Electrical Tips & News

Every year, electricity is the culprit behind over 51,000 house fires, approximately 1,000 deaths, and more than 30,000 reported injuries in the United States. That’s why having a properly installed and well-maintained electrical system is absolutely paramount. At Harrison Electric, we know it’s easy to overlook many seemingly simple household electrical problems, but that’s a major misstep and potentially, one that could cost you your house or even your life.

The National Electric Code isn’t just some arbitrary list of guidelines an electrician follows to perform his work; that code is designed to protect your property and loved ones from the dangers of improperly installed wiring. At Harrison Electric, we understand most homeowners aren’t familiar with electrical code, let alone the ongoing code updates that occur every three years. To help you better understand when you’ve got a potentially hazardous situation on your hands, we’ve outlined 3 signs that your outlets aren’t up to code.

Do you own an older home with outdated electrical work? If so, there’s a good chance your home doesn’t feature the necessary dedicated circuits for many of your household appliances. And unfortunately, operating those appliances on non-dedicated circuits can cause inconvenient (and potentially expensive) electrical problems. If you’re unfamiliar with dedicated circuits and which of your appliances need them, the experts at Harrison Electric have the info you need to know below.

Summer is here in full force in the Twin Cities, and for many homeowners and their families, that means spending significantly more time outdoors. But watch out! If you’re unaware of potential electrical hazards in your own backyard, you may be inadvertently compromising you and your loved ones’ safety. What kind of electrical hazards should you keep an eye out for during the summer months? The experts at Harrison Electric have the details below.

As a homeowner, it’s important to be at least somewhat familiar with your home’s electrical system because when it comes to electricity, what you don’t know can absolutely hurt you. So how knowledgeable are you about the different types of electrical outlets around your house? Do you know which are GFCI and which are AFCI? Or what they do and why they’re important for your safety? Below, the team at Harrison Electric outlines what everyone homeowner needs to know about their household safety outlets.

Can faulty wiring cause your summer energy bills to skyrocket? You bet it can — and at Harrison Electric, we’re here to help you solve the problem. When it comes to household wiring systems, identifying inefficient electrical components can be a challenge for the average homeowner. Below, we’ve outlined wiring issues to watch for if your summer energy bills are rising out of control.

Summer is finally here in the Twin Cities, and that means pool season is, too — but do you know how safe your pool currently is? It’s a tragic reality, but every year, both children and adults are injured or killed by swimming pool electrical shocks, which are largely preventable.

Did you know that in the Twin Cities, the median home age ranges from 49-56 years? If your home falls into that category, there’s a solid chance it contains outdated electrical components that may be putting you and your loved ones at risk. And even if they aren’t compromising your safety, they’re absolutely diminishing electrical performance and household energy efficiency. Below, our electricians at Harrison Electric discuss three of the most common outdated home electrical components and how to remedy these issues if you have them.

According to Census data, over 30% of United States homes were constructed before 1950. If your home is among that 30%, there’s a decent chance it still contains decades-old wiring that may be putting you and your family’s safety at risk. Curious about which types of wiring you should look for? Our Harrison Electric team is laying out the details below.