6 Tips for Homeowners about Electricity: Safety and Savings
Electricity is just one of those things that is scary to mess with. To work on something that we depend on so greatly is a tricky game with something dangerous if handled incorrectly. We hope to address some of those questions you may have and provide some reminders on what you might need to look out for. Whether you are experienced or unexperienced, here are some things to think about with your electricity.
When DIY is safe
Electricity isn’t always scary; but it is never always safe. There is always the potential for electrical charges or damage to occur, but there are some projects that are possible to do yourself. Something as simple as a light bulb replacement or an outlet switch can be easily done. This can be done safely with the electrical off and ensure there is no additional charge.
Resetting a tripped breaker is easy enough as well, just ensure you are wearing rubber soled shoes and there is no water in the area. Generally, it’s ensuring your safety isn’t too at risk, and the repairs being made aren’t anything that would severely affect the operation of your house.
When it should be left to the professionals
Larger repairs like wiring, upgrading the electrical panel, or unknown issues should be handled by the professionals. These issues require the right equipment with the right experiences to ensure a project is done safely and correctly. The professionals aren’t just there for the bigger problems; they are also there for whatever you need electrical wise, which is a great peace of mind.
Large electrical bill? Here’s some ways to save!
The electrical bill is big, but it’s only getting bigger. According to the U.S. Energy Information Association, the electricity across the country has increased in recent years. Thankfully, there’s a couple ways to mitigate these increases. One of the biggest causes of a large electrical bill is air conditioning.
Generally, it’s good to run it slightly higher while you’re away and when you’re home, not pushing it too hard to bring down the temperature. Even planting a well-placed tree can help reduce the need for AC! Another good way to save is to use higher electrical appliances during lower rated hours, for example running the dryer at night. Be sure to check your area for the best times to use your appliances!
Change to LED light bulbs
This change can be more gradual. Lots of older houses tend to use incandescent lights, but these are inefficient and more expensive to run! LED bulbs are cheaper and more efficient to run. Incandescent lights also release a great deal of their energy through heat and less in their light overall. LEDs also last significantly longer, making them extremely cost effective!
Avoid overloaded outlets
While this may seem like an obvious one, it’s a very easy thing to forget. You plug in an extension cord to get just a couple of extra outlets, only to have the whole thing full by the end of the month. This can be dangerous in terms of overheating and the outlet being unable to handle the higher output of energy. Another important thing to avoid is plugging in any larger appliances into an extension cord. Each large appliance should have their own dedicated outlet to ensure a proper flow of energy.
Unplug unused appliances
Phantom power is when an appliance is pulling electricity from the outlet despite not being on. While it’s not a lot of money that is spent on these appliances being idle, it’s certainly enough to want to hold on to. Simply unplug these appliances when they are not in use, and it will save you some energy and money in your pocket!
Now all these things may not be new, but they are important to keep in mind. Electricity is a tricky thing to handle, and that’s where we can help! Shureline Electrical has worked in both commercial and residential settings and has been helping our customers since 1997! Whether it’s something like a light bulb change or as complex as changing the wiring in your house, we are here to help! No job is too small, and just one call does it all! Visit our contact page for more information or view our residential services to see some of our work!