By: Jason Lee

It’s that time of year again. Everyone is making resolutions, turning over a new leaf, and looking to make this year better than the last. Make this year great by making sure the leaf you’re turning over is green and consider solar power and the benefits it could bring to your home and/or business. 

Solar power is a popular form of renewable energy that helps keep the planet clean. Oil, gas, and coal will produce energy, but require manpower to refine it into a usable form. With solar power, as long the sun is around, you have power. Solar power can be used for many things around the home or office, including generating heat and electricity and it’s great for indoor and outdoor lighting. In fact, the installation of solar powered outdoor pathway lights is one of the easiest ways to use solar energy in your home or business. One of the best uses of solar power is heating water. Homes that have hot tubs or swimming pools should consider looking into heating them with the help of solar power. Due to low operating costs of the solar power, it is very cost effective.

Benefits to solar power include the slowing of global warming, saving homeowners money, energy reliability, and energy security. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, home values rise an average of $20 for every one dollar of reduction in the annual utility bill. Another great thing about going green this year is that it will continue for years to come. By switching to solar power, homeowners may be eligible for tax credits, rebates or other incentives, and you will be reducing the amount of environmental impact you have on the planet.

So start the new-year off right by looking to make this year and the years to come a brighter and cleaner place not just by turning over a new leaf, but by making sure that leaf you turn over is green.

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When it comes to step lights, there are several light sources to consider. infographic you can use to brush up your light bulb identification and selection skills. If you want to see how LED compares to other common light sources, use the infographic as you choose your step lights. Knowing what light source you prefer will make your decision easier.

2. Type of Installation

If you are considering getting a spa installed on your property, there are a number of aspects that need to be taken into account in order ensure that the feature is safe and functions properly. After all, a spa has a lot of water and moisture and electrical safety is something you can’t overlook in this space. Here are a few helpful spa wiring and installation tips:

When you buy your new spa, you need to ensure that you have all the necessary permits required for the installation. Most local councils require special authorization for all exterior electrical circuits as well as for any new construction (in case you decide to build a shade structure to cover the spa). In addition, there may be some other requirements that you’ll have to follow, like positioning the spa in a specific location etc.

When choosing a foundation for your spa feature, you should choose a place that will have proper drainage when it rains. If you are planning on installing your spa on an existing patio or deck, you should ensure the structure is solid enough to bear the weight of the water and the spa itself as well as the people that will use it. If you are planning on installing the feature on solid ground, make sure the spa is elevated on 100% foundation such as concrete and gravel.

There are several different types of spa models you can choose from, and, while these may all be unique in styling and build, most spas are built to run at different usage and power levels. Here are a few points to keep in view:

It’s important to remember while enjoying the summer weather, while outside or around the home, that there could be a variety of electrical hazards lingering. While not obvious at first, these issues could cause very serious (and potentially fatal) injury through electric shock. Our team at Expert Electric has created a list of common outdoor and indoor hazards to be aware of this summer.

Stay away from power lines with your body, toys, sticks, or anything an electrical current could travel down. Power lines transport extremely high voltage electrical energy. Venturing too close to a power line can create an opportunity for the electricity to flow to your body or object resulting in serious injury. If you see a fallen power line, call 911 immediately.

Ensure all your outdoor electrical receptacles around the exterior of your home or shed are covered, clean and dry. If water or dirt enters the outlet it can result in electrical surges and shocks when the outlet is next used. Receptacle covers can be purchased at most home renovation retail stores.

Keep all power cords, string lights and electrical devices away from ponds, swimming pools, hot tubs or sprinklers. Summer can lend itself to a lot of splashing and water flying through the air. If water comes into contact with an electrical device there is a high risk of electrical shock. Do your best to keep electrical devices at a distance from the pool and water fights.

Ensure that you have GFCI’s (ground fault circuit interrupter) outlets installed in certain areas of your home – namely rooms with running water mainly (bathroom, kitchen, garage, basement, pool rooms, etc.). These outlets can prevent electrical shock from happening with specially designed safety mechanisms.

In an emergency, know where your circuit breakers are and how to turn them off safely. When a panicked situation occurs, it can be easy to become confused and flustered. If you are knowledgeable interacting with your circuit breaker you will be more confident in the event of an emergency.

Before plugging in a fan, make sure that it is clean and there are no wires frayed or damaged. Occulting fans are often stored for most of the year. During storage power cords can become damaged and electrical wires exposed. Exposed wires leave you vulnerable to electrical shock when the fan is plugged in again.

Be sure to have any portable air conditioning units securely positioned and electrical cords tucked away. These are tripping hazards that can lead to either electrical shock or a heavy unit falling down. It’s also important to follow the manufacturers instructions on maintaining and servicing the unit to prevent damage to the home’s electrical system and personal injury.

It is important to be aware of potential electrical hazards in order to identify and avoid them. Our team of trained and licensed electricians are happy to help you ensure your home and family are safe from electrical hazards. If you would like more information on electrical safety tips to be aware of during the summer or general, contact Expert Electric today at 604-681- 8338.