If you were to go back in time and tell someone living in the 1960s that aluminum wiring replacement in Fairfax, VA is the best choice they can make, they may be a little confused. Fifty years ago, aluminum wiring was in. Copper spiked in price and many new homes built during that time were equipped with aluminum wiring under the belief that it was the more cost-efficient option. However, cost-efficiency did not equal safety, as homes with aluminum wiring proved more at risk for electrical fires. Speed up fifty years and in a 2016 world, aluminum wiring is now incredibly unsafe.

Here in Massachusetts, our electricians are used to handling all type of electrical systems and services. We also have our share of older homes, and with older homes come aging electrical systems. An expert upgrade provided by a trustworthy electrical contractor can offer your home various benefits.

If you’ve experienced issues with your electrical system recently, or even if your electrical system is functioning fine but depends on older technology, it could be time to seriously consider an electrical panel upgrade/ replacement. But what are the benefits of such an upgrade? We’ve shared a few advantages below.

You may not know it, but upgrading your electrical system might actually be legally necessary. This is because many older models no longer adhere to modern statutes and codes. Typically, if your panel still uses fuses and other outdated equipment, it probably isn’t up to code and will require a replacement.

Even more important than upgrading to legal building codes is protecting the safety of your home and your family. Old or worn electrical panels can cause an overload. This can short out your electricity and potentially even cause a fire. A newer electrical panel can provide increased safety for your home.

Today’s homes have an increasing amount of appliances and electronic devices in them. From plasma screen TVs to high-end computers and similar devices, our electrical systems play a larger role in our lives than ever before. As such, an improper electrical panel, you won’t be able to support the kinds of appliances you need to stay connected.

What you need is an up-to-date electrical panel that meets all of your electrical needs while keeping your home up to code and your family safe. Remember, electrical work can be dangerous, so don’t leave such an important project in the hands of amateurs. Also, do not be tempted to take this on as a “DIY” project, as this can do more harm than good.

Electricity savings help customers to reduce the energy bills and environmental degradation. With technology becoming more affordable, most households are increasingly relying on electrical appliances. However, inefficient equipment or usage ends up costing the consumer more money unnecessarily.  Low electricity consumption not only saves the energy costs, but also means using less fossil fuel, nuclear and coal to generate the power.

Consumers have all the control on their power needs, and the best way to achieve electricity savings is by understanding all the requirements and then optimizing the way they use the appliances. While some users might not be aware of the many small things they can do to reduce their reduce electricity costs.

More than 47,000 house fires in the U.S. are caused by faulty electrical work and wiring each year. Modern living has placed many more demands on the average home’s electrical system than were ever imagined just a few short decades ago. Computer systems, gaming systems, large appliances, and smart systems all draw a lot of electricity and can easily overload a circuit that wasn’t designed for that kind of demand. However, increased electrical demand is just one of several reasons to update your home’s electrical system.

1. Your home is more than 30 years old. Your home doesn’t have to be a century home to have outdated wiring. If it was built before 1985, it’s a good idea to have your old electrical wiring evaluated by a licensed electrical contractor.

2. You frequently trip the breaker or blow the fuse. If you frequently have to reset the circuit breakers in your main electrical control box or replace the fuses, it’s likely a sign that at least one of your electrical circuits cannot handle the demand for power.

3. You need extension cords. If you need extension cords to plug in a desk lamp or (worse) your electronics, you probably don’t have enough wall outlets in your rooms. Older homes often only have one or two outlets per room, less than is needed by most households.

4. Your lights dim or flicker when an appliance turns on. If the lights in your room dim when the furnace kicks in or the refrigerator cycles, this can also be a sign that your old electrical wiring may not be able to safely power your home.

5. Your outlets are discolored. Discolored outlets can also be an indication of unsafe surges in power.

Leaving old electrical wiring in place can be dangerous for you and your family. If you have encountered any of the above situations, it’s a good idea to have an experienced electrical contractor evaluate your home’s wiring.

Kolb Electric has been helping Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC homeowners with all their electrical needs for 90+ years. We have a full staff of licensed electricians with experience on major projects like home rewiring.

Call us at 877 287-1179 to schedule an appointment today.

Home automation allows homeowners throughout the country to live with far more conveniences than ever before. In addition to being able to remotely control the comfort of your home, you can also make your home safer with security automation. Smart home security automation has numerous benefits and can incorporate a number of options into its design.

However, if you don’t understand how to utilize these features you may not be using your system safely or at least to the best of its ability. To ensure that you are getting the most from your home automation security system, be sure to consider the following tips.

Are you going on vacation and leaving a pet behind? Naturally, you want a pet sitter you can rely on. However, what if an emergency occurs or they are late? Be alerted by setting up a no-show alert so that you’ll be notified by phone or mobile device if they don’t show up. This is also a good idea to set up if you are home and there is a solicitor or sales person at your door that did not have a previous appointment.

As the weather begins to warm up, it’s easy to forget that you’ve left a window open. With contact sensors added to your window, paired up with the Sensor Left Open alert, you’ll be notified if they are left ajar at night or when your home is unoccupied.

With the integrated Amazon Echo, you can arm your system and manage all connected devices simply by stating a command aloud. You just need to invest in the Amazon Echo, and then download the Alarm.com Skill Alexa app on your mobile phone to start using this excellent feature.