Solar panel systems provide a clean and renewable source of energy for residential buildings. They can also help homeowners lower their energy bills, leading to considerable savings over the years. If you are interested, consider the following information. Types Solar panel systems for residential buildings are available in two main types, off-grid and grid-connected. Off-grid systems are stand-alone ones that are not connected to a local utility company. Grid-connected systems are ones that are connected to a local utility company. These systems are able to use the grid for power when they are unable to produce enough energy on their own. The utility company arranges to purchase any excess power that grid-connected systems produce. Some grid-connected systems also have a battery backup...

Outdated wiring can cause problems to occur that inconvenience you. You may find yourself in the dark a lot due to frequently tripped circuits or blown fuses. You might not have enough power to run all of your appliances, lights, and devices at the same time. You may receive shocks frequently. You may notice your electric bill is becoming increasingly high for no apparent reason, which may attribute to old wiring. Outdated wiring has the potential to do more than just complicate your life. You could find yourself without a place to call your own once the faulty wiring sparks and starts a fire. Get a step ahead and avoid an electrical emergency, read on about the signs of outdated wiring! Benefits of Rewiring If you opt to rewire your home, you could find yourself saving money. Although it...

Circuit breaker replacement can be an economical investment in protecting your home while avoiding damage to your appliances and fixtures. In addition, you can rest easy knowing that your family will be safe. They are a valuable first line of defense in home safety but are often overlooked as a solution to real problems.  Your electrical panel is likely hidden in the basement or in a utility closet, well out of sight and thought. If you ignore the warning signs, you may experience the following symptoms: Flickering Lights: How annoying is it when you’re eating dinner with the family and the lights keep raising and lowering like in a haunted house? While distracting, you figure you can live with it. This could be troublesome. Poor Performance from Appliances: Your stove may bake unevenly...

It’s tricky being self-sufficient when you rely on public utilities. Utilities that provide everything from your air conditioning, to the water running in your faucet, to your plumbing, to the garbage you leave on the curb. Paying your utility bills can be a pain, and there’s not always much you can do to cut down on costs without compromising your lifestyle. There is, however, an option, install some solar panels. Solar panels utilize the sun, a 100% renewable resource, to generate electricity. A typical solar panel produces 200 watts of electricity, enough to power smaller appliances like your laptop or television. Depending on where you live, how many solar panels you install, and how efficient the solar cells inside the panels are, you can generate enough electricity to power your entire...

It’s likely that your home is at least 10-20 years old, which means you’re probably due for some serious home maintenance. When this happens, it’s understandable to groan out loud as you mentally list bill after bill, and where to begin? Does my home need new insulation? Are there out-dated appliances? What about bad plumbing? All legitimate concerns, but it’s also likely that you haven’t considered your electrical wiring as a potential problem. Checking for out-dated wiring isn’t as simple as reading a thermostat or looking for mold spots, considering the issue is literally inside your walls. Only licensed electricians can guarantee if your house needs rewiring. So Should You Rewire? If your house is old and you enjoy all the conveniences your house provides you, then yes, you should probably...

Lighting upgrades are the perfect choice if you’re looking to enhance your home’s atmosphere this spring. The snow and sleet has melted, the days are growing longer, and the time for boosting home electricity is just right. With spring in full bloom, homeowners are looking for a change. Perhaps this comes in the form of spring cleaning, breaking out the mop and dust pan to eliminate any remaining traces of winter. However, spring cleaning isn’t just limited to household chores. It’s also a chance to make your home’s lighting work better than ever. There is a good chance you have some lights in your home that are in process of burning out. Your lighting problems may extend beyond flickering, and instead get to the point where it’s becoming difficult functioning in your home at all. A combination...

It’s time for a little history lesson. Back in the 1960s, copper experienced a spike in price. For newly constructed homes, this proved inconvenient and aluminum became an acceptable, cost-efficient alternative, especially for electrical wiring. Due to its comparatively lower cost, aluminum saw a surge in popularity over the next decade as it became the go-to choice for reliable electrical wiring that wouldn’t leave homeowners with an empty wallet. But its glory days wouldn’t last forever. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, aluminum wiring was found to be the cause for many residential fires, which only proved one thing—cost-efficiency does not equal high quality. Much like the disco songs and bell bottoms of the era, aluminum wiring suddenly became out of style and copper wiring got back in...

The year is 2017, and if you’re still living with knob & tube wiring, you may just as well be living in the age of the dinosaurs. Knob and tube electrical systems were common in homes built between the late 1800s and 1930s. While they were considered the norm for a long while, you also have to remember their popularity came at a time of lesser electrical demands in the average home. There were none of those fancy kitchen aid mixers, hot tubs, washers, dryers, and perhaps worst of all, no television for people to binge watch the latest Netflix series. Since they cannot possibly keep up with modern electrical demands, they are incredibly unsafe to have in your home. In fact, they are illegal in several counties across the United States. There are other risks as well like low circuit capacity,...

Circuit breaker replacement is necessary if you want dependable electricity in your home, especially during the winter when electrical consumption increases. Though your circuit breaker panel is your first line in home electrical safety and can last you a long time, refusing to call for replacement when the time is right can give you all sorts of trouble. This includes flickering lights that will disrupt life in your home in more ways than one. You’ll also risk damaging your most essential lights and appliances, meaning you may have to spend more cash on replacing them. Worse, when too much power is drawn through a power cord, an electrical fire can result from overheating. Your home could be severely damaged by smoke, water and flame. With the increased safety risk, you will also notice...

The New Year is here which means it is time for homeowners to consider electrical upgrades throughout their home to remain safe and secure. Why do you ask? Well, per the National Fire Protection Association, nearly 50,000 fires are caused by faulty electrical systems in homes each year. And unfortunately, 450 deaths have occurred, as well as up to 1500 injuries. All homeowners would like to believe that their electrical system is safe and sound, but can you really know for sure? Electrical upgrades need consideration especially at the beginning of the year and the only way to know if your family is safe is though these ten resolutions. Why Take Advice from Current Electric? Here at Current Electric, it’s our top priority to ensure that you and your family are safe from any electrical danger....