Outdoor LED Decorative String Lights

When paired with vintage LED bulbs, these LED string lights add a spooky feel to your patio. The 21-foot LED light socket strings hold 10 LED bulbs with standard E26 bases. They’re available in in-line styles and are linkable up to 500 watts maximum.

Use this submersible RGB LED Accent Light to give your fountain an eerie glow. Place it under spooky glass decorations or inside a pumpkin, and use the included IR remote to select colors and color-changing modes. This LED Halloween light offers 13 static color modes and two dynamic color-changing modes.

30- or RF Touch-Color Remote (sold separately) or with a Halloween product category.

Two costs are associated with any electrical appliance: the buying price, and the running cost in terms of energy and maintenance. Of the running costs, energy is one of the major items. Typically, the equipment can last several years before requiring a major repair.

Consumers should therefore not just look at the price tag on the item.  Rather, pay attention to its energy rating and available energy saving modes.

Energy star certified refrigerators and freezers are at least 9 and 10 percent more efficient respectively. Other considerations that help in saving energy include selecting the adequate capacity. In addition, the refrigerator or freezer should be kept in a cool place away from heat sources such as direct sunlight or ovens.

More energy savings can be realized by using the proper settings. In addition, ensure the door is closed all the time and that seals are in place. Place the refrigerator or freezer in a spot that allows free air circulation around the fridge; especially at the back where there are cooling pipes.

Manual defrost freezer models use less energy and are therefore more efficient than the automatic defrost models. Another important factor is the design of the freezer. An upright freezer with shelves is easier to organize. However, the chest freezer may be more energy efficient since there is less cold air escaping from the door which opens from the top.

These are usually 40 percent more efficient than the standard purifiers. Other factors to consider include the room size and placement. Select a model adequate for the room; otherwise, an oversized air purifier or cleaner will end up consuming more power unnecessarily.

Energy star certified dishwashers use at least 12 percent less energy and 15 percent less water than the conventional models. However, this may vary depending on the model and other factors.

These dishwashers utilize more efficient technologies that reduce both the energy consumption and water usage. For example, the design uses soil sensors that check the amount of dirt on the dishes.  An optimized cleaning cycle reduces the minimum amount of energy and water. In addition, there are more efficient water jets and a dish rack design that ensures efficient use of water and energy.

Energy Star dehumidifiers

Certified dehumidifiers use 15 percent less energy. They utilize more efficient compressors, refrigeration coils, and fans.

Washing machines

Energy star certified washing machines are usually 25 percent more energy efficient than their equivalent standard models. In addition, they use 40 percent less water. This results in the consumer saving water, as well as energy for both the washing machine and the water pump.

Clothes dryers

Certified dryers use at least 20 percent less energy than the standard models. The equipment utilizes more efficient technologies such as heat pumps. Moisture sensors automatically stop the drying cycle once the clothes are dry. This sensor-based drying machine is more efficient compared to thermostat or timed drying, which continues to consume energy even after clothes are dry.

Televisions qualify for energy star certification when they become at least 20 percent more efficient. Some models can reach up to 40% better efficiency than traditional models, while the set-top boxes can achieve up to 45 %. However, the amount of power used depends on the size of the TV screen, display technology, and resolution.

The home theater systems that are energy star certified are 60 percent more efficient. Certified battery chargers for small household appliances such as power tools, electric shavers, and cordless gadgets use 30 percent less energy.

The licensed electricians at Expert Electric receive a lot of questions about how motion sensing lights work and where to install them. Since our team has plenty of experience installing motion sensing lights in residential homes and commercial buildings, we figured it would be beneficial to help answer some of the more popular questions we receive. Keep reading to learn more about how motion sensing lights work, where to install them and how to install them.

Many of us are familiar with motion sensing lights as they have been around for some time now. They frequently make appearances in spy films and may even have been installed at your workplace. Nowadays, motion sensing lights are becoming an increasingly popular security measure in both commercial business buildings and residential homes. These motion sensing lights work by detecting infrared heat waves that can be found on moving objects. In order to ensure that the sensors are not triggered by non-human objects, it is necessary to dial them to a specific sensitivity setting that usually falls between 8 to 12 micrometers. To ensure that sensing lights are installed and working properly, it is best to contact a licensed electrician.

For residential homes, it is important to install motion sensing lights in different areas around the outside of the home, in both the front and back yard. For the front yard, consider installing the motion sensing lights to cover walkways, driveways, entranceways and stairs. For the backyard, it is important to cover any similar areas as well as patios, hot tubs, swimming pools and gates. Don’t feel that you should limit yourself to these areas. The placement of motion sensing lights is based upon each individual home. A good rule of thumb is to cover the most common pathways to home entrances as well as dark and hazardous areas throughout the property. The same goes for commercial properties although these properties will likely require a larger scale of motion sensing lights due to their size and valuables on hand. For questions about where to install motion sensing lights on either residential properties or commercial properties, contact the expert electricians at Expert Electric.

For commercial buildings and businesses, it is recommended that a licensed electrician takes care of the installation of motion sensing lights. This will ensure that the lights are working properly to protect the building and its valuables. Nowadays installing motion sensing lights in residential homes can be a simple process; however, dialing in the sensitivity settings so that the lights are not being prompted by non-human movement every hour of the night can be tricky. A licensed electrician at Expert Electric can have your residential motion sensing lights up and running in no time, allowing you to sleep safely and peacefully, free of frustrating false alarms.

Like upgrades in the cell phone industry, the electrical industry has developed great new ways to serve and protect home owners. One of the best inventions of the past few decades is the GFI outlet.

What is a GFI outlet?

GFI stands for fault circuit interrupter. In layman’s terms it is the little button that sits between the two outlets in a double wall outlet. Some of these have a red test button and white set button and others have two white buttons.

What this means for those who have these new breakers is that instead of blowing a fuse or tripping a circuit breaker during an overload, the button will pop out and there will be no electricity in that outlet. It also will react if an electrical device comes in contact with water eliminating the possibility of shock.

You will find these safety devices around areas that may be subjected to damp areas like bathrooms, kitchens, hot tubs, swimming pools and outside plugs.GFIs are installed on electrical outlets to regulate power and direct currents. In most areas they are required by code to be placed in strategic areas.

What could be wrong?

There could be several different issues. However, we need to inspect a unit. It is not an answer we can readily answer over the phone. It could be the actual receptacle and it could be wiring leading to the receptacle. It is not a DIY job. This is a job for someone who knows how to cut the current so there are no live wires and investigate wall deep.

Underwriter’s Laboratories, LLC says, “By installing GFCIs in every home in the United States, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that more than two-thirds of the approximately 300 electrocutions occurring each year could be prevented.”

A working unit could save your life or the life of one of your family members. You want a license, bonded professional to handle this repair.

Things to tell your electrician

There are things you can check prior to the arrival of your service professional which may give him a head start on repairs. Are all other outlets in the area active or not? Have you checked your circuit breaker to see if it has not shut down the zone?

There is another thing to keep in mind. If you have an older home or condo you can have new GFI’s installed where you need them – in the bathroom, kitchen or wherever. It is an investment in the value of your home and your peace of mind.