Let’s face it, the holidays are going to look a lot different this year. Many families aren’t even able to get together due to health concerns, and traveling is still questionable too. There’s still plenty to look forward to for many homeowners though. For instance, many people have a ton of fun decorating their homes, inside and out, for the holidays.
But before you go all Clark Griswold on the outside of your home, consider this: is your breaker box ready for it? Also known as your electrical panel, the breaker box is responsible for safely routing electrical current to and from the various electrical appliances and fixtures in your home. An overloaded electrical panel, though, can lead to expensive problems and potential safety hazards.
Read on as we uncover a few signs that you should upgrade your breaker box before plugging in any holiday lights!
Homeowners have been putting increasing electrical demand on their homes than ever before. You likely have a number of devices connected to your power supply at any time, right? With many power charging stations to handle your portable devices? What are you doing to protect these devices and the rest of your appliances from power surges?
Let’s start by making one thing clear–there is nothing wrong with a portable generator. In fact, portable generators are the perfect solution in many situations. For instance, if you’re going on a campout and want to power up an electric grill–or you’re glamping and want to watch TV (hey, we aren’t here to judge!)
Fall can be a bit deceiving around here. Sure, temperatures are cooling down, but we all know that a heatwave can hit at pretty much any time. Still though, once we get a few weeks further into the season, it’ll be just about time to turn our attention to our heaters.
Summer may officially be over in a couple of short weeks, however, we can absolutely still expect some warm temperatures moving into fall. This means your air conditioner isn’t done working hard to keep you cool. And this is the time of year when accumulated stress really takes its toll on air conditioner–especially if AC maintenance was skipped.
Each and every year, thousands of people die or are injured by unintentional CO (carbon monoxide) exposure or house fires. It’s a harsh statistic, but one that amplifies the importance of having properly installed smoke and CO detectors in your home. In fact, it’s the law that homes have these two devices in them when you move in, and illegal to tamper with these devices in most jurisdictions too.
Summer is progressing right along, and with it so are warmer temperatures. Is your air conditioner up to the task? If you’re considering a new system this time of the year, chances are it’s a decision you’re a bit rushed on. We urge you however, to not make this decision in haste. Choosing a new air conditioner too quickly could leave you with an ineffective and inefficient air conditioner.
When summer temperatures are at their peak, there is only so much you can do to keep your house as cool as possible. You can keep your air conditioner well-maintained, keep the blinds on south-facing windows closed during the day, make sure you’re well equipped with the right indoor air quality products, and invest in a solar attic fan!