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,…
If you live in an apartment, condo, or other multifamily dwelling, chances are your HOA already prohibits wood-burning and charcoal grills on balconies and patios. Denver and other municipalities extend that ban to propane-fired grills that use tanks larger than the tiny 16-ounce camper grill bottles.
Now, HOAs…
The push for electrification and emission reduction keeps growing and heat pumps for heating and cooling are on the top of the list along with electric vehicles. Researchers, inventors, and manufacturers keep innovating, fueled by consumer demand and piles of government money to feed it. So the list…
Each year we remind DIYers to play it safe when hanging lights outdoors for the holiday season. So if you’re planning to decorate over the long Thanksgiving weekend, review these tips and suggestions to keep your home and family safe while showing you’re ready to welcome the holidays.
…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…
Electric rates are climbing with little prospect for relief. Even if generating costs come down, the massive infrastructure plans for utilities promise to add considerably to future bills.
So how do you keep control of your summer cooling costs? Fortunately, Colorado consumers have plenty of options.
Save Energy…
With a record run of snowless days, bright, sunny skies, and temperatures in the 60s, it’s easy to overlook winter’s arrival. But savvy Coloradans know that Mother Nature is full of surprises and has a way of evening things out. So if you haven’t done it already, it’s…
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…
April brings longer days and the promise of beautiful weather to come. And spring 2021 also brings hopeful signs that backyard gatherings with friends and neighbors will be back as COVID-19 makes an overdue exit.
But April is also the snowiest months along Colorado’s northern Front Range, so…
Allstar Electrical Services is proud to announce that we have been certified as an approved contractor by HomeAdvisor, the nation’s premier service for matching homeowners with pre-screened contractors in a wide variety of businesses.
What is Home Advisor?
HomeAdvisor began as ServiceMagic in 1999 as a resource…
When the stay-at-home orders lift, and they will, people won’t emerge slowly out of their homes. They’ll run. They’ll head right to the back yard.
But they will still be cautious and more aware of their outdoor surroundings than prior to the COVID-19 crisis.
The secure sense of…
Spring brings Daylight Saving Time and Colorado’s beautiful outdoor living season isn’t far behind. Get a head start on outdoor enjoyment by making sure your electrical service is ready to add to your warm weather fun.
Here are some things to consider:
Outdoor Lighting
Winter can take…
Maybe you’re the type who waits for the Thanksgiving weekend to hang your outdoor lights for the holidays. Or maybe your outdoor lighting is in place by now. Either way, here are some tips to be safe and stay safe this holiday lighting season.
Be safe when hanging,…
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…
April is transition time. Basketball gives way to baseball, greenery starts to wake up, and longer days draw our attention to the great outdoors. In Colorado, it also means it can be 80° one day and snowing the next. So while you’re planning for outdoor living to come,…
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…
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…
Whether you’re visiting relatives for the holidays or making a pilgrimage to warmer climes for the winter, here are some tips on how to make your home safe while you’re away and pleasant to return to.
Disconnect Energy-Wasting Electrical Appliances
Modern appliances usually draw some electrical current even…
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…
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…
It’s that time of year again! The hotdogs and hamburgers are on the grill, the kids are in the pool, and summer is officially in full swing. It’s a great time of year for families to enjoy being outdoors, but it’s always prudent to remember some simple safety…
My nephew's Chevy Spark All-electric vehicle can travel 75 – 80 miles a day if fully charged. Charging requires 7 hours and the addition of a 220 outlet in his garage wall. His existing garage, built in the 1940s, has little room to accommodate any vehicle and the…
Icicles hanging from your roof may be a beautiful, nostalgic winter memory, but they can also be a sign of trouble to come. The freeze-thaw cycle is what gives us icicles, and they have their charm, but when that ice buildup creates ice dams on roofs and gutters,…
Burglaries increase in the summer. It’s why now’s a good time to take a look at your home security measures.
You may have an alarm system, but what about using your outdoor lighting as added deterrent to burglars? Properly installed, outdoor lighting can cause burglars to think twice…
The days are getting shorter and soon we’ll go back to Standard Time, but earlier sunsets don’t mean you can’t enjoy the beauty that fall brings to your gardens. The latest developments in LED and solar-powered lighting make it more affordable, too. Here are some options.
Solar Lights
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 — If the livin’ is easy in the summertime, well-designed lighting makes it even more pleasurable—and safer, too. Making your backyard functional and safe for summer living and entertaining doesn’t mean it has to be lit up like a night game at Coors Field. Spotlights are…
DENVER, CO - Now that it’s getting dark before we even get home from work, well-designed outdoor lighting can be a big part of your home’s total safety package. Properly placed lighting discourages thieves, vandals and other undesirable visitors and helps guide the company you do desire on…
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…
