It’s hard to imagine life without electricity. Those rare times when the power goes out entirely serve as reminders of how much we depend on our electrical systems to get us through the day (and night). You need to take special care of the electricity in your home with prompt repairs whenever they are needed.

Cleaning a crystal chandelier isn’t as daunting as it may appear. These precious fixtures require a little more love and care than a desk lamp, but you can restore and maintain your crystal’s shine with common household products and a little know-how.

Everyday Care

If your chandelier is still sparkling clean, simply dust the fixture with a lambswool or feather duster every few weeks. Keep your strokes light, since leaded crystal is softer than glass—even dust can scratch it. Be sure to walk around the fixture as you dust, rather than spinning it towards you. Twisting the fixture can strain the wiring or loosen its support.

Spring Cleaning

Eventually, the fixture will need a more thorough cleaning, especially if it’s in a high-traffic area or kitchen. Mid-size chandeliers are still manageable at this stage, provided you have some clean, lint-free rags, isopropyl alcohol, and a little elbow grease.

Before touching the chandelier, follow rule number one: turn off the power to the room when dealing with a ceiling fixture. At least flip the light switch off and tape it so no one will accidentally turn the light on while you’re working. Set up an alternative light source to aid the cleaning. Once the chandelier bulbs have cooled, cover them with plastic snack bags and secure with a rubber band.

Fill a spray bottle with one part isopropyl alcohol and three parts distilled water. Spray on one section of the chandelier at a time, then wipe off with a white cotton glove or lint-free cloth, making sure you dry the frame as well as the crystal. This solution will clarify the crystal and help remove the haze, but is gentler than ammonia on crystal with a design or edge finish. Even so, gently wipe away after spraying and don’t allow the fixture to drip dry. This will help preserve the frame.

Try cleaning your chandelier every two to six months with the alcohol solution, depending on whether the fixture is in a high-traffic area or not.

Heavy Restoration

If your fixture hasn’t been cleaned in a long time (or just needs extra attention), you can go an extra step before calling a professional. This is where a digital camera comes in handy, as you’ll need to remove individual pendants for a more thorough washing. Take pictures of the connections for reference later, then carefully remove the pendants. You may need a pair of needle-nose pliers to help disengage the pendants from the fixture.

Fill a sink with warm water and some gentle dish soap. Carefully wash each crystal piece and rinse in warm water to avoid any drastic temperature shifts. Set the pendants on a clean cloth to dry. Then simply rehang the pendants and enjoy your sparkling fixture!

Most of us have batteries stored in a drawer or cabinet somewhere in our home. They are used for a number of different applications including clocks, remote controls, and toys. Batteries do create electrical current, so while these small devices can appear harmless, improper use can lead to dangerous results. Make sure you are conducting battery use in a safe and proper manner.

Ensure batteries and contacts are clean – Before using a battery, make sure that the battery is clean and the connections of the device are also clean. Any dirt or grease can cause the battery to not connect properly to the device or allow a path for the current to leave the device. If corrosion appears to be building on either the battery or the device it should be cleaned or disposed of properly. You can use a cloth to wipe away any debris or build up on the battery and device connector. 

Dispose of batteries correctly – Batteries are filled with hazardous acid. Once a battery is used up it does not mean that it is safe to throw into the garbage can. Batteries can still leak and cause hazardous chemicals to spread. Batteries should be recycled at locations that accept them, such as Staples and Best Buy. They will ensure that batteries are sent to the right place for recycling. 

Avoid damaging or using damaged batteries – Again, batteries do contain hazardous chemicals inside. It the battery is punctured, crushed, or heated the acid can leak or explode. If this acid comes into contact with your skin or eyes, it can pose serious health risks. Keep children from handling batteries in the event that they misuse the battery. If you find a damaged battery, avoid using it in any household device. Wrap the battery up and bring it to a recycling station. 

Match the polarity correctly – While many of us check to make sure that the positive (+) and negative (-) symbols are connecting correctly in the device, it can be overlooked at times. If you put a battery backwards in a device it may still function but there could be venting or leaking. The polarity indicators are there to let you know how the battery should be used. Ignoring these prompts can lead to damaging the battery and the serious hazards discussed earlier.

Batteries are a wonderful invention that allows us to generate small amounts of electricity for mobile devices, but mishandling them can be dangerous for our health. If you have questions about electrical devices or use in your home, contact your local Expert Electric to get the assistance of a licenced electrician.

We consider light pretty important over here at Pegasus. For hours, we could talk your ear off about LED innovations and fluorescent installations. Although choosing the right under cabinet light is important, and knowing how to place your recessed cans is essential, there is no light as vital to the human body as a little sunshine.

You're probably familiar with some of the federal energy efficiency programs by now. The most prominent, the Clean Power Plan, was announced last year with ambitious targets to limit carbon and other pollutants generated by the nation's electrical work. What you might not be aware of is the amount of impetus placed on the individual states to enact programs that advance the federal goals. Through the Clean Energy Incentive Program, or CEIP, states are responsible for reducing their carbon emissions by 2022 through renewable energy generation or increased efficiency measures. Read on to learn more.

States Picking up the Slack on Conservation

The Clean Power Plan sets a goal to reduce carbon emissions by 32 percent below 2005 levels by 2030. Although it is a federal rule enacted by the Environmental Protection Agency under the Clean Air Act, the national government doesn't actually have control over the nation's electrical work, so the plan requires the cooperation of the states to come to fruition. In turn, the states will have to work with big polluters within their borders, primarily power plants, to bring emission levels down.

The federal agency is using emission rate credits as the carrot to incentivize the conservation measures, rewarding states for their reduction in fossil fuel consumption, which the states then pass on to the individual power generators and other industry players. Other options include household and industry efficiency programs to encourage people to purchase modern appliances and otherwise reduce the consumption in their electrical work. In total, the EPA is pushing states to reduce carbon emissions by 300 million short tons.

State Help for Increasing the Efficiency of Your Electrical Work

One interesting aspect of the EPA program is that it contains extra incentives for states that focus on initiating programs in low-income communities. The exact parameters haven't been worked out yet, and various programs will still work differently in different states, but essentially the federal agency will provide twice the credits for projects that affect low-income households. That means states will have an easier time reaching their goals, and the most vulnerable residents of an area have a better chance of participating and realizing savings from the Clean Power Plan.

Regardless of what your income level is, you should keep an eye on any efficiency programs coming from your state in the coming months and years. While much of the work is aimed at power plants, other assistance may be available to homeowners to purchase new appliances, invest in residential renewable energy like solar panels or otherwise decrease both energy consumption and utility bills in the household.

Trust the Experts for All Your Home Service Needs

If you need help figuring out how to reduce your household spending on electricity, or have any other issues with your home electrical system, contact a professional electrician today.