Our electrical system runs behind the walls and in our ceilings and floors. It is invisible, except for outlets and fixtures. Electricity is intrinsically counter-intuitive to think about. In fact, despite recent technological developments, we’ve only known how electricity works since the turn of the 20th century. So, you can be forgiven if even common residential electrics seem somewhat mysterious. Moreover, repairing these electrical systems requires the professional knowledge of a Kirkland electrician, who knows how to properly handle and harness electrical energy and run it safely through your home. In this post, we’d like to examine a few of the most common electrical repairs, so that you might be able to identify any problems and call for assistance.

Carbon Monoxide – The Silent Killer

ElectricMan’s motto is “Quality Electrical Services”, and to achieve this, we feel like it’s our duty to inform our customers of the importance of home and electrical issues that might affect them. One of these dangers is Carbon Monoxide.

Carbon Monoxide is a toxic gas that is odorless, tasteless, colorless, and non-irritating, so it is very difficult to detect unless you have a carbon monoxide detector. It’s often produced by older motor vehicles and other gasoline-powered tools, heaters, and cooking equipment such as furnaces, heaters, wood-burning stoves, electrical generators, and propane-fueled equipment like portable stoves. Simply put, carbon monoxide is produced whenever gas, oil, kerosene, wood, or charcoal is burning.

Carbon monoxide is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in America. The Centers for Disease Control estimate that carbon monoxide poisoning claims nearly 500 lives and causes more than 15,000 visits to the hospital emergency departments annually.

Symptoms of mild poisoning include headaches, vertigo, and flu-like effects, but larger exposure can lead to severe heart and central nervous system problems and even death. If you do suspect poisoning, get fresh air immediately. Open windows and doors, turn off combustion appliances, and leave the house. Take your pets outside too! Go to an emergency room and tell the doctor. A blood test is the best way to make the diagnosis. Treatment usually involves high doses of oxygen using a facemask.

Prevention is the key to avoiding carbon monoxide poisoning. Have your fuel-burning appliances inspected by a professional at the beginning of every heating season. Don’t idle your car in the garage, even with the garage door open, don’t use a gas oven to heat your home, don’t ever use a charcoal grill indoors, don’t sleep in a room with an unvented gas or kerosene space heater, and don’t use gasoline-powered engines in enclosed spaces. Have carbon monoxide detectors installed.

The National Fire Protection Association says that 93% of homes have smoke alarms but the Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that only 15% have carbon monoxide alarms.

Here at ElectricMan, we can professionally install smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors in your home, because carbon monoxide poisoning is no small matter, and we care about your safety. We’re a family business and we put family first, including yours! We’re also available 24 hours, 7 days a week.

At ElectricMan Inc, we can professionally install smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors, because carbon monoxide poisoning is no small-matter, and we care about your safety. We’re a family business and we put family first, including yours!

This year marks our 15th anniversary, so we have been celebrating by taking trips down memory lane to 1999, the year of Pegasus Lighting’s birth. This month, of course, we are checking out what was going on in September 1999. Remember when Viacom merged with CBS, the Sega Dreamcast temporarily entranced the population, and lots of crazy stuff happened at the MTV Video Music Awards (In fact, the first five items on this list occurred during the VMAs)? Come check it out!

1. Lauren Hill Is the Queen of Hip Hop

Lil Kim had decided to wear a rather risque outfit to the VMAs, and Diana Ross decided to give the world her opinion of Kim’s outfit.

3. Mothers of Slain Rappers Unite

By presenting a host of male drag performers dressed as the singer in her past music videos, MTV paid tribute to the most nominated artist in VMA history, Madonna.

5. Beastie Boys Back with Vengeance

The first entry in the sixth genereation of video game consoles, slightly predating the Playstation 2, Xbox, and GameCube, was Sega’s Dreamcast. The last console Sega would ever release, its popularity was shortlived.

7. Viacom, Corporate Behemoth

U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno launches an independent investigation into the 1993 fire at the Branch Davidian church near Waco, Texas after watching a documentary film about it. Who says the movies don’t influence society?

9. John Elway’s Jersey Number Retired

NASA annouunced that it had lost contact with the Mars Climate Orbiter. Oops.

11. Ally McBeal Steals the Show

The Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series was given to The Practice. Also nominated were ER, Law & Order, NYPD Blue, and The Sopranos.

13. John Lithgow’s Still Got It!

The Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Acress in a Comedy Series was given to Helen Hunt for her role on Mad About You.

15. The Sopranos

It’s a new year, and many of us have resolved to finally do what makes us happy. To stop coming up with reasons not to do the things we want. Of course, this time of year also brings many to the crippling realization of just how much they spent over the holidays, and how much they need to save in the new year.

Good lighting, beautiful lighting, new lighting in your home can really work miracles for the space’s look and feel, and even your own well-being. But, when trying to save money, springing for new lights can feel like too much of a luxury. How do you know when it’s worth it?

We’ve put our heads together here at Pegasus Lighting to come up with the 8 best reasons you should say YES! to a lighting upgrade:

1. You’re wasting money.