Categories Electrical Wiring, Residential

Aluminum rewiring in your Phoenix home

Cactus in window

Many older homes in the Greater Phoenix area have aluminum wiring. However, this type of wiring may not be the best for your home and can actually cause significant problems over the years. If your home is equipped with this outdated wiring style, it may be time for aluminum rewiring to ensure your safety and the proper operation of your electrical system. Here\’s why you should consider aluminum rewiring.

Prevent Fires

As aluminum wire connections deteriorate over time, they lose their ability to effectively carry current. This can cause them to overheat, possibly starting dangerous electrical fires in your home. With aluminum rewiring, you\’ll get new copper wiring, which is much more resistant to fire, helping to keep you and your loved ones as safe as possible. When your safety is on the line, you can\’t afford not to make an appointment for aluminum rewiring right away.

Protect Electrical Faceplates

When your aluminum wires get hot, a lot of that heat transfers into the faceplates of your electrical outlets, as well as their mounting hardware. In some cases, the metal screws on the faceplates can reach temperatures of up to 300 degrees. This can cause severe burns to your skin if you unknowingly touch a hot faceplate. The faceplates can also emit sparks, increasing your risk of fire. Aluminum rewiring will eliminate this problem and make your faceplates safe once again.

Aluminum Rewiring to Stop Flickering Lights

Because aluminum wires lose their ability to carry a charge over time, they can cause your lights to flicker. When the current is uneven, your lights won\’t get the power they need to stay steadily lit. This results in flickering or lights that don\’t work altogether. While not particularly dangerous, this can still be quite an inconvenience. After aluminum rewiring with new copper wires, this problem will be eliminated.

Power Modern Appliances

Today\’s appliances, while more energy-efficient than their predecessors, still require a steady supply of power to operate effectively. Old aluminum wiring, even if it doesn\’t have any major issues, may not have the ability to carry enough of a charge to power newer devices, especially those that use a lot of electricity, like refrigerators and other appliances. After aluminum rewiring, your appliances and other electronic devices should have all the power they need.

Save Money on Energy Costs

When your electronic devices aren\’t getting the steady power they need, they won\’t be able to operate at their most efficient level. This can result in your home drawing even more power from the main power grid, even though it isn\’t effectively delivered to where it needs to go. Over time, this can drastically increase your electricity bills. Once you have completed an aluminum rewiring service, your home will be able to make much better use of the power it receives, minimizing the amount of electricity you\’ll have to pull from the power grid. You\’ll likely begin to see savings on your monthly energy bills right away.

Get Started with Aluminum Rewiring

Because of all these potential problems, it is crucial that you schedule an aluminum rewiring appointment as soon as possible. The experts here at Turn It On Electric will be more than happy to assist you. We have helped countless homeowners in the Phoenix area with their aluminum rewiring needs, and we can help you too. Reach out to our team today to learn more about this important service and schedule an appointment for an estimate to evaluate your home\’s needs.

Categories Electrical Wiring, Residential

Should you replace aluminum wiring in your home?

Child playing with firetruck

If your house uses aluminum wiring, you may have safety hazards lurking. Fires, shorts, and other problems can come at any time, and leave you scrambling. The older, less efficient wiring used in older homes creates problems over time. Meanwhile, you are likely paying higher electric bills.

Before you see a problem emerge, you should have your wiring checked by an expert. Even if you aren\’t seeing electrical issues, you should act to protect your family and your wallet. Here are five good reasons to look to replace your aluminum wiring today.

1. Avoid Potential Fire Hazards From Aluminum Wiring

According to the National Fire Protection Association, 19% of deaths in home structure fires come from faulty wiring. Because older homes primarily used aluminum rather than copper wiring, they come with particular dangers. The wiring tends to fray or pulls apart over time. This can create overheating, sparks or fires.

2. Get Better Insurance Coverage

Today, many insurance companies will either refuse to insure or charge sky-high premiums for your structural coverage. They recognize the likelihood of problems in a house that is not up to code. You need coverage against hazards that might arise. Replacing your aluminum wiring comes with an up-front cost, but can save you a fortune down the road.

3. Avoid Common Electrical Problems

Often, you will see signs of wiring problems. In addition, you may experience the following:

  • flickering lights
  • warm switch plates
  • burning smells
  • frequent blown fuses
  • tripped circuit breakers

If you see any of these signs, it is a good idea to get an inspection. A light shorting out when you are on the stairs or a refrigerator shutting down in the summer can hit hard. It is both better and cheaper to catch a potential problem than to deal with a current one!

4. Save On Utility Bills

There are reasons copper wiring is the new standard. Copper conducts heat better and lasts longer. It allows you to use less electricity in your home every day. The more up to date your wiring, the safer and less expensive it will be for you to live there every day.

5. Do Your Part For The World

When you replace your aluminum wiring, you also use less energy over time. This decreases waste and conserves resources. Your old wiring forces you to use more and get less for doing so. The waste adds up over time with every house using aluminum in its wiring system.

You Need To Consult The Experts

For many reasons, you need to look at the wiring in your home. Older homes are particularly vulnerable to problems, but any house with improper wiring becomes a ticking time bomb. You can wait for something to go wrong, but the longer you wait, the harder the fix becomes. With time, the hit on your wallet will only grow.

Of course, the only thing worse than waiting is attempting to fix the wiring yourself. You need experienced, professional help. In the Phoenix area, your best electrician partner is Turn It On Electric. We will inspect your home and take care of all of your electrical needs. Contact us today to protect your house, your family, and your wallet from the dangers of aluminum wiring.

Categories Electrician, Residential, Smoke Detector

Installing smoke detectors at home

Most homes use battery-operated smoke detectors to alert occupants of smoke, fire, or carbon monoxide (CO). While these safety devices work fine for your home, they must be replaced per the manufacture’s specifications. Keep the following information in mind if you need to choose new devices for your home.

Options for Smoke Detector Devices

You may benefit from having certain types of smoke detectors. A few of the different options that are available for your residence include the following:

  • Hard-wired detectors: These detectors connect to your home’s electrical system rather than running on battery power. With this type of device, you don\’t have to worry about checking and replacing batteries nearly as often as they are there as a backup. These detectors work constantly when your power is on. If you lose power, they use the backup battery to keep running.
  • Wireless detectors: These smoke detectors “talk” to each other through your wi-fi connection. If one goes off it can alert the other detectors of potential danger. However, in the event the power fails and your wi-fi goes down they are not better than a single battery smoke detector.
  • Battery-powered detectors: These are usually the easiest to install and replace. Quite simply, they are better than nothing. Battery-powered smoke detectors work independently of each other and only the one that senses smoke will alarm. Batteries need to be replaced often. Some newer systems have long-life batteries that can last up to 10 years.
  • Dual purpose, smoke and CO detectors: If you have natural gas in your home, you need to have a CO detector to keep yourself, your family, and your pets safe. Many smoke detectors include a CO detector to alert you of high carbon monoxide levels in the home. Carbon monoxide can be deadly if the gas lines in your home are leaking.

Installation and Operation Requirements

No matter what type of smoke detector you choose for your home, you should have them professionally installed. Our electricians can ensure that your new detectors are properly and safely installed. With a hard-wired system, they can handle the installation process without damaging your existing wiring. We always recommend a hard-wired system as they have a longer battery life, require less maintenance, and communicate better in the event of a fire.

New smoke detectors to the market are smart home enabled and can connect to your mobile device whether you’re home or away. This can provide peace of mind knowing that you’ll always be alerted should there be a fire in your home. Some of these smart devices include CO detectors as well as improved detection to alert you sooner rather than later. With mobile alerts, everyone in your family can know if there’s a problem in your home.

Keep in mind that you’ll need to have electricians take care of maintenance and repairs if you go with hard-wired detectors. Our team can handle these tasks to ensure that your detectors continue to work properly.

Locations for Smoke Detectors

Smoke detectors need to cover the areas of your home that you spend your time in. You should have a detector installed in each room, hallway, and bedroom. Keep in mind that with a hard-wired system in place, all will sound to smoke or fire in your home right away. With a non-hardwired detector, only the detector in the affected area goes off. Other detectors won’t sound the alarm until smoke or fire reaches the area they’re in. However, the newer “smart” smoke detectors are able to wirelessly alert each other so you won’t have to be near the fire or smoke to know there’s a problem.

Professional electricians can help you determine the most suitable placement for your detectors if you’re installing new ones. This will depend on the layout of your home and other factors, such as the size.

Whether you’re installing new smoke detectors or aren’t sure if your current ones are working properly, contact Turn It On Electric today.

Categories Ceiling Fans, Outdoor, Residential

4 outdoor ceiling fan benefits

4 outdoor ceiling fan benefits

Arizona homeowners are lucky to enjoy beautiful weather throughout much of the year. This makes it easy to enjoy spending time outdoors. However, it can also get incredibly hot, especially in the summer. Adding a ceiling fan to your outdoor space can help to keep you cool and comfortable while also keeping bugs away. Here\’s what you need to know about outdoor ceiling fans and their benefits.

The Difference Between Indoor and Outdoor Ceiling Fans

As you start shopping for ceiling fans, you\’ll likely notice that some are designated for inside the home, while others say that they can be used outdoors. Outdoor ceiling fans will be exposed to the elements of weather. Therefore, they need to be much more durable than their indoor counterparts.

Look for the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) rating on the fans you are considering to determine where you can use them. You\’ll see the following designations:

  • Dry-Rated – Fans with this rating cannot handle damp or wet environments, so they should only be installed indoors.
  • Damp-Rated – These fans can withstand a bit of moisture in the atmosphere, though they cannot get wet themselves. This is an excellent choice for bathrooms, covered patios, and other areas that get indirect water exposure.
  • Wet-Rated – These outdoor ceiling fans can handle being out in the rain. If your patio or deck is only partially covered, like by a pergola, this is the type of fan you need.

Benefits of Outdoor Ceiling Fans

Installing a ceiling fan can make a big difference in your outdoor lifestyle, and here\’s how.

Extend Your Patio Use

When the temperature rises in the summer here in Arizona, the heat can get quite stifling. This can diminish your enjoyment of your backyard. With a fan, you and your guests will be able to stay much cooler. It will allow you to use your patio throughout the summer without worrying about overheating. This way, you can make the most of your outdoor space at just about any time of the year.

Brighten Things Up

Many outdoor ceiling fans incorporate lights. This way, you\’ll be able to enjoy your patio just as much at night as you do during the day. When choosing the bulbs for your light fixture, make sure they aren\’t too bright. You want there to be enough light to see what you are doing, but not so much that your outdoor space becomes as bright as day. The light should be soft and warm to create an atmosphere that is welcoming and inviting, not cold and clinical.

Customize and Beautify Your Outdoor Space

There are countless ceiling fans to choose from in the outdoor category. There is also a wide range of styles among them. Adding a ceiling fan to your patio is about more than just keeping you cool; it is also about beautifying the space and making it an enjoyable place to spend your time. Think about the overall vibe you are going for in your outdoor space to guide your decision. Your outdoor ceiling fan should fit with your general theme for your backyard, whether it is vibrant and tropical or understated and elegant.

Keep Bugs Away

Nothing can ruin an outdoor gathering faster than a swarm of gnats, flies, or other insects. Many of these bugs don\’t like moving air, so the circulation created by your outdoor ceiling fan can help to keep them at bay. You\’ll really appreciate this benefit when you and your loved ones are dining outside, as it will keep the bugs away from your food.  It will also prevent them from buzzing around your head while you relax and unwind at the end of the day.

Enhance Your Backyard with an Outdoor Ceiling Fan

If a ceiling fan is just the thing your patio needs, get in touch with the electrical experts at Turn It On Electric today. We\’ll install your new fan as quickly and efficiently as possible so you can start enjoying it right away. Call now to get started.

Categories Electrical Wiring, Maintenance, Residential

4 reasons to consider electrical rewiring

4 reasons to consider electrical rewiring

When a local homeowner contacted Turn It On Electric (TIO) about electrical rewiring, he indicated he had recently purchased an older property. After attending the Phoenix-area neighborhoods’ Historic Homes Tour in February (2019), the couple knew an older home was what they wanted.

“It’s a historical home,” he said, “But my wife says it’s a hysterical home.” The new old-homeowners told Turn It On Electric there were several signs of electrical problems in more than one room.

Reasons Properties Need Electrical Rewiring

Old homes have charm. They also often have electrical wiring issues. American Home Shield

When a property needs electrical wiring replacement, a professional electrical rewiring is necessary. Electrical rewiring is not a DIY (do-it-yourself) job. Ever.

If something went wrong and damage resulted from faulty DIY wiring, your insurance company could deny coverage. And that’s the best-case scenario. DIY electrical repair jeopardizes the safety of your loved ones. It’s not worth the risks.

There are 4 reasons your home or business property may need electrical rewiring:

1. New Homes

During a new-house-build, something could have been overlooked as contractors strive to complete on-time, within-budget demands. According to ASHI (American Society of Home Inspectors), some “surprising” examples include kitchen fans that don’t vent and behind-the-wall damage that jeopardizes electrical wiring.

2. Older Properties

ASHI also recommends a close inspection of electrical systems in any 15-year-old home. A 25-year old home is “middle age,” and “In this age group we may find that the lighting and wall-receptacle wiring is aluminum; this could be a serious problem,” ASHI continues.

3. 50-Year-Old Homes

Electrical systems could be outdated by today’s standards; an electrical rewiring assessment should be made and follow-up annual maintenance visits scheduled.

4. Historical Homes

Century-old structures can be beautiful but art imitates life: Aging has its challenges. These homeowners often consider electrical rewiring a good preventive measure.

Signs of Electrical Issues

Our Phoenix-area historical homeowners made a wise decision to contact Turn It On Electric when they did. Red flags signaling their property needed electrical rewiring were:

  • Extension cords – The couple noticed previous owners ran extension cords to power strips in every room. Not only was the wiring risky; the house needed several more outlets.
  • Flickering lights – When room lights dim or flicker, it’s seldom a light fixture problem. Your licensed electrician can determine if it’s a circuitry problem.
  • Hot outlet – One of the electrical outlets in the kitchen was hot to the touch; another major red flag. If this occurs, discontinue using that outlet until your professional electrician examines it.
  • Odd breaker panel odor – “It was a little bit like burning rubber,” said the homeowner. If your fuse box or breaker panel emits any kind of odor, contact your local licensed electrician immediately.

Top-Rated TIO Electric

Electrical rewiring sounds extreme, but imagine the possible losses due to a house fire. Turn It On Electric is a residential and commercial electrical contractor serving all of Phoenix Metro area including:

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

If it’s time for your home to have an electrical rewiring assessment, contact Turn It On Electric.