Energy-efficient residential homes are becoming increasingly popular in Canada which is good news for both the environment and our economy. Having an energy-efficient home also helps Canadians save big on their electricity bills. Expert Electric has been helping homeowners improve their home’s energy-efficiency for many years. For help on how to make your home more energy efficient, here are some actionable steps that you can take.

One of the best ways to make your home more energy efficient has to do with your home’s thermostat. Properly programming your home’s thermostat is essential in saving big on electricity costs. Many people overlook the impact of their home’s thermostat and leave it on all throughout the day, whether they are home or at work. By programming your thermostat to run only during the times when you are home, you will keep your home warm and see a big improvement in cost savings. Always remember to turn your home’s thermostat down when you are not at home. Your wallet will thank you.

Is your home properly insulated? Insulation is important in making your home more energy efficient. Insulation can help keep your home warm during the Winter months and keep your home cool in the Summer. Your home’s insulation is an important investment that can help you save lots of money in the long-term.

Make use of your home’s windows by pulling back the curtains and allowing the natural light to enter during the day. Sunlight is the most energy-efficient source of light in your home because it is free to use.

Making the switch (pun intended) to compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) or light-emitting diodes (LEDs) can result in big cost-savings for your home. These lights are known to last longer and use up much less energy. Halogen light bulbs are another energy-efficient option for Canadians looking to reduce their electricity costs. Similar to CFLs and LEDs, these light bulbs last much longer than regular light bulbs and require less energy to operate. Make your home more energy-efficient by switching to one of these three types of light bulbs today.

For questions about how to make your home more energy-efficient, please contact Expert Electric today. We offer a variety of different residential and commercial electrical services including standby generator installations, ceiling fan installations, hot tub wiring and more. Call us today at 604-681-8338.

Electric motors power everything from tiny electronics to massive industrial pumps. Yet, they all work on the same basic principles. Though AC motors seem ordinary, there are complex activities going on behind the scenes.

The simplest types of motors are three-phase AC motors. They convert a rotating magnetic field into mechanical rotation. The basic parts of an AC motor are the stator, rotor, bearings, drive shaft, and frame. The supply power is connected to coils of wire that are wrapped around laminated iron cores in the stator; the stationary part of the motor. When the coils of wire receive current, they generate a magnetic field known as poles. Each phase of power has the same number of poles; the poles are spaced evenly around the stator.

Historically, speed control of three-phase induction motors was very difficult. The only way to change the operational speed is to change the frequency of electricity supplied. Today, this task is accomplished by use of a variable frequency drive or VFD. This device is made of three main components: a rectifier, a DC-Link, and an inverter. The rectifier takes the incoming AC voltage and converts it to DC voltage that can be used by the electronics in the VFD. The DC-Link then uses capacitors to help smooth out the DC voltage from the rectifier and feeds it to the inverter.

The inverter then converts the DC voltage back to AC voltage. The inverter also controls the output frequency of the AC power by sending precisely timed pulses of DC power at specific voltages to rebuild the AC sine wave.

With a VFD, not only can the output frequency be controlled, but it can be slowly ramped up. This allows for smoother starting and can be adjusted to keep a motor spinning at a specific frequency. VFDs can produce three-phase power from a single-phase source, or even a DC source, to power highly efficient three-phase motors in locations without a three-phase supply. VFDs can also be incorporated into a PLC system to allow for automatic or remote control.

The combination of a VFD and AC motors offers a wide variety of functions and increased efficiency. Basic understanding of these technologies is essential for any electrician.