A Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) is a type of electrical outlet that should be installed in certain areas of every home. This outlet looks similar to a traditional outlet, but has two additional buttons in the middle of the unit which should read “test” and “reset”. Usually installed near potentially wet locations, including bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms and outdoors, GFCI outlets can prevent electrocution and death, as well as some electrical fires.

Many homeowners who are willing to do the work of changing a switch or replacing that old ceiling fan do not do the work for fear of getting shocked. It is much easier to follow protocols to avoid getting shocked when working with home electric than it is to do the actual work of those electrical projects needing done.

First and foremost is to identify the correct fuse or breaker at the service panel that disconnects the power to the circuit being worked on. Second is to not only shut off the power to the circuit but post a written notice on the service panel that the power is off because it is being worked on.

OK, so you went to Home Depot and picked up a nice new ceiling light fixture. This could be a chandelier, a ceiling fan, a flush mount, a semi-flush mount, or even a sconce. You turned off the power (you did turn off the power, right?) and delicately removed your crummy old fixture.

Let’s see here, there are now 3 wires coming from a box (some homes may only have 2 if your wiring is in metal conduit). Let’s look at the green or bare copper wire first …

About every 3 years in the state of New Jersey (and on the national level via the NEC), the electrical code changes in some way. This may have an impact on you, your home, and any electrical jobs you may be considering.

For example, it used to be that you could use two conductors (“the black wire”) with a shared neutral (“the white wire”) and both circuits sharing that neutral would have independent circuit breakers. Through code revisions, now those 2 circuits must be on a 2 pole breaker …

As our finite natural resources diminish, energy prices are steadily increasing. Now, more than ever, we must do our part to help our environment by conserving energy. The good news about energy conservation is that it can not only help to save our planet, it can help to save you money. A simple way to reduce your energy costs and to beautify your home is through the installation of ceiling fans. When used properly, ceiling fans can be used to save between 15 and 40 percent on air conditioning during the summer. During the winter months, fans can be reversed to run clockwise and save you 10% on your heating bill.

People have always been very picky when it comes to their home interior decorating. Every part of the home is important and deserves an equal degree of attention. How then can the light switches be ignored? Unassuming as they may seem to be, the light switches are very important parts of the home. They are very much the focus of attention especially when there are events in your home and people are observing the surroundings. But the good news is that there are tons …

There are many good reasons to light your property at night, not the least of which is safety. Beyond safety, though, there are other considerations. Outdoor lighting can completely transform the look of your home after dark. Outdoor lighting has a reputation for being expensive to install and maintain, but it does not have to be. Here are some tips to help you make the most of your budget to install outdoor lighting that makes a statement and turns your home into a nighttime showpiece in your neighborhood.