Anyone who has undergone a home inspection on an older home has likely heard the term “GFCI” in regard to outlets. For many people this is a “huh?” or a “smile and nod” type of moment. If you did rudimentary online research and still don’t really understand what the heck GFCI is, why it’s important, or why you should care, then read on for an understandable explanation, courtesy of our residential electricians.

Ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets may sound foreign, but they are actually very recognizable; have you ever noticed a couple of buttons on a power outlet? That is a clear sign of a GFCI outlet, and those buttons are made to test the integral function that differentiates this type of outlet from the standard version. Basically, GFCI outlets can very quickly perceive when power that was put out is not going to the correct place and can very quickly trip the breaker to shut off the outlet, potentially preventing injury, fire, etc.

These protective outlets can go pretty much anywhere, and they used to not be required to go in any particular places. Now, they are typically required in bathrooms, kitchen counter areas, in and around swimming pools, on external outlets, and many more specific residential areas. Basically, GFCI outlets are required anywhere that appliances used can come in contact with water (ie, kitchen counter, bathroom, in the event of snowfall piling against an external outlet, etc). These outlets are becoming more and more standard throughout the home and could potentially become necessary for all outlets in new construction in the near future.

If your home was requested or required to comply with GFCI outlets, or if you are concerned that your family or home is at risk, please give us a call. As Des Moines’ Top Rated Local® residential electricians, we would be happy to help make your home a safer place.

We work with any type of electric wiring, old to new; from replacing an outlet to complete rewiring for both residential and commercial.

When you’re looking for an electrical company that you can feel confident working with you can turn to family-owned and operated Hoffman Electrical. We have been offering residents in the Tampa areaelectrical services since 1989 and have built up a spotless reputation in the process. When you need qualified electrical services with reasonable pricing you’ll always be sure to find it with our company.

No matter what type of service we are working on we will always use the operating methods that are the most cost effective without compromising quality. We offer competitive pricing that’s charged by the job and not by the hour so that you know exactly what to expect in terms of billing. We understand as a family-owned business that electrical emergency repairs and services may come up at the most inopportune times and that’s why we always offer fair pricing guidelines for each and every one of our valued customers.

Our Tampa electricians all have the qualifications and experience necessary to complete all projects to a safe and effective final result. Whether you need an emergency repair done immediately, are working on renovations or are looking for electrical upgrades, you can count on our team to provide it.

If you’re planning on building a new home we are the trusted choice in Tampa for electrical wiring for new housing. We understand the need to get the home completed on time and we are able to synchronize our services with those of other contractors that are on the site as well.

If you’re working on renovations in your home you’ll want to have a trustworthy electrician by your side that can work with you within your budget. Every Florida renovation project is different so you’ll need an electrician that has worked with various types of projects in the past and understands the flexibility that’s required of them. When you’re working within a specific budget we’ll provide an estimate for the job done so that you’ll know right away what the pricing will be upfront.

We also work with Tampa Bay homeowners and commercial establishments that need to set up a generator system in order to prepare for a power outage. You’ll never have to worry about having an electricity outage again once you get hooked up with a backup generator system. Our company can provide you with all the wiring you’d need for either a manual or an automatic transfer switch when the lights go out.

Whether you’re a homeowner, active in the construction industry or own a commercial property in the Tampa area, we know that you are looking for an electrical company that you can fully trust with your electrical contracting needs. You can trust Hoffman Electrical to provide competent and reliable services with qualified and experienced personnel. We’re a friendly bunch of people and through the mutual respect that we have built up with our customers we have established a solid reputation in the Tampa Bay community. We look forward to helping you with any and all of your electrical needs this year. Contact us today for more information, or to set up an appointment.

How secure is your property? Whether you own a home and/or run a business chances are that you want to keep your property as invulnerable as possible. It may not be possible to prevent all events that bring your property harm, but a Newton, MA alarm system will certainly reduce your risks!

Home and business security is something we take very seriously. Not only do we want to ensure the protection of your investments, but also the safety of your family or your employees. Burglar alarm systems can help deter break-ins, give you a peace of mind, and even reduce your property insurance costs.

Burglar alarm monitoring helps increase the security of your entire property. For businesses, this means your valuables, employees, customers, general property, and inventory. For homes the cost is even greater—alarm monitoring helps protect your family, pets, valuables, and your home in general.

The greatest benefit of monitoring is that law enforcement can and will be notified right away in the event of a break-in. In commercial settings, you have product options to choose from that allow this same type of response even during business hours. Wireless options allow you to get in touch with a security professional right away in the event of an emergency.

An alarm system, particularly security automation systems, can only work as well as they need to if they are professionally installed and serviced. We understand how legitimate of a concern home and commercial safety are, and that encountering problems with your security system can be detrimental.

If you are experiencing “false alarms” or are afraid that your security system isn’t working for some reason, give us a call right away. We want you to be able to rest assured that your property is safe and protected.

Using interweaving print technology, each image is printed on an LED panel light lens using eight rows of 180 ink nozzles that prevent any horizontal banding or visual imperfections. While the lens is being printed, a UV light cures and dries the image as it exits the printer. Printing time varies per lens size; a 2-foot-by-4-foot lens typically requires 15-17 minutes from start to finish.

his LinkedIn profile), an energy expert at Titan Energy and the author of today’s blog post, you have more control than you think over your home or building’s energy supply. Whether you want lower bills, more reliable service, or a better approach to the environment, you need to know your rights…

Since the Federal Energy Deregulation Act passed in 1999, many business and homeowners still haven’t exercised their right to choose their energy supplier. The ability for consumers to lower their energy costs, protect against rising rates, and, if interested, make an environmentally friendly choice, are all benefits of Deregulation. 3rd Parties help accomplish this by strategically purchasing the energy you use, in the same way the utility previously did, in the open market.  Depending on your state and the utility which serves you, the benefits will vary.

Deregulation dictates that your local utility can’t “Profit” on the supply of energy. Therefore, they don’t compete with 3rd parties, and shouldn’t care that you choose a supplier. However, you can still see this happen in states like Ohio (in certain markets), when they choose a supplier for you if you don’t choose yourself. Your local utility still delivers, services, and bills your account, as well as responds to any emergencies. This is where the utilities earn their profits.

By taking action, you can significantly improve your cash flow. Whether you own a home, a small office, or manage a nationwide organization, speaking to an energy professional can produce immediate and lasting results. First an energy consultant will analyze your billing and usage history. Next, the appropriate, licensed suppliers in your area will vie to be your energy supplier. Finally, your consultant will present you with options that meet your individual needs, whether they’re financial, environmental, or both.