How Does Cold Weather Affect Electrical Systems?

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Cold weather can have a very big impact on how your electricity works. Winter can bring major storms in some areas of the country, and in Colorado, it definitely can. Freezing temperatures also can affect the way your electrical systems work and cost you more money when it comes to energy bills. The solution to the problem is to always make sure everything is running smoothly and properly before heading into the winter season or before a storm.

Electrical problems in home during Winter

What Occurs to Electrical Systems During the Winter

Yes, power outages can occur during the winter either from storms or freezing temperatures. For instance, if there are freezing temperatures, your electricity might have to work harder to heat your home. If your home has an electrical furnace, then it will be working harder, especially if there are other space heaters in specific rooms.

On certain colder days during the winter season, electrical heaters are turned up, which can cause the electrical system to overload, thus causing a power outage in many circumstances.

How to Prevent Electric System Problems

First and foremost, it’s essential that you minimize your energy use during the winter season. One of the easiest ways is to turn your thermostat down just a few degrees. This can help with your energy bills in the winter. Evaluate which rooms of your home you’re using the most. If you only spend time in a couple, use space heaters to heat those rooms for a short period while turning your furnace down for the rest of the home.

One of the best ways to make sure your home’s electrical systems are working properly is to have them serviced and evaluated by a professional like Always On Electric. We can make sure your backup generator is ready to go and make sure you have the correct service upgrades. Contact Always On Electric at 970-309-2616 today or visit us online for more information!

The Importance of Agricultural Electrical Maintenance

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Farming in the United States is one of the most important industries. Farmers work hard for many hours of the day making sure they can provide for several parts of the country. There are many negative factors that can impact farmers year-round. Some include weather related issues that can impact growth of crops and the timeline. Others can include electrical issues that can cause downtime. Like any other business or home, your utilities need to be working properly in order to live and make a living.

At Always On Electric, we have the electrical team to make sure your electrical is always on!

Agricultural electrician

The Benefits of Electrical Service for Your Farm

Electrical services can prevent major problems from happening to your business. In the agricultural industry, electricity and energy is relied on heavily for the farm’s function and working ability. Without functioning utilities, the farm could introduce itself to devastating issues.

How we can help:

We have the experience and professional electric service team to provide a new electrical system, as well as electrical fixes and repairs.

  • Tough Heaters
  • Standalone Services
  • Barn/Shop Lighting & Equipment
  • Irrigation Pumps, Well Pumps, Etc.
  • Gas Pumps and Equipment

The benefits of having a professional electrical service come and repair your system or get it up and running are extremely helpful. When running a farm, you need to make sure everything is working properly for your business to run properly.

Renewable Energy for the Agricultural Industry

As the world continues to implement renewable energy into farms, there will need to be more electrical services to keep up with new technology that is implemented. We’re looking forward to the innovation of electrical equipment on farms.

If you’re looking for a new electrical system on your farm, or you need some electrical maintenance, contact Always On Electric at 970-309-2616 today or visit us online for more information!

Be Prepared for Colorado Storms

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It’s the Fall season, which means there’s a chance for some dicey weather elements here in Colorado. For homeowners, it’s essential to be prepared for these storms inside your home, as well as outside. Making sure all of your electrical is running smoothly in your home is very important during storms. Your power could go out as well, which means backup generators may come in handy in dire circumstances.

Always On Electric Can Prepare You

With someone by your side to make sure that the electrical systems in your home are updated and running properly will give you a stress-reliever during severe storms this Fall and Winter seasons. Here at Always On Electric, we can provide you with maintenance and electri

cal fixes for appliances and every electrical equipment in your home.

We can even help with backup generators. A backup generator for your home is very important if you experience a power outage during a severe storm. If you need fixes or adjustments for it to run smoothly, we can help.

The Benefits of Having Your Electrical Checked:

  •  Prevent Fire Hazards
  • Eliminate Electrical Downtime
  • Update Your Lighting Fixtures
  • Decrease other safety hazards

Besides severe storms interfering with your electrical, it’s always important to keep your home up to date with fixes and maintenance tasks, especially with your electrical. As your home gets older, updates need to be made to ensure the safety of you and your family. With more severe storms approaching with specific seasons, it’s crucial to have everything in proper order.

Call a Professional

We encourage you to reach out to a professional to inspect and maintain your electrical in your home. If you’re concerned about fixes or updates, contact Always On Electric at 970-309-2616 today or visit us online for more information!

What Causes Power Outages?

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Power Outages

 

As we become more dependent on a wide variety of electrical services and devices, power outages may seem more important than they were years ago. Today a power outage may interfere with lighting and entertainment, but also with safety and our ability to work. These are a few of the common causes of power outages.

  • Equipment

Our modern electrical system is composed of many different components. Electrical equipment is susceptible to failure as it ages or is damaged, just like the various parts in your car may fail over time. An equipment failure in the electrical system may result in a power outage to one home or to an entire area, depending on the equipment that failed.

  • Weather

As recent hurricanes in Texas and Florida have demonstrated, severe weather events may disrupt electric service to entire communities. A more typical example or weather-related power outages might involve lighting strikes, wind, or ice accumulation during winter.

  • Trees

Trees are often responsible for power outages. As the trees grow, their branches may come into contact with electrical lines or components. Trees may also indirectly trigger a power outage if a limb or the entire tree comes down during a storm. Falling limbs and trees may cause faults or damage to electrical lines.

  • Human Damage

Sometimes a power outage is caused by human damage. Common examples of human-caused outages are car crashes or construction equipment that cause damage to electrical components or lines.

  • Wildlife

Wildlife like snakes, rodents, and birds are just going about their daily life and doing what animals do each day. Unfortunately, they also sometimes come into contact with power lines or electrical components. The result is sometimes a power outage. While utility companies make efforts to limit the impact of wildlife on electrical service, these animals still sometimes find a way to a dangerous spot.

There are many causes of power outages. While you cannot control the electrical system outside of your home or business, you can be sure that all of the wiring and components within the building are safe and reliable. Always On Electric, Inc. has earned a reputation for quality work in the western Colorado region. Contact us today at 970-309-2616 to learn more about our services.

Why Would Plugs Fall Out of My Outlets?

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Loose Electrical OutletWe’re all so reliant on outlets these days. Whether we’re charging our phone, tablet, laptop or plugging in our favorite game consoles or lamps, we use the outlets in our homes and businesses every single day. As such, it can be quite frustrating when they’re not working properly.

One such example would be the process of a plug literally falling out of the outlet. Let’s say you’re charging your phone, and leave the area for a while, only to return to see the phone hasn’t charged and the plug is no longer in the outlet; once it’s happened more than once and you’ve ruled out a ghost playing tricks on you, you realize there are is an issue with the outlet. So what would cause plugs to drop out of your outlets (besides that mischievous ghost)?

Daily Wear and Tear and Defective Contact Points

If you’re like us, you probably use your “favorite” outlets each day. It’s not so much that you have a favorite, as much as a particular outlet is convenient for doing a certain job, and you start using it habitually. In this scenario, the daily wear and tear can add up and cause the outlet to be loose enough that it loses its grip and the plug slides out. If the metal in the outlets lose their sturdiness on electrical plugs, this could also cause it to fall out.

The Importance of Having Your Outlets Looked At

Sadly, a loose plug can cause sparks or electrical arcing, two things that are potential fire hazards. In addition, a loose outlet can cause damage to interior wiring, which could lead to a blown fuse or it could cause the circuit breaker to trip.

How an Electrician Will Help

A professional electrician can come and see what is bothering your loose outlet, and will isolate the problem. Next, he or she will can either fix the outlet if it’s salvageable, or rewire a new one.

If you’re in the Rifle, CO area and need a licensed electrician, contact Always on Electric today.

Reasons to Replace Outlet Receptacles

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Outlet Receptacles

Over the past few months, we’ve all had extra time to look around our homes or businesses and think about which improvement jobs need to be prioritized. Now, more than before, it’s essential for homeowners and business owners to have an ample amount of outlet receptacles, since we’re so reliant on the technology that requires outlets for charging or working purposes. As such, if you can’t remember the last time you’ve replaced the outlet receptacles in  your home or business, here are some telltale signs that it’s time.

The Outlets Feel Warm When You Use Them

Have you ever taken a phone charger out off the outlet and it felt hot? If so, it’s a scary feeling, and if it is happening often, it’s also a warning sign to replace your outlet receptacle. More often than not, the heat stems from outlets being worn out, though sometimes it might be caused by poor electrical wiring. Either, it’s best to further instigate if it becomes a common problem, especially if the screws holding the sockets in place are hot.

There are Breaches in the Outlets

If you see gaps, cracks and other openings in the outlet receptacle, it could lead to an accumulation of dust and possibly make the outlet a fire hazard. A build up of dust and other debris is bad news, and if your outlet is hot and has cracks or other crevices, then you know it’s time to do something about them.

You See Sparks

If you see sparks emanating from the outlet receptacle, it could indicate that the electrical wiring behind them has become outdated or is not able to withstand modern technical demands. A sparking outlet could lead to a fire breaking out, making it essential to have a professional look at your outlet receptacle.

If you’re in Rifle, CO area and are unsure about the outlet receptacles in your home or business, the electricians at Always on Electric are here to help. For more information, give us a call at 970.309.2616

Tips for Saving Money on Electricity This Summer

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Cleaning Air Conditioning Unit Sadly, the COVID-19 pandemic has affected nearly all walks of life, forcing people to find creative ways to save money as we wait for things to return back to normal. As the calendar inches closer and closer to summer, home and business owners may be thinking of ways they can save on their electric bills. Here are some tips to help you achieve that goal this summer.

Be Efficient With Your Air Conditioning Use

If you have an AC unit in your residence or business, make sure it’s only turned on when you’re at home or employees are in the building and are actually able to use it. Moreover, savings can add up if you turn it off when you’re go to bed for the night or if you set the temperature a bit higher than usual when you leave for the day.

On days and nights where it’s naturally cool outside, consider turning off the unit all together and simply open up your windows and let in a cool breeze. Also, utilizing the ceiling fans in your home or business can help reduce your dependence on your unit, also helping you save at the margins.

Keep Your Air Conditioning Units in Great Shape

Make sure the vents in your AC unit are clean and free of debris, and that the unit’s filters are periodically cleaned and/or replaced. Failing to perform maintenance on it will cause your air conditioning unit to not work as efficiently, which consequently, will cause the unit to consume more energy. And more energy consumption means a higher bill.

Choose a Great Thermostat

Learning how to properly program your thermostat is another way to save money this summer (year-round, actually). Whether it’s doing it the old school way and reading the instructional manual that comes with it, or it’s googling and watching a YouTube tutorial, accurately programming your thermostat will help you save bundles of money.

If you need a licensed electrician in Rifle, CO this summer, call us at 970.309.2616 or email us at alwaysonelectric@hotmail.com.

A Guide to Finding a Reliable Residential Electrician

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Residential ElectriciansAre you in search of a residential electrician right now? If so, you shouldn’t have much trouble at all tracking one down. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are more than 700,000 electricians operating throughout the country. As such, it can be a little bit difficult finding the right residential electrician for the job that you need done. Here is a guide to finding a residential electrician you can trust.

See if you can find a good recommendation from a family member or friend.

You might not have much experience working with residential electricians. Nevertheless, there’s a decent chance you have at least a few family members and friends who have had to work with one in the past. Call on your family members and friends to provide you with recommendations for residential electricians in your area. You might even want to put out an open call on Facebook to cast a wider net when searching for a great electrician.

Read through online reviews to find out which electricians those in your community like best.

If your family members and friends aren’t much help when it comes to recommending residential electricians, turn to online reviews for electricians in your area for help. You can learn more about which residential electricians people in your community seem to like best based on the online reviews you read for them.

Call and interview electricians yourself to find out what they bring to the table.

While it’s smart to turn to others for assistance when you’re on the hunt for a residential electrician, you shouldn’t expect them to do all your dirty work for you. You should also make an effort to learn as much as you can about the electricians you’re considering. You can do this by browsing around on their websites to see which services they have to offer. You can also do it by calling them up and spending a few minutes talking to them about what they have to offer to you. It’ll make you feel more confident in your decision when you narrow down your choices to just one residential electrician.

If you’re looking around for a residential electrician that you know you can trust, look no further than Always on Electric. We can set you up with the residential electrical services you need and do it at a great price. Call us at 970-309-2616 to hear more about the services we can provide for you.

Electrical Troubleshooting Tips for Industrial Businesses

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Industrial ElectricianWhen you own an industrial business, you’re going to need to get used to dealing with electrical issues from time to time. Many of these issues will be minor in nature. However, if you get into the habit of ignoring them and don’t determine what’s causing them, they can eventually lead to much larger problems down the line. Let’s take a look at some electrical troubleshooting tips that you can use to keep your industrial business’ electrical system up and running the way it’s supposed to at all times.

Work to gather information on an electrical issue as quickly as you can.

The second you notice an electrical issue in your industrial facility, you should formulate a plan of attack. Take a look at how the electrical issue is affecting your industrial equipment and talk to your employees to see if this issue is new or something that’s been a lingering problem. The more info you have on an electrical issue, the better your chances of figuring out what’s causing it so that it can be fixed.

Try to pinpoint the source of an electrical issue whenever possible.

Once you’ve taken the time to gather information on your electrical issue, the next step you should take is trying to pinpoint the source of the issue. This is often easier said than done, but you may be able to narrow the potential sources down by visually inspecting electrical wiring and outlets and checking out which part of your facility seems to be impacted the most by the electrical issue.

Aim to have your electrical issue fixed by a licensed industrial electrician right away.

Unless you have extensive experience and training as an industrial electrician, you should not attempt to correct an electrical issue in your facility. You could end up making the issue much worse than it already is by trying to repair it on your own. You could also put yourself and your employees at risk by tinkering around with electrical components. Call on a licensed industrial electrician to visit your facility right away and make the necessary electrical repairs.

Are you experiencing an electrical issue in your industrial facility right now? Always on Electric can come out to your facility and figure out what’s causing the issue. We can also make the right repairs to get your electrical system working seamlessly again. Call us at 970-309-2616 to schedule an appointment with an industrial electrician.

Here’s Why You Should Consider Having the Lighting on Your Property Retrofitted

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Licensed electricianDo you have a bunch of older lighting fixtures scattered around inside your home or business? You might be thinking about replacing them altogether. However, rather than going that route, why not have your lighting retrofitted? During the retrofitting process, an electrician will bring your existing lighting system up to speed by swapping out older parts for newer ones without having to replace your lighting system altogether. Continue reading to find a few reasons why this has turned into such a popular option for many home and business owners.

Saves money

Most home and business owners at least consider having their lighting retrofitted because of all the money that they can save by doing it. When you have lighting retrofitted, it’ll cost a lot less than it would to replace an entire lighting system. It can also bring down your energy costs and save you money every month since you’ll be using a better lighting system once your electrical work is all done.

Provides better lighting

If you don’t like the lighting that your lighting system is providing at the moment, retrofitting it could be the answer to your prayers. You can improve the quality of light in your home or business in most cases by having lighting retrofits done. You’ll be able to see better when you have your lights turned on, and the lighting that is produced will make your home or business look better as a whole.

Works wonders for the environment

Many older lighting systems are not good for the environment. They run through too much energy and create too much waste by causing light bulbs to burn out quickly. You can make your home or business more eco-friendly in an instant when you invest in lighting retrofits. You’ll also reduce the number of times that you need to change lightbulbs and do other maintenance to your electrical system.

Always on Electric specializes in performing lighting retrofits for both our residential customers and our commercial clients. Call us at 970-309-2616 to discover more about how lighting retrofits can benefit you and your home or business.