Electrical Help Articles

A circuit breaker box panel is a box that holds all of your home’s electrical breaker switches.  You know, that magical plot device that heroes in movies need to get to escape trouble or break into an impenetrable fortress?  From Samuel L. Jackson’s famous “Hold onto your Butts” line in Jurassic Park to cutting power…

How to Teach Your Kids About Electrical Safety It’s May. The weather is warming up. The school year is ending. And kids are going to be home much longer than usual. For a parent, it’s great to have your kids back for the summer. But this time can present some hazards for your little ones,…

If you are looking for ways to save money on your electric bill, we got you covered. Nothing eats into your budget quite like a hefty electric bill. However, your electric bill is the easiest utility to save on! Here at Mister Sparky Houston, we’ve identified some key methods you can use to save money…

How to be Energy Efficient in the Summer With summer in full swing, the hot weather isn’t holding back. While there are a few people lucky enough to live in colder locations, many homeowners deal with this long patch of this blistering heat for months. To help keep houses cooler and more comfortable, people rely…

Types Of Electrical Wiring The general concept of electrical wiring encompasses putting up wires and lighting systems. Wiring is a technical installation that requires qualified electricians to handle. Different governments and professional bodies have come up with safety measures. These standards guide electrical installation in their regions. The rules guide and apply to all types…

Don’t Be Defeated by Common Electrical Problems. We are indeed living in interesting times. You may be among so many right now who are feeling constrained at home. Like many others, perhaps you have more persons at home all at the same time and suddenly recognize the expense is getting away from you, especially when…

Mister Sparky Wins 2020 BBB Award For Excellence For the twelfth year in a row, Mister Sparky will be honored as a BBB Awards for Excellence Winner. Businesses must remain in good standing with the BBB and demonstrate commitment to excellence in their applications to achieve this award. Here’s a look back at the BBB…

Why is My Doorbell Not Working? Some homeowners like to hear a bell choir whenever their front doorbell rings. Others want to listen to a familiar, lighthearted tune when someone is at their door. What homeowners don’t like is when they push the doorbell only to hear the sound of silence. Why is the doorbell…

  Most people don’t budget for electrical repairs… And we get it!   With our NEW promotional payment options you have time to plan the unplanned.   We’ve got your back with payment options with no minimum purchase, no interest, and no payments.*   Below you’ll see how the promotion works and sample pricing.  …

Everything You Need To Know About Home Security Lights A dimly-lit exterior can be a bigger security liability than many homeowners realize. In addition to making a property a more attractive target for thieves, vandals and even home intruders, poor illumination also increases the risk of accidents and mishaps. Especially in inclement weather or during…

Should I Get An Electric Fireplace? Many people desire to have a cozy living room with comfortable seats and a beautiful fireplace to enjoy the chilly winter evenings. Although this dream is a lovely idea, real fireplaces are often expensive and require a lot of work and money, even if your home already has one…

An Electrician’s Guide To Holiday Lights Safety It’s that time of year! Your holiday decorations are out and your lights are up. Now it’s time to keep your yard brightly lit until the new year…  Each December, we visit a homeowner every day to help with power issues caused by holiday lights. That’s why we…

How Much Energy Do Holiday Lights Use? The Holidays are just around the corner, and all over, people are trying to figure out the best ways in which they can decorate their homes. No matter what part of the country you live in, you are bound to find places that are lit up and adorned…

Best Smart Home Devices You Need For Your Home Smart home devices are available for different spaces, and every option provides excellent advantages and perks. This guide features some of the best options for an average home. Smart Speaker A smart speaker is a product that everyone can use throughout the day and night. Its…

Outdoor Accent Lighting Perhaps you’ve passed a house with incredible accent lighting outside before. You were likely stunned by how impressive the light made the house look. When done right, accent lighting can completely transform the exterior of your home. It can highlight key areas that attract the eye and make the home look as…

Why You Should Use A Surge Protector It’s no secret; society has become extremely dependent on technology. There seems to be a new gadget coming out every single day. However, with all of these advances comes a great deal of responsibility– mainly as it concerns protecting these items. And that’s because all it takes is…

Energy Saving Tips for Summer Summertime is memorable for many things — family vacations, cookouts, fireworks–and sometimes, some massive electric bills. Keeping the home relaxed, comfortable, and well-lit during all those summer festivities can give the power bill a workout. So along with searching for great grilling recipes and fun beach getaways, smart consumers will…

Do Outdoor Outlets Need To Be Covered? Using an outlet outdoor is almost as important as using outlets inside. If you want to mow the lawn, you need electricity to power the lawn mower. An electrical outlet is very convenient to avoid the usage of a lot of extension cords during Christmas and Halloween. It…

Have A Noisy Ceiling Fan? A great way to cool off a room is by turning on a ceiling fan. Homeowners save countless dollars by using wind chill instead of air conditioning on hot days. However, a noisy ceiling fan is an incredible frustration. Get to know how anyone can fix these fans with only…

Homeowners always strive to keep their family and property safe from accidents. With so many different systems and appliances to consider, there are many things to be mindful of when securing your home. Electricity is one of those things. Check out some of our tips own electrical safety tips to keep your home and family…

If you’re technically minded, enjoy working with your hands and enjoy problem-solving, an electrician career could be right for you! To become a licensed electrician there are requirements you must meet and a process you must follow to be properly certified. For example, a basic requirement is a high school diploma or an equivalent. It…

Outdoor light fixtures can absolutely transform the look of your outdoor space, and with spring right around the corner, its the perfect time to plan an update to your yard or patio. Outdoor living spaces are extensions of our homes, so when it comes to lighting them, they should feel as comfortable and safe as…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

When it comes to the electric in your home, you might be happy as long as the appliances work and the lights go on when you need them to do so. However, home electrical maintenance is about more than just what you can see. Instead of waiting for issues to arise, consider the benefits of…

All About LED Lighting Those light-emitting diodes better known as LEDs are 90% more efficient at producing light than the incandescent light bulbs. How do they do that? LED lighting works by passing an electrical current through a microchip. As the current passes through the microchip, it illuminates the tiny LED light producing visible light.…

Having little ones in the home is a cause for great joy. However, it also means that parents, grandparents and other caretakers need to ensure that their homes are safe for children. Electrical outlets, for example, can make for a serious danger. They can cause injury or even death. Therefore, taking the time to call…

While power outages are relatively frequent, they can seem particularly frightening when they do happen. Whether power is out for a brief moment or the electricity is down for much longer, getting used to living with the lights off is indeed a challenge. The best way to get through power outage emergencies is to prepare…

Do you have one or more of those electrical outlets that operates inconsistently or not at all? Rather than avoid a faulty or dead electrical outlets, it is better to make sure it is operating properly to avoid the risk of fire hazard, not to mention the inconvenience of having to work around dead electrical…

So you’ve decided that you need power in other areas of your home, or that you would like to divide up the power sources for an existing room. Maybe you’ve built a home addition, such as a sun room or a spare bedroom. Or maybe your power needs have changed and you’re drawing too much…

Mother’s day is almost here, and you’re probably wondering what you should give the person who gave you life. It’s common for people to feel frustrated, especially if your mother is one of those people who already have everything. You gave her a candle gift set and a gift certificate to dinner last year, and…

A home generator is an essential addition to the home that can make a real difference in the level of functioning in the event of a prolonged power outage. With the purchase of a generator, homeowners gain a sense of security and peace of mind from the knowledge that they can keep their families safe…

LED lights are perfect candidates for your next outdoor lighting project.Homeowners around the world are always on the lookout for the best products that add value to their properties. This search extends to lighting the home. Buying those large, incandescent bulbs of the past used to be commonplace, but there are alternatives today. When it…

Since their introduction into the National Electrical Code (NEC), Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) outlet location requirements have expanded way beyond the initial recommendations, and now include practically every outlet on your property, in and out of the house. These life-saving devices have improved to the point where they are, almost, tamper-proof, but they can…

Central heating systems distribute warm air throughout a building, but some rooms may have cold spots or need additional heat. Space heaters can be a great way to augment heat, and they can also be the source of fires, shocks and injury. As winter drags on, many people will take their safety for granted, and…

Electricity powers almost everything that makes our lives comfortable. Heating and cooling equipment, refrigerators, computers, lights, fans and hybrid cars require electricity to function. Before World War II, 60 amperes at the service panel was adequate to meet home electrical system requirements. Today, households require a minimum of 100 amps. Large homes, or those with…

Home electrical safety may not be the most festive topic, but it’s an important consideration before pulling out the holiday decorations. Knowing what holiday electrical hazards are most common during the season, you can prevent unnecessary problems and help to keep your family safe. Here are the top 10 causes of electrical shock, fires, and…

Keep Your Home Safe with an Electrical Inspection The holidays are looming around the corner and that means a lot of time spent in the kitchen and a great time for an electrical inspection. It’s easy to get distracted by the stresses of stuffing the turkey and housing the in-laws and before you know it,…

Three Prong vs. Two Prong Electrical Outlet We’ve all noticed the obvious difference between a two prong electrical outlet and a three prong electrical outlet. But many have never stopped to consider why they’re different and what the difference might mean for your home. The answer is quite a bit. The main difference between a…

Electricity: is everywhere and nowhere all at once. How much do you know about electrical trivia and the invisible energy that lights up the world? (answers below) Question #1: Which American company consumes the highest percentage of the world’s energy? General Motors ExxonMobil Google Dow Question #2: Halogen lamps should always be kept away from?…

October means Halloween, football and beautiful foliage. It’s also National Fire Safety Month. On average, fires cause 3000 deaths and 15000 injuries in the US each year. According to the CDC, children four and under are particularly susceptible to fire-related injuries and deaths. You can help your children understand the importance of fire safety through…

Football season is here. Whether your passions are with your high school, college, NFL, or fantasy team (or even if you’re just along for the ride for the sake of a good tailgate party), a lack of safety precaution can make your game watching experience miserable. At Home Keep electrical appliances away from the sink–…

Labor Day is in the rearview and autumn is almost upon us. You know what that means: Halloween decorations, pumpkin spice everything, and some blessedly cooler weather. As much as you might love the lower temperatures and turning leaves, if you aren’t careful, the season can do a number on your energy bills. Buttoning up…

Many homeowners like to go DIY when it comes to smaller projects around their homes. But when you’re not using a professional, it’s easy to overlook little mistakes. And with electricity, little mistakes can be dangerous, even deadly. We’ve listed five of the most common home electrical mistakes and how to avoid them. Making Connections…

Today we launch the first in a new series designed to help you prevent common electrical catastrophes, with tips and advice to better protect you and your family from a house fire. In the first of the series, we look at the best ways to avoid the worst of electrical disasters: the house fire.  …

July in Texas means burgers on the grill, fireworks at night, and flip-flops at the pool. But it also means sky-high electric bills. The good news is it doesn’t have too. With a few simple, convenient household changes, you can see big savings on your monthly energy bills. Open Every Vent Some homeowners believe that…

If you are having electrical issues in your home, one of the first questions you might ask yourself is “How do I find an electrician near me?” Choosing an electrician might not be such a complicated task after all, once you know what to look for when making your choice. Read on to learn about…

It is time to think about replacing old electrical wiring in the home if your house is 40 or more years old. Even though your appliances and devices seem to work without any apparent issues, exposed wires or frayed insulation materials warrant an immanent inspection. The certified electricians at Mister Sparky Electrician Houston will check…

View all of our Blog Posts On Time Guarantee We’re Here Whenever You Need Us “We’re on time you’ll see or your electrical repair is free”. We back our superior electrical service with not only integrity, transparency, and dependability, but also our On Time Guarantee. We understand your time is valuable which is why we…

Before you leave for your vacation, make sure your home is properly prepared for your absence and make your vacation worry-free. Check your appliances, lights, etc. around your home with Mister Sparky’s vacation checklist: View all of our Blog Posts On Time Guarantee We’re Here Whenever You Need Us “We’re on time you’ll see or…

Electricity provides us with light, warmth and music. It allows us to access our favorite television shows and websites. These days, many of us even read on a device powered by electricity. It’s a fundamental part of modern life, but when something goes wrong, the electrical hazards can be deadly. Electrical Fires: How Often Do…

Mister Sparky Electrician Houston potential causes of a consistently tripping circuit breaker with Houston homeowners. Mister Sparky Electrician Houston, America’s On-Time Electrician, offers the best electrician services in the Houston, Texas area, including Katy, Sugar Land, Cypress, Spring, The Woodlands, and Kingwood. Mister Sparky Electrician Houston, America’s On-Time Electrician, serves Houston, Texas and its surrounding cities including Katy, Sugar Land, Cypress,…

As a homeowner, there will be times when you find yourself needing some electrical assistance. You will want to upgrade your homes electrical system. An example of this would be adding or replacing smoke detectors or adding whole house surge protection. Other times, your outlets may malfunction or the electrical power may quit working in…

Looking for new accent lighting ideas? Check out these tips from Mister Sparky Electrician Houston! When you assess the lighting in your home, you should be able to pick out several layers of illumination. General lighting is typically centered on the ceiling, casting a bright light around the room. Task lighting, such as desk lamps,…

Mister Sparky Electrician Houston shares power outage safety tips for Houston homeowners. Mister Sparky Electrician Houston, America’s On-Time Electrician, offers the best electrician services in the Houston, Texas area, including Katy, Sugar Land, Cypress, Spring, The Woodlands and Kingwood. Mister Sparky Electrician Houston, America’s On-Time Electrician, serves Houston, Texas and its surrounding cities including Katy, Sugar Land, Cypress, Spring, The…

Mister Sparky Electrician Houston, America’s On-Time Electrician, offers the best electrician services in the Houston, Texas area, including Katy, Sugar Land, Cypress, Spring, The Woodlands and Kingwood. Electrical safety tips provided by Mister Sparky Electrician Houston. Mister Sparky Electrician Houston, America’s On-Time Electrician, serves Houston, Texas and its surrounding cities including Katy, Sugar Land, Cypress, Spring,…

When you’re looking for the best licensed and bonded residential electricians in Houston, look no further than Mister Sparky Electrician Houston! All of our electricians are educated, clean cut, and courteous. And we can solve just about any of your residential electrical repair needs. What Problems Can Residential Electricians in Houston Solve? Our Houston electrician…

Houston, TX, residents have faced detrimental flooding since April 18, causing more than $5 billion in damage to the city and 123,000 homes to lose power, according to CNN. There’s not much these people could have done to prepare for the vast amount of damage caused by the flooding, but having Portable Generators installed by a…

Electrical outlets, sometimes called receptacles, are in nearly every room we live in. They deliver the electricity that provides light at night. Outlets provide power for our computers and allow us charge our phones, and they keep the clocks on time so we can get to our jobs on-time. They’re so important to keeping us…

Mister Sparky Electrician Houston promotes smoke detectors for fire protection week in October! Mister Sparky Electrician Houston has been on a mission to educate the public on fire safety, including the proper use and maintenance of smoke detectors. Your First Line of Defense Your first line of defense for fire safety is taking proper precautions…

Do you have an annoying flickering light in your home that you can’t seem to fix? While flickering lights may seem like a simple nuisance to a homeowner, Mister Sparky understands that the presence of such a faulty light can be a sign of a more serious underlying problem. Flickering Lights and House Fires Believe…

Electrical outlets are one of those necessities that we take for granted. With the ease of use and accessibility, our daily routines would be greatly disrupted without them. So when an outlet isn’t working properly, and we’re faced with an electrical outlet repair, the whole ordeal can feel like a nuisance. Replacing an outlet may…

  New Survey Finds Home Safety Tips For Daylight Saving Time The start of Daylight Saving Time is a good time to check the smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors in your home, but a new national survey by Mister Sparky®, finds some people may need to change more. Daylight saving time officially starts this…

View all of our Blog Posts On Time Guarantee We’re Here Whenever You Need Us “We’re on time you’ll see or your electrical repair is free”. We back our superior electrical service with not only integrity, transparency, and dependability, but also our On Time Guarantee. We understand your time is valuable which is why we…

Summer is so close, we can already feel the heat! And with all the time that you and your family will spend outside playing, grilling and swimming, it seems like a perfect time to talk about hidden outdoor electrical dangers to keep your family out of harms way. Power and Utility Lines Many backyards are equipped…

As warmer weather becomes the norm, you’re probably dreading the next few electric bills. Ceiling fans can be saviors this time of year. By keeping the air in constant circulation, they provide the feeling of a cooler room without the need to turn the air conditioner down. Here’s a few things to remember while trying…

Landscape lighting can elevate your home’s curb appeal, adding a high-end look, while providing that extra security factor that all homeowners can appreciate. Whether it’s spotlights that highlight certain architectural or landscape features, or floodlights that illuminate large areas, you’ll have an exterior that you can be proud of. Quick tip: Go outside with a flashlight…

Roughly 200 people in the United States die from ground faults each year. That accounts for two-thirds of all home electrocutions. So what’s a ground fault? When electricity from a wire escapes and passes through something, or someone, it heads straight for the ground. This chain of events is oftentimes fatal, but completely preventable thanks…

“I unscrew the light bulbs in my house if I see the kids leaving the lights on in their room,” says Arnold Schwarzenegger. “Every time they leave the lights on, one more light bulb goes. And eventually within a week, they end up in a dark room… Now they don’t ever leave the lights on…

Circuit breakers and fuses are at the apex of your home’s electrical system. Though they essentially do the same job – protecting your home from electrical overloads – it’s done in completely different ways. Your air conditioner is on full blast, every ceiling fan is spinning, the television is blaring, the oven is heating up…

You’re planning on getting rid of your cold floors forever. Great, because in Houston, no matter the temperature outside, our floors are still cold in the mornings! Now you may be looking into different options, supplies, etc. but your biggest question is how many technicians will I need to have involved: a plumber, electrician, an HVAC…

It’s obviously no coincidence that more electrical problems, especially electrical fires, occur during the colder, winter months. In fact, it’s estimated that over 28,000 house fires ignite in the U.S. each year because of electrical issues – with most of these occurring in December, January, and February. A majority of these sometimes-fatal catastrophes can be…

Because Texas is so large, energy consumption is well beyond any other state in the nation. As a result of electrical use being so high, there are similar problems that many residents face. Precious Lone-Star humidity If there’s one thing southeast Texans don’t miss when they’re out and about traveling, it’s the ridiculous humidity we…

So we all know what smoke alarms are and that they are supposed to be inspected fairly often, but how many times have you tested your detector this year? It’s quite common to skip the monthly testing because we simply forget or some may even consider it to be a waste of time however, Mister…