HOW TO FIND A PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN

With the rising cost of building one’s own house, one can never afford to risk letting their investment go up in flames. This means that homeowners should always check on their house’ electrical connections – ensuring that everything is always in excellent condition.  

Where matters of electricity is concerned, one can never be too stingy, so never try to do-it-yourself! If you plug in the wrong wire into the wrong socket, you just may find yourself in the hospital – with your eyebrows, fingers and toes singed – and your heart re-jolted just to get it pumping again.

This is when hiring a good and professional electrician becomes necessary. So how do you get one? Where should you look? Who shall you ask?

The internet. A professional electrician will most probably have his own website (especially if he has a business), or at least have his own Facebook page. Try entering the keywords “electrician” followed by your general area of residence, and presto, a search page will appear, and you can take your pick. Tip though – be sure to specify what type of electrical assistance you need (electronics, building, computer, general household), as electricians should have a field of expertise. Beware of the “all-around electrician” – especially if you are having major repairs made. A master of none would mean that this person “knows a little of everything,” thus giving you acceptable but not excellent solutions.

The yellow pages. A Community Business Directory can also give you a host of options, with the added benefit of a narrowed-down list of choices in your area. Especially helpful when already devoid of electricity (due to a tripped electrical connection), a non-internet-based list of good professional electricians will come in handy. Call the numbers listed, all of them if you are patient enough, and ask them is your concern is something they specialize in.

Referrals. Probably the best source of good electricians, a trusted neighbor or office co-worker’s referral is almost like a stamp of approval – you “almost” have verbal proof of their excellent past work. Of course unless you asked your arch- enemy, no acquaintance will refer a bad electrician to you unless they themselves have tried availing of his past services. Now that  you have the advantage of speaking with a past customer, you may also get a general idea about another thing to consider when hiring a professional electrician, which is costing. Ask if rates are reasonable. Ask also about quality of work and guarantee on a completed job. Inquire about materials used – if they are high-grade and reliable, or just cheap alternatives.

Ask building/home contractors – they would have an awesome list. One of the best people to ask are your contractor-friends. Who else would know about the best quality of work other than the ones who hire them most often? Again, ask for the ones who are in your area – as they are easier to contact in case another emergency takes place.

Now there are the ones to avoid:

Electricians who go door-to-door. Funny? Not so much. Now what would prod any professional electrician to desperately seek work by going door to door? Poor work; no referrals; ineffectiveness; a bad record. Beware of the last one (bad record) the most, though. Remember that you would need to invite an electrician into your home. Make sure he is trustworthy, and not the type who would pocket precious stuff lying comfortably around the house, like small gadgets, money, jewelry and even your silverware. Don’t laugh, because this is a reality. An electrician will have access into your home – assign someone to be with him at all times. Another tip – beware of the electrician who uses his obscure celphone camera to take pictures of your home. These are proven ways scrupulous individuals can case your home. Be vigilant!

Those who hand out flyers at the street corner. Although flyering is one inexpensive way to market a business offline, there’s also no way you can check the credentials of the electrician you are hiring. You may hire someone who does not charge much, but may very well end up wasting money, because of the numerous times the cheap labor had to be repaired… or because the materials used were low quality.

In hiring a professional electrician, ask for the following always:

•      Certification / electrician’s license
•          Insurance
•          Warranty on service
•          Experience
•          Education
•          References

These things separate the professional electrician from the average all-around neighbourhood handyman.

3 WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR HOME

With the rising cost of real estate, it pays to always keep your home well-maintained. Maintenance not only delays the deterioration of your house, it can actually help make it more valuable in the market. With a few simple ways that cost almost nothing, you can convert your humble abode into a potentially expensive-looking investment.

Here are some ways easy ways to do it.

FIX LEAKS. All too often, we have seen how these nasty leaks eat away at the structural integrity of a house. Small water pipe leaks cause rusting and corrosion of metals. Especially when the climate in your area is humid, leaks also cause mold to form. Remember that a water leak, when left unfixed, causes a bigger damage on the main pipes. The constant exposure to moisture seeps through cracks and crevices, causing the parts of the house above the hidden water pipes to be compromised. I’ve seen huge cracks on the concrete appear right above a leaky pipe. Once this happens, the entire stretch of a building over the pipe has to be dug in order to repair or replace the defective pipe. This does not only prove to be costly, it also makes your walls and floors look ugly.

Another type of leak that needs immediate fixing are leaky roofs. How do you tell if you have a leaky roof? Unless you have buckets strategically positioned all over your house to catch rain, the best way to see is to stare at your ceiling, and observe if there are brown water spots at certain points. These brown spots will not appear if there is no moisture source – and usually, the moisture source is a small leak on a wall, crevice, corner, gutter or roof. The longer you procrastinate over fixing these leaks, the bigger the leaks get, and the bigger the damage on your house. Moisture attracts mold, which can cause respiratory and skin illnesses, and in some cases, death. Leaks also cause a musty smell – making your house smell like an old dilapidated house. Roof leaks also cause the ruin of your floors (especially if they’re wood) and some furniture and fixtures. Sometimes, the solution is so simple, like a simple application of roof putty or one small welding job – and your leak is fixed.

Wash your windows. Windows get naturally filthy over time. Why not, when one side is at the exterior., and the other is inside your house? If you invested in a house with a nice view, it makes perfect sense to clean your windows at least once a week. This way, your view is not inhibited by dirt and water stains. If you have screens, take them down and clean them. You can actually tell how clean a homeowner really is by the condition of her house windows. Only a really tidy person will take pains in scrubbing each square inch of the hard-to-clean windows. If your windows, on the other hand, are too difficult to maintain, then it’s time to replace them with more maintenance-free windows, like the sliding type, instead of jalousies. Think of all the added convenience of wiping easy-to-maintain windows!

PAMPER PLANTS. The added beauty and freshness well-maintained plants bring cannot be discounted in any home. Have you noticed some beautiful homes whose facades are muddled by unruly plants? Grooming your shrubs takes as much love and care as it would to raise a pet. However, all your patience and love pays off well eventually, because plants bring much freshness and appeal to your home. Landscaping is also no joke – it takes big bucks. Don’t throw away your investment by letting your beautiful greenery turn into an unruly forest. Uncontrollable plants are also breeding grounds of bugs and disease-bearing insects. When you fail to maintain your plants, you not only make your home less attractive, you also cause health threats to you and your neighbors. If you can’t be responsible, then dig up all your plants and apply concrete over the soil. This is not the ultimate option, but it’s definitely better than keeping greenery that you cannot be a responsible owner to.

Having a beautiful home entails hard work and sacrifice. Eventually all of your efforts will be rewarded, as a well-maintained home can be resold for major bucks. Do your homework and happily perform your household chores – you won’t regret it.

3 WAYS TO LOWER YOUR ELECTRIC BILL

With the rising cost of living, it always pays to employ all ways to lower your monthly electric bill. Sometimes, you turn off lights when not needed, use smaller-screen televisions, or use the electric iron less often, and yet you still find your electric bill going up.

Below are some more reasons why your bill might be rising. It will be very prudent to keep a constant watch on these energy–drainers, because they may be the culprits bleeding you dry.

Put your computer to sleep when not in use. It is not really realistic to turn off your computer on to make a tweet, then to turn it off for a few minutes, then on again for a Facebook update. But keeping it on for long periods of non-use really takes a toll on your power bill. To save on consumption, if you have a desktop, turn off the monitor when the computer is not being used for more than 20 minutes. Newer, more sleek laptops and desktops are now equipped with a “sleep” button – literally putting your power on sleep, but keeping all programs ready for the next time you reactivate it. Some laptops may also be adjusted so that it automatically turns off (even without pushing any buttons) if you mindlessly leave it open and unused for long periods of time. Laptops also use considerably lower amounts of electricity as compared to the more traditional desktops.

Replace your old air-conditioner. If you think you’re saving money by hanging on to that aircon unit your mum handed down to you, then you are driven by false economy. Sure, it’s costly to buy a new one, but keeping your rickety 80’s-90’s era unit will end up eating at your household budget – in repairs, cleaning, and power consumption. And no matter how well maintained it is, it is still old and outdated, and very soon, it will die a natural death. So much for savings. Air-conditioning is one of the main reasons for power consumption, thus any unit older than 10 years consumes 30% more than its newer energy-efficient versions. When seeking a replacement, choose one with a high seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER). Also, it would be good to buy a unit specifically apt for the area that needs to be cooled. If you buy a high horsepower unit, you waste so much more electricity, plus people in that area will feel so unusually cold, you’ll be forced to put it on fan, and therefore wasting even more electricity.

Keep your refrigerator well-maintained. A good working ref does not have to be on high all the time to keep all its contents cold. The recommended temperature range should be between 37-40 degrees Fahrenheit. If you notice that it takes a much higher temp to keep your food fresh, then check if the gaskets (those rubber things in between the fridge door and the fridge body) are closing properly. If not, have them replaced. Also, it’s no longer wise to use a refrigerator  that needs to be defrosted. If you have one, though, make sure you defrost them at least 3 times a month. Those thick chunks of ice hinder the effectiveness of the ref’s functions, thus necessitating you to put the temp on high. 

3 EASY HOME IMPROVEMENT TIPS

Given the choice, homeowners want to improve the appearance of their houses as often as they can. If you have a lot of money, this is no problem, but to a financially-challenged person who used up all extra funds to purchase their beautiful house, the task of remodeling or revving up its look from time to time may prove to be nearly impossible.

But there are simple ways to make do with what you have. Sometimes, there are things around the house, hidden maybe in the attic, basement or some obscure corner of some small room which can actually spruce up the look of your home.

MIRRORS. If you have a small area which you would want to appear bigger, add a mirror. It may be an unnecessary mirror hanging behind your daughter’s door which she never uses, or that old dusty one leaning against the garage wall. Dust if off, clean it up with vinegar mixed with mild soap to remove the smudges, then wipe clean with a damp old newspaper. Yes, a newspaper. 

Somehow, the ink and the newsprint combination does wonders for keeping any form of glass clean (this, by the way, works well on your car’s windshield and windows too). If you want the room to appear bigger, hang the mirror opposite a window, because the reflection of light will not only make the area appear bigger, it helps add extra light to brighten up a small space.

PILLOWS. Have you had that boring couch for the longest time, but never got the chance to have it updated through re-upholstering? Then add brand new character to the old couch by adding colorful throw pillows. Choose colors that complement your walls, or contrast (but not clash) with the color of your couch’s upholstery. Go wild when decorating throw pillows. Use old or vintage sweaters, add buttons or ribbons. Be as unique as possible, or use the throw pillows to unleash your creative side. Throw pillows are great ways to create a couch’s new look, because it’s so easy to change them periodically, at very little cost.

SPRAY PAINT. If you are not an expert painter, several cans of inexpensive spray paint may be the answer to revamping your old furniture. Back in the 80’s gilded gold furniture is all the rage. If you have been scratching your head, thinking of ways to update the crazy gaudy gold paint, then grab a few cans of black paint, cover the upholstery with either plastic or old newspapers and spray away! Even picture frames can look more modern and updated when sprayed black. The current trend is either industrial or simple clean lines, so anything flowery, too printed and overly-designed is certainly from another era. While you’re at it, you might as well update the avocado green or golden yellow appliances in your kitchen from the 80’s with appliance spray paint in either black or silver (industrial/steel looking). 

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.