Category: Residential Electric

The lights simply turn on and our refrigerator just runs. Electricity plays such a common role in our everyday lives that we take it for granted. 

As you read this article, count all the devices running on electricity all around you. We bet there are at least a dozen things connected to power just within eyesight…

But while we’re literally surrounded by electricity throughout our homes, rarely do we think about the dangers of electrocution and electrical fire. Unfortunately, these are very real threats that can lead to injury— and even death— or destroy your home.

Luckily, electrocution and electrical fires can be prevented by understanding how electricity works and implementing basic electrical safety practices at home. 

Here are ten home electricity best practices to keep you and your family safe:

Safety Tip #1: Check Electrical Cords & Wires

When you plug anything electronic into the wall, the current travels through the cord into the appliance. This cord is like the train tracks leading to the next stop; if the train can’t move across the tracks, the device won’t work. Unfortunately, cords often don’t completely stop working; they become faulty as a result of damage or age. 

Because damaged or aging power cords can spark and lead to electrical fire or shock to the touch, we advise checking your home’s electric cords, room-by-room, every few months. Look for discoloration, fraying, or any other signs that they are past their prime. And remember, don’t run cords under rugs— heat damage can go unseen until a fire strikes. 

Safety Tip #2: Understand the Proper Use of Extension Cords

Roughly 3,300 home fires start with a faulty extension cord each year, according to The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI). Many homeowners mistakenly use extension cords as permanent fixtures, but although these long cords are a great temporary solution for working outdoors, extension cords should never be used as a permanent solution in your home. Why not? Because they are not designed for long-term, continual use.

If you must use one of these long cords in your home for a quick fix, let it be just for a few hours. Never plug an extension cord into another extension cord and always use them with your three-prong “ground fault circuit interrupter” (GFCI) outlets. Find more electrical safety tips about extension cords from ESFI here. 

But what if my cord won’t reach the wall?, you might wonder. If you have appliances that cannot reach your outlets, the proper solution is to professionally install more outlets in your room. (Luckily, we can help with that!).

Safety Tip #3: Always Unplug Electronics When Not in Use OR Buy Smart Power Strips

You may have heard it said that it’s best to unplug devices when not using them. Not only can this save a tiny bit on your electricity bill, but it increases your home electrical safety. Don’t believe us? It’s advice straight from The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission itself.

Despite this recommendation, we get that no one is going to run around their house unplugging things before they leave. The more realistic solution is to purchase smart power strips to stop the flow of electricity when not in use. According to Energy.gov, smart power strips “cut power off and save energy since they are able to detect when a device is in standby mode.” Here are a few options on Amazon.

Safety Tip #4: Don’t Overload Power Strips

Even if you invest in smart power strips, certain strips are only rated to support a  specific collective voltage. Additionally, each individual outlet will also have its own voltage rating.

Having ten things plugged into one outlet may be okay for low-load devices and appliances, but for higher-load devices, you are best off spacing them out across a few outlets and power strips. Always check the rating on your strips before purchasing and understand the wattage requirements of your devices. You can use The US Department of Energy’s Energy Saver Calculator to do this!

Once again, your best bet may be to install more outlets in your home. While this sounds like a temporary pain, it can be a wise long-term investment for your family’s safety (not to mention, convenience).

Safety Tip #5: Unplug with Care

When you do have to unplug an electric device, there’s a right and a wrong way to do so. Be sure to pull from the plastic housing on the plug to remove it from a wall socket. Never pull from the cord itself. This can stretch the wires and connections inside the cable, causing a short and increasing your future chance of electrical shock and fire.

Safety Tip #6: Protect Your Outlets

The holes in your outlets directly lead to electricity! Whether you have children or nosey pets, it’s important to make sure your outlets are tamper-resistant to reduce your risk of electrocution or electrical fire.

• Make sure all light switch plates and outlet faceplates are fully screwed in and properly secured in place.
• Never leave a faceplate off and allow your outlet’s wires to be exposed.
• Invest in outlet covers like plug caps or sliding plate covers for when not in use.
• If you have any older outlets with just two prongs, consider upgrading them to GFCI, three-prong outlets with a safer grounding port.
• Inspect and test your outlets every year to ensure they’re performing properly. Are your outlets warm to the touch? Faded or discolored? Spark when you unplug something? Check out our advice for checking your outlets here.

Safety Tip #7: Keep Electronics Away from Water

It’s no secret that water and electricity don’t mix. For this reason, The National Electrical Code (NEC) requires GFCI compliant receptacles and breakers to be installed in areas with a high potential of water splash like kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, outdoor wall plugs and garages.

You can tell a GFCI receptacle apart from a regular, unprotected receptacle by looking for the two “Reset” and “Test” buttons in the center of the outlet. These outlets are designed to cut electricity to an outlet if moisture is sensed nearby. 

Even if you use a GFCI-safe outlet, never operate electric appliances like hair dryers and radios near running or pooled water for added safety. This includes using portable devices while they’re charging, such as Kindles and iPhones. 

Also, don’t touch electrical equipment, including light switches and power cords, with wet or damp hands.

Safety Tip #8: Inspect Your Electrical Panel

Most of us only think about our electrical panel when we need to reset a circuit breaker. But your breaker box routes the electricity to all your outlets and manages a whole lot of wattage!

Like everything, electrical panels have a lifespan and eventually need to be replaced. If you’re having to reset your breakers all the time, your panel is older than 20 years old, or you’re adding a few major appliances to your home, it may be time for a replacement. 

Even if your panel is in tip-top shape, it’s still wise to have it inspected every year by a professional who can spot any potential issues.

Safety Tip #9: Don’t Forget About Outdoor Electrical Safety 

The electricity tips in this post mainly apply to indoor use. But you’re in luck; we wrote a whole separate blog on tips for staying safe outside. Whether it’s working with power equipment or performing renovations, the article is packed with great advice for working in your yard and lanai. Check out these 8 Outdoor Electrical Safety Tips.

Safety Tip #10: Bring in a Certified Professional for the Big Stuff

When you need electrical work done, your best protection against electrocution and electrical fires is hiring a licensed electrician, like our team at Southwest Florida Electric, for your home electrical needs.

While some smaller projects you can do yourself, we recommend reading our article The Do’s and Don’ts of DIY Electrical Projects to know what’s safer to leave to the certified professionals. 

Download Your Very Own Electrical Toolkit

If you like to do things yourself, we’ve got an excellent resource for you. The Homeowner’s Easy Electrical Maintenance Toolkit is packed with 13 pages of tips for performing popular electrical projects all on your own.

For the bigger jobs like installing outlets or replacing electrical panels, explore our Electric Services or give us a call at (239) 307-0716, today. 

It’s that time of the month again: paying the electric bill. For Florida residents, this can be a painful endeavor, having to fork over the big bucks to power that continuous stream of air conditioning.

But you may be surprised to learn that there are more subtle ways to lower your energy bill that you may not be aware of.

Here are some helpful tips for cutting your electricity costs and going just a little more green at home:

1. Buy a programmable thermostat.

Boy, can cooling costs dip into a Floridian’s wallet. One way to quickly lower your cooling costs while still keeping your home comfortable is to better regulate your thermostat. 

Programmable thermostats allow you to set the temperature depending on the time of day, so you aren’t tempted to change it. You can choose the settings based on when you’re home and not, or when you’re active vs sedentary. 

For example, if you are out of the house for most of the day, you can set the temperature higher. That way, you aren’t cooling an empty home. Many programmable thermostats also allow for remote access, granting you the ability to start your AC 30 minutes before getting home to cool your space without wasting electricity. 

2. Replace your air conditioning filter (or air conditioner).

Living in Florida, you know that your air conditioning has more than a full-time job— let’s just say it’s always working overtime! Because your air conditioner is one of the heaviest run electronics in your home and one that uses a ton of energy, it’s crucial to take good care of it.

When’s the last time you checked on your air filter? Dust-clogged or aged filters can affect the performance of your unit, making it work harder and heat up faster, wasting more energy. If you don’t have an ENERGY STAR-efficient central air conditioner, know that some models can save you up to 30% on their cost-to-operate over federal minimum models. 

3. Utilize ceiling fans.

Ceiling fans help to circulate the flow of air throughout your home, helping your AC units to perform better by better dispersing airflow. Just the sensation of air blowing across your skin can create a cooling effect, even if the temperature isn’t drastically changed. Because of this circulation and added sensation, most Floridians who actively use ceiling fans can raise their thermostat by 4º F without sacrificing comfort. 

When shopping for fans, look for ENERGY STAR-rated fans, which are typically 60% more efficient than conventional fan/light units. These units use improved motors and blade designs combined with cutting-edge technology to reduce your energy bill costs with the same usage frequency as traditional fans. 

4. Tweak your fridge and freezer temperatures.

These are typically areas that we don’t think to adjust, but cranking your refrigerator or freezer too cold can be wasting a lot of energy. Most refrigerators work best when set between 37 and 40 degrees F, while most freezers work best at about 5 degrees.

Also, few realize that you can reduce your electricity bill by keeping your freezer full. The more cold things in the freezer, the less your freezer has to work to keep cold. Don’t have enough food to keep your freezer packed? Freeze containers of water; they take up space, keep the freezer working efficiently, and can be used as a ready water supply come hurricane.

5. Light your home with LEDs.

“ENERGY STAR-qualified LEDs use only 20%–25% of the energy and last 15 to 25 times longer than the traditional incandescent bulbs they replace,” according to Energy.gov. Because of this, LED lights are a more durable, longer-lasting option for your home than incandescent or CFL bulbs. To lower your energy bill a smidge, swap out older bulbs for bulbs sure to last for many years to come.

Curious as to what bulbs are best for energy-efficiency? Check out our other blog, Halogen, CFL & LED Light Bulbs: What’s the Difference & Are They Worth It?. 

6. Don’t forget about your water bill!

You’re so focused on lowering your electricity bill, have you considered your home water usage? Don’t forget, you pay to heat your water. That means when you’re taking long, roasting showers, washing clothes on hot, or running a steamy dishwasher, you’re being billed for it.

Think of a few ways you can use water without the heat:

• Take shorter showers and buy a low-flow shower head. Some homeowners with slower-to-warm water heaters are guilty of turning on the shower and walking away for a bit, letting it warm up and forgetting it’s going. Older showers use up to 5 gallons of water per minute, according to The USGS. That’s a ton of wasted water! Be mindful of your time behind the curtain and consider turning off the water while shaving, which typically wastes about a gallon of H20 in-and-of-itself. Or, purchase a shower head that regulates how much water you use per minute. You may be surprised that the right dispersion method can make it feel like just as “strong” of a flow, with far less water.
• Wash your clothes on “cold” and get an ENERGY STAR-rated washer. Even newer washers use 25 gallons of water per load, which is a lot to heat! The good news is, most laundry detergents are formulated to work at any temperature— so switch that dial to cold or cool, all the time. In addition to saving energy and hot water, your clothes will stay brighter. By switching to an energy-efficient washer, you can lower your electric bill even more!
• Don’t always run the dishwasher on hot. Scrap or lightly rinse your dishes off before putting them in the dishwasher so the cold setting can get the remaining food off without high heat. Also, save up for a better dishwasher, knowing you’ll have long-term energy savings. Older dishwashers can use up to 16 gallons per cycle. In contrast, ENERGY STAR models use 6 gallons or less per wash cycle and can often run faster and more efficiently, reducing both your heating costs and electricity usage!

Waste less water by understanding how many gallons you use per day with The USGS’ water calculator. 

Maximize Your Energy Savings

Want more energy savings, beyond your electric bill? Check out our other blog, 6 Energy-Saving Tips for Your Home, where we’ll talk more about:

• Installing dimmer switches or motion detection
• Investing in energy-efficient windows
• Checking your home’s insulation
• And more!

Our team is just a phone call away to help install energy-efficient lighting fixtures or bulbs, ceiling fans to circulate airflow, smart thermostats for temperature control, and just about any electrical work you can imagine.

Give us a call at 239-307-0716, today.

 A four year study by the National Fire Protection Association found 47,820 fires were caused by electrical failure. These fires caused hundreds of deaths and $1.5 billion in property damage.

Preventing these catastrophes may simply be a matter of routine maintenance and an attentive eye. Many homeowners neglect their electrical system because of all the confusing talk about circuits, currents, amps, and watts. Although many electrical concerns should be handled by professionals, there are easy steps homeowners can take to protect their homes.

We created this simple guide for those proactive homeowners. With everything from smoke detectors and outlets to extension cords and proper grounding, you will be able to diagnose and fix minor electrical problems… you may even find a few scenarios that require immediate professional attention.

If you find an electrical problem needing immediate attention, don’t hesitate to contact an electrical professional. They will diagnose and quickly fix your problem. Never wait to call, your family’s lives may depend on it!

PRO TIP: If your electrical cords are frayed, they must be promptly repaired or replaced. Damaged electrical cords are a shock and fire hazard.

Install Smoke Detectors

Even the most vigilant homeowner can fall victim to a devastating house fire. Install and regularly test your smoke detectors to protect against such a disaster. Smoke detectors should be installed on every level of the home, inside all sleeping areas, in stairways and hallways, and in the garage.

Since smoke rises, the ideal place for a smoke detector is on the ceiling. If you are installing smoke detectors on the wall, ensure they are placed within one foot of the ceiling. If you have a pitched ceiling, install the smoke detectors six inches below the apex of the peak. It’s equally important to consider the interference caused by a draft. Avoid installing detectors near doors, ducts, vents, or windows.

Regularly Check Smoke Detectors

Just like the battery in your smartphone, your smoke detector battery won’t last forever. Use the “test” button to check your smoke detector at least once every month. Smoke detectors will need a new battery at least once every year. If the alarm makes a chirping sound, you must immediately replace your battery.

If your battery needs replacing, the back of the alarm will designate the proper battery type. If the manufacturer’s instructions signify a special type of battery brand or model, don’t risk your family’s safety with a knock-off brand.

Even if your alarm uses a non-replaceable 10 year battery, do not neglect a monthly test. If the battery fails the test, replace the smoke detector immediately.

PRO TIP: Prevent false alarms! Install smoke alarms at least 10 feet from your cooking area.

Know Your Smoke Detector

IONIZATION

These smoke detectors use Americium-241 to create a current between two small metal plates. When smoke disrupts the current, the alarm is tripped. Since it can detect small amounts of smoke, ionization detectors are used in kitchens where fast flaming fires are more common.

PHOTOELECTRIC

By positioning a light source and a light-sensitive electric sensor at a 90 degree angle, this alarm trips when smoke enters and scatters the light and it hits the sensor. This type of smoke detector responds quickly to fires in the smoldering stage – the moment before it bursts into flames.

DUAL SENSOR

Using both an ionization and photoelectric sensor, these smoke detectors can detect both a fast flame fire and a smoldering fire. The combination of the two sensors makes the dual sensor smoke detector the safest option.

PRO TIP: If you have young children, use the monthly test as an opportunity to explain the importance of fire safety. Discuss the proper response in the event of an emergency.

Pay Attention to Your Electrical System

Your home electrical system may just seem like a bunch of wires and circuits, but it’s actually alive! If you pay attention to your electrical system’s aches and pains, you can prevent serious and costly problems.

The best way to monitor your system is to fix minor problems when you first notice them. Make note of things like frayed wires, damaged electrical cords, and condensation or water pooling below major appliances.

If you have a room where circuit breakers trip often or the lights constantly flicker, you may have a serious wiring problem. Remember, your circuit breaker prevents electrical fires by tripping when it’s overloaded.

Therefore, if your system frequently trips, it’s overloaded and possibly a fire hazard. If you unplug major appliances and the problem persists, you are dealing with a serious wiring concern. To decrease the chance of a fire, immediately contact an electrical professional.

PRO TIP: Never overload your outlets. Only use one high-wattage electrical device per outlet.Circuits won’t stop tripping? Click to contact a licensed professional now!

Check Your Outlets

Checking your electrical outlets is like taking your temperature with a thermometer: You can tell you have a fever, but only a doctor can properly diagnose and address the problem. Believe it or not, simply checking your outlets is an easy way to take the temperature of your home’s electrical system. If the outlet is hot you may be at risk of a serious electrical fire. You can’t take your home to the doctor, but you can call an electrician. They will diagnose your electrical ills and provide a remedy.

Begin by grabbing a pen and paper to make a list of all the electrical outlets in your home. Since some outlets are located behind appliances, you may need the assistance of a friend or family member. Once you have your list, check to see if your outlets have any of the following problems:

• ARE YOUR ELECTRICAL OUTLETS WARM TO THE TOUCH?
•  ARE YOUR ELECTRICAL OUTLETS FADED OR DISCOLORED?
•  DO YOUR ELECTRICAL OUTLETS MAKE A CRACKLING OR SIZZLING NOISE WHEN SOMETHING IS PLUGGED IN?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you may be at risk. Contact an electrical professional immediately! They can find and fix the issue before the concern becomes a dangerous incident.

PRO TIP: Cover all unused electrical outlets with covers or install tamper resistant outlets.

Hot outlets? Don’t risk it! Contact a licensed professional now!

Do Your Outlets Need a GFCI Update?

Water and electricity don’t mix. This makes areas like laundry rooms, bathrooms, kitchens, and outdoor living spaces especially susceptible to danger. To prevent a deadly shock, make sure your home is equipped with the latest GFCI outlets.

DO I HAVE A GFCI OUTLET?

It’s easy to tell the difference between a traditional and a GFCI outlet. A GFCI outlet has a pair of three-pronged outlets separated by a test and reset button.

How Does a Ground Fault Work?

Electricity always wants to find a way to the ground. A ground fault is when electricity does in fact find its way to the ground. Unfortunately, this path can be through a person’s body.

A GFCI prevents a dangerous incident by measuring the amount of electricity flowing in and out of the circuit. If the GFCI detects even a minor variance in electricity, it will immediately shut off the circuit.

WATT IS THAT? GFCI stands for Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter.

PRO TIP: Immediately replace any electrical tool if it causes small shocks, overheats, shorts, or gives off smoke or sparks.

 

Regularly Test Your GFCI Outlets

 

If you drop your hair dryer into the water, a malfunctioning GFCI outlet won’t protect you. Only by regularly testing your GFCI outlets can you prevent such a disaster. An outlet tester is the easiest way to verify functionality. If you do not own an outlet tester, grab an electrical device, like a lamp, and conduct the following test:

The GFCI Test

• PUSH THE “RESET” BUTTON ON THE GFCI
• PLUG IN AN ELECTRICAL DEVICE
• POWER ON YOUR DEVICE
• PRESS THE “TEST” BUTTON. IF THE DEVICE DOES NOT TURN OFF WHEN YOU PUSH THE “TEST” BUTTON, YOUR GFCI MAY BE INCORRECTLY INSTALLED OR DAMAGED.

If your GFCI fails the test, your electrical system could pose a fire and/or electrocution risk. Remember, water and electricity don’t mix, so if your kitchen or bathroom GFCI isn’t working, you’re not protected.

PRO TIP: If you purchase a receptacle outlet tester, you can easily check to see if your outlets are correctly wired and grounded.

Did your GFCI fail the test?  Click to contact a licensed professional now!

Check Your Extension Cords

Extension cords are an essential part of every homeowner’s repertoire. They are a great temporary solution for working outdoors or getting power to your TV at a tailgate. Although they have many practical uses, extension cords should never be used as a permanent solution. Use the extension cord best practices in the next section to prevent serious damage.

The Extension Cord Dont’s

• DON’T PLUG A MAJOR APPLIANCE INTO AN EXTENSION CORD
• DON’T ATTACH MULTIPLE CORDS TOGETHER
• DON’T OVERLOAD AN OUTLET WITH MULTIPLE CORDS
• DON’T RUN THROUGH DOORWAYS OR UNDER CARPET
• DON’T USE INDOORS FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME
• DON’T USE INDOOR EXTENSION CORDS OUTSIDE
• DON’T POWER MULTIPLE APPLIANCES WITH A SINGLE CORD
• DON’T REMOVE AN EXTENSION CORD’S GROUNDING PIN

Follow these rules, and all your extension cord days will be filled with light and happiness! If you still need to get power to an appliance or electrical device far away from an outlet, contact a professional electrician. They can give your home a practical, permanent, and safe solution.

PRO TIP: The electrical capacity of an extension cord is actually a combination of the gauge of the cord and its length. As a cord increases in length, its capacity diminishes.

Is Your Home Properly Grounded?

No, we aren’t talking about your home’s emotional stability, we are talking about your electric! In the event of a short circuit, the electrical current will find the quickest route to ground. Grounding is the way electricity returns safely to the ground by way of the service panel.

If your home is properly grounded, the current will flow, quite literally, into the ground. If your home is improperly grounded, the current will find the quickest way to ground… and that could very well be through you. Although the cartoon characters of old may make it seem hilarious, a short circuit is no laughing matter. It can result in serious injury and possibly even death.

 A ground wire is used to carry excess current away from the home in case of a short circuit. 

You May Be at Risk if…

• YOUR HOME WAS BUILT BEFORE THE YEAR 1950
• YOUR HOME WAS BUILT IN THE 1960s OR 1970s USING ALUMINUM WIRING
• YOU RECENTLY REPLACED A SECTION OF COPPER PLUMBING PIPE WITH A PVC PIPE.

PRO TIP: In a properly grounded outlet, the large slot is neutral, the small slot is “hot” and the u-shaped hole is the ground.

Think you’re at risk? Click to contact a licensed professional now!

Check Your Bulbs

The wattage numbers aren’t just on your fixtures and bulbs for decoration! Before you go to the store to buy new light bulbs, check the wattage numbers on your lamps and light fixtures. They will specify the appropriate bulb wattage.

You can either match the wattage of the fixture with the bulb, such as a 60 watt bulb with a 60 watt fixture, or use a bulb of a lesser wattage, such as a 40 watt bulb with a 60 watt fixture. But you should never exceed the specified wattage, such as a 75 watt bulb with 60 watt fixture.

How to Replace Your Bulb

• TURN OFF THE SWITCH CONNECTED WITH YOUR LIGHT BULB.
• DELICATELY TWIST THE BULB COUNTER CLOCKWISE UNTIL IT’S FREE.
• PROPERLY DISCARD THE OLD LIGHT BULB.
• INSERT THE NEW BULB AND ROTATE IT CLOCKWISE UNTIL IT’S SECURE.
• TURN ON THE SWITCH CONNECTED WITH YOUR NEW LIGHT BULB.

If you’ve ever tried to change a light bulb right after you turn it off, you’ve probably burned your finger! Light bulbs get really hot and therefore can be serious fire hazards. To minimize the danger, never put anything flammable on top of a lamp or light bulb.

PRO TIP: Avoid improper disposal of energy efficient CFL bulbs. Contact your local garbage service for more information!

Schedule a Professional Consultation

Even if you follow all the best practices for maintaining your electrical system, it’s still wise to consult a professional.

Whether you just moved into your new home, or you’ve been there for years, an electrical professional will help diagnose and fix any major or minor electrical problems.

From smoke detectors and outlets to grounds and circuit boards, your electrical professional will verify the safety of your home’s electrical system. Even if you just want an explanation of the intricacies of your electrical system, call an electrician today – they’ll be happy to demonstrate their expertise!

PRO TIP: Schedule routine safety consultations with a trusted electrician.

Watt are you waiting for? Schedule a professional consultation today!

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