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November 21, 2017 at 8:23 pm

Brighten Up Your Home With Track Lighting

track lightingHouses come in different styles and designs, and it’s important to use the proper fixtures for maximum effect. In the case of fixtures, one of the trendiest and most practical fixtures is track lighting.

What is Track Lighting?

This kind of lighting uses a continuous track where electrical conductors are embedded to transmit electricity to attached light fixtures. Unlike conventional light bulbs and fixtures that require individual wires to let electricity flow, track lighting uses conductivity to distribute the energy towards the fixtures connected to the track.

Most track lights are arranged horizontally and mounted on ceilings in series. They usually come as either of three tracks: H track has three contact points, J track have contact tips that are 1 inch apart, and L track has tips that are separated by 7/8 inch.

Benefits of Using Track Lighting

Track lighting may sound complicated if you’re hearing about it for the first time, but you will be impressed with the benefits that it carries.

First, the nature of its installation makes it extremely flexible. You can point to towards any area of the home, without having to worry about wires and sockets. It’s also easy to change bulbs and fixtures, in case you need them to match the overall theme of the room.

Because the track isn’t restricted by wires to light up the fixtures, you can contort it any way you want. Best of all, its modern design can instantly give your home a makeover.

Tips on Installing Track Lighting in Your Home

If you’re thinking about using track lighting, make sure that your electrical system is ready for the installation. This includes checking for a nearby electrical box where you can connect the track. This also includes assessing the space and lighting requirement in the room.

Although tracks are versatile in any kind of space, you will need an electrician who knows how to install track lighting. The electrician will trace the power source, customize the track to best fit the space, and make sure that no obstructions are present.

In terms of lighting fixtures, choose either line voltage halogen lamps or low-voltage halogen lamps (MR16).

Final Word

Whatever the style of your home is, track lighting has the ability to blend in with the overall interior design. By using this kind of lighting, you will definitely experience convenience and enjoy a more modern vibe.

Have some questions? Contact us at Wire Craft for your electrical concerns and installation needs.

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November 15, 2017 at 6:38 pm

Preparing Your Basement for Renovations

basement renovationsSpace management is an important process of maintaining a home. Being able to maximize the available space inside your house can already do wonders to your storage needs, as well as your plans for extension or renovation. A lot of homeowners use the basement for varying purposes, but one thing is true: You need to make sure that you’re ready for basement renovations.

If you’re planning to repurpose your basement – or to turn the space into something more useful than merely collecting clutter and dust.

Here are some tips that you need to know, in order to prepare for a full basement renovation:

Check for water leaks

Some homeowners haven’t touched the basement for years, and this may lead them to disregard this part of the house in terms of maintenance. Because of this, some leaks may be observed inside the basement.

Before starting the whole basement remodeling, you need to address any water leaks or seepage. By doing this, you can preserve the basement and the things inside it longer.

Assess the basement size based on your intended purpose

Planning to use the basement as an entertainment room where you can play arcade game machines and place a pool table? Make sure that your basement space can accommodate your purpose for the room. Otherwise, you might end up with a cramped basement that won’t serve its purpose well.

In addition, you might also want to check the vertical height of the basement.

Verify availability of supplies needed

If you’re repurposing the basement as an additional bathroom, be sure to check if there are water pipes and a drain system. The same is true if you’re planning to install electrical appliances inside the basement – does your basement have a nearby power source?

Otherwise, you will have to install additional water pipes or electrical wires to serve the basement’s function.

Think safety first, even during construction

Are you focusing too much on the completely renovated and refurbished basement? Don’t lose sight of the groundwork that you need to prepare in terms of construction. Make sure that the renovation process is safe.

This may include checking for loose or exposed electrical wires. Also assessing the capability of your electrical system to handle additional load. Lastly letting the construction team wear personal protective equipment for their own safety.

Safety is always a primary component in any kind of renovation. This includes making sure that your electrical system is ready for the big switch.

Feel free to talk to us at Wire Craft.

if you need professional help to ready your electrical system for a basement renovation.

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November 3, 2017 at 8:35 pm

Getting Your Home Ready for Hosting This Holiday Season

holiday season electricianAre you excited to welcome family and friends into your home during the holidays? It’s that time of the year again, when we get to spend time with our loved ones while enjoying a cup of eggnog and warming up by the fireplace. Holidays are bound to be fun and memorable, but you need to consider a lot of preparations in order to host gatherings in your own house. For starters, the sheer number of people may expose your house to wear and tear, as well as an increase in power demand.

In other words, you need to ask yourself this question: Is your home ready to welcome guests this holiday season?

Tips To Prepare Your Home For Holiday Season Gatherings

If you’re anxious about home-related concerns during the holidays, here’s a quick guide on how to prepare your house in time for hosting holiday parties:

Clear the entrance

The entry doorway is the first access point of your guests as they go inside your home. Make sure that there are no obstructions in the doorway, such as shoes, toys, and electrical wiring. It’s probably best to sweep this part of the house a few hours before the guests arrive.

Provide storage areas

Aside from keeping your things in their proper places, having extra storage spaces allows your guests to safe keep their suitcases and coats. That way, your home doesn’t have a lot of clutter lying around, which could potentially cause trips and fire hazards.

Childproof your house

It’s possible for your guests to bring kids in your holiday gathering, and so you need to consider childproofing your home. You may keep your house safe for children by covering exposed power outlets, sealing sharp corners, hiding sharp objects, and installing baby gates for stairs.

Decorate safely

It has become tradition to decorate the home during the holidays, but try to think about safety when putting décor. Some safe decorating options include the following: putting wires of lighting fixtures out of reach, keeping decorations away from the fireplace, and avoiding too many electrical items plugged into the same outlet.

Check your home safety systems

This may be a good time to check if your smoke alarms are working properly. Also, formulate a fire escape plan ahead of time, in order to avoid panic and wrong decisions in case of emergency.

Final Word in Preparation for the Holiday Season

Preparing your home ahead of time allows you to focus more on what matters during your holiday seasons. You have to enjoy the company of your house guests. Does safety precautions and maintenance concerns already in check? 

Need some help getting your home set up for the holidays?

Reach out to Wire Craft and we’ll send one of our expert electricians to your home to help. 

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October 30, 2017 at 6:00 am

Is Your Home Storm Ready—Protecting Yourself and Your Family from Electrical Accidents

Is your home storm ready?Winter is around the corner and just like every year, it is going to bring some storms with it. It is unfortunate how so many people do not prepare their homes for a stormy season before and during winter. Having a house built from the best materials is not enough since there are hundreds of other components that can result in dangerous accidents if they haven’t been protected against stormy weathers. Here is how you can protect your house from electrical accidents during fall and winter.

Have External Lights Fixed

Do you have bulbs on the face of your house? Did any of the bulbs on your house break just a few days ago? Kids playing in the street can often hit light bulbs and break them. Maybe a similar accident has caused electrical wires to come out of the bulb holder. This can be an extremely dangerous situation during rains and can result in conducting electric currents through the walls. Call professional electricians and have this problem fixed as soon as possible.

Have Supply Circuits Checked

One of the common issues with electrical systems in homes is that many of the supply circuits are not grounded. When there is a power surge, it is the ground wiring that saves this power surge from wreaking havoc on your electrical appliances. Keep in mind that supply circuits are not grounded properly will cause damage to your appliances even if you have surge protectors installed. Once again, have professional electricians from Wire Craft Electric help you in checking and fixing all your supply circuits.

Install Power Surge Protectors

Have surge protectors installed in order to protect your appliances from the damage when there is a storm causing power fluctuations. Even when your supply circuits are properly grounded, you need to have surge protectors from those unexpected voltage spikes that can cause you thousands of dollars if you don’t have any protection in place. Let electricians help you pick the right surge protection devices.

Final Thoughts About a Storm Ready Home – Have an Electrician’s Number with You

Stormy nights with power outages can be horrific. Such situations can be harrowing for your kids. The best way to avoid such situations is to have the contact number of professional electricians with you on your phone. Prevention is better than cure, so it is better to always be safe than sorry. However, when an emergency does surface, only a professional should be taking care of your electrical system to avoid life threatening accidents.

Need help making your home storm ready? Wire Craft can help you. Call us today.

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October 27, 2017 at 8:00 am

Outdoor Lighting to Make Your Winter Bright

winter bright

North-western winters can make the days very short, causing it to get really dark quite early in the evening. This often causes trouble when you have to walk from your driveway to the front door, hoping that you don’t step on something or trip and fall. If you have been experiencing that lately, you definitely need your outdoor lighting to be upgraded. Here is how we will help you upgrade your outdoor lighting to not only make your winter brighter, but to pinpoint and fix other problems too.

We Will Discover the Cause of Dim Lights

In some cases, homeowners have the necessary lighting installed, but their driveway still looks dark. This could be a problem related to high-voltage appliances in the house or a wire corroding with time. Whatever the case is, if not fixed on time, this could lead to costly hazards. Wire Craft Electric will find out the exact cause of your dim lighting and fix the problem for good.

We Will Install Efficient Lighting to Achieve Winter Bright

When the day is short and it gets dark early, it means you will have to keep your outdoor lighting on for longer duration. This adds up to your monthly electricity bill. If you don’t have efficient lighting installed, the difference can be significant. We will install effective lighting to save you money on your monthly bill.

We Will Install the Right Lighting As Per Your Needs

You want your driveway bright and your house to look good from the outside, but you are not sure how big of a bulb will be best to use as your outdoor lighting. You can always pick a brighter bulb yourself, but what you might not realize is that this bulb will use a lot of electricity. On the other hand, we pick our lighting components and products with experience so you get more brightness with less power consumption.

We Will Make Reliable Connections

There is a huge difference between outdoor and indoor lighting—outdoor lighting takes a beating thanks to the elements. Non-professionally installed outdoor lighting can result in loose connections that will become a source of worry in the coming months. However, the professionals at Wire Craft Electric use their experience and knowledge to install your lighting. This is so that it stays fixed in place through chilly winters, hot summers and even powerful storms.

Call us today to keep away the gloomy darkness of winter and for any electrical issues in your house. We also recommend you to prepare your house for storms and winter chills. Give us a call and protecting your electrical system from any damages.

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October 17, 2017 at 8:00 am

Preparing Your Home for Winter – Simple Yet Effective Tips

winter

October has arrived and brought the news of coming winter with it. When you care about the safety of your house, you take measures in advance. Just like you clean your home before the spring season, you need to prepare it for winter as well. One of the biggest concerns with winters is the costs of your electricity bills going through the roof. So, how can you keep your house safe and issue-free this winter? Here are some important tips:

Save on Lighting Expenses

Shorter days with longer nights require you to keep your lights on for longer. The more time you keep your lights on, the higher your electricity bill goes. This reason is why experts recommend that you use only LED lights. Even when it comes to decorating your Christmas tree, you should choose LED lights.

Have a Backup Generator

When the power goes out in summers, the worst that can happen is spending a night sleeping in sweat. On the other hand, power outages in winters can cause dangerous problems since you need heat and warmth. The best way to prepare for such unpredicted power outages is to have a backup generator. A Wire Craft Electric professional can help you with the wiring and connections for your backup generator.

Fix the Chewed Wires and Cables

Winter is sleeping time for various animals and pests. These same pests can go inside your attic, basement, even within the walls, to have three to four months of sleep time. In an attempt to make these places their comfortable homes, they can often chew your wires and cables and strip them. Call an electrician ASAP before winter arrives and save your family from dangerously exposed wires.
Use Your Ceiling Fans for Heat Distribution
Modern fans have the winter and summer settings on them. Pressing the winter switch on them makes them rotate in a reverse order and allows them to spread the heat trapped close to the ceiling into the room. If your winter mode is not working, you better call an electrician fast.

Have an Electrician’s Number Nearby

No matter how carefully you prepare for winter, things can go wrong unexpectedly, and at the worst times, you can imagine. Dealing with electricity-related matters on your own is never a recommended course of action. It is mandatory to have an electrician’s number with you so you can call one for professional help during cold winter. Call Wire Craft Electric for your electrical issues and any emergencies.

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October 13, 2017 at 7:49 pm

Best Lighting Upgrades for Your Home

lighting

Natural light entering your house has the best lighting that you can possibly experience, whether in terms of aesthetics, practicality, or cost effectiveness. Unfortunately, you cannot enjoy the sun’s brightness during the night. This might be a good time for you to consider lighting upgrades in your home.

There are a lot of ways to upgrade the lighting situation inside your home, but here are some of the best techniques that can instantly uplift the value and energy of any room:

1. Switch to energy-efficient light bulbs

Several manufacturers have come up with light bulbs that consume less energy but still generate enough brightness. Steer clear of incandescent bulbs, which are not only dimmer than modern bulbs, but are also power-hungry devices. Instead, choose either a compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) or a light emitting diode (LED). Sure, these products may cost more than traditional bulbs, but they use less electricity and last longer.

2. Add recessed lighting

A good alternative to traditional bulbs is the use of recessed lighting. This kind of lighting fixture prevents the usual light bulb glare, by being embedded in the ceiling through a hollow opening. The result is a sufficiently lit room that’s perfect for intimate moments or areas in the home that need quick bursts of illumination (such as a bathroom).

3. Install under-cabinet lighting

One of the latest and most trending techniques in brightening up a kitchen or home library is to use under-cabinet lighting. As its name suggests, the lighting fixture is installed under or behind a cabinet.

This creates practically the same illumination, but without the light bulbs visible. It’s a more sophisticated way of making a room brighter.

4. Consider using chandelier or similar fixtures

Chandeliers are gradually returning to home interior design, and today is a good opportunity to consider installing one in your living room.

However, if you think chandeliers are too extravagant or formal for your home, you may opt for flush mount lighting fixtures or pendant light. These alternatives also appear to be hanging from the ceiling – just like a traditional chandelier – but they look more modern and minimalist.

5. Use string lights for small homes

There’s something cozy and comforting about string lights, probably because they may remind you of Christmas lights or a quaint neighborhood’s street light. Putting up string lights in your home creates a fun and festive atmosphere, where everyone feels comfortable. What’s great about this kind of lighting option is that they’re easy to install and remove.

Final Word

Upgrading your fixtures is a great way to redesign your home and replace anylight bulbs. Follow these five tips, and you will find yourself enjoying your home more than usual.

Need help with any concerns? Wire Craft will help you out.

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September 27, 2017 at 5:23 pm

3 Ways to Make Your Kitchen Appliances Safer from Electrical Issues

kitchen safety

Your kitchen is one of the busiest rooms in the house. It also has a great number of electrical appliances in it including but not limited to light fixtures, refrigerators, microwaves, coffee machines, etc. It also happens to be the only room where you can find water on the floor, and even on the countertops, which makes electrical works in the kitchen immensely dangerous, and thus any DIY projects should be avoided unless you are a professional. Keep the following tips in mind to help you keep your kitchen safe from any electrical hazards, major or minor.

Build Good Kitchen Habits for Kitchen Safety

While working in the kitchen is a lot of responsibility, the bigger responsibility is when you have completed your work and are about to leave the area. You have to make it a habit of turning off every electrical appliance in your kitchen before leaving. Turn off your stoves before plugging in blenders and food processors if your wall outlets are near the cooking area. Perform checks on your electrical boards periodically and be sure to remove that grease which forms time to time near the stove. Do your best to avoid splashing water on your power outlets and switchboards.

Be Mindful of Your Refrigerator and Microwave

Always keep refrigerators at a distance from the walls to allow circulation of air. One of the most common mistakes made by most families is putting stuff on refrigerators and microwaves. They are not places to keep your stuff, especially stuff that contains liquids. And no, don’t even put your cup full of coffee there thinking that you will be back in a minute.

Be Careful to Not Overload Outlets

Use one outlet for one appliance at a time. Are you often require plugging in multiple appliances in the same outlet but don’t want to risk overloading it? Give us a call.

Our Wire Craft Electric professionals will be there at your doorstep to make things easier and safer for you. As intuitive as it sounds, most people don’t care about touching buttons and plugs with wet hands. Replace your buttons or call Wire Craft Electrical professionals if your buttons become loose, i.e., switching on a light causes it to flicker and you hear funny sparking sounds coming from the button.

Once again, take it as a reminder or warning. It is best that you let professionals handle all your electrical works for all the safety reasons, especially any electrical projects inside your kitchen. Kitchen safety matters.

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September 15, 2017 at 2:59 pm

Educating Children About Electrical Safety

children electrical safetyIt’s fairly common for kids to be curious, and this behavior allows them to discover things around them. Unfortunately, this may also lead to accidents and injuries, especially when they don’t know the real dangers in their surroundings. This is the reason why teaching them about children electrical safety that is one of the priorities that any adult should do.

Facts and Figures on Electrical Safety

Electrocution is a nasty accident that you don’t want children to get involved with. Here are some alarming facts about electricity-related accidents:

  •       According to the National Safety Council, electricity is the sixth most common cause of work-related injuries in the U.S.
  •       Electricity leads to at least 140,000 fires annually, which consequently burns down $1.6 billion worth of property.
  •       Based on data from Statistic Brain, more than 2,500 children experience electrical shock from wall outlets every year.

How To Teach Kids About Electrical Safety

You can do a lot on your own to make sure that your child’s room is safe, but teaching them about electrical safety can do even more to protect them. Consider some of these steps and concepts when walking your child through the ins and outs of electrical safety.

Explain how electricity travels from source to point of use

When they’re old enough to understand, educate kids on how electricity is carried from the power company to the wall outlets at home. This tip may require you to do a little research, but this can definitely save kids from electrical shock.

Tell them what things can conduct electricity

Letting them know the things that allow electrical current to travel will give them clues on what not to touch whenever there’s electricity near. Items such as metals and tap water conduct electricity, while rubber and hard plastic are perfect insulators.

Unplug appliances when not in use

Although plugged appliances may seem innocent, this may increase the risk of potential short circuits or power overload. Teach your kids to turn off electrical devices that are not in use, and unplug them if they’re not going to be used for a long period of time.

Be firm in dos and don’ts

Instilling discipline at an early age gives direction to children. With that, make sure to tell them not to poke their fingers into wall outlets, or stick anything in those areas. Advise them to always have their hands dry before handling electrical appliances.

Conclusion on children electrical safety

You can never be too careful in terms of protecting children from the risks of electrocution. By teaching them about electrical safety at an early age, you can help them become more alert and watchful. When it comes to using electrical appliances and power lines, they will be knowledgeable.You can also work to make your home safer for your children. Again, children electrical safety is a priority.

Reach out to Wire Craft and we’ll send one of our electricians to inspect your home. This will ensure everything is safe and in working order for your whole family.

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August 31, 2017 at 10:09 pm

What is a Brownout and How Do You Protect Your Home From It?

brownout

What is a Brownout and How Do You Protect Your Home From It?

Summer brings a lot of fun and excitement to life, giving people a perfect opportunity to enjoy the beach with family and friends or barbecuing out on the yard. Unfortunately, the warm season also increases the electrical load, which may cause power interruptions in the form of blackouts or brownouts. If you want to maximize the fun of summer, you need to protect your home from a brownout.

What is a Brownout?

In a nutshell, a brownout is the result of a power fluctuation caused by voltage drops in the electrical system. The term comes from the “browning” or dimming of lighting fixtures due to the voltage change. An extreme voltage drop may lead to total power outage or interruption, which is called a blackout.

Seasonal brownouts occur during summer, when a lot of people find the need to stay in air-conditioned rooms to protect themselves from the harsh heat of the sun. Some of the common causes of brownouts include:

Electrical system overload:

Using a lot of electrical appliances and equipment may cause an abnormal surge in power requirement, which can overload your electrical system.

Faulty electrical circuits:

With wear and tear in your home comes a potential damage in your electrical wiring.

Weather conditions:

Thunderstorms may interfere with the distribution of power in your grid, thereby causing voltage slumps.

Tips To Protect Your Home From A Brownout

Brownouts – or any power fluctuation for that matter – may damage your home appliances and shorten the life of your lighting fixtures. Here are some things that you can do to protect your home from potential damage when a brownout strikes.

Limit the use of power-hungry appliances.

 Some electrical home appliances such as the washing machine or air conditioner require a lot of electricity to get them running. Make sure that you regulate the use of these items as much as you can.

Turn on only the appliances that you will use. 

Sure, it’s going to be convenient for you to switch all of your gadgets and appliances on, but this will cause an unnecessary power requirement that may cause a brownout. In other words, turn on the items only when you’re going to use them.

Check your electrical circuits for damage. 

Look for corroded circuit breakers or bad terminals, and repair them immediately.

A brownout may look like a simple and innocent event, but it can cause a lot of problems when you fail to follow precautionary measures against it. Make sure that your home is ready for power interruptions and fluctuations when they strike. The best solution is to contact an electrician to help you prepare your home before the next brownout happens. That’s where Wire Craft can help. Our team of electricians can help you get your home ready for whatever the summer heat and power surges bring your way. Reach out to us today and we’ll work with you to protect your home.

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