Practical electrical advice, safety tips, and updates from the licensed electricians at Harrison Electric.
In most homes, properly installed electrical wiring, circuit panels, outlets, switches, and other electrical components will perform safely for at least a few decades. Unfortunately, though, that’s not always the case. Because an electrical system’s lifespan is heavily dependent on the quality of the installation and the materials that comprise it, some systems become outdated and faulty within a relatively short period.
Voltage surges aren’t always easily detectable, especially when they’re not massive. But they occur far more frequently — up to 20 times a day in the average home — than most people realize. Unfortunately, they can do considerable damage to anything that’s plugged into any outlet in your home. That’s where whole-house surge protection is incredibly useful.
Do you own a home that’s older than 20 years? Have you ever allowed anyone who isn’t a licensed electrician to work on your electrical system? Then there’s a good chance your wiring, outlets, switches, or circuits aren’t in compliance with the National Electric Code. And while that may not sound like a huge deal, code violations can be dangerous, depending on what they involve. These violations can also make it difficult for you to sell your home if you ever decide to list it, since it may not pass a pre-purchase inspection.
If you’re like most homeowners, you don’t give your electrical panel a lot of thought. Now and then, you might trip a breaker or find a nonfunctional outlet and head to the panel to investigate. But beyond the quick occasional checkup, that panel probably doesn’t get much attention. If it starts having issues, though, it’ll exhibit a few glaring signs you’re sure to notice.
Bathroom exhaust fans play an important role in controlling moisture levels and odor inside household restrooms. Without a properly functioning exhaust fan in your bathroom, mold can form, your interior paint can suffer moisture-related deterioration, and unpleasant odors can linger in your home.
When you live in the Twin Cities, you know power outages aren’t unusual, especially during severe summer and winter storms. And when the power goes out, there’s no telling when it’ll come back on again. If you or anyone in your household relies on a consistent power supply, either for work or essential medical equipment, being without electricity for hours on end can be a serious problem.
Over the last decade or so, numerous tech innovations have entered the consumer market, allowing regular folks everywhere to simplify and streamline their daily tasks. And if you’re like most folks, you seriously enjoy the convenience of having your devices work for you rather than the other way around.
If you own an older home, there’s a good chance some of its electrical components are no longer up to code. And if your home has already passed its 40th birthday, there’s a really good chance it’s due for rewiring. Though you may not realize it, your household electrical system wasn’t designed to last forever, and when it begins to wear out, it’ll let you know.
Electric vehicles are skyrocketing in popularity and they’re only going to become more prevalent in the coming years. If you’re considering upgrading your gas hog to a modern EV, have you thought about how you’ll charge the car so you can actually use it at your convenience?