Colorado is notorious for its wintertime freeze-and-thaw cycles. They ruin our roads, causing cracks and potholes. They even splinter our mountains, sending rocks and boulders tumbling onto highways and the cars driving on them, sometimes as large as the cars themselves. And they can wreck roofs and gutters,…
Heating a home can get expensive, and aAccording to a recent CNET survey, 78% of Americans Are Stressed Out About High Energy Bills. Stressed or not, nobody likes wasting money, so here are a few ideas on how to save on your utility costs this winer.
…Homes built before the latter part of the 20th century typically had a 100-amp power supply. Older homes often have only 60 amps. Newer homes may have 125-amp service, but with the rise in electrification even that may not be enough if the latest electrical equipment and appliances…
The summer rush has ended, kids are back in school, and the holiday hustle has yet to begin. So why not take advantage of the seasonal lull to tackle some leftover projects or plan new ones? Even better, most contractors see a brief slowdown around Labor Day, so…
Chances are even if you’re one of the thousands of Allstar customers, you’ve never been to our offices and operations center. You see our trucks and meet our staff when they arrive at your home or business ready to work, evaluate, or bid on your project. And much…
That’s the question asked in a recent consumer magazine. Their answer was maybe.
Our answer is probably. Here’s why.
It’s a Matter of Level
There are three levels of chargers for electric vehicles (EVs), two of which are commonly used for home charging.
Level 1 uses standard 120-volt…
Now that the holiday icicle lights are down (right?) it’s time to prevent the real things from wrecking your home.
Colorado is notorious for its freeze-and-thaw cycles. They play havoc with our roads and bridges, causing cracks and potholes. They crack our mountains, sending rocks and boulders tumbling…
It’s never a good time to replace your heating and cooling system, but if yours is giving hints it’s about ready to go, or if it quits on you, there are more options than ever to replace it with updated technology and efficiency. More and more, these systems…
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…
Recent downpours and damaging winds serve as reminders 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 averages 234 hailstorms each year and had the highest per-capita loss from them…
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…
Did you get sticker shock when your last couple of utility bills arrived? If you did, you’re not alone.
Skyrocketing gas and electric rates have combined with a brutal winter to cause many Coloradans to look for ways to cut back on energy use without sacrificing comfort and…
The push to cut carbon emissions has led to many government agencies and utilities to offer attractive incentives to switch from gas-fired appliances to electric ones. They range from federal and state tax credits to cash rebates for qualifying purchases. Here’s a look at what’s on tap for…
Only hours ago, on24-October 2022, Denver temps fell to 31 degrees and a trace of snow was spotted on the ground at the official weather station at Denver International Airport. It was just five months to the day of the late spring snowstorm May 21 that left 210,000…
According to the US Energy Information Administration, the average annual electricity consumption in 2020 for a U.S. residential utility customer was 10,715 kilowatt hours (kWh) or about 893 kWh per month. At 14,400 kWh per customer, Louisiana had the highest annual consumption and Hawaii had the lowest at…
Energy costs are rising faster than the summer temperatures. Combined with the worst inflation in 40 years, this double-whammy can really strain your family budget.
Since central air conditioning is one of the biggest users of electricity in the summer months, smart consumers are looking for ways to…
Overall inflation is hitting 40-year highs with rates topping 8% every month this year. Bad as that is, electric rates are climbing even higher.
With bills jumping as much as 40% during the heaviest use summer months, cutting back energy use even a little can add up to…
As gasoline prices go up and electric vehicle (EV) prices come down (a little), more people are looking to add an EV to their personal transportation. But before you take the plunge, there are some things you need to know.
First, There’s the Economics
Electric vehicles aren’t…
Have a house built in the 60s or 70s? Looking at a fixer-upper from that era? Chances are it may have aluminum wiring. And that could mean trouble.
But first, a little background.
The Aluminum Wiring Boom
Copper prices spiked beginning around 1964 causing many makers of…
How good an investment is an electric vehicle (EV) charger for your home? Pretty good if you consider the return on your investment, regardless of whether you plan on staying put or selling.
Let’s look at both scenarios.
Home EV Chargers for Long-Term Savings
Electric vehicle…
According to RentCafe’s 2021 Year-End Report, Denver ranked 38 among the top 50 most sought-after rental markets nationwide. With occupancy rates at 95.4%, the average time on market was 27 days and 14 renters applied to every vacant apartment citywide.
While that’s considered a landlord’s market,…
This holiday season likely exponentially increased your electrical needs. Mine did. I got the Catch:2 Essentials multi-device wireless charging wrapped in designer-quality Belgian Linen that charges multiple devices at one time. It looks like art on my desk and, of course, it needs to plug in.
I also…
With relaxed travel and gathering restrictions this year, many of us are looking forward to more entertaining and overnight guests in our homes. Here are a few tips on how to keep your home both welcoming and safe throughout the holiday season.
Icicle lights may be pretty at holiday time, but if you have the real things, you may have a problem with ice dams.
Colorado is notorious for its wintertime freeze-and-thaw cycles. They play havoc with our roads and bridges, causing cracks and potholes. They crack our mountains, sending…
In 1604, Sir Edward Coke declared “the house of every one is to him as his Castle.” Time shortens all. The saying is today, “a man's home is his castle”.
Trending today in home “castles” are open floorplans. Very 2021. With expansive great rooms and living rooms. Houzz.com…
Have this summer’s heat waves brought you to the boiling point? Before you commit to installing or replacing central air conditioning, consider a mini-split system.
Also known as ductless systems, mini-splits are just what the name implies—small components split into individual areas. They can be single-purpose heating…
Talk to long-term Coloradans and you’ll surely hear someone say, “Yon don’t need air conditioning in Colorado.” That may sound ridiculous given the recent run of 100°-plus days in the state, but a few days do not an air conditioning season make. Before you invest in a central…
It’s not even Labor Day, and there are already reports of pumpkin spotting. Not the real deal maturing in the garden, but decorative Halloween pumpkin yard décor.
Having been house-bound, home-schooled, working from home for months on end due to COVID-19, the people are ready to celebrate and…
The average residential Xcel electric bill in Denver is $78.01/month. Of that maybe 3 to 5% of represents use of lightbulbs. But the remaining 95% of the bill is for other electrical appliances.
Sure, you will cut your electrical bill by switching to LED lightbulbs and LED fixtures…a…
According to a recent survey by Houzz.com, electronic upgrades are part of 1 in 10 kitchen remodeling projects with digital assistants such as Amazon Alexa or Google Home part of 1/3 of the improvements and charging or docking stations included in…
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…
The outdoor living season is just around the corner, so take time to do a walkaround of your home and make a list of projects to add extra enjoyment to your summer.
Fixups
Winter can take a toll on outdoor fixtures. Repair or replace any damaged porch,…
If you’ve already hung your holiday lights, good for you. You’re one of those people who gets things done. And we presume you did it safely, or you wouldn’t be reading this. But in case you haven’t gotten around to it yet, or would like to see if…
Spending hundreds (or even thousands) on new AV equipment only to discover annoying hums, clicks or hisses coming from the speakers can turn excitement into frustration in a hurry. While a malfunctioning component may be the cause, the problem more likely comes from the multitude of electronics in…
Just like there can be underlying causes for your indigestion or headaches, annoying electrical problems can be caused by things you can’t figure out on your own. But just like your doctor, professional electricians know what to look for, no matter how well they’re hidden or disguised.
Sure,…
Earlier, we pointed out the need to use a Lead-Safe Certified Electrician to be sure your electrical work conforms to EPA lead safety standards. At the state level, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has its own set of Read More
You’re probably aware of lead concerns with paint and plumbing, but did you know it’s a concern in electrical work, too?
The Lead, Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule
Reducing lead levels has been one of the most successful health goals, with anover 90% decline in blood lead…
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…
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…
Property managers have a lot of resources at their disposal, and one of the most valuable is the speed dial on their phone. Whether you manage a two-unit duplex, a commercial building or an apartment complex, you need safe, reliable electrical service and a dependable electrical contractor to…
Modern kitchens exceed anything people only dreamed about 50 years ago—almost all of the excess is due to electrical appliances and lighting. Double ovens, warming drawers, dual fuel freestanding ranges, gleaming cooktops, range hoods, wine chillers, ice makers, French door refrigerators—those are only a few things today’s cooks…
Your kitchen is a workshop, and it needs to be lit accordingly, both for ease of use and for safety. But that doesn’t mean it can’t be both functional and beautiful. Choosing the right style and placement of light fixtures is a big part of achieving both goals.
…With Denver real estate prices skyrocketing, many homeowners are staying put and making the property they already occupy work for them. When that includes adding space, one of the best places to look is right over your head.
Many homes have quite a bit of usable space in…
DENVER, CO — Your customers won’t shop in the dark and you can’t send out bids from computers that don’t work. When the power goes on the fritz, you need a solution now, not sometime tomorrow afternoon.
That’s why Allstar Electrical Services provides same-day, on-time emergency service to…
When electricians and inspectors talk about being “up to code,” they mean in compliance with NEC. Revisions every three years improve safety and address emerging technologies
DENVER, CO – The National Electrical Code, NEC, is a complete compilation of rigorously adopted standards for the safe installation of electrical…
Power outages in the US are on the rise, and electric generators can keep business running smoothly and protect homes. Keeping the generator in good repair requires an expert to ensure it works when needed
DENVER, CO – For many businesses, and even many homes, an electrical outage…
DENVER, CO, January 26, 2010 — When troubleshooting electrical problems in your home, the most cost-effective and sometimes life-saving decision you can make is to call on a professional. Systems that were installed or previously repaired by a weekend warrior—a homeowner without training who jury rigs a electrical…
Allstar Electrical Service reports that it’s Stimulus Plan, a marketing effort launched exactly one year ago, resulted in at least 100 projects, large and small, that the Denver-based electrical contractors wouldn’t otherwise have scored in 2009. “That 100 additional projects compares well to President Barack Obama’s 2 million…
Search for an electrician online these days and chances are that you’ll notice what we did…more electrical shops have combined their services with other subcontractors to offer across-the-board repairs and remodeling.
Plumbers have aligned with Electrical Contractors and with HVAC specialists. Electrical Contractors have merged with alternative power…
Colorado’s foreclosure rate isn’t as bad as in previous years, according to a report by John Rebchook in the Rocky Mountain News dated Tuesday, March 11, 2008. Viewed several ways The Mortgage Bankers Association has ranked Colorado No. 24 in the nation for seriously delinquent loans in fourth…
Death and injury are not imagined when it comes to in-home accidents each year. Estimates show that each year $1.6 billion in residential electrical fires take their toll each year. More than 500 deaths are attributed to residential electrical fires as well as 6,000 injuries annually. More than…
DENVER, CO - We all know that electricity can be deadly, but did you know that one of the most common sources of electrical shock injuries is when Do-It-Yourselfers fail to observe simple rules of safety?
According to Gary Stone, founder of Allstar Electrical Services, safe work starts…
Q: I’d like to use the Internet to shop for lighting fixtures. Is there anything I need to be careful of?
A: Buying your lighting fixtures online can be risky. Troubles can range from simple annoyances to potentially dangerous situations that can result in fires…or worse.
Safety is always the…
DENVER, CO - Fall is a popular time to commence home remodeling projects in anticipation of holiday guests, and upgrading lighting fixtures is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to do it. But Gary Stone, president of Allstar Electrical Services, serving metro Denver and Colorado Springs,…
Electrical repair service now available in El Paso County
DENVER, CO - Electrical contractors, Allstar Electrical Service, has extended its service reach to include Colorado Springs, Colo. where two of the company’s electricians already make their home. Owner Gary Stone explained that the inclusion of Colorado Springs in…
Q. I live in Colorado Springs and need electrical repair at my home, but I don’t know who to call?
A. Allstar Electrical Service has expanded its service area to include El Paso County, the county seat of Colorado Springs, Colorado.
El Paso County lies encompasses more than 2,158 square…
369,000 household fires were reported in 2005 alone
DENVER, CO - Household electrical fires are more of a common occurrence than most people would like to think. Like any older residential area in a city, the homes in central Denver tend to be 60-80-100 years old, complete with…
Override brownouts and survive complete outages with a portable or permanent power source that’s easy to install
DENVER, CO - The lights go out, the TV powers off, an eerie darkness sweeps over your home or office. After a few minutes, the search for candles and flashlights begins.…
