5 THINGS A GOOD ELECTRICIAN MUST DO

Looking for a good electrician is not an easy task. You have big companies all the way down to the small individual man and a van. So what is it you should be looking for when hiring your electrician?

Being a good electrician is no joke. Aside from having a really high-risk job, the responsibilities that come with the job are also enormous. If an electrician is not good, he could cause an entire house to burn down – most probably setting on fire a lifetime of savings, with possible risk to life.

An electrician is therefore expected to be of supreme knowledge and expertise. It is his responsibility to ensure that he is competent before he handles a job. Below is a list of the most basic things a good electrician is expected to know and have.

He must have an electrician’s license. A electrician’s license is the best way to make sure that a client is hiring the best possible expert for his need. Prior to acquiring a license, one must undergo schooling, training and an examination to prove that he has the proper understanding, and both the basic and advanced knowledge on his field. It is scary to hire a supposed electrician who is unlicensed – your building/house cannot pass safety standards when you employ one to install your electrical connections. Also, in case of an electrical fire, you may not be able to claim from your insurance company if you cannot produce proof that the expert you hired is indeed certified and knowledgeable on the proper safety procedures. As an electrician, having a license is like having a badge to prove your good reputation in your work field.

He must have insurance. Let’s face it – an electrician’s job ranks among the top ten riskiest jobs ever. They handle high voltage wires, climb up tall ladders, electric posts, roofs and ceilings, and repair faulty wiring under high risk of a short circuit. Unless they were hired to install a house’s or building’s entire electrical system, clients won’t really need services unless there is already an existing problem. It is therefore a wise move (both for an electrician and for the client’s sake) to get insurance. First, in case something happens to the electrician, he will be assured of insurance coverage. Next, for the peace of mind of the customer, it is best to hire an electrician which he does not have to worry about – in case something does happen to him in the line of duty, in his property. It’s also generally a wise idea to get insurance – because aside from the benefits one gets after an accident, no fake electrician (maybe just an all-around-handyman) will plunk in big bucks to pay insurance premium. In short, having insurance is like announcing that “I am an electrician, and I’m mighty proud and serious to be one!”

He constantly updates himself about all the new information relative to his job. He educates himself. The knowledge related to the job of an electrician is always evolving – there are always new developments that concern his work that are invented each year. New products, new safety devices, new power-saving technology, new kinds of wires, cables and tools – name it. It is therefore a good idea to always keep abreast of these new things – especially if these help him carry on a more efficient job. A good electrician does not stop researching on his field. If possible, he must try to take classes to obtain new knowledge and acquire new skills and education. These help keep him updated on new trends which he is expected to apply in his work.

He has to keep fit – both in mind and body. An electrician’s job requires use not only of his brain and knowledge, but also his muscles and good hand-eye coordination. He must, therefore, out a premium on his health and well-being, because what good is his knowledge if he cannot physically apply it on his work? An electrician must climb up and down ladders and roofs, wiggle through tight spots and must have strength to use heavy power tools. He must therefore try to work out and build up muscle. Keep the belly area trim also, since it’s hard to bend with a big tummy. Going on starvation diets, however, to lose the belly is not recommended, since he needs all his strength to think clearly and to have energy to do the very physical requirements of his work. Aside from the physical, an electrician must develop patience and concentration. Most of them do not find easy solutions to sensitive electrical problems. Good eyesight is required also, so if eyesight is no longer 20/20, invest in a good pair of graded goggles to ensure that he is inserting the right wire into the right hole.

Establish a good solid network of clients. It’s great to maintain a body of work you can be proud of – and be able to brag about. A good set of clients is like a collection of medals – they are proof of an electrician’s excellent past work. It is rare for loyal clients to seek a different electrician for every job they need done – unless the job is not within the same field of expertise. So, most probably, “once a client, always a client” applies to the world of electricians – well, until they blotch up a job and he ends up completely dropped off from the client’s list of experts.

HOW TO SAVE ELECTRICITY

With the rising costs of electricity, it pays to minimize usage. Not only will it be easier on the pocket, you also do your share in saving the environment by minimizing the use of fossil fuels to generate power. Of course, along with saving electricity comes sacrifice. You may not be able to use your air-conditioning 24 hours a day, despite the heat… or you may opt to actually go outside to amuse yourself– instead of sitting all day long in front of the television or computer. Whatever your own personal sacrifice is , always think that each person’s small contribution amount to a significant collective change for the world.

So what are some of the ways can you save?

LIGHTING

You can save a lot of electricity by simply changing your incandescent lamps/bulbs to compact fluorescent lamps. By doing this, your consumption is reduced by a whopping 80%!!! So, opt to use the beautiful chandeliers only during special occasions.

Whenever you leave a room, turn off the lights – well, unless you don’t want your dust mites to stumble in the dark. It does not make sense to leave the lights on when no one is using it. If you can’t be this vigilant, purchase a motion-sensor switch – this device will automatically turn off the lights when it senses that no one is in a room.

Install light switches at points where they are most needed – like the ends of a corridor, or on top and at the bottom of the stairs. This minimizes the possibility that you absentmindedly leave the lights on even when you are not using these places. Don’t worry about your pets – they can still manage even if the lights are off.

COOLING

In the warm weather, people are forced to use their electric fans, coolers and air conditioners for the majority of the day. There are some other ways to keep the interiors of the house cooler. One great way is by pulling thick curtains or shades over windows during the day. Use light-colored curtains, to let in some brightness (so you don’t need to turn on any lights). At times when event he sun is shining brightly, but there is significant wind blowing, do the opposite – open you windows and draw the curtains. Let the soft wind serve as you natural electric fan!

Set the air-conditioning units to 22 degrees Celsius, instead of the cooler 18 degrees. By turning down the temperature of your aircon, you also reduce electrical consumption.

Paint the roof and the whole exterior white, or some bright or light color. You will attract less heat into your house by doing so.

REFRIGERATORS/FREEZERs

Put your refrigeration in a place where the sun can shine on it directly. Keep it far from the oven or stove, or any other cooking device. A hot ref exterior forces its mechanism to turn up the cooling system in order to make up for the hot surroundings.

Make sure there is at least 10 centimeters from the wall and the back of your ref, to allow the warmth to flow away easily.

Keep the ref door opening to a minimum. Don’t open the door too wide, or keep it open for too long, or open it every 3 minutes. The coolness will escape, thus forcing the motor to compensate for the changes in temperature.

In case you don’t have a no-frost freezer, defrost every 2 months. When the layer of ice builds up, the efficiency of the cooling system is compromised.

COOKING

There are some misconceptions about the use of gas-powered stoves, as opposed to electric stoves. The cost of gas/fuel rises faster than electricity, so it may actually be easier on the wallet if you use an electric stove. The electric stove still continues cooking, even after it is turned off – one good advantage. Gas powered stoves immediately stop cooking after being turned off.

Always used the correct pan size, and if you can, cover the pot/pan while cooking. The food will cook easier and more quickly.

If you can, use the microwave. It only takes a minute of electricity to re-heat food in a microwave, while it takes much longer to reheat on a stove/oven.

When boiling water, use a water heater rather than a pot over a stove.

OTHER APPLIANCES/ELECTRONICS

Turn off the computer and its peripherals when not in use. If you need to keep it on/online all the time, consider using either a power-saving screensaver or keep the computer in “sleep mode.” If you can, purchase a laptop instead of a desktop computer – aside from the fact that there are more devices needed to power a desktop (monitor, CPU, modem, speakers, webcam, etc.), a laptop can run for a few hours on its rechargeable battery. Also, a laptop is most often an all-in-one device, meaning, the monitor, CPU, webcam, optical drive and speakers require only one source of power.

Unplug your phone charger when not in use. It continues to consume electricity even if there is no mobile phone connected, plus some chargers explode due to overheating.

When washing clothes, fill up the tub instead of washing several cycles in small batches. The mechanism is built to wash a load of clothes – not just a few pieces.

When ironing, refrain from turning the iron off and on several times, as this consumes just as much electricity as an electric stove being turned off and on several times. Try to iron everything in one sitting.

Regarding TVs, the general rule is, the bigger the screen, the more electricity consumed, although the latest flat LCDs and plasmas use less power because of the new technology it utilizes. If you can see well using a 14-inch (especially in a small room), then don’t use the 50 inch plasma in your living room. A little sacrifice goes a long long way.

3 HOME IMPROVEMENT TIPS FOR THE NEW YEAR

The New Year is always a great time to plan and make changes in one’s life. It’s the best opportunity to let go of things that brought us misery and pain, or boredom and lethargy. It’s great to start the year surrounded by new things and an environment that enhances our enthusiasm. Therefore, the start of the year is always the best time to make home improvement changes or interior design upheavals – for a renewed appreciation for your house.

Here are some cost-efficient ways you can improve the conditions in your home and help you feel as though you have a new home.

Fix what is broken, replace what is inefficient and throw away the unnecessary. This is very basic, yet most of the problems people encounter in their homes is the cause of either one (or all) of these three things. How often have you been putting off the repair of that leaky faucet, or that broken porch step? Remember that the longer you put off some repairs, like a broken water pipe, the more money you waste on unnecessary water consumption. And it’s not a great idea to start a year by wasting cash which you can use for other more aesthetic home improvement projects. That loose porch step might be the cause of a bad accident, so the longer you procrastinate, the more loose it becomes, and the higher the risk of falling and breaking your foot. If you have other inefficient things around the house, like that electric iron which takes so long to heat up, then replace it as soon as possible. Doing so might save your house from burning down, or it can also help you conserve a lot on your next power bill. Replace the 80’s-era desktop with a more efficient and power-saving high tech laptop. Don’t throw away old things which can still be used, though. Give them to charity. Your junk may be another man’s treasure.

Clean, clean clean!! Oftentimes, the value of one’s home greatly depreciates when it is constantly dirty. Dirt destroys paint and deteriorates wood. Dirt encourages bugs to multiply, and may be “heaven” to roaches and rats. Don’t encourage other unwelcome beings into your home by putting off the general house cleaning. Keep your surroundings spick and span – daily, if possible. Remember that the longer you postpone the scrubbing and the cleaning, the harder it becomes to thoroughly get it sparkling. Vacuum the most hard-to-reach places  including your furniture. Not only will you feel better, it prevents any type of germs to cultivate in places where they should never be. If you find yourself itching and scratching, or if your child has been sneezing or coughing more often than necessary, then it may be caused by dust and mold. If you feel that you have thoroughly scrubbed the surroundings clean, and yet continue experiencing health symptoms, then it’s time to call the experts. Have a mold specialist and a bug and pest control service check on your home. Remember that an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure. Besides, years from now, when you decide to sell your house and move to your dream mansion, every bit of cleanliness done today will contribute heaps to the higher re-sale value of your house ten years from now.

Apply a fresh coat of paint, re-arrange furniture and replace bed sheets, seat covers and curtains. All these things are the most inexpensive ways to help you feel as though you’re in a brand new home. Don’t you find that changing your paint color helps revitalize your home, and keep it looking fresh and clean? Of course, prior to doing this, you need to do the first 2 tips stated above, but painting does not cost much – and you can do it yourself, too! It’s a great feeling scouting around for a new color at the home improvement store, then getting down and dirty in your overalls and roller-brush the walls yourself. Not only do you have a spanking-new looking home, you feel a lot of satisfaction by remembering that you did it yourself. You’ll have a renewed appreciation for your space. Next, re-arrange your furniture to get a new perspective. Change the seat covers, so that it matches your newly-painted walls. In your bedroom, change the sheets in colors or prints that are new to you. Sheets are not too expensive – plus they’re washable and reusable too. All of these changes combined will not only bring a fresh new look in your home, you’ll feel like you transferred to a better version of your old one too.

You don’t really need to be an expert to make improvements in your home. If you notice, the home improvement shows on television merely clean and enhance their target homes. You can do that, too. But whatever it is you decide to do, remember that every bit of care you put in today, right now, this very minute into your house will greatly affect its market value and beauty. 

3 ELECTRICAL TIPS FOR FAMILIES

As a parent, it is your task to inform your kids about the dangers of playing with electricity. We all know that unless we warn children, their own curiosity might kill them. When it comes to potentially fatal household devices, it is best to tell your kids what to do, and what to avoid.

Here are the top three things you must always know about electricity around the house:

OUTDOOR ELECTRICAL SAFETY FOR KIDS

Most especially when you allow your children to play around the neighborhood, always remind them of these things, and MAKE SURE they remember them and do them.

Never mess with and around power lines. Power lines are everywhere – around your neighbourhood, the school grounds, the playground. Do not attempt to touch any of them to avoid electrocution.

If they see fallen power lines, avoid them, and tell Mommy, a teacher or a Guard at about the broken power line – so that they can contact the  local power supplier.

Avoid going up or playing around trees with branches entwined between power lines.

Stay away from substations and power transformers. Nope, these are not the “Transformers” you should be playing with. These transformers carry millions of voltage to thousands of houses and buildings.

Electricity and water do not mix, and is probably the most dangerous combination. Never swim when there is a lighting storm. Never touch anything electrical with wet hands, or when your feet are wet or soaked in water.

INDOOR ELECTRICAL SAFETY TIPS FOR KIDSYour kids are you’re your responsibility the most when they are with you around the house. The problem is, you cannot see everything they’re doing. Keep a close watch and warn them of the potential dangers.

Teach them to respect power cords. Do not play with them, do not bite into them, do not use them to as a leash for your family dog. Not only will they get electrocuted if they do so, they may also set the house on fire with their carelessness if they do not follow house rules regarding electrical cords.

Never carry small appliances by their power cords.

Always ask Mommy or Daddy to plug or unplug any of their electrical gadgets.

Always tell an adult if they notice bent, frayed, sparkling or hissing power cords.

Never stick fingers into any heating device , electrical socket, electric fan or cooking apparatus.

Again, never touch electrical devices with wet hands or feet.

Call your local emergency number in case something bad happens, or when your house (or just part of it) catches fire because of electrical appliances. Don’t attempt to put out an electrically-caused fire with water. Call your Mum and Dad!

FIRE AND ELECTRICAL SAFETY TIPS FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY.

Most families take electricity for granted. There are thousands of fires per year that could have been avoided if only proper precautions were taken.

ELECTRICAL

Keep liquids away from electrical items such as televisions, video games and computers. They may spill and cause electrical shock.

Never play with electrical cords or outlets.

Have any broken electrical cord repaired.

Do not fly kites near power lines – even within your backyard or lawn.

Do not stand beside or near trees when there is a lightning sorm.

If you drop a plugged appliance in water, never attempt to fish with out. Have an adult shut off the power supply before you retrieve it.

FIRE SAFETY TIPS

Install smoke alarms in every room.

Always make sure you have two ways out of any room (fire exit).

Formulate a family escape plan in case of fire.

Silly as it may sound, hold a family fire drill twice a year – and take it seriously. Remember that 

when the house is already on fire, the element of fear and panic enter the picture. It would be fatal to be both fearful and panicky, and also be clueless and ignorant of what to do.

Always remember, it is easy to replace lost property or material things, but you can never take back a life once it is gone. 

How To Save Money With Green Energy

There has been much ado about shifting to green energy, now that the costs of traditional power are exorbitant and quite daunting. Green energy is the term used when describing energy from sources of power that are known to be non-polluting and  fundamentally environment-friendly. It is popular because it helps prevent future global warming. Using green energy saves a lot on the wallet.

So what are the ways you can use green energy to save money?

Save energy. When you save energy, you end up using less pollutants to produce the energy you need. Every little thing helps. Save energy by trying the following simple tips:

·         Setting the thermostat a few degrees lower

·         Using compact florescent light bulbs

·         Unplugging appliances when not in use

·         Washing clothes in cold water

·         Using a drying rack for clothes instead of the clothes dryer

Save water.

·         Take shorter showers

·         Install a low-flow shower head

·         Install faucet aerators on each other to conserve water and heat but still maintain high pressure.

·         Plant draught-tolerant plants that require less watering.

Use less gas to get anywhere. You will end up not only being good to your environment, you benefit your body too!

·         Try biking or walking.

·         Commute instead of bringing your car to work or school

·         Convince your local government to provide bike lanes. The city ends up with much less traffic also.

Start eating smart.

·         Go meatless for one day. Think of all the energy needed to bring that piece of meat to your table.

·         Try to go organic – meats, vegetables, etc.

·         Purchase from local farmers. Encourage them to farm.

·         Go lower on the food chain. You end up using less energy by doing so.

Skip the bottled water.

·         Drink water from a water purifier

·         Bring a reusable water bottle, instead of contributing to the garbage in the landfills with your disposable mineral water bottles.

Buy smart. Think before buying.

·         Consider buying 2^nd hand products

·         Check out garage and estate sales, ebay and consignment shops

·         Find out if the brand new products you buy were produced by a manufacturer who uses green energy too

·         Borrow, instead of buying.

·         Share – tools, books, and other non-personal items

·         Stay away from clothes that need to be dry-cleaned.

·         Buy durable and long-lasting products (less waste)

Be mindful of the things you throw in the trash.

·         Don’t dump your electronics in the garbage bin

·         Recycle things

·         Don’t toss the batteries in the trash. They could explode.

·         Re-sell items you have no more use for. Your trash might be someone’s treasure!

It doesn’t really take much to contribute to greening up the environment. Every little thing counts. Just remember the rule of thumb – the less energy you use, the greater your contribution to the environment. Using less of something would require less energy to satisfy your basic needs. You not only save the earth, you save big bucks in the long run too!

Tips If You’re Going To Be An Electrician At Home

Probably one of the most risky occupations is that of an electrician. He is not only exposed to electrocution and severe burns, his job also entails extreme physical challenges and possible fractures and severe allergies – since he is required to climb high altitudes, and wiggle his way through the narrowest of holes and ceilings.

Here are some tips if you are choosing to do some electrician work for yourself at home:

Warm up/exercise for the workday ahead. Much like a runner, prepare your body by walking, marching in place or moving your arms in circles. Stretch slowly and hold it for 3-5 seconds. Stretch the lower back and hips, stretch each leg, and stretch your arms. These stretching exercises lower your risk of overextending muscles, and hurting yourself while working on those ceiling wires and lights. As an electrician, you would also need to most often work on your knees, or squat. Keep your body fit (and your waistline trim) for all this bending and stooping. 

Remember to consult with your doctor before embarking on any exercise routine.

You know you have a problem if you have any of the following symptoms, so don’t postpone your doctor’s appointment, and have them checked out as soon as possible:

·         Constant fatigue

·         Cold hands

·         Swelling

·         Numbness

·         Tingling

·         Lack of energy

·         Changes in skin colour

·         Weakness

·         Loss of sensation

·         Aching, burning or shooting pain

Use power tools as much as possible. Repetitious hand work may cause pain and result in permanent injury – thus limiting your ability to use your hands in any kind of work. Straining your hands too much may cause your hands to lose stability – making them jittery and shaky – which is a major disadvantage for such a profession that requires precision, accuracy and control. The solution is to use hand or power tools whenever possible. While working, keep these electric tools close to your body to reduce fatigue and increase productivity. You can also do much more work with these power tools.

When lifting, use the three-point-lift. Never try to lift or carry very heavy load on your own – ask for help. When lifting, use the three-point-lift  Never bend or stoop, then attempt to lift heavy equipment the way those 300-pound competitive weightlifters do. You will surely injure your back doing so. Use teamwork or mechanical aids whenever possible.

When pulling, use a tugger or pulley. Avoid manual wire pulling – use a tugger or a hand tool whenever possible. You may break your skin, dislocate bones or damage nerves when you subject your hands to pressure that is meant for machines – not hands. Also, always, always, always wear workman’s gloves, with the exterior preferably rubber-lined in order to avoid electrocution.

Always use rubber-soled shoes. Never attempt to touch any wires barefoot – unless you want to end up barbequed (lol). Electrocution is considerably lessened when a worker wears rubber-soled shoes and rubber-lined gloves.

Anti-itch remedy. The insulation you find in ceilings and attics are most often itchy and may cause skin allergies. The solution – take a bottle of baby powder or corn starch and apply it to your hands, arms, neck and face. The powder protects your skin from the insulation and prevents irritation and itching. If the attic is too dusty, remember to wear a protective mask, as you might end up with a bad cough, asthma, or inhale some of the dust from rodent droppings usually present in dark crevices.

Avoid Heat Illness. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by heat, especially if you are working in tight areas like attics, ceilings, basements and under the house. Start work early in the morning when it is considerably cooler. Wear light-colored and loose-fitting clothing. If you need to work where there is direct sunlight, take frequent breaks in the shade. Lastly, drink plenty of water before, during and after work. In fact, you should also drink even if you are not thirsty

SAVE ELECTRICITY DURING THE HOLIDAYS

It’s the season of abundance, and while everyone is busy trying to make their homes look nice for the holidays, they lose sight of the amount of power they use to make their surroundings prettier. You can employ several techniques to help avoid having a heart attack when you get your next electricity bill. Remember that the less amount of power used, the greater your contribution into greening up the planet.

Use LED lights. LED Lights are much safer than regular lights. They do not heat up – which is great especially if you’re going to twirl them around your real Christmas tree. LEDs use up 90% less electricity, and can last up to 100,000 hours. Imagine using the same lights for 500 years? The average usage per household each year is 200 hours, thus – you, as well as your children can  save Earth for the next 500 years.

Use Fiber Optic Decorations. Fiber optic decorations are thin plastic-like wires where light can pass through. They are great for decorations, as it most probably only requires one small source of light, strategically positioned at the base. Since light passes through the wires, the effect is one fascinating display of light that can be altered in various shapes, are these wires are thin, pliable and bouncy. Use them a centerpieces to save on electricity.

Limit the time the lights are kept on. Of course, you must wait for it to grow dark before you turn on your Christmas lights, and you also must turn them off maybe at midnight – or before you go to bed. NEVER leave the lights unattended as your house might end up like one huge fireplace.

When the Christmas tree is lit, turn off the room lights. Those Christmas tree lights always look better when the surrounding area is dark – so kill the lights and stare at your beautiful tree.

Why not use candles? Try to stand out from the rest of the neighborhood by lighting small candles alongside your walkway – the effect is some traditional vintage Christmastime in the countryside. Nice, actually.

Buy gifts that are not battery nor electrically-run. Save the environment by lessening the amount of garbage/batteries you dump into the garbage. Imagine also the amount of money you save by not buying battery-run toys? Opt for energy-free toys and gifts.

If you can’t avoid batteries, then buy rechargeable batteries. If you need to save money, then use rechargeable batteries for your gifts. At least, you can use the batteries over and over, and end up wasting less money. When you do recharge the batteries, unplug the charger as soon as the batteries are fully charged.

Have a safe and happy holiday!