Electrical Tips for New Builds

Constructing a new home is an exciting journey full of decisions that shape its comfort, functionality, and safety. Among these considerations, the electrical system is paramount, as it will power every aspect of modern living within the space. Careful planning and expert guidance are essential to ensure that your new build meets current standards and anticipates future needs. For professional advice and installation services, DFW Electrician & HVAC stands as a reliable partner. Here are essential electrical tips for new builds to create a safe, efficient, and adaptable living environment.

Plan for Ample Outlets

One common regret among new homeowners is not having enough outlets. As you design your home, think about your lifestyle and where you’ll need power. Consider adding outlets in convenient locations such as kitchen islands, bathrooms, hallways, and outdoor living spaces. Also, plan for USB or smart outlets that can charge devices directly without needing bulky adapters.

Invest in Energy Efficiency

Incorporating energy-efficient solutions from the start can lead to significant savings. LED lighting, energy-efficient appliances, and programmable thermostats are just the beginning. Consider installing a home energy management system to monitor and control energy usage in real-time.. Energy-efficient designs not only reduce utility bills but also contribute to a more sustainable living environment.

Future-Proof with Smart Home Wiring

As technology evolves, so do our homes. Wiring your new build with smart home technology in mind can offer unparalleled convenience and security. Having the necessary infrastructure in place means you can easily incorporate smart technologies now or in the future, from lighting and thermostats to security systems and entertainment setups.

Ensure Adequate Lighting

Good lighting is about more than just placing fixtures in every room. It’s about creating ambiance, enhancing functionality, and ensuring safety. For a balanced and flexible lighting scheme, it’s important to combine ambient, task, and accent lighting. Don’t forget to include ample outdoor lighting for security and aesthetic appeal.

Include Surge Protection

Surge protection is often overlooked but crucial for protecting your home’s electronics from voltage spikes. It’s a good idea to install a whole-house surge protector to protect your entire electrical system from power surges. This will protect your appliances and electronics from sudden voltage spikes caused by electrical disturbances including lightning strikes and power outages. This is especially important in areas prone to lightning or where power surges are common.

Plan for EV Charging

With the growing use of electric vehicles (EVs), many people are interested in having their own EV charging station at home. Even if you don’t own an EV currently, pre-wiring your garage or driveway for an EV charger can increase your home’s value and future usability.

Consider the Location of Your Electrical Panel

The electrical panel serves as the central hub of your home’s electrical system, responsible for distributing power to all the circuits in your house. It should be easily accessible but out of the way of daily activities. Ensure it’s located in a dry, temperature-controlled area to prevent moisture damage or overheating. This also makes future upgrades or repairs more straightforward.

Work with Qualified Professionals

Perhaps the most important tip is to work with experienced and licensed electricians. Electrical work is complex and requires a thorough understanding of codes and standards. Professionals like those at DFW Electrician & HVAC can ensure that your electrical system is safely and efficiently designed and installed, providing peace of mind and compliance with local regulations.

Conclusion

Building a new home is an opportunity to tailor every aspect to your needs, including the electrical system. By planning for ample outlets, investing in energy efficiency, preparing for smart home technologies, and working with qualified professionals, you can create a safe, comfortable, and future-ready home. It’s important to remember that the decisions you make now will affect the functionality and comfort of your home for years to come. For expert assistance in making these crucial decisions, turn to the professionals at DFW Electrician & HVAC, who can guide you through the process with expertise and care.

Here are the Best Ways To Stay Cool in The Texas Heat.

Tips for staying safe in Dallas during the summer

In Texas, summers are hot.

We will see plenty of triple-digit temperatures in Dallas over the coming months. Summer temperatures are rising, so staying safe and cool is crucial.

Every year, hundreds of people die as a result of high temperatures. There are preventable causes of heat-related death and illness in the United States, yet more than 700 people are killed each year by extreme heat.

Keeping cool, staying hydrated, and staying informed are essential. Overheating can cause sickness. You can get sick when your body cannot compensate for the heat and cool you down appropriately. It is important to note that the following factors affect your body’s ability to cool itself during scorching weather:

  • An extremely high humidity level. Sweat won’t evaporate as quickly when the humidity is high. As a result, your body may be unable to release heat as fast as needed.
  • There are personal factors involved. The heat a person can handle depends on a person’s age, obesity, fever, dehydration, heart disease, mental illness, poor circulation, sunburn, and prescription drug and alcohol use.

Whenever you are working or playing outdoors, find shade and take lots of breaks. Pets and children should never be left in your car. The highest risk group is people 65 and older, children younger than two, and those suffering from chronic diseases or mental illness. You should closely monitor people who depend on you for their care. It is wonderful to bask in the sunshine, but extreme heat can be fatal for young and old, pregnant women, and those with chronic diseases. There’s no escaping the heat, both outside and inside.

Drinking water is a given, but many other ways to stay hydrated exist. Changing your bedding are no-sweat ways to stay cool this summer. You can enjoy the breeze with a bowl of ice in front of a fan if it is hot but not humid. The ice will cool you as it melts and evaporates. Cooling yourself off in the summer is as simple as spritzing yourself. Store a spray bottle in your refrigerator, and mist yourself whenever the weather gets hot. The water evaporates, and it cools you.

Whenever possible, wear thin, light-colored cotton that is loose and loose-fitting. It’s best if sweat evaporates directly from the skin to the air. There’s a strange truth about spicy foods: they’re good for cooling you off. The heat from spicy food increases blood circulation, which leads to sweating. Furthermore, sweating cools you down after it cools down.

Heat-related illnesses can be prevented by following these precautions:

  • Aim to stay out of direct sunlight and in the shade
  • During the day, limit outdoor activities between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. since these are the hottest hours
  • Dress in light colors and lightweight materials to get into gear
  • Stay hydrated and drink lots of water
  • Use sunscreen with a high SPF as often as possible
  • Eat light meals to feel cooler
  • Wipe your forehead with a cool cloth
  • Avoid using your stove or oven if possible
  • Turn on a Window Fan at Night
  • Whenever possible, stay in an air-conditioned indoor location.

If you are experiencing any electrical problems in your homes then visit Blessed Electric today for an expert to come out and help with any service needed!

Are Your Breakers Protecting You!?

By: Blessed Electric and Air

Are you familiar with your breaker’s location? Most of us don’t think about it until our lights go out, and we must scramble to find it. Breakers, or electrical panels, distribute electricity throughout the home. Electrical wiring is connected to your home’s internal wiring through these connectors. Circuit breakers and fuses are designed to trip before circuit wires become dangerously hot. Your appliances and power sources may not work as a result.

The tripped circuit keeps your house safe by protecting the electrical wiring in your house when you use the toaster and microwave at the same time.

Electrical loads you send through your walls, not the number of appliances you have, make the power go out. If your circuit breaker trips or keeps tripping, there may be a problem with your home’s wiring.

That’s why it’s crucial to keep your systems up-to-date and secure or to upgrade them if necessary. Circuit breakers can be found in the following types:

  • Standard Breaker– The electrical flow is monitored from when the electricity enters the home to when it leaves through appliances and outlets.
  • GFCI Breaker– When an overload trips GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) breakers, the power to the circuit is cut off.
  • AFCI Breaker– Electric discharges in cords or wiring can cause fires if they are not protected by AFCI breakers (Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters). These breakers immediately disconnect the damaged circuit when the arc builds up enough heat.

Contact us if your breakers need special attention. Blessed Electric and Air.

Why Should Your Home Possess a Backup Generator in Arlington?

Whether you believe it or not, electricity has become one of the basic necessities of life. Why? Most of the appliances that make your home comfortable and homely are powered by electricity. You name it – the TV set, microwave, cooling and heating units, fans, lighting, water heater, freezer, refrigerator, toaster, blender, laptops, smartphones, or even your video game consoles. They are all powered by electricity. And the emergence of electric cars has increased the dependence on power. You should always possess a backup generator at home.

Imagine what will happen if your heating unit stops working for a few hours in winter. Yeah, it’s better imagined. Unfortunately, cases of power outages have become more frequent in Texas and several states in America. It is often caused by natural disasters. Sometimes it takes a few hours and other times, it takes a few days.

You can’t prevent a power outage from happening but you can ensure that your house never runs out of electricity even amidst a serious power failure. One way to achieve this is by installing a backup generator. If you’re still skeptical about getting a generator for your home, check out all the reasons listed below.

1. It ensures the power supply

Your backup generator will kick in immediately the grid power goes out. In fact, the transition is so fast that you may not notice it, except for the sound of the generator. That way, you won’t miss any part of your favorite TV show. And if you are cooking when the power goes out, the generator will prevent your food from getting ruined.

2. It saves cost

Imagine how much money you’ll lose if a protracted power outage occurs a few hours after filling your fridge with new groceries and dairy products. All your vegetables, eggs, milk, fish, chicken, and whatever you have in your refrigerator and freezer will perish. The good news is that the loss can be avoided.

3. It prevents a power surge

Power surges often occur after a power outage, and it can damage your electrical appliances. A power outage can also cause an electric fire. However, a standby generator can prevent it. Once it senses an abnormal voltage, it will switch your home back to the generator in a twinkle of an eye. You may not even notice the magic.

4. It boosts security

Your exterior lighting will be of no use if a power outage occurs in the night. And some unscrupulous elements could take advantage of the situation to burgle your home. With a generator in place, it may never happen. When power goes out, the generator will take over automatically.

5. It protects your business

These days, working from home has become the new normal. So, a lot of people have their offices in their homes. A sudden power failure could make you lose your data or files. And it could take you several hours to prepare the file again. If you’re installing a software and power goes out, you may have to begin the installation from scratch. That will amount to a complete waste of data.

6. It gives peace of mind

Even if you go on a business trip, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that a power outage will not make your family uncomfortable. In fact, you can even operate and monitor some standby generators remotely. Back-up generators are cheaper and easier to maintain than you may think. At Blessed Electric and Air, we have several teams of Dallas electricians, Arlington electricians, Round Rock electricians, and Irving electricians that will install and maintain your generator at moderate costs.

 

Why not contact us to find out the best backup generator for your home and what the costs will be?

Why Choose Blessed Electric for All Your Electrical Service Needs in Dallas?

There are numerous Dallas electricians and more will emerge, but the qualities of their services vary as well as their charges. Unfortunately, higher charges do not always mean higher quality of electrical service. That means you could pay higher for lower-quality electrical services. This is why you should not select any Dallas electrician at random.

The go-to Dallas electrician and Dallas HVAC specialist is Blessed Electric. If you want the best electrical services at highly competitive rates, look no further than this electrician. Here are some of the reasons why Blessed Electric is your best bet for residential and commercial electrical jobs.

Blessed Electric is Licensed

Here in Texas, it is a crime to hire an electrician that is yet to get an operational license. The hirer is as guilty as the technician. If you don’t want to get into trouble with the law, stick with a licensed electrician. In addition, being licensed is an indication of competence. Getting a license in Texas is a long, tedious process.

Electricians are subjected to different levels of assessments and scrutiny before getting approved. So, any electrician that has a license to operate in Texas must be competent. This is why we are glad to let you know that Blessed Electric got its operational license several years ago.

We are fully insured

Another reason to consider us is our insurance status. Blessed Electric and all our servicemen are fully insured. That gives a certain level of peace of mind. If an accident happens while we are serving you, our insurance company will foot the medical bills, and not you. However, we must state clearly that an accident has never occurred to any of our electricians because we follow the highest safety standards. Notwithstanding, the possibility of an accident cannot be ruled out completely.

We offer 24-hour electrical services

At Blessed Electric, we believe that every electrical fault is an emergency. That’s why we are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days year. We never go on holidays. Rather, our men are always on standby, ready to respond to your calls. We prefer to avert or solve any electrical problem that could mar your holiday fun. Have you ever wondered how you’ll feel if your HVAC suddenly packs up on Friday night and you’ll have to wait till Monday to get it fixed?

It means you have to cope with the fault all through Saturday and Sunday. To avoid such situation, pitch your tent with Blessed Electric. We are always available to serve you. We will respond to your call even in the night.

Our turnaround time is impressive

One of the key performance indices of electricians is speed of service. At Blessed Electric, we don’t only offer services, but we also offer it as quickly as possible. The timer begins immediately after assigning your job to one of our electricians. That’s why our team of electricians will reach your property as quickly as possible. If it takes other electricians 2 hours to solve a problem, you can be sure that it will take us less than that.

Experience is on our side

Having served Dallas and several other cities in Texas for several years, we can proudly say we have the experience to give you the best electrical services. It is needless to remind you that experience always goes around hand in hand with expertise. As our experience increases, so does our expertise. That’s why we can assure you of the best services. If we have to handle an electrical problem twice, the bill for the second service will be on us, and not you. It might also interest you that we are familiar with electrical codes all over Dallas and other cities in Texas.

We make use of sophisticated equipment

Experience alone is not enough to give you the highest-quality services. We also need the right tools to get the job done. That’s why we spare no expense when it comes to the purchase of state-of-the-art equipment. We use technology-driven tools to troubleshoot electrical faults. That’s why there’s no fault we can’t handle. No job is too big for Blessed Electrical.

Honesty is our hallmark

It took Blessed Electric several years to build our reputation. We guard it jealously. We don’t cut corners or engage in sharp practices. You’ll never get any hidden fees from us. Once we give you a free quote, we’ll stick to it. Unlike some bad eggs among Dallas electricians, we won’t trick you into buying what you don’t need. In addition, we are always looking for the most cost-effective solutions for our clients.

Finally, we offer highly competitive rates. Do you have any electrical faults on your property? Do you need electrical installations? Or are you planning to replace or repair your HVAC? We will be glad to handle the job. For more information about our services, you can contact us today.

The Various Types of Ceiling Fans Your Electrical Service Installs

It is necessary to have ceiling fans at home even if there’s a powerful HVAC unit in your home. This is because the ceiling fans help to cut down your power consumption. When the weather is not too hot, you can shut down your air conditioning unit while your fans kick in. It is needless to remind you that fans don’t consume half as much as your HVAC unit consumes. Check types of ceiling fans for your Electrical Service Installs.

While you may want to install your ceiling fans yourself, it is better to hire a Dallas electrician, an Irving electrician, or a Round Rock electrician, depending on where you live. They understand the safety precautions around fans. For instance, they know that the blades of the fan must be at least 7 feet off the ground. At the same time, if the fans are too far away from the ground, the people underneath may not feel the impact. This is why you should let a professional handle the installation.

Now that you understand the importance of ceiling fans in homes, let’s talk about the types of ceiling fans that electricians install.

 

1. Dual-Motor Ceiling Fans

This is different from other fans. It comes as a pair of small ceiling fans being controlled by a single motor. It’s like getting two fans at the price of one. It might also interest you that each of the fans has its separate control. So, they can run at different speed. If you don’t want high speed, you can set the speed of the fan that blows your part of the room to low speed without disturbing others.

In addition, since each of them will cover different areas in the room, their coverage is widened. Some of them come with lights while others don’t.

2. Standard Ceiling Fans

This is the commonest type of ceiling fans found in homes. The ceiling fans are often installed with downrods. The downrod is the metal pipe that links the mounting brackets to the motor housing that spins the blades. These fans usually have about 4 to 5 blades. And some of them come with a light kit. Here is a little guide that will help you determine the length of the downrods of your ceiling fans. It depends solely on how high your ceiling is.

  • Choose a 6-inch downrod for a 9-feet-high ceiling.
  • Choose a 12-inch downrod for a 10-feet-high ceiling.
  • Choose a 24-inch downrod for a 12-feet-high ceiling.
  • Choose a 36-inch downrod for a 14-feet-high ceiling.
  • Choose a 48-inch downrod for a 16-feet-high ceiling.
  • Choose a 60-inch downrod for an 18-feet-high ceiling.
  • Choose a 72-inch downrod for a 20-feet-high ceiling.

3. Energy Star Ceiling Fans

These fans are known for conserving energy. They consume the least energy among ceiling fans. They’ll help you reduce your power consumption. In fact, Energy Star fans consume about 20-30% less power than other ceiling fans. The implication is that these fans can help you cut down up to 30% of power consumption. And the best part is that they come in standard and low-profile variants. Some of the fans also have LED lights.

4. Low-Profile Ceiling Fans

This type of ceiling fans is known as the hugger fans because they are installed as flush-mount fans. They do not require any downrod. This type of fan is ideal for apartments whose ceilings are lying low. You can choose it for an apartment whose ceiling is 8 feet high or less. Just like the standard ceiling fans, you can get hugger fans in various styles, colors, and finishes. So, you should be able to pick the one the suits your décor.

5. Smart Ceiling Fans

As their name implies, they are fans that can be linked to your existing Ecobee, Nest, Samsung SmartThings, Amazon Alexa, or Google Assistant technology. You will be able to control the fans remotely. You can even program the fans to go off the moment they no longer sense any movement. That way, no fan will work when there’s no one in its compartment.

The two major advantages of smart ceiling fans are the convenience of remote controlling and a huge slash in power consumption. You can get various sizes, brands, styles, and colors of smart ceiling fans. They can be installed by Dallas HVAC, Irving HVAC, or Round rock HVAC specialists.

6. Outdoor Ceiling Fans

All the fans described above are meant for only indoor use. They are not designed to work amid a heavy wind or humidity. So, you can’t install them in your patio or somewhere in your yard. However, there are fans designed specifically for that purpose. They are the outdoor ceiling fans, and they can withstand the wind, humidity, and inclement weather conditions. You can hire a Round Rock, Irving, or Dallas electrician to install them in your patio or anywhere around your home.

7. Industrial Ceiling Fans

These are powerful ceiling fans used in industrial buildings with high ceilings. These fans are too noisy to be installed in homes, and they consume more energy than other ceiling fans. In addition, they come with long downrods. The good part is that industrial fans are more efficient, rugged, and durable. They work like beasts. They are the ideal choice for warehouses, large stores, gymnasiums, and other industrial spaces.

Conclusion:

When you alternate your HVAC/air conditioning unit with your ceiling or when you use the fans in tandem with your HVAC, you’ll not only cud down your power consumption tremendously, but you’ll also extend the lifespan of your HVAC as nothing wears the unit out like a heavy usage. And to get the best performance from your fans, hire a Round Rock, Irving, or Dallas electrician to install them for you.

6 Tips for Choosing the Right Electrical Service

Are you planning to hire an electrician but you’re a little confused as to how to go about it? Well, you’re on the right page and we’re here to help. We’ll give you some steps to follow. With these tips, you’ll be able to hire a reliable Electrical Service contractor with competitive charges.

1. Start with online search

Depending on your location, you can search for an electrician in your location. For instance, people based in Dallas can search for Dallas electricians and a Round Rock resident will search for Round Rock electricians. This will return a list of electricians in your city. Take the time to click on the links of the search results. The idea is to get to the websites of the returned electrical practices to find out more about each of them.

On each of their websites, make sure to head over to their service pages to check the list of services that they offer. You need to be sure that your chosen electrical service offers the exact electrical service that you need. For instance, only few electrical contractors offer HVAC services. If you need to get your HVAC serviced or repaired, it is better to choose an electrician that lists the service on the service page of their websites.

2. Select only few electrical contractors from the list

Your online search will definitely return a long list of electricians. Try to select only 3 – 5 electrical practices from the long list of returned pages. That way, you’ll be able to scrutinize every one of them properly. Read further to know the things to find out before you hire an electrical contractor.

3. Your electrician must be licensed

This is the most important tip of all. You must ensure that your electrician is licensed and the license is up to date. Unfortunately, a lot of people overlook this, especially when the electrician was referred by someone else. The fact that an electrical contractor is skillful does not mean they’re licensed to work in Texas. They may possess the license of another state.

licensed electrician

 

Of course, you could hire an unlicensed electrician and go get away with it. But when something goes wrong, litigation may happen. Remember, it is a crime to hire an electrician that is not licensed in Texas. So, no matter how good the electrical contractor is, ask for their license.

4. Take quotes from at least three electricians

You need to compare charges from different electricians. That’s the only way to be sure that you’re paying a fair price. Ask at least 3 of the electricians on your consideration list to send quotes. Ensure the quotes are broken down to your understanding. And if there are areas you don’t understand, try to ask as many questions as possible. It’s your money, and you need to know where every dollar is going.

Sometimes, some electricians may also list things you don’t need just to increase their profits. Comparing quotes will help you sniff out that trick. If you check the quotes from 3 electrical contractors, and only one includes a certain component, you probably don’t need the component. So, you should query it.

5. Compare turnaround time too

In Texas, your bill will depend on the number of hours or days expended on your job. That’s why it isn’t unusual for some electrical service providers to drag their service longer than necessary. It helps them to charge higher. You need to ask for their turnaround time. For instance, if one of the electricians says your job will take 3 days and another one quotes 2 days, let the one with the longer timeframe know that you’ve seen a contractor that will finish the job in fewer days. You may even show them the quote. This may push them to rework their quote in your favor.

6. Declare that you don’t pay hidden fees

After negotiation, let your electrician know that you won’t respond to any additional fees that may come up during the project. This is because some electrical contractors may try to pull a fast one on you. They’ll come up with different stories to ask for additional fee. They will try to make it look like something unexpected happened. This is why you must let your team of electricians know that you’re not gonna pay a dime more than the quoted amount for the same job. Tell them beforehand.

Once you make such heavy declaration, the issue of hidden fees won’t come up. Even if they had such ideas, they’ll quickly ditch it.

 

Conclusion

With the 6 tips discussed above, you’ll always fall into the hands of the right Dallas electricians offering the right electrical services with the right quality at the right rate. And if you have to pick only one of the tips, choose the #3 tip – hire a licensed electrician.