Chad – Page 11 – Turn It On Electric

Residential

Top Things to Know About Remote-control Shades

26Jun2022

They may be called “power shades” by millennials and “motorized shades” by retirees. But whatever they’re called, the important questions are: Are remote-control shades a good investment? Will their cost justify the added convenience and enhanced property value?

What Are Remote-control Shades?

Remote-control shades are window coverings that can be opened and closed at the touch of a switch or remote control. They can be hard-wired for long life or battery-powered (in which case the battery will need frequent recharging or replacement). And yes, some types of power shades will integrate with your smart home.

Remote-control Shades Add-To Home Automation

Home automation is here to stay. We’re becoming savvier about using our phones or remote controls to manage appliances and other home essentials. Home décor is no different.

Window coverings have always been an interior fashion option and now they are even better: Not only can you remote-control opening and closing, but you can also adjust the tilt of blinds. With no pull-strings hanging down, there’s less risk of kids, pets, or your robo-vac getting tangled in cords.

Your motorized window coverings can integrate with other smart home systems, including:

Amazon Alexa®
Apple Home®
Control 4®
Nest®

…and more.

Are they loud? That’s a frequently asked question and a good one. They shouldn’t be. Request a demonstration before you buy remote-control shades.

A soft, humming sound is standard; if the volume seems too noisy, check another brand. Door blinds can have a clacking noise when operated. Only you can determine which sounds are tolerable and which are not.

Also, ask about maintenance. Any appliance with moving parts needs to be cleaned and lubricated, at least once a year.

Benefits of Hard-Wired Shades

Residential power shades often have as many as 24 batteries to operate the remote-controlled shades. Hard-wired shades using low-voltage wiring at every window opening can let you use battery-powered shades without the inconvenience (and expense) of battery replacement.

You can install a phone app to organize your shades by room. This means you can open and close window coverings at set times, which is a security advantage when you’re on vacation.

UV rays can damage flooring and furniture as well as our skin. A predicted cloudy day doesn’t develop and instead, we see blazing, blistering Arizona sunshine. Just close the shades from wherever you are that day.

The shades themselves offer energy efficiency. They can prevent heat loss in winter and minimize solar heat gain in the summer.

Turn It On Electric Is Central Arizona’s Choice For Home Automation

The average cost for motorized shades alone is $500/window. You can pay from $350-$700 per window (or more), depending on many factors.

What’s your style? Remote-controlled window coverings are available in many designs: accordion, blackout, honeycomb, light-filtering, roller, slat, solar, and more. But the most important feature to consider is the power source.

Some can be solar-charged as well as battery-charged. Some can include a DC adaptor. Power shades require different levels of control using varying degrees of energy.

Electrically hard-wired shades are more reliable, durable, and consistently provide better movement and operation. If you have questions about installation and power sourcing your remote-control shades, let’s discuss your options. Convenience, affordability, and – as always – safety are what we’ll consider.

To learn more, Contact Turn It On Electricof Central Arizona.
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Electrical Wiring, Residential

3 Electrical Upgrades to Consider This Summer

26Jun2022

This summer holds the promise of being one of the best! We are spending more time at home; playing and working. For Summer 2022, many of us are examining ways to make our home lifestyles more engaging and safer. Electrical upgrades in Central Arizona can be affordable as well as enhance your quality of living.

Electrical Upgrades: Safety, Convenience, or Fun

What’s your priority? Upgrading outside lighting can include landscape lights, motion-activated lights, and more. Smart-home electrical upgrades are added conveniences that also increase the value of your property. Swimming pool lights and fun recreational lighting are entertainment options your friends and family will enjoy.

Here are 3 electrical upgrades to consider this summer:

1. Entertainment and Recreational Lighting

Outdoor entertainment calls for additional lighting. You can add long-term light fixtures or create temporary lighting for tented events and more. What’s more entertaining than outdoor white LED light-wrapped trees? They’re not just for winter anymore; they can offer year-round beauty and appeal.

This year, consider hot tub and swimming pool light options for safety and beauty (or just plain fun!). Adding or relocating your pool light switch can offer more convenience and safety to summer fun.

Another consideration is your own, indoor entertainment. Valued collectibles and art pieces are even more enjoyable with the right presentation lights. Upgrade your home’s entrance with a stunning chandelier or add auto-on/off lights to bathrooms and closets.

2. Home Safety and Security

Safe passage during darkness is a reasonable expectation, and with ground illumination, you have it. Landscape lights can line your sidewalk, providing beauty and safety for visitors.

Two popular types of security electrical upgrades are security lights and motion sensors. You can program security lights to turn on at dusk and off at sunrise. Some security installations include video. Motion sensors can quickly activate security floodlights when a trespasser is detected. Pet-immune motion detectors can be programmed to ignore moving objects under 40 pounds.

Security lighting should be added to areas including:

Back/side yards
Blind spots around the house
Entrances to house/garage
Storage sheds

3. Whole-house Rewiring

Admit it. Your office looks like a tangled web of power strips and multi-outlet plug-ins. Every electronic in the house needs recharging every day, and if you buy that hybrid vehicle you want, the overload may put you over the top.

An electrical inspection will reveal problem areas and prioritize areas that need electrical upgrades. Advantages to whole-house rewiring include:

Additional home improvement/expansion options, including a garage or house expansion for rental or family
Fewer outages
Greater energy efficiency
Higher property value
Increased safety and reduced fire risks

…and any location on your property you feel would benefit from additional security.

TIO Electric Specializes in Arizona Electrical Upgrades

Perhaps you plan to sell this year or next. Or perhaps, like many of us, you’re stretching the capabilities of your home’s original wiring. Home safety and security are electrical upgrades that are a solid investment, but they also offer peace of mind.

Turn It On Electric pros are electrical technology specialists. We receive continuing education so we can offer you the latest smart electrical technology for your home. But we’re also focused on industry-best practices as well as customer care. Our electrical project isn’t complete until you’re happy.

Ask about summer electrical upgrades for your home. Contact TIO Electric.

Electric Bill, Home Automation, Residential

Can Smart Plugs Save You Money?

26May2022

Smart plugs have the same configuration as most electrical plug-ins. Their prongs plug into the wall outlet openings. You can then plug other electrical products into the smart plug.

The first smart plug was designed by a British teen circa 2014. So, smart plugs are nothing new. For homeowners, smart devices managing smart electronic systems is becoming the rule, not the exception.

Advantages of Smart Plugs

The distinguishing advantage of smart plugs is their ability to reduce standby energy loss.

Smart plugs can be auto-configured or controlled remotely using WiFi. Individual models have different functions and instructions for use. All smart plugs save energy, but some say the cost vs. energy savings is a wash.

They can be used to control:

Appliances
Ceiling fans
Decorative lights
Electrical power “vampires” (electronics on standby)
- Heaters/ACs
- Kitchen appliances
- Laptops/PCs
- Phone chargers
- Printers/scanners
- TVs/game consoles
- WiFi modems
Entertainment centers
Gaming consoles
Lamps

There are as many advantages to remote-controlled smart plugs as your imagination allows. Holiday lighting is frequently managed using smart plugs. Another popular advantage (but only with parents) is controlling plugged-in gaming devices and consoles. When it’s homework time or bedtime, you simply cut the power. This can ensure the kids aren’t up all hours playing games.

If you need your crockpot to cook a meal on high for 4 hours – but you’re away from home for eight hours – you can turn it on midday. No more overdone dinners.

Smart Plug Disadvantages

The smart plug’s size itself is a turn-off. They are often difficult to use in tight spaces behind furniture and appliances. And while proponents claim smart plugs can handle appliances, most plugs can only manage 15 amps of current.

They cannot be used both indoors and outdoors. You need a different type and size smart plugs for outside than the one you use in the house.

Smart plugs will save you money if they are set up correctly. This, say many smart plug ex-users, is the understatement of the year.

“Installing the device itself won’t necessarily save you energy and money, but setting it up so other devices only switch on and off as needed will save you money and help you consume less power,” says Jennifer Allen of Lifewire.

Safety standards are developed for a reason. There hasn’t been a surge of “black market” smart plugs, but it is important to buy from a reputable source.

Another disadvantage is some brands are more “hackable” than others. Hackers try to gain access to private information stored on other devices. They can use WiFi-enabled smart plugs to do just that.

Again, buy from reputable retailers. Online offers that are almost too good to be true usually aren’t. Even more confusing is HouseDigest says not only cheap but also popular name-brands are targeted by hackers.

Controlling your AC is more difficult than they say. You won’t be able to access necessary functions and the smart plug may skew the pre-programmed customizations you had.

Saving Our Planet While Saving You Money

“First, do no harm” is a familiar principle in the medical profession but it’s our policy too. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is the green building standard formulated and managed by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC).

Turn It On Electric of South-Central Arizona is LEED Certified. Our company and team of electrical professionals will always seek affordable, energy-saving solutions for our neighbors (like you).

Smart homeowners educate themselves as much as they can about smart home solutions. To learn more, contact TIO Electric.

Electrical Wiring, Home Automation, Residential

Smart Switches Versus Smart Bulbs

26May2022

Home automation will someday be “automatically” built-in to homes under construction. For now, smart bulbs, smart plugs, and smart switches are the trending home automation improvements. Electrical upgrades can increase your property value. Technology advancements like smart switches will also give your property an edge in a competitive housing market.

What Are Smart Switches?

Smart switches are replacements for traditional light switches. They give you auto-control over a room’s lighting, including bathroom vanity lights that are wired to one circuit. You can control smart switches using a phone app. Or not. You can activate lighting with word(s), for example, “Let there be light!”

Smart switch lights can be triggered by motion; walking into your walk-in closet, is an example. The switches can be set to turn off after so many seconds or minutes of no-motion.

You can’t combine a smart bulb and a smart switch in one room (usually). So, it’s best to choose one or the other. If you surveyed a hundred experts which are best, odds are all of them would say smart switches. They’re simply easier to use and pose fewer challenges than smart bulbs.

Smart bulbs can change colors, which you must admit, is fun. However, “If you have no desire for color-changing bulbs, then you don’t really have a decision to make. Smart switches are the better choice for sure,” says Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) attorney and economist Eric Blank.

What Is a Smart Bulb?

A smart bulb is an internet-capable LED lightbulb. It allows you customization capabilities. You can schedule and control your lighting remotely. Smart bulbs are one of many home automation upgrades Arizona homeowners are choosing to improve quality of life and sustainability.

To clarify, smart lightbulbs save money and energy because they are LED lights. LEDs are always a smart choice. But most of us use “dumb” LED lightbulbs throughout our homes, and they save the same amount of money and energy.

Many homeowners learned the hard way that when installing smart lightbulbs, your on/off light switch becomes a liability. Unsuspecting visitors will flip a light switch. It’s almost instinctive. And flipping the switch sidelines your smart lightbulb.

That “Don’t Touch!” sign taped to the light switch is quite attractive (not).

TechTarget says smart lightbulbs may pose security risks to personal information:

As with all IoT products, smart bulbs can become an attack vector. …researchers from security consultancy Context were able to gain a network’s password at a 30-meter distance from the targeted smart bulb… without any prior authentication or alerting.

Smart Switches Are Smarter

Smart switches controlled by electronic devices like cellphones are terrific. You can turn on the lights shortly before arriving home. If your Ring™ doorbell senses motion in your yard while you are away, turn on a few rooms-with-windows lights to deter would-be trespassers.

If your WiFi internet is interrupted, smart switches still work, just not remotely. You won’t forget how to turn the lights on and off by flipping the wall switch with your finger. Problem solved.

Your smart lightbulbs are toast if your WiFi goes out. Smart bulbs are often connected using a Bluetooth hub. Homes located in areas that have iffy WiFi connectivity often return to dumb lightbulbs. They’re simply easier than smart bulbs.

TIO Electric: Smart Home Wiring Professionals

Installing smart switches requires electrical experience and professional knowledge. It’s simply never safe to DIY (do-it-yourself) when working with electricity. We will ensure your smart switch setup is effective and efficient as we:

Partner with you to install the light switch that best meets your needs
Know your wall’s behind-the-scenes setup
Work with existing wiring type(s)
Update your wiring configuration to accommodate your smart switch
Test the installation

Smart switches are worth it! To learn more, contact TIO Electric.

Home Automation, Residential

Are Smart Switches Worth It?

26May2022

You live with someone that has never turned off a light in a room. Any room. Without going into the psychology of entitlement vs. living off the grid, let’s just say it’s sometimes better to manage people than argue with them. Smart switches do just that.

Smart Switches: Electrical Upgrades That Save Money

When it comes to smart lighting, one of the most seamless and natural ways to upgrade your home is with smart switches. They work as intended, even when the internet goes out…-CNET.com

There’s only one drawback to upgrading lights in your home with smart switches. They completely spoil you. When you’re visiting someone else’s home, you tend to forget to turn the lights on. Standing in the dark bathroom, you may become mildly irritated that you must hunt for a light switch.

What To Know About Smart Switches

Having smart switches installed is a home improvement that saves money. If you live with children or big kids, smart switches are programmed to turn off after a specific amount of time, with or without WiFi.

Do you want smart switches, smart bulbs, or smart plugs? All of them have distinct advantages.

Smart bulbs are special light bulbs that screw into traditional electrical sockets. They are internet-controlled through a mobile app or a home automation center. WiFi is required.
Smart plugs use “regular” light bulbs. They can also work with other appliances and not only overhead or lamp lighting. Most people control them with their phones. WiFi is necessary.

Smart Switch Advantages

Many people prefer motion-detected smart switches. “Smart motion” light switches are the easiest to manage because you don’t manage them at all. Your electrician can wire one switch to control all the lights on an outlet. For example, if your walk-in closet or bathroom has vanity lights (multiple lighting, usually over a mirror), they turn on when anyone enters that space.

Money savings from remote-controlled electrical appliances are a given; you lose less energy when lights are automatically turned off. Smart motion lights are timed to go off after a period of inactivity in a room or closet.

Some of the ways smart switches provide convenience are:

Smart switches can integrate with IFTTT (if this then that). One action triggers other action(s). You can set outdoor lights to turn on at sunset and turn off at sunrise.

Scheduling smart switches to turn lights on at a specific time is a security and safety option. Seniors never need return home to a dark house. Your pathways can be illuminated for mobility-challenged loved ones. When you’re away for extended periods of time, one or more inside lights can activate on and off at specific times to deter burglars.

App-controlled smart switches provide “anywhere anytime” access. Now that you’re 100 miles away, you wonder if you turned off the kitchen light… Use a phone app to shut them off. This saves energy and gives you peace of mind.

TIO Electric: The Smart Choice for Southwest Arizona Smart Homes

We are living in an exciting time! Installing electrical conveniences has gone way beyond light dimmers. But don’t feel guilty about home improvements like smart switches. Our lives are active and filled with purpose today. We need – yes, we “deserve” – the security, safety, and ease of operation electrical home upgrades offer.

Turn It On Electric wants to be your partner in navigating the affordability and convenience of electrical upgrades. If you have questions about smart electrical improvements for your commercial property or residence, contact TIO Electric.

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Chuck P

01:46 23 Jan 25

Friendly, communicative, and professional.High quality work.

Renee Delu

18:10 11 Jan 25

Mike you are the best!! God bless you for comming out saturday when I blew my fuse trying to vacumm and shout out to Josh who although not have sat office hours called me anyway after I left a voicemail. .Bob Best was here and gave me amazing information that NO OTHER electrician had. .!! I'm happy to say this is an amazing caring company...and I'm a customer for life!! Please recognize and reward Mike And Josh for them saving me on Saturday as my security system had no power and my smoke alarm had been beeping for hours. These men deserve kudos. .if you are looking fir honest and highly qualified electrical work. This is where to go. I'm thankful and grateful. Bob is now an instructor ..I'm happy to know future electricians are being schooled and trained by him. Thanks to you all

Wally Johns

01:31 11 Jan 25

Good work and very polite guys.

Rebecca RB

01:03 21 Oct 24

This company literally saved us! We had some electrical issues discovered that were rather alarming and created an issue with the garage door opener completely lost power as well as our outdoor dusk to dawn lighting and the interior garage lights. Mike the electrician came to the rescue! He listened to the issues in my non electrical language (haha) translated it and solved everything with confidence! Knowledgeable, Friendly, prompt, professional and efficient! Highly recommended! Will definitely call for future needs!

luci redmond

15:28 12 Oct 24

Great customer service & a job well done!

Samuel Heffner

17:04 14 Aug 24

I called TIO Electric because a friend referred them and they did not disappoint. I had an issue and it was rough identifying the source of the problem. Miguel and Conrad worked together to identify and solve the problem quickly. As a services based business it was extremely important to get the repair done quickly and the team stayed to ensure the job was done before they left. I expected to have to schedule another visit due to the complexity of the case, but they understood I needed to be back up and running as soon as possible and got the job done in just a few hours. They were very professional and personable and the cost was in line with what I expected.Update 8/14/24: TIO helped me again. This time with an issue I was having at my home. Marcus was very nice and knowledgable and was able to identify the problem and make the repair in quick time. I had a secondary issue I wasn't too worried about, but Marcus took care of that as well. These guys know what they're doing. Still highly recommend.They did a great job. I would definitely recommend them for projects big and small.

Caren Zellmer

12:46 03 Jul 24

Excellent service!! Marcus has been to our house a couple of times and completed the work doing an AMAZING job. He was very polite, professional and explained every process to us. His work was also completed in a timely manner. It is very rare to find anyone with great work ethic anymore! This company is very lucky to have him. We would definitely recommend and use Turn It On Electric again.

Bob

14:42 10 Jun 22

They were on time, clean, friendly, professional and did an amazing job. I would have to say that the price was fair considering the amount of work done. Highly recommend Turn It On Electrical!