Category Archives: Residential Electrical Problems

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.

Why Should I Hire an Electrician to Install a New Light Fixture?

Articles, Electrical Installation, Residential Electrical Problems

If you’ve found the perfect light fixture for your home, you may be thinking about installing it yourself. While there are some DIY electrical projects that can easily be tackled by handy homeowners, electrical light installation generally isn’t one of them. Not only can one installation error make an otherwise affordable job much more expensive, it can also be dangerous. Here’s why you should rely on a professional electrician to install your new light fixture.

All electrical changes should be performed by a licensed professional

In many states, making any changes to existing electrical systems needs to be done by someone who holds a valid electrician’s license. Even though you may think that electrical light installation seems like a simple job, it’s actually categorized as a significant change to your home’s electrical system, so you need to hire a licensed electrician to handle it.

Improper connections can start a fire

Your new fixture won’t work without a steady source of electricity, which means it needs to be correctly integrated into your home’s electrical wiring. In some cases, new wires may need to be added to the system to carry energy to the fixture.

Unless you’re very familiar with electrical work, it can be confusing determining which wire should attach to the fixture. Your switch box may have several wires coming out of it, including hot, neutral and ground wires. Using the wrong wire could result in flickering lights, and improper connections can even start a fire. Don’t take the risk and have it installed by an expert.

Evaluating ceiling and wall support

Ceiling and wall fixtures can be very heavy, and the installation area needs to be able to support the weight of the fixture for your safety. A licensed electrician has the tools and experience to evaluate the structure around the installation area and ensure the walls or ceiling can bear the weight of the new fixture.

Determining whether your fixture requires extra insulation

Many homeowners don’t realize that new wall or ceiling light fixtures may require extra or specialized insulation, especially fixtures that include ceiling fans. These fixtures generate more heat, not just from the light itself, but also from the fan’s movement. A professional electrician can help you determine if your current insulation is enough and can install extra insulation whenever necessary.

Maintaining a warranty

Whether you’ve purchased a top-of-the-line fixture or not, most new lighting options come with product warranties. Look carefully at the information that came with your fixture—it usually will indicate that you can only maintain the warranty if you had the fixture installed by a professional.

Keep in mind that electricians offer warranties, too. Good electricians stand by their work, and a warranty protects you from incurring any additional expenses if a problem arises from the work they’ve done.

Even something as seemingly simple as electrical light installation requires attention from a professional electrician. Whether you’ve got a new sconce or a chandelier that needs to get up and running, contact Walsh Electric today and we’ll get you the service you need right away.

When to Call an Emergency Electrician

Articles, Residential Electrical Problems

While many handy homeowners fancy themselves as amateur electricians, it’s really best to call in a professional to handle most of the electrical maintenance and repair tasks that accompany homeownership. But how do you know if your problem requires immediate attention? If any of the following situations apply to you and your home, don’t hesitate to call an emergency electrician for quick service.

You feel mild shocks when you touch switches or outlets

Feeling a jolt whenever you touch a particular switch or outlet in your home? This is a sign of a serious electrical problem that requires immediate attention from a professional electrician. Whether the cause is a loose connection or short circuit, the issue can eventually cause electrocution or a fire.

In some cases, you may be experiencing frequent shocks when using switches or plugs throughout the house. If this is the case, it’s well past time to have your grounding and circuitry upgraded by an expert.

You’re blowing fuses regularly

While it’s normal for fuses to blow from time to time, when fuses blow regularly it could be a sign of energy surges harming your electrical system. Fuses essentially are emergency circuit breakers, giving way to keep excess current from harming system components. When they blow on a regular basis, it’s a clear indication that there’s a major problem requiring quick attention from a professional electrician.

Your lights are flickering

Flickering lights are much more than a minor annoyance—they may be a sign of a serious electrical problem in your home. Too much electrical demand in specific parts of the home is the typical cause of flickering lights, and it usually means one particular outlet is receiving far too much power than it should. If the lights are constantly flickering in certain parts of your house, call in an emergency electrician rather than letting the problem linger.

Your switches or appliances run warm

Noticing unexpected warmth from a switch or appliance? The first thing you should do is stop using the device and call an emergency electrician. Warm switches and appliances indicate a serious electrical problem, one that poses a serious fire risk for your home. In this situation, it’s simply wise to act sooner rather than later.

Your electric bills are unexpectedly high

Take a look at your most recent electric bill. Does it seem significantly higher than it should be, in spite of no significant change in usage patterns? This usually indicates a problem with the wiring, and a potential short circuit in the system. Usually, an electrician will recommend an update to your electrical panel, which will help your home handle the larger amount of electricity required by today’s devices and appliances, preventing electrical fires and helping you get control of your electric bills.

Each of the situations described above indicate a need for a local emergency electrician. Acting fast is essential for protecting your family and your home. Reach out to Walsh Electric for emergency electrical service—we’re standing by to help!

How to Replace Appliance Cords

Articles, Residential Electrical Problems

Appliances are essential for everyday household tasks, and they can be expensive investments, so it’s important to make sure your appliances stay in great condition for as long as possible. Unfortunately, everyday use and normal wear and tear can take a toll on appliances and lead to all kinds of issues that are expensive to fix. One of the most common problems with appliances is wiring malfunctions. Keep reading to learn more about appliance wiring and how to replace appliance cords.

Tips for replacing appliance wiring and cords

Lots of people opt to attempt DIY appliance cord replacement to save the cost of hiring a professional. Sometimes, these projects are simple enough that it’s possible to complete them without any professional assistance, but it’s very important to keep in mind that working with electrical wiring can be dangerous. If you want to attempt to replace appliance wiring on your own, here is a step-by-step guide to help you address issues with appliance wiring and restore the functionality of your home appliances:

• Find replacement parts: The first step in replacing appliance wiring is to find the right replacement parts. Make sure that the replacement cord is of the same type and gauge as the old cord. If you have an older appliance that’s no longer manufactured, you may have a more difficult time finding a replacement, so consider whether it’s worth it to replace the appliance entirely instead of hunting down a replacement part that may be very hard to find.

• Disconnect the old cord: Once you’ve found a replacement part for your appliance, remove the old cord using a pair of needle nose pliers. Depending on the type of appliance, you may need to remove a panel before you will be able to access and remove the old cord.

• Disconnect wiring connections: After removing the cord from the appliance, the appliance wiring connections will be visible. Take note of these connections so you know how to connect everything when attaching the new cord. Remove the old connections using a utility knife. After disconnecting the old connections, use a wire stripper to adjust each wire to make sure there’s at least half an inch of bare wire to complete connections.

• Connect the new wires: Once you’ve prepared the new appliance wiring for connection, carefully connect the wires according to the configuration of the old cord connections. If the old connections don’t seem to be compatible with the new connections, it’s possible you have the wrong replacement part. When in doubt, it’s best to stop working with electrical wiring and go to a professional for help to avoid damaging the appliance or creating any safety hazards.

Appliance wiring repairs

Make sure your appliances continue working effectively for years to come with electrical services from Walsh Electric. Since 1985, we have been proud to provide comprehensive electrical services to customers throughout the area. Our team has the experience and training necessary to identify wiring issues and restore appliance wiring to optimize performance, efficiency and safety. Find out more about our services and get professional help with appliance wiring repairs by reaching out to our team today.