At HomeOps, we want you to enjoy the season safely, knowing your home’s electrical system and your family coexist without incident this spring. Our licensed electricians can give you peace of mind by inspecting your indoor and outdoor lighting fixtures, wiring, outlets, switches, and more.

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, fire departments nationwide in 2021 responded to an estimated 24,200 residential electrical fires that caused some 295 deaths, 900 injuries, and over $1.2 billion in property loss.

Safety inspections reduce the risk of electrical fires and shocks while identifying outdated wiring and other failing components. Our qualified electricians at HomeOps can fix system issues before they spiral and cause disastrous results.

Schedule an inspection by calling us at 631-509-2000 or request service online. 

Springtime Electrical Safety Tips

You can do your part to keep yourself, your family, and your pets safe from electrical hazards with these spring safety tips:

• Outdoor Outlets
  Before hanging new garden lights around your patio or powering the hedge trimmer, check the outdoor electrical outlet you plan to use. Look for cracks, exposed wiring, and other signs of wear. Is the cover secure or open and allowing the elements?

• Outdoor Lighting
  Like your outdoor outlets, light fixtures should be weatherproof and securely attached to your home or garage to prevent water from seeping inside your home. 

• Overhead Power Lines
  You may barely notice the outdoor wires that run from your home or neighbors’ homes over your property to the utility power lines. Always use caution when working or playing near electrical lines that stretch over your yard.
  
  Refrain from flying kites and drones or using sports equipment that might conflict with wires. Trees near overhead wires should be off-limits for climbing. Avoid planting trees where they may conflict with overhead wires as they grow.

• Underground Power Lines
  Whether carving out a portion of your backyard for a koi pond or adding a sunken patio and garden, call your utility companies to find out about underground obstructions. You want to avoid digging near gas and electricity supply lines. You might also obtain that information by calling your county government. 

• Caulking Around Wiring
  The overhead wire that supplies electricity to your home runs through an exterior wall and connects to your breaker box. The conduit containing a refrigerant line and electrical wiring runs from your air conditioner or heat pump through an exterior wall into your home. Caulk the entry point to prevent water from seeping into your home and wetting wires.
  
  Inspect the caulk for cracks or holes occasionally and re-caulk if necessary. 

• Electric Equipment
  Check electric lawn equipment, power tools, and extension cords. Address fraying, exposed wires, and other issues before using the items this spring. All electric-powered equipment should be dry and protected from water.
  
  Keep all electric-powered equipment away from pools, water hoses, and sprinklers. Do not attempt to cut wet grass with an electric mower. If you wash your car at home, clean the interior first. Unplug and safely stow extension cords and vacuums before you soap and hose off your vehicle. 

Get an Electrical Inspection for Your Smithtown Home Today

Use outdoor electrical tools, outlets, and fixtures at your Smithtown, New York, home safely this spring.  Schedule an electrical inspection by calling HomeOps at 631-509-2000 or request service online.

The post Enjoy a Safe Spring With These Electrical Safety Tips appeared first on HomeOps.

However, electricity is a potentially dangerous and deadly entity. Thankfully, the rates of electrocution today are low. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) devices have played a key role in reducing electrocutions.

To minimize electrocution risk in your Islip home, government regulations require GFCI devices in rooms with plumbing fixtures. Our professionals at HomeOps want to explain how these devices work to reduce the danger of electricity.

What Is a Ground Fault?
A ground fault is an unintentional electrical path between a power source and a grounded surface. When electricity escapes the intended path, it seeks the shortest route to the ground. This means an electrical current will travel through whatever path it can find, including your body, to reach the ground. Ground faults usually happen when electrical equipment is damaged or defective. For example, if live wires or components are not insulated from contact, touching the exposed wire with any part of your body can create a path for electricity to flow. Each year, humans are injured or killed by severe electric shocks.

What Is a GFCI Device?
A GFCI is an inexpensive device designed to prevent electrocution. It monitors the amount of current flowing to and from a source. If the currents are not equal, even by as little as 0.006 amperes, the GFCI will shut the power off to prevent the excess current from flowing in an unwanted direction. It is designed to interrupt the electrical flow before electricity can affect a human heartbeat. That means electricity cannot shock, injure, or kill your body by inadvertently traveling through it.

Charles Dalziel, a professor of electrical engineering, is credited with inventing the GFCI in 1961. A GFCI is usually installed in your home’s electrical system or built into a power cord to protect you from shock. In addition, because they also detect ground faults, they can prevent some kinds of electrical fires.

When and Where Should I Install GFCIs?
GFCIs have been required in certain rooms and areas in New York homes for years. Typically, GFCIs are required in kitchens, bathrooms, and any place where outlets are within six feet of a plumbing fixture. Older homes built before 1971 may not have GFCI devices; however, our electricians can replace your older outlets with GFCI outlets. GFCIs are also added as part of electrical renovations, in order for the system to meet building codes and requirements, and to improve the safety of your home.

According to the CPSC, the requirements for GFCI and effective dates are as follows:

• Underwater pool lighting, since 1968
• Outdoor receptacles, since 1973
• Bathrooms, since 1975
• Garages, since 1978
• Kitchens, since 1987
• Crawl spaces and unfinished basements, since 1990
• Wet bar sinks, since 1993
• Laundry and utility sinks, since 2005

Portable GFCI protection should always be used for operating electrical garden equipment such as mowers or trimmers or when using electrical tools such as drills and saws.

Our experienced team at HomeOps in Islip, New York can help you determine which rooms are required to have GFCIs. If you already have GFCI devices in your home, we can also inspect your electrical system, ensure your service is up to code, and recommend any needed upgrades. You can contact us online, or call us at 631-509-2000.

The post What Is a GFCI? appeared first on HomeOps.

Faulty wiring can lead to a house fire. Blinking lights, overloaded circuits, power outages—hiring a professional electrician with a proven track record can avoid a lot of mishaps.

At HomeOps, we strive to keep our Huntington customers educated and informed about the latest trends and changes in the plumbing, electrical, and HVAC industries. We value the trust you place in us and promise to work hard to keep your business!

The average home in America consumes about 914 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per month, according to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA). Along those lines, here are a few tips to consider when hiring an electrician.

Hiring an Electrician in Huntington

Although you are going to hire somebody who has passed the electrician’s license exam, we recommend you consider experience level as you look for an electrician. Specific certifications vary by state, but in general, there are at least two levels of experience for electricians:

Master Electrician 

• Has passed a state competency exam and has a minimum number of hours of professional experience.
• Knows National Electrical Code as well as state-specific modifications.
• Is qualified to plan, design, install, and maintain an electrical system for your project.

Journeyman Electrician

• Has not qualified for a master license yet, but is still licensed by the state and has met a minimum number of training hours and years of experience.
• Cannot design systems but can install wiring and equipment.

Always ask for license and proof of insurance and follow up with references as well. The references should be verifiable and can show that the electrician was professional, reliable, and courteous. You also want an electrician who will guarantee their work. Most electricians will offer a warranty on their services.

Hiring Considerations

Electricians often specialize in their trade. They might strictly perform commercial work, new construction, or remodeling work. A trustworthy contractor might be willing to recommend an electrician for you. Explain what kind of work you need and ask for a referral.

Always ask about experience and ongoing certification. Find out whether the electrician’s warranty covers both parts and labor, and how long it remains in effect. If the electrician you hired plans to use subcontractors, be sure their license and insurance cover everyone on the job.

For larger projects, such as upgrading the entire service in your Huntington home or business, get at least three quotes. It is time well spent if it can save you some money and steer you toward a qualified professional who is right for your job.

Most jobs will require a permit issued by your local building department. This is for your protection; before the building inspector can sign off on the work, the inspector must take a look at it to ensure it meets code. Electricity can be dangerous, and you need to be careful.

Call Us for Your Next Electrical Job!

If your Huntington, New York, home does not have the power it needs to run your appliances and other devices, such as computers and game systems, our experienced professionals can update your electrical service and boost its ability to handle increased electrical demands. Perhaps you are ready to replace your outdated fuse box with a new circuit breaker panel that is safer and easier to use. Maybe you just want some outdoor lighting. Whatever your electrical needs are, we are here to help.

Whatever the project, call 631-501-2000 or request service online today to learn more about HomeOps and how we can help improve the comfort and safety of your home or business.

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