What is one thing that you hate most about winters in Denver? 

Ours is unexpected damage to space heaters!

2022 is expecting one of the coldest winters in the past few years, so you have to ensure that your Space heater is ready for it. If your space heater is more than ten years old, then there are high chances of it getting damaged during the peak of winters.

Did you know that an error in the proper functioning of a space heater can also start fires in your home? 

According to the National Fire Protection Association reports, electrical heating equipment is the common cause of most home fires. Almost 81% of the fire deaths in America were due to stationary or portable space heaters.

However, you can prevent such issues with genuine residential electricians’ proper care and service. Scroll down to know how to protect your space heater from damage this winter. 

Know your Space Heater

How much do you know about the space heaters you have been using? Using one for years, throwing them once it gets old, and buying new has been a routine for most of us. It is time to take a closer look into it and understand your heater.

Types of Heaters

Before learning about different types of heaters, get a grip on the process of heating. Heating is generally of three different varieties based on the object it warms. The first one is radiant heating, which warms things; the second is convection heating, which warms the air; the third type of heating is micathermic, which heats both objects and air.

Space heaters are available in four different types:

• Oil/water filled: A convection model that works by passing hot water/oil through the unit and warming the surrounding air.

• Ceramic heater is also a convection model with solid ceramic materials inside the unit instead of water/oil.

• Infrared: It is a radiant water heater that warms the objects in the room with infrared light. It is of significant usage in commercial spaces such as restaurants.

• Fan-forced: A micathermic heater will keep the air and objects in the room warm. The air is pumped out of the hot metal coil to warm for a long time.

Safety Features

Every heating system comes with many safety features to avoid unexpected fire damages or anything dangerous. Safety features also save you from calling residential electricians for electrical repair frequently. So, before buying a heater, you should inquire about the safety features present in the system and confirm that it is any of the following.

• Tip-Over Switch: This switch turns off your heater if it is not in an upright position. It saves you from fire hazards.

• Overheat protection: Heaters with this feature shut down automatically when the heaters start heating above the optimum temperature.

• Plastic Face: The plastic cover over the metal parts protects you from getting burnt due to overheating.

• Thermostat: You can set a comfortable temperature on the thermostat and prevent overheating. It will turn the heater on and off according to the atmosphere and keep you warm.

Safety Tips for Space Heaters

We know how exhausting it is to call an electrical repair company for your space heater and not get it fixed properly. However, you can avoid unnecessary complaints about your space heater by taking proper care of it.

Here are some golden tips to save you from frequent electric repairs and your family from heat or fire damage.

• Three-foot rule:

Always place your space heater three feet away from curtains, bed, carpet, or anything that can catch fire. Don’t even think of keeping it over a rug or anywhere in the high traffic area where tripping chances are higher.

• Switch off the heater when you are away:

Unattended heaters are one of the significant causes of fires, so never leave your space heater on while you are away. You should take special care if you have children or pets at home; make sure they cannot turn it on by themselves. Keeping your heater off while sleeping is advisable as overheating can start a fire.

• Be vigilant:

Give your space heater a complete 360-degree inspection before plugging it back in this winter. Check for cracks, dents, or any breaks on the surface of the heater. A small crack can prove dangerous if left unnoticed. If you are unsure of the heater’s condition, call a residential electrician and check it.

The best electrician at your service

If you have a space heater at your home or commercial space, you will need the service of electrical companies. It can be frustrating to search for ‘good electrician companies near me’ and end up with no trusted electricians.

Contact Electricall, one of the most trusted residential electrician companies, is now serving at your location.

So don’t wait for winters to knock on your door; take that space heater out today and call them for a good inspection and service.

Winter’s here, and so are frequent power outages in Colorado. 

We all want to keep ourselves warm during winter, so we keep our space heaters on most of the time. With the increased electricity consumption comes electrical troubles; many electrical appliances may stop working, and power outages become a common issue. This calls for electrical troubleshooting by a professional electrician.

The continuous usage of electrical appliances can cause fire damages and heating issues that affect the safety of your home. Even electricity accidents arising due to heavy snowfall can lead to significant casualties.

So, we compiled the best tips to ensure the safety of electric equipment during winters.

How to ensure the proper functioning of electric equipment during winter?

We know how necessary your electrical appliances are for you during winters. The following are the tips to keep your electric appliance functional during winter.

• Check the cords:

Winters are also the time of holidays, in which we decorate our homes for Christmas and New Year. Lights are an indispensable part of holiday decorations; make sure the cords of the light and other electrical equipment are in good condition. A minor breakage or any damage at any point can cause electric accidents.

Also, check if the cords are twisted or crimped anywhere on the circuit. The twisted circuit will produce heat inside the wire and eventually fire. So keep a close analysis of the cords in your home.

• Cover panels:

Electric panels, plugs, power outlets, and other open power sources can also be a source of danger. During winters, snow or mist forms around the power sources and gets trapped inside the power outlet. After a while, it will convert to water and create issues demanding electrical troubleshooting.

Water, as you already know, conducts electricity and can cause trouble in a plug point if left unattended. So close all the power outlets and ensure that they are weatherproof.

• Label circuits:

Do you have a plan for the electrical emergency at your house? Don’t worry if you don’t; because we have.

Identify and label all the electrical circuits!

You do not have to worry about it if all the circuits are working in good condition. But the issue is that you can’t predict when an electrical emergency pops up.

So, take some time to identify the circuit, mark and label it accordingly. If anything goes wrong, you can cut power directly from the respected circuit. Thus you can save a lot of time and avoid serious accidents.

• Do not overload:

One of the people’s biggest mistakes is plugging in more than one cord in a single power outlet. Multiple cables create overload in the plug point, leading to heating issues and fire.

Don’t put more than two cords in a single outlet; it can quickly heat the outlet. These are the signs of output overload:

• Flickering lights
• Tripping breakers
• Sizzling from the cord
• Hot adaptors or plugs

If you notice any of these signs, be cautious, turn off the power, and call for electrical troubleshooting.

• Cover the cords:

Every home has extension cables running across the room under the carpets, besides the cupboard and many hidden places. Are you sure they won’t cause any accidents?

The ends of the cords might be somewhere at the end of the carpets, and these can be a source of electric accidents during winters. So make sure you cover the ends of the cords with child-proof caps.

• Unplug at the right time:

Power outages are common during winters; prepare yourself for that. When the power goes off, remind yourself to unplug your electric appliances.

There will be different appliances plugged into different power points at any given time. Keeping them connected during a power outage can be risky. So unplug heavy load appliances like TV and dryer during a power outage.

Do the same in case of power fluctuations, and don’t plug them back until the power is stable.

• Electrical Troubleshooting:

It is always better to get a professional to look at your home’s electrical panels.

A thorough checkup by a professional residential electrician is the easiest way to keep your electrical connections safe. They will understand the errors in connection beforehand and suggest corrections.

Your electric connection will be winter-ready after an electric repair and electrical troubleshooting by a professional.

Conclusion!

Electricity is not something you can take for granted; slight negligence on your part can create a lot of trouble. Electrical fires and shock accidents are common during winter in Colorado. A proper checkup by a residential electric company is necessary.

However, don’t waste time searching ‘electrician companies near me’; because you have the best electrical company, Electricall, a phone call away.

They are the most trusted electricians with years of experience in electrical repair; so don’t wait; contact them now!

When it comes to residential homes, the type of electrical wiring is one of the crucial parts you should know. Is knob and tube wiring safe to use for your home? Are you required to replace this wiring with other types of electrical wiring? Keep reading and become more informed!

What is knob and tube wiring?

Knob and tube wirings are often found in heritage homes or houses that were constructed prior to 1950. It consists of copper wiring held by a knob and protected by a tube to keep it from fraying. The knob and tube wiring was commonly installed inside crawl spaces, attics, and behind walls.

What are the possible dangers of using knob and tube wiring?

Although the knob and tube wiring is cost-effective, many professional electricians and home electric inspectors do not recommend it. Some of the big issues surrounding the knob and tube electrical wiring can be found in its design. 

The outer covering of the knob and tube wire can easily fritter away due to the continuous flow of electricity. For this reason, the National Electrical Code mandated this wiring to be removed from the hollow spaces, ceilings, behind the walls, and attics to prevent fire hazards.

Other possible dangers and issues of using this wiring:

• It is not grounded, making it dangerous. Electrical safety standards demand all residential and commercial buildings to have grounded outlets.
• Unfortunately, this type of wiring has been unprofessionally modified to fit electrical boxes or to repair exposed wirings.
• Knob and tube wiring typically fails to handle the energy demand of average homes. Because it is an outdated model, it is more fragile and will easily wear down. 
• Obtaining home insurance with this kind of electrical wiring can be quite difficult since it is an outdated wiring system that might become a fire hazard.
• Unlike modern wiring with plastic insulation, knob and tube wiring uses rubber insulation that will deteriorate and crumble over time. This is one reason insurance companies want them to be replaced.
• Homeowners might be forced to pay more and have their home’s electrical wiring inspected, repaired, and replaced by a licensed Arvada, CO electrician.

Because the electrical wiring is burdened with delivering power to the property, guaranteeing that your home is being powered by the right wires utilized in construction.

Since knob and tube wiring is common to older houses, you should not have to worry about your home having worn and stretched electrical wiring. But if you suspect this type of wiring lingers in your house, call a local residential electrician right away and have your home checked. 

Should you replace the knob and tube wiring?

Not necessarily. After getting a home inspection and being clear on the quality of the wiring system, replacing it might not be needed. The only time you would want to hire a professional electrician in Arvada, CO to perform home rewiring work, is when the wires are old and frayed, or when your insurance company refuses to insure or renew policies. 

When it comes to insurance, the state and quality of the knob and tube wiring usually do not matter. Most insurance companies will not insure homes unless their wiring system is updated.

Cost to replace knob and tube wiring

The cost for electrical work often always depends on the size of the property, the location, and the complexity of the electrical project. On average, most projects would fall between $3,000 to $16,000.

Yes, there are laws that limit the use of knob and tube wiring, but there is no code that orders for its complete removal. Hiring the best electrical repair service in Arvada, CO will help make the whole maintenance or replacement less stressful.  

If you need home electrical repair service, electrical inspection, or are seeking qualified contractors that can deliver superb home rewiring jobs, call us. ElectriCall is an electrical service company in Arvada, CO.

Let us work together!

Any type of home electric repair can be dangerous, especially if you do not have the right set of skills and tools to perform the work. Hiring an electrician nearby has so many benefits you may not want to miss out on.

Here is what ElectriCall can offer you:

• Electrical testing.
• Electrical inspection.
• Closely examine and replace electrical wirings.
• Get at the hard-to-access areas or even narrow spaces of the structure like attics and crawl spaces.
• In-depth understanding of the various types of electrical wirings used in construction.
• If something goes haywire, our trained electricians know how to safely control the situation.
• Our team of qualified electricians is determined to complete the job using the most effective options.

Hiring our team will increase your chance of:

• Preventing electrical fires.
• Securing your physical and health safety.
• Avoiding shorting your priced appliances and power tools.
• Fixing your messy, outdated, and problematic electrical wiring system.

Contact our licensed electricians today! Let us discuss what you need and the electrical rewiring services ElectriCall can provide.