Category: Electrician

More homeowners are starting home improvement projects. That is due to the increased time indoors. However, they try to do them all by themselves, which increases the danger on them and their home. Due to the increasing number of electrical repair projects, we urging homeowners to get informed and educated. No matter how small the renovation is, an electrician must be present.

Unlicensed electrical work has shown to have up to four times more faults than licensed work. Did you know that? Therefore, it might result in injuries like shocks, burns, fire, and death. To reduce risks related to home renovations and unsafe electrical work, you need to know a few things. Here are some home improvement tips you should read before you begin your next project.

Plan the Layout of the Electrical System

When undertaking a renovation project, you should always work with a licensed electrician. That way, you plan a functional and safe electrical layout. When you plan ahead for lighting and outlet placement, you will have a well-lit space and safe supply of electricity throughout your home. A plan for electrical layout is crucial throughout your renovation planning process.

Never DIY Electrical Repair

For homeowners, DIY projects can be fun. Particularly when they are adding the final touches to a renovation. DIY work can, however, be dangerous when it comes to electrical work and repair. Licensed Electrical Contractors have the proper training and expertise to perform electrical work. Incorrect work can put your family in danger. So, don’t do the electrical work yourself, leave that to the professionals.

Ensure the Electrical Work Meets the Requirements

Confirm that the individual who completed the electrical work received an ESA Certificate. Do that after the electrical work for your renovation is complete. The certificate ensure that any future electrical problems get covered by your insurance. Now, you can rest easy about the safety of the electrical installation.

Learn the Difference between Licensed Electricians and Certified Electricians

Contractors have to provide you with a seven-digit license number issued by ESA. It always begins with the number seven. Their ECRA/ESA licensing number confirms they have the right to operate in Ontario. The ECRA/ESA license number should get displayed on trucks, ads, quotes, and contracts for LEC businesses. You should always request a copy and confirm it through the Contractor Look-up Tool of ESA. The OCOT certification number is not equal to an electrical contractor’s ECRA/ESA license number. So that person is not eligible to enter into a contract for the performance of electrical work. Someone with an OCOT certificate must hire a licensed electrician to perform legal electrical work.

Choose an Electrical Contractor With a license for Electrical Repair

If you are looking to hire a contractor for a project in Ontario, you must hire someone licensed. There will be no exceptions. Licensed Electrical Contractors hire Master Electricians to manage the project. Certified Electricians can conduct electrical work as employees of a Licensed Electrician. The ESA requires that an electrical contractor performs all electrical. Even if you’re working with a general contractor or someone who subcontracts the work.

File a Notification of Work with ESA

When electrical work gets done, you must submit a notification of work to the Electrical Safety Authority. Taking these steps will ensure that all electrical work gets completed correctly to protect you and your family.

Don’t Overload your Outlets

Plugging too many devices into a single outlet could result in a fire or small explosion. Every outlet in your home gets designed to deliver a certain amount of electricity. Plugging in a lot of things can be hard so make sure you use a power strip (energy-saving one of course!) that has plenty of outlets.

Avoid Extension Cords as Much as Possible

The running of extension cords in the house can create hazards and cause injuries. If the extension cord gets ripped out of the wall, it can cause damage to the wiring or outlet. Installing new outlets throughout your home is an excellent option if you find yourself using extension cords a lot. As a homeowner, it is your responsibility to hire only a licensed electrician. Whether you are updating the lighting in your bathroom or installing new outlets. Verify that a candidate has the proper licensing to ensure that they are capable of doing the job safely. Incorrect electrical repairs can be dangerous, so always contact an experienced professional.

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Ever since this pandemic started we have been staying at home for longer periods of time, whether it is because of lockdowns imposed on us or because we are afraid to leave the house and get sick. Spending this much more time at home is bound to increase many bills without us even noticing- one of them being the electricity bill. You might not be aware of small habits that are increasing your bill, so here is a guide full of recommendations to help you decrease your energy consumption and electricity bill.

Curtains

During the harsh winter season, the house gets colder which means you’ll have to keep the heat on for a longer time. Any type of appliance that keeps your house warm will definitely increase your bill in one way or another. By keeping your shades open and letting the sunlight come into the house, even if it’s faint, the sun rays never stop shining and they will help warm up your house. Doing this on a regular basis decreases the usage of appliances such as your central HVAC system, and for you this means a decreased electrical bill.

Energy Audit

Getting your house inspected to see if there is any spot you are losing energy from is one of the most important things to do to lower your bill. Finding a leakage for example, specifically an air leak, will result in you losing hot air coming out of the HVAC unit, making it useless and wasteful without giving you a warm room. Hiring an energy audit will help you find these spots and will give you suggestions on how to fix them. You may find some home inspectors that will do this service for free, so be sure to contact and check out a professional.

Laundry

Most of us think staying at home means fewer outfit changes which leads to fewer dirty clothes. This can’t be further from the truth. Many people are finding themselves doing their laundry more frequently and not fully loading their wash. One of the main things you need to do to save up when doing your laundry is to fully load the washer before turning it on. As well as using cold water as much as you can. When you are warming up the water in your machine you are increasing the energy consumption by 90%. So whenever you can, wash your clothes with cold water to save a good deal of money. And don’t forget about drying your clothes. Try to air dry your clothes instead of using your dryer. These tips will ensure lowering your bill.

Phantom Energy

After finishing your movie marathon, you turn off your TV and go to bed, relaxing and thinking this is the time I save money by not using any electricity. Little to your knowledge, phantom energy exists and that up to 75% of home electronic energy is consumed when they are turned off. This may come as a shock to you and you start to wonder if all of your appliances do this. Yes, anything that is plugged in such as your TV, microwave, computer, printer will consume energy when they are not on. The easiest way to get rid of this extra consumption is to switch to power strips. All you have to do is plug everything into different power strips and then you’ll have switches available for you to turn them off at night. This may sound like a complicated and long job to do each night, but after seeing the difference in your bill you will never go back!

Dimmers and LEDs

You may have heard before about LED bulbs and how they save energy. Truth be told, switching to LED bulbs will decrease your electricity bill as they use 90% less energy than the typical light bulbs. Going a step further and installing dimmers to these LED bulbs will help you cutback even more on your bill. When using dimmers you only pay for how much light you are using, so when you put the dimmers on a lower setting it uses less energy and it is better for your general health as lighting can affect your mood and how you are feeling. An extra tip for you: always turn off the lights of the room you are not using. This may be hard at the beginning, but make it a habit to reduce your bill.

Being at home isn’t going to get any easier…just don’t make your bank account suffer with you! By following these tips and recommendations, you are going to see a difference in your next electricity bill. Don’t forget to call a professional to help you with installing or replacing anything related to your home electronics. Use the WeServe app to request a professional today!

Your home’s electrical system is one of the most critical utilities you have and can also pose the most significant security threat to your property, yourself or your family. If your home has not been built very recently, it is likely that the electrical system needs some modernization or renovation which needs an expert electrician services. New electrical regulations are making homes safer, and it is important to keep up with the changes. 

Older houses find it particularly challenging to meet modern electricity requirements. The symptoms are apparent, but they are often overlooked or ignored.

You need electrical works if:

• Lights or sockets in your home or garden are not working.
• You need new lights or sockets.
• You are buying or selling a house.
• Rust is gradually taking over your main service panel.
• If your home is over 20 years old and you have never updated your electrical networks.
• If your switches or other surfaces in the electrical system are too warm most of the time.
• If plugs and options for multiple outlets choke your outlets, your electrical system is operating beyond its capacity. 
• If your home’s electrical system is interrupted and plunges you into darkness.

Our life is based on electricity. Our convenience and comfort highly depend on it. From the HVAC system in your home to the electrical circuits, things can go wrong, and you need the help of an electrical repair/replacement specialist. Whether in your home or business, you need a reliable electrician and a solution to your problem. Therefore, you should request such services from experienced electrical service contractors. There are many expert electricians in the market and choosing the right electrical repairman can be a little tricky. The next time you search the internet for an electrical repair service near you, be sure to check the experts’ reviews and ratings before hiring them by downloading the WeServe App.

Here is a list of tips to follow when requesting electrician services:

License

The first and most important step when hiring an electrical worker is checking their license. Even by law, it is necessary to make sure that the contractor is authorized to perform electrical work. The permit also gives you the assurance that the contractor is trained in the area and will be able to carry out the work in a safe manner. License verification is also critical as then only the contractor will know the area codes and you will know if they are eligible to work in your area. Therefore, checking their license before hiring an electrical contractor for all electrical appliances is very important.

Insurance of electrician services

Insurance of electrical or network parts is necessary since many accidents can occur during electrical work. The insurance keeps electricians safe and gives you peace of mind in the event of any accidents. Also, an insured electrician will help us avoid material damage if something happens to them while working on a project. Hence, it is important to find out if they are insured electricians before requesting electrical services.

Cost of electrician services

Be sure to decide on a budget before starting a project. No need to look for very cheap or expensive experts. Before looking for an electrician, you should decide on a budget and the scope of work to be done. The details of the contract must also be finalized and agreed upon before starting the project.

Reviews and Recommendations

The next most important step in hiring is to check the list of reviews and references of specific companies online. This is an obvious step when hiring any professional electrician for your home. This list of guidelines gives you a clear idea of ​​what type of services the expert is offering. Reviews also help in deciding if an expert was performing reliably on their previous projects. Hence, reviews should be carefully checked and that is a competitive advantage WeServe has before initiating any service requisition.

Conclusion:

No matter how big or small the job is, when it comes to electrical works, leave it to the professionals. Working with electricity can be a matter of life and death. WeServe is an app that connects experienced and reliable electricians to you, our customers. Download the app today and get connected to the top of the line electrical experts to request electrician services.

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