your electrical system could cause a power surge which could lead to a fire. Unless you know what you are doing, you should hire a professional. Peter is a master electrician and can upgrade your panel and ground all of your outlets. You will have peace of mind knowing that your electrical system is safe for you and your family.
8Why is my light switch hot when I go to turn it off?
A hot lightswitch is not normal and should not be accepted as such. This situation has the potential for a fire. Please give Peter a call.
9When I turn my air conditioner on, it makes a really weird noise, what could it be?
Air conditioners, like anything else, have a lot of moving parts that can wear out over time. A loud and weird noise could be almost anything. It could be a malfunctioning compressor, a refrigerant leak, a loose part or something else. Unless you are qualified to troubleshoot and fix it yourself, your best option is to call in a pro. Peter Needham has been able to find and fix problems that others couldn't. Save yourself time and money and just call Peter.
