Taking the Mystery Out of New Home Electrical Projects
Building a new home is a massive undertaking. Even when you’re working with great contractors, if you’re like most people, chances are you’ll be overwhelmed by the many steps involved in going from a vacant lot to a building you can live in. When the work gets to things that take a fair amount of technical understanding, like plumbing and electrical, it can get even more confusing.
Here are the steps that are involved in new residential wiring, to take some of the mystery out of the process:
Read MoreCommercial vs. Residential Electrical Contractors: What’s the Difference?
In theory, electrical contractors are pretty much all alike, and it is true that given enough time and a good instruction manual, a residential electrical contractor could do a commercial contractor’s job, and vice versa. However, that’s the same as saying that a mechanic who works on compact cars and one who works on semis are the same: while they share a lot of the same traits, there are some noticeable differences. Here’s what you need to know.
Read MoreNew Trends in Residential Lighting for 2016/2017
Every year, there are subtle shifts in décor and design trends, and lighting is no different. While redecorating your whole home isn’t really an option for most of us, the good news is that small changes can make a big impact. If you’re looking to update your residential lighting this year, there are some great trends you can try.
Artisanal Details
Artisanal décor details remain a strong trend in 2016, and lighting is a great way to bring this handmade look into your home. Consider hand crafted chandeliers or light fixtures. Think wrought iron, hand blown glass or other materials, and look for pieces that have the slight imperfections that make artisanal objects unique and original.
Gold and Brass
Warmer metals lost favor several years ago, and they’ve been mostly banished from stylish homes since then. This year, however, brass, copper and weathered gold have made a comeback, and they’re being seen on stylish light fixtures too. So if you want to bring some bling into your décor, consider opting for lighting fixtures in warmer tones.
Pared Down Industrial
It may seem strange that a year that features an emphasis on hand made décor and metals is also one that favors minimalist industrial design, but that’s exactly what is happening in residential lighting this year. Stainless steel fixtures with minimal frills, simple pendants and other minimalist styles are all going to be a big trend this year.
Bigger Is Better
Forget understated design this year. Lighting design this year is all about going big and bold. Think oversized chandeliers, giant sized sconces or large fixtures, and you have the trend in one. They work better in larger spaces, with higher ceilings, but a statement light can really transform a space, so consider one for your entrance area, dining room or living room.
Retro Feel
Finally, whether you’re planning new construction electrical while building a custom home this year, or looking to update your existing décor, there’s the retro trend. Fixtures and fittings that look like they belong in decades past are big news this year. Which also means that it’s a great year to trawl flea markets and antique stores for the genuine article at a bargain price!
Maritime Moments
If there’s one trend that shows up regularly, it’s the trend to maritime or nautical design elements, and 2016/2017 will be another year when we see beachy elements in design, including lighting. Whether you choose a ships lantern or a drift wood chandelier is up to you, but if you can bring the beach into your lighting design, you’ll be right on trend.
Like most years, décor in 2016/2017 will be a mixed bag of old and new, with plenty of ways to put your own stamp on your design. When you design your residential lighting this year, the best advice is to focus on what you like, and make the trends fit your style – not vice versa. Whatever you choose, remember that saving power and the environment will always be in style, so choosing LED or CFL friendly lighting options is always a good idea.
Read MoreWhat is the Purpose of Preventive Electrical Maintenance?
Electrical maintenance, whether in your home or in a commercial or industrial setting, is often a grudge purchase. It is something you would rather not be spending money on (like insurance), and you may even wonder if you couldn’t just skip it altogether.
While it may be tempting to save a little on your budget now, there are many reasons not to skip the preventive electrical maintenance on your business premises.
Electrical Failure is Cumulative and Preventable
The electrical systems in your home or commercial building are a lot like those in your body. Even if you eat all the wrong things and follow an unhealthy lifestyle, you will still get some service out of your body. Eventually, however, things will start to go wrong, and once one thing goes wrong, everything tends to go wrong at the same time and you wind up in the emergency room.
Your electrical system is the same way. Little things like loose connections, less-than-perfect wiring and aging outlets probably won’t make themselves felt immediately, and it’s possible to go years without anything failing spectacularly. However, when things do start going wrong with electrical systems (and they will, eventually), they tend to go very wrong, and the results can be costly or even deadly.
Electrical systems all wear out over time. Parts and wiring wear out, and breakers and boards need to be upgraded to deal with increased loads. It is a small price to pay to do this regularly before issues add up than to deal with the fallout when it does become a problem. Because eventually, an electrical system that has not had proper electrical maintenance will become a problem.
Major Expense and Danger Caused By Improper Electrical Maintenance
A regular preventative maintenance schedule will ensure that common problems and causes of failure in electrical systems, including faulty wiring, loose connections, overloading and damaged equipment are identified and addressed before they can cause major problems.
All of those common problems can cause fires, serious injuries or even death, and they can result in losses of tens of thousands of dollars, or even more. Worse still, if you have not followed your electrical service schedule, you may find that you are legally liable for damages caused by faulty electrical systems.
What to Expect From Preventative Electrical Maintenance
When you commit to a preventative electrical maintenance program, you might be wondering what to expect. The process is actually fairly quick, easy and painless.
The company you contact to arrange a preventive maintenance visit should send out a qualified electrical technician to carry out an inspection of your electrical. They will have a checklist of items that they will inspect to ensure that everything is up to code and working correctly. Most good companies will also have some commonly-used spare parts on hand to make minor repairs. If the company that is doing the preventive maintenance visit notices something large that needs to be repaired, they will also be able to provide you with a quotation for the work that needs to be done.
Makes Financial Sense
The simple fact is that preventive electrical maintenance by a reputable company will cost you a fraction of what the repairs, damage or legal issues that neglecting maintenance will cost you, and it just makes sense to start maintaining your electric sooner rather than later. It’s an insurance policy for your electrical system.
If you need to set up regular electrical maintenance for your business, Static Electric can provide you with a free consultation geared towards keeping you compliant with the regulations.
Read MoreThe Role Electrical Maintenance Plays in Home Safety
For busy people, having an electrical maintenance contract can be a great time saver. No more worrying about finding spare time to do all the maintenance around the house. No more wondering if you’ve done everything you’re supposed to. But that’s not the only reason to sign up for maintenance agreements. Having regular electrical maintenance appointments can be a key factor in your home safety in multiple ways.
Fire Hazards
One of the leading causes of home fires is problems with electrical wiring. The heat from electrical wiring can degrade and eventually break down their protective covering, leaving bare wires which can easily spark and start a fire inside your home’s walls. You may be able to tell some of the more obvious signs of old wiring such as:
- Breaker switches going off frequently
- Brown, discolored wall outlets
- Getting shocked when you plug in or touch an appliance
The problem is that once these signs are visible the trouble with your wiring has become a serious danger. Residential electrical contractors are trained to discovered problems with your wiring and electrical system before they become dangerous. Your contractor will perform regular electrical maintenance, repairing or replacing parts that have begun to wear out before they get to the point where they might start a fire.
Outdoor Lighting
Your electrical maintenance contract can include your outdoor lighting system, both in landscapes and on paths and buildings. When your contractor replaces bulbs on a regular basis and installs brighter bulbs to illuminate outside your home, it’s safer in two ways. First, brighter lights along walkways and on porches make it easier to walk into your home after dark, cutting down on the problem of tripping over objects you can’t see. Guests to your home can safely walk on unfamiliar paths, as well.
In addition, having reliable bright lighting outside your home is a great burglar deterrent. Most thieves don’t like to operate in bright light; they prefer breaking into homes when it’s dark and difficult for anyone to see them. Bright lights on your porch and motion-activated floodlights on your property can repel all but the most determined burglar.
HVAC
For some people, having the HVAC system in their home working well isn’t just a convenience, it’s a matter of life and death. Senior citizens, especially, are vulnerable to extreme heat variations on both ends of the thermometer. A furnace that goes out in the dead of winter in the north or a power outage that prevents air conditioning from working in Florida can be a danger to the youngest and oldest members of your family.
Allergies are a huge problem for some people here in southern Florida, and many HVAC units are equipped with filters that screen out molds and pollen. If you’ve got a child or other family member with extreme allergies, keeping that filtered air moving is a bit priority, and regular maintenance is the best way to make that happen.
Your contractor can find problems before they start, making electrical repairs while they’re still minor inconveniences and reducing the chance of you having to suffer through a dangerous heat wave without air conditioning.
The DIY Fan
Some families have a member who’s an avid DIY fanatic. They’re convinced they can do every repair necessary on their own home. Unfortunately, many of these people suffer serious shocks when trying to repair or replace their own electrical wiring or appliances. Some simple repairs are easy enough to do yourself, but not all wiring troubles are in a DIYer’s knowledge base. If you have an electrical maintenance agreement with a professional contractor, he’ll spot and repair any problems before your DIY fan can even find them, in most cases. If not, a valid response to them is to ask them to wait for the contractor instead of wasting money they’ve already spent.
Read More5 Causes of Damage to Landscape Lighting
Your landscape lighting adds value to your home or business, so keeping it functioning is an important part of your regular building maintenance. Electrical maintenance can be as simple as visually inspecting the property each week to make sure everything is working, or as thorough as hiring an electrical contractor to to regular maintenance tasks. There is no single cause for landscape lighting failure; the causes are varied, with some preventable and some out of your hands.
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