Author: southernviewmedia

It’s always good to have an emergency plan in place, especially during hurricane season. Protecting your family and home is essential, but did you know your electrical system needs protection as well? During a storm, your home’s electrical wiring, devices and appliances could suffer serious damage in the event of a power surge. Find out more about what you can do to protect your home’s electrical system during hurricane season.

Install a Power Surge Protector

Power surge protectors are always good to have on hand for your electrical devices. A surge protector saves your fuses, outlets and devices from damage in the event of a power surge from lightning or disruptions at nearby power generating facility or a transformer blowing. There are two main types of surge protectors to consider: primary and secondary. A primary surge protector is connected where the power enters the home and is installed by a licensed electrician. Its main purpose is to protect the whole house if the power suddenly goes out. A secondary surge protector is much smaller and plugs into an electrical outlet. It can help protect any device such as a television, computer, phone charger, etc.

Disconnect the Electricity if You’re Evacuating

If you need to evacuate, it’s important to disconnect the electricity to your home before you leave. To do this, pull the main breaker that supplies power to your home. The breaker box is normally located in the utility room or garage. Disconnecting the power is a good way to keep surges from entering the home which could cause major damage.

Unplug Electronics and Appliances

You do not have to be in a hurricane’s path in order to experience its effects. High winds, lightning and thunderstorms all occur when a hurricane is near land. If you are staying in your home, take the time to unplug sensitive electronics like your computer and router. If you want to disconnect entire rooms, consider pulling breakers in your breaker box. The breaker box should be labeled with which breaker goes to which room.

Secure Outdoor Lighting

Outdoor lighting fixtures such as hanging pendants can become dangerous, projectile objects during the high winds of a hurricane. If a hurricane is headed to your area, remove any outdoor lighting that could easily detach. This also includes patio string lights and insect zappers.

Don’t be left in the dark! Protect your home this hurricane season by implementing an emergency plan for your electrical items. It will give you peace of mind in the event a hurricane does hit your area. Consult with the experts at Professional Electric for any electrical concerns you may have about your home.
Visit us online at www.ProfessionalElectric.biz and connect with us on Facebook and Twitter! We are available 24/7 for emergency services! Call (251) 473-5788 and remember, when it comes to your electrical needs, Keep It Professional!

The new Smart Home wave has been urging people to purchase newer and more technologically sound devices for everyday use in their homes. Some are anxious to upgrade their home because it makes their house seem a lot cooler whenever guests visit. Others refuse to spend their hard-earned money on what they believe is an unnecessary device that is complicated to use. What if transitioning to a smart home has less to do with the cool effects and confusing devices and more to do with saving money over time? Investing in smart devices can be a great way to save money on the everyday expenses that many stress about.

The average household spends about $2,000 a year on utility costs, and 12 percent of that accounts for a home’s lighting. The most common method of turning off lights that aren’t being used is still a manual switch. Unfortunately this method is only as effective as the homeowner, who may or may not be forgetful. However, entirely changing the type of lightbulb can save homes a lot of money. LED lights use 80 percent less energy than traditional fluorescent or incandescent lights.

Besides the fact that LED lights use less energy and last longer, they can also be integrated into a smart lighting system for your home. With smart lighting, you are able to control the lights from anywhere in your house with an easy-to-use app and save money by turning them off wherever you may be. Keep your lights on only when you need them and savings will start showing up in no time.

Alongside a smart lighting system, smart security devices can save you money and give you peace of mind. Having the ability to turn on your security system with a push of a button can save money in two different ways. Each year, approximately 1.4 million homes are burglarized, with the average loss being just over $2,400. When insurance companies have to pay out claims, rates usually go up as a result.

Another option that saves even more money, many insurance companies offer discounts on monthly premiums if you have a security system installed. By minimizing the risk of a claim, you are able to save money.

One of the biggest budget savers that you can have is a smart thermostat. Your home’s heating and cooling system accounts for half of your utility bills. With a smart thermostat you no longer have to sacrifice being comfortable in your home in the winter or summer due to astronomically high electric bills. A smart thermostat can save homeowners up to 12% on their heating and cooling bills, according to a Vivint-commissioned study by WattzOn. The system’s Smart Assistant uses GPS, in-home sensors and your city’s climate to auto-adjust your temperature and help you save money even when you’re not home.

Understanding the difference between AC and DC power is important for professionals and laymen alike. We want to keep you safe at home and work as well as shed a little light on power sources we all encounter every day. When you understand how these currents provide power to everything around us, it’s both fascinating and helpful in your own projects. However, we understand how confusing this can be. At Professional Electric, one of our goals is to help these types of complex topics to be more clear to everyone. Today, we will break down the difference between AC and DC power.

Thomas Edison invented DC power which prevailed in the 1800s. At that time, large factories and assemblies ran off this type of power which became expensive and inefficient. Enter the advent of AC power which allowed for greater efficiency and productivity. AC power technology was brought into the U.S. in the late 1800s by Westinghouse and drastically changed the way power was distributed in our society.

What is DC Power?

DC stands for Direct Current. Just as the name implies, DC power directs the electrical current in one direction only. This is referred to as unidirectional, “one direction”. If you enjoy working on projects as a hobby or for work, you may know much about DC power because many DIY projects run off DC power. With that, they can also be converted to AC power if needed. More on what exactly AC power is below! What items run off DC power? Below is a list of three commonly used items that run off DC power:

• Cell Phones
• Hybrid Vehicles
• Flashlights

What is AC Power?

AC stands for Alternating Current. Westinghouse invested in AC technology and brought it to the forefront in 1891. By contrast to DC power which sends the electrical current in one direction only, AC power alternates the electrical current intermittently. Along with the direction of the current, the power of the voltage also changes. AC power technology is what most people find in supplying power to their homes and standard office buildings. Here are three other common places you will find AC power:

• Household lamps
• The power outlets in your office or home
• Household appliances like toasters

Over time, it has become possible to convert most DC power supplies to AC power supply for ease of use. However, certain adapters are needed and not using the correct one is dangerous.

We hope we have made understanding the difference between AC and DC power supplies both interesting and educational. Remember, do not try to convert one to the other without the proper conducting system. It’s very dangerous with a risk of electrical fire and shorting out your item.

If you are in need of any residential or commercial electrical services or LED lighting in Baldwin County or Mobile, Alabama or if you have questions regarding either DC or AC Power 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! Call (251) 473-5788 and remember, when it comes to your electrical needs, Keep It Professional!

Mother’s Day is creeping around the corner and you need to make sure you have the best possible gift to show her how much you appreciate all the hard work she does for you and your family. Mother’s Day is a celebration, a celebration of how amazing your mother is to you and it is a way to show your mother just how thankful you are of that fact.

Sadly, finding the right Mother’s Day gift can sometimes be a little pesky. Jumping from various item to item till you find what you think she will get the most out of. Well this guide will aid in showing you what you could get for your mother on this very special day. Specifically, mothers who love technology!

Netflix gift card

With the thousands of shows and movies at the low rate Netflix offers, a gift card to this service is a must for any mother that loves her television shows and more! A simple $30 Netflix subscription card will give your mother 3-months of this service, this will give her the ability to test out a new service and decide if she wants to continue paying for it after the 3-month period. Netflix subscriptions cost $7.99 a month regularly and can be streamed and accessed on basically any device out there.

Fitbit

One of the best fitness trackers out there, the Fitbit, is an ideal gift for any mother who is into fitness or looking to get healthier. This small little gadget is worn like a watch/bracelet and is able to track all of your activities, set goals, and so much more. Nothing shows you care about your mother and her health more than a Fitbit. This is one of the most accurate activity trackers on the market and you can’t beat the price they are offered at! Fitbit offers a wide variety of their product, ranging in prices and specs. If you want to go all out and get the best and most popular Fitbit, you would need to purchase the Fitbit Charge. This will cost you around $130, but as stated earlier, there are cheaper alternatives.

Mophie

With this suggestion, you have a large amount of items to choose from that would all be perfect for those mother’s who love their mobile devices. Mophie is a company that specializes in making wireless chargers, charging stations, phone cases with extra battery life and storage, and so much more. This is for the mothers that can’t stay off Facebook, loves taking pictures of their kids, and just uses their phone constantly, leading to a draining of the battery and a not-so-happy mother!

If your mother falls into this category, then you definitely need to check out Mophie’s website, they even have a special page dedicated to the products that your mother would absolutely love for her special day. There are various cases that are stylish and nearly double the phone’s battery life, there are also extreme protection cases that offer extended battery life as well. With all these products offered by Mophie to better your mother’s mobile device, you definitely can’t go wrong with checking out the website and buying something for your mother on her special day!

If you are in need of any residential or commercial electrical services in Baldwin County or Mobile, Alabama look no further than Professional Electric! Visit us online atwww.ProfessionalElectric.biz and connect with us onFacebook and Twitter!

We are available 24/7 for emergency services!

Mobile: (251) 473-5788  
Baldwin County: (251)  929-8957  

© Southern View Media 2019  : Reproduction without explicit permission is prohibited. All Rights Reserved.

Does your patio seem unkempt? Garden got you down? Is your outdoor dining furniture looking dingy? Maybe it’s time to spruce your outdoor space! It’s easy to get your home ready for spring by following these handy ideas.

Add LED Outdoor Lighting

It’s true when they say good lighting really sets the mood. It can enhance a nighttime party or illuminate a dinner al fresco. Today, LED has grown in popularity for many homeowners and has become the best lighting option for outdoor spaces. It is more energy efficient, more durable, produces less heat and LEDs are environmentally friendly. It casts a delicate glow instead of the harsh light of a normal bulb.

Repaint Your Space

Now, you don’t have to repaint the entire structure of your house to spruce it up. A fresh coat of paint on your front door will instantly improve your home’s look. Think outside the box and try an entirely new pop of colors such as red or turquoise. Repainting your front door will also protect it from warping and cracking due to heat exposure and the elements.  

Fill the Space With Furniture

It’s time to trade in those outdated plastic patio chairs for some fresh, new pieces. A bistro set is a perfect addition for small space and everyone can have a seat on an outdoor sectional. Add colorful pillows, blankets, rugs, lights and candles to complement your new pieces.

Add Some Shade

Pergolas have become the hottest trend for outdoor spaces, but what if you need more shade? Today, umbrellas come in a variety of styles, colors and sizes to keep you comfortably covered.

Freshen Up with Flowers

You don’t have to have a green thumb to freshen up your space with flowers. Ask an expert or research the best flowers to grow in your area. Find the ones that will bloom in the upcoming season for you and your guests to enjoy. Flowers are one of the least inexpensive and simplest options you can add to your home.

Fire It Up

Firepits are not only fun but they’re also functional! They cast a warm glow and keep you toasty on those chilly autumn evenings. They’re perfect for roasting hot dogs and s’mores to feed your hungry guests.

Storage Solutions

Now that your space is spruced up, where are you hiding your stuff? Purchasing stylish storage pieces will help hide your accessories and keep them protected from the elements. A storage bench also provides additional seating for guests.

These simple ideas will freshen up any outdoor space. With just a little time and money spent you’ll have the best looking home on the block! Call the experts at Professional Electric if you want to brighten up your space and enhance your home’s exterior. 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! Call (251) 473-5788 and remember, when it comes to your electrical needs, Keep It Professional!

Smart devices have certainly made our lives easier in many ways. This includes in our homes, too. Many people wonder “can smart home devices save money?” There are so many smart home devices that it is often tough to choose. Here are 3 smart devices that are worth looking into for saving cost to your home.

Programmable Thermostat

Programmable thermostats have been around for several years now. However, thermostats that can be controlled from your smartphone are a new addition to the market. Smart programmable thermostats can save thousands of dollars a year through many ways. First, there are “peak” power hours for electricity usage. Of course, this depends on the part of the country where you live. For example, peak hours of hotter climates will be different than say, the colder areas of the country. In either case, knowing your area’s peak hours and having a thermostat you control remotely really puts savings in your hands — literally. Control your air conditioning, heating, indoor and outdoor lights and even your hot water heater-all at the touch of a button.

Smart Power Strip

Have you heard of the term “phantom power?” Phantom power refers to power being used even when switches are turned off. Phantom power is a true money robber. An example of phantom power is your television set. Did you know that if a television is plugged into a power strip, as so many are, that it continues to suck electricity even when off? The way to combat this is to invest in smart power strips. Traditional power strips have several outlets that all get turned off with one switch. Smart power strips allow you to turn off outlets individually from your mobile device. This means you can turn off the power to the television and the Xbox, but leave necessary appliances with power, such as the cable modem.

LED Smart Bulbs

Investing in LED light bulbs and smart technology to control them is green in your pocket and for the environment. Smart bulbs are one of the most popular home devices on the market. They pay for themselves many times over, too. Smart technology in light bulbs will allow you to control lights and even give the illusion of you being home when you are not. Most light bulbs for home use now have an LED alternative available at big box stores.

If you are in need of 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. Call (251) 473-5788 and remember, when it comes to your electrical needs, Keep It Professional!

Purchasing a new home is an exciting time! Although the move in the process can seem overwhelming, there is so much to look forward to. Before moving in, it’s important to inspect the home thoroughly to ensure your home is safe and move in ready. If you’re not sure where to start, don’t fret. Below is a checklist for new homeowners to use when inspecting areas of their new home.

Electrical Service Panel

You can find an electrical service panel in every home. They are typically located on the home’s exterior, in the garage or in the basement. The panel should be checked for any residue and damage. If any fuses are outdated, give Professional Electric a call to replace the circuit breaker switches.

Check the Wiring

The round fuses in the service panel will give clues as to how old the home’s wiring is. Houses that were built before 1950 may have knob-and-tube wiring. Homes built between 1965-1973 may contain aluminum wiring. As a homebuyer, you need to be aware of any wiring that needs to be replaced to help improve your home’s safety.

Outlets in Wet Areas

Now it’s time to head to the kitchen and the bathrooms. It’s critical to have ground fault circuit interrupters installed in any wet areas. Light switches should also be several inches away from water. Ground fault circuit interrupters should be tested periodically by homeowners and should be checked during your home’s walkthrough.

Interior Outlets, Light Switches, Appliance Chords

Interior outlets, light switches, appliance chords and ground fault circuit interrupters should be tested and inspected often. Be sure to tighten any loose outlets or replace them. Check them for any black smoke and to see if they are cool to the touch.

Test Detectors

Before moving in, test all of your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. The home needs to have a well-working smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector, so remembering to test these is critical. Lastly, change any batteries if needed or purchase new alarms.

To avoid dangerous situations, make sure you are thoroughly checking all breakers and outlets. If you discover any of the issues listed above, be sure to call a licensed electrician to analyze the problem. Our electricians are licensed, insured and bonded to provide the best knowledge and leave you feeling safe and secure in your new home.

If you are in need of any residential or commercial electrical services or have an electrical issue 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. Call us at (251) 473-5788. Remember, when it comes to your electrical needs, Keep It Professional!

Most older homes have two prong outlets instead of three. The third centered hole is called ground and works equivalent to the left neutral slot because they are connected. There is a reason why the third slot is now included in newer outlets. Forget about the rewiring or even worse, reversed polarity and read about why you should replace those two prong outlets for good. Besides, the third time’s the charm!

The Ground Prong is Truly Groundbreaking

The ground prong plays a vital role in safety uses and access of metal-encased appliances. A ground prong can also be called an earth prong by electricians who know that it is not a floating ground, meaning it is not an original ground. It is meant to protect yourself from electrical shock and your appliances from any damages such as loose wiring in circuits. You will also be able to save some money from outlets shorting out and having to replace them each year. Avoid these risks from shock injury and make the switch today.

Avoid Outside Add-On Outlets or Prongs

While there might be additional temporary solutions such as adding a cheater plug to make the two-prong outlet compatible with a three prong, your safety risks reduce, and that shock factor becomes higher due to the actual ground prong not being there. Many who decide to upgrade by doing it themselves, can face breaker box grounding problems. Some people also decide to go with the three GFCI outlet route which will also put your electronics at risk and add further damage to them over time. The key is to stick with the original standard three-prong outlets because the ground prong itself is what protects from fuses.

Other Attachments are Not Fully Equipped

A GFCI outlet, for example, will not allow you to run a ground outlet or to even feed other outlets from it because most older boxes are not grounded. You would also have to accommodate the device with bigger metal boxes for wiring. Any additional outlets added to the two-prong not grounded style of outlet must go by electrical code for allowance of proper installation. Even so, the risk for ungrounded style attachments versus standard grounded outlets is all in the shock protection, meaning there is no guarantee you will be fully protected with the add-on attachments.

Making the switch from a two-prong outlet to a three prong is crucial for the work of a professional electrician for safe installation. Upgrade today to hassle-free plugins and let our Professional Electric team install your system at a low cost.

If you are in need of any residential or commercial electrical services or need your plugins upgraded 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 service. Call us at (251) 473-5788. Remember, when it comes to your electrical needs, Keep It Professional!

With technology growing rapidly day by day, there are countless advancements being created to aid in saving energy and money. Setting up a smart network and connecting it to a variety of different smart appliances in your home will allow you to cut your energy rates significantly. There are many different smart appliances to choose from for your home. Here we will discuss some great ones that will save you a great amount of money!

Nest Products

To start off the list, we will begin with Nest. Nest is an innovative company that has its own line of smart appliances for your home, but it also has the ability to connect with countless other smart appliances. If you are looking to make your home a unified smart home, then the best option would be to start with picking your first Nest product.

Nest Learning Thermostat

The Nest Learning Thermostat is a great place to begin in order to start saving money in your wallet and turning your home smart. This smart thermostat will learn everything about your daily habits dealing with how you want a room heated or cooled. According to Nest, “Independent studies showed that it saved people an average of 10-12% on heating bills and 15% on cooling bills. So in under two years, it can pay for itself.” Just using the Nest Learning Thermostat for a week will allow it to learn your habits on a daily basis. Do you like to wake up and eat breakfast in a warm temperature setting? Well this thermostat will learn your habits and warm your house upon awakening for breakfast. It will learn when you leave to go to work and then the thermostat will set to low power mode in order to save you as much money as possible.

Stack Lighting

The next smart appliance that aids greatly in conserving money and electricity is the Stack Lighting bulb. It is one of the many new cutting edge smart appliances that connects with Nest so everything can easily be controlled together. As with the Nest Learning Thermostat, the Stack Lighting bulb will learn exactly how you like your lights to be dimmed and when to be turned on. It mimics sunlight and uses the power of natural light and its sensors in order to conserve the most energy. Once you leave the room the light will turn off, upon entering it will turn back on.

Rachio Smart Sprinkler Controller

Last but not least, is the Rachio Smart Sprinkler Controller. This is one big advancement in irrigation and saving your money. This smart sprinkler is extremely easy to set up all by yourself and the outcome is more than worth it to upgrade. This is another product that will connect with all Nest products through their app to truly unify your smart home. Using WiFi, it will water your yard based on the season of the year and real time weather patterns. The sprinkler will record exactly how much water is being used and will report it directly to the app. According to Rachio, “You can save as much as 30% on your outdoor water use, giving you one of the fastest paybacks of any smart home device.”

If you are in need of any residential or commercial electrical services in Baldwin County or Mobile, Alabama look no further than Professional Electric! Visit us online at www.ProfessionalElectric.biz and connect with us onFacebookand Twitter!

We are available 24/7 for emergency services!

Mobile: (251) 473-5788
Baldwin County: (251)  929-8957  

© Southern View Media 2016  : Reproduction without explicit permission is prohibited. All Rights Reserved.

There are different kinds of electricity, apart from the kinds that power our mobile devices or light up our homes. Static electricity is different from electricity that is generated by a turbine or chemical batteries. Here are 9 quick and interesting facts about static electricity for National Static Electricity day!

1. Static electricity is the buildup of electrical charges, made up of positive and negative ions, on the surface of an object. These charges stay in one place, hence the name static electricity.

2. Static charges build up when two surfaces rub against each other. When this happens, electrons move from one surface to another, so that one object will have a positive charge and the other, a negative charge. Rubbing two objects quickly, such as your feet on the carpet, will cause the buildup of a large charge.

3. You can use static electricity to power up an ordinary household light bulb using a balloon and your hair. You just need to blow up a balloon and tie off the end, rub it vigorously against the hair on your head for a minute or two and go into a dark room with your light bulb. Touch the two metal prongs of the light bulb against the surface of the balloon and watch it glow! Repeat rubbing the balloon to build up more static electricity. The more you do so, the more electricity builds up on the surface until you see more light.

4. Lighting is perhaps the best example of this kind of electricity. Scientists believe that lighting comes from the exchange of charges between ice particles within the clouds. Lighting is considered a bigger and more powerful version of the static electricity that we see on a daily basis.

5. During the Great Depression, huge amounts of swirling dust created large amounts of static electricity that were strong enough to render a person unconscious. This also resulted to electrical charges erupting from metal fences and the shorting out of electrical systems in cars. People resorted to carrying metal chains to offset the static charges.

6. Static electricity charges are the same charges that cause materials to cling together or your hair to stand on end. You can create static electricity by rubbing silk on a glass rod, fur or hair against a plastic comb.

7.Top uses of static electricity include printers and photocopiers, paint sprayers, air filters and dust removal. When it comes to photocopiers, static charges attract the ink or toner to the paper, resulting to a photocopy.

8. Static electricity can cause damage to electronic devices that have sensitive computer chips installed inside them. These chips are often encased in special containers or bags to protect them from static electricity damage. However, static shocks are generally not dangerous because the current is low.

9. Famous static electricity devices that show the amazing properties of static electricity include the Wimshurst electrostatic generator, the Bonetti machine and the Van de Graaf generator. The latter is very common in science museum, which you can see in exhibits for electricity demonstrations.

If you are in need of any residential or commercial electrical services in Baldwin County or Mobile, Alabama look no further than Professional Electric! Visit us online at www.ProfessionalElectric.biz and connect with us onFacebookand Twitter!

We are available 24/7 for emergency services!

Mobile: (251) 473-5788
Baldwin County: (251)  929-8957  

© Southern View Media 2016  : Reproduction without explicit permission is prohibited. All Rights Reserved.