Month: February 2019

According to ESFi, there are an estimated 51,000 electrical fires each year, with 500 deaths and 1400 injuries. Property damage is approximately $1.3 Billion. Power distribution (your home or business wiring) is involved in one third of these fires, and 5,300 fires involve a receptacle. Here are a few ideas to help you avoid becoming the next statistic:

1. First and foremost, get an inspection done. Any home you live in, or building that you work in, should be carefully inspected for major issues before you inhabit it. Even if you have been there a while, take the time now to have things checked. Overloaded circuits, undersized main feeders, old panel boxes, improperly installed electrical devices, or dangerous tie-ins to old wiring may have been missed or even misrepresented when you purchased the property. These things may have been fine for years, but could cause an issue with a simple change in usage. For instance, let’s say you owned your home for ten years with no problems. You now find yourself using the spare bedroom as a craft room. Suddenly, a wall outlet smells hot, and when you remove the cord for the sewing machine, the plug is hot enough to burn you. Sparks fly when you remove the plug. You may not have known that the receptacle was tied into the same circuit which feeds the living room, now loaded down with the myriad of devices associated with today’s family entertainment. Just the addition of one more thing has overloaded this circuit, and the old wiring and loose screw on the receptacle added to the issue. We can find issues like this and get them remedied.

2. Limit the use of extension cords. These power extenders are not magically producing more power, and just because you have a place to plug something in does not mean that the circuit can handle it. If you find yourself reaching for cords often, call us to add circuits or outlets to your home. This is a much safer solution.

3. Be aware of signs that you are overloading your circuits. Along with the use of extension cords, there are several other signs that you may need to adjust your usage, or have more installed. If you are tripping breakers so often that you have the power panel memorized, it is time to get the situation remedied. Overloaded circuits are hard on appliances, and are a real fire risk.

4. Use space heaters wisely. Be sure the circuit powering them is capable and not overloaded. Keep a safety perimeter around the heater. If possible, use an infrared heater, which does not get hot, has no burn hazard, and will shut off immediately if tipped. Be sure to turn off the heaters before leaving the house or going to bed. (The exception to this may be the infrared, which are designed to put off a lower heat in a consistent manner to keep the area warm. These heaters do best at maintaining the warmth when left on. The safety features which are built in do make them safe for this type of constant operation.)

5. Replace older appliances with newer, more efficient (and trustworthy) versions. Over time, breakdown of electrical wiring and components raise the risk factor for older appliances. Replace as you can work them into the budget for peace of mind and a lower power bill.

6. LED bulbs reduce fire risk by lowering the load on circuits. They also don’t produce heat, so if a lamp is knocked over, the risk of a resultant fire is much less than with a standard bulb which can ignite a mattress, clothing, paneling, or flooring.

We are here to help you get your house in order. Whether you have issues that you are aware of, or you would like to know what may be lurking in the background, we can assist. Just give us a call. Our skilled electricians will find and eliminate any issues with competence and professionalism.

If you are in need of any residential or commercial electrical services or LED lighting in Baldwin County or Mobile, Alabama look no further than Professional Electric! Visit us online at www.ProfessionalElectric.biz and connect with us on Facebook and Twitter! We are available 24/7 for emergency services! Mobile: (251) 473-5788 Baldwin County: (251) 929-8957 Remember, when it comes to your electrical needs, Keep It Professional!

© Southern View Media 2017: Reproduction without explicit permission is prohibited. All Rights Reserved. “Get Online or Get Left Behind”

Every business owner has a responsibility to make money. It may be to support your family or maybe it is to keep the investors happy. An energy audit may seem like a mundane task, but the results could surprise you. Why should you have an inspection done?

1. IT’S ALL ABOUT THE BENJAMINS. No one likes to throw money away. Your business is supposed to make money. Efficient power usage is a responsible way to hold on to profits. An energy audit will verify that you are making the best use of your money.

2. WASTE NOT, WANT NOT. Although it may seem silly to take time to put gaskets in all your switches and outlets on exterior walls, or pay someone to seal one hundred windows in your building, these little things could actually have a big pay-off. There may be other ways to save such as upgrading the old heating oil furnace for a newer zoned unit with programmable controls to lower the temperatures when people are not around. Switching to more efficient lighting, such as LED lights, may save you thousands. A properly conducted audit by Professional Electric will show you where you are losing energy, how to get it back, and the time you will need to recoup your investment.

3. UNCLE SAM IS SHARING. This may be the best time to look into that upgrade! If there are grants or rebates available to offset some of the cost, your benefit is even bigger. You may find that you can update a heating and air system, add insulation, replace your halogens or high-pressure sodium lighting with LED’s, or even branch into solar and wind energy with some of the programs being offered.

4. A HAPPY CREW IS A PRODUCTIVE CREW. When your employees are comfortable, they produce. If a bit of added insulation or a zoned furnace take the chill off, you may see them go from shivering to working. It is also morale-boosting to be able to come to work and be comfortable.

Not only will an energy audit from Professional Electric show where you can improve your consumption rates, it will also highlight the things that are going well for you. You may come away from your audit pleased and proud of the money you have saved on your bottom line. If not, we can show you where to make your available money work to your benefit. Return on investment is not just a term for the stock market. You may see a great ROI simply by managing your electric and gas bills. Let us show you how to save money today with an energy audit from Professional Electric.

If you are in need of any residential or commercial electrical services or LED lighting in Baldwin County, Mobile, Alabama, or surrounding areas, look no further than Professional Electric! Visit us online at www.ProfessionalElectric.biz and connect with us on Facebook and Twitter! We are available 24/7 for emergency services! Mobile: (251) 473-5788 Baldwin County: (251) 929-8957 Remember, when it comes to your electrical needs, Keep It Professional!

© Southern View Media 2017: Reproduction without explicit permission is prohibited. All Rights Reserved. “Get Online or Get Left Behind”

Electric cars are great for the environment. They can also be beneficial for your budget considering you’ll be purchasing far less fuel than you used to. If you have recently purchased an electric car, or are considering buying one, there’s a lot of terminologies that may be thrown your way making it puzzling to determine what you do and don’t need. There is some basic information that new electric car owners should keep in mind when it comes to equipment needs. Keep reading as we discuss how to charge your electric car at home and where the charger will go.

Equipment Needed

In order to charge your electric car at home, you have more options than you’d imagine. Your car can be charged with a 120- volt wall socket. Although this may seem ideal, it does take a long time to charge. For a faster charge, you can install a 220V charging station. This can be time consuming, but can be beneficial for people who drive constantly due to its rapid charge.

Where Does The Charger Go?

Chargers can be residential or commercial. Commercial charging stations are usually found at public facilities such as gas stations. There are also cities that provide public electric charging stations in parking lots. Residential electric vehicle chargers are installed in your garage or a standing unit by the driveway.  It’s important to use an experienced electrician when installing an EV station at home. This will help keep you from overloading your household electricity.

Tips for Charging Your Electric Car at Home

Depending on what option you choose to charge your car, charging it overnight will ensure a full charge throughout your day. Although a car with a full charge is your goal, be sure not to leave your car plugged in for any longer than needed. This can cause your car to over charged, possibly resulting in excess wear to the battery in the future.

Residential chargers are the best way to make sure you are able to keep your vehicle charged. If you have questions about installing an EV station at your home, contact the team at Professional Electric. Our team has the knowledge, training and equipment necessary to help you with whatever your electrical endeavors may be.

If you are in need of any residential or commercial electrical services or LED lighting in Baldwin County or Mobile, Alabama look no further than Professional Electric! Visit us online at www.ProfessionalElectric.biz and connect with us on Facebook and Twitter! We are available 24/7 for emergency services! Mobile: (251) 473-5788 Baldwin County: (251) 929-8957 Remember, when it comes to your electrical needs, Keep It Professional!