Category: Tips & Tricks

6 Reasons We Install Kohler Generators

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No matter how secure you are in your home, it’s important to remember that a power outage is always a possibility. Who can forget the ice storm that ravaged the state of Texas in 2021? If you didn’t have a generator then, you probably wish you did. Have you considered investing in a generator? In this post, we’ll introduce you to Kohler generators, and why they could be a good option for your home or business.

KOHLER POWER

Kohler generators are known for their power! They can power an entire home or business in a matter of seconds. Their generators are made to last and provide long-lasting power!

SIZING OPTIONS

Kohler generators come in a variety of sizes and options to fit your needs! A smaller home may only need a 7kW unit, while a large business may need 20kW or more. You’ll also want to decide on the right size for you based on how much power you’ll need – and for how long – during an emergency. Since some appliances or other electric-powered devices in your home are more essential than others, you may choose a smaller generator just to fit your needs. If you want to be ready for anything, and don’t want to miss out on any of our modern comforts, consider one of our more powerful models.

HIGH TECH

Kohler generators are keeping up with the times. You can now manage your entire system remotely and in real-time by using a smartphone app! Features include the ability to turn the generator off and on, control the energy output, and manage various technical components.

WARRANTY

Kohler generators come with their own warranty. Many of their generator models are guaranteed with 5-year, 2,000-hour warranties. There’s even an option for an extended warranty of up to 10 years! Additionally, Kohler generators have corrosion-resistant enclosures that are designed to last.

LONGEVITY

Kohler has been manufacturing generators for more than 100 years! With a track record like that, you know they must be doing something right.

TRUST

Kohler is a name you know, and a name you can trust. Kohler not only provides backup power for homes nationwide, but its generators are also used for large businesses, hospitals, and even nuclear power plants!

WORTH THE CALL

The Bosworth Company is a fully-authorized Kohler dealer. Our technicians are fully trained on Kohler products and can help you find the one that’s right for you. Make an appointment online, or call us today at (432) 570-5233. It’s Worth the Call. Always.

The Importance of Cleaning Your Air Ducts

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At The Bosworth Company, we talk a lot about the importance of maintaining your HVAC unit to ensure comfort in your home. But there’s a major component of HVAC that can often get overlooked. The system itself may be running just fine, but if your ducts are old, torn, crushed, or dirty, the air the unit produces can’t get to your home. In this post, we’ll discuss the important role air ducts play in keeping the whole system running smoothly.

DUCT CLEANING

Occasionally cleaning out your ductwork is an important part of keeping you comfortable inside your home. Even with good filters that are regularly changed, dirt and dust can get into your ducts, which will eventually clog up the system if not addressed. It can also lead to that dirty air circulating throughout your home. If you notice continuous and excessive dust on furniture, etc. that could be a sign that you are due for a duct cleaning.

While a home or business owner can help ducts clean by regularly changing filters, and cleaning the areas around the register grates, a full cleaning should be done by a professional.

ADVANTAGES

There are a handful of additional advantages to having your ductwork regularly serviced and cleaned. Benefits include:

  • Maintaining good airflow: Ducts filled with dirt can prevent the right amount of air from being able to get through into your home. Cleaning them out will help increase airflow.
  • Cleaner recirculation: That dirt and dust in your ducts will eventually make its way to your home. Make sure to clean the ducts before that happens.
  • Remove contaminants: The cleaner the ducts, the less likely that they’ll contain harmful contaminants, bacteria, or other elements that can trigger allergies or other respiratory issues.
  • Dust removal: As mentioned above, a clean system will help prevent the accumulation of dust around your home.

WORTH THE CALL

Dust accumulation and airflow issues are a couple of reasons you may want to consider having your air ducts cleaned or replaced. Though we don’t offer duct cleaning, The Bosworth Company provides complete servicing of your HVAC system itself and can inspect and install new ducts if yours are worn out or have been damaged. Make an appointment online, or call us today at (432) 570-5233. It’s Worth the Call. Always.

Why Are My Circuit Breakers Tripping? 5 Common Causes

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With all the challenges we face in the modern world, one thing you should be able to rely on is the electricity in your home. When the power mysteriously goes out, it can be tough to figure out what’s wrong. In this post, we’ll discuss a few common reasons that could cause your circuit breakers to trip.

TAKE A “TRIP”

A breaker “trips” or shuts off when one of the circuits linked to the circuit breaker exceeds a safe level of power. This is a safety feature and is typically the cause of an unexpected loss of power to specific appliances that have their own circuit (a refrigerator, microwave, etc.). If a specific room in your home loses power, that can also be an indicator.

Now that you know how to spot a breaker trip, here are some of the things that can cause them:

Probably the most common reason for a breaker trip is an overloaded circuit. That’s when there’s too much energy running through one circuit. To prevent a fire hazard from overheating, the breaker will trip. This can happen if you install a new appliance on the same circuit as another high-energy appliance but can also happen from overloaded power strips plugged into a single outlet.

When overheated wires come into contact with each other, you may notice a burning smell or even see black around a wall outlet. This is called short-circuiting, and it’s another cause of a breaker trip. Getting this repaired requires a licensed electrician like ours at The Bosworth Company.

When hot wires come into contact with a grounding wire, this is called a ground fault. When this happens, the “grounding” of the outlet becomes impossible and poses the risk of electric shock. The resulting electric surge causes the breakers to trip and should be handled by an electrician.

If an appliance fails, this can actually cause a trip-inducing power surge as well. This happens if the appliance is incompatible with the circuit it’s connected to. Anytime a breaker trips, you should check all the appliances connected to that breaker to see if they are hotter than usual.

Of course, the most known cause for a breaker trip is an electric storm. Midland and Odessa have seen a few lately, and they could pop up at any time. When that happens, a lightning strike near your home could provide so much power that all your breakers trip! This is what happens when the power goes out completely. You may wake up in the middle of the night with your stovetop/microwave clocks flashing!

WORTH THE CALL

Did you know The Bosworth Company has electricians? Our fully-certified professional electricians can answer questions or provide repairs for all your electrical needs. Make an appointment online or call us today at 432-570-5233. It’s Worth the Call. Always.

Troubleshooting Motion-Activated Security Lights

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Motion-activated exterior lights are becoming more popular as a home security feature. But does it sometimes feel like they stay on forever, or for longer than intended? The “surprise” of the lights is less effective when the lights are on all the time, and it can be a waste of energy as well. In this post, we’ll discuss some ways to make sure your lights are working as they should!

JAM ON IT

If motion-activated lights are staying on longer than desired, the first thing to check is the settings. “Mode jamming” occurs when the light is set to the “always-on” mode. It’s a common feature that can be turned on without you realizing it.

One such scenario could be a power surge. The loss, then restoration, of sudden power can cause the settings to reset automatically. If a power surge has happened recently, this is a definite possibility.

Another way the settings could have been set to “always-on” is if the lights have been switched off and on too quickly. This can also inadvertently cause the settings to change.

If you find that your lights are always on, try cutting the power for about 30 seconds, then turning it back on. Your motion-sensor light should reset, so it will turn on for about two or three minutes, then turn off as it should.

OTHER ISSUES

Other issues surrounding motion-activated security lighting generally revolve around normal wear and tear. Some advanced systems have sensitivity settings that can make your system overly sensitive. An example would be a car driving past your property, but never coming on your property, causing the light to turn on needlessly.

WORTH THE CALL

Did you know that The Bosworth Company does more than just HVAC and plumbing? We are proud to provide a team of certified electricians for all your electrical needs. If you have a question about motion-activated lighting or are thinking about getting some to increase the security around your home, make an appointment online or call us today at (432) 570-5233. The Bosworth Company is Worth the Call. Always.

 

Why Do You Need Surge Protection?

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Surge protectors are a critical part of safeguarding your home in the event of a power surge. In this post, we’ll explain how they work and why they’re critical to keeping your home and your family safe.

WHAT CAUSES POWER SURGES?

Power surges can happen in a couple of different ways. They’re typically caused by either a lightning strike or damage to a nearby power line. In either case, your home will experience an immediate and excessive surge of power. A surge protector works by diverting that excess power away from your outlets and appliances and to your home’s grounding path.

KEY TERMS

To understand the specifics, you need to understand two of the key terms used by electricians: Amperage and Voltage. Amperage measures the total amount of electrons moving through a current, while voltage measures the overall pressure that causes those electrons to flow.

SURGE PROTECTION EXAMPLE

If a wire has too much voltage or electric pressure, it will overheat and melt or catch fire. The surge protector constantly monitors the voltage, and when it detects a surge, it immediately reroutes it, preventing excess electricity from damaging your home. Devices used for managing the pressure include metal oxide varistors (MOV) and gas discharge arrestors. These allow your home to continue getting the proper supply of energy to operate while channeling the rest to grounding wires.

SURGE PROTECTION OPTIONS

There are three basic types of surge protectors for your home, and homeowners can utilize one, two, or all three for maximum protection.

  • Whole-home protectors installed between the power lines and your home
  • Whole-home protectors are installed between your power meter and breaker box.
  • Point-of-use protectors are installed at individual wall outlets.

The trifecta of protectors will help guard your home against excessive surges that can’t be suppressed by an individual whole-home unit and also guard against in-home surges that can occur when appliances turn off.

WORTH THE CALL

Older homes with older wiring could often use new or upgraded surge protectors. The rerouting mechanism and the wiring need to be ready for an unexpected surge. The Bosworth Company has a fully licensed team of electricians who can assist you with surge protectors or other electrical needs. Make an appointment online or call us today at (432) 570-5233. It’s Worth the Call. Always.

What’s The Perfect Temperature For Your Home?

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It’s a logical question for anyone who wants to be comfortable and save money: what is the perfect temperature setting for your thermostat? If it’s too high, you’ll spend too much money on your electric bill, but if it’s too low, you’ll have to be bundled up in your own home all winter. And since disagreements are bound to happen around the holidays, we’ll examine, once and for all, the best temperature!

THE IDEAL TEMPERATURE

The Department of Energy reports that the ideal wintertime temperature for your home during the day is 68 degrees. They don’t give a specific temperature recommendation for the overnight hours because there’s so much variance, but it’s generally acceptable to drop the temp by as much as 10 degrees while you’re cozy under the covers.

LET IT BE

When you do select the temperature for your home, it’s a good idea to leave it as consistent as possible. It can be tempting to blast the heat when it’s cold in the morning, then turn it down when it warms up outside, but this is not necessarily effective and is hard on your HVAC. If your thermostat is set to “AUTO” it will kick on when you need it, and won’t when you don’t.

Most households should have three temperature settings: one for when they’re home during the day, one for when they’re gone, and one for overnight. Limiting how much you change the temperature will benefit you in the long run.

GET WITH THE PROGRAM

Newer thermostats even come with programmable features, so you don’t have to worry about adjusting the temperature throughout the day. You can set it to start warming before you even get out of bed, or turn it up or down while you aren’t at home. The remote access settings can be accessed through your cell phone and can be very convenient (and save you money)!

THERMOSTAT LOCATION

You may have noticed that most thermostats are located in interior living areas. This is critical in getting an accurate gauge of your home’s temperature. If installing a new thermostat, make sure it’s away from excess sunlight, windows, directly in the path of air vents, or even close to furniture that could potentially block airflow. You’re looking for the ideal space where the air is flowing freely and in its most natural state.

WORTH THE CALL

Are you ready to upgrade your thermostat? Or even your entire system? The Bosworth Company can help you reach your ideal temperature for an ideal price! Make an appointment online, or call us today at (432) 570-5233. It’s Worth the Call. Always.

4 Important Electrical Services You Might Not Think About

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At The Bosworth Company, we have certified professionals in plumbing and HVAC to meet your needs! But, besides being highly qualified HVAC experts, we also have certified electricians who can handle all of your home or business electrical work. In this post, we’ll discuss a few of the common electrical services needs that some homeowners may not know about.

SURGE PROTECTOR

You probably think of a surge protector as insurance for keeping your appliances and devices safe from a potential power surge. While that is the purpose of a surge protector, most are only made for one device, or a handful of devices, from a single outlet. At that rate, it could take 10 or surge protectors to guard your entire home! Instead of breaking it down, just invest in a single surge protector for your entire home. Whole-home surge protectors protect all your devices at once!

UPDATED BREAKER BOX

Like anything else in your home, breaker panels can get old and wear out. Outdated breaker boxes can even turn into bigger problems, such as a potential fire hazard. Breakers are supposed to trip in the event of a problem – so if it hasn’t happened recently, it’s worth getting checked. Old or broken boxes can be dangerous and present electrical problems.

POWER OUTLETS

If you seem to have power strips and/or extension cords cluttering your home, chances are you could use some new electrical outlets. Also, loose outlets can be a potential fire hazard in your home. Installing a new circuit for an outlet will make your home safer and more convenient for you. Have a licensed electrician from The Bosworth Company test the tension on your outlets and install new ones if necessary.

GROUND FAULT BREAKERS

Many homes likely need to have ground fault breakers, or ground-fault circuit-interrupter (GFCI) breakers installed. These safety features are generally required on newer homes, but old homes may not have them. These are meant to protect homeowners from electric shocks and electrocution. They are generally installed in kitchens and garages.

WORTH THE CALL

Is your home facing these or any other electrical services needs? The Bosworth Company can help! Make an appointment online, or call us today at (432) 570-5233. It’s Worth the Call. Always

6 Signs It’s Time for a New Water Heater

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There isn’t much better than a hot shower after a long day at work. But there isn’t much more frustrating than having that steamy shower turn cold on you before you’re ready to get out. If that’s a common occurrence in your home, chances are it’s time for a new water heater. In this post, we’ll take a look at six of the most common signs that it’s time for a new one.

KNOW THE SIGNS

Brown/rusty water: Sometimes water can appear clear when you turn on the faucet, but will appear dirty once it starts to warm up. This can be a result of rust inside your water tank. When the line starts drawing that warm water from the tank, the water can appear red or brown. It’s a tell-tale sign your water heater is getting old.

External corrosion: Rust can impact the outside of the tank as well. If you notice rust spots or corrosion on the exterior of your tank, that means you’ve sprung a leak. The leak means there’s likely rust on the inside too. Draining the tank will tell you just how bad it is.

Tank leak: Even if you don’t have any visible corrosion, you could still have a leak. Make sure to check the area around the base of your tank to make sure no water is getting out.

Bad taste: Excess contaminants from an old tank can also make your water taste less fresh. Your water may taste and even smell like metal.

Loud noises: If rust is building up in the tank, it can block passages and lead to strange noises or loud bangs coming from the water heater. It also limits the tank size, which can cause a rise in your bills.

Shortage of hot water: Maybe the water is rust-free, but it just doesn’t stay warm. As we mentioned above, this can be very frustrating when you’re hoping for a hot shower or bath. When the heating function goes, the water heater is useless.

DON’T FORGET TO FLUSH

You flush your toilet every time you use it, but it can be a good idea to flush your water heater as well. Draining your tank about once a year will help prevent sediment buildup. This is especially important in the Midland and Odessa areas, as the water tends to be harder, and contain more contaminants. Flushing the tank can be accomplished by a homeowner – see basic instructions in this previous post.

TIME TO REPLACE?

A good hot water heater should last from 8-12 years depending on a variety of factors, including how well you maintain it. If you’re experiencing problems with the heater and it’s more than 12 years old, it’s usually a good idea to purchase a new one instead of paying for repairs. If you’re not sure how old it is, be sure to check the label.

WORTH THE CALL

When you’re ready to go for a new water heater – or even try a new tankless water heater – The Bosworth Company has you covered. Call us today at 432-570-5233 or make an appointment online, and we’ll introduce you to the option that’s right for you. It’s Worth the Call. Always.

Smart Water Monitor

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In the technology age, many of your appliances and utilities can now be tied directly to your smartphone. This helps make your home more comfortable while providing efficiency at the same time. The latest example is smart water monitors. The Bosworth Company is proud to offer Flo by Moen, a water security system that protects your home from leaks and water damage – all with a single valve.

LIMITING LEAKS

Somehow, someway, leaks are inevitable. The key is catching them early to prevent water damage. Flo by Moen detects leaks early, so they don’t get out of control. Flo can be set up to monitor water and potential leaks from your toilet, shower, faucets, pipes in the walls and foundation – anywhere there’s water, Flo is working. This helps keep utility bills low and also helps avoid a catastrophe.

FULL PROTECTION

The Flo by Moen water monitor valve is installed directly on the water supply line to your home. This means it monitors all water in your entire home. Monitors on the valve have sensors that constantly check water flow, pressure, and temperature. If any of these conditions shows an anomaly, the valve can be set to automatically shut off. That means damage from something like a burst pipe can be kept to a minimum.

ALWAYS ON

Flo by Moen automatically runs a test on your water system every day to test for leaks in your home. Even a leak as small as one drop per minute will alert the system and shut off the water to ensure the problem is fixed. This eliminates water damage, unseen mold, and even an increase in water bills.

TAKE CONTROL

Like many modern systems, Flo by Moen can be managed by your smartphone. You can get alerts and turn your water off or on from anywhere. You can also monitor your home’s water consumption and contact a plumber like us in an emergency.

WORTH THE CALL

The Bosworth Company is proud to offer Flo by Moen systems, fully installed and maintained. Make an appointment online, or call us at 432-570-5233, and add some peace of mind to your home water system. The Bosworth Company is Worth the Call. Always.

Is Tap Water Safe for Babies?

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It may not always taste the best coming out of your tap, but drinking water in the United States is widely considered the safest in the world. According to the CDC, close to 300 million people drink, cook, or bathe in water provided by a municipal water system. Still – common issues, such as hard water, could pose some issues for babies or small children. In this post, we’ll look at ways to make sure your water is safe.

BABY FORMULA

If you use formula for feeding your baby, tap water, even from a well, could be ok but it should be tested regularly. Well water has a greater chance of contamination, so regular testing is necessary to make sure it’s baby-safe. With proper testing in place, The Mayo Clinic says most water is safe for formula.

CONTAMINANTS

There are legal limits for many contaminants that are commonly found in drinking water. These can include:

  • Metal – Metals in water can include tiny particles of copper, iron, or manganese.
  • Arsenic – More common in wells or private water sources, arsenic is a carcinogen that can cause many health issues if ingested over a long period of time.
  • Lead – Lead is more common in older homes because of lead-based pipes. If your home was built before 1986, you may have a higher risk of lead in your water.
  • Fertilizer and pesticide – Drainages from crop fields or gardens can lead to contaminants entering your water supply.

Harmful levels of each of the above, as well as other contaminants, are filtered out at local water treatment facilities. However, trace amounts can still end up in your water supply. In West Texas, where hard water is common, many homeowners choose to install water filtration systems, such as reverse osmosis, to make sure their water is pure.

WORTH THE CALL

The Bosworth Company offers both reverse osmosis (RO) systems and water softeners. These systems can be used separately or together to create the cleanest water possible. If you’re ready to improve drinking water for your whole home, including for your baby, make an appointment online or call us at 432-570-5233. It’s Worth the Call. Always.