When the new year is beginning, you are undoubtedly crafting a checklist of things you want to do to improve yourself and your life. Make sure to include your home’s electrical system when making your checklist. Keeping your home’s electrical system in good shape will ensure it continues to function optimally. There are four items to add to your electrical checklist this year.
1. Have an Inspection
Before you can do anything else, have your electrical system inspected. An inspection is going to allow your electrician to find and fix small issues to avoid catastrophic events that can cost a fortune to remediate. Some examples of small issues that your electrician may find are loose outlets, frayed wiring, and loose or broken switches. If issues like these are ignored, electrical fires can result. Electrical fires will cause severe damage to your property and electrical system resulting in expensive repairs. If the fire is bad enough, you may even lose your home.
2. Install Surge Protection
Surges occur during storms or when there is a sudden loss of power. Power surges can fry your electronics and appliances and damage your home’s electrical system. To prevent power surges from causing problems, have an electrician install surge protection devices. Surge protection devices will take the excess power from the power surges and redirect it away from your home, so there is no damage of any sort.
3. Have LED Bulbs Installed
Conventional lightbulbs consume copious amounts of energy. LED lightbulbs aid in energy conservation because they contain a semiconductor that is designed to convert electricity to light while producing less heat. LED bulbs carry a higher cost upfront, but they last much longer. Experts estimate that LED lightbulbs last approximately 10 years.
4. Swap Out Your Appliances
If you have any older appliances in your home, swap them out for ones that are energy efficient. Only choose those with the Energy Star label to guarantee that the appliances you purchase are energy efficient. When appliances carry the Energy Star label, it signifies that they are energy efficient and have met rigorous standards.
Now is the time to start following the checklist outlined above and prepare your home electrical system for the new year. If you are a Rochester, MN resident who wants to get the year started off on the right footing, contact Paxton Electric for surge protection and all your other electricity needs.
