We all take the lighting inside our homes for granted and simply flick a switch whenever and wherever we need illumination, but in this article we will consider the area around our homes and in our gardens to see which outdoor light is appropriate and how to ensure its safety aspects.

The first step to take is to decide exactly what needs to be lit and why; and then what the best type of lighting is for that purpose. If for security reasons, flood lights would be a good choice, as they light up large areas. They can also be placed so that they highlight certain areas, such as flower beds or garage entrances.

The best as far as green ecology is concerned, as well as for economic reasons, is the halogen flood light. This type of low wattage very bright light works directly with the electrical system in one’s home and lights up immediately as it is switched on without needing a warm-up period. In contrast, HID (high intensity discharge) globes take a while to warm up before emitting their light.

Another good choice would be a motion sensor flood light, as this light system is activated by movement. It automatically switches on when it detects something moving within a certain range and then turns off when the moving object moves out of range. This highly efficient green option should also be considered, as it saves electricity by not being in constant use. A motion sensor can be attached to existing outside light fittings, thus saving the cost of having to purchase an entire new light to be installed.

LED (light emitting diode) lighting emits a low intensity glow and is usually small and compact. This form of illumination can be fitted wherever you need to light up a specific area and is most commonly used with a timer which is set to turn on and off at certain times.

Low voltage lighting is usually placed at ground level to light up driveways or parts of gardens and is used more for aesthetics than for security.

Once you have decided on what type of lighting you want and have chosen the design, the next step would be to have it installed. Clearly, as the outside areas of your home are subject to climatic fluctuations, the installation should be done by highly qualified and knowledgeable electricians, and this is where we come in.

Every one of our employees at Lon Lockwood is highly trained and professional and will have a thorough knowledge of the New York State electrical code requirements for outdoor installations. An underground UF cable with a fuse or breaker will be used where necessary, together with a grounding conductor. All materials we use have UL approval and will be weatherproofed.

Now that you have all the facts at hand, give us a call. We will be happy to give you a quotation for the work to be done and a specific time frame for it to be completed. We guarantee excellence in every job we do and in each and every one of our electricians, so you need not worry about having strangers in your home. By having an outdoor light fixture fitted you will deter burglars and ensure the safety of your family – and there is nothing more important than that.

Winter is almost upon us and now is the best time to get your entire electrical system checked to be sure of a warm and safe winter. Don’t wait until the frost sets in to find that your heating system needs attention; or that when you use more electricity than in summer certain appliances cause an outage. Not only is this dangerous, it is easily and quickly repaired.

If you live in the Rochester area of New York, there is no better electrical contractor to call than Lon Lockwood Electric. We are a locally owned specialist company which is also on call 24/7 in case of emergencies – and you get to speak to a person, not a machine. As experts in all aspects of electricity, we are able to assist you with all your repair, installation, upgrading and maintenance requirements.  Lon Lockwood Electric prides itself on being able to identify problems before they occur and will take every measure to repair the fault before it causes any damage, getting the problem solved immediately by using highly trained electricians who treat our customers and their property with the highest respect.

Lon Lockwood Electric does not accept contracts to work on the erection of buildings – we only work in the private sector and have established a broad customer base. We welcome you to contact our many satisfied customers for references – a sign of our confidence in our work.

We will be happy to be of service for all your electrical needs, from small jobs, like connecting and hanging lights and ceiling fans, to a complete rewiring of your home. We are able to upgrade your electrical service to ensure that you get optimum use from your appliances without electricity wastage, thereby saving your money in the long run. Please be aware that all your appliances in daily use, such as refrigerators, microwaves, irons and ovens should be thoroughly checked periodically, as constant use can wear out or loosen plugs and wiring, which are not noticeable until they cause a short or give you a shock. This dangerous state of affairs can be checked and repaired in minutes, ensuring the safety of your family.

Ensure that all electrical items which are used sporadically are unplugged. For items in this category which are kept in the kitchen (such as toasters and food processors), or in the bathroom (such as electric toothbrushes and hairdryers), make doubly sure that they are kept away from any source of water like kitchen sinks, bath tubs or even a dripping vent, as contact with water will cause a short which, if it goes unnoticed, may lead to you getting a shock when you touch the appliance, or a real risk of fire.

So take the opportunity now to call in one of our professional, highly trained and licensed electricians to inspect your home and ensure the safety of your family through the long winter months ahead.

Everyone needs appliances.  They are essential for our everyday lives and they are used on a daily basis.  Microwaves, refrigerators, ovens, etc.; they are all a necessity within the home.  This year, ensure that your appliances are run and maintained in the safest matter so that you do not have any accidents this year.  Here are a few tips provided to you by Lon Lockwood Electric to keep your home safe this year.

If you have appliances that are not in use on a daily basis, you should always unplug them.  This can include your toaster, microwave, hairdryer, vacuum, etc.  Appliances that usually need to remain plugged in are ones like your refrigerator, oven, and dishwasher; since these items are rather difficult to unplug on a daily basis.

Any appliances in your home that generate heat, such as clocks, televisions, computers, and monitors should all be given several inches between their fan and any other objects in order to cool themselves properly.  Never place clothes or toys over appliances that generate heat.  If they overheat they can short and cause a fire in your home.

Whenever you have appliances in your home, it is important that you follow their proper instructions.  Prior to installation you should read instructions fully and be sure that you are installing the appliance properly.  Always follow instructions on grounding, leveling, etc. as well.  These instructions are created for consumer safety, not the benefit of the manufacturer.

You should never keep any of your appliances near water, sinks, pools, bathtubs, or even vents that may drip.  Appliances that are electrical can short and cause fires when they come into contact with water.  Along with the risk of a fire, you can run the risk of electrical shock when your appliance comes into contact with a water source.  Never use an appliance while standing in a pool of water or where you can possibly fall into water while holding the appliance.  You should never operate an appliance while your hands or feet are wet either.  Limit your risk to electrical shock by protecting yourself from it the proper way.

This year you can protect yourself and your family by following some general electrical safety tips.  Always be sure that appliances you use in your home are safe for daily use and that you and your family are never in danger.  If you have worn wires in your appliances you should always unplug the appliance immediately and no longer use it.  Electrical safety is a necessity in the health of your family and your home and we at Lon Lockwood hope that everyone has a safe and fun holiday season this year.

When it comes to electricity, the difference may be defined as the difference between not knowing, thinking you know, and accepting that you don’t know the difference.  So, you’re probably wondering what kind of gibberish we’re laying on you.  It comes down to this:

When it comes to electricity, 98% of it is hidden from your view.  It’s in the attic, basement, or behind the walls.  To most folks, what happens there is a mystery.  It’s something we don’t have to think about.  We pay our bill, we flip a switch, and the light goes on or it goes off.  No problem.  No deep thinking required.  It works when we want it to.

The problem comes when it doesn’t work.  Again, for most of us, if it goes beyond changing a light bulb, we are suddenly deeply involved in a mystery so deep, involved, and convoluted, that we might never make it through the final chapter.

Let me paint a quick scenario for you:  One of the most common electrical problems in a home is the failure of an outlet to work.  And that outlet failure could bring with it a whole host of additional problems, such as several rooms suddenly losing power.

On the face of it, changing an outlet seems like a pretty straight forward operation if you take the time to actually think through the process:  Make sure the power is off, take the bad one out, put a new one in, turn the power back one, and you’re good to go!  Even for the most inexperienced of us, that process shouldn’t take more than an hour or two.

The problem is that most of us are inexperienced in things electrical – and that statement applies to many of those folks that think they are ‘experienced enough” to do such a simple job.  Did you know that you can go to the hardware store and get a new outlet for less than 2 bucks?  And did you know that outlet could be one that is sold all across this state, but is illegal in most if not all of the rest of them?  (It’s called a back stabbed outlet)  And did you know that back stabbed outlet might create a situation that will lead to electrical shock or worse?

The point is that one should never assume that an electrical problem is simply solved and not important enough to call in a professional.  The truth is that you could be making the situation even worse without knowing it and end up causing problems down the line that could be very, very expensive to repair.