Electrical Archives - Page 2 of 2 - Fort Myers-Naples HVAC, Plumbing, Electrical Services

How to Choose a Backup Generator for Your Home

Sharique Khan on August 5, 2021

If you have never experienced a prolonged power outage, you can count yourself lucky—especially living here in hurricane-prone Florida! When the power goes out harsh temperatures can make every minute inside your home uncomfortable. Not to mention endanger children, senior adults, and pets.

The good news? You can avoid the inconveniences of a power outage by installing a permanent backup generator or buying a portable generator. Here’s how to choose a permanent backup generator for your home from our electricians at Best Home Services!

Now, let’s discuss how to find the best backup generator for you:

Define Your Electrical Needs

Think about what you would need if the power went out.

Electrical loads are measured in watts, and each appliance in your home has a certain wattage. Every generator has a maximum sustained wattage level as well. Your first challenge before buying a permanent backup generator is to calculate how many watts it would take to power what you need during a power outage.

Most homeowners prioritize the refrigerator (about an 800-watt load) to avoid food spoilage during an extended outage. Powering lights, fans, and chargers for electronics will only take a few hundred more watts of power.

If you have a larger budget for a generator, think big. Some generators can keep your entire home running without issue.

Once you know what you want to power during an outage, you can determine what size and capacity of a generator that you need to power your home.

If you want the most accurate count of wattage levels as possible, hire a local electrician from Best Home Services to conduct a load measurement of every appliance on your must-have list. Call us today for a generator consultation for your Southwest Florida home—844-921-2833!

MORE > Permanent Backup Generators 101

Interlock Kits

As the nation faces an industry shortage of standby generators, the electrical experts at Best Home Services have a solution for your needs.

While a portable generator may seem like a quick fix, a trusted contractor has the ability to install an interlock kit. Making the mess of extension cords in a storm disappear.

Interlock kits allow for one cord to run to your main power source and determine which circuits you’d like kept powered up in an outage.

Pros of an interlock kit include:

Quick Installation
Portability
Dual Fuel – either gas or propane
No HOA permissions needed, no permits
Cost-effective
Use it when you need it

Permanent Backup Generators

Standby permanent generators are hardwired into your electrical panel and activate automatically when power is interrupted. They are designed to keep your entire home running—even the HVAC system.

Since permanent generators require natural gas or liquid propane fuel sources, they should only be installed by a professional.

Prices can vary depending on the size of the generator and ease of installation. A backup generator is an investment in your home. Once installed a permanent backup generator will give you peace of mind during power outages for many years to come.

And remember, like all appliances, permanent generators need periodic maintenance. Some of the most sophisticated permanent generators will make this easy on you by conducting automatic diagnostic tests and will send you an alert when service is required.

Connecting the Backup Generator

Once you have decided on a backup generator, you will need to connect it to your home and appliances. With permanent backup generators, a transfer switch allows you to connect the generator to your home’s electrical panel with a single cable.

A transfer switch is safer and more reliable than using several extension cords, but it will add to the cost of the installation.

Remember to also consider:

Surge protection
The number and type of outlets your house has
Fuel level monitors
Any ‘Smart’ features for monitoring

Install a Permanent Generator

A permanent generator will ensure that your family is safe and comfortable the next time the power goes out! Best Home Services will help you decide what generator best suits your budget, what features you want, and what capacity would work best for your energy needs.

Ready to install a permanent backup generator or purchase a portable generator for your Southwest Florida home? You can count on our licensed electricians for the installation of an interlock kit for your portable generator, routine maintenance, and transfer switch support. We’re here for you whenever you need us. Call Best Home Services today—844-921-2833!

Common Household Electrical Problems

Sharique Khan on July 22, 2021

Many of us frequently take electricity for granted. You simply turn to the closest switch or outlet when you need it, and there it is, available and waiting all the time. We cannot live without the electricity that illuminates our homes, keeps us comfortable, and powers all of our modern conveniences.

Yet, electricity can be unpredictable, and many problems can arise in our homes. But if you know how to spot the warning signs of common household electrical problems, you will be able to protect yourself and your loved ones from electrical disasters.

Here are some of the most common household electrical problems and what to do about them.

#1. Unusual Odors

An unfamiliar smell may come from a new appliance after installation due to paint, finish, or other issues. But if you detect an odd smell coming from an electrical outlet, unplug anything connected to it immediately, and do not use it again until you call in a professional electrician from Best Home Services.

Further, if your breaker panel or fuse box is emitting any odor, call an electrician immediately.

#2. Arc Faults

Arc faults occur when electrical circuits deviate from their intended course, frequently due to a wiring error. Electrical fires frequently result from arc defects, however, they can be avoided.

If you live in an older home where electrical wiring may have degraded, consider having a professional electrician install arc-fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs) in your home to prevent arc faults.

#3. Counterfeit Electrical Products

If you have ever bought an extension cord, power strip, or night light at a ridiculously low price, beware of using them. They might be fake, fall short of regulatory or business standards, or both, and either way they pose a significant risk.

Always purchase electrical products from reputable stores to ensure that they are up to standard.

#4. Buzzing Sounds

The outlets and switches in your home should operate silently. As you plug into an outlet or turn on a switch, listen for buzzing, crackling, or sizzling sounds. If you hear these sounds, immediately turn off the power to that fixture and call Best Home Services.

#5. Warm or Sparking Outlets

If your light switches are warm to the touch or are sparking, the wiring inside may need to be repaired or the fixture itself may need to be replaced. Call an electrician to troubleshoot and make repairs.

Are your lights flickering or are your outlets warm to the touch? Call in the pros at Best Home Services to diagnose these common household electrical problems in your Southwest, Florida home—844-921-2833!

#6. Flickering Lights

Flickering lights typically signal a power spike. Power surges are not always caused by catastrophic occurrences; more frequently, your appliances are overtaxing the electrical capacity of your house.

Frequent power surges can take a toll on your electrical fixtures and your appliances and could be a sign that it may be time to upgrade the wiring in your home.

#7. Loose or Broken Light Switches

If the switches or outlets in your home work only intermittently—or not at all— this could be a sign of loose wiring which is a fire hazard. By connecting or unplugging a cord, an unaware individual could be shocked by an outlet that is partially exposed.

#8. Circuit Breaker Problems

The circuit breaker in your home is designed to trip when the circuit is overloaded. Tripping prevents overheating and mitigates fire hazards.

Occasional tripping likely indicates a simple overload, but if it happens frequently, you should call an electrician to evaluate your complete electrical system to avoid fire threats and other electrical issues.

Protect Your Family with Best Home Services

While some of these common household electrical problems are more of a nuisance, some are more serious. Electrical is not a place for DIY; things should be inspected and repaired by a professional electrician.

Do not ignore electrical problems around your home. Get help fixing the problems from our licensed electricians at Best Home Services—844-921-2833!

Best Home Services Opens A Call Center

Sharique Khan on August 9, 2017

A new Best Home Services location is opening in South Fort Myers! A brand new call center designed to house 60 new employees is opening up its doors this month. Located on US 41, this 20,000-square-foot building is just one of several expansions our company has made over the last 12 months. You can read […]