Last updated 3 months ago
There’s no substitute for a professional electrician when it comes to electrical work on your property. Whether you’re a homeowner or business owner, a qualified electrical contractor is the right choice for anything from relatively minor electrical repairs to large-scale lighting installations and upgrades. There are a few things to look for that can ensure you’re getting the best possible service when choosing your electrician.
Licensing
Most states license electricians at both the journeyman and master level. An electrical contractor that employs master electricians has a deep experience pool. This is beneficial for when you need the attention of an emergency electrician who can handle any situation, as well as for normal work. Licensing is important because it ensures that the electrical contractor is not only experienced but adheres to the National Electric Code, a set of standards that regulates electrical work to ensure safety and reliability.
Experience
A full-service electrical contractor provides services to residential, commercial, and industrial customers. This range of experience means that no matter the size of your job, your electrician or team of electricians prepared to provide whatever service you require. Many electricians have individual specializations, so a large and well-known contractor in your area can send the right team for your project.
Reputation
An electrician that’s willing to work with you or your company by providing the services that you really need is invaluable. Search locally, and seek an electrical contractor that has extensive ties in your community. Ask for references from previous jobs, and explore customer testimonials when available to get an idea of how the contractor has satisfied their previous clients.
TAP and Sons Electric has been the choice for our Valley customers. We have accolades from customers like the City of Mesa and even Angie’s List. We handle multi-million dollar projects and household emergency calls, giving each the same level of attention and benefit of our combined experience. When you need a qualified electrical contractor, call us at (480) 507-2900.
Last updated 3 months ago
Your service panel is the heart of your home electrical system. It contains circuit breakers for every circuit in your home and protects you, your fixtures, and your wiring. It also enables you to selectively shut down power in your home for appliance maintenance, new fixture installation, and more. A correctly maintained electrical service panel will last for many years and operate reliably. It’s important to know a few things about this panel so you can operate it safely and effectively.
How They Work
Electrical service panels contain circuit breakers whose primary purpose is to interrupt power on a circuit that is at risk for overload. An overloaded circuit will overheat, which greatly increases the risk of electrical fire. When too much current flows through circuit, the breaker detects this and trips—or breaks the connection. Sometimes a temporary overload can cause this, and it’s easy enough for a homeowner to reset the breaker.
Why They are Important
The service panel in your home has its name for a reason. Not only does it localize every breaker for all the circuits in your home in one area, it provides easy access for professional electricians performing service. It’s one of the most important components in your electrical system, and allows an electrician to quickly diagnose electrical problems by isolating circuits.
When They Need to be Repaired or Replaced
An electrical service panel is designed to serve for decades, but in many older homes the currently installed panel might not be up to the job any longer. Modern service panels offer increased safety and flexibility for today’s homeowners. A service panel that is warm to the touch is in need of repair or replacement. The same goes for service panels with constantly-tripping breakers or those that don’t have adequate expansion capabilities, such as when adding a 220-volt circuit for a large appliance.
TAP and Sons Electric installs and services electrical service panels, and all of our new service panels come with lifetime warranties. If it’s been a while since your last inspection, schedule a free inspection when you visit our website. We can help you understand how a new service panel can increase the safety and functionality of your home’s electrical system. For more information, call us at (480) 507-2900.
Last updated 3 months ago
TAP and Sons Electric has the qualified electricians to get the job done, no matter the scope or complexity. Learn more about us, your electrical service panel, and how to choose between LED or CFL bulbs for your home or business when you visit these articles. You can also call us at (480) 507-2900 for more information.
Read this article from HGTV.com for additional electrical safety tips and maintenance information.
This article from NECAConnection.org contains some valuable advice on choosing a quality electrical contractor.
Check out this side-by-side comparison of energy-efficient lighting on this page from CNET.com.
Read this page from TodaysHomeowner.com to get a better idea of what qualifications your electrical professional should have before you hire them.
Learn about the role the circuit breakers play inside your electrical panel to keep your home system safe from overloads on this page from HGTV.com.
Last updated 3 months ago
LEDs are the new, greener way to light your home or business. According to the US Department of Energy, the energy saved annually if the entire country switched to using LEDs could light over 95 million homes.
This video explores different types of LED lights from manufacturers like GE, Phillips, and Samsung. Depending upon the quality of light and brightness, one kind of LED bulb might be more appropriate for certain applications than others. Some are designed to replace low-wattage lights while others are ideal for bright and functional lighting. Color temperature is also important, with some LEDs offering brighter white light and others available in more mellow yellow tones.
To learn more about choosing LED lighting for your home or business, contact TAP and Sons Electric at (480) 507-2900. We can help you understand the advantages of using these kinds of lights to save energy and money.
Last updated 4 months ago
CFLs, or compact fluorescent lights, have been around for longer than many people realize. Recent attention, however, has made these alternative bulbs a top choice for businesses and homeowners looking to improve energy efficiency. By using CFLs in your lighting installations, you can save a great deal of energy over time.
Another option for eco-friendly lighting is light-emitting diodes, or LEDs. LED lights have an incredibly long lifespan, often 50,000 hours or longer. They use a fraction of the energy of incandescent bulbs and less than most CFLs. While the choice may seem clear, there are several important factors to consider before deciding between the two.
Cost-Benefit Analysis
For many homeowners, CFLs remain the light of choice. They are highly accessible and have matured into a versatile, useful technology. The affordability of CFLs is a primary reason that they remain popular among home users. This is especially true when changing out the entire lighting installation of a home. Homeowners can see instant energy benefits by switching to CFLs, saving money during installation and every month on their utility bills.
However, that doesn’t mean that investing in LEDs is a bad choice. LEDs offer the highest degree of energy efficiency over their lifetime. Another important consideration is the light quality. Different CFLs and LEDs have different light temperatures and intensities, which is a primary factor when choosing these bulbs for installation in a home setting.
Large-Scale Applications
For businesses, LEDs represent the future. Investing in a full-scale installation using this lighting method can greatly reduce overhead costs over time. Because LEDs have the longest life of any green lighting option on the market and use the least energy, they can be the right choice for your business. While it’s important to consider the factors as outlined above, LEDs will easily fit the bill for most large-scale lighting applications.
It is important to have a qualified electrician assist you in making this choice. Your lighting installation affects how you see your home or how you work at your business. Let TAP and Sons Electric help you find which type of lighting is appropriate for you. Call us at (480) 507-2900 or visit our website for more information.
