Categories Residential

Protect Your Home with Whole House Surge Protection

Power surges can wreak havoc on your home’s electrical system, damaging appliances and electronics. A whole house surge protector can safeguard your home from these unexpected spikes in electricity, ensuring the longevity and safety of your electrical devices. In this post, we’ll explain what whole house surge protectors are, the different types available, signs you may need one, and the benefits they provide.

What is a Whole House Surge Protector?

A whole house surge protector is a device installed in your home’s main electrical panel that protects all your electrical devices from voltage spikes. These spikes can be caused by lightning strikes, power outages, or the operation of large appliances.

Types of Whole House Surge Protectors:

  • Primary Surge Protectors: Installed at the main electrical panel, they provide the first line of defense against external surges.
  • Secondary Surge Protectors: These are installed at the point of use, such as at individual outlets, to provide additional protection.
  • Service Entrance Surge Protectors: Installed where electricity enters the home, these protect against surges from external sources like lightning.

Signs You Need a Whole House Surge Protector:

  • Frequent Power Surges: If your home experiences frequent power surges, it’s a clear sign you need a surge protector.
  • Flickering Lights: Frequent dimming or flickering lights can indicate unstable power flow.
  • Burning Smell: A burning odor near outlets or electrical panels can be a sign of power surges damaging your wiring.
  • Damaged Appliances: If appliances frequently fail or show signs of electrical damage, surges might be the cause.

Benefits of Installing a Whole House Surge Protector:

  • Protection for All Devices: Safeguards all your electronics and appliances, reducing the risk of damage.
  • Enhanced Safety: Prevents potential electrical fires caused by power surges.
  • Increased Lifespan of Appliances: By protecting against surges, you can extend the life of your home’s electronic devices and appliances.
  • Cost Savings: Avoid costly repairs or replacements of damaged electronics.

Potential Risks and Dangers of Not Having a Surge Protector:

  • Damage to Electronics: Without protection, power surges can easily damage or destroy expensive electronics.
  • Fire Hazard: Surges can cause electrical fires, posing a significant risk to your home and family.
  • Frequent Replacements: The absence of surge protection can lead to more frequent replacement of appliances and devices.

What to Consider Before Calling an Electrician for Installation:

  • Assess Your Home’s Needs: Determine which appliances and areas of your home require the most protection.
  • Budget: Whole house surge protectors vary in cost. Consider your budget and the level of protection you need.
  • Professional Installation: Ensure you hire a licensed and bonded electrician, like Turn It On Electric, for safe and proper installation.
  • Maintenance: Ask about the maintenance required for your surge protector to ensure it remains effective over time.

Installing a whole house surge protector is a crucial step in safeguarding your home’s electrical system. By understanding the types, benefits, and signs you need one, you can make an informed decision. Turn It On Electric offers professional installation services to ensure your home is protected from power surges.

Don’t wait until it’s too late. Contact Turn It On Electric today to schedule your whole house surge protector installation and keep your home and electronics safe from unexpected power surges.

Categories Residential

Ceiling Fan Installation and Troubleshooting

Installing a ceiling fan is more complex than it might appear. Professional installation is essential for ensuring safety, efficiency, and functionality.

Understand Your Installation Needs

Before calling an electrician, identify the type of ceiling fan you need, considering the room’s size and your aesthetic preferences. Having the fan selected beforehand, and in your possession, can save time and helps the electrician prepare for the specific installation requirements and specs.

Electrical Box and Power Concerns

One common issue that arises during ceiling fan installations is an inadequate electrical box. Electricians can assess if the existing box can support the fan’s weight and the vibrations it produces. Upgrading to a suitable box is crucial to prevent future problems.

Wiring and Switch Configuration

Electricians handle the complex wiring that involves integrating the fan smoothly into your home’s electrical system. They ensure that the fan and its switch are properly wired to your home’s power source, addressing any safety and functional issues that might not be evident to the untrained eye.

Troubleshooting Your Ceiling Fan

Before reaching out to a professional, there are a few simple checks you can perform if your ceiling fan is not working properly:

  • Check the Power Supply: Ensure the fan’s switch and the main circuit breaker are in the ‘on’ position.
  • Remote Control Issues: If your fan is controlled by a remote, replace the batteries to rule out a dead battery issue.
  • Inspect for Loose Connections: Sometimes, a loose wire in the switch or fan can be the culprit. If accessible and safe, check to ensure all connections are tight.

When to Call an Electrician

  • If the fan makes unusual noises or wobbles excessively, it could be an installation issue.
  • Persistent power issues after checking the circuit breaker might indicate more serious wiring concerns.
  • Any sparking or electrical odor is a clear sign to stop your checks and call a professional.

When You Might Not Need an Electrician

It’s important to note that while electricians handle all power and mounting issues, they typically do not troubleshoot remote controls or external devices not directly connected to your home’s electrical wiring.

For a safe and secure ceiling fan installation, professional help is invaluable. Electricians ensure that all components are correctly installed and meet all safety codes, which is especially important for high-powered devices like ceiling fans. Ready to enhance your home with a new ceiling fan? Contact Turn It On Electric today to ensure your installation is handled professionally from start to finish!

Categories Residential

No Splash? Steps to Take When Your Pool System Loses Power

Experiencing a power outage in your pool system can throw a wrench in your leisure plans, not to mention the potential risks and inconveniences it poses. Knowing how to troubleshoot this issue can save your day. Whether it’s a simple fix or requires professional help, understanding the right steps to take is crucial.

Initial Checks

Before diving into more complex troubleshooting, start with the basics:

Main Power Source: Confirm that your home’s main power supply is on and that the issue isn’t a general power outage.

Circuit Breaker: Often, the solution is as simple as flipping a tripped breaker switch back to its operational position.

Visual Inspection: Look for any obvious signs of damage to power lines leading to your pool system or the equipment itself.

Safe Troubleshooting Tips

If the initial checks don’t reveal any issues, proceed with the following safe troubleshooting methods:

System Reset: Consult the manufacturer’s guide to safely reset your pool system. This often resolves temporary glitches.

Debris Clearance: Ensure that the pool pump and filter are not clogged with debris, as this can sometimes cause the system to shut down.

It’s crucial to distinguish between electrical issues that require an electrician and those that need a pool technician. Call a pool technician for problems specific to pool equipment operations, such as pump failures, filtration issues, or mechanical malfunctions. On the other hand, contact an electrician for issues related to the overall power supply, wiring to the pool system, or when electrical components present a safety risk, especially near water. Knowing whom to call ensures the right expertise is applied to your problem, enhancing safety and potentially saving time and money on repairs.

Losing power to your pool system can be a hassle, but with the right approach, it’s often a solvable issue. From simple DIY fixes to knowing when to call in the pros, ensuring your pool’s electrical system is in top condition means you’re always ready for a splash.

If you’re facing electrical challenges with your pool system, don’t hesitate to reach out to Turn It On Electric. Our team of experts ensures a swift, safe resolution to your electrical needs, getting you back to enjoying your pool in no time.

Categories Residential

Transform Your Spring Evenings with Landscape Lighting

Welcome the spring season by illuminating your outdoor living spaces. As the natural world rejuvenates, extend your days and enhance your nights with strategic landscape lighting. Let’s navigate the nuances of designing a well-lit outdoor area that is not only safe but also beautifully accentuates your home’s natural surroundings.

Detailed Planning for Optimal Illumination

Begin with assessing your yard’s layout during different times of the evening to understand how light and shadows interact within your space. Consider the functional areas that need illumination for safety, such as pathways and steps, and identify features you wish to highlight, like a blossoming garden or a serene pond. Understand the significance of lumens as a measure of light output, the importance of choosing the right color temperature for creating ambiance, and how beam angles can alter the mood and focus of your lighting.

The Eco-friendly Glow: Advances in LED and Solar Technology

Explore the environmental and economic benefits of LED lighting, which consumes significantly less energy and lasts longer than traditional bulbs. Delve into how solar-powered lights offer a sustainable and easy-to-install option, charging by day to illuminate your nights without adding a penny to your electricity bill.

Safety Measures and Installation Best Practices

Learn about IP (Ingress Protection) ratings and what they mean for the durability and safety of outdoor fixtures. Discover the critical steps for safely installing outdoor lighting, from planning the layout to choosing the correct cables and ensuring all fixtures are securely mounted and properly insulated.

Lighting Techniques and Tips

Illuminate the beauty of spring with lighting techniques that enhance the visual appeal of your outdoor space. Discover how to use uplighting to dramatize trees or architectural elements, back-lighting to create a silhouette effect, or cross-lighting to highlight intricate garden details. Experiment with different lighting styles to capture the vibrant growth and textures that spring brings.

Seasonal Maintenance and Upkeep

Understand the importance of regular maintenance to ensure your landscape lighting continues to function correctly and safely. This includes cleaning lenses and fixtures, checking for exposed or damaged wires, and replacing any burnt-out bulbs.

Embrace the potential of landscape lighting to transform your outdoor areas into enchanting springtime sanctuaries. With the right planning, eco-friendly options, and safety measures, you can create an inviting atmosphere that extends the enjoyment of your home’s exterior well into the night. Don’t let the sun set on your spring evenings without the added beauty and security of well-designed landscape lighting. Contact Turn It On Electric today to bring your dream outdoor space to life this spring.

Categories Residential

Essential Electrical Inspection Checklist for Home Buyers and Sellers

Whether you’re on the brink of acquiring your dream abode or saying goodbye to your current nest, the electricity flowing behind those walls needs more than a passing glance—it requires a thorough inspection. The electrical system, a silent sentinel, ensures that your life is illuminated, devices charged, and safety systems on high alert. But as houses change hands, ensuring these systems meet safety standards and regulations becomes paramount. This guide aims to shine a light on the key components of residential electrical inspections for home sales or purchases, demystifying what can often be a charged topic.

What Inspectors Look For:

Electrical Panels – The Heart of Your Home’s Electricity:

The electrical panel, often referred to as the breaker box, is the central hub of a home’s electrical system. Inspectors check for proper installation and condition, ensuring there’s no rust, damage, or loose connections. They also verify that the panel has sufficient capacity for the home’s needs and that all circuits are properly labeled. Outdated panels, like those with fuses instead of circuit breakers, are often red flags.

Wiring – The Circulatory System:

Wiring is scrutinized for its condition, type, and compliance with current standards. Inspectors look out for outdated wiring systems like knob and tube or aluminum wiring, which can pose safety risks. They also check for any exposed or unshielded wiring, signs of overheating, and secure connections.

Outlets and Switches – Points of Contact:

Every outlet, switch, and fixture is tested for proper function, grounding, and safety. Special attention is given to areas prone to moisture, such as bathrooms and kitchens, where ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets should be installed to prevent electric shock.

Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors – Silent Guardians:

These critical safety devices are checked for their presence, correct placement, and functionality. Inspectors ensure that smoke detectors are installed on every floor and inside each bedroom, while carbon monoxide detectors are typically required near sleeping areas.

Service Mast, Service Drop, and Meter – The External Checkup:

The external components of your home’s electrical system, including the service mast, service drop, and meter, are inspected for secure attachment, proper grounding, and overall condition. This is to ensure that the electrical supply from the utility company is safely and effectively reaching your home.

Surge Protection – Shielding Your Home:

Surge protection devices safeguard your home’s electrical devices from voltage spikes. Inspectors may check for the presence and condition of these protective devices, particularly in areas with frequent storms or unreliable power supply.

Common Issues Uncovered During Inspections:

  • Overloaded circuits
  • Double-tapped breakers
  • Incorrectly wired outlets
  • Absence of GFCI protection in wet areas
  • Obsolete or faulty electrical panels

Pre-Inspection Tips for Sellers:

  • Review and label your electrical panel.
  • Replace any non-functioning switches or outlets.
  • Ensure that GFCI outlets are installed where required.
  • Check that all visible wiring is intact and properly insulated.
  • Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and replace batteries if necessary.

For Buyers: What to Observe During a Visit:

  • Check for signs of burnt outlets or switches.
  • Note the age and condition of the electrical panel.
  • Test a few outlets and switches in different rooms.
  • Observe whether there are sufficient outlets in each room.
  • Look for GFCI outlets in bathrooms, kitchens, and other wet areas.

Navigating through the maze of residential electrical inspections can seem daunting at first glance. But, armed with the right knowledge, you can ensure that your home buying or selling experience is not just enlightening but electrifyingly smooth. Whether you’re a seller prepping your home for the market or a buyer eager to find your spark in a new residence, understanding these electrical essentials can illuminate the path to a successful transaction.

Remember, a thorough electrical inspection not only contributes to the safety and functionality of your home but also offers peace of mind. So, when it comes to your home’s electrical system, don’t be left in the dark. Ensure it’s checked, safe, and ready to light up your life in your new home or as a farewell gift to the new occupants of your old one.

If you’ve got any burning questions or need professional assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out to the pros at Turn It On Electric. We’re here to help make your home safe, efficient, and ready for whatever comes next.