Energy Conscious Consultant

Danger High Voltage

High voltage systems can be very dangerous. It is described as “electrical circuits in which the voltage used is the cause of particular safety concerns and insulation requirements.”   High voltage is commonly used in electrical power distribution. There are two factors that are considered when classifying high voltage.  One is with a spark in the air.  The second is the danger of electric shock by contact or just being close.  These can refer to the voltage either between two conductors of a system or between any conductor and a ground.

Home Safety: Tamper Resistant Outlets

Home safety is always a priority. But, we sometimes go overboard. The 2008 National Electric Code came out with code for installing receptacles within your home that are designed to prevent electrical shock and other dangers. But I think kids can overcome almost anything.  Why should we get tamper resistant outlets or TRO? 

Electrical Requirements For Kitchen Appliances

Electrical requirements for kitchen appliances are listed in the National Electric Code, or NEC. When wiring a new construction house, your electrician should wire with energy efficiency in mind. Not all wiring on your house plans will be up to code or energy efficient.  An electrician must be willing to go the extra mile to improve what is stated on your plans and offer suggestions for other improvements.

Storm Season Here

Hurricane season has officially started.  It runs from June 1^st to November 31^st each year. But you don’t have to live in a hurricane zone to experience a storm.  There are tornadoes, floods, landslides, wildfires, winter storms, and much more all around the country.  There is no way to prepare for what happened with the tornado in Joplin.  According to FEMA, “Every state is at some risk from this hazard.” When the hot air on the surface hits that cool moist air in the clouds, storms are made.  There were several that hit this past month around the country but only a few caused loss of life. Sometimes advanced warning is not possible. Is there anything you can do before a storm?

Electrical Services As A Sub-Contractor

Electrical services can include new construction or additions to existing construction for residential, commercial, industrial, and marine.  Before you can move in or use that new electrical work, you need to have a local inspection to make sure it is up to code.  How do you find an electrical contractor?  If you use a general contractor, he will hire the sub-contractors.  If you sub the job out yourself, you will hire the sub-contractors yourself. 

On Demand Hot Water Heaters

OnDemand water heaters seem to be the rage lately.  Those who have them seem to like them and some want to change to them thinking they are better than what they have existing.  But consider the pros and cons of an on-demand, tankless water heater before you buy.

What is Square Foot and Linear Foot?

What is square foot?  What is linear foot?  The two are commonly confused and are calculated differently.  Linear foot is whatever the width of that piece that you are buying like 2 ft wide or 6 ft wide.   For instance, look at lumber. You buy lumber in linear foot, a 2’ x 4’, or a 2’ x 6”.  It’s a flat measurement and you are not measuring the space.   A square foot is per square meaning 1 by 1 by 1. It’s length by width.  You don’t calculate square foot and linear foot the same way.  Linear foot includes measuring length while square foot takes in length and width.  Here are 3 examples to see how they are measured.

Hurricane Damage Raised Safety Requirements

Storm damage has caused an increase in building codes.  The state’s requirement for high wind and weather conditions states their requirements for making houses safer by adding high wind clips, which are rafter ties, and other metal straps for houses.  These extras will add to the cost on a house.  Time and materials will cost homeowners money because of installation.  These straps do tie down the roof better. I am for having to do this procedure for extra protection against my house not blowing away in the storm.  But how many houses got blown away during Hurricane Katrina and not lifted away from water damage. Many lakefront houses were houses that water picked up and moved, not by wind damage.  Wind damage was very little damage. Most of the damage occurred to houses were due to trees that fell on a house because of the wind.

Florescent Lights: Women More Sensitive

Florescent lighting for homes and businesses has improved over the years.  But I have found in my experience that florescent lighting bothers some people. When I wired houses, most men didn’t care about the lighting and what kind it was.  Women were specific about what they wanted – and it wasn’t florescent. Women constantly asked for recessed cans throughout their house.   Florescent is probably one of the most efficient lights there is on the market, next to LED.

Christmas Tree Light Safety

Christmas is the time for lights and decorations.  When hanging up your Christmas lights, there are a few tips you need to remember.  It’s good to have outdoor lighting plugged into a GFI receptacle.  The GFI can trip if moisture occurs within the circuit causing dangerous shorts.  I know outdoor lighting is rated for outdoors but they should still be plugged in to a GFI.