As a home or building owner in the DC area, no one expects you to have the same technical vocabulary as an electrical contractor. However, knowing a few basic electrical terms can help you communicate better with the electricians on your project, saving time and misunderstandings, and preventing you from getting ripped off by an unscrupulous contractor.

At Kolb Electric, we understand that you may not be familiar with some electrical terms. That’s why we take the time to answer your questions and explain in layman’s terms what your project needs and the pricing associated with each step. To hire one of our licensed electricians to work on your Maryland, Virginia, or Washington, DC home, call us at 877 287-1179. We’ve been helping area Mid-Atlantic home and building owners with their electrical needs since 1925.

Each year there are in excess of 50 fatalities that are caused by preventable house fires in our country, which is an extremely startling statistic. This is especially true since these fires could have easily been prevented from spreading if there had been an operational smoke detector on the property.

Having these installed on every storey in your home or commercial property is one way to ensure the response to a fire emergency, is quicker. In many instances, this can actually help save lives and property. Here are some basic facts about smoke detector installations:

The best way to ensure that your property and family are safe from a fire is to make sure that the fire gets detected early. A smoke detector is a device that’s specifically designed to quickly alert those on the property, about the presence of smoke. Typically, these could be attached either to the ceiling or a wall. These are battery-powered devices that have to be replaced on a regular basis. You also have the option to hardwire a smoke detector into the main electrical system on the property.

There are 2 main varieties of smoke detectors:

The first type is the photoelectric one that has a light – this light gets altered in the presence of smoke which in turn, activates the alarm. This kind of alarm is always quick in detecting whether the smoke is originating from a fire that’s slowly smouldering, or from a much cooler one.

This type of installation essentially has an integrated ionisation chamber which has very small amounts of a radioactive material which is able to quickly identify smoke. This kind of a smoke detector is far more effective at quickly detecting the hotter fires (when there are flames). This smoke detector emits a very small amount of radiation and doesn’t pose any danger to health.

Regardless of whether you have hardwired or battery-powered smoke detectors, it’s important to have at least one on each floor on your property. In addition to this, you should also design a detailed, yet simple emergency evacuation plan. Make sure that all the members of your family understand what has to be done in case an emergency situation arises and they hear the beeping of any smoke detectors in the home.

If you live anywhere in or around Sydney, and are planning on getting smoke detectors installed on your property, you should identify a certified, skilled, insured and reputed company to handle the job for you,.

For more information, simply speak with the experts at Allround Electrical and take their advice on various aspects of power factor installation solutions. The number to call is – 1300 169 263. You can also write to us at this email address. We can handle all types of smoke detector installations and all other electrical jobs too.

Thanks for reading,1300 169 263

If you are in the market for a new solar panel, you’re probably already sold on the incredible energy and long-term monetary savings that come from a home solar system. And even if you understand the process of installing the solar system, does that necessarily mean that your home is ready for the installation? In this post, we take a quick look at the process of preparing your home for solar panel installation.

One of the first things to consider is the structural stability of the roof. Is it strong enough to support your new solar panels? Consider getting a building inspection to make sure the roof is equal to the task.

In addition to the structure, you’ll want to take a good look at the surrounding area. Are there tree branches overhanging the future solar array? The debris from trees and the possible trauma from branches can inhibit and even damage solar panels. Such trees are best trimmed for near-term and future growth.

Any structures or devices in the area of the solar array need to be removed or relocated. Antennas and ceiling vents are particularly crucial pieces to work around. If your roof prevents easy access to the solar panels, think about finding a way around that. Some roofs don’t encourage access and need hatches built in so you can easily reach panels for repair.

Of course, we have plenty of experience devising and consulting on such solar projects. We’ll help you decide on the most appropriate changes to make in your home and yard to make the perfect solar installation work for you. Don’t hesitate to call us so we can start the process right away. We get the ball rolling with a free consultation over the phone. We’ll check out your home with satellite data before we even visit. By the time we’re done with our first site visit, you’ll have a good idea of what our installation and the necessary preparation mean for you.