Many of you might take electrical inspection lightly and would want to save money on getting your home or business checked properly. Getting regular electrical inspections done at your commercial or residential locations is a lifesaver and can help you avoid a lot of trouble. Here are four benefits of regular electrical inspections.
Lack of regular electrical inspections can lead to damages to electrical wiring. This can cause sparks. It could cause further damage during natural disasters and weaken the entire electrical function and efficiency. Additionally, your home's electrical system or workplace could fail. Fixing such problems leads to a lot of spending to fix the electrical wiring. You can avoid spending more money by simply having regular inspections done at your residential or work place. This will allow you the satisfaction of your electrical system working efficiently and you will save much more money than for repairing electrical damages.
If you get your home or business inspected on a regular basis you will detect any faults or failure in the electrical system and immediately get them fixed. This will ensure smooth running of the electrical system and much longer productivity. It will reduce the cost of bills as well as the will not have consume more energy than when it’s worn down.
Faulty electrical wiring can lead to sparks, making them a fire hazard at home or at commercial buildings. If you continue to ignore such inspections, you can cause irreparable damage to your electrical equipment, or a fire breaking out, or even getting electrocuted. It jeopardizes the safety of all the concerned members living at your home or working at your business. By getting regular inspections you can avoid such accidents from taking place.
In case of natural disasters like, tornado or a storm of any kind hitting the city you live in regular electrical inspections will ensure you are safe as your home’s electric wirings and other equipment are well insulated. This will keep you safe and secure during such storms.
Any damage in the frays of the electrical wire or fixtures can damage the electrical appliances. Make sure you get the sockets fixed and prevent your electrical appliance from getting damaged. Get your home and workplace fixtures and power sources checked. It will save you a lot of trouble of having to buy a new one.
Your city and community district may have its own electrical regulations code and standards that should be kept maintained. You must make sure to get regular electrical inspection to maintain the standards of your city and maintain the electrical standards.
Have you ever dreaded when the bills are about to come, and then they start piling up? You feel a sense of panic and sweat on the thought of calculating the expenses. It is a surprise how people don’t get a heart attack just by looking at the number. With climate change, erratic weather, and economic inflation it is important to reduce the cost of utility bills. It will allow you to conserve energy and save cost on energy bills.
Different appliances have a certain optimum temperature on which it should be used. This will help in reduce the energy being consumed and reduce expenditures on bills. For example, the temperature of the thermostat should be kept at 120 degree Celsius. The same is the case for water heater: the temperature of the dish washer should be kept at 140 degree Celsius, the freezer at 5 degrees and refrigerator should be kept between 37 to 40 degree Celsius. By regulating the temperature based on the climate. A lot of energy can be saved.
There are many electrical appliances that consume a lot of energy, it is better to avoid using the ones that can be avoided. For example, there is no harm in washing dishes by hand instead of dishwasher. Your body is quite adaptable to temperatures; try to keep the use of airconditio0ners at a minimum. It is better to wear cooler clothing during warm climates and switch on the fans. In addition, using old air conditioners with clogged filters makes the AC consume more energy. It is best to change the filters and also update your air conditioner. Same goes for the fans, the ceiling fans cost more than electric fans it is better to use electric fans more than the latter. Make sure to dust and clean the fridge being used, if the fridge has dust it make it consume more energy.
It is the simplest method of reducing the global warming. Planting trees will cool down the heat and naturally improve the weather and environment. Not to mention, increase the chances of rain and clean air or oxygen to breathe. Avoid cutting trees and encourage planting of more greenery.
There have been number of times when we have been careless in use of electrical gadgets and appliances. We leave the TV, games and lights on even when we are not present in the room. Avoid wasting energy: close the TV when you’re not watching any program, switch off the lights, fans and other appliances and gadgets when they are not being used. It is better unplugging the appliance or use energy saving plugs.
In addition, all such appliances as they get older they have to put in more energy to work properly which increases the energy bill. Thus, it is better to replace the old electrical appliances with new ones. The upgraded ones are being designed to consume less energy and since it’s new it will reduce the cost of electrical bill.
Spending money on solar panels will be costly but in the long run it will save you immense amount of energy and money by reducing the cost of bill. In addition id you have a solar panel leasing it save up more energy.
Spending some money today will cost you must less on bills and save energy. wise investment could allow us to save up a lot of money for a trust fund or a rainy day.
When someone says that we cannot survive a day without electricity, they’re not exaggerating. Technology and electrical devices and equipment are an integral part of our society, and they’re scrap metal and plastic without electricity. Hence, it has become extremely important to have backup generators at home and offices. Power outages can occur at any time and major breakdowns can wreak havoc in our lives. Not to mention the teenagers will be freaking out about not being able to use their notepad or smartphones. Yes, it’s a real tragedy not being able to use the technology.
This is where generators, who have been lying unused and dormant need some regular attention and maintenance.
Hence, it is important to regularly check and maintain your generators. You must be well-aware of the model and function and the kind of fuel being used to run the generator. All these factors, including reading the manual will help in regularly maintaining the generator. If you are not aware of how to change fuel or check equipment it’s better to have some consultation before literally breaking apart the whole generator. Yes, we’ve had calls after the homeowners tried a DIY without a simple checklist, and ended up deconstructing the whole machine.
If the oil or diesel is not regularly changed or other important machinery equipment are not cleaned or serviced thoroughly, it can cause damage to the generator. Furthermore, it could be far more expensive to get the generator fixed than buying a new one. Therefore, it is best to regularly clean up the equipment and refresh the fluids in the generator when necessary. Fuel injectors should not be clogged and make sure to exchange the batteries regularly.
The generator releases carbon monoxide. Enclosed spaces will cause the carbon monoxide to fill up the home and can cause poisoning. Place the generator in a well-ventilated area or one that has a window or vent. This is extremely crucial as placing it at a wrong location might lead carbon monoxide poisoning.
Avoid placing generators next to places where it can get exposed to rain water. This can cause major damages and costly maintenance.
Further regular servicing of the generator is more cost-effective and creates less noise pollution. Changing and fixing sparks and plugs are equally important to avoid any mishaps. You wouldn’t want anyone thinking you are a pyromaniac.
The engines need regulation, which is achieve when oil is exchanged. A heated engine will not allow the machine to work and will end up breaking down like a second-hand car hurriedly bought at a garage sale, from a conman. So, make sure it runs smoothly take your generator for regular follow up and servicing. Just like a baby it needs a lot of pampering and attention.
Make sure each and every part of the generator is taken care of, and regular follow ups will keep the engine running smoothly and save you a great deal of money in the long run. As they say ‘a stitch in time saves nine.
Think about how many things in your home are using electricity. Nowadays there are more electronic items being used in homes than ever before. The most commons things are air conditioners, furnaces, TV's, lights, fans, refrigerators, freezers and other small kitchen appliances. All of these items are using a ton of energy and costing you each month. The good news is that you can reduce your costs by 30% just making the following changes:
1. Turn Off Lights and Fans When You Leave
A lot of people just leave their rooms or living areas with the lights and fans on when they go to other rooms or out of the house. This is a waste of energy and it increases your energy bill unnecessarily. Even if you are going to another room for 5-10 minutes. It is best to turn all the lights and fans off. Saving energy should be our duty because we want to leave a good carbon footprint on this earth therefore it all starts in our homes.
2. Upgrade and/or Adjust Your Thermostats
If you don’t have an automatic or programmable thermostat, then we suggest you get one installed as soon as you can because they can make a world of a difference to your energy bill. With a programmable thermostat, you can control what time your AC or furnace can turn on and off in the summers or winters. This ensures that there isn’t any waste of electricity and it is an eco-friendly option.
3. Wear Appropriate Clothing
You would be surprised to know how much clothing matters in determining your energy bill. Wearing warm clothing at home during winters will help you keep the heat setting lower. Similarly wearing lighter clothing during the summer months will keep you from turning down the temperature.
4. Close Windows and Doors
Leaving the doors or windows open would cause all the heat or cold to creep inside the home making you change the temperature levels on the thermostat. This would impact the electricity bills significantly so always make sure that the doors and windows are closed and sealed properly.
5. Run Your Electrical Appliances Efficiently
Whether it’s the refrigerator or the blow dryer in the bathroom, make sure you read the owners manual. Just using the wrong setting can cost you hundreds of dollars in a year.
Standby generators, in this age, are a necessity rather than a luxury. With power failures becoming a norm in most of the areas today, even the daily household chores are difficult to perform without these standby generators.
Generators can last for years if they are maintained properly. Just as it is important for us to eat healthy and exercise, in the same way it is important for generators to be maintained to keep them working perfectly. The more you take care of and maintain your generator, the longer it will serve you. Moreover, regularly maintaining your generators can help you save repair costs as well. So, here are a few generator maintenance tips that can help you maintain your generator and ensure it serves you for a long time.
Choose A Generator That Has A Warranty
Remember, generators are not cheap. So, a generator that comes with a warranty can help you save on repair costs in case it stops functioning while in use. You can go to the company and show them the warranty card and get it repaired without having to bear heavy costs. Moreover, it is also suggested that you keep your generator away from water and for that purpose you can build a generator garage to ensure its safety during rain.
Do Not Let The Motor Burn-Out
Using heavy-duty cords can help prevent your generator’s motor from burning out easily. Added to this, since generators create a lot of noise, if you want an uninterrupted sleep, buy a longer cord.
Regularly Power Up Your Generators
It is recommended that you run your generators for at least 30 to 40 minutes every three to four months just to keep their batteries charged for the electric starter. It is better than getting frustrated and being able to do nothing when you discover that your electric starter is not working when you want it to work most.
Keep Your Tank Filled
Protect your generator from getting damaged by keeping your generator’s tank full with fuel. When there is less fuel in the tank or if it completely runs out of fuel and stops the power supply, the electrical load sucks the magnetic field from the generator that eventually ends up damaging it. Keep extra supplies of oil and filters in case you need them anytime.
Be Sure What To Buy
There are two capacity ratings listed over every generator. The first is “rated” watts and the other is the higher “maximum” rating. The former capacity rating tells you the maximum power that the generator will put out. It is the rating that you should consider while purchasing a generator. A generator can be a real blessing during prolonged periods of power failures. So, everyone will want a generator that works perfectly every time it is required to. Hence, think before you buy.
With the summers rapidly approaching, everyone should be thinking about calling you’re regular maintenance service to ensure that the air conditioners are working properly. You wouldn’t want to be stuck with a broken air-con system in the middle of an intense summer, sweltering in the heat, now would you?
Fortunately, you can easily prevent that from happening by recognizing the various warning signs which clearly indicate whether you’re A/C needs repair or replacement. Here are the tell-a-tale signs of air-con trouble you should look out for:
Inflated Energy Bills
The utility bills usually tend to be on the higher side of the spectrum during the hot summer months, simply because your HVAC system is being used more than it was during the winters. However, depending on your A/C system and its use, the energy bills maintain somewhat of a predictable pattern. If you suddenly feel that your energy bills are inflating exorbitantly, it’s quite likely your AC is the root cause of it. Generally it means that the system is not functioning as well as it should be.
Strange Smells
Air conditioners shouldn’t smell of anything. If there are strange smells emitting from your AC unit, chances are that it has not been cleaned in a very long time and require a thoroughly cleaning from a professional service. Foul odors are particularly telling of something sinister and potentially harmful to you and your family’s health.
Even Stranger Noises
Air conditioners are meant to run smoothly, and quietly. And if they do make some noise, it’s generally a low whirr that usually just acts as background, white noise. Loud voices are signs of either improper functionality of the fan, damage to the internal mechanism, or one of the parts coming loose, either way it needs to be fixed as soon as possible to prevent further damage. So if you’re hearing loud cranks, or bangs, you might want to get it checked, immediately.
There’s a Whole Lot of WARM Air
The cold sigh of relief is what an air conditioner is supposed to be, especially in the hot summers. However, if the air-con temperatures are frequently inconsistent or it continually blows warm air – making your home hotter than it already was, it really needs the filters to be cleaned, or changed altogether. If that doesn’t even help, than it might be a sign of a more serious problem.
Requires Frequent Repairs
An air conditioning system that has already had its fair share of repairs can only mean one thing: it’s old. Like all major electrical appliances, air conditioners are built to only function and last for a certain amount of time, after which they need to be replaced.
If your air conditioning system has been serviced, and repaired more times than you can count in your one hand over the course of two summers, then it’s time to consider a change.
It’s quite common to hear stories of our friends, neighbors, and colleagues facing electrical issues, suffering through disconnections, or worse, blackouts. Living in the smart era, with smart phones, appliances and even smart homes, that is particularly trouble-some, not to mention frustrating. So how can we avoid suffering the same fate?
It’s simple; by keeping a check on our electrical panel.
An electrical control panel, sometimes also known as the breaker box, is the main electrical system of a home which is responsible for breaking down the larger power supply into smaller circuits and supplying to the required appliances. It’s the electrical part which connects directly to the power lines of your neighborhood utility company, providing the required electrical current to your home.
Electrical panels need regular assessment and upkeep to ensure their optimal performance and because a malfunctioning electrical panel can pose a serious safety threat. A few conditions which are indicative of the time to upgrade the electrical panel are outlined below:
An Over Crowded Panel
With the influx of all the new technological devices and appliances in our homes, there is now what we call an electrical insufficiency. This means that the consumption of electricity is far greater than its supply. When an under-powered electrical panel is overloaded and over used, it creates a threat of electrical overheating. As such, it is recommended that home owners either have the electrical panel upgrade to increase its power capacity, or have it replaced altogether.
Carelessly Installed Panel
DIY’s or electrical work done by amateurs often results in improper wiring, and faulty installations which a serious risk. If the wires are crisscrossed, blocking the center of the panel, of there are two circuits that are doubling-up on a single breaker, or other similar issues, it can potentially lead to damaged appliances and a number of other problems. Fortunately a carelessly installed electrical panel can easily be upgraded by an experienced professional.
Old and Damaged Electrical Panel
If your home was constructed more than a little while ago, chances are its electrical panel is one of the older types – completely unsuited to the electrical needs of the 21st century lifestyle. Old electrical panels were either fuse panels, or used only one circuit breaker instead of the now recommended multiple ones – both of which are now obsolete. They could be worn and have damaged cables and wires, with the service conductors cracking and peeling or they could lead to flickering lights, power outages, or overloads. As such, when an electrical panel is more than a decade old, and damaged in any way, it’s necessary to upgrade and have it changed.
Backup generators are becoming an essential need, not only for large buildings housing multi-national corporations, but also for residential properties of all types and sizes. It is now becoming a necessity in homes all across the country.
Despite advances of electrical and technical systems power outages can occur pretty much any and everywhere, and if you live in a neighborhood that frequently experiences power failures, then a standby generator is a must.
However, just investing in a top of the line generator is not enough to alleviate all your power outage concerns. While a generator can prevent a huge number of unwanted situations as well as help keep the home electrical systems working properly, they require a certain degree of care and maintenance for a number of reasons. They include but are not limited to the following:
To Ensure Proper Functionality
Regular maintenance and checks on the generator help ensure that your generator is functioning to its optimum potential. This is especially important if you live in places where you experience extreme weather conditions. A general inspection, adjustment and change of oil, filter, and coolant regularly will guarantee that your generator works well, remains safe and performs its operations reliably for a longer period of time.
To Keep Track of Fuel Storage
Generators, running on either gas or diesel fuel need to have their supply changed at least once every 6 months. Diesel fuel has the potential to deteriorate as times goes by. A regular change ensures that the generator is not being operated on degraded fuel that acts as a breeding ground for bacteria in the warmer months. Neglecting to check the storage levels, and changing the fuel supply when needed has the potential to result in considerable damage to your generator as well as your home.
To Prevent and Protect Against Carbon Monoxide Production and Poisoning
A generator that is functioning improperly has the capacity to produce carbon monoxide – a poisonous gas that can be fatal when inhaled. If your generator is not properly maintained, exercised and examined on a regular basis, it could be producing and even accidentally releases excess carbon monoxide within your home leading to slow carbon monoxide poisoning. Making certain that the generator is never placed or positioned as such that the fumes are released indoors as well as routinely checking the filters, gauges and the detectors of the generators ensures proper functionality as well as protects you and your loved ones.
To Avoid Generator Breakdown and Failure
If you are punctual and regular about the routine checks of your standby generator, you will be more aware of its overall performance making you better able to pick up on the changes. A routine, preventative check will make sure that the generator does not breakdown suddenly, causing a power failure.
Owning a home is a massive responsibility and it’s not just financially taxing. There is a never-ending list of things that you need to do to make sure that your home is the safest, most comfortable place for you and your family.
One of the very many responsibilities is ensuring that your home’s electrical service is not only working properly, but that it is upgraded regularly to maintain the electrical safety standards.
An electrical service, or the electrical panel as it is commonly called, is the point of entry for the electricity supplied by your area’s power company. It is through the electrical panel that power is distributed throughout your abode where it is converted and used in a multitude of ways. There are a few common signs and symptoms that point directly to the need for an electrical service panel upgrade. Some of the most obviously recognizable ones include but are certainly not limited to the following:
Constantly Flickering or Dim Lights
When you start to notice that the lights all across your home are not as bright as they are supposed to be, or that there is constant flickering then it is definitely time for an electrical panel maintenance check. Dim and flickering lights are the perfect identifier of faulty or old wiring or an electrical power imbalance.
Appliance Failure
In case your new home appliances are suddenly acting up or they’ve stopped working altogether you should seek immediate professional electrical help. If you experience a small shock upon touching an appliance, or your appliances are not working as they should, for example they are shutting off or stopping before the tasks as finished are definitive signs that the issue lies with the electrical service panel of your home.
Fire Scars
Have you noticed an acrid burning smell around your electrical circuit panel? Are there charring or burning marks in and around the electrical panel? Have you noticed any electrical wires with melted insulation? If yes, chances are you are looking at fire scars or the remnants of small electrical fires that broke out due to faulty electrical service. Such fires usually burn out themselves, almost as quickly as they start. However, these small fires are signs of a bigger electrical trouble that might be heading your way. If you happen to notice anything similar to a worn out fire, call for professional help right away
Frequently Trippy Circuit Breakers
Last but not least, frequently trippy circuit breakers are the most obvious signs of electrical panel troubles. When the electrical connections and wires begin to wear out, they are considerably more vulnerable to power surges simply because they are unable to handle the amount of electrical current that is coming their way. As such, the circuits begin to frequently disconnect, causing power outages at your home. This is a sure sign that your electrical service panel is in need of a check-up – particularly when a circuit that is reset does not remain so.