Hopefully, you have surge protectors set up in your house to protect your electronics from power surges, or voltage spikes, that can fry your devices. Unfortunately, surge protectors won't save you from the evil cousin of a power surge -- a low voltage event, or brownout. Dimming lights in your house are a sign that you're experiencing a brownout, which over time can cause major damage to your appliances. 

Since your air conditioner is one of your most powerful appliances, any brief outage means it takes a lot of electricity to power the unit back up. To combat the problem, Direct Energy and One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating® offer the Comfort Sentry Contactor, a switching device with totally sealed contacts that goes in your AC unit. If voltage goes below a safe point or "flickers," the Contactor will automatically and safely turn the unit off — and then back on once the right amount of power is back. "In multiple dwellings, it will stagger turning power back on, one in 30 seconds, another in 5 minutes, and so on — to avoid using too much electricity all at once. It's protection built right into your home," explains Dave Borowski, spokesperson for Direct Energy. A smart homeowner will recognize this as an "ounce of prevention."

LED lights are also measured in two different ways; by their color temperature and the lumens they produce. Because they use significantly less power and are gaining in efficiency with each generation, whereas older bulbs are consistent in their wattage being representative of the amount of light put out, LED bulbs can vary in efficiency a bit more. What this means is that the bulbs are now rated by their Lumen rating, or how much light they put out, versus how much power they draw. Understanding how LEDs work and the opportunities that they present to you as a homeowner are key to helping you make a decision as to how you light your home.

Over the years standards for building homes have improved to offer more safety and reliability. Unfortunately, there are still homes out there with old electrical wiring in them that could cause electrical hazards. These old wiring types (knob and tub wiring) should be replaced as they can result in extensive damage to your home over time if not properly taken care of. Know what to look for in your home and upgrade your wiring.

There are several common signs that can indicate your home’s wiring may be old and out-dated. If you notice these issues occurring in your home, it may be time to contact an electrician and have a home electrical inspection. Common signs are:

Knob and wiring tubing can be found in homes built around 50 years ago. If properly maintained, knob and wire tubing can be safely used in your home. But often over the years the wiring can begin to crack and break down leading to exposed wires. Because of the age of the wiring it often will not reach current code and can prevent your home from being insured in some cases. Overtime knob and wire tubing can heat up and requires sufficient air space around the wiring. Any contact with insulation or wood can result in a fire.

In some cases you could experience some of the issues listed above and you don’t have knob and wire tubing. In many cases, when a home was originally built it was brought up to correct standards and has potential hazards all over. If you are unsure of the status of your home’s electrical wiring or you are experiencing some of the signs listed above, we highly recommend that you have you’re home inspected. An electrical inspection can catch potential hazards and also lead to better electrical efficiency.

To schedule a home inspection, contact your local Expert Electric at 604-681-8338.

Like most people, you probably use some form of automation already in different aspects of your life. From checking your email at work to opening the garage door when you arrive home in the evening. This type of automation allows people to remotely access various devices in their homes using a mobile phone or similar device.

Once they’ve made the switch, most homeowners say that it’s improved their lives considerably. In fact, there are several ways that home automation can improve your home – and your lifestyle.

Home automation is incredibly convenient. With the touch of a button on your smartphone, you can access different devices in your home. You can turn on lights, change the temperature, and even water your lawn from any location in the world. You’ll never need to ask a neighbor to check on your house because you can do it yourself, no matter where you are.

A smart thermostat is one of the most popular automated home devices. It’s similar to a programmable thermostat, but you can change the temperature setting remotely. If you decide to come home early from work, for example, you can change the temperature so your home is comfortable by the time you arrive.

Automated homes are also safe because you always have access to your electronics, even when you’re away. If you forget to turn the oven off before you leave for the evening, you can use your mobile device to do the job for you.

Most people see a significant decrease in energy bills when they automate their homes. You aren’t wasting electricity, even if you accidentally leave the lights on. After all, you can easily turn them off from your smartphone.

Because these devices are automated, they’re also energy efficient. You can set the lights and the thermostat so they’re only using power when you’re home.

An automated home also gives you peace of mind. By having remote access to your lights, electronics, HVAC system, sprinkler system, and other devices, you’ll ensure that small problems don’t become larger ones. You can handle minor issues from anywhere in the world, keeping them from becoming major issues.

Contact Bryant Electric Service today and find out more about how you can improve your home with automation.