In the United States, the local housing codes and state regulations have always made it crystal clear that landlords have a constant duty to ensure that all electrical installations and appliances they supply in their rental properties are safe. Electrical safety must be a top priority if you’re a landlord.

So, if you’re a landlord, then you might want to read on…

What the law stipulates…

According to most housing laws, landlords are highly encouraged to see to it that every electrical installation like the light fittings and sockets are safe before any tenants have moved in and that such electrical wirings are periodically inspected by a certified electrician nearby throughout the duration of the tenancy.

Moreover, for safe-keeping, landlords must also ensure that electrical appliances they have set up and deployed for use inside the property like kettles and cookers bear the CE marking.

Hence, in summary, your duties as a landlord specifically include ensuring that:

1.     There are sufficient regular electrical tests carried out on all electrical installations according to what is stipulated under the “Periodic Electrical Inspections” sections of the official building regulations.

2.     Only professional, registered electricians perform these tests.

3.     There is enough residual current device (RCD) protection in your property.

4.     Visual safety checks are carried out on a regular basis.

5.     PAT or Portable Appliance Tests are performed on all the appliances you have supplied and intend to supply.

Periodic Inspections

A periodic inspection comprises of testing and inspecting procedures with an aim to check whether every electrical installation in a property for rent is in a safe and great condition. While it may be tempting to do it on your own to save the budget from hiring a professional, oftentimes the latter is a better path to take to ensure safety and following local codes. 

If your property is a “house-in-multiple-occupation” property or HMO property, then this inspection must be carried out at least once every five years. Otherwise, you can have it done in closer gaps or in between long-duration tenancies.

Portable Appliance Test (PAT)

As per the guidelines, every installed appliance must undergo PAT or Portable Appliance Test. This entails performing a visual inspection on the appliance, its leads and plugs. If the appliance is tagged as “class 1”, it will undergo testing signals injection to test its integrity. Again, PAT is something only registered electricians must carry out.

As there is no definite guideline as to how often a PAT is required, as per the HSE or Health and Safety Executive, landlords can instead assess whether an appliance needs PAT or not based on how potentially risky is its usage. For instance, heating appliances like microwaves or kettles have higher risks than other appliances. Hence, a more frequent PAT may be needed.

In complying with PAT and Periodical Inspections, there is definitely a price to pay and an effort to invest in. As soon as you have reached the deal-sealing, make sure to keep a record of the transaction to have something to base your practices and policies on. Oftentimes, it is in the form of EICR or Electrical Condition Report.

Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detectors

One of the easiest ways to fail an inspection is by not making sure that your detectors are working properly. Whether you have a battery-powered detector or a wired-detector, you’ll need to have updated equipment that works properly. If you’re unsure of how to connect a wired smoke or carbon monoxide detector, then call a local licensed electrician.   

Tenants’ Role

Tenants are likewise encouraged to participate in exercising electrical safety instead of fully relying on the job on their landlords. That said, potential electrical issues must always be dealt with and attended to with urgency.

 DISCLAIMER: 

The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only.  Information on this website may not constitute the most up-to-date legal or other information. Readers of this website should contact their attorney to obtain advice with respect to any particular legal matter. All liability with respect to actions taken or not taken based on the contents of this site are hereby expressly disclaimed. The content on this posting is provided “as is;” no representations are made that the content is error-free.

Most homeowners don’t realize the hazards of using extension cords. In this article, we’d like to discuss extension cord safety.

All too often, we’ve seen homeowners who’ve used an extension cord in setting up a receptacle within the attic as a means to wiring ceiling fans. With this solution, all it takes to make the fans work is simply plugging the cord into the receptacle. While this may be an easy solution, as an alternative to hiring a professional electrician, eventually, the cord will deteriorate, creating a potentially harmful electric shock which can be a fire hazard. 

Incidents like this have pushed industry experts from all corners of the world to discourage the use of extension cords in lieu of permanent wiring, especially at home. To them, using an extension cord for longterm use for wiring appliances or gadgets at home is likely an accident waiting to take place. According to the approved National Electrical Code, the use of extension cords is a hazardous and unsafe wiring method.

Nevertheless, a lot of people can still be seen using them because of the convenience it offers in bringing power to electronic devices. Among the various options in the market, the three-wire outdoor type which comes in a variety of colors has been the topmost selling.

While using extension cords initially appears to be a solution, its safety remains a big question. Proper caution in using it is vital. Otherwise, they can easily turn into fire hazards and pose threats to you and your family’s safety.

Below are tips to help keep your comfort zone safe when using extension cords:

WHEN CHOOSING:

· Buy only cords approved by an accredited testing laboratory.

· If you are going to use it outdoors, buy only extension cords appropriate for outdoor usage.

· Be keen on the amount of power the extension cord draws.

· Carefully read the user manual, if available.

· Choose cords that are rated to bear with the wattage of appliances they will be used for. You will know the cord’s size by checking its gauge. If the number printed is smaller, the larger the wire is, the more it is capable of handling the demanded wattages.

· Buy the cord with length that is quite more than what you will need to refrain from stretching it which can cause fire. However, do not overdo it. Longer cords may not be able to deliver as much current compared to the shorter ones.

· Three-prong or polarized plugs are a plus.

· If you are going to use it for larger appliances, make sure the cord you chose is round, thick, and has a low gauge. Meanwhile, for smaller appliances and devices, flat or thin cords can already do the job.

WHEN USING:

· Removing the grounding pin of an extension cord is a big NO. This has been a common practice to fit the cord into a two-prong outlet. As harmless as it seems, it actually increases the likelihood of turning into a fire hazard.

· Powering multiple devices and appliances with one cord is dangerous.

· Indoor extension cords are strictly for indoor use only.

· Multiple cords must never be plugged together.

· Extension cords must neither be placed under furniture or rugs nor be taped to floors or nailed to surfaces.

· When in use, the cords must remain unbent or uncoiled.

· Childproof covers should be used to cover unused cord receptacles.

· If the cords already feel hot to touch, unplug the tip right away.

WHEN STORING:

· Make sure the cords are stored indoors.

· Unplugging them is the safest habit to make whenever they are not being used.

· Damaged cords must be disposed of right away.

· When disconnecting the cord from the outlet, pull the plug carefully and not the cord.

Extension cords are not a valid alternative to proper wiring. They are intended for temporary use only. Don’t play with danger; have our professional and highly experienced residential electricians in Denver set up your permanent wirings with quality and reliability. Here at ElectriCall, we’ve got all your electric service needs covered. Dial our number today!  

Did you know that there are common mobile home electrical problems? When it comes to electrical systems, both mobile homes and site-built homes do not vary that much in terms of codes and parts used. In short, locating wires and troubleshooting problems may not be that much of a challenge. These days, mobile homes are even considered better with regards to adhering to standard regulations versus conventional homes.

Whether you are a Colorado mobile homeowner or you are residing somewhere else in Denver, electrical issues should not take a lot of time if you already have an idea of your home’s wiring layout. However, as these are dangerous repairs to deal with, taking safety precautions is necessary. Always remember that if you do not feel comfortable with such a task, you can always call a Denver electrician nearby.  

As per history, below is a list of the most common “concerning” mobile home electrical problems (and the FLICKERING LIGHTS. Lights flicker for a lot of possible reasons such as old wiring, overloading, or the bulb is the proper way to deal with them):

simply faulty. The remedy for this is simple; just twist the bulb tightly on the fixture as more often than not flickering lights are just caused by loose light plug. If the flickering persists, try replacing it with a new one and if it still does not address it, then fluctuating voltage most likely is the culprit – something you can only complain about to local power company.

CIRCUIT OVERLOAD. If your circuit breaker keeps tripping, your circuit could have been overloaded. Power outlets in mobile homes are usually fewer than in site-built ones. However, more likely than not, their load demands will still increase over time; this can trigger the potential circuit overload. Although this is almost inevitable, you can still do something to prevent overloading. One of these is conserving your mobile home’s energy by making it a habit to unplug devices that you are not using.

POWER SURGES. Usually caused by lightning, damaged power lines, faulty appliances, or bad electrical wirings, power surges are a type of an electrical problem that necessitates urgent action. Delay of this can badly damage the circuits of your other appliances at home.

Dealing with it is simple; just unplug your appliances the moment you notice a surge even if it only lasted for a few seconds because the moment another surge follows, the electrical components in your home can get damaged. Meanwhile, to prevent future surges, make sure your house is free of cheaply made power boards or devices.

These days, installing a surge protector in a mobile home is already considered a worthy investment.

INCORRECT BULB WATTAGE. This problem sounds so minor that is why a lot of people hardly paid attention until the problem escalated.

Bulb wattage issues arise when a lamp with a higher wattage is installed than recommended, causing the fixture to produce too much heat enough to damage the fixture’s thermal protective device. If left unaddressed for a long time, it can actually increase the chances of fire.

EXPOSED WIRES. Never ever tolerate exposed wires especially if they are bare. If you own a manufactured home in Colorado and want to be spared the hassle and danger of making wire repairs, do not hesitate on calling ElectriCall and get our experts’ help.

POWERLESS OUTLET. An outlet that does not produce power is pressing but you can actually try solving it without a professional’s help. Just reset the breakers in the breaker box, push the handle towards the “off” direction entirely and then pull it back on. This fix usually works.

SAFETY SHOULD BE YOUR TOP PRIORITY. There are times where it will be very tempting to troubleshoot electrical problems in your mobile home. Whenever the urge is there, be reminded of the importance of safety; make it your top priority. If you are confident of your know-how, then go try. Otherwise, calling for professional help is always the best move.

While home is where safety, security, and comfort should reign during the winter days, the cold season is a time where a lot of electrical problems arise and persist. In such cases, addressing issues before they escalate can help avoid the need for major, costly repairs and the possible occurrences of related accidents.

Do not let precipitous and uncomfortable conditions catch you off guard. Below are the top common electrical issues you will most likely face and should prepare against during winter:

POWER OUTAGES

No matter how advanced the electrical infrastructure is in your town, it is never resilient to any storms that involve rain, ice or snow. The inevitable likelihood of power outages is there. Hence, it pays to be always prepared during such inconveniences.

Being prepared against power outages is easy. All you have to do is check your home’s electrical system thoroughly and as regular as you can, to make sure it’s winter-read. It’s important to secure a back-up power source such as a generator, this way you can continue to have heat by using space heaters. If you’d rather hire a local electrician, you can always give ElectriCall a ring. 

STATIC ELECTRICITY

Because of the low humidity during winter, static electricity is also prevalent which can pose perils in certain conditions. The presence of charge imbalance can even result in powerful shocks with the presence of flammable objects nearby.

To do away with this at the least, you can invest in humidifiers and make sure they are working, especially when there are signs of static electricity taking place. 

OUTDATED EQUIPMENT

Although keeping your old equipment and appliances is practical, sometimes, they can cause serious damage to your electrical system during winter. Electric blankets, old space heaters, and other outdated appliances are usually more sensitive to voltage fluctuations. Hence, if you plan on keeping them longer, make sure to check them up from time to time.

SPACE HEATERS

Research has shown that a significant percentage of house fire incidents during winter are caused by unattended and overheated space heaters. Since space heaters are heavily used during the cold months, it’s important to know that they use up a lot of energy.  Make sure to dedicate an outlet so, that the heater can function efficiently and ensure that no damage is done to the electrical system.

Tip: Always keep your space heaters unplugged if you are not using them to avoid heater-related fire and spiking power consumption.

BREAKER TRIPPING

Contrary to the common belief, it is in winter, and not in summer, where electricity consumption rises and this is basically because of the overused heating systems and portable heaters, not to mention the holiday decorations that every household and business establishment puts up. Not only that, but most people like to hang out indoors during the winter. 

Apparently, it is also in winter where breakers are tripping more often and other electrical problems like flickering lights are prevalent.

Make sure your cozy winter is not spoiled. You can prevent your breaker from tripping or your panel from burning out by getting a heavy up, i.e. update your electricals and increase the ampage coming to your home. This will help reliably power up your home theater systems, and other state-of-the-art appliances.

A heavy up may be an investment but it actually saves you from incurring higher repair costs of your appliances if they got damaged.

Do not face these prevalent electrical issues defenseless during winter. Allow us to help you do the necessary preparations ahead of time. At times where help from a reliable electrician in Arvada CO seems necessary, do not hesitate to give us a call at Electrical and take advantage of our free estimate electrical service in Arvada.

Common Mobile Home Electrical Problems

When it comes to electrical systems, both mobile homes and site-built homes do not vary that much in terms of codes and parts used. In short, locating wires and troubleshooting problems may not be that much of a challenge. These days, mobile homes are even considered better with regards to adhering to standard regulations versus conventional homes. Whether you are a Colorado mobile homeowner or you are residing somewhere else in Denver, electrical issues should not take a lot of time if you already have an idea of your home’s wiring layout. However, as these are dangerous repairs to deal with, taking safety precautions is necessary. Always remember that if you do not feel comfortable with such a task, you can always call a Denver electrician nearby. 

As per history, below is a list of the most common “concerning” mobile home electrical problems (and the FLICKERING LIGHTS. Lights flicker for a lot of possible reasons such as old wiring, overloading, or the bulb is the proper way to deal with them):

simply faulty. The remedy for this is simple; just twist the bulb tightly on the fixture as more often than not flickering lights are just caused by loose light plug. If the flickering persists, try replacing it with a new one and if it still does not address it, then fluctuating voltage most likely is the culprit – something you can only complain about to local power company.

CIRCUIT OVERLOAD. If your circuit breaker keeps tripping, your circuit could have been overloaded. Power outlets in mobile homes are usually fewer than in site-built ones. However, more likely than not, their load demands will still increase over time; this can trigger the potential circuit overload. Although this is almost inevitable, you can still do something to prevent overloading. One of these is conserving your mobile home’s energy by making it a habit to unplug devices that you are not using.

POWER SURGES. Usually caused by lightning, damaged power lines, faulty appliances, or bad electrical wirings, power surges are common of the winter electrical problems that will necessitate urgent action. Delay of this can badly damage the circuits of your other appliances at home.

Dealing with it is simple; just unplug your appliances the moment you notice a surge even if it only lasted for a few seconds because the moment another surge follows, the electrical components in your home can get damaged. Meanwhile, to prevent future surges, make sure your house is free of cheaply made power boards or devices.

These days, installing a surge protector in a mobile home is already considered a worthy investment.

INCORRECT BULB WATTAGE. This problem sounds so minor that is why a lot of people hardly paid attention until the winter electrical problems escalated.

Bulb wattage issues arise when a lamp with a higher wattage is installed than recommended, causing the fixture to produce too much heat enough to damage the fixture’s thermal protective device. If left unaddressed for a long time, it can actually increase the chances of fire.

EXPOSED WIRES. Never ever tolerate exposed wires especially if they are bare. If you own a manufactured home in Colorado and want to be spared the hassle and danger of making wire repairs, do not hesitate on calling ElectriCall and get our experts’ help.

POWERLESS OUTLET. An outlet that does not produce power is pressing but you can actually try solving it without a professional’s help. Just reset the breakers in the breaker box, push the handle towards the “off” direction entirely and then pull it back on. This fix usually works.

SAFETY SHOULD BE YOUR TOP PRIORITY. There are times where it will be very tempting to troubleshoot electrical problems in your mobile home. Whenever the urge is there, be reminded of the importance of safety; make it your top priority. If you are confident of your know-how, then go try. Otherwise, calling for professional help is always the best move.

All it takes is a few rings and our skilled residential electricians will gladly come to your rescue. Call us today!

We don’t always take down our holiday lights after the new year, especially since they brighten up the darkness of winter and early spring. They bring a reprieve from the cold nights and short days. When the grass starts to grow and the weather becomes warmer, do you think your neighbors will mind if your Christmas lights are still up? The answer is no.

Light manufacturers today have developed efficient technology for lighting and fantastic ways to display string lights. This is because these lights aren’t limited to holiday use anymore. Even an experienced residential electrician in Denver will agree.

Holiday Lighting Ideas

Fireplace lighting. Do you miss the warm glow of your fireplace because the weather isn’t ideal for starting a fireplace fire anymore? Thanks to fireplace lighting, all you need is a Denver electrician nearby, to bundle the holiday lights around your fireplace to keep the area beautiful.

Patio string lights. As the spring draws closer, you can take the holiday lights down and then move them to an enclosed patio or deck. These patio string lights are perfect for the gathering area when you host a party with your family or friends.

Door Frame accents. You can string your holiday lights around your doorframe, to illuminate a dark area in an interesting way.

DIY Decorations. Create your DIY lanterns for the basement, porch, garage, or wherever you want by putting the holiday lights into a mason jar. You may use battery-powered string lights because you can avoid plugging anything in and hide the battery pack.

Pathway lighting. Did you know that you can use traditional string lights if you want them to serve as guiding lights? You can use them for lawn step stones, alleys, or even for your backyard path. Doing this will not only promote safety, but it will also make your house stand out by looking great!

Garden glimmer. If you want to show how beautiful your garden is, you might as well add some tasteful holiday lights to your garden. Doing this will benefit you in determining if you need to tend the plants after sunset.

Bed frame beautification. Reduce the symptoms of migraines or headaches by adding necessary backlighting. You can use soft, incandescent lighting for bedframes for this. Make sure to use amber LED options if you want to be more energy-efficient.

Different Types of Holiday Lights

There are different types of holiday string lights, which are perfect for the holidays. Below are some of the common holiday lights you can use to improve the design of your home:

Starry string lights. These lights are versatile, so you can use them both indoors and outdoors, or wherever you want to place them. You can drape them across any reading corner or use them to make your windows shine.

If you need – Professional Outdoor Lighting Electrician near Denver

Vintage LED café lights. These lights are perfect if you want to decorate your porch or backyard. If you properly maintain them and protect them from the elements, these lights can stay up constantly.

Clear rope lights. Many people use these lights during the holidays and wrap them around the door frames or lay them along the pathways. That’s because they are strong and versatile.

Safety Tips When Using Holiday Lights

Holiday lights aren’t designed for year-round use. Some of the newest LED lights can only be used for a maximum of 90 days. If you expose them to the elements for a longer period, these lights will end up cracked. This isn’t just a fire hazard, but it’s also a risk for electrocution. Before you use your holiday lights, make sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions, and consider how long you should leave them outside.

Recommended for you: 17 Holiday Lighting Safety Tips

“Are there experienced electricians in my area?” This is one of the most important questions you should ask yourself before you decide to install holiday lights at home. Remember, your safety at home is important. If you need help in setting up and maintaining your holiday lights, make sure you consult an experienced electrician to get the job done for you.