The invention of electricity and the light bulb is the most important reason for the boom in technology, our society and how we enjoy our everyday life. We often take for granted that our world can be lit up instantly at the flip of a switch. Instead of going to bed at sunset we can continue our day into the night without the need for candles and oil lamps. We have come a long way since Thomas Edison wowed a crowd with street lamps of his first light bulb. 

With all of the pros, the light bulb has brought us there is one big con that affects every living thing on Earth. With our cities and towns brightly aglow with street lights, shopping malls, sports fields, and our front porch; many never realize that most of that light is being wasted and shining straight into the sky. That light scatters and blocks our view of the stars and also harms the life cycles of plants, animals and yes even humans.

Before the light bulb came along, just about 100% of all people living on Earth could look up and see the Milky Way with their own eyes.  For the entire history of humanity, they lived by the rise and set of our galaxy while witnessing it in fantastic clarity. Now it is estimated that almost 80% of people living today have never seen it and probably never will. 

When a massive power outage struck southern California in the 1990's people were shocked at when they looked up at the sky. Residents were reportedly calling 911 after seeing strange clouds sprawled across the sky and continuously hovering overhead. They had no idea they saw the Milky Way for the very first time. 

The scattered light also drains energy and bank accounts. According to the International Dark Sky Association  "An estimated 30% of street lighting is wasted light; defined as light that shines up into the sky where it does no good. Based on this number, it is estimated that in the United States alone 22,000 gigawatt-hours a year is wasted. At a conservative average of $.10 per kilowatt-hour, the cost of that wasted energy is $2.2 billion a year – enough to fund a new mission to Mars annually. In other terms, 3.6 tons of coal or 12.9 million barrels of oil are wasted every year to produce this lost light."

All is not lost, and there are ways we can all do our part to cut down on light pollution.

• Shut off lights when you're not using them

• Shield and lower that watts of the lamps outside

• Use timers, dimmers, and sensors to keep the lights off in unused areas

• Install lamp covers that direct the light down and not up

Reducing light pollution doesn't mean living in the dark, it means unsung lights more efficiently and productively. Contact Best Electric to find the best dark sky lighting solutions for your home. 

Source

The invention of electricity and the light bulb is the most important reason for the boom in technology, our society and how we enjoy our everyday life. We often take for granted that our world can be lit up instantly at the flip of a switch. Instead of going to bed at sunset we can continue our day into the night without the need for candles and oil lamps. We have come a long way since Thomas Edison wowed a crowd with street lamps of his first light bulb. 

With all of the pros, the light bulb has brought us there is one big con that affects every living thing on Earth. With our cities and towns brightly aglow with street lights, shopping malls, sports fields, and our front porch; many never realize that most of that light is being wasted and shining straight into the sky. That light scatters and blocks our view of the stars and also harms the life cycles of plants, animals and yes even humans.

Before the light bulb came along, just about 100% of all people living on Earth could look up and see the Milky Way with their own eyes.  For the entire history of humanity, they lived by the rise and set of our galaxy while witnessing it in fantastic clarity. Now it is estimated that almost 80% of people living today have never seen it and probably never will. 

When a massive power outage struck southern California in the 1990's people were shocked at when they looked up at the sky. Residents were reportedly calling 911 after seeing strange clouds sprawled across the sky and continuously hovering overhead. They had no idea they saw the Milky Way for the very first time. 

The scattered light also drains energy and bank accounts. According to the International Dark Sky Association  "An estimated 30% of street lighting is wasted light; defined as light that shines up into the sky where it does no good. Based on this number, it is estimated that in the United States alone 22,000 gigawatt-hours a year is wasted. At a conservative average of $.10 per kilowatt-hour, the cost of that wasted energy is $2.2 billion a year – enough to fund a new mission to Mars annually. In other terms, 3.6 tons of coal or 12.9 million barrels of oil are wasted every year to produce this lost light."

All is not lost, and there are ways we can all do our part to cut down on light pollution.

• Shut off lights when you're not using them

• Shield and lower that watts of the lamps outside

• Use timers, dimmers, and sensors to keep the lights off in unused areas

• Install lamp covers that direct the light down and not up

Reducing light pollution doesn't mean living in the dark, it means unsung lights more efficiently and productively. Contact Best Electric to find the best dark sky lighting solutions for your home. 

Source

There are many reasons, as electricians, we recommend LED lighting over compact fluorescent bulbs (or CFL's), but the three principal reasons we'll discuss here are: Light Quality, Cost Effectiveness, and Environmental Concerns.

Light Quality - LED lights give off a whiter light than conventional compact fluorescent bulbs- resulting in significantly less strain to your eyes when trying to read or focus, a more unobstructed view of what you are looking at, rather than having the object be cast in a yellow glow, and light that is concentrated in one direction.

Cost-Effectiveness - While the upfront price of an LED light bulb is higher than that of traditional CFL's, this cost pays for itself over the life of the LED bulb. According to one study done by the environmental website Eartheasy (http://www.eartheasy.com), an LED light would cost $95.95 to run for 50,000 hours while a CFL bulb would cost $159.75 to run for the same time and would have to be replaced about five times during the process. 

Environmental Concerns - CFL light bulbs contain mercury - a highly toxic metal that poses serious health risks, while LED lights contain no such toxic chemicals or metals. Studies performed by the United States Department of Energy and scientists from Carnegie Mellon both found that LED lights are as efficient to manufacture as CFL lights and LEDs will become even more efficient in the future.

Contact Best Electric today and upgrade your home to energy efficient, LED lighting!

One of the most deadly electricity-related dangers is those that occur by electrical shock - especially when the shock comes from a ground fault. When electricity escapes the usual confines of the wiring of an electrically powered appliance, power tools, or even light fixtures, the electricity takes a shortcut to the ground. The result is called a ground fault.

When the electricity’s shortcut to the ground goes through a human body, the result is death or severe injury. According to This Old House Magazine, “About 200 people in the U.S. alone die of ground faults each year, accounting for two-thirds of all electrocutions occurring in homes.”

The GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) was invented by Charles Daziel, a professor of electrical engineering at the University of California. GFCI’s typically monitor the electrical current flowing into and away from an appliance. It’s most critical function, however, is saving lives. When the difference in the current flow exceeds five milliamps (a significant sign that a ground fault is likely about to occur) the GFCI stops the flow of electricity and prevents electric fires, shock, or burns. 

Currently, the National Electric Code requires that GFCIs be installed in all areas exposed to moisture, such as bathrooms, kitchens, crawl spaces, unfinished basements, and outdoor receptacles. 

Owners of older houses can retrofit $10 GFCI receptacles at those locations or have GFCI breaker switches (which run as much as $108 for 50-amp models) mounted in the main breaker panel. Portable GFCI adapters, which plug into regular wall receptacles, are available for about $40. 

“The great thing about GFCIs is that they protect you whether or not your wiring is grounded,” says Bill Grande, manager for safety products at Leviton, a manufacturer of GFCIs. Because lightning and other power surges can damage a GFCIs delicate circuitry at any time, Grande recommends the following monthly test: Plug in a light fixture and turn it on. Then push the device's test button. If the light stays on, the GFCI needs to be replaced.

Many times we are asked, "why does an outlet need to be grounded?". In older homes, it is common to find outlets that are not grounded. Over the years they've become the standard in all homes for safety reasons. Nowadays if you have an older home, it is a good idea to have your outlets updated and grounded.

It is easy to tell if an outlet is grounded or not. An ungrounded electrical outlet only has two slots for the plug, whereas grounded ones have three slots. The third slot is connected straight to the ground for safety measures. This provides an additional measure of safety should there be a short circuit from the appliance being used. 

With grounded outlets, if there were a short in the plug, the electrical current would flow through the ground wire and not risk an electrical shock to the person using the appliance. Many older homes still have ungrounded outlets, and it is always recommended for safety reasons to have a licensed electrician take a look at them and install the necessary upgrades. 

If you think your electrical outlets need to upgrade contact the professionals at Best Electric. 

With Summer nearly in full swing, it’s time to get ready for those Summer power bills.  The air outside feels hot and humid, and you want to beat the heat indoors. So, the inevitable shocking electric bill is on its way, right? Well, it doesn’t have to be that way. With a few simple hacks for keeping your house cool and your energy bill low, enjoy Summer the way it’s meant to be enjoyed: relaxed and laid back. Here are some quick Summer hacks to keep your energy bill (and blood pressure) from spiking this Summer:

1. Open your windows and doors, and point box fans outward. This hack from “yesteryear” uses a sort of a reverse “technology” than air conditioners by sucking warm air out of a room and blowing it outdoors while blocking the outside heat from entering a room through open doors and windows.
2. Unplug appliances and electronics when not in use. A surprising number of electronics and appliances in your home drain energy and raise electricity costs even while not in use. Taking the time to not only turn off - but unplug your coffee maker, TV, or computer keeps these appliances safe from power surges and reduces their constant pull on your home’s electrical system.
3. Use ceiling fans and be sure they’re rotating in the most beneficial direction.  For peak performance in the Summer, your ceiling fans should turn forward (or counterclockwise) forcing air from the ceiling down and providing the wind chill effect that makes you feel cooler.
4. Keep vents, and doors closed in areas of your home not often used. If you and your family spend most of your time in the living room, consider closing the air conditioner vents to guest bathrooms and bedrooms to reduce the unnecessary cooling of these rooms while not in use.
5. Add insulation. A lot of cool air escapes from homes by way of space between the walls not protected by insulation. A simple spray foam purchased at a local home improvement store can work wonders when sprayed through drilled holes into the area between the walls.

Remodeling your kitchen can give a great new visual appeal, but what about behind those newly painted walls? It’s important to pay attention to updating your electrical circuits during a kitchen remodel. Whether you’re building a new home or buying an older one, the circuits play a major role in basically all of your household items.

Why is it so important to update your electrical circuits during a kitchen remodel? Well, chances are, with a new kitchen layout, there will be new kitchen appliances coming in. So many new appliances get things done much faster than older models, and this is great because they use more energy to get the job done. If your circuits are not properly upgraded, this could lead to an overload on your circuits and cause the power to go out. Not updating your electrical circuits, especially in the kitchen, leave a very high risk for an electrical fire at some point.

Below is a quick cheat sheet of what you could be looking at regarding upgrading your circuits;

• New refrigerator – requires 20-amp, 12-volt circuit
• Oven range – requires 50-amp, 240-volt circuit
• New microwave – requires 20-amp, 120-volt circuit
• Food/Garbage disposal – requires a separate 15-amp, 120-volt circuit
• Dishwashers – require 15-amp, 120-volt circuit
• Small kitchen appliances – require a minimum of two 20-amp, 120-volt circuit

These updates to your kitchen circuits will save a lot of headaches in the long run! It ensures that your kitchen will work smoothly from the inside out, and will also benefit if you ever decide to sell! And once the kitchen is done, what’s stopping you from continuing through the rest of the house?!

Source: 1

Ready to experience the future of fantastic upgrades to your home’s lighting system?  Modern and stylish, touch plate low voltage lighting systems come conveniently packaged with all of the materials needed for a quick, professional, and affordable installation. Even more exciting? Touch plate lighting systems are controlled remotely from your smartphone or another electronic device.

Since the 1940's, Touch-Plate low voltage lighting remains among the last historical-era remote control lighting/wiring systems that are still manufactured. With a wide variety of switch styles to choose from, Touch-Plate devices are stocked regularly and available at home improvement stores or authorized dealers. Touch-Plate control stations deliver convenience and cost-effectiveness in a single unit system that includes the devices, the mounting brackets, the cover plates and the screws. Touch-Plate systems are also able to be wired to work with various other three-wire low voltage systems, like GE, Remcon, and Bryant -  for which replacement parts are more difficult to find.

The remote features of touch plate lighting systems give your home added security, convenience, and safety. Options are available for changing the light’s colors, setting various lighting schedules, and even incorporating automatic sensors.

For the most cost-effective and convenient solution, consider a combination of smart plugs, smart switches, and intelligent lights. You’ll want to go over everything with your electrician from Best Electric to be sure that all of your lighting solutions work on the same mobile device.

Changing your outlets to recessed outlets doesn’t seem like it would be a big deal, but such a simple switch can make a huge visual difference in a home.

Recessed outlets are innies, not outies. These types of outlets go into the wall, allowing for the plug itself to take up space deeper in the wall. This feature alone shows the aesthetic quality of recessed outlets, removing a bulky plug from plain view and allowing it to be hidden behind various furniture. This also means no more awkward forced spaces between furniture and the wall. From TVs on a stand to TVs on the wall, a recessed outlet can fit them all! With these outlets, it allows the TV to be hanged on the wall without the protrusion of a plug sticking the bottom part up in an uneven fashion. Same goes for the use of electronic appliances in the kitchen. Countertop space can be saved with plugs and wires neatly tucked away, making the most of your cooking space.  

These outlets benefit the constant evolution of electronics greatly as well. Most homes are equipped with the standard two plug outlet, sometimes 4. With a recessed outlet, you get more outlets and more options. Styles come in 2, 4, and six plug outlets and also give the option to add other ports, like a USB port to charge your phone. There are also other ports available for video, audio, and other data. It is definitely not your grandmother’s outlet.

The steps for switching over to recessed outlets are simple, but not for everyone. It is recommended to get the help of a licensed electrician here in Colorado Springs, to install these new outlets in your home if you’re not sure what wires belong to what. Give Best Electric a call today and switch over to recessed outlets and make life easier in a day. 

Many home upgrades are made for the sake of convenience, functionality or even personal taste. But, there’s one upgrade that serves a much higher purpose: Protecting the safety and well-being of your home and family from the dangers of knob and tube wiring. 

Between the 1880s and the 1930s, the most common form of home electrical wiring was Knob and Tube. With the advent of modern advances in electrical technology, there are safer and much more efficient methods for electrical wiring. Additionally, there are many benefits to upgrading or phasing out and replacing the knob and tube wiring in every home.

The most common issue with Knob and Tube is that the insulation material that constructs the outer casing consists of rubber, which (over time) breaks down and degrades. What this means for homes with Knob and Tube wiring is that eventually, it becomes dangerous as moisture and air reaches bare, live wires.  Modern wiring systems, use durable plastic insulation materials - providing lasting protection.

While the complete conversion from Knob and Tube wiring to standard modern wiring is an investment, the benefits are well worth the costs. Ask your electrician how to gradually phase out your knob and tube wiring over time for cost-effectiveness. The safety this vital replacement provides far outweighs the tragedy and cost associated with a home fire or electrocution.   It will also most likely make you eligible for a significant reduction in your home insurance premium.

by Nicole Stevens

Winter in Florida may not feature any snow, but it does produce a chill that makes you want to pull out that electric blanket and a small space heater and warm up! With that kind of weather slowly creeping in for the season, a crash course in space heater and electric blanket safety is a great idea. Here you’ll find five top tips to keep your home safe this winter.

1. Update your equipment! Sometimes it’s worth it to bite the bullet and get that new heater or an extra electric blanket just in case. Frayed wires can easily spark and ignite a fire inside your home. Any indication of a color change in your electric blanket means it’s time to discard that one and use a new one. The discoloration means the heating elements are beginning to burn internally.
2. Never leave units on unattended. Sure it’s a welcoming thought to come home to a toasty home, but it could suddenly end up in flames. New unit or not, a space heater should never be left on unsupervised. Along with that, it’s advised to keep young children and pets away from the space heater as well. The surface can become incredibly hot and burn if touched.
3. When purchasing a new unit, check for an automatic shutoff feature. This is especially important in heated blankets, as it will insure the unit does not overheat. Overheating can end up in melted elements and potential burns.
4. Never use extension cords! Space heaters and electric blankets are only meant to be plugged into a wall outlet, never an extension cord.
5. Keep space heaters on  level ground, preferably a tile floor. Never elevate heaters with furniture or place on carpet.

Following these basic tips will help keep your home warm and safe during a chilly winter. Make sure all unit purchased have been tested for safety and come with the marks UL, ETL, or CSA. That’s just one extra tip for insuring your home is protected.

Sources 1, 2, 3

The island of Puerto Rico has seen many hardships, but none the likes of Hurricane Maria. A storm so powerful it knocked out power to 100% of the island, and only 10% regained power two days later. That’s 90% of a very populated island, the very same island who’s electrical company declared bankruptcy several months ago befortoe the storm. After the damage was surveyed, the cost reached that of the billions, an estimated $85 billion to be exact. Out of 3.4 million residents, 80% of them are still without power while 30% are still without clean drinking water (Coto - ABCNews).  

The time to restore all of the power to the island does not have an estimated time, only that it “will take a while." Not to mention the amount of money it will take to build an entirely new power grid, while Puerto Rico is still severely in debt already. At this point, it’s time to find new alternatives, and one of the hottest topics is solar power. That’s where Elon Musk and Tesla Technologies come into play.

The governor of Puerto Rico recently reached out to Elon Musk via twitter, saying “Could @ElonMusk go in and rebuild #PuertoRico’s electricity system with independent solar & battery systems?” to which Mr. Musk responded with; “The Tesla team has done this for many smaller islands around the world, but there is no scalability limit, so it can be done for Puerto Rico too. Such a decision would be in the hands of the PR govt, PUC, any commercial stakeholders and, most importantly, the people of PR” (Alexander – Telegraph UK/Twitter). A couple more tweets were sent back and forth, and Elon mentioned being happy to talk further about the project.

What this could mean for Puerto Rico is no more importing and burning oil for energy. Because of this method of power, it’s cost the island an exuberant amount of money. Along with planet and money saving, using Tesla’s solar power units, it is 100% self-powered, meaning there is no grid. If there is a power outage, this source of energy ensures no loss of power for 7+ days after an outage (and that’s just with one of the most basic and smaller options offered).

If Elon Musk decides to use Puerto Rico as the flagship project for Tesla Technologies power and innovation, it would greatly benefit the island in the long run. No longer burning up money on oil to power an entire island, but renewable sources that don’t come with high priced monthly dues. After a disaster like Hurricane Maria, it’s time to make some changes forward into how power is produced and kept on.

Sources 1, 2, 3

by Nicole Stevens

Building a new home with a basement, or redoing an existing basement typically will require lots of new wiring down in said basement. Wiring a finished basement is a quite simple procedure, but it should be taken into though to wire for the future. What is the purpose of the basement? Will it be more for storage or used more like a den, or entertainment room? This decision will better help you prepare for the future of your basement’s wiring plans.

Using a basement as the main storage area really wouldn’t require any far ahead planning with wiring. A basic wire set up with multiple outlets would be sufficient enough.  This allows the use of any pluggable appliances to be used and moved at will. If you wanted to go a bit more involved, a wired setup for a washer and dryer is an easy fix, as well as adding an addition refrigerator or deep freezer (most just require a simple plug-in).

If you wanted to  take a bit more interesting route with the finished basement, say an entertainment room, wiring for that is a bit different. Technology is always changing, and along with the change of consumer tech products, the wiring may change as well. A home theatre is one of the more popular  choices for a finished basement, but it provides you with that in the movies feel, a large open room, cool air, and hopefully no sticky floors. Now I know what you’re probably thinking since we want to focus on the future of the wiring, why not go wireless with all the new technology? Well of course, but it’s not always 100% reliable. With sturdy wiring, you know you’ll always have it working correctly, instead of cursing the slow wifi and general bad connection down in your basement. The type of wiring involved for a home theatre/entertainment room include;

• Coax cabling – For your cable and HDTV antenna
• Ethernet cables – For internet access and also very important. CAT6 is a better version to use.
• Electrical circuit – Having plugs that don’t share the same electrical line will prevent power surges or drops in voltage.
• Speaker wires – Much better than a stereo system sitting on the floor with unsightly wires in plain view.

This type of wiring will keep your finished basement up to date and ready and wired for the future!

Since the 1940's, Touch-Plate low voltage lighting remains among the last historical-era remote control lighting/wiring systems that are still manufactured. With a wide variety of switch styles to choose from, Touch-Plate devices are stocked regularly and available at home improvement stores or authorized dealers. Touch-Plate control stations deliver convenience and cost-effectiveness in a single unit system that includes the devices, the mounting brackets, the cover plates and the screws. Touch-Plate systems are also able to be wired to work with various other three-wire low voltage systems, like GE, Remcon, and Bryant -  for which replacement parts are more difficult to find.

Modern and stylish, these low voltage lighting systems come conveniently packaged with all of the materials needed for a quick installation. 

We live in a time unlike any before. With countless technological advancements at our fingertips, our lives are improved, which is advantageous considering the rapid pace at which we live. In recent years, tremendous strides have been made in home automation. This technology allows the homeowner to run their home while they are away using a remote app on their Smartphone or iPad. In fact, automated homes are known as  “smart homes,” due to their ability to seemingly think on their own. This ability to “think,” helps homeowners in some of ways.

The future of automated lighting is here in the form of Apple’s HomeKit technology. “Apple HomeKit technology provides an easy, secure way to control HomeKit-enabled accessories from any of your iOS devices. Tell Siri to "turn on the upstairs lights." Dim the lights from your Apple Watch. Use your iPhone to change colors. And much more! All you need is a square-shaped Philips Hue Bridge 2.0 and your favorite iOS device to get started.”

Apple HomeKit adds safety and security through appliance and lighting control. You can always check to make sure your daughter turned off her curling iron or ensure that your oven has been flipped off from the morning family breakfast. Your home and family also enjoy an added measure of safety through your ability to control the lights in your home. Not only does this allow you to make sure lights are off when you are gone to save electricity, but it also allows you to turn them on at specific times if you would like it to look like you are home.

While it is absolutely imperative to exercise caution around electricity regardless of the time of year, summertime is an important time to remind yourself and your family of a few basic electrical safety rules. Print out the following list and keep it in an easily visible spot to refer to regularly:

• Be on the lookout during high winds and storms: look up and all around and be aware of the location of transformers and power lines. If you’re ever stuck outside in a storm, stay clear of these and take shelter.
• Use extreme caution when working anywhere near power lines attached to your home. Always keep yourself and your equipment at least 10 feet away from lines.
• Never trim trees that are growing near power lines – if you spot a tree growing too close to power lines, call your utility company to report it and don’t attempt to address the issue yourself.
• If you undertake a project that includes digging, like building a deck or planting a tree, call your utility company to determine underground locates at least two business days before digging. This service is free of charge and prevents the inconvenience of having yours or your neighbor’s utilities interrupted, and can help you avoid danger.
• Electricity and water do not mix! If it’s raining or the ground is still wet from rain, refrain from using electric yard tools until the area is completely dry.
• Protect your outdoor electrical outlets with weatherproof outlet covers and ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs). Indoor electrical outlets near water (like aquariums, kitchens, and bathrooms) should also have GFCIs.

Remind your children to:

• Always, always, always stay away from power lines. Always assume they are "live and dangerous" and will cause serious, even fatal injuries.
• Never climb any trees growing near power lines.
• Never touch outdoor wires with your hands or any other part of your body or by using other objects.
• Always keep flying kites, model airplanes, etc. to great open areas like fields and parks, outside of the danger of trees and overhead power lines. If a kite gets stuck in a tree that is growing near a power line, let it go -  do not climb up to get it.
• Never go into or near an electric substation for any reason. Electric substations contain extremely dangerous high-voltage equipment, which can kill you. Never attempt to rescue a pet that goes inside. Instead, call your local electric utility company.

While retail sales of the latest in air conditioner technologies continue to grow, many homeowners are still underestimating the value of ceiling fans despite the fact that when used properly, they can lower the temperature of room up to five degrees.

Here are some other fantastic benefits to the purchase and professional installation of a ceiling fan in all the rooms of your home:

1. Ceiling fans work together with your air conditioner, helping it to run more efficiently and significantly reducing your energy bill.

2. Ceiling fans can be installed both indoors and outdoors - on a porch or other covered area, helping to keep pesky flies and insects away while you enjoy the shade on a beautiful afternoon.
Ceiling fans have been improved in recent years to become more efficient and contain up to date technology in the fan's motors, blade design, and control. They're also lighter than they were in years past, giving them the element of a decorative feature within a room rather than an eyesore.
3. Ceiling fans have been improved in recent years to become more efficient and contain up to date technology in the fan's motors, blade design, and control. They're also lighter than they were in years past, giving them the element of a decorative feature within a room rather than an eyesore. Hunter Pacific has developed an innovation in ceiling fans with their latest version of the Typhoon model, which includes molded plastic blades instead of the traditional steel or metal variety. This promotes large amounts of airflow with minimal noise.

With barely a winter this year, it's already time to prepare for those warmer month power bills. The air outside is hot and humid, and the dreaded electric bill is on it's way to shock you, right? Well, it doesn't have to be that way. With a few simple tips for keeping your energy bill low, you can enjoy Spring the way it's supposed to be enjoyed: by relaxing. Here are some quick tips to keep your energy bill (and your blood pressure) from shooting up too high this Spring (which in turn contributes to lowering your carbon footprint and helping the planet:

1. Open up windows and doors and point box fans or oscillating fans outward. This old fashioned trick uses a sort of reverse "technology" than an air conditioner by sucking the warm air out of a room and blowing it outward while keeping the warm air from the outside from entering the room through the open doors and windows. With a retractable screen, these opened windows and doors are protected from insects and prying eyes and can immediately be rolled up when not in use.
2. Unplug appliances and other electronics when not in use. A surprising number of electronic appliances in your home drain electricity and raise energy costs even when they're not in use. Taking the time to not only turn the power off - but unplug your coffee maker, television, or computer keeps the appliances safe from power surges and reduces their constant pull on your home's electrical system.
3. Use ceiling fans and be sure they're rotating in the most beneficial direction. For peak performance in the Spring, your ceiling fans should rotate forward (or counterclockwise) forcing air from the ceiling down and providing the wind chill effect that makes you feel cooler.
4. Keep vents, and doors closed in areas of your home not often used. If you and your family spend most of your time in the living room, consider closing the air conditioner vents to guest bathrooms and bedrooms to reduce the unnecessary cooling of these rooms while not in use.
5. Add insulation. A lot of cool air escapes from homes by way of space between the walls not protected by insulation. A simple spray foam purchased at a local home improvement store can work wonders when sprayed through drilled holes into the area between the walls.

For more electrical tips and services contact the experts at Best Electric Service.

If you’ve ever looked at a map provided by a satellite in orbit, you’ve noticed all the lights that you can see. But, what about when you’re looking up at night to find only a few stars in the sky? How much is  hidden due to light pollution? More people are starting to ask that question as light pollution is becoming more of a problem. Dark sky friendly lighting is the key to solving this issue  to fully enjoy the stars over Colorado.

Dark sky friendly light provides a distinct light pattern that is shielded from casting light on top of the fixture. This provides lighting only towards the ground where the lighting is required. It also uses the needed light levels and not over lighting an area which will reflect the light back up into the atmosphere. Finally, the lights should be turned off when not in use.

Non-dark sky light fixtures cast light in all directions, including upwards. This wastes energy causes a twilight effect that confuses wildlife and disturbs breeding patterns. It also produces a glare for people driving on roads that can be distracting and tiresome for eyes.

Dark sky lighting is important as light pollution disrupts ecosystems and threatens astronomy. On top of that, the wasted light costs a lot in wasted energy, about $2.2 billion per year, in the US alone. Dark sky friendly fixtures push the lighting down where it isactually needed and not up into the atmosphere. This provides less glare and light pollution allowing wildlife to resume their natural rhythm as well as allowing astronomers, both large and small, to enjoy the night sky and be able to see the stars above.

Source

A lot of people feel like because flipping a light switch on and off is so simple, that we forget how truly deadly and powerful electricity is. Most DIYers will simply experiment with the breaker, testing different electrical circuits until they see the lights turn off in the area they intend to work in and assume it’s safe to start working. This is a huge mistake because it is not always true that all outlets and fixtures in one area will be on the same circuit.

DIY Electrical work puts you and your family at the real risk of electrical fires, electrical shocks, injury or death that can be caused by even the tiniest mistake. Here are five major electrical tasks to never perform on your own: 

1. Never mess with service lugs in a breaker box
   First off, if you’re not sure what service lugs are, you should avoid doing anything in your breaker box except maybe resetting tripped breakers. If you happen to figure out that service lugs are the big screw terminals or posts that secure service cables, you should also know that they're always hot ( or energized), meaning that messing with them could cause major electric shock, electrical fire, or death even after the main breakers are shut off. Logically, you should always stay well away from the cigar-size cables connected to the service lugs, too. 
2. Never mess with any wiring with the power on
   In the example of a light switch, you might believe that a properly installed light switch will turn off the hot wire running to the light fixture. It is not unheard of, however, to find incorrectly wired light switches that switch neutral instead - and it is always possible to get electrocuted from the white neutral wire.
   More importantly, it is within code compliance to have Hot and Neutral from the breaker panel go to the light fixture first and to, therefore, always have aalways Hot wire nut inside the light fixture box. If you damage the Hot wire’s insulation or accidentally dislocate a poorly installed wire nut, you would be in real trouble. Unless you built and wired your home yourself, and areabsolutely certain how things are wired the only safe way to do anything electrical related is by first turning off the circuit breaker. 
3. Never attempt to repair appliances
   You may think that turning off the power at the circuit breaker is the most logical thing to do for your appliances, right? You could be dead wrong. Do you know what a capacitor is? It's the device within an appliance that stores electricity to boost the startup (and various other functions) - especially big appliances like air conditioning units. Simply pulling the plug or even turning off the breaker to the appliance won’t discharge the capacitors, but your metal tool touching the contacts certainly will, and it could kill you.
4. Never tinker with electric or hybrid cars
   Electric and hybrid cars are swiftly rising in popularity. You might think it would be fun to get into one and make some adjustments, or even attempt what seems to be a simple repair. But, always remember that the electrical systems in both electric and hybrid cars are not only complicated beyond what you can imagine, they're also extremely dangerous if you don't fully know what you're doing.
5. Never touch, play with or attempt to repair the Weatherhead
   This is another one for the "don't even think of it" category. The Weatherhead, also called the service mast or periscope, is the metal pole or other structure that connects the electrical service lines leading from the utility power pole to your house. Since this is part of your house, you might be tempted to upright the pole if it's leaning or tighten a bolt here and there. Can the thought of 200 amps coursing through your body convince you otherwise?

Source

Most of us already know that a blackout is a complete loss of power. A brown-out is a condition of lower than normal power. This condition may be short-term (minutes to hours) or long term (1/2 day or more). A power line voltage reduction of 8 - 12% is usually considered a brown-out.

Brown-outs are most prevalent during summer when air conditioning usage peaks.  It's an overload on the electrical system, where the generating facility is unable to provide enough power, which results in a "sag." It can also occur when events such as storms disrupt the distribution grid, or when there are other problems in the system. Brown-outs can last anywhere from a few seconds to a few hours, depending on the type and how quickly an electric company can get full power running again.

There's nothing fun about sweating through a hot, humid day without air conditioning during a blackout, while all the groceries start to go bad in your refrigerator. Unlike a blackout, sometimes you can't even tell you're in the middle of a brownout. Lights flickering are a sign that the voltage has been reduced. While you may not be aware, it can wreck havoc on your electronics. 

After a while, flashlights and packaged food get old for those who suffer blackouts and brownouts on a regular basis. A standby generator with an automatic transfer switch is a great way to get back in control. It's all automatic and senses power fluctuations within the grid. It'll power up on its own when there is an interruption or a lessening of voltage on the line. 

Power is vital. We’ve seen complete breakdowns and chaos in cities after extended power loss from huge storms. A standby generator is like having an insurance policy. You don’t know how often you’ll need it, but you’ll be glad it’s in place when you do. 

The Benefits of a Standby Generator Include: 

• It allows homeowners uninterrupted power to operate their homes
• Keeping home comfortable with heating and cooling systems
• Running televisions, computers, and other appliances, while keeping them protected
• Powers medical equipment
• Allows homeowners to maintain comfort and safety levels during emergencies
• Protects the home from dangerous voltage fluctuations and surges when the power returns
• Safe operation during man-made and natural disasters
• Home security systems remain intact
• Affords homeowners peace of mind by ensuring their loved ones are safe during times of emergency
• Home-based businesses won’t have down time 

If you live in an area that suffers regular losses, it goes beyond the comfort and convenience of lights and air conditioning. A standby generator can be the difference between having to camp out at a motel for few days or being able to live in your home. Contact Best Electric in Colorado Springs to see if we can help with your needs if the lights go out!

Is it just me, or are kids just getting smarter? I can remember a time when it only took little plastic inserts to keep electrical outlets safe from kiddos curiosity. Then, I discovered some statistics.

According to the ESFI: Each year, approximately 2,400 children suffer severe shock and burns when they stick items into the slots of electrical receptacles - that is nearly seven children a day.  On average, there are six to 12 fatalities a year related to this.  Almost a third of these injuries are the result of small children placing ordinary household objects, such as keys, pins, or paper clips into the outlets with disastrous consequences. source

So what is the solution? Tamper Resistant Receptacles (TRRs)! These look just like regular outlets but include smarter technology. Spring-loaded receptacle cover plates close off the receptacle openings or slots. When you apply equal pressure to both sides, the receptacle cover plates open. This extra step allows the standard plug to make contact with the receptacle contact points. Without this simultaneous pressure, the cover plates remain closed.  Closed outlets prevent the insertion of foreign objects and protect your children from painful, traumatic electrical injuries.

Kind of like childproof medicine caps!

The average age of an American home is 41 years old. Most likely, in homes this old, the electrical outlets are not up to the latest NEC code, requiring all new and renovated homes to have TRRs since 2008.

In a newly constructed home, TRRs would add as little as $50 to the total cost of the home. In existing homes, standard electrical receptacles can be replaced with TRRs for as little as $2 per outlet – a small price to pay to ensure your children are protected against electrical shocks and burns from electrical outlets.

Keep the Inside Air in and the Outside Air Out
It is vital to your energy savings to be sure there are no air leaks in your home. Warm air from inside will escape out of any cracks and overwork your heating system costing you more to heat your home. Use caulk to seal up cracks and openings between doors and windows.

Give your furnace some TLC
It's advisable to clean your furnace each autumn. Sediment can build up and cause your system to work less efficiently or become a fire hazard. Regular inspections and cleanings will reduce the risks.
Change your filter regularly during the winter months to increase airflow and energy efficiency.

Get Your Ducts in a Row
Although your ducts are out of sight, they shouldn't be out of mind. Homes with central heating can lose at least 20% of the air that blows through the duct system. Make sure your ducts are properly sealed and insulated. Tightly sealed and insulated ducts can reduce your annual energy bills by at least $120!

Light the Way
When the sun goes down earlier as the fall and winter months progress, the need for lighting increases. Purchasing energy saving products from brands like Energy Saver and Energy Star go a long way to reducing your energy usage through lightbulbs. CFL and LED lighting can be used both indoors and outdoors. Decorating for the holidays with LED lighting and fiber optic decorations goes a long way too!

For more electrical tips and services contact the experts at Best Electric Service.

We tend to assume that anyone calling themselves a specialist, well, IS. Think about it for a moment: We let a complete stranger come into our home to work on the electrical system with absolute trust that they know what they’re doing, that they’re safe. We verify and reference our babysitters, but many of us don’t know how to do this effectively with our electricians, or even what to ask. 

1. Request for Proof, Experience, and Credentials. You want a certified electrician because they will adhere to the highest standards of quality and services. Ask to see proof of their Part P qualification, which is required for most electrical work, and the most valuable credential to have.
2. Registration.  Make sure your electrician is registered with a governing body like NAPIT or NICEIC by going to these websites and searching to see if they’re listed. Another site to investigate is Registered Competent Person Electrical.
3. License and Insurance. Just because someone has both of these things doesn't mean it'll cover the work you need to be done. Some licenses carry restrictions, so verify that you’re covered.
4. Recommendations and References. This is a big one. A word-of-mouth recommendation from someone whose opinion you trust can be invaluable when choosing a service. If you can’t get a recommendation, then ask the electrician for references. Be sure to follow up and make sure that they are recommended by their customers.
5. Don’t Automatically Go With the Cheapest Option. Get at least three quotes. Always make sure you communicate exactly what work you plan to have done and the exact fittings and materials you’ll need to each electrician. Be sure to get a breakdown of prices with your quote so you can accurately compare one estimate to another. Choosing a contractor by price is ill-advised since there are so many other factors to take into consideration. Read through the quotes carefully to ensure that you end up picking the best person for your job. Finally, once your job has been completed, get the certificate issued for it. If your electrician doesn't agree to this, you should reconsider hiring them.

When it comes to your home, improvements and repairs go toward the value of your property. Getting quality for your money is less of an expense and more of an investment in the long run. You want work that’s done safely, efficiently and up to code the first time.

Q: What exactly is a power surge and what are they caused by?

A: The technical term for a power surge is a “transient over-voltage” and it is a quick, sharp burst of very high voltage. Surges can enter your home in some ways including through the electrical distribution lines, cable TV lines, and even the telephone line. Dangerous surges are not always caused by lighting, as is a common opinion. These harmful surges are often by incidents involving downed telephone poles, heavy winds, tree branches touching power lines and by the cycling on and off of heavy appliances like washers and dryers, refrigerators, and power tools.

Q:  Why do I need whole home surge protection?

A: When you have invested large sums of money in major appliances like high definition tv’s, computers, refrigerators, stoves, washers and dryers, one power surge of high voltage electricity could be all it takes to end the lives of those precious household items.

Q: Why can’t I just rely on the cheap power strip I purchased from my local big box store?

A: Your power strip is simply a strip to provide more outlets for your electronics. They offer no surge protection. Plug-In surge protectors are manufactured by large and respected manufacturers of electronic equipment and provide the necessary peace of mind that surges will always be caught before they damage any electronic equipment in your home. A good surge protector has LED indicator lights or audible alarms that alert you should the unit become damaged and needs to be replaced.

Q: What can Best Electric Service offer that I can’t get anywhere else?

A: Best Electric Service offers our clients the most state of the art, advanced whole home surge protection that continuously monitors your home electrical distribution and your grounding system to assure you that your home electrical and grounding systems are safe. In the event of a fire hazard condition or electrical shock hazard, our complete inspections will discover and prevent these incidents from occurring offer your family the peace of mind and safety you deserve.

Changing the mood of a space can be as simple as updating your lighting. Did you know light, or lack thereof, can have a serious effect on our moods? In a recent NY Times article on LED lamps, it’s been discovered that they can - and will - be used for more than illumination.

In the future, LED’s will be commonly used to improve health, moods and food production by taking advantage of their ability to shift colors. Besides being the most energy efficient lighting to date, LEDs can be programmed to create light in multiple colors which can make you feel more alert, calm or sleepy. Most people are aware of Seasonal Affectation Disorder, and LED lighting has been proven effective in preventing.

Lighting and Our Body Clocks

It’s important to make sure you know the purpose of lighting up an area in your home, which colors will suit that space best, and to install them in strategic positions in order to have the right appeal.

Throughout the day, the nerves in our brains are signified to rest and sleep at a specific time, commonly known as our circadian rhythm. Our circadian rhythm dips and rises at different times a day and occurs through regular exposure to light and darkness.

When the sun is about to set, our energy levels drop. During autumn and winter, we’ll be less geared to move around, in comparison to spring and summer. This is how lighting can significantly affect us.

To enhance your moods, opt for these LED light colors:

• Yellow relaxes
• Green refreshes
• Orange energizes
• Blue calms
• Purple inspires creativity

Why Use LED’s?

• LEDs use less power (watts) per unit of light generated (lumens). They offer the same amount of light for a fraction of the usage.
• LEDs have a longer lifetime. Four times longer, to be exact.
• LEDs have less impact on the environment and our health. They emit less C02, have low infrared/ultraviolent radiation, are Restriction of Hazardous Materials compliant and do not contain mercury.
• LEDs are robust. They turn on instantly without delay. LED’s don’t flicker and are more durable.
• LEDs offer greater cost savings. They use much less energy.

Isn’t It Time To Go LED?

The benefits are overwhelming. LED’s are cheap, their light quality is excellent, they will probably outlast you and they use a tenth the electricity. There is no reason not to make the switch now. With LED costs at an all-time low, anyone can afford this beautiful, environmentally-friendly option.

So are you ready to upgrade your existing lighting to awesome and energy efficient LED lighting? If so, contact Best Electric today.

In the world of electricity, some things aren’t always black or white. In fact, we consider them to be brown or black. You’ve most likely experienced a blackout in the past, but have you heard of a brownout? How can you understand the difference?

A blackout is defined as a complete loss of power affecting numerous electric consumers over a large area for an extended length of time. Both residential homes and commercial properties lose all of their power and the entire area goes black.

Brownouts are a little different. Brownouts are controlled reductions of power or losses of electricity to specific sections of customers. Brownouts are the result of “poor power quality” - the utility reduces voltage to the line in order to meet increasing demand by delivering more electricity. These fluctuations in electricity can result in severe damage or destruction to manufacturing equipment or any other equipment that requires a consistent supply of energy.

So how can these fluctuations be prevented?

Unfortunately, solutions to this issue are quite limited. If you are in need of consistent energy running to your equipment at all times, you might consider purchasing an Uninterruptible Power Supply. This gives your equipment an alternative source of power should short interruptions occur, and can range in price from $200 - $2000+ - depending on the energy demand of your equipment.

For a more economical solution, you might consider joining your utility company’s demand response program. In these programs, participants are notified ahead of time when fluctuations in voltage may occur, affording them the opportunity to shut down any machinery or equipment that could be damaged.

Brownouts and blackouts do not occur very often, but it is important to have a backup plan in place to avoid costly damage or being left in the dark.

Now if the power in your house is out and it’s not the fault of the Power Company, call Best Electric, Colorado Springs premier electrician.

Take a look at this recently completed 400amp Panel Upgrade! Big commercial work done by the experts at Best Electric Service!