Navigating the complexities of our modern electric world can often bring up many questions, especially when it concerns our homes. One critical question homeowners often face is: When should you upgrade your electrical panel?
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Peaden Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electrical Blog: Archive for the ‘Electrical’ Category
When Should I Upgrade My Electrical Panel?
Wednesday, September 6th, 2023Where Is the Best Place for My Home’s Generator?
Tuesday, September 6th, 2022
The Expert Generator Installers at Peaden Have the Answers
Alongside Florida’s gorgeous, sunny weather often comes brutal storms. Florida storms are typically strong enough to cut your power. The best advice Florida residents should heed is to be prepared with a reliable generator.
When deciding where your generator should be placed, following the manufacturer’s requirements and codes is crucial. It may not seem like a huge factor to consider, but the proper placement of your generator will play a critical role in its safety and overall performance.
For expert generator services, trust Peaden Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electrical. Contact us at (855) 557-7878.
How Far Your Generator Should Be From Your Home
When deciding how close your generator should be to your house, think about the location of your home’s windows, doors, and other obstructions. The generator should be placed at least five feet away from wall openings and your property line to protect your neighbors. Ensuring proper space between your home and the generator is your best bet to steer clear of hazards such as fires, electrocution, or carbon monoxide poisoning.
If the generator has been fire tested, it can sit at least 18 inches away from your building, and it shouldn’t be near shrubs or bushes higher than 12 inches — the clearance between the generator and vegetation needs to be at least 36 inches.
How Far Off the Ground Should My Generator Be?
Clearance between the top of your generator and anything hanging overhead should be 48 inches; this can include awnings, trees, and hanging plants. Additionally, to prevent airflow hindrance, do not place your generator underneath a deck or other type of structure — this may limit its airflow and result in a hazard.
Trust the Top Electricians in Panama City & Pensacola
A surefire way to guarantee proper generator installation is by consulting the qualified team at Peaden Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electrical. Our goal is to enhance the lives of our community by providing top-notch generator installation that will keep you and your home safe, no matter the weather outside. We’re committed to excellent customer service and aim to deliver the best possible care.
Hurricane season stops for no one. Stay prepared with exceptional generator installation from Peaden.
Call (855) 557-7878 or contact us online.
Is a Whole-Home Generator Worth It?
Friday, April 29th, 2022While we hope to avoid power outages at all costs, powerful storms are all too familiar to the Florida Panhandle.
Now more than ever, our routines are dependent on electricity, so when the power goes out, the safest and most reliable solution is a whole-home generator. They automatically switch on when your electricity is off so life can continue as normal with no disruption.
Standby Generators vs. Portable Generators
Standby generators are backup power units sized to power an entire house. Also called whole-home generators, they are largely worry-free, run for days or weeks without refueling, and tend to be quiet.
Whole-home generators differ from portable generators in that they run on propane or natural gas, allowing them to run much longer, cleaner, and safer. Portable generators run on gasoline and have a lower output than whole-home generators. They require a manual hookup instead of automatically kicking on.
While both types of generators can power essentials, a professionally installed standby generator is worth every penny for 100% peace of mind during a power outage.
Benefits of Investing in a Whole-Home Generator
When you have a whole-home generator, you don’t have to worry about sitting in the dark, refrigerated perishables spoiling, going without TV or internet, or having no way to charge a cellphone. No matter the state of your neighborhood’s power supply, having reliable electricity for your entire home allows you to:
- Prevent sump pump outages: Standby backup power means no disruption to your sump pump, which is particularly important during hurricane conditions with torrential downpours.
- Protect your food: Extended power outages mean you have to throw away most if not all perishables in your refrigerator. All major appliances stay operational with a whole-home generator, including your refrigerator and freezer.
- Safeguard other properties: Having standby backup power at a rental property or second home means you don’t have to rush over to it during a storm or worry about whether it’s safe and secure.
- Increase home value: As power grids continue aging and more unprecedented weather patterns occur (think the arctic blast in 2021), homebuyers will want to see houses with built-in fail-safes for emergencies and power outages.
- Power daily essentials: If you work from home, you can stay connected. If you or a loved one uses electric-powered medical equipment, they remain operational. So many daily life essentials run on power, and they all continue running during a power outage when you have a whole-home generator.
Gain Peace of Mind With a Standby Generator
The true convenience and peace of mind of standby power make whole-home generators worth every penny. At Peaden Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electrical, we install and repair standby generators to help keep Florida Panhandle homes safe during short and extended power outages.
An experienced professional should install your whole-home generator as the job requires electrical wiring and natural gas hookups.
When you call Peaden for a whole-home generator, we’ll provide:
- Upfront pricing
- Professional and friendly service
- Quality workmanship
Contact Peaden online or call (855) 557-7878 to request generator installation today!
Warning Signs That Signify a Dangerous Electrical Issue
Thursday, April 2nd, 2020
Do you live in Pensacola, Fort Walton Beach, or Panama City? If so, it is essential that you know how to handle electrical issues in your home. The number one thing to keep in mind is that it is almost always best to hire a professional to do the electrical work in your home. This way you can assure the safety of everyone and make sure that the job is getting done correctly, as well.
Issues with Your Circuit Breaker
Are you having issues with your circuit breaker? Maybe it keeps tripping. This could be happening for various reasons. The circuit breaker could just be old. Maybe there is overheating happening somewhere, as well. Your circuit breaker might just be overloaded. If the circuit breaker in your home keeps tripping, it is probably time to get electrical work by an electrician. They can take a look at your circuit breaker to see what is going and make the repairs that are needed.
Electrical Shocks
Have you been feeling the tingles or actually getting shocked when you touch one of your appliances? Electrical wiring that was improperly done or a ground fault could be causing this to happen. This is not anything that you want to mess around with. If this even happens once, you should call a professional electrician out to your home to have them assess what is going on.
Overheating Ceiling Fixture
Is one of the ceiling fixtures in your home overheating? Maybe you have recently noticed that it is much warmer to the touch than it was previously. If there is a lot of heat building up in your ceiling fixture, this could lead to a fire. Don’t let things get that far. Call a Peaden electrician today to have them come take a look at your ceiling fixture.
Lights Flickering
You might also notice that a certain light is flickering in your home. Maybe there is more than just one light doing this. Sometimes this just means that your light bulb is loose or not working properly. Switching the bulb could fix this issue. However, there could be other sources to this issue, generally from the light fixture itself. If you replace the bulb and that doesn’t work, call a professional electrician today.
Light Switch or Outlet That Doesn’t Work
Do you have a light switch or an outlet in your home that doesn’t work at all or doesn’t work some of the time? If so, you probably have a wiring issue somewhere. Loose plugs could also be an issue, as well. If you have this issue, don’t hesitate to call Peaden electricians today.
These are some of the most common warning signs that could signify an electrical issue. If you are experiencing any of these, make an appointment with an electrician right away.
Common Household Electrical Issues
Monday, February 24th, 2020
Do you live in Pensacola, Fort Walton Beach, or Panama City? If so, have you been experiencing electrical issues somewhere in your home? There are many common household electrical issues that you might encounter. Learning more about those issues can help you to figure out what to do. If you need additional help, be sure to contact Peaden’s electrical work experts today.
Loose Outlet Plugs
Many people end up with a loose outlet plug. While this might not seem like a big deal, it could cause some issues. This can often be fixed simply by turning off the breaker, checking the voltage to the outlet, unscrewing the cover plate, and installing outlet shims to attach the outlet back to your wall. However, if this seems like too much or you are too nervous to mess with the electrical, you can contact Peaden’s electrical work experts today.
Short Circuit Issues
You might also experience short circuit issues. These issues often happen with appliances such as toaster ovens or hairdryers. They can cause you to trip the circuit. If you have tried resetting your breaker, but the issue is still occurring, you can call electrical work experts at Peaden today. These experts can determine if the issue is with the appliance, the outlet, or the circuit.
Dimming or Flickering Lights
If you have dimming or flickering lights in your home, this can be quite dangerous. This issue could be a result of a poor connection somewhere in your home. The problem is that this poor connection could overheat and spark a fire. If you have lights in your home that are dimming or flickering, be sure to contact Peaden’s electrical work experts right away.
Frequent Burnt Out Lightbulbs
Have you had lightbulbs that are frequently burning out? If so, you should leave this issue to the professionals at Peaden. There could be a range of reasons for this issue including loose connections, poor insulation leading to overheating, and more. If you want to prevent a fire in your home, it is important to get this issue figured out immediately.
Dead Outlets
Do you have an outlet in your home that won’t work? It could be a dead outlet. The most likely reason for this is because of a frequently tripped breaker due to that outlet or a tripped poor connection. While these aren’t necessarily an emergency, if you want to use that outlet again, it will need to be fixed. Peaden electrical work experts can make this repair for you.
These are some of the common household electrical issues that you might encounter. While some of them aren’t an urgent rush to get fixed, there are others that could be dangerous if you don’t get them repaired right away.
Questions to Ask Plumbers or Electricians
Monday, January 6th, 2020
If you live in Pensacola, Fort Walton Beach, or Panama City and are experiencing plumbing or electrical issues in your home, it is time to look for plumbing work by an electrician. When you are looking for this type of service, you may want to ask the professionals you find certain questions to make sure they are right for the job.
Are you licensed?
One of the questions that you may want to ask when looking for plumbing work by an electrician is – Are you licensed? You want to make sure you hire a licensed electrician to ensure the job gets done correct. In addition, you can be assured that a licensed electrician will have the education and training needed to make sure the job is done safely. Without a license, the electrician may not be able to do the job correctly and this could lead to a fire or other damage.
Are you insured?
You may also want to ask the electrician if they are insured. This is another important factor when looking for plumbing work by an electrician. If there is any damage or faulty work done, the insurance will cover it and it won’t be more money coming out of your pocket. The liability when it comes to electrical work is quite high. This is why is so important for the electrician that you hire to be insured.
Do you provide an estimate?
You probably want to know how much the repairs are going to cost you before you get the bill. If this is the case, you will want to ask the electrician if they provide an estimate beforehand. Most reliable electricians will offer free estimates. However, this is still something that you should ask about to make sure. You should also ask if the parts and labor will be included in that estimate, so there are no surprises when it comes time to pay your bill.
What is your expertise?
If you are getting plumbing work by an electrician, you probably want to know what their expertise is. How many years of experience do you have in plumbing work? How many years have you worked as an electrician? What types of issues have you worked on in the past? The more that you know about their expertise, the more assured you will be when it comes to hiring them to do the plumbing work that you need to have done.
These are some of the questions that you may want to ask when looking for plumbing work by an electrician. If you have any further questions please feel free to ask when you contact the Peaden electrician. During your phone call, talk with the electrician or professional about what services you believe you need. When it is time to come to your home to make the assessment, the electrician can let you know what repairs or labor will be involved.
How to Improve Energy Efficiency in the Summer
Tuesday, April 16th, 2019
Are you tired of having high energy bills all summer? Do you wonder what you can do differently this year to lower that bill? If you are in Pensacola, Fort Walton Beach, or Panama City, Peaden is here to help you. We are energy experts and we want to assist you in managing your energy bills. For years, we have offered electrician services in these areas and are here to help if you need these services as well.
Turning Up the Thermostat
If you want to improve your energy efficiency this summer, you should turn up the thermostat. It is best to have it at about 78 degrees, but definitely have it to a tolerable level. You can try out different degrees to see what works best for you and your family members.
Checking the Filters
Another way to improve the energy efficiency in the summer is to check the filters regularly. You want to make sure the airflow is moving efficiently through the home. If the filters are dirty, this is going to prevent proper airflow. Peaden can help you replace the filters if need be.
Getting a Tuneup on the AC Unit
If you want to improve the energy efficiency throughout your home this summer, another way to do that is by getting a tuneup on your AC unit. Peaden has professional AC repair workers who can provide this tuneup service for you.
Proper Lighting
You can use LED bulbs to improve the energy efficiency in your home as well. These bulbs will help to lower your energy bill by around 75 percent if you use them all throughout your home.
Sealing the Doors and Windows
Our Peaden electrician experts also recommend that you seal your doors and windows. If you have high energy bills in the summer, it may be because there is air leaking out of the home. You can reduce your energy bills by having a professional seal up the doors and windows.
Unplugging Electronics
If there are electronics you aren’t using regularly, you should always unplug them. You may be paying more than $100 each year because you have electronics plugged in that aren’t being used. This standby power can be reduced significantly just by unplugging the electronics.
Checking the Efficiency of Your Refrigerator
Many homes don’t have a highly efficient refrigerator. This may be something you want to check on. If the refrigerator is too cold, it may be costing you a lot more money on your energy bill.
Peaden has many professional electricians who can help you to lower your energy bills for the summer. These are some of the tips to help you out this summer and every summer from here on out.
Best Tips On Avoiding Electrical Fires
Thursday, February 28th, 2019
There have been some people in Pensacola, Fort Walton Beach, and Panama City who have lost their homes due to electrical fires. If you want to protect your house from these types of fires, there are some tips that can help you. One of the main things you should know before reading these tips is to always have a professional electrician maintain, look after, and repair your electrical systems. Doing these things yourself could increase the risk of an electrical fire.
Home Heating Risks
One of most common causes for electrical fires is with the home heating source. There are thousands of electrical fires that are due to heating equipment. If you would like to prevent this type of fire in your home, there are certain precautions you should take. The first tip is to have a professional electrician check your heating system regularly. Most electrical fires start with the heating system. Having routine maintenance and tune-ups done can lower the risk of this type of fire in your home.
You should also know that many electrical fires in homes start with space heaters. If you are going to use this type of heating, be sure the space heater is far from anything that could be flammable. You should also make sure the space heater is plugged into an appropriate spot. If you have a space heater plugged in, be sure to keep an eye on it at all times. By doing these things, you can lower your risk of an electrical fire.
Use of a Generator
Many people in the area have lost power during storms, especially ice and rain storms. When this happens, you might use a generator. These can be helpful. However, they can also increase the risk of an electrical fire. The number one risk of generators is that they will spark and cause flames. This is more common if you use old fuel in the generator. If your generator has been sitting around for months, it might be best to have a professional electrician look it over before you use it.
Cooking
Another one of the common reasons for electrical fires is cooking. Since cooking is a part of everyday life, you should be sure to have your kitchen cooking equipment routinely inspected by a professional electrician. You want to make sure everything is safe to use. It is important to have GFCIs places in all areas of your kitchen, especially with microwaves, ranges, water sources, ovens, refrigerators, and more. If these areas get overloaded with electricity, they could cause a fire.
These are some of the best tips on avoiding electrical fires. If you want to keep your family and your house safe from electrical fires, the best tip is to have a professional electrician come in for routine maintenance on all your heating systems and cooking sources. Peaden has certified electricians ready to come by for an inspection.
Make the call today to keep your family and your home safe.
How Can You Reduce Your Electric Bills?
Wednesday, September 19th, 2018
There are far too many people who are struggling with extremely high electric bills. If you are one of them, you should know more about some of the ways you can reduce your electric usage. There are actually some quick and easy tips to help you save money on your electric bill.
Replacing Old Appliances
One of the best ways to reduce your electric bills is the replace old appliances. When you have old appliances in your home, they are draining your energy out of your home. This raises your electric bills as well. For example, if the air conditioning system in your home is outdated, you can get ac repair service in Pensacola, FL. You may even be able to get a tax incentive for replacing the system as well.
Unplugging Items You Aren’t Using
There are certain items in your home you can unplug when you aren’t using. Some of these things include DVD players, cell phones, televisions and computers. It might not seem like much. However, when you add up the electricity you can save by unplugging all these things, it can make a big difference on your electric bill. There are some things you may not want to unplug such as your air conditioning system, especially during the summer. However, this is one of the appliances that may drain you on your electric bill if it isn’t in top condition. If you feel your air conditioning system is causing your high electric bills, get ac repair service in Pensacola, FL right away.
Don’t Use Appliances On Peak Power Time Periods
Were you aware there are times during the day in which electricity costs more to use? It is true. During these peak power time periods you should attempt to stop using appliances, especially those which use a lot of electricity. These appliances may include dishwashers, dryers, washers and televisions. Your air conditioning system may be using a lot of electricity as well. If you feel it is using more than it should be, ac service in Pensacola, FL can help.
Reduce the Water Heater Temperature
Did you know your water heater is one of the appliances in your home that uses up the most electricity? If you even reduce the temperature on your water heater a few degrees, that could save you money on your electric bill. In addition, you can take showers instead of baths, insulate the tank for the water heater and switch it off if you go on a vacation.
Upgrade Your Thermostat
Another way you can reduce your electricity bill is by upgrading your thermostat. If you get a programmable, smart thermostat, you can change the temperature in your home, even when you aren’t in the house. Your home uses electricity even when nobody is there. You can turn down the heat when you are at work and turn it up on your way back home. WIth many of these thermostats, you can program certain times of the day when the heat or air conditioning are on.
Start using these tips to reduce your electricity bill today.
3 Questions to Ask an Electrician
Wednesday, May 30th, 2018
Before you hire an electrician, consider asking them a few questions about their services. To ensure you are hiring a qualified electrician to complete work in your home, it is important that you have a little information first. A qualified, professional electrician won’t mind answering some simple questions and should have the right answers before you hire them to do the job.
What Experience Do You Have?
A reliable electrician will have hands-on experience in the electrical industry. It is also important to find someone who specifically has experience with the type of project you are looking to complete. Be sure to ask for references to find out about work this electrician has previously done. Testimonials from other customers will help you know that you have hired someone who can do the job right. A trusted electrician should be able to offer 3 to 5 references for you to call.
Are You Insured?
Knowing that an electrician has insurance will ease your mind. Insurance protects not only the workers but also your home, should an accident ever occur while the electrician is in your home. If an accident occurs on the job site, the contractor or company would be liable to cover the expenses and not you. Hiring an uninsured electrician may mean that they could come after you for money should they injure themselves on the job. While you may think you are in the clear and this would never happen, it happens more than you think, so inquire as to whether or not the electrician you are looking to hire is insured and give yourself peace of mind.
What Will This Project Entail?
Getting an estimated quote before a project begins will give you an outline of what to expect. Have the electrician provide you with a breakdown of what they plan to do to complete the project so there are no surprises or added costs later down the road. Be sure to also ask how long the project will take from start to finish. It’s important to know if you will be without electricity at any time during this project so you can plan for that. Hiring an electrician that charges by the job instead of by the hour is a smart choice. You want to know the details of what is being done, how long it will take, and how much it will cost to ensure your money is being spent wisely and not wasted on hourly wages. A trusted electrician will be honest with you from the beginning, fair in their pricing, and willing to answer any and all questions you might have. They should offer you a guarantee that the work will be completed and done right or they will make any necessary repairs until the job is done. Call several electricians and get quotes from each one until you find the one you feel comfortable working with. As the customer, your safety and concerns should come first.