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Proper electrical safety is an essential for your Albuquerque business from the lives of employees, building structure to the overall financial security of your business. Hiring a skilled electrician for your commercial property in New Mexico is one of the smartest investments you can make.

A qualified electrician in Albuquerque has the knowledge, skill and correct training to perform even the toughest electrical jobs.

Preventing Fires

Typically, building fires occur when the electrical systems are outdated or faulty. The wiring tends to become overloaded, then overheats which can increase the risk of electrical accidents.  With high-quality wiring installed by a licensed and insured electrician, you can rest easy knowing these problems will be avoided. Because commercial electrical systems handle large volumes of electricity and have special requirements, commercial electricians will have the proper wiring and materials needed for the building.

Abiding by Codes

When hiring an electrician, it should be noted that licensed and insured commercial electricians have to follow and abide by the National Electrical Code (NEC). The NEC establishes the groundwork for electrical safety in commercial, residential and industrial buildings. At Alpha and Omega Electric, we understand the importance of the codes and will work hard to guarantee that your commercial building’s electrical system is compliant with the NEC.

Choosing The Right Electrician: Qualities to Look for

When choosing an electrician, there are two key components to look for:

• Professionally Trained and Certified: It’s no secret that working with electricity can be very dangerous. Most electrical jobs are complex and require training and certification–hiring an electrician that’s skillfully trained and certified can ensure the safety of yourself, your employees and your building.
• Licensed and Insured: Any electrician you let into your building should have the appropriate license and insurance needed to perform the job. If they aren’t, this makes your liable for any injuries, harm or damages that may occur on your property while your electrician is working.

Your business could be negatively impacted by the expensive repairs and lost revenue due to an electrical issue. Hiring a licensed and insured electrician from Alpha and Omega Electric can ensure your company’s electrical structure is running as smooth as possible. Not only is our team skillfully trained and licensed to perform various commercial electrical jobs– but also equipped with the necessary products and tools.

Are you experiencing the annoyance of flickering lights? If so, read this article! In it, you’ll learn the 5 most common causes of flickering lights!

If you are or have been living with flickering lights, you likely understand they are more than just a simple inconvenience. Electricity is what keeps your home safe and comfortable. When issues arise, this puts your home, family, and well-being in jeopardy.

In addition to be annoying, if you have flickering lights, it may also be the sign of a much larger issue. In fact, according to statistics, electrical fires in homes account for over $1.3 billion in property damage and almost 500 deaths annually.

If you are tired of the flickering lights in your home, learn about some of the most common reasons they occur. Also, make sure to contact the pros for any significant issues. They will ensure repairs are made safely.

Causes of Flickering Lights

Generally speaking, flickering lights are the result of a reduction or a fluctuation in total household voltage that results in the lights dimming for a moment. Several issues can cause light flickering. Understanding some of the most common issues will help you know what to do to solve the problem.

Some of the most common causes of flickering lights can be found here.

1. Large Current Draws

The larger appliances in your home may pull 100 (or more) amps from your wiring when they are cycling on. This sudden, significant surge in power can result in your lights flickering and dimming momentarily.

To ensure there isn’t a more serious issue, you may want to call your electrician to inspect the wiring. There could be a problem with how your appliances were wired to begin with. If they are overworking the circuit, then this issue is only going to get worse.

2. Faulty Connections

Is there a bad connection on a light or lamp, or in a fixture’s on/off switch? If so, this may cause flickering.

You can see if the issue is the connections by wiggling the on/off switch. If the light starts to dim as you are wiggling it, chances are the issue is a bad switch. Keep in mind, while it may be easy to replace a switch located in the lamp cord, ones integrated into a socket are more challenging. It’s best to leave this to the pros.

3. Loose Bulbs

An unseated bulb will rattle in its socket. This can result in inconsistent connections, as well as regular flickering.

To fix this, just tighten or change the bulb. This will reestablish a solid connection and help eliminate any possible dips in your electric current.

4. Dimmer Switches

One of the most common sources of flickering for LED bulbs is the use of dimmer switches. The majority of dimmers are made to handle higher electrical loads. This means that the low-voltage LEDs may dim or flicker if they are connected to higher-power dimmer switches.

You also need to check the compatibility of your bulb with your dimmer prior to making a purchase. Or, you can opt to replace your dimmer switch with one designed to work with LED bulbs.

5. Bulb Type

Did you know that fluorescent lights are more likely to flicker than LED and other types of bulbs? Warm-up cycles, the age of the bulb and the temperature are all common causes of flickering in fluorescent lights.

While minor flickering is no reason to be worried, if you notice constant dimming or flickering, then you should replace the fluorescent bulb to fix the issue. If this doesn’t work, then it’s best to call a professional electrician for help.

Benign Causes of Flickering Lights

In some situations, appliances in your home can have bearing failures. This results in the motor having to work harder when it starts up. When this happens, the appliance will draw more current and result in a noticeable light flicker.

Also, lights may flicker if a load is activated suddenly or unexpectedly. One example of this is your sump pump. It may result in a noticeable flicker or dimming even if it has been circuited properly.

Another issue could be your neighbor’s lights. It’s extremely likely that you share a transformer with several of your neighbors. Because you are sharing the same circuit, the loads are going to impact your own electrical supply.

Problem Flickering

With benign flickering issues, there’s no real cause for concern. However, there are other problems that are more serious and dictate you take action right away.

For example, if you notice much more flickering than normal with no significant changes in the electrical system, it may be an early indication of more serious problems.

One example of this is if a connection has become loose and it creates a higher resistance point. This is extremely dangerous and could eventually lead to a fire.

Flickering Lights: Call the Pros to Be Sure

If you are having issues with flickering lights, it’s a good idea to contact the pros if you can’t figure out what the issue is. They can diagnose the problem and ensure the underlying issue is fixed in a timely and efficient manner.

If you need help with flickering lights or any other electrical issue, reach out to our team. We offer both residential and commercial services and provide many resources on our regularly updated blog to help with electrical issues you may have.

Don’t ignore an electrical problem. It is only going to get worse and more dangerous as time passes.

Don’t cut corners on electrical work. Hire a qualified electrician familiar with the type of work you want done.

Faulty wiring is a fire waiting to happen. That’s reason enough to hire an experienced electrician, but not the only one. Although wiring might seem like a black-and-white proposition, either the light goes on or it doesn’t, it’s actually a vast interdependent network.

Circuits that are otherwise safe but poorly designed can damage appliance motors and electronic gear because they deliver the wrong amperage. Lights on even partially overloaded circuits can flicker when an appliance is in use, or the breaker may trip or the fuse might blow, shutting down the circuit entirely. Hiring an experienced electrician can help you avoid these problems.

Electrician Qualifications

Finding a qualified electrician is easier than finding the right carpenter or plumber. You can assume a certain level of competence when an electrician shows you his state license, but there are two degrees of pro to consider.

• Master Electrician: Has passed a standardized test and has at least two years of experience under his belt. He knows the National Electrical Code and any modifications that your state has made to it. He is qualified to plan, design, install and maintain an electrical system for your project.
• Journeyman Electrician: Hasn’t qualified for a master’s license, but he too is licensed by the state. (Some states require journeymen electricians to work with a master electrician.) By law, he cannot design systems but can install wiring and equipment.

There’s another layer in the safety net. Most electrical work requires a permit issued by your local building department. Before the building inspector can sign off on the work, the inspector must take a look at it to see if it’s up to code.

Picking The Right Electrician

Electricians tend to specialize. Some concentrate on new construction, some just in commercial work, and some go only on service calls to fix dead outlets or faulty fixtures.

Those who specialize in remodeling have mastered techniques for wiring existing homes and additions, such as snaking wires through finished walls, assessing the capacity of existing circuits and evaluating whether to install an additional service panel (where the circuit breakers are) to handle increased power demands.

Most general contractors have a short list of dependable electricians, but if your contractor can’t recommend one, check with the local home-builders’ association or an electrical- supply house in the area for a recommendation. Be sure to tell them the type of work you are doing so they can properly match the pro to the job.

When interviewing an electrician, ask to see a copy of his state license as well as proof of insurance. Make sure both are current. An electrician working on a typical residential-remodeling job should carry a minimum of $500,000 in liability insurance and workers’ compensation coverage for himself and his crew. If everything seems up to snuff, check references and look over a previous job.

Judging Work Quality

Though it takes a trained eye to spot an electrician’s mistakes, you can eliminate some names from your list based on the neatness of their work. As a rule, a job that isn’t neat probably isn’t safe.

If you can get access to a site, find a place where a number of wires run together, usually near the service panel. Romex, the flat, white plastic-sheathed cable common to most residential wiring, should run to the service panel in a neat, orderly way. If cables are crossed and jumbled, or if they droop from joist to joist, the electrician is neither doing a methodical job nor exhibiting the care essential to wiring a home safely.

This is not nitpicking. Cables that merge at the service panel in an orderly way make it easier for the electrician to match the cable with the correct circuit breaker.

In the living area, the cover plates on switches and outlets should be plumb and square to the wall and lie flat against the face of the wall. If they don’t, the electrician did not take the time to set the utility box (the box behind the wall that holds the outlets or switches) squarely against the studs and the proper distance back from the wall. If the work looks sloppy, go instead with an electrician who pays closer attention to detail.

In my area, homeowners pay a minimum of $30 per hour for a master who works alone, and at least $55 per hour for a master and journeyman working as a team. These prices vary regionally.

Working With An Electrician

For large remodeling jobs, such as additions or whole-house renovations, electricians work from plans generated by the designer or architect. The plans show outlet and switch locations and label fixture types, such as fluorescent and incandescent. Often the electrical plans are drawn up long before you’ve had a chance to pick the light fixtures, so you will have to supply your electrician with this information.

To avoid any confusion, find out when the electrician will need the fixtures. Then shop around to find the products you want – but don’t buy anything. Simply make a list of your choices, including the manufacturer names, model numbers of products and where you saw the fixtures. Turn the list over to the electrician and let him make the purchases.

You probably won’t save any money because electricians, like most contractors, add a markup of 10 to 20 percent over what they pay. But since they buy products and materials at a professional’s discount, the final cost will be about the same as if you had made the purchases yourself.

The advantage is that the electrician assumes responsibility for warranty issues, breakage, defective products and missing parts. (This can save you from paying for a journeyman to run to the store for a missing set screw, for example.) Plus, while shopping, the electrician can evaluate the overall quality of your choices and wave you off low-quality or dangerous items.

As for budgeting fixture cost, you’ll be working from a lighting allowance when shopping. This is the not-to-exceed dollar amount that you budgeted during planning for all your lighting needs. As with any remodeling project, if you go over the allowance when shopping, your contractor will bill you for the extra you’ve spent (the overage). If you stay under the allowance, you get that money credited back to you.

It’s all your money to save or spend as you see fit, but when choosing fixtures, keep a running total of costs and try to stay within your budget. Be sure to account for the cost of specialty lightbulbs, which are increasingly expensive. That way you’ll avoid unpleasant surprises when it comes time to pay the final bill.

>>> Read The Original Article Here <<<

There’s a lot of confusion surrounding Electrical Outlets. There are SO MANY different outlets to choose from, and as technology grows and develops, it will just continue to change.

So here’s a short guide FOR NOW about electrical outlets.

Let this help you decide what’s needed for your home!

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Recessed Outlets

One of the most annoying features of traditional outlets is that the plugs often hinder the ability people have to walk past, or even put you at a risk of tripping over extension cords used for devices further away. However, when you have recessed outlets installed, these concerns are eliminated. That’s because they are situated inside where the traditional outlet used to be. This means the plug goes further into the wall, reducing the potential of obstructions.

USB Outlets

One of the initial (and biggest) changes seen when new technologies began to emerge was the need for your power strips to accommodate the plugs used for chargers and adapters.

Now, you can actually have USB outlets installed in your home. No longer do you have to use a plug for charging your tablet or smartphone, or an adapter. Instead, your devices that use USB exclusively can have their own, specialty outlet.

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters – GFCI Outlets

This is a pretty affordable option that ensures if any type of interruption of the electricity in a circuit is present, that it immediately shuts down. In most cases, this type of issue arises after a short outage that increases the likelihood of a power surge that may damage or even destroy your costly appliances and electronics.

Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupters – AFCI Outlets

A huge issue with many traditional outlets is the possibility of overheating. This can lay the foundation for damages that may be quite expensive to have repaired. Similar to the GFCI, the AFCI is designed to quickly find any significant increase in wiring temperature. Once this is detected, the outlet shuts down.

Tamper Resistant Receptacles – TRR Outlets

If you have young children, then you are likely concerned with your outlets being an attractive target for your little ones who may attempt to insert something inside of them. This is because of the potentially fatal shock that children may receive if they happen to stick something inside. However, with the TRR outlets, this is not an issue, as they are specially designed to prevent this type of situation.

Read the original article here.

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If you believe that one of these upgraded outlets would be beneficial in your home, give us a call at
(505)554-3313. We can help evaluate your home and determine which outlets are right for your home and needs.

Alpha & Omega Electric, LLC does NOT encourage homeowners to handle their own electrical work.

Always have a licensed electrician replace or install new electrical hardware in your home to prevent serious injuries and possibility of an electrical fire in your home.

Have questions? We’d love the change to answer them. Ask us your questions below and we’ll answer you as soon as possible. Your question might even be featured on our Social Media page!

Winter is coming. Out here in the Albuquerque desert (and surrounding areas) it gets downright cold!

We previously shared how you can cut down on heating costs this winter, but here are a few MORE tips that you can use!

Check out this great article that we thought you could benefit from!

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Dress for Cold Weather
Dress in layers; slap a pair of slippers on your feet, and add a hat to complete your “stay warm” ensemble.

Decorate for Warmth
Put flannel sheets on your bed, rugs on your floors, insulated curtains in your windows and warm blankets on your sofa. When it’s cold outside, nothing says money in the bank like a house that’s blinged out in warm accessories.

Take Advantage of Free Solar Heating
Open curtains during the day to allow the sun to warm your home; close curtains at night to trap in the heat.

Minimize the Use of Kitchen and Bathroom Fans
Fans suck out undesirable smells, but they also suck out a lot of hot air.

Change Your Filter Regularly
A dirty filter makes your furnace/heat pump work harder and leads to super scary numbers on your heating bill. Aim to swap yours out once a month.

Get Those Ceiling Fans Going
Hot air rises (naughty air). Run your ceiling fan in reverse to bring it back down to floor level.

Turn Down the Thermostat
A couple degrees cooler when you’re away or asleep can make a big difference on your heating bill (without any sacrifice from you).

Tip: Get a programmable thermostat, and let it make the adjustments for you.

Get an Energy Audit
You won’t find many doctors that make house calls these days, but you’ll still find plenty of energy auditors that do. Schedule an energy audit for your home (many utility companies offer them for free or a small fee), and find out where you could improve the efficiency of your home.

Also consider a smart meter.

Insulate. Then Insulate Some More!
Plug your zip code into the Department of Energy’s insulation tool, to find out how much insulation your home needs. Then, beef up your existing insulation as needed.

Give Vents the All Clear
Move all furniture and belongings away from your heating vents, so they can deliver all that heat that you’re paying for.

Don’t Let the Fireplace Put a Damper on Your Savings Efforts
Keep the damper closed when your fireplace isn’t in use to prevent all that snugly warm air from making a quick exit.

Get a Tune-Up
Keep your furnace or heat pump running at peak performance by having it tuned up by a professional once a year. It’s a small expense that could lead to big savings.

Dress Your Ducts
Heat loss happens to good people. Wrap those ducts tight, to make sure it doesn’t happen to you.

Kick That Old Unit to the Curb
Breakups are never easy, but if you’ve been with your heating unit for a long time, it may be time to put an end to the relationship.

Wrangle for a Better Rate
Feel like you’re paying too much for electricity, gas or oil? Then, shop around for a better rate. As long as you live in a deregulated state, there’s plenty of room to negotiate.

Read The Original Article Here

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So… What did you learn?

Is there something that you’d like to know about? Have questions about heating, cooling, or saving money on your electric bill? Let us know below!

In Albuquerque and our many surrounding areas, we are blessed to experience the change of the seasons.

With that blessing… Also comes the cost of heating!

We thought you would like to learn the top ways to reduce your heating costs this winter. Instead of writing a long drawn out blog for you read, we found one to share with you!

Enjoy…

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High home-heating bills pack a real punch into household budgets across the United States each winter. They consistently pose a special challenge for people who rely on fixed incomes or live paycheck to paycheck.

At least there’s a little bit of good news this year: Many families are likely to see slight price breaks on their heating bills, especially if they use natural gas to heat their homes. The Energy Information Administration reported that this winter’s heating fuel costs should be $928 for the average household, down from $947 last winter.

But let’s face it: $928 is still a lot of money. If you’d like to reduce your heating bills even further this season, consider giving some of these free or low-cost tips a try.

1. Learn to love socks. If your feet are cold, your whole body will feel cold, so make a point of wearing socks around the house in the winter. The next step if you’re still feeling cold: Bundle up in a sweater or a blanket rather than cranking up the heat.

2. Tap heat that’s there anyway. There are plenty of activities you do around the house that generate warmth, such as cooking a meal or taking a shower. When you shower, keep the bathroom door open so steam spreads to other rooms, and don’t turn a ventilation fan on; it will rapidly remove the warm air you’re hoping to keep around.

3. Lower your thermostat. You likely won’t notice a huge difference if you turn it down just a few degrees, a move that can shave 5 percent to 10 percent off your heating bill. It’s especially wise to turn down the heat whenever you leave your home for several hours.

4. Watch that water heater. It’s also not likely to be noticeable if you turn down the thermostat on your water heater to, say, 120 degrees from about 140 degrees.

5. Consider a programmable thermostat. They cost between $30 and $100, but that’s money you’re sure to make back over the course of a year because your heating bills will drop. A programmable thermostat allows you to adjust the heat on a predetermined schedule, so you can lower the heat when you’re not home or when you’re sleeping.

6. Don’t let heat escape unnecessarily. Keep your doors and windows shut when the heat is on. If your home has a fireplace that you aren’t using, be sure the flue is closed and glass doors are in place to minimize heat loss. In addition to those bathroom ventilation fans, turn kitchen ventilation fans off when they aren’t needed.

7. Call for a checkup. Proper maintenance will help your heating unit run more efficiently. Electric and oil heaters should get professional attention at least once a year and gas heaters every other year. Also, here’s a step you can take all on your own: Remember to check the filters in your heating system and make sure they’re clean and clear. Dirty filters lead to higher heating costs.

8. Keep windows covered when it’s dark outside. This will help you reduce heat loss and keep cold air at bay, especially if you have older windows. But be sure to let in the light during the daytime — those rays of sun will help heat your home.

9. Explore outside. Check the exterior of your heating unit. Avoid stacking anything against the heat pump or draping anything over it. Hose the outside unit down to clear it of dirt, leaves and grass clippings. If your indoor unit appears to have excess water around it, see whether the condensate drain and pan are blocked.

10. Light a candle. Not for warmth, but for the purpose of doing a little sleuth work. Hold the flame near windows, doors and light fixtures and look for smoke moving in a horizontal direction. If you see it, that means you’ve spotted an air leak, and it likely means heat is escaping your home easily. To solve that problem, install some low-cost caulking or weather-stripping, or consider adding some insulating material.

Read the original article here.

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We hope you will consider using these tips to help lower your heating costs this winter… Are you already doing any of these tips? Great! Let us know how it’s working for you!

Have your own tips that you’d like to share? Send them in to us below! We might just feature them on our FB or Instagram page!

NO ONE wants a fire in their home. Especially when you have children, pets, and a spouse in your home.

Check out this staggering statistic on home fires from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA):

“U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 358,500 home structure fires per year during 2011 to 2015. These fires caused 12,300 civilian injuries, 2,510 civilian deaths, and $6.7 billion in direct damage. On average, seven people died in U.S. home fires per day.”

While not ALL of these fires can be attributed to an electrical fire… Some of them can.

The only thing worse than having a fire in your home is knowing that it could’ve been prevented.

Please follow these Electrical Safety tips to help prevent an electrical fire in your New Mexico home!

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The amount of electricity in the average home is enough to cause serious injury and death, and, according to the National Fire Protection Association, there are 50,000 electrical home fires every year. That’s why it’s so important to take electrical safety seriously in your home.Here are some tips to stay safe around electricity:

• Avoid overloading electrical outlets by only plugging in one high-wattage appliance at a time.
• Check electrical cords for damage before you plug them in. Cords that are even slightly damaged can lead to electrocutions and fires.
• Make sure that cords don’t create tripping hazards.
• Place light fixtures on an even surface, and away from flammable materials. Also be sure to use bulbs that match the fixtures’ recommended wattage.
• Don’t use electrical appliances like music players and hair dryers near water.
• Consider having a certified electrical technician install more outlets in your home if you find yourself using extension cords frequently. Also, if there are small children in your home, consider installing outlets that are only powered when an electrical appliance is plugged in.
• Keep in mind that appliances that are turned off are still connected to electricity until they are unplugged.
• Unplug appliances from outlets by pulling on the plastic head, not the cord itself.
• Always unplug an appliance before cleaning or repairing it.

Read the original article here.

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If you have any electrical work that you need done around the house, no job is too small for Alpha & Omega Electric.

From ceiling fan installation to unsightly cord concealing and outlet OR panel upgrades… We do it all! Avoid serious injury OR starting an electrical fire in your home by calling the pros!

Call us today: (505)554-3313

When you’re a homeowner, chances are you want to take as best care of your home as you can. You think about the life of your roof, the foundation, taking care of your yard and keeping up curb appeal.

But do you think about Electrical Safety? Do you check regularly to make sure your outlets and electrical wires are okay?

Chances are, it’s not at the top of your list… But it should be! If you’re a homeowner you need to know these 10 Home Electrical Safety Tips.

Period.

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Home Electrical Safety Tips

1. Replace damaged electrical cords.

A damaged electrical cord can give you a serious shock when you touch it. It can also start an electrical fire. Both of these can be fatal, so check your cords regularly. If they have electrical tape wrapped around them or loose plugs, they should be replaced. It’s possible to repair them if you cut off the damaged portion and replace the plug end, but it’s usually better to just replace them.

2. Don’t run electrical cords across high-traffic areas.

The repeated stress of a cord being stepped on if it lays across a doorway or under a carpet can cause it to fail. Also, a cord in a high-traffic area is a tripping hazard. Also, keep extension cords out of sight if you have pets; they may start playing on them and chewing them.

3. Don’t plug too many things into one outlet.

Of all the home electrical safety tips, this one is violated the most often. However, you might be wondering “how many is too many, exactly?” Well, that depends on how your home is wired. So, it’s important to know the electrical specifications of your home in order to stay safe. A good rule of thumb is to never plug more than one high-wattage appliance into an outlet at a time.

4. If your circuit breaker trips again right after you reset it, find the problem causing it, but don’t try to reset it again.

Trying to repeatedly reset a circuit breaker that doesn’t want to reset can cause a fire. When a breaker trips, it’s because there’s something wrong. If you just plugged something in or turned something on before it tripped, then you’re likely overloading the circuit you plugged the item into. If you can’t find the problem, it’s best to call a professional electrician to check things out.

5. Use tamper-resistant outlets if you have small children.

Small children are curious about how the world works. Don’t risk having them stick something into an outlet and getting a shock.

6. Call an electrician if you find a light switch, outlet or cord that’s warm to the touch.

Dimmer switches are often naturally warm to the touch because of the way they’re designed. A warm dimmer is no cause for alarm, but a warm toggle switch, outlet, or cord is.

7. Use only light bulbs that match the recommended wattage of light fixtures and lamps.

Using bulbs that are too low on wattage can cause them to get very hot, increasing the risk of burns or fires. This is one of the home electrical safety tips that often goes unnoticed.

8. Keep lamps on level surfaces away from anything flammable.

The bulbs of lamps can get warm even if you do use the right bulb, so keep them away from curtains drapes, and any paper, plastic, or cardboard items.

9. Don’t throw water on an electrical fire.

Since water conducts electricity, don’t throw it on an electrical fire. At best, this will only spread the fire. At worst, you could get electrocuted and burned badly.

10. Install ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) in areas that have water in them (bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, and outdoor outlets).

A GFCI is an extra level of safety in the event that a short occurs in an outlet. A GFCI will cut power to the outlet if it detects a surge.  

Read the original article here.

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If you’re looking to make any electrical upgrades in your home, we urge you to seek the help of a professional electrician to avoid serious injury or a possible electrical fire in your home.

Alpha & Omega Electric, LLC is glad to help with any and all of your electrical needs. Just give us a call at (505)554-3313

Have a question? Want an answer from a certified electrician? Just fill out the form below and we will be more than happy to get back to you with an answer. Who knows… Maybe your question will end up on Social Media for others to learn from.

If you’re a business owner, sometimes your mind is on things like your day-to-day operations, making sure you can cover your expenses, and figuring out how to get more clients or customers through your door.

We get it…

Electrical Safety may NOT be at the top of your checklist, but it’s LITERALLY what we do.

Read the amazingly written blog below to see how you can help keep Electrical Safety a priority in your workplace, no matter what environment it is.

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Have you been testing, cleaning and maintaining your equipment? Electrical Safety Month was created in the mid-1990s by Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) to raise awareness of potential electrical hazards and fire safety. This is a great time to remember the importance of regularly testing, cleaning and maintaining your equipment.

Electrical equipment is used in most businesses today, but they often don’t think about the potential hazards that come along with it. If improperly used or maintained, equipment can cause serious shock, burns or even death.

10 TIPS FOR BUSINESSES TO CHECK ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT

1. Have a licensed, qualified heating technician regularly maintain your heating system and electrical equipment to prevent future problems.
2. Routinely change heating system filters to keep air properly flowing.
3. Verify that ground fault circuit interrupters are installed in areas near water, including bathrooms, kitchens, basements and outdoors.
4. Do not overload outlets, electrical circuits or motors. If it feels hot, is making a strange noise, sparking or smoking, turn it off immediately. Do not turn back on until it has been repaired by a licensed technician.
5. If an appliance appears to be damaged or repeatedly blows a fuse, unplug it and contact a technician for repair or replacement.
6. Avoid using light bulbs that exceed the recommended wattage.
7. Light switches that feel hot or spark should be immediately turned off and inspected by a qualified electrician.
8. Make sure that all circuit breakers and fuses are properly labeled.
9. Inspect extension cords for wear and tear frequently. Immediately replace any that show signs of damage.
10. Do not run electrical cords through walking areas to avoid tripping hazards.

Training and preparation are some of the most important practices a business owner can implement to increase electrical safety. Workers should be properly educated to ensure a workplace that is safe and free from electrical hazards.

5 TIPS FOR EMPLOYEES TO WORK SAFELY

1. In the case of an emergency, such as equipment malfunction or electrical fire, make sure that you know where the power source is and how to shut it off quickly.
2. If a power or extension cord feels warm, unplug it. This is a sign that it is overloaded.
3. Don’t use electrical appliances around wet areas. Also, be sure to dry your hands before using electrical appliances.
4. Always unplug equipment by gripping the plug and not the cord.
5. Never touch someone who has been electrocuted and is in contact with a live wire. Contact emergency services right away.

If you experience electrical issues, hiring a licensed electrician for repairs is the safest route. It is also important for a qualified technician to perform new installations and routine maintenance. Having a licensed professional examine your facility can help to identify potential risks and create a plan to fix the problems.

Read the original article here.

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We hope this helps you keep Electrical Safety in mind. Share it with your employees, make a checklist to give out to your employees… Do whatever you can to promote safety.

If you need ANY electrical work done, do NOT do it yourself. Call a professional to ensure maximum safety AND that it’s getting done right the first time.

If you need help with your commercial space, call us NOW at (505)554-3313, we’re happy to help!

Looking to save some money? Why not start with your energy bill!
Sometimes, the hardest part of running your household can be balancing a budget and keeping your expenses below your means.

Check out these great energy-saving tips to help keep your electric bill low & increase your ability to save money! And…. Go!
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Keeping the lights on isn’t cheap — never mind the air conditioning, furnace and hot water heater. In fact, the typical family spends an average of $4,200 per year on utilities.

Tweaking your usage can lower your electric bill by as much as 25%. Keep reading for ways to reduce your energy costs and increase your monthly savings.

Heating and cooling
Home heating and cooling are 10 of the biggest culprits behind hefty utility bills — and the best places to look for cost-cutting opportunities.
Check seals on windows, doors and appliances: Make sure your fridge and freezer are well sealed to keep the cold air where it belongs. Same goes for your doors and windows. A bad seal allows energy to seep out, draining your wallet in the process.

Fix leaky duct work: Improve the efficiency of your heating and cooling systems by repairing leaky heating, ventilation and air conditioning ducts.

Give your thermostat a nudge: Set your thermostat back 10 to 15 degrees when you’re asleep or away from home. Doing so for eight hours can lower your annual heating and cooling costs by around 10%. A programmable thermostat will do the work for you.

Adjust your fridge and freezer temperature: Set your fridge to 38 degrees and your freezer to 5 degrees. This will keep your food fresh, but your fridge and freezer won’t need to work as hard to maintain the temperature.

Water
Hot water is the second-largest expense in powering most homes, according to the Energy Department. Cutting back on your hot water usage — in the shower, laundry and dishwasher — can make a sizable dent in your overall energy bill..

Take shorter showers: Trimming two minutes off your shower time can cut your water usage by 10 gallons.
Replace your showerhead: An efficient showerhead can reduce your water usage by 2,700 gallons per year. Look for one with the WaterSense label, which is certified to meet efficiency criteria set by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Don’t wash clothes in hot water: Cut your per-load energy usage in half by sticking to warm or cold water when you do laundry.

Fix leaky faucets: That drip, drip, drip isn’t just annoying, it wastes gallons of water.
Adjust the temperature on your water heater: The default temperature setting on water heaters is typically 140 degrees. Lowering it to 120 degrees can reduce your water heating costs by up to 10%. Leaving town for a few days? Turn your water heater to the lowest setting to conserve energy usage.

Purchase energy efficient appliances: If you’re in the market for a new washer, dishwasher or water heater, buy an energy efficient model to yield long-term savings. A dishwasher with the Energy Star label is required to use 5.8 gallons of water or less per cycle, compared to the more than 10 gallons used by some older models. Prioritize appliances that run most often, like the fridge, HVAC system, water heater, dehumidifier, television, washer and dryer.

Ask about discounted rates: Some utility providers offer cheaper rates during certain times of the day, making laundry and other energy-intensive chores 5% to 25% less expensive during off-peak times.

Power and lighting
Keeping the lights and electronics on accounts for roughly 12% of a home’s energy usage.
Swap out your light bulbs: Save $75 per year by swapping out the bulbs in your most used light fixtures with compact fluorescent or LED bulbs that bear the Energy Star label.

Install dimmer switches: Dimmers let you set the brightness in a room to suit your needs, setting the mood and saving electricity..

Use smart power strips: Some electronic gadgets never truly power off; instead, they sit in standby mode using a trickle of power that can add up over devices and time. These are usually — but not exclusively — items with a remote control, because the remote sensor needs power while waiting for your input. Plug these electronics into a smart power strip, which cuts off the current when the devices aren’t in use.

Do an energy audit: Utility providers will often conduct a home energy audit, sometimes for free, and can identify additional ways to reduce your energy usage.
Read the original article here.
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If you’re interested in going green and installing energy-saving appliances OR Solar Panels on your home, give us a call. If we can’t help you, we will point you in the direction of someone who can.
(505)554-3313

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