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…
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.
…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…
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…
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…
It’s so simple that it’s often overlooked but your thermostat can be costing you more than you realize.
If your home is more than a few years old, chances are good that you have an older thermostat on you heating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. The oldest…
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…
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…
Electric vehicles are here to stay. What used to be a niche market for urban commuters with limited needs has morphed into an ever-expanding variety of electric-powered vehicles from sport cars to semis. According to industry sources, 90% of commercial fleet managers believe electric vehicles are the wave…
As Covid-19 restrictions ease this holiday season, festive outdoor lighting is a great way to celebrate long overdue gatherings. But just as we continue to take precautions against the pandemic, careful practices are called for in hanging your outdoor lights for the season.
Here are some tips…
This image was made by Loadmaster (David R. Tribble)
Unlike incandescent and fluorescent bulbs that pass current through a filament or gas-filled tube, LED lights are devices that rely on several components to operate. And each of these pieces contribute to the performance and longevity of the bulb.
…A recent article in Houzz Magazine pointed out that every homeowner should have a team of repair and maintenance professionals at the ready for home emergencies and projects. And with the number of people moving into and around the Colorado Front Range, plus the thousands choosing to stay…
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…
There’s a popular show on HGTV titled “Love It or List It?” that pits a designer/decorator against a realtor to see whether a homeowner likes the reno job enough to stay put after being shown several move-in ready homes in the same price range. The outcome seems to…
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…
Are you baffled by the strange terminology and seemingly endless choices in LED lighting?
Here are some tips to cut through the jungle.
Choose the Right Brightness
You’re probably comfortable choosing bulbs based on their brightness as expressed in watts. It’s a system that’s been around ever…
After months of being trapped in an airtight (more or less) box, you may have noticed some things are different than in warm weather. With doors and windows sealed against the cold, dark nights, furnaces working overtime, and extra cooking and washing, issues with air quality and lighting…
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.…
Surge protectors aren’t just for computers anymore
You’ve probably had your computer hooked to a surge-protected power strip for years. Maybe even some of your other electronics. But how about your refrigerator?
Today’s so-called smart homes are loaded with sensitive electronics that can be ruined by a lightning…
Let me start by saying that I rely on Home Depot. Online orders can be shipped direct to the location where they will be used. My in-store visits are for spur-of-the-moment needs…parts I overlooked buying and parts I didn’t know I needed to complete a project in the…
Ever since electric lights made their way into homes there’s been someone, usually Dad, exhorting family members, usually kids, to turn them off. But now there is a host of clever devices to free Dad from light duty so he can concentrate on other things…like keeping doors closed.
…We discussed what color temperature is and how it affects lighting in an earlier article. Now let’s take a look at how to use that knowledge to choose the best light color for different locations in your home.
Light to Work By
Called task lighting by design pros, it’s…
You’ve no doubt heard of light being referred to as warm or cold but may not realize that the color of light is often measured in degrees of heat. But those degrees don’t refer to the bulb’s room temperature or how much heat it gives off. They refer…
Fluorescent bulbs are gas-filled tubes with electrodes at each end. When current passes through the gas between the electrodes, the gas fluoresces, giving off ultraviolet (UV) light and heat. The UV light excites phosphors that coat the inside wall of the tube, giving off visible light once a…
Everything seems to have its own jargon, and electricity is no exception. Here are some commonly used terms you’re likely to come across. Knowing them will make you a better-informed customer when it comes time for electrical work and buying electric appliances.
AC (alternating current)
Electrical current can…
If you are considering a retrofit of your current office lighting to LED lights, there are some things you can do to maximize the effect. While the process of exchanging old-fashioned incandescent or fluorescent lighting for LED lights will reduce your energy bill in itself, there are some…
First, you are probably wondering what “dark sky compliance” even is. If you are ever in a large city at night, you’ll notice that the sky is not exactly “dark.” Rather, a yellowish glow covers the stars and Milky Way, so you mostly just see an overcast sky…
With the heat of summer soon approaching, cranking your air conditioner will have you searching for ways to save. Whether backyard parties create the need for new decorative lighting for walls and walkways, or you’re simply looking for a full kitchen remodel, going green is the pervading method…
It’s a tired saying: A picture’s worth a thousand words. But the newest trend in home lighting juices up the adage: A picture you can actually see takes 50 watts and 3 AA batteries.
Historical Picture Lighting
Picture lighting used to be relegated to museums. Think the Isabella…
Electric power companies measure how much electricity and gas you use by taking a monthly reading of the meter on your building or home. You are charged for what you use. For about 100 years, the measure was taken with an electromechanical meter like the Thompson meter—the ones…
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.
…Use LED Bulbs Instead of Compact Fluorescents
If you haven’t already, pull out your wallet to replace your old Compact Fluorescent bulbs with LED bulbs. They last 2.5 times longer than CFLs, saving nearly $80 per year in in lifetime electric cost per bulb over CFLs. LEDs don’t…
Cabinet lighting can add beauty and drama to a room and make workspaces like kitchens and offices safer and more functional. With modern light-emitting diodes (LEDs) available in increasing numbers of applications, it’s also easier and more energy-efficient. So how far…
Whether you’re trying to outdo the Griswolds or just decorating a tree, it pays to put some thought into hanging your holiday lights.
If you’re shopping for new string lights this year, you may be surprised at the number of choices. Besides the mini incandescent bulbs we’re all…
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
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…
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…
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…
DENVER, CO – The days of the incandescent light bulb are numbered, due to federal legislation that will begin phasing out the long-familiar but energy inefficient lighting source beginning in 2012. Most people are well aware of the LED fluorescent alternative showing up on store shelves and EnergyStar…
Commercial developers, homebuilders and even homeowners with remodeling projects are finding the many benefits of induction lighting save money and offer preferred lighting to work and living spaces
DENVER, CO-LED lighting move over. The new favorite son in green lighting is induction lighting, according to Allstar Electrical Services…
Allstar Electrical is the leading resource for LED lighting in the Rocky Mountain West
DENVER, CO—First there was fire, then Edison, now Light Emitting Diodes (LED). LED technology is still in its debutant phase. Consumers remain unconvinced that LED lighting will soon be mandatory. Recent statistics show that…
With the rising costs of electricity, I’m not sure I can afford to light my home as I have in the past. Is there an alternative to the traditional light bulb that will cut the cost of living in light?
In the United States alone, light bulbs make…
Professional installation isn’t just about knowing your circuit breakers, voltage or LED lighting. Performing clean electrical work is as much about being meticulous with installation and clean-up, particularly when it comes to remodeling in residential homes.
Gary Stone, president of Allstar Electrical Services, Inc. based in Denver, Colorado…
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…
Early adaptors are luxury homeowners and commercial, industrial users
DENVER, CO - The latest buzzword in construction is “green” and just in case you’ve been hiding under a moss-covered rock, this type of lighting known as LED is long on efficiency and short on energy consumption.
Early adaptors…
City & County Building saves a bundle using LED lighting for its annual display
DENVER, CO—If you’ve driven by the Denver City & County Building at 14th and Bannock this holiday season to view the traditional Christmas lights, you’ve seen LED lighting in action. For the first time…
