Spring is the time of year that everybody loves to spend outside. We are finally free of the freezing temperatures brought on by winter, but still have a few months before the oppressive heat of the summer rolls into town. Because people are often cooped up all winter, the desire to be outside is very strong. Spring is the perfect time to catch up on any yard work or remodeling that you have been planning, to ensure that your home is ready for hours of outdoor entertaining. But you should always be aware of the threat your electrical system could pose if you are not absolutely careful.

Here are a few tips for staying safe around your electrical systems this spring:

The average home contains 75 electrical outlets of different shapes, sizes, and functionalities.  Are the outlets that line your walls the correct ones for your home?  In this post, we are going to examine the most common outlet types in your home by pointing out the benefits and features of each outlet style.  Additionally, we will introduce you to some modern home outlet options that help keep your devices charged and ready to go.

The Fossil: 2-Prong Outlets

This type of outlet was the standard many years ago.  2-Prong outlets are 15 amp, 125 volt, 2-wired outlets which are commonly seen in older houses.  Since this outlet can only be used for ungrounded circuits, it is quickly becoming obsolete due to safety regulations and code limitations.

The Veteran: 3-Prong Outlets

When you think of an electrical outlet, chances are you are thinking about a 3-Prong, 15 amp, 125 volt outlet.  This outlet type is one of the most common home outlet styles currently available.  Easily recognized by its pair of long, vertical slots positioned above an upside down, u-shaped opening used for grounding the electrical current.  This important safety feature helps to prevent the risk of electrical shock in the event of loose wiring.

The Best of Both Worlds: Switch & Outlet Combination

This combination outlet offers two desirable features in one device.  Whether you are looking to install a new outlet device in your children’s rooms for safety, in the hallways of your home for nightlights, or on the kitchen counter for your appliances, the switch and outlet combo can give you that extra switch or outlet without any additional wiring.

The Safety King: GFCI Outlets

GFCI stands for “Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter.”  This outlet is named after its core feature, which is interrupting the circuit if there is a spike or leak in the current flow.  Current regulations mandate the use of GFCI outlets in areas that are close to running water.  You might have noticed some of these “GFCI Protected Outlets” in your restrooms, laundry room, kitchen, basement, and even outdoor living spaces.  GFCI outlets carefully monitor the flow of electricity, and when they detect that the current is flowing through an unintended path, the GFCI outlets will immediately shut off the electric power circuit.

These outlets can be identified by the presence of two small buttons in the center of the outlet labeled “TEST” and “RESET,” each being a different color.

The Mammoth: 20 Amp, 125 Volt Outlets

This outlet is reserved for the heavy-duty appliances and devices in your home.  While these outlets resemble the normal, 15 amp outlets, they are only intended for high current devices like your large kitchen appliances.  Too similar to the 15 amp outlet for you to keep them apart in your mind?  Remember that these 20 amp outlets have a horizontal slot attached to the upper left vertical opening of the outlet, while the smaller, 15 amp outlets do not.

The Craftsman’s Aide: 20 Amp, 250 Volt Outlets

Recognized by its unique design, the odd shape of these outlets is designed for specific types of equipment commonly found in a hobby shop.  For example, an air compressor would use this outlet type.

Whether you are looking to update your outlets for a modern look, or if you need a little more functionality out of your space, there are plenty of wonderful upgrade options that will fit your style and budget.

USB Outlets

With cell phones, tablets, laptops, and more mobile devices taking up your outlet space, doesn’t it make sense to add some dedicated USB outlets to your home?  USB outlets are a simple and functional way to ensure that everyone in your home always has a fully charged device.

Recessed Outlets

If all those gaps between your walls and furniture are bothering you, you do not have to stick with your standard outlets.  Recessed outlets add space to your home by eliminating the wasted space reserved for bulky cords and wires between walls and furniture.

Tamper Resistant Receptacles

These specialized safety outlets are characterized by a barrier that is intended to prevent children from inserting any foreign objects into the outlet.  These outlets are quickly becoming the new normal, as they are currently required by code in new homes.

Built-In LED Night Light Outlets

Plug-in night lights are fragile and could potentially harm a small child.  Keep those little fingers safe with a night light that is built-in to your electrical outlet.

Improving your home energy efficiency is a worthy and admirable goal. You can help reduce your impact on the environment while saving money with savvy decision making. However, the up-front investment for some efficiency upgrades is substantial, so always do your due diligence before you find electrician services and commit to buy. Read on to clear up some misconceptions about home efficiency and make sure your money is being put to good use.

You Don't Have to Sacrifice Your Comfort: It's true that the best way to conserve energy is to use less of it with strategies like turning off the lights or keeping the temperature lower in the winter. But that doesn't mean you have to sit shivering in the dark. The key to efficiency is to get the same amount of utility for less energy input. That means replacing old incandescent bulbs with LED versions, or investing in better HVAC technology like a smart thermostat. That way, you can keep your home environment tuned to your comfort while reducing consumption at the same time.

Don't Rush into a Big Ticket Item: The most dramatic way you can upgrade your efficiency is with a brand new heating or cooling system. Equipment efficiency has improved drastically in recent years, and new technologies like geothermal heat pumps, biomass boilers and solar panels can all reduce your bills dramatically. However, they aren't risk free. You’ll often face a significant up-front investment when you find electrician services for these installations, and the actual savings that you will realize can vary widely based on factors like the price of fuel. You could also see a loss if you make a big purchase and decide to sell your home soon after; there’s no guarantee you’ll recoup the cost in the selling price.

That's not to say you should avoid large efficiency investments – just look before your leap. You will get the best return from these items if you already need to replace outdated equipment anyway, and if you plan to stay in your home for many years. To reduce some of the upfront costs, you can also look for federal tax credits that refund up to one third of what you spend, as well as options to lease solar panels so you don't have to put any money down at all.

Don't Forget the Insulation: On the other side of the coin, new HVAC technologies won't do you much good if all that treated air just leaks into the outdoors. One of the biggest ways you can improve your efficiency is by plugging leaks and upgrading your insulation, which is typically a much cheaper fix. With a leak detector, some caulk and spray foam insulation, you can seal up your house with minimal investment, saving you money in the short term as well as preparing the house to get greater efficiency out of newer technologies.

For more straight shooting about how to get the most value for your efficiency investments, find an electrician to conduct an energy audit on your house. Your local Mister Sparky® is always available to help!

We all know Thanksgiving can be a hectic holiday, particularly if you’re hosting. When the 10+ pound turkey has yet to be picked up, the sides have yet to be planned, and your guests are due to arrive in hours, decorating the table is the least of your worries. Don’t be discouraged: you don’t have to be Martha Stewart to create a beautiful, easy, inexpensive holiday centerpiece. In fact, you may have all the supplies to wow those soon-to-arrive guests in five minutes flat:

Option 1: Glass Vases or Wine Bottles + String Lights

Check your cabinets for empty glass vases, hurricane candle holders – any decorative glass bowl will do. If you’re in a pinch, an empty wine bottle creates the same effect! Now, fill with string lights and voilà – instant centerpiece. Battery operated string lights are easiest because you won’t have to worry about the cord, but you can also get creative with hiding the cord under your table runner. Add pinecones and/or branches as you wish.

Option 3: Leaves of Your Choice + String Lights

This incredibly simple centerpiece looks fantastic with deep green magnolia leaves or a collection from your front yard’s best yellow/orange/red ensemble. The rustic tablecloth used in this picture matches well, but any neutral color would work.