3 Ways to Make the Home More Safe and Functional

Electricity is necessary for modern living. Most jobs use computers of some sort, and electricity is what operates in even the most basic of manufacturing. It is just a part of people’s daily lives; therefore, people often forget just how powerful and dangerous it can be. Electricity used correctly is fantastic, but when it is misused, it can cause injury, property damage, and even death. This article will discuss the best ways to make a household safer and use electricity as it is intended to be used.

Avoid Overloading Circuits

An electrical circuit is a circular connection of conductive material that allows electricity to travel down it. It can be as simple as an LED with two wires that touches either end of a battery. This creates a simple circuit. In the home, the circuits are essentially the same, only they carry more current.  Overloading a circuit is as easy as plugging in too many electronics in one electrical outlet or using the wrong light bulb wattage. If too much electricity goes through a circuit, excess heat and arcing can result. The ways to prevent this include the following things:

• Using only one plug per receptacle
• Don't plug power strips into each other
• Using only the recommended wattage in light fixtures  
• Avoiding plugging high energy usage items (such as microwaves) into the same circuit

Schedule Electrical Inspections

When someone moves into a new house, they always have a home inspection that covers the foundation, the electricity, the plumbing, and the roof. Once people have settled in, however, they may forget that things change and shift within a home, and entropy takes its toll on even the best-built structure.  Electrical inspections should be a regular occurrence so that homeowners know if anything has changed and whether or not electrical codes have been modified in some way. The benefits of electrical inspections include the following:

• Problems Caught Early: A trained electrician may notice something that has not been obvious to the homeowner. This can prevent serious problems later.
• Save Money: Catching electrical wiring issues, such as poor wiring problems, can save money by preventing damage.
• Peace of Mind: Homeowners can leave any anxiety about electrical fires and melting outlets behind because they can be confident in their wiring. 

Replace Wiring and Electrical Outlets That Are Damaged or Not Up to Code

When an inspection is complete, an electrician will likely have recommendations for the homeowner. Whether it involves rewiring an outlet or replacing an entire breaker box, a homeowner should understand that the recommendations are not made lightly and should not be taken as such. 

If recommendations are made, they should be followed. Damaged outlets and wiring are extremely dangerous, so if a homeowner ignores significant problems, they may be rewarded by an electrical fire or personal injury.

About Elite Electric, Plumbing & Air

Elite Electric, Plumbing & Air has over 25 years of expertise serving Jupiter, FL, and the surrounding areas. They provide upfront pricing, on-time arrival, and 24-hour emergency service. Call them today for electrical services in Jupiter, FL.