Wayne A. Crickenberger Electric Service Inc.
Mount Sidney, VA 24467
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How to Protect Your Life and Properties From Electrical Problems
“Every household needs electricity for it lights up your house and runs almost every pieces of appliance in your home. Television, refrigerators, ovens, iron, electric fans and many more are run by electricity, that’s why adequate knowledge and understanding on how electricity works is a must. As a homeowner, you have to make sure electrical installation is in good condition or else you will lose a large amount of money for your properties and your life will be at stake.
Electrical repair is the worst and the most dangerous repair in your home, that’s why you should hire a certified professional electrician. Make sure that the electrician you’ve hired knows how to solve electrical problems and are equipped with well-functioning equipments to avoid accidents and fire. Always make sure your electrical repairs are done by a pros alone not by amateurs. This often leads to further damage and accident. Numerous fires are caused by faulty home electrical wiring, faulty extension cords and defective electrical appliances.
Another thing, here are the tips to secure your home is safe from electrical problems.
Wiring
Home wiring should meet the standards of the national Electrical Code. Also, as early as possible detect all the poor wiring installation in your house to avoid further damage to properties. Don’t wait ‘til an appliance explode before you respond quickly. Check symptoms of poor wiring such as: fuses blow or circuit breakers trip often, extension cors frequently used, light dim and TV picture shrinks when refrigerator or other equipment is in use, and toaster and electric iron heat slowly.
Outlets
Outlets that have loose fitting plugs when overheat can cause fire. If you spot some faulty outlets, replace any broken and missing wall plates. Also, make sure that the outlets have safety covers and inaccessible to small children.
Cords
Cords shouldn’t be nailed or stapled to the wall or to any object for it can explode if improperly handled. Do not place cords under carpets or rugs or rest any furniture on them.
Extension Cords
Extension cords should not be overloaded or it could lead to octopus wiring. Make sure extension cords have safety closures to avoid injuries.
Plugs
Make sure the plugs are properly fit in the outlets. Never remove the ground pin (the third prong) to make a three-prong fit a two-conductor outlet; this could lead to an electrical shock. If the plug doesn’t fit in the outlet, do not force the plug for it can explode. Also, plug has corresponding number of voltage or watts so avoid overloading plugs with too many pieces of appliance. Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) GFCIs can help prevent electrocution. They should be used in any area where water and electricity may come into contact. Test GFCIs following the manufacturer’s instructions monthly or after major electrical storms to make sure they are working properly.
Electrical Maintenance
Electrical maintenance is among the most essential factor in the life of any home that makes up for overall functionality and indoor comfort. Electricity may be considered the lifeblood of your home that makes most every task as efficient and everyday living as pleasant. Your home can be one of your greatest investments in a lifetime and not religiously sticking to proper electrical maintenance can not only do your house great damages but your whole family is endangered as well. So it pays to give ample attention to this area to avoid the risks and enjoy the benefits.
An inspection is an integral part of your electrical maintenance. So when would a home inspection on the electricity and its systems serve ideal? There are cases that give rise to the need for a professional to check on your electricity and wiring systems and this includes:
Having lived for a good number of years in your house now without having such evaluation conducted—Your home and all other utilities that it accommodates are prone to exposure, wear, rust, and other harmful elements that in time, may cause damage to your wirings. Wanting to buy and move into a new home—to ensure that you are getting your investment’s worth, have the house inspected by a qualified electrical contractor. If it is found to have safety issues, then you can discuss a cutback on price with the seller. After your house has been hit by any calamity such as flooding, storms, heavy rains and others—This scenario will definitely need immediate repair but there might also be areas not showing enough signs to indicate damage but is already developing problems. Planning on a renovation—as improvements will not only affect the physical structure and appeal of the house but overall functionality as well, it is important to assess how to do an electrical maintenance job that allows the electricity load to have the capacity to bring about utmost comfort and enjoyment in the project finish.
To get accurate and knowledgeable assessments, you have to get a qualified contractor to do the electrical maintenance for you. The smallest of scratches that leads to exposed wires can be enough to inflict serious damage and even death. If left unnoticed and unattended, you are leaving your house and everything in it vulnerable to fires. An electrician has the required wiring skills, expertise and knowledge to finish the maintenance job efficiently, without the risks of any future or abrupt hazards.
Electrical maintenance is also important in making sure that your home can proficiently provide for the current energy needs of the family as well as allow for future developments. Homeowners of today mostly have more than three major appliances running at the same time, everyday. Old or pre-owned houses may have outdated systems that are not able to accommodate these developments. An electrician will know the step to take to best answer whatever electricity and energy needs.
Top 10 Tips For Saving Money On Your Next Electric Bill
Saving money on your electric bill just got easier than you ever thought. I have put together the following top 10 tips to guide you on your journey to save money and cut your electric bill down. With each tip you will see the potential energy savings you can expect.
Besides saving money, you will be making your home more comfortable, and you will be helping to protect the environment too.
1. During the summer set your thermostat at 78 degrees or higher when your home, and at 85 degrees when no one is there (you save 1 to 2 percent per degree raised on your electric bill). Also, use a ceiling fan or a fan that rotates back and forth. This can make the room feel up to 4 degrees cooler!
2. Regularly, typically once a month, replace your air conditioner’s air filter (save up to 5 percent on your annual electric bill). Also, this helps with dust and dirt in the air making your home more enjoyable.
3. Keep your doors and vents closed in rooms that are not being used (save up to 3 percent on cooling costs). There is no need to waste money cooling rooms that are not being used – this can be a big savings depending on the size of your home.
4. On hot, sunny days, keep your curtains closed on windows facing to the south and west (save 2 to 4 percent on your electricity bill). The curtains will help keep the suns heat from heating up your room which means you use less electricity to keep it cool.
5. Caulk and weather-strip around windows and doors (save 1 to 4 percent on your electricity bill). Most people over look this step, but heat seeping around cracks means you have to use more air condition and ultimately more electricity.
6. Wash and dry only full loads of clothes and use cold water as much as possible (save 2 to 4 percent on your electricity costs). This also save time when you plan and wash a full load of clothes. Who wants to fold clothes more times than they have to?
7. Set your water heater’s temperature to 120 degrees (save up to 10 percent on water heating costs; check by placing a thermometer under one of your taps). Most people don’t realize that their electric water heater is almost always on heating the water.
If you can keep the water temperature near 120 degrees your water heater will not have to re-heat the water as much as it does at higher temperatures.
8. Use your microwave oven instead of your regular oven (save up to 50 percent on cooking costs). Microwaves are much more energy efficient than traditional regular ovens. A regular over uses a lot of electricity to heat up and to stay warm.
9. Install compact fluorescent lights in high-use fixtures (save about 66 percent on lighting cost per fixture). Also, these type of lights tend to last much longer than regular light bulbs most of us use.
10. Take advantage of super cheap electric rates from Ambit Energy and save up to 16% on your next electrical bill – for the average user this is almost $250 per year!
This is one of best ways to save money right off the top of your bill with doing almost nothing. All you have to do is switch your electric provider and you can do it online in less than 2 minutes.
How Do I Find a Good Electrician?
Finding a good electrician is done by word of mouth, looking in the yellow pages, or looking online. Many times when you are looking for a licensed and insured electrician one will ask friends and family for a referral. This is a great way to find a reputable electrician or electrical contractor. If you have a referral you can easily check to see if the electrician has a license, insurance and any complaints by checking with your community board of licensing. If they have no complaints, the next thing to check is what services they provide.
This can be done by looking on the Internet to see if the electrician has a website that lists their qualifications and services offered. Many electricians also advertise in the yellow pages and list their services. You want an electrician that can do all the work you need done without contracting out to another company. If you find an electrician online in your area, you can request information about a certain service if they have a contact page. This is common practice with the Internet today. If you need any type of electrical work done, you want an experienced and insured electrician that has a good record for completing work up to standards.
A good electrician will not diagnose your problem over the phone. The professional electrician will come to your home to troubleshoot the problem while explaining to you what they are doing. You want an electrical services company that will give you an estimate for the work before starting. It may be best to get a few estimates if you want to find a good electrician. Going with the cheapest estimate is not always going to mean quality work. This is very important to remember when looking for a qualified electrician or electrical contractor to complete all the work you need to have done.
How To Hire An Electrician
An electrician is someone who specializes in the wiring and repair of electrical mechanisms. Most people will rarely need the services of an electrician, but when it is necessary choosing the right one is very important. For home use, electricians are typically needed to re-wire or repair existing systems. They are also needed for construction, including additions and remodels, to place the electrical outlets and lighting.
Before deciding on an electrician, determine the scope of work. Be as detailed as possible so you can determine the needs for the project. Minor repair work can often be completed by an electrician who is less expensive and may not have a lot of experience. However, for major repairs, remodels, and new construction, it is imperative to get a skilled tradesman. Improper wiring can be very dangerous and can lead to fires, putting everyone at risk.
Get recommendations for an electrician before hiring one. Choose a few to get estimates on your project and compare all of them. Talk with each person to evaluate their experience and expertise. Have them walk through your project with you so you can understand what needs to be done, how it will be accomplished, how long it will take and the cost.
An electrician should be licensed and carry valid insurance. Verify that both are active and in good standing before starting a job. Damage done can be severe with improper wiring so this is very important. If an electrician can not provide you with both, do not hire them. There is too much at stake. Get copies of their license and insurance certificate.
Ask the electrician about their experience level. An electrical company that has been in business for a long time will likely be a better choice than one that is just starting out. New businesses may offer price reductions to help them establish a client list and references. If opting for a new business, check that the electrician who is working on the job has significant experience with the type of work required. Request references and check them. Electricians who have happy customers will do a good job for you.
Choose the electrician who has the best combination of price and experience, and with whom you felt most comfortable. Get the project specifications in writing so you have a detailed accounting of the job, the costs, and time for completion. This will help protect you if anything goes wrong.
Gray Rollins is a featured writer for ElectriciansHire.com. To learn more about eletrician contractors and residential electricians, visit us. http://www.cricenbergerelectric.com
Eco-Saving Money Tips: Save On Your Electric Bill
You’re trying to live a greener lifestyle. But with summer just around the corner, you’re probably steeling yourself against the spiking electric bill that seems inevitable as the heat increases. Air conditioners begin cranking up by the millions in an effort to keep things cool. When you toss in electrical appliances like televisions, stereos, computers, and all the other electronic goodies that get used everyday, then it’s not long before your monthly Bill grows.
Here are some money saving tips to help you save on your electric bill. You’ll not only live more green, but you’ll save some as well:
1. Check that your cooling system (and, come winter, your heating system too) are working at maximum efficiency. Get them inspected annually by a reputable maintenance company. Be sure to change the filters on both your air conditioner and furnace every month. You will not only save on your electric bill by doing this, but you will be creating healthier air in your home, which is a big boon to those who suffer from allergies and asthma.
2. Closing the blinds and drapes on the side of your home that gets the most sun will go a long way toward cooling the interior when the outside temperatures are soaring. You may also consider covering your glass panes with window film, as this will reduce the radiant heat and still give you a unobstructed view to the exterior. If you haven’t already, use a light colored paint on your house and install awnings to further cut down on the heat inside.
3. If you plan to be absent from your home for a short period, it’s best to simply turn off your air conditioner. If you live in a hot, desert-type environment, you can at least turn the thermostat a little higher than would be normal for optimum comfort and adjust it back down upon your return. If you live in a cold climate, reverse this by lowering your thermostat during the winter months. You’ll save on your electric bill all year ’round.
4. Place any window air conditioners you may use in windows near the center of your house and located on the shadiest side. You want your air conditioner to draw upon the coolest air it can find.
5. Plant shrubs and trees around your house to provide shade, making sure that any shrubs growing near your air conditioning units are properly trimmed to allow for adequate air flow.
6. As you may have heard, incandescent light bulbs use approximately 10 times the power of fluorescent. Switching the kind of bulbs you use will show a significant savings in the long run.
7. When planning your meals, choose to cook them in the microwave, if possible. Electric stoves not only use 90 percent more energy than a microwave, but add noticeably to the amount of heat already in your house, which then requires that much more electricity to drive out.
8. When shopping for computers, scanners, printers and other such equipment, keep an eye out for those that feature automatic “sleep modes” or turn off when not in use. What you save on your electric bill at the end of the year will help you afford better quality equipment up front.
9. Even when you’ve turned off a piece of electrical equipment, it may still be sucking up electricity. Unplug them when going away for vacations or any extended periods of time. Plug things like electric razors, hair dryers, curling irons and so on into power strips so that they can be easily switched off when they’re not needed.
10. During blackouts or brownouts, unplug or turn off as many appliances as possible. Lightening the power load lowers the risk of blowing out a transformer when everybody’s power comes back on at once.
11. Major appliances older than 10 years should be replaced, as they cost more to run than newer ones. More modern appliances are required to conform to “Energy Star” standards of efficiency and are ten to twenty percent less expensive to run, helping you save on your electric bill even with appliances that have to run 24/7.
Any one of these ideas will help you keep your electric bills at a minimum. Put them all into effect, and the savings will be even greater. You’ll have the satisfaction of contributing to a greener environment while adding to the green in your wallet, too!
The Master Electrician?s Guide to Avoiding Electrical Repairs in Your Home
Aesthetic reasons such as a desire for specialty lighting, landscape lighting, and accent lighting warrants a visit from a master electrician. Unfortunately, more serious matters can be the reason for an electrical contractor’s presence. The following article addresses tips to help avoid electrical problems and facilitate safety within a home.
The obvious electrical precautions
The “obvious” may be just that to most, but sometimes, even the most commonsensical precautions elude us.
- Check all outlets for wear and tear. Loose outlets, broken plates, and unplugged outlets in the presence of small children is to be avoided at all times.
- Under no circumstance, should electrical cords be frayed, split, or cracked.
- Do not overload extension cords or “piggybank” multiple extensions upon one another.
- Never attempt to “force” a plug into an outlet. If it does not seem to fit, the endeavor needs to cease.
- Fasten light bulbs into sockets in a secure manner. Loose-fitting bulbs are targets for overheating.
- Try to keep all electrical devices away from water outlets (kitchen, bathrooms). Unplug devices not in use.
- Electric-powered tools should not be used during rainfall, on wet grass, or around moist, outdoor furniture or landscape.
The not-so-obvious electrical precautions
- Don’t attempt to puncture electrical cords, place them under rugs, or arrange them around furniture.
- Extension cords are for temporary purposes, they are not to be used as a permanent, outlet solution. This is a major reason for a number of electrical contractor visits.
- Do not attempt to “modify” a plug (squeezing the prongs closer together, stretching them apart, or eliminating a third prong in order to fit the outlet).
- Light bulbs must be of appropriate wattage for their fixture. A bulb of a higher wattage than warranted can be hazardous.
- If an appliance or electrical device routinely influences circuit breakers or fuses, get it repaired or replaced.
- Routinely check the backside of entertainment centers for worn wires and wear in the structure of the equipment.
- Do not take a shower/bath, use electrical appliances (kitchen, bathroom), or use the telephone during an electrical storm.
Electrical Conduit: Your Guide to Choosing Electrical Conduits for Home
Electrical conduits are made for the purpose of insulating and for defending the conductors from the humidity, from the accidental impact, from the natural environment, and also from the chemical fumes, which can easily cause some damage to them. The Electrical Conduits are also able to make it easier for the electricians, or even for homeowners like you to repair a simple wiring system. Because, there are several Electrical Conduits available on the International Market, it is not difficult for you to get hold of some electrical conduit, to make an electrical system for yourself.
Here are some tips & tricks on how to choose your electrical conduits for your home:
1. Decide on which type of Electrical Conduit you need in your house, keeping in mind the actual shape and size of your home, and of course, depending on your budget for the electrical system. The most used types as Electrical Conduit are represented by rigid and flexible metal electrical conduit. The flexible electrical conduit is on of the most common used Electrical Conduit for the hart to reach places, but it is not so efficient as an insulator, compared to the metal and the plastic electrical conduit. The rigid type of metal electrical conduit is the most common used for the commercial and industrial buildings, because it represents a way better insulator and there are not as many impossible to reach places.
2. Determine the desired amount of the electrical conduit that you will need to create in your enclosed electrical system. You can use a string or a jet line to measure off your electrical system, or you can simply calculate the length by using the actual dimensions of your home.
3. Purchase your electrical conduit from a specialized electrical shop or from a professional home-improvement store. If you require a big amount, you will need to pre-order it, to make sure that it is sufficient in the store.
These are the common tricks & tips that will benefit you when you will be purchasing your Electrical Conduit for your home. After that, only you require having right conduit fittings in your home.
Ronald writes for technology, electrical gadgets and issues related to home improvement.
Home Electrical Safety Hints
Do you realize that each year, there are 67,800 electrical fires in the home that take the lives of 485 citizens, injure 2,305 more, and cause $868 million dollars in property loss*? Some fires are caused by lightning and faulty appliances, but frequently a lot more are caused by old wiring, bad use of electrical cords, and overloaded circuits. In fact, bad electrical wiring (perhaps done by do-it-your-selfers) causes twice as many fires as electrical appliances. While it is always best to have any electrician work done by a licensed electrical contractor, there are many things you can do within the home or office to help keep your family safe.
Basic stats to think about
- December is the time of year when a lot of electrical fires usually occur.
- Almost all electrical wiring fires begin in the bedroom.
- In the cold months, deaths due to electrical fires are much higher. This is usually due to the increased amount of indoor activities, increased lighting usage, heating, and appliance use.
- In city areas, poor wiring is the cause of over 33% of house electrical fires.
- The home appliances most involved in home electrical fires are central heating units, electric stoves, hair dryers, televisions, radios, and stereo equipment.
These are some simple steps you can take to help prevent electrical fires in the home
- Carefully Consider any Do-It-Yourself electrical project. It is always to have any electrical work done by an electrical contractor.
- NEVER run an extension cord under a carpet! The foot and chair traffic across the area rug will over time abrade through the cord, causing an immediate fire hazard.
- Small space heaters are the cause of a lot of fires. Keep clothes, draperies, and any combustible material at least three feet away from space heaters at all times.
- Routinely check all lamp cords, extension cords regularly, and look for signs of overheating, frayed insulation, or bent prongs. Always replace all worn or damaged electrical cords immediately.
- Routinely check all of your appliances, especially where the cord attaches, and look for signs of frayed wiring.
- Never let kids play with or near electrical appliances such as space heaters, hair dryers, or irons.
- Never force a 3 prong plug into a two prong socket.
- Never overload extension cords or outlets. As obvious as this sounds, there are a lot of fires that are started by people overloading electrical cords and outlets.
- If you find a light switch that is warm to the touch, or the lights dim when using that switch, call a licensed electrician and replace it at once.
- Routinely check any electrically powered tools. Make sure you replace any tool that gives off sparks, smoke, or small electrical shocks, or overheats.
- Install and regularly check smoke alarms.
- Practice a home escape plan in case of fire.
By following these straightforward steps you can make sure your family and your house is safe from electrical fires.
* U.S. Fire Administration
This article was brought to you by Don Carter and a licensed Clearwater electrician and electrician Los Angeles at Vozzcom Electric West Florida 13584 49th St N #20 , Clearwater , FL 33762 (727) 209-0171
Saving Electricity on Your Fridge – Top Tips
The fridge is an appliance with one of the biggest consumption of electricity in a typical household. So it pays to explore simple ways in which we can make savings on energy consumption of the fridge.
Here are some of the top tips for saving electricity on your fridge:
1. Let food cool down a little first before putting it into the fridge, as the fridge uses up more electricity in order to bring the temperature of warm or hot foods down.
2. Defrost your fridge and freezer regularly. Frost makes the freezer run more inefficiently and consume more energy than necessary.
3. Place the fridge away from appliances such as an oven or a dishwasher. It should also stand away from direct sunlight.
4. Leave a couple of inches of space around the fridge so that air can circulate around the condenser coils. This helps the heat generated from the fridge to dissipate quicker.
5. Place the fridge along an outside wall, if possible, for the heat generated to be removed more easily.
6. Defrost frozen food in the fridge as this helps cool the fridge as the food thaws.
7. Keep the number of door openings to a minimum, and when the door is open, don’t open it for too long. If a lot of cold air escapes, the fridge has to work harder to chill the air back down.
8. For the same reasons as the tip above, check that the seal between the door and the fridge is airtight and not leaking cold air when the door is shut.
9. Avoid putting the fridge in an environment subject to extreme summer and winter temperatures such as an uninsulated garage. For example, a fridge working in a 90F environment can consume 45 to 50% more energy than one working in a 70F environment.
10. Measure your fridge electricity consumption with an electricity monitor. If you have an old fridge, use the monitor to help you decide if you should upgrade to a newer, more energy efficient model.
Regarding the last point, a leading manufacturer has come up with an electricity monitor that not only measures the electricity consumption but also works out the projected annual cost of running an electric appliance such as a fridge. You input the electric rate found on the utility bill and it does the calculation for you. For more accurate results, let the electricity monitor run for a week or so.
Once you have a number for the projected annual costs of your old fridge, you can then shop around for a new fridge. These days a new fridge comes with an energy guide label that tells you the estimated amount of electricity it uses per year and the estimated yearly operating costs. When you compare the operating costs between the old and the new fridges, you will find it easier to decide whether it makes sense to upgrade.