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An Emergency Electrician in Trumbull, CT Shares Basic Tips to Prepare for a Power Outage

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A power outage can occur for any number of reasons, and most happen without warning. Luckily, a seasoned emergency electrician in Trumbull, CT is happy to share some basic tips to help you better prepare for a power outage.

Before

Preparation is key, so put an emergency kit together and keep it where it’s easily accessible. In a bag, keep flashlights, a portable radio, batteries, an extra phone charger, a first aid kit and cash, and toss in your important medications at the first signs of a power outage in case you have to leave your home. Also, keep a stash of non-perishable foods and bottled water near your emergency kit, as well as know where your garage door’s manual release is located and how to operate it.

During

Any residential electrician in Trumbull, CT will tell you to not use candles to avoid starting a fire—always use flashlights. During a power outage, turn off electronics that were on, with the exception of one light so you know when the power comes back on. Keep refrigerator and freezer doors shut to preserve food as long as possible, but eat cold, perishable food first before going for non-perishable items. You should know how to use a home generator properly and safely, if you have one. To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, never turn it on inside your home, garage or any other enclosed area.

After

Be wary of downed power lines. Contact your utility company and remain inside your home or another building until it’s safe to exit. Also, throw out any spoiled food in your refrigerator.

What’s it like to take advantage of emergency electrical services from the skilled team at New England Electrical Contracting, Inc.? To give you some idea, we’d like to take a minute to share a recent success story.

One of our most recent success stories is the rescue of the VCA Shelton Animal Hospital. This animal hospital is a medical facility that provides a range of specialty medical services exclusively to dogs and cats, including critical care and emergency services. Needless to say, constant power to the building is crucial to successfully tend to all their patients’ needs.

One day there was a building emergency. The building’s transformer had gone down, leaving a number of cat and dog patients vulnerable. Heavy equipment and essential machines within the building were no longer powered on, and the situation was not looking good for the admitted animals. Our team at New England Electrical Contracting, Inc. was contacted and we were on the job in the matter of minutes! A temporary generator was delivered quickly, and within just a couple hours, the VCA Shelton Animal Hospital was back up and running.

We want you to have peace of mind with properly functioning electricity in your home, business or office building. When you rely on us for your electrical needs, you can rest assured we will do whatever it takes to make sure your electricity is running up to standards. Don’t hesitate to contact us for help from a professional residential or commercial electrician in Trumbull, CT anytime!

Avoid Commonly Broken Codes During Electrical Repair in Trumbull, CT by Consulting a Residential Electrician

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The National Electrical Code (NEC) serves as the guide for electrical design, wiring, installation and equipment for a residential electrician in Trumbull, CT and the rest of the country. Electric work by design is not an easy job, and there are often a few common codes that are broken when homeowners take on DIY electrical repair projects.

Always provide easy access to control panel

Anything can happen with your electricity at any time, which means that your control panel or breaker box needs to be unobstructed at all times. With control panels that are located in the basement, it is very easy to begin to use the area around it as storage, and over time a lot of things will get piled up in front of the panel area, blocking access. Whether you need to reset a circuit or a professional is in your home doing electrical repair, you will eventually need access to this area. Because of this, the NEC has specified that there needs to be a space surrounding your panel that is at least 30” wide, 3’ deep and 6’ 8” high.

Make sure the demands and wiring match

It is also a necessity for you to have enough outlet receptacles in your home. The amount of technology and electronic devices that we have at our disposal now is far more than what was used at the turn of the century, when many of the homes we live in today were built. Making sure that you have enough outlets to handle the energy demands for your home is needed to prevent dangerous overloading of circuits that could start a fire. Similarly, using wiring for lighting that has a higher rating than what your home has the capabilities for can cause your system to run hot, posing a dangerous fire risk. Making sure your home can handle all of your electricity needs will also reduce the need to rely on extension cords, making your home much safer overall for everyone.

Use correct covers on outdoor outlets

Electrical outlets that are outside have guidelines for safety, too, and it is especially important to adhere to them, as electricity that is outside is exposed to a different set of conditions. Since outside outlets will constantly be exposed to wet conditions, it is imperative to have an in-use cover, commonly referred to as a bubble cover, that allows you to fully cover the outlet when a cord is plugged in. This ensures that cords that are plugged in for extended periods of time, such as those that power Christmas lights or all-day landscaping projects, will always be protected and won’t be exposed to water, mitigating the risks that come along with wet weather and electricity.

To make sure that all of your electrical repairs are in compliance with all of the NEC guidelines, consult with a residential electrician in Trumbull, CT. The electricians at New England Electrical Contracting, Inc. are both skilled and knowledgeable, and have experience with these common issues and much more. Give us a call for all of your residential and commercial electrical needs today.

Why Low Voltage Lighting Is Often Used for Landscape Lighting in Trumbull, CT

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Making the inside and outside of your home look as beautiful as possible is a goal that all homeowners have, and one of the best ways to stage a great external aesthetic is with landscape lighting installation in Trumbull, CT. There are many different options that are available, but when you examine the benefits of low-voltage lighting, it is easy to see why it so commonly used with residential landscape lighting.

Safety

Through the use of a step-down transformer, the 120v electric supply from your home can be safely converted to 12v for outdoor use, making low voltage lighting one of the safest outdoor lighting options for available for your landscaping. Additionally, since the current traveling through the wires is comparatively lower, this type of lighting can be operated outside without worrying about some of the risks that result when water and high voltage electricity mix, such as electric shock or electrocution. Installation will be much easier and safer for an electrician, and the area will also be safe if a family pet goes digging in areas where the cabling is located.

Customization

Low voltage lighting is very flexible, and the design options that you will be able to choose from are endless. Because smaller fixtures can be used safely with low voltage lighting, you will also have the option of adding landscape lighting in Trumbull, CT in the tight, hard to reach spaces of your yard, allowing you to create a cohesive look in all areas of your property. With the plethora of options you will have for low voltage bulbs, fixtures, covers and lenses, you will also have greater control over the beam size and the type of light that is being cast, allowing you to nail down the specific look you are trying to accomplish with your landscape lighting.

Convenience

With installation being so easy and accessible, rearranging your displays can be just as easy as well. If you find that you want to make simple adjustments to the way your landscape lighting is laid out, this can easily be done at any time. You can also opt to switch up the fixtures for special occasions, such as barbecues or backyard birthday parties. Low voltage lighting is also very efficient, and the bulbs tend to last longer than the incandescent lamps that are used with 120v systems, making low voltage lighting an affordable option as well.

Low voltage lighting is a great choice if you are looking to customize your landscaping and present an elegant appearance at affordable prices. It is also safe, convenient and can easily be installed by a licensed electrician. If you are interested in increasing the appeal of your home and want to learn more about landscape lighting installation in Trumbull, CT, contact the experts at New England Electrical Contracting, Inc. With a comprehensive range of electrical services including installation, repair and surge protection, we can take care of your home both inside and out. Give us a call today to schedule a consultation!

Three Popular Trends in Residential Landscape Lighting in Trumbull, CT

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Finding affordable ways to add appeal and value to your home can sometimes be difficult, but residential landscape lighting in Trumbull, CT offers a simple way to make your home shine. Here are some of the lighting trends that have been popular with homeowners recently that you could consider to give your property just the look you want:

  • LED lighting: With many people attempting to lead greener lifestyles, the LED light bulb has become very popular. With this growing popularity, LED lighting has been seeing more and more use in residential landscape lighting, and this trend will likely keep growing as the efficiency of LED bulbs continues to improve. Not only does the reduced energy usage of LED bulbs help you to do your part in creating a better environment, but you will also be able to save yourself a lot of money in the process. In fact, LED lighting is so efficient that you can get up to 100,000 hours out of just one bulb—a lifecycle that outlasts other lighting options by a mile. With each bulb lasting longer you will be able to purchase fewer each year, and you will ultimately be getting more bang for your buck over the lifetime of your landscape lighting.
  • Moonlight lighting: Moonlight lighting is a trend that has also been gaining steam in recent years due to the classic, natural look that it can give your landscaping. To achieve this look, down lights are installed high in the air, either in your landscaped trees or on nearby structures. When the light projects down on to your landscaping, you will have soft ambient look that mimics the light of a full moon. If you do decide to install the lights in your trees, a shadowed effect will be created as the light filters through the branches, making the appearance of the lighting look even more natural. And even though moonlight lighting will create a soft glow in your yard, the light will still shine brightly, which can serve as an additional form of security for your property.
  • Higher end fixtures with visibility: Another trend that is being used to create landscaping that has a luxurious feel is the display of fancier, more intricate statement lighting in prominent areas that are used to entertain, such as patios or front and back porch and deck areas. Featuring these types of key pieces is a great way to showcase the specific areas of your yard in the way you truly want, while keeping the whole project to an affordable cost.

If you want to achieve any of these looks in your yard or are interested in learning about other designs and trends in residential landscape lighting in Trumbull, CT, contact the team at New England Electrical Contracting, Inc. We have been transforming homes and landscaping features for over 10 years now, so you can be sure that we will be able to help you accomplish the look you are searching for. Give us a call today to schedule a consultation!

Marine Wiring in Trumbull, CT Allows You to Reap the Benefits of Pool Heaters

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If you have a pool on your property, you know how much of an investment everything from the installation to the routine upkeep each year can be. If you are looking for ways to get more out of your pool so that you can maximize your investment, adding a heater and installing marine wiring in Trumbull, CT might be the answer. Here are just a few reasons why you should consider the addition of a heater for your pool.

Get more out of your investment

Since a pool is such a large investment, it is only natural that you would want to be able to get as much use out of it each year as possible, which is exactly what the addition of a pool heater will allow you to do. Being able to stay in the pool longer equals lengthened play days and summer pool parties that can be extended well into the night for extra fun. On a larger scale, you will be able to enjoy your pool well into the fall when the temperatures start to drop, and depending on how mild the fall and winter seasons are in any given year, you might be able to get almost a full year of use out of your pool.

Spend more time with your family

In addition to improving your return on your investment, adding to your swim season also creates more opportunities to spend quality time with your family in a fun-filled environment. Very young children and the elderly typically need warmer water because they get chilled faster than most, so adding a pool heater means that spending time in the pool will be an activity that the whole family will be able to join in on. Everyone leads different lives that may separate them during busy days, so having the option of swimming in the pool with your family in the evenings when everyone is together again ensures that you will still have the opportunity to spend time together that everyone can enjoy.

Health benefits

A swimming pool is one of the best environments to get in a good workout, as all activities result in low impact on your bones and joints. If the water is too cold, though, it can cause chilling, which could actually end up doing you more harm than good. To combat this, a pool heater can be used to not only help you get the most out of your workouts, but to also help relax your muscles after an intense workout so that you can leave the pool feeling good both mentally and physically.

If these benefits sound like something that you and your family would enjoy, then a pool heater is definitely for you. For installation, you will need the best marine wiring in Trumbull, CT, which is why you should call the experts at New England Electrical Contracting, Inc. We are committed to making sure that your heater takes your pool to the next level so that it is everything your family needs and more. Give us a call so we can get started on your installation right away!