Christmas is upon us again and more than any other time of year, it’s the time of year where people put strain on their electrical system.  The lights on your house and the beautiful decorations you’ve been storing in your attic finally are brought out and plugged in for your friends and neighbors to view and appreciate.  And, of course, the vast majority of homes you visit have at least one Christmas tree.  Since most of these things are electrical, it’s probably not a surprise to you that, as a top Dallas electrician, I start getting a lot of calls this time of year.  Though it’s always nice to have the business with Christmas so close, I thought it’d be great to share with ways to avoid wiring problems with your Christmas decorations this year:

             In general, there are a few important tips that can help you avoid wiring problems.  If your lights look frayed or dangerous, they should always be replaced or repaired before using them, frayed wiring are hazardous.  You should take care that your electrical source is safe before you even begin the installation process.  To avoid the potential for overloads, you should have dedicated circuits installed for your holiday decorations.

Most importantly, you should never try to supply power for your lights without contacting a top Dallas electrician to help you install the necessary equipment and make the necessary safety precautions.  Short cuts are potentially dangerous. I can remember one example where a customer had supplied power to their lights by splicing an extension cord directly into their circuit breaker box!  Even worse, they’d shut the breaker box door, pinching the cabling!  Left unchecked, even if this hadn’t started a fire, damage from a power surge or overload could have easily destroyed their whole breaker, meaning they’d have to spend thousands to repair the damage at the absolute worst time of year!

Are lights on your dorm room checklist? They should be.

College dorm rooms are not known for their style and charm. They serve but one purpose for the budding student – a place to study and (occasionally) sleep. Equipped with little more than a bed and a desk, an empty dorm room requires some essential supplies. I’ve put together a list of several different types of lights — some fun and some functional — that need to make it on your back-to-school checklist.

The ever-popular rear bike light from REI that will at least make you more visible when cycling across campus at night, just not nearly as awesome as synchronized LED bike tires.

Shop for Dorm Room Lights

Now that winter is around the corner and the temperature is already dropping, the heating bills will start to increase. Here are a few ways you can keep down your expenses this season.

Using electrical space heaters will also help you control the heating expenses. Electrical space heaters are a cheap way to heat only the rooms that you are using. They will be more efficient then turning up the thermostat for the whole house, but don’t leave them running all day. Just make sure that you keep your heaters away from curtains and furniture, and keep any children or pets from burning themselves.

For more information or any questions contact your local Expert Electric.

By: Kellie Pearson

The future looks bright here at Mr. Electric®, and we hope the same for you! As you are mentally preparing for the New Year ahead, maybe you are planning your goals and resolutions for personal development and improvement. This video by our president, Joel Worthington, is sure to motivate you to achieve them. We also want to encourage you to consider your home’s development and improvement, too!

When you think about your home’s electrical system, what can be improved? What can be replaced and updated? We have put together five tips to help you get started on getting your home’s electrical system in tip-top shape for the New Year. 

Although they initially cost higher, LED Energy Star qualified bulbs end up paying for themselves in energy savings in about 10 years. They use 75 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs and last 35 to 50 times longer. Plus, they offer more peace of mind since they emit very little heat, decreasing the threat of an electrical fire, and are much more durable, so they won’t shatter all over the floor. They’re also guaranteed for three years minimum, which is above and beyond the industry standard, so you’ll save on maintenance costs as well as energy costs. Basically, there’s no excuse not to get them!

Did you know that you’re technically supposed to do this every month? Not many consumers actually do this, but a new year is a great time to put this to practice and schedule it along with your other monthly home maintenance routines. You’ll find these outlets in moisture-prone areas such as the kitchen and bathroom as the current National Electrical Code requires. Simply press the test/reset button and make sure the outlets trip and resent correctly. If they are malfunctioning, call your local Mr. Electric to have them replaced to reduce electrocution risk.

Replacing the batteries should be done at least once a year, and both of the detectors should be tested monthly to ensure proper functionality. And speaking of replacing, how old are your detectors? Remember that smoke detectors need to be replaced every 10 years. Depending upon the model, older model carbon monoxide detectors should be replaced every three years, and the newer ones, every 5-6 years. Make safety a priority for your home and get this done!

Power surges can enter your home unexpectedly during a stormy night, a random power company disruption or operation of a heavy-duty electrical appliance. They destroy electronic devices in their path and at times cause fires as well. It is unfortunate when your Mac or PC dies, but even more so when your photos, documents, music and other personal content are lost along with it as well. To reduce damage from power surges, have a whole house surge protector installed by your local Mr. Electric at the panel and additionally multi-outlet power strip surge protection for delicate circuitry, telephone and cable lines. This will ensure both main zone as well as secondary zone surge protection to absorb any excess power that seeps through the primary protection.

This can be done in a variety of ways: turning lights out after you leave a room, unplugging and turning off electrical devices when not in use and ensuring lighting and appliances are Energy Star qualified. Perhaps you can create a friendly family competition to see who can use the least amount of electricity, or even consider looking into installing a solar energy system for your home. Whatever you choose to do, remember that you can also call your local Mr. Electric to perform an energy audit for your home to ensure its electrical system is operating at maximum efficiency.

We hope you find these tips helpful to make your home’s electrical system the best and brightest it can be, and we wish you a Happy New Year from all of us at Mr. Electric!

Show off your style and freedom of choice with superb outdoor hanging lanterns and light fixtures from “All American” home lighting and furnishing vendors.

Hanover Lantern, Hubbardton Forge and Northeast Lantern feature outstanding designs manufactured exclusively in the USA and infused with American pride.

HANOVER LANTERN

Hanover Lantern with roots near historic Gettysburg, Pennsylvania brings in the endearing elements of small town USA.  Trusted Old World values live on in their custom made-to-order outdoor lighting compositions.

Hanover Lantern’s commitment to creating an American-made, quality product is highlighted in their cast aluminum outdoor lighting products and accompanied by superb accessories, including mailboxes and address signs. Featured on the finest homes, businesses and resorts throughout the United States and Canada, Hanover Lantern is now a Philips Company.

Philips Company, the largest lighting manufacturer in the world, has put their name behind Hanover Lantern and lives up to their slogan: “Tailor Made to Fit Your Style.”

HUBBARDTON FORGE

Hubbardton Forge Lighting fosters an environment infused with collaborative energy as designers, engineers and craftspeople work side by side free to connect, explore and create.

Housing “The Modern American Blacksmiths,” Hubbardton Forge is the oldest and largest commercial forge in the country with a team of over 200 people creating hand-forged compositions infused with timeless beauty and artistry.

A company that is accessible and always responsive to special design requests and individual decorating requirements, Hubbardton’s strong commitment to outstanding design and the development of energy-efficient lighting solutions is showcased in every piece.

Structural integrity in heavy gauge steel, durable finishes, hand-welded arms and shafts, and premium grade internal components ensure products last for generations.

Pioneers of environmental cleanliness and innovative manufacturing processes, Hubbardton light fixtures are composed of raw steel from a high percentage of recycled materials and a state-of-the-art powder coating finish free of hazardous waste and toxic chemicals associated with liquid finishes.

Resistant to rust and corrosive elements, creative works from Hubbardton Forge Lighting lend splendid illumination to your indoor and outdoor lighting design.

In addition to awe-inspiring outdoor hanging lanterns and light fixture designs, skilled artisans at Hubbardton Forge also create unique home décor items, including mirrors and bathroom accessories.

When you own a Hubbardton Forge pendant, lamp, chandelier or outdoor hanging lantern, you own a piece of Vermont-made art of enduring value.

NORTHEAST LANTERN

Handcrafted light fixture compositions from Northeast Lantern come to light right in the state of New Hampshire.  Light fixture designers and craftsmen are trained by the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services to present a finished product in a clean and green manner.

From the classic “Colonial” collection to the modernistic “Midtown” collection, light fixture designs from Northeast Lantern represent the enduring spirit of American life.

Enjoy reasonably priced outdoor lighting fixtures made of solid brass and copper from Northeast Lantern.  Northeast Lantern products are custom designed with unique variations in hand-applied natural finishes.  Outdoor hanging lanterns and light fixtures will darken and weather over time; retaining their beauty, they will never rust, peel or chip.

With the exception of glass, Northeast Lantern guarantees all products for life.

Enjoy the best of America; check out new “Boston” and “Concord” collections from Northeast Lantern.

From Generation to Generation, Hanover Lantern, Hubbardton Forge and Northeast Lantern Continue to Provide the Best

Keep your stars and stripes shining true with top quality outdoor hanging lanterns and outdoor light fixture designs.

Celebrate July Fourth Weekend with these American Beauties…

New from Northeast Lantern

The “Independence” outdoor lighting collection.

New from Hubbardton Forge

The “Modern Prairie” collection 36-5710

New from Hanover Lantern

B9976 “Four Sided Series” outdoor hanging lanterns

Visit a Capitol Lighting showroom or shop 1800lighting.com to view the finest in home lighting and accessories.  Celebrate your American pride and enjoy spirited new designs from Hanover Lantern, Hubbardton Forge and Northeast Lantern!