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High winds and severe weather can bring risks to home and commercial electrical systems

Downed power lines and the presence of water around electrical outlets and appliances are never good things, and a word to the wise is to call a professional if a risk appears likely

Throughout the summer there have been reports of severe flooding and other weather emergencies all across the country and while the Denver area has been spared from catastrophe heavy “monsoon” rains here in July have brought a little havoc to the area.  A key issue in any weather situation, whether big or small, is to safeguard people and their homes from damage to electric power lines, electrical systems and appliances that often result from severe weather.

Among the first things reported in weather emergencies are power outages that obviously have an effect on lifestyle, but these can also be accompanied by dangerous situations of exposing people to electric shock and injury, and sometimes even cause fire. High winds associated with powerful storms often bring down power lines, lightning strikes can short out substations and even home electrical systems, and water from flooding or heavy rains is never a good thing when it mixes with electricity.

As residential and commercial electricians serving Colorado and the Denver area for a dozen years, Allstar Electrical Services has been called out scores of times for weather-related electrical damage repair or systems safety checks and advises that homeowners and business alike should taker extreme caution if they suspect an electrical compromise in or around their properties during or after a storm.

The first thing, obviously, is to stay away from downed power lines and call the local utility company. In some cases it is also wise to call 9-1-1 with the report of downed power lines so that emergency services can respond and protect people and property. If it involves power lines, the emergency responders will take care of calling in the utility line people for safeguarding and repair. Rain and standing water only exacerbates the situation and downed power lines should be addressed with extreme caution.

Another potential electrical safety problem area is flooding, and in our experience problems most often occur as a result of basement flooding. While there are going to be other problems associated with significant basement flooding, the first safety issue is to be very wary of standing in water that may have compromised electrical outlets, appliances and lamps, hot wate5r heaters, furnaces and the like. While up-to-date electric codes mandate the use of GFI (ground fault interrupter) outs, switches and circuits in basements (and anywhere else in proximity to water; e.g. kitchens and bathrooms), many older homes have not been updated with such equipment and may expose a homeowner to shock. The best advice: avoid standing water that could be exposed to electricity and call in a professional to handle the situation.

While basements are the most obvious locations for water damage in severe storms, such weather can also damage roofs, windows and doors. Once again, it is never a good thing if water mixes with electricity, so if you suspect water damage coming from the roof or broken openings, check the electrical first before marching in on a repair. Roof damage in particular could bring water into the walls, unseen, where electrical connections reside, so take caution turning on switches or appliances, unplugging things, etc. If there’s any doubt, call a professional electrician.

One of the most frequent electrical situations we encounter are blown circuits and damaged appliances as a result of power surges during electrical storms. The best way to protect your home and its electrical equipment from lightning damage is to unplug everything, however that it often impractical. Infrequent-use appliances — like toasters, blenders, hair dryers and curlers, etc. — should be unplugged when not in use anyway; even off they continue to drain power. Wired appliances like TVs/entertainment centers and computers should be connected with power-surge strips or other technology to protect them from “blowing up” as a result of a power surge or strike. Also, after an electrical storm it is best to check appliances, switches, receptacles and outlets for any obvious signs of stress – short circuits, excessive heat, smoldering – as these are signs that the electrical components have been compromised and may pose a risk of shock or fire.

And finally, a word to the wise: often after severe weather or a storm has knocked power out of a home, people turn to portable gas-powered generators to get some lights and some essential things working. Always operate a generator with full ventilation to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning, and never ope5rate them inside a basement, garage or inside the home.

The good news is that only under the most extreme weather conditions does modern electricity become compromised and pose a risk. For the most part, the home electrical is safe and will provide years of worry-free service if proper maintenance is conducted and upgrades are made at the appropriate times (e.g. new additions to the house, new and heavy energy consuming device like air conditioning). Just keep in mind that it is never wise to take a chance when there is a potential for an electrical hazard, like high winds and the presence of heavy rain or flooding near electrical devices. Call a professional and all will be safe.     

For all commercial and residential electrical needs – including emergencies – call Allstar Electrical Services at 303-399-7420.

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Hiring a commercial electrical contractor for new buildings, retrofit projects, and existing facility upgrades and maintenance will pay dividends to property owners seeking to get their projects done right, on time and on budget

DENVER, CO – Commercial and industrial property owners generally employ a maintenance supervisor to handle the routine repairs and fixes in office buildings, retail centers, warehouses, and manufacturing facilities, but when it comes to major repairs, upgrades and installations it is best to hire an experienced contractor with the specific expertise in the task at hand.

Nowhere is this more true than in a commercial property’s electrical system, as wiring, lighting and power needs of such facilities are subject to rigorous local codes and specifications, and only a licensed, bonded and insured electrical contractor can ensure the accuracy and speed necessary to keep business operations in the buildings running smoothly. Plus, an experienced commercial electrical contractor is specifically trained to keep utility costs in check, helping commercial property owners manage their power expenses in the most efficient manner possible.

The wiring, lighting and power usage in a commercial property is always unique to the situation at hand. Factors like the number of people working in the facility, the hours of operation, the types of businesses and their individual power usage, the number of visitors (like customers in retail), and special considerations for industrial machinery all come into play.

There are actually three specific instances where it pays dividends to call in a professional commercial electrical contractor.

First is on a design-build project, one that is the construction of a new facility from the ground up. Experienced commercial electrical contractors have broad experience working with architects and architectural plans and can assist with expertise in the overall design of the buildings’ electrical systems. This can include LEED certified buildings, as many electrical contractors have experience in meeting the often stringent demands of energy efficient buildings, with attention to detail on such issues as solar applications and LEED qualifying interior and outdoor light systems.

Another application for calling in a commercial electrical contractor is for a redesign or retrofit building project where often outdated existing electrical systems are completely overhauled to meet current codes and the new purposes for the building. Once again, working with architects and interior designers, an experience electrical contractor is fully versed in having retrofit properties meet the demand of the new uses.

And finally, electrical repairs, upgrades and maintenance on existing facilities in use by occupant businesses will ensure that the property meets the electrical demands of the tenants while at the same time keeping in mind that downtime for any business is a costly expense for the tenants and building owner alike.

Here’s a handy checklist of things to look for in a commercial industrial electrical contractor:

• Expertise. Make sure, through due diligence, that the contractor and each of its electricians have expertise in the type of project under consideration. For instance, if the building is a retail center, has this contractor done the same kind of work successfully on a similar, and similarly sized project? Any reputable commercial contractor will have references; check them.
• Licensure. Make sure the electrical contractor under consideration is fully licensed in the jurisdiction where the work is to be performed, and also check if any complaints have been filed against the contract5or and, if so, how they were resolved.
• Certification. There are a variety of certifications available to commercial electrical contractors, including those from trade associations and PSHA (The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration).  These certifications insure that the contractor and its licensed personnel have complete all the necessary continuing education to stay current in their field and the ensure workplace safety.
• Insurance and bonding. This is a very important step to protect against any mishaps or injuries on the job site. Ask for information about the policies and bonds in question to make certain they include the proper level of financial protection and building-owner indemnification. It’s a good idea to have an attorney check the policies to ensure they are up-to-date, cover the company and the individuals involved in the project and provide the proper coverage and protection.
• Outside sources. Vet the potential commercial electrical contractor with the local Better Business Bureau to check standing, complaints and resolutions. Also, many states and local government jurisdictions have boards and commissions that also collect and disseminate such information.

Commercial electrical work, from the complex to the very minor, is exacting and involves a whole host of business considerations. Getting the job done right, on time and on budget are essential to the property owner and the tenants of the facility. Commercial electrical contractors with the requisite experience are highly trained to deliver just what is needed and hiring the right one will pay dividends to commercial/industrial property owners for years to come.

In Denver and throughout Colorado, Allstar Electrical Services have been providing expert commercial/industrial electrical contracting to new and retrofit properties, as well as providing upgrades and maintenance services for commercial properties for over a decade. The company has worked with property owners, individual tenants, developers, architects, insurance companies and designers on everything from complete design-build projects, to such services as machine hookups, security systems, computer circuits, and much more. For complete details call 303-399-7420.

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From minor electrical repairs to simple common sense about the use of electricity in a home, a few safety tips will keep homeowners in the electrical loop

DENVER, CO – The electrical service in any home is at the heart of family’s lifestyle, operating the lights, appliances, the air conditioner, even the hot tub. Everyone understands that, of course, but like everything else that just comes “on” with the flip of a switch, electricity is just one of those things we take for granted – until an emergency or the need arises.

As licensed and experienced electricians serving the Denver metro area for over a decade, Allstar Electrical Services works regularly with all kinds of clients: those who are informed, the misinformed and those who simply just want it fixed or expanded. In any case, when it comes to a home’s electrical service the admonition is for caution. Electricity can kill, injure or create fires if not handled properly, and it pays to know some basic safety rules.

The most basic safety and convenience rule is to know where the home’s electrical service box is located. Most often referred to as the circuit breaker, this is the usually grey box on the back of the house where the electrical service comes in from the utility. The box itself is designed to gather that electric service and then distribute it throughout the home through the many circuits on the box’s panel. These circuits come in different power ratings, like 20 amp or 15 amp, depending on the room or the appliance being served and the electric demand in question (e.g., kitchens typically need a higher power rating to handle the refrigerator and all of the other appliances, and often will be served by two or circuits). It’s good to know where this electrical panel/circuit breaker is in the event a circuit trips and power needs to be restored, and also so the homeowner knows where to turn off a circuit for minor repairs or the whole service in case of an emergency. Of course, we recommend keeping the area around the circuit breaker free of obstructions – patio furniture, plants, etc. – so there is easy access year round.

It’s also good to know how a particular home’s electrical panel is rated. For a long time, and until up to about 15 years ago, the basic standard was 100 amp service. But today most homes, even small ones, require (and may be mandated to have) 200 amp service at minimum. The reason is simple: home electrical demand has mushroomed, with entertainment systems, computers and accessories, and the myriad of electrical appliances and power chargers that have become part of everyday life in recent years. Think about; we used to have a television, and that has been overtaken by a whole system consisting of a TV, DVR, surround sound, DVD, game system, all often drawing power from the “plug” that used to power just the TV.

Knowing what’s there is important. A recent customer of ours, in an older Denver home, wanted to add a few new outlets in the home, add electrical service and lights to his garage, install a ceiling fan, and install a new chandelier. Easy, right? Turns out he had 100 amp service, inadequate (and out of code), that was already a safety hazard to the home, much less with increased demand. We upgraded the home to 200 amp service, fulfilled all of the increased electrical convenience in the home, and now he is poised to be able to add more conveniences (A hot tub? A swap cooler?) with ease. Also, it should be noted, it would have been impossible to sell this home without upgrading to 200 amp electrical service before placing the property on the market.

When performing relatively minor home electrical repair, like replacing light switches or wall outlets, here’s how to keep safe:

• Locate the proper circuit breaker in the circuit box and turn off the electric to the circuit to be worked on. Before commencing work make sure the circuit is off; plug in a lamp in the outlet or one nearby on the same circuit to make sure the circuit is off. If in doubt, don’t proceed. Use a voltage meter to check if the power is off.
• Study up and read the directions. Most electrical devices come with instructions, and it is wise to follow these to the letter. You want to make sure positive is positive, negative is negative, and the ground is installed properly. If the device purchased has scant directions, there are plenty of helpful sites on the internet to walk even the novice through a simple repair.
• Install the right switch/outlet. Bathrooms, kitchens, garages and any location where an outlet or a device plugged into it may come in contact with water require a GFI (ground fault interrupter) that protects against shock. Not only is it wise, it is code in most areas.
• Use tools – screwdrivers and pliers – with rubber/insulated grips or handles. Probably wise to wear gloves, too.
• Never stand in water while attempting an electrical repair.
• Wear shoes with non-conductive soles, like tennis shoes. Also, wear protective eyewear.
• Red and black wires are typically the “hot” wires, meaning the current is flowing from the circuit breaker. White wires are usually the negative or “return” wires, and the ground wire is generally bare. Older homes, however, may feature wires that are not color-coded. In this case you can use a voltage meter (you’ll have to flip the circuit break back on once the wires are exposed) to check.

Many people also attempt, with varying degrees of success, to do more complicated jobs like installing a ceiling fan or putting in a new outlet or switch themselves. Ceiling fans, particularly those with lights as well, are complicated, and we get a ton of calls to finish up where the homeowner failed. Our advice: read the directions closely, and then again, build the fan on the floor first, and make sure you fully understand the wiring. Also, beyond wiring, make sure the anchoring bracket can handle the job and that the fan is installed properly on the bracket; a fan creates momentum and can easily throw itself off an unsecure bracket, creating a myriad of problems.

Additional light switches and/or outlets require cutting into the wall, locating the feed wires and tapping them, and perhaps pulling additional wire. Study up because there are code requirements about distance off the floor, what kind of wire to use, etc. And often such a job requires a permit to be pulled from the local government jurisdiction and a demonstration that the installer knows more than the basics about such an installation.

For these things, the Allstar Electrical Services recommendation is to call in a professional, licensed electrician so there will be confidence in the outcome.

Here are a few other, more basic electrical safety tips:

• Extension cords are meant to be temporary, not a component of the house wiring. They tend to heat up over time and should never, ever be placed under carpets, rugs or furniture. Never staple an electrical cord into place to keep it off the floor; should the need arise, there are U brackets which don’t pierce the cord for this purpose.
• Don’t overload circuits. If you experience tripping circuit breakers frequently when turning on multiple appliances (e.g. the microwave and the toaster), that circuit is underpowered or you need an additional circuit in that area.
• Power surge extension cords may protect the device plugged in from a power surge, but remember that if you plug multiple devices into the surge protector (e.g. computer, printer, keyboard) they are all still being plugged into a single outlet. Not recommended.
• Keep portable heaters and space heaters well ventilated and away from things that can burn, like carpets, furniture, newspapers/magazines and the like. And never operate them if no one is around.
• Unplug appliances – and, yes, charger cords – when not in use. Not only is it a potential electrical hazard, even a toaster plugged in but not in use is drawing power and wasting energy.

Electricity is, of course, a wonderful commodity that fulfills our lives in big and small ways each and every day. But it is also potentially dangerous and should be handled with care. With a growing demand for electrical devices in every room of the house, keep in mind that most Americans are continually adding to the strain on a home’s electrical system, and like anything else it should be inspected by a professional  periodically to make sure it is in tip-top shape. Second best just won’t do.

Except for the most minor repairs, it is not recommended that homeowners perform electrical work. It is dangerous, of course, but also there are a ton of rules and regulations that must be followed that only professionals keep fully abreast of. We at Allstar Electrical Services perform the full gamut of home electrical tasks, from the minor to the very complex, including inspections, to ensure everything is in order. Phone us at 303-399-7420 for complete details on any electrical project.

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With modern LED lighting systems, a full outdoor lighting package for all-night security and added ambiance operates at a fraction of traditional outdoors lights 

DENVER, CO – Outdoor lighting on a home, once restricted to porch lights and the occasional backyard or garage spot light, is fast becoming the standard for both the aesthetic illumination of the home and to enhance security.

Here at Allstar Electrical Services we see it all the time in new-home construction and we are called upon to install sometimes elaborate outdoor lighting solutions along with the standard whole-home electrical services we provide. And more and more owners of existing homes are requesting outdoor lighting systems as well as they see the new homes in their neighborhoods beautifully illuminated.

The aesthetic value of outdoor lighting is so important that we often get called in by real estate agents eager for the enhancement to “curb appeal” that it offers in the sales process. And, of course, in addition to adding value to the home’s “showing,” potential buyers are also swayed by the increase in security offered in an illuminated house; intruders are much less likely to attempt a break-in or commit vandalism at a fully lit property. Indeed, many Neighborhood Watch programs encourage people in the neighborhood to at least keep their porch lights on all night, and full-home illumination only enhances this security value.

Modern outdoor lighting solutions take many forms. The most popular are spot or flood lights mounted in ground-level fixtures that point up an illuminate the full exterior of the home.  Also a favorite are garden lights that brightly display the dark corners of the yard or landscape features of particular interest, garage lighting that illuminates the alley or the driveway, walkway lighting that outlines the paths of sidewalks leading to the home in both the back and front, and enhanced lighting for front and back porches as well as patio and outdoor meeting and barbeque areas. We have even designed and installed outdoor lighting under the eaves of homes and garages, and for additional illumination of windows and doors, particularly patio doors.

Popular types of lighting include incandescent flood and spot lights, as well as solar-powered walkway and landscape lighting. But what with the coming changes mandated for incandescent light bulbs in favor of LED lighting, we at Allstar Electrical Services recommend a full LED solution for all outdoor lighting requirements.

LED, or light-emitting diode, solutions represent an emerging technology that actually can be traced back more than 100 years, although real-world applications didn’t actually begin until the early 1960s when early versions of the lighting systems began to be used in electronic devices like electronic test equipment, clocks, televisions, radios, telephones, calculators and watches. Today most consumers are aware of the latest versions as those squiggly light bulbs that are rapidly replacing incandescent light bulbs – in fact, incandescent bulbs for home use will be phased out of use beginning at the end of 2012 and will disappear from store shelves by the end of 2014.

Many people have been unhappy with the color and the quality of the light emitted by LED bulbs over the last few years, but rapid advancements in design and technology are eliminating those concerns. While more costly than standard incandescent light bulbs initially, LED offer many advantages, including much longer life, lower emission of heat, and much lower use of electricity. For instance, the replacement LED bulb for a standard 100-watt light bulb is rated at a mere 26 watts, which drastically slashes electricity use on a per-bulb basis.

The added advantage of LED lighting for outdoor lighting solutions is that the technology allows for a multitude of uses. LED bulbs can be used for flood and spot light purposes and porch lamps, and can be designed to illuminate a single spot, like a mural, or light a whole yard or driveway. Other types, similar to Christmas tree lights, are extremely low users of power and offer lighting solutions in a variety of colors for eave, walkway and patio lighting, adding an often romantic touch to lighting solutions.

As an added advantage, we regularly design LED outdoor lighting systems where the lights can be operated manually by the flip of a switch, made to activate automatically at dusk, or a combination of both. Imagine the security of automatic outdoor lighting in the winter when night falls before work ends or for those periods of time when the home’s occupants are away on a business trip or vacation.

Outdoor lighting systems are quickly becoming the new normal for every home to add to the property’s aesthetic appeal and to enhance the security, and now with modern LED solutions the operational costs of such solutions is a fraction of the standards of just a few years ago.

For all of your outdoor lighting solutions, and for electrical services throughout the home, call on Allstar Electrical Services, serving the Denver metro area for more than 10 years with fully licensed electricians. Call 303-399-7420 for complete information and to schedule an appointment.    

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Most times circuit breakers trip because of a minor problem that is easily addressed, but if tripping persists a homeowner should take steps to insure the home is safe and secure

DENVER, CO – A customer in Denver called us here at Allstar Electrical Services saying he wanted “a few more electrical outlets” installed in a couple of places in his home because some circuits were overloaded and he was experiencing too many circuit breaker trips.

This is a common problem in many homes, particularly older homes like that of the customer who called because the aging electrical system wasn’t designed to handle the burgeoning demand for electrical devices that have become the staples of modern life. Where once the den had a television set and perhaps a VCR plugged into that single outlet in the corner, now there’s a television, a cable box, a DVD/DVR, an Xbox or Wii, perhaps even CD/radio – and, of course, they often share that single outlet. This same thing has happened in the now-popular home office with a myriad of computer-related devices, in the kitchen with its microwave, food processor, blender, toaster waffle iron, et al, and in the bathroom where plug-in appliances of all sorts have modernized personal hygiene.

Circuit breakers tripping have become a norm in modern living, and avoiding them is not only a time- and hassle-saver, but it could be a safety issue as well. Any homeowner experiencing an inordinate amount of circuit breaker trips should have the electrical system inspected – a relatively inexpensive precaution – or at the very least should pay attention to electrical usage in the home.

In the old days home electrical systems were safeguarded by fuse boxes and, as such, “blowing a fuse” has become a part of the American idiom for anyone who is overloaded and is used by people who never saw a fuse box in their life. These fuses boxes are almost all gone now in most homes, replaced over the last several decades by the safer and more convenient breaker boxes where the electrical service enters the home and containing the circuit breakers. Generally, when a breaker trips it is a simple matter of “flipping the switch” back to the “on” position to re-establish electrical service to that circuit.

There are many factors that can potentially lead to a circuit trip, but in most case it is simply that the current demand exceeds the amps that circuit can handle. One of the most common circuit-tripping occurrences we see is when someone is using the microwave oven and then plugs another appliance, like a toaster, into the same circuit; microwave ovens use a ton of power and alone can easily use up the “juice” capacity in a circuit. Hair dryers are another frequent culprit.

Just like fuses, circuits in circuit breakers come in varying capacities based on the demand load anticipated by the electrician when the service was first installed, which in some cases could have been decades ago. But even in systems of 10 to 15 years of age the assumptions made by the installer could easily be invalid at the present time.

Beyond having a home’s electrical system inspected and service updates made by a qualified electrician to meet the demand in the home as it stands today, here are a Few Tips To Avoid Circuit Breaker Trips:

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Allstar Electrical Services knows a thing or two about electricity – and we know how easy it is to save money without any major lifestyle changes

DENVER, CO – Everyone wants to save money, of course, and one of the easiest ways is to trim your monthly electricity bill with very simple steps that won’t disrupt your lifestyle. A little extra care with and awareness about electric use in your home can add up to significant savings, especially important in an era of rising rates.

At Allstar Electrical Services has been serving the Denver metro area for over 10 years with top-notch, licensed electricians performing the full range of electrical repair, maintenance and installation needs. As such, we see electric waste every day and have become experts in recommending ways to cut electric bills. Here’s a few simple steps that most every homeowner can take to cut electricity usage and save money:

All of us almost take electricity for granted what with its ubiquitous and safe use in so many aspects of our lives. What most people don’t realize is how much energy we waste each day that can be avoided with a few simple steps and some planning.

And when you need electrical repairs, upgrades, new plugs, lighting solutions or anything electrical, give the professional at Allstar Electrical Services a call http://www.allstarelectrical.com/

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Any electrician unwilling to patiently undergo a complete interview with a homeowner about the proposed service probably shouldn’t be hired. Here’s a handy starting point for the grilling

DENVER, CO – Hiring any professional service provider for your home can be fraught with peril. Whether it’s a plumber, a roofer, floor covering specialist, remodeler or an electrician, it’s difficult to know if they have the experience to handle the job. They will all, of course, profess to having the chops to do what you require “expertly and cost-effectively,” but the fact is that most homeowners aren’t generally equipped with enough knowledge on complex home improvement and maintenance procedures to go beyond the sales pitch or the Yellow Pages advertisement hyperbole.

Here at Allstar Electrical Services we have the sales pitch and the Yellow Pages ads, and we profess to having the top professional, licensed electricians, the best pricing and unparalleled customer service, but how would you know? We compiled this handy list of Key Questions to Ask when selecting an electrical services provider to get you started on the right path.

If you are building a new home, remodeling an existing one, adding major appliances like a hot tub, entertainment home theater, or simply need to upgrade your electrical service to stay current with the modern demand for electricity, a qualified professional electrician is essential. Dig deep in your research and you’ll find an electrician that can handle all of your home electrical needs, large and small, for years to come.

Here are the Key Questions to Ask An Electrician:
•    Are you licensed in this state and, where applicable, with the local city and county? Are all members of the team that will perform my work so licensed? You can ask for license numbers and check with the state and local electrician licensing boards to verify that the licenses are up-to-date; in some jurisdictions you can also find out if there have been any complaints filed against the electrician or the electrical company and how they were resolved. Often, members of the team working at your home may be apprentices, but they should be working under the direction of a licensed, journeyman electrician. Also, most localities, but not all, require that licensure adhere to the standards of the National Electrical Code, which is updated regularly and requires continuing education. Verify that you electrician practices within NEC standards and is current.
•    Are you listed and in good standing with the local Better Business Bureau? This information can also be verified, and most BBBs keep great records on complaints and resolution histories.
•    Are you insured? Make sure the electrician is insured, that the policy is current, and check its value and what it covers. Electrical contractors should carry at least $500,000 in liability coverage and workers’ compensation coverage.
•    Have you performed work of this nature before and how often? Do you have references from customers? If you are building a new home, remodeling or making extensive electrical changes, you want to be sure this electrician/company has performed similar work (big house, outdoor wiring, home theater, etc.). Get the references, call those people and be willing to act as a reference once the work is completed to your satisfaction.
•    Will I need a permit? Most localities require a permit and a subsequent inspection on any electrical work beyond minor maintenance, and most electricians will pull and post the required permits for you. Make sure this is done in compliance with local rules, because if it isn’t you may have to start over and could face a fine.
•    Will you provide a detailed estimate or cost quote for the work contracted? In most cases, electricians will provide a hard quote for the services to be provided, however additional issues may be found as the work progresses, particularly in older homes. These additional costs should be discussed with the homeowner before that work commences so there are no hidden “surprise” costs at billing time.
•    How long will this work take and what disruption of electrical service, and when, will I experience? This is an important question: on a new-build or remodel, the work performed by the electrician may have to be done before the builder or another subcontractor moves on to the next step in the construction; make sure you electrician understands the schedule and will promise, in writing, to meet the deadlines (of course, keep in mind that building schedules can be delayed by other vendors, weather, parts suppliers, etc.). Disruption of electrical service for any length of time may require a homeowner to make other shelter arrangements; planning ahead will help.
•    Will I need to have my electrical panel replaced? This is generally the panel containing the circuit breakers. Most codes require the panel to be at least a 100 amp service, however most new homes these days have a 200-amp service. This can be one of the most expensive jobs an electrician performs, but adequate service is essential in modern homes with a high degree of electrical devices and demands.
•    If my service panel is replaced will I need to rewire my home? Except for some very older homes where the electrical service hasn’t been updated in decades, the need to rewire an entire home is usually not an issue. However, if you are adding new electrical devices or more receptacles, additional wiring may be required in certain rooms.
•    Is my home’s electrical system adequately grounded? Proper grounding is important not only to protect against an electrical fault or short-circuit, but also as protection for expensive electronic equipment and appliances. A professional electrician will address this grounding issue as a matter of course, but it’s a good question to ask to insure your vendor fully understands his/her craft.
•    Am I allowed to see the work in progress? It is difficult for the average homeowner to understand or recognize quality work or substandard workmanship, but suffice to say that quality work is generally neat and tidy, with no exposed wires.
•    Do you guarantee your work and for how long? Any reputable electrician will offer a complete guarantee of their work for at least a year and sometimes longer. Check the company’s guarantee policy and when checking on the BBB status make sure to check any issues involving guarantees.

This is a lot of questions, and that’s a good thing: any electrician unwilling to patiently undergo a complete interview with a homeowner before contracting for the work probably shouldn’t be hired. You are trusting the safety of your home and the lifestyle of your family to the electrical work performed, so it is wise to take the time to go beyond the sales pitch and the advertising hyperbole. Besides, you should also be comfortable with a vendor in your home and such an interview will go a long way in providing peace of mind.

For all of your electrical needs, from minor repairs to major installations, give the licensed professional electricians at Allstar Electrical Services a call at 303-399-7420 or visit us online at www.allstarelectrical.com. We don’t mind being grilled at all.

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Electrical fires in homes kill 310 Americans and injure another 1,100 people each year, causing over $1 billion in property damage in the process. Following safety guidelines can avoid the dangers and keep families safe.

DENVER, CO – Electrical fires in U.S. homes cause 310 deaths and more than 1,100 injuries each year, according to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), a division of the Department of Homeland Security under the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). These statistics come from the estimated 28,000 fires each year attributable to home electrical problem, resulting in just over $1.1 billion annually in property damage. More than half of these fires – 53% — involve issues with electrical wiring.

As professional electricians, we here at Allstar Electrical Services are well aware of the dangers posed by faulty wiring, overloading circuits, frayed cords and the improper use of such appliances as space heaters and fans. We often get called in to fix problems after a fire has occurred, sometimes in an emergency, but more often than not what we notice –  a lot – is the potential for a fire in the home caused by a myriad of factors we see in inspections and during service calls to homes. We have prepared a few Electrical Fire Safety Tips to help homeowners avoid the dangers and expense of an electrical fire, and to troubleshoot their use of electricity. 

Electricity is, of course, one of the centerpiece amenities of the modern home, and without it our lifestyles would be interrupted immeasurably. But that is the key to electrical problems: the last 10 years has brought a vast array of electrical devices into our homes and lifestyles, placing an extra load on a home’s electrical system, a load often unanticipated when homes built in the 1990s and before were constructed. Think about all those news kitchen appliances, bathroom conveniences and home entertainment systems that draw electricity and that weren’t the norm in most homes just a few short years ago. Indeed, the major service call we receive from homeowners is to install new receptacles and switches to more safely and conveniently deliver electrical service to all of the new power toys our customers are buying.

Of course, the absolute best way to give your home an electrical examination is to call in Allstar Electrical Services for a professional assessment of all of your circuits, outlets, switches, light fixtures and appliances to ensure the home’s electrical system is operating in the safest possible manner. But here is our Electrical Fire Safety Tips for homeowners to use to evaluate their present electrical condition and to avoid any problems, as they say, down the line.

Electrical Fire Safety Tips:

·     Install smoke detectors in all rooms of your home, in the garage, and in stairwells and hallways, and periodically check to make sure they are working properly and the batteries aren’t dead. (Good smoke detectors have a “test” button on them, and we recommend performing a whole-house check twice a year, on the same day you change all the clocks to “Spring Forward” and “Fall Back” for Daylight Savings Time).

·     Routinely check your electrical appliances and wiring. Frayed wires can cause fires, so replace all worn, old or damaged appliance cords immediately, or simply discard the appliance and get a new one. (When buying a lamp or appliance make sure it carries a certification, like the “UL” seal from Underwriters Laboratories).

·     Replace any electrical tool if it causes even small electrical shocks, overheats, shorts out, or gives off smoke or sparks.

·     Keep electrical appliances away from wet floors and counters; pay special attention to electrical appliances in the bathroom and kitchen.

·     Touch electrical outlets and switches – if they are warm to the touch, there could be a problem in the wiring.

·     Keep clothes, curtains, and other potentially combustible items at least three feet from all heaters.

·     If an appliance has a three-prong plug, use it only in a three-slot outlet. Never force it to fit into a two-slot outlet or extension cord.

·     Don’t allow children to play with or around electrical appliances like space heaters, irons, and hair dryers.

·     Use safety closures to "child-proof" electrical outlets.

·     Use electrical extension cords wisely; extension cords should not be used in tandem (two cords or more to extend reach), and they should never run under carpets, rugs, bedding or baseboards.

·     Never overload extension cords or wall sockets using extension plugs.

·     Be very careful with nails or staples used to attach electrical cords to the walls or baseboards because it is easy to damage the cords and cause fire or shock hazards. An alternative is to tape cords to walls or floors, or carefully use “U” fastneners.

·     Immediately shut off, then professionally replace, light switches that are hot to the touch and lights that flicker.

·     Plan two escape routes from each floor of your home and practice using them.  Be sure you can open doors and windows from the inside without a key.

·     Don’t place anything that will burn near a furnace, water heater, space heater, or the stove top.

·     Don’t use flammable chemicals near appliances with pilot lights.

·     Check labels on lamps and use the right size bulb(s). 

·     Check the label on your fuse box and be sure you use the right size fuses. For fuse boxes and circuit breakers, make sure the box is labeled for which fuse/circuit breaker controls what outlets, switches, lights and appliances.

·     Fix electrical problems right away.  If fuses blow often, circuit breakers trip often, switches get hot or people are shocked, something is wrong.

·     A ground fault circuit interrupter, or GFCI, is a special type of outlet that prevents shocks and these outlets are recommended – and often required by code — for areas where water is used, like in kitchens, bathrooms, laundry areas, garages, basements, outdoor outlets, and around pools, saunas, and hot tubs.  Test these outlets monthly (there is a “test” and “reset” button on GFICs).

Like anything else, electrical wiring and appliances wear out over time and require regular inspection and maintenance to ensure proper operation. Keeping these Electrical Fire Safety Tips in mind can keep your home safe.

For all of your electrical needs, including electrical system inspections, visitwww.allstarelectrical.com or call 303-399-7420. Allstar Electrical Services serves the entire Denver metro area with complete residential and commercial electrical services.

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The DIYer has many tools at his/her disposal to test electrical outlets and switches and to aid in replacement, but the wise choice is always to call in a professional electrician

DENVER, CO – Electricity is nothing to mess with as anyone who has ever received a shock can attest. Still, homeowners and handymen far and wide believe they can go to the internet or the big-box home improvement store and stock up a weekend’s worth of journeyman electrician and save a few bucks on a professional service call. That’s okay. There are a few electrical things the layman can perform, and we professional electricians know all too well that we’ll get called out on a good percentage of those DIY electrical situations in any case.

But that doesn’t mean we want you to hurt yourself. Quite the contrary; we like an informed client base, just not one in bandages.

One of the main things the DIYer electrician needs is the ability to know if a circuit is hot – is that electrical outlet working?; is it wired properly?; is there “juice” running through that switch?

Of course, if you’re planning on replacing a plug or a switch, it is important to know if there is electricity running through there if for no other reason than you want to make sure the juice is cut before you start taking it apart. The easiest first step is always to plug a lamp you know is working into the plug to see if it the plug works. You can also do this to an outlet that is connected to a switch – plug in a lamp and flip the switch. You’ll want to have this lamp on when you go to the circuit breaker to make sure you’ve cut power to the right circuit before you attempt to rewire a switch or plug.

There are also handy tools you can find at pretty much any hardware store or big-box home remodeling center that can test not only if electricity is running to a circuit, but what amount of electricity and whether the plug or switch is wired properly. Switches and plugs that are wired backwards – called “reversed polarity” – will still work, but they are not safe. Keep in mind that these testing devices are not fool-proof; when in doubt, better to leave it alone.

There are a few basic, and relatively inexpensive, electrical testing tools out there that can help in the detection of bad outlets and switches. The simplest is a pocket voltage tester, which looks a little like a fat ballpoint pen. Some have on/off switches on them, but you simply touch a wire, a wall outlet or anything electrical and a light comes on in the voltage tester and it chirps or buzzes in the presence of electricity. Some of these testers are “non-contact,” meaning that they only have to be close to electricity to sound off. In some cases these voltage testers determine the strength of the voltage as well, and in that case you want one that tests up to 500 volts.

There is also a device called a two-wire voltage tester, often called a “neon tester” because it has a neon bulb that lights up when electricity passes through it. It features two wires, or probes; push them into the hot and neutral slots (the wide slot is neutral) and if the light come on, the outlet is live. You can also check any 110 volt connection by touching one probe to a ground (the white wire, a ground screw or the neutral connection), and the other probe to the hot wire, usually black or red. Best to try this device in a circuit you know is live first, just to make sure it’s working.

In most homes these days to be fully up to snuff on testing the electrical, you have to have the ability to test those three-prong outlets and also the Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) outlets. GFCI outlets are now required by code in most jurisdictions for use in kitchens and bathrooms or for any outlet that is within 15 feet of a water source. They are the plugs that contain an internal breaker which trips instantly when it senses a short.

A receptacle tester and a GFCI or ground fault circuit interrupter tester (they look like a plug with lights on them) can show if an outlet is wired properly, and also if it is live just by plugging it in. A GFCI outlet may be wired in a branch circuit, meaning that other receptacles or devices might be wired on the same line. Those downstream from the GFIC, if it is wired properly, will lose power if the GFIC trips, so if you have lost power in a circuit it may be because a nearby GFIC has tripped. All outlets upstream, toward the power source, are not affected by the GFIC. (GFIC’s should be tested regularly, about once a year, by pressing the “Test” and “Reset” buttons on them. If you press the “test button and nothing happens, the GFIC needs to be replaced. If the outlet pops in a test, it is miswired and should be fixed immediately.)

For the three-prong outlets, you can use any variety of multimeter for testing grounding and polarity. In the regular plug portion of the outlet, the short slot should be the “hot” slot, the long slot the neutral, and the U-shpated slot the ground. Set your meter in the 200 volt range, place one probe in the U-shaped slot and the other in the long slot. The meter will read less than 1 volt if it is installed properly. When you move the long-slot probe to the short “hot” slot the meter should read 120 volts. If the readings are opposite, the outlet is wired in reverse and should be rewired.

Electricity can be very dangerous, even in small voltages, and none of the equipment mentioned here is foolproof in ensuring there is power or, more importantly, no power before work is done.

Of course, the wise choice always is to call on your professional electrician like Allstar Electrical Services to perform these tests and do any of the necessary fixes. It saves the DIYer from the anxiety of electrocution, and professionals can also quickly spot other potential hazards in your electrical system.

For all of your home electrical needs, visit www.allstarelectrical.com or call 303-399-7420.