Power. When, Where and How You Need It!

May 31, 2019 in Home Tips

Is the Power Out? 8 Tips to Keep Your Company’s Lights On

Many people do not realize this but the United States sees some of the most volatile and dangerous weather on the planet. We experience hurricanes, tornadoes, and blizzards. When you add in earthquakes and wildfires, you can see that a lot of the country runs the risk of having the power go out a lot of the time. If you are concerned about keeping the power on during such a crisis, there are things you can do. Whether you are a commercial lighting company or run a restaurant, these tips can be helpful in and after a natural disaster or weather emergency.

1. Take a look at the risks you have. Before you are able to talk to electricians to do a generator installation, you need to do an assessment of what your facility’s needs are. You need to know what the critical loads are. Look at how much you will lose should the power go out. You need to consider general downtime and any production losses.
2. Get a standby generator for your facility. If your area sees a lot of power outages that only last a few seconds, you may not need to put in a generator. The problem arises when the power goes out for several minutes or more. Some generators can take a decent amount of time to get full power up and running. In some instances, generators will take up to 120 seconds to reach full engagement. If that is too long for your facility, you can work with electrical contractors to find a better solution. Your commercial lighting company can also work with you to get you the light you need during a power outage.
3. Work on getting the right amount of fuel storage. Not all power outages are fixed within a few hours. There are instances, all over the country, when a crisis strikes and the power is out for days or even weeks. Working with local generator installation services, you can plan for this.
4. Keep your equipment up to date. There are safety and electrical rules and regulations that govern the operation and maintenance of generators. These exist to make sure generators are able to operate the way they are intended to. Your generator installation services can give you more information but you basically need to run your generator from time to time to make sure it still works properly.
5. Think about renting your power. If your power needs are minimal, you may not want to go out and get a larger generator installed at your facility. You can consult your commercial lighting company or with rental firms to see about renting emergency power for times when there is a general power outage in your area.
6. Make sure you have your generator placed correctly. The placement of your generator is very important. Even the best generator will not be able to work if it is submerged in water, for instance. You can get guidance from the generator installation services company to help you put your generator in the right place. This is most important for parts of the country that experience a lot of flooding.
7. Make sure your generator has enough air around it. It is extremely dangerous to run any kind of generator in a space that is enclosed. Most electrical generators emit at least some carbon monoxide. This is not as big a deal if the unit is outside but can be deadly when the unit is in operation inside. That is why these pieces of equipment should never be run inside. The same rule holds true for kerosene heaters, grills that use coal, and other devices. None of these appliances should be used in a garage either.
8. Keep an eye on your load. As you add circuits and new demands to your facility, you need to update and upgrade your generator. You can work with the company that did your original generator installation to keep your equipment up to date. You may need more power than you did when your generator was installed.

You can work with your commercial lighting company and local electricians to keep your company open during a power outage.

March 11, 2019 in Home Tips

Searching For Qualified Electricians? These 4 Tips Will Help

Since homeowners have so many responsibilities, keeping utility expenses low is often a difficult task. Lighting, for instances, represents 12% of the entire residential sector’s electricity consumption across the United States.

Though there are plenty of things you can do yourself to improve the energy efficiency of your home, working with professional electricians is your best bet.

Electrical contractors can help with everything from generator installation to energy consultations — but there are plenty of inexperienced contractors that might actually do more harm than good.

Here are some great tips for finding qualified and experienced electricians:

• Ask for recommendations — When searching for experienced contractors, you should be able to ask family members, friends, and coworkers about work they have had done in the past. Do a little more research than simply asking for recommendations, but it’s a good place to start.
• Request a copy of their license — Make sure you verify their legitimacy by asking to see their license and other necessary credentials. Fraudulent contractors will likely balk when you ask to see a license, which could mean you should look elsewhere for electrical assistance.
• Ask for a walk-through — If you’re already planning on paying an electrical contractor for a home visit, you should make the most out of it. Getting a quote for all the electrical projects you plan on performing in the future will give you a much better idea of where your money will be going. Talking to an electrical professional about lighting changes, ceiling fan adjustments, and wire fixes can help you tremendously down the line.
• Discuss qualifications and experience — Experience is the most important aspect of electrical contractors. Since not all electricians are the same, many of them will have varying degrees of experience and certain qualifications. Make sure to talk to them beforehand and find out what they excel at, what they struggle with, and what exactly they can offer you.

If you want to learn more about the importance of working with professional electrical contractors and find some innovative home lighting solutions, give B and D Electric a call right away.

January 31, 2019 in Home Tips

5 Tips For Lowering Your Home’s Electric Bill

In the United States, energy costs account for between 5% and 22% of families’ total after-tax income. Unfortunately, the 25 million households that struggle the most with finances are forced to pay the highest percentage of that range.

That’s why it’s so imperative to do everything you can to lower your home’s electric bill and keep it low.

Here are some great tips for lowering your home’s electric bill:

1. Install dimmer switches — Dimmer switches are great for saving both energy and money. Many U.S. homeowners jack up their electric bills because they leave their lights on throughout the day. Dimmer switches will help you only use only as much light and energy as you actually need.
2. Switch to LED lighting — LED light bulbs actually use 90% less energy than conventional incandescent bulbs. Get rid of all the old bulbs around your home and upgrade them with quality, nice-looking LED lights.
3. Utilize ceiling fans – Clean your ceiling fans and use them regularly, rather than having your air conditioner work harder. During the warmer months, ceiling fans will help keep the air circulating throughout your home, saving you money.
4. Work with electrical contractors — Though you can perform some DIY tasks around your home to keep your electric bills down, the best way to save more money is to work with an experienced electrician. Not only will these electricians be able to perform all kinds of electrical repairs safely, they can also offer advice on additional ways to save you and your family even more money.
5. Turn off electronics you’re not using — Another common mistake homeowners make is leaving electronics plugged in all day and night. Electronics use a lot of power, even when they are turned off. Instead, use a power strip and turn the strip off when you’re not using the devices.

If you want to learn more about how various home lighting solutions can lower your residential electric bill or work with professional electricians, give B&D Electric a call right away.

March 14, 2017 in Home Tips

Kohler Generators

December 23, 2016 in Home Tips

Electrical Safety for the New Year.

B&D Electric of Gainesville, FL wants to remind you that the beginning of a New Year is a great time for an electrical safety check of your home and/or business. As a general rule of thumb, B&D Electric advises homeowners to get a professional electrical safety inspection every 10 years. It is also wise to get a professional evaluation before you move into a new house, especially if it is pre-owned. As for businesses, it is ideal to have a professional safety inspection every 12 years or prior to any new lease or building purchase.

B&D Electric trained, licensed and insured electricians have the experience and knowledge to identify potential hazards, even if you don’t notice a problem or malfunction. Keeping your home or work environment safe from fire and electrocution is our number one priority and a professional electrical safety inspection is the ultimate preventative measure. Call our office in Newberry, FL today to learn more.

What YOU can do to keep your home and family safe.

1. At the beginning of summer and winter, check each room in your home for electrical safety.
2. Work through the check list below. Invest 10-20 minutes of your time now. It may save a life or prevent an accident in the future.
3. Once you have finished your inspection, record the date so you know when your last check was done and what needs to be fixed.
4. Make sure you fix the areas that you have marked with a cross as soon as you can.

Let your “Common Senses” help keep you safe: Look, Listen, Smell for Electrical Hazards.

Electrical Safety Checklist:

• Sockets and Switches

  • Are all sockets, switches and multi-boxes working properly with no damaged or broken plugs, sockets, light switches or light fittings?
  • Are all sockets and switches cool to the touch?
  • Do all electric plugs fit snugly into the sockets?
  • Are all multi-boxes placed up high, out of the reach of children?
  • Have you installed safety devices such as RCDs, shuttered sockets and recessed outlets?
  • Have you limited the number of appliances plugged into one outlet, so as not to draw too heavy a load on the circuit?
  • Do you have only one heater per outlet?

• Cords

  • Are all electric cords in good condition, with no cracking or fraying in the outer cover or any internal wires exposed?
  • Are all electric cords clear of rugs and furniture?
  • Are all extension cords used for temporary purposes only?  If not, ask an electrician to install a socket-outlet where needed.
  • Are all cords out of the way so they can’t be tripped over, damaged by furniture, or caught in any way?

• Lighting

  • Do you have the correct bulbs in your light fittings and lamps?

• Portable Electric Heaters

  • Do you follow the “heater meter rule” with all heaters at least 3 1/2 feet away from things that can burn?
  • Are all heaters in good working condition with no broken parts, funny noises or smells?
  • Have you recently maintained and cleaned your heater?

• Electric Blankets

  • Are all electric blankets in good condition with no scorch marks, kinks, exposed or damaged wiring?
  • Are your electric blankets stored flat or rolled in corrugated cardboard when not in use?
  • Have you had your electric blanket tested recently?
  • How old are your electric blankets?  (It is recommended that you replace your electric blanket after 2 or 3 years of use).

November 11, 2016 in Home Tips

Installing a Generator

Why You Should Invest in a Backup Generator Today!

While we enjoy the warm weather, the sandy beaches, and the friendly people, it’s not always sunshine and rainbows for us Floridians. We also have our share of tropical storms and power outages, and that is why it is so important to look into getting a backup generator installed at your home or business.

The greatest aspect about these generators is that the benefits are endless, and the cost may be less than you think.

What is the Deal with Generators?

Basically, a generator is a safety net for those unfortunate power outages. When your power gets knocked out, the generator kicks in and takes care of the problem, streaming electricity into your home so you can go on with life with little interruption to your regular activities.

How Can Generators Help Me During Power Outages?

Generators can be a lifesaver during any instance where your home loses electricity, and they can save you from missing out on essential conveniences. If your power went out during an unbearably hot day, for example, the generator would take effect and get your air conditioning going again.

Other devices such as televisions and computers can also sustain significant damage during a power outage as the sudden loss of power can give the device a dangerous jolt. The seamless power provided by a generator can save you the loss of these machines.

Generators Can Avoid Costs You Never Considered

Depending on the severity of a storm, a power outage can last hours or even days, and this is when the unforeseen costs can come into play. After a day of lost power, the food in your refrigerator can go bad, and the refrigerator itself could be damaged.

As the outage continues, you may have to stay in a hotel for a couple of nights, the costs of which can really add up. This outage could also cause your septic pump to malfunction, which could lead to additional unwanted remodeling costs.

A generator can help you to avoid all of these mounting costs and inconveniences. Put your mind at ease and call B&D Electric today for a free assessment and estimate on a generator system for your home or business.

How Can I Save Money on my Generator?

When installation and the price of a new generator are tallied up, the cost can be a little heavy on the wallet. Luckily, there is a way that you could potentially get your generator installed for less, and it all stems from your insurance company.

Call your insurer and ask if they offer a “loss mitigation credit,” which is an item listed on many homeowner’s insurance policies.

In essence, insurance companies don’t like to pay out on claims, and if you have a device, such as a generator, installed in your home, it reduces your chance of having damage that could lead to a claim. The loss mitigation credit could save you hundreds of dollars on your generator installation.

B&D Electric is your local source for generator installs. We partner with Kohler Generators to bring you the best backup power that money can buy, and our installation services won’t cost you an arm and a leg.

Contact us at 352-472-1966 today, and let’s get your home or business ahead of the power outage curve.