Tripped circuit breaker: many of us have experienced them at some point in our homes, yet instead of asking ourselves, “Why Do Breakers Trip?”, we reset the breaker without much thought. Before flipping the switch back over to the “ON” position, however, it’s important to understand why the breaker tripped in the first place, and what can be done to keep it from happening again.

Ignoring a Tripped Breaker is Not a Good Idea

Because of the many reasons why your circuit breaker could be tripping, and because of the purpose of the circuit breaker, you should never take a tripped breaker lightly. It’s important to understand that the circuit breaker is a safety device; simply switching the circuit back on without investigating the culprit can become costly in the long run and, in many cases, extremely dangerous.

Economy settings have become a standard option on nearly all modern appliances. They purport to put the decision about energy conservation in the consumer's hands: Do you run the machine in its normal mode, or use the most economical setting to burn up less power and marginally reduce your contribution to carbon pollution and climate change? Eco-settings give manufacturers bragging rights that they are doing their part to produce more efficient electrical work. However, some people question whether economy settings really do anything to reduce our electricity consumption, and suspect they might even be counterproductive. Read on to learn why.

Economy vs. Standard Settings in Your Electrical Work

You see economy buttons on all kinds of electrical devices and appliances these days, from televisions to video game consoles to bigger-ticket items like washing machines and dishwashers. These settings offer energy savings of 10 percent or more, and generally are legitimate; although there have been isolated reports of manufacturers attempting to deceive energy testing measures, usually the economy settings are included in good faith, with companies preferring to avoid legal or reputational consequences if they are caught manipulating the tests.

However, eco-modes only save energy if people use them. And in many cases, people choose not to, for a variety of reasons. For one thing, the performance of various appliances under eco-settings might simply be unsatisfactory. For example, some people complain that reduced power settings on their television leave them barely able to see the screen. There are also reports of clothes dryers that don't dry clothes and dishwashers that don't wash dishes. Reduced power settings don't save any energy at all if you have to run the appliance twice.

Don't Be Fooled into Buying an Inefficient Device

That's not to say that all economy modes don't make the grade, but their overall reputation can suffer from a few bad apples. If consumers hear that the lowest power setting in a neighbor's dishwasher doesn't get the job done, they might be reluctant to try that option in their own unit, even if it's a different make or model.

What's more, the ratings system used by the federal Energy Star program takes into account the economy setting mode when making its decisions. That means you could purchase a piece of equipment that has the coveted Energy Star certification, only to find out that you don’t like the conservation settings and are less than satisfied with the purchase.

Finding the Most Efficiency in Your Electrical Work

One way to ensure that you are buying an appliance whose economy setting meets your needs is to read online reviews, in lieu of simply relying on the Energy Star rating. If you need help picking out high-efficiency appliances, or need help with any other electrical work, contact a trusted local electrician today.

Electric blankets can provide some much needed warmth and comfort during the long winter months. Nothing beats a personal heat source on your bed, staving off the nighttime chills. Electric blankets can even help you save money by allowing you to keep your thermostat turned down a few notches. However, these blankets can also be a fire hazard, particularly if they are old or damaged. Read on to learn more about how to stay safe if you choose to use an electric blanket this winter.

Bringing Electrical Work to Your Bed

If you do decide to use an electric blanket, make sure you carefully follow all the instructions regarding use, care and storage so you maintain it in good condition. Most electric blankets are designed to be rolled or hung up when not in use, since folding or bunching them can damage the heating wires. Once a blanket becomes damaged or stops working properly, it's time to dispose of it so you don't risk a fire. Blankets that are more than three years old should be checked carefully, and once they hit a decade of service, it's time to retire them even if they still appear to be in good shape.

You also need to inspect the blanket's cord and verify that it isn't worn, frayed or otherwise damaged. It's generally a bad idea to run the cord under the mattress or under a carpet, which can speed up its deterioration, but you also need to prevent children or pets from chewing on it or playing with it. The best option is often to store the blanket out of harm's way during the day when it's not in use.

Weighing the Benefits and Risks

Even a well-functioning electric blanket can be a hazard if you aren't careful with it. Some authorities even recommend using electric blankets to pre-heat the bed, then stowing them before you actually climb in. When you have an active electric blanket on the bed, you need to also make sure you don't leave any heat sensitive materials above or below it.

Additionally, pregnant women and people suffering from certain illnesses need to be careful that they don't allow an electric blanket to overheat their bodies. Excessive heat can harm developing fetuses, as well as people who have diseases like diabetes. Safer options for supplemental heat sources include a hot water bottle tucked under the blanket, or an electric space heater to warm up an otherwise chilly room.

Expert Treatment for Your Electrical Work

For help evaluating the safety of your wiring or any other electrical work, call an expert electrician today.

It’s tuesday April 22nd and Earth Day* celebrations are abounding. Eco-friendly lamps, light fixtures and fabulous accessories are here to help you decorate with an eye on preservation and divine design.

The “Smart Home” of the future is truly within reach.  From aroma-therapy air purification systems and vitamin-C infused showers to LED light sources and recycled decorative illumination, energy-saving and eco-friendly options are in full bloom this year.

1.  Look for ENERGY STAR and Energy SMART products.  Revamp your indoor and outdoor light fixtures with new light sources and smarter control systems.

2.  Invest in sustainable lamps and light fixtures.

3.  Buy less, but buy better.  From Organic Minimalism to Restoration Industrialism, the latest designer lamps and light fixtures may be less ornate, but full on fashion with energy-efficient illumination.

Visit 1800lighting.com or a Capitol Lighting showroom for a glimpse into the latest eco-friendly lighting and decorative accessories, including  new lamps and light fixtures from Hubbardton Forge, Varaluz Lighting, Kichler Lighting and Currey and Company.

Now is the time to do your part to make Earth Day 2014 more than just a fantastic idea, make it a reality and light consciously and proficiently with style.

*The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) was born on December 2, 1970 and the first Earth Day was celebrated on April 22, 1970.  President Nixon’s 1970 State of the Union Address was flooded with concern for clean air, clean water and a concerted effort for the federal government to “transform” the land.

We celebrate Earth Day every year on April 22nd as the government continues to consolidate efforts for a cleaner environment, but it is really up to each individual to transform their own home with energy-efficient and eco-friendly products.

Top pics for Earth Day include:

The “Elkmont” collection from Currey and Company

The “Modern Loft” table lamp from Pacific Coast Lighting

The “Argyle” pendant from Varaluz Lighting

“Natural Rope” chandelier from Landmark Lighting