Winter Electrical Tips from Your Local Electrician in Trumbull, CT

As winter gets underway and you try to remain as warm as possible, it is important to make sure that you are doing so safely. That is why your local electrician in Trumbull, CT is here with a few electrical tips to make sure that you are maximizing the heating efficiency in your home in a safe and reliable manner.

Fan storage

When putting your portable fans away for the winter, check to make sure that the cords and plugs are not frayed or damaged. You can also clean off the fan to rid it of any debris that may have accumulated over the summer, so that when you are ready to use it again next year you can pull it out and put it right back to use.

Also make sure to switch your ceiling fan from summer to winter mode, if this feature is available on your particular model. In the summertime, your ceiling fan rotates one way to pull the heat away from the interior of your home. On the winter setting, the blades will spin in the opposite direction, which will enable the fan to push the air from the ceiling back into the room to keep it warm and comfortable.

Fire safety

It is a good idea to spend some time maintaining the fire safety measures throughout your home as you begin transitioning from the fall to the winter months. Remember to check the smoke alarms throughout the house, and be sure that any fire extinguishers and fire blankets are still current and have not passed their use-by dates.

Space heaters

When used responsibly, space heaters can be an effective way to heat the particularly cold areas in your home that might not get as warm as other spaces. Be sure to wipe away any dust or debris that might have collected on a space heater that was sitting in storage before turning it on for the winter. Additionally, check the cords to make sure they are in good condition before plugging them in. Make sure that you are plugging your space heater directly into the wall socket as opposed to an extension cord or adapter, as they draw a lot of power and could overload a circuit and cause a fire.

If you are purchasing a new space heater, try to make sure that you get a model that automatically shuts off if tipped over as an added safety measure. Finally, always make sure to turn off your space heater when you are finished with it and it is no longer in use.

If you want to make sure that your entire electrical system is ready for another winter, contact us at New England Electrical Contracting, Inc. We have been providing a wide range of reliable electrical services for more than 10 years, and we have the know-how you need to make sure that your home stays both warm and safe this season. Call a local electrician in Trumbull, CT today to schedule your appointment to make sure you are ready for the winter.

Three Reasons Business Owners Should Consider Adding Custom Lighting

Business owners are constantly looking for ways to improve their companies, whether with changes in day-to-day processes or upgrades to the company’s physical space. One such way to advance and elevate your business is by working with a commercial electrician in Trumbull, CT to design and install custom lighting. Take a look at three of the many benefits that this type of upgrade could add to your company.

Increased employee productivity

In addition to attracting customers and ensuring that they keep coming back, custom lighting can also be just as beneficial for the employees of a business. Harsh lighting can have a negative effect on the eye health of employees, which can in turn hinder their ability to do their jobs at peak effectiveness. Research has shown that lighting that is easier on employees’ eyes can actually help to make them more productive while also improving morale, which could have a direct correlation on the amount of revenue your company generates.

An overhaul of your lighting system can also help to make your building more energy efficient, which can help make your electricity bills more manageable. Between increased worker productivity and improved energy efficiency, the cost of a custom lighting installation could begin paying for itself relatively quickly.

Give your business an X factor

Even though it might not be as obvious as other factors, one reason that customers chose to keep going back to a particular business is for the unique elements that they offer that similar businesses may not. One way to capture this distinctiveness is by using custom lighting designs to create an environment and ambience that customers aren’t able to experience anywhere else. No matter what type of mood you are trying to create, whether it is a soft and relaxing waiting area or a vibrant workplace atmosphere, custom lighting with original fixtures can help establish something that only exists in your building.

Stand-alone value

Above all else, custom lighting can serve as something that is independently beautiful, which can elevate the value and function of any space. Whether you are looking to update an office space, a restaurant or a waiting room in a doctor’s office, custom lighting has the ability to fill any space with an artistic atmosphere and creativity, making the space a place that employees and patrons alike will enjoy coming to.

If you are interested in adding custom lighting that will take your business to the next level, contact the team at New England Electrical Contracting, Inc. Whether you are trying to highlight a specific feature of a space or you want the lighting itself to be the highlight, our team has years of experience with custom designs of all shapes, sizes and layouts. We can help your company add just what you are missing, so give us a call today to learn about the many services that we offer, and to schedule your appointment with a commercial electrician in Trumbull, CT right away. We look forward to helping your business!

Why Isn’t the Switch Working for Your Light Fixture?

By far one of the most important inventions of the last couple centuries is electricity. When humans were finally able to channel electric power to be used in commercial industries and residential settings alike, many aspects of life improved dramatically. Fast forward about 150 years and our society is incredibly dependent on electricity. Even though we interact with electricity more than ever before, we often take it for granted, and we generally don’t think about it beyond flipping on a light switch and lighting up a room. In fact, we often don’t think about electricity until it stops working.

If you try to turn on a light or fixture and find that the light doesn’t turn on, you are probably wondering what’s going on. Before you call for electrical repair in Trumbull, CT, here are several potential issues that could be preventing your light fixture from working:

  • Breaker: One of the most common reasons why your electronic fixtures won’t turn on is a tripped breaker. Check your circuit breaker to see if anything tripped and try resetting it to see if that resolves the problem.
  • Bulb: It could be that your bulb has simply burned out. The easiest way to determine whether your bulb is dead is by gently shaking it near your ear. If you hear a light rattle, the light bulb is dead and it’s time to replace it.
  • Switch: Before you do anything more drastic, make sure that the switch and the fixture are on. It might seem like a silly thing to check, but it’s worth it to exhaust any potential sources of the problem before moving on to more extensive troubleshooting!
  • Cord: Make sure that any internal or external cords are properly connected. You can try shifting the cord a little bit to see if your light flickers on. If this is the case, you might need to adjust and secure the connection to solve the problem.
  • Socket: Investing in an inexpensive circuit tester is a worthwhile investment that can help you with your electrical troubleshooting. If you can’t seem to find any other potential source of the problem, test your socket to determine whether it might need to be replaced.
  • Wiring: Big problems with wiring are not so simple to address on your own. It’s important to get help from a professional electrician who will be able to safely and effectively handle electrical repairs.

When you need help with electrical concerns in your home, make sure that you contact a trained provider of electrical repair in Trumbull, CT that you can trust. At New England Electrical Contracting, Inc., we have years of experience providing commercial and residential customers alike with an exceptional level of service. We offer a wide range of services and we are equipped with the skills and expertise necessary to address any electrical projects that require assistance, big or small. Find out more about all of the services that we provide and take a look at customer testimonials by browsing our website, and call us today to get the help you need!

Five Facts About a Professional Electrician in Trumbull, CT That Might Surprise You

Electricity is a vital part of our society. Without electricity, you wouldn’t be able to power on many of your most important devices at home or at work—things like appliances, computers, televisions, heating and cooling systems, lights, Wi-Fi, coffee makers, security systems and a whole lot more. But we usually don’t realize just how much we rely on electricity until something suffers a power failure and we have to call an electrician.

Electricians only need to flip a switch to get the power back to normal, right? Well, it’s not always that simple. In fact, their role as “fixer of power problems” is much broader than most of us know!

Here are a few surprising facts you might not have known about a professional electrician in Trumbull, CT:

  • Master electrician training is long: Working with electricity is a delicate process, and it can become dangerous very quickly. That is why master electricians train for almost as long as doctors do, because even the smallest error can result in a seriously hazardous situation. Classroom and hands-on training go for many years before someone becomes a licensed electrician, and then they need three additional years in the field in order to apply to be a master electrician.
  • There’s more than one specialty to practice: Like in the medical field, electricians have several areas of specialty to choose to work in. First, their main job is to maintain, repair or replace electrical systems in residential homes and other structures. While electricians are specialists in either electrical engineering or maintenance, some professionals train in both. They also get to choose to specialize in the area of residential, commercial, industrial or outdoor power sources, with some electricians working in more than one area.
  • Electricians perform safety checks: While you hired an electrician to safely bring power back to your residence, you need to understand that they will always keep safety in mind when making repairs. They carry out safety checks and adhere to state safety regulations, which are in place to avoid electrical hazards. Professional electricians are well versed in these safety regulations and also follow appropriate building codes during electrical installation or repairs.
  • Electricians have a broad range of skills: From wiring new buildings to rewiring older homes, trained electricians perform a range of functions that go beyond simply installing light fixtures. Many electricians also perform electrical inspections and tests, as well as residential and commercial maintenance, and electrical engineers fix elaborate systems to ensure building safety. Furthermore, they have good math skills and can read blueprints.
  • Electricians are problem solvers: Often, someone calls for electrical help without knowing precisely what the problem is. Luckily, a huge part of your electrician’s job is to identify, diagnose and evaluate issues, whether the problem is immediately apparent or something of a mystery.

At New England Electrical Contracting, Inc., we offer a wide range of electrical services for both homeowners and business owners. Whether you need your home’s electrical system updated or upgrades made to your indoor or outdoor lighting and electricity, our team of electricians can help. Contact us to speak with a professional electrical contractor in Trumbull, CT today!

Five Must-Know Facts About Landscape Lighting in Trumbull, CT

There are several reasons why you may want to install landscape lighting in your backyard or on your business property, but two reasons stand out from the rest. One is to beautify your landscaping with things other than plants, and the other is for safety or security. You enjoy seeing your outdoor space during the daylight—now imagine being able to see your walkways, flower beds, trees, patio, and garden aesthetics at night. Lighting makes it all shine, while this along with security lighting protects and keeps you, your family, and property safe.

If you are looking to enhance your lighting design to create a beautifully landscaped space or a more secure area, then there are a few things you may want to consider before diving into a landscape lighting installation project.

With that in mind, here are five facts about landscape lighting in Trumbull, CT, as well as some important considerations every homeowner and business owner should take into account:

  • Overall cohesiveness: You might have designed your garden space to flow together. This makes it easier on the eyes, instead of forcing you and your guests to focus on a chaotic scene. With the right lighting design, your landscaping will make visual sense as it creates cohesion between plants, architecture, paths, and other types of outdoor lighting.
  • Depth of illumination: A good thing for homeowners and business owners to know is that landscape lighting is about more than just placing a spotlight on areas, fixtures, or plants. You want to get lighting professionally installed to ensure that depth is a part of your setup. For instance, illuminating objects both close up and at a distance adds depth to the landscape when viewed from within a home or other building.
  • Light balance: Another important consideration is balance. Merely lighting up a portion of your landscape and leaving all other areas in the dark will throw off light balance. Instead, the areas of light and shadow should have a synchronized feel. Plants being lit up out of proportion lack a sense of design and can be confusing to viewers.
  • Focal points: Quality landscape lights offer you the chance to highlight specific features in your yard. For example, the pool or a certain tree may be a focal point all on its own during the day. To give every lovely aspect of your garden its time to shine—including fountains, statues, gazebos, arbors, and plants—you can showcase them at night with landscape lighting. The key is to draw nighttime attention to an area or feature.
  • Visual ambiance: Glaring lights, bright bulbs, and oddly placed outdoor light fixtures can ruin a beautiful yard when what you want is constant visual appeal. These things are distracting and will make your lighting design seem ineffective.

Make sure you’re getting a quality landscape lighting installation in Trumbull, CT! Do your homework, know what you want, and hire a professional who’s an expert at installing landscape lights. From being knowledgeable in landscape products to offering exceptional installation services, New England Electrical Contracting, Inc. is here to help. Contact us about your outdoor lighting needs today!