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EMPLOYEE LIST

For employee information please contact main office 936-756-0442

David Heintz
President
A & H Electric Co.
3505 N. Loop 336 West
Conroe, Texas 77304
Office: (936) 756-0442

Category: Helpful Tips

Open post Don't Let Your Power Bill Ruin Your Holiday

Don’t Let Your Power Bill Ruin Your Holiday

Christmas is nearly around the corner! With all these fun decorations, power bills aren’t very fun after the holidays have come and gone. Lighting bills around this time of year usually go up by about 10 percent – depending on how extravagant your lighting display is.

How does one decorate and celebrate the holiday with full spirit without upping the power bill so much? A few smart moves like contacting a residential electrician when decorating this season and making adjustments can help bring out the best decorations without the hefty bill. 

  • Switch to LED Christmas Lights:
    You can save up to 90% on your energy costs by switching to LED Christmas lights. LED Christmas lights are safe and durable, requiring far less electricity than old-fashioned incandescent bulbs.
  • All in the Timing:
    The smartest way to save money on holiday lights is to be smart about when you turn them on and how much time you use them. You can set automatic timers throughout your home and holiday displays. We recommend setting the timer to turn on lights at 5:00 PM and scheduling them out for four to five hours after.
  • Battery Operated Decorations:
    Battery-operated garland and door wreaths may be the perfect solution if you are looking to save money on your energy bills. Rechargeable batteries, however, will save you money on replacement costs.
  • Thinking Smaller:
    For many homeowners, the holiday season is the perfect time to “go big or go home”. However, if you don’t want your power bills to skyrocket, you may want to think smaller – especially if you are trying to outdo your neighbor – in good-spirited neighbor rivalry, of course.

Need Electrical Repair? Consult a Licensed Electrician

Electrical issues are a significant cause for concern, particularly between November and February. The NFPA says that two out of five residential fires caused by electrical failure or malfunction occurred during this time. So should anything seem amiss as you’re decking the holidays, don’t delay; consult a licensed electrician like A&H Electric to troubleshoot the issues and make the necessary repairs.

A&H Electric Co. has over thirty years of experience providing residential and commercial electrical repair, service, and installation. We offer a full suite of services, not limited to electrical safety inspections and surge protection installation, with all work performed by certified electricians. Please don’t hesitate to make a service appointment with A&H Electric whenever you need a commercial or residential electrician to service your home or business, even if it’s after hours, as we provide 24-hour emergency electrical services.

Open post Eliminating Drafts Around Electrical Outlets

Eliminating Drafts Around Electrical Outlets

Wind drafts within a home can be more than just a nuisance. It is possible they are signs of air leaks, which can lead to reduced energy efficiency and higher monthly energy costs. Whether you’re feeling the chill or you’re tired of receiving high electricity bills, you should check your electrical outlets and switches for leaks if you have already sealed around your doors and windows.

A draft proof home is more energy efficient – and more comfortable – reducing your utility bills by stopping them in their tracks. Contact a local, licensed, residential electrician or use the method outlined below to help make the most cost-effective methods for making your home more energy-efficient. 

Holes Everywhere

Despite their innocent appearance, electrical outlets and light switch covers often harbor drafts – especially in older homes and on exterior walls. You are more likely to experience minimal air leaks from these boxes if your home’s exterior is airtight: if no air is entering your cavities, the problem should be minimal. 

Materials Required

You can increase your home’s energy efficiency by sealing off the outlets and switches with inexpensive foam seals that can be found at your local hardware or home improvement store. Make sure to purchase enough for every outlet and light switch cover in your home along with a couple tubes of high-quality caulk. You can further seal the leaks by buying tamper-resistant receptacles.

Steps for Eliminating Drafts:

#1. Remove the outlet and light switch covers.

#2. Run a thin bead of caulk where the box meets the drywall.

#3. While the caulk is still wet, apply the foam seal on top, pressing firmly so that it connects with the caulk. This makes for an airtight seal.

#4. Install tamper-resistant receptacles or spring-loaded outlet covers. These are marketed for both energy-efficiency and child proofing. They’re a win, win!

Contact a Certified Electrician in Conroe

A&H Electric Co. has over thirty years of experience providing residential and commercial electrical repair, maintenance, and installation. We offer a full suite of services, not limited to electrical safety inspections and whole home rewiring, with all work performed by experienced technicians. Please don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment anytime you need a certified electrician in Conroe to service your home or business, even if it’s after hours, as we offer 24-hour emergency repairs.

How to Properly Clean Your Electronic Devices

A&H Electric, Electrical, Helpful Tips, Home Appliances

Do you spray Windex on everything and rub it down with a paper towel? While this may be okay for countertops, mirrors and if you’ve seen My Big Fat Greek Wedding, cuts and abrasions, it can cause all sorts of damage to your electronic devices.

I know what you’re probably thinking, and the answer is no, you won’t have to spend more time or money cleaning them. In fact, they are remarkably easy to clean if you do it right, and with the right cleaning solution.

Here’s how to properly clean your electronic devices.

Dusting

One of the biggest enemies to your electronic devices is dust. Dust settles, thickens and eventually blocks the airflow of fans, vents and other critical components. Overheating can occur without airflow. Attract dust particles using a microfiber cloth.

Screens

More than most electronics, flat screen TVs, touch screens and computer monitors are vulnerable to damage from harsh or abrasive cleaning products. The ideal cleaning solution for these screens is two parts water to two parts white vinegar. Apply this solution to a microfiber cloth – never to the screen – to gently buff out spots. Be careful not to apply too much pressure.

Disc Players

The disc readers inside DVD players, Blu-Ray players, and video game consoles are extremely delicate and may start generating errors if dust thickens on or in them. Look for disc cleaner kits that can clean both your devices and discs. Make sure it’s compatible with your device. Gently dust the device’s exterior using a microfiber cloth.

Keyboards

Keyboards get a ton of use, so they get dirty, fast. Before cleaning, be sure to unplug or otherwise disable them. Start by using a can of compressed air (found at your local office supply store) to blow out any debris. Then remove any buildup using cotton swabs dipped in rubbing alcohol.

Remote Controls

Remote controls are a magnet for germs and dirt, conveniently delivered by your, your family’s or your guest’s fingers. Spray compressed air between the buttons to loosen any embedded dirt and debris. Disinfect by wiping with an antibacterial wipe. Hit your video game controllers the same way.

Make cleaning your electronic devices part of your weekly cleaning routine to ensure dust, dirt and debris don’t wear them down, causing them to fail prematurely. If you need help powering your electronic devices, however, contact A&H Electric at (936) 756-0442.

Energy Saving Tips: 5 Ways to Cut Electricity Costs

A&H Electric, Energy Saving, Helpful Tips

energy saving tips

Whether you want to slash your energy bill or be more environmentally-friendly, the next five energy saving tips will help

#1. Evaluate Your Energy Use: If you want to cut energy costs, you will first need to know how much energy use you’re using, and when you’re using it. Home energy monitoring systems can provide this information in real time. There are also online tools to aid in the process. The EPA’s Energy Star program, at energystar.gov, offers a set of tools called Home Advisor to assist you in improving your home’s energy efficiency while adding comfort and value. You will need to sign-up for an account to use these tools.

#2. Unplug Vampire Appliances: Vampire appliances use electricity even when they’re “off” by going into standby mode. According to the Department of Energy, vampire appliances and electronics use 4 to 5 percent of the energy in an average home. Vampire appliances include: computers and computer-related equipment, LCD and plasma TVs, surround sound systems, cable or satellite TV boxes, and household items with a clock or LED light (e.g. microwave, DVD player, game consoles, etc.).

#3. Change Light Bulbs: Changing from incandescent light bulbs to Energy Star qualified light bulbs can have a significant impact on your utility bills and on making your home greener. CFLs are compact fluorescent light bulbs, whereas, LEDs are light-emitting diodes. The electricity savings for a single LED or CFL light bulb is about $6 per year, and $40 for its lifetime, according to the EPA. These light bulbs can also keep your home cooler, thus more comfortable, as they don’t give off heat.

#4. Seal Out the Elements: This can be as easy as installing energy-efficient window treatments or coating the glass with a Low-E window film. In some situations; however, this may not be enough. Some homes may require new windows or insulation. Air sealing your home can significantly reduce air infiltration. Gaps or cracks in your home’s foundation, walls, roof, doors, windows or attic can contribute to high energy costs. Many public utility companies have programs to assist with air sealing.

#5. Improve Your Heating and Cooling System: As much as half of the energy used in your home goes to heating and cooling. Making smart decisions about your heating and cooling system can have a big effect on your monthly energy bills – and your comfort. You should: regularly change your air filter, annually tune-up your HVAC equipment, install a programmable thermostat, seal your heating and cooling ducts, and consider installing Energy Star qualified heating and cooling equipment.

This Math Problem Will Change Your Home, Forever; All You Need Is Time, Patience, & a Little Curiosity

A&H Electric, Circuit Breakers, Electrical, Electricity 101, Helpful Tips

It is safe to say that most people own at least one computer. Owning a computer may also mean owning accessories for your personal computer. For example, speakers, an additional monitor, printer, modem, router, keyboard, and mouse. For those who use their computers for picture sharing or school work may also have an external flash drive, which allows extra space for storing files and pictures without slowing down the computer. Now, consider how many power cords will need to be plugged into an outlet in order to power a computer and its accessories. If you try to plug in all of these appliances, you will find that your standard outlet only allows for two appliances at a time. You could plug an extension cord to another outlet to power more devices and appliances, but still, more plugs are needed? This is the point where you are hoping you have a power strip, which allows for housing several different outlets on a single bar.

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Vampire Energy

A&H Electric, Electrical, Energy Saving, Helpful Tips, outlets, power surges

Is electricity being used when items in your home are plugged into an outlet but not on?

A&H Electric ElectriciansIn order to answer this question about vampire energy, we must first consider a few factors. First thing first, vampire energy is what many refer to as the electricity that is wasted as a result of plugged in items that are still using electricity when off. Depending on the appliance and/ or device, in most cases you will discover that the devices are never truly off. Usually, the device is in a standby mode, which still requires the use of some electricity. The amount used also depends on the device. For example, a large television, like a plasma television, will use more watts than something like a blender because it is constantly processing information.

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Let The Temperature Rise This Summer, Not Your Electric Bill!

A&H Electric, Energy Saving, Helpful Tips, Home

How To Save Money On Your Electric Bill - Houston, Texas
Every summer, the electric bill begins to rise alongside the rising temperatures outside. One gets hotter while the other burns holes in your pockets, but is there anything you can do about this? Of course, it begins with being aware!

By becoming more aware of yourself and your surroundings, you can begin to see the big picture. How much are you actually spending on fast food or do you remember turning off the lights once you leave a room? Becoming observant can help you save money, and even better, save money on your electric bill.

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Electricity 101: Volts, Amperes & Watts

A&H Electric, Electrical, Electricity 101, Helpful Tips

Everyone uses electricity but most of us don’t know more than that we couldn’t have a refrigerator or a TV without it. Even though all electrical matters and work should be done by a professional electrician, this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t know the basics. Here are some common terms and units you will come across when talking about your home’s wiring.

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Circuit Breaker: What Is Its Purpose?

A&H Electric, Circuit Breakers, Electricity 101, Helpful Tips, Home

When the power suddenly goes out in the house, most people immediately check the circuit breaker. This is a step in the right direction, as all the electricity in the building must go through the circuit breaker, where it is determined if there is a problem in the current, such as being the electric current being too high. But how many people really know what the purpose of a circuit breaker is? A circuit breaker is a device that will automatically stop the flow of a current in an electric circuit to protect an electrical circuit from damages caused by an overload or a short circuit. This ensures that if there is a problem, the circuit breaker will then “trip”, cut the power, and will not allow electricity where the problem is occurring until the problem is fixed.

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