How to Install An Electrical Subpanel

electrical toolsWhen it comes to electrical components, installing them yourself may seem complex. But with the right tips and clear directions, you can get something done.

Every home or building is serviced by a main electrical panel. These main panels can sometimes need a subpanel to share the work. A subpanel is a smaller service panel with dedicated functions. It helps to improve the convenience and efficiency of your electrical system.

The subpanel can be connected to the main panel with a thick three-wire cable. Before you can install it, you must confirm that it won’t overload your entire system.
Tools and materials you will need:

Long-nose and Lineman’s pliers, flashlight, strippers, screwdriver, hammers, voltage tester, mounting screws, breakers for the new circuits, approved feeder cables, staples or cable clamps, and the subpanel itself.

Note to reader
This installation involves electrical skills like stripping wires, screwing, and more. It takes a while to complete starting from a few hours. It is also fairly difficult, so don’t expect it to be a walk in the park. It is best to call a professional to install the subpanel for you.

Step 1:
Mount the subpanel a foot away from the main service panel. Pull and clamp the wires from the subpanel. Strip the wires and clamp the cables accordingly in the main panel. Ensure that the neutral and ground wires are carefully connected to their bus bars.

Step 2:
Route the red and black wires. Strip and cut them before connecting to the feeder breaker and snapping the breaker in place. Do the same for the feeder wires and connect them to the terminals. Next, connect the red and black wires to the hot bars and the white to the neutral terminal. Don’t forget the ground wire, which should be connected to the ground bus bar.

Step 3:
There’s still much work to do on the subpanels. Run the wiring for all the new circuits into the subpanel and clamp them. Connect the wires as before with the white wire to the neutral bus bar, hot wires to the circuit breaker, and ground wire to the ground bus bar.
Power is fed from the hot bus bars to individual circuit breakers and to the branch circuits running out of the subpanel.

Check everything and close up the subpanel.

How To Install A Dryer Outlet

dryersWe all know the sweet feeling of pulling out a clean, fresh, and dry clothing item from the electric dryer. At that moment when all that freshness and dryness touches your skin, you enjoy this often unrecognized pleasure of life.

The only thing that can stand in the way of experiencing this each day is a faulty dryer outlet.

An electric dryer is a tough machine, and it often demands much power. Hence, the ideal outlet to provide enough power for this equipment must be a 240V and 110V outlet. The 240V supplies enough electrical power to heat the dryer and get it working at full capacity. Then the 110V supplies electricity to control the timers in the dryer. So, you see a good 240V and 110V dryer outlet ensures your safety while providing power to the dryer.

Can a dryer outlet be fixed?
Sure! But a replacement is much cheaper and safer than trying to fix a faulty outlet. Here is how you can install a dryer outlet.

  • Take precautions
    Before beginning any electrical work (no matter how small you think it is) you should turn off the power. Electrical hazards and accidents can be avoided by doing this. If you don’t know which circuit services that area or outlet, you can switch off power to the entire house instead.
  • Unscrew the receptacle
    The receptacle is largely represented by the white faceplate. Remove the faulty receptacle from the wall by unscrewing any screw you find on the faceplate. There are usually two on opposite sides of the faceplate. When the screws are taken out, you can easily pull the receptacle from the wall but you should do this with care and little force because the receptacle will remain connected to the wires in the wall. Set the screws aside for later use.

    Next, unscrew the terminals with a right-sized screwdriver. A small screwdriver should work best for this. When the terminals have been unscrewed the entire outlet can be pulled from the wall easily.

  • Replacing the outlet
    It is advisable to purchase an outlet in a similar size and shape to the one you need to remove. This makes it easier to install the new dryer outlet without having to change the size of the hole.

    Feed the cable through the cable grip in the wall, then tighten the gripping screws to hold it in place. Don’t clamp the bare metal of the cable. Ensure you clamp only the insulated part.

  • Wiring
    Strip the wire using a razor knife or a cutting tool. Connect the grounding wire to the green screw and the neutral white wire to the terminal. Connect the red and black wires to the other terminals. Now that this is done. Look at the setup to ensure that the wires are tucked nicely and neatly. Push the wires into the box and screw the receptacle back in with the faceplate.

Test the new dryer outlet. If you encounter any problems or cannot do this yourself, don’t hesitate to call an electrician.

How to Save Money On Electric Bills In an Apartment

save money apartment billsOwning a home comes with several benefits including the flexibility to make changes as you please. But it’s a different thing altogether when you are one of the millions of people who rented an apartment and have limited control over the building. High monthly electricity bills can threaten that sweet feeling of having your own space and freedom.

The good news is, there’s no need to panic or subject yourself to the hassle of high bills. In a few seconds, we will share some practical and effective tips to help you save money on the electric bill in an apartment.

  1. Find perks that work to your advantage.
    Living in an apartment means you must go with the electricity provider your landlord chose. While it may not be your first choice, it’s possible to make this existing plan work to your advantage. Take a look at the bill you have received and call the electricity provider with the number on the bill. Ask the following questions:

    • Is there a specific time during the day or night when electricity is cheaper?
    • Are there perks or extra plans available?
    • Is there time for free electricity?
    • Do they offer free audits?
  2. If you are lucky and most of your questions come with positive replies, you can work your schedule around using electricity more during the cheap or free hours. For example, if electricity is free at night, do the laundry or use the dishwasher during that time. A free audit can help you learn ways to save on electricity and use less power.

  3. Change your habits
    Perhaps you have never had to pay the electricity bills so you never practiced restraint. Well, you get to learn how to change your habits if you want to save on the bill.

    • Don’t leave idle appliances on
      If you are not using a certain appliance, unplug it. Leaving these appliances plugged to the outlets still draws electricity which is accounted for in your bills.
    • Establish electricity-free days
      It won’t hurt you to go without the Television or other power demanding electronic appliances once or more times in a week. They consume more electric power and limiting your use can save a lot on the bill.
    • Use cold water and sun dry
      Wash your clothes or dishes in cold water and save on the electric power needed for hot water. You can also opt for sun drying clothes if possible.
    • Maintain your appliance
      When electrical appliances work slower they consume more power. Keep all your electronics efficient with regular maintenance to avoid the demand for more power.
  4. Get tooled up
    The changes you can make to the apartment to save on the electric bill include:

    • Switch to the power saving LED bulbs
    • Use a low-flow shower head
    • Insulate your water heater
    • Purchase a smart thermostat
    • Use fans
    • Use a low-flush toilet

If you are unsure about making these changes, then don’t hesitate to ask your landlord before proceeding.

Getting to Know Your Main Electrical Panel

electrical panelYou are probably vaguely familiar with that scary big gray and black box in your basement or utility room. Most homeowners look to this box when they have a tripping breaker or sudden loss of power.

The main electrical panel in the home is also known as a breaker box. It receives and distributes electrical power from the utility company into all areas of your home.

When the electrician needs to fix any electrical component in the home, they turn off the power to that component at the breaker box. It is good to know the main functions of the electrical panel but as a homeowner, you should be better informed.

Read on as we explore more about your home’s main electrical panel.

At a glance

When you open the panel door, you would see the circuit breakers that serve your home. These should appear like several switches each connected to an electric component.

You can turn these circuit breakers on and off to control the area or appliance they give power. The appliances can be identified by a symbol, handwritten word or a detailed sheet on the side of the door.

If you find that you have fuses and not circuit breakers, it means the electrical panel hasn’t been upgraded in a long time and an upgrade should be considered now.
The electrical panel also consists of empty slots.

These slots allow homeowners to include additional circuit breakers for new appliances or areas of the home. When the need arises to install or replace a circuit breaker, the electrician does this by first removing the protective cover inside the electrical panel. This cover is known as the dead front cover and can be unscrewed out of place. During such service, the entire panel will be shut off.

Circuit breakers

The circuit breakers are designed to protect the appliances they serve by tripping off if there is an unusual occurrence with electric power. When there is a high demand for power than the circuit can provide, the wiring becomes affected and electrical hazards like a fire can occur.

Components of circuit breakers

Double-pole breakers literally have double poles. They provide 240V with 15 amps to 50 amps ratings. They serve dedicated outlets for home appliances that demand much power; for example, electric dryers, air conditioners, and stove.

Single-pole breakers have single poles. These poles provide 120V with 15 amps to 20 amps. They serve most of the circuits and outlets in the home.

Bus bars – Hot, Neutral, and Ground

The hot bus bars are two thick black service wires connected to the main circuit breakers. They provide 120V of power.

The Ground bus bar is a separate bus bar installed for ground wire connections. It is usually connected to the neutral bus in the main service panel

Electrical power leaves the panel through the hot bus bar and reaches outlets, appliances, or switches. When this electrical power returns it goes through the neutral bus bar which comprises of a white circuit wire.

Together the components of the main electrical panel keep your home up and running with safe electricity.

Learning more about this panel doesn’t mean you should fumble around with it. To avoid electrical hazards always call an electrician to attend to any issues. However, now you can better understand what they say when they arrive.

Are Online Reviews Important for Local Search?

contractor asking for reviewsYour business reputation is invaluable to its success. And in recent times, consumers no longer want to hear how good your business is from you, they want a third party confirmation from users like themselves. This brings us to the ever growing importance of reviews for businesses.

Let’s check out some stats.

92% of buyers or consumers depend on business reviews to help them decide which companies to trust.

This means that if your business reviews contain more negatives than positives, potential clients will be skeptical and probably look elsewhere.

Now, not only do reviews affect purchases, but they also influence your local SEO or visibility. When you own a local shop, you want to be seen on online local searches to boost sales.

Studies have shown that 86% of consumers read reviews for local businesses before making any decisions.

Here’s why online reviews are important for local searches.

  • They show your business is genuine and offers good products- that is if there are positive reviews to speak for you.
  • The consistency and quality of online reviews make you seem relevant to search engines and increases your chances of showing up in top results. Not only do you need to have more positive reviews, but you must also have them consistently.
  • Studies show that over 40% of consumers only read reviews which are up to 2 weeks old. The implication of this is you would lose some prospects if your last review was a month ago.
  • Some online reviews are keyword rich. Trying to rank higher in searches all by yourself can be daunting but with rich and consistent reviews, it can become much easier. Some customers tend to speak about the service when they leave reviews. This applies to both positive and negative feedback. These service keywords go a long way in local searches and can improve rankings greatly.

How to get reviews

The reason most businesses avoid the subject of reviews or suck at it is that asking for reviews can be tough. It is not an easy feat to convince most people to feel interested in leaving feedback about your business.

This gets worse for positive reviews because customers who feel they had a bad experience waste no time in letting the world know about it. So, how do you get your clients to leave reviews especially good ones? The team at The Review Generator has compiled a few tips to guide you.

  • Delegate a team to this task.
  • Remember not to sound too formal, pushy, or needy when asking for reviews.
  • Create a template text to send as emails or messages to customers. Try to include links to the review page in these messages.
  • Set up a review page customers can visit to drop reviews and see other customers’ feedback too.
  • Claim your listings and business profiles on review sites to help you monitor your online reputation.
  • Respond professionally and interactively to reviews online.

Good practices to help maintain your online reputation with reviews

  • Never buy or write fake reviews.
  • Respond appropriately to negative reviews. They are a necessary evil that proves your authenticity and tests your professionalism.
  • Try to get keyword rich reviews by encouraging clients to talk about the service they receive.

The Electric Connection proudly utilizes services by The Review Generator. This reputation management service allows The Electric Connection to collect a variety of feedback from all our clients. We strive on customer satisfaction so when a problem arises, we want to know. The Review Generator allows us to reach out to our customers for feedback, get more positive reviews, and take care of any complaints from our customers privately.

What Size Wire For Tesla Charger

tesla wiringWhen you are obsessed with pretty cars and tired of driving fuel powered vehicles, then an electric vehicle like Tesla is your best bet. A lot of drivers want to get behind a Tesla vehicle just to enjoy the thrill of riding such a car.

With Tesla, you never have much to worry about, except, of course, charging. Charging electric vehicles can be smooth and easy depending on your choices. Tesla makes things even better with its superfast chargers and convenient charging options.

Now, you know you can charge your EV at home using either the 120V outlet or the 240V outlet. 120V gives you a slow trickle charge and might limit your full experience with your sweet vehicle. The 240V outlet, on the other hand, is every driver’s delight. You can get a full charge in a few hours and maximize your Tesla experience.

Installing the Tesla wall charger at home

The first thing to note is you need an experienced electrician to install your Tesla wall charger. While it is important to have some basic knowledge to help you make informed decisions, it is not advisable to take on the full installation yourself.

The wall charger will comprise a connection between the breaker and the outlet or wall connector. This will involve a run of wire and for Tesla chargers, you do not need just about any wire. Generally, EV charging should be installed using copper wires because most aluminum wires are not rated for EV use. Aluminum wires are also known to overheat frequently which can be dangerous for your car and home.

Tesla wall connectors are rated for only copper wires.

Ensure the wire you choose has current handling abilities and resistance. Depending on your needs and connection made by the electrician, your wire size needs may vary. They can be any size between 3AWG and 8AWG. Ensure you discuss what is needed with the electrician and allow them to purchase the materials themselves.

At The Electric Connection, we provide free estimates on your installation and a complete EV charger installation service. We know what you need and will discuss your options with you. Contact us for a dependable charging system that lets you enjoy your Tesla.

See what others are saying:

Tesla Motors Club Forum: Wire gauge (AWG) for HPWC (Telsa Wall Connector)

StackExchange: Why does Tesla recommend such a small gauge wire for their chargers compared to this chart I found online?

How to Wire a House for the Future

wiring home for the futureA lot has changed with the way homes are built and wired. Some decades ago a physical key and a lock was the only way you could go in and out of your home but today we have digital locks and virtual keys. Those who never thought of such possibilities for the future might have had a hard time incorporating changes like this in their home. Hence, as your go-to for all things electrical, we will discuss how to wire your house for the future.

First, it is important to know that wiring your home for the future is a project that requires an expert electrician. It may seem demanding at the time, but you will reap the benefits in a few years or even months.

Future home wiring involves creating a system that allows you to combine the different wiring around the home into a network. It is built to enable the integration of various smart systems and sensors in the home now or at a later date. It also ensures that you can conveniently add more systems such as lighting, security, and internet communication systems for your comfort. When you think about it, wiring the home for the future is something everyone should do.
Learn the basics.

When wiring your home for the future, there are a number of systems that will control various functions across your property. These include:

  • Audio and video
  • Security
  • Heating and cooling
  • Computer and Internet
  • Telephone
  • Smoke detection
  • Irrigation

These systems must be wired to a central location in the house. You must choose the control area wisely with the help of the electrician. The control area should possess the following features:

  • A moderate room temperature
  • Enough physical space for a wall panel and equipment rack
  • Easy access, dust-free location
  • Close to the area where service feeds like the Internet enters the home
  • Lots of outlets

Components for the wiring

  • Infrared (IR) controls
    Infrared is the technology that represents remote control features. Several current homes and those of the future require remotes to control some installed automated systems. IR controls are used to make this possible.
  • Category 5e and Category 6 (CAT-5e AND CAT-6) cables
    These cables are Ethernet cables that future-proof your house for years to come. They connect computers and all computer-based systems to a network.
  • Patch cables and Patch panel
    Patch cables are used to connect devices to each other. They are used with a Patch panel to link all smart home devices. The Patch panel is like an organizer that houses plugged in electrical components and helps to distribute signals.

Wiring

Ensure your electrician runs three wires to each switch in the home- hot, neutral, and load wires. Although some electricians do this, it is important to state your preference to be sure you have a neutral wire for future home automation installations.

Next is the use of deep junction boxes. Deep junction boxes give you room to work and accommodate new systems. It is worth the peace of mind when you need to install in-wall devices.

Install cable conduits and terminate them into junction boxes. Cover these boxes with a faceplate if there is no urgent use for them. Make sure you have one in each room located at eye level. It is much easier to make this addition during construction than later when it is needed.

Include wiring in the ceiling or in the wall for speakers. This comes in handy when you need a speaker or audio system across rooms. Other variables for this wiring project like size, number, and type of wires can be discussed with your electrician.

If you want to get your home future-ready, give The Electric Connection a call today!

13 Easy Ways to Save Money on Electric Bill

save moneyRegardless of your socio-economic class, every one of us could benefit from a little frugality in our lives. If you keep track of your spending and compare the figures over a long time, you find that you spend more on certain things you believed were cheap. In fact, according to the energy department, a regular family spends an average of $2,200 on utilities alone within a year.

At some point, you may have realized that you spend a lot on electricity. This can rack up a hefty bill and nobody wants that. We have put together some practical tips to help you save money on electric bills.

  1. Get an energy audit
    Before you dive into cutting down on this and that, it is relevant to assess the energy needs of your home. Several utility companies offer an energy audit for free so you can take advantage of them. The information will give insight on where to cut down your energy use.
  2. A smart home saves energy
    As professional electricians, we know that modern and smart homes have better chances of cutting down electricity bills. Smart homes come with several automated or programmable systems which make it easy to increase comfort levels and save on bills. You can turn off lights, heat, air, and more when you are not home or don’t need them. This control can help save big on electricity bills and enjoy a safer, comfortable home.
  3. Ceiling fans
    Ceiling fans still work and are a great substitute for air conditioners. They help to circulate air around the home, and although they might not change room temperatures like air conditioners; they are great for lowering energy costs. An electrical technician at The Electric Connection can provide a ceiling fan installation service.
  4. Replace light bulbs
    Slowly replace the light bulbs in the home with energy saving, efficient LED lights. LED lights are uniquely designed lights that are affordable and capable of cutting energy use by 50%. Some home decorators dislike LED lights for their ugly bright coils, but in recent times, better-looking LED lights are being produced.
  5. Install dimmer switches
    An electrician can assist you with the installation of dimmer switches. A dimmer switch allows you to set the brightness of your home lights to your liking. Setting it on low when not in use or in the evenings helps you use less electrical energy.
  6. Line dry your clothes
    Saving involves sacrifice and compromise. In this case, line drying your clothes is not so tough. After using the washing machine, save on energy by line drying clothes outside (in your backyard) or in an airy place.
  7. Carry out yearly HVAC maintenance
  8. Lower the water heater temperature
  9. Do laundry with cold water
  10. Do home chores at night to avoid peak time billing during the day.
  11. Unplug appliances when not in use
  12. Use a programmable thermostat
  13. Upgrade home appliances for better efficiency and energy saving.

How Do I Tell the Size of the Main Electrical Panel I Have?

electrical panelKnowing the size of your main electrical panel informs you of how many appliances you can run. It helps to determine if your panel can supply the electrical power you need after a renovation or room expansion. It also helps you decide if an upgrade is necessary.

As a homeowner, it may seem difficult to learn anything about electricity in your home. Sometimes, it could be dangerous to go DIY on these things. This is why we are dedicated to constantly giving you the tips you need. Keep reading to learn how to tell the size of your main electrical panel.

How does it work?

The capacity of the electrical panel in your home is measured in amperes (amps). An electrical panel’s capacity can range from 30 amps to 400 amps. A 30 amps panel is common in ancient homes that have not been updated over the years. You would also find old homes with 60 amps and 100 amps. The average modern home should have a 200 amps panel. Some very large homes with many electrical appliances and power-demanding systems have up to 400 amps.

Electrical current reaches your home from the power utility to the main electrical panel where the power is distributed for home use. The main electrical panel is a wide grey metal box usually found in isolated areas like the garage, furnace room, or basement.

Steps to determine the size of your main electrical panel.

If your electrical panel is in a dark or dimly lit area, you will need a working flashlight. You start by locating the electric meter on the exterior of the house. The electric meter will be the point at which the service wires from the utility company enter the home. This can be different for everyone, but we will explain.

If you have overhead wires from the utility company, they will enter through a metallic pipe which is connected to the electric meter. When you locate the meter, you can use it to determine the size of your electrical panel. A square metal base means you may have a 100 amp panel. A rectangular metal base can indicate 150 amps panel. A round metal base could mean 60 amps. Your main electrical panel will be on the other side of the electrical meter within the home.

The main electrical panel is easy to spot because of its size and color. Take precautions to avoid a wet floor, damaged wires, or other electrical hazards. Open the electrical panel and look for the main circuit breaker. It is usually at the bottom of the panel. The main circuit breaker can be turned off to stop power from reaching the home. The size or rating of the electrical panel is indicated on this breaker.

If the size of your panel is much smaller than your electrical needs, it can be upgraded by an electrician. You can skip finding the size yourself and call on us to provide a complete service for you.

The Importance of Gathering Reviews for an Electrical Company

electrical company reviewReviews are the lifeblood of any business and they won’t be going away anytime soon. They influence your brand reputation and can determine your business success. As a skilled tradesman, gathering as many positive reviews as possible is an essential success strategy. Many electrical companies do not recognize this and so do not take the necessary steps towards obtaining customer reviews.

In this article, we will discuss the importance of gathering reviews for your electrical company.

  • You can’t truly ignore them.
    Whether or not you like it, customers will leave reviews, feedback, and comments about your business. Some might be positive, others negative, and very few will maintain a sort of neutrality. Ignoring your business reviews is an ineffective and dangerous action. It is almost the same as leaving your business unsupervised.
  • Keeping up with reviews about your company/service can be tough for a busy electrician, but there are ways to do it efficiently. Apply tools to monitor any mentions of your company and establish creative responses to both negative and positive customer reviews.

  • You forfeit visibility
    Maintaining your online presence is everything in this day and age. The majority of your clients are online searching for electrical service, and if they cannot find you, they will choose your competitors. Online reviews help to improve your online visibility. Some prospects filter Yelp results by ‘most reviewed’ or ‘highest rated’. Hence, without as many positive reviews as your competitors, you will not be seen. Google equally provides search results using relevance sometimes influenced by positive reviews.
  • It is what customers are looking for.
    You may believe that your services are one of the best. You can even write all about it on your website. The only problem is, customers won’t take your word for it. Online reviews are known as peer recommendations between customers because over 84% of prospects will use reviews to decide if they should hire your service or not.
  • Reviews can become a competitive advantage
    Customer reviews can help you stand out in the way you desire. Great reviews that praise your business, mention important points and show satisfaction can establish your brand authority and increase business growth. Some happy clients may do this naturally, but others won’t. Create a strong review game that gets you what you want. Encourage customers to leave reviews that highlight the issues you helped them solve.

Don’t push, only ask strategically and politely. You can also do this yourself when you respond to their reviews.

At The Electric Connection, we stay updated on customer reviews and feedback. We provide quality services to satisfy clients and ensure availability to respond to their feedback. Client feedback on several platforms is a testimony of our brand authority in the electrical niche. You can check out our dedicated customer review page to see for yourself.

The Review Generator can help you reach out to your customers easily to get more reviews on your public review sites. They offer a one month free trial and has helped The Electric Connection connect with our customers to get more positive reviews online.