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Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions we are asked all the time. We hope these
answers are helpful to you.
HVAC FAQs
- How often should I have my system serviced?
Heating and AC systems should be serviced at least once per year. It
is best to have the Heating tuned-up in the fall and AC in the spring
before heavy use occurs. Call Bonfe's to have your system tuned up.
- What are the benefits of having my equipment serviced?
Servicing your Heat and AC systems annually: increases dependability;
locates any problems; allows the unit to perform at its maximum
efficiency, therefore lowering energy costs, prolonging the lifespan of
the unit, and ensuring that the unit is operating safely and healthily.
- How often should I change my filter?
It is recommended you change your filter every thirty days for best
performance. This can vary dependant on your furnace and filter model.
Bonfe's offers high quality filter systems, which may only require changing
your filter 2 times per year rather than 12.
Contact Bonfe's today to find out
how this service can be provided in your home.
- How important is to get a system that it's the right fit for my
home?
Very important!
- If you get a system that is too big, it may heat or cool your home
too fast and you won't feel comfortable. The thermostat temperature will
be satisfied before you are. During the cooling process, humidity won't
sufficiently be removed from the air causing you to feel sticky, and it
could even lead to problems with mold in your home. Short starts and
stops will also shorten the life of your system and raise utility bills.
- If the unit is too small it won't be able to get the job done in
your home, this is especially true during extreme weather. The systems
will have to run constantly again raising utility cost and reducing the
life of the system.
- It is best to have a Bonfe's professional visit your home and take
exact measurements to better inform you which system will work best
for you and your home.
- Should the thermostat be set at ON or AUTO?
Variable speed equipment utilizes the fan ON mode very well. This
method constantly circulates the air keeping temperatures even and takes
advantage of air purifying equipment.
- What maintenance can I do myself?
Keeping filters clean in furnaces and keeping foliage away
from condensers (12') are the best things you can do to keep your
equipment running smoothly on your own. Call Bonfe's for annual clean and
checks to ensure your equipment has a longer life. We will perform
maintenance and troubleshoot other problems.
- How can I get references?
Check out our testimonials page
or contact Bonfe's office if you
would like more.
- If I have a boiler can I have air conditioning, air cleaning, or
central
humidification?
Yes, there are options for homes with boilers.
Contact Bonfe's for more
information on these options.
Plumbing FAQs
- Why does my drain get clogged?
Usually drains are clogged because people are not careful of what they
put in them, especially in the kitchen. Other drains, like in the
bathroom, get clogged because of the oil residue from soaps, shampoos
and hair. It is recommended that you are conscious of what you put down
your drains and treat them regularly with a drain cleaner such as
Bio-Clean or RootX, cleaners available to plumbing contractors.
Order this from Bonfe's
today!
- What causes my faucet to drip?
Usually when a faucet is dripping the problem has a relatively simple
solution. The internal mechanisms need to be rebuilt or replaced. This
is an easy and inexpensive fix. Did you know
that you can extend the life of your washers by turning off your faucets
gently rather than forcefully?
- How can I prohibit leaking pipes?
Take the time every once and a while to inspect your pipes. If rust or
lime is depositing on them, this may indicate a leak is starting. If this
is happening, contact Bonfe's to
address the problem. By
performing an occasional inspection you could stop a small problem before it turns into a
large one. Leaking pipes can damage floors and belongings and become much more
costly than if the problem was detected early.
- What happens if my water heater is leaking?
You should call Bonfe's right away. Leaking water heaters usually
indicate the bottom of the tank has rusted. There are really no good
repairs for this problem. You most likely need a new water heater.
- Is it a big deal if my toilet is running?
This is not only an annoyance but also a waste of water and money.
Leaky toilets can cost almost $100 extra per year on your water bills. If
the toilet continues to run into the bowl after the toilet is flushed, it
indicates that some part of the mechanism is out of order. Sometimes a
little jiggling of the flush valve mechanism solves the problem. Otherwise
you may need to replace the entire mechanism.
Contact Bonfe's to diagnose the
problem.
- What can I put in my garbage disposal?
This can be huge problem for homeowners. Here are some tips to keep
your disposal in good working order:
- First, always run cold water when grinding to move the waste all the
way down the drain lines. Fats and grease congeal and harden in cold
water and can be flushed through the system. Hot water should not be
used because it can dissolve fats and grease, which may then accumulate
in the drain line.
- Almost all-biodegradable food waste can be fed into disposers.
However, they should not be used to grind clam or oyster shells,
cornhusks or other material with high fiber content. Under no
circumstances should you put glass, plastic or metal non-food materials
through a disposer. This includes bottle caps, tin covers or aluminum
foil, which are some of the items service technicians commonly find in
clogged or broken disposers.
- Maintenance is easy. Grinding small bones and eggshells actually
helps clean the disposer by scraping away stubborn deposits or citric
acid and pulp. Grinding a little ice is another way to clean deposits
and get rid of odors. For the most part, though, disposers are
self-cleaning.
Electrical FAQs
- What should I do if my lights, switches and receptacles don't work?
Check to see if the outlet is on a switch. Check and reset GFCI outlets
and circuit breaker. Check light bulbs and replace if necessary. If none
of these are the problem, contact Bonfe's.
- Why do I blow fuses or why does my circuit breaker trip?
Except in the case of ground fault interrupters, which are susceptible
to moisture and/or weather conditions, fuses and circuit breakers should
not trip. Check to see if some type of plugged in appliance is causing the
problem. If an appliance is not causing the problem,
call Bonfe's.
- What causes the lights in my house to flicker?
Central air conditioning and heat pump condensers may cause a noticeable
slight dimming on start up. Lights may flicker or dim due to startup of
some appliances or motor driven equipment. Check with the local
utility company for possible defects in supply source or for the utility
switching to other utilities for supply.
Also check to see if some type of plugged in appliance is
causing the problem. If neither the utility company nor the
heating/cooling equipment is the problem, call Bonfe's to check for proper operation of the heating and cooling
equipment.
- What is a GFCI device or breaker?
GFCI stands for Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter.
In layman's terms this device protects you from electrical shock. When
it senses the slightest increase in resistance resulting from ground
fault, (i.e., the use of electrical devices in or near water), it trips
off to protect you.
- What are the red and black buttons on my GFCI outlet?
The black button is a test button and when pressed, should deactivate
the outlet and any other outlet fed from it - Indicating a properly
functioning device.
The red button is the re-set button that you depress to reactivate the
outlet or outlets in the event of deactivation resulting from a fault.
- What is the difference between a breaker panel and my old fuse
panel?
Both devices, either breaker or fuse, are designed to trip (turn off) in
the event of an electrical overload, i.e. 20Amps of electrical load on a
15Amp circuit would cause a trip. The only difference is that a breaker
is mechanical and may be reset. Whereas, a fuse is one time only and
must be replaced.
Please Note: Modern breakers are much more efficient and offer greater
levels of protection.
- How do I reset my breaker when it has tripped off?
First, disconnect any additional devices that may have caused the
breaker to overload and trip. Breakers are mechanical devices and must
be turned all the way off before turning back on. Remember this is a
mechanical device, so this may require several attempts. If this fails
to reset the breaker, there may be a more serious problem. Contact a
licensed electrician in your area.
- What does it mean when my fluorescent lights are flickering or
cycling on and off?
Flickering may indicate impending bulb failure, minor power fluctuation,
and/or improperly installed bulbs. Cycling on and off is usually a clear
indication of ballast and/or bulb failure. It is recommended when
replacing a ballast to replace bulbs as well.
- Can I hang a paddle fan where a light is?
Yes, but first you must make sure the electrical box is properly braced
and rated for the weight and torque of the paddle fan you are
installing.
- Can I dim fluorescent lights?
Yes. Dimming fluorescent requires not only a special dimmer, but also
special fixtures. You cannot place a typical incandescent dimmer on
existing fluorescent.
- I have a new home. Why does my refrigerator or freezer, located
in my garage, keep going off?
Unless you made provisions with the builder for a dedicated circuit, the
outlets in your garage are GFCI Protected per National Electrical Code.
This device will not tolerate the additional resistance load created by
refrigeration equipment. The GFCI senses there is a fault, and therefore
trips off. The only cure to this problem is to provide a dedicated, non
GFCI circuit allowable by code.
- Can I plug my coffee pot and toaster oven into the same kitchen
counter outlet?
Yes. Though, if the two loads exceed 20amps, your breaker will sense
overload, do its job, and trip off. Under this condition, you must plug
one of the appliances into a different kitchen outlet on a different
circuit, in order to balance the load.
- Can I plug any 110 volt device I wish into my regular 110 volt
outlets throughout my house?
Yes.Though, if the device exceeds the capacity of the circuit, the
breaker will trip off.
- When my air conditioner cycles on, I notice my lights blink. Is
this normal?
Yes. This is a common occurrence when large motor/compressor loads
start. These devices cause a minor momentary voltage drop, demonstrating
itself as the blinking in your lights. This has no negative effect on
the electrical equipment within your house.
- I have surge/lightning protection on my home. Am I totally safe
from lightning strikes?
No. Surge/Lightning Protection only offers additional levels of
protection. Nothing can guarantee completely against mother nature and
where she chooses to strike.
- If I have surge/lightning protection on my main service should I
use point-of-use surge plugins at my TV, stereo, computer, etc.?
Yes. Main line surge is no absolute guarantee and any additional surge
protection down stream in the system offers a greater level of
protection; though, nothing is absolute when it comes to the power of
Mother Nature.
- I have a 110 volt outlet on the exterior of my home. Can I plug my
Christmas lights into it?
Yes. Within reason;if the quantity of lights creates a load greater than
the capacity of the circuit breaker, the breaker will trip off. In this
event, additional circuits may be required to accommodate your holiday
display.
- I have a 110 volt convenience outlet at my dock. Is this enough
to power my new boat lift?
No. With few exceptions, i.e. davits, a boat lift requires at least a
20Amp dedicated 110Volt circuit and possibly as much as several 30Amp
dedicated circuits.
- Why does my recess can light cycle on and off since I put a
larger wattage bulb in?
Modern Recess Cans are rated for a maximum wattage bulb and are equipped
with a thermal device that does not allow a bulb larger than that
rating? If a larger wattage bulb is used, as the excess heat builds up,
the thermal device will shut the can off until it cools. This is a
safety device to protect your home against fire.
- I have a new home. If I have a problem with TV or telephone
wiring within the house, who should I call?
With deregulation of the utility companies in most areas of the country,
the cable or telephone companies are no longer responsible for the
equipment or wiring in your home. This responsibility has fallen to you
and your electrical contractor. Therefore, when a problem arises, we
recommend you contact Bonfes. Most
TV and telephone utilities will still service within your home for a
substantial fee. This service, as in the past, is no longer free.
- I have two telephone lines in my home. Why when I'm on the phone
and the other phone line is in use, do I hear the other conversation in
the background?
This is commonly called Bleedover and usually results from one of three
conditions.
1. Excessively long runs of wire within the home of non-twisted pairs .
2. Loop wiring from phone station to phone station.
3. A nick in the phone wire somewhere within your residence causing a
weak interconnect between phone lines.
Phone wiring installation today should be done as a home run system,
each phone station being a dedicated run back to a common terminal
block.
Please remember if you have a problem with your phone wiring within your
home, it is today the responsibility of the electrician rather than the
phone company as in the past.
- Why do the bulbs in my exterior fixture burn out so often?
This is usually caused by several factors.
1. Use of non brand named bulbs.
2. Larger wattage bulbs which cause excessive heat build-up shorting the
life of the bulb.
3. Power Surges.
Helpful hints in the solution to this problem should be to use only
brand named bulbs and try to buy 130Volt rated bulbs instead of the
normal 120Volt rated bulbs. This should significantly extend the life.
- My smoke detector keeps chirping. What does this mean?
This could mean one of two things.
1. An intermittent chirp is probably an indication of a defective smoke
detector.
2. A consistent chirp is probably an indication of a low battery
condition and the smoke detector requires a new battery.
Duct Cleaning FAQs
- Is it important I have my ducts cleaned?
The dark, damp areas located in your venting, heating, and cooling
systems are an ideal location for contaminants to gather. These
contaminants can affect you and your family’s health. Some examples of
pollutants that may be in your ductwork are mold, fungi, bacteria,
pollen, dirt and dust. The removal of these contaminants is extremely
important in improving your home’s indoor air quality and creating a
safe atmosphere for you and your family.
- How often should I have my ducts cleaned?
The frequency of how often a home needs to have its ducts cleaned
varies completely from home to home. The average is every 3-5 years, as
long as a high-quality, dependable company has done the duct cleaning.
Occasionally duct cleaning is done more frequently after a renovating or
remodeling project, if there has been water damage to the home, or if
someone in the home smokes.
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