Maintenance Archives - Page 2 of 5

Electrician, Maintenance, Residential, Safety

Is electrical outlet repair a DIY job?

5Jan2021

Q: How many Seahawks does it take to change a light bulb?
A: One, but it never gets done. They just hold the bulb up and wait for the world to revolve around them.

With the exception of changing a light bulb, most electrical jobs involve wiring. And no electrical wiring job – including electrical outlet repair – is DIY (do-it-yourself).

Signs You Need Electrical Outlet Repair

An electrical outlet is the wall receptacle that connects an electrical device plug to the electricity supply. They can be installed in floors and ceilings but are usually installed in walls.

There are different types of electrical outlets. Travelers often need adapters to convert the voltage in European outlets to accommodate U.S. electrical devices.

8 Signs you need electrical outlet repair include:

Cracks/chips – Cracks in or chipped areas on the faceplate or outlet are more than cosmetic. Dust and dirt can build-up behind the faceplate and, like kindling, spark a fire.
It isn’t working – Make sure the other room outlets work, then call your local electrician.
Loose plugs – If your electronic plug-ins fall out of the outlet frequently, it’s time to replace those outlets.
Power surges – If your device flickers on-and-off after you plug-in, your outlet could be “overpowered.” It shouldn’t be. It’s either damaged, outdated, worn-out, or all three.
Scorching/melting – Burn marks or signs of melting plastic on the faceplate, the outlets, or the wall are major red flags. Contact your Phoenix- or Scottsdale-area electrician immediately.
Smoke/sparks – If you see smoke or sparks near an outlet, call your electrician right away.
Two-prong holes – If your electrical outlet has only 2 holes, it’s not just old; it’s not grounded. Replace those outdated outlets as soon as possible.
Warmth/heat – If an outlet feels warm, you may have damaged or frayed wiring. In new homes, this indicates the wiring was improperly installed. Contact a licensed, bonded electrician asap.

When you believe electrical outlet repair is needed, you must contact a professional electrician. Some electrical outlet repair situations require immediate attention, but all of them are dangerous. Don’t delay.

Why You Need a Licensed Electrician for Electrical Outlet Repair

First, there’s really no such thing as “electrical outlet repair.” If you have problems, you need an electrical outlet replacement, not a repair.

Almost everyone understands DIY electrical wiring is risky at best. You risk damaging your property. You also risk serious injury and even death. It’s not worth the risk.

What many people don’t know is if you DIY an electrical project and later a fire or other damages occur that can be traced to that job, your insurance company can deny coverage. You need to be able to prove a licensed, insured, and bonded electrician did the work.

TIO Electric: Solutions for Maricopa County

Turn It On Electric inspects and replaces commercial and residential property outlets for Phoenix, Scottsdale, and nearby neighborhoods. In addition to being licensed and bonded professionals, we are also LEED-certified. This means we will offer sustainable, energy-saving options that will save money and increase your property value.

We recommend GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) outlets for every property. If there’s a problem with the electrical flow, GFCI outlets shut off. If you have GFCI outlets but your home is older than 10 years, it may be time to replace them.

Our company believes in safety first. For our friends and neighbors with small children and grandchildren, we recommend tamper-resistant outlets.

Let’s plan this year’s electrical upgrade project before electrical emergency service is needed. Contact TIO Electric for a free consultation.

Electrical Wiring, Electrician, Maintenance, Residential, Safety

When is it time for electrical outlet replacement?

5Oct2020

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.

Electric Bill, Electrical Wiring, Maintenance, Residential

How to create energy efficiency in your home

15Aug2020

Efforts toward planet preservation begin at home. Your home. When you practice energy efficiency with your household, you improve our quality of life.

Maximizing energy efficiency in your home isn’t that difficult. In fact, it’s a viable investment in future generations and their environment.

“Homeowners can save energy while improving their home’s comfort level,” says Arizona Building Inspections. “Substantial savings are possible…”

Learn more about these today!

Simple Solutions for Energy Efficiency in Your Home

These may seem like no-brainers, but all of us need reminders:

Air-dry laundry. Wash in the morning and hang to dry. (Washer/dryers use 13% of your home’s energy.)
Turn down the air conditioning and wear fewer clothes.
Turn off electronic devices when you aren’t using them.
Switch off the lights in rooms that are not in use.

Measure

An interesting experiment for your family is to measure energy efficiency in your home with the Home Energy Yardstick. You’ll need to know:

Home’s square footage
List of home fuels (electricity, gas, etc.)
Number of full-time occupants
Utility bills for the previous 12 months
ZIP code

10 Upgrades for Energy Efficiency in Your Home

We enjoy living in sunny Phoenix, but windows are energy-losers. One way to increase energy efficiency in your home is to apply Low-E window film to your home’s windows. Window film can block as much as 66% of the sun’s heat.

Ten home improvements that will lower energy bills and increase your property value include:

1 – Ceiling fans

They aren’t aesthetically pleasing to some people, but ceiling fans go a long way. They keep your air cool, flowing, and comfortable. Plus, they’re an affordable investment.

2 – Evaluate appliances

Older dishwashers consume about 10 gallons of water per-use. A new dishwasher can cut that in half. Other pre-EnergyStar appliances, like microwaves, stoves, and refrigerators, should be replaced when possible.

3 – Get smart

Smart, programmable thermostats save consumers about 15% on heating/cooling costs. They raise and lower temperatures based on your family’s usage patterns. You can save energy when you’re away. That\’s right. Set them to cool or warm your Phoenix home right before you return.

4 – Go LED

LED light bulbs are an essential investment to increase energy efficiency in your home. LEDs last 20 times longer and use much less energy. You should see lower utility bills almost immediately.

5 – Install on-demand/tankless water heater

Lower energy bills mean an ROI (return on investment) and ups the value of your home. Achieve this by installing a new water heater.

6 – Insulation

Arizona attics are frequently neglected because we seldom use them. A lot of cool air can escape from your attic if you don’t have good insulation. If your attic has less than 10\” of fiberglass or 8\” of cellulose insulation, you should add more.

7 – Regulate water

Installing low-flow water fixtures and/or restrictor valves can reduce water consumption. This saves money.

8 – Replace doors and windows

Aluminum frames don’t do a great job of keeping hot air out in summer. Or keeping it in during winter. This is an expensive investment. But your long-term and resale ROI will be real.

9 – Seal cracks and leaks

Do a visual inspection of doors and windows. Small cracks allow cool air to escape. Fill them with foam sealant and mark your calendar to re-inspect every 6 months.

10 – Unplug

When not in use, pull the plug on toasters, TVs, computers. Idle, plugged-in appliances can add as much as 10% to your electric bill.

LEED-Certified Electric Pros for Phoenix and Tucson Neighborhoods

Turn It On Electric is Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified by the United States Green Building Council (USBG). This means our company promotes efforts to reduce energy waste and save money.

We care about sustainable alternatives to increase energy efficiency in your home or commercial property. If you want to save money and save the planet, contact us today.

Commercial, Maintenance, Residential

Panel replacement – 5 questions to ask

9Jul2020

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:

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

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.
Do we need permits? You need certain types of permits. Turn It On Electric takes care of this for you.
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.
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.
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.

Commercial, Maintenance, Residential

Electrical panel maintenance? What you need to know

9Jul2020

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

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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!

Category Archives: Maintenance