How to Spot Faults in Your Home’s Electrical Circuit

October 20, 2021

An efficient electrical system is essential for the safety and comfort of modern households. But with time, the circuit can develop issues that could increase your utility bills and cause hazards. However, carrying out regular inspections is the best way to find faults and prevent fires. Here are signs that may indicate there are malfunctions in your electrical system. Pay Attention to Dimming and Flickering Lights If you notice the lights dimming or flickering, it is usually a sign of an electrical problem. There are several reasons why the lights may be dimming. First, if you are using dimmer switches, you need to rule out the bulbs. The bulb will flicker when you use CFL (Compact Fluorescent Lamps). You can replace the bulb with an appropriate LED light to test if it will work. Before making conclusions, you should also consider problems with the grid. In stormy weather, the lights may flicker due to faults on the grid, such as a blown-up transformer. If the issue is not the dimmer switch or your local electrical grid, it is probably a fault in the circuit. Your electrical system could be overloaded, meaning it cannot handle the load from all the appliances...

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5 Electrical Safety Tips All New Homeowners Should Know

October 6, 2021

The electrical wiring in your Seattle home is something that you’re guaranteed to use each and every day. In fact, it’s likely the most important building feature. After all, without it, no appliance or amenity would function. This system drives water heaters, dishwashers, dryers and lighting. Unfortunately, it’s also tucked inconspicuously away, and it’s incredibly easy to overlook. Whether you’ve just purchased a brand-new home or you are moving into existing construction, the five following electrical safety tips are definitely worth knowing. 1. Know Where Your Circuit Breaker Box Is and How to Use It If ever there’s a short circuit or an electrical overload, the circuit breaker will instantly disrupt the power supply to the affected area or areas. By doing so, it prevents damage to appliances, lighting fixtures and electronics, even to the electrical circuits themselves. When circuit breakers suddenly trip, this means that they’re getting too much current or that a power line has ruptured. If an electrical system component has overheated and melted, the circuit breaker will trip whenever neutral and hot wires are fused together. You also have the ability to shut off the flow of power to specific areas and appliances throughout your home....

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Make Sure You Are Ready This Fall For Any Weather!

September 21, 2021

Black Lion has been featured in Seattle Refined! With the temperature starting to cool off a bit in the Seattle area, now is the time to start thinking about heating maintenance. In order to ensure maximize your in-home comfort, you should schedule a heating tune-up to make sure that your heating system is in top shape. Prioritize Regular Service Just like a vehicle, if your heating unit sits for months at a time without running, it may need an inspection before the season starts and it will be working at maximum efficiency. In addition, we recommend that you are servicing your filters regularly, especially if you are looking to improve the quality of air within your home. provides a very thorough inspection which includes elements such as the igniter, blower motor, gas valves, flame sensors, condensate pumps, thermostat, and unit housing. By inspecting and providing a tune-up if needed, the life of the unit can be extended. Finally, although it may be cooling down, we have definitely seen some intense heat throughout the Seattle area. If you are considering a new system, you may want to consider a new air conditioner or heat pump as well that has the ability...

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Top Tips to Keep Your Electrical System Safe in the Fall

September 20, 2021

As temperatures drop and fall approaches, it’s the best time to get your electrical system in order. During the cold season, you’ll be using household appliances and lighting more often. You ought to take precautions to minimize fire and electrical hazards. In this article, we will outline steps you can take to keep your home safe. Check Extension Cords and Use Surge Protectors As the cold winter approaches, you’ll be using some equipment more often. In the past, a few electrical outlets were sufficient for most household needs. But today, you need extension cords to power all devices and equipment in your home. You can overload extension cords with laptop chargers, computers, TV, and other household electronics. During fall, it’s a good idea to inspect the strip cords and outlets. If there are burn marks on the strip cord, you should get a replacement for your safety. Worn-out strips and outlets allow for loose connections that may start a fire. If you’re using an extension cord outdoors, you should ensure it’s weather-proof and well protected. Households with young children should cover the unused outlets, especially in the fall when most people remain indoors. You may also want to consider acquiring...

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9 Tips to Protect Your Outdoor Lighting

September 15, 2021

Outdoor lighting adds safety and aesthetics to your home, but, over time, many homeowners see both of these appealing aspects decline. Whether it’s the elements or accidents, outdoor lighting is susceptible to damage, and these fixtures require a bit of maintenance and upkeep to protect your investment. Common Types of Damage to Outdoor Lighting When you’re looking for ways to protect your outdoor lighting, consider weather, accidents, and pests. Some of the most common issues that the experts at name see with outdoor lighting for homes in the Seattle area are: Damaged electrical connections Frayed wiring Deteriorating wiring sheaths Broken bulbs Pest damage Corrosion Weathering and finish damage Broken mounts and stands Repair or Replace Damaged Outdoor Lighting Many problems that occur with outdoor lighting can be remedied by performing repairs, but we do recommend that you leave the work to one of our expert technicians at . When it comes to any type of electrical appliance or fixture in your home, being cautious can ensure that the chances of additional damage or fire is minimized. Additionally, even the most experienced DIY homeowner runs the risk of electrical injuries when working with outdoor lighting fixtures. Here are nine tips for...

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Properly Putting Out an Electrical Fire and How to Prevent One

August 19, 2021

Electrical fires can be one of the most dangerous types of house fires there are. On average, electrical fires cause about twice the financial damage of non-electrical fires and tend to bring about a higher chance of injury. When dealing with any kind of fire, knowing how to properly extinguish it and when it’s time to get to safety are crucial. If you ever have an electrical fire in your home, here’s how you can put it out properly. Put Your Safety First When you’re dealing with a fire in any scenario, it’s important that you put your safety and the safety of your loved ones first. If your gut tells you to get outside, listen to it and evacuate immediately. If you have even the slightest doubt that you can deal with the electrical fire on your own, leave it to the firefighters. You should only attempt to tackle an electrical fire if it’s small and in a contained area. First Steps If you feel it’s safe to take on the fire, start by identifying the cause. If it’s safe to do so, unplug or power off the device or appliance causing it. If you cannot safely get to...

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9 Steps for Replacing an Electrical Outlet

August 5, 2021

Whether you are replacing a damaged outlet in your home or wanting an updated look, installing a new outlet is something that almost any Seattle homeowner can do with a few DIY skills and tips. If you are uncomfortable working with electricity and wiring, though, you can always call the experts at , and we will gladly schedule an appointment with one of our technicians. Issues That Should Be Left to a Professional Before we delve into the tips and steps for changing an electrical outlet, you should be aware of the situations that are better left to an experienced technician. Problems with electrical outlets can indicate more serious issues that can cause electrical fires and injuries. The following covers the most common signs that your electrical system needs to be evaluated by a technician from . If you notice one or more of these issues, turn off the electricity at the circuit breaker, and call us right away. If you see signs of a fire or smell something burning, call 911, and get your family safely out of the house. Smoke or fire coming from an electrical outlet Outlets that feel warm to the touch Black marks or discoloration...

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How Much Electricity Do LED Bulbs Use?

July 27, 2021

As more people shift their work to their homes, there is a rising demand for more efficient lighting. According to statistics, developing countries consume more than 12% of the electrical energy for lighting. One way to cut down power consumption is to use more efficient lamps. LEDs are amongst the best option for managing your electrical consumption. Read on to find out why. How Much Energy Does an LED Lamp Need? Light Emitting Diodes are popular for many lighting applications in residential premises. They are particularly suitable for saving energy and managing power bills. When it comes to efficiency, they outperform CFLs (Compact Fluorescent Lamps) and incandescent bulbs. The best way to determine the power consumption of LEDs is to compare their light output with other lamps. In terms of lumens per watts, LED lights outperform most bulbs. Their power rating is between 30 and 90 lumens per watt. An incandescent bulb produces 10 to 20 lumens per watt, while CFLs produce approximately 60 lumens per watt. A 60-watt incandescent lamp can produce 600 lumens. An LED can produce over 800 lumens of light output while consuming only 10 watts of power. LED lamps are not only cost-effective because of...

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What to Do During a Power Outage

July 12, 2021

Without proper measures in place, a power outage could lead to costly repairs. It could damage major appliances. Additionally, it can also pose a huge risk for you and your family. One of the leading causes of a power outage is storms. During storms, strong winds might cause trees to fall. If they fall on power lines, they could interrupt your power supply. Also, power outages could be a result of floods, bushfires, lightning, and heatwaves. Digging near an underground pool could also trigger a power outage. Animals and car accidents may also cause power interruptions. The best way to survive the effects of the power outage is to take precautions before it happens. Some of these measures may include having a charged phone, a torch, and a battery-operated radio on standby. Read through the following tips to help you understand what to do in a power outage. Unplug All Appliances As the power companies work to solve the power issues, the entire grid usually becomes unstable. The instability in the power grid results in power surges, which could destroy your home appliances. It is, therefore, recommended that you unplug all electronics and turn off everything when the power is...

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How To Reset Electrical Meter

June 21, 2021

As a building owner, you can manage your electric bills by tracking how much energy you use. Finding trends in your monthly use of energy even enables you to audit your energy supplier. The way you track energy use is through an electrical meter. The powerlines of your building are fed into your meter, and your meter is where energy flow is recorded. The data shows itself as a series of gauges and numerical readouts. Knowing how meters work and where to find them is what we cover in detail here. Once you’re familiar with your electrical meter, your energy supplier can be held accountable if you reset that meter. Doing so forces your energy supplier to only document each month’s use. Why Should You Reset Your Electrical Meter? Resetting your own electrical meter allows you to track your energy usage more accurately than a paper bill can. Energy suppliers aren’t responsible for resetting your meter when they visit to check its readings. In these cases, an electrician reads your usage based on a prior reading being subtracted from your current one. This common scenario makes it important that you reset your meter yourself. You can also reset your meter...

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