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How To Ensure Your Home Passes An Electrical Inspection

Electrical systems tend to drop in value over time due to the degradation of the equipment. Effects of this can range from vibrations and temperature changes to affecting environmental elements.

Unfortunately, you can’t control all causes of electrical degradation, but keeping your electrical system in good condition makes it easy to pass electrical inspections and keep your family safe.

Here are some things you can do to ensure your home passes electrical inspections.

Pre-requisites

1. Consult A Qualified Electrician

Before jumping into any DIY operations, you should consult the advice of a licensed electrician. The professional will assess the state of your electrical system and provide suggestions and guidelines on any necessary repairs. Qualified Denver electricians can provide pre-inspection consultations that help you better understand what to expect during inspections.

2. Get Familiar With Local Requirements

Before consulting an inspector, you need to ensure all your electrical systems are in place. Residential electrical requirements vary from one local government to another, so it is essential to know what guidelines are expected to be met in your area. For example, in Denver, any premises with furnaces need to meet specific conditions to pass the inspection. Electrical panels connecting to the furnaces need enough space to install a two-pole circuit breaker.

3. Obtain The Required Permits

To ensure that your electrical project is legal, you need to obtain the necessary permits from your local authorities. These permits help streamline the whole inspection process.

The state of Colorado requires that a homeowner or electrician obtain the Colorado State Electrical permits. Fortunately, Arvada professional electricians have the necessary permits to help you with any electrical work or consultation.

What You Can Do

1. Ensure Exposed Wiring Is Fixed

Exposed wires are dangerous and are among the first things an electrical inspector looks for, as these wires can easily start fires and cause electrical shocks. You can DIY this task by wrapping the exposed part with electrical tape or twisting the exposed wire strands together.

Although basic repairs on exposed wire are possible, they can be dangerous. This is why if you are in any doubt or concerned about the risks of undertaking such tasks, you can enlist the help of well-trained and licensed persons.

2. Test GFCI Outlets

A Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) will ensure the current flowing through your system is kept in check. These outlets are designed to reduce electrocutions. However, if there is an imbalance, it can trip your circuit.

You can test a GFCI outlet by pressing the button labelled “TEST”. You should hear an audible click followed by the light going off. Afterwards, press the “RESET” button to return the outlet to its usable state.

If nothing happens, there’s something wrong with the outlet and you need to contact a local electrical contractor.

3. Install Proper Circuit Breakers

There are many types of breakers used in house wiring from residual current circuit breakers and arc fault circuit interrupters to mounded case circuit breakers. You need to find out if you have the right one in accordance with local rules and regulations.

4. Ensure Alarms are Working

Another thing an electrical inspector is sure to check is whether or not your fire detectors are working. The best your electrician can do before the test is to see that smoke detectors and related alarms are fully functional.

You too can test the alarms and the detectors. Just press and hold their test button for at least 5 seconds. After pressing, you should be able to hear the alarm sound. If you can’t hear the sound, or if it’s weak, you need to change the batteries. If you notice any fault issues with the alarm system or are unsure about trying out the test yourself, Arvada electricians near you can always help with that.

5. Install Tamper Resistant Receptacles

Tamper Resistant Receptacles (TRRs) are no different from normal outlets, but their key role is in their added layer of protection. TRRs have a built-in safety shutter that prevents children from being shocked by blocking any foreign object from reaching the circuit. Having these in your electrical system is a huge advantage during inspections.

6. Ensure You Have Proper Fire Blocking

Holes and gaps in your wall and ceiling allow fire to spread quickly. Sealing these gaps can prevent or at least slow down the spread of fire, giving you more time to deal with the situation.

The best materials to seal these gaps are fiberglass or expanding foam. You can contact your electrician near Denver to help identify cavities near your electrical system.

7. Ensure all Wire Ends are Capped

Capping wire ends ensures that exposed ends are properly covered to prevent short circuits and electrical shocks. Even if there is no exposed end, it is always recommended to cap all wire ends. You can use wire nuts of the corresponding size to seal off the ends.

8. Repair or Replaced Over Fused Circuit Breaker

When a circuit breaker is over-fused, it can’t carry electricity safely through the wires. This situation can overheat and melt wires which leads to an electrical fire. The issue is usually caused by breakers being too big or faulty electrical installation.

Signs of an over-fused breaker include

Circuit breaker being constantly tripped.
Light brightness is not consistent.

If you suspect your circuit breaker is over-fused, contact a licensed electrician near you as soon as you can.

Trust ElectriCall For All Your Electrical Needs

For over 20 years, ElectriCall has served Arvada residents and business owners with quality electrical services. You can rely on us to get your home in top condition ahead of your electrical inspection.

What To Do When A Tree Is Touching A Power Line In Your Yard

A tree touching power lines is an electric danger that needs immediate handling. Besides potential damage to the wire, there is the risk of outages, fire, and electrocution from the current traveling through the tree. Electrocution may be possible even without direct contact with the wire or tree.

That is why a swift reaction is vital to safeguard life and property and to keep the power to your home on. However, trees on power lines are not a DIY project. Always consult a licensed electrician to help with these matters.

This article guides you on what to do and who to consult when a tree touches a power line in your yard.

Assessing The Situation

Before anything, you must assess the situation to know how dangerous it is and what to do next.

You must not forget that electricity may flow down the tree to the surrounding ground. So stay at least 30 feet away. Where possible, use binoculars or a camera to assess the situation. Please do not try to climb the tree or even touch it. Do not attempt DIY solutions like cutting or trimming. Also, wear non-conductive footwear like rubber boots.

Denver electricians are always ready to help you assess the situation.

Here is what to look out for:

1. Contact points – How much of the tree is in contact with the line? Generally, the larger the contact surface, the more serious it is. Depending on the contact area, you should arrange a scheduled visit or request immediate attention from the electricity supplier.

2. Physical damage – Look out for damage to the wire to see if it is sagging or if the insulation is compromised. Also, look out for hanging or broken branches, such may need an arborist to manage them.

3. Electrical hazards – Sparks, visible light, buzzing, humming, or crackling near the contact point indicate an electric arc. Also, look out for smoke, burning smell, or charring on the tree. These would be a direct signal of fire if power to the lines is not cut out in time.

4. Environmental factors – If it has been raining or snowing, the tree and ground may be wet, increasing the risk of electrocution and requiring extra caution.

Immediate Safety Measures

Once you have assessed the extent of the danger, you should take the following measures:

1. Stay at least 30 feet away from the danger zone. Current transmitted through the tree flows into and energizes the ground, creating a risk of electrocution within this zone.

2. Shuffle walk to avoid step potential if you are within the danger zone. Step potential is the variance in the current levels between your feet if you lift either. This enables the current to travel through your body and shock you. Shuffling keeps the current equal.

3. Warn others verbally or by putting up signs. You can also cordon off the areas to keep people and pets outside the danger zone.

4. Do not attempt to cut the tree or repair the line yourself if you are not qualified. Trees on power lines pose a significant danger that you must not take lightly.

5. Err on the side of caution. The danger may be significant even where there are no telltale signs of arcing. Moreover, a line that seems dead may suddenly become live and dangerous.

Contact Authorities

The safety approach would be to reach out to the relevant authorities if you notice any trees touching power lines. In Denver, Co, Xcel Energy is the primary provider of electricity.

Call Xcel Energy’s emergency number if you notice sparks, fire, or other emergencies. For non-emergency issues, reach out to Xcel Energy’s website or the customer care number during business hours.

Electrical contractors may be helpful in conducting a professional inspection and safety evaluation and implementing the appropriate safety measures. They may also coordinate with the utility company and arborist to safely remove the tree. You can find electricians in the Denver area by googling ‘electrical contractors near me’.

Preventive Measures

Simple preventive measures can help avoid the inconvenience and danger of trees falling on your power line.

Inspect trees close to your power line regularly and perform maintenance by trimming and pruning. You can also trim the canopy if it becomes too large. A qualified arborist is best equipped to handle all tree work near power lines.

When planting your trees, try to anticipate their reach in height and breadth. Opt for tree species whose foliage won’t reach the power line when fully grown. Trees that grow fast and tall may not be suitable to plant around power lines, as are trees whose branches break easily in the wind. Similarly, the tree’s adult height should be less than its height from the power line. For instance, a 10-meter-tall tree should be at least 10 meters away from the power line.

Arvada professional electricians will assess your property and help you make tailored recommendations if in the vicinity.

Why Hire Professionals When A Tree Touches A Power Line

Work on a tree that touches a power line is inherently dangerous. As such, it requires specialized knowledge to carry it out safely. In some instances, regulations require that a licensed professional assures the safest and most effective work.

Usually, Xcel Energy handles tree removal work for trees on power lines. However, electricians can help assess the severity of the situation safely. Electricians near Denver could come in vital as a preventive measure, evaluating and advising you on appropriate measures to avoid trees falling on a power line.

Conclusion

Trees touching power lines may pose a grave danger to lives and property when not handled properly. You must keep safe as you assess and alert others. Contact only qualified and authorized personnel to remove it. However, it is better to exercise prevention by planting and maintaining your trees in the proper manner.

Obtaining A Quote For Home Electrical Work Home

A quote for electrical work is an estimated or fixed price for a project. Since it is not recommended to do DIY electrical work, you may need to obtain a quote from a licensed electrician or electrical company. The quote will contain all the necessary information a professional electrician needs to get the job done.

Additionally, quotes aren’t only limited to electrical works. You can obtain quotes and estimates for most handyman services like auto repair, construction, and plumbing.

In this piece, you will learn how to obtain a quote for your electrical needs and the information required to process a quote.

Before you start looking for an electrical work quote, here are some things you need:

Pre-requisites Before Requesting A Quotation

Know the services you need an electrical quote for

Different electrical works necessitate obtaining quotes for proper planning. Therefore, you will need to specify which service you need so the electrician can know how to calculate the costs.

Electrical services may include:

Electrical inspections.
Electrical installation.
General maintenance.
Electrical repairs.
Home re-rewiring.
Landscape lighting.
Security system installation.
Backup power solutions.
Switchboard maintenance and upgrade.

Both you and the electrician need to be on the same page about the services required. If you’re unsure of the service you need, contact any electrical contractors near you for consultations.

Check if the contractor has a valid license

Rules and regulations require electricians to be licensed by local governments before undertaking any electrical work. Therefore, it is crucial that you conduct research to ascertain whether or not the electrician you’re getting a quote from is licensed.

You can check the licenses of electricians near Denver by going to the Colorado government website or the Colorado Uhire site.

Check if the contractor has the right qualifications

Most licensed contractors are qualified for the job. The problem arises when subcontractors are involved, therefore you should always ask if any subcontractors will be involved in the electrical work. If so, you should request proof of their license and permits.

Not key, but necessary, is you want to see the contractor’s ratings from their past clients. This will give you their testimonials and will prepare your mind for what to expect.

Such testimonials from fellow homeowners will tell you whether or not you can trust the contractor.

How To Request An Electrical Work Quote

Contact the electrician

Most electrical companies require you to contact them for a quote. The advantage of this is that verbal communication allows you to better articulate the problem. It also helps the electrician to guide you on how to handle the situation as you wait for help to arrive.

Other electrical companies will provide a form on their official website for you to complete, which lets you provide contact details to the contractor. You may also be able to upload an image or video of the issue to help with the initial assessment.

Mention any preferences you may have

When obtaining a quote, it is important to let the contractor know your preferences when it comes to your electrical system. You should list the materials and components you want, the brands you prefer, and the quality standards you expect.

Making your preferences known will go a long way in preventing conflicts during the project, as both parties having an understanding of the other’s expectations of them can make the work much faster and more effective.

Keep in mind that some preferences may involve extending project deadlines, or digging deeper into your pockets, particularly if your requirements mean the contractor needs extra time to acquire the required components.

Share your timeline

A discussion of timelines is essential when planning electrical works. Your contractor will need to know your preferred timeline to ensure that they can accommodate it. You should include time constraints you may have in the discussion in order to arrive at a timeline that works for both parties.

It’s also beneficial that your contractor is notified of any particular details outside of the job at hand. This can be other ongoing projects or other notable issues that may hinder the work. This will help them include everything in the quote. It’s about being open if you need genuine work done.

Ask for detailed written quotations

Finally, you should ask for a written document that shows all the necessary work details. The document needs to clearly show the outline of the job. This includes a breakdown of the costs, expenses, potential taxes, and estimated time of completion. The document should list all your material preferences and their costs.

You can use this written quotation to compare costs between different Denver electricians.

Get A Free Quote And Estimate From ElectriCall

At ElectriCall, we believe in transparency and have respect for your time. Our team of Arvada professional electricians are friendly, reliable, and prompt. We work effectively to complete all projects on time while taking into consideration your preferences and specifications. In addition, the licensed electricians we send to you are experienced and qualified to get the job done; no subcontracting is involved.

When Should You Schedule Power Companies For Energy Audits at Home?

ElectriCall electrician performing home energy audit and inspection — schedule energy efficiency testing with Denver power companies.

As energy costs keep rising, it is now more important to be aware of your energy use at home. Whether you depend entirely on the grid or work with a mix of electricity and solar energy, it does help to know your home’s efficiency level. Home energy audits will help you to learn what measures you can take to curb high energy bills.

An energy audit from a licensed electrician can help you identify which components of your home are the biggest energy wasters. In turn, you’ll be able to make data-driven decisions that result in huge savings.

In this piece, you’ll learn what a home energy audit is, what it entails, and how and when you should schedule one.

What Is A Home Energy Audit?

Home energy audit refers to the electrical assessment made on a residential property. It involves a series of tests to determine how energy-efficient your home is and how it can improve.

How Does The Home Energy Audit Work?

The assessment is done by a professional electrical inspector or licensed power company. Once you schedule the audit, an inspector will show up in your home and asses all the necessary electrical components.

The inspector will look into components like:

Heating and cooling system.
Energy efficiency of appliances.
Water heater.
Insulation.
Pumps.
Lighting.
Appliance energy use.

Home energy audits usually take between one to four hours. But depending on your home’s size and complexity, the process might take longer. With a proper assessment, your inspector will recommend the best approach to improving your energy efficiency.

You can pass on the recommendations to any electrical contractors near you to make the upgrades and repairs.

Scheduling Home Energy Audits

You can schedule the audit by employing the services of a contractor in your area. To find a licensed electrician, simply look for contractors listed on your local government’s website.

You can also get auditors from reputable electrical companies or use references from friends and family. Once you find the right auditor, agree on the cost and schedule a date to conduct the assessment.

When Should I Schedule A Home Energy Audit?

Summer

If you live in areas with warmer climates, such as Colorado, then scheduling the audit in summer is the better option. Denver, for example, records over 300 days of sunlight all year round. Therefore, having Denver electricians perform the audit in the hottest months is more practical.

During prolonged hot days, your cooling system is under considerable stress to cool your home. You may also find that your second floor is hotter compared to the ground floor, leading you to up the air conditioning. As a result, you’ll notice that you’re paying much more for your cooling system.

So, an energy audit in summer can help you identify ways to optimize your home’s cooling system, minimize air leaks, and reduce potential costs.

Hot weather can sometimes tag along with complicated heating issues that may affect certain systems. High temperatures increase the chances of equipment failures due to voltage fluctuations and overloaded circuits. In addition, the hot temperatures can exacerbate pre-existing problems like faulty wiring and degrading insulation. Home energy audits from electricians near Denver can help you avoid these problems and the unnecessary expenses that come with them.

All in all, any time of the year is good enough to get an energy audit. If you can’t schedule one in summer or winter, then autumn or fall will suffice.

Winter

This would be the perfect moment to schedule all your energy audits. It is during this time when homeowners see spikes in their energy bills. This is mainly due to the increased demand for heating and entertainment since many stay indoors. This helps inspectors to get more precise insights into your home’s HVAC and entertainment systems.

Getting the audit done in winter can also help you identify other issues that affect your electrical system. The licensed electrician will also look for things like wire corrosion, mold, mildew, and moisture damage during the assessment as well as things such as holiday lights that are only used during the holiday season.

Another added benefit of scheduling the audit in winter is the reduced demand from fellow residents. Since many people like scheduling home energy audits in summer, there’s far less competition in winter. As a result, the audit won’t cost as much, and you’ll be able to get more in-depth information about your home’s energy consumption.

What You Get From A Home Energy Audit

1. Better Home Value

A poll found that energy efficiency is among the top factors that influence the decision of home buyers. This confirms that any upgrade meant to reduce energy costs is of great value in any home.

2. Save On Energy costs

Implementing the recommendations you get after a home energy audit can result in huge savings on energy bills.

3. Improved Energy Efficiency

The main aim of home energy audits is to help homeowners boost energy efficiency in their homes. Getting an audit will help you identify weaknesses like leaks in insulations, heating and cooling systems, and appliances.

4. Elimination Of Guesswork

Home energy audits allow you to get to the root of the problem. Knowing exactly what to replace, repair, or upgrade goes a long way in saving time and expenses.

Get Accurate Home Energy Audits With ElectriCall

For over 11 years, ElectriCall has helped many Denver residents tackle unexplained surges in energy bills. You can count on us to do a thorough audit of your home’s electrical components and provide you with actionable recommendations.

Why You Should Drive An Electric Car

Electric car charging and driving on the road — ElectriCall LLC promoting energy-efficient transportation and smart home electricity use.

By 2024, there are estimated to be 3.3 million EVs in the US, an increase from 1.3 million electric cars in 2021. By 2030, the National Renewal Energy Laboratory forecasts that this figure will reach 30-42 million.

This popularity can be attributed to their eco-friendliness, cost-effectiveness, and technological advancements. And these benefits can only get better. With evolving technology and increased uptake, electric cars will become more affordable, powerful, and environmentally friendly.

This article explores the benefits you can enjoy from joining the millions of Americans who already drive an electric car.

Environmental Benefits

The exhaust fumes from gas vehicles are a significant contributor to the greenhouse gases that drive climate change. The CO2, Nitrogen Oxides, Sulfur Oxides, and particulate matter emitted by tailpipes also cause significant urban pollution, resulting in illnesses, deaths, and environmental degradation.

A chief attraction of electric cars is their zero emission of tailpipe gases as they rely on electricity for power. Even considering their charging power source, they still have a considerably smaller carbon footprint. These environmental benefits only get better as more people take up EVs.

Any negative impact on the environment will be reduced further by reliance on renewable energy sources and improvement in battery technology. By integrating clean energy sources like solar and wind into the power grid, EV batteries may be charged without harming the environment. Smart charging technology may also reduce charging time by hours.

Even more ambitious is the Vehicle to Grid (V2G) technology that makes the vehicle its own source of power. This also feeds energy back into the grid, freeing it from charging stations and extending its range significantly.

Economic Benefits

Electric cars are very affordable to run. Typically, the cost of recharging an electric car over a period amounts only to about 60% of the cost of gas. Recharging may even be cheaper if done from a renewable energy source or if offered as a perk by work or commercial places.

If you compare the costs of maintaining an electric vehicle and a gasoline one, you’ll notice the EV is much cheaper to maintain. Without an internal combustion engine, transmission, and exhaust systems, there are fewer moving parts that wear out. This means fewer replacements. For example, electric vehicles utilize regenerative braking, which puts less stress on rotors and brake pads.

The Federal government also offers the EV Tax Credit aimed at encouraging the uptake of EVs. In 2024, this stands at $7500 for a new EV or $4000 for a used EV, subject to qualifications.

Altogether, the economic benefits of owning an EV outweigh those of gasoline cars. An Atlas Public Policy study compared the savings of five EV models against their gasoline counterparts and found that the EVs saved $4,998 more on average.

Technological Advancements

The potential of technological advancements makes electric cars an attractive prospect. Though still in their developmental stages, features like autonomous driving promise a safe and hassle-free commute experience, even if you cannot drive. You may even use the commute time to get some work done and increase productivity.

With smart connectivity in today’s advancements, EVs will have more of these benefits. They already have software updates and unique communication with smart grids, and charging stations.

These will help anticipate the car and driver’s needs, make helpful recommendations, and even offer secure payment.

Advancements in battery technology promise more efficient, powerful, and longer-lasting batteries. Exploration of new materials like silicone anodes and lithium-sulfur and new forms like solid-state batteries may yield cheaper, safer, and more energy-dense batteries with quick charging capabilities.

More efficient batteries, an updated charging infrastructure, and improved charging technology such as wireless charging have extended the range of electric cars to rival gasoline-powered vehicles.

Convenience And Accessibility

Though gasoline-powered vehicles have far greater access to refueling than EVs, the EV industry aims to develop more access and convenience. A gasoline-powered car can only be powered by an external source – the gas station. On the other hand, EVs can be powered from home, at work, in public charging stations, and with V2G, even on the go.

Currently, there are over 4 million EV charging points, the majority of them private – on personal property or restricted public spaces. By 2021, public EV charging points numbered 43,000. It is easy to locate charging stations closer to you on the Alternative Fuels Data Center website.

Electric cars also have smoother, quieter rides. Since they operate on battery-powered electric motors, they lack the unavoidable noise and jolts from an internal combustion engine. Also, electric engines can deliver power smoothly across a broad range of speeds, eliminating the need for a transmission system.

Moreover, the EV’s capability to deliver instant torque allows it to accelerate faster while handling better than a gasoline car. Overtaking and merging back into traffic is also easier, not to mention improved off-road capabilities.

Common Concerns

Common concerns with electric vehicles include their initial cost and limited range.

Though EVs cost more than gasoline cars, their prices have been dropping – by as much as 21% since 2022. This has been due to lower battery costs, improved manufacturing efficiencies, and government incentives. Coupled with lower running and maintenance costs, EVs may well become cheaper.

Range anxiety issues are being addressed by an expanding charging infrastructure as well as improved battery and charging technology that allows for faster charging and increased range on a single charge.

Conclusion

Switching to an electric car offers immense benefits in savings, increased performance, enhanced access, comfort and convenience, and environmental sustainability. Even better, the EV environment is undergoing tremendous change that will unlock its true potential.

Electric cars are the face of a green future. Getting one now is the best decision you will have made. For reliable electrician services in Denver, CO, please contact ElectriCall.

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