Many appliances use electricity even when they aren’t powered on. This property is known as standby power, which is used to perform functions that must operate continuously. Energy saving measures often include unplugging electrical devices to eliminate the cost of keeping them in standby mode. This strategy requires you to estimate the cost of standby power for each appliance since it may not be worthwhile to unplug a device when it is not in use.

A year is about 8,766 hours long, so a month has an average duration of about 730.5 hours. This means you can multiply an appliance’s standby power in watts by 0.73 to obtain the kilowatts of energy it consumes each month, assuming it is always plugged in. A typical cost of electricity in the United States is 10 cents per kilowatt-hour. You can therefore estimate the standby cost of an appliance in dollars by multiplying its standby power consumption in watts by 0.0731.

Losing power during a storm is always frustrating, particularly during storm season. But if you ask the best Frisco electrician how to prevent power outages, his answer is likely to be the same every time—during severe storm season, power outages are inevitable. However, you don’t have to go without power. Without an alternative power source, you’re likely to stay in the dark, but your best Frisco electrician can assure you that, with a generator, you never have to go completely without electricity.

Gas-Powered Generators — Are They the Answer?

While gas-powered generators have been the norm for some time, and they have proved to be a reliable means of keeping electricity on in the midst of a power outage, homeowners have found that owning one may not be without its problems. For instance, homeowners who live under a Homeowner’s Association (HOA) may find that there are restrictions prohibiting them from owning a gas-powered generator simply because the HOA may not allow generators to be placed outside of a home. This renders a gas-powered generator obsolete, since it can’t be placed inside your home due to the fumes. Those who live in apartments or condos face a similar challenge, as they may lack the outdoor space necessary for a gas-powered generator.

If you think this limits your options for power during an outage, however, don’t fret. Indoor generators may be just the ticket for you and your family to keep power on while the rest of the neighborhood’s electricity stays off.

Indoor Generators — An Eco-Friendly Solution

Indoor generators bring with them a myriad of benefits that go beyond keeping your lights on. Built specifically for indoor use, an indoor generator is a safe alternative power source that you can feel good about using.

Rechargeable. Indoor generators use batteries for power, so all you have to do is plug them into an existing power supply to charge. In the event of a power outage, power will stay on seamlessly as the unit picks up where the outage left off. In addition, some generators can be charged with wind and/or solar power, so you can charge your unit without being plugged into the grid. Fully charged, an indoor generator can keep you powered anywhere between 2 hours to seven days.

Gas-free. Because the generator is battery-powered, there are no fumes to worry about and no gas to burn off.

Custom-made and easy to store. Depending on the indoor generator you choose, they can be customized to fit the décor of your home, keeping your home looking neat while also making it simple for you to store your unit.

Simple to install and affordable. Indoor generators are more affordable than you might think, and they are easy to install, so you can have peace of mind right when you need it.

You don’t need to be the best Frisco electrician to recognize the benefits of an indoor generator.

Breaker panel wiring is perhaps one of the most important parts of your home’s wiring system. If there is a problem here, it could lead to a fire as well as the risk of your electrical system failing extensively. The only way to know for sure that your electrical system is working properly and that your breaker panel wiring is safe is to have an experienced, licensed electrician take a closer look at it.

The breaker panel wiring in your home is the hub of your electricity. This panel helps to direct where and how electricity flows through your home, and it can play a very important role in keeping your electricity functioning well. It also has a lot of electricity running through it. If you are unsure of whether or not it is working, it is always best to call an electrician. Troubleshooting this panel on your own can be risky.

Just by looking at your breaker panel’s wiring, you may be able to pinpoint specific areas of concern. There are a few key things to look for and to take action against if you do spot them. This includes:

The competition is steep and the lighting designs are sensational.  Among the leaders in the race for the most unconventional ceiling light fixture designs of the year, these standouts are exquisitely different and–although they may not fit in with everybody’s interior design scheme–they make for mind-altering artistry that brings the “wow” factor to a select few who are daring enough to shine outside of the box!

TEN:  Attractively AKIMBO

“Akimbo” from Tech Lighting

NINE: Outer bound with ORION

“Orion” from ET2

EIGHT: Unearthing URCHINS

“Urchin” pendant light from Varaluz

SEVEN:  Cultivating CASSINI

“Cassini” from Trend Lighting

SIX: Mixing it up with MIMI

“Mimi” from Maxim Lighting

FIVE: Hoodwinked by HOUDINI

“Houdini” chandelier from Corbett Lighting

FOUR:  Zanny ZIUM

“Zium” from Elán Lighting

THREE: Captivating CATALYST

“Catalyst” from Fine Art Lamps

TWO: Metaphysical MICRO

“Micro” from Eurofase

ONE:  Spellbinding STRANDELIER