Technology giant Google made its start as a search engine, subsequently branching into email, cloud storage, advertising and so much more. Now the company from Mountain View is surging forward with a new application, promising to tell consumers if their roofs are suitable for installing solar panels. The program, called Project Sunroof, works in conjunction with Google Maps to analyze your roof's size, orientation and shade levels to tell you at a glance how much solar energy you could get from it. Read on to learn more about how this convenient software works and how it can help you.

A Mix Between a Solar Electrician and a Search Engine

The program is simple to use – all you have to do is enter your address, and Google does the rest. According to the company, the program analyzes all of the following to determine how much sunlight you can soak up:

The program also provides information about what tax credits are available in your area as well as the local rules regarding selling solar energy back to the utility company when your panels are producing more than you need. It then spits out a recommended installation size, which you can modify based on how much electricity you actually consume according to your average electricity bill.

Pay Nothing and Start Saving Today

Google's entry into the solar market comes at a time when the options for solar are expanding, including the ability to lease panels from solar companies and enjoy savings on your utility bills while paying nothing for the installation and setup. A good setup can last for 30 years or more, with little to no maintenance from an electrician once the installation is completed.

Of course, solar isn't for everybody, since many roofs might be too shaded or otherwise not suitable, and some states still don't have good solar policies. Therefore, Project Sunroof can be a good place to get started to see if your house is a prospect before you even call a solar electrician. Currently, the program is working on a trial basis in Boston, San Francisco and Fresno, with more cities sure to be on the way.

Don't Forget About Human Experts Just Yet

Of course, even a technology company as powerful and ubiquitous as Google can't fully substitute for an experienced solar technician when it comes to analyzing how you can benefit from panels. If a Google query indicates that your home is a good candidate, have a qualified electrician or solar expert make the final determination and help you decide if solar panels are right for you.

Thanks to the internet, performing simple DIY repairs has never been easier. Homeowners now feel more confident and equipped than ever to tackle projects: new paint color in the living room, bedroom carpet replacement, floor finishing, etc. While none of these seem to pose a danger should something go awry, there are certain repairs homeowners should simply leave to a licensed professional.

We understand why homeowners would want to save a buck or two where they can. But we don’t believe that it’s worth risking safety. Should a DIY repair fail, it could lead to electrocution, or possibly a fire. We’ve put together a list of why it’s important to hire a licensed electrician to complete your electrical repairs, installations, and maintenance.

When you hire a licensed electrician, you can rest assured that whoever comes to your home has undergone extensive professional training. A licensed electrician is state certified and must meet a certain standard, mastering skill requirements and completing a set number of practical hours.

But that’s not all. A licensed electrician has one thing in mind at all times: your safety. They are up to date on all the state and local codes and regulations.

Sometimes, watching a Youtube video a couple times or reading a lengthy tutorial can have the effect of making one feel like an expert. We’ve all been there before. The truth is, though, having little to no practice in a field can make for a bad situation, especially when it comes to electrical work. With small DIY projects, such as repairing a hole in the wall or replacing cabinetry, you don’t have to worry about risks. Sure, there’s a possibility it might not turn out like you had hoped, but there’s no imminent threat.

Electrical repairs, on the other hand, aren’t so. A botched repair could lead to extensive damage and pose a risk to your safety and overall well-being. When you a hire a licensed electrician, you can have peace of mind that the person working on your home is committed to precision and thoroughness. He or she is fully aware of the equipment, knows the proper tools to use, and will not leave until your safety has been assured.

If you’re planning on selling your home or having major work done to it, you’re going to need an inspection. If you fail to have your home inspected, it could invalidate your homeowner’s insurance should a malfunction occur.

If you have work done by a licensed electrician, you can be assured that there will be a clear paper trail, which will make things much easier for you in the end. Should your insurance company have any questions, you’ll be able to provide them with all the information needed.

If you hire an unlicensed handyman you found for cheap, you run the risk of working with someone who is not bonded or insured. The reason it’s important to hire a bonded and insured electrician is that should he or she get hurt on the job, work compensation will cover the costs. With an unlicensed handyman, on the other hand, you’ll be required to pay for the costs.

It’s simply not worth the risk to hire an unlicensed electrician to tackle your electrical jobs. Ensure your peace of mind by having a professional, licensed, and insured electrician perform any repairs or replacements.

Did you know there could be unknown home safety issues lurking in your presumed safe haven? Your home’s age, installation issues, wear and tear, and overlooking safety devices could put you at risk.

Does your home have any of the following home safety issues?

Code and Wiring Updates Wiring codes in the U.S. are updated every three years to ensure electrical safety across the country. As a result, families living in older homes are at an increased risk of electrical safety issues due to:

Ensure home safety with an electrical home inspection  Don’t let home safety issues result in property damage or present a danger to your family. Find and address home safety hazards quickly and efficiently with an electrical home inspection. Mr. Electric® can provide a detailed, prioritized written checklist of all areas of your home requiring immediate attention, areas for improvement, and potential upgrade possibilities to ensure the safety of your home. Ensure peace of mind by proactively addressing home safety issues. Contact Mr. Electric today. Our professional electricians are dedicated to the safety of your home and family.  

If you’re like me, you have a favorable reaction to yachts, perhaps without ever having stepped foot on one. I have absolutely no idea how I will one day acquire a yacht. All I know is that yachts and I are destined to be together some way, somehow. This amorous examination of yacht lighting exists, yes, because there are interesting things to note about yacht lighting design, but, if I’m totally honest, we’re in the dog days of summer; I’m landlocked; and I want to stare at yachts. Do you want to stare at yachts, too? Let’s stare at yachts in all their luminous glory.

1. In A Word, Yes. 

I am sucker for underwater lights. In pools, in little water features and ponds, they just make me smile. But beaming into a foreign sea from the hull of a yacht? I am slain (in a good way). Of course, that’s not the only amazing thing about the yacht lighting situation above. While the lights are illuminating the sea on either side of our vessel, whaddaya say we project the sea life around us onto this huge sail? OK, great!

I mean, seriously?! Are you seriously watching the sea life around your yacht as it’s projected onto a giant screen in the middle of the beautiful sea with starlight and moonlight above you and light beams shooting out of either side of your vessel? Yes? Well OK, then. I guess I would, too, if I were you.

2. Outdoor Recessed Lights

What an amazing night time mood these recessed lights lend this yacht. I love the way the fixtures form scallops of light along the side of the cabin, especially because the reflective surface of the yacht amplifies the light levels. Very nice via Charter World

And it also says, Come hither thou and hangeth out on me. Basically, these lighting designers have gotten it right. What looks better against the soft night sky than lights with a via Charter World

Those recessed light fixtures with single and multiple lamps are a great choice for this yacht living room/control center/spaceship dashboard. The top level is evenly lit, and the lower level, with its crisp light, invites the eye and the whole body, actually. Take me to Greenland, Captain! If you need me, I will be luxuriating.

7. Cove Lighting!