The environment is an important topic in today’s world. We are all trying to do our part to be more efficient with our resources, including reusing, recycling and reducing our carbon footprint as much as possible. From turning off the water while brushing our teeth to starting a compost pile for our food scraps, each of us has a different way of helping out. One great way to be greener in your home is to switch out your regular bulbs for LEDs. A qualified residential electrician in Trumbull, CT can help you find the right bulbs and even install them for you, so don’t hesitate to ask for assistance. Here are a few facts about LED bulbs that you should know.
LEDs are economical
If you have incandescent bulbs, as so many of us do, you’re probably accustomed to changing out your bulbs pretty frequently—often annually or even more often, depending on how much use the light gets. With LED bulbs, you may be able to get 20 or more years of use out of a single bulb—a pretty impressive upgrade! They cost a little extra up front, but it’s a small investment for many years of use.
LEDs are cutting edge
LED bulbs have been around for some time now, and they continue to evolve and become better every year. There are now many varieties to choose from, and you can find LEDs that have the warm light of the incandescent bulbs to which you might be accustomed.
LEDs have a different rating system
When you shop for incandescent bulbs, you check wattage to find out how bright the bulb will be; it’s standard procedure. So, it’s important to note that LED bulbs use a different measure. Wattage actually tells us how much energy the incandescent bulb draws when in use, and because there is a close correlation between brightness and wattage, this measurement works for buyers. However, LEDs draw less energy, which means that wattage is less accurate. For example, you might pick up an incandescent bulb that shows 60W, and then a comparable LED bulb, and see it has perhaps eight to 12 watts. That’s a huge and pretty confusing difference!
Instead of trying to make a conversion in your head, check for lumens, the standard LED unit. Lumens will tell you how bright your LED is, and the units can range from low numbers such as 450 to as high as 2600.
Some parts of your home won’t be right for LED bulbs
LED bulbs are a great and green investment, but unfortunately they may not be the right choice for certain areas of your home. While it’s true that LED bulbs tend to run much cooler than incandescent bulbs, they do still produce heat. The beauty of the LED is that this heat is drawn out of the bulb and dissipated, which increases its longevity. If the bulb doesn’t have a way to get rid of this heat—for example, if you place it in an enclosed housing—it will not serve its purpose.
Ask your experienced electrician in Trumbull, CT at New England Electrical Contracting, Inc. to help you determine where LEDs will go in your home, and what type to purchase.
Winter will be here sooner than you know, and your generator could play an important role in keeping you and your family warm and safe if the worst-case scenario occurs: a power outage. Snowstorms are a problem not just for roadways and school closings, but also for generators, which can break down under bad weather conditions. Without a working generator, you could be facing cold temperatures in your home at the very time when you need warmth the most.
To make sure you’re winter-ready, hire a capable electrician in Trumbull, CT who can help you prepare for the months ahead. Here are a few tips on maintenance and preparation to get you started.
Check fluids
Just like so many other machines you probably use in your household (such as cars and lawnmowers), your generator requires certain fluids to keep it running well. These include lubricants, fuel and oil. In order to keep your generator running smoothly, you’ll want to check these fluids regularly—especially if you’ve recently run your generator for an extended amount of time. This is a particularly important step before winter, as running out of fluids can cause severe damage to your generator, not to mention leave you sitting in a cold room in no time.
While you’re running the generator, you should change out the oil (and filters) after about eight consecutive hours of use. Make sure to check your owner’s manual for specific instructions.
Inspect your generator
You’ll do yourself a big favor if you can catch any potential issues with your generator before they get bad. That way, your skilled electrician in Trumbull, CT will be able to remedy the situation quickly. Make sure to look at all the connections, wiring and fuel lines for visible kinks, leaks or loose tubes.
Show your generator some respect
When treated with proper care and maintenance, a good generator can last for many years. In order to make sure your generator is happy, never place any other objects on top of it—including power tools, garage supplies, cleaning supplies, buckets, fabrics or other items. Nothing’s worse than a caved-in generator that just couldn’t bear the weight of all the stuff that was regularly tossed on top of it. Plus, overhanging items might interfere with the generator’s function, or potentially clog filters.
Furthermore, you should always give your generator plenty of space to operate. Just because you aren’t putting items directly on your generator doesn’t mean they should instead be piled close by. It’s always best to keep several feet of clear space around your generator, and make sure that any other debris that gathers naturally (such as dirt, dust or dead leaves) is cleared away promptly.
Test your generator
Don’t be caught in a snowstorm before you realize your generator isn’t working. Test it regularly and look for proper voltage output, working system lights and good fuel pressure.
As always, be sure to enlist a skilled electrician in Trumbull, CT to help you keep your generator in top shape year-round. Get in touch with New England Electrical Contracting, Inc. today to schedule an inspection.
It’s easy to put off repairs when your dishwasher or microwave breaks. Sure, it’s inconvenient, but a busy schedule can often leave small repairs and broken items on the bottom of the to-do list. Unfortunately, this mindset doesn’t work when it comes to electrical issues. Some electrical problems have the potential to cause severe damage and even dangerous injuries. Knowing the right time to call an emergency electrician in Trumbull, CT can mean the difference between a small inconvenience and finding yourself with a major emergency on your hands.
Here are five times you’ll want to call an emergency electrician to ensure your electricity and appliances are working the way they should be.
Signs of sparks, smoke or flames
Sparks or flames should always be taken as a sign that something is wrong. Call your local fire department and turn off the circuit breaker as soon as you see any sign of a fire. If you notice smoke, then it’s time to call an emergency electrician. A smoking outlet could cause a house fire, in addition to thousands of dollars’ worth of damage to your home and belongings.
Exposed wires
Never use an outlet or cord that has exposed wiring. If used, you or your loved ones could suffer from burns, neurological effects and even fatal injuries. Your pets could also be seriously injured if they were to chew or play with a wire that has not been properly insulated. Protect the area and contact an emergency electrician as soon as you spot an exposed outlet.
Wires threatened by water
Pay special attention to your wires anytime your home is affected by a flood or leak. Wires exposed to water can pose a major risk in need of immediate repair from an emergency electrician. Attempting to remove any wires from water could even result in electrocution, which could be fatal.
Power outage
A power outage can be scary, but don’t panic if you miss your favorite TV show or can’t charge your phone. If the power goes out in your home, check to see if anyone else in your neighborhood is experiencing the same problem. If it’s neighborhood wide, let your local power company know about the outage right away. But if it’s only your home that is affected, call an emergency electrician in Trumbull, CT to get your power back on. Luckily, many electricians offer 24-hour emergency services, so you shouldn’t be left in the dark for too long.
For everything from emergency repairs to installing new electrical wiring, the professionals at New England Electrical Contracting, Inc. are always on hand to provide high quality repair and installation services when you need it. Our fully insured and licensed electrical contracting staff has been providing the area with comprehensive electrical services since 2006. Day or night, call us today to assist with both residential and commercial electrical needs. We look forward to assisting you and getting your electricity working the way it’s supposed to, as quickly and as affordably as possible.
How would your life be affected if you didn’t have any electricity? You would probably be late to work because the clocks wouldn’t function. You wouldn’t be able to cook dinner using an oven, or charge your phone. Electricity controls practically everything in your house. Unfortunately, one small mistake could result in a huge problem. Attempting to undertake many common electrical repair tasks without the help of a professional could be both expensive and potentially dangerous. Hiring a professional is the best way to ensure that you avoid any major problems and are never left in the dark.
Unfortunately, not all electrical contractors are created equal. Some are just in the business to make money off of unsuspecting homeowners by overcharging and saying that unnecessary work needs to be completed. To keep you from getting scammed by an unqualified electrician, here are four tips to help you hire a reputable electrical contractor in Trumbull, CT.
Check that they are licensed, insured and bonded
The state of Connecticut requires that all electricians obtain a license. This license indicates that they have the proper training and experience to handle a variety of electrical issues. Always check that the electrical contractor is properly licensed with the state before you even consider consenting to having any work done. An unlicensed contractor might cause additional problems, including broken safety elements on an electrical panel or overloading the circuits. You’ll also want to make sure they carry legitimate insurance to ensure you’ll still be covered in case something goes wrong.
Ask about specialization
While most electrical contractors can handle most basic jobs, some tasks require a more specialized approach that is gained through years of experience and training. Many companies offer specializations in different scopes of work. Don’t waste your valuable time calling commercial electricians who might not be as well versed in wiring a home.
Inquire after experience
A boss wouldn’t select their newest employee to make the big presentation. The same goes for electrical contractors. As a homeowner, you always want to select the company that has ample experience in whatever job they’re about to attempt. In addition to ensuring they are licensed, ask how long the company has been in business and what additional education and training they’ve received in that time. The longer they’ve been in the business, the more experience and on-the-job training they’re going to have.
Ask who will be doing the work
Oftentimes, homeowners may think they’re getting the most experienced employee when they hire an electrical contractor. Unfortunately, you might be getting an apprentice or someone other than the person who originally provided you with an estimate. To make sure you get the best work possible, check to see whether the owner, a licensed electrician or an apprentice will be doing the job. If it’s an apprentice, inquire who will be supervising them.
Thankfully, there’s not too much need to stress about hiring a reputable electrical contractor in Trumbull, CT, as the professionals at New England Electrical Contracting, Inc. are on hand to provide you with reliable electrical services. Call us today to schedule a repair!
Are you thinking that business security cameras might be a good idea, but are still on the fence? Here are five reasons to hire a commercial electrician in Trumbull, CT to install surveillance cameras at your business location:
To reduce theft: Unfortunately, people steal from retail businesses everyday, and it’s not just customers taking things they didn’t pay for. In fact, reports show that each year employees make up a staggering percentage of product and cash thefts. Clothes, jewelry, electronics and food items are just a few examples of common stolen goods. Whether the theft is internal or external, placing surveillance cameras in plain sight can deter sticky fingers from going through with a crime.
To improve customer experience: Especially in restaurant and retail settings, good customer service is incredibly essential if a business is to stay operational, but even more so today with all the competition out there. With cameras, you can review how your employees are treating customers at the register and out on the floor when you’re not present. It only takes one bad experience to lose a customer to the competition—keep this in mind. In addition, visual evidence of which products are selling and which are not can help you in your efforts to increase customer satisfaction.
To discourage unprofessional behaviors: While the workplace is a great place to make new friends, the workday is not the time to horse around with one another—and it’s definitely not okay to sexually harass other employees. Setting up surveillance cameras can discourage this type of inappropriate behavior, which is not only embarrassing for the harassed employee but also for the customers who witness it. Let your employees know that one reason for the cameras is because you care about their wellbeing and wouldn’t want anyone to feel hurt or uncomfortable while at work.
To boost productivity: When you are not acting like a spying helicopter, employees don’t feel pressured to do their job a certain way, which can lead to a more natural work ethic. Instead of spending time micromanaging your employees, consider installing cameras around the inside and outside of your business. Also, you are likely to boost your own productivity, because when you leave the observing to the cameras, you are free to conduct other aspects of your business—such as catching up on bookkeeping or seeking out new ways to improve sales.
To protect your business from false claims: There are people out there who are not above taking advantage of others, so it’s no surprise that one of the top reasons business owners install security cameras is to avoid false lawsuits. For example: A customer walks into a grocery store, then pours liquid dish soap on the floor before pretending to slip and fall. If you get slapped with a lawsuit, you can pull up the footage as proof of a false claim.
If you’d like to install professional surveillance cameras in your business, give the team at New England Electrical Contracting, Inc. a call to speak with a knowledgeable commercial electrician in Trumbull, CT.
