Residential Electricity
Phantom Power
Phantom power is when appliances and electronics continue to draw power even when they are turned off, but still plugged into a power outlet. According to BC Hydro, this adds up to about 10% of an average BC household’s annual electricity. This does not include appliances that need constant power such as the fridge, freezer,...... READ MORE
Supplementary Electric Heating
Now that fall has arrived and the weather is getting colder, homeowners have turned off circulating fans and AC units and may be looking for supplementary electric heating options. When your home’s primary heating source is not adequate, or you are looking for additional heat in a specific area, supplementary electric heat may be the...... READ MORE
Insurance Concerns with Aluminum Wiring
Owners and perspective buyers of older homes often face insurance concerns with aluminum wiring. New policy applications, or the renewal of existing policies, may require an electrical inspection to confirm the presence of aluminum wiring in the home. Insurance companies consider aluminum wiring in the home to be a greater risk than copper wiring. Aluminum...... READ MORE
Spring Electrical Maintenance
Having a spring electrical maintenance routine is important after a cold, stormy winter. The following is a checklist of some spring electrical maintenance tasks that every homeowner should be aware of. Interior Spring Electrical Maintenance Change your ceiling fan rotation back to a counter-clockwise direction. This will help keep the room as cool as possible...... READ MORE
Bathroom Renovations
The bathroom is one of the most important rooms in the house when it comes to adding value to your home. Bathroom renovations can be as simple as changing the paint color on the walls to gutting the entire room. Here are some “must haves” to keep in mind when planning bathroom renovations. Extra receptacles...... READ MORE
Kitchen Renovations
When homeowners think about kitchen renovations, they don’t always think about electricity. Kitchen renovations are not just about picking a new paint color, back splash or style of cabinets. Electrical appliances, lighting and devices will play an important role in the overall success of this project. Here are some things to consider when planning electrical...... READ MORE
Standby Generator
The installation of a standby generator is on everyone’s wish list after last week’s devastating wind storm. The resulting lengthy power outage left many homeowners in the dark. Power outages can happen at any time of year. According to BC Hydro, extreme weather from October to February usually doubles the number of power outages compared...... READ MORE
Power Outages Can Happen Any Time
Power outages can happen any time throughout the year. According to BC Hydro, the stormy weather that BC gets from October to February brings a higher risk of damage. The high winds and rain we experience throughout our province usually doubles the number of calls to BC Hydro about power outages compared to the rest...... READ MORE
Christmas Light Safety
Christmas light safety is important while decorating for the holidays. Here are some Christmas light safety tips to keep in mind when using electricity for holiday decorating. For Christmas light safety, use only Christmas lights that are approved for use in Canada. The BC Safety Authority website has a bulletin that lists the testing...... READ MORE
Reduce Winter Energy Costs
Winter is on its way which means that the colder weather is just around the corner. We tend to use more electricity in the winter months to keep our homes warm and comfortable. Here are some things you can do to reduce winter energy costs. Turning down the thermostat during the day when you aren’t...... READ MORE
Fall Electrical Maintenance
A fall electrical maintenance routine is important to prepare your electrical system for the coming winter months. The following is a checklist of some fall electrical maintenance tasks that every homeowner should be aware of. With leaves now falling from the trees, homeowners may be using leaf blowers to clear their yards. If an extension...... READ MORE
5 Ways to Control Your Home’s Lighting
With the days getting shorter and many of us leaving or returning from work in the dark, homeowners may be looking for the best option to control lighting and possibly save on energy costs. Here are 5 lighting options to consider, along with some pros and cons, to help you make the right decision for...... READ MORE