How many times have you looked at your electric bill and felt “dizzy”? Solar Energy For Residential applications can provide an incredible relief from this monthly occurrence. Costs for photovoltaic cells, also known as solar panels, have drastically decreased over the years making Solar Energy For Residential applications a much more viable solution. Now your Indoor Generator, which allows you to store your own produced energy and program it to use that electricity when you want it, whether it be in an emergency or to avoid peak usage charges, highly cost effective solar panels can be installed in areas that you may not have thought were possible. Whether you want a solar panel that is easily portable and storable, like these www.electricmaninc.com or call us at 972-792-7270!

The holidays are nearly here, which means it's time to string up the lights. And while it doesn't take an electrician to get that job done, it doesn't hurt to think like an electrician - especially when it comes to safety.

Whenever you're using electricity, heat-producing lighting and power cords, it's a good idea to observe some basic precautions to avoid accidental shock, burns, fire and tripping hazards. This and every holiday decorating season, observe these simple tips for a safe and festive experience:

Inspect and Test

Before putting up any electrical holiday decorations, take time to thoroughly inspect them for damage. If you find frayed wires or signs of melted plastic, don't use those decorations - throw them away and replace them. If they appear to be in good condition, test them before hanging them up. There's nothing more frustrating than stringing up a strand of lights only to find out it's a dud!

Upgrade Your Lights

If your lights are showing signs of wear or you just feel it's time for an upgrade, consider switching to LEDs if you haven't already. LEDs are not only brighter and more energy efficient, they're safer because they produce almost no heat.

No Dry Trees

If you have a live tree, be sure to give it plenty of water. A dry tree can burn quickly, and any significant source of heat could pose a serious fire risk. Be especially careful to hydrate your tree if you're using lights, and never allow candles in the area of your tree stand.

Careful With the Cords

Be deliberate about where you run all cords and wires, including strands of lights. Never run cords across walking paths, as this can create an unsafe tripping hazard. You should also never run cords under rugs or through doorways, as this can cause damage that could lead to electrical shock or fire.

Stay on Your Feet

If you need a ladder to hang your lights, have a friend hold the ladder and act as a spotter. Wear non-slip shoes and make sure your ladder is locked into position on a level surface before climbing.

Right Lights for the Job

Most strands of lights are rated for either indoor or outdoor use. Indoor lights are not designed to withstand all-weather conditions, and in the worst-case scenario, using them outdoors can lead to electrical shock or a fire.

Any homeowner can observe these smart tips, but they might not address all of your holiday decorating challenges. If you find that you need new outlets installed to make your lighting scheme a reality, reach out to your licensed, local electricians while there's still time to decorate!

Find Stunning Game Room Lighting to Compliment Your Home’s Style

Ceiling lighting, in a game room should coordinate and compliment the rest of your home’s interior space.  Game room lighting can also be fun and a bit whimsical without going overboard too.  At Capitol Lighting, we can show you how to successfully coordinate your game room lighting with the rest of your home’s style.  We can also show you hundreds of ceiling lighting styles that coordinate perfectly above a pool table, bar island or even a retro pinball machine!  

Wiring, cabling, and NM cable (romex) have changed over the years.  Depending on the age of your home it will most likely represent the type of wiring you have throughout your walls, ceilings, and floors.  Have one of our trained professionals identify the type and condition of the wiring in your home.  Older homes can have knob and tube wiring, cloth covered, and various PVC coated types of wiring.  Our electricians can perform an “electrical rewire” eliminating old and outdated and even dangerous wiring.  Like most things in life wiring can have a life span also.  People often take for granted the condition of the wiring in there home.  Only noting the condition of the old wiring when something happens or its to late. Take the time have your homes wiring inspected from one of our licensed electricians that specialize in old wiring.

Do you live in an older home with original wiring?  Chances are your home does not have the necessary circuits and ampacity to handle todays electrical demands.  Modern day demands were not figured in your homes original electrical plans.  Your wiring may have not been planed for dishwashers, high powered microwaves, garbage disposals, powerful vacuum motors, and all the electronics, lighting, and gadgets we have in our homes today.  Without the proper dedicated circuits, your homes wiring can be come overloaded.  Combine overloaded wiring with outdated fuses, breakers boxes and you have a set up for disaster.  Many older breaker type boxes do not trip or stop the flow of electricity at proper level or ampacity.  If you have a circuit that has had an appliance added to it or is generally just overloaded. The breaker may be allowing to much current to go through the wiring causing it to heat up and bake the wires insulation over time.  This heating of the cable can make the insulation on the wire become brittle even crack which can lead to a short circuit or spark causing a fire.

Our electricians can provide you with a safe and cost effective solution to your homes older wiring.  Our electricians are experts at electrical rewires and specialize in older homes.  They have many specialized tools and unique tools designed to get to wiring to the necessary places without damaging your homes walls or ceilings.  Tools such as wall cameras, fish rods, magnetic wire pullers, fish tapes, and wire tracers can be used to perform electrical rewires more efficiently and safely then ever before.  We can pull the proper permits for any city or county in the state of Iowa.  If you live in Des Moines, Ankney, Norwalk, West Des Moines, Altoona, Indianola, Ames, Grimes, Johnston or any Des Moines metro city we can help you with your homes electrical wiring every step of the way.

Common Residential Wiring Problems

There are many wiring problems that your home can encounter throughout the years. Any residential wiring problems in Chester County, PA require immediate attention. While there are a variety of problems your home can experience, here are some of the more common code violations that could result in worse problems later on.

Junction Box Uncovered

Wires connect to one another at the splices which are housed in the junction box. Without a cover, wires could accidentally be damaged or someone could be shocked. This is a code violation and is a danger if wires are within reach. A new cover for the box is inexpensive.

Flickering Lights

If you notice your electrical lights flickering when it is windy outside, your home probably has frayed wiring in the weather-head which causes a short when the cables move. The weather-head is the fitting where overhead cables from the power line enter the house. This is a major danger, as it can arc and result in a fire. This is a problem that needs to be addressed by your electric utility provider.

Lack of Electrical Outlets

If your home has too few outlets, you are relying on power strips and extension cords. This results in minimal risks as long as you use extension cords that are 14-gauge or more, meaning they are heavy duty. Undersized cords can overheat and cause a fire, so it is wise to go ahead and have a professional electrician install additional electrical outlets.

Failing to have GFCIs

Ground-fault circuit interrupters (GCFIs) can shut down a circuit fast, within 4 milliseconds. While this is grandfathered in and is not a code violation. Codes for newer homes require GFCIs on all outdoor outlets, basement and garage outlets and within four feet of any sink. If your home does not have any GFCIs, you should add them to ensure safety.