With the colder nights and shorter days on the horizon, is your home in good order? You may have seen a light or two flicker, or perhaps the electrical panel has been warm when you put a hand to it. For that matter, do you recall when the wiring behind the outdoor holiday lights was last given an inspection before they are put to use?
Homeowners in the Pioneer Valley put these questions to us at Duryea Electric come autumn. As a family business of over 20 years serving Holyoke and environs, we are well accustomed to them. Master Electrician Ian Duryea started this company and we are still run by family. Should you wish to discuss any concerns, our number is (413) 331-6080.
Household electrical systems see their share of activity in the fall. The cooler temperatures have everyone turning on the heaters and plugging in devices and putting up string lights. Such demands will reveal what was not apparent over the summer. We have put together a few tips for keeping things running well and safely in Hampshire and Hampden Counties before the cold sets in.
A Matter of Your Electrical Panel
Consider the panel the heart of the system; there is no better time than fall to see how it is holding up. With the added load from the weather, an older panel can be hard put to it.
Some indications you should have a pro take a look:
- Breakers that will not reset or trip with some frequency
- Warmth or a hint of burning from the panel
- Any crackling or buzzing out of the box
- Dimming of the lights as you put a large appliance to work
- Corrosion or rust evident on the breakers or panel
- An old fuse box in place of a breaker panel
If you recognise any of the above, make the call. We specialise in panel repair and replacement and would rather you get on top of it now than face an outage in January.
Outlets and Surge Protection
The Valley is prone to its share of storms in the fall and the power surges that accompany them. It only takes one to ruin a television or computer, or wipe out a whole circuit of electronics.
Make sure none of your outlets are discoloured, warm or loose. A tangle of power strips is usually telling you to invest in more outlets or some whole-home surge protection, which we put in to shield your equipment from sudden spikes.
Outdoor and Seasonal Lighting
You need your lighting to be right when the days shorten so quickly. Put the motion lights on the walkways and hang the holiday decorations by all means, but first ensure the outdoor circuits can handle it.
We suggest the following:
- Look over light strings and cords for frayed insulation or cracks
- See that exterior outlets are kept dry
- Only put in bulbs and fixtures made for the outdoors
- Opt for energy-efficient lighting to put a dent in the electric bill
- Motion-sensor lights are a good idea near entryways after dark
We like to recommend energy-efficient lighting as an upgrade; it is in line with the green building we are about and it is something the family will be grateful for as the sun goes down earlier.
Upgrades and EV Charging
For those with an electric vehicle, the cold eats into your range and you will be charging up at home more often. Install a dedicated charger to spare you from vying for an outlet through the winter; we do the installation and the service upgrades that are part of it.
This is also when one plans for new construction or a remodel. Schedule the electrical work while the holidays are off in the distance. An older home might be due for a rewiring or code update for the sake of efficiency and safety.
Duryea Electric in the Valley
From our beginnings as a small family concern we have become a name people trust in the Pioneer Valley, from Holyoke to Springfield, Chicopee, Amherst, Northampton, Hadley, South Hadley, Easthampton, Southampton and other towns. This year we were made a Citizens Small Business Community Champion and we are putting that to good use in training young electricians and underwriting repairs for local families.
Come in for a free estimate between 7 and 5 and you will know where you stand.
There is no sense in letting a minor matter become an emergency when the weather turns. Let our family look after yours this fall. Ring us at (413) 331-6080.
