Even though the summer brings high temperatures, don’t let it bring high electric bills with it as well. Did you know that you could find huge savings on your electric bill in your attic? With functioning attic ventilators, savings can be yours. Let the experts at Mr. Electric® help you understand what method will be of greatest benefit to you.

Brad Richards with Mr. Electric of Tucson offers his expert opinion on attic ventilators and will explain how to save money on your electric bill in the summertime.

Mr. Electric: What exactly does an attic ventilator do?

Brad Richards: An attic ventilator fan is essential in the summer because it evacuates the hot air that accumulates during the day from the attic and draws air in from the outside. Think of it as a means of cycling the trapped air out with fresh air from the outside. It ensures that the temperature of the air in the attic is closer to the air temperature outside. With stagnant air, the sunlight on the roof heats the air inside the attic greatly. It is best to evacuate that hot air in the summertime so that you can save money on your cooling. If you’re air conditioning unit (A/C) is running and you don’t have a functioning attic ventilator, your attic is acting like a radiant heater while you’re A/C is trying to cool the room at the same time. Essentially, they are working against each other and costing you more money.

Mr. Electric: What are the different types of attic ventilators?

Brad Richards: There are two types. One of them is a roof-top unit that draws air directly out through the roof and pushes outside air into the attic to regulate the temperature. The other type is a 120-watt gable fan system. This system consists of one fan that blows air into the attic and another fan that blows air outside, creating airflow that is constant to reduce the temperature in the attic. The gables are triangular in shape and are located on opposite ends from each other on the sides of the attic.

With both types of ventilation systems, there is a solar option. The system that we recommend most often is the roof-top solar fan. Hot air rises and the fan tends to pull the air up and out of the attic, while both gable openings are open for the fresh air to come in. This is the most efficient and best money saver because when the sun comes up, the solar cells power the fan and the fan speeds up the more the sun becomes more direct. Then, when the sun goes down, it naturally turns itself off because there’s no more direct sunlight on the attic.

Mr. Electric: What are the benefits of a homeowner installing an attic ventilator?

Brad Richards: The number-one benefit of having an attic ventilator in the summer is you are able to keep your home cooler for less money. Solar-powered fans offer an even higher return on investment because you aren’t paying for electricity to run the fan. Using natural sunlight to cool your attic is a great way for homeowners to save money in the process.

Mr. Electric: Do you have any additional tips or recommendations?

Brad Richards: Regardless of whether you choose roof-top vents, gable fans, or solar powered fans, any home in the summer would benefit from attic ventilation. In other words, if you have an attic, there is a benefit to having ventilation.

For more information about attic ventilators and how they can benefit you, your home and your wallet, check out this article from the experts at Mr. Electric. 

Electric cars are the wave of the future as gas prices continue to skyrocket. More and more people are realizing the benefits to owning an electric car and trading in their gas guzzlers in favor of one of these cars that requires charging before it will result in any real savings. Charging stations are becoming more popular, but for the most part, people will need to charge their cars at home. Which brings up another issue—can you plug an electric car charger into your existing outlets?

While the immediate answer is yes, there are a couple of things you need to take into consideration before you unplug the radio in your garage and plug in your car charger. Depending on how you answer the following questions, you may need an electrician in Pasadena.

1-Is the outlet capable of handling a charger? This will depend on the kind of charger you have purchased for your car. The chargers commonly used at home will require a 240-volt outlet. This is probably not something you currently have in your garage. You will likely need the services of an electrician. Pasadena residents can rely on The Electric Connection to install a new outlet dedicated to charging your car.

2-Is the outlet reliable and in good working condition? This is typically not something you can verify simply by looking at the outlet. If the breaker trips when your charger is operating, it is a good indicator you need the help of a professional. Considering how much the charging stations cost, and not to mention the cost of your home, it is best to have an electrician come out and do an electrical inspection to ensure the outlet can handle the charging station. You do not want to risk an electrical fire due to a faulty outlet.

5-pin SPDT (single pole, double throw) automotive relay.

Relays are essentially two parts in one package. The first part is an inductive coil (pins 85 and 86). This coil is the “trigger” function of the relay. By applying both a positive (+) and ground (-) to the contacts, current passes through the coil. When current passes through the coil, a magnetic field is generated and moves the switch (the arrow in the diagram). This is where the second part of the relay comes into play.

The second part of the relay is the “switch.” The switch has three interface contacts—common, normally closed, and normally open. “Normally” refers to the state of the relay not being energized.

While relays can be used for virtually any task, there are some very useful, simple applications for adding LED lighting to a vehicle. Please note that this wiring only pertains to the relay—not the wires in the vehicle. Before interfacing with a wire in a vehicle, always ensure you test the wire with a digital multimeter first to confirm circuit function.

Positive Switching

Positive switching is used for applications where the “trigger” for your switch or circuit is positive. This could be an ignition, brake, or reverse light wire for example.  This could be used for applications such as off-road light bars, work lights, additional brake lights, and other exterior lighting.

Negative Switching

Negative switching is used for applications where the “trigger” for your switch or circuit is negative. Negative triggers are often found in door, hatch, and trunk triggers as well as many interior switches. This could be used for applications such as footwell lighting, truck bed lighting, under-hood lighting, and other interior lighting.

Switch Activated With Ignition Override

This is useful for applications where you want to turn your light on or off with a switch but only want the light to remain on when the car is running or key is in the “ignition” position. The main advantage to this is—even if the switch is left on—the light (or output circuit) will shut off when the key is turned off so that the battery will not be run down.

For technical questions, don’t hesitate to call us toll free at 866-590-3533. Our customer service and technical support teams are available from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. CDT Monday-Thursday and 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. CDT on Friday.

We know your family’s safety is important to you, but have you ensured their electrical safety? The amount of electricity running through your home has enough power to cause death if electrocuted.  Implementing a few simple tips regarding your cords and plugs, outlets, and circuit breakers could potentially prevent injuries or fires in your home.

Cords & Plugs

All your electrical appliances have cords, and being a daily item, many times we overlook any wear-and-tear that could potentially be a safety hazard to your family and home. Make it a habit to check each appliance’s cords and plugs before every use. Check your cords for any frays, cracks or kinks. If they are damaged, replace the power cord before use; such exposures could be a fire hazard.

Also, make sure to be using your cords appropriately. As much as you want to tuck away or hide your cords, never staple or nail cords in position! Try using tape or twist ties to secure your cords safely. Also, refrain from running your cords through doorways or under rugs, this could cause damage to the cord or cause overheating. Instead try using an extension cord to safely reach that desired location in your home. Although, extension cords are not intended for permanent use, this should only be a temporary solution. Consider rewiring if you are really tied to having your appliance in a specific out-of-reach position.

Outlets

Once you are confident that your cords are safe, now you need to ensure that your outlets are also safe. Every outlet should have its wires covered by a secure plate and if you have children, make sure your unused outlets are covered with a childproof cap. Avoid using multiple adaptors or power strips, which can overload your outlets and cause fire hazards. Instead, relocate your appliances to another outlet.

For outlets located near a water sources like your bathroom and kitchen, you should check to make sure that your home is equipped with a GFCI (ground-fault circuit interrupter) outlet. This is a fairly new technology of which is now mandatory in all new houses built. A GFCI will protect your family from electrical shock if it ever comes in contact with water.

Circuit Breaker

Your circuit breaker protects electrical wiring from overheating or catching fire. If too much electricity is passed through a certain fuse it will “blow;” breaking the flow of electricity. If this happens, the fuse needs to be replaced – make sure to find the right size fuse to allow the appropriate flow of electricity. Your circuit breaker should always be easily accessible and all members of your family should be aware of its location and how to use it when the time comes.

Your electrical appliances, outlets and circuit breakers are constantly changing over time so make sure to be checking them regularly. Make this a household habit for your whole family. If you notice any signs of electrical issues such as dimming or flickering lights, unusual sizzling or buzzing sounds, or if your circuit breaker is continuously tripping, call an electrician from Expert Electric at 604-681-8338. One of our experienced electricians will gladly examine your home for any electrical concerns.

Your family’s safety is our top priority!