Sunset Air Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Electrical’

Signs That Your Electrical System Needs an Upgrade

Monday, June 27th, 2022
electrician-working-on-wires-in-HVAC-system

One of the most important systems in your home is the electrical system. Made up of dozens of wires, outlets, switches, and connections–all of which is controlled by the electrical panel–a malfunctioning electrical system can be not only inconvenient, but dangerous.

This is why it’s important to know the signs of an electrical system in need of an upgrade. More specifically, you should be aware of when your electrical panel needs an upgrade. After all, this is where all the power is routed, and given the increased electrification of homes today, it’s important that your panel can keep up with demands. Read on to learn what these signs are!

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Is It Time for a New Electrical Service Panel?

Monday, December 3rd, 2018

Side view of male technician examining fusebox with multimeter probeThe panel of your Puyallup, WA electrical system, also known as the circuit breaker panel, is the hub of all your electrical wiring, appliances, and equipment. It is the location where incoming electricity is routed to the different circuits—each of which are designed to shut off in case of a voltage overload. If your electrical panel is more than a couple decades old, it’s time to make sure you aren’t overdue for an upgrade.

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Common Electrical Problems

Friday, January 9th, 2015

The electrical system is one of the most complex of any home’s infrastructure. It can also be the most dangerous. Electrical problems can burn out appliances, start fires, and even cause death under the worst circumstances. A lot of electrical problems are subtle, evidenced only by small signs that are easily missed. In this article, we’ll examine some of these signs, what they mean, and when you should call an electrician.

Flickering Lights

No, your house is likely not haunted. Flickering lights is a sign that there is a short or a bad connection somewhere along the circuit. Depending on where this flickering occurs, it could be located in one outlet or the entire house. Bad connections in the circuit are only a minor annoyance in and off themselves. However, a short can get progressively worse over time depending on where it is. It’s best to call an electrician if you notice this happening.

Switches Getting Hot

This is not a problem if you’re using dimmer switches. A dimmer switch controls the level of light a bulb gives off by increasing or decreasing the resistance to the electric current. The energy that doesn’t make it to the bulb is given off as heat, causing the dimmer switch to feel warm. If you aren’t using a dimmer switch, however, this is a big problem.

Normal switches are supposed to allow the electrical current to travel more or less unfettered. When a normal switch heats up, it’s a sign that the current is meeting unusual resistance. If whatever is causing the resistance is not fixed, the extra heat can melt the switch and even cause a fire. Call an electrician immediately if you notice a normal switch getting hot.

Circuit Breaker Keeps Tripping

A circuit breaker is designed to trip if the system is threatening to be overwhelmed. However, a circuit breaker that won’t reset is a problem. If your circuit breaker refuses to reset, it is likely still detecting whatever is threatening the grid. If you can’t find the item that’s overloading the circuit, call an electrician to help you.

If you’re experiencing electrical problems in your home, call Sunset Air. We provide electrical services throughout Puyallup.

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How to Avoid Hazards from Electrical Fires in Your Home

Friday, September 12th, 2014

Electrical fires—a fire that involves some type of electrical failure or malfunction—are a major cause of combustion starting in homes in the U.S. According to the National Fire Protection Agency, approximately 47,700 home fires started in 2011 because of electrical failures, resulting in $1.4 billion in direct property damage. Over the period of 2007–2011, electrical fires accounted for 20% of direct property damage in the country.

These statistics sound frightening, but the truth is that electrical fires are easy to prevent with proper precautions and maintenance. A large percentage of electrical fires come from amateur tampering or DIY repair attempts on the electrical system, resulting in poor wiring. If you rely on professionals and make sure that your home’s electrical system remains up to date, you should have little to worry about from electrical fires.

Whenever you need the help of a licensed electrician in Puyallup, WA, call Sunset Air. We have almost 40 years of experience helping make homes safer and lives better. We can handle the electrical services necessary to protect your home from the dangers of electrical fires.

Here Are Some Ways to Guard against Electrical Fires

  • Never allow non-licensed electrical work: You must turn to licensed electricians for any repair work in your home, even for what seems like a simple task. Licensed electricians are more experienced, of course, but they are also familiar with the local electrical codes that are in place to keep homes safe. The National Electric Code is enforced differently throughout the country, with each jurisdiction choosing how to implement it. Licensed electricians make it their business to know the code as it applies to your home and make sure your home remains up to code.
  • Immediately call for repairs at the first sign of electrical trouble: Although some signs of electrical issues are obvious, others are more subtle but just as important to watch for. Flickering lights, routinely tripped circuit breakers, discoloration on the outlets, warm light switch covers… these are all indications of potential danger from an electrical fire. Don’t hesitate when it comes to the electrical system: call for a professional.
  • Have regular electrical maintenance: If you suspect that your electrical system is aging or faulty, you should arrange for electrical maintenance. Professional electricians will come to your home and carefully inspect the system to see if there are frayed connections, loss of insulation around wires (a leading cause for electrical fires), or aging circuits that require replacement. The technicians will identify if you need extensive rewiring because of old aluminum or copper wires. This is a great way to have assurance that your home is as safe as possible.

The service specialists at Sunset Air are available to help you with any electrical repair. You can count on us for new installations and electrical maintenance. For an electrician in Puyallup, WA who can get the job done, call us right away.

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Qualities to Look for in a Professional Electrician

Friday, September 5th, 2014

In this fast-paced Information Age, it’s easy to locate professional services to take care of any of your household needs. In fact, it’s too easy: a simple Internet set search will turn up scores of companies you can hire… and not much in the way to separate them so you can find the one that will do the job you need at the quality level you expect.

If you are searching for an electrician in Puyallup, WA, you will run across this dilemma. Electricians from across the Southwest Washington area will pop up in your searches. How can you decide on the right company for the job?

We’ve listed a few of the qualities that you should place on your shopping list when you’re looking for an electrician. At Sunset Air, we’re proud to live up to the expectations of our clients, and we think we will live up to all your expectations as well.

Look For These Qualities in an Electrician

  • Many years in the business: Although there is nothing stopping a new company from hiring electricians with many years of experience, in general newer companies won’t be able to deliver the same confident level of quality as one that had a few decades of history behind it. It’s also much easier to put your trust in electricians that have shown they’ve earned the respect of the community and many clients. You should look for an electrical service company with at least 10 years of history.
  • Offers commercial services as well: You may not run a business, but you should pay attention to any electrical service company that handles both commercial and residential work. Technicians who can handle the wiring needs for a whole commercial building will have the necessary skill set to take care of any issues you may experience with the electrical system in your home.

Sunset Air has served the South Puget Sound and Southwest Washington areas for over 35 years, growing from a small garage to an extensive office and showroom with a large team of experienced employees. Along with commercial and residential electrical services, we also offer services for heating, air conditioning, water heaters, generators, and solar energy. You can contact us any time of the day or night when you need emergency help for your home.

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When You Should Schedule Whole-House Rewiring

Friday, August 22nd, 2014

Rewiring an entire home’s electrical system is a large task, but one that often necessary to improve daily electrical use and to increase safety. The job requires a team of expert electricians and should never be undertaken as a hobbyist “adventure” or delegated to amateurs who offer suspiciously low prices.

If you believe your home needs to have whole-house rewiring, a call for electrician from Sunset Air. We are proud of the skills of our team of electricians, and we offer many electrical services—large and small—to the South Puget Sound and Southwest Washington areas. We will help you decide if whole-house rewiring is the best option for your home.

When Whole-House Rewiring May Be Necessary

The amount of electricity that we use in our homes on a daily basis has increased exponentially since the 1980s, and seems to rise each year. We have more powerful appliances than ever before, as well as new gizmos that need a steady electrical supply. Just think about how many devices you need to have hooked up every day just for recharging, and you will have an idea of the recent boost in electrical needs for U.S. homes.

All this heightened demand for power can overwhelm older wiring systems, even ones from only a few decades back. If you think that whole-house re-wiring is something necessary only for houses more than five decades old, you might be surprised to learn that your home needs it!

However, old homes are a good place to start. If you live in a house built pre-World War II that has never received an upgrade to its electrical system, you should schedule rewiring right away: old copper wiring can become dangerous with the growing amount of electrical demand placed on it.

For newer homes, be on the lookout for these signs that you will benefit from whole-house rewiring:

  • Aluminum wiring: This metal replaced copper after 1965 and remained in use through the mid-1970s. However, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, aluminum wires can overheat and cause fires. Check with an electrician if your home was built between 1965–1973 to see if you have aluminum wiring.
  • Constantly tripped circuit breakers: If you are habitually going to the circuit breaker panel to reset tripped breakers, then your home is sending you the signal that its electrical system cannot handle the current demands placed on it.
  • Charred, discolored outlets: These marks indicate electrical fires caused by shorts within the outlet. At the very least, the outlet will need an upgrade… and possibly all the wiring as well.
  • Acrid smells: Do you notice a burning smell whenever you turn on the lights in your home, but cannot find the source? Then it’s time to call an electrician, because something could be seriously amiss with your home’s wiring and it will need replacement.

If possible, you should arrange for rewiring during a remodel a safeguard. However, if you have emergency indications like those above, or if your home simply cannot handle the daily electrical demands placed on it, call for an electrician in Puyallup, WA from Sunset Air to see if you should schedule whole-house rewiring ASAP.

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What Are the Benefits of Upgrading My Electrical Service Panel?

Tuesday, April 22nd, 2014

Here in Puyallup, electrical services are used to handling all manner of systems. We have our share of older houses in the area, and many of them sport older electrical systems to boot. A solid upgrade performed by a reliable electrical contractor can help out your home in innumerable ways. If you’re experiencing problems with your electrical system, or even if your system is working fine but relies on older technology, you may want to seriously consider replacing your electric panel with an updated model. “What are the benefits of upgrading my electrical service panel?” We’ve provided a quick outline below.

In the first place, upgrading your electrical system may be legally necessary, since older models may no longer adhere to modern statues and codes. Generally speaking, if your panel still uses fuses and other outdated equipment, it likely isn’t up to code and will require replacing.

The reasons why fold into another huge benefit to upgrading your panel: safety. Old or worn service panels could cause an overload, shorting out your electricity and/or possibly causing a fire. A newer panel can provide increased safety to your home, as well as the convenience of being able to handle your electrical load adequately. A new electrical panel may also save you money in electrical bills, since it

We use electrical power at an unprecedented level these days, with plasma screen TVs, high-end computers and similar devices playing an increasingly large role in our lives. Without a proper electrical panel, you may not be able to support the kinds of appliances you need to stay connected. For more on the benefits of upgrading your electrical service panel, or to schedule an inspection of your existing panel, give the experts at Sunset Air a call. We offer electrical services in Puyallup and we’ll get you an up-to-date panel that meets all of your electrical needs. Electricity can be dangerous, so don’t leave such an important project in the hands of amateurs. Contact us today to make an appointment. You’ll be glad you did!

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5 Reasons to Call a Professional Electrician

Friday, August 9th, 2013

How is the electrical supply in your home? Do you worry about flickering lights and other issues? There are numerous reasons to call on the professional service of a qualified electrician in Olympia, WA. As you know, electricity is a vital but also hazardous energy source that needs to be controlled as it moves throughout your home. Today’s equipment far exceeds its predecessors in terms of functionality and safety, but electrical wiring and fixtures must be respected. It’s always better to be safe than sorry, so call on Sunset Air for all of your electrical needs in Olympia, WA.

Here are 5 reasons to call an electrician.

  • Flickering lights. One of the most common calls for electrical repair is flickering lights. Whether your lights flicker when turning them on or off, or continuously, there is obviously a problem with the connection, either at the fixture itself or where it connects to the main circuit that leads back to the service panel. Such problems need to be addressed as soon as possible, as faulty connections can cause fires.
  • Service panel upgrade. Whether you have a fuse box and need to upgrade it to a new circuit breaker panel, or simply want your existing service panel to have greater electrical capacity, you may want to enlist the help of a professional electrician to upgrade your system. Doing so not only brings your system up to date, but may be necessary for major remodeling projects like home additions.
  • Generator installation. A whole-house generator is a great way to back up your home in the event of a power outage, whether it’s caused by a flood, storm, or grid failure. A whole-house generator uses natural gas or propane to create an electrical energy supply that feeds your home. An automatic standby model can actually sense whenever your power goes out and start-up automatically.
  • Rewiring. Rewiring your entire home is a major job, make no doubt about that . But sometimes it’s necessary, mostly for safety reasons and for bringing your home up to local codes and regulations.
  • Whole-house surge protection. If you own sensitive electronic equipment like an HD television, desktop computer, or stereo system, then you probably already understand the value of surge protection. However, portable surge protection strips are not nearly as effective as a whole-house surge protection unit that makes sure your entire home is protected.

For excellent service from a professional electrician in Olympia, WA, call Sunset Air.

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