The heat of the summer has turned to cold winter days and perhaps you’re thinking that with no air conditioner constantly running, your electric bill may be a few dollars cheaper. But you open your bill each month and that is definitely not the case. So you’re asking, “Why is my electricity bill higher in the winter?” There are a few season specific factors that drive up energy costs, plus a few household tips that could also be affecting your...

Why you should give space heaters space! Space heaters can make a poorly heated area cozy and comfortable without high whole home heating costs. They can bolster or replace ineffective whole home heating sources and make the coldest of days nice and toasty indoors. Making the choice to consolidate heating to the most used areas of a home with a space heater instead of centralized heat can reduce Winter heating costs considerably. Space heaters come in a range of heat...

Your electronic gadgets mean everything to you. After all, they are your go-to devices for just about everything — social media, gaming, browsing the Internet and of course, phone calls and text messaging. Unfortunately, with all the usage they get on a daily basis, they can become quite dirty and even seeped with nasty substances you may not even be able to see. Bacterium, E-coli, dirt and even fecal matter can be hidden on your electronic devices. Therefore it is...

You may be sitting at home and watching the TV when suddenly your lights flicker. Your TV shuts off without the use of a controller. You may even hear a popping sound. At the time, you may think nothing of it. Perhaps a tree branch touched a power line and momentarily interrupted the electric flow to your home. When you attempt to turn your TV back on, however, you suddenly that it refuses to work at all. You've become the...

One of the best ways to make a home look ready for Halloween is by changing the lighting. The right lighting can create a spooky atmosphere and accent a variety of Halloween decorations. Check out these cute Halloween lighting ideas that can easily be made with basic craft store items. Mummy Mason Jars These adorable mason jars are Halloween lighting ideas that can be made with young children. The Halloween lighting ideas make a great centerpiece on the table, or...

Reducing Power Usage Can a fan really reduce the power usage in your home? Absolutely. The money saved in electrical bills over the year quickly pays for the fan purchase and installation. Using ceiling fans throughout your home helps moderate the temperature within each room. Circulating the cool air that’s already been produced by the air conditioner means moderate temperatures for longer periods of time, which reduces the number of hours your air conditioner is running. Use of fans can...

Electrical grounds are one of the most essential safety components of a home’s electrical system. Why do you need to ground electricity and what does this entail? A ground wire connects the outlets in your home to the electrical panel; this wire is dug into the ground surrounding your home. The soil that surrounds the wire acts as a kind of surge protector. If an excessive amount of electricity flows through the grounded wire the positively charged ions within the...

In today's world, almost everything in a home uses electricity. We flip a switch or plug in an item. "Voilà," it works. A properly functioning outlet is essential for the electric current to flow properly to power appliances and devices in our homes. Our small appliances are essential for making coffee and cooking. We are at a loss if our entertainment items are unable to work. Everything usually works fine until you experience electrical outlet problems. Many people encounter electrical...

The electricity in your house brings you a host of benefits. You can enjoy heating and air conditioning when the outside temperature isn't pleasant, and you can watch all of your favorite television shows. However, problems can also come into fruition with the electric, and handling these issues by yourself can prove dangerous. Learn how to hire an electrician with these helpful tips. Trying to tackle electrical issues could lead to electrocution, which can be fatal. Also, you might make...

If you're a homeowner, you know that sometimes you need to fix things around the house. Plumbing wears out, air conditioners break, and furnaces need to be replaced every 15 to 20 years. The electrical panel, otherwise known as a circuit breaker, is no different. But how do you know when it is time to replace your breaker box? There are several tell-tale signs and reasons that it is time to upgrade. Old Electrical Panel One reason that you might...