Congratulations on your new home ownership! As a new homeowner, there are a lot of things to consider, especially when it comes to the electrical system in your home. Not knowing enough about electricity and electrical setups can cause problems down the road that may result in significant repair costs. As certified commercial electricians, we’ve put together a list of tips and guidelines to help you avoid those issues and make your transition to your new home a breeze.
Know Your Electrical Panel
Most homes have an electrical panel, which is a metal box that contains the circuit breakers. The electrical panel controls the electricity coming into your home and distributes it through different circuits. It’s important that you understand your electrical panel and know how to turn off the power to different circuits in case of an emergency. In addition, you need to know the electrical demand of your home and how it relates to the size of your breaker. Don’t hesitate to seek our professional help, if necessary. You can do so by calling us at 608-785-0207.
Use Proper Wattage on Light Fixtures
Every light fixture has a maximum wattage rating that must be adhered to properly. Using a higher-wattage bulb may cause overheating or even result in fire hazards. It’s crucial that you use the proper light bulbs and wattage for your fixtures. Having dimmer switches installed can also help you control the brightness and create a more conducive atmosphere for your different lighting areas.
Know the Electrical Outlets
As a homeowner, it’s essential that you identify and understand the different electrical outlets in your home. Make sure that you understand the meaning of different outlet symbols so that you’ll know how to use them properly. Also, ensure that your electrical outlets are not overloaded by ensuring that you do not connect too many electrical gadgets on one circuit. You can have a circuit breaker called ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) installed, which we have previously discussed in our blogs, to safeguard against short-circuiting and overloading.
Invest in Surge Protection
According to the National Electrical Manufacturers Association, there were 1.64 million electrical outages in 2019, and many of those were caused by power surges. These power surges can be caused by many factors, including lightning strikes, electrical equipment, and faulty wiring. A power surge can cause damage to your electronic devices and appliances, but you can protect them by investing in surge protectors.
Hire Trusted Commercial Electricians
While there are things that you can do on your own as a homeowner, there are cases that require professional intervention. Call Kish & Sons Electric, your friend in the business, if you’re dealing with outages, electrical upgrades, or any other problems involving your electrical system. We have the tools, knowledge, and expertise to handle any electrical job and make sure that your home is safe and up to code.
Your home’s electrical system is complex and interconnected, and it can be dangerous if not handled properly. As a new homeowner, following the above tips is crucial to staying safe, minimizing potential electrical hazards, and ensuring that your home is safe and up to code. We, at Kish & Sons Electric in La Crosse, WI, are dedicated to providing our clients with professional electrician services that not only fulfill the highest industry standards but also maintain safety and reliability.
