Month: January 2021

Simple Lighting Upgrades

Simple Lighting Upgrades for 2021

With 2020 behind us, homeowners and renters are all looking for ways to improve their living space for the coming new year. The COVID-19 pandemic has spurred a large rise in remodeling and organizing around the house, thanks to the extra time indoors some of us have on our hands. If you are looking for some quick and easy solutions to change up the look of your home or apartment, new lighting is a great idea. Lighting solutions can drastically change the feel of different rooms in your home, often with much less effort and cost than remodeling, painting, or purchasing new furniture. Here are four suggestions for lighting upgrades for your home, and some tips we always share with our customers at Piper Electric. 

LED Bars

Changing the lighting profile of a wall or an entire room has never been easier. Thanks to the availability of affordable and customizable LED bars, customizing the mood of particular rooms in your home is a snap. For areas that are used for relaxing, such as a study, office, or TV room, LED backlighting is ideal. These lights are energy-efficient and can be configured for a huge range of different colors, in addition to being easily installed on timers. Backlights can also be coordinated with your TV so that your screening area flows seamlessly with your movie of choice. Backlighting an entire wall or section of a room also makes it easy to coordinate with new furniture or decorations for the holidays. 

LED Tape Lighting

If you are looking to brighten up a certain area of your home or apartment, but don’t necessarily need the versatility of a light bar, consider LED Tape Lighting. Consider using these affordable lights under cabinets or the edges of counters to instantly brighten the appearance of your kitchen or bathroom. Bringing more light into rooms is an easy way to change the decor of your home without breaking the bank, and installation is a breeze.

Cabinet Lighting

The difference between a normal-looking room and an extraordinary room can come down to small touches, like the addition of interior lights for cabinets and display cases. Brightening up the interior of your kitchen cabinets with small LEDs, or adding small button lights to a bookcase can add warmth and sophistication to your living space with ease. These touches also serve as an easy way to improve the overall look of your furnishings.

Hanging Fixtures

Adding a hanging light fixture is one of the most obvious ways to anchor areas of your home and make them stand out as a gathering place. There are a wealth of options to choose from, starting with chandeliers of all different styles, which will help add a feeling of elegance to a dining area or kitchen. If you are looking for a more modern hanging solution, consider pendant lights. These can be configured for different sized spaces and installed to anchor centerpieces of your home, such as kitchen islands or tables. Pendant lights can serve the same function as traditional chandeliers while adding a more modern look and feel. 

Feel inspired and not sure where to start? We recommend only hiring a licensed electrician like the ones at Piper Electric for any of your at-home projects. If you’re in the Denver Metro area, our team can help. Contact us here or call (303) 557-2108.

 

Electrical System Upgrades

Electrical System Upgrades

Your home’s electrical system is the unsung hero of domestic life. It quietly transfers power from the local power company to all the appliances and devices in your home. But, if you live in a house that’s more than 25 years old or are planning some changes that may draw more current, then you may need some help with electrical system upgrades.  

When Is A Home Electrical System Upgrade Needed?

From older homes to home additions, there are several reasons why you should consider upgrading your electrical system.

  •     Warning Signs: Constant tripping of a circuit break or regular blowing of a fuse is a classic symptom of an electrical system being taxed beyond its capability. The same goes for lights that repeatedly flicker, or an electrical outlet is discolored, warm, or sparking. Also, pay attention to any ongoing burning smell from an appliance or within a room.
  •     Safety Issues:  Specific electric panels used in homes constructed from the 1950s to the 1980s are now considered safety hazards. If your house dates from this timeframe, an inspection of your home’s existing electrical panel is highly recommended.  

○      Panels from Federal Pacific Electric Company were commonly used in residential construction.  Eventually, homeowners noticed that circuit breakers in these FPE electric panels failed to trip.  This caused entire electrical systems in some homes to short out and overload and became completely inoperative.  In some cases, the defective panels would continue to send power throughout homes after circuit breakers were manually turned off.  Thousands of house fires resulted.  An FPE electrical panel should be replaced right away to avoid fire and electrocution risk.  

○      Some homes built from the 1950s to 1970s relied on electrical panels from the now-defunct Zinsco.  Homeowners faced severe safety risks due to malfunctioning Zinsco electrical panels.  Melted circuit breakers in these Zinsco panels would fail to trip during power surges or short outs.  As a result, homeowners were unaware of an overload situation and at significant risk for fire or electrocution.  These problem panels, which may also come with GTE Sylvania or Sylvania branding, should be replaced immediately.  

 

  •     Appliance Upgrade or Home Renovation: A remodeled kitchen with new appliances will likely require an updated electrical system to handle the extra power usage. Increased power requirements can also stem from a new HVAC system or an addition to the home.
  •     Selling The House: Installing an upgraded electrical system with modern outlets and a more capable electrical panel adds value to your house. This also eliminates one potential buyer objection.

What’s Involved With Upgrading My Home’s Electrical System?

If a licensed electrician determines your home needs an electrical system upgrade, several components could be involved. First, the electrical panel inside your home will need to be replaced with one capable of bringing more power into your home. Your existing electrical meter may also need to be swapped out—the power company typically handles this. Additionally, the electrician may add more circuits to accommodate new construction or appliances.

The upgrade may also include replacing electrical outlets and wiring. This is especially important if the home’s outlets are the older two-prong style. Newer, three-prong outlets use a ground wire to safely direct any excess electricity towards the ground. Old outlets near a water source, such as a bathroom or kitchen, may get replaced with ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets that protect people from electrical shock.

Is a Malfunctioning Electrical System Dangerous?

The warning signs mentioned above should be taken seriously and addressed right away. According to the National Fire Protection Association, electrical malfunctions are among the leading causes of house fires. Excess heat or a spark can ignite adjacent materials, which then starts a fire.  

At the same time, an older electrical system may not correctly transfer current, increasing the risk of shock or electrocution. While not a life-threatening issue, a faulty or inadequate electric system can short out appliances or cause them to wear out more quickly.

Can I Do an Electrical System Upgrade By Myself?

In a word, “no.” Major work, like an electrical system upgrade, should only be performed by a licensed electrician. All jurisdictions require licensure so that these professionals perform electrical work according to industry standards and mandated building codes. DIY electrical work can be a recipe for disaster.

If you’re in the Denver Metro area, Piper Electric can help. We offer a whole home electrical inspection to ensure you have the compatible wiring needed for proper appliance installation. Contact us here or call (303) 557-2108.