Lon’s Blog | Electrician Rochester, NY

It’s Time for a New Year’s Resolution: Save More Energy!

It’s hard to believe, but 2012 is almost here. It’s time for New Year’s resolutions and a fresh start. So why not have a fresh start with your home’s energy consumption? Saving energy not only helps lower your electric bill, but it helps the planet, too. There are tons of ways to start conserving energy in and around the home, but here are some simple ways to start making gradual changes as the New Year approaches.

Have a professional conduct an energy audit. One of the best ways to start fresh with your energy consumption in 2012 is to take inventory. Take a look at your electric bill and bring in a professional to conduct an energy audit to see where you are using the most energy and where you can cut back.

Change how you heat/cool your home. How you use your air conditioner and how you heat your home makes a big difference in your energy consumption and in the numbers you see on your electric bill each month. Keeping your thermostat in the mid-70s and keeping your shades drawn in rooms you are not using are good ways to save energy. The less time is takes to cool a room (one that has the blinds open and the sun shining in on, for example), the less energy your air conditioner has to use to generate and distribute the cool air.

Replace your light bulbs. If you haven’t already, make it a point to go around your home and replace every light bulb you can with more energy efficient light bulb options. For example, ENERGY STAR light bulbs use around 75% less energy than the typical incandescent bulbs, and they’re also safer, producing around 75% less heat than traditional bulbs.

Electricity Habits that are Bad for Your Home and Electric Bill

Think you’re doing everything right with the electricity in your home? Think your electric bills are as good as they’re going to get? When was the last time you did inventory and assessed how you use the electricity and your home and the trends or patterns on your power bills? Sometimes, conducting an energy audit on your home and evaluating how you use your electricity can make a big difference in the safety of your residence as well as in the numbers you see in the “Due” section on your power bill each month.

Here are some common electricity habits that might be wreaking havoc on your energy consumption and electricity bill:

1. Leaving lights, electronics, and appliances on. You’ve probably grown up with parents hollering at you, saying, “Turn the lights off when you leave the room.” This is because lights and electronics left on are energy drainers and they just as quickly suck up your dollars, too. Conserve energy, reduce your power bill, and prevent the possibility of electrical fires from overheating problems by turning those switches off when you’re not using them.

2. Cranking up the air conditioning in the summer time. While there’s nothing wrong with increasing the temperature on the thermostat, doing so when all of the blinds and curtains are drawn or when the air conditioner is on are surefire ways to see your bills skyrocket. Close the blinds in rooms you aren’t using to conserve energy and cool the house faster.

3. Leaving chargers plugged in when you aren’t using them. This is a very small habit, but it makes a difference. Just because you aren’t using it doesn’t mean it’s not using energy. This is the same case as leaving your computers on. It is better to turn your computers to sleep mode or to unplug them completely when you are not using them.

Reasons You Should Hire a Professional Electrician for Your Electrical Upgrade or Repair

With the do-it-yourself movement, more and more homeowners are realizing that there are many home repairs they can do on their own. Everything from window replacement to floor replacement has been taken on with zeal by the average individual. Yet, there are still some things that no homeowner should attempt to upgrade or repair, and electricity is one of them.

If you have conducted a DIY project lately, you probably know that things don’t always go as planned. Something always seems to go wrong and compromises are sometimes made to accommodate for those mishaps, but there is no room for mishaps when it comes to electricity.

If not installed correctly, electrical wiring can be extremely dangerous. Electrical fires happen every day. Many lives are lost each year to this very preventable problem. If you don’t know what you’re doing when it comes to electricity, it is best to leave the upgrade or repair to a professional.

Building codes should be considered as well when deciding whether or not to do your own electrical upgrade or repair. While they may seem a nuisance, building codes are in place to protect your home and your family. Keeping in compliance with building codes for complex things like electricity can be difficult for the novice. A professional electrician is required to stay updated on building codes. They can help to ensure that your home stays in compliance with National Electrical Code.

If you are still set on doing your own electrical upgrade or repair, you should highly consider taking a class on residential electricity. Vocational classes on residential electricity can help to ensure that you know what you are doing before you tackle the dangerous but essential task of upgrading or repairing your electrical wiring.

Wintertime Electrical Safety Hazards

It’s hard to believe it’s already December, and you know what that means! Wintertime is almost here. Along with the cozy, chilly winter season comes potential electrical safety hazards in and around the home, and we want to share them with you so you can be proactive and prevent any injuries or electrical accidents before they happen. Electrical safety hazards can be especially plentiful during the wintertime because many homeowners decorate, which means more electrical cords, open flames, and potential fire hazards around the house.

Here are some common wintertime electrical safety hazards and what you can do to prevent them:

Portable space heaters—Our portable space heaters come in handy during the colder months of the year, but they can also present electrical safety hazards if we’re not careful. Make sure you keep flammable items such as drapes, clothing, books, and newspapers at a safe distance and avoid using extension cords.

Electric blankets—Electric blankets also work wonders during the winter season, but along with body-warming devices such as heating pads, they can be dangerous electrical hazards around the home. Always inspect your electric blankets for any damage to the cords before using them, and never tuck them under mattresses or blankets during use.

Storm power outages and other sources—If you experience any kind of power outage during a winter storm, turn off major appliances. Avoid using candlelight, and if you do use it, remember to keep a fire extinguisher on hand. Also be sure you have a working smoke alarm when the electricity is working. Additionally, whenever you’re unplugging something, be mindful to pull from the actual plug instead of from the cord. This can help prevent fire and electrocution.

This winter season, keep these common electrical safety hazards in mind to keep your home and your family safe.

Save Money on Your Home Energy Bill with These Tips

Many people put up with high energy bills month after month for no good reason. Each month you might open up the envelope and sigh at the high price, but how often do you do anything about it? There are many ways you can cut down on the cost of your energy aside from the energy-saving tips like turning off your lights.

Shop around for a supplier to get the best price: How long have you been with your energy supplier? Most people sign up with one energy supplier when they move in and never bother to look at a new one. If this is the case, you could be missing out. Try getting quotes from all of the energy suppliers in the area. You never know, you could be overpaying for your energy each and every month. Over time, even a cent difference per kilowatt would really add up.

Get an energy audit: A little known fact about most energy companies is that they will provide a low or no-cost energy audit for your home. Getting a professional energy audit will show you where you are wasting your money and how much you can benefit by making changes. You might be surprised at how much energy (and money!) you are wasting each month. The only way to know for sure is to start doing something about it, and an energy audit is a good place to start.

Take advantage of offers to lock in your rates: If your energy supplier offers you a chance to lock in your rates, you should really consider accepting it. Energy costs have been consistently rising, so locking in the rates when the rate is low could really give you a chance to save some money.

Each of these changes will make a small dent in your energy bill. This may not seem like a lot of money, but when you add it up each and every month, you will really start to appreciate the savings.

Conserve Energy this Winter with These Simple Tips

Energy conservation is always on your mind when you are looking to save money on your electric bill, but cutting back during the wintertime can be especially important. There are so many easy, free ways to conserve energy and to see a notable difference in your electricity bill, but there are specific things you can do during the wintertime that can help you cut back even more. Some of these efforts are more expensive than others and some require more time or effort, but they are all equally effective in lowering your electric bill and conserving energy around the home.

Replace your furnace filters—Dirty furnace filters are infamous for using tons of energy, and that energy consumption can quickly pile up the expense on your electricity bill. When it comes to furnace filters, the small things really do make a big difference. To save energy, make sure your filters are in good shape or replace them right away, especially as the temperatures begin to drop.

Shorten your showers—This won’t be hard to do during the winter. Even with hot water, it can be unpleasant to have to get wet on a cold winter’s day. It’s much more tempting to stay bundled up and warm when the freezing temps hit! Shortening your showers by even a few minutes each wash can reduce your water heating costs dramatically. This is because 2/3 of your heating costs come from your shower usage.

Take advantage of natural sunlight—Although you are limited in how you can heat your home during the colder months, keep in mind that you can take advantage of natural sunlight to warm your rooms by opening all of your drapes and allowing the sunlight to filter in.

Upgrade to Energy Star heaters or furnaces—If you can spend a little extra cash, consider upgrading to Energy Star appliances and you’ll see a big difference in your wintertime electric bills.

Top Tips for Reducing Your Energy Consumption

Everyone is trying to cut back on energy consumption nowadays, and what better time to learn how than as the holidays approach? Not only can you save a few bucks on your electricity bill, but you can also be kinder to the environment while you’re at it. Whether you live in a small apartment or share a large, single family home, every little bit you save makes a difference.

Here are some top tips for reducing your energy consumption:

Make your electronic usage more efficient—One easy way to cut back on energy consumption is to evaluate how you use the electronics in your home and make changes to make their usage as efficient as possible. For example, set your computers to hibernate and whatever you aren’t using, unplug it! Use power strips for entertainment and office consoles and unplug chargers when you’re not charging something.

Pay attention to light switches—Along with using power strips when and where you can for your electronics, don’t forget to pay attention to the lights. Turn them off when you leave the room and turn off anything else you’re not using before you exit. These little efforts make a big difference.

Don’t neglect the temperature—Carefully monitoring your thermostat is another way to use less energy in the home. When you’re using the air conditioner, keep your shades and blinds drawn, especially in rooms that are not being used.

Have a professional electrical inspection—A professional electrician can conduct an electricity audit and general maintenance checkup to evaluate the efficiency of your home’s electricity. They can suggest upgrades, new installations, and can suggest repairs where necessary. This is a great way to see what you can do in your home to use less energy.

Electrical Safety Inspections for the Holiday Season

The holidays are almost here and you know what that means—decorations. Whether you go all out for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, or the New Year, even the simplest holiday decorations can cause fires and electrical safety hazards around the home.

We just spent all of October sharing tips and statistics from the NFPA about the hazards of fires and how to prevent them, and although National Fire Prevention Month and Halloween are over, electrical safety is still an issue as the holidays approach.

Here are a few ways you can benefit from having your professional electrician service your home before the holidays:

Prevent fire hazards—Whether you’re already beginning to decorate or you plan on decorating soon, electrical inspection can help ensure that any exposed wires are secure and that they are in good shape. Your electrician can spot worn out or damaged wires and can make sure wires from any lights or decorations are safe as well.

Fix outlet and light fixture issues—During the holidays, it’s likely you’ll be using varied lighting sources for decorating and hosting parties. Bringing in your electrician for electrical inspection can help confirm that your outlets and light fixtures are working and are not damaged in any way.

Ensure safety and assess the home for any upgrade needs—Overall, bringing in your electrician before you decorate for the holidays is a great preventative measure. It can ensure your safety around the home and can alert you to any repairs or dangers that might require your attention. A simple inspection can help point out any areas around the home that need upgrades or immediate repair.

Keep these benefits in mind as the holiday season draws near and keep your home safe with an electrical checkup from your professional electrician!

Prevent Fires This Halloween with These Safety Tips

As the month of October comes to a close, so does National Fire Prevention Month. All month long we’ve been sharing tips and information on how you and your family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers can all work together to prevent fires around the home and workplace. Now it’s almost time for Halloween, but fire prevention practices need to be priority long after Halloween and the month of October have come and passed.

Halloween is a busy holiday for families and children, and it’s also filled with potential fire hazards that can impact the entire neighborhood and natural environment if you’re not careful. Many people build haunted houses in their homes, light candles, have parties, and hang decorations that require the use of electrical outlets and electrical wires. According to the NFPA, decorations are the first source of fires in more than 100 home fires reported each year.

Keep the following tips in mind to prevent fires this Halloween:

Swap out candles and torches for flashlights—Whether you’re decorating your patio, walkway, or the inside of your home, keep candlelight and torches to a minimum and instead opt for decorations that can be operated with a flashlight instead of real candles.

Place lit pumpkins away from anything that can burn—It is best to use battery-powered light for jack-o-lanterns when possible, but if you do choose to light your pumpkins with real candles, be sure to keep the pumpkins away from flammable sources and yards. Also, costumes can catch on fire easily, so be careful about the pumpkins’ proximity to trick-or-treaters.

Know which Halloween-related decorative materials are flammable—Speaking of keeping flames away from flammable materials, make sure you know which decorative materials are very sensitive to flames: corn stalks, crepe paper, and dried flowers, just to name a few.

Familiarize yourself with these tips to stay safe and prevent fires this Halloween!

Common Causes of Fires in the Home and How to Prevent Them

Last week was National Fire Prevention Week, and the month of October is officially National Fire Prevention Month, raising awareness to help prevent fires all month long. We’ve been sharing various statistics and tips each week this month to help you and your family learn how to stay safe and how you can help prevent fires. This week we’re going to share some common causes for fires in the home and what you can do to prevent them.

Fire risks lurk in some of the most common areas of the home, and they can arise during some of the most mundane activities. Here are a few examples:

Washing and drying clothes—Did you know that one of the biggest reasons washer or dryer fires start is due to the lack of cleaning?

What you can do: Clean out the dryer lint pocket after every load of laundry you dry. Remove any materials from the floor or surrounding washer or dryer area that could burn or overheat. Also make sure the air vent pipe is not restricted in any way.

Grilling indoors or outdoors—Whether you’re grilling outside or on a small, countertop grill in the kitchen, leaving a grill on and placing it too close to other objects immediately creates a fire hazard.

What you can do: Keep your grill clean, never leave it unattended, and make sure it’s a safe distance from your home, deck railings and furniture, or from tree branches and other foliage.

Cooking in the kitchen—Did you know that cooking fires are the #1 cause of home fires? They are also the #1 cause of home fire injuries.

What you can do: Do not leave the stovetop unattended for any reason! Be alert, check on your food regularly while it’s cooking, and keep oven mitts, dish towels, utensils, and anything else that can catch fire away from the stovetop.