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]]>Preventative maintenance allows your electrician to fix small imperfections in your electrical system before they turn into larger problems. This protects you from costly repairs and safety hazards.
During visits, your electrician can also identify ways for you to save money on your utility bill.
Residential, commercial, and industrial customers each account for roughly one-third of the nation’s electricity use, according to the US Energy Information Administration.
Collaborate with HomeOps for all your electrical needs—you’ll save money and reduce your carbon footprint. Together, we can keep New York beautiful.
What To Know About Electrical Inspections
The two types of electrical maintenance visits are inspections and tune-ups.
During an electrical inspection, your electrician will ensure your home meets safety standards. They will check off every box on the National Electric Code (NEC). The NEC is a set of legal guidelines that licensed electricians must follow. These measures protect your home from fire hazards.
You should schedule an inspection once every five years. If your house was built 40 years ago or longer, you may want to have more frequent inspections. You should also have an inspection anytime you move, have a major renovation, or purchase a new appliance.
Here are some of the things your specialist will look at during an electrical inspection:
Circuit Interrupters
Your electric panel has a key mechanism that protects your home from electric fires—circuit interrupters. That’s why it’s crucial for your electrician to examine them. There are two types: AFCI’s (arc-fault circuit-interrupters) and GFCI’s (ground-fault circuit-interrupters). When these devices detect arcing (visible “zaps” or flashes), the electric circuit gets interrupted.
Smoke and Carbon Monoxide (CO) Detectors
Smoke and CO alarms are loud and annoying for good reason—to keep you safe. That’s why your electrician will ensure they are operating correctly and placed in the right areas.
Panel Labeling and Configuration
The panel is the brain of your electric system. You want to ensure you have the proper setup, particularly if you’ve just moved. Your electrician will inspect for any issues or mislabeling, and prescribe a follow-up appointment if necessary.
Outlets and Light Switches
Are your outlets up to date and safe? You’ll find out once your electrician looks them over. To meet safety standards, you may need to upgrade to a tamper-resistant (TR) outlet or GFCI. These improvements will make your New York home much safer, especially for young children.
High Wattage Appliances
The wiring behind your refrigerator or air conditioner rarely sees the light of day. That’s why problems may go unnoticed. Your high-wattage appliances need attention from an electrician to ensure your home security and energy efficiency are up to snuff.
Shock Risks
Electrical shocks are a serious threat. Your electrician will check for frayed wiring, poor craftsmanship, or any other hazards that put you at risk.
What to Know About Electrical Tune-Ups
While electrical inspections protect you from future problems, tune-ups will remedy the electrical problems you’re currently facing.
If your system has been damaged by a water leak or a blown fuse, schedule a tune-up. Your electrician can also fix problems like poorly installed/manufactured wiring and insufficient power. If you have any electrical problems, don’t wait—schedule a tune-up immediately.
Call HomeOps for Quick and Reliable Electrical Service Today
Need an expert installation, tune-up, or inspection? Let a HomeOps electrician assist you. Call our Huntington, NY office at 631-509-2000 or request service online today.
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]]>You flick a switch or plug into an outlet and expect immediate, safe results. When your electrical system works well, it runs appliances, lights your Islip home, powers technology, and drives heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment.
When it fails, the consequences can be disastrous.
Electrical fires damage or destroy 45,000 homes in the United States every year, and half of those fires involve faulty lighting or defective wiring, according to the U.S. Fire Administration.
In addition to fires, electrical system failures can lead to serious injuries and deaths in the home. The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) says approximately 300 Americans are electrocuted in the home each year, and thousands are shocked and burned.
The statistics underscore the importance of regular inspections and maintenance. Experienced professionals, such as the licensed electricians at HomeOps, can identify potential hazards and recommend upgrades or repairs to the electrical system in your Islip home.
Bring Your Electrical System Into the 21st Century
Our electricians suggest an inspection every three to five years, but your home’s age and the number of appliances you use also factor into the timeframe.
ESFI says the electrical systems in homes built before 1980 should be examined for potential updates and compliance with the National Electrical Code (NEC) and local electrical codes.
Our professionals can determine if your electrical system is adequate for the array of appliances and technological devices you use at home.
Standards have evolved over the years as lifestyle, safety needs, and power demands have changed. If your home, for example, is equipped with polarized outlets—those simple wall sockets with two vertical slots—it is time for an upgrade.
At the minimum, you will want us to install grounded outlets, but the better option is ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) outlets. They can detect changes in the electrical flow and break the circuit, cutting off the power to the outlet, if necessary.
GFCI outlets are a must in areas where water is present, such as a kitchen or bathroom. They prevent shock and electrocution.
Make Outlet, Wiring Improvements
Ask our electricians about tamper-resistant receptacles (TRRs). These outlets have a covering that prevents children from jamming items into the socket. They are a great security measure for families with young children.
Additional upgrades you might consider include surge protection devices to guard your appliances against electrical surges, and adding arc-fault circuit interrupters (AFCI) to your service panel to prevent electrical fires.
During an inspection, our experts will check for frayed or damaged wires, and loose connections, to determine whether the wiring is adequate for your home.
Here Is What You Can Do to Maintain Your Electrical System
Follow these steps to improve the electrical system in your Islip home:
- Pay attention to your electrical system and recognize potential problems, such as circuit breakers that frequently trip, fuses that often blow, outlets and switches that feel warm or have scorch marks, and lights that flicker when an appliance, furnace, or air conditioner turns on.
- Test your GFCI outlets monthly.
- Use only bulbs with the recommended wattage for lighting fixtures.
- Use surge protectors.
- Schedule a maintenance inspection.
Upgrade Your Electrical System Today
Do not underestimate the importance of an electrical system inspection. The licensed electricians at HomeOps in Islip, New York, can enhance your safety by upgrading your home’s outdated wiring, outlets, service panel, lighting fixtures, and more. Call 631-509-2000 or request service online today.
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