An electrical fire can be stealthy. Old or faulty wiring or an overloaded circuit can spark a fire inside a wall, the basement or the attic. Here are signs you need to act quickly to protect yourself and your family from an electrical fire in your home. Tripping breakers It’s not unusual to trip a… Read more »
You may need to shut off your home’s utilities in the event of a repair, suspected leak or an emergency. Here’s what you need to know about shutting off utilities safely. Cutting the water supply The main water valve is adjacent to the water meter, often in the same valve box in the ground. The… Read more »
Most homeowners deal with their homes’ electrical circuit breakers only when a breaker “trips” and lights or electrically powered devices stop working. But the circuit breaker box is a vital safety system and one of the most important components in any building. Let’s cover the basics of circuit breakers and how to manage them when… Read more »
As you and your family snooze soundly at night, your appliances, electronics and home systems still silently draw energy. This idle load can be responsible for as much as a third of your electric bill. Read on for steps you can take to reduce idle load and save money. What is idle load and what… Read more »
Half of American households have cut the cord on their landline telephone service, and streaming Internet TV is chipping away at the business of cable and satellite companies. If you’re part of the “cut the cord” movement, you may be left with unsightly wires stuck to the side of your house. Here’s how to clean… Read more »
The next time the monthly utility bills arrive, resist the urge to blindly write a check or schedule a payment. Take the time for a more in-depth examination. You just might find a way to trim the bill. Understanding your electric bill. Using a fixed rate, the power company charges a set rate of x… Read more »
