It goes without saying that home renovations can be quite costly, but electrical upgrades are often necessary for a variety of reasons. From safety to convenience, there are benefits for homeowners who take on this project that can also prove cost-efficient in the long term.

Here are some of the most common reasons you might choose the electrical upgrade for the system:

Safety- If your wiring or outlets are outdated or damaged, they may not provide enough power to run newer appliances and gadgets safely and you may also be at risk if your electrical system fails. Upgrading will ensure everything is up-to-date so you can rest knowing your home and your family is safe. As upgrading the wiring and outlets around your home is no easy job, it should be noted that this should only be done by qualified personnel, including the electricians near Denver, CO.

Convenience – Electrical upgrades can also make things easier for homeowners. For example, smart homes use technology like voice commands and remote control devices for everyday tasks like controlling lights or adjusting thermostats. Arvada electricians advise that these smart devices will work even better with an upgraded electric system.

Essential Electrical Upgrades for the Home

The following are some of the top electrical upgrades you should consider:

Upgrading outdated outlets

Outlets are one of the most common sources of electrical problems and should be replaced if they are over 20 years old. Outlets before 1996 can not handle today’s high-powered devices such as computers and hair dryers. This means that they are more likely to short out and start a fire.

If you want to upgrade your outlets but don’t know where to start, contact any qualified electrical contractor today! These electricians near Denver can install new outlets in any room of your home within 24 hours.

Install GFCI Outlets in relevant places

A ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) is an outlet that detects when electricity leaks to the ground and shuts off power to the outlet or circuit to prevent shock hazards. This is particularly crucial in rooms such as bathrooms and kitchens where water might come into contact with electricity. Assuming you own a pool or a spa in your backyard, you should install GFCIs at all outdoor outlets to shut them off so that any accidents involving water and electricity are stopped before they cause harm.

Replace Old Wiring with New Copper Wiring

Installing new copper wiring is a must-have electrical upgrade. Copper wiring is more efficient and safer than older wire types. It also has less resistance and uses less energy so the wires do not get hot when used.

Install Additional Circuit Breaker Panels

If you have an older home or are planning on adding additional circuits in your house, consider installing additional circuit breaker panels instead of using extension cords or power strips with surge protectors. When extension cords become overloaded, they can overheat and start fires almost immediately. For this reason, cords should only be used as a temporary solution until permanent wiring is installed in your home by a professional Arvada electrician.

Upgrading Old Fuses with Circuit Breakers

Fuses are one of the first defenses of circuit protection used in homes and businesses. The problem with fuses, however, is that they can blow or burn out, leaving your home without power. There is also little to no warning when they fail, leaving you in the dark or burning up whatever appliance they’re protecting.

Circuit breakers (also called circuit protectors) are an upgrade from fuses because they’re more reliable and safer. If there’s a problem with an outlet or appliance with a circuit breaker, the breaker trips before any damage is done. You’ll also know right away if there’s any problem with your electrical system because you’ll see the lights go off at that point and the circuit breaker is designed such that it will tell you in which area of the building the problem has occurred This will help prevent fires from starting in your home due to faulty wiring or overloaded circuits.

Installing Surge Protectors in Your Appliances to Protect Against Power Surges

Surge protectors are another simple way to protect your electronics from power surges and electrical storms. The surge protectors prevent excessive voltage from flowing into your home and causing permanent damage to your appliances. They’re often used for expensive electronics like TVs, computers, microwaves, gaming consoles, etc., but smaller appliances can still benefit from having one installed on them (think coffee pots, blenders, hair dryers, etc.). It’s important to note that not all surge protectors are created equal, so it’s to research them before buying one!

Motion Detectors on Outdoor Lights so that they don’t stay on when there is no movement nearby

If you have motion sensors installed on your outdoor lights, they will only come on when someone is in their vicinity. This is a great sustainable energy and money strategy, but only if installed properly. Many people assume that they can simply plug a motion sensor into an outlet and forget about it, but this isn’t true. To get the best results from your motion sensor, you must ensure it’s placed where it can detect movement at all times. For example, particularly elevated or depressed parts of your property may defect the efficiency of the lights. Obstacles between the sensor and the path of motion can also disrupt the light fixture’s signals.

Install Smoke Detectors and Carbon Dioxide Detectors

Smoke detectors are one of the most important devices in your home because they alert you about fire emergencies before it’s too late. Likewise, carbon dioxide (CO2) detectors can alert you when there’s CO2 buildup in the home. It is paramount to have an electrical contractor properly install these devices on every level of your home to ensure that, in the event of an emergency, everybody is alerted.

Install LED Lights

If you are looking for ways to save on your electric bill, then the best place to start is with your light bulbs. Unfortunately, most people don’t realize that they can save money on their electric bills by simply changing out their old incandescent light bulbs for LED lights. The average LED bulb lasts 10 times longer and uses far less power than an incandescent bulb, saving you money in both the long and short term as well as maintaining a green environment.

If you’re considering the electrical upgrades of your system at home, hire an electrical contractor with experience who adheres to local building codes. If the technician does not correctly install the power and wiring upgrades, they can pose serious safety risks and other issues.

Electrical panels, a significant part of any electrical system, can shut off the power to your house in an emergency and also control how electricity flows throughout your home.

But what if your circuit breaker panelboard isn’t working correctly? How do you go about these electrical repairs?

Many things can happen to make an electrical panel hazardous. For example, a faulty breaker or fuse can cause sparks or smoke, and loose connections could result in arcing or fire. A licensed electrician in Arvada can address these problems immediately and determine what needs to be done to ensure that your home is safe.

The risks associated with an unsafe electrical panel are too great for homeowners to ignore. If you think your electrical system has become dangerous due to age or wear and tear, contact an electrician immediately.

Ways to Know If Your Electrical Board is Protected

An unprotected electrical board can be hazardous for you and your family because it does not offer any protection from electricity leakages or surges. If you have such a board in your home, it is best that you arrange for a panel replacement right away.

Here are some tips on how to tell if your electrical board is protected or not:

Check for Labels

If you see a label on an electrical board, it means the panel has been tested and approved by an independent agency. There are also labels that indicate if the board has been tested and approved by Underwriter Laboratories (UL), NEC, or International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). These labels assure that the product meets specific safety standards. If your electrical board doesn’t have any of these labels, it means they are unprotected and can break down at any moment.

Crackling Noises from the Breaker Box

If you hear a crackling noise coming from the breaker box, this is an indication that there is a problem with the electrical panels. A crackling noise occurs when there is a short circuit or overload on one of your breakers and can mean that too many appliances are plugged into the circuit, putting undue strain on the breaker box. If this happens, then it is time to call a licensed electrician for circuit panel replacement. You should never attempt to fix this yourself as this can cause further issues such as an electrical fire or shock if not done correctly.

Frequently Tripping Breakers

This is probably the most common sign that an electrical board is not protected. If your circuit frequently trips, it could mean that something is wrong with the electrics or the breaker’s control board. One of the most common causes for frequent tripping is loose connections in the wires or at the breakers themselves. Another cause is a shortage in your wiring, which could be caused by faulty equipment, such as a faulty appliance or light fixture. It’s important to have an electrician inspect your electrical board if you notice frequent tripping.

Burning Plastic Smells from Electrical Panels

The smell of burning plastic from your electrical panels can also indicate that you have a problem. Plastic smells are typically caused by overheating in appliances like ovens or refrigerators. If you notice such a smell coming from your home’s electrical panels, it would be best to get someone to assess the situation as soon as possible.

Rust on the Panel Box

Rust on the panel box could mean moisture penetrating it and compromising its integrity. Moisture can cause rust, which can lead to short-circuiting and fires and can increase the risk of shock if touched by bare hands or any metallic object such as a screwdriver or wrench.

This is risky since it can ignite fires unexpectedly. The best way to prevent this is by hiring a professional electrician to inspect and install a waterproof cover over your panel box.

Electric Shocks When You Touch Socket outlets

There are serious risks at hand if there is no protection on your electrical board. One of them could be that there is no grounding wire when you touch socket outlets in your home. When this happens, you might get electric shocks when touching socket outlets because they do not have any grounding wire attached to them.

Such electrical repairs need immediate attention for the safety of those in your home, including those of your pets.

Pest Damage on the Panel Box

If you see any signs of pest damage or infestation, including rodent droppings or chew marks, having an electrician inspect your electrical board is a good idea. Rodents can cause irreversible damage to electrical systems by chewing through power lines and causing short circuits. If they get inside your electrical box, they can also cause it to overheat, which will cause more damage.

If you suspect pests are causing problems with your electrical board, schedule an appointment with an electrical contractor for a thorough inspection.

If you notice any of the above issues, call an electrician. But if you see none of the above and see all wiring is intact, you can rest assured that you have a protected electrical board as long as you see the safety tags. However, even if you are assured of the protection, it is best to schedule maintenance checks with licensed electricians to ensure your premises are still safe. Similarly, you may not have heard any red alerts from your panel box, but if you use outdated panel boxes such as the Zinsco and the Federal Pacific Panels, you should also schedule their replacement. Such old-school circuit boxes don’t meet the necessary wiring standards that can protect your home in case of a fault.

You must electrify your yard as technology advances, and our standard of living becomes simpler. If we look at our home appliances, they have become more compact and portable, allowing us to bring them anywhere. At the same time, however, their power consumption has also increased significantly. This is why it is essential to consider installing outdoor outlets. Not only is it a relaxing and excellent beautification project, but it’s also quite cheap in Arvada, as long as you get a professional electrician nearby.

Having to electrify your yard and outdoor outlet can also increase the value of your property, as illustrated below:

Bring your Open Kitchen Outdoors

The best way to ensure you get the most out of your outdoor space is by incorporating it into your everyday life, using it for entertaining or even cooking. Outdoor outlets help you to easily do both! 

You can even make sure that everything runs smoothly by connecting it directly with your indoor outlets so that everything works when you need it to. However, considering the amount of power consumed by most kitchen appliances, it is best when you have the installation done by a qualified Denver electrician. 

Only then can you enjoy:

• Outdoor refrigeration – You can easily have an outdoor refrigerator with an outdoor outlet. This will allow you to store food items that need refrigeration outdoors without worrying about them getting damaged or exposed to the elements such as rain or sun.
• Outdoor grilling – If you love barbequing, you will appreciate having an outdoor outlet at home so you can easily set up your barbecue grill outside and can cook as much food as possible without worrying about the expenses of propane gas or charcoal on the grill!

Simplified Outdoor Cleaning

Outdoor outlets are convenient for cleaning and they can electrify your yard. You don’t have to carry a long extension cord outside whenever you want to plug in a vacuum cleaner or power washer. No more running back and forth between your garage and the backyard with an extension cord!

You can use a:

• Pressure Washer

One of the most common uses for an outdoor outlet. You can use it to wash your car, patio furniture, garage floor, driveway, and sidewalks as well as windows, decks, and other surfaces.

• Leaf Blower

This tool helps blow leaves from your lawn and garden. It’s also useful for cleaning out gutters and debris from flower beds.

• Weed Whacker

A weed whacker is a handheld device used to trim unwanted vegetation without having to bend over or kneel on the ground. You can also use it on any type of terrain such as grassy areas, wooded areas, along fence lines, or even in your flower bed.

Make Outdoor Living Space More Comfortable

Outdoor outlets make it easier to entertain guests by providing them with an easy area to relax and enjoy their time outdoors. Either of these installed and maintained by any professional electrician nearby guarantees a good time:

• Outdoor TVs

We live in a world where technology has made everything available at the push of a button. Outdoor TVs make for great summer entertaining for your guests and are also essential for other purposes like watching sports or movies.

• Outdoor Speakers

If you want to add some musical vibrance to your backyard party or barbecue, then outdoor speakers are a must-have! It’s also nice if they can be hidden away, so they don’t draw attention to your decorating scheme.

Go Green with Outdoor Lighting

Outdoor outlets are a great way to add ambient lighting to your yard for the nighttime. Of course, anyone can do this with string lighting or traditional LED flood lights, but having an outdoor outlet makes it much easier to run power to your yard and landscape lights without running long, obstructing extension cords, or moving cords around whenever you want to plug something in.

If installed by a professional electrician, the green lighting scheme can be quite valuable in various ways. You can:

• Charge Your Devices Quicker

If you have a lot of electronics that need charging during the day (phones, tablets, laptops), using an outdoor outlet gives you access to several electrical outlets instead of just one in the garage or inside the house. This means less time waiting for things to charge, which is especially nice if you have kids who need their devices charged before going out on play dates or sleepovers with friends.

• Work from Home in the Backyard:

If you have an outdoor outlet on your deck or patio, working from home in the comfort of your backyard can be made easy and you must electrify your yard too. You can also use this space for many other household tasks, such as doing your laundry as long as you have a strong shelter for the laundry machine.

Outdoor outlets are critical because they eliminate the need for extension cords in your yard, which further helps as extension cords are a trip hazard to you and your guests. They can also be unsightly and will undoubtedly require regular maintenance. However, once you have the outdoor outlets fitted in your yard, you will not have to worry about such risks again. Any professional electrician nearby can assist you in obtaining long-lasting outdoor outlets suitable for Denver’s summers, winters, and cloudy climates.

A noisy ceiling fan can cause a lot of trouble for your home but a ceiling fan keeps the house cool. It is ideal for making the home comfortable without hiking up the utility bills. But when it breaks, fixing a noisy ceiling fan can become an irritating task and expensive repair.

A noisy ceiling fan keeping you up all night? 

Clicking, grinding noises of the unbalanced fan blades causing distractions?

ElectriCall is your local Arvada Electrician. Our residential and commercial electrical contracting services are offered throughout Arvada, CO. In this blog, we will provide a simplified process for fixing a noisy ceiling fan.

What To Do With A Ceiling Fan Making Noises?

There are various explanations for why a ceiling fan is making noises. Consulting with a professional local residential electrician is a good first step. A home electric repair guy can figure out the possible causes of why the ceiling fan is noisy.

Hiring an Arvada electrician for a ceiling fan installation is a great investment. A nearby electrician is capable of inspecting the fan completely. Getting the assistance of an electrician nearby guarantees safe service.

Here are some tips and tricks for fixing a noisy ceiling fan:

Check for any warped fan blades

One of the first things you have to do is investigate the ceiling fan. The ceiling fan blades are designed to have the same orientation and shape. Do the fan blades look good or have warps? 

Get a good look of the leading edge of the blade. If it is almost in line with the trailing edge, that would be a problem. Experimenting on how to fix this issue might not be a good idea. It could result in furthering the warps and eventually rendering the blades unusable. 

Repairing warped ceiling fan blades should be left to qualified electrical contractors. They have the skills to fix the bends on any blades or replace them when necessary.

Lock the light-fixture fasteners

There are many types of ceiling fans that come with a light fixture. The ceiling fan and light fixture combination is a terrific decorative piece. It keeps the room cool and properly lit up.  Hiring a technician for ceiling fan installation? This kind is a perfect option. 

Sometimes the loose light fixture screws cause the ceiling fan to make noises. Examine the light fixture fasteners and tighten them if needed. To do that, remove the cover of the fixture and access the fasteners. 

If it is necessary, you must clean the fasteners and replace the bulbs. Many Arvada electricians will check the wiring and lamp holders. They will conduct an inspection before putting everything back together. For complete electrical work, call an electrician in the area.   

Make sure the Junction Box is secured

Some of the issues creating ceiling fan noises emanate from unseen sources. For example, noise from inside the junction box. The junction box is holding the ceiling fan and contains wires inside. It serves as a central ground for all connections. 

If the noise is coming from the junction box, remove its top mount and look inside the box. You may have to tighten loose connections or replace components. 

Fasten the motor’s cover

The motor of ceiling fans is often directly located above the fan blades. A loose motor cover can cause the fan blades to scrape against it. Simply tightening the screws of the motor cover will fix the noise problem it is making.

Tighten the screws of the blades

One of the most common culprits for ceiling fan noise is loose screws. But this problem is easy to fix. The rattling noise of the ceiling fan might go away by tightening all screws. Fasten the other components too. However, do not tighten them too much otherwise they will generate more problems.

Inspect the pull chain

Many ceiling fans today are controlled by remote control or switch. However, there are models that still use pull chains. The pull chain causes problems and noises when it gets caught up in the blade or the motor cover. 

Make sure the pull chain is not too long. Shorten the chain if needed to avoid getting it entangled with the blades. Make its length easily accessible. 

Ensure the blades are balanced

Poor ceiling fan installation causes the fan blades to sag. If you notice the fan blades drooping, that may be the reason for the ceiling fan noise.  Since the ceiling fan blades are unbalanced, they will wobble as they rotate.

To straighten the drooping ceiling fan blades, simply fasten the screws. Check whether the fan blade brackets are damaged or bent. If you do not have the tools to fix the wobble, you can get a balancing kit from local hardware stores. 

Lubricate the ceiling fan motor

Another very common culprit for ceiling fan noises is its motor. Dust,  dirt, and grime accumulate inside the motor which makes the fan slow down or stop. Remember that the coil inside the motor wears out which can create noise or break the ceiling fan. 

Keeping the ceiling fan clean and maintained will resolve the issues degrading it. Apply fan motor lubricants regularly. If the motor is dry and making a buzzing noise, drop some oil to reduce friction between parts.

Residential and Commercial Electrical Contracting Services in Arvada, CO

Get ready to freshen up your ceiling fan!

ElectriCall is an electrical contracting company. We provide electrical work like home rewiring jobs and gfci outlet installation. We also offer other electrician services. Our electrician technicians are also skilled to fix a noisy ceiling fan.

We are the partner you need for professional home electrical repair services. Want affordable electrician rates? We offer fair and honest estimates.  

Contact ElectriCall if you want to work with master electricians. Do not wait for your ceiling fan to break. Hire professional electrical repairs nearby! Schedule our expert electricians today!