Before discuss the summer storm electrical problems, here’s a brief little history of the origins of electrical use. Electricity was first discovered in the 1800s strictly for vital purposes. Over the course of a few decades, the world was dependent on it. Almost everything in life now runs on electricity. However, with every crucial innovation comes the risk of abuse. Electricity is no different and the consequences of mishandling can be fatal and damaging.  

Of course, the electrical issues we are talking about here are not the petty ones like having a busted charger or lamp but the real and hazardous electrical problems that might have been lurking within your house’s walls that can potentially cause escalating damages to your property if not thoroughly inspected and treated by a licensed electrician in Arvada.

Studies have listed a few most common pressing electrical problems at home that are best and safest handled by an expert. On that note, as soon as you come across either of these, do not hesitate to call an Arvada electrician right away:

1. ELECTRICAL SURGES

 When do surges really happen?

Surges are a product of any spike of electrical charge within the power lines that escalate up to residential electrical outlets. The two most common potential causes of an electrical surge are damaged power lines and summer storms or lightning. With about one billion volts of electricity that a single lightning volt can produce, lightning is fearfully considered as an electrical troublemaker.

Now if the surge has nothing to do with the abovementioned culprits, it may indicate a presence of faulty wiring or appliance issue. In such cases, the best thing to do is shut off the circuit breaker right away, unplug your appliances one by one and then wait for an electrician to carry out the inspection and necessary fixes.

2. POWER SAGS

When it comes to power sags and dips, appliances are usually the culprit, causing intermittent voltage drops. They usually last in a blink of an eye, i.e. you will notice your lights dying and brightening again. Also known as brown-outs, power sags take place when the current is no longer able to draw enough current for large appliances that are running simultaneously. Sometimes, an outdated electric panel or outdated and faulty wiring can start the damage.

3. OVERLOADED CIRCUIT

This happens when the amount of current flowing in the circuit exceeds what the device or appliance can handle. This may sound like less of a threat but if the overloading reaches a point of melting the socket and insulation in the wires, a spark might happen which can lead to fire without an immediate solution.

Your trusted electrician would advise you to use appliances or lamps with the right wattage to avoid circuit overloading. Also, it’s advised to avoid plugging in too many irons and hair dryers at once as they can also cause an overload. However, if the problems persist despite your preventive efforts, it could be a sign of an underlying electrical issue. When this happens, hiring a professional electrician is the safest and smartest decision to make.

4. OVERCIRCUITED PANEL

Panels are designed to handle a particular number of circuit breakers. You would know how many panels you will need depending on your house’s maximum load capacity which can be determined by adding up the wattage of all your bulbs and appliances. That said, an overloaded panel or a panel that has too many circuits is considered a fire and health hazard.

Some people try to cheat on the system by installing a tandem breaker in a slot to save money. This is actually a code violation. To avoid fines and eradicate the hazardous risks, call an electrician right away to install a sub-panel that can handle a bigger load.

5. FREQUENTLY TRIPPING CIRCUIT BREAKERS

Breakers are designed to break and shut the entire power supply off if they detect too much or irregular electricity flowing through the circuit. While a breaker tripping protects a household from fire and other electrical hazards, a frequently tripping circuit breaker clearly indicates a potential electrical issue that still has to be addressed. An initial solution would be to refrain plugging appliances from the same source. However, if the problem persists, it could be due to a faulty wiring or a pressing issue underneath the panel. Do not hesitate to call your trusted, local electrical service in Arvada if you are caught in the same situation.

6. ELECTRICAL SHOCKS

Although not definite, there has been a claim that old homes with old electrical systems are more susceptible to electrical shock incidents because of their likelihood of having poor insulations or ungrounded wiring. Fortunately, electrical systems built today have to be compliant with the standard electrical codes which make the modern buildings more resilient to shocks.

If your home was built in the last twenty years, you can check whether you are safe from this electrical issue or not by plugging another small appliance to one of your non-empty outlets. Here’s how it is done; if you get shocked after turning it on, then the shock is most likely wiring-related. On the other hand, if you do not get shocked after turning the appliance on, then most likely it is your appliance that is faulty.

7. UNCOVERED JUNCTION BOXES

This issue is one of the most dangerous potential issues beneath your walls. A single junction box is installed during your house’s construction phase or during an electrical upgrade. As it houses various wires, leaving it uncovered can pose serious fire and health risks with more exposure to electrical shocks.

Call your trusted electrician to have your junction boxes covered. It is something you should not deal with on your own if you do not have the right knowledge, skills, and tools.

8. OUTLET SHORTAGE

Shortage of power outlets usually pushes people to use extension wires or outlet extenders which has always been discouraged by fire bureaus as they are only best as a temporary fix because of their hazardous design and exposure.

Extension cords may seem like a cheaper and viable alternative compared to installing new power outlets but the latter is actually a lot safer and more efficient, outweighing its cons.

Give us a call at ElectriCall! We are a team of professional electricians who have the expert knowledge and skills to get the job done correctly. Address these common electrical issues with quality, reliability, and affordability; call ElectriCall today!

Spring has just started and the days are noticeably lasting longer and warmer. For a handful of Colorado families, this means traveling to many of the states’ desirable hiking and camping destinations. While others may opt toward working on their homes instead. For those that are working on their properties, here are 7 Spring electrical projects to work on.

Electrical upgrades at home are one of the most tempting things to work on. However, they’re also the riskiest especially if sophisticated wireworks are involved and which should be operated by a licensed electrician in Colorado to ensure safety and enhanced quality of work.

Below are 7 fun spring electrical projects you should do with caution.

1- Painting Decks and Deco Lights Setup

One of the ways you can enjoy the season is by giving your deck a makeover. Depending on the scale of the upgrade, this is a job that will surely keep you busy as deck projects can last up to weeks. As for the paint, pastel colors go well with the sunlight. To make it look as beautiful and cozy day and night, you can opt for LED string lights decoration, which is in-style nowadays. For your string lights project, you will need 4-6 pieces of stripboards that are 8 ft long each or more depending on your deck’s size. Moreover, you will need screws, screw eyes, and paint. Fortunately, string lights decoration will not require too much electrical work but can give your outdoor space a fantastic makeover just as much.

2– Outdoor Lighting

Much like string lights decoration, you can work on illuminating your outdoor areas by finding inspiration from posts on Pinterest or Instagram. There’s a plethora of cool ideas! 

You can still achieve awesome outdoor lighting with low-voltage lights. If you have no experience in the electrical field, this would be the safest path to take. Nonetheless, if you want to achieve a more-lit space, but you’re not confident that you can pull it off by yourself, a reliable Denver electrician is just a call away for a quality yet affordable outdoor lighting installation service.

3- Ceiling Fan Installation

Spring and summer are the warmest seasons and would be the best time to be reminded about how some areas of your home need a ceiling fan. Setting ceiling fans up is definitely something you can carry out on your own provided you have the tools and materials needed for it. However, as it comes with safety risks, you might want to call a professional ceiling fan installation service instead. ElectriCall is an Arvada electrician service that can carry out the job with the proper safety precautions.

4- Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

History shows that the top cause of poisoning deaths in the USA is carbon monoxide, sending over 20,000 people to ER on average, yearly. Known as a silent killer because of its odorless, colorless, thus hard-to-detect nature, the dangers that the chemical compound poses push a lot of Colorado homeowners to install carbon monoxide detectors in their premises.

You can install one in your home too. However, it would still be best to entrust the job in the hands of a licensed electrician who can give you a reliable hard-wire device installation.

5- Hot tub Wiring

You can visit an expensive spa to feel relaxed and experience momentary bliss or you can work on your hot tub wiring and installation to have an unlimited hot tub session at home.

As hot tub wireworks are quite complicated and hazardous especially when it comes to connecting the tub to the power source, this more often than not requires the help of a hot tub wiring expert.

6- Surge Protection

Studies show that every year, lightning accounts for millions-worth of damage to appliances and infrastructure. This spring, you might as well turn your home surge-proof to save your electronic equipment from the same fate. However, an entire house surge protection entails a thorough assessment and inspection of the main power panel box. On that note, the job should be carried out with proper caution provided you have the materials needed and the knowledge to do it.

7- Outdoor GFCI Outlets

If your patio or terrace is short of exterior outlets, spring should be the perfect time to install more. The job is as easy as connecting a new wire to your existing interior outlet and installing your new outlet on the wall’s opposite side. If it requires complicated mounting and cutting of a boxed-size hole, the degree of wirework that needs to be done will also get affected.

The safest path to take if you’re planning on making any of these upgrades would be to hire a professional instead. For all your electrical service needs, do not hesitate to give us a call here at ElectriCall. For years, we have provided premium quality electrical services at a reasonable price. We are a team of certified electricians committed to ensuring your safety while getting your electrical projects done right. Call us today! We’ll be glad to answer your queries.

Carbon monoxide is a toxic gas that gets emitted from burning gasoline, propane, wood, charcoal or other types of fuel. It is odorless and tasteless but is poisonous and can usually cause victims to pass out to death. As timely detection of carbon monoxide compounds is extremely necessary, the use of carbon monoxide detector has been highly encouraged by environmental, health, and safety (EHS) bodies across the globe. The device aids in fire prevention by automatically producing an alarm, alerting homeowners, once carbon monoxide is detected.

The number of fire incidents in the United States keeps on growing, burdening many lives. In fact, according to the data from the National Fire Protection Association, 3,000 people on an average die every year because of fire. In the case of carbon monoxide, the gas or toxic fume build-up can be a fire hazard. If any household member were to use matches or a lighter, then the build-up can pose a serious threat. That’s why experts suggest that homeowners should use a licensed electrician to install carbon monoxide detectors, along with smoke detectors. 

The Importance of Properly Maintaining Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Proper upkeep of your carbon monoxide detectors is necessary to ensure that they will be able to do their job accurately at all times. Without it, here are the hazards that might await you:

GAS EXPOSURE. Most carbon monoxide detectors come handy and are battery operated. However, in order to perform at an optimum, their batteries need to be replaced at least once a year. Failure to do this at needed times increases your risk of gas exposure as your naked eyes and nose won’t be able to detect the gas. Unawareness of this leakage can severely damage your lungs or lead to other serious illnesses without you knowing it. Better than battery operated, you can hire your trusted electrician to install hardwire detectors.

FIRE. Having a faulty carbon monoxide combo smoke detector can mean that you will not be able to respond early in case of fire. As residential fires can spread a lot quicker, not having any means of the alarm might hold you many steps behind, costing your life, your loved ones, and your property.  

On the upside, having a reliable carbon monoxide detection system not only keeps you away from such life-threatening risks but also increases the appeal of your property in the eyes of real estate buyers. As the house owner, all you need to do is ensure that you bought the right brand and your detectors are well-maintained – something a licensed electrician can help you with.

Having a well-functioning, carbon monoxide detector system can do wonders in making your home safer, below are tips licensed electrician in Arvada would like to share:

1- Carbon monoxide detectors are worth investing in. Have at least one detector installed in your home as soon as possible and make sure that they are placed wherever the fire is likely to start or where gas-powered appliances are. If you have the budget, the most ideal thing to do would be to install one combo detector on every level or in every room of your home.

2-Choose a detector with a built-in “end-of-life” sensor feature. This feature can give you a signal that a repair or replacement is necessary, allowing you to stay on top in terms of fire safety.

3- Keep battery backed-up; call your trusted carbon monoxide detector electrician right away to have battery back-ups hard-wired in your system. This technology acts as a UPS; it automatically goes up when your detector’s old battery is no longer working, ensuring 24/7 carbon monoxide detection.  

4- Have your detectors checked from time to time, especially in winter where heating units are used the most? If you fell on the right brand, you will be able to test the detectors on your own just by pressing their “test” buttons. The good news is; your Arvada Electrician is an expert on the matter and can actually help you through your detector selection process.

5- Maintain a reliable detection system; replace your detectors or alarms before they completely break down. Every detector box comes with an expiration date label. That is usually five to seven years from its manufacturing date.

6- When your most dreaded time comes and your detector alarms, secure yourself and your loved ones out right away and immediately call 911 for a response as soon as you are already in a safe area.

You can take solace that a truly professional electrical company such as ElectriCall is within reach if you want to maintain a reliable carbon monoxide detection system. Call us today; we’ll be delighted to carry out a home safety inspection in your area. Our reliable team of professional electricians can even check your entire electrical system. All it needs is your yes.

Your safety is our topmost priority. Give us a call today and you will be grateful you did.

When to Call an Electrician: 11 Warning Signs You Should Never Ignore

DIY, or Do-It-Yourself, the method has been a thing for those who are bored, curious, looking to build or achieve a solution at a cheaper cost. However, this does not apply to solve most electrical issues. There may be electrical fixes that can be done on our own but the majority of the jobs are hazardous by nature. Thus there are electrical problem indicators that require the service of knowledgeable and highly skilled licensed electricians. 

The good news is; if you are living in or around Arvada and Denver areas, you can always entrust the problem in the hands of these Denver electricians without hurting your wallet. ElectriCall is a reliable and affordable electrical service provider that can tackle all sorts of electrical emergency needs. All it takes is dialing our phone number to access the service of the real pros.

Related : 5 Warning Signs That Your Home Is in Danger of an Electrical Fire

Prioritize your safety; immediately seek an electrical repair company once you notice any of the 11 common electrical problem indicators below:

1. SPARKING WIRES OR OUTLETS. Such sparks are not normal and more often than not, the chances of them leading to fire or causing serious damage to appliances or electrical components are high without immediate professional attention.

2. THE SMELL OF BURNING PLASTIC. If your sense of smell detected a burning plastic odor, chances are something is burning at the moment and it could be your wireworks behind the walls. As soon as you notice one, always remember to turn off your circuit breaker and prompt your trusted electrician nearby first before checking where the source of the smell is. And if the smell continues to bother which is implying an ongoing fire, call 911 right away. 

3. CIRCUIT BREAKERS TRIPPING FREQUENTLY. Breakers automatically trip once they detect an overloaded circuit. They do this to prevent wires from overheating in order to prevent a fire from potentially taking place. On that note, a frequently tripping circuit breaker should immediately raise a red flag as this can be an indication that some components in your electrical system are defective. This is an issue only licensed electricians are versed in dissecting.

4. BUZZING NOISE. The majority of electrical problems do not yield a buzzing noise. However, if there is a buzzing noise and it seemingly comes from any electrical device or outlet, then an urgent response is necessary. A good electrician will initially check if there is loose wiring in your circuit box and one by one, he will test the components using the right electrical tools he is equipped with.

5. BLOWN FUSE. There are many probable causes of a blown fuse but neither of them can be fixed using a DIY approach. Such conditions can only be aided professionally after a thorough diagnosis. A blown fuse may be easily replaceable but if its ultimate root is not eradicated, bigger, harmful threats may arise in the future.

6. LOOSE POWER OUTLETS. Where there is a loose power outlet, there is a high chance that a loose connection is likewise present. When it comes to electrical systems, any loosely installed or placed component can pose a dangerous threat to health and safety, especially to the kids. But never even attempt to fix your loose outlet on your own unless you are a licensed electrician or you are armed with enough knowledge and skills to do so. You don’t want to be electrocuted, do you?

7. Outdated Electrical System. Frayed or damaged wiring in the house may be left unattended for a long time until burning odours come up and serious consequences like fire happen. Fortunately, you can avoid this by following proper preventive measures like having a professional electrical team inspect and check your electrical system on a periodic basis. It pays to be proactive.

8. DAMAGED APPLIANCE COMPONENTS. Some appliances like your HVAC unit require dedicated outlets or power sources. Unless you’re a licensed repair specialist and you have the right equipment and tools to use, never attempt to repair these components on your own and just leave the job to the pros. If any of the electrical components are damaged, then call your local electrician. This will guarantee not only your safety but also high quality of work that will prevent the same problem from recurring.

9. EASILY HEATING ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS. Circuits or switches that are warm to touch can indicate that at least one electrical component is overloaded. Unfortunately, warm circuit or switch problems can magnify, potentially increasing the risk of electrocution of whoever gets to touch them. Do not reach this point; seek professional help right away. Your electrician will help you through your component fix or upgrade.

10.  FLICKERING LIGHTS. A constantly flickering light not only gives pain to the eye but can also jeopardize safety especially at night. Now, if any of these lights are out of reach, then you should call your trusted electrician to help you out. They have the equipment to change bulbs that are high, and out of reach. 

11. ISOLATED POWER OUTAGE. A serious electrical problem may have pushed your circuit breaker to trip, cutting your entire power supply. Or it could be because of a blown fuse. You’ll never know the real cause and you won’t be able to get the necessary fix unless a team of professional electricians comes to your rescue to locate and fix the culprit. It’s a job only professionals can carry out.

See also: What Are the Main Reasons Behind a Power Outage?

Any of these electrical problem indicators necessitate urgent attention. Therefore, there is no such thing as a harmless delay and it can definitely pose serious threats to you and your loved ones’ safety and your property. Do not let this happen. For reliable and quality electrical services, call us at ElectriCall. Our team of licensed, seasoned electricians are committed to getting the job right to ensure your safety. For years now, we have been the most trusted electrical company in Colorado for a reason. Save our number today. One day, you’ll be very thankful you did.

Back in 1907, British radio researcher and electrical engineer Guglielmo Marconi, together with his assistant, Engineer Henry Joseph Round, discovered electroluminescence – a phenomenon which the LED lighting technology was built upon. Several decades later, Nick Holonyack, a North American engineer hired as a consultant for General Electric Company innovated the first visible-light LED.

Light Emitting Diode, or also known as LED, is a semiconductor diode that produces a glow when any amount of voltage transmits through. Holonyack’s invention in 1962 was a red LED made out of gallium arsenide phosphide as the diode substrate. From the moment he announced to the world that LED lights can potentially replace Thomas Edison’s incandescent bulbs, LED Lighting has grown enormously popular not just among residential and commercial markets but also for industrial facilities. At present, LED is utilized everywhere in digital TV monitors, other electronic devices and appliances, and mostly in various types of lighting.

LED Lighting – How They Work and Why They Have Taken the World by Storm

While incandescent bulbs emit light and glow up only when the filament inside the glass bulb is heated, LEDs emit glow as a result of electroluminescence or how a material glows up when electricity is applied. Unlike incandescent bulbs, LED bulbs do not have a filament. The illumination is rather facilitated by electrons moving in a semiconductor material which usually contains aluminum-gallium-arsenide content.

Most commercial & residential property are opting to go with LED and below are the top reasons why:

#1: In terms of efficiency and longevity, LED is far ahead of the game.

In contrast to traditional lightings such as incandescent and fluorescent lights, LEDs are powerfully filled with adequate energy, i.e. 95% of the energy they bear is converted into light and only 5% is drawn as heat. This facilitates the reduction of energy consumption at up to 90%, causing a dramatic decrease in the electric bill. Got a busted 84-watt fluorescent at home? You can replace that with a 36-watt LED bulb and get the same level of light.

When it comes to longevity, incandescent bulbs have a lifespan of around 1,500 hours of usage, and thus require frequent replacement. High quality LED bulbs, on the other hand, can serve their purpose up to 60,000 hours. That is up to seven years of constant use before replacement is necessary.

#2: LED lights are quality and beauty combined.

LED bulbs make use of a tiny semiconductor material rather than a filament, which makes their build way sturdier than of the traditional lights. But aside from that enhanced quality, they also have the edge in terms of beauty as LED lights come in a number of base colors like amber, blue, and red.  

#3: LED lights are recyclable and eco-friendly.

Non-toxic materials are what makeup LEDs whereas fluorescent lights use mercury which is a threat to the environment. Meanwhile, their long life spans also help in reducing the amount of environmental carbon emissions, unlike compact fluorescent lights that can easily get busted.

Although CFLs or compact fluorescent lamps run close to LED lights in terms of efficiency, the EPA or Environmental Protection Agency does not recommend using them because of their toxic mercury content. Those who wish to dispose of their CFLs, as per EPA, must follow proper waste disposal, that is submitting them to designated recycling centers. Meanwhile, some states in the United States already have penalty implications for people who do not follow proper CFL bulb disposal.

#4. LED lights are safe to use.

While the majority of LED lovers choose LED over other lightings because of its cost-efficiency and durability, as per LED manufacturers, customer retention has been consistently high also because LED bulbs are practically safe to use, both in terms of content and built. Besides LED’s absence of toxic components that are also a hazard to health, LED lamps also emit minimal heat. LED only produces 3.4 btu (British Thermal Unit) per hour while incandescent bulbs yield 85 btu hourly. Thus, LED lights can be left on for hours and then touched without any safety dangers like fires or burns.

Deciding to switch to LED lights is like getting access to the abovementioned gains effortlessly. However, just a friendly reminder from ElectriCall: As such a switch most likely necessitates an electrical wirework, the safest way to do it is to not do the work on your own at all. Instead, search for any “lighting installation services near me” or give us a call and have our CO electrician take care of the job.

We’ve got the knowledge, skills, and experience to carry it out; testimonies from our highly satisfied customers can attest. We have been one of the best electrician companies in Arvada for a reason. Call us at 720-879-2253 for lighting design and installation.

OTHER SOURCES:

https://www.thoughtco.com/led-light-emitting-diode-1992081

https://www.inmesol.com/blog/invented-led