Sunset Air Blog: Archive for the ‘Electrical’ Category

When to Call In a Professional Electrician

Monday, May 15th, 2023
recessed-lighting-in-hallway

With the popularity of online tutorials and DIY mentalities, you may be tempted to take on a “weekend warrior” home improvement project that involves electricity. Maybe you want to install a new ceiling fan in the bedroom or an EV charger in the garage for your electric vehicle. You might be asking yourself, “How hard can it be?”

Well, we’re here to strongly advise you against doing so. For one, it’s a major safety hazard if something goes wrong. You also don’t want to risk damaging your home. Your electric system is a key component in ensuring your comfort and safety and you don’t want to do anything that might jeopardize it. Here are some examples of when to call for professional electricians in Olympia.

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What Kind of Generator Should I Have Installed?

Monday, November 28th, 2022

So, you’ve finally grown tired of fumbling around in the dark two or three times a year when the power goes out for an extended period of time. You’ve decided to install a generator in your home, but you haven’t the slightest idea what kind would fit your particular needs best.

Well, fortunately for you, you don’t have to make the decision entirely on your own. Let’s have a look at the defining qualities of a couple of different generator times, and the ideal situation each is suited for.

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Signs That Your Electrical System Needs an Upgrade

Monday, June 27th, 2022
electrician-working-on-wires-in-HVAC-system

One of the most important systems in your home is the electrical system. Made up of dozens of wires, outlets, switches, and connections–all of which is controlled by the electrical panel–a malfunctioning electrical system can be not only inconvenient, but dangerous.

This is why it’s important to know the signs of an electrical system in need of an upgrade. More specifically, you should be aware of when your electrical panel needs an upgrade. After all, this is where all the power is routed, and given the increased electrification of homes today, it’s important that your panel can keep up with demands. Read on to learn what these signs are!

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How and Why a Whole-House Generator Will Benefit You

Monday, October 4th, 2021

Fall and winter are the times of year where you might want to start getting your home in great shape. If you’re looking for a great whole-house generator for your home, then it’s important to rely on our professionals for your whole-home generator services in Olympia, WA.

Getting a whole-home generator is great for any home because it acts as an insurance policy. It gives you unparalleled peace of mind and it works to protect your home at all times. The only thing that you need to make sure that you do is get a great whole-home generator. We’re going to help you find the perfect one. Our experts are ready to be at your disposal. Let’s talk about the benefits of whole-home generators. 

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You Need an Electrical Panel Upgrade If…

Monday, June 28th, 2021

If your electrical panel displays any of the signs we’re about to highlight below, then it’s probably time to give us a call for an upgrade. This will improve home safety as well as functionality.

More on that in a minute!

Also referred to as the circuit breaker panel, this is the central hub of your entire electrical system. It’s the central location where incoming electricity gets routed to the different circuits, and the breakers are designed to shut off those circuits if there is a voltage overload. But when your electrical panel gets too overloaded, it can cause problems such as causing electrical shock or even fire.

Modern circuit breakers can last a long time–about 25-40 years in most cases. But the electrical panels of yesterday don’t last as long. Read on for the signs that you need an electrical panel…

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4 Signs That You Need Electrical Repair

Monday, April 5th, 2021
checklist-with-red-marker

Homeowners today are putting more and more demand on their electrical systems. Electrical panels can only handle so much voltage, and if your panel is older than 20 years or so, there’s no denying that you have a lot more hooked up to it now than you did back then—high-efficiency appliances, computers, even entertainment systems.

All this increased demand means that your electrical system can start to suffer. But how do you know when you need electrical repair? Read on as we uncover several signs.

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What to Know About Your Electrical System Before You Put Up Holiday Lights!

Monday, November 30th, 2020
house-gutter-with-holiday-lights-on-it

There are a lot of homeowners stressing about how different the holidays are going to look this year, which is understandable. Families across the country aren’t able to get together due to health concerns, traveling is questionable for many folks.

There is still much to look forward to, however! For example, if you’re like many homeowners who enjoy decorating your home for the holidays, it’s your season to shine.

But before you attempt to challenge Clark Griswold outside your house, consider this—is your electrical panel ready for the increased demand? Also referred to as the breaker box, this component is tasked with safely touring electrical current to and from the various electrical appliances and fixtures in and outside your home. An overloaded electrical panel, however, will lead to expensive problems and even potential safety hazards.

Keep reading to learn if you may need an electrical panel upgrade before touching those outdoor holiday lights.

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Three-Prong Converters and Updating Your Home’s Electrical System

Monday, November 2nd, 2020
plug-in-outlet

You’re probably familiar with the “three-prong converter.” A house with old two-prong outlets won’t allow for standard three-prong plugs to connect. The solution? Pop over to the hardware store for a small converter that plugs into the outlet and then allows the three-pronged plug to fit. Done.

Except not really. Since the 1970s, major appliances are required to have three-prongs, and for good reason. It allows the appliances to work with homes that have grounded electrical outlets: that’s what a three-prong outlet is. A house with these outlets has been properly grounded. If your house is old enough that it still has two-prong outlets, we recommend you upgrade your electrical service rather than use converters, also known as “cheaters,” as a way around it.

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Signs It Is Time to Call a Professional Electrician

Monday, October 5th, 2020
plug-in-outlet

If you live in an older home, it means you have older components within it. This includes your electrical wiring! Something our electricians manage a lot is the rewiring of aging homes that have outdated systems. This not only helps keep your property up to code, but also protects the safety of your home and your family.

But how would you even know if you need rewiring or any type of electrical work for that matter? The age of your home isn’t always the best indicator, since a previous homeowner may have made upgrades, or in a newer home may have added electrical components incorrectly. Fortunately, we are here to share with you a number of signs that it may be time for you to call an electrician for wiring work. Read on!

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How You Can Prevent Power Outage Emergencies

Monday, September 7th, 2020
professionals-installing-whole-house-generator

We might not have as crazy storm seasons as other parts of the country do, but we certainly have and can experience inclement weather that leaves our homes without power for days on end. What then? Without the use of your HVAC systems or refrigerator, and perhaps even medical devices that require electricity to operate, you’ll have an emergency on your hands.

But this can all be prevented with the professional installation of a whole-house generator! Read on as we dive into the benefits of such an installation.

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