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Get Your Electrical System Ready for Summer With These Easy Tips

The Winter’s On Its Way Out – Are You Ready?

It’s true that around PA and NJ we’ve had a pretty rough winter as far as freezing temperatures and ice goes. We may not have had record-breaking snow, but that doesn’t mean that residents all over the area didn’t (and aren’t still) feeling the impacts of the season.

That’s why we’re releasing this blog as a preface to the spring and summer, and a conclusion to the winter. There are many things you should consider around your property for the coming change in season that will help preserve your electrical system and also keep you, your property, and everyone inside and nearby safe.

Check for leftover holiday season decorations and wiring. Many people overlook this after the holidays, and sometimes wiring and other things get left behind—this can be dangerous. The process of freezing, thawing and animals waking up from their hibernation and scurrying around will not bode well for the thin wires that usually accompany holiday décor. To prevent fires, loss of power and wasted electricity, please double check.

Your furnace has probably been working overtime, so give it a check. Yet another thing that gets overlooked is the wiring and electronics around the heating system in a house.  There’s a lot of insulation around furnaces—make sure that it’s in tact and that nothing came in during the winter and tried to burrow in there. Check your thermostats and make sure your furnace is responding well.

Check the electronics around any pools, ponds or fountains on your property.  This could also include areas that have been significantly flooded out or crushed by heavy snow load during the winter. Check the electronics around these areas for frays in the wiring, faulty bulbs or surfaced wiring that should be underground. Pools should especially have their electricity systems checked regularly by an expert to ensure proper grounding and circuit breaking.

Check Your Trees.  Some properties have more trees than others. As the winter progresses, cold weather, ice and thawing will kill or weaken the branches of your trees. Go around your property and look for problematic branches that may fall onto wires or important systems around your house. If possible, get a professional to help you. By taking proper care of your trees, you are saving yourself thousands of dollars in repairs after a storm.

Check Your Sump Pump. If you value your basement or under-levels you should never forget this step. One great way to test a sump pump is to get a bucket of water and slowly dump it into the sump, making sure that the system turns on and effectively drains out the water. Check the area the sump outlets to. This area can build up with ice in the winter and dirt and debris in the summer. If it gets clogged, it can cause the motor to overwork itself and eventually break down.

These are just a few tips on how to save yourself time and headaches with your electrical systems during the change in seasons. We regularly service clientele throughout Philly, Bucks and Montgomery County PA and most of the surrounding areas, so call us with any questions on how you can prepare yourself for the spring and summer months.

Four Electrical Safety Tips to Keep In Mind This Winter

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It’s no secret that bad electrical work can cause fires. In fact, every year thousands of home fires occur because of faulty electrical equipment, appliances and infrastructure. These electrical fires cause property damage and injuries and in some cases, death. However, these can all be avoided by taking proper care of your residence’s electrical infrastructure as well as proper maintenance and care of your electrical appliances and accessories.

Use Licensed Electricians

Quite often, electrical appliances need maintenance, support and sometimes replacement. The electrical system also gets weaker with age, and at times will need to be repaired, adjusted, and at times, rewired. When you get work like this performed at your home, make sure that you use a registered licensed electrician and apply for all the necessary permits with your local AHJ   –   (Authority Having Jurisdiction)and have all work inspected by a certified 3rd Party Inspection Agency . At A-1 Electric, we take care to ensure that all of our electricians and Inspectors are certified and trained in the latest and greatest techniques from I.A.E.I, NFPA 70 E and OSHA, as well as several contemporary electrical engineering and installation programs, just to name a few. All of our Electricians and Inspectors at A-1 Electric are well versed on current and up-coming code cycles as well!

There are many telltale signs of appliances needing electrical repair. One is cracked or torn electrical cords and broken plugs, especially when their inner wiring is exposed. Also keep your nose peeled for scents of burning or melting plastic in an appliance. If you see these signs, contact a licensed electrician immediately. Having these problems cared for by someone inexperienced or improperly trained can lead to electrical fires and property damage.

Place and Use Your Appliances Appropriately

It’s important that if you own a large volume of electrical appliances, that you space them out and avoid clutter. Additionally, if you are going on vacation or leaving your residence for an extended period of time, don’t be afraid to turn off unnecessary heavy-duty appliances like ovens, HVAC units and lighting systems; there are many other potential items that could be switched off to save on the electrical bill and also reduce electrical risk factors within your residence. Check with a licensed electrician for a list of safety guidelines to follow when powering down any electrical equipment.

Teach Your Kids About Electrical Safety

Let your kids know about the dangers and also the uses of electricity. If you have toddlers or very young children, buy safety plugs for your electrical outlets, you can also upgrade your current standard 125v 15&20amp electrical outlets to a TR (Tamper Resistant) type which is required by the current 2008NEC (National Electric Code) section 406.11 and section.210.52 for all new installations.

Young children are fascinated by electricity and it’s good to educate them while they’re young so they don’t do reckless things. Tell them about the importance of turning off switches and powered areas before unplugging appliances to reduce the chances of an arc. Teach them about electrical conduction and how electricity and water are a dangerous mix. There are many ways to do this and each will be unique based on parenting and the nature of the child. Choose your own way and show them to rightfully fear and respect electricity.

Use Extension Cords Wisely

Extension cords should not be used as a substitute for wiring within your residence. They can short out and overheat, especially if the wattage and voltage are not compatible with the appliance they are hooked up to. Any electrician will strongly advise you to never bend prongs to make a cord fit an appliance and ensure the wattage is compatible with the load it’s powering – we can’t emphasize this enough!

Also, only purchase extension cords equipped with ground-fault interruption devices so they will shut off automatically in a pinch. Speaking of pinches, don’t put extension cords between doors or under heavy furniture in order to protect the outer casing and insulation. Always use quality UL (Underwriters Laboratories) rated cords.

These are just a few tips that will increase the electrical safety within your residence. If you have any safety issues currently within your residence, don’t hesitate to contact us at A-1 Electric; our experts are ready to help you. Call us at 215-965-1599 in Pennsylvania, or toll-free at 888.332-2962.