It seems that heat pump technology is changing faster than the weather, which is good since we live in Colorado and know how important it is to deal the most effectively with our freaky forecasts.
But if you’re considering a heat pump for your central HVAC system or…
Moving away from gas-fired appliances is a trend that’s building, and one that’s not likely to slow down anytime soon. It may be a matter of choosing to be more environmentally friendly, or it may be forced on you by your local government.
Cities like Denver, Boulder, and…
Colorado has more lightning strikes than any other state but Florida. That’s why it’s important to have surge protection on your electrical system. In fact, it’s so important that the 2020 National Electrical Code (NEC) requires it in all new construction and upgrades, typically at the main panel…
With Colorado’s history of lightning strikes, power line and transformer troubles, and the looming threat of brownouts as increasing demand is put on the electrical grid, a line voltage monitor should be part of any variable speed heat pump installation.
Most traditional HVAC equipment has only two speeds—on…
It’s a rare fall (or spring) when Coloradans don’t lose power. Heavy, wet fall and spring snowstorms wreak havoc on overhead power lines, from falling branches or simply their own weight. Many locals choose gasoline-powered portable generators to get them through the occasional weather woes, and those are…
Grandpa has left the building. And he may not be coming back.
Last year, the Colorado House of Representatives passed House Bill 22-1362 requiring all Colorado governmental agencies to develop a model electric and solar ready code on or before June 1, 2023. So they did, and…
This year has seen record amounts of rainfall throughout Colorado. Denver got more rainfall this spring than it gets in a typical year and summer promises even more. And while our lawns and lakes love it, heavy rains can cause hidden damage to a building’s electrical system.
At…
Recent deals with Tesla by Ford and GM, along with expansion of the nation’s charging network, have made filling up your electric vehicle (EV) more convenient, but that convenience comes with a price.
Just like commercial gas stations need to make a profit in order to stay in…
Spring has finally sprung and Colorado residents are looking forward to enjoying their patios, decks, yards, and gardens when the warm weather settles in.
Now’s the time to plan ahead for adding to that enjoyment with electrical upgrades and maintenance.
Repairs and Maintenance
Winter can take a…
In a press release on Monday, February 27, Denver building officials made it official: Starting in 2024 new building codes in Denver will ban natural gas furnaces and water heaters in new commercial and multifamily construction.
And by 2027, natural gas will not be permitted for any heating…
Power outages are a fact of life and as we get more dependent on the grid, the consequences can get more serious. Demand for electricity is growing as more homes and businesses switch to electric vehicles and all-electric appliances. Besides the ever present Colorado storms, power outages can…
Electrification is a hot topic this year, and not just for heating. We’ve seen the rise of rooftop solar, electric vehicles, and heat pumps, and now, in a throwback to the 1950s, the all-electric home is getting tons of publicity. And that’s making lots of home chefs who…
With all the attention on “going electric” in 2023, homeowners and businesses need to be sure that electrical upgrades are done safely. New demands on existing circuits may be more than they were designed to handle, risking annoying breaker trips...and worse. That’s when a service upgrade is called…
As increasing numbers of electric vehicle (EV) choices come onto the market, you may be wondering which one is right for you.
As with other types of internal combustion and hybrid vehicles, things like style, passenger and cargo capacity, performance, and reliability are at the top of the…
There are plenty of hot days left and ceiling fans can be a great way to beat the heat without busting your budget. But did you know that the right ceiling fan in the right place can also save on your winter heating bills?
Here are some tips…
A car or truck run by batteries doesn’t emit greenhouse gasses. That’s a fact. But it’s not the whole story. Owning and operating an electric vehicle isn’t as simple as it seems. Like most choices, it comes with trade-offs. Here’s a look at some of the most significant…
Electricity may be clean but it’s not free. Until a way is found to grab it out of the atmosphere, some energy source must be consumed to run the turbines that generate it. And in case you haven’t noticed, the main sources of that energy especially natural gas,…
If you’re juicing up your electric vehicle (EV) at a commercial charging station, you could be paying a lot. In fact, a recent article in the newsletter Torque News, a writer claimed that at a commercial DC fast charger (DCFC) he paid three times what it cost…
There’s no doubt that electric vehicles (EVs) are on the upswing, but is one right for you? That probably depends on where you live and what kind of driving you do.
Electric Vehicles for Business and Commercial Use
According to industry sources, 90% of commercial fleet managers…
Are you tempted to use some of that extra government cash on DIY projects you’ve been putting off? It’s probably a good idea, but before you tackle any jobs that require electrical work, be sure you understand your local building and electrical codes. They change over time, so…
The outdoor living season is just around the corner and this year promises to be special. As COVID restrictions ease, we look forward to a renewal of gathering with family and friends over the summer holidays and weekends.
Now is the time to plan ahead for the warm…
This winter promises to be a season to remember. Not only will we have the usual assortment of storms and other inconveniences, but for the first time in our lifetimes most of us will be forced to endure them stuck at home due to the COVID restrictions—without the…
Coronavirus has changed what people want from businesses at least in the short run.
An attorney reports that clients on both sides of deals are engaging his services to terminate agreements, walking away from agreements made pre-covid that now are being tested.
A website development company reports that…
California’s Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) has been cutting power to hundreds of thousands of residents in an attempt to lower wildfire danger from downed power lines. Some people have been without electrical service for several days, creating concerns about food safety, water, and medical needs along with…
When people think about thermostat settings it’s usually in the context of saving heating costs in winter. But air conditioning demands in summer can add considerably to your electrical bill, sometimes more than heating does. That’s because in some places electricity costs more per BTU than natural gas.…
Whether it’s a remodel or new construction, scheduling a work-in-progress walkthrough with your architect/designer and subcontractors can avoid annoying and costly re-dos. A careful assessment of electrical and plumbing installations after the framing is up but before drywall is hung lets you confirm that walls, doors, and windows…
Each spring we remind readers that winter isn’t the only time that weather emergencies occur. Colorado has the second-highest number of lightning strikes in the nation, surpassed only by Florida. The state ranked third in the highest number of large hailstorms in 2014, and the Front Range has…
What a difference a digit can make! As the weather warms up and our attention turns to outdoor projects, it’s important to pay attention to hidden dangers. And some of those hazards are right under your feet.
Many utility lines are underground, especially in newer neighborhoods, but even…
You probably don’t give a second thought when you plug in an appliance to a wall outlet. And that’s a good thing because it means outlets in the US are mostly standardized and safe. But not always and not everywhere. Let’s take a look.
The National Electrical Manufacturers…
We have it pretty good here in Colorado, especially during the summer. When the rest of the country is sweltering in 90-degree heat and 80% humidity, even our hottest days are bearable thanks to low humidity and cool evenings. That combination lets us put nature to work for…
You can’t turn on the television these days without running across a home makeover show. How many of the Top 12 home remodeling shows (ranked by Insider online magazine) can you name:
In our previous post we explored the various types of home networks. But to bring the elements of a smart home together you need to get them talking to one another. In this article we’ll look at your options.
Three Ways Computers Communicate
The networked devices in…
As soon as you have multiple electronic devices communicating with one another, you have a network. But choosing the type of network to use depends on several things—who (and what) has access, what types of devices you have, and how secure it needs to be, among other things.
…As any fan of renovation or “flip” shows on TV knows, DIY construction is fraught with perils, especially when amateur fixers overestimate their abilities. “You get what you pay for” is as true in home improvement as anywhere, and with so many people choosing to upgrade rather than…
LIGHTING CERTIFICATION FOR YOUR COMMERCIAL SPACE
USAToday.com reported in January this year that Tracy Lynn Garner, the woman convicted in the 2012 death resulting from Garner injecting the patient’s butt with silicone…the silicone you might use to caulk around your bathtub. Garner died after serving only 3.5 years of…
We live in a connected world, and it’s making life easier, safer, and more efficient in a lot of ways. In our series on “smart” homes we’ll talk about the many ways connectivity can work for you.
Today, we look at heating and cooling features that add convenience…
Bathroom upgrades are one of the most popular reno/remodel projects, and suppliers are ready to cater to your every whim. The whirlpool tubs of the 70s have given way to a new level of luxury unimaginable in the days of 8-tracks and pet rocks.
The 21st Century Bathroom
…The holidays are right around the corner, and for many people that means travelling to exotic locales. And hardly anyone goes anywhere these days without electrical devices of one sort or another.
But electrical service isn’t uniform across borders, so before you melt your charger or turn your…
Ceiling fans are an easy and inexpensive way to add comfort to rooms year-round. They can provide a gentle breeze indoors and out in the summer and can keep cool air evenly distributed around a room. In winter, they keep warm air from collecting near the ceiling, eliminating…
Some electrical installation and repair work can be done by someone with a basic understanding of how circuits work. While hazards exist with electrical work of any kind, things like replacing a broken light switch or adding a dimmer are within the capabilities of anyone who can understand…
As you add new household appliances and devices, you may discover that your home wiring is insufficient to handle the load. Individual branch circuits may be inadequate, or you may not have enough power available to begin with, especially in older homes.
You solve the first problem by…
The so-called “Internet of Things” is a hot topic these days, and is not without controversy. On the one hand, being able to see inside your house from your phone or tune into the Weather Channel on your refrigerator door has definite advantages—plus it’s pretty cool. At the…
Ever find yourself doing a little solo DIY electrical work and need to turn off a circuit? Then you go to your electrical panel and the breakers are mislabeled, illegible or unmarked. The MacGyver way is to plug in a radio and start flipping switches or yanking fuses…
Fuses and circuit breakers are designed to stop the flow of electricity when an overload occurs. They’re an essential part of protection against fires and shock hazards and are mandated by code for all feeder circuits in homes and businesses.
Most tripped breakers and blown fuses in service…
An electrical circuit is a closed pathway for electrons to flow in order to generate power. That’s why you’ll always see at least two wires in a circuit, a hot (line) wire that carries current to an outlet, switch or appliance, and a return (neutral) wire to carry…
Electricity is a basic necessity for modern life. We use it to power lights, televisions and computers, charge our phones, run our washers and dryers, and warm our ovens so we can prepare food. Although there are countless other ways we use electricity in our daily lives at…
Fall is in the air, and the holiday season is just around the corner. Like most of us, you are probably starting to formulate your plan for decorating your home inside and out. Even though most holiday decorations are designed to withstand the rigors of being put up,…
You may not be familiar with the term “photovoltaics,” but you will come to know them quite well by the end of this article. Photovoltaics are the small solar cells that make up solar energy panels. You’ve seen them on top of houses, possibly standing in a field,…
If you are starting your career as an electrical worker or as an electrician, there will come a time when you need to consider upgrading your vehicle to meet the needs of your job. Normally, if you are working for an electrical contractor, chances are they will provide…
Every electrician requires some basic tools, especially when starting out. These essential tools are the ones you will generally use everyday and likely on every job. Having said that, you will also grow your tool collection the longer you remain in the profession.
The Electrician’s Tool Belt
Your…
The challenge of assuring dependable power throughout your home should be addressed through consistent maintenance of equipment and taking immediate action to rectify any problems found. One great preventative measure is performing an infrared panel scan to identify any issues up-front.
Causes of Component and Equipment Failure
Heat…
Home heating and air conditioning haven’t changed their basics much since we stopped relying on manually-stoked fireplaces or boilers and hand-held fans. The widespread availability of electricity made automation of furnaces and coolers practical, and electricity continues to be what powers improvements in modern HVAC systems, whether they…
Whether you’re moving into a fixer-upper, getting your place ready to sell, or updating the old homestead, there are things you need to do before the first tool comes out of the box. Some of these help the project to stay on time and on budget. Others can…
It’s frustrating to be stuck in a power outage with no light, computer access, or entertainment and being afraid to open the refrigerator for fear of spoiling hundreds of dollars’ worth of food. And with more people working from home these days, power outages can affect not only…
On time, on budget, and on plan is a phrase that brings a smile to any business owner’s face. Bang for your buck is a close second. That’s why businesses on Colorado’s Front Range turn to Allstar Electrical Services to power their operations…from design-and-build to preventive maintenance.
Allstar’s
It used to be that your business needed a phone, a fax, and a credit card machine to operate. Then you added a computer and a printer…workstations…and a network. All these things helped your business grow using Cat 5, cable and coaxes. But now the wires connecting essential…
DENVER, CO -- We’re so used to computers that it’s easy to forget how vulnerable they can be. Inexpensive power strips with surge protectors may be fine for your home computer, but what about the devices your business depends on for its very existence?
It doesn’t take a…
DENVER, CO – Commercial property operators and homeowners alike are all looking for ways to cut energy consumption and utility bills these days without sacrificing work load or lifestyle, and they are increasingly turning to such “green” products as highly efficient lighting systems and light bulbs, EnergyStar and…
Lighting options for homeowners have never been so varied, allowing for a wonderful mix of functionality, security and aesthetics like never before. The same is true for commercial buildings – office buildings, warehouses, industrial plants, restaurants and retail – but beyond the lighting issues that homeowners look for,…
Electrical service on commercial and industrial properties is an all-important aspect of any commercial property owner’s operations, as an interruption can cause tenant downtime, and faulty, inadequate or outdated electrical to the facility can and often does hinder a sale of the property or delay the occupancy of…
