Dalton Plumbing, Heating, Cooling, Electric and Fireplaces, Inc. Blog: Archive for the ‘Electricity’ Category

3 Common Electrical Panel Problems

Monday, February 6th, 2023

For a time, electrical panels were the new and improved version of a fuse box. Those old systems aren’t really used anymore and you should first make sure that your home has an electrical panel before looking into repairs. But for most of us, that’s already a reality.

Your electrical panel is the box that has all of the labeled circuits of your home in one location. It serves as a centralized hub, a place where you can always check to see if a certain electrical circuit is on or off, or you can even see how many circuits there are in terms of your power load. If all of the power of your house is going to one outlet, then you can identify which labeled part that is in your electrical panel for an upgrade.

But sometimes you’ll notice bad things, like corrosion or a broken switch, and those are signs that your electrical panel in Cedar Rapids, IA needs repairs.

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“How Can I Lower My Electricity Bill?”

Monday, March 21st, 2022

One of the most common questions our professional electricians get is, “How can I pay less for electricity?” Let’s face it, powering our homes is one of the expensive parts of homeownership. This is especially true in the last decade or so, with the addition of devices and entertainment systems. If your home is anything like the average American home, this is true for you too.

The good news is, there are many ways to improve energy efficiency in your home, and therefore lower your electricity bills.

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Is Your Home Asking for an Electrical Panel Upgrade?

Monday, January 3rd, 2022
electrician-hands-working-on-wiring

Your home’s electrical system simply could not function without this very important component–the electrical panel. Of course, you might still have a fuse box instead, so your electrical system may still be functioning–but not as safely as possible (more on that below!)

The electrical panel serves as the “central station” for all the voltage coming through your wiring that gets separated into different circuits. Breaker switches in the panel help protect the electrical system from electric shorts in your home.

The thing is, no electrical panel will last forever–this is especially true with the increasing demands that homeowners put on their electric systems these days. The panels wear down as electrical demands in a house grow, and it’s not a great combination. Read on as we uncover some signs that your home is basically asking for an electrical panel upgrade:

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4 Signs That You Need an Electrical Panel Replacement

Monday, March 29th, 2021

hand-holding-sparking-plugThe electrical panel of your home, also known as the circuit breaker panel, is tasked with keeping your household’s entire electrical system running as safely and smoothly as possible. Chances are, you don’t think about your electrical panel that much, unless you have a serious electrical problem like a blackout or electrical fire—we sincerely hope this isn’t the case for you.

The fact of the matter is, however, is that today’s homes have far more electrical demands made of them than homes of the past, and yesterday’s electrical panels aren’t cut out for that much demand. Aging panels require care and attention to ensure that they’re operating as they should, but also so they aren’t threatening home safety. How do you know if your electrical panel is ready to call it quits and your home is asking for an upgrade? Here are 4 signs!

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How to Install Great Outdoor Lighting

Monday, March 30th, 2020

outdoor-light-among-flowersAs the snow melts and springtime temperatures start warming up, many homeowners start thinking about the outdoors—including projects they want to complete outdoors. Oftentimes this includes upgrading their outdoor landscaping and lighting. Whether you’d like more lighting in order to entertain or even just to enjoy eating dinner outside with your family, there’s never a bad reason to desire great outdoor lighting.

But to truly get great outdoor lighting, you want to make sure you work with professional Waterloo electricians, which will help you avoid a number of potential problems, such as what we’ve outlined below.

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Why Whole-House Surge Protection Matters

Monday, August 5th, 2019

power-strip-serving-as-surge-protectionHomes today have more precision electrical equipment in them than ever before. In fact, you probably have multiple devices connected to your home’s power supply at any time, right? And there are likely many power charging stations handling your portable devices. Are you adequately protecting them?

This is important for you to know. A voltage spike can cause irreparable damage to electrical equipment, devices, and appliances, and power strips strategically placed around your home are not enough protection. Keep reading to learn more, and when you’re looking for electricians in Waterloo, IA, look no further than our team!

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Signs You Need Electrical Repairs

Monday, April 15th, 2019

electrical-outletsOf all the problems that might impact you as a homeowner, electrical issues are arguably the most dangerous. Sure, a plumbing problem can cause a lot of water damage and an air conditioner on the fritz can leave you uncomfortable. But an electrical issue can cause electrocution and house fires. For this reason alone, we highly recommend having your home inspected by professional Waterloo electricians once every few years. Otherwise, you are at a higher risk of an electrical emergency happening.

Even with routine maintenance sessions, however, there’s always a chance that an electrical problem can occur. We recommend knowing the telltale signs of an electrical issue, so you can contact an electrician as soon as possible.

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Avoid Overloading Your Electrical Panel with Holiday Lights

Monday, November 26th, 2018

Family Celebrating Christmas At Home Viewed From OutsideThe holiday season is upon us. If you’re like many homeowners in the area, you may be decorating your home, inside and out. Quite often, this includes putting holiday lights up and around your home.

One of the most common calls received by our professional electricians in Cedar Falls, IA this time of year is in regards to certain outlets throughout the home not working—this may include your bathroom outlets, garage, or outdoor outlets. And the most common reason for this problem is that outdoor holiday lights have tripped a GFCI outlet or circuit breaker within your home.

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Is Your Home Protected from Power Surges?

Monday, September 17th, 2018

beautiful home with mountain view in backgroundMany, if not most, homeowners assume that power surges come from stormy weather, and that alone. But this is not actually the case. Power surges come from the appliances in your home, and in recent years, as we have become increasingly reliant on electronic devices and high efficiency appliances, we’ve increased our own risk of power surges. And they post a more serious threat than many realize, to appliances, electronics, and homes in general.

You probably think you’re just fine depending on the small, portable surge protectors you can et at any hardware or office supply store (these are referred to as power strips). Hey, you can plug your stereo, television, lighting, and more into it—convenient, right? Well unfortunately, power strips are not enough to provide the level of protection needed for you home. Rather, you need a whole house surge protection system installed by a professional electrician in Cedar Falls, IA.

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How to Make Your Life Easier with Smart Home Additions

Monday, June 11th, 2018

Do you want to know the quickest way to make your life a little easier? Installing smart home technology! In the past few years, smart home upgrades have become more accessible and more affordable. Here are few upgrades that the Dalton team recommends to make your home in the Cedar Falls and Waterloo area more comfortable.

Save Your Air Conditioning

Smart thermostats aren’t new to the market, but changes in their technology have made them more convenient and easier to use. New smart thermostats take the guesswork out of maintaining your home comfort. They can sense when you’re at home or away and adjust the temperature accordingly. Additionally, you can control them remotely, so no more returning home to an overheated house. Instead, you can lower the temperature while you are in commute and enjoy the cooled air when you arrive.

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