Check Your Service Panel

Look at your service panel. This may either be a circuit breaker box or a fuse box. Check to see if your service panel is outdated. If it is, call a local electrician to install a new, updated service panel that is safer and less likely to suddenly cut off power from a blown fuse or tripped circuit.

Label Circuits

If your electricity service panel is up to date, you need to label it. Find out which circuits control which rooms of your home. Use clear labels, written in permanent marker, next to each circuit inside the panel. This will help you to quickly switch off a circuit to a specific area of the house in an emergency or for an electrical repair.

Check Your Outlets and Update as Needed

GFCI is not a jumble of random letters. These letters stand for ground fault circuit interrupter and it refers to the specific type of outlet needed in areas prone to moisture exposure.

The bathroom and kitchen are the most frequently used sites for GFCI outlets, but you may also need them in a work shed, laundry room, utility area, or garage. Having these outlets installed can prevent a deadly shock by shutting off the power to the circuit if you come in contact with both the circuit and water.

If you have GFCI outlets, test them periodically using the test button on the front to ensure that they are properly working.

Get Rid of Extension Cords

If you cannot reach an outlet, consider having us install another outlet or moving your electric fixture closer to the existing outlet. Extension cords pose a serious electric hazard and should be reserved exclusively for short-term use.

Hard-Wire Smoke and CO Detectors

Every home should have a smoke detector and a carbon monoxide (CO) detector. Make sure that hard-wired detectors are installed in your home and that they operate off your home’s electrical system. These devices still require backup batteries in the event of a fire coupled with a power outage.

Easy electrical maintenance projects can save you the cost and hassle of electrical problems that require professional repair. Take the time today to do these simple tasks and avoid future problems.

Duggan’s One Hour Heating and Air Conditioning also provides electrical assistance as well. Their contractors offer installation and electric repair services for jobs both large and small in the Georgia/South Carolina area.

It is easy to explore wind power within your home, because the wind does not need to be naturally occurring. Indeed, any fan will do as a source of wind and might even give you more reliable experimental results, since you can be assured of a constant wind strength or can vary it according to your goals in the science experiments you conduct.

Constructing a windmill for use within your home is also a possibility. You can get a kit with instructions and components for building a windmill, such as a PicoTurbine windmill educational kit. This is a good place to start if you are interested in exploring how a windmill works and finding out about its design, but you are not yet comfortable with making a design of your own. Assembling a windmill from a kit will give you a lot of the necessary practice and experience that you can later use to design your own original windmills.

Renewable energy experiments can delve into the following questions regarding windmills and wind power. What number of blades makes the windmill work most efficiently? How does the material of which the blades are made and the angle at which they are oriented affect power generated by the windmill? What wind strengths result in the best windmill function?

But your renewable energy experiments need not be limited to wind power. Solar power is also easy and fun to explore, especially when you have materials conveniently provided for you in a package like the Solar Power House Experiments Science Kit. This kit includes such parts as a solar panel and a solar motor, as well as everything you will need to put together a working electical system that gets its energy from the sun.

Solar power experiments you can conduct include designing your own greenhouse and using the rays of the sun to dramatically heat some water. You can also use solar power to split water into its hydrogen and oxygen components or build a sail car powered by the sun. Amazing!

With great experiments like these, you can conveniently delve into wind power and solar power without spending a ton of money. You will learn about these promising energy sources, and your findings might give you ideas about how they might develop in the future.

Visit Madeline Binder’s website at Science Fair Projects to find out more fascinating facts and ideas regarding renewable energy science projects.

Solar Installer On Home Rooftop

Driving around the countryside in rural Germany, one is struck by the rolling green fields, the charming steepled villages and the grandmothers on bicycles on their way home from market. More striking, though, is the abundance of solar panels that can be seen everywhere on the roofs of many homes and even barns. This juxtaposition of quaint and utilitarian, of the old with the futuristic is a welcome sight and a sign of a country committed to renewable energy resources.

In fact, Germany is one of the world’s top installers of solar panels, with a solar capacity of nearly 25 gigawatts, which is almost comical when you consider that the average annual hours of sunlight in Germany is around 1500 hours, or a little less than 64 days. Compare this to Arizona, as state only slightly smaller than Germany but with an average of 200 days of sunshine a year. Arizona is one of the nation’s top solar producers, ranked third with 273 megawatts of energy generated in 2011. To compare Germany to Arizona, while Arizona generated 273 megawatts, Germany has a solar capacity of 25,000 megawatts, nearly 100 times the energy output.

Developments In The USA

There are a number of reasons U.S. consumers are resistant to solar panels. Cost is the number one consideration, as the average cost of installing a residential system is $25,000-$35,000. With generous tax rebates available on the Federal and state levels, this price tag can be considerably lower. Sites such as dsireusa.org (Databse of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency) provide state-by-state, comprehensive lists of rebates available to commercial and residential customers. There is still an initial cash layout, though, one that can be cost-prohibitive to the average consumer.

Appearance is also a concern. A recent law makes it illegal for HOAs (Home Owners Associations) to ban solar panels, as many did due to concerns that they are not attractive. Solar manufacturers have attempted to address this issue with products such as all black panels, and panels that are nearly transparent so that a home’s roof can be seen through them, or that they can even be used to form the roof of a patio cover. And recent studies indicate that homes with solar panels enjoy a 3-4% increase in value, which on average covers the installation cost. Another concern in some countries, for example the UK, is access to finance. Landlords purchasing a property using buy to let bridging finance that has solar panels in place need to be extremely careful that the mortgage lender they are using as the exit to the bridge is happy with them or they would need to be removed.

After all, solar panels have an immediate effect on a household’s bottom line. The average system generates enough electricity to cover over half the electric bill, which means that it very quickly pays for itself in savings. In fact, findings by the California Solar Energy Industries Association show that solar panels are the number one most effective way to reduce monthly electric bills, generating six times more energy than can be saved with measures such as low-watt bulbs and weatherization.

Now is the time to consider solar for your home. Federal tax credits are set to expire in 2016, and many states are considering phasing out or scaling back their incentives in response to financial and political pressures. What may seem like the energy of the future can start saving you money today.

Erik Savage writes for a property finance news site in the UK. He is a strong believer in moving towards a more sustainable future and is actively involved in lobbying for more lender support for consumers who choose to adopt solar panels.

As a result of the high electric bills, many residents are moving to solar energy because it is that much more affordable. The sun shines bright every day – which is why your electric bill is so high. However, if you were to install solar panels, you can use the sun to your advantage and let it power a majority of your home.

When you use solar power, you can slash your electric bills by as much as 75%. This means that you can save a lot more money and help with the amount of natural resources in the world. You could be going green while saving money. It’s an advantage that you need to consider instead of adding to the electrical issues that are going on throughout New Jersey.

Many towns across New Jersey are already learning about how solar power can help them. Just recently, Jersey’s Middle Township added a huge solar project to their school systems which will not only teach children of an alternate power source, it will also reduce electric costs significantly.

A lot of energy companies don’t want you to move over to solar power. They want you to keep paying the high electric bills because it’s how they will save money. If you do make the switch to solar panels, however, you will not only see how you benefit, but the electric companies will benefit because they will be using your excess electricity to reduce their own electric bills.

The state of New Jersey is getting tapped out on power. Everyone wants to have the air on in the summer, Atlantic City needs its bright lights and residential areas want their pools. This all comes at a cost as well as a significant draw on natural resources. Instead of cranking the AC down and then yelling when the electric bill comes each month, you have options.

Some of the power issues in New Jersey can be eliminated if more people tap into solar power. Solar panels are more affordable than a lot of people realize. Once they are installed, you will not only be able to save money but you will be doing your part to save the environment. If everyone keeps draining power, there’s not going to be enough power for everyone. Cities are already tapping into solar energy and you can do the same in your own home!

Electrocution via electrical outlets occurs when a person’s body completes a circuit from the electrical hot to the ground. This can happen if a metal object is inserted into an outlet, if there is a short in the outlet, or if water is touching the outlet or touching an appliance that is plugged into that outlet. When properly functioning, a GFCI senses any fluctuation in power and shuts off the power to that outlet in a fraction of a second. While the person touching the shorted circuit may receive a painful shock, the power is usually shut off before serious injury occurs.

GFCI receptacles should be tested once a month to ensure that they are providing proper protection. This is done by plugging a night light into the outlet, then pressing the “test” button; the light should go out. Pressing the “reset” button should bring the light back on. If the GFCI fails to operate properly, an electrician should be called to replace the receptacle.

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. This way a family member who thinks it is just a blown fuse or breaker will not restore power while dad is up on the ladder wiring up the new ceiling fan.

A word of caution all homeowners with questionable wiring should adhere to is to not rely on just a wall switch cutting the power to a circuit. In some homes with faulty wiring, the return side of circuits instead of the hot side of circuits may be what is cut at the switch. This means that current is still at the appliance such as a ceiling fan, but the circuit is not complete because the return path is what is being switched off.

There are small current detecting devices available for homeowners that will add another layer of proof that the current to a circuit is off. They operate while the circuit has a load on it such as a light being on or a motor running. When the power is cut at the service panel, the current detector will indicate that electricity is no longer flowing in the circuit. These devices do not require contact with bare wires or terminals to work and are better than relying on just watching for the appliance to switch off. After all, it may just be that a light bulb burned out instead of the correct breaker being shut off.

Let’s look at the green or bare copper wire first.  That is your equipment ground.  This wire assures you will not be shocked by a potentially live piece of equipment. You will need the proper tools and trade knowledge to be sure that the ground wire is properly installed as a part of your electrical system.  Next, the black wire.  Don’t be surprised if you don’t have a black wire, this may be red, or another color – as long as its not white, grey or green, it’s the power wire.  The power wire is your ready source of electricity for the fixture.  You must understand the power available on that wire circuit and it’s over-current protection capacity, as well as isolated as single circuit source of power.  Finally, the white wire.  This wire is your grounded conductor.  Proper termination of this wire is essential to your home system.  This balances the alternating electrical current used by the fixture and supplied by your home electrical service via the black wire.

Let’s cover a few basics about these wires.  Let’s first make sure the equipment ground is properly installed.  Follow the instructions provided with your new fixture which explains where to connect the equipment ground.  Next, you attach the white wire to the corresponding nuetral on the new fixture.  Finally connect the power wire to the red or black wire provided with the new fixture, and always be sure to properly use correctly sized wire nuts.

Please keep in mind that the 3 wires coming out of your ceiling have a source, and possibly a further destination if it’s a branch circuit.  If you feel comfortable working with electricity, changing a light fixture is certainly a project a homeowner may accomplish.  Please remember safety is more important than the cost of your fixture, your existing home electric, and any future demands you may put on your home electrical system. If you’re uncertain of any facet of the project, please don’t hesitate to contact a licensed and insured electrician for their expertise on the matter.

Plan everything out.  Then plan again – There’s an old carpenter’s saying, measure twice, cut once.  By being meticulous in your planning, you can try to avoid a lot of headaches down the road. Make sure you completely review bids from contractors and don’t select one just because they are the cheapest or are available right away. Do your homework. Choose the design materials carefully to avoid costly changes later.

Consider Design and Contractor Costs – Many large scale remodeling projects will require the services of a professional interior designer, architect or contractor. Insist that each bid include a detailed proposal on the scope of the work. Do some homework to determine if the fees are comparable when you shop for rates. The cheapest bidder may leave you with the clean-up and finishing work. The most expensive bids may include oversight costs that you can do yourself.

Set Milestones – Develop cost and time line goals and adhere to them as much as possible. By making a list of several tasks out of the overall larger project makes it easier to estimate the costs and manage the time line later.

Hire Professional Contractors – Good architects, designers and contractors will add to the initial price of the project, but can save you a lot of money and frustration in the long run. Their experience will help you find pitfalls early that can cause budget and scope creep later. So how do you find a good architect or contractor? Ask around and be diligent.  Word of mouth and referrals are a great way to find reliable, trustworthy professionals that have done good work in the past.  Check out online sites which offer customer reviews, such as Service Magic and Angies List.

Stay Involved – Even if you hire a contractor be available to pitch in where you can. By doing some of the destruction or demo work yourself you can save on the bottom line cost. If you’re good enough, do some of the final finishing work yourself to help lower the costs. Painting, touch up or installing faucets or other fixtures yourself can keep you within budget and give you the satisfaction of knowing you did some of the work yourself.

Careful with Customizations – Using custom cabinetry, windows, doors or other products can quickly increase costs for any remodeling project. This is one area where you can exercise a great deal of control over the remodeling costs. A standard window at your local home improvement store may cost $250, but a custom-sized window will cost at least double. Some elements of the project may have to be custom made due to size requirements. But some product categories – such as windows, doors and cabinetry – offer a wide variety of standard or semi-custom choices. Adding your own trim or details later may make these standard choices look customized.

Stay On Target – Remain focused and don’t get sidetracked. For example, if you are painting your bedroom and you discover that the adjoining bathroom paint now looks dingy, don’t stop what you’re doing to go work on that. Schedule the bathroom paint upgrade for another weekend. The desire to add or change along the way will be tempting and may prove irresistible. If your remodeling projects stick to the original plan, most would finish on time and within budget.

The larger the size and scope of your remodeling project the better chance you will have of running over budget.  So don’t only plan for the project, budget for at least 10% more than what you think the project will cost and make price consideration choices accordingly.  If you make a plan and stick to it, you’ll find less surprises along the way.  And you’ll also be a lot happier with the outcome.

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, basically if one shorts or trips so does the other.  So how does that effect you, and any electrical contracts you had performed, which do not meet the new code requirements? The code only provides the bare minimums in terms of safety, with safety as its ultimate consideration.

Now, as a homeowner, if you just had electrical work performed which did not meet this new code requirement, you don’t have to rush out and have it all replaced as long as the work you did have performed met the code at the time (i.e., passed electrical inspection, or was performed by a licensed electrical contractor).  In this particular instance, the code change was more for the safety of those servicing the system than the end user, but it is indicative of code changes which happen every 3 years.

So as a homeowner, you don’t have to worry about code changes as long as you’re using the services of a licensed electrical contractor who makes it their duty to keep up to date with recent changes in safety requirements.

In order to understand how to properly use ceiling fans to conserve energy it is important to understand just how they work. Have you ever been outside on a hot day when, all of a sudden, you felt a cool breeze that instantly made you feel more comfortable? This is called the wind chill factor and it is the same principle behind ceiling fans. Fans do not actually change the temperature of a room. Rather, they accelerate the evaporation of perspiration on your skin which is what makes you feel cooler. It can therefore make a person feel 8 degrees cooler even though the room temperature is technically the same. It is important to understand that fans do not cool rooms, they cool people. Therefore ceiling fans should never run unless people are in the room to benefit from their cooling power. During winter months, fans can actually be used to distribute heat more effectively in a room. Since hot air is lighter than cold air, it rises to the ceiling and gets stuck while cold air remains closer to the ground level. If a ceiling fan is run in reverse (clockwise), which is usually as simple as flipping a switch on the fan’s body, it can more evenly distribute the hot air particles. This way the heat will be where you need it rather than being stuck at your ceiling.

Another important point to mention is that in order to most effectively use ceiling fans to save energy and money they must be used inversely with your thermostat. In other words, if you are using ceiling fans to cool yourself, the thermostat should be turned up at least 4 degrees. Likewise if you are using a fan to reduce heating costs, the thermostat should be turned down.

Recently, the energy saving potential of ceiling fans is being further exploited by manufacturers. By using more aerodynamic fan blades and more energy efficient light kits, major ceiling fan manufacturers like Westinghouse and Concord are offering fans specifically aimed towards consumers with conservation in mind. The best way to find these fans is by looking for the “Energy Star” label distributed by the U.S. Department of Energy. Fans that are awarded this label conserve at least 10% more energy than a standard ceiling fan. When shopping, you can find the most energy efficient fans by seeking those with the highest airflow, measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM), and by looking for fans that use the lowest amount of power (watts) at each speed. Using Energy Star approved light kits for your fans, which often contain fluorescent bulbs, will drastically reduce the amount of electricity consumed. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Energy offers various tax incentives for installing products that conserve energy.

In addition to being valuable conservation tools, ceiling fans can be a beautiful addition to your home, office, or apartment. Manufacturers offer fans in a wide array of shapes, sizes, and designs. Fans are now being manufactured in exciting new finishes like oil rubbed bronze and burnished brass, as well as being available with a plethora of light kit options. From traditional, Victorian inspired fans that double as chandeliers, to adventurous designs inspired by modern art, there are surely ceiling fans that will fit your taste and lifestyle. Well crafted fans are a sure way to increase the value of your real estate while adding to the aesthetic beauty of your surroundings.

Since we are in an energy crisis, we all have a responsibility to do our part to help, however small that part may be. Simply purchasing an energy efficient ceiling fan is an excellent way to save money on energy bills, increase the value of your real estate, and beautify your surroundings. Most importantly, while you sit under a beautiful new ceiling fan you can be assured that you are helping to conserve our planet’s valuable resources.