Categories Lighting, Outdoor, Residential, Safety

Best exterior lights for entertaining

Best exterior lights for entertaining

Late summer nights here in Phoenix typically deliver beautiful, warm weather. It\’s no surprise that many local residents enjoy entertaining in their backyards. And exterior lights are a part of that. It\’s likely that you already realize the beauty and power of outdoor lighting. Even the simplest of installations can create a very festive atmosphere.

Follow these tips for selecting exterior lights to turn your outdoor space into an oasis of fun. Whether you are hosting a birthday party or relaxing under the stars, a warm glow can amp up your experience.

String Lighting

These long strands feature evenly spaced bulbs along a single cord, and they are incredibly popular for outdoor installation. Even if you don\’t have a dedicated patio cover in your backyard, you can create the illusion of one with string lights.

It will benefit you to have these professionally installed. You\’ll want quality materials, as well as a custom, permanent design you can be proud of. Too often, people hang their own lights and are disappointed with the outcome. It\’s not as simple \”as seen on TV.\” Hire experience, and get exactly what you envision.

These string lights further define various spaces in your yard, letting guests know which areas are for dining, lounging, socializing, and other activities. You\’ll want an expert handling it all, especially when it comes to higher installations and areas that lack electrical outlets.

Pathway Lighting

While some of your guests may be familiar with the layout of your backyard, you may not always be able to claim this for everyone who visits your home. With pathway lights, your guests will be able to see their way around your yard, helping to prevent anyone from tripping and falling or stumbling into your garden.

You\’ll want these professionally installed to ensure that the lights aren\’t too bright. You don\’t want them to overwhelm people\’s eyes in the darkness. The goal here is to simply illuminate the path, not brighten up the entire yard. If you have any stairs in your yard, the experts will know to give these areas extra attention, as they are common sites for accidents in the night.

Focused Garden Lighting

In addition to illuminating the areas where you and your guests will be hanging out, it is also a good idea to showcase some of the most attractive aspects of your garden. For example, if you have a large tree on your property, a vertical spotlight can help to show it off. Flowers with bright colors, unique plants, and decorative items are some other prime locations for localized exterior lights.

When lighting up your garden, your lighting professional will focus on just a few key pieces that truly stand out. Because you\’ll want to highlight your yard\’s best features, not light up the entire space. Again, it\’s a good idea to keep exterior lights relatively dim so they don\’t distract from the overall ambiance of your outdoor area under the stars.

Take the Overall Effect into Account

When it comes to placing exterior lights, it pays to have at least an expert plan in place before you get started. This way, you can develop a cohesive lighting design for the entire space, not just individual pieces. With an efficient plan in mind, you\’ll achieve a space that sets the perfect mood for entertaining.

At Turn It On Electric, we\’ll verify your fixtures are designed for optimal outdoor use. This will ensure that your exterior lights can withstand a variety of weather conditions and minimize the risk of electrocution.

Upgrade Your Phoenix Backyard with Exterior Lights

When you are ready to transform your yard with exterior lights, the Turn It On Electric team is here to help. We\’ll work with you to develop the overall design for your space and install everything for you – safely and efficiently. Call today to get started.

Author Chad
Categories Electric Bill, Electrical Wiring, Maintenance, Residential

How to create energy efficiency in your home

How to create energy efficiency in your home

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.

Author Chad
Categories Lighting, Outdoor, Residential, Safety

7 Types of Professional Landscape Lighting

7 Types of Professional Landscape Lighting

There are so many types of lights and ways to install professional landscape lighting! And it’s fun. Here are ideas for revamping your home’s exterior while avoiding some common mistakes.

The key, says Lumens’ Landscape Lighting Guide, is to take your time and work with a professional. You want a lighting layout to specifically reflect your unique sense of style. (That’s the fun part.) But you also want to work with the right voltage for your transformer. (Of course, that’s the necessary safety part.)

Why Do You Want Landscape Lighting?

Think about the reasons you want professionally installed landscape lighting:

  • Aesthetics
  • Increasing property value
  • More curb appeal
  • Safety
  • Setting(s) for entertainment

You make a mistake if you skip this step. For example, homeowners too often discover they need more or less or a different lighting arrangement altogether. When do they realize this? After the fact. It\’s important to note that over-lit spaces can become uncomfortable. Further, they can even be unusable over time if they\’re not installed correctly.

When your exterior lights are professionally arranged and installed, you get exactly what you want. Indeed, you “get it right” the first time.

Professional landscape lighting installation:

  • Includes details – First, your lighting pro can offer ideas about things you might forget to consider. This includes types of applications or installation options.
  • Is customized – Second, a landscape lighting professional keeps your original goals in mind so your outdoor space is fulfilling.
  • Provides professional options – Next, materials and fixtures you aren’t able to access can be acquired by your lighting professional. And often at a better price.
  • Saves money – Finally, many people end up replacing low-quality, big-box retail store fixtures anyway. But a professionally lit exterior looks better and increases your property value. It\’s the best long-term solution.

7 Types of Phoenix Landscape Lighting

When you live in a state like Arizona, you want to celebrate the quality of life. Your landscape lighting can be spectacular or sophisticated…or both.

Common Lighting Techniques

  • Bullet – Lightbulb-filled fixtures; project narrow beam
  • Downlight – Installed higher; cast light downward
  • Flood – Wider beam than a bullet; brighter than a wash
  • Garden – Small-post lights reflect downward; sidewalks, etc.
  • Uplight – Shine upward; installed low- or ground-level
  • Wash – Soft, subtle light
  • Well – In-ground, invisible, waterproof fixture

Creative Lighting Techniques

  • Exterior entrances – Uplight
  • Flowerbeds – Garden; 20\’ apart
  • Focal points – Bullet, flood, wash
  • Garden walls – Bullet, flood, well
  • Ground-level focal points – Downlight
  • Home façade – Bullet, wash
  • Large/unique trees – Uplight
  • Patios/pools – Downlight, moonlighting*
  • Trees – Bullet, downlight, flood, well
  • Water features – Downlight

Get the Three A’s with Us

Work with Turn It On Electric professionals for an affordable, attractive, Arizona landscape lighting project. Truly, it can be your proudest accomplishment this year. You\’ll feel great about your new landscape lighting. And all your guests will notice and enjoy the atmosphere too.

In the end, we want to help you avoid:

  • Over-lighting
  • Poor planning
  • Unsafe installation
  • Using the wrong fixtures
  • Wrong-size lights

These are common landscape lighting mistakes. So, let’s get together to discuss the possibilities. We can design a timeframe and a budget that can turn your home’s landscape into a true showplace. Call us now to schedule.
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*Affix a spotlight in a tree and point the beam down to replicate “moonshine” on your pool or seating arrangement.

Author Chad
Categories Electrical Wiring, Outdoor, Residential

Adding a pool light switch

Adding a pool light switch

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:

  1. Consider 2 pool lights facing each other; the look is bold.
  2. Don’t aim light fixtures at seating areas.
  3. Don’t under-light your pool: Arrange as many lights as you need for sufficient lighting.
  4. Examine how your pool liner will impact lighting.
  5. For an impressive presentation, consider a combination of spot beams, floaters, and underwater lights.
  6. Fountains and waterfalls deserve their own light systems.
  7. Highlighting trees and foliage adds depth to your pool area.
  8. 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.

Author Chad
Categories Commercial, Maintenance, Residential

Panel replacement – 5 questions to ask

Panel replacement - 5 questions to ask

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:

  1. Appliances overheating
  2. Breaker trips when you plug in a particular appliance
  3. Burning plastic smell from breaker box/wall outlet
  4. Flickering lights
  5. Frequent circuit breaker trips
  6. Older panel or a “fuse box” instead of circuit breakers
  7. Power surges when you turn on some appliances (hair dryer or microwave and dishwasher at the same time, for example)
  8. Sounds (like sparking/hissing) from the breaker box
  9. Visible burned spot(s) on wall outlet or breaker panel
  10. 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:

  1. 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.
  2. Do we need permits? You need certain types of permits. Turn It On Electric takes care of this for you.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.

Author Chad
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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!
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