Just like that, summer is just around the corner. It’s the season where temperatures are expected to be at their peak and people will find themselves frequently dripping in sweat, resulting in a spike to the summer electric bill.

People are likelier to turn to their cooling systems to alleviate heat stress, summer is also the season where common spikes in electricity bills can be seen. Although a lot of consumers tend to be in denial that the culprit of the rise in their electricity bill is their usage behavior, the inevitable spike during summer is actually a result of various factors coming into play.

With summer being just a few weeks away, below are five electric bill-saving tips you might want to bear in mind to avoid that post-summer bill shock:

1. Keep your cooling systems in great condition.

Besides ensuring that your air quality is okay, having a well-maintained cooling system also means less money spent on electricity and cooling costs as it helps ensure that your HVAC system is properly insulated and is running efficiently and smoothly. Moreover, a well-maintained cooling system will also help you prevent the need for major electrical repair and replacements. That’s another maintenance cost off of your budget. In other words, hiring an HVAC technician and a professional electrician nearby may require you to shell out for maintenance costs but it will most likely pay off, in the long run, knowing your HVAC systems are working at an optimum.

2. Set your air-conditioning unit’s thermostat for optimum efficiency.

While many people commonly experience a spike in electricity bills during summer, consumers who use air conditioners most of the time tend to suffer more, especially those who are not mindful of how cool they are setting their AC units. Learn from their mistake by knowing how to set your thermostat at an optimum. As per the experts, an ideal setting in the summer would be at 70 degrees and it can potentially reduce your energy cost by as much as 10% annually. Now, if 70 degrees sounds too warm for you, you can lower it for interim periods of time. Every degree, they say, equates to a 3% increase or decrease in your cooling budget – that’s something you should also take into account.

The good news is, in this digital age, programmable thermostats are already widely available. The technology enables people to set a warmer setting whenever they leave their homes and programs it to resume cooling before they arrive. As for the installation, experts say a DIY-er has to be seasoned to be able to install a programmable thermostat successfully. So, unless you’re a homeowner with fundamental electrical knowledge, you might want to hire a licensed electrician instead to ensure safety and quality of work.

3. Keep your doors and windows closed during the scorching daytime heat.

Human instinct would tell you to open your doors and windows on a hot day to let the breeze in. Unfortunately, it might turn out to be a costly mistake under the hottest temperatures which can heat up the walls of your home because in such cases, it will do little good for air circulation.

In other words, unless the temperatures outside are low enough, keeping your doors and windows open will not be a sensible option as it will only signal your cooling appliances to work harder. Ironically, one of the best practices to manage the heat efficiently is to run your AC units during the hottest hours. It is what they are made for anyway.

4. Have your ceiling fans ready.

Using a ceiling fan never goes out of style in combating the heat during summer. They do not cost that much but they can effectively help in reducing your energy cost provided that a proper ceiling fan installation and maintenance service from a reputable electrical service company like ElectriCall has been carried out.

Ceiling fans do the job by helping your AC unit in cooling a particular area even at a lower thermostat setting as long as they work together. However, since they only act as support that intends to cool the people in an area, you also have to be mindful of turning them off if there is no one using it. That way, you will be able to save more on your energy consumption.  

5. Prioritize switching to LED bulbs.

Compared to halogen bulbs, LED lights consume 75% less energy. That may initially sound like an insignificant saving but if you multiply that to the number of bulbs you are using in your home, you will be surprised at the decrease in your electricity bill because of it. Besides that, LED bulbs are also known to be a lot more durable. That said, aside from curbing your power consumption, they are also a cost-effective solution on a long-term perspective.  

The switching is something most homeowners in Colorado can do on their own. However, if you noticed your bulbs flickering and leaving a buzzing noise every time they are turned on, or they’re in hard to reach places, consider calling an electrical service near Denver. A professional electrical service company like ElectriCall is affordable and just a quick phone call away. 

There is nothing sweeter than being able to enjoy the summer without hurting your wallet. You can follow the tips above or seek help from reliable electricians who can help you optimize your energy consumption the right way. ElectriCall will be more than glad to assist you. Give us a call today!

While it may initially seem unnecessary, one of the most essential areas to tackle in planning the layout of your business is its decorative lighting design. As lights can affect the mood, your establishment’s lighting can either invite and retain your customers or push new ones away. For instance, if your business is selling RTW garments, you will want your customers to feel like the clothes look good on them and you can achieve that better if you install the right dressing room lights; of course, not the fluorescent ones.

Indeed, retail lighting can go as far as setting the ambiance of your Denver-based establishment. With that said, as the owner, it pays to know what types of lighting are most beneficial to your business and how each type can contribute to your profitability. ElectriCall are licensed electricians in Arvada who can carry out the job with the best quality and durability is also important.

Here are a few most essential types:

1. General Lighting. Also known as ambient lighting, general lighting pertains to overhead lights that give the right illumination for an establishment. The goal of general lighting is to invite customers to come in and make them feel welcome and safe.
   
   
2. Accent Lighting. The goal of accent lighting is to highlight your establishment’s best pieces and make the entire area aesthetically pleasing. Accent lights aren’t only for the ceiling but can also be used in shelves, windows, and other strips. If your business is under the spa, beauty, or hotel and restaurant industry, the right accent lighting will help you mark a good reputation.
   
   
3. Task Lighting. As the name suggests, the aim of task lighting is to assist staff in performing their tasks by ensuring the required light. Areas like checkout desks, service desks, backrooms, kitchens, etc. should have the right task lighting to keep employees highly motivated to work without interruption.
   
   
4.  Decorative Lighting. Besides general lighting that helps create the ambiance, decorative lighting design is also necessary as it’s what can touch the customers’ emotions. Several businesses invest in bold colored lighting, twinkle lights, and most commonly, elegant chandeliers, to establish their brand message and invite their target market. But besides its decorative purposes, the lighting can also do the role of general lighting efficiently.

However, light fixture installation will most likely necessitate the help of a licensed electrician to ensure the quality of work and to avoid unnecessary damages or electrical-related injuries. Although generally speaking, anyone can carry out light fixture replacement, if the amperage is not compatible with the light’s wattage, an additional wire may be needed to be connected from the circuit breaker. This is something only a qualified electrician can safely and knowledgeably perform.

Smart Lighting to Enhance Your Business’s Reputation

In this digital age, businesses are willing to invest in technology just to be on top of the competition. When it comes to lighting, a lot of establishments nowadays, mostly corporate ones, invest in smart led fixtures that feature advanced sensors that trigger the light to turn on or off based on traffic patterns, room occupancy, and more. If you are a type of owner who wants to gain control over every aspect of your establishment’s lighting system while leaving your customers in awe with how advanced your system is, then you should consider investing in smart lighting. Yet again, this involves a lot of intricate electrical works that only qualified and seasoned electricians should handle.

For your light fixture installation and other electrical service needs, do not hesitate to give us a call at ElectriCall. We are a team of seasoned licensed electricians who have mastered our craft over years of excellent service. We’ve been the most preferred electrical contracting service in and around Arvada, Colorado for a reason. Call us now; you will be thankful you did. 

Most Colorado homes built in the 1950s-1980s either have Federal Pacific or Zinsco Panels installed. Home inspectors and Colorado electricians near Denver noticed that Zinsco Panels were failing after years of usage. As such, both panels were recalled and were not used in new construction from the 1990s onward. Though, there’s a lot of properties that still use these antiquated products today. 

Electrical panels are considered the most vital part of a home’s electrical system. They facilitate the receipt and distribution of electricity from the transmission circuit throughout the circuits in your home. A panel’s job is to protect from power surges and other possible electrical hazards, as well as, allow one to safely make repairs giving accessibility to the system. With proper maintenance by a licensed electrician, experts believe that most electrical panels (regardless of brand) can still be functional for as long as 50 years. 

Malfunctions happen when the panel’s bus bar gets in contact with the breaker and prevents the breaker from tripping which is what it is supposed to do whenever it detects short circuits or abnormally excessive current flowing through the circuit. Clearly, this puts households at risk for fire and/or electrocution.

Data shows that every 1 of 4 Zinsco circuit breakers is bound to malfunction in response to a short circuit or overcurrent, creating possibly hazardous consequences. However, such problems are hardly possible to be monitored nor detected by the naked eye, and thus will need a licensed electrician’s regular inspection or electric panel replacement service.

You Should Have Your Zinsco Panel Removed. Here’s why…

Experts have recognized two major reasons for the potential danger from using a Zinsco panel:

1. Zinsco Panel’s noncompliance with updated safety codes.

Although the Zinsco panel is still one of the most commonly used panels to date, its manufacturer stopped its production in the mid-1970s. With a lot of changes in the safety code from that time onwards, experts have concluded that the Zinsco panels would likely have a hard time keeping up. Distribution or sale of Zinsco Panels has been prohibited for a long time now as they do not pass the present safety standards.

2. The Zinsco Panels design has flaws.

Licensed electricians and experts have noticed significant flaws in the design of Zinsco panels:

• The panel’s bus bar easily corrodes.
• There is a delicate, non-solid connection between the bus bar and the breakers.
• Some of the panel’s components contain aluminum which can expand and contract at a high rate, causing loose connections. Also, if the aluminum gets in contact with copper which is what the bus bars of Zinsco panels are made of, it creates resistance, increased expansion, oxidation, and heat which can trigger a fire to happen.
• Design issue, i.e. although the breakers are turned off, at times, the internal panel may still conduct power.

If you notice anything below that might raise your concerns, call us at ElectriCall right away to have the panels thoroughly inspected:

• A burning smell from the panel
• If after opening the panel, you could see damaged wirings or wear and tear
• A buzzing panel
• Presence of flickering lights within your home

If your instinct is telling you that the panel is most likely outdated or it lacks proper maintenance, do not hesitate to contact a licensed electrician nearby right away for inspection or removal.

Your trusted electrician from ElectriCall will never advise you to remove the Zinsco panel by yourself to see if the inside wireworks have melted. Such a task is safest handled by the expert’s hands.

The Cost of Zinsco Panel Removal and Replacement

The cost of removing and replacing a Zinsco electrical panel ranges from $1500 to $2000. However, it may go beyond that depending on some factors:

• The needed scope of labor
• The amount of demolition work
• The panel’s size
• The accessibility of your area

For your Zinsco panel replacement needs or for your other electrical concerns, you can count on us at ElectriCall. We are a team of experienced professional electricians that guarantees your safety at a reasonable fee. We’ve been providing reliable and quality electrical works for commercial and residential establishments since 2011. Call us today; you’ll be glad you did!

When it comes to electrical panels, one of the popular brands for the longest time is Federal Pacific. First introduced in the market in the 1950s, Federal Pacific panels were commonly installed in residential and commercial establishments initially in the Pacific Northwest of the United States and then throughout the world. Because of FPE Panels’ popularity despite their unreliability, many residential and commercial properties still have the outdated panels today.”

What are Federal Pacific Panels for?

At the core, a Federal Pacific electric panel, comes with a Federal Pacific Electrical breaker box called the FPE Stab-Lok breaker, is an essential device that is designed to safeguard a building against electrical surges and the consequential potential safety and electrical fire hazards. It does the job by cutting off the power whenever it detects abnormally excessive current flowing through the electrical wirings, refraining them from getting hot.

The Catch

Like other breaker panels, FPE panels trip due to a detected short circuit or circuit overload. However, some FPE breakers have been criticized for not tripping as they were supposed to. After thorough investigation, the Consumer Product Safety Commission or CPSC has found out that more than half of the tested FPE breakers failed to trip. In most cases, despite the breaker’s “off” setting, the FPE Stab-Lok continued to power the circuit. Fire reports in the past suggest that this negligence accounts for as many as 2800 fire cases in the United States, killing 13 and incurring $40 million worth of property on a yearly average.

So, are FP panels still safe to use?

As per Federal Pacific Electric Company, their panels are designed to operate at an optimum for years from their installation unless and until perilous electrical problems arise. However, considering the aforementioned cases, the likelihood of them working perfectly fine and then suddenly malfunctioning is high and it will only take one overload or short-circuit incident to test their customers’ luck. On that note, CPSC recommends that licensed electrician’s checkup from time to time to see whether there are signs of malfunction or overheating among the circuit breakers, and to address underlying issues immediately.

Although the Stab-Lok breaker inspection job seems doable, it is a lot more complicated and dangerous than you think. Your trusted licensed electrician in Arvada, Co, in that of ElectriCall, will have to remove the breaker and test it to do what needs to be done and with such complexity, more often than not, it is a lot easier and cheaper to replace the Federal Pacific panel with a new one instead. At times, FP replacement is seriously necessary.

An electrician nearby such as ElectriCall will advise you to have your panel replaced if the following signs are present:

·         The panel itself has melted switches

·         An outlet ensues an electrical shock after a plug is switched on or removed

·         Unexplainable burnt bulbs or flickering lights

When it comes to Federal Pacific replacement cost, a few essential factors will be considered and this primarily includes the number and size of panels needed. In most cases, the type and location of the establishment will also be taken into account. You can consult your trusted electrician to have an accurate estimate regarding this matter.

A Reliable, Seasoned Electric Company in Arvada Can Help

Aside from enhancing electrical safety inside your building, having updated and secure electrical panels will also help you save money in the long run as new electrical panels will also help reduce the surges and fluctuations taking place, and their consequential energy waste.

If you are thinking about replacing your Federal Pacific electrical panel in Arvada, Colorado, or if you have other electrical concerns, do not hesitate to give us a call at Electricall. We are a team of seasoned professional electricians that treats your home or commercial establishment with respect and sees your electrical safety as our topmost priority. Since 2011, we have been providing quality and affordable electrical works and people in Arvada are completely satisfied. Our great reviews do not lie; we are the most preferred residential and commercial electrical service provider in the area for a reason. Call us today!

Before discuss the summer storm electrical problems, here’s a brief little history of the origins of electrical use. Electricity was first discovered in the 1800s strictly for vital purposes. Over the course of a few decades, the world was dependent on it. Almost everything in life now runs on electricity. However, with every crucial innovation comes the risk of abuse. Electricity is no different and the consequences of mishandling can be fatal and damaging.  

Of course, the electrical issues we are talking about here are not the petty ones like having a busted charger or lamp but the real and hazardous electrical problems that might have been lurking within your house’s walls that can potentially cause escalating damages to your property if not thoroughly inspected and treated by a licensed electrician in Arvada.

Studies have listed a few most common pressing electrical problems at home that are best and safest handled by an expert. On that note, as soon as you come across either of these, do not hesitate to call an Arvada electrician right away:

1. ELECTRICAL SURGES

 When do surges really happen?

Surges are a product of any spike of electrical charge within the power lines that escalate up to residential electrical outlets. The two most common potential causes of an electrical surge are damaged power lines and summer storms or lightning. With about one billion volts of electricity that a single lightning volt can produce, lightning is fearfully considered as an electrical troublemaker.

Now if the surge has nothing to do with the abovementioned culprits, it may indicate a presence of faulty wiring or appliance issue. In such cases, the best thing to do is shut off the circuit breaker right away, unplug your appliances one by one and then wait for an electrician to carry out the inspection and necessary fixes.

2. POWER SAGS

When it comes to power sags and dips, appliances are usually the culprit, causing intermittent voltage drops. They usually last in a blink of an eye, i.e. you will notice your lights dying and brightening again. Also known as brown-outs, power sags take place when the current is no longer able to draw enough current for large appliances that are running simultaneously. Sometimes, an outdated electric panel or outdated and faulty wiring can start the damage.

3. OVERLOADED CIRCUIT

This happens when the amount of current flowing in the circuit exceeds what the device or appliance can handle. This may sound like less of a threat but if the overloading reaches a point of melting the socket and insulation in the wires, a spark might happen which can lead to fire without an immediate solution.

Your trusted electrician would advise you to use appliances or lamps with the right wattage to avoid circuit overloading. Also, it’s advised to avoid plugging in too many irons and hair dryers at once as they can also cause an overload. However, if the problems persist despite your preventive efforts, it could be a sign of an underlying electrical issue. When this happens, hiring a professional electrician is the safest and smartest decision to make.

4. OVERCIRCUITED PANEL

Panels are designed to handle a particular number of circuit breakers. You would know how many panels you will need depending on your house’s maximum load capacity which can be determined by adding up the wattage of all your bulbs and appliances. That said, an overloaded panel or a panel that has too many circuits is considered a fire and health hazard.

Some people try to cheat on the system by installing a tandem breaker in a slot to save money. This is actually a code violation. To avoid fines and eradicate the hazardous risks, call an electrician right away to install a sub-panel that can handle a bigger load.

5. FREQUENTLY TRIPPING CIRCUIT BREAKERS

Breakers are designed to break and shut the entire power supply off if they detect too much or irregular electricity flowing through the circuit. While a breaker tripping protects a household from fire and other electrical hazards, a frequently tripping circuit breaker clearly indicates a potential electrical issue that still has to be addressed. An initial solution would be to refrain plugging appliances from the same source. However, if the problem persists, it could be due to a faulty wiring or a pressing issue underneath the panel. Do not hesitate to call your trusted, local electrical service in Arvada if you are caught in the same situation.

6. ELECTRICAL SHOCKS

Although not definite, there has been a claim that old homes with old electrical systems are more susceptible to electrical shock incidents because of their likelihood of having poor insulations or ungrounded wiring. Fortunately, electrical systems built today have to be compliant with the standard electrical codes which make the modern buildings more resilient to shocks.

If your home was built in the last twenty years, you can check whether you are safe from this electrical issue or not by plugging another small appliance to one of your non-empty outlets. Here’s how it is done; if you get shocked after turning it on, then the shock is most likely wiring-related. On the other hand, if you do not get shocked after turning the appliance on, then most likely it is your appliance that is faulty.

7. UNCOVERED JUNCTION BOXES

This issue is one of the most dangerous potential issues beneath your walls. A single junction box is installed during your house’s construction phase or during an electrical upgrade. As it houses various wires, leaving it uncovered can pose serious fire and health risks with more exposure to electrical shocks.

Call your trusted electrician to have your junction boxes covered. It is something you should not deal with on your own if you do not have the right knowledge, skills, and tools.

8. OUTLET SHORTAGE

Shortage of power outlets usually pushes people to use extension wires or outlet extenders which has always been discouraged by fire bureaus as they are only best as a temporary fix because of their hazardous design and exposure.

Extension cords may seem like a cheaper and viable alternative compared to installing new power outlets but the latter is actually a lot safer and more efficient, outweighing its cons.

Give us a call at ElectriCall! We are a team of professional electricians who have the expert knowledge and skills to get the job done correctly. Address these common electrical issues with quality, reliability, and affordability; call ElectriCall today!