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

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!