Category: blog

As electric vehicles (EVs) gain popularity, a common question arises: how does owning an electric car affect your monthly electric bill? Professional Electric, with their expertise in residential electrical services and energy-efficient solutions, is here to help unravel this electrifying query.

Understanding the Dynamics

Transitioning to an EV is a shift in both transportation and energy consumption. EVs depend on electricity, leading to queries about increased household electricity usage.

The Impact on Your Electric Bill

The effect of an EV on your electric bill isn’t as significant as it might seem. It varies based on:

• Charging Frequency: The frequency and timing of your EV charging affect your bill. Charging during off-peak hours can reduce costs. Consider installing a home charging station for efficient charging.
• Battery Capacity: Larger batteries consume more energy but also offer longer ranges.
• Electricity Rates: These rates vary by region. Some areas offer incentives for EV owners, making charging more affordable.
• Charging Infrastructure: Efficient home charging stations can influence your electric bill.

Calculating the Impact

To estimate the impact on your bill:

• Determine Energy Consumption: Multiply your EV’s energy consumption rate (in kWh per mile) by your monthly mileage.
• Electricity Costs: Multiply the additional consumption by your local electricity rate.

Offsetting Costs

Owning an EV isn’t just about added expenses. Consider:

• Home Solar Panels: Generating your electricity, perhaps through solar panel installation, can drastically reduce charging costs.
• Time-of-Use Plans: Lower rates during off-peak hours can reduce charging costs.
• Public Charging Stations: These can decrease reliance on home charging.

The Verdict

While owning an EV does impact your electric bill, the extent depends on various factors. Strategic charging, efficient infrastructure and renewable energy sources can minimize or offset this impact.

Considering an EV? Embrace this sustainable shift. The impact on your electric bill can be managed, and the benefits of cleaner, greener transportation are undeniable.

Explore the world of EVs and sustainable energy with Professional Electric. Whether you’re looking for commercial electrical solutions or insights on energy-efficient lighting, we have the expertise to assist. Visit Professional Electric’s blog for more insights into embracing a sustainable future.

In the face of uncertainty, a generator stands as a beacon of stability. It’s not just a machine; it’s your fortress of comfort and security during storms, hurricanes and power outages. At Professional Electric, we comprehend the transformative power of generators, and we’re dedicated to guiding you through the installation, repair and maintenance processes to ensure uninterrupted power supply, especially during the most challenging times.

The Role of Generators: Transforming Energy into Assurance

A generator serves as the bridge between external energy and electrical power, an essential lifeline when nature unleashes its fury. When the lights go out, a generator steps in to ensure your home or business remains illuminated, connected and functional. It’s the guardian that prevents disruption and ensures the normalcy you deserve, especially in the aftermath of hurricanes and severe storms.

Why Choose Professional Electric for Your Generator Needs?

• Expertise That Empowers: Our seasoned experts are equipped with the knowledge and skills to handle every aspect of generator services. From meticulous installation to precise repairs and regular maintenance, we ensure your generator operates seamlessly when you need it the most.

• Benefits Beyond Electricity: Beyond the immediate power supply, generators offer an array of benefits. They instill a sense of security, eliminating worries about prolonged outages. A well-maintained generator guarantees a reliable energy source, often boasting a remarkable lifespan that proves its worth over time.

Harness the Power of Financial Flexibility

Investing in a generator doesn’t just fortify your home; it secures your peace of mind. At Professional Electric, we recognize the importance of accessible solutions. Our financing options pave the way for you to embrace this crucial step toward preparedness. Your generator becomes more than just a machine; it’s a strategic investment in the safety and comfort of your loved ones.

Why Wait? Your Generator Awaits

In a world where uncertainty can strike at any moment, having a generator is more than a luxury—it’s a necessity. Our team at Professional Electric is committed to empowering you with the knowledge, tools and support needed to make the best choice for your power needs. From installation to upkeep, we stand by your side, ensuring your generator functions flawlessly, no matter the weather.

Let us help you take control of your energy future. Contact Professional Electric today to explore how a generator can become your guardian against the storm of uncertainty, especially during hurricane season. Your comfort and security deserve nothing less.

Electrical grounding is an essential safety measure when it comes to installing pools. At Professional Electric, we prioritize your family’s safety by providing professional pool grounding services. While pool safety typically brings to mind non-skid decks, fences and pool covers, the bonding and grounding of your pool’s electrical system are equally crucial for ensuring a safe environment.

Your pool uses electricity to power vital equipment such as pumps, lights and heaters. Without electricity, the pool pump won’t function, leaving the water stagnant and unfiltered. The absence of pool lights eliminates the possibility of nighttime swims. Moreover, the pool heater requires electricity to maintain a comfortable water temperature. The proper electrical connection ensures the smooth operation of these essential components. An improperly set up electrical system may expose swimmers to a small amount of electricity, posing potential risks to occupants in the future.

While most individuals may not fully grasp the complexity of a pool’s electrical system, our team at Professional Electric possesses the necessary expertise. We are dedicated to prioritizing your pool’s electrical safety to ensure you can enjoy it without any worries.

Understanding Grounding

To comprehend the concept of electrical grounding, it’s important to grasp some basics of electricity. Electrical currents consist of negatively charged electrons that flow towards materials to balance out with a positive charge. This flow generates the electricity that powers your home and pool. Normally, electrons flow from a charged wire to a neutral one. However, if a wire is damaged, it can create a short circuit, diverting electricity down unintended paths. Grounding resolves this issue.

Pool grounding involves connecting bonded pool components to the earth. The objective is to direct and dissipate harmful electrical currents away from pool equipment, pets and people, maximizing safety. By establishing a connection between the pool’s electrical network, the electrical panel and the earth, excess electricity can be effectively dissipated. Without a proper grounding system, swimmers and pool equipment may inadvertently become conductors, risking harm to individuals and damage to your pool equipment.

Professional Electric’s Commitment to Safety

At Professional Electric, our licensed electricians are dedicated to ensuring your safety and enabling you to enjoy your pool fully. We collaborate closely with your pool installers to ensure correct pool grounding, eliminating the risk of serious injuries. Whether you require pool grounding services, inspections or have inquiries regarding pool grounding, our team is here to assist you. Your safety is our top priority, and we take our responsibility seriously.

Contact Professional Electric today to work with us for your pool grounding needs. We are committed to safeguarding you and your loved ones from potential electrical hazards.

Hurricane season is a time of the year that can bring anxiety and stress to homeowners. Preparing your home for an impending hurricane is essential to ensure you and your family remain safe during and after the storm. One important aspect of hurricane preparedness is ensuring that your electrical system is ready to handle the impact of a storm. In this blog post, we will discuss how to prepare your electrical system for hurricane season and why it is crucial to work with a professional electrician like Professional Electric.

The first step in preparing your electrical system for hurricane season is to ensure that your generator is in good working order. A generator is an essential component of your electrical system during a power outage caused by a hurricane. Without a working generator, you could be left without power for an extended period, which can be dangerous and uncomfortable. At Professional Electric, we offer generator installation and maintenance services to ensure that your generator is ready when you need it most.

Another important step in hurricane preparedness is to inspect your electrical system for any damage or wear and tear. Any damaged electrical components can be a safety hazard during a storm, and it’s important to address them before the hurricane season begins. At Professional Electric, we offer electrical inspections to identify any issues and make necessary repairs before the storm hits.

It’s also essential to ensure that your electrical panel is up to date and can handle the load of your electrical system. An outdated or overloaded electrical panel can be a significant safety hazard during a hurricane, and it’s crucial to work with a professional electrician to ensure it functions correctly. Our team at Professional Electric can evaluate your electrical panel and recommend any necessary upgrades or repairs to ensure that it is safe and reliable.

One crucial aspect of hurricane preparedness is ensuring your electrical system is grounded correctly. Proper grounding ensures that any electrical surges or power outages caused by the hurricane do not cause damage to your appliances or electronics. At Professional Electric, we offer grounding services to ensure that your electrical system is safe and secure.

Finally, it’s crucial to have an emergency plan in place in case of a power outage caused by a hurricane. Make sure that you have a supply of flashlights, batteries and other emergency supplies in case you lose power during the storm. It’s also a good idea to have the contact information for a professional electrician like Professional Electric on hand in case you need emergency electrical services.

In conclusion, hurricane season can be a stressful time for homeowners, but preparing your electrical system can help ease your worries. At Professional Electric, we offer a range of services to ensure that your electrical system is ready to handle the impact of a hurricane. From generator installation and maintenance to electrical inspections and repairs, our team is here to help you prepare for the storm. Don’t wait until it’s too late – call Professional Electric today to schedule an appointment and ensure your electrical system is ready for hurricane season.

Today, we’re going to talk about the importance of having a grounded pool in your backyard instead of an ungrounded pool. It’s an important safety feature for any pool owner, but it’s especially important if you have kids or pets that like to swim in your pool. That’s because grounding creates a pathway back to the earth that allows stray electricity to be carried away safely, so no one gets shocked while they’re swimming.

In this blog, our team of professional electricians will explain why grounding is such an important part of aquatic safety and how it works alongside other safety features like GFCIs (ground fault circuit interrupters) and metal ladders on pools!

Having a grounded pool is a safety feature to help prevent electrocutions, especially for those who have kids or pets.

Electrocution is the leading cause of accidental death in the United States. Electrocutions are a common cause of accidental death by drowning. Any time you’re near water and electricity, you run the risk of getting shocked by both. Grounding ensures that if something happens to your pool’s wiring system, it won’t send dangerous electrical currents into the water—potentially killing anyone who happens to be swimming at the time.

Electric shock drownings occur when a person comes into contact with an electrical current in the water and is unable to swim away.

These accidental electrocutions can happen when a person is in the water and a stray current is present, either from a faulty pool light or another safety device. Grounding devices are an effective way to prevent this kind of accident from occurring, because they provide an alternative path for electricity to travel safely into the ground if it finds its way into your pool. 

Grounding your pool also helps prevent drowning accidents by creating an electric barrier around your pool. This barrier prevents children from wandering out onto wet concrete surfaces after swimming, or wading in shallow water without shoes on (which makes them more likely to slip). Children who fall into deep water often panic when their feet touch something that feels like concrete instead of sand or soil underneath them—making it difficult for anyone else around at the time to help pull them back up onto solid footing again.

If you’re worried about the cost of having a grounded pool, there are ways to save money. You can install it yourself or use the services of an electrician to help out with the wiring and installation process. In any event, grounding is an essential safety feature for your pool and should not be overlooked.

Whether you have more questions about grounded pools, or you need assistance with your home’s wiring system, the experts at Professional Electric have you covered! Visit https://proelectricusa.com/ to learn more.

Living in the South, we are no stranger to hurricanes, storms or other weather catastrophes. The fact of the matter is that nature is unpredictable and we need to make sure we have a plan in case of an emergency. No matter what your disaster plan of action is, at Professional Electric we highly recommend that everyone adds a generator to their list of essentials. Even if you plan on evacuating during a major storm, having a generator ensures that you have a second option if the power back home takes a while to be restored, even after the storm. Read on to learn more about why you need a generator.

Keep Essential Appliances Running

In the event that the power goes out, even a few hours can be detrimental to your food supply, electronics or other useful items. Keeping your fridge and freezers running is important, as no one wants their food to spoil during such a troublesome time. Your generator will save you money and keep your family well-fed and secure when you need it most.

Comfort

While making sure your food supply and appliances remain protected may be your first concern, comfort is another factor to keep in mind. There’s not much worse than facing a muggy, hot day in the south with no air conditioning – having a generator ensures that you’ll have enough power to keep your family cool and comfortable during those uncertain times.

Other Instances of Power Outage

Power outages are not always caused by storms. If you’re unconcerned about a hurricane or other weather catastrophe affecting your power, remember that unexpected outages can occur even when the weather is perfectly normal. In the event of a city-wide blackout, having a backup generator on hand and ready to go gives you added security and peace of mind in the unknown.

Working from Home

In the event that your neighborhood, city or general area loses power, you may find it impossible to work from home. If you have a remote job, missing weeks or even just hours of work due to an outage is unacceptable and can put you under a financial burden. You have a job that you need to be able to perform, and with a backup generator, you can do just that.

Peace of Mind

At the very least, having a generator added to your plan of action in the event of an emergency will give you peace of mind. You can rest at ease knowing you and your family are well-prepared for any sort of power outage, no matter the cause.

While the ultimate goal is that you never need to use your generator, the reality is that life happens and you need to be prepared for whatever comes your way. If you are interested in learning more about backup generators, or you need help with any electrical problems your home or business may be experiencing, give Professional Electric a call at (251) 473-5788 today!

One of the biggest hazards in your home is electricity, especially for your pets. Just ask children, pets do not understand the threats that can come with cables, outlets and gadgets. Furry friends often like to get into things that they are not supposed to, especially when it comes to wires or appliances that can become an electrical hazard. The last thing you want is for their curiosity to get them hurt or start a fire by playing with your electrical appliances.

Here are five ways to protect your furry friends from electrical hazards: 

Monitor Electrical Appliances

Be sure to always turn off lamps, heaters and fans when you go to bed. Leaving them connected to power is dangerous for your pet. If they knock over a space heater, it could cause a house fire. Remembering to turn them off or unplugging them helps to keep your furry friends safe and your electricity bill less expensive. 

Be Mindful of Their Water Bowl

Make sure that your pets can easily access a source of fresh water. The animals tend to go looking for water when they can’t find it. To minimize your pet’s risk of getting hurt, take caution around bathtubs and sinks where water is frequently used.

Put Away Delectable Cords

For your pet, there is nothing more exciting than playing with the dangling power cord that is in the living room near their bed. Electrical shocks, burns and electrocution can be potentially fatal to your animals. To prevent a fatal accident, tuck away cords by placing them in plastic tubing or twist tying them together.

Teach Them 

If your furry friend is still scaring you with electrical hazards, you may want to properly train them on electrical safety. Your pets can be taught to stay away from cords and outlets, along with anything else that they should not chew on. You can also teach your pets to avoid areas of the house that can potentially be hazardous. The sooner that they are trained, the sooner that they will be safer. 

Managing your house to minimize electrical hazards is a great idea, but it can also save your furry friend’s life or protect them from injury. To learn more about keeping your pets safe from electrical infrastructures, call Professional Electric for a free quote at (251) 473-5788.

Building a new construction home is an exciting experience that can be accompanied by a great deal of stress. With new construction homes, a common mistake the homebuyer makes is waiving an inspection. The assumption is usually that nothing could be wrong since it is brand new. Many items should be top-of-mind for an inspection when buying a house that has been previously lived in. Most homebuyers think about mold or mold damage, a furnace that may be on its last leg or more noticeable things like a roof needing to be replaced. Inspections are just as important on a new build and one very important part of each inspection is the electrical side of things. Two electrical inspections will take place in your new home. The first will take place before the insulation is installed to have a clear view of the wiring running to circuits and appliances. The second inspection will be the final inspection and it will take place when the home is complete. 

What are they looking for?

The first item that the inspector will be looking for is proper circuits. To put this simply: does your home have enough circuits to meet your electrical demands? Certain appliances require circuits dedicated to them. Additionally, the inspector will ensure there are proper amounts of general lighting and appliance circuits for each room in your house. 

There are certain locations where the code requires Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI). These are typically used when outlets are outside, near water or below grade. Inspectors will also be checking that outlets are flush against the wall and that they are large enough to accommodate the number of wire conductors. Should you be conducting your own electrical work, it is advised that you use large electrical boxes to make it easier to complete the wire connections. The inspector will also be checking for outlet heights. Typical height requirements for outlets (commonly known as receptacles) are 12 inches above the floor. Switches should be 48 inches above the floor. 

Wiring

Wiring will be next up on the inspector’s list. They will specifically be looking for how the cables are clamped in the boxes, as well as proper cable anchoring. Cables should be run through the center of the wall studs to ensure there is no penetration from nails and screws. Although labeling your wiring in an electrical box is not required by code, it is a good practice. This practice can provide reassurance to the inspector when seeing this kind of detail. With all the stress associated with building a new house, it may be beneficial to simply reach out to your inspector to get an understanding of their requirements and what they will be looking for. There is no need to fear your inspection. After all, your inspector is concerned about the safety of your work. 
Ensure the safety of your new home construction by having a professional inspect your home’s wiring, 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!