As the temperature rises it's important to stay on top of your home's energy use. Keep these energy saving tips in mind as you try to keep your electric bill in check this summer. Turn that thermostat... up? As great as an iceberg-like home feels on a hot day, try to get in the habit of setting the temperature to 78 degrees when you're home. Even higher when you're gone. This may sound terrible in Texas heat, but you'll be surprised by...

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 with low hanging power lines but no matter what the situation may be, we continue to say don't go near them. According to the Electrical Safety...

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 to stay cool this summer. Why does my ceiling fan wobble? If you're stuck with a wobbly ceiling fan, don't worry - it can be...

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 at night and shine it in various spots to see how potential areas would look lit up. Alternate between flood and spot modes (if capable)...

Many of the electrical issues you face in your home today are the same that plague many other homeowners. Here's a quick guide on troubleshooting what may cause some of these electrical problems and what you can do to fix them. Lights Problems Flickering or Dimming Lights- While flickering lights could be a simply loos bulb, it could also be a much more serious issue like a poor connection along the circuit or faulty wiring. Both will need the inspection...

So you're thinking of replacing your old lighting systems to a new recessed lighting solution. It may seem like it will be a simple replacement of light fixtures, but there are so many more risks associated with using recessed lighting without proper installation. We've mapped out three major reasons why you shouldn't be doing this type of install without a certified electrician at the helm. Reason #1: We Have the Skills To Prevent Home Damage Ever hung up a picture and...

There are several common electrical wiring problems that plague many homes. Some may go unnoticed for years without a proper electrical inspection, but there are some issues you can tackle head-on to prevent a possible catastrophe. Pay close attention to five of the most dangerous electrical wiring problems below. Bulb Wattage Too High Overlamping is a term used to refer to the scenario when a light fixture contains a bulb with a higher wattage than the fixture is designed to support. This is a...

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 to a single invention. What is a GFCI outlet? Created in 1961 by a professor of electrical engineering at the University of California, Charles Dalziel, the...

"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 anymore." While we don't all have to be as extreme as Arnold when it comes to saving electricity, there is a certain duty that can fall...

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 for dinner, a power tool is making noise in the garage, and someone’s taking a hot shower. Then, without warning, it all stops: power overload. In this...