Categories Electrical Wiring, Residential, Safety, Tucson

Best Electrical Repair in Tucson

Best Electrical Repair in Tucson

You’ve decided on some minor repairs and a few electrical upgrades to your home. These will increase your property value and add value to your quality of life. You’ve contacted a local company requesting installations and some level of electrical repair in Tucson.

A shabby-looking van pulls up and the service technician hops out wearing torn, dirty clothing and smoking a cigarette. Don’t open the door.

If service professionals don’t take pride in their company or personal appearance, how will they take care of your home and possessions? (They won’t.)

What to Look For: Professional Electrical Repair in Tucson

From the first communication to the electrical project’s completion, you should expect electrical repair in Tucson to be nothing less than professional and customer-care oriented. It should go without saying that you should receive superior quality electrical services, but that’s not always the case.

Look for an established business that’s here to stay. A service company that has been in business over the years is likely invested in your community. Shoddy workmanship and low customer satisfaction ratings aren’t even a possibility for your family’s local Arizona electrician.

Here are some things to look for when you’re planning a renovation project or need electrical repair in Tucson:

  • Ask for proof of insurance – The contractor should have insurance that protects your home/property and on-the-job employees that might be injured.
  • Buyer beware – Anyone offering electrical work under $1,000 doesn’t need a license. That means you get what you pay for and your “handyman” isn’t required to take responsibility for poor quality work or even damages. Verify your electrician has a contractor license issued by the Registrar of Contractors. Professional electrical contractors must have training, pass a trade/business/law exam, and submit proof of a bond.
  • Check the BBB rating – An electrical contractor with an A+ Better Business Bureau rating is preferred.
  • Google them – Independent testimonials are valuable.
  • LEED-certifiedEnergy-saving installations and electrical repair will increase property value and save money on electric bills. LEED is the sustainable building standard of the United States Green Building Council.
  • Money talks – Your electrician will be upfront about costs and scope of work. If the conversation seems to be vague or has an unnecessary sense of urgency (“We need to do this today while this price is good…”), walk away.
  • Request license verification – You need an R-11 license to be a Maricopa County electrician in Arizona.
  • Talk about technology qualifications – If the electrician isn’t sure how to install a garage charging station for your hybrid car, chances are the company employees don’t receive ongoing education.
    Technology training is required for electrical:
    • Car charging station(s)
    • Light timers/photovoltaic panels
    • Security installations
    • Smart-home thermostats
    • Solar-ready panels
    • Water heater timers

TIO Electric: The Best Electricians in Tucson, Phoenix, & Scottsdale

For more than 10 years, Turn It On Electric has been driven by customer care and safety. In order to be the best in a competitive business, we make recommendations based on what you need and what you can afford.

We also want your electrical work to be environmentally safe, so please ask questions. The more you know, the better your decisions will be. After all, we’re not “just” your service partner. We’re your neighbor.

Contact Turn It On Electric today.

Categories Electrical Wiring, Residential

Is Aluminum Wiring in Homes A Safety Hazard?

Is Aluminum Wiring in Homes A Safety Hazard?

Most of the houses built in Tucson were built between 1970-1979. In Phoenix, the majority of housing properties were developed between 1990-1999. Throughout our state, the median home age is between 30-40 years old. Aluminum wiring in homes has a bad reputation, and some of it is well-deserved.

Aluminum Wiring in Homes: What You Need to Know

Aluminum wiring in homes was improved in the early ’70s to enhance safety. It was completely phased-out a few years later. Some service wires coming into homes today, as well as 240-volt circuitry, have aluminum wiring. It’s fine.

The danger comes from “aluminum branch circuit conductors installed from…1965 to 1972,” says a Minneapolis home inspector. The wires that support 15- and 20-amp circuits, connecting to outlets, switches, lights, etc., “had a lot of problems.”

  • Aluminum wiring expands and contracts at a high rate, leading to loose connections. Connections between aluminum and copper can cause oxidation. These are fire hazards.
  • Aluminum wiring replaced copper around 1965.
  • Between 1965-1972, over two million homes were wired with aluminum.
  • Many homes caught fire and people died as a result of aluminum wiring.
  • Pre-1972 single-family residences wired with aluminum were 55 times more likely to reach “fire hazard conditions” than copper-wired homes.
  • Aluminum wiring in homes failed at connection points, such as splices/connections between wires, outlets, circuit breakers, switches, lights, etc.

Why You Should Consider Rewiring Your Home

Over half of home electrical fires are due to wiring problems. There are many reasons to consider rewiring, but you may not need it. Before you make the investment, have your local electrician check. Perhaps aluminum wiring in homes did not affect your Arizona home’s construction.

Warning signs you need to replace your wiring include:

  • Arcs/sparks from any outlet
  • Burning smell
  • Buzzing/sizzling sounds
  • Cracked, cut, broken insulation
  • Dimming/flickering lights because circuit is overloaded/has loose connection
  • Frequently blown fuses/tripped breakers
  • Hot/discolored switch plates, cords, plugs
  • Lightbulbs burn out too often in 1 or more sockets
  • Loose outlets
  • Over-amped/over-fused electrical panel
  • Shock when you plug-in/touch electrical cord

Even if you don’t have any warning signs, having a home electrical inspection is just smart, especially if you know you have aluminum wiring.

Consider inspection by your Arizona licensed electrical contractor if you:

  • Have a home 40+ years old
  • Have ungrounded/2-prong outlets
  • Made home improvements/added major appliances
  • Use a lot of extension cords

The cost to rewire your home depends on where you live. Materials, labor, and cost of living impact the cost of electrical rewiring as much as house size and style. Pandemic-related material shortages and supply chain issues have impacted many businesses in 2021.

You Can Trust TIO Electric

Maintaining your home’s electrical system shouldn’t wait until you’re selling or buying. Turn It On Electric serves Maricopa and Pima counties as well as nearby communities and neighborhoods. We recommend you schedule a complete home electrical wiring inspection every 5 years.

Residential and commercial property owners trust us for honest appraisals: If you don’t need the work or it can wait a bit, we’ll tell you. If you’re going to need it sooner rather than later, we’ll tell you that too.

Real estate professionals trust us to deliver superior quality work. Contractors trust us to deliver our work on-time and within budget. You can trust Turn It On Electric.

If you have questions, contact us today.

Categories Electrical Wiring, Residential, Safety

What to do when your circuit breaker keeps tripping

What to do when your circuit breaker keeps tripping

If your circuit breaker keeps tripping, it’s a major red flag, especially if it’s caused by your home office or kitchen appliances. Your circuit breaker keeps tripping because your electrical system is warning you something’s wrong. It’s trying to protect you from electrocution and fire hazards.

Electrical failures or malfunctions were the second leading cause of U.S. home fires . . . Fires involving electrical failures or malfunctions accounted for the highest share of civilian deaths and direct property damage.

NFPA (National Fire Protection Association)

6 Reasons Why Your Circuit Breaker Keeps Tripping

NFPA also says the majority of electrical home fires are caused by arcing. “Arcing” is what happens when a circuit is overloaded. When your circuit breaker keeps tripping, it’s a warning that overloading may be an immediate threat. If you ignore it, the damaged circuit breaker will stop tripping and allow electricity to flow, causing a fire.

Reasons your fuses (older homes) or circuit breaker keeps tripping include:

  1. Age – Some of the common protections in place in newer wiring may be missing in your older or historical home. Older homes with aging wiring need a professional, residential electrical inspection. The oldest type of wiring (circa the 1940s) is dangerous when the insulation erodes.
  2. Arc fault – The NEC (National Electrical Code has increased requirements for AFCI (arc-fault circuit interrupter) in newly built or renovated homes. Your AFCI breaker triggers tripping when circuit overloads, ground faults, or short circuits occur. It can also sense power fluctuations; an important safeguard.
  3. Ground fault – This is a type of short circuit. It occurs when a hot wire touches a ground wire, wall box, or wood framing. These are especially dangerous in moisture-heavy areas like bathrooms and kitchens.
  4. Overloaded circuit – If you’re using a lot of power strips in your home office, you may have a heavier electrical load than your wiring can handle. If your circuit breaker keeps tripping in the kitchen, you need to upgrade the load-carrying capacity of your wiring.
  5. Poor wiring – If your wiring wasn’t installed by a licensed electrician or was badly installed in the first place, your circuit breaker will warn you there’s a problem.
  6. Short circuit – This is a more serious reason why your circuit breaker keeps tripping. It can be because a hot wire touches a neutral wire or because an appliance has a wiring problem. If you have a short circuit, it will trip immediately after you reset it. Contact your local electrician right away.

Scottsdale & Phoenix Licensed Electrician

Any electrical problem in your Scottsdale or Phoenix-area home is not something you can DIY (do-it-yourself). It’s never worth the risk of injury to your loved ones or property. Also, if damage occurs later your insurance company can deny coverage if you didn’t use a licensed electrician for repair or maintenance.

If you have a circuit breaker that keeps tripping, it’s time to call the professionals at Turn It On Electric. We understand the need for affordable electrical work, but your well-being is our priority. We’ll tell you what you need now and what you may need later, but we won’t compromise your safety.

Let’s discuss your options. Contact Turn It On Electric today for a safer new year.

Categories Electrical Wiring, Electrician, Residential, Safety

Hire a professional for your electrical outlet install

Hire a professional for your electrical outlet install

There are many reasons why you might need an electrical outlet install for your home or business. For example, you might be constructing a new home and wish to choose exactly where the outlets will be. Similarly, you could be renovating your property and need a new electrical outlet installed to replace one lost in the renovations.

Or you may simply be looking to make your Phoenix home more functional and convenient. Whatever your reasons for needing new outlets, you should always call in a licensed, professional electrician for your electrical outlet install. 

Protect Your Property and Loved Ones 

Any type of electrical work, including an electrical outlet install, can be fraught with peril. When you are dealing with exposed wires, there is always the risk of electrocution.

Is it really worth risking your life or that of your loved ones over a simple electrical outlet install? Undoubtedly not. With a professional electrician, you can sit back and relax, knowing that everything is taken care of. Both in the moment and for the long haul.

Minimize the Risk of Electrical Fires 

Electrical fires are one of the most dangerous aspects of working with electricity. When outlets or wires give off sparks, they can ignite your carpet, curtains, furniture, or other items, potentially spreading the fire quickly throughout your home. Professional electricians are highly trained to prevent electrical fires and get them out quickly on the rare occasions they do occur. 

Ensure the Work Is Done Properly on Your Electrical Outlet Install

One of the biggest risks in doing electrical work on your own is making mistakes. Even with careful research and meticulous attention to detail, you still run the risk of doing something incorrectly. The less experience you have, the more likely you will be to make significant errors during your electrical outlet install.

Even tiny mistakes can come back to haunt you in the future. The outlets may stop working entirely, or they may spark, increasing the risk of fire and electrocution. A professional electrician will make sure the job is done right the first time. 

Gain Access to New Safety and Performance Features 

Although electrical outlets may appear simple, they are actually more complex than you might realize. In addition to simply providing access to electricity, they can also add important safety measures and improve performance.

One of the most commonly requested of these features is tamper-resistant outlets. Young children are notorious for sticking items into electrical outlets, putting them at risk for electrocution. Tamper-resistant outlets cover the ports when not in use and can only be operated by pressing all ports at the same time when plugging something in. This simple feature is powerful for keeping your kids safe, so be sure to ask for it during your electrical outlet install. 

Call Us for Your Phoenix Electrical Outlet Install 

For electrical outlet installation you can trust in Phoenix, reach out to Turn It On Electric. Our team is here to help with all your electrical needs, from initial installation to ongoing repair to full replacement. We\’ll be happy to provide a free consultation to discuss your electrical needs. 

When you work with us, you can rest assured that you are in the best, most experienced hands. We are proud to be the preferred electrical service provider in the Phoenix area. That pride is evident in each and every service we complete.

We take your satisfaction and safety seriously, so you can count on us for a job well done. Reach out to our team today to make an appointment to review your home\’s electrical requirements and upgrade your system with new outlets. 

Categories Electrical Wiring, Electrician, Maintenance, Residential, Safety

When is it time for electrical outlet replacement?

When is it time for electrical outlet replacement?

Have you been meaning to get around to electrical outlet replacement but haven\’t yet? This seemingly small home maintenance task may appear insignificant. But in the grand scheme of things, it is actually much more important than you might realize.

Not only are faulty outlets inconvenient, but they can also be dangerous. Here\’s what you need to know about electrical outlet replacement and why it needs to be on your to-do list today.

Why You Need to Replace Bad Outlets 

When one of your outlets isn\’t working properly, it can be easy to fall into the trap of ignoring it. You simply use other outlets instead. However, faulty outlets are at much greater risk of sparking or catching fire, potentially putting your home and loved ones at risk.

What\’s more, if your outlets are linked to one another, a single bad outlet could render even more of them useless. While this probably isn\’t dangerous, it can definitely be inconvenient. 

When You Need Electrical Outlet Replacement 

In general, outlets last about 15 to 20 years before they need to be replaced. But the specific timeline depends on a variety of factors, including frequency of use and types of appliances. Modern electronics have higher energy demands than those of the past, so they can sometimes overwhelm older outlets. 

Even if your outlets have not yet reached the 15-year mark, they may still need to be replaced. Faulty parts, incorrect wiring, and other complications can lead your outlets to stop working. Be on the lookout for crackling or sparking noises, unusual smells, and power fluctuations to identify when it\’s time for electrical outlet replacement. 

Inspect Your Outlets Regularly 

The best way to keep all of your electrical outlets working properly is to keep up with regular inspections and maintenance. Electrical work can be highly dangerous, so it is always best to work with a professional electrician. Here at Turn It On Electric, we are proud to serve the Phoenix area with our electrical services, including electrical outlet replacement. 

If you are concerned about the state of any of your outlets, or are simply seeking some peace of mind, our team will be more than happy to schedule an inspection for you. We\’ll come out to your Phoenix home to identify any outlets that are in need of repair. We\’ll let you know which outlets you\’ll need to replace and which can be fixed without requiring electrical outlet replacement. 

Use Electrical Outlet Replacement to Upgrade Your System 

When you replace your existing outlets, you\’ll likely be getting a serious upgrade in terms of electrical technology. This means that you\’ll get better energy efficiency, which could save you money on your utility bills. You\’ll also gain access to additional features, like USB charging ports, safety capabilities, and more. 

One of the best modern safety features is tamper resistance. With tamper-resistant outlets, you can have confidence that your children are not in danger around your outlets. The ports are covered when not in use. They prevent babies and kids from sticking toys, sticks, or other items into the outlets. A slightly higher outlet cost is a small price to pay to ensure your children\’s safety, so be sure to consider this option during your electrical outlet replacement service. 

The Turn It On Electric Difference 

When you work with us, you can rest assured that you and your property are in good hands. We are committed to excellence at every turn, from our electrical outlet replacement and inspection services to our friendly customer service.

Reach out today for electrical outlet replacement and all your other electrical needs.