How to Save on Your Summer Electricity Bill

Summer is almost here! For most geographic areas in the United States and especially around Houston, that means we will be turning on our air condition units, opening pools and spas, using outdoor lighting for entertainment, and so on.

The summer months' activities may put a smile on your face until you see your electricity bill. This post provides a few useful money-saving, electric conservation tips, so you won't have to turn that smile upside down.

- Consider using compact fluorescent lights or CFLs. CFLs use up to three-fourths less energy and last up to ten times longer than incandescent lights.

- Turn off your lights during the day and take advantage of natural sunlight - especially when you leave a room!

- Consider using three-way lighting in particular rooms especially during certain times of the day when ample sunlight is present.

- Use a bulb of higher wattage rather than multiple of a lesser wattage whenever possible. For instance, use one 100 watt bulb rather than two, 60 watt bulbs.

- Rather than room lighting, try using 'task' lighting entities such as desk lamps.

- Use ceiling or portable fans whenever possible rather than pumping the air condition unit to full blast.

- Use blinds and shades to keep the heat out during the day, yet open doors and windows at night when it is cool to let in some colder air.

- Clean or replace your air condition filters regularly.

- Keep external air condition units free from leaves and other debris.

The Importance of Residential Generators

Have you ever considered what your predicament may be like if you lost power in your home? Stop and think about it... - it would be quite an inconvenience. Refrigerated food would spoil. The heating/cooling of your house would cease. Home security devices would fail. Certified electricians can help you before this misfortune occurs.

A standby residential generator can be a valuable investment and safeguard against the inconveniences of a power failure. It will restore the source of electricity to your home and keep your appliances and utilities running. When the main electrical source is interrupted, your residential generator can keep your home in order by running on its own source of natural gas or propane-fueled energy.

How is a residential generator activated?
Your home generator gets alerted via an electrical transfer switch. The switch keeps a vigilant watch on the home's electrical energy source. If the main source of electrical power is interrupted, the switch sends a signal to the residential generator, alerting of its need and allowing it to activate. When your original, main source of power is reactivated, the switch will send another signal to your residential generator, which will shut it off. The switch allows for only one source of energy to power your home at once.

Residential generators are sized by kilowatts. You must think about the square-foot size of your home to determine the proper size of a generator. Refer to our residential generator chart for a better idea of your needed dimensions.

Thinking about installing a residential generator? Let electrical contractors help you. Think of the following two, main benefits:
- Continuous, uninterrupted supply of electrical energy to your home
- Maintaining peace of mind, knowing that food, refrigerated medical supplies, and other vital needs are not endangered

Master Electrician Lighting Information

Lighting is not only necessary for practical purposes, but it enhances the beauty of your home. In addition, accent lighting can really augment a room's personality and warmth, and lighting enables a room to be multiple things at different times for various purposes. With the right, timely lighting, a room can be a quiet place to relax with a favorite book or magazine, yet the same room (with a little change in lighting), can become a lively venue for nighttime entertainment.

Often, people do not consider the impact accent, landscape, and specialty lighting can make. It is suggested to call upon a master electrician regarding suggestions and proper installation.

Let's consider two types of lighting:

Accent lighting
Accent lighting adds 'flavor' to a room by adding to visual intrigue. It can be used to accentuate paintings, sculptures, plants, etc. In addition, specialty lighting can outline other aspects of a room such as walls and drapery. Accent lighting is performed via track, recessed, and wall-mounted fixtures.

Landscape lighting
Landscape lighting is usually situated outside of the home. It is used to illuminate and visually augment exotic plants, trees, bushes, etc. In addition, landscape lighting enhances the look of doors, bay windows, columns and other visually-stimulating elements found outside of the home.

The brand name of Mister Sparky can be found throughout America, yet our Houston-based affiliate serves as a greater-Houston area electrician. Visit our Web site at (www.mistersparky-houston.com).