How You Can Make Your Home Electrical Renovation Easier Than Ever

You probably never think about your home's electrical system until the system fails. However, that is not good. As a homeowner, you need to monitor your electrical system frequently. You should also consider updating it, especially if it is not in line with building codes. Doing this will help prevent fire hazards and help ensure that your electrical system meets your appliances' power needs. When carrying out your home electrical renovation, there are several things that you need to do to ensure that you do not have a hard time when upgrading this system.

Hire Experienced Electricians

Electricity can be quite dangerous. Therefore, if you are not a qualified electrician, you should forget about DIY projects when it comes to electrical system upgrades. Otherwise, you will get injured in the process, or you will start a fire. A professional electrician can help you when it comes to this. Such people know how to upgrade electrical systems. Therefore, it will take a short time to update your home's electrical system. They will less likely make errors when doing this job since they are trained to be accurate when installing, upgrading, and repairing electrical systems.

Make Good Use of Electric Benders

Electric benders for rigid conduits are usually motor-driven machines that you can use to bend pipes and rigid conduits quickly. Unlike manual benders, you will not need to apply too much force when using them since they are motor-driven. These motors move the electric bender's shoes, which are responsible for bending pipes.

Using electric benders will offer you many benefits. For instance, they will provide better accuracy than manual benders. Also, you will get to bend rigid electric pipes faster without worrying about making errors.

Make Good Use of an Electrical Wall Chaser

Your electrician will at some point need to cut narrow channels and groves into walls, especially when installing conduit. An electrical wall chaser will help them have an easy time when doing this. It is usually a device that cuts accurately and helps ensure that too much dust is not produced when cutting the groves.

Renovating a home's electrical system is quite beneficial. However, you should ensure that it is done safely and efficiently. Hiring a professional electrician can help you ensure that your electrical system is easily upgraded. However, you should provide the electrician with an electric bender and an electrical wall chaser. These two devices will help the professional have an easy time when working.

The Efficiency of Electric Furnaces

There is no doubt that households today still use oil and gas furnaces quite often. In spite of the fact that you may have used gas furnaces without any major issues for many decades, you may still wonder if it is worthwhile to switch to an electric furnace. Do they provide equal efficiency as gas furnaces? What is their efficiency?

If such questions have been occupying your thoughts, then you have come to the right place. Due to the quality of heating and excellent energy efficiency, electric furnaces are becoming more and more popular by the day. Despite what kind of heating needs you have, you can spend less on your energy bills with an electric furnace. This article will discover how efficient electric furnaces are and what you can do to ensure that they maintain their efficiency.

How Electric Furnaces Work

Electric furnaces operate similarly to gas furnaces. One of the only differences between these appliances is that they have electric heating elements, which they use to produce heat rather than gas burners. Electric furnaces operate similarly to hairdryers in terms of their function. It gradually warms the air inside by sucking air into the system and sending it through a heat exchanger. In the next step, the electric heating elements will warm up the air so it can be pumped into your ductwork by a blower. It will then be dispersed throughout your home using ductwork. The first thing to note is that an electric furnace has no moving parts that make it less efficient based on this information.

The electricity that is used to run electric furnaces is used for heating your house, so electric furnaces are 100% efficient. Furthermore, a certain percentage of the energy used by a gas furnace to produce heat is lost through the flue after combustion has taken place.

How Efficiency Is Rated

The Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) measures how efficiently furnaces burn fuel on an annual basis. A furnace's stats will provide you with this information.

In the form of a percentage, the AFUE is the official measure of energy efficiency. A furnace's heat output is directly related to how much electricity or gas it uses. Most of the energy is wasted as exhaust. For instance, you may have a gas furnace with an efficiency of 80%. Accordingly, the unit converts 80% of the gas into heat while losing 20% in the flue.

In general, gas furnaces have improved their efficiency ratings. Generally, your gas furnace's efficiency is no more than 85% if it is over a decade old. While the price of gas furnaces increases with its efficiency rating, the latest models are around 90% efficient.

A modern electric furnace has an AFUE of 100%; this is the efficiency range of an electric furnace. Thus, electric furnaces do not waste any energy in the conversion process.

High Efficiency Doesn’t Always Mean Optimal Heating

Heat is lost through piping and ducts, so AFUE does not measure this. As much as 35% of your home's energy output can be lost before it reaches your home, reports Energy Saver. You must work hard to ensure no heat is lost during the healing process if you want your electric furnace to be as efficient as possible. You can ensure your electric furnace is as efficient as possible by following the steps below.

Make Sure Your Filter Is Clean

An electric furnace will remove the most particulate matter from the air through the unit's air filter. This component will build up dirt over time, reducing airflow. Your unit will then have to work harder than it should, reducing its efficiency.

Maintaining clean filters is a must if you want your electric furnace to operate at its optimum efficiency. If this component becomes too worn down, you may need to replace it. A professional HVAC technician will conduct regular maintenance on your unit, ensuring that your air filter is cleaned and replaced as necessary.

Make Sure There Are No Air Leaks

Air leaks can dramatically reduce the efficiency of your furnace, regardless of how good it is. You can lose up to 20% of your heated air before it reaches your rooms if your air ducts are worn, old, or inadequately sealed. If you want a large amount of heated air reaching your living spaces, you should ensure your ductwork is sealed professionally. It is also important that your home's windows, doors, walls, and ceiling are well insulated in order to prevent the heat from escaping.

Doing so also ensures your furnace serves you for longer because it won’t have to work harder and break down frequently.    The heat needs to be prevented from escaping from the windows, doors, ceilings, and walls of your home. It needs to be prevented from escaping from the windows, doors, ceilings, and walls of your home.

Consider Installing a Programmable Thermostat

Using your furnace sparingly will help you maintain its efficiency. Installing a programmable thermostat is an excellent way to achieve this. You wouldn't want your home to be at a constant temperature during the day, including when you are away from it; it's very wasteful. Furthermore, it is not practical to manually change the temperature every time we enter or exit the house. Further, the process of waiting for the air to warm up after returning home from work does not make for an enjoyable or enjoyable experience.

Thanks to a programmable thermostat, you'll no longer have to struggle with these issues. You don't have to adjust the temperature because the device automatically changes it based on your routine. The temperature in your house is always warm when you enter it and cool when you leave it. A device like this would undoubtedly help you save money, reduce energy consumption, and keep you comfortable and stress-free.

Schedule Regular Furnace Tune-Ups

If they are not maintained properly over time, electric furnaces can become inefficient. Any machine undergoes some wear and tear when it is used, including an electric furnace. Small problems may snowball into severe efficiency problems if left unchecked for a long time.

Cracks, blocked radiators, and loose parts are some of the things that professionals are looking out for. You can keep your furnace running efficiently throughout the heating season by having your furnace tuned up regularly.

Stay on Top of Things

When your furnace reaches its end of life, replacing it is a good way to ensure its efficiency. Using your furnace for more than 20 years is not recommended; however, some people have managed to run their furnaces for over 40 years. In order to continue enjoying high efficiency, consider replacing your well-maintained electric furnace when it turns 15 years old. Using your furnace for a long period of time will cause it to wear out.

Our team is the one to call today if you are interested in switching to an electric furnace. With over 16 years of experience in the furnace installation business, ART Industries Inc has been providing top-notch service to Lower Burrell, Pittsburgh,  and surrounding residents. We don't think you should be disappointed with the quality of our workmanship and the level of service we provide. For more information, please give us a call today. Our services include repairing, maintaining, and installing a variety of heating and cooling systems.  

Check out our list of the 5 most affordable furnaces to consider!

What to Do if You Blow a Fuse Every Time You Plug an Appliance

Appliances are crucial to many aspects of modern life. One thing that most appliances have in common is that they require electricity to operate. When you plug in an appliance, you'll sometimes be met with a blown fuse. If this happens multiple times in a row, it's important to stop and evaluate the situation. Here are a few steps you need to take if you have to replace multiple fuses when trying to plug in an appliance.

Stop What You're Doing

Dealing with blown fuses can be frustrating. In some cases, you may be tempted to try and push through the problem by continuing to do what you've already been doing. However, continuing to plug in your appliance when fuses are blowing is a recipe for trouble. That's why it's important to immediately stop what you're doing so that you can take stock of the situation with a clear head. Continuing to take the same action will lead to wasted fuses, potential appliance damage, and an increased fire risk.

Check for Shorts

One thing to check if fuses continue to blow is the electrical cord on the appliance. It should be in good working order with no nicks, exposed wires, or corroded prongs. If possible, you'll also want to check the other electrical components of the appliance to make sure they're undamaged. If you notice something unusual about one of the electrical components, it could be that this component is causing a short, resulting in the multiple blown fuses you've experienced.

Check the Circuit

Another item every electrical contractor will say that you definitely want to inspect if you're constantly blowing fuses is the circuit itself. Appliances can draw a lot of power. If they're on a circuit with other devices, they may overload the circuit and blow the fuse. Even if other devices aren't plugged into the same outlet as the appliance that's causing problems, there may still be other devices on the same circuit via other outlets. Overloading a circuit can cause the wires to overheat and lead to an electrical fire. This is why the fuse blows before this has a chance to happen.

Contact a Professional

If you've gone through the above steps and you're still having problems, don't hesitate to call a professional. Electrical repair work can quickly become overwhelming and dangerous if you don't know exactly what you're doing. By calling in a pro, you'll be able to get fast and safe results that will help you utilize your home's electrical system more effectively.

Moving Forward

Moving forward, it's important to consider ways that you might avoid electrical problems in the future. Aside from hiring an electrician to take care of any electrical upgrades, there are a few other things you can do. For example, you can opt for energy-efficient appliances so that you draw less power and put less strain on your home's electrical system. You can also carefully plan the placement of your appliances so that you can be sure they're operating on different circuits. With some advance planning, you'll be an appliance pro in no time.

Guest Post - 7 Hacks to Make Your Home Energy Efficient

Whether you want to save money or interested in reducing your impact on the environment, making your home more energy efficient is always a great idea. If you’re looking for a few ways to transform the efficiency of your home without making any major changes, there are several simple life hacks that can help. 

Check out this list of seven suggestions that could transform your energy bill without forcing a remodel!

1. LED Lighting

Energy efficient lighting is one of the easiest things you can do to make your home greener. While LED bulbs used to be really expensive, accessibility and reduced production costs have made them a lot more affordable. 

Some of your light fixtures are probably modern enough that you can just swap out the bulbs, but you may have to upgrade a few of your lamps or wall sconces with new ones that are compatible with LED bulbs. From LED table lamps to compact fluorescent (CFLs) accent lighting, there are tons of lumens, wattage, and style options to explore.

2. Upgrade Your Windows

One of the biggest reasons your house may be losing heat in the winter and cold in the summer are the windows. The right kind of windows can make a huge difference to your heating or cooling bill! 

Any double-paned glass will be better than single pane options, but the best choice is a double-paned style with argon gas between the two panes. Swapping your current windows for those with a low-emissivity coating can save you up to 50% on your energy bill!

Once you get your new window panes installed, decorate them with glass decals to add color instantly to any room.

3. Change Out Your Curtains

Another way to redecorate your space and make your home more energy efficient? Curtains! While this tip might be unexpected, it really works. In the winter, swap out your regular curtains for thermal insulating curtains in a heavy texture. As soon as you close these curtains over your windows, they add another layer of insulation to any room.

4. Focus on Insulation

You’ve already seen a lot of tips about insulating your home with better glass and thicker curtains, but now it’s time to talk about your literal insulation. Every home has layers of material within the walls to maintain the current temperature in your house. However, the quality of the insulation makes a difference. 

Upgrade to fiberglass batts in areas that have standard joist spacing, use loose fill for areas with odd spacing or frequent obstructions, and make sure attics and basements have insulated floors and rafters. Just make sure to leave the soffit vents open to ensure appropriate airflow.

5. Upgrade Your Thermostat

While programmable thermostats are new and groundbreaking, many people have yet to transition to these easily controllable units. You should also consider which spaces should have their own independent thermostat to ensure you aren’t heating up the entire house if you’re just sitting in one room. 

You should probably break up your HVAC placement by room utility. The kitchen, living room, and dining room can be on one system, while the bedrooms and bathrooms should be on another. Even the guest bedroom should get its own thermostat.

6. Choose Green Appliances

Your big appliances use a lot of energy and you probably run them on a regular basis. Consider replacing your dishwasher, fridge, and washer and dryer with Energy Star certified options. Taking care of your appliances also helps ensure they’re running efficiently. 

For example, you’ll need to check the filter system on your dryer for lint regularly and clean the cooling coils of your fridge at least once a year to ensure they’re operating at full capacity!

Some other appliance tips that may enhance your home’s energy efficiency include:

• Using a front loading washer to use less water.

• Using a front loading dryer that dries more quickly.

• Leaving about an inch of space around your fridge to improve air circulation.

7. Fireplace Inserts

Not every home has a fireplace, but if you do, you probably aren’t even aware that you’re losing heat and cold through it. 

An insert fits right into your fireplace and reduces air loss during every season. Inserts can come in a number of different styles and aesthetics to ensure it adds to your home decor while improving your energy efficiency.

Which Hack Is Right for You?

While some of these changes are quick and easy, others might require professional installation or a substantial investment. You can start small by changing out your curtains or installing a fireplace insert right away, and move on to bigger remodeling projects later, like replacing your windows or enhancing your installation. 

You may find that you don’t even need to apply all these hacks, as you already have some in place! Analyze your home to find its weak spots and adjust accordingly!

Author Bio:

Carolyn Mitchell is a freelance writer, enthusiastic DIYer, and content strategist. She has a passion for home decor and interior design, but also enjoys covering health and wellness, fitness, and holistic living.