Categories Lighting, Outdoor, Residential, Safety

Improve security with a photocell during the holidays

Improve security with a photocell during the holidays

The fall and winter season will be in full swing before we know it! In addition to Halloween and Thanksgiving, there are seven other December holidays celebrated. And more! Time to think about how to improve security with a photocell during the holidays.

With plenty of guests around your home, safety is important. You want everyone to have merry and happy festivities and memories. Ensure they do with a photocell.

U.S. Fall and Winter Celebrations and Traditions

  • Halloween
  • Election Day
  • Thanksgiving
  • Hanukkah
  • Christmas
  • Kwanzaa
  • New Year’s Eve

Here’s a fairly new one: “Chriskwanzukah” celebrates all our traditional winter observances. It’s an opportunity for parents and teachers to discuss religious diversity.

Some Americans believe in another winter religious holiday – the Superbowl. Whatever you observe, there\’s plenty of reason to get together. Let\’s party as the days get shorter and cooler.

The winter events give us a reason to improve security with a photocell during the holidays. From trick-or-treaters lining porches to annual family gatherings. From New Year’s parties to football games… Homes are safer at night with better lighting.

How to Improve Security with a Photocell During the Holidays

The best way is to improve security with a photocell during the holidays. Photocells are sensors that detect light. They are used in many toys and appliances. They are low-cost, easy to use, and long-lasting. These are sometimes called “CdS cells” (cadmium sulfide), “LDRs” (light-dependent resistors), and “photoresistors.”

When a photocell is lighted, electrons are emitted from one side to another. This way, the current can be transferred. How does this help improve security with a photocell during the holidays? Because they are easy to control. Actually, they control themselves. Their on/off functions are determined by the amount of light they sense.

‘Ins and Outs’ of Security Lighting

There are two basic types of photocells: plug-in and line-voltage. Plug-in photocell sensors are located inside the bulb. Line photocell sensors are likely to be located elsewhere. Both work equally well, though.

You want effective nighttime illumination wherever people will walk. This includes guests and unwanted intruders, too. Some great outdoor locations are:

  • Backyard patios and decks
  • Doorways
  • Shrubs and trees
  • Sidewalks, driveways

Photocell lighting is sometimes called “dusk-to-dawn” lighting. (Daylight savings time won’t affect your outdoor photocell security.) Some types of photocell lights include:

  • Floodlights
  • Lampposts
  • Landscape luminary
  • Mounted luminary
  • Step and stairway lights

Year-End Lighting Home Improvements

You want to protect your home and family. But you also want to safeguard others on your property. Lighting home improvements are always a good idea. Taking action to improve your property and quality of life increases property value and safety.

Want to improve security with a photocell during the holidays? Have an LED lighting system in place? Good for you! LED lighting is economical and durable. But you’ll need to contact your local, Arizona electric service professional to accomplish your year-end security lighting goal.

“Because LEDs run at such a low voltage, this small current causes interference, flickering, and premature degradation,” says lighting blogger Eugen. “LEDs require a different type of photocell than conventional bulbs.”

What you don’t know can hurt you. We’ll make electric safety even safer. Contact Turn It On Electric today to create a festive, protected space for your family and friends this holiday season.

Categories Electrician, Residential, Safety

Installing an electric vehicle charger

Installing an electric vehicle charger

“EVs are here. Try to keep up,” says Charged, the magazine for electric vehicle enthusiasts. Thinking you might install an electric vehicle charger at your home? We get it. There\’s a lot to like.

Hybrid and plug-in electric vehicles are much faster. What\’s more, they can increase energy security and improve your fuel economy. They also lower fuel costs and reduce emissions. It\’s a decision you can feel great about. But it comes with a challenge.

Some drivers say the real setback of EV ownership is charging. There\’s the inconvenience of finding a station and making that chore part of your routine. Today, we\’ll talk about why you need to install an electric vehicle charger in your home. Keep reading for a few of the top reasons.

Advantages of Installing an Electric Vehicle Charger in Your Home

Here’s the bottom line: Charging an electric vehicle at home has undeniable perks. You\’ve got to think about how often you\’ll need to charge up, the costs to use public chargers, and protecting your EV and yourself.

“When you charge your EV in public, you’re assuming the same risks as parking your car on the street or in a garage,” says EV Solutions™. “There’s always a chance that it could get vandalized, stolen, or damaged.”

Here are the top three advantages to an in-house EV charging station:

1. Convenience

It takes about 4-6 hours to charge your EV with a Level 2 charger. If you have an early-morning road trip planned and your electric car is low on battery, a night-before trip to a public charging station is necessary.

Are you comfortable dropping your car off at a charging station for 6 hours? What if there’s a line? By the time you wait in line and finally plug-in, you may be thinking the day trip isn’t worth it.

2. Cost

When you charge your electric vehicle elsewhere, you must purchase battery power. The costs can vary widely in Arizona. Installing an EV charger at home uses the energy service you presently have. Plus, you’ll save money making trips to a public charging station.

The type of charger you purchase may influence the cost of installation. Hiring a certified electrician for installation is necessary, especially if you purchase a Level 2 charger.

3. Safety

EV charging at home is safer for your car and you. You must have the right equipment and you need an EV charger installation by a certified electrician.

Installing an electric vehicle charger in your home is not space-specific. Your whole-house electrical system is involved. For example, Level 2 chargers require a dedicated 240-volt circuit. If the one circuit in your garage powers a freezer, you’ll need another source or a new circuit.

Invest in Your Home and Our Future

Reducing gas- and diesel-vehicles’ pollution is important to global residents. Phoenix-area residents also want to reduce energy costs. Because Arizona’s electric vehicle charging costs are unregulated, EV owners find themselves faced with too many uncertainties about charging expenses. Of course, we\’re highlighting a way to care for the environment and keep costs low while maintaining maximum convenience and safety.

Turn It On Electric believes it’s important for our friends and neighbors to control costs whenever possible. That’s why installing an EV charging station in your home may be the best investment you’ll make this year. Contact us to learn more about the advantages of in-home EV charging today.

Categories Electrician, Residential, Safety

Is an affordable licensed electrician a myth?

Is an affordable licensed electrician a myth?

Electrical issues in your Phoenix home or business can certainly be worrisome. So can the idea of an affordable licensed electrician.

Troubles with your electrical system could put your property and your loved ones, along with your customers and staff, at risk. Of course, you\’ll want to tend to the matter as quickly as possible. Especially when it comes to potential electrical fires and electrocution.

You need experts to help. Those budget constraints can sometimes make that challenging, though. Where do you turn? Keep reading for the safest, most affordable path.

Finding an Affordable Licensed Electrician

Unfortunately, some electrical contractors are disreputable, often overcharging customers for even the simplest of services. This can understandably lead customers to be concerned about costs. And definitely distrustful of electrical service providers. This is why it is so important to choose a reputable, licensed company to do the work.

Cost Concerns in Electrical Work

To help things go as smoothly as possible and fit within your budget, you\’ll want to find an affordable licensed electrician. While unlicensed contractors may offer similar services at cheaper rates, you tend to get what you pay for in terms of quality. Shoddy work that is rife with cut corners and shortcuts could end up costing you even more in the future.

Without the peace of mind of working with an affordable licensed electrician, you could be stuck with the costs of repairing unsatisfactory work. Not only that, but you could be putting your property at risk. Unlicensed electricians aren\’t held to the same standards of quality and safety as licensed workers. While you might save a bit of money upfront, you run the risk of much higher costs later. You\’ll have to fix the damage and get the job done properly.

What\’s more, your homeowners\’ insurance may not cover your claims. If the work was not done by a licensed professional, they may deny coverage. This means that you could be forced to cover the entire cost out of pocket. Wouldn\’t it make more sense to pay just a little bit more for a licensed electrician than to gamble with your financial security?

There\’s more than one way to think about affordability here.

The Turn It On Electric Difference

The good news? Affordable licensed electricians aren\’t a myth. They exist.

Here at Turn It On Electric, we\’ll send an affordable licensed electrician to your home every time. We can handle any residential, commercial, or emergency electrical work. We\’ll be there if you are having an electrical problem you need to repair right away. And we\’re also available to upgrade your electrical system to handle modern technology.

We pride ourselves on providing high-quality services at reasonable rates. If you are looking for an affordable licensed electrician, your search can end with us. We do everything in our power to keep our costs down so that we can provide competitive rates that work within your budget.

Contact Us Today

We are firm believers that every Phoenix homeowner and business should have access to a high-quality, affordable licensed electrician in their time of need. We keep our rates as reasonable as possible. And we\’ll still provide the exemplary workmanship and friendly customer service our clients expect from us.

Reach out and learn more about our electrical services. When you are in need of an affordable licensed electrician you can trust, you can count on us to deliver. Call today to schedule an appointment for a free consultation.

Categories Electrical Wiring, Electrician, Residential, Safety

Why you need a licensed electrician

Why you need a licensed electrician

If you\’re like most Phoenix homeowners, you\’ve had some form of an electrical issue on your property. But maybe it\’s not clear yet why you need a licensed electrician on your side every time.

Perhaps you\’ve had to replace faulty GFCI outlets or upgrade your wiring for safety purposes. You might have run new cables for a home theater system or installed solar panels to deliver clean energy.

For any of these, other common household electrical tasks, and emergencies, you should always call in a licensed electrician to do the job. Keep you and yours safe from the beginning of any project, throughout the process, and onward.

The Dangers of Not Working with a Licensed Electrician

Many homeowners prefer to complete any repairs and upgrades themselves, whether to save money or simply because they enjoy working with their hands. However, electrical work is not something that you should attempt to do on your own. It is a highly specialized task that can be fraught with danger if you don\’t know exactly what you are doing.

Aside from the possibility of electrocuting yourself, you may make mistakes in the process due to inexperience. This could leave you with faulty wiring, potentially exposing your property to the risk of electrical fires. In the event that something goes wrong, your homeowners\’ insurance may not cover the work, as it was not done by a licensed electrician.

You may also have considered hiring an unlicensed electrician due to lower prices for the same tasks. This is a mistake as well, as unlicensed service providers may cut corners and take shortcuts in order to keep their costs low. This can result in shoddy workmanship, low-quality materials, and other potential problems that could be even more costly to repair in the future.

The Benefits of Choosing a Licensed Electrician

When you work with a licensed electrician, you are virtually guaranteed high-quality work. In order to maintain their licenses, these electricians must consistently demonstrate that they perform work properly and within legal and safety guidelines. While unlicensed companies may follow proper safety protocols, they are not required to. Is that really a risk you are willing to take?

One of the biggest concerns that can be addressed through choosing a licensed electrician is a liability. If something does go wrong with any of the electrical work in the future, you\’ll want the electrical contractor or your homeowners\’ insurance to cover the cost of the repairs. Most insurance companies, though, will only pay out if the electrical work was completed with a permit. This is something that is only available through licensed electricians.

For your safety and peace of mind, you must work with a licensed professional. The initial cost may be a bit higher than it would if you hired an unlicensed electrician or did the job yourself. However, it is well worth it for the safety of your home and loved ones. And affordability is still a factor – even with the best electrical contractor around.

Trust Turn It On Electric for All Your Electrical Needs in Phoenix

We are proud to be your licensed electrician contractor. We always follow the latest safety protocols and guidelines. Trust us to work hard to stay at the forefront of the electrical industry. And to provide our clients with high-quality materials and skilled workmanship. We truly care about our customers and do everything in our power to ensure complete satisfaction.

If you need any kind of electrical work done, you can count on us to get the job done right. Reach out today for a free consultation. We\’ll gladly provide you with a no-cost, no-obligation quote for the job.

Categories Electrical Wiring, Electrician, Residential, Safety

How surge suppressors can save your electronics

How surge suppressors can save your electronics

Electrical surges are always caused by lightning strikes or transformer outages, right? Wrong. The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) says up to 80% of all power surges originate in your home. And surge suppressors can help.

Think about the number of electronics in your home when you were a kid. Now, you likely have more valuable electronics and equipment in one room than an average 1980s residence. In fact, electrical consumption increased by more than 200% between 1980-2013.

So, there\’s a great deal to power up at home today.

Let\’s learn more about surge suppressors and how they\’re an effective way to protect your electronics and appliances from power spikes.

Surge Suppressors Prevent Expensive Damages

It’s ironic that the biggest causes of in-home power surges are appliances (ones most likely to be damaged by a power surge). Refrigerators, freezers, and HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning) systems are the main culprits. But you can cause a whole-house blackout with a hairdryer working in the bathroom or a power tool project in the garage.

Surge suppressors are well worth the investment. Did you know an average home has over $15,000 worth of appliances and equipment that need protection from power surges?

Benefits of SPDs

Most in-home power surges are caused by large electrical appliances that switch on and off. SPDs (surge protection devices) or “surge suppressors” have multiple advantages:

  • Add safety by limiting the chances of fire
  • Cost a fraction of what it would take to repair and replace damaged appliances and electronics
  • Lower energy use
  • Maintain reliability and operation of electronics by controlling electrical flow
  • Reduce energy expenses

Whole-House Surge Suppressors: What to Consider

There are several key considerations for purchasing a whole-house surge suppressor. What do you want to protect? Everything, of course.

By themselves, whole-house suppressors can’t completely stop power surges. You should also have plug-in surge suppressors. Plug-in units can be small and inexpensive or can be “the size of a pizza box that guard all the components in a home theater,” says This Old House.

Look for whole-house surge suppressors rated to stop a minimum 40,000-amp surge. You’ll want an alarm that lets you know when a power surge has occurred. You’ll also want thermal fuses. Your local electrician will hard-wire your whole-house surge suppressor to the service panel. (Without complications, the installation can take about 2 hours.)

Before you buy: You must ensure the suppressor will work with your system. If it doesn’t, you may need to purchase additional equipment. Ask your electrician if you are unsure. Surge suppressors for lake cottages don’t need the same power as a 2,500-square-foot home. And check out all warranty options.

The Best Whole-House Surge Suppressors

If you research whole-house surge suppressors for yourself, you’ll see mixed reviews for several top products.

It\’s best to talk with your licensed electrician about which surge suppressor suits your home and its electronics best. The experts at Turn It On Electric will assess your property and appliances. Then they\’ll determine which makes the most sense for your usage and protection.

In this case, a customized evaluation is necessary. Don\’t be lured by \”quick fixes\” or a \”great deal\” out there. When it comes to your home and safety, choose to listen to an experienced electrical contractor.

3 Steps to Increase Safety and Property Value

After losing a Sub-Zero® refrigerator ($5,000+), two KitchenAid® wall ovens ($3,000+), and several computer and entertainment electronics, a Phoenix-area homeowner was more than happy to invest in a whole-house surge protection system. (The installation cost was much less than replacing the damaged appliances and electronics.)

Turn It On Electric of Phoenix can work with you to protect your property while increasing its value. Let’s explore the affordability of surge suppressors for your home or business.

Follow these steps:

  1. Make a list of your property’s appliances and electronics.
  2. Do an outlet count.
  3. Contact Turn It On Electric today!