One of the many services the Burley Electrical Services provides is Energy Saving Consultations. Just before you consider help for a full overhaul of your home’s electrical system, we would like to share a few tips on how you can save money now with your current power usage. We will also share future tips you may want to look into, to see if your home is ready for some upgrades to improve your home powering systems.

Copper VS Aluminum Wire Size, Price & Heat Conductivity

In the early 1960s, the price of copper soared. Due to the increase in prices, many homes were wired with aluminum wiring to save on cost. Between 1962 and 1972 almost two million homes were outfitted with aluminum wire. Some mistakes were made when using aluminum wiring during that time. One major problem is that they used the same size aluminum wire as a copper wire. This became a problem because you actually need a larger aluminum wire to produce the same voltage as a copper wire. If your home was built during that time, you may want to consult with an electrical contractor to see if your home is in need of an upgrade. Many homes and businesses are still outfitted with aluminum wiring but use a large wire to compensate for the voltage needs.

Difference Between Grounded & Ungrounded Outlets

Outlets, or properly known as receptacles, are designed to supply power to appliances and other household equipment. Starting in the 1960s “grounded receptacles” were installed in most homes and today they are common and even standard in homes, and businesses. Grounded receptacles are designed in the event that a short circuit occurs. The electrical current will flow through the ground system and then trips the breaker or blows out the fuse. This is important not only to save energy but to also prevent an electrical fire. If you have moved into an older house, or the previous owner changed out receptacles without proper knowledge of what a grounded receptacle is, make sure they are changed out. A grounded receptacle is the traditional three holes in the outlet.

Tips to Make Home Appliances More Energy Efficient

Appliances and home utilities are the leading offenders when it comes to your power usage. The number one suspect that drains your power is the refrigerator. Not much you can do about that one. You can’t cut power off to your fridge or your food will spoil. However, you can properly maintain your fridge. Change out the filters, and clean coils to improve your fridge’s power usage. Next is your HVAC unit or air conditioner. Again properly clean or change your air conditioner filters and occasionally have your unit serviced to insure proper energy usage. Next is the dryer. Do not overload the dryer. Overloading results in having to run it through two or three cycles in order to dry a single load of laundry. Also clean out the lint filter after each load to have good air flow through your dryer. Appliances use a lot of your home’s power. Keeping your appliances working properly and effortlessly will save you money and keep your power usage down.

Electrical Consultations, Inspections, Installations, Upgrades, Replacements, Repairs & More in Pompano Beach, Boca Raton, Davie, Fort Lauderdale & South Florida

Here are but a few ways you can help keep power usage down and save money on your utility bill. If you feel your home is outdated or could use extra help, Burley Electrical Services has provided energy saving consultations and audits for many of our customers and would love to help you seek better ways to save money and improve your home’s power needs. Contact us for all your electrical needs.