Whether you are wiring for a new home, remodeling, or simply trying to consolidate the wires of your high-end electronics, it can be a daunting and frustrating task. It is important to prepare for the future during this process.

If you are building or remodeling your home, it is as important to consider future technologies, because you may still have a regular TV today, but tomorrow you’ll want the latest smart TV. There’s so much new technology on the horizon; simply look around to see which products might be future purchases, and then wire with that in mind. This is a great time to consider an integrated home network. This cuts down on the separate wires running through your walls to give you a centralized hub. The hub is then wired to each room where a modular outlet allows access to services. If you are not up for the task of wiring all of the rooms in your house, you can choose to simply set up an impressive family room for the time being.

While you can do these types of installations yourself with the help of the Internet and many hours of deciphering which cord goes where, it can be a difficult process that leaves you frustrated and your electronic devices not working. The trial and error aspect of this can end up costing you more time and money than you initially intended. If you are not among the electrically savvy, the best alternative is to hire a professional to do it. This can be costly upfront, but in the long run it will be a better and more efficient way to go. Hiring a qualified electrician like those at Hoffman Electrical can make a difficult job much easier, allowing you to use your electronics rather than twisting your wires.

If you are like many homeowners, your home is a constant work in progress. Your desire to make your home uniquely yours is a constant endeavor. Unfortunately, there are many areas within your home you may overlook in an effort to make your home look appealing. In particular, some homeowners constantly overlook their old light fixtures.

Whether you live in an older home or a home you’ve recently purchased, new light fixtures can transform the look of your home and increase safety. Like other aspects of your home that you use on a regular basis, your light fixtures can easily become worn and dated. Unfortunately, as a component of a major system in your home, damaged light fixtures can be a hazard.

Your home is your oasis, so there is no reason for you to constantly endure poor lighting. With new fixtures, you can take advantage of some of the latest designs that improve your ability to see throughout your home. Additionally, changing your light fixtures will help you realize the following benefits:

These days, advances in technology are helping homeowners reduce the cost of their utility bills. From LED lighting technology to incandescent lights, new lights increase lighting in homes while decreasing homeowners’ costs. This is especially helpful for homeowners who are concerned about their impact on the environment; reduced energy consumption helps reduce the negative impact on the environment.

Picture this scenario: you’re sitting at home with your family watching television and enjoying an otherwise run-of-the-mill evening. Then, all of a sudden, *poof*! Your power goes out, leaving you in the dark.

Here’s a quick question: do you know what to do when this happens?

Have a look at our guide to understand your best course of action after an outage. That way, you can keep you and your family safe no matter the situation.

When the power first goes out, take the following steps:

This is a non-issue if there’s a power interruption. But in cases of extreme weather or other emergencies, guarantee the bodily safety of you and your family first.

If you have telephone or cellular service, a quick call to the power company can give you information on the cause, extent and estimated restoration time for an outage.

Depending on the expected outage time, you may want to put a plan in action for your food/water. If the outage is less than two hours, food in your refrigerator and freezer will be fine. After that, however, temperatures may rise high enough to cause food-borne illness. To minimize the risk, avoid opening and closing the refrigerator as much as possible.

In most power outages, municipal water should remain unaffected. However, extreme weather or extended outages could compromise water safety. In cases like this, it’s recommended to avoid using it for anything that could come in contact with your mouth or body:

If possible, use boiled or bottled water to avoid the risk of getting sick.

If an outage knocks out air conditioning during hot weather, your risk of heat stroke will increase significantly. It’s important to identify the signs of heat stroke and address it as soon as it happens. Symptoms include hot/red skin, dizziness or nausea, headaches, rapid heartbeat and a high body temperature.

To reduce the risk of heat stroke, follow these guidelines:

Just like the heat, a prolonged power outage in the cold can quickly create an emergency situation. This holds especially true with most in-home heating systems that rely on electricity in some capacity.

Remaining warm is especially important in these situations. One of the largest risks with prolonged exposure to cold is hypothermia. Signs of hypothermia risk include cold skin, shivering and a body temperature below 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Without proper steps in place, hypothermia can quickly escalate into a life-threatening situation.

Maintaining a warm environment is the most important step in a cold temperature power outage. Use all the following tips to keep your family safe in the cold: