If you’re among the millions who work off that Thanksgiving feast by decorating your home for the upcoming holidays, be sure to read on for our annual Holiday Safety Tips.
Don’t Become a Statistic
Here are a few holiday fire facts from the National Fire Prevention Association:
U.S.…
At this point in the 2024 election season, most folks have gotten used to inconsistent statistics. No matter who your candidate is, where you get your facts lean red or blue. No matter what the ballot issues are, you’ve likely received conflicting reports about what a YES vote…
Hot Enough for You? As of this writing, the Front Range is going through a three-day heat wave of temperatures well above 100° F. And there’s likely more to come. So if you’d rather be comfortable in your home or office, why not just pump the heat away?
…You’ve probably heard that many first-time electric vehicle (EV) owners say they regret their purchase. But dig deeper and you’ll find that most of that disappointment is the result of not knowing the proper care and feeding of an electric vehicle.
The complaints tend to focus on three…
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…
We’ve discussed how increasing demand on the electrical grid from electric vehicles and appliances risks brownouts and interruptions, but this spring a new twist was added—shutdowns to mitigate the risk of fire damage.
Xcel Energy cut off power to 56,000 homes and businesses in northwest Denver and suburbs…
Still on the fence about upgrading your electrical services? These added incentives from federal, state, and local governments and utilities can dramatically lower the cost, sometimes to zero!
The funds mainly come from federal programs, but much is distributed through local sources, so taking full advantage means looking…
The push to cut carbon emissions has led to many government agencies and utilities to continue offering attractive incentives to switch to electric options in 2024. They range from federal and state tax credits to cash rebates for qualifying purchases. Here’s a look at what’s on tap for…
Whether you’re taking your outdoor holiday lighting down right away or leaving it up through the National Western Stock Show—a Denver tradition—keep a lookout for ways to make your home’s exterior safer and more attractive by repairing and upgrading your exterior lighting.
Repairs and Maintenance
Broken globes and…
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…
Recent news accounts have shown that improperly installed and operated home electric vehicle chargers can result in catastrophic fires and explosions. In most, if not all, cases these tragedies are preventable with the right installation and attention to detail—both by the homeowner and the installer. And that’s…
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…
As we transition from winter snow to spring and summer showers, the threat of power outages lurks in the darkening clouds. Unlike snow and ice storms, thunderstorms pack a punch that can cripple transmission lines across wide areas. They’re particularly dangerous in Colorado where lightning strikes more often…
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…
The signs are all around us. Daylight Saving Time is here and first day of spring is barely a week away.
Of course Coloradans know that the coming warmer weather will be interrupted with March and April snowstorms, but there will be plenty of opportunities to break…
When you think of electricity the name Edison might come to mind.
He’s the man credited with harnessing current (not as in “timely” but the science behind it) electricity in the manner to become widely used (over 70% of the market) and affordable. It was 1878 when Edison…
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…
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…
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…
3G, the 20-year-old wireless network standard, is shutting down in 2022. That means service for older Kindles, early iPads and Chromebooks (Classic) won’t be able to connect to the data networks anymore. It’s not an electricity thing, but it is going to be a thing for people who…
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,…
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…
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…
There are two types of metal commonly used in wiring: copper and aluminum. They’re chosen for their efficiency, ease of use, and affordability. Each has its advantages and disadvantages and knowing those can help avoid problems that range from annoying to disastrous.
Pros and Cons of Aluminum Wiring
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…
Most of us will be more than glad to see the end of 2020 and the long pandemic-induced nightmare of a year. But even as we gradually recover, we should pay attention to the lessons learned from the lifestyle changes forced on us—some of which will be enduring.
…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…
As we button up our homes for winter, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors assume an even greater role in protecting property and loved ones from disaster.
Both battery-operated and hard-wired devices need to be tested monthly for proper operation and that’s a good time to…
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…
It’s Time to Switch to LED
Long-lasting LED lamps are the unquestioned leader in economically lighting homes and offices, and with more choices and lower prices there’s no reason to not make the switch.
Early LED bulbs were low on output and high in price, but that’s changed.…
One of the biggest causes of home fires is holiday lighting gone bad. Here are a few tips on how to keep your home both beautiful and safe throughout the holiday season.
INDOOR SAFETY
Don’t overload circuits
Typical household branch circuits are 15 amps, and this is plenty…
Fall is a busy time for homeowners. The calendar is full of school activities, fall sports are in high gear, and pre-winter yardwork looms on the schedule. While it may be tempting to rush through your fall chores, haste can not only make waste, it can be downright…
If your home is more than a couple of decades old, your electrical system may be straining under the load of modern appliances and electronics. This can lead to annoying trips to the breaker box, interference with both wireless and wired signals, and even serious safety hazards.
Here…
Recent changes in local laws have sparked interest in growing plants normally found in outdoor gardens in indoor settings. These plants require more light than is typically found indoors, causing a spike in grow light sales. It has also led to numerous electrical problems, from overloading and power…
Keep these simple design tips in mind and your outdoor lighting will serve multiple occasions and make your garden parties the envy of the neighborhood.
…As the weather turns cooler, our thoughts turn toward indoor living. Maybe it’s time to consider adding that media center, home office, man-cave, or guest suite you’ve been wanting. But where to put it? How about that basement that’s been collecting things that you seldom or no longer…
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…
Q: I’m thinking about doing a little remodeling myself. Is there a proper height to locate outlets and switches to conform to code?
A: There are requirements if your installation needs to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), but other than that, locations are determined more by custom…
ELECTRICAL PROJECTS TAKE TOP HONORS IN 2007
DENVER, CO - Allstar Electrical Services, LLC won three awards from the Rocky Mountain Chapter of Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) including top honors for Commercial Project Under $1,000,000 at the March 29, 2007 awards banquet held in Denver.
The awards presented…
