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 Some of these wires are simply old or made of outdated material.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
The Pros and Cons of Electric Cars
Many of us make a lot of assumptions. For example, we think tomatoes are vegetables but in reality, they're a fruit. We might also assume electric cars are a relatively new invention. It only makes sense, right? Electric cars were designed to end our dependence on oil by providing a clean,
How Do Solar Panels Work?
Most people just aren't all that curious. They don't care how electricity gets from the power plant all the way to their light bulb. They only care about results. But you: you read these blogs, so you must have the kind of curiosity that leads you to ask questions. We're betting you're so
Is Solar Power Right for You? Part Two
In part one, we left you with this cliffhanger: “A cost-benefit analysis is only one factor for finding out if solar power is right for you. If you want to know for sure, there are still a few more things you’ll want to consider.” We know you're waiting with bated breath, so we’ll get right into
Is Solar Power Right For You? Part One
Let's find out if it's about time you put that giant ball of gas to work for you. No, not your obnoxious uncle who chews beans with his mouth full. We're talking about the sun. The sun generates a lot of energy. How much, you ask? A LOT, we reply. Ok, honestly, We'll share the numbers, but they are
Electrical Safety for the Elderly
You might have noticed we always stress safety. It only makes sense: electricity is a powerful force that can cause fires, shocks, and death. Taking it seriously is absolutely paramount, especially for electrical professionals. You should take electricity seriously, too. One way to protect your
Why You Should Install a Surge Protector
Analogy alert! Let's say you just gave an all-star quarterback a multi-year, multi-million dollar contract to play on your team. With their talents, you could go all the way! Meanwhile, however, the offensive linemen on your team are 5’4” and weigh about 145 pounds. They’re up against gigantic 6’3”,