Category Archives: Electrical

Rewiring an old chandelier may be necessary. Here, we’ll look at how to know a fixture needs new wiring, and whether you’re better off calling an electrician. But re-wiring a chandelier doesn’t have to be that complicated. It can also breathe new life into your treasured fixture.

Signs of faulty chandelier wiring include:

• The light is dimmer than it used to be.
• Bulbs are flickering on and off.
• You need to replace bulbs more often.

Of course, there are other signs of bad wiring to look for, such as burning odors, buzzing or humming sounds, or the fixture is warm to the touch. A chandelier is a centerpiece that adds a unique charm to the room. When properly cared for, it can last longer than most other light fixtures, but loose, corroded, or broken wires can turn a chandelier into more of a nuisance if not a danger.

What to Do When Your Chandelier Needs Re-Wiring

Unless you have some electrical knowledge and skill, it’s best to leave this kind of work to a professional electrician. The following steps will help you understand how to rewire a chandelier:

1. Turn Off the Circuit: Go to the electrical panel, find the breaker switch for the chandelier circuit, and switch it off. Use a circuit tester at the fixture to verify there’s no power. If it indicates the current is flowing, check whether you turned off the right circuit breaker.
2. Loosen the Fixture: Loosen the rounded base or another component that secures the chandelier to the ceiling. Slide it to the bottom hub. The grounding wire should be copper, the neutral/earth wire white, and the hot wire yellow. Remove the wire connectors and unwrap electrical tape if present while supporting the fixture. Don’t let it hang by the wires or you may require additional electrical repair.
3. Unscrew the Chandelier: Use the threaded nipple to loosen the chandelier and remove it from its mounting. There will be an electrical box holding the threaded nipple if the fixture is newer. Measure the length of each wire through each arm of the chandelier, plus 1 inch (to account for wire stripping later).
4. Disconnect the Wiring: If the dome is removed from the fixture, the wiring will be exposed, or it may be covered. Follow the owner’s manual or method and configuration of your chandelier for the exact procedure for removing exposed wires. Remove the wires and socket housings.
5. Install the New Wire: Cut each lamp wire to size and thread it through each arm. Strip off ½” of plastic insulation to expose the wire; split it and group the neutral and live wires together. Twist the ends of these together in a clockwise direction. On top of them, twist a wire connector and ensure all wire strands are enclosed.

Don’t waste your time trying to solve the chandelier issues yourself! Contact the professionals at Right Electric here or at our phone number 908-568-8000

1. INSTALL EFFICIENT LIGHTBULBS AND LIGHT FIXTURES

Old fluorescent bulbs and outdated light fixtures consume far more energy than modern bulbs and fixtures. To achieve the same amount of light coverage while drastically reducing energy consumption. Consider installing modern LED lights and swapping out old fixtures for new units with built-in LED lighting. It is also possible to reduce energy costs without reducing visibility by using natural light during the day instead of turning on your lights.

2. UTILIZE A PROGRAMMABLE THERMOSTAT

For the average home, temperature control represents one of the largest energy expenses every year. To reduce these energy costs, many homeowners are switching to programmable or smart thermostats. Depending on whether you are at home or away, these units allow you to set different temperatures. Further reducing energy consumption and wear on your heater/air conditioner. Apps are available for many of these devices that allow manual adjustments from anywhere at any time.

3. PURCHASE HIGH-QUALITY WINDOWS AND INSULATION

Temperature control often overlooks insulation and windows. Cheap insulation and thin windows can cause the interior of your home to be more susceptible to extreme external temperatures. Further requires your furnace or air conditioner to work harder to maintain a comfortable environment. Quality insulation and thick windows can pay for themselves through consistent energy savings. As well as noise reduction, and enhanced comfort, making them well worth the investment.

4. USE COLD WATER WHENEVER POSSIBLE

Heating water consumes more energy than most homeowners think, especially for prolonged showers and washing clothes. Despite years of washing with hot water, most modern washing machines and clothes are made for cold water. This allows you to use cold water to achieve the same level of cleanliness while cutting down on energy usage.

Get in touch with Right Electric to learn more about energy efficiency for your home or to discuss your electrical project. Contact us here or call us at 908-568-8000.

There are a lot of decisions that go into home ownership, and one of the most important is lighting. It’s important to get it right because improper lighting can lead to decreased energy efficiency. Further, higher electricity bills, and a lower quality of life. Your home’s lighting may not be something you’ve considered changing because you use it every day. However, making sure your home’s lighting system functions correctly is crucial for your daily life.

In this blog post, Lightning Bug Electric will discuss some of the most common mistakes homeowners make with their lighting. We’ll provide tips on avoiding these mistakes, so you can enjoy better light in your home.

LEAVING THE LIGHTS ON IN UNUSED ROOMS

One of the most common mistakes homeowners make with their lighting is leaving the lights on in unused rooms. This is a waste of energy and money, and it’s unnecessary! You can quickly develop a bad habit of leaving the lights on when you leave a room. If you have a room that you don’t use often, simply turn the light off when you leave. You should also make sure you shut off as many lights as possible before leaving your home. This will save you money on your electricity bill. In addition, it will also help to prolong the life of your light bulbs.

USING THE WRONG LIGHT BULBS

Another common mistake homeowners make is choosing the wrong light bulbs. There are many different light bulbs available on the market, and not all of them are created equal. You can save money and enjoy better light by choosing the right type of bulb. LED bulbs are a great option for many homeowners, as they are energy-efficient and long-lasting. You’ll actually save money on your electricity bill if you go with LED lights. Plus, LEDs sound like the best option if you’re always buying the wrong light bulbs and constantly replacing them.

CHOOSING THE WRONG SIZED FIXTURES

Another mistake that homeowners often make is choosing the wrong sized fixtures. This can lead to poor light distribution and an overall decrease in quality of life. Your home will look better with fixtures that are the right size for you.

NOT USING DIMMER SWITCHES

Finally, many homeowners don’t use dimmer switches. Switches that dim the lights in a room are a great way to save energy and money. If you have a room that doesn’t need a lot of light, simply turn the switch down to save energy. It’s also fun to experiment with dimmers in a room to create ambiance!

Lighting Services Near You

At Right Electric we prioritize the comfort of our customers in their homes, and that includes making sure their lighting system is functioning properly. We are the local electrician for the job, based in Whitehouse Station and proudly serving all over New Jersey including Franklin Township, NJ. Need an electric service upgrade? We can help. Contact us here or at 908-568-8000.