Upgrades Lighting Conservation
Historic Homes Restoration Remodeling Rewiring

Welcome!

Service Call

1. Check for "tripped" Breaker or blown fuses. A tripped breaker will feel "floppy" in the middle position. A blown fuse may not look blown at all.
2. If you do not find a suspect breaker try turning all breakers off then back on.
3. Tip look around carefully for the breaker or fuse box there may be more than one.
4. Check all GFCI (Ground fault circuit interrupter) outlets. It is common for a GFCI to protect other distant outlets. GFCI's may be on the outside of the house, garage, basement, bathroom, kitchen or anywhere they were used to protect older 2 wire wiring.
5. Before you call find out what outlets still do work.
6. Note any large loads like heaters or airconditioners that stopped working at the same time.
7. If you have no power at all check if your neighbors have power.
8. If the power is out in say a particular room or area the Electrician will need to open most of the outlets, switches or lights in the area even if they are still working.
9. If you discover a blown fuse use a replacement fuse that is the correct size.
   
   
   
   
   
   Lights quit working?
   1. Check lamps.
   2. Re check lamps and lamp holders. .
   3. Look for a photo cell or motion switch.
   4. Check breakers and for GFCI see above.
   5. Check fixture for over lamping, and signs of burning.
   6. check voltage at fixture.
   7. Fluorescent lamps? Check the ballast label for the correct lamp type then check lamp type and condition.
      (the ballast is inside the fixture) Some lamps fit but will not work properly.
   
   Recalled Lights Progress Lighting fixture recall
   Where do I recycle used lamps? Here.
   Garbage Disposal trouble:
   1. Check reset button on bottom of unit.
   2. Check for voltage at outlet. If disposal is hard wired, check power where wire attached to unit, If power present problem is in disposal. or GFCI see above.
   3. If no power at outlet troubleshoot outlet as above.
   
   

   Outdoor lighting. Lights that come on at dark and off at dawn are photocell controlled. If lights stay on all the time the photo cell may be blocked or bad. If lights do not come on at all check voltage at check photocell. If voltage at photocell replace photocell.

   Motion sensitive devices Trouble with a Motion sensor light or switch and check out the manufacturers web site for programing instructions. Example RAB lighting's help page.
   

   Electric Heater.

   1. Before removing a heater grille ensure the power to the heater is off at the breaker. Most thermostats only turn off one leg of the circuit meaning there will usually be 120V present at the heater when it is off only at the thermostat.
   2. Some heaters have a reset reset button behind the grille. They are usury small and red. If it has popped clean the dust out of the heater before re installing the grille.
   3. If still no power check with caution the 240 volt line terminals at the thermostat.
   4. Further info on thermostats,breakers.
   5. If the thermostat fails to shut off the heater and you do not know which breaer or fuse; turn off each breaker or pull each set of fuse's one at a time until heater is off. To see if it is the correct one allow time for heater to cool.
   6. Checking for voltage with a multimeter at the heater (caution 240 volts at most thermostats and heaters).
   
   

   Can I get a more efficient electric heater? 1st size the heater for the room.
   2nd you may Qualify for a weatherization grant. or improve the insulation and "seal" of your home.
   
   

   Is my cadet heater recalled? Check out http://www.consumeraffairs.com/recalls/cadet_heaters.htm
   

   Fan not working ? Remove and clean the outer cover of the fan you may find a little cord and plug, un plug the cord and check voltage if their is voltage replace fan motor by bringing it to Heinke wholesale or similar store and purchase replacement fan motor. We usually install Broan bathroom fans, check out their FAQ

   Ceiling fan wobbles We check to make sure the fan has been installed on a UL listed ceiling fan support box.
   

   
   

   Communications; If you are savvy check out the following PDF document. It is specific to certain equipment but may be applied generally to multimedia equipment. http://www.jensen-transformers.com/an/ts_guide.pdf
   

   Phone is not working? Try take a phone outside plug it in to you NID (network interface device) If
   no dial tone at the NID it is the local phone company's problem. Qwest's troubleshooting page