You have heard about it for years, maybe even decades, and now, solar energy has become even more popular as people realize how much money they can save by using the sun to power their homes and businesses. But, is it really a good option for your home? If you have not been paying attention to the solar powered equipment of today, you are probably not aware of the advancements in technology that have been made.

There are several options when it comes to using solar energy. For one, solar panel installation is not like it was at the inception of solar energy. Today, the panels are flat and can be mounted directly to a home’s roof. They are aesthetically appealing and will not stand out like a garish eyesore. Each panel is designed and handpicked to suit your home’s exterior. If you live in a suburb, there are very few, if any, covenants that would forbid the modern day solar panels.

If you have a small home, you will need fewer panels. A solar installation expert will help you determine what you need to power your home. What many people may not realize is the fact a home is still connected to the grid, where power is always available. If by chance, there is not enough power produced from the panels, there is always the old standard to keep things running smoothly.

Solar panels cost will vary depending on the size and design. This is something you will want to discuss with your solar installers at The Electric Connection. Although it is true the upfront cost of installing solar panels is rather steep, it will pay off when the electric bills drop dramatically. Energy costs are not getting any cheaper. By switching to solar energy today, you can avoid the steep hikes that keep coming our way.

Perhaps you've always wondered what's in the mysterious metal box on the basement wall. It's a circuit breaker box, and without it your whole home electric system would be unsafe, leaving you in danger.

Circuit box repairs or upgrades require an expert, but you don't need to be a master electrician to understand the basics of how it functions. The most common problem is a tripped circuit, and you can usually reset it yourself.

What's in the Box?

The circuit box is frequently found in the basement, although it could also be in a garage, closet, utility room or even outside. All the electricity coming into your house flows through the box.

If you open the metal door, you see a bank of switches. Each one corresponds roughly to a room in the house, while certain outlets for major appliances like the washer or furnace probably have their own switch. They should be labeled.

There also may be a main disconnect breaker, usually at the top of the box, which allows you to cut off power to the entire house. In many newer homes the main disconnect may be outside near the electric meter. Some homes do not even have one. This is useful if you are doing electrical work in your house, or in the circuit box itself. The switch should be labeled “main” or something similar.

How It Works

Why do you need a circuit box? When an electrical device malfunctions, such as the motor in your freezer overheating, wires can get crossed, creating a huge spike in electric charge. That puts you at risk of overloading your electrical system, and unchecked overloads can cause lead excess heat stress on wires, or worse.

Fortunately, your circuit breakers are on the job. There is an electromagnet or bimetallic strip inside each breaker. If the current moving through the circuit gets too high the device flips a switch, disconnecting the circuit. No more electricity can flow to the part of your home where the problem is, so the danger is averted.

So if the power goes off in one part of your house but still works in the rest, a tripped circuit breaker is the most likely culprit. The switches in your electrical panel should be labeled; if not you can still tell which one got tripped, because it will be flipped part way toward the off position. Some switches also show red when they've been tripped.

How Do I Fix It?

All you have to do to restore power is flip the switch all the way to the off position, then back to on. If flipping the circuit back on doesn't solve the problem, it might be something more serious. In that case, it's time to call a licensed electrician.

Some newer circuit breakers have advanced features, such as the ability to detect when a person makes contact with a live wire and automatically cut off the current, potentially preventing injury or death by electrocution.

If you live in an older home you may still have a fuse box. It operates on the same principle as a circuit box, with one major difference -- the wire inside the fuse actually burns up if too much current passes through it, so if the fuse blows, you need to replace it. Most fuse-style panel are maxed out, so if you have one it would be a good idea to consult your electrician and see if it’s time to consider a replacement.

Need Some Professional Guidance?

Your local Mister Sparky® electricians are always here to help. If you're having problems with your circuit breakers or fuse box, give us a call.

Electrical systems, regardless of how advanced the technology is or how well they are installed, can fail and require repairs from time to time. Now, the average Joe knows how to change a bulb or even check a fuse but beyond that, it’s best to leave the job to the professionals. Safety is a major reason, as you never know the risk involved in any electrical problem around the house. It is best to let a trained technician deal with the matter on hand than taking a chance by attempting it yourself. However, you might be confused when selecting an electrician to hire.

This one is a no-brainer. The local electrician will be able to reach you quicker as he has to travel a shorter distance and this can come in handy if you an electrical emergency on hand. On the other hand, any electrical service located at a distance might take a few hours to send over their personnel to you by which time the damage would have exacerbated and you could be left with a large repair bill. Regardless of the extent of the problem, having it dealt with without delay is a good idea and this is where hiring a local electrician is the best option. And you won’t have to explain the route to him either!

As mentioned above, the shorter commute and the less time taken to get to your home means the electrician will charge you less money. Generally, professional electricians charge by the hour and they include the time of travel in that bill. By opting for a local electrical service, you can lower this cost and only pay for the labor and material. Not to mention, it can be a hassle for an electrician to have to travel a long distance to get to you, especially if the project is going to take a number of days.

You might have done a fine job of explaining the problem over the phone but the real extent of the damage will only be discovered once the electrician is on your premises and examining the damage. Now, this could mean he needs supplies or tools that he doesn’t have on hand. This isn’t a concern with a local electrician as he can get the materials he need delivered right away or even go and get them himself without wasting much time. Also, he would know the area which means he knows where to buy any stuff required to get the job done. This means the work will be finished quicker.

A local electrician will do his best to impress you with the quality of work to convince you to refer him to your friends and relatives. This is one advantage of hiring a local electrician not many people consider. This also means you can ask the people in your neighborhood if they have availed his services and whether or not they are satisfied with them. Just because he is located near you doesn’t mean he will not do a competent job. His bread and butter depend on the quality of service he provides, so you can expect no problems in terms of quality.

With electrical projects, you never know when a project ends up taking more time than budgeted for due to some reason. Now, professional electricians generally don’t like to stay beyond the time they had decided for when they came over initially. With a local electrician, you have some wiggle room because of his shorter commute and the fact that he is likely to get referrals from you. So, if the work ends up taking more time than anticipated, it is likely he would stay back and finish the job without any extra charges.

So, the next time you encounter an electrical problem you feel requires a professional to deal with, call in a local electrician!