Categories Electrical Wiring, Outdoor, Residential

Adding a pool light switch

Adding a pool light switch

Do your grandparents tell you of a time in our history when there were no television remote controls? The remotes were never lost behind cushions because the channel-changer was always on the other side of the room. On the television. Your pool light switch is usually distanced from the pool as well.

Walking out to your pool just to turn on your pool lights is a thing of the past. With the surging popularity of pool automation systems and new product lines…controlling your pool lights is a piece of cake. INYO Pools

Relocating Your Pool Light Switch

Enjoying the amenities of your home is a focus this year. We can swim almost year ’round in Phoenix, so we’re certainly spending more time in our backyard pools and spas. If your kids swim at night, you need the added security of good lighting in and outside the pool. Running to the pump house or the patio to flip on your pool light switch at dusk is a hassle.

The consensus is it’s better to run your pool pump during the day. This enhances sanitation. Chlorine is degraded by sunlight, so the circulation keeps chlorine levels where they need to be.) But if your pool light switch is set to come on when the pool pump is running, you miss the underwater beauty of night swimming.

There are several ways to rewire or relocate your pool light switch for convenience without compromising safety.

Pool Lights are Trending

Pool lights can add ambiance and excitement to nighttime fun and games. Here are some recommendations for lighting* that may include relocating your pool light switch:

  • Automation – Why stop at a remote-controlled pool light switch? You can control pump cycles, heating, filtration, and lighting from a remote control. You’ll need an LED light and a controller to start.  It may seem pricey at first glimpse, but it is a solid investment and worth the cost.
  • Remote-controlled LED light – A 120volts/20 watts color-changing pool light is now available. You can select colors/color shows, and even speed control from the handheld remote control. (There may be a delay in delivery at this time.)

8 Swimming Pool Lighting Tips

Swimming pools can use a lot of energy using conventional products. You can use renewable energy resources for pools and other products in your home, too.Tim, Field Supervisor/TIO Electric

Here are some all-around ideas to make your swimming pool lighting effective and attractive:

  1. Consider 2 pool lights facing each other; the look is bold.
  2. Don’t aim light fixtures at seating areas.
  3. Don’t under-light your pool: Arrange as many lights as you need for sufficient lighting.
  4. Examine how your pool liner will impact lighting.
  5. For an impressive presentation, consider a combination of spot beams, floaters, and underwater lights.
  6. Fountains and waterfalls deserve their own light systems.
  7. Highlighting trees and foliage adds depth to your pool area.
  8. Never neglect pool deck lighting.

Turn It On Electric Your Local, Phoenix Electrician

Turn It On Electric professionals see safety, economy, and energy conservation as our customer service mission. With the proper swimming pool and landscape lighting, you can protect your youngsters as well as enhance the ambiance of your home and property.

Let’s estimate your swimming pool and landscaping lighting options to see what’s possible…and affordable. Contact Turn It On Electric today.
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*Turn It On Electric does not endorse any pool and/or pool accessories or lighting brand(s) and always advises consumers to retain a licensed electrician for any electrical service installations/relocations.

Categories Commercial, Maintenance, Residential

Panel replacement – 5 questions to ask

Panel replacement - 5 questions to ask

A power outage on a hot day in August is something no one wants to deal with. If your home is older and you’ve considered electrical panel replacement, consider this: There’s never a “good” time to lose electricity to your home.

When it comes to suspicious wiring and/or older electrical breakers, what you don’t know can hurt you. Schedule electrical panel replacement before it becomes dangerous.

Why You Need Electrical Panel Replacement

Age isn’t the only reason you need an electrical maintenance visit or panel replacement. Do you use power strips in every room in your house? That’s a clue your home is “underpowered.”

Many of today’s larger appliances deserve their own dedicated electrical circuit. Connecting too many appliances to the same circuit is a fire hazard. But it can also damage electrical appliances.

Ten tips you need electrical panel replacement include:

  1. Appliances overheating
  2. Breaker trips when you plug in a particular appliance
  3. Burning plastic smell from breaker box/wall outlet
  4. Flickering lights
  5. Frequent circuit breaker trips
  6. Older panel or a “fuse box” instead of circuit breakers
  7. Power surges when you turn on some appliances (hair dryer or microwave and dishwasher at the same time, for example)
  8. Sounds (like sparking/hissing) from the breaker box
  9. Visible burned spot(s) on wall outlet or breaker panel
  10. Wires appear melted/burned

Questions to Ask Your Phoenix Electrician

When your local Phoenix-area electrician recommends upgrading your electrical wiring or panel replacement, here are 5 questions to ask:

  1. Can I “bundle” a few additional projects? Actually, making some of the electrical improvements you’ve wanted can be cheaper if you include them in your panel replacement quote. You may want to add a ceiling fan. Perhaps you’ve wanted motion-sensor lights in your pantry or closet. This is a good time to make electrical home improvements.
  2. Do we need permits? You need certain types of permits. Turn It On Electric takes care of this for you.
  3. How long does panel replacement take? Turnaround time depends on utilities and acquiring the necessary permits. Your Turn It On Electric professionals will handle all permit applications and licensing fees, etc. We will meet your quoted timeframe and there should be no “surprises” after we begin your project.
  4. What does a panel replacement cost? Most panel replacement installations start at $3,957 but many other factors apply. You should ask your electrician about safe (and affordable) options. If you wait until your breaker box catches fire, your costs will increase proportionately.
  5. Why do I need a panel replacement? If money-saving panel repair is possible, we will tell you. Your electrician should be able to knowledgeably explain what’s going on with the electrical systems in your home.
    Be sure you understand why a panel repair is not a good option. You should agree to a panel replacement only if you feel confident in your electrician’s level of expertise and trust the company’s reputation for honesty.

Turn It On Electric Wants You to Save Energy…Save Money

If your good old house has a not-so-good electrical panel, you could also have some aluminum wiring. Be sure to ask your Turn It On professional to check out the wiring during your panel replacement consultation.

Turn It On Electric is the LEED-certified electrician for Phoenix communities. This means your project will be environmentally sustainable and will reduce your electricity usage if possible. Contact Turn It On Electric for an honest, upfront quote on panel replacement or repair. When you save energy, you save money. We can help.

Categories Commercial, Maintenance, Residential

Electrical panel maintenance? What you need to know

Electrical panel maintenance? What you need to know

Professionalism defines an attitude toward what we do. It’s something we now expect when we buy products or services. Your property’s electrical system needs professional maintenance and regular inspections. Electrical panel maintenance should be part of all residential and commercial property upkeep.

What is Electrical Panel Maintenance?

If you’re buying a new-to-you home, ask when the last professional electrical panel maintenance was provided. Most electrical service companies recommend professional panel maintenance every 2-3 years. If it’s more than 30 years old, consider panel replacement.

A visual inspection is a homeowner’s first electrical panel maintenance task. When the lid is shut, check for dust and dirt, rust, or signs of moisture. Open the electrical panel door and inspect the inside. Corrosion and even dust build-up can cause problems with your electrical service. Most electrical panel malfunctions are dangerous.

Professional Panel Maintenance: What We Do

There are clues your electrical panel is outdated or problematic. Some you can see; others may be subtle but are red flags. A professional electrical panel maintenance visit will address any electrical issues you may have noticed. We will also explore the electrical panel box form and function.

1. Visual Inspection

If the breaker box has a brand name of “Federal Pacific Electric” or “Zinsco,” it may be unsafe. Even if it has a reassuring “GTE Sylvania” label inside, it may be one of the recalled Zinscos. Federal Pacifics may have a “Stab-Loc” label inside the panel.

(Older Zinscos and all Federal Pacifics might not trip, causing overheating and fires. Federal Pacifics went out of production in the 1980s, but not before millions of properties were affected.)

If we discover old fuses and aging fixtures during the electrical panel maintenance, we will probably recommend an upgrade.

2. Fire Evidence

With no “fuel” available, fires inside closed panel boxes usually extinguish themselves. There may have been a previous panel fire if there are burn marks or discolorations in or near the panel box.

3. Frequent Circuit ‘Trips’

It is not normal to have to “reset the breaker” because you have a power outage in one area. Most property owners go years without their circuit breakers flipping off. Breaker-tripping tells us there’s some kind of deterioration going on.

4. Plastic-Burning Smell

Plastic electronics have a distinctive odor when they are burning. If you smell plastic burning near the circuit box, schedule an electrical panel maintenance inspection immediately.

Electrical Demand is Property-Specific

Your property may have the same layout or floor plan as others. But how you use your space – how many people, rooms/offices, and electronic devices used – is unique. Working at home may lessen travel time and fuel consumption, but homeowners’ electricity usage increase proportionately. Office spaces and commercial buildings need basic services 24/7.

Turn It On Electric of Arizona recommends electrical panel maintenance as part of your annual or bi-annual property inspection. We’ll ensure breakers, connection points, components, and wires are tightened and functioning. We will also assess your usage levels to determine if your property’s wiring is keeping up.

If you have any questions or electrical concerns, contact us immediately. We’re your local electric service professionals for Phoenix-area communities and neighborhoods, including:

  • Carefree
  • Cave Creek
  • East Valley
  • Glendale
  • Paradise Valley
  • Peoria
  • Scottsdale

It’s not what we do…but how much love we put into it. – José, Journeyman Electrician

Categories Outdoor, Residential

Adding Garage Lights

Adding Garage Lights

You’ve installed attractive lighting throughout your home. Your property has lighting for safety and landscape enhancement. But what about your garage lights?

It\’s not quite inside, not quite outside and never well-lit. The low-wattage light on the door opener rarely provides enough illumination and it shuts off when you’re only halfway to the door.

Garage Lights: Many Options

Garages are probably one of the most versatile rooms in your house. You can use your garage for one thing (parking cars) or several:

  • Auto repair/restoration
  • Crafts
  • Game room
  • Recreation area
  • Storage
  • Workshop

Your garage needs proper lighting no matter how its space is used. What’s confusing is there are many types of lights available. First, identify your “essential areas.” These can include:

  • Above the door of the garage (an ideal place for storage)
  • Electrical appliances
  • Storage/seasonal tools
  • Where you hang frequently used tools
  • Workbench

Then decide if and where motion-sensor garage lights would provide value. If you have small children, you want to know their whereabouts at all times, so motion sensor lighting at all garage entrances would be effective.

Types of Garage Lights

Lighting is either accent, ambient, or task. “An ideally lit garage should have all three,” says HomeStratosphere. Layered illumination is perfect for a multipurpose space like a garage.

Here are 11 tips for installing garage lights:

  1. “Shop” lights – These are new-and-improved fluorescent garage lights. They are cost-effective and provide more illumination for small spaces.
  2. CFL – Compact fluorescent lights replace incandescent bulbs. They’re the twisty-spiral bulbs used in most table lamps. They are energy-efficient, cost-efficient, and provide an illumination that feels more natural.
  3. Consider CRI – Color rendering index measures how well a bulb illuminates all the colors in an area. High CRI bulbs render wood colors as well as painted walls.
  4. Don’t skimp on wattage – A lot depends on your garage size. The bigger the area, the more you should invest in good illumination.
  5. Equal distribution – Flush-mounted fixtures should be evenly spaced. Ambient lighting should deliver even distribution of light across the floor. Accent should distribute light directly on an area of focus.
  6. Flush lighting – These are more decorative but they are extremely versatile too. Three-light flush-mount garage lights are trending. They have 3 light sources on one base and offer form and function.
  7. Halogen bulbs – These are considered among the most efficient garage lights. They produce a white light that reduces eye strain and can be 10%-20% more energy-efficient than other light sources.
  8. High bay LED lights – These offer a whopping 40-times-longer lifespan and provide excellent illumination.
  9. Incandescent – These are traditional, inexpensive garage lights that produce a warmer, yellow-white color. One bulb can last for 1 year, however, they may not be available in your area.
  10. LED technology – Shop lights with LED technology can out-perform fluorescents. They offer greater efficiency and longer life. All LED garage lights can make this space a safer place to work and play. They’re the most energy-efficient.
  11. Recessed lighting – When properly installed, recessed lighting can cover a lot of space.

Turn It On Electric for Safe Lighting Installation

There are many DIY (do-it-yourself) tasks for homeowners to tackle. Electrical installation isn’t one of them. It’s simply not worth the risk of endangering your family and property. You also don’t want to jeopardize your insurance coverage.

Let’s team to make your garage lights more efficient and attractive. Contact Turn It On Electric today.

Categories Lighting, Residential

The Best Night Lighting for Entertaining

The Best Night Lighting for Entertaining

Nothing is more inviting than mood-enhancing entertainment lighting. If you’re considering outdoor night lighting for summer entertaining, be willing to make a commitment. “As with most things related to homeownership, landscape lighting systems require ongoing maintenance and tuneups,” says Green Industry magazine.

Indoor lighting is best served by – you guessed it – natural sunshine. And lights definitely impact your guests’ comfort levels. A room with warm, inviting lighting sets the stage for a relaxing evening. You can design lighting to encourage engaging conversation. But a roomful of harsh LED lights? A definite party darkener.

Inside Night Lighting for Entertainment

We’re drawn to and fascinated by lights. One of the best indoor night lighting ideas is to present a beautiful yard bathed in wondrous lights. Guests will gravitate to your uncovered windows to admire the scenery.

Another mood-enhancing idea is a dimmer installation in living and dining rooms as well as kitchen areas. You can have the lights dim during the meal and mingling.

You won’t have to say, “Party’s over! Goodnight!” Just slowly ease the lights up to full brightness.

Indoor lighting ideas include:

  • Art highlights – A lovely way to exhibit collectibles and family art.
  • Bathrooms – Auto/on-off lights are convenient (and impressive).
  • Chandeliers – Nothing speaks to elegance more than a sparkling chandelier.
  • Entrance lighting – There are some stunning hallway and entrance light fixtures available to today’s homeowners.
  • Recessed lighting – Recessed ceiling lights are subtle and sophisticated.
  • Wall sconces – Enjoy being surrounded by wall sconces that can be flame-like, ultra-modern, or shabby-chic.

Summer and Fall Outdoor Get-Togethers

Phoenix-area homeowners have a tradition of gracious outdoor entertaining all year-round. But evening summer and fall parties are especially pleasurable.

To begin your lightscaping project, define exactly what you want to achieve. Do you want to illuminate a walkway or garden path? How will your night lighting integrate with furniture and seating arrangements? Do you need lighting for a one-time, large event or permanent fixtures for long-term entertaining, or both?

Once you’ve determined how your outdoor night lighting will best serve, make a “blueprint” of your yard. It doesn’t have to be perfectly scaled. Indicate ground, tree, exterior home, and fixture lighting areas.

Points to consider:

  • Low-voltage lighting can cost less than high-voltage, depending on the design.
  • Solar lighting is a good choice for sunny Arizona and it’s the least expensive option.
  • There are safety precautions for outdoor night lighting strands and especially ground fixtures.
  • Your lighting budget should include the cost of an electrical contractor to install the wiring.

Residential Lighting for Beauty and Safety

Turn It On Electric offers over 20 years’ experience in superior electrical service. Turn It On Electric\’s team of professionals live and work in:

  • Anthem
  • Cave Creek
  • Chandler
  • Gilbert
  • Glendale
  • Mesa
  • Paradise Valley
  • Phoenix
  • Scottsdale
  • Tempe

We are passionate about home safety and can share several ideas for home lighting that will not only enhance the quality of your life; it will increase your property value. Contact Turn It On Electric today to design a customized night lighting package for your home.