LED lights are also measured in two different ways; by their color temperature and the lumens they produce. Because they use significantly less power and are gaining in efficiency with each generation, whereas older bulbs are consistent in their wattage being representative of the amount of light put out, LED bulbs can vary in efficiency a bit more. What this means is that the bulbs are now rated by their Lumen rating, or how much light they put out, versus how much power they draw. Understanding how LEDs work and the opportunities that they present to you as a homeowner are key to helping you make a decision as to how you light your home.

Most people are familiar with smoke alarms or detectors as they are requirements in all commercial and residential buildings. But how do they work? And how do you ensure that they are functioning at their top performance?  If properly maintained, smoke alarms can and have been proven to save millions of lives in the case of a fire.

In general, there are two different types of smoke alarms.

Ionization means that the device is equipped with two plates that create a charge. When smoke passes between these plates, the charge is interrupted and forces the alarm to sound. In contrast, a photoelectric smoke detection system works similarly but is equipped with a light beam. When smoke passes in front of the light, the alarm sounds. Each function is beneficial in different instances and because of this, one is not necessarily better than the other. It is, however, recommended to have one of each of these functions on each floor of your home and in high-risk areas such as the kitchen or near fireplaces or heating appliances.

To ensure your family’s safety, it is recommended to check your smoke alarm once a month. In order to do so, you can simply push the test button on the smoke alarm. If it does not sound the alarm, you should check the battery and replace it immediately. You could also light a match near the smoke alarm to ensure that it is functioning at top performance.

For more tips and assistance with your smoke alarm maintenance, contact one of our electricians at Expert Electric – 604.681.8338.

Whether you have recently moved into a new home or have decided to remodel, there is one thing most people do not consider until it is too late: the placement of the light switches in each room. While it may seem like a miniscule worry, having practical and accessible light switches in your home can actually make a huge difference. Although some light switch positions may never make sense– who put that switch behind the door, anyway?– one of the main reasons many homeowners are interested in relocating light switches is because the intended usage for each room may differ from the previous homeowner, and the purpose of each room will certainly influence the type and size of furniture in the room which may also affect lightswitch placement.

From adding a light switch to the master bedroom closet to moving a light switch outside the bathroom to inside, a residential electrician from Electrical Gurus can help with all of our house wiring issues and home electrical installation projects. And while you may feel like you have enough home repair experience to handle installing or moving a light switch, the reasons your Des Moines home has light switches in strange spots is probably because someone took a shortcut the first time. Having an experienced and licensed residential electrician will not only save you the headache from trying to undo someone else’s workaround, you will also be certain that the job is done properly and up to local electric codes. Contact us online today or call Electrical Gurus at 515-446-7040 for help with relocating your light switches.