Category: Tips & Tricks

Installing a Bathroom Fan

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Mold and mildew are a scary sight in any bathroom. Not only is it ugly, it can also cause allergies and other serious health problems. An exhaust fan is a simple upgrade that can help get the air flowing in your bathroom and reduce the risk of dangerous mold. In this post, we’ll discuss installing or replacing your fan, and how The Bosworth Company can help.

CLEANING YOUR CURRENT BATHROOM FAN

The purpose of the fan is to capture the moist air in your bathroom and replace it with dry air. Like any vent, dirt and dust will accumulate in it and on it over time. You should occasionally check the fan itself to see if it’s dirty.

To do this, make sure to turn off the power to the bathroom first, then remove the fan cover. You can use a vacuum to clean up the fan and the area surrounding it, and rinse the cover with soap and water. Scrub down the fan blades to remove any excess dust. 

Replace the cover and turn the power back on. If it fires back up and works, you’re in great shape.

REPLACING THE FAN

The Bosworth Company has electricians that can perform a variety of tasks around your home – including installing bathroom fans. But if you want to try it yourself, here are a few steps:

  1. Turn off the power at the breaker.
  2. Remove the old fan. This requires some work, including removing some screws and disconnecting wires. This may require going into the attic to access some of the screws.
  3. Remove all dust from the area
  4. Make sure the vent is leading outside. An electrician can check this for you to make sure that it goes outside and not into the attic or another unseen area.
  5. If you’ve purchased a new fan, you’ll need to attach it the same way you took the old one off. That means you’ll possibly need to access the attic again. You’ll also need to make sure that the new duct leads outside, and that you use HVAC tape to secure it.
  6. Turn the breaker back on and test it out!

WORTH THE CALL

There are some things we recommend you try on your own. Though we described the process above, this isn’t one of them. Any time electrical work is involved, we recommend you call a professional. The Bosworth Company offers full electrician services to meet your needs. Make an appointment today by scheduling it online or by calling (432) 570-5233. It’s Worth the Call. Always.

5 Best HVAC Tips For Pet Owners

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People often think an air conditioner’s only job is to maintain a comfortable temperature for you in your home. While that may be true, a very close second is cleaning the air in your home. Normal contaminants include things like dust and smoke, but for pet owners, the existence of pet dander makes cleaning your air even more important. Pet hair can end up in your HVAC filter, and impact the entire system. In this post, we’ll take a look at ways you can keep you, your pets, and your HVAC running strong!

REPLACING FILTERS

This is a common theme in our HVAC posts, but it’s especially true for pet owners. Replace your filters regularly! Pet hair, combined with other dander, skin cells, etc, will make filters clog more often than if you didn’t have pets. This is an easy and inexpensive process that will keep your HVAC running efficiently. You may even choose to purchase a reusable filter that can be easily cleaned with a garden hose. A professional from The Bosworth Company can help you decide what filter is best for you!

CLEANING

It’s always nice when your home is neat and orderly. Keeping your home clean by frequently mopping, dusting, and vacuuming will help remove excess dander and prevent it from getting into your filter. Even a small hand-held vacuum just to pick up pet hair can go a long way.

BATH TIME

The cleaner your pet is, the less hair and dander will appear around your home. Frequent baths and even brushing can help do the trick. Many pet hair brushes are specially made to collect excess hair. Then you just throw it away instead of letting it loose around the house. You can do this at home, or take your pet to a professional groomer.

TEMPERATURE ADJUSTMENT

Even if you prefer the temperature at 72 year-round, your pets will be safe and comfortable in a wider range of temps. If you’re not at home, adjust the thermostat so your unit isn’t working full-blast all day long. As long as the temperature is between 65 and 80, your pets will be safe, and your HVAC (and wallet) will be better off, too.

OUTDOOR A/C

Many HVAC systems include an outdoor A/C unit. It’s important that the area surrounding the unit remains clear of any debris that could prevent the fan from running. It’s perfectly safe for pets to be around these units, but scratching or clawing could damage them. If the pets are in the yard, it’s a good idea to make sure the A/C unit is not accessible.

WORTH THE CALL

Hopefully, these tips will help keep you and your pets happy and healthy. Our experts at The Bosworth Company can help you make sure you’re getting the most out of your A/C. Set up an appointment today by calling 432-570-5233 or scheduling one online. The Bosworth Company. Worth the Call. Always.

Water in The Attic

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In many of our posts, we discuss issues and problems you can’t see. Things hidden in pipes, underground, or in your attic. This topic is different, but it can be just as scary. If you have a leaky roof or any water in the attic, it will eventually show up as a wet spot on your ceiling. When that happens, it’s critical that you get the source of the leak fixed immediately. The wetter your ceiling gets, the more likely a cave-in can be, and you don’t want that!

THROUGH THE ROOF

If the problem is a leaky roof, it’s usually pretty obvious. The water stains in the ceiling show up after a big rain. Damage to your roof may have been caused by a recent hail storm. Another possible source is something that you may not have thought of…especially in the dry West Texas climate.

CHECK THE DRAIN PAN

If your A/C unit is in the attic, the problem is likely a clogged drain pan. Turn off your A/C then head to the attic and find the drain pan. Condensation that’s generated by air conditioning is supposed to drain through a pipe that leads outside your home. But if there’s a clog in the line, water will stay in the pan. You should be able to put your finger in the drain pan and have it come out completely dry. If there’s too much water in the pan, it will overflow, leading to stains and water damage on your ceiling…which could turn into a very expensive headache.

To review: a clogged drain causes a full drain pan, a full drain pan causes spilled water in the attic, water leads to ceiling stains, and ceiling stains can indicate significant damage.

You can try to unclog it on your own, but navigating the lines can be difficult. We suggest you call an expert.

HOW WE CAN HELP

The Bosworth Company offers a variety of services specifically designed to check out your entire HVAC system, including the drain pan! We’ll make sure your system is clean, efficient, and ready for the summer. Give us a call today at 432-570-5233 or schedule an appointment online. It’s Worth the Call. Always.

Spring Maintenance

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Spring is here, and along with the warmer weather comes big changes for your home. Specifically your HVAC. Switching from using your heat to using your air conditioning requires some preparation and is a great time for some routine maintenance. In this post, we’ll share some practical spring maintenance ideas for your home.

HVAC MAINTENANCE

Changing filter: This is an easy thing you can do yourself! Swapping out or cleaning the filters on your HVAC will help to make sure that clean air is able to be recycled throughout your home. It’ll also keep your unit from working too hard, which will save you money!

Exterior A/C unit: In the winter months, leaves or other plants can fall into or grow around your exterior air conditioning compressor. Sweeping or picking up this debris will help your unit run at peak efficiency.

Window screens: Spring and fall are great times to consider leaving windows open to save on energy costs. To prepare for this, make sure to clean your screens and make any necessary repairs.

Windows and Doors: Speaking of windows, keep the cool air inside by making sure seals around windows and doors are secure!

Refrigerator: When you clean your kitchen, don’t forget to get under the fridge! Dusty coils make your refrigerator work harder to keep your food cold. A quick dust is an easy fix!

PLUMBING

Hot water heater: Draining your water heater can help clean out the sentiment that’s built up over the past year. Find the spigot at the bottom of the tank to drain it. This could add years to the life of your hot water heater.

Washer fill hose: Look for cracks or leaks in the hose that brings water into your washer. As with anything, excess water can cause major problems!

Driveway cracks: Cracks in your driveway or asphalt are common with age. However, if it’s sudden, getting worse, or appears to be sinking, that could be a sign of pipe problems. A water line leak under your driveway should be checked out.

WORTH THE CALL. ALWAYS. 

The Bosworth Company has the experts to help your system get ready for spring! In fact, we offer a Spring Clean & Check specifically geared to keeping your HVAC in tip-top shape. Schedule a spring maintenance appointment online or give us a call at 432-570-5233. It’s Worth the Call. Always.

Energy-Efficient Lighting

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In the age of renewable energy and green everything, there’s one concept that stands above the rest: saving money. Saving the planet is great, but for most consumers, what really matters is saving the green in their own pocket. One of the easiest ways to do this is through energy-efficient lighting. It’s the same amount of light for less money. You can’t beat that.

About 5% of your electric bill goes straight to the cost of lighting your home. Because of that, changing to energy-efficient lighting is the fastest and easiest way to save money on your bill. Replacing the bulbs you use the most will save you about $50 every year. 

New lighting options include halogen incandescent, CLF and LED light bulbs. Make sure to choose bulbs that have earned the ENERGY STAR to make sure you get the best efficiency possible.

HOW THEY WORK

The difference between the old and new technology is actually staggering. About 90% of the energy on your old incandescent bulbs was giving off heat, not producing light. That’s practically burning money! While these bulbs are still in many homes, they are no longer being manufactured. The new energy-saving light bulbs not only are vastly more efficient, but they also come in a wide variety of styles and colors to fit exactly the look you want.

LIGHTING OPTIONS

The most common types of energy-efficient bulbs are halogen incandescents, CFLs (compact fluorescent lamps), and LEDs (light-emitting diodes). They can cost a little more than your traditional bulbs, but will save you money over their lifetime because they use less energy. Most home improvement stores carry a wide variety of styles, including options like timers and dimmers that can save you even more.

OUTDOOR LIGHTING

You can save even more with high-efficiency bulbs by using them outside. Lighting that’s left on constantly can save you a lot, if it’s more efficient. For exterior use, bare spiral CFLs can be enclosed to protect them from the weather. Floodlights can be found as CFLs or LEDs.

WORTH THE CALL

The Bosworth Company provides electrical contracting for the majority of electrical needs you may have. We can even offer more tips on becoming energy-efficient. To make an appointment, you can reach us at 432-570-5233 or schedule an appointment online. It’s Worth the Call. Always.

7 Ways You’re Wasting Energy (And Money!)

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Energy is a very precious thing…especially when you’re paying for it in monthly utilities! You may be throwing dollars away every month and not even realize it. Today, we are going to share 7 ways you’re wasting energy in an attempt to help you save!

1. You’re Using The Wrong Bulbs

Compact Fluorescent (CF) light bulbs save $40 in energy costs in the bulb’s lifetime. If you aren’t currently using these bulbs, it may be time to start!

2. You’re Taking Your Time Picking A Snack

Did you know the average person spends 10.4 hours a year standing in front of an open refrigerator? That’s a lot of energy wasted…not to mention time! Be decisive in your snack-picking and place your most-used items in an easy to reach space.

3. You’re Sleeping With The TV On

Are you guilty of falling asleep with the TV on? You could be costing yourself about $55 per year! Instead, try setting your sleep timer on before you go to bed.

4. You’re Overcharging Your Electronics

When charging your electronic devices, unplug it once it reaches 100%. It’s not going to charge more than that anyways!

5. You’re Not Programming Your Thermostat

Keeping your thermostat at a steady temperature can be bad for your wallet. Programming your thermostat on a timer and adjusting it for while your home and away saves you around $180 every year! To find out more tips on this topic, take a look at our blog, Programming Your Thermostat.

6. You Leave Ceiling Fans On In Empty Rooms

It’s important to remember that ceiling fans cool people not rooms. Leaving ceiling fans on in empty rooms is a quick way to waste energy and rack up an expensive utility bill!

7. You Leave The Lights On

This one may seem obvious, but when exiting a room, remember to turn off any lights. You don’t use the light when you’re out of the room, but you will use the money you save with this tip!

Hopefully, bringing awareness to these 7 habits will help you be more conscious and save in utility expenses! For other helpful tips and tricks, follow our boards on Pinterest! And for any and all of your plumbing, HVAC, electrical, or home improvement needs, trust The Bosworth Company…we’re worth the call, always!

3 Reasons Why You Need a Reverse Osmosis System

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People who live in homes, without any filtering systems, find that their water is not only bad for the taste buds but also bad for their health. In an age, where we’re more conscious about what foods we take into our bodies, our drinking water is not given much thought. The contaminants found in some home water’s supply can drop a few jaws, in surprise. And, we’re drinking it. There are many options for filtering units available, but many of them still leave behind particles of unhealthy toxins.

The Reverse Osmosis System is a filtering unit, that removes impurities, from the water, and makes it healthier to drink. Here are three reasons why you need to install one of these filtering systems in your home and leave the other processing units behind:

1.It’s better than bottled water- Most people stock up on bottled water they purchase on sale at their local grocery stores. First of all, imagine how much money you spend on bottled water throughout a year. For an average family, you might pay, several hundred dollars or more, give or take, depending on the size of the family and how much water you drink. Plus, not all water in those bottles is actually healthy. It’s been said that the plastic in the water bottles contains chemicals that ultimately leach into the water and you end up ingesting it.

2.A Reverse Osmosis System filters in stages- Reverse osmosis uses four different stages of filtration to remove impurities. Most systems use only one, maybe two filters to sift out the toxins in the water. Each filter reverse osmosis system uses, is designed to filter out a specific type of contaminant leaving you with nothing but clean, drinking water.

3.It’s Better than Bitter Tasting water– How often have we drank a glass of water from the tap only to regret it afterward? Some unfiltered, as well as some filtered, water, tastes and smells terrible. We are told to drink at least eight glasses of water daily, but that’s hard to do when your water leaves an aftertaste in your mouth. A reverse osmosis system will remove the impurities, that causes that lousy water taste, and will give you fresh, clean tasting water you won’t mind going back for more.

A reverse osmosis system offers you more for your health than you might have thought. Contact us, today, for more information on what a reverse osmosis system can do for you and your family.

How To Get Rid Of Cord Clutter

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Most of us are familiar with the feeling of being constantly plugged into our devices – phones, tablets, computers and other gadgets are always with us. While technology is great, more electronics mean more wires. With more wires, comes more clutter and eyesores, not to mention potential tripping hazards. The good news is, you can get rid of cord clutter with just a few simple steps. Have a look!

Organize

First, it’s important to organize your cords and correctly pair them with their device. Yes, by organization, we mean getting rid of those cords that you no longer use (i.e. cords that were left behind after devices have been replaced or thrown out). No, you won’t need them again.

Bundle

There are many tools you can use to bundle your cords – from binder clips to zip-ties or even simple twist ties! Take the time to coil your cords tightly, removing excess slack and conserving space.

Label

After the cords are bundled, consider wrapping the bundle in masking tape and writing the name of the cord on the tape. This will help you easily identify the cord and determine what device it belongs to (without having to bring out all your devices and see if the plug fits into the device port)…don’t worry, we’ve all done it.

Store

After you take the time to organize, bundle and label these cords, it’s time to store them appropriately. It’s not always the best idea to have them in a drawer, as they can get jumbled and mixed together with other items. Instead, use a basket or box used specifically for cords. You could even opt for more of a decorative basket or box and use it as a stackable piece used as decoration.

Cover

If you’re looking to hide exposed wires, such as wall-mounted TVs, consider investing in cord covers. These covers can be found at most home maintenance stores and come in several different sizes and lengths. Similar to cord covers, you can also purchase cable sleeves – another easy way to organize and conceal cords.

The best and easiest way to eliminate cord clutter is to never have it in the first place! After you’ve organized and sorted your existing cords, don’t let new cords create new clutter. When you get a new electronic, be sure to properly bundle, label and store the cord with the others.

For more home tips & tricks like these, follow our boards on Pinterest!

Back To School Home Maintenance Checklist

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We say it every year. Summer flies by and it’s time to begin a new school year once again! It seems like just yesterday we were giving you ways to prepare for summer and tips to beat the heat. This time of year is the perfect time to get your home back in order to prepare for not only a new school year, but also a new season! Take a look at our back to school home maintenance checklist below.

Garage Clean Up

Your garage has been doing double duty lately – with bicycles coming in and out and pool toys thrown around from days spent at the pool. Take an afternoon to put away summer toys in totes and bins that are labeled accordingly. If you’re in the attic putting away summer toys, you may consider saving yourself a trip later and bring down fall decor. While you’re in the garage, check the weather stripping on the bottom of the door. If it looks worn away, reapply to prepare for cooler weather to come.

Inspect Your Roof

After the storms we had this summer, it’s more important than ever to check your roof. Inspect for missing or lose shingles and repair where necessary. If it looks like a replacement might be in order, or if you’ve noticed your neighbors getting new roofs, then it could be time to call in to the insurance company. It’s best to proactively deal with repairs at the end of summer/beginning of fall than to discover a problem in the winter!

Prepare The Porch

Your outdoor furniture may have seen its’ fair share of a good time this season, so it’s time to clean it up! Spray down the furniture itself to get rid of any rust, cobwebs, or dust. Take a microfiber cloth to the cushions and clean off any dirt or stains. After cleaning, make any necessary repairs. Cover outdoor furniture and barbecue grills, and store them in a protected area ready to use next year!

Appliances

Now is a good time to clean out your refrigerator, dishwasher, and oven.

Refrigerator – Make room for school lunches! Get rid of any expired foods or condiments. Sort the items in your fridge into sections, like you would your pantry. Also, be sure to vacuum your condenser coils to make your refrigerator extra efficient!

Dishwasher – A mixture of baking soda and vinegar is the perfect solution for a good dishwasher cleaning. Mix equal parts and put onto a rag or sponge. Clean the walls and racks of the interior and the buttons and front of the exterior.

Oven – Use the self cleaning feature of your oven, or a simple tutorial like this one to thoroughly clean your oven.

Fall Clean & Check

It’s important to make sure all the electrical and heating systems and devices in your home are working properly when you get back into the school routine. Our licensed electricians can help with anything you need, including the following heating and electrical services:

  • Adjusting any necessary connections
  • Replacing filters
  • Checking heat exchanger & thermostats
  • Lubricating motors

Back To School

Hopefully, these back to school home maintenance tasks will help you prepare your home for back to school! The kids have a couple of weeks before homework, so why not make it a family event? (Wishful thinking?)

If you need help preparing your home for fall and winter, schedule our service today!

5 Signs Your Water Heater Is Going Out

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Typically, a water heater is the most costly component of a home’s plumbing. If you’ve ever had a water heater go out, you know that you don’t want it to happen again. Not only can it be a huge mess, but cold showers are simply no fun. That’s why it’s important to look for signs your water heater is going out…

Look For These Signs

  1. Temperature – Does the temperature of your water seem off? If your water doesn’t seem to get hot enough, or if it’s too hot, this could be a sign that your water heater is going out. Sometimes, however, this problem can be fixed by adjusting the thermostat in your unit. Generally, the ideal temperature for hot water is between 120 and 140 degrees.
  2. Lack of hot water – No hot water? Typically, this is an easy fix. More than likely, your heating element has gone out (or gas thermocouple, if your device is powered by natural gas). This requires a simple relighting. If that doesn’t work, you may have to replace a part on the element itself.
  3. Noise – Can you hear your water heater knocking, whining, or creaking? Sometimes this is simply caused by the sediment buildup inside the tank. This buildup comes in contact with the heating element and makes noise as the sediment is burnt away. Flushing the tank can correct this problem. However, noise is also a sign that the heating element is broken. If that’s the case, you could need a new water heater.
  4. Leaking – Have you noticed standing water from your hot water heater? It’s important to contact a plumber immediately in order to prevent flooding and damage to your home.
  5. Age – How old is your water heater? Most residential water heaters are sold with a 5-year or 10-year warranty. Your water heater should last at least that long, but usually they can last up to 15 years. If you experience common problems with your hot water heater and it has reached 15 years, this could be an indication that it’s time for replacement.

Contact Us

We’re the plumbers you want to call for you water heater problems. We’re the knowledgeable experts who will diagnose your problem and take care of it immediately, saving you trouble (and money!) down the road. We also have the perfect solutions for your water heater needs, including Noritz Tankless Hot Water Heaters. For more information, or to request service, contact us today!