Blog – Page 17

Winter Prep Tips by a Denver Home Generator Electrician

Winter is just around the corner. That means we will be witnessing ice storms and snows more often, and winter power outages for that matter may increase. A lot of people in Denver, Colorado may be in love with winter but the potential electricity outages caused by ice and heavy snow can be too much of a hassle. At such times, however, an electric generator can spare you of any inconveniences if the power is out. Now the question is, is your standby generator all set for the cold season? Here’s some tips by a Denver home generator electrician.

Electrical generators have become a necessity not just in Denver, Colorado but all across the country. If you don’t already have a home generator, then knowing a Denver home-generator installation service, will make setting up the unit easy. If you’ve had a home generator for a while, then for the sake of safety and reliability, your generator should also be maintained properly and inspected rigorously prior to usage.

Electric Generators Work Harder in Winter

In this modern age, highly advanced engines have been developed with a more durable and reliable mechanism. However, such advancements still haven’t found a way for engines to withstand the cold. In fact, starting the generator in the cold season is trickier as the fuel might not efficiently burn or the oil may have thickened thickening.

The good news is; electric generators are actually not hard nor too costly to maintain. All it needs is a bit of attention, pre-season, and regular maintenance with the help of your Denver home generator electrician to maintain its reliability and keep your heaters up; so you won’t be left embracing the freezing temperatures.

You can either surf the internet and search for “electrician near me” to take care of the upkeep of your standby generator or you can follow a DIY approach to get it winter-ready. Should you decide to follow the latter, read the tips below:

· If you do not have the knowledge and experience about the job, then seek help.

Generator repair and maintenance, i.e. fixing a standby or a portable generator system, may sound doable but hardware store and retail chain reps have been reiterating the perils that can take place along the way and that such dangerous tasks are better left in the hands of a professional electrician, especially if you do not have enough knowledge and experience at it. As the saying goes, “better be safe than sorry.”

· Research and familiarize.

Now, if you’re not experienced with using a generator during an outage, you may want to familiarize yourself with the generator. Know that some generators differ from each other. To be more ready come emergency outages arise, start familiarizing the ins and outs of generator operation prior to an outage including your setup steps in the dark. In other words, practice like you are facing a real emergency. Only then, you’ll know you are ready. Contact your residential electrician to familiarize yourself with what it takes to get the power going again.

· Know how fast your generator consumes fuel.

A perfectly working generator is still useless without fuel. So, store more than enough fuel; do not settle with just a small container. On average, a 24/7 operating generator can take about 12 to 20 gallons a day but to have a closer estimate, take a look at your machine’s wattage.

Using a fuel stabilizer will help keep your unused fuel from being wasted and your generator free from damage but make sure you follow the instructions carefully.

· Monitoring and replacing the oil on your generator on a regular basis is a MUST.

Oil plays a major role in ensuring efficiency and extending the life of your generator. As part of the maintenance program, make sure the oil levels are checked from time to time and the full mark is reached at all times. After using the generator for the first five hours, an oil replacement is necessary and then the next replacement would be 1000 hours after.

Just a warning: Using the wrong type of oil for your generator may cause damages and affect its performance.

· Examine your generator on a regular basis.

This process will ensure that parts like fuel filter, air filter, and spark plug are still in perfectly safe and efficient condition. Sometimes, hiring an electrician nearby may be necessary.

Tip: To eliminate moisture, lubricate the parts, and recharge the battery. At least once, run a month thorough generator inspection (which takes about 20 minutes).

· Transfer Switch will help you keep safe.

This will help keep your home appliances, wiring, and generator from being overloaded. Moreover, this prevents power back feeding that can result to fatal shocks or circuit breaks.

· Execute the job smartly and safely.

This includes placing your generator at a strategic location to minimize the outage time. Also, never use a generator inside your garage, basement, home, or shed to keep away from the odorless chemical hazards.

Is your generator set for winter? Be safe and sound in the cold days. Call ElectriCall for professional assistance.

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

According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI), around 51,000 housefire incidents occur because of some sort of electrical failure. With such data, it shows that electrical faults have continuously been a major fire culprit that has affected so many people.

On a brighter note, averting electrical fires in your home is actually viable. All it takes is a Denver electrician that has knowledge, awareness, and a pair of sharp eyes against fire hazards and early signs of a potential fire.

Below are what studies show to be the five most common warning signs of being at risk of a house fire:

If your circuit breaker persistently trips
If there is a mysterious burnt smell
If your switches and outlets seem charred or discolored
If the wiring system is old or outdated.
If you hear voltage near the outlets or see sparks

Consistently Tripping Circuit Breaker. Your circuit breaker is ultimately responsible for cutting out the flow of electricity to your house in order to avoid circuit overheating which causes an electrical fire.

If you noticed your circuit breaker frequently tripping, it is most likely because of the following

The circuit breaker is busted;
Short circuit is taking place somewhere in your circuit wiring or appliances which necessitate an electrician nearby to make repairs if you are residing in or around Denver, Colorado; or,
Your appliances have been demanding too much electricity on a single circuit, thereby causing an electrical overload.

Any of these indicators must be taken seriously. While it is tempting to make electrical repairs on your own, always bear in mind that doing so is extremely risky and thus highly discouraged. If your circuit breaker trips again after you reset it, do not make another attempt. Otherwise, the breaker will give out and might stop tripping, making it appear like the problem is fixed but in truth, an electrical overload is already happening, overheating the wiring insulation inside. Historically, this mishandling and the hesitance of Googling “electricians in my area” have been a common culprit of an electrical fire.

Burnt Smell. A burnt smell must never be neglected especially if it does not come from the kitchen, more so if the source seems mysterious. In such cases, chances are a short circuit possibly caused by faulty wiring or a loose connection.

Data gathered by U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission or CPSC shows that short circuits account for most home electrical wiring-related fires in the country in recent years.

Switch or Outlet Discoloration. Before a huge fire happens, it starts with little sparking or arcing that results in a small fire. This is already enough to char or cause discoloration to the outlet.

If you spot one, you should immediately know.

Old Wiring. Old homes that have left their wirings unchecked or updated are also highly susceptible to electrical fire. According to CPSC, this is scientifically because modern, particularly energy-hungry home appliances are demanding more electrical load which the outdated wiring might not be able to handle. If left unnoticed, this can trigger an electrical overload which can lead to an electrical fire.

If you have just moved into a new “but old” residence, then having a residential electrician carry out a rewiring is a clever move.

Hearing an electrical humming sound or seeing sparks. Along with the old wiring culprit, if you happen to hear an electrical voltage sound or humming you’ll need to address the situation. Whether you hear a mysterious sound from an outlet or see little sparks from an exposed wire, you’ll need to immediately turn the power off to that area. Once done, contact your local electrician for professional repairs.