Categories Residential

Why Are My Lights Buzzing?

lights buzzing

If you have a light buzz, it doesn’t mean you had too many martinis. Some lights make a humming noise to alert you there’s a problem. If you have lights buzzing, you need to take action.

Fixtures’ Lights Buzzing

If lights buzzing is an issue with fixtures in your home or office, there’s no need to evacuate the building. But you do need to fix it. Buzzing or flickering lights can often indicate you need an electrical inspection.

The types of light bulbs more likely to hum or buzz are:

  • CFL – Compact fluorescent lightbulbs
  • Fluorescent
  • Incandescent – Creates light by heating a filament
  • LED – Light-emitting diodes

CFL

Compact fluorescent lightbulbs are an energy-saving solution to fixtures requiring incandescent bulbs. You get the same amount of light for about 10 times longer using half the electricity.

CFLs are often spiral-shaped and connected to a screw-in ballast/base. (Ballasts regulate the amount of voltage the light fixture receives.) Buzzing sounds are usually coming from the ballast. If your CFL light is in a dimmer-switch socket, remove and replace it.

Fluorescent

Fluorescent lightbulb buzzing is normal when your ear is close to the fixture. If you can hear the noise across the room, there’s a problem. Make sure the tube is properly mounted and secure.

The problem could be caused by:

  • The diffuser may need to be reinstalled.
  • The fixture’s housing may be broken or bent and should be replaced.
  • The old ballast needs replacement. Ballast-free LED tubes are a good idea but require minor, professional rewiring.

Incandescent

Few incandescent lightbulbs remain in circulation because there’s a ban on manufacturing and importing them. But it’s not illegal to use them. When you hear incandescent lights buzzing, there are most likely problems with the filaments. And if a buzzing incandescent bulb is in a dimmer-switch socket, remove and replace it.

LED

LED lights buzzing occurs when older dimmer switches cannot accommodate LED lightbulbs. The incompatibility might be resolved by another type of lightbulb, but your home needs to be LED-compatible anyway. The solution may be minor rewiring by a licensed electrician.

Your electrician will install a compatible dimmer switch:

  • C.L – CFL/LED
  • ELV – Electronic low frequency
  • LED+ – Maximum-performance LED dimmers

When Electrical Outlets Make Noise

Never ignore any electrical outlet that makes buzzing or popping noises. Stop using it and immediately contact your local electrician. No matter what the problem is, it’s caused by an electrical malfunction. Electrical outlet repair is never a DIY (do-it-yourself) job because of the hazards.

Common causes of electrical outlet noises are:

  • Breaker – If you’re sending too much or too little voltage to outlets, the imbalance can cause a buzzing sound. This fix usually involves replacing your breaker box.
  • Polarity – If you bought your home from a previous owner that effected DIY electrical fixes (or if the original electrical installations were cheap/shabby workmanship), wiring may not be properly connected. This can cause electricity to flow in the wrong direction. The buzzing noise may be louder when an appliance is plugged into the outlet.
  • Wiring – Old or frayed wiring connections may be loose. The “buzzing” sound is actually the vibration of loose wires. Seasonal weather changes can also cause components to expand/contract and cause loose wiring.

Trust TIO Electric

If any electrical component, outlet, light fixture, etc. makes noise, smells like burning wires, or shows signs of overheating, please call us immediately. If it is not an emergency, you can trust us to tell you what to do to protect your home and family.

Business longevity creates customer trust. Turn It On Electric has been Central Arizona’s preferred licensed electrical contractor for over 25 years. We are eager to earn your trust.

Integrity, community involvement, and industry-best workmanship are how we will keep your trust for decades to come. For electrical solutions and ideas that will work with your lifestyle and budget, contact TIO Electric.

Author Chad
Categories Lighting

6 Places To Use LED Lighting in the Home

LED Lighting

The light-emitting diode (LED) is today’s most energy-efficient and rapidly developing lighting technology. Quality LED lightbulbs last longer, are more durable and offer comparable or better light quality than other types of lighting.
–energy.gov

The advantages of LED lighting are without dispute. LED lighting delivers quality illumination 40-50 times longer than incandescent lightbulbs. This means replacement LED lightbulbs can last anywhere from 5-10 years or longer. They’ll improve energy efficiency by as much as 50%-90%, depending on the types of bulbs you replaced.

Other differences between LED and incandescent bulbs include:

  • Incandescent bulbs need lampshades and fixtures to deflect lighting. Sometimes half the light emitted never leaves its source. LED lighting is more directional. (Task lighting is more effective with LEDs than incandescent.)
  • Incandescent bulbs release 90% of their energy as heat, while LEDs are much cooler (and safer).
  • LEDs last much longer.

Home LED Lighting

Upgrading your home to LED lighting is a fun family project. You can educate youngsters by sharing ways to save energy and lower expenses. Whole-house LED lighting is also a good investment.

Carefully wrap discarded bulbs before placing them in trashbags. (Most Lowe’s and Home Depot stores accept lightbulbs for recycling, but call before you go.)

LED light upgrades are perfect for:

  1. Bathrooms – Lighting can be bright and functional for facial cleaning and makeup applications or appealing and mood-setting for relaxing tub soaks.
    • Linen closets
    • Mirrors
  2. Bedrooms – Set the tone for relaxation with LED accent lights, lamps, and reading lights. You can also use LED lights to illuminate focal points with flair.
    • Closets
    • Under the bed
  3. Kitchens – The most high-traffic room in the house needs a lot of light.
    • Under lower cabinets near floor
    • Under upper cabinets to illuminate workspace/countertops/sink
  4. Living rooms – This area’s lighting helps entertain visitors or enhances relaxation at day’s end.
    • Behind big-screen televisions (Multicolors are popular.)
    • Downlighting above photos/art exhibits
    • Uplighting underneath display shelving
  5. Porches – All-night lights will last years when LED bulbs are used.
  6. Stairways – Attractive lighting can also add safety.

What are LED Light Strips & Ropes?

LED light strips are several surface-mounted LED lights or “chips” affixed to a tape. They can illuminate a wider area and are usually brighter than LED ropes. They are also dimmable and you can change the colors.

LED ropes are small bulbs encased in plastic tubes. You can buy multicolored or specific bulb-color ropes, but you can’t change the bulbs. Rope lights aren’t much dimmer than tape lights, but if brightness is needed for a work area, go with tape LED lights.

Commercial, Industrial LED Lighting

You’re familiar with residential LED lighting. Commercial and industrial LED lights are usually not the same as residential. These low-maintenance and long-lasting lights are also more temperature-friendly for areas in which high heat is an issue.

Commercial LED lighting is designed for:

  • Hotels
  • Offices
  • Public outdoor areas
  • Restaurants
  • Retail stores
  • …and more

Industrial lighting is more durably designed to illuminate tougher workspaces. These lights are usually located on ceilings higher than 20´, including:

  • Chemicals/hazardous materials’ manufacturing/storage
  • Fixed/in-place heavy machinery/equipment
  • Mines
  • Production/factory facilities
  • Refineries
  • …and more

Central Arizona’s Electrical Contractor

If you’re planning a spring or summer home project, Turn It On Electric professionals may have some illuminating ideas (pun intended). Effective lighting can make a good project great.

We’re also available to discuss the best locations and voltage for lighting additions and upgrades. We will work with other contractors to deliver your project on time and within budget.

To learn more about ways to use LED lighting in your home or office, contact TIO Electric.


Author Chad
Categories Electrical Wiring, Residential, Safety

12 Tips for Holiday Light Safety

Holiday Light Safety

Holiday lights are beautiful and fun. They can also pose hazards inside and outside homes. A recent article cited this National Fire Protection statistic: More than 770 fires are caused by holiday lights every December. You can avoid the risks by practicing holiday light safety this year and every year.

Holiday Light Safety: Identifying and Avoiding Hazards

Holiday lights give us a feel-good that’s based on science. “Happy hormones” are triggered by lights and colors. In fact, some architectural professionals say we should consider new-home lighting designs that offer mood enhancements and wellness every day.

However, adding festive lights to your home is not without risks. Here are 12 holiday light safety issues and ways to avoid them.

  1. Real trees – Keep live trees well-hydrated. Fire-resistant artificial trees are considered safer.
  2. Bulbs – Inspect every strand of holiday lights. Even newly purchased lights may have missing or broken bulbs. Defective outdoor lighting and tree lights can cause electrocution, fires, injuries, or property damage.
  3. Cars – If your vehicle is in the annual parade, use a power inverter for strands that are more than 12V. Be sure to anchor decorative auto or float lights carefully and firmly. Depending on the lights, you may want to use them only if it’s dry outdoors. Wet 110V AC lights can be surprisingly shocking.
  4. Extension cords – It’s the only time of year extensive use of extension cords is okay. But like lights, pay attention to indoor-outdoor approved usage. Some extension cords can’t survive wet and cold weather. Also, try to keep your outdoor-approved extension cords dry as possible.
    • Avoid placing cords in areas of your yard that tend to puddle. Inexpensive cord protectors are available online.
    • Don’t run lights or extension cords under doors or through window openings.
    • Follow the “rule of three” and don’t plug more than 3 strands of lights into any one extension cord.
    • In September 2022, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) revealed male-to-male extension cords can cause carbon monoxide poisoning in addition to electrocution, fire, and shock risks. You should discard them and not buy them online.
  5. Hangers – Avoid metal nails, tacks, or screws for hanging light strands. Plastic hangers are safer.
  6. Ladders –When hanging outdoor home lights this year, don’t do a Griswold. A steady wood or fiberglass ladder that will support your weight is a good idea to avoid shock or falls.
  7. Lighting ins and outs – Light strands and their bulbs are usually specifically designed for indoor or outdoor use. It’s a bad idea to mix them up. You can buy lights that are approved for indoor and outdoor. For maximum holiday light safety, only purchase lights that have been tested by an American National Standards-approved agency, like Underwriters Laboratory (UL).
  8. Location, location – Avoid placing extension cords and light strands in any location where foot traffic is possible. They can trip any pedestrian, including Auntie Jane or the family toddler. For example, if you’d like to run lights along the sidewalk, use light stakes for the strands and anchoring pins or ground staples for the extension cords.
  9. Pets – Some people decorate their dogs or cats with electric holiday lights, usually for family photos. It’s extremely dangerous. Battery lights are much safer and reduce the risks of burns and shock. Never leave a “decorated” pet unattended.
  10. Plugs – Don’t use any outlet except a GFCI (ground-fault circuit interrupter) plug-in.
  11. Strands – There are several websites and videos that explain how to safely repair fuses and strands of holiday lights. Our advice: Name-brand holiday light strands are available at local home and hardware box stores for under $5. Replace, rather than repair, damaged strands of holiday lights.
  12. Take them down – You shouldn’t leave light decorations up all year. Smart lights aren’t designed for long-term use anyway. Etiquette-wise, January 6 is the official date for having outdoor lights down. Check the manufacturer’s directions. But even if you don’t plug them in or turn them on, exposure can dangerously degrade outside holiday lights.

If you have questions about lighting products or holiday light safety, contact Turn It On Electric.

Author Chad
Categories Residential

Installing Dedicated Outlets for the Holidays

dedicated outlets

When it comes to electrical usage, most of us are pushing the envelope. If the fall/winter holidays include your own personal “festival of lights,” dedicated outlets may be needed this year. In fact, dedicated outlets for holiday lighting are a good idea for everyone.

Dedicated Outlets, Circuits Provide Protection

Amps (amperes) are how we measure electrical current units. Most home receptacles can handle up to 20 amps, but you don’t want to go much over 15 amps to be safe. Overheated wires and circuitry are fire risks.

If you already have an occasional short circuit, contact your local electrician before adding holiday lights to your home this year. For example, if you can’t use your toaster without unplugging the microwave, you need electrical upgrades. A dedicated outlet has its own circuit breaker. And a dedicated circuit breaker only supports one outlet. 

Upgrading holiday lights from incandescent to LED saves money and energy. It’s possible LED lights can reduce electrical usage enough to justify buying new lights. (Don’t throw those old lights away; donate them or find a recycling center.)

Outside Holiday Lights

The animatronic Santa on your roof this year?
Maybe you should let your circuits decide. –TheSpruce.com

You’ll need to determine if parallel or series circuitry is best for your outdoor dedicated outlets. Parallel lighting might be best because if one bulb burns out, it only affects that one string.

Protecting your outdoor lights from weather and other dangers is another consideration. To safeguard your outdoor lights against animals that might chew on the wiring, consider steel wire-armored (SWA) cabling, which is rubber-insulated. It’s waterproof and longer-lasting than PVC-reinforced cable.

Dedicated outlets can use ambient light detection. This means your lights will automatically come on at dusk; off at sunrise. Most people prefer the ability to turn outdoor lights on from inside their homes.

  • Adding a dedicated outlet is better than using an existing socket.
  • An existing socket with GFCI (ground fault current interrupter) can serve as a dedicated outlet.
  • Outdoor lights must have a GFCI (ground fault current interrupter).
  • The installation of or conversion to dedicated outlets is never a DIY (do-it-yourself) job.

Indoor Holiday Lights

Tree lights, mantle and wall illuminated decorations… These are considered temporary electrical infrastructures. But the damage they can cause from overloading your circuits could last much longer.

How many indoor lights can you plug into one wall outlet?

The strings attach together, so you can have 100 or a thousand Griswold-blinding tree lights. There’s no one formula for how many tree lights you need:

  • Better Homes & Gardens says you need three 100-light strands for every foot of tree height.
  • Real Simple says you need one 100-light strand for every foot of tree height.
  • Turn It On Electric says you should use whatever is safe for your outlet(s) and circuitry.

Decorating a tree is so fun you must wonder why we only do it once a year! But you really don’t know how much electricity you’re pulling with all those light strands hooked into each other.

  • Tree adaptors are a dangerous idea. Any electrical surge could cause electrocution or fire.

Rather than create dedicated outlets for indoor illuminations, you may want to add dedicated circuitry for your large appliances that need it anyway. This would lower the risk of overload and provide a permanent solution to increased electrical usage.

Safe Homes for the Holidays

It’s never too soon to begin planning for holiday lighting electrical safety in Phoenix. Let’s assess your home’s electrical setup and discuss ways to protect against overloaded circuits. Contact TIO Electric.

Author Chad
Categories Lighting

14 Lighting Upgrades That Brighten Small, Dark Rooms

lighting upgrades

Studies have shown we respond well to light. Dark rooms are best for sleeping, but during waking hours, light can literally brighten our moods. Lighting upgrades don’t necessarily need to be electrical. You can uplift the mood of a small, dark room in several ways.

Mood-Uplifting Electrical Lighting Upgrades

When you ask someone – anyone – what’s great about the winter holidays they almost always say “the lights!” We express our joy by adding lights in December, but why not create happiness year-round?

Here are 14 lighting upgrades to brighten spaces, especially small, dark rooms:

  1. Burst chandeliers – They are called “burst” or “dandelion” designs and are dramatic focal points for any room.
  2. Desk lamps – Explore the décor options of these small, multifunctional lamps. Desk lamps don’t have to be limited to lighting desks or tables…
  3. Floor lamps – You can also buy compact floor-lamp tables that offer surface space in small settings.
  4. Flush chandeliers – These have the attraction of chandelier light fixtures but hug the ceiling for more headroom.
  5. Flush-mount ceiling lights – A dark closet was conformed to a cinematic event with 6 of these light fixtures.
  6. Glass lamps – These open themselves and a room to take advantage of space.
  7. Long-neck lamps – These are truly “uplifting” because they take lighting higher than traditional table lamps.
  8. Pendants – There are unlimited designs and features but keep them in sync with room size and headroom.
  9. Recessed lights – Recessed lighting is an old standby but always effective.
  10. String lights – They aren’t tacky or childish; they’re great. Would you like a flameless fire pit? What about a lightweight, creative way to divide a room? String lights are the way to go!
  11. Table lamps – Industrial, rustic, retro, or linear…Table lamps add form and function to every room.
  12. Under-cabinet lights – Highlight a small bar or refreshment area or even better, increase utility lighting in kitchens and hobby rooms.
  13. USB lamps – Small homes can have functional charging stations hidden in table lamps and end tables themselves.
  14. Wall sconces – Limited wall space is no problem with attractive sconces.

Interior Design Hacks to Brighten Rooms

There are many reasons to work with your local electrician for complex electrical installations or upgrades. Safety first, but you can also void warranties and risk property damage with DIY (do-it-yourself electrical lighting upgrades.

If you want to add light and action to small, dark spaces, try these tips:

  • Add white-based multicolored rugs
  • Consider 2700K LED bulbs
  • Eliminate dark lampshades
  • Get rid of heavy curtains
  • Include bright artwork
  • Incorporate metallic furnishings
  • Keep windows sparkling clean
  • More mirrors, mirrors on the walls
  • Paint flooring white
  • Refloor with light woods
  • Use high-gloss paint for ceilings
  • Use shades of white room designs

TIO Electric Lighting Upgrades for Phoenix, Tucson, AZ

Arizona homeowners literally take ownership of their homes’ upkeep. We do what we can to enhance property values and maintain a better quality of living. The smartest homeowners know when to seek professional assistance.

If you request any kind of home service in Maricopa County, you expect knowledgeable, professional guidance. You deserve honest and accurate information. That’s why Turn It On Electric is the Phoenix area’s premier electric service company.

We’ll provide industry-best electrical solutions for your home repairs or renovations. We take ownership of our work. If you have questions about lighting upgrades for your home or office, contact TIO Electric.

Author Chad
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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
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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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