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…
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 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…
The push toward switching from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources means even greater reliance on electricity to power everything from our cars to our kitchens. That means a massive expansion of generating capacity and the infrastructure to meet the demand on the grid.
It also means huge…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Your home’s outdoor lighting can add extra pleasure as the sun sets earlier and evenings move indoors. Here are some ideas for bringing added enjoyment and safety to your fall and winter nights.
Show Off Your Yard’s Beauty
The same trees and other features you highlight in…
Your home’s outdoor lighting can add extra pleasure as the sun sets earlier and evenings move indoors. Here are some ideas for bringing added enjoyment and safety to your fall and winter nights.
Show Off Your Yard’s Beauty
The same trees and other features you highlight in…
We’re reaching the one-year anniversary of the arrival of COVID-19 in the US, and what we hoped would be a few weeks or months of inconvenience has evolved into a host of lifestyle changes.
Pre-COVID, families would spend 6-8 hours awake at home. Now with working and learning…
According to a recent article in the Denver Post, as many as one in five employers expect that 40% or more of their staff will be working remotely by next spring. That represents a major shift in corporate attitudes in the pre-COVID era. Additionally, many people, especially…
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…
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…
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,…
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.…
Wander through a Home Depot lighting department and very little looks much different than it did 10 years ago. But jump online to either www.trendir.com or www.archiexpo.com, and you’ve entered the very definition of futurism.
Both of these websites are authorities on influential design trends and…
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…
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…
The light switch—it’s something we take for granted dozens, if not hundreds, of times every day. But if improperly wired, a switch can be an accident waiting to happen.
What Does a Light Switch Do?
An electrical circuit is just what the name implies—a more-or-less circular path through…
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…
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.
…Want a new kitchen before the holidays? Start now by scheduling a pre-planning appointment with Allstar Electrical Services. The pros at Allstar Electrical know what it takes to turn an outdated kitchen into a space a gourmet chef envies. We can work with you or your designer…
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…
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’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…
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…
