===MORGAN SERVICES=== Handyman Repair Service SC

"Helping to Make Your House a HOME"
MorganServices
Services
Business Friends
DIY Reference Sites
RSS Feeds
Repair Tutorials
Construction Calculators
Disability Links
Home/Mobile Home Help
Home Electrical
Home Plumbing
Mobile Home Repair
Mobile Home Electrical
Mobile Home Power Diagram
Mobile Home Plumbing
About MorganServices
Contact MorganServices
Blogs
Disclaimer
Site Map

   
Home and Mobile Home Electrical Tips:
 
 
ALWAYS TURN OFF POWER TO ANY CIRCUIT BEFORE DOING ANY WORK, THEN CONFIRM IT IS OFF!  IF YOU ARE NOT SURE OF WHAT YOU ARE DOING... CALL AN EXPERT 
 
 
 Blinking Lights or Intermittent Outlets:
  •  One thing I seem to run into more and more is people calling me with the complaint that part of a circuit is not working, the plugs on one side of a room are not working or lights blink on and off. The problem I usually find is that the outlets or switches have been "back wired" by this I mean that the wires are shoved into holes on the back rather than wrapped around the screws. The wires after time get loose because of heating, cooling and corrosion of the wire. I do not like this practice, even though it is within code. I would not do this at my house or yours. Contractors do this to save time. This problem seems to show up in homes built in the 60's and 70's or later if the circuit is subjected to heavy loads such as kitchens, bathrooms and any place where high current devices are used. I recently repaired a major problem to an outlet where a wood burning stove circulating fan was plugged. To correct this I would replace the outlet or switch with a new one and wrap the wires securely around the screws. Do not confuse the back wire plugs with the clamp type, which are fine to use.

 

 

 Compact Flourecent Bulbs:
  •  I highly recommend compact flourescent bulbs as an alternative to incandescents. I have been using them with great results for years. My power bill was reduced by 30%. They last far longer than regular bulbs and they produce very little heat. They come in many varieties such as dimmable, three way and flood type bulbs that are great for recessed lights. Recessed lights can get very hot and anytime you can reduce heat you can prolong the life of the fixture. Outdoors is a great place to use CFL too! Be sure to use the types suitable for outdoor use.
 
 Extension Cords:
  •  I dislike is extension cords. They are potential problems. Extension cords are really meant for temporary use. If you have to plug something in with a extension cord long term because there is not an outlet nearby I recommend that you have a licensened electrician add an outlet. Extension cords are responsible for many fires.

 

 Surge Protectors:
  •  Did you know that surge protectors wear out and loose their ability to protect those precious electronics. They should be changed out every few years or in the case of a big surge that may have occurred, such as a nearby lightning strike. Some models come with a light that will alert you when they have lost their ability to protect. They are rated in joules, which is a current or amperage measurement, the higher the joule rating the better the protection.

 

  Water Heaters and Refridgerators Energy Saving Tips:

  • When considering ways to cut energy cost a lot of people overlook the two things that consume power 24/7. They would be your refridgerator and the water heater. Look for the rated power consumption sticker for comparison (the yellow one) and pick out the lowest. Now if your not about to buy any new ones maybe you could adjust the fridge with the use of a thermometer designed for this purposes and get the settings for the fridge and freezer to their proper levels. These levels are indicated on the themometer. Remember that any adjustment that you make could take a lot of time before the temperature may actually change in the unit. Read the instructions that comes with your themometer. Don't forget to keep the coils cleaned and make sure that there is adequate space for the uit to breath. Now, for the water heater turn down the thermostat to about 120 degrees or less and install a timer switch designed for water heaters. When going off for a while, like a vacation, turn off the breaker. These two things help keep my power bill down. WARNING... if you are not sure of what you are doing...call someone who does...the voltages inside the water heater at the thermostat and elements WILL SERIOUSLY INJURE OR KILL YOU.  BE SAFE

 

 Turn Off or Leave On Lights Energy Saving Tip:

  • Turn it off or leave it on? I sometimes get asked the question if it is less expense on your power bill to leave a light on rather than turn it on and off as you enter or exit rooms. Recent tests results I have seen say turn it off. This makes sense in a two ways. 1. The light is not consuming power while it is not needed and 2.The life of the bulb and fixture is extended. This applies to incandescent and flourescent lighting. Yes, it takes more power to cause a light to light up than it does to leave it on... However you would have to exit and re-enter the room in microseconds to have an issue with this. Save power and turn it off! 

 

  LED Bulbs:

  • I just got my first L.E.D. bulbs to test out. They consume a fraction of the power that an incandescent or even a florescent bulb would use. The one I got draws about 1.5 watts (less than half of a night light bulb) and gives off about the same amount of light as a 25 watt bulb.This bulb is great for accent lighting or a low light lamp use. In my case we use it in the lamp on baby's changing table so as not to have a harsh overly bright light in the middle of the night. The draw back of these bulbs currently are the cost and some people may not like the color of the light. The bulbs I have are about $6.00 a piece and would not be useful where a lot of light is required. The brighter bulbs comparable to 60 watts can cost about $60.00 apiece. From the data I have seen if you use these bulbs 4 hours a day they should last 63 years. WOW! More on this later.

 

 Circuit Breaker Box Connections:

  • After time the connections in your breaker box can loosen up. It would not hurt to have an expert check these. Especially if your home is more than 10-15 years old.

 

 Ground Fault Receptacles (GFCI):

  • If your home was wired before codes required ground fault type (GFCI) outlets in bathrooms, kitchens and outside. It might not be a bad idea to install them for safety's sake.

 

 

Questions or Comments Please Feel Free to Contact Me.