Sw Florida Electrician Archives - Fort Myers-Naples HVAC, Plumbing, Electrical Services

Why Install a New Ceiling Fan

Sharique Khan on September 10, 2021

If you are planning to install a new ceiling fan in your home, you might be wondering if it is a project that you can tackle on your own, or if you should get the help of a professional electrician.

To help you decide, our electricians at Best Home Services discuss the benefits of installing a ceiling fan, as well as reasons why you should hire a professional for the installation.

Benefits of Ceiling Fans

Southwest Florida is one of the warmest and most humid climates in the United States. Using your air conditioner almost year round can increase your utility expenditures and add to the cost of AC system maintenance and repairs.

Installing a ceiling fan can help regulate the temperature in your home and save on energy costs throughout the year.

Here are some great benefits of installing a ceiling fan:

Lowered energy costs: Ceiling fans do not reduce the temperature in your home, rather they blow air across your skin and make you feel cooler even if the temperature hasn’t changed.

Take some burden off the AC system: Since ceiling fans help you feel cooler without lowering the temperature, this helps reduce the burden on your HVAC system. Allowing your AC to rest will greatly increase its lifespan and reduce the number of repairs that you will need.

They add beauty: Ceiling fans are beautiful and practical. You can pick from a wide variety of styles to best suit your own taste and blend in with the decor of your home.

They improve air quality: The air in your home is filled with many allergens and contaminants, and ceiling fans can work in tandem with your AC unit to ventilate these contaminants so the air in your home is cleaner.

They are versatile: Ceiling fans can be installed in almost any room in the home, and even outside!

They are useful throughout the seasons: Ceiling fans can even help on cooler fall or winter days. Many ceiling fans can run in the other direction which helps push warmer air down and makes the air in your home feel warmer. Even on the coldest days, this may lessen the need to use the heater.

Ready to install a ceiling fan in your Southwest, Florida home? Contact our electricians at Best Home Services for a quote today—844-921-2833!

Should I DIY the Install of a Ceiling Fan?

We believe that a ceiling fan should only be installed by a professional electrician—even if you are a seasoned DIYer. Fan installation requires knowledge of electrical wiring as well as having the right supplies on hand to do the job correctly.

Attempting to DIY this job can be dangerous and could damage your home in the process. If you want to give it a try, you can watch this how-to guide video to install a new ceiling fan. We’re just a phone call away if you need us.

Why Hire An Electrician?

A professional electrician is:

Licensed
Knowledgeable about codes and wiring
Equipped with the right equipment
Trained in electrical safety
Trained in safe ceiling mounting and balancing of fans

Here are some more reasons why hiring an electrician from Best Home Services is the right way to go.

Incorrect Wiring Can Cause Issues

Many things can go wrong during a DIY fan installation. Many homeowners are unaware of the correct gauge of wiring needed to install a fan in the ceiling and using existing wiring from a previous fixture can result in problems such as flickering lights and tripping circuits.

Be warned—even small mistakes during a DIY electrical job could lead to electrical fires. If you must, give yourself ample time to hang the new ceiling fan.

Risk of Falls

Standing on a ladder, fumbling with a fan, and trying to get the electrical connections perfect are all necessary steps in installing a new ceiling fan. The likelihood of dropping the fan or falling is significant, even with assistance.

Inadequate installation can result in the fan abruptly separating from the ceiling and falling, hurting anyone underneath the fan at the moment.

Hiring a professional electrician ensures safety during and after installation.

Risk of Electrical Injury

Did you remember to turn off the power?

Safety is the number one reason to leave ceiling fan installation to the professionals.

DIYing any kind of electrical work can be extremely risky if you don’t know what you are doing. Even if you turn off the power, there is a chance that you may connect the electrical wires incorrectly causing improper function, or worse, sparks or electrocution.

Risk of Ceiling Damage

If you are replacing a light fixture with a new ceiling fan, or if you are cutting a hole in the ceiling to accommodate the fan, you run the risk of damaging the ceiling.

Why risk it, when you can hire an electrician from Best Home Services to install your ceiling fan in your Southwest, Florida home? Call us today — 844-921-2833!

Call Best Home Services for Expert Ceiling Fan Installations

Keep your cool with a new ceiling fan! They have many benefits including being energy-efficient, attractive, and making your home more comfortable.

While it may be tempting to install a ceiling fan on your home, this job is best left to the professionals. It will save you time and headaches in the long run.

Prevent electrical hazards or improper ceiling fan installation and schedule a ceiling fan install with Best Home Services. We’re happy to lend you a hand. Just call 844-921-2833!

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!

Benefits Of A Standby Generator

Sharique Khan on March 8, 2018

Why Do I Need A Standby Generator? It’s thundering outside and you’re getting ready to cook dinner. Suddenly- everything goes black! Your power is out- not an uncommon occurrence in SW Florida. With severe storms and hurricanes imminent, blackouts are unavoidable. However- there is something you can do to mitigate the effects of blackouts! You […]