Petro's Do's & Don'ts

It’s always a good idea to get an electrical inspection every year. Inspections can catch the small issues before they become big problems. Whether you’re looking to upgrade your wiring or if a bad storm did some damage to your system, it’s important to take a look at what’s going on under the hood. Just because it’s working, doesn’t mean it’s working well. 

When an electrical panel is malfunctioning or not working at its best, you may not need a whole system replacement. You might just need a panel upgrade. Panels may need to be updated to NEC codes, wires may need to be replaced or reattached, or require a fresh connection – repairs that don’t require a full panel replacement.

Switch to energy-saving devices or see if you can add smart home technology to lower your energy usage and utility bill. You can save 10 percent or more by switching to energy-saving devices.

You can also turn off any appliances and devices that aren’t in use. Some products are energy vampires and still continue to use energy even when they’re switched off. The worst offenders are high-tech gadgets like cell phone chargers, TVs, gaming consoles, and computers. Many of these devices have a standby mode. But stand-by doesn’t mean off, and these devices can continue to use unnecessary energy.

Are you using too many extension cords? This means you might need more outlets to accommodate the number of electronics and devices you are powering. Adding outlets with USB portals can allow you to charge your smartphone, tablet, or computer without having to use a plug receptacle. Typically, these types of electronics use less current to charge, plugging them directly into a USB outlet can charge them up faster.

Whether you’re tired of having to change out your lightbulbs or if you want to decrease your utility bill, LED bulbs can go a long way in saving power for your home. Compared to incandescent bulbs, LED lights use 25 o 80 percent less electricity and can last up to 25 times longer. However, keep in mind, LED lights are more expensive.

Power surges are inconvenient and dangerous. Over-using high-energy appliances at the same time and an act of nature, like lightning, are two of the biggest causes of power surges. Not only will a surge leave you in the literal dark, but it can shorten the lifespan of your electronic devices AND, worst-case scenario, cause a fire. Whole house protection can keep your appliances and devices working longer, reduce wasted energy, and help prevent the power from going out whatever the weather.

Whole-home surge protection is also essential in protecting your smart home devices and appliances. A Petro electrician can set this up.

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) are one of the most common and effective forms of electrical safety. GFCI breakers automatically shut down outlets when there is an issue with the circuit, typically when the current going “in or out” of the electrical panel does not measure the same. When the GFCI mechanism is triggered, the outlet or circuit won’t work until the issue is resolved. This goes a long way in preventing fire or injury.

Not every appliance has the same voltage standard. For example, dryers, ovens, hot water heaters use more voltage than computers, televisions, and other electronics –220-volts compared to 110 volts. That’s why it’s important to have an electrical system that supports 220-volt circuits as well as 110-volt circuits. Your Petro Electrician can easily set this up for you.

Be aware of flickering lights or lights that don’t switch on right away. After years of use, it could be time to replace your switch. If your light switch or switch plate feels hot, this could be a sign of a more serious problem like excessive voltage in the switch or issues with the wiring in the walls. A Petro Electrician can easily diagnose the issue and quickly resolve it.