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Surge protection is essential for many U.S. homes since it is an inexpensive way to guard against electric surges and lightning strikes that can damage your electrical gear. However, surge protectors are not all the same. Here are 5 things you should know about surge protection and electrical safety before you start shopping for a surge protector.

1. Power Strips Are Not Necessarily Surge Protectors

Power strips are not the same as surge protectors. Power strips comes equipped with an overload device of some type but not necessarily surge protection. However, it does not mean that surge-protected power strips have to be expensive. It is possible to find very affordable and high-quality power strips that still protect your electrical devices from surges.

2. It is All About the Joules

Surge protectors provide protection in amounts known as joules. A joule is a unit of energy used for measuring power. Surge protectors always have an amount of joules indicated specifying the level of protection they offer. For example, a power strip that offers 200 joules of surge protection can protect from either one large 200-joule surge or ten 20-joule surges. Generally, the higher the number of joules, the better. Before choosing a surge protector, you need to think of how you plan to be using it, the level of protection you require, and the equipment that you will be plugging in.

3. What Does Warranty Refer to?

Some surge-protected power strips come with a warranty up to a particular level. For instance, if your surge protector has a $50,000 Connected Equipment Warranty, it means that should your electrical equipment be damaged from a lightning strike, spike, or surge while attached to the surge protector, you could be granted replacements or repairs up to $50,000.

4. Check the Amps Particularly for USBs

Surge protected power strips that come with USB port should be checked for their charging capabilities. The output amp rating is what defines how optimal your devices can be charged while plugged in. It is generally either 1 or 2 amps, but the higher the USB charging capacity, the quicker you will be able to charge your devices.

5. Power Spikes Are Not Reserved for Electric Wires

Cable and telephone lines can carry power surges too. If you need complete protection, you need to find a surge protector with connectors for these too. You really have no reason for failing to use a surge protector for your telephone and cable lines. They are a cheap, preventative solution to what could be a costly incident. Here is a news story from Austin where dozens of homeowners had problems with power surges and lost thousands of dollars. Their issues mainly stood with the power company but precautions were taken by many to better protect their valuables.

The Bottom Line is you really have no reason not to get a surge protector. The extent to which you need it will vary. If you live in an area with many thunderstorms, your electrical equipment is more susceptible to experiencing power surges. This article has listed 5 things you need to know about surge protection. Now that you know how important surge protection is, you need to think about getting it in your home and office to protect your electrical gear. Get a consultation about your electrical system from our before it’s too late you and lose power for an extended period of time because of the lack of surge protect.

One of the important fixed costs when it comes to any home is the electric bill that arrives monthly. The requirement of keeping these costs controlled are something that is in most cases a significant burden to any person that struggles with their monthly budget. This is the reason that the concept behind lighting that is energy efficient makes a lot of sense.

Dependent of the actual scope of these changes installation for home lighting is also best served by using qualified and professional electricians to deal with these jobs. The reason for this is that these contractors have extensive knowledge of how these projects work.

For the majority of homeowners, standard types of incandescent bulbs which evolved from the previous days associated with Thomas Edison are now not just impractical but are also difficult to find. To replace these outdated bulbs, there are now 2 specific options that deliver energy-efficient lighting types which bring about far more value.

The Compact Fluorescent Lighting

For homeowners on a limited budget, these are the types of installations regarded as the more affordable option. One of the values associated with using CFL (Compact Fluorescent Lighting) bulbs is associated with that there is no decrease in the light they produce. However, you will enjoy an approximate 60% reduction in energy compared to the standard incandescent bulbs.

Adding up the yearly current energy costs along with the decrease in this percentage is able to translate into real savings. One of the important factors with this type of lighting installation is to consider the time amount that a standard bulb will last and then multiply this time frame by 10. This gives you an estimate on the time-frame to expect before replacing them.

Given these benefits, the one drawback of the CFL bulbs is there costs in comparison to the incandescent types. However, it is important to keep in mind that every CFL bulb lasts far longer then standard bulbs that require replacement more frequently.

Light Emitting Diode Lighting

You can experience far more saving when you decided to invest in LED (Light Emitting Diode) lighting. With this type of lighting installation, you can expect a decrease of around 85% on your monthly bills in comparison to what the standard bulbs are able to deliver. In addition, these bulbs last 35 times longer than the standard bulbs.

In certain areas of your home, lighting may be more at risk for breaking. An easy way to decrease these risks is to use LED’s. LED’s offer increased durability and still maintain the correct lighting capacities along with a far lower energy-rate.

The sole disadvantage when it comes to LED lights has to do with the costs. These bulbs are even more costly than the CFLs. However, when you take into consideration their long lifespan along with the increase in energy-savings, the benefits far outweigh the initial investment making this lighting installation an extremely viable choice. Replacing light bulbs is a minor cost to complete when remodeling your home and electrical systems. Greater efficiency will offset the costs of changing out the bulbs from old incandescent bulbs.

There are some electrical fixes and jobs that you can do yourself. Most electrical upgrades or remodeling jobs require the help of an experienced, licensed electrician. Electricity is dangerous to work around and electrical system should be left to the professionals. Some projects that need a professional electrician are upgrading your home’s wiring, upgrading your electrical panel, and installing light fixtures.

It will cost money to hire an electrician, but remember that this can save you money, time and frustration later on. It can also save you from hurting yourself. Most electricians charge a fee for estimating the remodeling work. This fee is rolled into the final estimate. The cost of the job varies due to the supplies and materials needed as well as the time the job takes. It pays to compare electrician services and their costs even if it means spending money to get an estimate.

Get the work done right. You will be able to enjoy your home, the new upgrades and additions all the more. When a licensed and insured electrical contractor has

done the work for you, be assured everything will work properly and will be safe. This puts money back into your pocket because it translates into added value to

your home and the investment you have put in it.

Upgrading Wiring

Whether you are remodeling an old home or your existing home has outdated wiring, you need the help of an electrician. Rewiring a home is an extensive job and it is dangerous. It has to be left to a professional who not only knows how to do the work, they know how to do the work up to local codes. If you want to add a security system, a computer networking system or a home entertainment system, a professional electrical contractor can help.

Panel Upgrades

If you have an existing panel that is not supplying enough power or you have bought a home with an older one, contact a qualified electrician to install a new panel. Panels come in different amp capacities. Your electrician will install one with the correct amp to get your home’s electrical operating without any more tripping or outages.

Some boxes must be replaced completely. If your electrician suggests this, listen to them. Poorly functioning boxes can cause fires.

Install Light Fixtures

Light fixtures can be expensive to have installed but it is because it includes the price of the fixture. A professional will gauge whether the fixtures can be sustained with the existing panels and breakers or if they need to be upgraded.

Hiring professional help is expensive but it is worth it for safety’s sake as well as for the quality of the work that is done. Reputable electrical contractors will give accurate estimates and let you know if any factors might impact those estimates. There are some jobs you can do yourself, but always leave the upgraded wiring, panel upgrades and light fixture installation to the experts.

Electrical Safety Tips For Power Tools

If you’re doing construction work or anything with power tools, you have to be safe. Electrical safety and more are types of safety that can help keep you from harm. In extreme cases if you’re not careful you could end up in the hospital or worse!

Safety is a big part of what makes or breaks a job you’re doing. If you are in charge of a job site and you don’t give people enough safety equipment, then you may be responsible for them if something were to go wrong. You need to always get more safety equipment than you’ll need instead of getting just enough. That’s because something could break or there could be another issue with what you have. It’s best to be prepared with extras and that way there is no excuse for anyone to not use the right safety equipment when doing anything.

Even if you feel like safety tools look foolish, they could still save your life. It’s not a fashion contest when doing work so don’t think too much about what you look like when working with tools. They even make some safety equipment with different designs on it if this is something that bothers you. If you’re not willing to look a little silly by wearing the right equipment, then you shouldn’t use tools. There are just so many things that can go wrong, and they are all a lot worse than wearing goggles and other equipment when you don’t want to.

Look at what is one the tool you’re using when you buy it. There are generally instructions and information that come with tools that tell you how to use them properly. If you want to be on top of what works well and what not to do then this is good information to follow. Some people think that it’s okay to just ignore what they read about a tool but that’s never that good of an idea. It’s a lot smarter to follow all warnings and not end up getting yourself hurt or breaking your tool.

A lot of safety is a matter of watching where you’re going when moving around. If you’re, for instance, on a roof then you need to look all around you before you

move. Also, if you’re working with other people that are using tools, wait until you can hear that they are off before you go near them. It can help to ask if someone is done using a tool so you don’t have to walk by and hope that is the case. If you hear a tool being used off and on, then tell the person using it that you’ll be walking by.

Being safe when using power tools and doing construction will keep you alive. Not only that, but it helps you to not waste money on breaking your tools. The more cautious you can be, the better off things will go for you when doing anything requiring power tools.

Do you need to update your electrical outlets, wiring, or both? Completing an upgrade can be both a messy and costly task to undergo. However, when it comes to any kind of electrical component it is necessary to replace these as soon as possible for the safety of your family. Having an up-to-date electrical system in your home can increase the property value as well as keep you safe.

A strong indicator that you are in need of either new outlets or wiring is usually the loss of power. In most cases, you may notice that the power is weaker than it should be. This is a sign that some of the electrical components have become worn out. This can also be harmful to sensitive electronics such as computers and televisions, for example. The old standard for household electrical outlets used to be 60 amps. Today it is 200 amps due to the higher demand for power that modern technology requires. If your home is over 40 years old then you are probably due for a complete upgrade, meaning wiring and outlets.

Older homes are only equipped to handle the lower electrical loads. To be able to handle the much larger loads of today’s needs you will have to have it all replaced. This means that it will cost a little more to have this done, and you will be without power for a short amount of time. The electrician will have to open up the walls and remove all wiring and other components of the system. Next, they will have to replace these components with new up-to-date materials. This means that you will be paying for the cost of the electrician’s time, materials, and repairs for the replacements.

Having the wiring and outlets replaced is something to plan for if you see a drop in power and do not want to risk damage to your electronics. Adding value and safety are only two of the benefits that you will receive. You can also start saving more money on energy bills if you have the job done right and ask for any and all energy saving components necessary to be more efficient. No matter if you are planning to stay in the home or sell this is a good investment for everyone involved.

In conclusion, lots of companies offer replacements like the ones we mentioned in this article. If you need to update your electrical outlets and wiring, be sure to compare rates and browse reviews. Finding what services are offered in your area will also give you a better understanding of what the potential cost may be. If you are seeing either loss of power, such as electronics and appliances running weaker than they should or you can feel the wires getting hot in the attic or basement, then you should look into having your wiring and outlets updated. Wiring heating up can be a very bad sign so do not wait if you notice this is occurring. Getting your updates completed as soon as possible will save you money in the long run and keep you safe.