News & Updates

May 31, 2019 in Home Tips

Is the Power Out? 8 Tips to Keep Your Company’s Lights On

Many people do not realize this but the United States sees some of the most volatile and dangerous weather on the planet. We experience hurricanes, tornadoes, and blizzards. When you add in earthquakes and wildfires, you can see that a lot of the country runs the risk of having the power go out a lot of the time. If you are concerned about keeping the power on during such a crisis, there are things you can do. Whether you are a commercial lighting company or run a restaurant, these tips can be helpful in and after a natural disaster or weather emergency.

1. Take a look at the risks you have. Before you are able to talk to electricians to do a generator installation, you need to do an assessment of what your facility’s needs are. You need to know what the critical loads are. Look at how much you will lose should the power go out. You need to consider general downtime and any production losses.
2. Get a standby generator for your facility. If your area sees a lot of power outages that only last a few seconds, you may not need to put in a generator. The problem arises when the power goes out for several minutes or more. Some generators can take a decent amount of time to get full power up and running. In some instances, generators will take up to 120 seconds to reach full engagement. If that is too long for your facility, you can work with electrical contractors to find a better solution. Your commercial lighting company can also work with you to get you the light you need during a power outage.
3. Work on getting the right amount of fuel storage. Not all power outages are fixed within a few hours. There are instances, all over the country, when a crisis strikes and the power is out for days or even weeks. Working with local generator installation services, you can plan for this.
4. Keep your equipment up to date. There are safety and electrical rules and regulations that govern the operation and maintenance of generators. These exist to make sure generators are able to operate the way they are intended to. Your generator installation services can give you more information but you basically need to run your generator from time to time to make sure it still works properly.
5. Think about renting your power. If your power needs are minimal, you may not want to go out and get a larger generator installed at your facility. You can consult your commercial lighting company or with rental firms to see about renting emergency power for times when there is a general power outage in your area.
6. Make sure you have your generator placed correctly. The placement of your generator is very important. Even the best generator will not be able to work if it is submerged in water, for instance. You can get guidance from the generator installation services company to help you put your generator in the right place. This is most important for parts of the country that experience a lot of flooding.
7. Make sure your generator has enough air around it. It is extremely dangerous to run any kind of generator in a space that is enclosed. Most electrical generators emit at least some carbon monoxide. This is not as big a deal if the unit is outside but can be deadly when the unit is in operation inside. That is why these pieces of equipment should never be run inside. The same rule holds true for kerosene heaters, grills that use coal, and other devices. None of these appliances should be used in a garage either.
8. Keep an eye on your load. As you add circuits and new demands to your facility, you need to update and upgrade your generator. You can work with the company that did your original generator installation to keep your equipment up to date. You may need more power than you did when your generator was installed.

You can work with your commercial lighting company and local electricians to keep your company open during a power outage.

March 11, 2019 in Home Tips

Searching For Qualified Electricians? These 4 Tips Will Help

Since homeowners have so many responsibilities, keeping utility expenses low is often a difficult task. Lighting, for instances, represents 12% of the entire residential sector’s electricity consumption across the United States.

Though there are plenty of things you can do yourself to improve the energy efficiency of your home, working with professional electricians is your best bet.

Electrical contractors can help with everything from generator installation to energy consultations — but there are plenty of inexperienced contractors that might actually do more harm than good.

Here are some great tips for finding qualified and experienced electricians:

• Ask for recommendations — When searching for experienced contractors, you should be able to ask family members, friends, and coworkers about work they have had done in the past. Do a little more research than simply asking for recommendations, but it’s a good place to start.
• Request a copy of their license — Make sure you verify their legitimacy by asking to see their license and other necessary credentials. Fraudulent contractors will likely balk when you ask to see a license, which could mean you should look elsewhere for electrical assistance.
• Ask for a walk-through — If you’re already planning on paying an electrical contractor for a home visit, you should make the most out of it. Getting a quote for all the electrical projects you plan on performing in the future will give you a much better idea of where your money will be going. Talking to an electrical professional about lighting changes, ceiling fan adjustments, and wire fixes can help you tremendously down the line.
• Discuss qualifications and experience — Experience is the most important aspect of electrical contractors. Since not all electricians are the same, many of them will have varying degrees of experience and certain qualifications. Make sure to talk to them beforehand and find out what they excel at, what they struggle with, and what exactly they can offer you.

If you want to learn more about the importance of working with professional electrical contractors and find some innovative home lighting solutions, give B and D Electric a call right away.

January 31, 2019 in Home Tips

5 Tips For Lowering Your Home’s Electric Bill

In the United States, energy costs account for between 5% and 22% of families’ total after-tax income. Unfortunately, the 25 million households that struggle the most with finances are forced to pay the highest percentage of that range.

That’s why it’s so imperative to do everything you can to lower your home’s electric bill and keep it low.

Here are some great tips for lowering your home’s electric bill:

1. Install dimmer switches — Dimmer switches are great for saving both energy and money. Many U.S. homeowners jack up their electric bills because they leave their lights on throughout the day. Dimmer switches will help you only use only as much light and energy as you actually need.
2. Switch to LED lighting — LED light bulbs actually use 90% less energy than conventional incandescent bulbs. Get rid of all the old bulbs around your home and upgrade them with quality, nice-looking LED lights.
3. Utilize ceiling fans – Clean your ceiling fans and use them regularly, rather than having your air conditioner work harder. During the warmer months, ceiling fans will help keep the air circulating throughout your home, saving you money.
4. Work with electrical contractors — Though you can perform some DIY tasks around your home to keep your electric bills down, the best way to save more money is to work with an experienced electrician. Not only will these electricians be able to perform all kinds of electrical repairs safely, they can also offer advice on additional ways to save you and your family even more money.
5. Turn off electronics you’re not using — Another common mistake homeowners make is leaving electronics plugged in all day and night. Electronics use a lot of power, even when they are turned off. Instead, use a power strip and turn the strip off when you’re not using the devices.

If you want to learn more about how various home lighting solutions can lower your residential electric bill or work with professional electricians, give B&D Electric a call right away.