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When the weather is warm, you are always trying to keep your home cool…! Fortunately, you don’t have to boil in the summer heat just to save some money. By following some of these simple summer energy-saving tips, you can keep the temperature, and your budget, well within the comfort zone. Some of the tips below are free and can be used daily; others are simple and inexpensive actions you can take to keep energy affordable through the summer.

• If you aren’t using an appliance, unplug it:
  All electronics generate heat, unplug any electronics you’re not using to keep things cool. Even if it’s switched off, just being plugged in generates a small amount of heat in the wiring.
• Use your windows to keep out heat.
  To prevent heat gain through your windows during the day, install window coverings.
• Use fans and ventilation strategies to cool your home
  Fans cool people, not rooms, so turn off ceiling fans when you leave the room. Some people believe that using fans will only increase their energy bills. Ironically, using ceiling fans, box fans, and standing fans can significantly reduce your monthly costs. When using enough fans, homeowners can quickly turn up their thermostat temperature by a few degrees without sacrificing their comfort level.

• Invest in a programmable thermostat.
  It can seem unbelievable that investing in something can help you to money, but that’s the case with a programmable thermostat. A smart thermostat can make these temperature transitions easy. Smart thermostats are Wi-Fi enabled devices that automatically adjust the temperature settings in your home for peak energy efficiency. These devices can be programmed to reach a higher temperature when you’re gone and return to a comfortable setting when you arrive.

• Ventilate When Cooking
  Opening windows, cracking doors, and turning on overhead ventilation can help reduce your energy costs. Besides that, you can use the summer heat as an excuse to fire up the old backyard barbeque. Outdoor grilling is a summertime tradition for a reason!

Creating smart energy habits will help to reduce waste, improve efficiency, and save you money on your energy bill year-round.

Many people ask themselves; “what can I do to save energy at home?”. There are many easy, effective things that you can do, with little investment and little or no DIY experience. Here are some different ways to reduce your household’s energy use, ranging from simple behavioral adjustments to extensive home improvements. Saving on utility bills and protecting the environment, are the major motives for conserving energy.

Check your daily behavior.

The behavior adjustments that have the highest potential for utility savings…To reduce energy consumption and want to save energy in your home, it is not always needed to go out and purchase energy-efficient products. Energy conservation can be as simple as turning off lights or appliances when you do not use them. You can also use energy-intensive appliances less by performing household tasks manually, such as hang-drying your clothes instead of putting them in the dryer or washing dishes by hand.

Change/replace your Light Bulbs.

One of the least expensive and most effective changes you can make in your home is replacing your light bulbs. Traditional incandescent light bulbs consume excessive electricity and must be replaced more often than their energy-efficient alternatives.

Purchase and use more energy-efficient appliances.

Not everyone knows that appliances are responsible for roughly 13%-15% of total household energy use. When purchasing an appliance, you should pay attention to two numbers: the initial purchase price and the annual operating cost. They may cost more than regular but, in most cases, they will more than make up that additional cost through energy savings.

Install a programmable or smart thermostat.

These new systems work by automatically adjusting your home’s temperature as you want to keep it comfortable only when you need it to be. When you install a programmable thermostat, you eliminate wasteful energy use from heating and cooling without upgrading your HVAC system.

Upgrade your HVAC system.

An HVAC system is composed of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning equipment. Heating alone is responsible for more than 40% of home energy use. roper insulation and maintenance on your ventilation system can reduce your heating and cooling expenses by up to 20%.

Follow this advice, and you will see the changes! If you need installing new equipment, or any help with electrical work, you can contact us.

With our modern reliance on electricity, there are potential electrical safety hazards in any home. These hazards can, fortunately, be eliminated or reduced by staying aware and taking steps to eliminate their dangers, ideally with the assistance of an electrician. You should know that electrical hazards can be easily fixed—if you know what to look for. Let’s take a look at some of the most common electrical hazards in homes, so you know what to do to ensure your home is as safe as possible.

• Improper extension cord use

Extension cords should be carefully fixed in place where possible to reduce the chance of tripping or accident. Don’t plug extension cords into one another. Don’t use them as a permanent substitute for additional power sockets and avoid using them for too many appliances at once, and do not allow the cord to rest in water. Install additional electrical outlets, If you find you’re constantly using an extension cord to provide power to a specific area of your home.

• Outlets too close to water or water near appliances or wires

Outlets in bathrooms, kitchens and, other living areas with water should be installed a fair distance away from the water source. As water conducts electricity, keeping outlets away from water reduces the chance of electric shock. It’s also wise to keep an eye out for leaking water, lest it interacts with your electrical appliances or your electric wiring and creates a disaster.

• Outdated or poor wiring

Damaged, worn, cracked, or corroded electrical wires can increase the chance of electrical accidents. Have a qualified electrician check your wiring regularly to ensure the wiring is safe. If you need to, upgrade and replace old and faulty wires.

• Wrong light bulbs

We don’t often think of lightbulbs as being electrical hazards, but the potential for an electrical fire arises when lightbulbs are kept near flammable materials. It is common to use the wrong lightbulb, take steps to help avoid this hazard by using a light bulb with a wattage that’s less than or equal to the maximum wattage printed on the lamp’s socket.

Now that you’re aware of some of the electrical hazards at home, have us come make your home safe. Our experienced electricians can help you save your time and money with any of these you may have in your place.

It is important to make sure you can have electricity when you need it, mostly in the case of a natural disaster such severe weather, line damage near your home or any emergency and even local power line maintenance. A home generator can be the solutions to any of these situations.

A home generator is an electrical backup system that operates automatically. In case of detecting a power outage, a circuit is responsible for turning on the generator and transferring the electrical charge to it. This, in a matter of seconds, the electrical circuits become powered by the generator. Once the electrical energy is restored, the electric charge is transferred back to it and the generator is turned off. Home generators are handy for backup electricity in case of an outage but must only be used in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidelines. A back-up generator may only be connected to your home’s electrical system through an approved transfer panel and switch that has been installed by a qualified electrician.

Here are some reasons why you should have a backup generator:

• Power essential appliances and lights
• Essential Heating
• Power occasional protection devices such as a sump pump
• Large amounts of Frozen/Refrigerated Food
• Power an entire home or most of a home
• You have Medical Equipment on site.
• You have a home business.

Lastly, you should get a generator for your house comes down to your needs. It can be seen for some people as a luxury, for some of you it may be a necessity. In any case, at least you are now armed with the info you need to make an informed decision.

Here at Franco’s Electric, our electricians repair the wiring and connections to home generators, INSTALL new commercial generators, and replace old generators.

It is common that the complete wiring structure may not have been inspected for some time and this could show signs of deterioration, including not complying with current standards and regulations. If the home has 20 years or older, it is more likely to have potential electrical hazards occur.

Even in new homes, there is a risk of wiring damage.  With an increased number of electrical appliances running in homes, it is crucial that the building’s electrical system withstand the increased demand for power.

Modern home construction and design are far different from what they used to be, especially with innovative materials and technology hitting the market every day. It’s really common to give their property a makeover for homeowners for both aesthetic and practical reasons.

Here are some warming signs:

• Tripping breakers or blowing fuses.
• Flickering lights.
• Hot or discolored switch plates, cords, or plugs.
• Loose outlets.
• Light bulbs burning out in a socket.
• Light switches or electrical outlets are not working.
• Unusual buzzing or sizzling sounds or a burning smell.
• Cracked or broken insulation
• Electrical shocks when you plug in or touch a cord.
• Sparks from an outlet when you plug or unplug something.

Talk to your certified electrical contractor as they are fully trained to conduct electrical inspections on your property using the testing equipment to identify any potential wiring issues. They will recommend installing new wiring if required. You can speak with us about reviewing the wiring in your home.

You can contact us: (239)244-8640.

Email: info@francoselectric.com