Posted by Carol Hart on Fri, Jul 10, 2009 @ 12:48 PM
Take care of your electrical system’s cold before it turns into something worse!
Sniffling. Coughing. Sneezing. Those are the signs that you might be
catching a bit of a cold! It also means that you may be headed to the
pharmacy for some medicine or maybe even the doctor’s office for a
check-up. Why do you go to the pharmacy or get a check-up? Of course,
you go because you do’t want those nasty little symptoms to turn into
something bigger…something worse like strep throat, the flu, or even
pneumonia.
You may not realize this, but your electrical system could be
suffering from similar symptoms. No, it obviously doesn’t have a sneeze
or a cough. But it could be suffering from its own type of unique
symptoms. Have you ever noticed the lights in any part of your home
flickering? Do certain outlets only work sporadically? Do circuit
breakers frequently trip? Do you have any loose outlets in your walls?
Do bulbs frequently blow out? These are all signs that your home’s
electrical system could be coming down with a cold.
These minor electrical problems may seem like nothing more than an
inconvenience. In reality, they may be a sign of bigger dangers. Just
as you’d go to the doctor to evaluate your health, you should call your
electrician to evaluate your home at least once a year.
A lot can happen in a year. You may have purchased new electronics that
could put a significant drag on your electrical system…like a new
computer or big screen television. Also, outlets could begin to show
their age and may need to be replaced. If you’ve never had a safety
inspection performed on your home, you’re greatly overdue.
Whether your electrical system hasn’t been inspected this year or ever,
it’s something that you may want to explore soon. You don’t want to be
stuck with an emergency on your hands.
Posted by Carol Hart on Fri, Jul 10, 2009 @ 12:46 PM
My electric bill is causing me great pain. Every time I open that
familiar envelope, my stomach clenches, and I start having difficulty
breathing. Some predict that increases in the cost of fuel (which is
used to generate electricity) will cause electric power rates to soar
even higher. That means that Connecticut consumers will be experiencing
even more hits to the pocketbook as they face their summer electric
bills.
As electricians, we are often asked by customers if there are steps
they can take to reduce their power usage. Here are 10 tips to keep
those bills under control
- Don’t use the air conditioner. Consider installing a whole house
attic fan instead. It uses far less power than air conditioning, and
most of the time can cool your house beautifully.
- If you must use your AC, keep your thermostat set at 78○ or
higher. Use a programmable thermostat to kick on 30 minutes before
you’re scheduled to arrive home.
- Clean or replace your air conditioner filters once a month during
the season, and clean the exposed grill and spines on the outside AC
unit.
- Check the connections on your panel or meter socket; a loose
connection can draw more amps which translates into higher energy use.
- Plant deciduous trees to shade your home.
- Run exhaust fans when you shower or cook.
- Install compact fluorescent light bulbs. They use one quarter the energy of incandescent bulbs and last 10 times longer.
- Install lighting dimmers in some areas of your home
- Set your home water heater temperature to 120○ and install energy efficient showerheads and faucets.
Posted by Carol Hart on Fri, Jul 10, 2009 @ 12:42 PM
You’ve checked the yellow pages or found a website for an electrician,
plumber, or carpet cleaner. You made your appointment, and now the
service technician is standing on your doorstep. But now, you’re not
entirely comfortable. How do you know that you’ll be safe? The fact is,
you don’t. There are hundreds of incidents a year involving in home
service technicians who commit violent crimes against homeowners. How
can you protect yourself and your family? The best way to feel safe is
to make sure the company you hire performs complete criminal background
checks on all their employees.
Like many industries facing a shortage of qualified personnel, the home
services industry tends to fill vacancies quickly and with little
scrutiny of candidates during the hiring process. According to IMI Data
Search, Inc., a company that conducts background checks on potential
hires, some industries experience a ratio as high as one out of four
when it comes to applicants with a criminal record. Also consider this:
the trades most taught in prisons –to future ex-convicts -- are
electrical, plumbing, and Heating/Ventilation/Air Conditioning. These
facts, combined with numerous incidents of violence against homeowners
by contract workers, indicate the growing importance of hiring
contractors who embrace policies of background checks and drug testing.
In fact, the state of Georgia has already begun the process of
creating legislation that would mandate background checks for all
in-home contractors. It’s to be hoped that more states will soon follow
suit.
In the meantime, how can homeowners protect themselves? Ask the company
about background checks and drug testing. Is the technician wearing a
company uniform? Driving a company van? Can the company office confirm
his name? Check for ID and up to date licenses. Most of all trust your
instincts. Never let a home service technician into your home if you
don’t feel comfortable.
Posted by Carol Hart on Fri, Jul 10, 2009 @ 12:38 PM
We all get tired of the same old look. Its easy enough to change our
hairstyle (or color!) or add a flashy new accessory to an old outfit.
But what about our homes? Makeovers can be a little more difficult to
pull off without a horrible mess and thousands of dollars.
Fortunately, a fabulous updated look is available for your home for
minimal amounts of fuss and money. There are loads of new options for
fashionable lighting that can completely transform an existing space
with a brand new feel.
In its most basic form, lighting simply provides a safe and
comfortable environment for your home, replacing sunlight. Generally,
we use ceiling fixtures, chandeliers, or wall fixtures to provide
overall illumination. Simply replacing an outdated fixture can do
wonders for a room. Recessed lighting is very attractive in all styles
of home, and some modern track lighting can provide general lighting
with a very up to date flair.
But consider going further. Task lighting is necessary in many rooms
to provide enough light for specific task—for instance a floor or table
lamp next to a reading area. Consider pendant lighting, directional
recessed lighting, or track lights instead. In addition to providing
style to your room, it can free up space on an end table.