Many people’s outdoor electrical outlets are not actually up to electrical code anymore. They may lack GFCI switches or have the old-style outdoor outlet covers you see in the image here in this post. This is a relatively easy DIY project. However, as always, it is important to call a professional electrician if you feel
Extension cords can create big problems for homeowners. Extension cord misuse is a leading cause of “electrical distribution fires,” or fires that are caused by overloaded circuits. The National Fire Prevention Association estimates that roughly half of home electrical fires can be traced back to electrical distribution issues. You have to understand that any given
Every home has to have smoke detectors to offer some protection from fire. However, you do have the choice between standard, battery-operated smoke detectors and hard wired smoke detectors. In general, hard wired smoke detectors are a much better bet. First, you don’t have to worry about faulty batteries. Though hardwired smoke detectors have back-up
Outdoor kitchens are all the rage right now. You can find all sorts of outdoor kitchen design ideas that will give you a lot of inspiration when it comes to colors, sizes, and accessories for your new space. Few take much time to discuss the wiring needs of an outdoor kitchen. However, good wiring is
When you open a new business there’s a ton of stuff to think about. You’ve got to get permits, buy inventory, and get to work on your marketing. Your parking lot may really be the last thing on your mind. You know you’ll need adequate parking to have a successful business, but you may not
Low voltage landscape lighting serves several important functions. First, it makes your home safer by making it less attractive to thieves. Second, it makes your yard a lot more fun! It gives you the opportunity to enjoy your outdoor spaces even after night has fallen. These 4 tips will help you get the best results
I’ve talked about lowering your energy bill before. Your AC accounts for about 60% of your energy costs during the summer, however, so I thought I’d spend a bit of time talking specifically about your AC bill and how to lower it. First, let’s talk about where you set your thermostat. You can set it
In this intense summer heat, the last thing anyone wants is to spend even one day without a working air conditioner. Fortunately, an AC failure usually doesn’t “just happen.” Often, there are some warning signs that begin before the AC stops working. If you can get service for your AC before it breaks down entirely
We have recently begun repairing AC units. One thing that we’re finding is that many problems can be averted if you take the time to perform some basic maintenance on your AC. This starts with changing your AC filters before they get too dirty. That means changing those filters at least every 60 days (and
Let’s continue our tour of the appliances in your home by looking at how you can go about purchasing an energy efficient television. In order to do this you need to understand the different types of TV. Cathode Ray This is your basic old school TV, which of course are not energy efficient at all.