Chad – Page 53 – Turn It On Electric

Electrician

How to choose an affordable electrician

Business hand clicking on customer reviews on virtural screen interface

30Mar2018

When you have an electrical problem or need an upgrade, it’s easy to think that an affordable electrician will be hard to find. While it’s true that electrical work doesn’t come cheap, it is helpful to know what to look for when you need an affordable electrician for any size electrical job.

Licensing

In Arizona, electricians must have an active state-issued license before they can legally practice as a contractor. The state has specific requirements for classroom and on-the-job hours before becoming eligible for the tests. An apprentice must spend five years on the job working under a licensed electrician to qualify for the exam.

Once licensed, the contractor must obtain a bond, liability insurance, and carry workman’s compensation insurance. All three protect the contractor and clients from accidents on the job or property damage.

Finding an Electrician

Besides word of mouth, the internet is a good resource for identifying an affordable electrician. Use trusted sites like Angie’s List, the BBB, and even Yelp. Turn It On Electric enjoys A and A+ rating with each of these sites. All three provide unbiased reviews from customers to help others searching for a reputable contractor.

Once you’ve found an affordable electrician, check with the Arizona Registrar of Contractors. They have an online database that identifies whether the contractor you’re considering has an active license, as well as bonding and insurance. Just type in the name of the contractor and the site will pull up the appropriate record. For work as critical as electrical, it’s crucial to have a licensed affordable electrician at your side.

Risks Associated with Using Unlicensed Electricians

Electricity carries a number of hazards to both people and property. Electrical shocks can be extremely dangerous, if not fatal, and electrical shorts can start fires. No one deliberately wires or repairs wiring with the intention of causing harm, but accidents and mistakes do happen.

When you use an unlicensed electrician, you run a high risk of liability should an accident happen at your home. The law treats you as the contractor when you use someone without a license in Arizona, and claimants can look to you for financial recourse.

Your homeowner’s policy may not cover work done by unlicensed contractors. It leaves you personally liable for the damages or injuries. These damages could run into the tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The scope of Work, Hidden Fees, and Up-Selling

An affordable electrician with a solid reputation has no need to charge hidden fees or provide services that you don’t need. Since wiring and electrical services and components are complicated and use specialized terminology, it’s easy for a less scrupulous contractor to exaggerate the materials needed and their costs.

A legitimate affordable electrician like those from Turn It On Electric will never mislead customers about the extent of the work that needs to be done. We know that nothing is more valuable than customer satisfaction and a solid reputation within the community. Charging hidden fees and up-selling aren’t ethical business practices and an affordable electrician who values integrity won’t engage in either practice.

Before you choose a contractor, make sure you\’ve done some research. And if you don’t understand why or what the contractor is recommending, ask for a clarification. A trustworthy and affordable electrician will always take time to explain what needs to be done and why.

Turn It On Electric has no hidden fees. We estimate your project up front and get approval from you before we do extra work. We are a local company and we care about our customers. Contact us for an instant estimate.

Electric Bill

What are the top contributors to my electric bill?

4Mar2018

Your electricity bill can fluctuate from month to month, depending on how much energy your household uses. Certain items account for a much higher portion of your bill, while others only contribute a little. Being aware of the biggest energy contributors can help you find ways to lower your energy usage overall.

Biggest Energy Users

The biggest source of energy use in your home is your heating and cooling system. Whether you’re using your air conditioner in summer or your furnace in winter, this makes up the biggest expense on your electricity bill. In fact, heating and cooling account for close to half of an average household’s energy usage.

The next highest contributor to your electricity bill is your water heater. Consider how often you rely on your water heater for hot or warm water in order to shower, take a bath, wash your hands, do your laundry or wash your dishes. This energy use adds up over time. Your water heater accounts for roughly 14% of your household’s energy use.

Your washer and dryer are also big energy users. Think about how many loads of laundry you do on a regular basis. The larger your family is the more loads of laundry you go through. This requires a considerable amount of energy for running your washing machine and dryer. Washers and dryers use around 13% of your total household energy.

Lighting is another big contributor to your electricity bill. If you’re home during the day, you most likely have lights on in your living room and kitchen most of the time. Having these lights on much of the time adds up in terms of energy usage. Lighting is just behind washer and dryers at 12% of a household’s energy use.

Smaller Energy Users

There are other items in your household that can make some difference in your electricity bill. However, these items don’t take up as much power as the larger contributors. Some of the smaller items that use energy include refrigerators, electric ovens, TVs, cable boxes, dishwashers, and computers. Vacuum cleaners and hair dryers also use a lot of electricity, although you usually only run them for shorter periods of time.

Ways to Save Energy

Finding ways to reduce the amount of energy you use helps make your electricity bill lower on an ongoing basis. You can lower your household’s energy usage by doing the following:

Switch to LED lighting – LED lighting uses much less energy than incandescent bulbs, and LED bulbs typically last longer. Installing LED lighting or using LED bulbs might cost more upfront, but you save a significant amount over time by using less energy.
Unplug devices that you’re not using – Certain devices, such as cable boxes, computers, DVD players and microwaves still draw energy while they’re plugged in, even if you’re not using them.
Use a power strip – If possible, plug devices that drain energy into a power strip. Shut the entire strip off when you’re not using any of these devices. This provides a more convenient way to prevent these devices from drawing power, so you can enjoy a lower electricity bill.
Adjust your thermostat – Lower your thermostat a few degrees in winter and raise it a few degrees in summer for a lower electricity bill. Your heating and cooling system won’t have to run as much.

If you need help converting to LED lights, installing timers, or have other concerns about the electricity in your home or office, call Turn It On Electric.

Electric Bill

How to lower your electricity cost

4Mar2018

For many months of the year, your electricity cost may be a burden on your budget. Phoenix summers are unrelentingly hot and long, and energy bills skyrocket. It is possible to trim the bills associated with keeping your home comfortable by using major appliances wisely.

The biggest energy consumers in homes today include:

Heating and cooling systems
Water heaters
Swimming pool pumps
Cooking and refrigerating food
Clothes dryers

Choose a Plan

Both SRP and APS offer time-of-use plans that will lower your electricity cost as long as you pay close attention to the peak hours. These plans work well in situations where:

You’re away during the day.
The home is well-insulated and has energy efficient windows.
You have an electric water heater or a pool pump you can put on a timer.

Heating and Cooling Systems

Use a programmable thermostat to control temperatures if your home isn’t occupied on a routine daily schedule.
Check the air filter for your HVAC system monthly. Nothing drives up the electricity cost faster than a dirty filter. The dust that builds on it slows down the air flowing through the air handler. As a result, it takes longer for the A/C to heat or cool your home.
Have your HVAC system serviced at least once a year. The HVAC professional will clean and adjust the parts to bring them back to factory standards as much as possible.
Keep an eye out for ductwork leaks. Leaking ducts drive up its electrical cost quickly since they waste some of the air you’ve paid to condition.
Keep the outdoor condenser clean and leave a three-foot boundary around it for ample airflow.

Water Heater

Even though the incoming water warms up in the summer, it still costs a lot to heat it. Shave your electricity cost for water heating by:

Draining a few quarts of water from the bottom of the tank twice a year to flush sediment.
Turning the temperature down to 120 degrees F.

Pool Pumps

Skim the leaves out of the pool and sweep it manually.
Replace an old pump with an Energy Star device to significantly lower your electricity cost.

Laundry

Wash full loads only.
Put off clothes drying until sunset or early in the morning. A clothes dryer puts plenty of heat into the home during the summer.
Clean the lint filter after each use. If you use dryer sheets, scrub the filter frequently to prevent a residual buildup that blocks the airflow through the filter.

Cooking

Break out the slow cooker for homemade, healthy meals as the outdoor temperature climbs. If it’s safe and secure, place it on a patio table to cut even more electricity cost. The heat will stay outside and won’t warm the kitchen.
Keep the refrigerator and freezer reasonably full. A full refrigerator stays colder than an empty one. If you need to fill it, store items like water, flour, oatmeal, or sugar inside it.
Run full loads in the dishwasher and use the air dry setting.

Lowering the Electricity Cost with Lighting

Take a walk through the house looking for outdated light bulbs and change them to LEDs. Besides lowering your electricity cost, these bulbs emit less heat than incandescent bulbs, which lowers cooling bills. If you want the greatest energy savings, ask Turn It On Electric to show you how you can use LED lighting with smart technology to cut energy use.

Contact Turn It On Electric for help lowering your electricity cost without having to sacrifice home comfort or conveniences today.

Lighting

The benefits of led lights

3Mar2018

A few decades ago, it was inconceivable to think LED lights could do so much to enhance lighting. Unlike other kinds of bulbs, LED bulbs use electricity to fire off photons that create light.

They are not heat-dependent like incandescent bulbs that need a metal filament to reach 4,132 degrees F to light up. All an LED bulb needs is a minute amount of energy that sparks the light-giving reaction.

CFL bulbs use about the same amount of energy as LED bulbs, but emanate light through a different process entirely. They use electricity to excite the molecules of gases to create the glow that emits light. In so doing, CFLs emit plenty of heat.

Energy Use

According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), an LED uses 75 percent less electricity than an incandescent bulb for the same amount of light. When shopping for the bulbs, you’ll find the wattage of the bulb on the packaging, along with the wattage of equivalent incandescent bulbs. A 5-watt LED bulb can produce as much light as a 35-watt incandescent bulb.

Heat Production

The DOE reports that CFL and incandescent bulbs emit 80 and 90 percent respectively of the electricity they use as heat. Considering the long, hot summers in the Phoenix area, using these bulbs instead of LED lights adds to the cooling load for many months of the year. A home that uses LED bulbs exclusively will stay cooler, which cuts your cost of cooling.

Colors and Lumens

Besides the strings of colorful holiday lights, LED lights are available in a variety of hues from red to purple and bright to subdued whites. The packaging will indicate whether they’re cool, warm, or bright white. Although the packaging for LED bulbs compares their energy use to incandescent bulbs, it has nothing to do with the amount of light they produce. The most revealing comparison is to look for their lumens. Higher lumens indicate more light.

Durability

Instead of measuring the lifetimes of LED lights in hours, they’re measured in decades. Even though the bulbs cost more, they start saving you money the moment you replace your old incandescent bulbs.

LEDs lights are also a good alternative to CFLs because they last longer and tolerate power interruptions better. LED lights excel in areas where you turn the lights on and off frequently, like garages, closets, and bathrooms. CFLs tend to burn out faster in these locations.

Safety

Some of the LED lights have plastic housings, which increases their safety since they won’t break on impact or create shards of glass. They also don’t emit enough heat to spark a fire, even around highly combustible materials.

Versatility

LED lights come in many colors, shape, and sizes as individual bulbs, lighting strips, and enclosed fixtures. They can be hardwired or run off batteries. You’ll find them in flashlights and grow lights in both large and small greenhouses. The only place LED bulbs aren’t suitable is inside ovens. Temperatures that exceed 212 degrees F interfere with LED technology.

Smart LED Bulbs

Smart LED lights have chips inside them that make it possible to control them remotely, as long as you have a compatible home hub or smartphone. Some will change their colors, permit geofencing, or play music. All are dimmable and operate on a schedule. The lights operate either via Wi-Fi signals or Bluetooth.

Bottom Line

Swapping out your old light bulbs with LED lights makes a lot of sense and will increase your home’s energy efficiency and your enjoyment. While some bulbs are a simple do-it-yourself replacement, many larger fixtures require the work of a licensed electrician. Contact Turn It On Electric today to learn about converting your home or business to LED lighting today.

Lighting

The lights dim when I turn the vacuum on, is that normal?

3Mar2018

You turn your vacuum cleaner on, and your lights dim. Is this something you should worry about, or is it a normal electrical occurrence?

Find out if dimming lights are harmless or if they may indicate a problem with your wiring. Knowing when to contact an electrician for your Phoenix home can provide you with peace of mind.

Normal Causes of Dimming Lights

If your lights dim briefly as soon as you turn your vacuum cleaner on, then return to normal, this is usually nothing to worry about. In fact, it’s normal for this to occur. Vacuum cleaners use a lot of electricity and starting yours up may cause the voltage to temporarily drop.

This might also happen with other appliances, devices or equipment that use a lot of electricity, such as microwave ovens or hair dryers. As long as the dimming is slight and doesn’t last, this is usually not a cause for concern. However, you can always have Turn It On Electric check your home in order to provide you with peace of mind. You’ll know for sure whether or not it\’s harmless or a sign of trouble when your lights dim.

If you have lamps or light fixtures that dim, check the bulbs before calling an electrician. Bulbs that are nearing the end of their lifespan often flicker or dim. Replacing these bulbs could solve the problem.

When to Worry if Your Lights Dim

If your lights dim drastically, or if they don’t return to normal after dimming, you should have them checked. If you have flickering lights, you should also have these inspected. There are other possible causes that can make your lights dim. These need to be found and corrected in order to prevent the risk of electrical problems. Some of the things that can make lights dim include the following.

Circuit Problems

Overloaded circuits occur when you have too much voltage running through them. This can end up making lights dim in order to accommodate the higher amount of power needed. If you have too much draw on one circuit, it could trip the circuit breaker. If you find that you have to reset breakers often, you should talk to a licensed electrician about installing a separate circuit. This helps break up the amount of power flowing through each circuit, which makes the breaker less likely to trip.

Wiring Problems

Wiring problems in your home, such as older wiring or wiring that is frayed, corroded or damaged, can make lights dim. This is considered highly dangerous, but a licensed electrician can locate the faulty wiring and replace it as needed. If you suspect your wiring may be causing dimming lights, you should have Turn It On Electric inspect it as soon as possible.

Ballast Problems

Light ballasts are responsible for maintaining a steady flow of electricity to light fixtures. If you have a ballast that is damaged or worn out, this can cause dimming lights or too much brightness. Having us inspect and replace ballasts as needed could correct this problem. You’re more likely to have ballast problems if you live in an older home.

Call Turn It On Electric

If your lights dim when you turn on an appliance or your vacuum, it could be the sign of a dangerous problem. Call Turn It On Electric to assess your current situation. We’ll make sure that you don’t have anything to worry about and make any needed repairs promptly.

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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!

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