Living in the Shuangbei metropolitan area, whether it is a new building or an old apartment, water and electricity problems at home always arise unexpectedly, which can cause inconvenience in small cases and affect safety in large cases. According to statistics, more than half of Taiwan's residential buildings are more than 30 years old, and there are many problems with old pipelines. Having basic knowledge about water and electricity can not only help you initially judge the problem, but also effectively communicate with professional masters to avoid unnecessary costs and risks. This article will provide a complete set of action guides from self-examination to professional help for the most common home water and electricity problems.
1. Electricity Safety: Power Trips and Line Aging
1. If power trips frequently, is it okay to turn it back?
A power trip is a "fuse" in a home circuit that is sending a serious warning, indicating that the circuit is overloaded. Never flip the switch back over and over again out of habit. The first step is to turn off or unplug some electrical appliances on the circuit (especially high-energy-consuming heaters, hair dryers, etc.), and then try to restore power. If it happens frequently, it may mean that the circuit planning is insufficient or the wires are aging, and you need to ask a master to check.
2. How to determine whether the wires in your home should be replaced?
The lifespan of the wire is about 15 years. If it exceeds this, there will be safety concerns. You can:
- Check the electrical box: After turning off the main switch, open the distribution box and observe that the sheath (insulation) of the wires usually has the year of manufacture stamped on it.
- Check the socket: If the wire is not marked with the year (commonly known as flat dial wire), its heat resistance and load capacity are poor, and it cannot be used as the main indoor line according to regulations. It is recommended to replace it as soon as possible.
3. Do fuseless switches require maintenance?
The leaf springs within this protective device will tire over time. It is recommended to test once a year (such as on your birthday): after turning off the main switch, turn on and off each branch switch one by one to feel the toggle feel. If it feels abnormally loose or difficult to pull, it means that its protective function may have failed, and you should ask a master to repair and replace it.
2. Water supply and drainage problems: leakage and blockage
4. The faucet cannot be closed tightly and water keeps dripping?
This is probably caused by the aging of the internal "rubber gasket". You can first turn off the triangular valve of the faucet or the main water supply in your home, then disassemble the faucet and replace the gasket yourself. If you are not familiar with the location of the water switch, it is recommended to ask the master directly to avoid turning off the wrong water source.
5. What should I do if the toilet or drain pipe is blocked?
Do not use Tongla (unblocking agent) lightly! Especially for old pipelines, strong acid and alkali chemicals may cause pipeline corrosion, heat deformation, and even rupture. The correct way is to first use a "toilet suction cup" (skin suction cup) and press hard at a vertical angle several times. If it doesn't work, it means the blockage point is deep and you should contact a professional to clear it.
6. How to confirm that there is no leakage after water pipe construction?
This is a critical step after renovation or pipe replacement. The master should use the "water pressure test" method. After closing all water outlets, use a machine to pressurize to a certain value and maintain it for at least 1 hour to observe whether the pressure drops to confirm the tightness of all joints and pipelines. Note that if only part of the pipes in an old house are replaced, it is not recommended to conduct a high-voltage test for the whole house, lest the old pipes cannot withstand it.
3. Home appliances: hot water, air conditioner and washing machine
7. The water heater suddenly ran out of hot water while taking a shower?
Don’t panic, check three points in order: Is the gas switch turned on? Is the water heater battery (if you have an ignition device) dead? Is the water pressure too low? Insufficient water pressure may be a community problem or a clogged filter in your home. Wait for a while or clean the filter and try again.
8. The air conditioner is not cold enough, what can you do first?
More than 80% of the problems are caused by "the filter is too dirty." Please turn off the power first and clean the filter of the indoor unit. If it is still not cold after cleaning, then consider that there may be insufficient refrigerant or poor heat dissipation of the outdoor unit. At this time, a professional air conditioner will be required to detect and clean it.
9. The washing machine does not respond when you press the start button?
There are three possible reasons: poor power contact, starting capacitor failure (the repair cost is about several hundred yuan), or very few motors are damaged. It is recommended to check the power supply of the socket first. If the problem persists, it is best to contact the original manufacturer or professional maintenance personnel for diagnosis.
10. Hair dryer or other electrical appliances are heating abnormally?
Partial overheating, redness or smell of electrical appliances are signs of impending failure or short circuit. Please stop using it immediately! This is usually an internal circuit problem or the ventilation holes are blocked (such as a hair dryer sucking in hair). The risk of disassembling and repairing it by yourself is extremely high, so you should directly report it for repair or replace it with a new one.
4. How to find a trustworthy professional master?
When the problem goes beyond the scope of DIY, finding a qualified master is key.
- Certificates are the basic threshold: Plumbing projects involve safety, and you should have at least a "Class B indoor wiring" technician certificate (electricity) and a "Class C water pipe piping" certificate (water). Asking or checking your license is the first step.
- Communication and quotation: A good master will patiently inquire about the situation and provide a clear quotation after the survey, explaining the material specifications, wages and warranty period, rather than just a verbal estimate.
- Avoid the risk of electric shock: Before performing any simple inspection (such as removing the socket to check the wires), be sure to turn off the power supply to the circuit first and wear insulating gloves for safety.
With these basics, you will no longer be a homeowner who knows nothing about plumbing issues. It can help you make the correct initial response in an emergency, and become a clear and rational communicator when seeking professional assistance to jointly maintain home safety.
New knowledge on air-conditioning power consumption and Taiwan climate maintenance regulations in recent years (2025-2026 current situation)
With the high temperatures in summer breaking historical records and the adjustment of electricity price structure in recent years, the latest statistics from the Energy Administration of the Ministry of Economic Affairs show that air-conditioning equipment accounts for more than 47% of residential electricity consumption in summer. Many people mistakenly believe that if the air conditioner is not cold, they only need to "replenish the refrigerant." However, in fact, refrigerant is not naturally consumed during normal operation in a closed circuit. If the refrigerant is insufficient, it means that there are micro leaks in the copper pipes or joints. Simply replenishing the air conditioner will only treat the symptoms but not the root cause. Refrigerant leakage will aggravate the high temperature overload of the compressor and shorten its service life.
According to Taiwan's standard operating specifications for air-conditioning projects, it is recommended that professional technicians with a refrigeration and air-conditioning decoration technician license perform "full machine high-pressure water washing and evaporator deep sterilization" every 1 to 2 years for detached air-conditioning indoor units. Especially in the humid summer in the Shuangbei Basin, the air drum and water collection tray are easy to breed black mold and jelly-like biofilm. This is also the main reason for the sour smell in the air-conditioning outlet and the backflow of the drainage pipe. Regular maintenance can maintain CSPF (Air Conditioning Seasonal Performance Factor) level one energy efficiency level, which can save an average household 15% to 20% of air conditioning electricity bills every year.
Autonomous simple maintenance vs professional maintenance safety red line
- Homeowners can do by themselves: Remove and clean the nylon filter regularly every 2 to 3 weeks (rinse with clean water and dry in a cool place, do not expose it to the sun to avoid deformation and embrittlement); clean the air outlet blades of the indoor unit with a dry cloth; check whether there is any accumulation of debris within 50 cm around the outdoor unit that hinders heat dissipation.
- Professional technicians must be entrusted according to regulations: Refrigerant pressure testing and leakage repair welding, high-pressure cleaning of indoor unit air drums and aluminum fins with liquid chemicals, reset of the drainage slope of hidden cold water pipes in the ceiling, and 220V dedicated power circuit configuration and leakage circuit breaker replacement.
