Spring weather is finally here, a welcome relief for those parts of the country that have spent the last few months plagued by snow and ice. With the warm weather comes an increased dependence on air conditioners, which can use up a large amount of energy and add to your utility bills each month. There are certain steps you can take to reduce the overall electrical consumption of your house so you do not have to pay as much when you write out that check.

Here are a few ways you can improve your home's power use:

When you need electrical power but the nearest outlet is too far away for your device to reach, an extension cord can bridge the gap and bring the socket to you! Extension cords come in numerous shapes and sizes, and are intended for many different applications. However, are you choosing the right cord for your needs? Believe it or not, not all extension cords are created equal, and depending on the amount of energy you need and where you need it, you should carefully consider what cord you’re using. Check out our blog now to learn about the different types of cords and which one you should choose for the job.

While extension cords are great because they let you bring power virtually anywhere you need it, you should also think very carefully about where you will need this power, and where you plan on drawing the electricity from. Longer isn’t usually better, and in fact, the longer your extension cord is, the lower the delivered voltage will be. The more distance electricity must travel, the weaker it will be when it reaches you. This is because every cable has a certain amount of resistance, which causes your voltage to drop as well as produces heat. If you can help it, don’t use a 100-foot extension cord if you only need power about 20 feet away. You’ll bring better voltage over a shorter cable, and have less cable to manage during use as well.

On a related note, if you do have to bring electricity to a further-away distance, never link two extension cords together. This is a recipe for disaster. If you must bring electricity to a further-away distance, always upgrade to a longer cord that will meet your needs.

If you pull too much power through too small of a cord, you will draw too many amperes (or “amps” for short), and the cord itself being too small or having too much internal resistance will get hot and possibly fail, which could result in melting, sparks, and even a bad electrical fire. A device that uses more electricity, such as a major appliance like a stove or electric grill, should always be plugged into a larger-gauge extension cord, whereas smaller gauge cords are generally safe for use with things like laptop and phone chargers, low-energy lamps, and more.

Extension cords are a huge trip hazard, and the more you use one, the more likely it is that someone will eventually get tangled up and fall because of it. Be very cautious where you run your extension cords, and always make sure you secure them down with tape or cover them with a large carpet or rug to make sure nobody will accidentally become tangled in one.

If you own a business and find you are in constant need of an extension cord to a particular spot, you may want to consider calling a Marietta electrician and having them permanently install a new electrical outlet to get rid of the need to use an extension cord all together. This can significantly improve worker safety even save you money on your electric bill by helping your devices get the voltage they need easier.

While you want to get out of the house and on your way without worry, if you let things go or do not call the right electrician your house could burn down while you’re away at work. Many times electricians have pulled outlets and seen in the wall where small fires have started and the homeowners had no idea because it had not spread. Bathroom electrical outlet repair can save your family and possessions.

Yet it could be that your outlet is not secure and moves around too much from all the pushing and pulling. This is when you want an honest electrician to tell you that it is minor and can be repaired quickly.

If you have not scheduled an inspection of your electrical wiring and you are encountering problems like needing to have your bathroom electrical outlet repaired, it may just be the time to stop and have the whole house inspected while your licensed electrician is there. Not only can he fix your immediate need, but he can show you where you may have potential problems within the next six months to a year. It is always better to be proactive rather than reactive. If you wait for an issue to arise, you may have to pay extra for a service call during evening hours.

There is another issue when you discover your bathroom electrical outlet needs repair. It has already been mentioned that it could possibly be a fire hazard, but also a faulty live wire could electrocute or shock a person who has just plugged an object in – or is removing it after the outlet seems to have given up the ghost. While waiting for repairs, do not let children plug anything in. Safety comes first.