Today’s homes contain more electronics than ever before. That leaves them vulnerable to lightning and one good jolt could shut down your computers, sound systems and home theaters in a literal flash. If you are looking at a fresh or upgraded electrical installation in Trumbull, CT, consider adding whole-house surge protection. Here are some reasons why this is the best way to keep your electronics safe:
- Protects for the long term: The plug-in surge protectors many people use for their computers and other electronics offer protection for only one surge. They sustain the damage that would otherwise be inflicted on your valuables. With a whole house surge protection system, you will enjoy protection through multiple incidents. Considering that most surges are often generated by homeowners and not always due to lightning, this adds reassurance.
- Electronics are more vulnerable now: If you have LED lighting, your bulbs each have a circuit board. Washers and dryers also have circuit boards, as do dishwashers and other appliances. This makes them more susceptible to surges than their counterparts from the past that did not contain advanced parts or computer technology. Whole-home surge protection is a new reality with these technologically advanced appliances.
- Works for all appliances: A plug-in surge protector only protects the items connected to it. Homeowners often insist on surge protectors for computers, but may not do the same for air conditioning units or washers and dryers. These appliances run on their own circuits, but if there is a surge, they will push additional surges back through the interior wiring. That damages items not using surge protectors, as well as most of the electrical system. Whole-house surge protection keeps this from occurring.
- It is double-layered: Whole-home surge protection systems protect the interior wiring and the appliances plugged into it. While having your computer, for example, plugged into a surge protector will protect it, that will not prevent the surge from damaging your electrical system. In fact, it is very possible for your wiring to be shot but your appliances to remain functional. However, that does not help you if you need to arrange for a home rewiring.
- There are many options: You can find whole-home systems rated up to 80kA. Your contractor can help you determine the best level of protection depending on the frequency of lightning in your area and the vulnerability of your appliances. Surges over 10kA in homes are very rare, but some homeowners feel better erring on the side of overkill—especially if work or hobbies rely on functioning electronics.
- Reasonable price: A whole-home surge protection system is very cost effective, especially when compared to what you would pay to replace electronics and appliances. Even if you can claim the damages on a homeowner’s policy, it still takes time to repair the wiring and receive new items to replace those damaged by the surge.
If you would like to add surge protection to your electrical installation in Trumbull, CT, contact New England Electrical Contracting, Inc. today.
Landscape lighting in Trumbull, CT can give your yard a stunning look for the outdoor activities of summer. People often remark that it turns nighttime yards into glistening fairy lands. The benefits go way beyond appearance. Installing the right lighting also enhances safety so you and your guests can explore your property unscathed. Here are areas of your yard where you should consider extra lighting:
- Stairs: Homeowners often believe their porch lights are sufficient for stairs. However, while your visitors see the stairs well enough to know that they are there, the lights will not give many suggestions as to number or depth. By installing small lights on each stair or just running a line of them up and down stairways, you create a safer staircase that is easier to see. Since nothing will disrupt a party or get-together quicker than a 911 call and an insurance claim, this investment is more than worth it.
- Pathways: If you put in the effort to install pavers, you likely want to highlight them with colored or embellished lighting at night. It can make your pathway glow and give your yard a magical look. This also makes it easier for your guests to use the pathway. The extra lights will allow people to see where there is uneven terrain or loose stones so they do not trip on them.
- Water features: That fountain or fishpond is likely the highlight of your yard. It offers peace, and if you install a waterfall or riverbed, you get to enjoy the sound of running water. Unfortunately, these features also have a dark side. Small children can drown in them, and when the sun sets, it can make it harder for adults to supervise them. Adding lights helps you see potential disaster before anything bad occurs. Many homeowners also consider a lighted fence to prevent this hazard.
- Pools: Homeowners choose to light pools for the same reason why they light water features. You do not want people walking into the pool because they do not see where the cement ends and the pool begins. Also, if you choose different colors, you make it into a water feature on its own, even if people are not coming over to swim.
- Doors and doorknobs: No one enjoys fumbling with door locks after a late night out. People unfamiliar with your home may also appreciate seeing a knob or latch more easily. This type of landscape lighting is more about convenience than safety. However, considering that there are circumstances where you or a family member may need to get into your home quickly, adding extra light helps in that endeavor.
- Safety railings: If you enjoy a second-story porch, you likely have railings already installed. You can draw attention to the railings and the edge of your porch by adding lights along them. Depending upon the height of your railings, there is still a chance that someone can fall over them, so making them visible is always a prudent precaution.
New England Electrical Contracting, Inc. is available to transform your ideas for landscape lighting in Trumbull, CT into a reality. Call us today to see how we can enhance the beauty and safety of your property.
Summer is finally here, and enjoying your pool is likely a big highlight of the season. While it provides joy and entertainment, you can also turn it into a water feature with landscape lighting installation in Trumbull, CT courtesy of your electrical contractor. There may also be ways to make your pool area less dangerous. If you would like to light your pool beyond the simple utilitarian lights, here are six ideas for adding extra style and safety:
- Colored lights: With different colors of lights, you can make your pool look otherworldly. Most pools are equipped with plain white lights, but adding red, purple and blue can make it glow in a distinct fashion. If you choose the right combination, you can feel like you are swimming in a magical land or even on another planet!
- Water feature highlights: If you put in the effort to install a fountain or waterfall with your pool, adding the right lights can make it shine even at night. Spotlights or back lights that highlight the feature can make your yard look stunning. You will not only get to enjoy your pool but also treat it like a work of art in itself.
- Tree canopy strings: You likely do not have tall trees growing right next to your pool, but if you have any nearby, light them up, too. Pool lighting often serves to provide safety by highlighting the location of the pool so no one falls in unintentionally. Adding lights to surrounding trees and plants also creates a unique nighttime summer look that produces the perfect after-hours oasis for your pool area.
- Light shows: The same timers that turn your lights on and off at certain times of the day can also produce a light show effect for your pool. Setting lights to change color in and around your pool works great for those nighttime pool parties, or for just making your swim a little more interesting. Homeowners have also requested laser beam effects so that the light show is not limited to the water. The only limit is your imagination.
- Pool stairs and ladders: When swimming at night, it is easy to become disoriented and forget where you can exit the pool. If ladders and stairs are not illuminated, consider getting that done, too. You may also want to see if they require extra lighting since, in some pools, design dictates that you rely on general pool or porch lights rather than specific stair lighting. This extra feature will make it easier for anyone swimming in your pool. Consider lighting these entrance and exit points with different light colors, as well.
- The area around the pool: If there is a fire pit or outdoor kitchen, take steps to make sure those are well lit. You do not want people accidentally walking into a fire pit with bare feet, as there could be debris that causes injury, even if there is no fire currently lit. If you think something is going to be a hazard, err on the side of caution and give it its own lights.
If you seek skilled landscape lighting installation in Trumbull, CT, contact New England Electrical Contracting, Inc. to arrange for an estimate.
Congratulations! You’ve just purchased a new home. It’s the biggest investment you’ll ever make, but buying a new home without a proper electrical inspection could be the biggest mistake you’ll ever make.
A standard home inspection briefly checks the electrical aspects of your new home, but only a residential electrician in Trumbull, CT will take an in-depth look at your home and identify any potential electricity issues that will end up costing you a lot of time and money if not fixed immediately.
Professionals always recommend having an electrical inspection before you buy a home, but in cases where the home is over 40 years old or has had major renovations, a thorough electrical inspection is an absolute necessity for a variety of reasons.
Inspect for your own safety
Electrical failure is one of the top causes for house fires in the US. Between 2007 and 2011, the National Fire Protection Agency estimates that faulty electrics were to blame for 144,000 house fires. Don’t let your house become another statistic! A residential electrician in Trumbull, CT will be able to easily identify any wiring problems that they believe could cause a fire. Faulty electrics can also shock you. Minor shocks are only an annoyance but a big shock can cause serious health issues.
Inspect to save money
A simple electrical inspection before you purchase a home will end up saving you a ton of money in the long run. If an electrician walks through your potential home and spots a problem, you’ll either a) reconsider buying the house, or b) have the current homeowner fix the problem before you buy. If you’ve already bought the house and need to have the wiring fixed, that’s going to be a very costly repair.
A house that hasn’t had its wiring inspected could actually end up being very electrically inefficient, which will lead to a higher electric bill each month. By calling an electrician to inspect before you buy the house, you can save money each month.
Inspect to avoid electrical inconveniences
We all expect our electricity to work all of the time. And rightfully so, it’s 2016 after all! However, if you’ve purchased a house that has preexisting electrical problems you may notice that your appliances don’t always work. Old circuit boards can become overloaded when too many appliances are running at once and can blow a fuse. If that happens, your appliance might break, your electricity could go out, or both.
Faulty switches are also very annoying. If the previous homeowner tried to rewire a switch him or herself, they could have really messed it up. Your light switch might turn on the fan, or might not even work at all! Just another hassle that we shouldn’t have to deal with anymore.
Before you buy your next home, call us at 203-656-1800 to schedule a home inspection. Our highly trained electricians will do an exhaustive walk through of your potential home and alert you of any foreseeable electrical vulnerabilities.
As a homeowner, you probably have the skills to fix pretty much anything that goes wrong around your house. From a leaky pipe all the way to a faulty electrical system, you don’t need to call a professional to help you with anything. Or so you think… You may very well have some skills, but electrical work in Trumbull, CT should be left to professional electricians for a variety of reasons.
- You could seriously injure yourself: Without proper training, the probability of hurting or even killing yourself during a DYI electrical repair is very high. Each year over 30,000 people are treated at the hospital for non-fatal shocking accidents. Getting shocked is not a fun experience. Leave the electrical work to a professional! We’re sorry to say that there are worse consequences to doing electrical work by yourself than just a minor shock. 50,900 house fires are caused by electrical failure each year. These fires kill about 490 people and injure 1,440. Don’t put your life in danger, hire an electrician for all electrical work in Trumbull, CT.
- Your work likely isn’t up to code: If you manage to do some electrical work by yourself without getting hurt or burning down your house, congratulations! But, is your work up to code? We’re willing to bet it’s not. Living in a house that’s not up to code is a problem for a couple of reasons. First off, it’s unsafe, which leads back to the point about burning your house down. Secondly, when you try to sell your home and the inspector finds out your house is in violation of the National Electrical Code, you’re going to be facing major fines. The good news is that all of our electricians are well versed in the NEC and will ensure your house meets and exceeds all necessary qualifications.
- Your work is probably shoddy: No offense, but you’re no electrician. Any DIY job can result in poor quality work and the stakes are even higher when messing with electricity. Poor workmanship leads to a sub-par job. When it’s all said and done you’ll likely realize that you didn’t do so well. A bad wiring job leads to the above outcomes. Your house won’t be up to code and it’s more prone to electrical fires.
- You might cause more problems than you set out to solve: When the job is finally complete, and you’ve managed to avoid being shocked, and your house hasn’t burnt down; you may realize that you did so poorly that you need to call an electrician to undo all of the bad work you did. You could have saved yourself from multiple headaches and trips to the hardware store by just calling an electrician in the first place!
Next time your home needs some electrical work in Trumbull, CT, don’t be afraid to swallow your pride and call an electrician. Our professionals are more than happy to assist you with anything you need. They’ll make sure the job is completed in a timely manner, and everything is up to code.
