Category Archives: Home Maintenance

There are several electrical upgrades to consider for your home. These upgrades can make your home much safer, and allow you to run newer, smart appliances. It can help you save money on energy costs and keep your home up to recommended standards and guidelines.

If you are remodeling or renovating, this is the best time to have your electrical system overhauled. You may have damaged wiring or faults that you were not even aware of.

Electrical Panel

One of the best electrical upgrades to consider is upgrading your panel. With all appliances moving toward smart features, the panel needs to be able to handle them.

Smart appliances and gadgets require a new kind of electricity to keep them working. Appliances are energy-efficient and we also have more of them in the plugin. This means replacing your old electricity panel or breaker box.

Electrical Wiring

Older homes and electrical systems simply can’t handle what we need them for these days. They can also be a safety concern, like fires, shortages, or electrocution.

Charging stations will let everyone plug in their devices in the same place. Then you will always know where they are. It will free up sockets for other things you need running.

Extra Outlets

Your outlets are something that is always in use and a smart electrical upgrade to consider. Older electrical systems may have problems with grounding, frayed or damaged wires. Or are further still only capable of handling a two-pronged plug.

Get your existing outlets upgraded, add a few more outlets added, and get all of them up to code. Make sure your kitchen, bathroom, patio, and laundry room have enough. In addition that they all have GFCI or Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters.

LED Lights

LED lighting is becoming more and more popular, and for a good reason. LEDs are energy-efficient, so they provide higher quality lighting, and they last much longer. last longer. That means lower energy bills.

Dimmers

Dimmers are available for installation throughout your home. From small task lights in the kitchen tonight to lights in the baby’s room. Take control of the lighting in your home to work, set the mood, and save on energy costs.

You can also operate these lights remotely. If you want to give the illusion that someone is at home, or just have small lights left on when arriving late. You can set it all up ahead of time, or from your smartphone.

Smart Home Upgrades

Operating everything in your home from an app on your phone is becoming the norm. You can turn on the lights or the air conditioner before you get home. Further, see who is at the door from work, and pre-set appliances to start when you want.

That means your electrical system needs to be able to handle it. Therefore a very important electrical upgrade to consider. The majority of appliances and home features have smart compatibility built-in.

Electrical Upgrades to Consider

These electrical upgrades will not only make your home much safer, but everything will work much better. Overtaxed outlets, outdated or damaged wiring, and faulty wiring can be a real challenge.

If you need some electrical upgrades, contact us here at Right Electric for more information or to book an appointment. Don’t risk power failure, shocks, or fires with a shoddy electrical system. Get your upgrades today.

Residential ceiling fan installation from Right Electric will help you run your air conditioner less this summer. Investing in a ceiling fan will increase the value of your home and reduce your energy costs. The benefits will be most apparent when the weather heats up.

We offer a variety of designs with and without lighting to suit all decors. Creating a visually and functionally balanced room requires layers of lighting. A ceiling fan with a decorative light fixture can further be the cherry on top of a well-designed room. Read on to see what is trending this year!

Organic Shapes

Modern and minimalist designs are out, and organic, curved shapes are in. Blade designs with soft edges and graceful curves fit into the nature-inspired art nouveau aesthetic.

See-Through Blades

A combination of Roaring 20s art deco revival and 90s nostalgia has led to the popularity of clear and translucent blades. Crystal clear blades paired with silver or gold housings. In addition textured or fluted glass lighting covers hint at glamour and excess. While brightly colored or white housing and more modern lighting tap into more recent nostalgia.

More is More

One big trend is larger fan blades. Our fans go well beyond the standard 60-inch size in rooms with sufficient space. These giant fans make a statement as cool as their breeze. Although you will definitely need residential ceiling fan installation from a professional like Right Electric. As these big guys are too heavy to install by yourself. Two or three times as many blades are another way to go big when an oversized fan won’t fit.

The Latest Tech

Smart Home integration is gaining popularity. You can control many ceiling fans with your smartphone, Google Home, or Alexa. The constant control, along with LED lighting, further adds up to more energy savings. Retractable blades are another high-tech option gaining popularity.

Residential Ceiling Fan Installation From Right Electric

Whatever style you choose, ceiling fan installation from Right Electric will save you money. Ceiling fans maintain a more consistent temperature, so your furnace and air conditioner run less often. Further saving both energy costs and wear and tear on your HVAC. 

1.) Your Circuit Breakers Often Trip: 

Everyone trips a circuit breaker occasionally. After all, these devices are in place to stop the flow of excess current. So if your circuit breakers trip a few times a year, this is actually a good thing, as it indicates they are working. However, if you have one or more circuit breakers that trip frequently, you could be dealing with some faulty wiring. First, make sure that you do not have too many appliances plugged into one outlet. As this is another common cause of tripped breakers. You might have too many high-power devices overloading your circuit breaker. Or even that there is an issue with the breaker itself. However, if you cannot find anything wrong with your appliances, hire an electrician to inspect your wiring. As there is a good chance this is what’s causing that pesky breaker to trip.

2.) Your Lights Keep Flickering: 

Flickering or dimming lighting is rarely a good sign for your electrical system. Although it does not always mean you need major electrical work. Flickering lights can indicate that you’re using too much power, just as a tripped circuit breaker does. Sometimes, your lights will also flicker during a storm, when high winds affect trees and branches near power lines. A loose bulb could be causing your light to flicker. However, if just using every day, low-power electronics causes your lights to flicker, your wiring could be at fault. This is particularly concerning when…

3.) There Is a Buzzing Smell Coming from Your Outlets: 

You should not hear a loud buzzing or humming noise coming from electrical equipment unless you work in an industrial setting. A setting where extremely high-voltage devices are common. If you hear a buzzing noise coming from your outlets at home, on the other hand. Then there is almost certainly a problem with your electrical system. Call an electrician right away if this is the case in your house. Further, find out for certain whether you have a wiring issue on your hands.

4.) There Is a Burning Smell Coming from Your Outlets/ Your Electrical Outlets Are Hot: 

Much like the sound of buzzing, the smell of burning coming from your outlets definitely spells trouble. Oftentimes, when your wiring experiences issues and overheats, it will melt the plastic near your outlets. You may also notice that your outlets look singed or burned on the outside. Detecting this burning smell but not seeing any smoke from your outlets could be a sign that they have started sparking behind the receptacles. Regardless, if this burning scent appears in your home, call an electrician right away. A hot outlet is a strong indication that a fire is imminent.

5.) Frayed/damaged wires are visible:

Your wiring can become frayed over time due to sparking, water damage, construction work, and more. You may even notice gnaw marks on your wiring, indicating that rodents have been chewing on it (rats and mice love wiring, as it helps them sand down their sharp teeth.) All these issues are serious though because when the plastic covering around your wires wears down, that means the electrical circuit is vulnerable and may cause the electrical current running through them to arc, potentially leading to sparking or fires. Again, it can be hard to know whether your wiring is damaged or not without actually looking at it. So do not hesitate to hire a professional for an inspection, especially if you have not had an electrician look at your wiring in a while. Or your home is more than several decades old.

1.) Appearance

Landscape lighting can improve the appearance of your home and increase curb appeal. Even at night, your home or business remains visible. Properly used, outdoor landscape lighting can add intrigue and drama to your landscape. Walkways, arches, or tall windows can be highlighted, as well as gardens and foliage. There are a bunch of ways to make your home look amazing with landscape lighting.

2.) Value

Any kind of lighting upgrade to your home or business will boost its worth. A well-designed, well-installed, and well-thought-out system is essential. Residential and commercial lighting can increase your property’s value by 20%.

3.) Security

Lighting is vital for good security. The bright outdoor lighting schemes found in high-end homes are for a good reason. A well-lit home or business on the outside will help protect against intruders and vandals. There’s a lot less crime in brightly lit homes than in houses that are completely dark at night. Quality landscape lighting and a smart security system will give you peace of mind both at home and away.

4.) Safety

Landscape lighting will add security to the outside, and safety for those on the inside. Landscape lighting will help draw attention to potential outdoor hazards like stairs, and pools. The proper lighting will reduce the risk of accidental falls or other injuries, as well as guide people safely to and from your home.

5.) Functionality

When your landscape is properly lit, the whole outside area can be utilized after sundown. Light up patios, gazebos, and other outdoor areas. Or, light up the yard so it’s safe for nighttime play and socializing. The warm and welcoming vibe will make guests want to stay a while.

1.) Inspect Your Outlets

Start by inspecting each of your outlets around your home. Look for cracked face plates or damage to the outlet itself. Any signs of scorching or cracks in the plastic indicate you need to replace both. An electrician should replace any outlets that have signs of scorching to determine what caused the issue.

2.) Inspect Wires

Next, inspect the wires of the appliances around your home. Be especially mindful of minor cables like those for your phone, tablets, or other handheld electronics. It is important to keep an eye on these since they are easily damaged.

Despite its small size, even small wires can pose a danger when exposed due to damaged insulation. It is better to replace damaged wires, not just tape them. This will help prevent incidental harm to anyone in your home or arcing that could lead to a fire. Make sure that the insulation on power tools and electric lawn mowers is not broken or frayed as well.

3.) Check Power Strips, Surge Protectors, & Outlets

While you’re checking your outlets, take a few minutes to check your surge protectors as well. Most surge protectors are good for around three to five years. To replace power strips and surge protectors that feel hot to the touch, touch them with a damp cloth.

4.) Inspect & Clean Electrical Appliances

To prevent excessive electrical resistance and to keep them working effectively, most electrical appliances require periodic cleaning. You should deep clean your dryer and get rid of lint that didn’t come up in your lint trap. Make sure your stove’s exhaust hood is clean of grease and grime. Give any electric heaters you used throughout the winter a thorough cleaning before storing them for the season.

5.) Check for & test GFCI Outlets

Make sure you install GFCI outlets wherever there is excessive moisture. This includes all outlets outside as well as those in your bathrooms, kitchens, and utility rooms. In the event that water is present near the outlet, the outlets will immediately terminate electric flow if they sense unusual electrical flow.

6.) Check your Breaker Board

Finally, check your breaker board. It may be necessary to have an electrician clean this if you have not done so for several years. Cobwebs can build up behind the breaker panel cover, which can cause issues if left long enough.

Also, hold the back of your hand over each breaker, and see if any feel warm to the touch. If they do, this could indicate an overloaded circuit, and you may need to upgrade your panel and your home’s circuit layout.