Posts Tagged ‘Perkinsville’

What to Check Before Calling a Professional Electrician

Monday, February 21st, 2022

woman-calling-on-landlineElectrical problems are no small thing. It’s never a wise choice to ignore signs that you may have an issue with any part of your electrical system. However, sometimes things aren’t quite the emergency you might think they are. If you suspect you may have a problem with your electric system, we’ll absolutely be there if you need us. But we like you to check a few things first… read on!

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Heed These Signs You Have a Plumbing Leak

Monday, February 7th, 2022

Perhaps the biggest problem with a plumbing leak is that it tends to be able to hide itself really well. Often happening behind drywall, and sometimes even under the slab, or foundation, of your house, leaks can be relatively undetectable. Some plumbing issues, like a clogged drain or drippy faucet, are pretty apparent, and you wouldn’t necessarily need to know any signs since you can see the problem yourself.

However, for your hidden pipes, an issue can crop up and go largely unnoticed for a long time, and do significant damage in the meantime, if you aren’t attentive to your plumbing system. As we mentioned, plumbing issues can be hard to detect! Read on to learn what the signs are that you may be facing a leak.

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Springfield VT Solar Guide: How Solar Power Works

Monday, September 10th, 2012

A solar power system offers the cleanest form of energy for your Springfield VT home. Solar energy is completely renewable, and you can always rely on the sun as a consistent power source. Before deciding to install a solar power system in your home, however, it is a good idea to learn how solar power works.

Solar Cell

A solar cell is the main component of a solar power system. It takes the energy of sunlight and converts it into electricity. Solar cells are made of special materials known as semiconductors. Silicon is the most commonly used material for making these semiconductors.

When light hits the cell, some part of it is absorbed within its semiconductor material. Silicon has some special chemical properties. There are 14 electrons in an atom of silicon, which are arranged in three different shells. The silicon atom always looks for ways to fill up its last shell, so it shares electrons with four nearby atoms. This structure of silicon makes it ideal for making solar cells.

When sunlight gets absorbed, one of the electrons in the bonds between silicon atoms increases its energy level and moves around more freely. That electron moves around the crystal, generating current. The current can be drawn out for external use by introducing metal links on the top and bottom of the cell. The solar cell generates only a small amount of energy. In order to get more energy, many solar cells should be interconnected to make a panel.

Thin Film Solar Panels

Traditional crystalline silicon systems are bulky and installing them requires a lot of work. Thin film crystalline silicon is the latest in solar technology. In this system, a solar cell is made by placing several thin photovoltaic films on a substrate. It has a lower photovoltaic efficiency than traditional system. However, it is expected that its efficiency will be increased in the near future. Thin film solar power system works in a way similar to that of traditional crystalline silicon modules.

Solar power system can be installed in any Springfield VT home, no matter whether it is small or big to meet any electrical requirement. Though the initial cost of installation is high, the solar power system offers better returns. It helps you enjoy long term savings by reducing or cutting the need to pay utility bills. For more information, contact HB Energy today!

Springfield Air Conditioning Guide: Things to Check When Your AC Won’t Turn On

Monday, August 6th, 2012

When the temperature outside is high you need an AC that will provide the comfort you want with reliability. If your Springfield, VT home’s air conditioner won’t turn on, don’t sweat it. There are many possible causes for this, and most can be repaired quickly, easily and cheaply by a professional. The technicians here at HB Energy Solutions have put together a list of likely culprits as to why your AC won’t start up.

  • Start with the basics: Is your air conditioner on? It sounds silly, but if you’re not familiar with a new machine or thermostat it’s a good place to start. Make sure the thermostat is switched to “cool” and that the temperature is set lower than that of the room.
  • Electrical problems: Your home cooling system’s power supply is not as simple as plugging it into a wall outlet and flipping a switch. There are a lot of electrical components to check. Blown fuses or tripped breakers, outdoor service switches, and switches in the system by the air handler may be the cause of your AC’s power problem.
  • Wiring damage: Having your AC’s compressor unit outside allows you to enjoy a quiet cooling system, but it also puts some wiring in an occasionally rough environment. In addition to indoor wiring, make sure that all outdoor wires and cable are attached and undamaged.
  • Condensate overflow: This is another simple solution to what seems like a big problem. Many air conditioners will have a condensate overflow pan in addition to a drainage system. If this pan is nearing capacity, it can flip an automatic shut-off switch to your system. Getting your AC running may be as simple as dumping a tray of water.
  • Refrigerant problems: A slightly more serious problem, but still easily resolved with the help of a professional, are refrigerant leaks. If your system’s refrigerant is low it may cause your system to ice up and cease performing. A professional technician will check your refrigerant charge and, if necessary, recharge it. This may have your AC back in action in no time.

We hope this information has been useful and put your mind at rest. An AC that won’t turn on is not always a broken AC. Call a Springfield air conditioning professional HB Energy Solutions to help you figure out how to get yours up and running again.