Electrical inspection Archives

5 Reasons Why Your Electrical Bill Is Blowing

If you are like other people, perhaps you do not pay much attention to your electricity bill until you see it double or triple unexpectedly. There could be a lot of reasons why your electric bill is blowing or why it suddenly increased.

An unusually high bill is something you should be concerned about. From extreme weather, outdated appliances, to problems with the electrical box. These are the most common reasons your bill increased. Learn about these culprits before calling an Electrician in Arvada, CO to perform home electrical repair services.

Reason #1: Extreme Weather

Believe it or not, extreme weather can increase your electricity bill. But how does weather contribute to the sudden increase of electricity in your home? There are a few factors to look into, which are:

Temperature

As the weather changes from warm to cold or vice versa, the temperature takes a dip or soars drastically. electrical systems such as the HVAC system are running at maximum capacity and for a longer period of time.

The climate in your location

Residential utilities like electricity are more vulnerable to changes in the climate. A warmer climate can contribute to the inefficiency of energy production especially in electricity-generating power stations, nuclear or fuel, and fossil power plants which often use water for cooling. In turn, as the availability of energy resources decreases while consumer use continuously increases, that creates the rise and fall of the electricity rate.

Reason #2: Not Unplugging

Can unplugging devices and home appliances lower your electric bill? Yes, unplugging is a hassle, still, it will avoid power surges or fluctuation from occurring.

Our homes are filled with appliances that help make our daily routines easier like coffee machines, toasters, and microwaves. These small appliances consume energy while plugged into an outlet even when they are not in use and turned off.

Reason #3: Appliances & Lights Are Energy Suckers

According to researchers, the HVAC, specifically the heating system, uses the most energy at home. There are other appliances that are surprisingly energy suckers as well. They include items like a:

Clothes iron
Curling iron
Vacuum cleaner
Desktop computer
Paper shredder
Water heater
Boiler
Refrigerator

When it comes to appliances, always purchase energy-efficient models. You will not only save money for the purchase price, but you will also save on operating costs without sacrificing its quality and performance.

Reason #4: Improper Insulation Of The House

Another common culprit for the electricity bill suddenly increasing is improper or inadequate insulation of the home. Without insulation, the air conditioner can run 24/7 and still won’t make the room cool down. While it may not create a big spike in your utility bill, it still contributes in general.

Often, disconnected ducts and other physical signs like icicles hanging on the attic, and wall cavities show insufficient insulation. Sadly, you could be spending a lot of money on heating and cooling systems, only to stay uncomfortable due to improper insulation.

Upgrading your insulation is well worth the cost. It is the kind of home improvement that will pay off and improve your quality of life. An Arvada electrician or your trusted local residential electrician should be able to help you with investigating your home’s insulation.

Reason #5: Problems With Electrical Wiring

Faulty electrical wiring is another possible reason for the sudden increase in your electric bill. Electrical wiring gets damaged or frayed over time. And that raises problems for you.

Though copper wires can last up to 100 years, squirrels and rodents gnawing on wires or the deterioration of the materials can wear and tear the electrical wirings. Consequently, that can have a profound impact on your electricity bill, or worse, cause fire hazards. So if pests are a problem, hire a pest control service nearby.

In some cases, electricity usage suddenly increases due to faulty wirings. There could be areas in your home where the electrical wires are damaged and consuming excessive energy.

Call an electrician nearby to perform a thorough electrical inspection. ElectriCall provides home electrical repair services in and around Arvada, Colorado. Our team of electrical experts can give you insights into the reasons your electrical bill might be blowing up.

As a seasoned Arvada electrician, our team can recommend the right solutions including rewiring a house, upgrading electrical wiring and electrical outlets, and correctly wiring an electric panel. We have done various home rewiring jobs and are confident our team can offer top-notch electrical services.

If interested in our home electrical repair services, give us a call!

Do You Need An Electrical Update When Remodeling?

One of the first questions people ask an electrical company is whether they need an electrical update when remodeling. Whether it is a bathroom or a kitchen remodeling, contractors including the builders, architects, and electricians have to work together to ensure the integrity of the structure is maintained.

Any comprehensive remodeling requires planning and design concepts approved by local housing regulations. That means the new electrical routing and systems must be approved as well. For electrical wiring or any home rewiring jobs, hit ElectriCall with a message. Or call us! We can offer home electrical repair services in Arvada, CO.

Home remodeling and updating electrical systems

As a homeowner, you have probably thought about remodeling a portion of your house. Maybe you want to extend your kitchen or make your bathroom bigger. However, before you can even knock out a wall, you first have to consider the electrical routing of your home.

It is tempting to get on with the physical work, but planning for a large-scale rerouting of electrical systems is highly recommended to ensure the safety of the workers and residents. Here we have reasons why we advise our clients to upgrade their electrical systems during remodeling:

Added convenience before and after remodeling

One problem with residential properties is that some of them have been standing for over 30 years. Older homes tend to have fewer electrical outlets and poor placement. When you opt to upgrade your electrical system, you would not have to worry about the lack or poor placement of these power outlets.

Demand for electrical power

Depending on your use of electrical power, you should consider upgrading the electrical system of your home to more amps to fit your lifestyle and needs. If your property has an older electrical box or is using a fuse box, you definitely would want to talk with a professional electrical company.

Old power boxes often can not handle electrical fluctuations. They overload and cause fire hazards. ElectriCall consists of seasoned electricians. We are a trusted electrician nearby that will be at your location to assist right away.

Protect your family from dangers of electrical overload and electrocution

One of the best reasons you must hire an Electrician in Arvada, CO, is to make sure your family can sleep at night without worrying about the house catching fire. This should be one of your top priorities when doing a home improvement.

Remodeling does only pose health risks and safety issues from chemicals like sealants, paint materials, and adhesives. Safety concerns also come from incorrect wiring of electrical outlets or the use of substandard electrical components.

Typically, you want the remodeling to be inexpensive. However, you should not sacrifice health and safety for a cheap and fast home improvement. At ElectriCall, you can rest assured that your electrical rewiring is completely taken care of.

We are a team of local residential electricians who have been servicing the communities of Arvada, Colorado. Our electrical company offers home electrical repair services which include:

Electrical inspection
Wiring an electric panel
Rewiring a house

Our team takes pride in our excellent customer service, whether handling small or big projects. To protect your family from the potential dangers of electrical overload and electrocution, we will focus on:

Looking at any symptom that might indicate the need for an electrical upgrade
Accommodating your needs when it comes to the number of electrical outlets you need and their proper placement and distribution
Finding the right, top-quality electrical components that will bring more value to your life
Replacing any existing electrical wires that cannot handle more power, or have gone obsolete and are very dangerous
Giving you the peace of mind you so deserve

Do not wait for the sparks, remodel and upgrade now

Choosing to upgrade your electrical system sooner rather than later could be a lifesaver. That change could give you so much comfort in your home.

It is always exciting to remodel a house, and keeping your mind open to electrical upgrades like adding extra electrical outlets and receptacles, installing a thermostat, changing light switches, and rewiring and rerouting will save you a ton of trouble in the future. You do not really want to knock off walls and detach cabinets to make the necessary adjustments.

There is nobody better at giving advice and recommendations on electrical upgrades than ElectriCall. If you are looking to hire not just an electrician nearby, but a trusted Electrician in Arvada, CO, please give us a call.

Voltage Types: Low Voltage vs Line Voltage: What’s The Difference?

Before choosing the best lighting for commercial or residential infrastructure, you have to first consider the voltage type the building has. There are two kinds of voltages and knowing both will be useful when exploring your options. It will also help you when hiring an electrician in Arvada, CO to perform electrical works or home rewiring jobs on your property.

What does line voltage mean?

Line voltage refers to the standard voltage which is 120 volts that can be found on commercial and residential properties. It is common in most residential houses in the United States.

Since this is the standard voltage for most electrical outlets, line voltage fixtures commonly do not need a transformer to function. It works just about anywhere a low voltage fixture can be set up. Most often, it is integral to the infrastructure.

What does low voltage mean?

When talking about low voltage, unlike line voltage, this type requires a transformer for the lighting system to work properly. Generally, low voltage lighting systems only range from 12 to 24 volts. However, you will also notice that a low voltage fixture has a transformer installed relatively close to it.

Some examples of low voltage lighting include display lighting or anywhere it is difficult to have a standard voltage electrical wiring like landscape application.

What are the other differences between a lighting system that has line voltage or low voltage?

The electrical current enabling light fixtures, devices, and equipment to work play a significant role in our day-to-day life. Not having sufficient voltage in your home or office may result in electrical issues that could hinder your routine or work. That said, we encourage you to hire a professional electrician nearby to perform an electrical inspection on your property at least once every six months.

Other differences between line voltage and low voltage include:

Lifespan

Although most people will say that low voltage has a longer lifespan compared to line voltage, you have to remember that it cannot work without a transformer. Depending on the type of transformer and its operational intensity, in most cases, transformers would require constant maintenance and repair. So in reality, both actually have almost the same lifespan.

Quality of light

Line voltage allows the use of different types of light bulbs such as fluorescent, incandescent, sodium or orange street lights, and metal halide. These bulbs range from 60 to 250 watts, which is perfect for either indoor use or outdoor application. And since this type has high voltage, it produces a warmer and more diffused light.

Low voltage is considered an energy-efficient and low-cost alternative. Because low voltage bulbs are connected to a power pack, they typically have lower wattage that makes them efficient and last long. What that means is that low voltage fixtures can provide more consistent illumination. The low voltage lighting system also looks more natural and sharp than the line voltage lightings that tend to be more diffused.

Size and style

Low voltage fixtures are usually smaller compared to line voltage lighting systems. That is thanks to its smaller filaments and the use of a transformer. On the contrary, line voltage fixtures are so much bigger in size and style because they have to be able to handle colossal amounts of electric current.

Understanding the differences between voltages will allow you to make informed decisions about the lighting systems you should use. But, it is always the best option to have a skilled and seasoned Arvada electrician assist you.

Movability

The low voltage lighting system is usually not permanent, unlike the standard line voltage. That said, it is quite easy to set up or re-arrange when needed. And you can add more fixtures to the system as long as the transformer can handle it.

Safety

The current that flows through the transformer is less powerful than the line voltage. This feature makes the low voltage more attractive to use, especially for outdoor and landscape applications.

To learn more about what makes low voltage different from line voltage, or if you have any electrical issues that need immediate troubleshooting, contact us. ElectriCall offers a variety of home electrical repair services to homeowners in Arvada, CO.

Have Your Home Inspected If You Have These Warning Signs

Flickering lights? Burning smells? Here are some electrical warning signs that you should be calling a local residential electrician right away.

Let us get real. How often do you hire a home electrical repair service to check your home’s electrical system? Maybe once every 5 years?

Ideally, electrical systems must be diagnosed and maintained on a regular basis, especially when you notice these warning signs.

Sign #1: Tripping circuit breakers

Have you ever experienced losing power for several minutes? Are lights and appliances not turning on? Your circuit breaker probably has tripped.

Although that is quite frustrating, do your own sleuthing before calling an electrician nearby. Circuit breakers have a safety mechanism that automatically shuts off the electricity to avoid electrical shocks or fire due to power overload.

One of these two culprits could be blamed for your circuit breaker tripping:

Circuit overload

Electrical wirings tend to overheat when more electrical current passes through more than they can handle.

Here is what must be done to test for circuit overload. When your breaker trips again, unplug all your appliances and turn off all the switches. Flip the breaker back on and turn on the switches and appliances one by one to see if the circuit will stay on or not.

You might need to try this a couple of times to gauge how much the circuit can handle before it shuts off again, and which appliance is causing the overload.

Abnormal connection between electrical wirings

Short-circuiting is the other common reason for a circuit breaker to suddenly flip off. Short circuit happens when electrical wirings become loose and touch each other causing overheating, explosion, or damage to the breaker.

Tracing a short-circuit is difficult. Suspected electrical devices or electrical systems causing the power trip should be opened up to detect, repair, and replace the damaged wires. You definitely have to hire a professional to perform an electrician inspection and ensure everything is in order again.

Sign #2: Blown fuse and melted fuse holder

Fuses can be found in traditional breaker boxes of older homes. They are designed to blow and melt whenever the electrical system is drawing too much current than it can handle.

A blown or melted fuse occurs when the fuse gets extremely hot and eventually softens the coating and holder. In other words, it blows due to excessive current. Although it is relatively easy to fix a blown fuse, to prevent further damage, consult with a professional electrician nearby.

Sign #3: Lights flickering when appliances are turned on

An electrical inspection should also be considered when your lights start flickering whenever you turn an appliance on. Be more concerned if small appliances like a coffee pot and toaster are causing the electrical problem. Such unusual activity could mean bigger issues:

Loose connectors in the electrical panel
Electrical overload caused by major appliances all plugged in the same circuit
Connections are too close to each other causing sparks

Whatever is causing the flickering, have a trained electrician perform the diagnosis and remedy. ElectriCall is experienced in remedying this type of electrical issue. Get in touch with us to learn about the home electrical repair service we can do for you!

Sign #4: Charred switches and outlets

The plastic housing of outlets and switches can easily burn. More often than not, it happens to houses built with aluminum wirings. Talk with an experienced local residential electrician if you are unsure whether your home is using aluminum wiring or not.

You will want the assistance of professionals to rewire your home. Some houses are “top wired” which means that the electrical routing goes up to the ceiling of the ground floor back to the outlets and switches. This routing system is more complicated to fix and demands the expertise of a local residential electrician.

Schedule an appointment with us

In order to have a safe and sound sleep at night, an accurate assessment of your home’s electrical system is necessary. Book ElectriCall to conduct an electrical inspection in your home right away.

We can evaluate the integrity of your electrical components. Our specialists will look for issues from the circuits, electrical boxes, to cable anchoring. With our expertise, we can easily detect the faulty installation of appliances, light fixtures, and outlets among others.

On top of that, our team will perform a couple of trial runs to your electrical system to ensure it is safe to use. And we will go as far as helping your home have surge protection.

A home inspection is important. Let ElectriCall eliminate your worries of fire hazards and the risk of electric shock. Call us now!