Technology giant Google made its start as a search engine, subsequently branching into email, cloud storage, advertising and so much more. Now the company from Mountain View is surging forward with a new application, promising to tell consumers if their roofs are suitable for installing solar panels. The program, called Project Sunroof, works in conjunction with Google Maps to analyze your roof's size, orientation and shade levels to tell you at a glance how much solar energy you could get from it. Read on to learn more about how this convenient software works and how it can help you.

A Mix Between a Solar Electrician and a Search Engine

The program is simple to use – all you have to do is enter your address, and Google does the rest. According to the company, the program analyzes all of the following to determine how much sunlight you can soak up:

The program also provides information about what tax credits are available in your area as well as the local rules regarding selling solar energy back to the utility company when your panels are producing more than you need. It then spits out a recommended installation size, which you can modify based on how much electricity you actually consume according to your average electricity bill.

Pay Nothing and Start Saving Today

Google's entry into the solar market comes at a time when the options for solar are expanding, including the ability to lease panels from solar companies and enjoy savings on your utility bills while paying nothing for the installation and setup. A good setup can last for 30 years or more, with little to no maintenance from an electrician once the installation is completed.

Of course, solar isn't for everybody, since many roofs might be too shaded or otherwise not suitable, and some states still don't have good solar policies. Therefore, Project Sunroof can be a good place to get started to see if your house is a prospect before you even call a solar electrician. Currently, the program is working on a trial basis in Boston, San Francisco and Fresno, with more cities sure to be on the way.

Don't Forget About Human Experts Just Yet

Of course, even a technology company as powerful and ubiquitous as Google can't fully substitute for an experienced solar technician when it comes to analyzing how you can benefit from panels. If a Google query indicates that your home is a good candidate, have a qualified electrician or solar expert make the final determination and help you decide if solar panels are right for you.

Electrical issues have a way of cropping up all of a sudden. At that point of time, the only thing on your mind is that you should be able to contact an electrician who will deal with the issue without delay. If you look online, you will find that Sydney has a large number of electrical companies, big and small and you may feel that identifying a good electrician shouldn’t be much of a challenge.

This could be no further from the truth. There’s much more to zeroing-in on the right electrical contractor that than. As a matter of fact, if you aren’t too particular about who you are hiring for the job that can easily lead to a major fire break-out on your property. This is something you want to avoid under all circumstances. The very first things to take into consideration are:

It’s common knowledge that you would need an electrician to install/ replace/repair/maintain electrical systems. In our country, you are legally permitted to replace light bulbs and operate electrical appliances in just the manner they are designed to be operated. Apart from that, all electrical jobs should be handled by a certified and insured electrician and this can include:

The rule of thumb is that even if you feel a particular job is very minor and you know exactly what you’re doing, it’s important that you call an electrician. It’s vital to understand that any type of DIY electrical work can be extremely dangerous – it can result in fire, damage, injury as well as death. Here are the things you should be looking for when you are choosing an electrical contractor:

We at Allround Electrical are licensed and insured electrical contractors; we can rectify all types of electrical faults and provide a range of electrical services. For more information, contact our friendly team today at this number – 1300 169 263. You can also write to us at this email address.

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A variety of ways exist to quickly and efficiently complete an electrical installation. One method involves using pre-made and pre-fabricated conduits, cables, panels, and devices. Pre-fab strategies cut down on repetitive labor costs and scrap material waste.

Furthermore, pre-fabricated components are assembled in quality-controlled factories by highly trained technicians. This ensures that every device and termination is in working order and properly connected. These technicians work faster and cost less per hour than a journeyman electrician, therefore saving the contractor time and money.

Another option to increase efficiency involves using pre-wired devices. They can be used for repetitive tasks like receptacles, switches, light fixtures, data ports, or fire alarms. They save time by eliminating the need to terminate each device individually. Instead, boxes are made to order and ready to install. The desired length of cable is attached and ready to run to the nearest junction point. Simply attach the box, route the cable, and connect to the supply wires. Most suppliers prepare a custom quote, further reducing time spent by the foreman planning and ordering parts individually.

Pre-wired panels are possibly the simplest way to save money, as they require no special tools. Wiring up a panel at the shop before heading to the job site allows you to function test it before installation. This ensures proper functionality. In addition, it keeps the interior of the panel away from weather and other possible sources of job-site damage. For larger or more complex panels, suppliers can be arranged and have the work performed by specialized technicians. Panels can even be ordered with pre-cut and pre-terminated lengths of cable or cord.

Most electricians have used pre-formed conduit, especially PVC which requires specialized tools to bend. However, entire runs of pipe can be custom ordered and pre-shaped. Especially useful in underground conduit networks or when complicated bends are required, these pre-made conduits drop in place and fit perfectly to the engineer’s prints. They also ensure that conduits are not damaged or kinked during the bending process and that no sharp edges or rough spots are left to damage wires or cables.

If the project demands it, entire buildings can be pre-made and pre-wired in a factory setting by trained technicians who specialize in quickly and efficiently preparing custom ordered buildings. Especially useful in industrial settings, these buildings come complete with all interior and exterior lights, switches, receptacles, and control wiring.

Often, motor control centers (MCCs) for large industrial installations are constructed this way. Therefore, on-site electricians are free to begin immediately running cables to motors and devices, with simple termination points inside a completed building. In addition to using fewer electrician hours, they also reduce required hours from other tradespeople such as welders or cladding installers.

Finally, pre-fab strategies are a great solution for reducing material waste, worker hours, and downtime while making deadlines a snap. Projects run smoother with fewer errors.

When choosing a home electrician, where do you begin? Some people call the first name that comes up in their online search, others pour over reviews, while still others look to the recommendations of friends and family to help them find an electrician. When you’re looking for an electrical service provider, you want to choose one that is referral based and a true craftsman- not just a fly-by-night contractor who hasn’t been trained to safely provide electrical services. What should you look for in a home electrician? We find this list of four qualities to be both compelling and useful.

Fun Fact: His obsession with a chandelier led Italian astronomer, mathematician and physicist, Galileo to discover the law of pendulum motion.

While, we cannot guarantee that you will understand the laws of physics, we can guarantee that you will be captivated by the brilliance of a chandelier.

More than ever, we are experimenting with home lighting design to display our individuality, and nothing conveys unique style more than a fabulous chandelier.

Professional lighting consultants at Capitol Lighting can help you to illuminate your sense of style and find the perfect chandelier(s) to complete your decorative interior design.  A few simple laws of lighting and trusting your own good taste will get you there…

Chandelier Application and Design Tips from Capitol Lighting

Outstanding Applications:  From powder rooms to dining rooms, the chandelier enhances the appeal of your home environment. Chosen above all else for their aesthetic rewards, chandeliers also provide needed general ambient illumination.

Power in Proportion: To enjoy the full benefits of a chandelier, you must choose a fixture that is the correct size.  A chandelier that is too big will overpower; one that is too small will look out of place.  Finding the right chandelier size is easy:  Add the length and width of the room in feet, and then convert that number to inches (i.e. a room that is 12 feet by 16 feet would require a chandelier that is approximately 28 inches wide). When in doubt between available chandelier sizes, size up to achieve a more balanced presentation.

Special Considerations for Over Dining Tables:  When hanging a chandelier over a dining table, the total chandelier width should be about a foot smaller than the table width to allow approximately a 6-inch clearance for those seated around the table.

The Long and Short of It:  Over a dining table, the bottom of the chandelier should hang about 30 inches over the tabletop. The height of the fixture should measure about three inches for each foot of ceiling height, so for standard 8 foot ceilings choose a chandelier with an approximate height of 24 inches.

In a one-story foyer or in rooms with standard 8-foot ceilings, a chandelier should hang no less than 7 feet from the floor.  In a two-story foyer or in rooms with higher ceilings, the chandelier should hang approximately 8-10 feet from the floor. If your foyer fixture is to be viewed through a picture window, select a chandelier that will fill this space and center the fixture accordingly.  Note:  A two or three-tiered chandelier works best for rooms with higher ceilings.

Installation Awareness:  Be sure to employ a qualified electrician and follow National Electrical codes when installing fixtures.  It is especially important to consider the proper mounting procedures for hanging a heavier chandelier.  Usually fixtures weighing 50 pounds or more must be secured to the home’s permanent structure.

Maintaining the Glamour:  Keeping your chandelier in pristine condition requires proper cleaning and attention to specific instructions pertaining to certain finishes.  Generally, crystal and glass elements are kept clean with a basic soap and water combination.  Nonabrasive cleansers for most finishes are required.  Drying fixture components completely will help protect their luster.

Best Accessories:  Ceiling medallions, chandelier shades, decorative chain and cord covers may add to the ambience of the chandelier.  These items may be special ordered to give your chandelier a unique flair.

Imperative Additions:  Be sure to use the correct bulbs for your chandelier.  Where you have a choice between frosted or clear, choose the bulb that goes best with the fixtures finish.  Always employ dimmer controls with your chandelier.

Get High and Mighty with a Mini: The mini chandelier has become an increasingly popular lighting fixture around the home due to the versatility of its small size. Many designers are opting for mini chandeliers, rather than pendant or island lights, over long dining room tables and kitchen islands. Mini chandeliers are also gracing powder rooms and master bathrooms, as well as bedside tables.

Accent the Positive:  Although the chandelier should be the main lighting attraction, low-voltage spot lights, a matching torchiere floor lamp, +/or coordinating wall sconces make great designing additions to supplement lighting needs and complete the room’s décor.

The lighting experts at Capitol guarantee that you will captivate guests and enjoy your home to the fullest with the most illuminating fashions in home lighting and accessories.  Capitol Lighting’s lighting consultants can help you find the perfect chandelier for your home and give you tips on hanging a chandelier.