After the massive nor’easter swept through the east coast, Pennsylvania residents quickly found themselves dependent upon electrical professionals to restore their power. A-1 Electric, along with emergency service providers, was recently able to restore electricity to over 100,000 residents through their emergency electrical services and bucket truck services in Bucks County.

Nor’easter storms are macro-scale cyclones that are most commonly experienced in the eastern United States and Canada. Characterized by low temperatures, high-speed winds, and the potential for flash flooding, nor’easter storms can cause massive amounts of damage in short periods of time. This past month, Pennsylvania residents were rocked by a massive out-of-season nor’easter, causing over one hundred thousand residents to lose power in their homes and businesses.

During a major storm, electrical restoration is more than just an issue of convenience. Many members of the Delaware Valley community rely on their electricity to run medical devices, so a blackout can be of much more consequence than simple boredom. Businesses also rely on electricity not only to keep their doors open but also to make sure that their goods stay fresh. For example, grocery stores that are not outfitted with a generator have the potential to lose thousands of dollars worth of food should the electricity go out.

The team of high-voltage line crews and inspectors at A-1 Electric partnered with emergency management services to spring into action and help restore power to over 100,000 residents. They worked quickly and efficiently to bring power back to Pennsylvania. In the hour when speed and skill mattered the most, A-1 Electric is proud to announce that their team did an amazing job serving their community while minimizing loss.

When the next storm arrives, residents of Pennsylvania can rest with the peace of mind that comes along with knowing that they have the team at A-1 Electric, the leading electrical contractors in Montgomery County, on their side.

Additionally, remember that A-1 Electric can perform electrical services and inspections but not on the same job due to state law.

When it comes to keeping you and your family safe, ensuring that your smoke detectors are functioning is one of the most important preventative steps to take to avoid tragedy. Current recommendations by the U.S. Fire Administration suggest that you should test your smoke alarms about once a month, but, unfortunately, most homeowners forget to do so

Can’t remember the last time you checked your smoke detectors? Follow these simple steps provided by our experts at A-1 Electric, a leading electrical service company serving properties in Bucks County, to improve the safety of your space!

• Alert your family members. Smoke detectors emit a high-pitched screeching noise when activated, which can frighten small children and startle adults.

• Station an assistant. If you don’t have smoke detectors in every room of your home, station a family member as far away from the smoke detector you are testing as possible. If they cannot hear the alarm or it is muffled, you will want to consider installing another detector for maximum safety.

• Press the button. Locate the test button on your smoke detectors, and press and hold it down. Though it may take a minute to activate, you should hear a loud, ear-shattering beep or siren noise. If the sound is weak or you do not hear anything, try replacing your batteries.

• Clean the grates. Locate the grates on your smoke detector and clear away any dirt of dust that may have collected after your last test. Leaving debris to collect makes it more difficult for your smoke detector to sound an alarm when there is a fire.

According to data from the U.S. Fire Administration, smoke detectors have a lifespan of about 10 years. Even if an old smoke detector is working after this time, its decreased efficiency level may be putting your family at risk.

If it’s been 10 years since you’ve replaced your smoke detectors, call our team at A-1 Electric to schedule an appointment for new detector installation.

As a reminder, our team can perform an inspection on your property and provide electrical service in your Montgomery County home but not at the same time according to state law. This is also to avoid any conflict of interest.

Completing a project during the winter has its upside. Typically, it’s not as busy a time of year for inspectors, contractors and government agencies. Therefore, the construction can get done at a faster rate than it normally would if it were to be done during the spring or summer. Not only that, but the rates of construction materials also decrease due to the occurrence of seasonal sales. Winter is the ideal season to move forward with a remodeling project for your home or business.

It is critical to remember that regardless of what construction project you engage in this winter, the electrical work of the property must be properly inspected by one of our accredited and licensed professionals to attain a certificate of compliance. A legal permit is required for new construction in Pennsylvania. Otherwise, you might require an emergency electrical service for your property in Philadelphia.

To attain a permit in Montgomery County, PA, the project is required to undergo an electrical inspection not just during, but also after the construction to ensure that the requirements of the authorities having jurisdiction are met. An inspection makes sure that the building’s electrical system is safe and meets all the regulations of the local, regional and national codes.

Unwanted consequences may occur if an unauthorized construction project is identified. The failure to secure a permit can result in significant fines and penalties, as well as cultivate a hazardous environment. An intriguing winter project can go bad in a hurry if a mistake is made in the electrical system or the installation was faulty. The defective components of an electrical system might result in an arc flash or an arc blast that can easily cause a fire.

If you hire a reliable third-party agency to execute inspections on your project, this can all be avoided. At A-1 Electric, we are certified by the Commonwealth of PA. We are even listed first by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry as a recommended third-party agency. Our certified and experienced team is more than capable of ensuring that your home or business is safe. If you require an emergency electrical service for your property in Bucks County, PA or another nearby area, please call 800-401-6114.

Remember, we at A-1 Electric are unable to perform both an inspection and electrical work during the same visit. This is due to Commonwealth of Pennsylvania guidelines and avoiding a conflict of interest.

Winter is here again, and if you’re like most people, you probably want to avoid spending time outside as much as possible. Electricity is the unsung hero of our homes and makes the winter season much more bearable.

Unfortunately, winter is also the season in which homeowners may find themselves dealing with more electrical issues. Before you cuddle up with a blanket and a warm cup of cocoa, familiarize yourself with these four common winter electrical issues, so you can be prepared and ready to call our electrical contractors in Bucks County, PA should the power go out in your home.

• Increased electric bills. The math is simple; more time spent indoors to avoid chilly winter weather and the heavy use of your heating system equals higher electric bills. However, if you notice that your electricity bill is exceptionally high, your system may need repairs to run more efficiently.

• Blackouts. Winter is the most common season for blackouts, as heavy freezing rain, blizzards and ice storms can bring down a power line at a mere moment’s notice. Keeping an emergency supply hit in your home that includes things like flashlights, warm blankets and a few high-calorie snacks will help to keep you safe if the blackout lasts longer than expected.

• Electrical fires. Roofing issues or tree collapses can leave you at risk for an electrical fire, a serious danger to both your property and the health of your family. Having your home regularly inspected by a qualified electrical contractor can help protect you against the possibility of electrical fires.

• Slow electrical service. Thanks to the above three issues combined, many residents have trouble finding an electrician to get them the help they need quickly during the winter. We at A-1 Electric will have a repair team at your door within 24 hours,so be sure to keep our number handy this season!

If you run into any of these common winter electrical issues, make sure you have a team of professionals on your side! Remember, we can’t perform both an inspection and electrical work during the same visit. This is due to Commonwealth of Pennsylvania guidelines and avoiding a conflict of interest.

Give our electrical contractors serving Montgomery County, PA a call at 800-401-6114 to get quick service that will have your home bright and warm again in no time.

This year, A-1 Electric took their team of talented electrical contractors in Bucks County, PA on the road to this year’s Electric Expo!

Sponsored this year by the Electrical Association of Philadelphia, Electric Expo is an annual event that gathers electric professionals from all industries to share their knowledge with their peers, and to learn more about the best way to serve their customers and improve their craft. A-1 Electric is no exception. We went to King of Prussia to share our knowledge with others and to learn a few new things as well!

Hailed as the “Region’s Leading Electrical Industry Exhibition,” Electric Expo helps industry leaders share the best new tips and tricks in regards to safety, energy-efficiency, power management, and much more. A-1 Electric attended this year’s Electric Expo in King of Prussia, and our team was able to learn some new things and share some of our knowledge with local attendees.

Electric Expo consistently hosts over 3,000 attendees and is largely considered to be the best electrical convention on the East Coast. If you’d like to learn more about Electric Expo, check out their site online at http://electricexpo.org/.

At A-1 Electric, our commitment to helping our customers doesn’t end when the business does. We take our work seriously, which is why we’re always on the road to keep up with the latest and greatest technology, so our electrical contractors in Montgomery County PA can bring it right to your door!

If you’re in need of any residential or commercial electrical work, trust the team that’s always putting you first. Give A-1 Electric a call at 800-401-6114 or visit us online.

Just a reminder, per Commonwealth of Pennsylvania guidelines, we cannot perform electrical work and inspection during the same visit due to it being considered a conflict of interest.