While it’s February of 2020 in Arvada, Colorado, the weather is relatively cold as it’s still winter.  At this time of the year, it’s common for people to start or end the day with a good soak in a hot tub. However, the potential electrical safety hazards that one might face in using them cannot be simply discounted. In fact, they can be life-threatening, i.e. in case of fire or electrocution. At some point, hiring a licensed electrician to maintain the electrical upkeep of a hot tub and eliminate these hazards might be necessary.

Ensure a safe hot tub experience; below are four ultimate safety tips to bear in mind:

Tip #1: Entrust the hot tub wiring job to a licensed electrician in Arvada.

Unless you are an electrician who has the right know-how about electrical wirings, never risk your safety by trying to perform the wirework of your huge hot tub on your own. Instead, find a hot tub wiring electrician nearby who bears the mastery and experience needed to get the job done safely, accurately, and in accordance with the National Electric Code or NEC.

For proper and safe hot tub installation, the regulatory of NEC requires that hot tubs must have their own dedicated circuit and a manual disconnect. Furthermore, homeowners intending to have a hot tub installed in their area must use the right type of outlet for it and the power lines and disconnect must be at a proper location. Your electrician will most likely coordinate with your hot tub moving company to meet these requirements.

Tip #2: Remember where your hot tub’s panel is located.

Ensuring electrical safety does not mean you should delegate everything to your trusted electrician. While the latter will be able to respond to your location immediately in case of an emergency, one of the most vital responsibilities is to prevent the problem from escalating by immediately shutting off your hot tub’s power.  Nothing can be repaired or moved without shutting off the power. As a hot tub owner, it’s important for you to know where the electrical panel is.

Tip #3: Never use electrical devices nor install power sources within the spa area.

In this age where people are so giddy publishing everything on social media, you probably have noticed a number of influencers broadcasting their relaxing hot tub experiences on IG stories. That does not pose a problem if the smartphone is waterproof and has enough battery for the entire duration of the soak.  However, the safety risks greaten when your battery is running low and needs to be charged.

While, in this case, it might be tempting to use a power extension cord to keep yourself connected to the online world, the last thing you will want to do is give in and expose yourself to electrocution threats. Any potential causes of electrocution must be kept away at all times.

Tip #4: How to deal with defective spa lights?

Most spa lights operate at 9-12 volts and should not cause electrocution. However, if the defective ones leak and their GFCIs malfunction after they failed to self drain, then spa light hazards could arise. If this bothers you, call your local electrician right away for a safe and quality light removal service.

Besides the abovementioned tips, it is also best to talk to your local spa moving and repair company to better understand the best safety practices for your home and loved ones, i.e. proper hot tub usage, water care, and establishing a safe spa environment.

Although power surges are mostly triggered by lightning and power grid switching within your area, they can also originate inside your home. Such occurrences take place when heavy-duty appliances like refrigerators, air conditioners, home entertainment systems, or vacuums draw an abnormally large amount of excess power that travels throughout the circuit.  Such an electric draw will overpower your other electronics and home appliances. Regardless of the source, power surges have always been a threat not just to the lifespan of appliances but most importantly to safety. 

What is a power surge?

A power surge, or also known as electrical surge, happens when something causes a spike in the power lines’ electrical charge resulting in a surge of potential electrical energy. This increase escalates, eventually increasing the power flowing to wall outlets. In most electricity distribution systems, electrical surges are an inevitable occurrence. They can be severe enough to gradually or immediately damage your appliances at home.

Below are reasons why you should have surge protection:

1.       Power surge protection benefits your power system.

If your energy consumption at home is high, the stability of your electricity flow might get hampered. Your fuses will blow out, cutting the power off as soon as surges are detected. While this helps prevent the problem from escalating, fuse replacement and other electrical fixes can still cost you a fortune. This makes investing in power surge protection a smart decision to make. With it, you get a stable and reliable flow of electricity in your circuit and appliances are spared any surge-triggered damages. 

2.       Surge protectors will help you have comfortable and uninterrupted rest at home.

Your home is supposed to be a place where you can have quality time and relaxation. Sadly, a simple electrical issue caused by a power surge can interrupt that. This is one of the reasons why surge protectors are considered a must-have for many. It can save you such annoying troubles. Although there are local electricians in the area that can come to your rescue, prevention is still a lot better.

3. Surge protectors protect your appliances.   

Over 20 energy spikes can happen per day on average. Without proper surge protection, it will only take one powerful and damaging strike to damage your hard-earned appliances and before you know it, you’ll be spending a fortune to have them repaired or replaced.

Without proper surge protection, you are putting all your home appliances at risk and it is going to be very stressful having to unplug all your appliances during stormy weather just to ensure that a lightning strike or a power surge does not damage them. What if it’s freezing out and you need your space heaters on, but you don’t have any power?

Reliable commercial surge protectors may come with a hefty price tag but having one will surely keep your appliances intact and secured from power surges. The convenience it offers will be worth it.

Selecting the Right Surge Protector

Most people aren’t willing to pay for a good surge protector; most homeowners end up opting for power strips.  While this may be a cheaper option, power strips do not offer enough protection from power surges.

If you have the right budget, do not settle for these sub-par solutions. Instead, find a surge protector that will best fit your requirements. Also, there are surge protectors that come with USB ports. These types are advantageous for your charging needs.

Another important consideration when choosing a surge protector is its type. Here, you have two options. You can go for a point-of-use device that automatically gives protection on the appliances plugged into it or you can have a service entrance surge protector installed by a registered electrician. The latter will be mounted inside your electrical meter or panel and will serve as a protection for the other appliances not plugged into your point-of-use device.

Other factors to also consider are your surge protector’s surge strength, clamp level, and response time. Hence, you should do a brief comparison of your surge protector options about these areas before buying.

If your house is still surge unprotected, give us a call at ElectriCall!

Our electricians in Arvada are highly trained and experienced at surge protector installations in and around the area. Our team is committed to ensuring your property is safe from electrical threats. Have us take care of your needs! Having reliable surge protectors installed in your home need not be expensive.

A home is where people can naturally find solitude and comfort. Most people add houseplants and repaint their homes to add a cozier feeling. Though, on the other end of the spectrum are those who also find solace in dim-ready lighting, claiming that it was the missing piece that brought them a sense of coziness, class, and entertainment. If you’ve considered updating your interior lighting then read on or contact us now.

Why Should You Have Dim Light Settings?

After a long day’s work, there are times when we end up feeling irritable or sleepy early in the evening. We often tend to leave some areas at home very lit while some dim, not minding about interior lighting’s relevance to our mood. But did you know that your light settings might have been actually playing with your emotions? 

Studies show that lighting does not only affect visual conditions but can also play a significant role in our biological functions and emotions. And as dim lighting is oftentimes associated with winding down and relaxing after work, probably, it is the easiest way to achieve that solitude you have been expecting of your abode. 

Below are more reasons why you should have dim light settings:

1, You can easily achieve a perfect setting with dim lighting.

You need not spend a lot on the interior renovation. Interior beautification is hard to achieve if you have an outdated interior lighting design, that features only on/off settings. But if your light settings are already dim-ready, you can effortlessly achieve that ambiance you have been wanting and it will only take one touch. You can never go wrong with this cost-efficient feature.

2. Dim lighting is a cost-efficient home beauty hack.

Since dim lighting bulbs do not operate at full capacity, not only can dim lighting transform the ambiance of your home, it can also help you save electricity as long as your trusted licensed electrician takes care of your interior lighting installation. Their lifespan often lasts up to three times longer than the regular bulbs. That’s another potential saving, right?

3. Dim lighting can mold and harness your emotions.

Dim lighting not only helps people relax but can also harness and mold people’s emotions. Scientists claim that dim lights can push people to think, rationalize, and negotiate better. And like them, Alixon Jing Xu who is an assistant professor of management at the University of Toronto Scarborough and Aparna Labroo of Northwestern University has backed up the claim after studying and testing the link between human emotion and lighting.

At Xu’s experiment, she asked her respondents to rate random things, i.e. the aggressiveness of certain fictional characters, the spiciness of buffalo wings’ sauce, the taste of two different juice flavors, and the attractiveness of some by-passers. She asked all these under different lighting settings and it was found out that bright lighting intensified their reactions while dim lighting made them think and assess better.

As bright lighting can dramatically intensify the feelings or emotions of people, those prone to depression may end up feeling worse. On the other hand, having dim lighting can actually aid in better and more laid-back decision-making.

4. Dim light settings facilitate variable lighting at home.

Variable lighting is advisable especially if you are working at home as the amount of light you will need may vary depending on your tasks. For instance, if you are dealing with papers, you might need a more focused brightness. However, your lighting requirement may change when you’re at the computer or in front of a digital screen. This is where a dim light setting becomes the best solution. Having it installed in your work area allows you to dim your overhead lights and provide specific lights that you can always turn on or off based on your task and preference.

5. Dim lighting can help you get a good night’s sleep.

During the absence of light, our retinas’ light-sensitive cells immediately tell our brains that it is time to rest and hibernate. Consequently, our pineal gland starts producing melatonin, also known as the sleep hormone. 

However, since light stimulates alertness, any brightness can easily disrupt melatonin production. This is why people without dim light settings would be torn between leaving their bedroom lights completely off or otherwise. Sometimes, as a result, they would end up dealing with an interfered sleeping cycle. 

Meanwhile, those who have dim lighting already installed in their system can easily manage their exposure to light at bedtime for enhanced quality and quantity of sleep.

Dim Light Installation

Having a dim light setting installed in your household isn’t actually a complex process. All it takes are a dimmer device set and a call to a master electrician in Arvada. The latter will properly install a dimmer switch or low wattage bulbs in table lamps to control brightness in your favorite areas at home. It is that easy.

Don’t know any professional who can help? Give us a call at ElectriCall. Besides our reliable electrical repair and maintenance services, we can also help you achieve that interior lighting that you have always wanted. Elevate your movie-watching or working experience at home with quality and affordability. Call us today and let’s start working on it!

If you’re ever remodeling a room or making repairs, you’ll eventually need the service of a reputable electrician. Choosing the right electrical company may be a challenge; you need to keep an eye out for the scammy electrician.

Just because an electrician advertises themselves as a reliable and licensed company, it does not mean that it is your best option. Electricians may vary in terms of their standard quality of service. However, despite being licensed and insured, there are still business owners who will still attempt fraud by offering scams and shady practices to unbeknownst customers.

Here are some ways to help you avoid a scammy electrician:

1.   Compare estimates and assess them.

As you will most likely be able to find a number of licensed electricians in Denver who seemingly have what it takes to do your electrical project at home, the first thing you should be doing is to list your top options and ask for an estimate from each of them. Once done, simply compare their estimates and if you find one strangely lower than the others, you might want to scratch it off your list as it may not be a great deal. As the saying goes, “If it is too good to be true, it probably is not true.”

2.   Know what you are paying for and make sure you are getting it all.

One of the common yet least noticeable types of scams is when one gets charged for things or services he has not fully gotten. Apparently, this type of scam is also common in the electrical field. There are electricians, both small-time ones, and those from known service providers who will guiltlessly try to do a scam by overcharging. This is especially common in circuit wiring activities where normally, an electrician is billed per circuit. For instance, the scammy electrician will ask you to pay for three circuits’ worth but in truth, he only installed one and you would not be able to know you got scammed until you decided to check and found out the other two did not work.

Avoid the scam; do not hesitate to ask your electrician to show you the work that was completed once finished. Also, it is your right to thoroughly check and question the bill you are presented with. At the same time, make sure everything is being accounted for.

3.   Keep an eye on the work.

An honest and reliable electrician will not feel awkward if he is being watched at work because he knows he is working with quality and confidence. Some even love being watched because it gives them the opportunity to educate the homeowner about his electrical system and the must-do’s in case problems arise.

The right electrician will be concerned about your household’s safety. Meanwhile, the scammy one would more likely feel uncomfortable with your eyes around because he either really never had enough skills to do the work, likes to take breaks, or has just plainly intended to scam by starting a job and not completing it.

4.   Ask your electrician to show you their license and insurance for verification.

Electricians are obliged to bring their state license with them so that it can be presented to a customer whenever requested. As the homeowner, help reduce your home’s fire hazards from faulty electrical wiring by hiring the right professional. Ask your electrician to show you his license and insurance when arrived. The right electrician will be proud to show it to you. Meanwhile, the scammy one may not even have a license to show.   

5.   Do not be desperate; keep your calm.

Although electrical emergencies can really happen, always make sure you decide soundly and properly in choosing an electrician. Ending up with a bad or scammy electrician will not only put your money to waste but also puts you and your family’s safety at high risk.

Handle electrical emergencies better. In such cases, it pays to know a licensed electrician you know you can call and rely on at all times to deliver quality and honest electrical services. Do your research today; find the best electrical contractor in town. You will be thankful you did.

6.   Fast-talking electricians may be scammers.

Scammers are not limited to people with incompetent skills. Even knowledgeable electricians can be scammers too. These types of people usually overwhelm homeowners with their knowledge, flooding their potential victims with impressive terms just to win the job. And then that’s it – the contract’s signed, the deal’s sealed, but the quality of services is at serious risk.

Meanwhile, real reputable electricians usually will be delighted with explaining the repairs thoroughly. That may mean, speaking your language as opposed to electrical jargon.

Finding a reliable electrical contractor in Arvada is not always easy but hopefully, this article has helped you know the telltale signs of such rampant scams. Do not be scammed, choose wisely.

Young children are curious little beings that are expected to be crawling around, checking out every single thing in sight. Hence, if you are a parent, childproofing your house is a must. This means blocking the staircases, installing soft play mats in common areas, omitting choking hazards, and most importantly electrical outlet safety to the sockets or devices by ensuring that they’re out of harm’s way for your child should be taken seriously. 

“Do we need to make electrical repairs prior to having our child?”

While going for an electrical system revamp seems like the safest solution there is, the cost of such repairs is not very practical. The good news is, there are still other budget-friendly ways to keep your kids safe from electric sockets and other electrical hazards at home. 

Below are some tips to help you:

Tip #1: Make it a habit to unplug all appliances when they are not in use.

Do this before you allow yourself to rest or sleep at bedtime. Make keep your kid away from wiring hazards or the appliances to avoid any shocks or potential fire hazards. 

 Tip #2: As much as possible, keep your wires and outlets out of your kid’s sight.

One effective way of doing it is by placing a frame, a cabinet, or any objects in front of the socket to conceal its presence in the area. 

Tip #3: If concealing seems insufficient, use electrical outlet caps instead. This is one cheap way to prevent your kid from sticking their fingers or other objects into the outlet.  

Electrical outlet caps are widely available and one of the easiest ways to ensure electrical outlet safety. They are made of plastic and are designed to easily plug into your sockets. The cap’s outer area is purposely solid flat so that toddlers will not be able to grip on it, thereby dismissing any opportunities of them poking anything into the outlet. 

Tip #4: Cover your power strips. 

A lot of people are fond of using power strips as a cheap and convenient solution to have more electrical wall receptacles to power multiple appliances at once. Power strips are usually placed on the ground, hence a real hazard potential especially to the eyes of toddlers.

Tip #5: Minimize or stop using extension cords.

Power strips and extension cords are a big no, especially in your kid’s room. Although they are very convenient to use, they are never kid-friendly. 

Nowadays, just search on Google for residential electrical repair services so that you can easily install more outlets or lighting to any room in your household. You never have to settle with extension cords or stand-alone light fixtures that will expose the outlet sockets. 

Tip #6: Tie the cords of your appliances to avoid accidental falls. 

Excessive cord wiring is common with a lot of appliances that sit near the outlet. This excess can easily loop around the foot, causing the victim to stumble and fall. Besides the injuries it can cause, the fall can be enough to abruptly pull the plug from the socket. This can downright cause a spark, increasing the risk of fire if not managed right. While you already have the mental capacity to stay away from such incidents, your kid does not. Keep your child safe by tying the cords. 

Tip #7: Install Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters or GFCIs. 

GFCIs are responsible for shutting the power off as soon as any liquid is leaking from the circuit to the ground which can cause electrical shock. They are best installed in rooms that have water sources like bathrooms and kitchens but you can install one in your living room too especially if your kid frequently roams around the area. 

Tip #8: Use nightlights for your kid’s room. 

Using nightlights will help keep your kid safe especially if already potty trained. This ensures that the room is sufficiently lit in case if they get up at night to use the bathroom. You can opt for table-mounted or outlet-mounted ones but the latter is better as it also functions as an outlet cover. 

Tip #9: Do not hoard faulty appliances. 

Do not let your kid suffer from the risk of electrical shock by playing old appliances. Remove the clutter so that your child doesn’t even get near faulty appliance chords or devices. 

Tip #10: Regular electrical maintenance is the key. 

Your frayed and loose wires need urgent attention. Do not let them stay like that for long. As mentioned above, you can shop for cord covers and outlet caps and do the maintenance on your own, or you can seek a professional Arvada electrician, such as ElectriCall. 

The latter will make sure everything in your electrical system is thoroughly checked while eliminating any hazards. Regular electrical maintenance, such as electrical outlet safety, is like an investment for the whole family’s safety and the perks of having a properly working electrical system are a bonus.