
The wonderful weather of Summer presents the easy opportunity to request that an electrician visit and have your homes electrical system thoroughly checked. Similar to the way we as people go to the doctor for a physical, a homes electrical system should receive annual or semi-annual inspections. The main reasons we would do this are to protect the longevity of the house, protect the inhabitants well being and maintain the best efficiency – which can save you money on your energy bill.
Throughout the year as electrical devices in the home wear and tear, make a list and store it in an accessible place. The more work that can be done in one visit by an electrician, the more you will save versus paying for several visits. Most electrical problems should only be handled by a professional. This is mainly due to the safety risk involved as well as any job not done correctly can cost time and money in the future if not up to code. Once you have enough items on your list to take action, review the home for any other electrical problems that may have been overlooked.
This is also a great time to do an evaluation of your electrical usage needs. Do you or your family need more power in the home? If so, include that on the list and ask the electrician if an upgrade is available. Finally, in preparing for your checkup, it may also be appropriate to determine if your home could use money saving electrical fixture upgrades. For example, you may want to upgrade frequently used rooms from common incandescent lights to fluorescent ones. This will reduce the electrical consumption and lower your energy bill.
At JERMAR we offer over 30 years’ experience and specialize in individual homes. We provide hassle free estimates and quality workmanship. However, always do your homework and make sure you ask any electrical contractor the following questions.
* Number of years of experience
* Types of specialty
* Type of charge: by the job or by the hour
* “Ballpark estimate” for your job
Depending on your job, the best rate may not be the best fit. This often correlates with experience, and that is a matter of your personal preference.
Finally, once the job is set up, prepare for the electrician’s visit. Be sure to clear all work areas of any fragile items, home decorations and furnishings. It is also necessary to make sure that the panel box is clear and ready to be accessed. This will save the electrician time, which means you save money. Once the visit is complete you can rest assured that your homes electrical safety has been optimized and you will be operating at an efficient level.