You probably don’t pay a lot of attention to your home’s electrical panel. But you should, because it does wear out. Some ways to tell: Are the breakers in your box tripping often? Are they difficult to reset? If so, the panel may not be able to handle the electrical usage of your household. Why […]
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Ah, it’s summer; the season for those wonderful family reunions and BBQ fun. But when the bugs and heat drive everyone indoors, it’s time to close the windows and turn on the air conditioner. The family is having a good time, but you dread opening that next utility bill. How do you know which appliances […]
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“Oh, no, where did I put that flashlight?” Are you suddenly sitting in the dark? A burned out transformer may be the culprit. What is the transformer? It’s a device that steps down the high voltage of the electricity delivered from the power plant to a voltage that can safely be brought into your home. […]
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Summer thunderstorms may bring much-needed rain, but the lightning accompanying those storms can also bring something less desirable power surges. What is a power surge? It’s a spike in voltage delivered to your electrical supply, capable of damaging your electrical appliances and electronic devices. Though not as powerful as lightning, the turning on and off […]
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Ready to tackle a minor electrical issue to save money? Before you start this DIY project, weigh two important concepts – risk and reward. You may be focusing on the reward, saving a few dollars, but you need to think about the cost of the risk. Electrical DIY projects often tip the scales toward risk. […]
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Having a back-up generator is a smart move, especially given the heavy rains and thunderstorms we can experience, as well as the intermittent power outages “just because.” It’s also smart to maintain that unit, just like you maintain your furnace or AC. The problem is, if something bad happens to your generator when it isn’t […]
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Have you ever said in a panic, “Where are those flashlights?!” Or, “Don’t open the refrigerator!” If so, it’s likely you have experienced a power outage. And, perhaps you mumbled to yourself, “We should have bought a generator.” Yes, there are many reasons to invest in a generator, either a portable, standby, or inverter unit. […]
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The average clothes dryer lasts eight to 12 years. If yours is approaching that age, or if you are noticing it is not drying as efficiently as it used to, you might consider a new one. Here are some thoughts. Gas or electric? Gas dryers may cost a little more up front ($100 or so) […]
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Now that (knock on wood) the major snowstorms are behind us, and before we deal with that inevitable heat wave, we have rainy season. And as you know, heavy rains can lead to power outages, which is why it is so important to have a back-up generator. Back-up generators can last from 10,000 to 30,000 […]
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Like all other technologies, Wi-Fi can be very frustrating when it does not work. But when it does work, it can be wonderful. One amazing use of Wi-Fi is it enables your home to be “smart.” All you need is Wi-Fi and a smart phone or tablet, and you can do things to make your […]
Read MoreYou probably don’t pay a lot of attention to your home’s electrical panel. But you should, because it does wear out. Some ways to Read more…
