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Common Questions

ANSWERS TO COMMON ELECTRICAL & HVAC QUESTIONS

Contact Rawhide Electric Services Today to Learn More!

At Rawhide Electric Services, we believe in educating our customers so as to better enable them to make important decisions about their homes and commercial properties. As a property owner, you can be empowered by learning more about the various electrical, heating, and cooling systems you use nearly every day. As such, we’ve provided answers to some of the most common questions we get about residential and commercial electrical and HVAC systems. Browse our helpful FAQs below or get in touch with the Rawhide Electric Services team to schedule electrical or HVAC services in Longview, Kelso, or the surrounding areas.


We can be reached online via our contact form or by phone at (360) 382-1180.


FAQs
  • How can I improve my indoor air quality?
    If you are concerned about the quality of air inside your home or commercial space, you may wish to invest in an indoor air quality system, such as a whole-home air filtration system, an air purifier, or an air cleaner. Depending on your unique needs and concerns, you may even wish to combine several systems for maximum indoor air quality. Learn more by visiting our Indoor Air Quality page or give us a call today at (360) 382-1180 for a free, in-person consultation.
  • What is a ductless heat pump?

    ductless heat pump is an effective heating and cooling system that does not require your home or business to have existing ductwork or new ductwork installed. These systems provide nearly the same level of even heating and cooling as traditional central HVAC systems plus a host of other benefits, such as better energy efficiency, greater convenience, and lowered energy costs.

    At Rawhide Electric Services, we proudly install, repair, and service ductless heat pumps from HVAC industry leader Mitsubishi. Contact us today to learn more!

  • Why are the lights flickering in my home or commercial building?
    Lights that flicker frequently could be a simple issue, such as a single lightbulb that needs replacing, or a serious wiring issue. If it’s the latter, the problem could put you at risk of an electrical fire. Contact Rawhide Electric Services to speak to one of our highly trained Longview electricians as soon as possible.
  • What is a GFCI outlet and do I need them?
    GFCI stands for ground fault circuit interrupter. These types of outlets are equipped with a red “reset” button and a black “test” button. They should be installed in any area of a home or business that is prone to dampness, such as bathrooms, kitchens, garages, unfinished basements, and outdoors.
  • Why does my circuit breaker trip so often?
    If your circuit breaker trips very frequently, you may have a larger electrical issue on your hands. Easily overloaded circuits could indicate that your system is not capable of handling your electrical needs. You may have too many appliances plugged into the specific circuit that keeps tripping, or you may have an outdated electrical panel in need of an upgrade. Contact a professional electrician at Rawhide Electric Services for assistance.
  • How do I reset a tripped breaker?

    Breakers are designed to interrupt the flow of power when a circuit overloads or, in other words, when a circuit attempts to pull more current than it’s designed to carry. When this occurs, the breaker will “trip,” or shut off the circuit. While this is designed with safety in mind, it can be a nuisance for home and business owners, as a tripped breaker will cause any electrical appliances, devices, and electronics connected to that circuit to stop working.

    Luckily, resetting a tripped breaker is fairly easy:

    • First, locate the breaker/electrical panel in your home or commercial building. It may be located inside the main space, in a basement or garage, or hidden in a closet or cupboard.
    • Next, determine which circuit is tripped. This can be done by looking for a breaker that is out of line from the other breakers (in the “off” position).
    • To reset the tripped breaker, first flip it to the “off” position (out of line with the other breakers), then to the “on” position (aligned with other breakers).
  • Why is my smoke detector beeping?
    If your smoke detector beeps continuously for no apparent reason, it’s likely that the batteries need to be changed soon. We recommend that you change the batteries in your home or business’s smoke detectors at least once a year to ensure safety.
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