Articles | - Part 2

Installing Wall Lighting is an Easy Step Towards Home Improvement

The lighting in your home is more than just functional. Everything from the placement and the style makes a statement and can dramatically improve the overall look of your home. Wall lighting done by professionals, such as Lon Lockwood Electric, can become the centerpiece of your home.

Wall lighting can be installed in almost any room, along hallways, entryways, or nooks. The proper style of wall lighting can be a simple way to accent almost any decorating style. It can set ambiance, instill a feeling of safety and security or light up an area for tasks or functionality. Done right, wall lighting can be an all around economic and energy efficient way to improve your home.

Accent and Compliment

One idea for wall lighting for ambiance is dimming lights that can set a mood or highlight specific pieces of wall art or corners of a room. Beautifully designed sconces or covers for simple wall lighting can accentuate wall color, curtains, furniture or compliment the natural lighting of a room.

Safety

Wall lighting for safety can encompass many improvement options. Adding wall lighting to a nursery can be a safe option to lamps. Wall lighting gives you function without cords to pull or breakable components that can come crashing to the ground. It also can be placed in a way that won’t disrupt sleep.

Task Lighting

Wall lighting can be a huge improvement for task oriented areas. Properly installed wall lighting around kitchen nooks or office work areas can give just enough light to see comfortably without the harsh effects of lighting up the entire space. Just having options when it comes to task lighting makes it an improvement overall.

Home Improvement With Lower Energy Costs

Wall lighting can also mean a home improvement in the economic sense. Properly installed and safe wall lighting by Lon Lockwood Electric can save you in energy costs. There are many energy saving options on the market. Having a choice to utilize wall lighting over switching on many energy draining fixtures to achieve a desired level of lighting is home improvement everyone can benefit from.

Wall lighting means many things to many people and can encompass every room in the house. Evaluating how you use light and where there is room for improvement can be the first step to bettering your homes overall use and cost of lighting. Lon Lockwood Electric is the safe and affordable way to go to achieve the look and functionality you want while staying within the budget you can afford for home improvement.

Electrical Safety In The Home

Are you concerned with electrical outlets in your home? Would you like to be reminded of a few tips to keep your family safe? Electrical outlets can be a cause of danger for young children, but they can also be a hazard to you and other adults in your home as well. Taking some simple precautions will help to keep you and your family safe.

The Safety of Children

Protecting your children from electrical injury should be a priority. There are many things that you can do to help protect young children from electrical injury, but it is also important to educate them so they fully understand that electricity is dangerous! If you have many low electrical outlets in your home you will want to place safety caps on them to prevent young children from putting their little fingers in the outlet, as well as toys and metal objects. This is one way to protect your toddler from electric shock, although you might not be able to put a cap on every single outlet in your home, this will help in detouring them from playing with electrical outlets. You may also want to keep cords and “gang plug”(the long plug strips that many people connect things like TVs and VCR’s to) tucked away and out of reach of children, as well as plugs to any other house hold appliances such as lamps, alarm clocks and radios.

General Electrical Safety

Your children will be safe if you follow some simple safety precautions, but are you safe? You can prevent many electrical hazards by just using common sense. If you have the Christmas tree and all the 100′s of yards of outdoor lights plugged into one outlet, this is not safe. There are different outlets in bathroom, the living-room and patio for a reason. A normal outlet can be installed in a place like a living-room that has no moisture and in places like the outdoor patio and bathroom will have a different type of outlet called a “ground fault outlet” or GFI. The GFI outlet is meant for places that have more moisture, like the bathroom or patio. This is to protect you from electric shock, a “ground fault” outlet has its own breaker on the outlet itself and will turn of automatically when it has too much “load” on it, which can be caused by moisture or a faulty electrical cord.

As well as using the correct types of outlets, you should also use the right types of plugs. Where you have a media center or your computer, you may have a plug that doubles as a “surge protector”. This works a lot like the “ground fault” outlet and can help protect you from electric shock where you have several electrical appliances plugged in. Another thing to consider is when you change a light bulb, many times the light may break in the socket of the fixture. It is not a good idea to just go get a pair of pliers and start to remove the broken bulb. You want to first turn off the breaker at the breaker box before attempting to remove the bulb, as many lights may have several switches to turn them on and off. This means that they have a “live” electrical current to them even if you turn off one switch and it is good practice to always turn off the electricity at the “breaker box” before doing any kind of electrical work, major or minor. If you just follow some of these simple rules, you can keep you and your family safe.

Save Energy & Money by Installing a Ceiling Fan

One of the best ways to keep your hard earned money in your wallet throughout the year is by installing a ceiling fan. A ceiling fan is one of the most economical yet efficient ways of managing your home heating and cooling needs. A good ceiling fan helps you save on energy and reduces the costs occurred during both the summer and winter. A ceiling fan can efficiently circulate warm air during the cold season and dissipate a cool breeze in the warm summer months.

Installing a ceiling fan is not as easy as it may seem. Some fans weigh close to 50 pounds making it dangerous for the average home owner that already knows nothing about electrical wiring, let alone climb a ladder with this heavy device! Qualified and licensed electricians are the best choice for professional installation of a fan at your home as well as any other electrical and mechanical installation and maintenance work that is needed.
When calling on a qualified and licensed electrician such as Lon Lockwood Electric, you are guaranteed that the job is done safely and accurately.

A ceiling fan can be used for lighting purposes at the home as well. Many people use ceiling fans for overhead lighting purposes. If you need lights installed on your ceiling fan, then the professionals at Lon Lockwood Electric can do the installation for you. The installation can be done on any fan within your home. By consulting ceiling fan Rochester contractors, such as Lon Lockwood Electric, your home fan will have lights installed to it whenever you wish.

So next time you are trying to figure out more ways to save money or ways to “go green”, consider having a ceiling fan installed by Lon Lockwood Electric!

Hiring an Electrician to Install “Roof Heat Tape”

Hiring an electrician to install roof heat tape is a safe and cost effective way to eliminate ice build up along your gutters and roofing materials. The process of installing roof heat tape can be a complicated and dangerous one, so it’s best to hire an experienced professional who can get the job done quickly and correctly. If you live in a colder climate that sees snowfall during the winter months, like Rochester, where heavy ice can potentially damage your home, then it’s a good idea to have an electrician come out and provide you with an estimate for placing this tape on your roof.

How does heat tape work? Heat tape is actually an electrified cable that is intstalled along the roof of your home, in order to provent ice buildup on the eaves and to keep dams of ice from creating blockages in your gutters. Roof heat tape, which maintains a low level of heat when turned on, melts the snow and ice at a safe temperature. It is installed as a zig-zag pattern along your roof and in stripes within your gutters.

What are the benefits of heat tape? By hiring an electrician to install roof heat tape on your home, you are reducing the risk of water damage to its structure, as well as damage to your rain gutters. It is also highly effective in completely elimating the chances of ice falling from your home, thereby, increasing the safety of you and your family during the colder months. It is a great return on your investment, as it prevents you from potentially having to pay for damages to your roof or mold/mildew removal, should a leak occur due to snow and ice build up. It can also, possibly, save you the time and money of costly medical bills if you were to be seriously hurt as a result of falling snow or ice, given that it significantly reduces the risk of personal injury by ridding your home of the danger that winter conditions pose.

Why hire a professional electrician to install roof heat tape? It’s best to use an electrician when installing roof heat tape for a variety of reasons. Firstly, it is a much safer option, as you won’t run the risk of falling off the ladder during the installation process, which can be a challenging task. Secondly, it will take less time, which means that you will experience the beneftis of roof heat tape all that much sooner. And, lastly, an electrician has the experience and skill to place roof heat tape on your home in such a way that gives you maximum efficiency and effectiveness.

Hiring an electrician to install roof heat tape is the ideal option, as you know the job will be done correctly and safely. If you want to extend the life of your roof and prevent costly water damage repairs, then call us today to see how we can help you to place roof heat tape on your home before the next big snowfall like we had this past weekend!

What to Look For in a Commercial Electrician

When deciding upon one of the many Rochester commercial electricians that would be right for you, there are a number of factors to take into consideration. Electrical wiring is one of the aspects of your commercial property that, if done improperly, can result in serious damage to your structure, and possibly harm to those in or around it, should something go wrong with your electrical system. That is why it’s important that you are informed as to what you should look for in a commercial electrician.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when searching for a Rochester commercial electrician to fit your needs:

-Make sure that they specialize in electrical. You really should only entrust your electrical system to a trained electrician. There may be other companies which state that they too can get the job done, such as plumbing or HVAC contractors, but, unless they have a skilled commercial electrician on staff, it’s a good idea to steer clear of them and choose a specialist.

-Verify that they are licensed and insured. By double checking that the company who you would like to hire is fully licensed and insured, you are verifying that they are more likely to know the codes and skill sets associated with doing the job correctly, and that they have the insurance to cover anything that could possibly go wrong as a result of the work completed should they be at fault.

-Beware of “too good to be true” promotions. Often when something is too good to be true, it usually is. Usually you’ll find hidden costs after the fact or high mark ups to account for “free items”. So, beware of the gimmicks, and go with a licensed Rochester commercial electrician based upon their qualifications, not just the promos they may be offering.

-Analyze the estimates carefully before making your decision. The lowest estimate may not provide you with the best work, while the highest one is not necessarily guaranteeing you a superb electrical job. Again, consider the experience and skill set of the commercial electrician when choosing, as they will be the best indicators of who is more likely to complete the job safely and effectively.

-Residential vs. Commercial The electrical system in a residence is usually a bit different than one in a commercial property, so verify that the electrician of your choosing is a commercial electrician, or one that does both residential and electrical. Having the right knowledge for the job is key.

We hope this brief guide can be of use to you when searching for a qualified Rochester commercial electrician. Simply keep these few important factors in mind when choosing an electrician for a commercial property electrical system, in order to avoid any potential mishaps down the line.

Summertime Electricity Conservation Tips for Your Home

It may still be winter, but summer is just around the corner. Before you know it, things will start heating up and your air conditioner will be running full-blast. Following this, of course, will be the sky-high electrical bills that every homeowner dreads. But what if you did something different this year? What if you took a moment to learn what you need to know about summertime energy conservation before summer actually arrived?

Starting some of your conservation efforts now can help you reduce your electrical bills before they get out of control. You won’t have to dread that very first summer electrical bill and you won’t have to run around in the heat the first few weeks of summer trying to prepare your home for the remainder of the season. Find out how you can start reducing your summer electricity bills tomorrow by preparing for it today with these simple tips.

Think Differently About the Way You Eat

Do you do a lot of cooking on your stovetop or in your oven? If so, start exploring some other cooking methods now. Microwave cooking uses two-thirds less energy than using your stove. Cold meals that can be thrown together without any cooking preparation use no energy at all. Outdoor grilling can also save you tremendously on your electric bill during the summer.

Service Your Air Conditioner

Change your filter, clean the coils, and do some general maintenance on your air conditioner before you have to start using it. Be a frugal homeowner and have your air conditioner serviced now, while business is slow for air conditioning service professionals. Air conditioning service costs go up once the temperature starts rising so take advantage of the lower rates now. Also, consider changing out your old dial thermostat for a programmable thermostat. This can help you save a tremendous amount of money on your electric bills during the summer – up to $100 a year.

Go Green! Try These Green Electricity Tips at Home.

Eco-conscious homeowners have been working to find ways to go green at home for years now, but many homeowners don’t live an eco-friendly lifestyle. Many are just now learning what it means to go green or are making small efforts toward a bigger, long-term change. Wherever you fall on the “Green Scale,” there are plenty of simple, cost-effective tips you can use to go green with your electricity.

Here are some easy green electricity tips you can try right at home:

• Use solar chargers—Did you know that most of your electronics and toys can be charged with solar power chargers? Not only do they offer an efficient, green option for charging all of your electronics, but they’re also more convenient. When you use solar power chargers, there is no more reaching for a plug! You can find solar chargers for almost everything, including your laptop, cell phone, and camera.

• Pay attention to your appliances—If you don’t already use Energy Star rated appliances, start thinking about making upgrades. Most new appliances already come with the Energy Star label, and you can even find electronics, such as computers and radios, with Energy Star ratings as well. Your appliances and electronics are huge energy suckers, so if you want to go green in your home on a regular basis, start by paying attention to those.

• Reduce your overall energy use—Use more sunlight to warm the house and use the thermostat less. Dry your clothes on a line instead of using the dryer all the time. Use “smart” power strips that can be shut down at night. These are all simple, effective ways to use less power and see noticeable drops on your monthly electric bills.

Finally, don’t forget to check out green power options through your local electric companies. Many utility companies offer a green power option that uses renewable energy.

Tips for Teaching Your Kids Electrical Safety

If you have children at home, chances are you have already drilled basic electrical safety information into them at a young age. Additionally, they have most likely learned a lot about electrical safety at school. By now, they probably know the typical dos and don’ts, but hearing about electrical safety and practicing it are two totally different things. And as most parents know, just because a child learns electrical safety doesn’t mean they will recall it and put it into practice on a daily basis. For many children, once something is out of sight, it’s out of mind!

However, electrical safety practices are incredibly important, especially when it comes to your children. Here are some fun ways to incorporate electrical safety knowledge into your child’s regular routine:

Coloring books—There are plenty of coloring books and art projects out there that have electrical safety themes. Search on-line specialty stores and toy stores for starters, and consider making your own. Many coloring books have pictures that teach kids to stay away from damaged wires, to keep appliances away from water, and so on.

Family games—Another way you can teach your kids electrical safety on a regular basis to to invent games to play around the house. You can play tag or hide and seek and create rules to learn from. For example, make a light switch “base,” and when your child reaches base, have them repeat tips back to you that relate to electricity in some way.

Entertaining videos—Videos that teach children basic electrical safety are another easy, fun way to keep the knowledge fresh in your child’s mind. Play these videos early in the morning, just before nap time, or on the weekend during family time. Many of the videos you’ll find will reinforce what your children are already learning about it in school, so they make excellent supplemental tools.

Electrical Safety Tips to Put into Practice in 2012

The holidays have come and gone, but that doesn’t mean you should stop worrying about electrical safety around the home. Even though all of those lights, candles, and decorations that pose fire and electrical safety hazards are put away now, there is still plenty to be aware of when it comes to keeping your home and family safe from electrical hazards.

Put these electrical safety tips into practice this year to keep your home and loved ones safe all year long:

Have a professional electrical maintenance checkup—When was the last time you had your professional electrician visit for an electrical safety inspection? Bringing in your electrician to inspect your home for necessary repairs or potential electrical hazards is an important part of taking a proactive approach to electrical safety around the home. It never hurts to have an extra pair of eyes to make sure everything is in good working condition.

Install new arc fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs) and ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs)—Installing these will help prevent electrical fire hazards throughout the home and prevent shock. They are designed to monitor the balance of electric current flow, so that if there is an imbalance, they can trip the circuit.

Unplug small appliances after using them and don’t plug too many appliances into one outlet—This is one of the most common electrical safety tips homeowners should practice but it’s also the easiest to forget or bypass because we use our appliances on an everyday basis. However, unplugging small appliances such as your coffee pot and toaster can help prevent electrical hazards around the home. Also, be mindful not to overload your outlets with too many plugs. This is especially important in the kitchen and bathroom.

Want to Save Money on Your New Year Electricity Bill?

The New Year makes you think about all of the things you want to do differently, right? Even if you don’t make a New Year resolution of some sort, it doesn’t hurt to consider areas in your life you’d like to improve. For many people, an important area of improvement is finances. Homeowners try all sorts of things to save money on bills each month, year after year. So, in 2012, how about learning how to save money on your electric bill?

As the Green movement continues to evolve and create new opportunities to use less energy, you have more options today than ever before to cut back on your energy bill. Her are just a few different ways you can save money on your electricity bill in the coming year:

Use a programmable thermostat—It’s all too easy to forget to adjust the temperature in your home, especially during the times of the year when outdoor temps tend to fluctuate and you are opening and closing the windows in between using your air conditioner. But running your air makes a huge difference in your electric bill, and a programmable thermostat can be a big help if you want to save money on your monthly energy bill.

Install ceiling fans—Ceiling fans give you the opportunity to use your air conditioning less frequently, and they are a green, efficient way to regulate and cool the rooms in your home. Unlike air conditioning, which cools the entire home, ceiling fans offer you the chance to cool only certain rooms in the house instead of wasting unnecessary electricity.

Upgrade your windows—This requires a significant investment, but it’s a great way to save money on your electric bill. Double-paned windows and other window upgrade options can impact how efficiently your home heats up or cools down. Air leakage and insulation problems can be improved with window upgrades, so don’t rule out this tip for saving money on electricity in 2012.