USB outlets are small and accommodating wall sockets that carry power as well as data. These outlets are universal, making them compatible with smart grids and solar power. USB outlets are sleek and help save space because there’s no need for clunky adapters. Almost everyone has a
Why Do I Need to Use Surge Protectors?
An electronic device plugged directly into an outlet is susceptible to serious damage. Protect your gadgets from power strikes and surges by using a surge protector—they’re inexpensive and easy to use. They’re beneficial in the long run, too. Surge protectors help extend the lifespan of your
Why Do Christmas Lights Go Out?
Christmas lights can be beautiful! They can also be notoriously frustrating. You’ll buy a string of lights, throw them on your tree one year, then put them in a box for a year. During that year, you don’t move them, use them, or even look at them. And yet, when next Christmas rolls around, the
What Should I Do If My Power Goes Out This Winter?
If you live in the Twin Cities, you’re probably already good at preparing for our intense winters. You have snow tires, windshield scrapers, shovels, sidewalk salt, insulated gloves, canned food, extra water--the works. What you may not have, however, is a plan for what to do if your power goes out
How Does Minnesota’s Winter Weather Cause Power Outages?
If you’ve lived through winter in Minnesota, you already know that cold weather can hurt nearly everything. In fact, you’ve probably been spending the last several weeks preparing for that weather. Winter is just as hard on our utility infrastructures and homes as it can be on us. Unfortunately,
How Can I Keep My Electricity Bill From Rising Too High This Winter?
We understand why you haven’t thought much about how winter could affect your electricity bill. Most homes in the Twin Cities use gas heating, not electric heating, so you won’t have to worry about how heating could drive up your electricity bill. Nevertheless, most homeowners will notice their
What are those wires connecting to my house?
There’s a mass of several electrical wires stretching from nearby electrical poles to the roofs of almost every home in St. Paul and Minneapolis. They enter a small plastic cover and then descend down the side of the building until they reach the electrical meter. Those wires are called the service
Is My Electrical Panel a Fire Hazard?
Electrical panels become fire hazards when they can’t longer handle the voltage flowing through them. Age, damage, corrosion, or faulty installation can compromise the effectiveness of electrical panels and turn them into fire hazards. If your circuit breakers trip constantly or you smell burning
Will my electrical wires pass a home inspection?
You’d be surprised by how many homes have electrical wires that aren’t up to code. Some of these wires are simply old or made of outdated material. Others are damaged, worn out, or even dangerous. Of course, it’s difficult to tell whether wires are up to code just by looking at them. That’s
Why do electrical circuits need to be grounded?
Electrical devices are “grounded” when they connect to grounding devices for safety reasons. Grounding provides a safe “path of least resistance” for stray voltage to follow. Grounding systems direct stray voltage into the ground where it discharges safely instead of building up in places where it
Should I Upgrade My Outlets?
If your electrical outlets are old, warped, damaged, or malfunctioning, it may be time to replace them. Old outlets wear out over time, diminishing their effectiveness or even putting you in danger. Upgraded outlets prevent that danger and make your home’s electricity more effective at the same
Is Aluminum Wiring Dangerous?
The aluminum wiring installed in homes during the 1960s and 1970s is considered a serious fire hazard. Problems with installation, outlet connections, and the metal itself resulted in wiring that degrades and loosens over time. If your home has aluminum wiring, you should repair or replace it right