Are you weighing the benefits of purchasing a generator for your home? Naturally, you have questions:
What kind of home generator should I get? Portable or Automatic Backup Generator?
Do I even need a generator?
How much should I invest in a home generator?
If you’ve been searching the web for “Home Generator”, you’ll know that many sites advertise Portable Generators on the first page, and for good reason: They’re cheaper, mobile and good in an emergency.
But are they the best option for a homeowner or commercial business? Consider for a moment what a portable generator is intended to be used for, and why a standby generator may be preferable.
What is a portable generator used for?
Using a gas-powered engine, portable generators generate electrical power. There are power sockets directly built into the device for ease of access when plugging in small devices. While this sounds very convenient, a portable generator is really only intended as a stop-gap: A very temporary backup, in an emergency. They can also be used as camping tool, or the power source for a small shed.
In an emergency, you’ll need to physically set the generator up in a secure outdoor location, ensure you follow all safety measures, get it going and run an extension cable to the devices you’d like powered. Also, a steady supply of gasoline is needed to keep this generator operational.
While effective in the short term or under specific conditions, a portable generator is by no means a good choice for an automatic backup power supply for an entire home or business.
Generac home backup generators draw fuel from your existing natural gas or LP fuel supply. These generators are much safer and cheaper to run than portable units and are installed safely outside your home, just like a central air conditioning unit.
These generators are known as “standby generators”. This means that they turn on automatically, without any action from the owner. Within seconds of an outage, you will be back online! Once power is restored, it will also automatically power off, safely and securely.
The Takeaway?
It is impossible to know when a blackout is going to happen, so having a strong electrical backup generator is essential. Nearly everything in our houses require electricity to work, and there is no guarantee that power will also be available.
We at New England Electrical are committed to ensuring you get the best generator for your home or business. Our free in-home consultations assess which size, type, and location would benefit you the most. Call us today or book online to know more!
June is here, and summer is just on the horizon! Along with the picnics, BBQs and beach days, the rest of our time will still be spent at home, trying to escape the summer heat:
Is your home or commercial air conditioning unit adequately prepared for the heat?
Basic Maintenance & Best Practices
If you want your unit to last, a simple routine of bi-annual maintenance is key!
Vacuum around the vents and ensure they are unblocked.
Adjust your thermostat 5 – 8 degrees (up in summer, down in winter).
Clear the drain line by the cooling coil (usually above the furnace in the basement).
Insulate any exposed ductwork.
Avoid using the oven or dryer during the hottest hours of the day.
Clean the internal unit (evaporator and blower).
Be sure to consult your manual for the specifics, but cleaning the evaporator coil, evaporator drain, and changing your blower filter is important to maintaining an efficient AC unit. If after following these basic tips you notice that your utility bill is still high, there may be an electrical issue to troubleshoot
Energy Efficient Air Conditioners
HVAC units are the biggest power drainers in our house, but there has been progress in reducing the drain. One of the most popular industry standard certifications you may have heard of is known as ‘Energy Star’. The Energy Star program was started by the EPA in 1992 with the intention of reducing air pollution. As a result, these Energy Star certified units are designed to be much more efficient to operate when compared to regular A/C Units. They generally use about 8% less energy than conventional models and are guaranteed to save you substantially on your monthly utility bills, when installed correctly.
Tried and True vs. Bold and New
The simple fact is that HVAC manufacturers have become much better at making efficient, smaller, and cheaper units. For example, if your air conditioner was installed before 2010, it could be using a refrigerant blend (R-22) which may be costing you money! Newer units have fluid that better transfers heat, use variable stage fans to meter how much energy the unit draws, and use multi-stage compressors for an air conditioner that adapts to your specific home needs.
The Takeaway
Simply put, energy efficient units mean more savings in the long run. Depending on the wiring, type, and size, an inefficient standard A/C unit can cost homeowners substantially more than a well maintained, newer, Energy Star unit.
Whether you decide to purchase a newer unit and want to make sure all the electronics are in good order, or would like a professional to inspect your home electrical grid and appliance load needs, we’re here to help.
Let our certified professional electricians give you the best service possible. Contact us for a free home estimate today!
May is around the corner, and most of us have yet to complete our spring cleaning. We often associate this “cleaning” with housework, organizing, and a deep-clean, but it is also a perfect time to complete home repairs and maintenance projects.
Apart from repairing minor leaks and squeaks, a complete home check for electrical issues goes a long way in preventing future electrical hazards. Why not make this year’s spring cleaning even better with some of these tips!
Maintaining Safe Power Flow
Many of our appliances and electronics use a short electrical cord. Over time, especially when cords are running under carpets or near walkways, they can become damaged or frayed. Our first thought may be fear of electrocution, but damaged power cords can also present a fire hazard.
Check all cords and outlets to ensure they have no damage. Cheaper electronics can be easily replaced. However, if a power cord on an appliance, or even an outlet, is damaged, you’ll need to immediately call an electrical technician to replace or repair the damage.
Overloading circuits by plugging in too many items is also a hazard. In fact, if we keep our items unplugged until we need them, this practice will help us save on our monthly energy bill.
Outlets and GFCI
Have you ever noticed a power outlet with two buttons in the middle? These are called GFCIs, and they are great in places with water like the kitchen or bathroom. If your device has an electrical short due to water damage, a GFCI outlet will immediately shut itself off. This helps you avoid electric shock and can help prevent major electrical home damage.
On the subject of outlets, ensuring your home outlets are not overly warm is critical to maintaining a safe home. If you notice any abnormal temperature, color, or damage, please contact one of our professional electricians.
Lights, not Fire!
Light bulbs are everywhere, and these days there are numerous energy saving bulbs available. If you’ve made the switch to CFL (Compact Fluorescent Light) bulbs with the intention of becoming more eco-friendly, watch out! Using a CFL bulb in a place it was not designed for presents a fire hazard. In fact, using them in track lighting, pot lights, or in dimmer plugs is dangerous. A good rule of thumb is to always use a dimmer bulb for a dimmer fixture.
Also, always confirm your bulb wattage matches the correct wattage for the fixture. Too low of a wattage may not be noticeable, but if you exceed the allowed wattage then your light fixture can be damaged or even start a fire.
While these techniques are preventative, it never hurts to have your home inspected by a trained specialist. It may seem like something small, but the peace of mind you’ll have from a full inspection is priceless. Not to mention the time and money saved in the event faulty wiring would have led to an electrical fire.
This year, let spring cleaning end with greater peace of mind, not just a clean house: Get in touch with our expert team today and get this season started right!
The best time to prepare for a natural disaster is before it happens.
We’re reminded of how true it is, every time we watch the news. It seems there are more natural disasters than ever! We all want to be prepared, but it’s often easier said than done.
Putting things off is not ideal, because disasters can occur when we least expect. Here are some easy steps that all homeowners and commercial property owners can take to prepare now to secure their electrical systems and prevent costly property damages.
The danger of not preparing
Extended loss of power can cause many other property-threatening problems. If you have a basement in a flood zone, power loss may prevent your sump pump from functioning properly, leading to flooding and water damage. Lack of electrical heating systems will lower a homes temperature to the outdoor ambient temperature. This can cause pipes to within the walls to freeze, leading to ruptures, and indoor flooding.
Take for example, what happened in Texas this year, when the state was hit by an intense cold-snap: Many families were without power for days, causing pipes to burst, flooding homes, creating millions of dollars in property damages, and sadly, causing the loss of life in some hard-hit areas.
Much of this could have been avoided with proper preparation, including home generators to keep important electrical systems going.
Today’s preparation is tomorrow’s success
A properly installed whole-home generator is a great first step to prevent a variety of bad things from impacting our property. Knowing that your property has a reliable and certified generator offers great peace of mind.
When wiring is a problem
Aside from maintaining power, the electrical wiring in our houses should also be checked on a schedule. Perhaps not every year, but definitely not once a decade! Many electricians recommend getting things checked out every 3-5 years.
Why is this important? Over the years, safety standards are typically updated. These safety standards protect our homes and the people and valuables in them. Due diligence in this regard can prevent costly repairs due to electrical wiring failure, and ensure that our power safely travels throughout our homes.
Let us help you prepare for the worst
As a fully licensed and insured electrical contracting establishment, we are more than qualified to help you prepare your home or commercial property now for anything that could come. We’re committed to giving you the best service possible, with professional guidance and advice. Get in touch for a custom property estimate and let us prove to you that our team is the best at what we do.
If you’re like us, living up here in the Northeast, you grew up looking forward to wintertime! As a child, maybe you looked forward to snowball fights, snow castles, and a nice break from school. However, as adults, the view of winter may be a little different.
Save Yourself Some Winter Work
As homeowners, we deal with wintertime home care, essential cold-weather maintenance, and of course, snow removal. Here’s where modern tech can really help us make life easier and safer!
Heated driveways are an excellent resource for homeowners to save hundreds of hours removing snow and add a huge margin of safety with the prevention of ice build-up.
What is a Heated Driveway?
Exactly what they sound like! Snow and ice are greeted with a heated surface that helps prevents snow accumulation. Though it may seem like a luxury to some, the elimination of shoveling, icing, falling, and salt damage is well worth the investment.
After installation, the heating elements are typically wired to a junction box. For those with a whole home generator, it’s safer to have the system wired to the generator. This way, after the worst winter storm and power knockouts, your driveway will be just as safe, warm, and protected as your home.
The Risks of Snow Shoveling
More than ever, people are concerned about safety and health. Falls become costly as we advance in age, and what was once a minor annoyance becomes a serious health concern or a hospital trip.
A study published in 2017 showed a significant amount of heart attacks over a 30-year period were directly linked to exertion after a substantial snow fall. If you or someone in your family is in a fall or cardiovascular risk category, it may be wise to consider a heated driveway. By eliminating snow shoveling, you are also eliminating the risk of hip fractures, hypothermia, and heart attacks.
How to Install a Heated Driveway
Heated driveways may be a simple concept, but installation does take a fair amount of experience and the right set of tools. Many driveway companies and some landscapers are qualified and can be hired for the installation. Usually, a fresh concrete pour is needed, but if you have an asphalt driveway then you’re in luck! Repaving asphalt can be cheaper and the heating system installed at the same time. The cheapest installation is for driveways made up of brick pavers.
Connecting to Your Generator For Convenience & Safety
Whether you have a heated driveway on the list of future home improvements, or already have one installed, it’s one of the many great things that you can make sure is safely and securely connected to emergency generator power.
Our Generac whole home generators are more than up to the task, and our experts can set up the connections you need to keep the driveway warm and safe. Get in touch with us to discuss the best setup for your home and property!
