Electrical News
Uninvited Guests in the Walls or Attic
October 27, 2015As winter approaches and the temperatures start to drop, birds fly south, large animals hole up to hibernate and smaller animals look for warm cozy places to escape the weather. Occasionally homeowners find themselves playing host to small uninvited guests who have chosen to ride out the winter in the attic or walls of their home. Rodent damage... READ MORE
Mobile Home – Silver Label Re-certification
September 3, 2015Re-certification for Mobile or Manufactured Homes Just like all homes built in Canada, a manufactured home must meet very specific safety standards before it can be sold to the public. An electrical design plan, specific to each manufacturer, series and model, must be registered and approved before production can begin. The manufacturer may not deviate... READ MORE
Electrician Versus Handyman
July 15, 2015When called in to make a repair, our electricians frequently hear the following comment, “but the handyman said he could do it.” This tells us that homeowners may not be aware of some very important information. Electrical (like Plumbing and Gas Fitting) is a Red Seal Accredited trade. This means that all electrical installations, repairs... READ MORE
Electrical Safety For The Holidays
Every year fire departments across the Lower Mainland are called out to homes, set ablaze by faulty or over loaded electrical wiring, or malfunctioning holiday decorations. It is heartbreaking to hear about yet another family left homeless during what is supposed to be the most joyous time of year. In their enthusiasm to celebrate... READ MORE
Ways To Reduce The Electric Bill
With the cost of electricity climbing higher every year, homeowners are looking for ways to shave a few dollars off that utility bill. Here are some things you can do to reduce the cost and amount of energy consumption in your home. Install timers so bath fans don’t run unnecessarily, “an hour per shower” is... READ MORE
Extension Cords
Which Extension Cord Do I Buy? Occasionally our electricians are asked about the use and safety of extension cords in and around the home or business. Because of the extensive choice available on the hardware store shelf, it may be a confusing decision as to which one to buy. I am reminded of a customer whose... READ MORE
Sump Pump Safety
Power outages seem to be a fact of life in the Lower Mainland of BC. and certain parts of the Fraser Valley seem to be more prone to this than others. Whether the cause is a tree brought down onto nearby power lines by a passing windstorm or interuptions caused by regular mainainance on the power grid by the... READ MORE
Security And Landscape Lighting Solutions
Hard Wired Lighting Although British Columbia is usually blessed with long beautiful summers, our province is also known for it’s lengthy periods of rainfall when the sun is nowhere in sight. And since we are located on the 49th parallel, the number of daylight hours are also significantly reduced for much of the year. Taking this into consideration, it is wise to use hard wired lighting options... READ MORE
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters
GFCI Protection Saves Lives A Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) is a specialized automatic safety device that instantly terminates or interrupts the electrical current when leakage or a ground fault is detected in the circuit. When correctly installed by a certified electrician, it is estimated that this inexpensive electrical device could reduce the incident of... READ MORE
Tamper Resistant Receptacles
During a six year period between 2003 – 2009, more than 360 Canadian children, under the age of six, were injured in accidents involving electrical wall receptacles. The extent of the injuries range from first to third degree burns. But tragically, these electrical injuries also account for an average of four deaths by electrocution each year.... READ MORE
Smoke Alarms and Co Alarms Save Lives
Make Fire Protection A Priority It is estimated that 94% of all homes in North America have at least one smoke alarm. Most homeowners understand that a functioning smoke alarm significantly reduces the incident of home fire related deaths. Home fire deaths have steadily decreased as the numbers of homes with working smoke alarms has... READ MORE
How to Label Your Electrical Panel
Are you sometimes baffled by which circuit breaker to shut off, because the legend on your electrical panel is not properly labeled? Or perhaps there have been so many changes made by previous owners, that nothing makes any sense. Not only is this an inconvenient and frustrating situation, it can be downright dangerous! If you... READ MORE