The rising price of fuel has led to a huge increase in the cost of home energy bills. The cost of heating and lighting your home can now take a significant percentage of your income. Try these 7 cost-cutting tips to reduce your energy bills.

1. Doors

Check internal and external doors for gaps between the door and the frame. Place foam strips around the doorframes to prevent heat from escaping, and use draft excluders at the bottom of internal doors.

2. Windows

Check windows for drafts, ill-fitting latches, and rotten or warped window frames. Fill any holes or cracks in the frame and surrounding area. Hang heavy drapes over drafty windows to stop cold air from entering through old window frames.

3. Light bulbs

Replace all light bulbs with the newest energy-saving models. Swapping to energy-saving light bulbs can save a significant amount of electricity over the course of a year. Remember to change the bulbs in table lamps and wall lamps, as well as your ceiling lights.

4. Appliances

Choose energy-efficient models of household appliances, such as refrigerators, freezers, washing machines, and tumble dryers. The next time you buy a new appliance, check the energy-efficiency rating of the product. The higher the rating, the less energy it will use.

5. Heating

Turning down the heating thermostat by just one degree (Celsius) can cut your heating bills by up to ten percent, while still keeping your home warm. Turn heaters, radiators, and gas fires off when they are not needed; don’t heat empty rooms.

6. Cooking

Microwaves, health grills, and electric slow cookers all use less energy than cooking in an oven. Steam vegetables in stacked pans or an electric steamer to minimise the amount of energy used.

7. Insulation

Insulating your home can result in huge long-term savings on your energy bills. Cavity wall insulation and loft insulation can prevent heat loss and save you money on your heating bills. If you can’t afford the cost of insulating your home, check to see if there are any grants available to help you. Some programs provide financial help with the cost of insulating your home.

With their sleek, modern design and ultra-crisp picture, sales of flat-screen TV’s are at an all-time high.  While some choose to display their flat-screen on an entertainment stand, many people choose to mount their flat-screen on a wall or over a fireplace. 

Yes, instructions abound on the Internet telling you how to install your flat-screen correctly.  And for those of you who consider yourselves to be particularly handy, you may wonder why it is necessary to hire (and pay) a professional to do the job.

Mounting a flat-screen TV may seem like a fairly straightforward task, but there are several things to consider. 

• You’ll need a thorough understanding of local codes.  Do you know what the fire codes are in your city?  What about building codes?  A licensed residential electrical contractor is required to be familiar with the intricacies of local codes and how they apply to the installation of your new TV.
• Do you have the right tools?  Most people won’t have the right tools on hand for properly installing a new TV.  Buying or renting these tools will be costly.  It may simply be more cost-effective to hire a professional who already owns the proper equipment.
• You’ll need a power source for your new television.  Yes, you may have an electrical outlet in the general vicinity of the new TV, but it is most likely close to the floor and too low for your TV’s placement on the walls.  A licensed electrical contractor can install a recessed electrical outlet behind your TV, and you won’t have to look at an unsightly power cord trailing down the wall from the TV to the outlet.
• If you prefer not to hide your power cords, there are other options available.  Your electrical contractor may be able to make specific suggestions for alternatives to running cables through the walls, including cable management raceways that attach to your walls. 
• Routing A/V cables through a wall can be a difficult task. If you have surround sound or any kind of stereo equipment, you will have a multitude of cables leading in and out of the TV. These are not only unsightly but can also be dangerous to have sitting around, especially if you have small children.  An electrical contractor has the knowledge and the equipment to run all of your cabling through the walls, keeping them out of sight and out of reach. 
• It may be necessary to route some cables through an attic or crawl space.  Most electrical contractors are working in tight spaces and have experience with running cables through attics or crawl spaces. 

Sure, it may be tempting to take the do-it-yourself approach to installing your new TV.  However, hiring a licensed electrical contractor to do the job ensures that your TV will be installed correctly and safely, and in accordance with local codes.

Ceiling Fan Installation Instructions

Getting Ready

If there is already an existing fixture that you are replacing, you will need to take this down first. It is very important to turn off the electricity to the fixture. Turn the power off at your breaker box; handling live wiring is never a good idea, and turning the power off at the switch is no guarantee that you won’t get a nasty shock.

Disconnect the Old Fixture

Remove any part possible from the fixture, such as bulbs or globes, prior to taking the fixture down to make it easier to handle. Locate the screws or bolts that hold the fixture to the ceiling and use the appropriate too to remove them. Lower the fixture carefully to expose the wiring.

Once the wiring is exposed, you will want to disconnect all of the wires. There will usually only be two or three wires to disconnect. Now the fixture should be free and able to be completely removed.

Check the Electrical Box

Make sure the electrical box that houses the wiring is securely mounted in the ceiling, especially if you are replacing a lighter weight fixture, as ceiling fans are generally fairly heavy. You don’t want it to come crashing down on your head, or worse yet, a child or house guest!

Take Inventory

Before you actually mount the new fan, take all of the parts out of the box. The included instructions should include a list of parts. Make sure that everything is there before you proceed.

The new fan should include a mounting bracket, which you will have to attach to the electrical box. Be certain that all of the screws to attach the bracket are in securely and firmly to avoid a wobbly or noisy fan.

Check to see if your mounting bracket has a hook on it for hanging the fan while working on the wiring. If you don’t have such a hook, you will probably need a spare set of hands to hold the fan while you attach the wiring.

Attach the Fan Wires

With the fan either hung or held in place, use the color coding system of the wires to attach the fan. There should be a black or blue wire on the fan; attach it to the black or blue wire in the box. White wires go to white wires, and copper or green wires attach to other copper or green wires. Once all of the wires are connected, use wire nuts to protect the connections and prevent them from touching each other.

If you have extra wires or not enough wires to attach the fan to the ceiling, you should consult an electrical contractor. This is especially true of your wiring is very old, as it may not be up to code and could need replacing to eliminate potential fire hazard.

Next you will want to get all of the wiring inside the electrical box. Make sure all wires are completely contained inside of the box.

Mounting the Fan

Now it is time to attach the fan motor to the mounting bracket. The screws for this should be included with your fan. Make sure to tighten them all the way, again for safety reasons. Once the motor is securely fastened to the bracket, turn the power to the fixture on so you can test your work before you proceed. If your fan motor runs and there is no sign of wobbling, you are ready to move on. But remember that it is very important to turn the power to the fixture back off before proceeding!

Attach the cover to the motor to cover all of the working parts. Then attach the blades using the included screws. This is another part of the project where having a friend to hold things in place while you work is very helpful!

Your completely assembled fan is now ready for power again. Turn it on for a test run and make sure nothing wobbles or makes noise, and tighten any connections as needed. (Remember, always turn the power off first!)

If you have followed these easy directions, you should now have a properly installed ceiling fan.  Now sit back, relax, and enjoy the cool breeze!

Types of Electrical Outlets in Homes

You’ll find two main types of electrical outlets in the United States – the Type A and the Type B. The Type A is the traditional 2-prong outlet used to provide 120 volts of electricity. While you are likely to find a Type A outlet in an older home, especially those built before the 70′s, it has generally been phased out and is no longer installed. The Type B outlet was used to replace the Type A outlet. This familiar outlet requires the use of three prongs – two flat blades, like the Type A, along with a round grounding pin. One of the blades is wider than the other to ensure the plugs are inserted properly.

There are, of course, different variations on the Type B outlet and wiring. Most notable is the GFCI outlet, which is commonly used in bathrooms and kitchens to provide added protection. GFCI receptacles are commonly placed on their own circuits – so your bathroom and living room will not share circuits.

Protecting Your Children from Electrical Hazards

We all know how curious children can be when it comes to any object in the home. Your job is to teach them, at a young age, what is appropriate and what is not in terms of outlets and electricity in general.

Start by taking a look around your home. Identify all of the outlets and their placement and note which ones are not in use. Add safety caps to any unused outlets in your home. This will benefit you in two ways. Your child won’t be tempted to place his fingers or any other item in the outlet, and you’ll also help to prevent drafts in your home.

Your next step is to set a good example. Children learn by watching and if they see you treating power cords and outlets carelessly, they’ll simply imitate your behavior. Try not to work with your wiring or outlets while your young children are around. If this can’t be helped, make sure you are always unplugging cords properly at the base and not by yanking them from the wall – a technique that can cause damage in more ways than one.

Talk to your children about asking for help whenever they want to use a toy or appliance that calls for the use of electricity. Teach your child to ask for help so that you can remove safety caps and plug in the toys yourself – and make sure you are the one who unplugs them after play as well. Make sure your child sees you replacing the safety cap and explain that they are there to keep everyone safe.

Children are bound to test the boundaries you place for them in all aspects of life, but make sure they know how dangerous an electrical outlet can be if not treated properly. In this case, it’s better to take a firm stance than it would be to allow your child to learn from his mistakes.

Wiring Codes

Electrical wiring codes seem like a pain, but they were created to help protect both you and your home. The codes, first established in 1891 in New York state, were put in place to ensure that the right type of wiring is used in each area. This reduces the risk of a malfunction or surge in your electrical system – one that could cause damage like electrocution or fire.

Electrical Wiring Color Codes

Electrical wiring comes in different colors for a reason. Each color tells us something specific about the wire and what it is used for. The most common colors are black, red, blue, yellow, green, and bare copper.

• Black wires indicate that a wire is hot. They usually lead to outlets and switches.
• Red wires also indicate a hot connection. They’re commonly used with appliances that require a 220 volt connection. They can often be found connected to ceiling fans or hardwired alarms like smoke detectors.
• Yellow wires and blue wires are also used for hot connections, but they are used in switches that have three or four-way connections. You’ll often see these connected to lights and fans.
• Bare copper and green wires are usually used to create safe connections during grounding.

There are a few exceptions to the wire color rules. White wires, for example, often indicate something is neutral, but they can also be used as hot wires where an additional is needed. If you use a wire for something other than it’s normal, color-coded purpose you should mark it with a piece of colored electrical tape so that it matches the normal coding.

Aluminum Wiring is Outdated

Older homes were wired with aluminum wiring but today’s codes call for copper wiring. Sadly, many homes built during the Vietnam War timeframe used aluminum because copper was being used by the military. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates, on average, that a home with aluminum wiring has a 50x higher risk of developing a fire hazard issue. If that’s not a reason for an electrical upgrade, we don’t know what is.

Downed Wires are Still Energized

Do not assume that a power line is de-engergized simply because it is down or because the power in your house has gone out. They might be without energy, but they may still be holding a low level of energy. There is also no way of knowing if the power will suddenly kick back on. Your best bet is to stay away from downed wires until the pros arrive on the scene.

Rewiring a Home is a Huge Project

We’re often asked why rewiring the entire electrical system in a home is so expensive. Sadly, if you need your entire house rewired your electrical contractor will have to open up all of your walls in order to get to the old wires, replace them, and reconnect them to your outlets and switches. They they, of course, have to put your home back together again. You can save yourself some cash if you rewire your home during a remodeling project, but if you don’t have one planned and don’t have the budget for a total re-wire, you can help yourself out by making upgrades here and there so that you don’t end up subjecting yourself to a fire hazard.

Electrical wiring can be tricky and messy, but with a talented commercial, residential electrical contractor or electrician on your side you can’t go wrong. Never make an assumption when it comes to your household electrical wiring. Call a pro and get the right answers the first time.

If you are a business owner, your licensed electrician has probably made it very clear that your commercial CFL bulbs must be recycled by law.  This is because of the amounts of mercury used in these bulbs.  Often, residential CFL consumers aren’t as well educated about the dangers of simply throwing CFL bulbs away.

CFL Bulbs and Mercury

Every single CFL light bulb you use contains approximately 5 milligrams of mercury. According to MSNBC and Stanford University studies, 5 milligrams of mercury is enough to destroy more than 6 thousand gallons of our drinking water. That’s a tiny bit of mercury and a whole lot of water. Mercury is incredibly toxic and can easily form itself to its environment, whether it is in water, air, or dirt.

Safely Recycling Your CFL Bulbs

The first thing you need to do when removing your burnt-out CFL bulbs from your appliances is to ensure they don’t break. The EPA suggests making sure you are grasping the cooled bulb at the base because grabbing it by the bulb may cause the seal to break.

Once the bulb is removed, it should be stored in a way that will prevent breakage. Your local hardware store may have a container you can take home or you can place the bulb back in its original packaging (or in the packaging of its replacement). You can then take the bulbs to a facility that collects CFLs for recycling.

Not sure where to take your bulbs? Check with your local construction and household good stores, like Lowes or Home Depot. If that doesn’t work, ask your municipality if they have collection times for hazardous wastes. You may have to hold onto the bulbs for a little while, but they won’t end up in landfills.

Ask your licensed electrician if he knows where you can take your old CFLs for recycling, too. He or she may be able to direct you or may have a recycling program of his own. No matter what you do, don’t throw those bulbs in the garbage. The convenience simply isn’t worth the risk.

Thomas Edison did not invent the light bulb.

Thomas Edison was about 50 years too late to be credited with the invention of lightbulb itself.  Bulbs, and the electrical lighting of them, had been in use for about that long. While he was working on his own theories, a British inventor known as Joseph Swan beat him to the punch in that regard as well – by a single year. It is believed that Edison took Swan’s rough designs, which were published in a science journal, and attempted to improve upon them. At the end of the day, Swan sued Edison for copyright infringement, won the patent, and ended up being named a partner in Edison’s company.

Why does electricity shock the body?

Electricity is electricity, so why does it cause that incredibly uncomfortable shock when we come into contact with it? Your body has its own electrical system which is controlled by your nervous system. The second problem is that water is a great conductor for electricity and – you guessed it – your body is mostly made up of water. While the average person experiences a little bit of static shock because the nerves on the surface are affected, a larger shock will be carried through the body, all the while causing major nerve interruptions, muscle twitching or even worse problems like interruptions to the heart or death. 

Fresh Air in Your Home

The air in your home is affected by a wide variety of factors. Wood burning stoves add toxins from the burning soot. Water heaters and gas furnaces also produce exhaust and waste. Running your oven (and maybe burning a meal) can create smoky conditions that make it difficult to breathe. Sometimes opening a window simply isn’t enough to circulate the bad air out and bring fresh air in, especially during the cold winter months. You may want to consider having an air exchanger installed.

What is an Air Exchanger?

Air exchangers offer homeowners a great method for bringing fresh, warm air into the home during the colder months. Also known as heat-recovery ventilators, these tools pull cool outside air into the home, flush it through a filter to ensure it is clean, warm it up in the exchanger, and then force it through your home’s duct system.

Not only will your family enjoy healthier air but you will save on your winter heating costs as well. The ventilating system warms the air it is bringing in from the outside, so your heater won’t have to work any harder. The warm air inside your home is used to heat the air coming in, so you aren’t using extra energy or electricity during the heating process.

Talk to your electrical contractor about the possibility of having an air exchanger installed in your home. You may want to install the exchanger alone or have it installed in conjunction with a whole house fan, great for regulating temperatures and removing moisture from the home.  The more efficient your heating and cooling systems, the less you’ll ultimately end up spending.

Purchase a Power Generator

Not everyone needs to have a power generator, but if you live in an area where power outages are frequent they are definitely worth considering. You should also have a power generator on hand if anyone in your home suffers from a medical condition that requires the use of electrically powered equipment. Make sure the fuel tank is full, put some extra fuel in storage, practice starting the generator, and run it for at least 10 minutes per month to make sure it is functioning properly.

Battery Operated Backup Lighting Systems

Battery operated backup systems are incredible for use during a long-term power outage. Some are plugged into outlets and others are hard-wired into your home’s electrical lighting system. Either way, the electricity in your home keeps the battery charged. If the power goes out, the fully-charged battery will turn on your alternate lighting system automatically, ensuring you’re never in danger in the dark. You don’t have to have emergency lights throughout your entire house. Make sure they’re placed strategically so that you can see to get down a flight of stairs and find your exit points.

Gathering the Basics

While power is important, there are other things to consider as well. Make sure you have an emergency kit with flashlights, batteries, bottled water, and non-perishable food on hand as well. You won’t want to open your fridge or freezer as doing so will make it harder to preserve your food until the power comes on again.

Make sure you talk to your licensed electricians about the possibility of getting a generator or installing backup lights in your home. It’s always better to be safe than sorry – especially when dealing with mother nature.

Check Your Flooring

Many homes, especially older homes, were originally built with wood flooring. There was a sudden surge in the sale of carpeting and – bam! – everyone covered their gorgeous hard wood floors with rugs. Take a peek beneath the rugs you have down on your floor now. Do you have hardwood flooring lurking under the padding? If so, redoing your flooring may be as simple as pulling up your rugs and refinishing the surface of what is below. If you don’t have wood flooring beneath, there are many inexpensive, snap together options you can consider as well.

Install Recessed Lighting

Does your living room or dining area seem cramped and cold? Consider removing your existing electrical lighting structures and installing some recessed lighting instead. The closer together your lights are, the brighter the room will be. Spacing them further apart, or having them wired so that they don’t all turn on together, will create a softer ambiance. You’ll be amazed at the difference a change in lighting can make.

Make a Charitable Donation

If you are completely remodeling a room, like a bathroom or kitchen, consider calling Habitat for Humanity. They’ll come in, take your old fixtures to use in their new projects, and give you a receipt so that you can write off the value as a donation at tax time. You’ll not only get the tax credit, but you won’t have to spend as much money on dumpsters and heavy trash removal, either.

Ditch the Brand Names

Are you considering high-quality flooring, carpeting, or window installation services? There are tons of lesser-known companies and brands that will give you the exact same quality of material for a fraction of the price. Want mahogany flooring? Forget it. Install a look-alike and no one will know the difference (unless they ask, and you tell). Your home will look just as great and you’ll save a ton of cash.

It doesn’t matter if you’re making one or two changes, like recessed lighting and flooring, or remodeling your entire house. Talk to your electrical contractor in Wilmington about your wants and needs and make sure he understands your limitations. A good contractor will do what he can to ensure you get the results you desire.