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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Many homes, local businesses, hospitals and city buildings rely on electric generators as a backup to their main power source when there is a power outage. June is National Hurricane Preparedness Month and Mr. Electric wants to help you, your family, business and community stay safe during the hurricane season. Whether you are using a permanently placed standby electric generator or a portable electric generator used for the home, these guidelines will help you power tomorrow.

Standby electric generator:

Electric home generator:

Proper operation of electric generators will prevent damage and injury. Stay safe during National Hurricane Preparedness Month with these tips from Mr. Electric.

• True to form

• Tailored and elegant

• Clean lines and natural hues

• NEW and Exciting!

A burst of crystal, metallic ribbons, streamers and champagne glasses, if this contemporary winner from Corbett Lighting does not set the scene for a good time, you need to find a new playgroup!  Finished in Modern Silver, “Party All Night” from Corbett Lighting is cutting-edge contemporary with the fun and flair of whimsical style.

“Aleeka” from Kichler Lighting is a swirling mix of concentric circles and shaded orbs.  A fascination of motion with a Classic Pewter finish simply and elegantly defines modern-contemporary style.

“Starfire” from Maxim Lighting takes xenon illumination to the next level. Polished Chrome and Beveled Crystal deliver a sparkling exuberance that is exciting and unique.

“Barclay” from Savoy House exudes strength and an edgy, trend-setting style.  The Gilded Bronze finish, mesh drum shade and cascades of  handcrafted chain brilliantly integrate Mediterranean and industrial characteristics.

“Jennings” from Crystorama showcases classic contemporary in an intricately designed metallic shade.  The Polished Nickel geometric cutout is attractively illuminated around the crisp linen drum shade.

“Pearla” from Eurofase combines LED light sources, a polycarbonate diffuser and a hand-polished chrome finish.  Like a strand of fine pearls,  this contemporary whirl of illumination is substantial and opulent.

“Travis” from Hudson Valley presents an ultra glamorous sophistication reminiscent of the “Golden Age” of cinema and Hollywood Regency style.  Sleek and elegant, prisms of cut glass encase candle holders for a fascinating play of illumination.

“Quill” from Hubbardton Forge is a marvel of rectilinear and planar geometry with branching structures and feather-like plumes in a Vintage Platinum finish.  LEDs and infinitely adjustable horizontal or vertical cable offer a fantastic array of hanging options and lighting effects.

“Corfo” from Eurofase offers a playful visual symposium like a crystalline rainfall embedded in Chrome coils.  Decorative light sources emanate a dazzling illumination within this powerful lighting design.

“Flagship” from Access Lighting makes a show-stopping presentation.  Metal panels, robust peripheral light sources and a powerful downlight offer ideal illumination, handsomely designed with timeless, contemporary grandeur.

The Dallas Market

Professional lighting consultants from Capitol Lighting have meticulously reviewed hundreds of showrooms filled with the latest LED innovations, as well as contemporary dining room fixtures, portable lamps, outdoor lights, ceiling fans and chandeliers from elite lighting manufacturers around the world, including top vendors in the US, Europe and Asia.

Rats and mice are quite common house pests; once they find your home to be a safe place to live in and that there are different sources of food there, they will be reluctant to leave. Not only do they pose a health hazard, they also tend to cause a lot of damage to various features on your property and will chew through the insulation of your electrical wiring.

This can affect the system and impact the supply of electricity throughout your property and can be a fire hazard as well. Here are some effective tips to prevent rodent damage to the electrical wiring in your home:

Since rodents are nocturnal creatures, you won’t really see them running around your home in the daytime. However, if you are wary, you will surely hear scratching and chewing sounds in the walls of your homes. You may also hear scurrying noises coming from the attic. You should look out for nesting material or droppings and will typically find these in enclosed spaces.

It’s important to check the wiring’s insulation with regularity to ensure that it’s intact and that it hasn’t been chewed by rodents. The unfortunate part is that this isn’t something you can do for wiring behind walls. However, if you are undertaking any repairs, renovation or upgrades, take that as an opportunity to check the wiring for signs of rodent damage.

If you notice any flickering or experience power fluctuation in a certain room or part of the house, or if you find that a certain circuit breaker keeps tripping for no specific reason, get the system checked for rodent damage.

If you notice any signs of a rodent infestation, it’s important that you act without delay and take some steps to get rid of them. Buy some spring traps and rat poison from your local hardware store and set these at different places where you have seen rat droppings or heard noises. Even as you do this, it’s equally important that you also identify where these pests are entering your property from. Place the bait or poison at these points along your home’s exterior walls.

If you find the infestation to be too severe or if you aren’t too confident about using DIY rodent control measures, call a licensed electrician to inspect the wiring and check it thoroughly for damage. If they confirm that the damage has been caused by rats, it’s a good idea to call pest control professionals to handle the rodent control for you. They will provide solutions and give you advice on the steps you can take to prevent these pests from entering your property.

While the rodent control professionals will ensure that the rats are eliminated from your property, they will also advise you on how to seal all the possible rodent entry points in your home. Aside from very evident points such as doors and open windows, these pests can easily squeeze their way into the indoor spaces of your property through holes and large cracks. If the cracks are too small, they won’t shy from chewing their way in through the loose concrete of the walls.