Uncategorized Archives - Page 18 of 27 - Electricall

10 Electrical Improvements that Will Boost Home Value

If you are considering selling your home, the best way to enhance its value is by going for improvements that make it more sellable. Nothing will bring you greater returns on investment than correcting the flaws in your home.

From energy-saving upgrades to modern smart home technologies, electrical improvements are the most profitable way of correcting electrical flaws in houses, especially older ones.

Read on for more about the best and most valuable electrical improvements for your home.

Don’t Wait To Upgrade

Maybe this is not the best time to sell your home. Although the real estate market has been in a spike for the past five or six years, demand is now falling due to a rise in mortgage interest rates and an increase in housing inventory.

That means buyers are now unwilling or unable to afford the high mortgage rates, and you may have to accept lower prices than you would like. Fortunately, Denver, CO remains an attractive real estate market, and this phenomenon is temporary. Patience is all it requires.

Other sellers are also upgrading their homes as they wait for market conditions to improve. Electrical improvement is the answer to making your home stand out in the market when the time comes for you to sell, and you can enjoy the benefits of home improvement while waiting to sell.

What To Consider Before Making Electrical Improvements In Your Home

If you wish to get the most benefits out of the electrical improvements you make in your home, you must work according to a plan.

The electrical planning for a house begins by considering these factors:

· Immediate and future electric power needs – is your power supply sufficient for current and future needs? The electric installations in older homes may be insufficient to feed modern electrical appliances.

· Location of wiring for electrical systems – in many older homes, sockets may be few and inconveniently placed. Consider what convenient placement would be for the future homeowners.

· Other remodeling considerations – The placement of the electrical system will affect other remodeling projects, and many remodeling jobs like the kitchen and bathroom may include an electrical remodel as well.

· Costing plan – Is the electrical remodel cost a sensible investment? Remember that your intention is to recoup the home wiring cost.

· Lighting installations – the type and location of lighting features are significant selling points. Aim for efficiency, security, and attractiveness. For instance, chandeliers may have been the trend once, but less so now.

· Electric and building codes and insurance needs – Electric and building codes specify the bare minimum requirements for electric installations in a home. If your home is not up to standard, it may not even be sellable.

A qualified electrician must install and certify electrical improvements if you wish to sell your house in Arvada, CO.

10 Electrical Improvements to Boost Your Home Value

Here are 10 electrical improvements that will boost the value of your home when you sell:

1. Install A New Breaker Panel

At ElectriCall LLC, we believe installing a new breaker panel is the starting point for many home electrical upgrades. Many older homes come with a 100-ampere panel which is insufficient for the electric demands of a modern home. Upgrade to a 200-ampere electric panel with spare breaker options.

An electric panel breaker replacement results in more efficient energy management, replacing appliances that require more power. Appliances that require 240V outlets need a panel upgrade.

Though costly (around $2000), installing a new breaker panel enhances the value of your house when prospective buyers see that the home can meet their electric needs adequately and safely.

Because a new breaker panel significantly reduces the risk of electric-sparked fires, your home also becomes attractive to insurers who may accept lower premiums.

2. Install Three-Pronged Grounded Outlets

Three-pronged outlets can take in both three-pronged and two-pronged plugs, while two-pronged outlets will not accept three-pronged plugs without dangerous modification. Three-pronged plugs are becoming the norm now, as the third prong incorporates a grounded wire to ensure safety.

Since many appliances now sport three prongs as standard, three-pronged outlets are more universal and indispensable.

While three-pronged outlets will not shoot the value of your home through the roof, two-pronged outlets are a flaw that will make your home unattractive to buyers.

3. Consider Installing GFCI Protection

GFCI, Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter, is a mechanism to protect you from electrocution by shutting off power quickly in the event of a ground fault.

GFCIs are a legal requirement in Colorado, mandated to be installed in wet areas of high electrocution risk like kitchens, bathrooms, unfinished basements, specific outdoor locations, and within six feet of a laundry sink or water heater.

Since they are a legal requirement, your home has no commercial value until you have complied with and installed GFCI outlets.

4. Replace Damaged Outlets and Switches

Electrical improvement often involves little more than replacing damaged outlets and switches.

Besides the obvious danger damaged outlets and switches pose to life and property, they are an eyesore that puts off any prospective buyer, as they give off the impression of a rundown property.

Buyers’ perception of your home determines how much they are willing to pay. While it is not guaranteed they will give outlets and switches in good condition a second look, damaged switches are unmissable.

5. Replace Convenience Outlets Where Extension Cords Are Necessary

Useful as they are, electric cord extensions around Denver are an unsightly inconvenience that put off today’s discerning homebuyer.

You can improve the attractiveness of your property by replacing the extension cables with convenience outlets in all the necessary places.

6. Replace and Upgrade Light Fixtures

Replacing and upgrading your light fixtures is one of the electrical ideas you can implement to boost the value of your home.

First, have an electrician and lighting design expert assess your lighting needs regarding efficiency, safety, and aesthetic appeal.

The right light fixtures use energy efficiently and create an ambiance that resonates with the buyer. For instance, LED and recessed lighting are the current trends, being both modern and energy efficient.

Outside, you can add light fixtures in darker areas to increase visibility and security, which makes the property attractive to buyers.

7. Backup Power Source

Power outages in Denver, CO, and Arvada, CO, are not uncommon. When they occur, power outages may interfere with your refrigerator’s air conditioning, heating, and food. A home with power backup will therefore be more attractive to buyers.

You can buy a generator and hook it onto your electrical system to take over when the power goes out. An electrician in Arvada, CO, can help integrate the generator into your electrical system if you live in the city.

Installing solar panels will guarantee a power supply and can earn the homeowner money, enhancing the property’s value.

8. Rewiring

Old or damaged wiring is a flaw that will make your house harder to sell. For starters, if the wiring is over twenty years old, rewiring may be necessary to bring it up to code. Also, insurance companies will charge a higher premium to insure it as they will deem it risky. Old wiring poses a risk to people and property, and buyers will be reluctant to buy your house.

The cost of rewiring a house can be quite significant. For instance, in Denver, CO, the average cost to rewire a home ranges from $2000 – $20,000, depending on the square footage and other factors. It is impractical to expect to recoup that from selling your home. However, old and faulty wiring will drive the value of your home very low. It may even be hard to sell if an inspection reveals the flaw.

Your home wiring costs bring the property’s value to its actual level.

9. Improve the Interior and Exterior Lighting

Improving interior and exterior lighting beyond functionality certainly increases the commercial appeal of your home. Properly placed lighting can enhance the look of the living space. A small room may be made larger and a dull one livelier with lighting.

When you put your home on the market, exterior lighting is excellent for your home’s curb appeal.

As well as correcting flaws, upgrade the interior and exterior lighting to add dollars to your asking price.

10. Childproof Power Outlets

Childproofed power outlets uniquely appeal to buyers with young children or who intend to have a child soon. Young parents are naturally anxious about their child’s safety, and a home that takes that into account will pique their interest more than others.

Conclusion

All your electrical improvements won’t do much for your home value unless done by a professional electrician.

Many buyers, banks, insurance companies, and local authorities want proof that the property has been wired safely. Only a licensed electrician can provide such certification.

In Arvada, CO, a search for ‘residential electrician near me’, ‘best electrician near me‘, or such terms will bring up a list of Arvada electricians.

In Denver, CO, a search for terms like ‘electrician around me’ will bring up a list of electrical companies near Denver.

A Beginner’s Guide to Basic Electrical Repairs

Ideally, leaving electrical repairs to a qualified and licensed electrician is important for your home’s safety, long-term cost savings, and legal compliance. ElectriCall LLC is one of the few certified companies capable of providing the best repairs in Arvada, CO. Alternatively, you can also search for electrical companies in the Denver area. Nonetheless, there are some simple electrical repairs you can do yourself with little knowledge of electrical basics.

Doing your own simple electrical repairs saves you time and money and gives you the confidence you need to take on more challenging repairs. However, remember that you must be knowledgeable before doing any of these.

This post will take you through electrical wiring and installations you can do as a beginner. But first, we’ll learn about the basics of electricity, safety precautions, and tools you should have.

Fundamentals of Electricity

Electricity is dangerous to work with in ignorance. Something as simple as changing a light fixture is potentially fatal since the voltage that powers your home is enough to kill you.

Excess of caution is your first line safety mechanism. A short electricity course is an excellent idea if you wish to do your own electrical jobs.

Learn about the types of current carried by different wires, the color codes, as well as the carrying capacity of the cables. You should also be in a position to differentiate volts, amperes, ohms, watts, and many other relevant units.

Teach yourself about conductors and non-conductors and understand the concept of grounding and earth wires.

Most important, learn about how to work with electricity safely.

Tools for Basic Electrical Repair Projects

Basic electrical repair jobs involve a lot of measuring, cutting, twisting wires together, and screwing in or out. Different tools can help with these functions, but specialty tools work better and are safer as they feature insulated handles to prevent accidental electrocution.

Here are the tools you need for simple electrical repairs:

· Voltage tester

· Voltmeter

· Tape measure

· Fish tape

· Wire strippers and wire cutters

· Flashlight

· Utility knife

· Linesman pliers and needle nose pliers

Safety Precautions when Doing Electrical Repairs

Take these safety precautions seriously when doing electric repairs to eliminate the risk of accidental electrocution or damage to property. The primary objective of these precautions is to have a barrier between you and the live wire so that you do not accidentally complete an electric circuit. The best barriers are made of non-conductive material.

Here are the safety precautions you must observe when handling electrical circuits:

· Ensure that the power is switched off before you begin working and stays off as you work. As an extra precaution, remove the fuse and keep it in your pocket so that no one can turn on the power accidentally.

· Assume that the wires, apparatus, and outlets are live until you prove otherwise. Always confirm otherwise first using the voltage tester.

· Always use appropriate tools for any task. Dedicated electricians’ tools come with inbuilt safety mechanisms. Also, use quality and genuine electrical products. Knock-offs come off cheap but, in the end, may be disastrous.

· Wear protective gear. Gloves and shoes are excellent insulators and provide extra protection against the sharp tools you have to work with.

· Electricity and water are a dangerous mix. Always keep your working area dry to avoid the risk of electric shock.

· Do not undertake a repair project you have no idea how to do. Winging it puts yourself, others, and property at risk.

If in Denver, CO, an online search for the ‘best electrician near me’ or ‘residential electrician near me’ will bring up a list of qualified and reputable electrical companies.

Guide to Basic Electrical Repairs you can do as a Beginner

Here is a detailed guide to the most common electrical repairs you need not call an electrician for:

Changing Light Fixtures

Light fixtures include chandeliers, pendants, ceiling lights, wall lights, downlights, and floor lights. However, the most common is the light bulb, to which we turn our attention.

The obvious way to know you need to change your light bulb is when it won’t light. However, you should also change them when the light is dimmer than usual or when they flicker. Often the problem is with the bulb, though it may be with the switch or wiring too.

To change a light bulb:

You may need only a flashlight if you are working in the dark.

i. Switch off the power from the mains.

ii. Let the bulb cool down if it has been alight. Bulbs generate enough heat to burn you if you handle them immediately

iii. If the bulb is out of reach, step onto a sturdy ladder or use an extended light bulb changing pole.

iv. Unscrew the bulb from its socket in an anti-clockwise way. Do not hold it too tight as it is delicate and can shatter in your hands.

v. Screw the new bulb clockwise. Remember, anti-clockwise to remove, clockwise to install.

vi. Switch the light back on. If it doesn’t light, check that you have installed it correctly. Or check for a possible fault with the electrical circuit.

Other types of light fixtures have a bulb behind a cover. You remove this cover first and replace the bulb in a more or less similar way as described here.

Replacing Switches and Outlets

You should change old or damaged switches and outlets as soon as possible as they are risky to life and property. Also, change to update them, particularly if the outlets are two-pronged rather than three-pronged.

You should change your switches and socket outlets if:

· Wall switches and socket outlets are older than 20 years.

· Switches and outlets are hot when in use and have scorch marks.

· Switches and outlets are loose and wobbly, hanging off the wall, and don’t hold plugs properly.

· Lights or appliances delay starting, work in cycles, or there is a hum in the switch or outlet.

· Crackles and sparks when the switch or outlet is turned on.

Always replace the switch or outlet with the most updated product.

Follow this procedure to change the switch or outlet:

i. Turn off the power at the main switch and ensure it cannot be turned back on accidentally. You can use a voltage tester to confirm no power is flowing in the circuit.

ii. Remove the cover of the old switch/outlet by unscrewing it with a screwdriver, then carefully pull out the switch/outlet from the box.

iii. Note how the wires are laid out. Typically, there is one black wire, which is hot, one white neutral wire, and one green or bare copper wire, which is the grounding wire. If the switch/outlet is in the middle circuit, it will have two white wires.

iv. Disconnect the wires from the old switch/outlet by loosening them from the terminals.

v. Trim off the ends of the wire with a wire cutter so that you have a clean end for reconnection. Be careful not to snip off too much

vi. Make sure the new outlet is up to code before reconnecting the wires. The electricity code in many jurisdictions requires all new outlets to be tamper-proof (marked TR) to prevent accidental shock to children who stick objects into them.

vii. Reconnect the wires to the new switch/outlet guided by the manufacturer’s instructions. Black cables match with the brass terminal, then feed the white wire to the silver terminal and the green or bare grounding wire to the green terminal.

viii. Bend the tips of the wires with needle nose pliers to hook around the terminals. Tighten with a screwdriver.

ix. Tag gently to ensure they are tight, and wrap them with tape at each connection.

x. Bend the extra length of the wire to fit into the box and screw the new switch/outlet back in place.

xi. Turn on the switch at the mains and test the new installation.

Please engage a qualified electrician if you have read these instructions and find them hard to follow. Alternatively, search for ‘electricians near me’ in Denver, CO to bring up Arvada electricians.

· Installing Ceiling Fans

Ceiling fans are a plus money saver in both summer and winter. In the summer, fans circulate cool air around the house and air from central heating in the winter. As a result, your home requires less energy to heat or cool.

Installing a fan is an inexpensive electrical improvement that adds value to your home and one that you can undertake yourself.

All you need is a fan, a ladder, a toolbox, and a few hours. You should also know that straining upwards and looking up for 2-4 hours may leave you sore, but you will undoubtedly appreciate the fruits of your labor.

Here is how you install a ceiling fan:

i. As always, turn the power off and take precautions so that no one can turn it on accidentally.

ii. Remove the light fixture by unscrewing the feature that holds it to the ceiling. As you work, ensure that the fixture is held up by something other than the wires.

iii. Detach the wires by removing the plastic caps that hold them together.

iv. Install a new ceiling box since the typical ceiling box is not sturdy enough to bear the weight of a ceiling fan. Ensure you attach the fan to a ceiling box with the right ratings to sustain the weight of the fan.

v. Trace the shape and size of the new ceiling box on the ceiling and cut around it. Hold the box against the ceiling and fasten it stoutly with the screws provided. Next, thread the wires through the knock-out hole in the box.

vi. Wire the fan through the fan box by following the instructions in the installation manual that came with the fan. Usually, you wire it in the same way as the light fixture. Then securely attach the canopy.

vii. Attach the fan blades as instructed by the manual.

viii. Many fans have a slot to attach the light fixture wiring as usual.

ix. Turn the power on to test your installation.

Remember that fans differ, and your best guide is the instruction manual that comes with it.

Rewiring

House wiring jobs in Denver, CO, are best undertaken by a qualified and licensed electrician. You will need certification for various purposes as to the soundness of the home wiring system. Only a licensed electrician can provide that.

Conclusion

Of the many electrical installation and repair jobs that you can DIY, changing the light bulb and replacing switches and outlets can be done safely by beginners. You can take on more complex repair projects as your skills and confidence grow.

In the meantime, engage the services of a qualified electrician in Arvada, CO, to handle the trickier repair jobs for you.

The Importance of Regular Electrical Inspections

An electrical inspection is a comprehensive review undertaken to ensure that the electrical system in a building meets safety standards. Such inspections are necessary to avert the risk to life and property that electricity naturally poses.

Many of Denver, CO’s homes are old. Between 1950 and 1990, over 41,300 homes were built, many of these homes are still in use, wired according to the electrical codes of the time, and now aged and even more dangerous. The norm was to use aluminum for wiring and the Zinsco and Federal Pacific panels for circuit breakers.

All these have now been found to be inefficient, in the case of Zinsco and Federal Pacific breakers, and are also outright dangerous. Today, no code will approve them, nor will any insurance company be willing to cover any of these buildings.

Qualified electricians from ElectriCaLL LLC, inspections will uncover such outdated features in your home and give you a chance to rectify them and bring your building to code.

Electrical Inspections Checklist

Electrical inspections carried out in Denver, CO are thorough and systematic, looking at code compliance and soundness of the system and seeking to uncover potential hazards.

Arvada electricians will typically review the wiring system, the breaker panel, light fixtures, electrical appliances, and fire emergency preparedness. The electrical inspection checklist may vary in detail depending on whether it is minor or comprehensive. However, the checklist generally reviews the following details:

The wiring system

The wires are in good condition and well insulated, not detached, cut, frayed, or in any way damaged or deteriorated.
Earthing and grounding wires are correctly installed.
There is adequate insulation, especially in the wet areas.
The wires in a circuit are correctly grouped and the distribution panel is well labeled.

Switches and outlets

Switches and outlets work well. There is no delay, heating, burning, or crackling when the socket is used.
The outlets are three-pronged and are enough to avoid overloading and reliance on extension cords.

The electric panel

The electric panel can sustain the building’s power needs.
The circuit breakers are working properly.
The lighting fixtures are the correct wattage and are working properly.

When To Do An Electrical Inspection

An electrical inspection will catch potential risks before they become a problem, but only if the inspection is not overdue.

An electrical inspection is due under these circumstances:

Ten years after the last inspection to bring the system up to code or if your home is older than 25 years and you have never done an electrical inspection.
Before a major renovation so you can incorporate the necessary changes.
Before purchasing or selling a building.
When you notice the electrical system is performing erratically.
After a catastrophic weather event like a storm.
After installing an electrical system in a new building.

Who is Authorized to Perform an Electrical Inspection

You can and should perform a light-handed electrical inspection, especially when you notice the electrical system not working properly or after a storm. However, a qualified and licensed residential electrician will do a professional job as they have the necessary skills. Also, they can certify the inspection and give you a report. In Arvada, CO, you can get a licensed electrician from any electrical company in the Denver area.

Benefits of Regular Electrical Inspections

Here are the specific benefits you get from regular electrical inspections on your building, whether residential or commercial:

1. Saving Money

Regular electrical inspections uncover areas of concern with your electrical system and allow you to correct them before they get out of hand.

For instance, a single bare wire may melt the insulation off nearby wires and short out the whole system. A regular electrical inspection may discover and replace the single wire and avert the more costly measure of rewiring.

A defective electrical system also poses a risk of damage to fixtures and appliances, which costs money to replace. Any inspection that reveals such defects saves money in the long run. A faulty electrical system increases electricity consumption, pushing electricity bills. Regular electrical inspections enable you to rectify the problem and save on electricity costs.

2. Keeping People Safe

Over 400 people lose their lives, and 4000 suffer injuries from electrical shock. Many of these fatalities and injuries come from a faulty electrical system.

Many old Denver, CO homes still have aluminum wiring and outdated and dangerous Zinsco and Federal Pacific electrical breakers as well as being inadequately grounded. All these pose the risk of death and injury to the unaware.

Electrical inspection on houses older than twenty-five years reveals such shortcomings so that you can rectify them. Aluminum wiring can be tipped with copper wires at the connections, and the Zinsco and Federal Pacific breakers can be replaced with safer modern versions.

3. Maintaining Electrical System Efficiency

Your electrical system should be able to meet the power needs of the home or building most energy-efficiently. That is only possible if the system is designed and maintained at optimum capacity.

Even where the original installation was to optimum standards, normal wear and tear of the parts and damage reduce the components’ efficiency. By leaking and wasting power as well as undermining the performance of the appliances and fixtures, the whole system becomes inefficient.

Regular electrical inspections identify and correct components falling into disrepair in time.

4. Ensuring Compliance with the Electrical Code

Electrical installations in Arvada, CO, are governed by the National Electrical Code that protects the consumer. There are also federal, state, and local regulations that also specify the types of materials that can be used in wiring as well as how the installation must be done.

The codes further require that qualified personnel does the electrical installation. To ensure that you have complied, a qualified and licensed electrician must inspect and certify the electrical installation in your building.

Since responsible government agencies are continually updating these codes, you must regularly inspect the electrical installation in your building to bring it into compliance.

5. Avoiding Malfunctions

A worn or inadequate electrical system is among the primary causes of malfunctioning fixtures, appliances, and the equipment it powers.

For instance, the Zinsco breakers were notorious for transmitting power even after tripping the circuit breaker, which meant that the appliances attached to the wiring were unprotected against power surges. Exposed to more current than they were designed to bear, electronics, fixtures, appliances, and equipment often malfunctioned.

Regular electrical inspection reveals such inadequacies as they occur and before they have had the chance to cause much damage.

6. Boosts the Properties Resale Value

If you wish to sell your property, you must know that any sensible buyer will inspect your home as a precautionary measure before engaging you with seriousness. An electrical system that doesn’t comply with the code, is dilapidated, or doesn’t meet anticipated power needs will turn away most prospects, and any offers you get may be well below the value of your home. However, if you can show prospective buyers that you have kept up with regular electric inspections, and if the prospects can see that for themselves, you can ask for your home’s actual worth and may even sell quicker.

7. Lowering Insurance Premiums

Insurance companies charge you a premium according to how risky they view your premises. Before they agree to insure your home and to work out how much premium to charge, the company assesses the level of risk the home faces. Higher risks mean higher premium payments.

If the company deems the risk too certain, it may even refuse to insure your home. The poorer the electrical installation in a building is, the higher the risk of fire the building faces. An insurance company will be unlikely to insure a building like that except at exorbitant premiums. Insurance companies will also refuse to insure you if your building’s electrical system has features like the old Zinsco and Federal Pacific breaker panels.

Regular electrical inspections alert you early to the factors that may make it harder for you to get affordable insurance so that you can correct them early on.

8. Avoiding Downtimes and Increasing Productivity

A dilapidated electrical system is an unreliable source of electric power. You cannot anticipate when electric equipment will fail and you never know when or how long it is likely to be out.

For businesses dependent on electricity to any extent, you cannot work when power is down, losing to competitors and losing money by the minute. A reliable electrical system enables your business to be more productive and regular electrical inspections help you achieve this by reducing downtimes and attendant costs.

9. Prolonging the lifespan of fixtures, appliances, electronics, and equipment

Exposing electrical fixtures, appliances, equipment, and electronics too unstable and sometimes too high power is a way to shorten their lifespan. Many quality fixtures, appliances, electronics, and equipment are costly and not easily replaceable. Carry out regular electrical inspections to uncover any electrical problems that may cause unstable power flow and correct them.

Schedule an Electrical Inspection in Arvada, CO

Engage with a qualified electrician to do your electrical inspection, as they will know what to look out for and will advise you accordingly. Also, a professional electrician will be more up-to-date with the frequently changing electrical code requirements.

In Arvada, CO, you can find a professional electrician online by searching ‘electrician near me,’ ‘residential electrician near me,’ or some similar term.

4 Reasons Why You Get Shocked When You Touch Shower Knobs

Are you feeling light tingles when you touch shower knobs or other metallic plumbing fixtures? According to the electrical safety standards, your bathroom’s electrical system should be well-grounded to avoid electric shocks, so you should be concerned by any tingling from shower knobs and sink faucets. The best you can do in this case is to contact a Colorado electrician to help.

How Does A Shower Head Work?

Turning your knob to the right automatically directs the trim to pull water from the storage, which goes into the pipes. Cold water flows through the pipes into the heater, and once the water is hot, excess cold and hot water mix in the valve, releasing the water off the shower head.

Why You Are Getting Tingles From Your Shower Knobs

Grounding is when excess electrical current is directed to the ground through a metal plate fixed on the ground to protect any building and its occupants from excessively high voltage. The problem in your case can occur when your house has poor grounding, and a hot water pipe is electrified due to faults in the house’s wiring. Once you feel the tingles or get shocked by a tap or a shower knob in the house, you should avoid the area and immediately call a professional Arvada electrician.

What Causes Electric Shocks with Shower Knobs?

Electric shock is a serious safety concern that needs immediate addressing to stop further safety issues. As much as it is recommended to have a residential electrician from the Denver metro area fix the problem, it is good to know the possible causes. These include:

Electrical Storms

Showering under a shower head when it’s raining is not recommended. During a thunderstorm, lightning can strike electrical wires and other conducting materials, which can cause a surge of electricity to flow in your house’s plumbing system. With the electrical surge, the water in the plumbing system can easily get electrified, thus potentially`electrocuting anyone in contact with shower knobs, faucets, and other metal plumbing fixtures around the house.

To ensure electrical safety for every occupant in the house, keeping off all faucets during a storm until the rain stops is the best idea.

Improperly Grounded Appliances

Using improperly grounded appliances such as hair dryers or electric shavers often causes electricity to flow into your plumbing system. This means anyone touching a plumbing metal fixture within the system can get electrocuted. You can only avoid this if professional electricians from Denver regularly inspect your house.

Stray Voltages

This occurs when electrical currents leak into the ground with underground cables or other electrical equipment. When either of these gets into contact with plumbing pipes, it increases the chances of electrocution when someone touches a shower knob, faucet, or other metallic plumbing fixture. The stray voltages are often a result of different factors, including faulty wiring, which creates a path for electricity to flow through the shower knob or faucet.

Poor installation of plumbing fixtures

If installed improperly, plumbing pipes can make contact with electrical wiring and other electrical appliances that cause current to flow to the pipes. This, too, leads to electrocution upon touching the faucet. Note that the intensity of the current flowing through the pipes will determine the degree of electrocution.

What to Do Incase of an Electric Shock at Home

Electrocution can be quite fatal if not managed in time. So, when one is electrocuted, here are the right things to do while waiting for professional help:

Turn Off The Power

The first and most important step is to turn off the power at the mains to prevent more current from flowing to the circuit and causing further damage. Remember, you should not assist the electrocuted person until the main power source is turned off to prevent you from getting electrocuted too.

Check for a Pulse

Electrical shocks can be quite intense. First, you must ensure the electrocuted person is breathing and has a noticeable pulse. If the person is not breathing, you’ll note it through their lack of a pulse. You should, therefore, help resuscitate the victim until medical help arrives.

Move the victim

If the electrocuted victim is still close to the cause of electrocution, you need to help move them away from the electrical source. You must, however, ensure you only touch the person after all electrical mains are switched off. Otherwise, you, too, will be at risk of electrocution. It’s also important to note that you should not touch their skin or clothes directly when moving them. Instead, use a non-conductive material such as a wooden object to push them away from the source of electrocution.

Call An Electrician

Once the victim is in safe hands that would manage their injuries, call a residential or a local electrician that will inspect the house for the appropriate fix. You may sometimes have to cater for any necessary repairs unless you have your house insured. However, if you are still covered by the electrical company that did your first installation in the house, you can have them make the necessary repairs at little to no cost.

Electrical Safety Facts to Remember About Your Bathroom

Avoid using hair dryers and other electrical radiating appliances in the bathroom or other water sources. This is because condensation can get through to the appliances and be a potential cause for electrical shocks along the water line.
Avoid handling electrical appliances with wet hands. Before touching your equipment, dry your hands with a towel to prevent your electricals from coming into contact with water and causing electrocution. Do not be ignorant of any appliance. Even the smallest, like flat irons and electric shavers, can cause electrocution.
Central heating has become the best and safest way to warm your room. However, if you have an electric beater, keep it away from your bathroom, kitchen, or toilet to avoid electrocution in water.
Do not attempt your electrical repairs if you are not qualified to do so. Instead, call professional electricians in the Denver metro area to help with any electrical repairs.

Importance Of Understanding The Reasons For Electrical Shocks In The Bathroom

The importance of electrical safety awareness at home cannot be understated. The main reasons for this include:

Identifying Potential Hazards

By frequently inspecting your house, you can identify any risks that could cause possible electrocution. It is important that you have a residential electrician do these surveys around the house, but if you can do it in person, it’s much better since you can note a problem before it escalates.

How To Reduce The Risks

Once you have identified the risks, you can prevent any possible cause of electrocution or teach your house occupants how to handle different issues. However, when it gets to wiring systems and electrical circuitry, you must let trained persons take over.

Conclusion

The bathroom is one area you cannot avoid. In most cases, it is often accessed by everyone in the house, therefore you must learn to keep the bathroom safe from all electrical problems. In this case, the best approach to avoid future problems is scheduling frequent inspections with residential Denver metro area electricians to keep the house safe for everyone.

4 Benefits Of Installing A Voltage Stabilizer

Despite the myths that voltage stabilizers are for homes with unpredictable power outages, every home needs one to keep all electronics functioning at their best. A voltage stabilizer’s main essence is to ensure there is a constant flow of electricity to your appliances in case of a power surge.

While it sounds unnecessary, it is vital to every household as it keeps all electronics from problems caused by overheating.

Why Should You Have A Stabilizer?

There are various benefits of having a voltage stabilizer installed with your appliances, including:

Keeping Household Appliances From Malfunctioning

Every gadget has a voltage limit that, if exceeded, can cause malfunction through overheating or short-circuiting, resulting in permanent damage to the device.

The voltage stabilizer keeps the voltage at the required level neutralizing the chances of electrical burnout from sudden voltage spikes.

Extending The Life Of Appliances

Usually, voltage stabilizers ensure that power flows smoothly and with the right voltage to the appliances, keeping the devices running as they should, which keeps them in good condition, prolonging the life of the appliance.

Being Cost Effective

Buying a voltage stabilizer may be initially expensive, but it eventually reduces overhead costs for repairing a malfunctioned appliance as well as increases the lifespan, saving you the money you could have used to improve, repair, or replace the devices.

Safeguarding Life and Preventing Electric Malfunctions

Electrical malfunctioning is often ignored, possibly due to not knowing how to deal with it or due to cost issues, but can cause irreversible harm and, in some cases, death. So, it should always be taken seriously.

These malfunctions are one of the leading sources of fires in Denver, so installing a voltage stabilizer and minimizing the risk of electrical malfunctions can keep you safe from potential fires.

How To Choose A Voltage Stabilizer

Choosing the best voltage stabilizer depends on factors such as the input and output voltages, type of load, and capacity. Here are some things to consider when choosing the best voltage stabilizer for your appliance.

Determine The Voltage Input Range

The voltage stabilizer should be able to handle the minimum and maximum voltage fluctuations within the input voltage range of your appliance, so be sure to check the voltage range for the various devices that will be served by the stabilizer.

Check The Output Voltage

You don’t want a situation where the output voltage from the stabilizer is too high or too low for the device’s requirements. You must, therefore, check that the output voltage of your stabilizer matches the expected voltage for your electronic appliance.

Consider The Load Application

Different loads have different requirements for voltage stabilization. Whether you have a motor, fridge, computer, audio system, or TV, each of these devices has a specified load limit, so you must ensure they are all within the voltage range of the stabilizer.

Type Of Voltage Stabilizer

There are two major types of voltage stabilizers: static stabilizers and servo-controlled units. Static stabilizers are cheap to acquire and are quite compact, while servo-controlled stabilizers are more reliable for heavy loads.

Which Appliances Need Voltage Stabilizers?

Here are a few appliances that require the use of stabilizers:

ACs

AC stabilizers come in different ranges, from heavy to light loads, depending on your room size. Ideally, air conditioners have components that make them voltage sensitive, so you must constantly protect them from voltage instabilities by installing a stabilizer. However, this is most important for areas that have frequent voltage fluctuations.

Televisions and Refrigerators

Although fridges have a high voltage capacity, excess voltage is enough to permanently cause malfunction, so they need a voltage stabilizer to function properly.

Televisions, on the other hand, have minimal capacity, which makes them very sensitive to any excess voltage. Therefore, ensure your television has an operational stabilizer at all times.

What Causes Voltage Fluctuations

According to Denver-licensed electricians, there are many causes of voltage fluctuations. Some can be resolved with measures to reduce their impact, while others are beyond human control. These causes include:

Grid Load Differences

Different locations across the US and the world at large have varying electricity demands that can cause grid variations, leading to unexpected fluctuations. Other factors, including weather, the time of the year, industrial activity, and special events, also bring about varying demands for electricity.

These may increase the electricity demand based on factors such as demand for cooling or heating with weather changes when people are likely to use more electricity for their AC or heating appliances.

In this case, the best solution is to install voltage regulators on individual main circuits, which is the responsibility of the grid supplier.

Faulty Wiring

Damaged and worn-out electrical cables are a specific problem in older buildings with unreliable power supplies. For example, improper wiring can increase resistance, causing a voltage drop. The best solution here is regular inspection and maintenance of electrical equipment in order to can spot specific issues that a local electrician can handle. You also need to be sure your house has proper wiring and grounding, tested and certified by a professional electrician. This will reduce voltage drops brought about by improper wiring.

Power Surges

This often occurs due to lightning, earthquakes, floods, and other natural disasters that tamper with the electrical equipment, causing sudden changes in the grid voltage and possible voltage spikes.

Electrical Equipment

Some electronics, such as motors and compressors, can cause voltage fluctuations during their start-up and shut-down processes. The best way to curb this is to ensure regular maintenance of electrical equipment.

Fluctuating Voltages From The Power Supply

Voltage surges brought about by this factor can be caused by different issues such as the quality of power infrastructure, distance from the power source, and capacity of the load on the grid. The only way to curb this is by improving power infrastructure by investing in upgraded transformers and power lines.

What Are The Key Components In A Voltage Stabilizer

Mounting Element

Like every other electronic, the voltage stabilizer can be damaged if it gets wet or is placed on an unsafe surface. It can also harm children or any other person unaware of the risks of such situations, therefore, before buying any stabilizer, check that it has a mounting element so that you can place it away from daily-use places to avoid electric shock

Indicators

Recent models are now being bought with LED gauges to show the voltage released to the appliances and the one being regulated.

Time Delay Systems

This feature is especially common in fridge compressors and ACs. When a short power outage happens, the timer system immediately activates so that the voltage flow balances the device in the shortest time possible.

Digitized Systems

This feature best applies when moving the stabilizer from one appliance to another. When this happens, the appliance readjusts and adapts to a new gadget and continues operating immediately.

Overload Protection

The overload protection component shuts down the stabilizer when a short circuit occurs or if anything burns due to a circuit overload.

When Does Overvoltage Occur

Overvoltage occurs when the voltage reaches higher than 15% of what is noted on the device. Usually, before anything, overvoltage hits circuits and motherboards of appliances, which then overheats the apparatus. Overheating occurs when the extra heat is being converted instead of the device operating as it should. The heat continues to rise, which can to destroying the appliance.

When Does Undervoltage Occur?

Undervoltage occurs when power running through the circuit of a device goes below the recommended amount, which can lead to the degradation of a product.

Conclusion

Every home in Denver has been a victim of a power outage or burnout of electrical appliances. So, if your house lacks a voltage stabilizer, consider purchasing one from your local electrical store or ask your residential electrician in the Denver metro area to help install the device.