Electrical advice from our master electricians on our blog
Electrical advice from our master electricians on our blog
Minneapolis 612-385-7864
Saint Paul 651-587-5512
Lic. EA005137

Posts Tagged ‘Electrician Minneapolis’

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Warranties Require Electrical Grounding in Minnesota

Wednesday, April 25th, 2012

A properly grounded building is very important for a number of reasons. First and foremost, grounding protects everyone in the building from an unpredictable electrical shock. A powerful electrical storm can rocket through a building with zero response time, and the only way to stop it is to redirect that energy with a proper ground.

Another big reason to ground your home is to protect your appliances. This list of appliances found in most every home all require at the least a grounded receptacle, if not a dedicated circuit. They are;

  1. Refrigerators
  2. Dishwashers
  3. Washing Machines
  4. Computers
  5. Televisions
  6. Any piece of equipment with a 3- pronged male-end plug

Unless these appliances are grounded, they will pose a shock hazard, and if surged upon, can become damaged without recourse. Computers in particular are sensitive to electric shock and surges.

Unlike electrical shocks from ungrounded plugs, surges are random spikes in the power flow that happen without notice. Every-time someone turns on an appliance, or makes a large draw on the system, this will offset the flow of electricity, an event known as a ‘surge’.

Surges are inevitable, they happen periodically throughout the day with few people even noticing them. However, if a large, unexpected surge happens to come your way, there is really no way to prepare for it other to have a properly installed surge protector. While surge protectors that are plugged into a standard outlet are OK for most items, unless that plug is grounded, the shock hazard still exists. Protecting your whole home is a more practical thing to do. A professionally grounded home will help prevent shock hazards; and a whole house surge protector will protect you from any rogue surges that might otherwise damage your appliances.

With Edison Electric, a Minneapolis based Commercial and residential electrical contractor, we are able to install a whole house surge protector, and perform inspections that will uncover each plug on your property is not properly grounded and protected from whatever electrical power surge that comes its way.

To learn more bout how we can help you protect your treasured home, give us a call at 612-385-7864

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GFI’s Will Help Prevent The OMG’s In Every Minnesota Home

Wednesday, April 25th, 2012

In general, the national electrical code requires that any electrical plug within 6’ of a sink or water source must be GFI protected. G.F.C.I. stands for ground fault circuit interrupter or GFI for short.

Electricity runs in whats called a current. For this reason, it can arch, and travel down paths of least resistance. What this means to the person standing at the sink is that if they are wet, and touch an ungrounded plug, or in some cases even get close to a non-protected electrical plug, electricity can run through them, and send  a jolt through their whole body.

Converting a plug to a GFI plug is not always a beginner DIY project. If it is installed incorrectly they simply won’t work, and you will be living under the false pretense that you are safe. A non-protected plug may also affect the warranty on many electrical products plugged into them.

While they are required at all water sources, it is not always practical to have them installed at every plug, but for locations that have a potential shock hazard present, this would be a good idea. Edison Electric is Minneapolis’ premier electrical contractor, providing 24- hour service to all our neighbors, both commercial and residential, whenever they need it. To find out how we can help you with your electrical concerns, give us a call and we will be glad to educate you on your home’s unique needs. 612-385-7864

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Electrical Lighting Installation

Wednesday, April 25th, 2012

With so many lighting features available in the market today, it can be challenging to find out what will work best for you. Lighting used correctly will make a space appear more open, functional and inviting.

Ceiling light fixtures will allow for maximum headroom, while pendant lights will help target more specific areas. Recessed lights can be flooded, or spot; depending on what you are trying to accomplish in the room.

In the kitchen, there can be a need for a multitude of lighting fixtures, all with their own specific agenda. Under cabinet lights are simple to install, and can also bring with them a line up electrical plugs called plug moulding, that sits up underneath the cabinets, so they will be out of sight until needed. This type of lighting is know to help make the workspace more motivating, as it is a common fact that working in dark places will make people less productive.

Many people also prefer to use pendant lights over an island or table, to help light up the main gathering areas. Grow lights are also commonly seen to shine on a set of houseplants, or small herb garden that people place in their kitchens, so they can have fresh herbs all year long. With a little creativity, lighting can be used to enhance any living space, and turn your house into a home that nobody will ever forget.

Whether you prefer halogens, fluorescent, grow lights, spots, floods or indirect, lighting makes your space your own. Since kitchens are a place where families typically gather together on a routine basis, it makes sense to start here, take a good look around, and then ask yourself how you can make a little change, with a big impact. Start by calling Edison Electrical Contractors in Minneapolis. We have seen it all, and can give you a host of ideas. Available 24- hours a day, we are glad to assist you in converting your home into the showplace you always wanted it to be. 612-385-786

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Ceiling Fans for Minnesota Summers | Minneapolis St Paul Electricians

Wednesday, April 25th, 2012

With summer finally in the swing, this would be a good time to install a few home or office ceiling fans to help circulate the air. Ceiling fans are often overlooked in exchange for simply turning down the thermostat, but the truth is that without good circulation, you are overworking your AC system, and spending more than you should.

By circulating the cool air in your home, you will be keeping a more constant air temperature so the thermostat won’t have to turn on and off so frequently. This will allow you to use less electricity and help keep your bill down.

One thing many people don’t understand about ceiling fans is how to turn them. Most will blow the air up and down, and it is important to know which way is best, for that time of the year. Because hot air rises, you will want to pull this hot air off the ceiling in the winter, so set your fan to blow this air down. Because cold air sinks, you will want to pull this air up off the ground, and move it around the room- this is the time to set your ceiling fan to blow up. This one simple change can alter the interior temperature of your house quite a bit.

Installing a fan in a stairwell is also a good idea as this is one place air tends to collect; both hot and cold. Unless you are running around your house so much that you are creating a current, chances are this air will stay right there all season long.

Ceiling fans come in all shapes and sizes now, with themed designs, and sleek functions. Remote controls, and varying speeds are also items that can be found on higher end models, and they don’t have to be expensive to install either, so why not take a closer look at ceiling fans as the hot air is quickly moving our way.

With Edison Electric Contractors in Minneapolis, we are ready to help and only a phone call away. 612-385-7864

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Simple Tricks to Help Reduce Your Minneapolis Electric Bill

Wednesday, April 25th, 2012

Saving money these days is on everyone’s mind. We all know about turning lights off when nobody is using them, and how to wear more clothes in cold weather so you can turn down the thermostat, but by having the electric company perform one of their free audits, you will become more aware of more simple ideas that will help tame your electric bill, without cramping your style.

  1. One thing to start considering is to take advantage of the sun’s heat by opening the blinds during the day and closing them at night  insulation does  make a larger impact than most people imagine. We don’t have to wrap windows in plastic anymore; a thick set of drapes will do the trick just as well.
  2. Purchasing a programmable thermostat will go a long way in helping to make the best use of your heating and air conditioning needs. In cold weather, setting it to 50 degrees while everyone is at work will save as much as 10% a month on the average energy bill. Adjusting the night time setting lower will also help reduce this further. Sleeping with an extra blanket or possibly a heated one will keep you plenty warm without heating the whole house. If set properly, the thermostat will come back on 30-60 minutes before you get up, so the house will be warm and ready for you when you are ready to move through it again.
  3. Most national electric companies that participate in federal programs will give homeowners a case of CLF bulbs. These bulbs are designed to save 1/3 of the light bulb usage in the typical home, and they don’t burn out as fast, so you won’t have to replace them nearly as often.
  4. Purchase and install foam inserts for electrical plugs on all exterior walls. These cost pennies, and once completed they will make a big difference when it comes to insulating your home. Beefing up the insulation in your attic is also often a neglected task that will help reduce heat loss and consequently lower your bill.
  5. Switch to using cold water when washing clothes will greatly reduce the time the hot water heater has to draw current. This is done by using a liquid soap, instead of powder, and switching the settings to “Cold/ Cold”

These simple tricks as well as others will help lower your energy consumption, and make your home more efficient without asking too much of you. Feel free to give us a call at Edison Electric, a full service 24-hour electric company in Minneapolis, if you would like to know more about how we can help you to improve your home’s electrical expenditures.  612-385-7864

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The Role Electricity Plays in Your Minnesota Home

Wednesday, April 25th, 2012

Did you ever stop to think about the role electricity plays in our everyday life? We have all grown so dependent on it; we often take it for granted. However, when severe electrical storm damage comes along and takes it away from Minneapolis residents for a few days, we all become acutely aware of just how important electricity is to us. For example, here is a small list of daily services that we would have to do without if it were not for the easy access of our electricity.

  • Lights
  • TV
  • computers,
  • microwaves,
  • refrigerators,
  • air conditioning,
  • and in some cases even water, as many systems require an
    electrical pump.

Cell phones, electric shavers, and coffee makers won’t last too long without electricity either!

In America, we are seldom without electricity. Even if there is a major power outage, our national grid can usually tap into a neighboring one and restore power with a few days. It is affordable, and relatively stable through the years, despite what you might think about your particular bill. Compared to oil, electricity is downright cheap. Consider if your monthly kilowatt-hour usage is 1000.

Together, the basic service charge ($15), the basic energy charge (.111600 x 1000 kWhs), and the wholesale market adjustment (.013280 x 1000 kWhs), equals $139.88 for the month, or about $4.51 per day.  Compare that to all the things electricity brings you each month and you might not look at your electric bill the same.

One night is a hotel at $85 equates to 18 days of electrical service

One move ticket at $8.00, a medium popcorn at $3.85, and one soda $3.25 is
equivalent to over three days of electrical service.

One fast food lunch at $7.00 is worth over a day and a half of electrical service.

Filling your car with 12 gallons of gas at $3.65 per gal is worth over nine days of
electrical service.

Filling your truck with 18 gallons of gas is worth over 14 days of electrical
service.

While they don’t take the challenge of daily living out of rising costs, this comparison shows the undeniable value of electricity in our daily lives.  The next time you fill your gas tank, go to the movies, or eat at a restaurant, take a minute to consider all the benefits we derive from electricity, and learn to appreciate all that we have. Edison Electric 612-385-7864

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