We often take electricity for granted, but it’s a necessity that provides safety, comfort, and convenience in our lives. If you’re a new homeowner, you likely have some questions about how to best handle the basics of your home’s electrical system. Here are a few tips that’ll help you gain a better understanding of home electricity basics.

How Much Electrical Work Should I Attempt on My Own?

Doing electrical work in your home isn’t the same as painting a room or laying tile. If you make a mistake, you could be electrocuted or cause a catastrophic fire in your home. It is recommended that you always call a professional to handle any repairs that relate to your home’s electrical system.

At Mister Sparky® of Richmond, our team of expert electricians is available 24/7 to take any emergency calls and meet your needs. We can handle anything from an emergency to routine maintenance, so never hesitate to give us a call to fix a problem in your home.

How Can I Lower My Electric Bills?

Your electricity costs can escalate to become one of the most expensive bills you pay every month. Some quick tips that’ll help you save on your electric bill each month include:

  • Close your windows and blinds on hot days. If the climate control system in your home is powered by electricity, this will likely be one of your highest bills. By preventing sunshine from entering your home while your A/C is running, your HVAC system won’t need to work as hard to combat the heat. Do the opposite in the winter; let the sunshine in during the daytime so that it helps warm your home. If you have any questions about your home’s HVAC system, our sister company One Hour Heating and Air Conditioning can help.
  • Turn all your lights off when you leave your home. Even though a single lightbulb may not draw a lot of power, leaving any electrical component on while it’s not in use is a waste of energy.
  • Switch to energy-efficient appliances when possible. Most new electrical devices are designed with energy efficiency in mind. So, if you have some extra money in the budget this month, you may want to consider investing in upgrading some of your old appliances.

What Should I do If I Lose Power?

First of all, it’s always a good idea to keep an emergency kit on hand. This kit should include flashlights, battery-operated lanterns, and even some non-perishable canned goods, bottled water, and other supplies that’ll get you through a long stretch without electricity in your home.

If you lose power due to a thunderstorm, or other weather-related outage, call your electric company immediately. They’ll send out a truck to repair the problem as soon as possible. Don’t ever assume that someone else reported the outage, even if the rest of your neighborhood is in the dark. They may think—mistakenly—that you reported the issue. This could result in long delays, particularly if many in your town are out of power.

If your home seems to be the only one in your neighborhood without power, use a flashlight to go check the main breaker in your electrical fuse box. If it’s tripped, turn it off and then on again. This may remedy the problem. If not, check your appliances, lamps, etc. to determine what’s affected. If you still can’t seem to find the source of the issue, call Mister Sparky to diagnose the problem.