Outdoor Archives - Page 3 of 4 - Turn It On Electric

Adding a pool light switch

9Jul2020

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:

Consider 2 pool lights facing each other; the look is bold.
Don’t aim light fixtures at seating areas.
Don’t under-light your pool: Arrange as many lights as you need for sufficient lighting.
Examine how your pool liner will impact lighting.
For an impressive presentation, consider a combination of spot beams, floaters, and underwater lights.
Fountains and waterfalls deserve their own light systems.
Highlighting trees and foliage adds depth to your pool area.
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.

Outdoor, Residential

Adding Garage Lights

9Jul2020

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:

“Shop” lights – These are new-and-improved fluorescent garage lights. They are cost-effective and provide more illumination for small spaces.
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.
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.
Don’t skimp on wattage – A lot depends on your garage size. The bigger the area, the more you should invest in good illumination.
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.
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.
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.
High bay LED lights – These offer a whopping 40-times-longer lifespan and provide excellent illumination.
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.
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.
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.

Outdoor, Residential, Safety

Are Ring Doorbells Really Worth It?

24May2020

This year, you’ve likely personalized several standard security options (cellphone password plus thumbprint authentication, for example). Your financial service providers have also personalized data protection. And now, ring doorbells are being replaced by more personal technology: video identification.

Disadvantages of Traditional Doorbells

In Arizona, one property crime occurs about every 3 minutes. Burglary ranks as the number-one crime committed here. Video doorbells are “smart home” technology, but they also serve as security cameras.

Traditional ring doorbells:

Put you at risk. You must get near the door to verify the identity of your visitor or delivery person.
Put your home at risk. You must open the door to address the need.
Puts your possessions and valuables at risk. When you don’t respond to the doorbell, it verifies the house is empty. Thieves will take advantage of your absence.

Advantages of Video Doorbells

Video doorbells can be the “eyes” and “ears” of home security. Their capabilities and technology alone are worth the investment. Video doorbells increase your property value. They need professional installation, but once in place, the mechanics are easy to implement.

Buzzer
High-definition 1080p camera
Smartphone connectivity
Two-way audio

You can always view who is at your door using live video. You can talk using the audio function. The two-way audio function also works from your cellphone, so if you’re not home, the visitor or delivery person won’t know.

Video doorbells put a safe distance between you and your unknown visitor. This is something that will prove beneficial beyond 2020.

Images are amazingly clear.
Infrared night vision allows you to see who’s outside, 24/7.
Suspicious activity can be recorded.
You can photograph who’s on your doorstep.
Wifi capabilities are available in most models.

Hardwire vs. Battery Video Doorbells

Some video doorbell installation kits come with a rechargeable battery. It will need to be recharged regularly, depending on its battery life. In bad weather, battery-powered video doorbells have difficulty holding a charge and can fail completely.

If your video doorbell is hardwired, there is no battery to worry about. An electronic video doorbell uses between 8-24 volts AC (alternating current).

The Best of 2020

“If you’re looking for the best video doorbell*, chances are it’s among those we’ve tested,” said CNET. This year you might consider replacing your ring doorbell with a . . . Ring doorbell.

Saving space and competitive pricing make the Ring Video Doorbell Pro a good fit for most doorframes and budgets. Doorbells average 7.6 centimeters and you wouldn’t think size matters that much.

But just slightly larger units can lead to rewiring, re-routing wiring, or worse – rerouting through bricks or siding. A few centimeters can make a big difference. Ring Doorbell Pro is a compact 4.7cm and transmits in terrific 1080p HD resolution.

The Ring Doorbell alerts you even when visitors don’t ring the doorbell and includes:

Wide-angle video shows people from head to toe
Continuous recording for up to 30 days
Advanced Motion Detection
Two way talk with noise cancellation
1080p HD Video
Video history for 60 days (with subscription)
Live View
Near motion zone motion capability

Knock, Knock! Who’s There?

Turn It On Electric is open for business.

Now’s a good time to replace your ring doorbell with the kind of protective technology you need. Turn It On Electric continues to install security lights and motion detection lighting. We believe video doorbells address additional security solutions for Phoenix homes. They can serve you well for many years.

Turn It On Electric is available for all your home automation needs, including smart doorbells. We’re your Phoenix-area electricians. Call or email us to learn more.

Lighting, Outdoor, Residential

Use photocells to control your lighting

15Mar2020

Landscapers and outdoor décor professionals may know more about using photocells to control lighting than most. Today, interior decorators and homeowners are using photocell lighting for indoor ambiance and security.

The Ins-and-Outs of Photocells

Photocell technology is based on semiconductors controlling electrical current. Normally, semiconductors won’t “conduct” electricity. But when exposed to the right amount of light, they generate a current. Indoor photo cellular lighting uses motion detectors to manage illumination.

If you’re spending time remembering (and forgetting) to turn the porch lights on and off, this technology is for you. Exterior photocells can control illumination based on the amount of existing daylight.

In addition to outside illumination, with a motion sensor, photocells become part of an interior security lighting system. They are often used for interior/exterior mood lighting. But savvy seniors are installing them indoors in hallways and bathrooms for safety.

Security Lighting Using Photocells

Using photocells for lighting isn’t exactly new technology. Cities have been using photocell lighting for streets and walkways for many years.

Property crime in Maricopa County is down. However, Glendale, Phoenix, Tempe, and Tolleson still rank among the top ten cities in Arizona for property crime.

Effective exterior lighting remains one of the biggest burglary deterrents. City parks use photocells to turn on at dusk or during darkness. They often program them to turn off a certain time every morning.

15 Exterior Lighting Applications

Ten-percent “dimming” photocell lighting for lawns and gardens is recommended by lighting engineer Annie Kuczkowski. In the United States, a zero-to-ten volt dimming system is the most common. It works well with commercial and residential under-deck lighting.

Here are 15 exterior photocell lighting ideas:

Address numbers

Decks
Front doors
Garages
Gardens
Holidays
Landscape
Outdoor ceilings
Pool areas
Porches
Railings
She-sheds
Staircases
Trees
Walkways
Walls

22 Interior Beauty and Safety Lighting Ideas

Sometimes it’s called “destination lighting.” That’s when you use photocell lighting applications to set a tone…a feel…in a certain area of your home. Every room should have a mix of lighting, including overhead, accent and task lights.

But for safety, nothing beats a motion-activated photocell lighting system. You can even have a motion light installed under your bed! Your approach will trip the light and you’ll be able to see while you put your best foot forward.

Here are some interior lighting ideas for photocells and motion detection:

Art highlights
Baby/children’s bedrooms
Bathrooms
Bedside lamps
Ceiling fans
Ceiling/recessed
Chandeliers
Dining rooms
Entrances
Floor lamps
Hallways
Holiday displays
Kitchen task areas
Mirrors
Religious worship settings/tables
Shower stalls
Skylights
Staircases
Under-bed
Under-cabinet
Under-chair
Wall sconces

DIY With TIO

There is a DIY website for everything from ant farm construction to how-to build your own 3,000-sq.ft. house. We understand DIY (do-it-yourself) is trending, especially among common-sense Millennials.

Here’s some common-sense advice: Don’t DIY electricity. At least discuss your ideas and plans with a certified electrical contractor beforehand. If your project won’t jeopardize your property or personal safety, we’ll tell you.

If you manage your own electrical project and it results in fire and property loss, your insurance company may not cover the damages. But putting your loved ones’ lives at risk is the best reason not to DIY an electrical project.

Turn It On Electric professionals can deliver the light solutions you need at a price you can afford. Reach out to us today to share your lighting application ideas.

Lighting, Outdoor

Install outdoor lighting in your Phoenix home

27Aug2019

When the weather is warm here in Phoenix, which covers most of the year, most people want to spend as much time as they can enjoying it. In addition to all of the local attractions, you may also spend a fair bit of time in your own backyard. To truly make the most of your yard, especially in the evenings, you\’ll need to install outdoor lighting.

Types of Outdoor Lighting

You\’ll find countless options available to you in the outdoor lighting realm, but they generally fall into a few primary categories:

Landscape Lighting – This lighting style, as you might have guessed from the name, illuminates the flowers, trees, bushes and other plant life in your garden. You\’ll find lights that shine up high into trees, those that aim light down onto flowers and groundcover, and everything in between.
Path Lighting – These low lights are perfect for along any footpaths that make their way throughout your yard, as well as along the edges of your driveway. This way, visitors to your home will be able to see where they are going after the sun has gone down. Many of these lights use solar power, eliminating the need for electrical cables and making it easy to install outdoor lighting of this style.
Wall Lighting – Wall-mounted lighting is a great choice because it may be relatively easy for your electrician to run cabling to the lights. These lights are great for brightening up your patio, especially if you like to dine outdoors or hang out outside with your friends at night.
Overhead Lighting – You\’ll need to have some kind of patio covering to install outdoor lighting overhead. Your electrician can then run the necessary wires out to the light. To help keep bugs at bay, choose an outdoor ceiling fan with lights. The moving air discourages flying insects from hanging around.

How to Install Outdoor Lighting

When it comes to electrical work, it is always a good idea to leave the task to the professionals. In working with your electrician, you\’ll likely go through the following stages:

Design – The first step is to create the overall lighting design for your space. This will involve planning the types of lights you\’ll need and where they will go. If you are completing other work on your yard at the same time, your electrician will coordinate with your landscape architect and other contractors to ensure everything is cohesive.
Light Selection – Now that you have an overall sense of the design, you can start choosing the specific light fixtures you like. Be honest with your contractors about your budget so they can make recommendations that are in line with what you can comfortably afford.
Installation – The last step is to install the outdoor lighting you have chosen. Depending on the lighting styles, this may involve running new electrical cables underground or through your walls of patio cover to reach the lights as needed. This step should also include thorough testing of everything to ensure it is working properly.

Trust Turn It On Electric to Install Outdoor Lighting for Your Phoenix Home

When you need to install outdoor lighting in your backyard, you can count on Turn It On Electric to get the job done right. We\’ll ensure that everything is cabled properly and that all of the lights are rated to withstand the elements over the years. Reach out to us today for a free consultation.

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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: Outdoor