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5 Signs Your Electrical Wiring Needs an Upgrade

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Electrical malfunctions are a leading cause of house fires – over 50,000 a year – but the majority of these fires are preventable. Inadequate or faulty wiring are the most common culprits, but they often go unnoticed because homeowners don’t recognize the symptoms.

Homes are often only inspected during a renovation, but the Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends having an electrician look over your electrical system every 10 years. If your inspection is overdue, or if you recognize any of the following warning signs, call your Springfield electrician to inspect your home and fix any potential hazards.

  1. Too many extension cords – Aside from creating a messy tripping hazard, there’s a reason electrical wires are kept in the walls: a protected wiring system suffers less wear and tear. Exposed cords can get pinched, kinked, or shorted out, leading to tripped breakers, damaged outlets, or even a fire. Extension cords should be used briefly and sparingly, such as for the holidays or other short-term uses. If you find yourself consistently needing more outlets, your Springfield electrician can install them for you.
  2. Funny odors – A new appliance may produce an odd odor the first few times it’s used, but it you notice an unusual smell coming from an outlet, turn off and unplug anything connected to it immediately. Don’t use the outlet again until you’ve had it inspected by a qualified electrician. If your fuse box or breaker panel smells funny, call your Springfield electrician right away.
  3. Hot outlets or switch plates – Even if you are using a heat-producing appliance (such as a space heater), its outlet should never become hot. A switch plate may be slightly warm, but if it is too hot to touch, remove any plugs. If it remains hot without anything plugged in, the outlet may be wired incorrectly. Consult your Springfield electrician, who may advise you to shut off the breaker for that outlet until your system can be serviced.
  4. Frequently blown fuses or tripped breakers – Circuit breakers and fuses are designed to fail before they overload your system. If an appliance routinely trips a breaker, regardless of the outlet used, the appliance is likely at fault. But if a particular outlet repeatedly blows its fuse, the circuit is probably overloaded. Call your Springfield electrician to discuss upgrading the circuit or adding a new line.
  5. Buzzing – When your electricity is working properly it shouldn’t make any noise: it flows quietly between connections. But if there are loose outlets, prongs, or fraying wires, the current will jump, causing a buzzing sound. If you hear buzzing from an outlet, stop using it and call Farryn Electric.

Farryn Electric, the #1 Electrician in Springfield

Whether you need to upgrade your service or replace faulty outlets, Farryn Electric’s skilled electricians will complete your job with quality and care. Our company is built on a reputation for high-quality work and friendly service, and we work hard every day to maintain our reputation by being mindful of your time and respecting your home.

Call us today at 484-316-0449 and discover why we are the most trusted electricians in Springfield.

The Benefits of Outdoor Security and Safety Lighting

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When people think of exterior lighting, they often assume the terms “safety lighting” and “security lighting” are interchangeable, but they have separate – though complementary – goals. The goal of safety lighting is to prevent injury by unseen hazards, while security lighting is meant to deter crime.

At Farryn Electric, we assess the individual needs of your home and combine safety and security features as needed. We are the go-to exterior lighting experts in West Chester.

Safety Lighting

Exterior lighting can add safety to your outdoor space in a variety of ways:

  • Brighten walkways so people can navigate the area safely without worrying about stairs or tripping hazards.
  • Zone lighting is useful for illuminating specific areas of your yard and landscape for safe nighttime use (such as a patio, deck, garden, pool area or outdoor seating area).
  • You can also light driveways, garages and other entryways so your family and guests feel safe coming and going at night.

Security Lighting

A well-lit home and yard gives a feeling of security and vigilance. It also shows your property is cared for and well maintained. This discourages trespassers and thieves, who prefer homes that can be approached under cover of darkness. Illuminating entrance points – such as door and windows – makes it difficult for a potential burglar to break in unnoticed.

If you don’t want your exterior to be constantly illuminated, you can opt for:

  • Lights with motion detectors – A dark yard can be instantly filled with light when someone enters, both keeping family and friends safe and deterring criminals.
  • Lighting systems that run on a timer – You’ll never have to worry about coming home to a dark house, or forgetting to turn the lights on or off before bed.
  • Lights that can be turned on by remote – Even if you have your lights on a timer, your lighting system can be overridden by remote control. Keep the remote on your nightstand, and you can turn on the lights without leaving your bed, scaring off prowlers or animals.

Choose Farryn Electric for All Your West Chester Exterior Lighting Needs

When it comes to service and quality, Farryn Electric is #1. We offer competitive pricing and promise to treat your home as though it was our own. If you’re considering an exterior lighting project in West Chester, you can call us for a free estimate.

Call us today at 484-316-0449 to experience the Farryn Electric difference on your next West Chester exterior lighting project.

Tips for Outdoor Lighting Maintenance

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I cannot stress enough the importance of yearly outdoor electrical check ups to ensure safety and functionality. Here are a few tips I would like to share with you. If you would like Farryn Electric, LLC to do this for you, please give us a call 484-316-0449.

Upgrade Burned-Out Lamps

Start by replacing any or all lamps that have burned out. An easy, fairly low-cost solution is to replace any medium-base incandescent lamps with screw-base CFLs, unless your building is in a cold climate where compact fluorescents are less effective. If your budget allows, consider replacing the fixture with long-lasting HID or LED lamps – their long lifetimes mean they require less frequent replacement, and the ensuing labor savings and lower energy consumption justify the slightly higher input cost.

A few ways to cut costs for lamp replacement in fixtures is to follow a relamping schedule, and replace all lamps at the same time. This way, the cost of equipment transportation is reduced. Another way to cut costs is to make sure the fixtures are not on when they are not supposed to be. A common way of dealing with lamps being on during the day is to use timers. Alternatively, photo sensors turn the lights on and off automatically.

If you notice that your fixtures are too far gone meaning excessive corrosion, the mechanical integrity has been compromised, or the lenses are broken or missing – then replacing the fixture might be the only option. Sometimes replacement is less expensive than repairs.

General Maintenance

Once you’ve replaced those lamps, take a look at the ones that are underperforming. Check to see how clean the fixtures are. If any are significantly dirty, start cleaning – you may be surprised at the results.

Start with the glass or plastic lens, cleaning both sides thoroughly. See if it’s possible to get any dirt off the internal reflectors. Then, check the gaskets to make sure they’re working as intended – if you find too much dirt inside the fixture, it could signal that the gaskets are not performing up to code.

Typically, whenever the bulb is replaced, you’d hope the electrician would wipe the lens off, we do at Farryn Electric. I’ve walked up to many fixtures at many homes that have a bulb that’s working, but the fixture’s just filthy. You’re paying for the electricity, but you’re not getting the light!