Tips and articles about electrical wiring and design, of interest to homeowners.
Wiring a home for telephone service has become more complex over the years. As technology changes and more features are added to phones -- fax, Internet access -- the need is growing for more lines and added services.
A large wiring project adds a considerable load to your main electrical service. In about 25 percent of all homes, some type of service upgrade is needed before new wiring can be installed. For example, many homeowners will need to replace an older 60-amp electrical service with a new service rated for 100 amps or more. A licensed electrician is needed for a job like this.
Location, location, location: Outdoor, kitchen and bathroom receptacles should be protected by a special ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) circuit breaker to guard against electrocution.
Modern lifestyles now include many new technologically advanced products that can challenge old electrical services.
Every home needs electrical repairs from time to time, but, because of the dangers involved, these repairs don't make safe do-it-yourself projects. Most folks will be better off hiring professionals. And because these services are expensive, here are some tips on how to get the most mileage for your money.
If you haven't already done so, maybe it's time to consider switching from a manual thermostat to an electronic, programmable model. Electronic thermostats have become very affordable and can repay their cost quickly through energy savings.
Q: I have a drainage problem in my basement. The sump pump does not turn on. We had heavy rainfall and the basement was covered with water. It seems the electric socket does not work because I plugged in other tools and they would not run either. All other sockets in our house are working. Do I need an electrician? Is there anything I can do to fix it myself? Is there a way to get power to this socket?
Switches, outlets and fixtures are the gateways through which your electricity flows. Here's the lowdown on what they do and some ideas for upgrades, repairs or replacements.
One of the most sensible solutions to home comfort, the ceiling fan has been helping to heat and cool residences for more than a hundred years. By stirring up breezes in the summer and forcing warm air downward in the winter, ceiling fans effectively reduce the demand on conventional heating and cooling systems. And they do it with charm.
Service for the generator set is much like the service you perform on your automobile. The generator set should have oil and all filters changed at least once a year. Fan belts should be checked for cracks and replaced every couple of years to prevent over heating. The radiator anti-freeze should be drained periodically and replaced to prevent deterioration.
There are three safe and legal means to use your generator to power your house loads.
Loud, driving rain, a blinding flash of lightning and a window-rattling crack of thunder jolt you awake. You think, "no harm done," roll over and go back to sleep. But the next morning, you notice that the milk in the refrigerator is warm and when you go to turn on the computer to get your e-mail, the monitor flickers, the cursor freezes and your hard drive crashes.
Electricity is one of the mixed blessings of our modern world. It's difficult to live without it, but when something goes wrong, it can have serious and even fatal results. Understanding how to handle electrical problems if they arise and being sure homes comply with the latest building codes can help give homeowners peace of mind.
Electrical outlets can be installed or moved by a do-it-yourselfer, but if you're not sure what you are doing, the task is best left to an expert.
An electric wall heater is a heater that can be mounted to a wall for the purpose of providing heat for an individual room. These heaters are perfect for additions since it is easier to install a wall heater than to incorporate the existing heating system into the new room(s).
A portable generator is just what the name implies. It is for portable and non-permanent, stationary, installed applications. Portables do not have a forced air cooling system that changes air within a compartment. It releases its combustion heat and exhaust to the ambient air, which simply means that you can't build it into a room or generator house without auxiliary air and exhaust handling equipment.
A large wiring project adds a considerable load to your main electrical service. In about 25 percent of all homes, some type of service upgrade is needed before new wiring can be installed. Consider these suggestions.
Cable television, multiple phone and fax lines, intercoms, video security and built-in audio speakers: the world of household communications systems has grown immensely since the basic doorbells and telephone lines of the 20th century.