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Overloaded Electrical Outlet With No Room For More Plugs

Common Electrical Wiring Problems and Solutions

by Ryan DalPezzo, Owner

Your home’s electrical wiring is the network powering almost everything in your life, from the lights you use to the appliances you depend on. Without it, life would be much more difficult. Unfortunately, electrical wiring problems can occur over time due to a number of factors. In order to keep your home safe, it’s important to be aware of common electrical wiring problems and solutions.

Let’s go over the most common electrical wiring problems, their consequences, and how professional wiring installation can help solve them.

The Potential Risks of Electrical Wiring Problems

There are several serious risks that most people never think about until it’s too late. Personal safety is the biggest concern when it comes to electrical wiring problems. Poorly maintained wiring is a fire hazard that can cause extensive property damage, injury, and even death if not taken care of.

For example, if your outlets are loose, there is a risk of an electrical short or spark. This can cause a fire or shock, both of which can lead to serious injury or death.

In addition to the safety concerns, electrical wiring problems can also lead to reduced efficiency. If your wiring is old or damaged, it won’t be able to deliver the power required to run your appliances. This can cause them to overheat and break down, leading to costly repairs or replacements.

Finally, faulty wiring can also lead to increased energy costs. Wiring problems can cause your electrical system to be less efficient, leading to higher energy bills.

Lights Flickering When It is Windy

One of the signs you have a serious problem with your electrical wiring is if your lights flicker when it’s windy. This is a sign of loose wiring and could be a potential fire hazard.

Lack of GFCI’s (Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupters)

GFCI’s are designed to sense ground faults and shut off the power to the outlet when a problem arises. Without them, you’re leaving yourself open to the possibility of shock or electrocution.

Your Panel is Overheated

This is a sign of an overloaded electrical system. When too many appliances are plugged into the same circuit, it can cause wiring to overheat, creating sparks or a fire hazard.

Junction Boxes Aren’t Covered

Exposed junction boxes can be dangerous because they can easily be damaged or tampered with. It could be something as simple as inclement weather that causes the next major electrical issue in your home, knocking out the power or even starting an electrical fire.

Overlamping (Bulb Has Higher Wattage Than the Fixture)

Using a higher-wattage bulb than the fixture is rated for can cause excessive heat to build up, which can lead to a potential fire hazard.

Not Enough Outlets

If you don’t have enough outlets, it’s likely that you have too many appliances plugged into the same circuit. This can cause wiring to overheat and create a potential fire hazard. If you are using many extensive cords or outlet extenders, this is probably a sign that you need more outlets to distribute the electricity more evenly among your appliances and electronics.

Receptacles Are No Longer Holding Plugs

If your receptacles are not holding plugs, this is a sign that your wiring has become loose and needs to be re-tightened or replaced.

Receptacles are Ungrounded (Only Two Prongs)

Two-pronged receptacles do not provide the necessary protection from ground faults and can create a potential shock hazard.

Backstabbed Connections

Backstabbed connections are created when the wires are connected to the wrong terminals on the receptacle such as being pushed into small holes in the back of an outlet instead of being anchored down by screws. This can create hazards for sparks, shocks, or even fires.

Your Wiring is Aluminum

Aluminum wiring can become loose due to oxidation, which can create a potential fire hazard. This cheaper option for wiring was used in the 60s and 70s as a cost-saving measure, but is no longer considered a safe option.

How to Protect Your Circuit Panel

To protect your circuit panel from overloading, you should use a circuit breaker to limit the amount of electricity that can enter your home. You should also review how many outlets you have in each room and make sure that appliances are plugged into individual circuits. Additionally, you should check to make sure all of your outlets are grounded and that you have GFCI’s installed in areas where there is a potential for shock or electrocution.

Only Hire Professionals for Electrical Wiring Installation in Northern Virginia

It’s important to hire a professional electrician for any electrical wiring installation services in Northern Virginia. Professional electricians are trained and certified to safely install and repair electrical wiring to ensure your home is safe and up to code.

Get Service for Wiring Installation from RD Matthews Electrical Contracting

For wiring installation in Northern Virginia, look no further than RD Matthews Electrical Contracting. Our experienced electricians can help you with all your residential and commercial electrical needs, from wiring installation to repair.

Our professional home wiring installation services will have your home’s electrical system running safely in no time. Contact us today to get started with a quote or request a service.

A Male Electrician Fixing And Installing Ceiling Fan

A Short Guide to Ceiling Fans and Ceiling Fan Installation

06Mar

by Ryan DalPezzo, Owner

When the hot summer months arrive, many people look to ceiling fans to keep their homes cool and comfortable. Ceiling fans provide a refreshing breeze that helps keep rooms comfortable without having to raise/lower the temperature of the air. And, when installed correctly, they can save you money on your energy bill. Let’s explore all the basics of ceiling fan installation, from the types of fans available to the best practices for installation.

How Much Electricity Ceiling Fans Use

As the cost of cooling a home with air conditioning continues to rise, many people are turning to ceiling fans to save money. But how much electricity do ceiling fans really use? The answer depends on the size of the fan and how often it is used. Generally, ceiling fans use between 40 and 100 watts of electricity, depending on the size of the fan and its speed. That is just a fraction of the electricity used by air conditioning units, which can range from 500 to 1500 watts.

Why Ceiling Fans are the Best Cooling Option

Ceiling fans are one of the most efficient ways to cool your home. Not only do they use less electricity than air conditioners, but they also cool a room much faster. This is because ceiling fans create a wind chill effect, providing a refreshing and cooling breeze. Ceiling fans can also help circulate air and reduce humidity levels, making a room feel cooler.

Getting a Ceiling Fan if You Live in a Cold Climate

Ceiling fans are not just for cooling a room; they can also be used to reduce heating costs during the winter months. By reversing the direction of the blades, ceiling fans can help push hot air down from the ceiling, allowing the warm air to circulate throughout the room. This can help reduce energy costs by up to 15%.

The Best Design and Color Options for Ceiling Fans

Ceiling fans come in a variety of designs and colors to match any style. From traditional to modern and rustic to industrial, there’s sure to be a fan to match your décor. And, with a variety of colors to choose from, you can find a fan to match or accent any color scheme.

Factors Affecting Ceiling Fan Efficacy

When selecting a ceiling fan, you should also consider the size of your room. While larger rooms require larger fans, fans that are too large can actually be less efficient. Additionally, the blade pitch, or the angle of the blades, can also affect the efficiency of a fan. A fan with a higher blade pitch will create more airflow than a fan with a lower blade pitch.

What to Know When Buying a Ceiling Fan

When choosing a ceiling fan, it’s important to consider the size of the room, the type of motor, and the blade finish. The size of the room will determine the size of the fan, while the type of motor will affect the amount of air the fan can move. The blade finish will affect the overall look of the fan, so it’s important to choose one that matches your décor.

Calculate Blade Size from Room Size

The size of the ceiling fan’s blades is an important factor to consider when shopping for a fan. In general, the blade size of a ceiling fan should be proportional to the size of the room. A room that is 8 feet by 10 feet requires a fan with a blade diameter of at least 48 inches.

Check Ceiling Height

Before installing a ceiling fan, you should check the ceiling height. Most ceiling fans require a minimum ceiling height of 8 feet, but some may require a higher minimum height. It’s important to check the fan’s specifications before purchasing to ensure it can be installed in your room.

Choose a Downrod Length

When selecting a ceiling fan, the downrod length should also be considered. Downrods are typically sold in 12-inch increments and come in lengths ranging from 3 inches to 48 inches. The downrod length should be chosen based on the ceiling height and the desired blade height.

Get Ceiling Fan Installation from RD Matthews Electrical Contracting

Installing a ceiling fan can be a difficult task, and mistakes can be costly. To ensure the job is done right, it’s best to hire a professional. RD Matthews Electrical Contracting provides professional ceiling fan installation. Get in touch with us and schedule your ceiling fan installation today.

Cooking With An Electric Pan Causes A Short Circuit

Preventing Electrical Fires with These Safety Tips

03Mar

by Ryan DalPezzo, Owner

Electrical fires are often thought of as unpredictable and uncontrollable disasters. However, with a few safety tips and precautions, most electrical fires can be prevented. Let’s discuss some of the best ways to prevent electrical fires in your home with the help of electrical contractors.

Keep Electrical Outlets and Cords Clear of Flammable Objects

If there’s nothing to set on fire, it’s much less likely an electrical fire will start. Of course, it’s always a good idea to keep flammable items like blankets, rugs, and curtains away from outlets and cords.

All Small Appliances Should be Unplugged if Not in Use

When you’re finished using a small appliance, unplug it from the outlet. Leaving it plugged in can create a risk of overheating and sparking, both of which can lead to electrical fires.

Try Not to Use Space Heaters

Space heaters are not as efficient as traditional heating systems, and they can become very hot when they are in use. Try to avoid using them, as they can be a major fire hazard.

Avoid Overloading Outlets

When you overload an outlet, it can cause the wiring to overheat, which can then lead to an electrical fire. Make sure to only plug in one device per outlet.

When It’s Time to Get Rid of Appliances

When you’re done with an appliance, have it disposed of properly. Don’t leave it plugged in or try to repair it yourself, as this can cause a fire risk. Here are a few signs that your appliance needs replacing:

Sparking: If you see sparks coming from an outlet or appliance cord, unplug the device immediately and have it inspected by a professional.

Electrical Cords Fraying: Frayed cords can spark and cause an electrical fire. If you notice fraying or wear and tear, it’s time to get a new cord or device.

If Lights Flicker When They Are Turned On: If your lights flicker when they are turned on, this could be a sign of a wiring problem. Have a professional come and inspect your wiring to ensure that it is safe and up to code.

It Heats Up Too Much: If you notice that an electrical appliance is getting too hot, unplug it immediately and have it inspected by a professional. Overheating can cause an electrical fire.

Schedule Regular Maintenance and Inspections

Make sure to have a professional come to inspect your wiring, outlets, and appliances regularly. This will help to ensure that everything is up to code and functioning properly.

Schedule Maintenance with RD Matthews Electrical Contracting and Avoid Electrical Fires

When something goes wrong, an electrical fire can quickly become a disaster. Schedule regular maintenance with RD Matthews Electrical Contracting to keep your home safe from electrical fires. Our experienced residential electrical contractors can inspect the wiring of your home and make sure that everything is up to code and functioning properly. Contact us to schedule an appointment or request a service today.

Wooden Foundation Of Unfinished Basement

Looking to Remodel or Finish Your Basement? Here Are Some Great Ideas!

01Mar

by Ryan DalPezzo, Owner

If you’re only using your basement for storage, or appliances like your hot water heater, you’re potentially letting a lot of space go to waste. Your basement is probably the biggest room in the house and can easily be repurposed in a lot of ways – you can even throw up some walls and turn it into a functional new floor of the house.

RD Matthews Electrical Contracting is here to help with your basement remodeling and can verify or upgrade your wiring to support anything you might want to do. We love helping to finish or remodel basements!

Not sure what to do with your basement? Here are some of our favorite ideas we’ve seen over the years.

Great Ideas for Basement Remodeling Projects

1. Create an apartment

A typical basement has more than enough room for all the basics of a small apartment: bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, maybe a small living room. This can be a great upgrade for all sorts of reasons. Your new apartment could:

Be a home for older children who want more space and privacy
Be a guest bedroom suite for visitors or relatives
Be a rental property if you’re interested in making extra money

Basements make extremely comfortable apartments because they’re well-insulated and typically stay cool, even in the summer. Likewise, the concrete walls are good at trapping heat in the winter. There isn’t much of a view, but otherwise, it’s a versatile way to make use of the space.

2. Create a game/activity room

Another big benefit of basements is that they’re typically a bit isolated from the rest of the house, and sound doesn’t carry as well. This makes them a great option for setting up a game room – video games or physical games – without worrying about the noise bothering people upstairs. It’s also the perfect location for a home theater setup if you want to enjoy your movies in the best possible way.

Plus, entertainment rooms typically benefit from being dark, and your basement is going to be the darkest room in the house with the lights off. It’s a perfect environment for relaxing and entertaining yourself.

3. Install a home gym

Not into games or movies? A basement is great for working out and self-improvement too. Gym equipment can also be loud, so you get the same sound-insulation benefits. The generally cool temperatures in a basement will also help prevent you from getting overheated while you work out.

And with so much space to work with, you’ve got room for plenty of stations. You could even get ambitious and install a sauna, or a separate room for slow-paced activities like Yoga. There are so many possibilities, and room for all of them.

4. Install a wet bar, wine collection, or other ‘adult beverage’ options

If you have smaller children in the house, it’s a good idea to keep alcohol – and alcohol consumption – away from them. This makes the basement a great space to install your own bar and/or wine vault, making it into an adults-only space that you can easily keep your kids out of.

Plus, the cozy nature of basements lends themselves well to creating your own pub. It can be themed however you like, and installing the electrical systems needed for refrigerators and other equipment is no problem. It might just become your favorite room in the house!

5. Kid’s play area

On the other hand, perhaps the issue is that you have noisy kids, and you’d prefer they be quieter when they play – especially if you work at home. In this case, why not turn your basement into a playroom? With so much space, your imagination can really go wild. It could become a full playground, complete with installations like slides or ball pits.

Safety would be a concern here, but you have plenty of ways to help make the area safer. Padded floors and walls will help reduce the risk of injury, as well as ensuring more enthusiastic play isn’t likely to damage the house either.

Our Team Helps Your Basement Renovation Come to Life

RD Matthews Electrical can ensure your new basement has proper wiring that can support whatever you do, while keeping people safe. Remember, major wiring jobs will need to be inspected by the city for approval, so you want to make sure your electrical contractor understands and can fully meet all local regulations.

Contact RD Matthews Electrical Contracting to arrange for your basement wiring upgrades.

What To Know Before Installing an EV Charging Station at Home

27Feb

by Ryan DalPezzo, Owner

Electric Vehicles are great for the environment, and for your wallet since they keep fuel costs low. However, one expense you can’t avoid is installing a charging station at home. You need a way to plug in your new EV so it’s always ready when you need it.

And the first thing you should know about installing a charging station at home is that you should not attempt to do it yourself. Installation is difficult and dangerous, particularly if you’re using a 240v charger which must be wired directly to the main line.

Here’s how the process typically works.

How To Install an EV Charging Station at Home

Select a charger

While some charging station installers carry their own chargers, typically you will buy it yourself first. Fortunately, unless you have a Tesla, every other EV model uses standardized chargers, so you have plenty of options.

Choose an installer

EV charger installation is a relatively new field, but you should still look for experienced companies. If nothing else, an experienced electrician with a long history will be able to handle the job well.

Pre-installation inspection

After choosing an installer, they’ll send someone to do an inspection and pre-planning. They’ll look at where you want the charger, take measurements, and verify if there are appropriate power lines nearby. This is also when you’ll get a finalized cost estimate on the job.

Arranging for the installation

Assuming everything looks good on the estimate, you’re ready to set up a date for installation. Be aware, installation typically takes between 2-4 hours, so assume it’ll take up most of a morning or afternoon.

Verifying everything works

After physical installation is complete, a good EV installation company will also verify it works, as well as helping you understand any other part of the process.

Once that’s done, you’re good to go! An EV charger should be able to last many years, once properly installed, with very little maintenance.

RD Matthews Electrical Contracting

RD Matthews Electrical Contracting are your northern Virginia experts in home EV charger installation. Our prices are fair, and we want to make sure you can get the most of your new EV! Click here to contact us and begin the process.

Posts

Common Electrical Wiring Problems and Solutions

A Short Guide to Ceiling Fans and Ceiling Fan Installation

Preventing Electrical Fires with These Safety Tips

Looking to Remodel or Finish Your Basement? Here Are Some Great Ideas!

What To Know Before Installing an EV Charging Station at Home

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