When it comes to DIY jobs, electrical wiring is one thing that you should avoid. Most wiring or rewiring jobs are incredibly complex, and require the expertise of trained and licensed professional electricians, such as the members of our staff. You also don’t want to trust this job to an amateur or a general “handyman” as they most likely lack the necessary training to do the job right.

One of the most popular rewiring jobs people choose to proceed with is finishing their basement, which requires a good amount of rewiring throughout. Keep reading to learn more about what this type of job requires, and why you should only trust the professionals to complete it.

Even the smallest drip coming through your below-grade walls can create a problem. You’ll want to have the outside checked to ensure that the ground is graded away from your foundation, and also will want to check for cracks in your foundation walls and have that damage repaired if necessary.

Chances are, you don’t know the local building codes in your area. Many times, you’ll need to get building permits to make any electrical changes to this room of your home, as that room may need to be inspected before the job begins. Our electricians are aware of these rules and will take the necessary steps to ensure the job is done correctly.

A drop, or suspended, ceiling is one that is lower than the natural ceiling of your basement. This allows you to conceal any new plumbing that is put in, as well as electrical components such as wires. The good news is, there are plenty of attractive options for these types of ceilings. This also allows you to give your lighting a recess, which allows you more space for light fixtures.

As tempting as it may be to finish your entire basement, keeping the space housing your HVAC units and water heater clear, open, and unfinished is a good idea. That’s because these spaces have specific code requirements, plus your service professionals will need access for maintenance and repairs.

It’s tuesday April 22nd and Earth Day* celebrations are abounding. Eco-friendly lamps, light fixtures and fabulous accessories are here to help you decorate with an eye on preservation and divine design.

The “Smart Home” of the future is truly within reach.  From aroma-therapy air purification systems and vitamin-C infused showers to LED light sources and recycled decorative illumination, energy-saving and eco-friendly options are in full bloom this year.

1.  Look for ENERGY STAR and Energy SMART products.  Revamp your indoor and outdoor light fixtures with new light sources and smarter control systems.

2.  Invest in sustainable lamps and light fixtures.

3.  Buy less, but buy better.  From Organic Minimalism to Restoration Industrialism, the latest designer lamps and light fixtures may be less ornate, but full on fashion with energy-efficient illumination.

Visit 1800lighting.com or a Capitol Lighting showroom for a glimpse into the latest eco-friendly lighting and decorative accessories, including  new lamps and light fixtures from Hubbardton Forge, Varaluz Lighting, Kichler Lighting and Currey and Company.

Now is the time to do your part to make Earth Day 2014 more than just a fantastic idea, make it a reality and light consciously and proficiently with style.

*The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) was born on December 2, 1970 and the first Earth Day was celebrated on April 22, 1970.  President Nixon’s 1970 State of the Union Address was flooded with concern for clean air, clean water and a concerted effort for the federal government to “transform” the land.

We celebrate Earth Day every year on April 22nd as the government continues to consolidate efforts for a cleaner environment, but it is really up to each individual to transform their own home with energy-efficient and eco-friendly products.

Top pics for Earth Day include:

The “Elkmont” collection from Currey and Company

The “Modern Loft” table lamp from Pacific Coast Lighting

The “Argyle” pendant from Varaluz Lighting

“Natural Rope” chandelier from Landmark Lighting

Showing some love to your sweetheart this Valentine’s Day is a beautiful thing. Are you also showing that love to the electronics that keep things running smoothly in your home year-round? Much like your honey, ignoring those electronics for any length of time without giving them a little much-needed TLC could leave you in the doghouse.

Or your 2-year-old… Or your morning coffee… Or your dog. Your electronic devices need to be protected. Are they properly cased and safely stored?

Cleaning your electronics immediately is essential after unwanted exposures to items of all sorts, from your daily cola, food crumbs, dirt and grime, to a hosing from an over-friendly pet, and more. Don’t just grab a wet paper towel. Make certain to use compatible cleaning solutions and rags by making a worthwhile investment in specialized cleaning sets available for each of your sensitive devices. Here are some tips for properly cleaning and maintaining your electronic devices:

Recycle unnecessary or extraneous cords and chargers. Properly organize wires leading to electronics like televisions and DVD players, which are dust bunny magnets courtesy of static electricity. Untangle wires and straighten them together with zip ties to allow for easier cleaning and vacuuming without dislodging connections.

Opt for additional insurance or available protection plans that cover the parts and labor necessary to resurrect expensive devices.

Remove batteries from items you don’t use often to prevent damage from corrosion. Keep batteries on hand for items like remotes (which should also be cleaned) and store chargers carefully. Consider the addition of a professionally designed and installed charging station for the safety of sensitive portable electronics and to drastically cut the clutter.

Today’s expensive electronics and appliances are more sensitive to power spikes and surges than their predecessors. Keep them protected with whole house and point-of-use surge protection. The cost of replacing a single item destroyed by a surge will often cover your investment. Losing a single large home appliance will cost you double the investment of professionally installed surge protection from Mr. Electric®.

Ready to show the love? Contact Mr. Electric today.

The electrical system of your home is one of its most important components, and also one of the most hazardous. Frayed wires, loose connections, and similar issues can crop up almost anywhere in your home, and dry air that we often get in the winter can make it even worse.

Without appropriate, and safe, repairs, frayed wires or loose connections can short out important appliances or even start a fire. It’s important to remember, too, that only a highly trained and experienced electrician should attempt repairs on this system. But how do you know if you even need repairs? Are there any tell-tale signs? Yes! Keep reading to learn more.

Perhaps this seems normal, particularly if you have something plugged into the outlet at the time. However, if an outlet is warmer than the wall that surrounds it, then there is likely a problem with your wiring. In some cases, an outlet can get a little warm when it’s plugged in, but it should never be hot to the touch.

Lights that are dimmer than they should be, or flicker when you turn them on, are probably receiving intermittent electricity. This means trouble somewhere in the wiring system.

Malfunctioning electrical components can cause a low buzzing noise, which will typically stop when you cut power to that particular circuit.

If your breakers keep tripping on one particular circuit, then chances are that circuit is overloaded. It may also be an issue with one or more appliances hooked up to it.

Sparks from any electrical outlet are serious and should never be ignored. Be sure to shut off power to the affected area right away before calling in a technician. In some cases, the problem might actually be with the appliance hooked up to the outlet and not the outlet itself.

A circuit must be a closed loop of wiring. Electricity flows from a power source, through the circuit to the different outlets and switches, then back to the source. Circuits are designed to handle a certain amount of electricity. There are safety measures in place like fuses and circuit breakers that are designed to stop the flow if there is too much electricity on the circuit.

Switches are like manual circuit breakers—the either complete or break an electrical circuit. In the “off” position the electrical contacts inside the switch can’t meet. When you flip the switch to the “on” position, the contacts connect and allow electricity to flow through.