With the dawn of a new year, many electricians recommend having safety inspections done to ensure that all electrical components and devices are working properly. While many individuals have their homes inspected before purchasing them or selling them, experts say most families go decades without having any new electrical inspections completed. Because of the number of potential problems and issues that happen all the time, this is simply not enough… To read more of this press release CLICK HERE.

Bob Lord
Providing quality electrical repair and installation services to Reno, Sparks, Verdi, Sun Valley, Washoe Valley and Virginia City

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Space heaters were extremely popular just a few decades ago as one of the top ways to provide warmth inside the home. While most people have central heating and air conditioning these days, a space heater can still be very useful and convenient. It’s important to understand what to look for in terms of performance and safety when trying to choose the best space heater for your home. Understanding more about these devices can help you choose the right one and use it responsibly.

What are Space Heaters?

Space heaters are portable or wall-mounted heaters that generate warmth for a specific area of your home. There are electric space heaters as well as those that are operated on kerosene and oil, although electric heaters seem to be the safest and most popular choice. These compact devices are great for adding extra warmth to a drafty room or in situations when the central heating can’t be utilized. A convective heater uses energy to warm heating elements or a liquid (like oil), which then heats the air around the heater. Fans are often used in this type of heater. Radiative heaters feature filaments that become hot as well as reflective elements that help spread the heat through a room. Individuals who are unsure of which space heater to choose can consult an electrician in Reno for advice.

What Situations Call for Space Heaters?

Many people have that room (or rooms) in their home that stays drafty or doesn’t seem to get warm the way the rest of the house does. In this situation, a space heater can work wonders. Small space heaters are also great for warming the bathroom before a shower, or in semi-closed outdoor spaces like a porch or garage. For extremely large rooms, space heaters can take the chill out of the air and create a cozy environment. Many individuals utilize space heaters rather than central heating when they only need to heat a few rooms rather than the whole house. In some cases, this can save on the utility bill.

How to Stay Safe with Space Heaters

There are a few things you should know about space heaters in order to stay safe. Select a space heater with an automatic shut off device. This will kick the heater off if it happens to get knocked over, preventing it from igniting nearby items. It’s important to give the space heater plenty of room and to ensure that there are no flammable items nearby. This includes bedding, curtains, clothing, and similar items. The radius around the space heater should be clear of all items, and children and animals should be watched very closely around space heaters.

Space heaters are efficient and very convenient around the home and in some outdoor situations. They’re a great help as long as individuals understand how to use them safely and how to choose the right space heater for their homes.

Bob Lord
Providing quality electrical repair and installation services to Reno, Sparks, Verdi, Sun Valley, Washoe Valley and Virginia City

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Even the handiest individuals sometimes need help from an electrical contractor in Reno. While it’s relatively easy to replace a fuse, there are often issues that need to be handled by a professional. Aside from the fact that a qualified electrician can easily fix simple electrical issues, there may be hidden problems that an electrician may discover. Electrical problems that go undiscovered can potentially be very dangerous, as a large number of fires that are started in homes have to do with electrical problems.

Blown Circuits

One of the most common problems individuals seem to experience is blown circuits. Most of the time, this is the result of too much power being drawn through a circuit, but it could be a number of other problems as well. If the circuits are being blown in the kitchen, and you have the coffee pot, microwave, toaster, blender and other items plugged in, unplug the ones not being used at the specific moment. This can help reduce the chances of having a blown circuit because they are able to handle the small amount of electric coming through to operate one or two smaller devices.

Dedicated Circuits

There is also the possibility that you need a dedicated circuit in your home. Larger appliances like refrigerators, stoves and washers and dryers pull a lot more electricity than the smaller appliances like the coffee pot.  Because of this, those larger appliances often require their own electrical circuit, called a “dedicated” circuit. An electrical contractor can create a dedicated circuit to operate your larger appliances and prevent more circuits from being blown due to an overload. He or she will also inform you of safety issues regarding larger appliances and the electricity they use.

Problems in Homes without Dedicated Circuits

When appliances that require a dedicated circuit don’t have them, it’s possible that the appliance will draw more electricity than the circuit can handle. As a result of this, the wiring and insulation can melt and as the electricity will not be contained, it could cause house fires and other hazards. It’s always best to have an electrical contractor come into the home to check things out, whether it’s a blown circuit, a faulty outlet, or something else.

Most electrical contractors in Reno will make an initial visit to inspect the area to determine the problem for a low price. This gives the homeowner the opportunity to communicate with the contractor to determine exactly what needs to be done, as well as what it’s going to cost. In any case, safety is always worth the price of a qualified, expert electrician.

Bob Lord
Providing quality electrical repair and installation services to Reno, Sparks, Verdi, Sun Valley, Washoe Valley and Virginia City

I kept an article that was published in the Reno Gazette Journal and thought it was fitting since Christmas is fast approaching. Some of the tips provided in it may be a little late in sharing, but I thought I would provide a summary of the article since I could not find it online.

To make sure that your home is safe during the holidays, make sure to do the following things:

1. If you go on a trip ask a friend to watch your house and take your mail inside. Also, put lights in various rooms of your house on timers.
2. If you are using a live Christmas tree make sure to choose the freshest possible as this will help prevent fires. Also, make sure to properly water your tree.
3. When setting your tree up make sure to keep the tree away from heat sources (fireplace, radiators, stoves, etc…)
4. Do not use holiday lights have broken or frayed wiring. Make sure to inspect all lights before putting them up.
5. Never plug more than three light sets into one extension cord. Make sure to turn all lights off before you go to bed and never run cords electrical cords under rugs.
6. It is a good idea to keep a fire extinguisher near your Christmas tree should something happen and make sure that your family has a fire escape plan in place.
7. Do not burn wrapping paper in your fireplace as it may contain ink pigments that should not be released into the air.
8. Lastly, make sure to be safe when cooking as this is the number source of fires during the holiday season.

The list above is a summary of an article that was published. For more information you can visit: http://www.thebuilders.com/

Listed below are some blogs posts that  I have done that are fitting.

Reno Electricians Use Smart Outlet Products To Keep Your Home Safe

An Electrician In Reno Nevada Explains Different Ways To Prevent Electrical Hazards

How An Electrician In Sparks Can Prevent Shocks And Fires

How Residential Electricians In Reno Can Help Keep Kids Safe Around Electricity

A Reno Electrician Explains How Not To Use Extension Cords

A Sparks Electrician Gives Advice About Outdoor Outlets

Bob Lord
Providing quality electrical repair and installation services to Reno, Sparks, Verdi, Sun Valley, Washoe Valley and Virginia City

This is the closest I’ve ever been to a Navy Commander when I wasn’t standing at Captain’s Mast!!!!

Navy Commander Kirk Lippold- USS Cole and Bob Lord

Bob Lord
Providing quality electrical repair and installation services to Reno, Sparks, Verdi, Sun Valley, Washoe Valley and Virginia City

Once again, the Sparks Rotary Club and I had the honor of bringing joy and education to our wonderful community with our annual Mad Money Raffle fundraising!

This raffle helps raise money for Sparks Rotary Club, which supports: Kids Free Fishing Day, held annually at the Sparks Marina, the fabulous 3rd grade Dictionary Program, where every Washoe County 3rd grader receives a dictionary; Rotary Youth Exchange; Rotary Youth Leadership Academy; our Partner in Education school Kate Smith Elementary; and many other worthwhile endeavors.

I’d like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank all of you for your generous participation in The Sparks Rotary Club’s 4^th Annual Mad Money Raffle. Everyone who donated but didn’t win are all still winners, simply by choosing to donate to our local community and our most precious asset – the youth of our community. Thanks to all of you, we can continue to do the great work we enjoy doing in the local community.

We could not have had a more beautiful day for the Sparks Hometown Christmas Parade and the annual drawing. Our Rotary Youth Exchange Student from Germany drew the winning tickets and the first one drawn for the $10,000 prize was none other than our Honorable Mayor of Sparks – Geno Martini. Geno is a member of The Sparks Rotary Club and was being honored Saturday as The Grand Marshall of the 25^th Anniversary of the Hometown Christmas Parade. Pretty good for Geno – Congratulations!

Please enjoy some pictures from the beautiful day and once again a huge THANK YOU for your support of Rotary.

Incandescent lighting is on its way out. These types of bulbs will be replaced by C.F.L.’s, halogen lamps, and LEDs.

The New York Times Green Blog did a blog about the changeover. For more information the blog post is “Americans Waking Up to Light Bulb Changeover.” Some people are stocking up on the older bulbs while others are changing to the new bulbs, either way it is safe to say that there is a lighting change underway. For more information about lighting check out some of our other blog posts.

• Reno Electrical Contractor Talks About Light Bulb Wattage
• Sparks Electrician Explains the LED Light: Uses, Energy Savings, and Capabilities
• An Electrician In Sparks Explains The Differences Between Incandescent, CFL and LED Lights
• A Reno Electrician And The Benefits Of LED Lighting
• A Nevada Electrician Talks About The Incandescent Phase Out

If you have questions about the various types of lights or have any other lighting questions call The Electric Company today (775-355-7300) or stop by 1961 Pacific Avenue Sparks, NV 89431.

Bob Lord
Providing quality electrical repair and installation services to Reno, Sparks, Verdi, Sun Valley, Washoe Valley and Virginia City

The arrival of Thanksgiving signals the start of the family get-together holiday season for most of us. With the holidays come memories, familiar traditions, guests, and… food. And with extra food comes the need for extra electricity.

Do you run into a shortage of outlets in your kitchen?  We can fix that.

But how can I add an outlet? I don’t want to ruin my walls!

The Electric Company specializes in closed-wall installations. We will come to your home, consult with you and answer any questions you might have, provide pricing up front, and do the installation quickly and cleanly so your new outlets match the rest of your kitchen. If we do need to cut a hole somewhere, we can even arrange for complete restoration for you.

It will be like we were never there – only better.

By the way… Be Safe.

Are your kitchen outlets GFCI protected to keep you and your family protected from electrical shock? Have you pushed the test buttons on each GFCI outlet in your home recently to make sure they trip as they are supposed to?

With more people rummaging around in your kitchen there is a greater possibility of countertop spills. Be sure to have properly installed GFCI outlets in your kitchen to protect you from shock – and check for damage to cords on crock pots, food processors & toasters as well as all of your other electrical cooking devices.

Call us today. We can help make all of your holiday celebrations safer and more convenient.

Wishing you a warm, safe, enjoyable Thanksgiving holiday!

Bob Lord
Providing quality electrical repair and installation services to Reno, Sparks, Verdi, Sun Valley, Washoe Valley and Virginia City

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Individuals who want a new look for their kitchen don’t have to completely remodel it; they can take advantage of updated kitchen lighting to improve the look and modernize the kitchen. With the help of a Reno electrical contractor and a few wise lighting choices, individuals can make their kitchens look much more updated and stunning. Additionally, they could potentially save a great deal of money in the process.

Under Cabinet Lighting

Under cabinet lighting is a great way to increase the lighting in your kitchen and above your workspaces, as well as making your kitchen more modern. Fluorescent, LED and incandescent lighting are all available for under cabinet lighting, so there’s an option for every type of kitchen décor and personal taste. The cost will differ depending upon the type of lights installed as well as how many fixtures are installed, but the average cost will be between $100 and $500. Individuals can do this project themselves or for those who aren’t able, an electrical contractor can help.

Recessed Lighting

Another great way to update your kitchen lighting is to add recessed lighting, which can be a great way to improve the ambience in the room as well as add some “task” lighting for cutting, reading recipes, and other jobs. Recessed lighting is also a great way to add “accent” lighting to highlight art or specific areas of the kitchen. While the cost will differ depending upon the style of recessed lighting you choose, it will average out to about $20 to $40 per light.

Adding Dimmer Switches

A dimmer switch is a great way to upgrade your kitchen lighting as well. A dimmer switch can allow bright lights in the kitchen for cooking, chopping, and cleaning, but it can also allow dim lights that are perfect for eating dinner or enjoying a hot cup of coffee or cocktails. It allows for the perfect combination of functionality and beauty, as it adds ambience and plenty of options for the kitchen. An electrical contractor can install a dimmer switch in just a few minutes, and the cost is relatively inexpensive. The price of dimmer switches will range from about $5 to about $40, making it a very cheap way to update your kitchen lighting.

Other Kitchen Lighting Options

There are other kitchen lighting options that will allow you to achieve the perfect combination of task and accent lighting. Pendant lights are one of those options. Normally found hanging above a kitchen island, bar or other workspace, pendant lighting is simply fixtures that hang on drop bars. In some cases, the fixture is a single shade but it could also include chandeliers or other decorative light fixtures. A pendant light is a great way to add to the décor of your kitchen as well as the lighting.

Overall, updating the lighting in a kitchen is the perfect way to give it a makeover without actually having to remodel the kitchen. It is much more cost-effective and by choosing LED or other energy saving light fixtures, homeowners can actually save money from their update.

Bob Lord
Providing quality electrical repair and installation services to Reno, Sparks, Verdi, Sun Valley, Washoe Valley and Virginia City

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In these tough economic times, saving money by any means can really help individuals and families. Unplugging electronics and appliances when they’re not in use can save money and it also helps to conserve energy. This is important for any family that is eco-conscious or that could use a few extra dollars at the end of the month. A Reno electrician recommends unplugging all appliances and electronics when they’re not being used and the money saved might be more than you would think.

Unplug It: Energy Savings Add Up

Many people don’t realize just how much of their energy consumption is taking place when their appliances are plugged in but not in use. In fact, the government’s Energy Star program warns individuals that 40% of energy consumption is from appliances and electronics that are plugged in and turned off. This translates to a huge portion of your electric bill and according to one Berkeley study; you could reduce your bill by 6% to 26%. In fact, most homes have approximately 19 appliances and electronic devices that operate on standby power. Typically, the larger the home is, the more energy there is that can be saved by eliminating standby power.

Hunt Standby Power Appliances

You don’t have to be a Reno electrician to find energy savings in your home. Go through your home and write down the appliances and electronic devices that are always plugged in, even when they’re not in use. The most common “standby energy” appliances and devices are the cable and satellite dish, sound systems, gaming consoles, DVD players, computers, printers, televisions, lamps and coffee pots. Instruct the family to keep things unplugged until they’re ready to use them. You can track your energy savings by looking at your electric bill the month before unplugging and then the months after unplugging the items.

Biggest Energy Wasters

While a Reno electrician might warn you to unplug all of the appliances you’re using, there are some that waste more energy than others. For instance, computer printers in most homes aren’t used on a daily basis but they suck a lot of energy. Some use up to 11.5 watts when they are not in use. Televisions use a comparable amount of power in standby. Cable boxes can use double the amount of computer printers; up to 23 watts when not in use, but still plugged in. One of the biggest drains on your energy savings is the TiVo or similar devices, which can use up to 50 watts when the machine is off, but plugged in. By understanding the biggest energy wasters, you can really save energy by unplugging them.

Energy Savings Timers

Timers of all sorts are available to help you save energy and money in your home. Outdoor appliances and lights can be set with specific timers that withstand extreme temperatures and turn off items when they’re not in use. This includes flood lights, the hot tub, outdoor decorations and more. Indoor timers can be used on big appliances like the stove, washing machine and dryer. Smaller indoor timers can be used for lamps, lights and exhaust fans. These timers can be set for specific times so that the coffee pot can kick on in the morning or heat can turn on a few minutes before you get home from work. However, they keep appliances from sucking energy when they’re not in use or when you’re not home.

Bob Lord
Providing quality electrical repair and installation services to Reno, Sparks, Verdi, Sun Valley, Washoe Valley and Virginia City