Category Archives: Electrical Fire

How Often Should You Have Your Home Electrical Checked?

Electrical Fire, Electrical Grounding, Electrical Installation, Electrical Maintenance, Electricians, Residential Electrical Problems

How Often Should You Have Your Home Electrical Checked?
A common question for homeowners is “How often should I have my home electrical checked?” The answer depends on a number of factors. The main thing to remember is that a regular inspection is a preventative measure that will keep you safe from electrical hazards.

Older Houses
When you live in an older house, you may find that the electrical systems that were installed are not designed to support all the appliances and electronics that we use in our daily lives. This means that you may experience a short circuit, tripping of the breakers and fuses or overloaded circuits. If you are experiencing these issues, then it is important to have your home electrical checked and fixed as soon as possible by a professional electrician.Older houses typically have older wiring systems that do not have ground wires, which is a safety concern. This kind of wiring can interfere with your ability to get homeowners insurance or a mortgage, and you could risk an electrical fire in the house. Another common problem with older homes is jury-rigged electrical work that was done by previous owners. This is a big reason why many home inspectors recommend having your home inspected by a licensed electrician.

Remodeling/Renovation
If you’re planning on doing a major remodeling or renovation project, it might be a good idea to get your electrician’s opinion on the best ways to approach your power needs in the most efficient way possible. You might also want to take a closer look at your electric meter. While you’re at it, check out your lights, receptacles and appliances to see how much electricity they use. If you’re able to trace each device back to its corresponding circuit, you’ll be able to determine which one is the most efficient.

Severe Weather
Often, the best way to prepare for severe weather is to have your home’s electrical system checked. A professional electrician can help you determine if any electrical components need to be replaced or repaired. For example, if your house’s wiring has been damaged by a power surge, you may need to replace it. The electrician can also help you determine how to safely use appliances and light fixtures that run on electricity without risking injury. And while it’s good to be prepared for severe weather, the most important step you can take is to keep your family safe. When severe weather strikes, you don’t have much time to make important decisions. Taking the necessary steps now to protect you and your family could mean the difference between life and death.

Call In The Professionals
When it comes to your electrical system, the first thing that a professional will be looking for is whether the circuits are adequate for your needs. These circuits are what dispense electricity from your electric provider to individual devices, such as appliances and lighting fixtures. A reputable electrical contractor will be able to check to see if there are proper circuits in your home, as well as ensure that each room has the necessary amounts of general lighting and appliance circuits to meet your electrical demands. A thorough electrical inspection will help ensure that you don’t end up with costly repairs down the road.

How Can I Decrease My Electric Bill?

Articles, Business Lighting, Commercial Lighting, Electrical Fire, Electrical Installation, Electrical Maintenance, Electricians, Kitchen Electrical, Residential Electrical Problems

How Can I Decrease My Electric Bill?

Electricity is a huge cost for most homeowners, but fortunately there are plenty of ways to save energy for year-round savings.

Turn Off Electronics And Appliances
One of the simplest ways to decrease your electric bill is to unplug electronics and appliances when you aren’t using them. You’ll save a few dollars per month, but it also helps to lower your risk of an electrical fire. Among the most common energy vampires are your microwave, DVD player, VCR, cable box, or computer. They all suck electricity even when you’re not using them, and they contribute to phantom power or standby power bills that can add up to 23% of your energy costs! To combat this, you can buy an electricity monitor that plugs in each device and records their wattage usage. This can help you identify the energy vampires and save money on your electricity bill.

Turn Off The Water
Taking the time to turn off the water when you are not using it can save you a lot of money on your bill. It also can help prevent water damage in case of a plumbing emergency. Ideally, every person living in your home should know where to find the main water shut-off valve in their property. It should be a lever-type valve with a wheel control or lever handle.

Insulate Your Home
Insulation helps prevent heat from escaping your house by acting as a barrier that blocks the movement of air. Whether you are building a new home or renovating an existing home, properly insulating your walls, attic, crawl space, rim joists, and electrical outlets will dramatically reduce your heating and cooling costs, as well as increase your comfort.

Run Your Appliances During Off-Peak Hours
If you have a time-of-use electricity plan, you can lower your electric bill by running appliances during off-peak hours. These times are cheapest because they’re less busy for the energy provider. In summer, peak demand hours are typically from 1pm to 7pm on weekdays and 4pm to 9pm in some areas during the day, because people are using air conditioning. Off-peak periods are usually nighttime hours, which tend to be quieter and cheaper. You can save money on your utility bill by putting your major appliances like dishwashers, washing machines and dryers on delayed start during these times.

Install A Smart Thermostat
A smart thermostat is a great way to decrease your energy bill because it automatically learns how your home feels and adjusts to keep the temperature perfect for you. They also help you track your energy usage so you can see how much you’re saving. The savings may vary depending on the climate you live in and your energy bill, but a smart thermostat should save you about 8 percent on average. It’s a small amount, but it could mean a big difference in your monthly budget.

How Can I Protect My Home From an Electrical Fire?

Electrical Fire

When it comes to electrical fires at home, they account for more than 30,000 non-fatal electrical shock accidents each year. Additionally, between 600 and 1,000 die each year from electrocution. There are various safety tips that you can implement in your home to avoid electrical fires.

Tips To Avoid Electrical Fires at Home
You can follow many tips to help prevent electrical fires in your home.

Electrical outlets – Make sure that you check for loose-fitting plugs. This can pose a fire or shock hazard. If you notice any loose ones, be sure to replace them. Additionally, you should replace broken or missing wall plates so that components and wiring are not out in the open. If you have younger children in the home, make sure that any outlets not being used are covered completely.
Plugs – Avoid forcing plugs into outlets. Avoid removing the grounding pin, also known as the third prong, to make it fit an outlet for two conductors. You should also avoid overloading any outlets with adapters and multiple plugs from your appliances.
Cords – Always check your cords to ensure they have no cracks or frays in them. Avoid placing cords under rugs or carpets, or in areas with high traffic. Avoid stapling or nailing your cords to the floors, walls, and other objects,
Extension cords – Only use them temporarily as they are not intended to be used as a permanent fix. Ensure your extension cords have safety closures to protect your children from shock and mouth burn injuries.
Light bulbs – Be sure that you check the wattage of the bulbs you are using to make sure that they match the fixture requirements. If any of your bulbs have higher wattage ratings than are recommended, be sure to replace them. Screw them in securely to avoid overheating.
Appliances & Electronics

Regarding appliances and electronics, always ensure you unplug any appliance that blows a fuse consistently. If an appliance or electronic has given you an electronic shock or trips a circuit breaker, be sure to have it replaced or repaired. Always search for damage or cracks in connectors and wiring and implement the use of surge protectors.

Service Capacity

You should also upgrade your home with more lighting. Your home’s electrical service capacity can easily become overwhelmed. If fuses trip or blow often, you should increase the capacity of your electrical service. You can easily do this by having a qualified electrician figure out the appropriate service requirements for your home.

Electrical Wiring

A major cause of fires is wiring defects. Check for loose wall receptacles, loose lighting fixtures, and loose wires. Watch out for sizzling or popping sounds behind the walls. If you do hear them, shut them off right away and have a professional replace any light switches that are hot to the touch in addition to any lights that flicker and spark.