Category Archives: Electrical Maintenance

Should I Call An Electrician To Wire My Hot Tub?

Electrical Grounding, Electrical Installation, Electrical Maintenance, Electricians

Should I Call An Electrician To Wire My Hot Tub

Should I Call An Electrician To Wire My Hot Tub?

Many homeowners choose to take on the wiring themselves. They figure it will save them money and time. But hot tub installation is not really such a simple task, and it can involve all kinds of unforeseen details. In addition, you may even need to upgrade your electrical service to accommodate the increased power load.

Upgrading Your Electrical Service

When you buy a hot tub or install one, it requires a certain amount of power. Depending on how old your home is, it may not have the extra circuit breakers needed to accommodate this increased power load. That is why upgrading your electrical service is so important. This allows your new appliance to use the energy it needs safely and efficiently without tripping your breaker or burning out your appliances. If you are putting a new appliance in that will consume more power than your panel can handle, such as a hot tub or air conditioning, the entire service will need to be upgraded to accommodate this. This is especially true if the house was built more than 10 years ago and doesn’t have the required breaker space to accommodate your newest technology. This will also allow you to lower your insurance premiums and add value to your property.

The Potential Hazards

It’s best to leave the installation of a hot tub to a professional electrician. They are trained and experienced in wiring heavy-duty electronics like spas, and they know what to look for during the installation process to ensure your safety. In addition, they will ensure that your electrical system is in compliance with code requirements. For example, they will install a GFCI outlet to prevent any electrical shorts that could be harmful to anyone using your hot tub. Aside from that, they will also ground your hot tub’s wires to the earth in case of an emergency. If you don’t do this, then you risk the possibility of your hot tub tripping the breaker and causing a fire. Another common mistake is failing to bond the metal parts that carry current together and secure them to the panel. This can lead to electrocution if they’re not properly bonded, especially when touched by someone in the hot tub.

Call In The Professionals

A hot tub is a great way to relax and unwind after a long day. It is also a wonderful addition to your home and can be used year-round. But before you can enjoy the benefits of a hot tub, it must be wired correctly. The wires should run through a conduit, which can be buried under or above ground. And before you start digging, it’s important to call your city building department to learn the appropriate depth and location for your conduit. DIY wiring mistakes in this area can often pose a serious risk, exposing you to shock and electrocution if the improper wiring is not fixed. Therefore, as with any electrical wiring project, you should always hire a licensed electrician to help do it for you. 

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.

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Electrical Wiring?

Electrical Maintenance

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Electrical Wiring?

Electrical service enables your home to be as modern and comfortable as any in the 21st century. And your homeowner’s insurance generally protects your electrical systems inside your home and the appliances they power.

Dwelling insurance coverage is what protects your home’s structure. If your home catches fire, dwelling insurance will pay to rebuild it. It even will protect against electrical fires, but there are exceptions.

Your home’s electrical wiring has to be modern and relatively safe. Some types of wiring are very outdated and potentially dangerous.

If you have outdated wiring, it would be a very good idea to replace it as soon as possible. Repeated residential electrical wire repair can help, but it also is a sign that your electrical wiring is outdated.

The cost to replace electrical wiring can be high, but not as high as the cost to buy a new one if an electrical fire burns down your home and your insurer refuses to compensate you for the extensive damage.

Some Types of Electrical Wiring Are Excluded

Alexandria, Virginia, has some of the oldest and grandest homes in the nation. That means many homes could have substandard wiring that home insurers will not protect.

Examples include old knob-and-tube electrical wiring that leaves wire connections exposed and prone to starting electrical fires. The old form of electrical copper wiring uses insulated copper components affixed to round ceramic knobs to create electrical connections.

The insulators often become brittle and cause the wiring to become exposed. And the ceramic knobs can crack and break over time. That further exposes electrical wiring. The result is a greater potential for an electrical fire.

Aluminum wiring also is outdated and dangerous due to its potential for shorts and suffering damage that could create shorts. Heavy electrical loads could overpower aluminum wiring and cause it to suffer damage. Exposed and damaged aluminum wiring is a fire hazard that homeowners insurance will not cover.

How Bad Wiring Causes House Fires

A short in electrical wiring means the insulator is missing, and the electrical charge is diverted to something else. That something else might be a flammable material that catches fire and destroys your home. If your insurer finds outdated wiring caused the short, then it likely would deny coverage for the electrical fire.

A home improvement loan could help you update your home’s electrical wiring. An experienced and qualified electrical contractor can identify faulty wiring and help you replace it.

Walsh Electric in Alexandria, Virginia, has more than 35 years of experience providing first-rate electrical contracting services in the greater Alexandria area. Call (703) 451-6622 to learn more.

Steps to Prepare Your Home for a Power Outage and Protect Your Appliances

Electrical Maintenance

Outfitting your home with the proper appliances is quite a considerable expense in both time and money. You first have to do the research to figure out what you even want, and then you have to explore all of your options to make sure that you find an appliance with the capabilities that you need. Finally, you need to make sure that everything you look into fits your budget, which is perhaps the most important question of all.

With all that groundwork laid, you want them to last as long as possible. Protecting your appliances from misuse and wear and tear is one thing, but protecting them from a power outage and/or surge is quite another. These surges tend to occur during electrical storms. They basically amount to a sudden increase in the voltage a device is receiving, which can be catastrophic, as it overloads the appliance’s sensitive components.

A quality residential electrical installation can help set you on the right path, but there are some other tips to keep in mind as well. Read on to find out:

● Get surge protectors: These devices can also be known as power strips, but you need to make sure you’re buying one that actually protects from electrical surges and isn’t just a glorified extension cord. Many surge protectors look like long and narrow boxes full of extra outlets, and they frequently have an orange power switch that lets you know whether or not they’re active. Anyone who specializes in residential electrical installation will tell you that this is one of the best investments you can make to protect your appliances from a sudden surge of power.

● Floodwater management: Any time a heavy storm is approaching, you want to make sure that you have a plan for dealing with any potential seepage or flooding. Water can easily spell death for any electrical appliance. If you have a sump pump, make sure that it has a backup battery, for example.

● Prevent frozen pipes: Your pipes freezing (and ultimately bursting) can also be a surefire way to invite water intrusion that can easily damage appliances. Make sure that you use methods like wrapping your pipes with insulating tape or keeping your cabinets open so that comfortable air from your home can get at pipes under sinks to warm them up.

● Unplug devices: If a storm is coming and lightning is expected, then it’s probably a good idea to unplug nonessential electrical devices, e.g., your television or the empty extra fridge in the basement. Lightning can enter your house through wiring—even if you’ve had residential electrical installation done—so you need to be ready for anything in that regard.

Protecting your appliances from damage, especially during a storm, mostly comes down to water management and good planning. Our team at Walsh Electric has helped countless customers improve their homes’ defenses through good maintenance and quality residential electrical installation. Reach out to us today to schedule your consultation and learn more about what we can do for you!