Residential – Page 15 – Turn It On Electric

Residential

2 Important Electrical Upgrades for Fall

27Aug2022

Fall is the season for the quiet return to nature. Many families take “Aspen safaris” into the more colorful areas of Arizona. It’s also a time for new beginnings; school starts. Electrical upgrades for fall can give your home and office a new level of comfort and security.

Explore These Electrical Upgrades for Fall

Home offices may need wiring upgrades or perhaps you’d like to create one or more workstations in your house. Electrical upgrades for fall can offer enhanced quality of life and improve home safety.

1. Home Electrical System Upgrade

This is more than a maintenance call or a “tune-up.” We troubleshoot several home areas to answer questions about your overall electrical system.

EV charging – Is it providing the power you need, or does it require an upgrade?
Outlets/switches – Are they safe? Do you have enough for your needs?
Panel – We will examine the panel and ask several questions to determine if your panel is effective and safe:
- Do breakers trip frequently?
- Do you have a fuse box?
- Does the breaker box make “funny” noises?
- Have you smelled burning odors from the breaker box?
- Is your home more than 20 years old?
Safety – Are all failsafes in place and is your home free from hazardous electrical sites?
Surge protection – Do you have sufficient surge protection? Do you have the ability to add more?

2. Office Electrical System Upgrade

Whether it’s your home or your business in a commercial building, electrical upgrades for fall can include an office system inspection.

If your local electrician is LEED-certified, you can be sure you’re getting advice based on industry-best practices to reduce your carbon footprint. Home and electrical services for commercial properties have different code structures, and you can possibly get tax incentives for energy savings*.

The needs for office electrical system upgrades are determined by the condition and quantity of:

Circuit breaker(s) – It’s much more common to find overloaded circuits in homes and offices. We are using more electricity than ever before, every day.
Lighting – The right lighting is critical to hours-long deskwork in front of a PC or laptop. Overhead and directional lighting upgrades can reduce body and eye strain.
Outlets – If your office layout is structured to accommodate wall outlets – not the way you need to work – it’s time to relocate or add outlets.
Regulations – Homes and offices should meet appropriate Arizona and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) regulations. Some of the things that were acceptable when your property was constructed may not be considered safe today. This may not impact your property’s efficiency now but will affect your ability to sell later. You’ll need to make considerable repairs to your system.
Wiring – Behind-the-scenes wiring issues can be spotted by your local Phoenix-area electrical professional.

Warning Signs Your Property Needs an Electrical Upgrade

If you have any of these warning signs, don’t wait to schedule an electrical consultation:

Bulbs burn out too soon
Circuit breaker trips
Electric bill spikes
Light switches hot to touch
Lights dimming/flickering
Outlets broken/charred/discolored

Companies that believe customer service is a priority understand your time is valuable. You don’t need hassles and upselling strategies that have nothing to do with what you want. Discussing possible electrical upgrades for fall doesn’t necessarily involve a commitment. Turn It On Electric offers free estimates and sometimes we can give you a best-guesstimate quote over the phone.

If extensive electrical upgrades are indicated, we also have financing for energy-saving home and office electrical improvements. If you have any questions about electrical upgrades for fall, contact TIO Electric.
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*Ask your tax professional about energy.gov home or commercial tax incentives because deadlines have been extended and qualifications vary.

Residential

What To Do After a Power Outage

27Aug2022

A power outage (also called “powercuts,” “power failures,” or “blackouts,”) is the loss of electrical energy from your network supplier. There are many causes of area-wide or single-property power outages, including:

Cascading failure (system overload)
Circuit breaker/fuse problems
Line or distribution system damage
Power station or substation issues/damages
Rotation to save energy/stabilize the grid
Short circuits
Substation problems/damages

There are several things you can do in advance of a predicted power outage, and there are safety precautions to follow during one. Most people don’t realize there are also several important steps to take after a power outage.

Before, During, and After a Power Outage in Arizona

If Texas could have anticipated its devastating power grid failure during the winter storm of 2021, it could have alerted residents. There are steps you can take in anticipation of and during a power outage. The first thing to do if you expect a power outage is to keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed.

You should always be prepared for a power outage:

Consider getting a small, battery-powered television.
Inventory everything in your house that needs electricity.
Make an emergency go-kit for your home and car. Kits should have food, water, and essential medical items.
Remember, ATMs and gas stations need electricity to operate too. Have a cash stash and vehicle fuel supply just in case.

During the outage:

Check on your neighbors.
Continue to keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed.
Choose flashlights for illumination rather than candles.
Disconnect PCs and plug-in technology devices. (The power surge when electricity is restored can damage electronics.) But leave one light turned on so you’ll know when the power returns.
If heat or cold is life-threatening, leave your home and seek shelter.
Turn off and disconnect appliances, especially those that were running when the outage occurred (dishwasher, washer/dryer, etc.).

Following a power outage:

Be sure to test your HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning) system or schedule a service call.
If the power was out longer than one day, discard all refrigerated medicines and request replacements.
Inspect all power outlets for signs of damage.

Refrigerated Foods: Don’t Take Chances After a Power Outage

If you need to reset your refrigerator’s thermostat, 37° is recommended for the fridge and 0° for the freezer. Toss all refrigerated and frozen foods that warmed to 40° F or higher for longer than two hours. You can use the same meat thermometer you use for baking and grilling to determine if your meat is too warm to re-freeze or re-refrigerate.

If a food’s color or texture seems off, throw it out. If it smells “funny,” throw it out. If freezer foods have ice crystals resulting from too-high temperatures for too long, throw them out.

Some foods may look and smell and even taste okay. But bacteria grow quickly. Some contaminants cannot be destroyed by cooking or even frying at high temperatures.

If these foods were warmed to 40° F for more than two hours, throw them away:

Eggs
Fish/shellfish
Leftovers
Meat
Poultry

“When in doubt, throw it out.”

Prevent Power Outage Damages

After a power outage, unplug, re-plug, repower, and reset all electronic devices. There is often a power surge when electricity returns, so do a damage assessment of any plugged-in appliances and electronic equipment.

A power surge following an outage can wreak havoc. Power surge protection can prevent damage when electrical power turns off and on unexpectedly.

Smart homeowners consider whole-house surge protection devices (SPDs). SPDs can provide as much as 40,000-amp surge protection and point-of-use safety at all home or office wall outlets. They also reduce fire risks and save money by lowering monthly energy use.

Whole-house SPD installation is one of the services your Phoenix professional electricians at Turn It On Electric provide. To learn more about increased personal and property safety, contact TIO Electric.

Lighting, Outdoor, Residential

Pool Lighting Ideas to Transform Your Outdoor Space

2Aug2022

Your swimming pool lighting can be so much more than a white light at the deep end! Phoenix is our country’s leader in backyard swimming pools. We are also the flagship for pool lighting creativity! Here are lighting ideas that will enhance the beauty and pleasure of swimming at home.

5 Landscaping and Pool Lighting Upgrades

Did you know…?

Phoenix has more swimming pools than all other U.S. cities.
Swimming is Arizona’s fifth most popular activity.
Seventeen percent of swimmers pee in the pool.

When it comes to lighting pools and pool areas this year, less is not more. Some pool owners are abandoning the sole underwater light under the diving board for exciting illumination. You can install rows of lights along the sides and/or both ends of the pool, for example.

The types of pool lighting options are:

Fiber optic – Safer because they attached to a “dry” power box, but lighting effects may be lessened
Halogen – For a very large pool, halogens are initially low-cost but need frequent changes and can get hot
LED – Brightly travel long distances underwater for the most energy-efficient lighting option
Solar – Not a permanent pool lighting option, but a nice add-on

Swimming pool lights can be categorized as:

Feature lighting – We install halogen or LEDs to dramatically highlight one area. Your slide, a waterfall, or what about a landscaping arrangement of rocks and plants? Feature lighting “spotlights” focal points and areas of interest.
Floodlighting – We recommend flood lights to illuminate even larger areas of your swimming pool area. LEDs conserve energy, last longer than halogen, and replacement bulbs are easy to find. Halogen flood light bulbs are cheaper but won’t last as long as LED.
Flush-mounted lighting – Flush-mounted lights are the most popular option for pool wall lights. These LED or halogen “seamless” lights are a bit more complicated to install but they’re worth it. The illumination is amazing.
Pool garden lighting – Garden lights won’t illuminate your pool area but emphasize the beauty of nearby nature. They can be subtle or pop with look-at-me! drama.
Surface-mounted lighting – LED or halogen surface-mounted underwater lights are attached to the interior surface of the pool’s edge. The downside is, that they break easily because kids tend to climb on them to get out of the pool. That’s why we often recommend flush-mounted lighting.

Pool lighting upgrades will increase your property value, but even if you don’t plan to sell, the enjoyment factor makes them a great home improvement choice. However, you can add floating LED lights that are battery-powered. These are fun and safe alternatives to a pool lighting investment.

Turn It On Electric: Pool Lighting Electricians in Phoenix

Working with electricity around water is never something any homeowner should attempt. All pool lighting options must be installed by a licensed, trained electrician. A pool lighting project in Phoenix is fun and affordable. Let’s explore your options! Contact Turn It On Electric.

Electrical Wiring, Residential

Understanding Baseboard Outlets

26Jun2022

We need and appreciate electricity. It offers us a superior quality of life, safety, and security. It provides “illuminating” lights and insights.

We looked up and saw too many overhead wires above our homes. Then we began looking around and saw too many electrical wires and cords inside our houses. Underground wiring for improved landscaping is a priority in many housing communities. And now, baseboard outlets are trending inside those homes.

Baseboard Outlets: Out of Sight, Out of Mind

Do you know why so many room layouts are appealing in decorating and home improvement magazines? One reason is that you don’t see a lot of electrical cords running from lamps and appliances to wall outlets.

The illusion is real. One interior décor pro says she not only Photoshops® electrical cords but also eliminates the wall outlets in advertising images. Strategically placed cookbooks and bottles of oil are often used. But if professional architectural photographers cannot hide the outlets, Photoshop can remove outlet covers.

Baseboard outlets are one way to eliminate “cord clutter.” And you don’t need to be a minimalist to appreciate that advantage. “When I see tangled cords around the office power strip or worse – in my living room – I think it tangles my mind, too,” said one Phoenix homeowner. “It’s just disorganized.”

Houzz says baseboard outlets simply look more refined. You get a cleaner wall appearance.

Kitchen Outlets Can Be Creatively, Strategically Located

Wireless appliances may be in our future but for now, we’re seeking creative ways to manage electrical efficiency and appearance. Kitchen designers in particular are beginning to research eliminating or at least disguising visible electric outlets. Because most small appliance cords are no longer than 24 inches, this can be trickier than you think.

In addition to baseboard outlets, you can install:

Appliance garage – This is a kitchen cupboard created especially for coffeemakers, toasters, food processors, etc. Your local Phoenix electrician will know code requirements for the safe placement of plug-ins.
Architectural art – If you can’t beat ’em, decorate ’em. If you want a professional artist to create an outlet-hiding wall painting, it’s a very popular trend. (This may work for one area of the kitchen but incorporating electrical outlet art into every wall is overkill.)
Backsplashes – Some new-home kitchen backsplashes are designed to hide electrical outlets. The outlet covers themselves blend into the backsplash design. You can even install Legrand adorn® pop-up outlets that make your outlets (almost) disappear.
Underneath – This is another way to hide outlets. Locating them under the cabinet or underneath countertops is a great idea if you store unused appliances out of sight. Your kitchen counters will have a clean, minimalist appearance that is eye-pleasing.

Electrical Design for Your Home

All electrical reconfigurations require the expertise of a licensed electrician. In Central Arizona, Turn It On Electric professionals are known for their technology training. We also understand the need to customize electrical solutions for per-room form and function.

We will work with you or your architect to design safe, utilitarian, attractive electrical solutions for your home. Let’s plan your baseboard outlets! Contact TIO Electric.
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Residential

Does Whole-house Surge Protection Really Work?

26Jun2022

If you’re depending on power strips to save your office electronics from power surges, you may be in for a shock. Literally. Many surge protectors are too limited to safeguard electronics and appliances against powerful voltage surges. After many years of use, power strips can lose their protection so some power strips are nothing more than extension cords. A whole-house surge protection device (SPD) is the safest way to protect your home and expensive electronics.

What To Know About Whole-House Surge Protection

In order to understand power surges, think about your home’s water pressure. The water flowing through your plumbing system travels steadily at a serviceable speed. We seldom experience dramatic water surges.

Let’s say your washer is filling, and you notice a slight decrease in water flowing from the kitchen tap. When the washer stops filling, the water flow gently returns to normal.

But what if instead of a slight decrease in pressure, your water shut off completely? Then when you regain pressure, instead of a slight increase, your water gushes – surges – from the faucet at super-high pressure!

That’s what happens during an electrical power surge.

Perhaps one room’s lights briefly dim when something large, like an air conditioning unit powers on. That is a problem, but it’s nothing like what happens when your neighborhood grid experiences an electrical power surge.

Home power surges can be caused by:

Appliances – On a busy Saturday morning, you may be running the washer-dryer, dishwasher, and cooking pancakes on an electric griddle. If your home doesn’t have the proper wiring, something as small as turning on a hair dryer can trip your breaker.
Demand – When the entire neighborhood is overusing at the same time, power surges can result. This is why many service providers increase costs during peak usage.
Power lines – When power lines are damaged, there can be an electrical surge to one or more homes.
Wiring – If you suspect your wiring has issues, it probably does. An electrical inspection can save money (and lives).

Does whole-house surge protection really work? Short answer: Yes.

Small power fluctuations may go unnoticed but can end electronics’ lifespans too soon. But a power surge can destroy microwaves, refrigerators, computerized stoves, computers, and more in seconds.

A whole-house SPD is a good investment. It can increase your property value. It can save expensive appliances. The peace of mind they provide is truly priceless.

How Much Electrical Protection Do You Need?

A whole-house SPD can be singular, multi-level, or installed to work with another SPD. Plug-in surge protectors may not work alone but they offer increased safety when paired with a whole-house SPD. In addition to one whole-house surge protection installation, many homeowners opt for additional phone/cable line protection.

To protect against powerful exterior surges as well as in-house appliance overload surges, consider a whole-house SPD that can provide:

Indicator light so you know when it’s stopped working
Point-of-use protection at all wall outlets
Protection installation at the main panel
Surge detector/audible alarm
Up to 40,000-amp power surge protection

A whole-house surge protection system requires good grounding. Your Central Arizona electrician will confirm your home’s grounding system safety before installation.

Questions To Ask About Whole-house Surge Protection

One frequently asked question is, “Will my homeowner’s insurance cover the losses due to electrical power surges?” Most homeowners insurance will cover natural and man-made disasters that cause power surge damages. But when it comes to technology and electrical components, the details can get fuzzy. Check with your insurance professional.

Other questions to ask your electrician about whole-house surge protection include:

Can it protect all incoming electrical lines?
Does it safely restrict and limit voltage?
What happens if/when there is a power surge?
Will it meet Underwriters Laboratories (UL) standards?

Protect Your Home Safely, Effectively

Simply put, whole-house surge protection devices can protect your home and electronics from high-voltage damage. You should never DIY (do-it-yourself) any electrical project. Installing whole-house SPDs is especially high-risk, so be sure to discuss it with your electrician beforehand.

It’s always a good idea to research whole-house surge protectors but be cautious. Some of the “best of…” internet sites are paid to rate products highly.

Turn It On Electric whole-house SPD pricing is uncomplicated and affordable. With higher prices driving today’s economy, you’ll be surprised at this low-cost protection for your Central Arizona home or office. To learn more, contact TIO today.

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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!