Electrical Safety Outdoors

Spending time outdoors with friends and family members is always something we look forward to during the spring and summer months. As we spend more time outside, it’s important to understand some electrical safety measures that should be considered so you can enjoy the fresh air and sunlight without worrying. After all, who wants to spend the summer indoors?

Generators

Have a generator that you use outside to power tools or other electrical devices? Take this statistic into consideration, “between 1999 and 2012, 79% of the 931 carbon monoxide (CO) fatalities were associated with generators.” This doesn’t mean you should panic and throw your generator in the trash, just follow these tips and you’ll be safe!

• Never use a generator in a garage or shed. It needs space for proper ventilation.
• When in use, position generators outside and away from doors and windows.
• Plugging your generator directly into a home outlet should be avoided at all costs. Make sure there is a transfer switch to prevent backfeed.
• Equip your home with carbon monoxide detectors and test them monthly.

Extension Cords

• If you must use an extension cord outdoors, make sure it’s labeled for outdoor use.
• Keep in mind that they only provide a temporary solution and should not be used long-term or permanently.
• Don’t try to extend the length of an extension cord by plugging it into another extension cord.
• Make sure the amperage rating of the electrical device is lower than that of the extension cord.

At Mr. Electric of Tampa Bay, electrical safety is one of our top priorities. When it comes to protecting your St. Petersburg home, you need an electrician that knows what to look for! Our experts are trained to look for safety hazards and point out each and every concern, so give us a call today!

Protect Your Home and Your Business From Power Surges

When it comes to surge protection, it’s not something you want to pass up on. Power surges can be very dangerous and have the potential to wipe out the electronic devices in your home or office. So how can you keep yourself and your gadgets protected? Find out below:

What is a Power Surge?

Before we dive into how to stay protected, it’s important to understand what a power surge is and what causes them. “A power surge, or transient voltage, is a sudden and unwanted increase in voltage that can damage, degrade, or destroy the sensitive electronic equipment in your home or business,” according to ESFi. They can be caused by large appliances like your refrigerator or air conditioner or a bolt of lightning. They can also happen when electric utility companies perform power grid switching. In any case, you’ll want to make sure you’re protected.

Surge Protection Devices

There are two types of devices that can help keep you and your devices safe from a power surge. The first type, Point-of-Use Devices, protects only the items that are plugged directly into them. While they won’t suppress or arrest a surge, they will divert them to ground.

The other type of devices are called Service Entrance Protection Devices. They are mounted in or on your main electrical panel or at the base of your meter. These devices will protect your entire electrical system, but they can’t be connected to a point-of-use device.

Ready to take action? Mr. Electric of Tampa Bay specializes in whole-home surge protection and we’re ready to provide your home with a line of defense. Give us a call today at (813) 280-4998 to make an appointment or to speak with our experts!

Leave Your Business' Electric To Mr. Electric of Tampa Bay

You’ve got money to make and a business to run so leave your company’s electrical system to the pros! With that said, successful businesses endure by making adjustments and keeping costs to a minimum. Find out how we can help you save today!

It’s no surprise that energy prices aren’t getting any cheaper and the amount of energy we consume is on the rise. So why not let Mr. Electric of Tampa Bay try to help save your business money? With our Commercial Energy Savings and Audits, you can take advantage of increasing light quality while reducing consumption.

Here’s How It Works:

1. Schedule a free energy analysis with Mr. Electric or call 254-745-2577. Then, one of our Commercial Representative will arrive at your facility to collect the information necessary to identify energy saving opportunities.  The representative will need access to the entire facility, a short interview with company leadership and information regarding your electric kilowatt-hour rate.
2. We provide a thorough analysis along with recommendations to management within 5-7 days. We will also identify any incentives or programs available to incentivize upgrades.  Have any questions? Ask away!
3. If you like what you hear, we’ll provide you with the project details and best of all, most of our customers do not pay anything out of pocket.  We can show you how to immediately increase cash flow by utilizing our finance options and in most cases, the monthly payment for financing is actually less than the monthly savings on energy.  In other words, you are already spending at least that monthly amount either way, whether or not you have top of the line lighting solutions.

What are you waiting for? Contact Mr. Electric of Tampa Bay at (813) 314-7160 to start saving today!

It May Be Time For A Circuit Breaker Upgrade

When was the last time you took a look at your circuit breaker? If you can’t remember, now would be a great time. Most homes are still operating with old breakers and you may start noticing the effects. If you are blowing fuses constantly or have flickering lights you should consider upgrading today!

Benefits of Circuit Breaker Replacement

• Protect expensive electronics, computers and appliances from electrical surges and the risk of damage to the devices
• Prevent possible data loss from your computers when electrical supply is interrupted
• Avoid interruptions to your Internet connection and other important connections to the outside world
• Minimize the risk of fire when your old breaker gets overloaded
• Say goodbye to the inconvenience of using just one or two electrical devices or appliances at once to avoid tripping the circuit breaker

Although circuit breaker replacement can be very beneficial to your home, you won’t want to tackle this project yourself. Rely on the expert electricians at Mr. Electric of Tampa Bay - we’re always on call in your neighborhood!

Don't Leave Your Business In The Dark

Are you afraid of the dark? Even if you aren’t, your employees might be. But don’t worry - with a power generator for your business from Mr. Electric you’ll be prepared the next time a bad storm or power outage hits.

You may be thinking, “I don’t need a generator, why would I invest in something like that?” While power outages may not come into play every day, they can be very detrimental when they strike. Find out some reasons why you should consider having one installed below:

• Generators ensure continued productivity, keeping necessary appliances operating
• They ensure safety and comfort during the event of a bad storm or heat wave
• They help protect computer data and allow security systems to function
• Despite brownouts and outages, standby generators provide an uninterrupted supply of power

So don’t leave your business in the dark, be prepared with a power generator from Mr. Electric of Tampa Bay. Our experts can properly calculate wattage to find the perfect machine for your office or store. Give us a call today at (813) 314-7160 to learn more.

Energy Efficient Light Bulbs: Is It Worth It?

Who doesn’t like a good deal? If you’re like the rest of us, you get really excited when that item you wanted goes on sale and there’s nothing wrong with saving a few bucks here and there. But smart shopping doesn’t always mean you have to save money or spend less. Sometimes, spending a little extra up front can really be to your benefit in the long run.

Take light bulbs for example. Yes, you can take the cheap route and spend $2 or $3 for a bulb but how long will those last you? Chances are, you’ll be back at the store within a few weeks or months to replace the bulb. Well, that’s not the case with energy-efficient bulbs.

Yes, they may cost a bit more but we strongly believe it’s worth the investment. Energy efficient bulbs use an estimated 75% less energy and create around 75% less heat than incandescent bulbs. Still don’t think it’s worth it? Additionally, they can last up to 10 times longer and can save you nearly $130 per year on your electricity bills.

When your power shorts out, call Mr. Electric® of Tampa Bay for quick and convenient repairs. We offer our electrical expertise in Tampa, Clearwater and Largo and the surrounding area - and don’t forget to connect with us on Facebook!

Benefits of Switching To CFLs

According to Energy.gov, “An average household dedicates 5% of its energy budget to lighting.” While the number of fixtures in your home plays a role, the type of light bulb you use can really make a difference. Instead of wasting money on high energy bills, it’s time to switch over to energy efficient bulbs.

When it comes to indoor lighting, there are a number of energy-saving options. Some popular bulbs include halogen incandescents, compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and light-emitting diodes (LEDs). While the initial price may turn you away (they tend to be a bit more expensive) you’ll actually save money over their lifespan because they use much less energy. We’re putting the spotlight on CFLs, so see below to find out some of their benefits:

• Energy Star qualified CFLs can use up to 75% less energy and last about 10 times longer than a traditional incandescent bulb. Additionally, CFLs use about ¼ of the energy than that of a traditional incandescent.
• How long will it take for the bulb to pay for itself? You’ll have to wait about 9 months, but trust us - it’ worth the wait!
• Do CFLs offer the same brightness and colors as traditional bulbs? The answer is, yes; and some CFLs are encased in a cover to provide a similar shape to traditional incandescents.
• It is important to note however, that CFLs contain a small amount of mercury. In a case where a bulb breaks, be sure to handle it with special care and attention.

Ready to make the switch? Why go through the trouble of replacing all of your bulbs when Mr. Electric of Tampa Bay can take care of it for you? Give us a call today at (813) 314-7160 to schedule an appointment and remember to connect with us on Facebook for all of your electrical needs.