You might not always be conscious of it, but if you use too many appliances and other electronics which need to be plugged in, you could be overloading your electrical panel. This is very dangerous. It can lead to a number of issues, including possible electrocution.

But, do you know how to tell if an electrical panel is overloaded? If not, here are some hints.

Calculating Your Electrical Panel’s Limit

An electrical panel is comprised of a series of circuits. Each circuit has a limit to how many amps of electricity it can handle. If this limit is exceeded, the individual circuit shuts down, and you have to reactivate it (by switching it back over).

If you add up the limitations of all your circuits together, that will tell you the limitations of your electrical panel as a whole.

A More Scientific Way Of Calculating

A certified electrician can assess your electrical system to determine better the actual capacity of it. Otherwise, the capacity should be listed somewhere near the electrical panel. Knowing the limitations will help you better know how to tell if an electrical panel is overloaded.

Signs That Your Electrical Panel Is Overloaded

Computers, TVs, lights, appliances — these all can add up and eventually overwhelm an electrical panel. If you notice the following things in your home, your electrical panel might be overloaded.

– Constant blown fuses: If you find yourself having to reset or replace fuses often, you might be dealing with an overloaded electrical panel.

– Buzzing: Listen for a buzzing sound coming from your electrical panel. That is not a good sign.

– Sparks: This is kind of a no-brainer, but if your electrical panel is sparking, seek professional help immediately.

Where To Find Help

Do NOT try working with electrical equipment unless you are professionally trained. You could really hurt yourself.

Instead, use TalkLocal to find a local electrician that can help out. The process is easy — you submit a request on our website and we’ll find three professionals or companies that fit your criteria. They will call you to see how they can help. You make the final decision.

Many people often overlook the fact that the best way to save energy is at the source: electricity.

You may be surprised to learn that saving energy through reducing your electricity use is actually quite simple. We have a variety of suggestions, most of which are low, or no, cost. After reading this, you will be able to tell all your friends how to save energy with home improvements.

Why Change At All?

By making a few small changes in your home, you will not only help to save the environment, but you will save on your budget, as well. The benefits to the environment may not be easy to see, but the reduction in your electric bill certainly will be.

Energy Star Appliances

By updating your appliances to new, Energy Star-rated models, you have an assurance that each of those appliances will perform significantly better than your older ones in terms of energy use. These devices include televisions, washers and dryers, refrigerators, and ovens.

Light Bulbs

A less expensive way to save on energy is through replacing your incandescent light bulbs with those rated for energy-efficiency. These light bulbs use about 75 percent less energy and generate 75 percent less heat, making them safer than their less efficient counterparts.

Switches

The cheapest way to save on energy is by not using it. This isn’t exactly an answer to how to save energy through home improvements; it is more a way to save energy through habit changes.

This free method entails keeping lights off and unplugging unused appliances such as toasters and coffee makers. You can also install inexpensive motion detectors to only turn on outdoor lights when motion is sensed.

You Might Need An Electrician

Working with electricity is an overwhelming risk. If it is not one you are comfortable with, consult an expert. TalkLocal can find one in your area quickly, and our service is absolutely free. You will be speaking with a qualified professional in minutes.

A three-way light switch allows you to turn off a particular light from two different switches, oftentimes on opposite sides of the room. Having a three-way light switch can add many benefits, and could spice up a renovation project in your home. Learning how to wire 3 way light switch is easier than you think.

What You Will Need

2 three-way light switches

1 light bulb

1 razor blade

1 screwdriver

1 pair of pliers

1 pair of wire cutters

14/3 wire

14/2 wire

How To Wire 3 Way Light Switch

1. Before you begin wiring the 3 ways light switch, make sure the power is turned off in the main circuit panel. Check the outlet with a volt tester to ensure that it’s off before you start working.

2. You will use two different wires. You will use a 14/3 wire that contains 4 wires inside, but you will only end up using 2 of them: the black and red wires are for travelers, the white is the neutral, and the grounds wire will be set aside. You will also use a 14/2 wire that contains 3 wires: the black wire is for power, the white wire is neutral, and the grounds wire will be set aside, as well.

3. With a razor blade, cut down the center of the 14/2 and 14/3 wires in order to reveal the contained colored wires. Cut off the insulation that surrounded the colored wires. You might need to use the wire cutters to shorten the wires, but make sure you have enough wire to wrap around the screws and travelers.

4. Tie your white wires (the neutrals) together with a wire nut. Tie your grounds wires together with a wire nut, too. You should be left with three wires: the one supplying power (black wire in the 14/2), which will connect to the black screw on the 3 way light switch, and the 2 wires (black and red in the 14/3) that will connect to the travelers on the 3 way light switch.

5. Using pliers, connect the black wire from the 14/2 to the black screw on the 3 way light switch. Wrap the red and black wires from the 14/3 around the two travelers. You are now finished with your first 3 way light switch.

6. On the second 3 way light switch, separate the two grounds wires and two white neutrals as you did with the first switch. You will have the three wires remaining: the black wire from the 14/2 and the black and red wires from the 14/3. Again, wrap and tighten the black wire from the 14/2 around the black screw. Connect the black and red wires from the 14/3 to each of the travelers.

7. The white neutrals and grounds wires will NOT be used, so leave them aside and tied together with the wire nut.

8. Test the light by flipping each switch. If the light goes on and off for each switch, then you successfully wired a 3 way light switch! Cover the switches with switch plates using your screwdriver.

Find A Professional Electrician

If you are looking for an electrician, TalkLocal can help connect you with quality, local electricians in seconds. Try Seva Call today, for free!

Finishing your basement is a dream come true for some homeowners. You’ll finally have your man cave, crafting room, or your movie suite. Then comes the realization that, while fixing up the lighting, you have no idea what to change.

Some ideas for remodeling a basement include different lighting effects that may prove to bring a unique touch to the room. Here are some examples.

Typical overhead lighting: Depending on how large your basement is, if you’re looking for overhead lighting that can illuminate the whole room, you’ll probably need florescent lighting. Florescent lighting is usually brighter than regular lighting, lasts longer, and saves about a third of the energy. These can also be installed throughout the ceiling of your basement to make the whole room light up according to your needs.

Stand-alone floor lamps: Especially if you’re looking to have a workstation or a movie room in your basement, investing in multiple stand-alone floor lamps can offer a unique and stylized lighting scheme for your basement. You can wire the electrical outlets to control the lamps with a single on/off switch or leave them all operating individually. This can provide extra light near your work station or the proper mood lighting for a movie.

Decorative hanging lights: These add another level of aesthetic value to your basement. You can pick a color scheme and then pick some decorative hanging lights to match. Whether you are interested in the Chinese hanging lanterns that offer a soft glow with a beautiful look, ceramic light fixtures with color schemes and patterns, or even something as simple as Christmas lights hanging around the ceiling, picking out decorative hanging lights can add more or less lighting as you see fit.

Always Be Cautious When Working With Electricity

You can always bounce your ideas for remodeling a basement off of a professional electrician to see if they are feasible. Once you figure out how you want to light your basement, you may need a professional to help you do it. TalkLocal can connect you with the local electricians that can get your basement lighting set up the way you want it.

Power surges are somewhat common and can be incredibly destructive to the electronics around your house. Knowing how to prevent power surges can put your mind at ease, assuring you that the electronics that you plug in will not suddenly be fried by this invisible hazard.

What Is A Power Surge?

As the name indicates, a power surge is a surge of voltage that goes above the 120 volts of power that all American homes distribute via electrical outlets. These surges can come in one great big surge, or a number of small surges over time. Both can be destructive to electronics in your home, as the surge in voltage generates heat capable of damaging electronic components.

Power surges can come from a number of sources, but the most common is from lightning strikes. The following are some tips on how to prevent power surges.

Use A Surge Protector

Power surges present such dire consequences that the market has been flooded with products that protect you from them. Most surge protectors feature a number of outlets, so you can plug multiple electronics in at the same time. This comes in handy with computers, where many components need to be plugged in at one time.

When a surge in voltage strikes, the surge protector handles it internally and does not allow the unusually high amount of voltage to make its way into your electronic components.

When buying a surge protector, look for one from a reputable manufacturer that also offers a warranty. If you buy the cheapest one you can find, it might not be effective.

Unplug Your Electronics

It is simple: Your electronic device can’t be hit with a power surge if it is not plugged in. When you are not using a certain appliance or electronic, simply unplug it. Not only will you eliminate all likelihood of a power surge, but you can also conserve energy and save on your monthly bill.

Examine Your Home’s Wiring

Older homes can have issues in their wiring. For instance, an overloaded circuit can often leave you more prone to power surges. If you suspect your home might suffer from inadequate wiring, contact an electrician to troubleshoot the issue. These professionals know very well how to prevent power surges.

Contact A Local Electrician

When it comes time to contact a professional, skip the lengthy search and turn to TalkLocal. We bring the professionals to you in a matter of minutes, saving you time and energy.

Lighting is one of the most important aspects of your home.  It dictates what you can do and how you feel.  With regular light switches, you can’t really use rooms for multiple purposes. However, if you install dimmers, you can! You can transform bright, cheery, well-lit rooms into subtle, romantic, cozy corners with the help of dimmer switches.

How to Install Dimmer Switch

1. Turn off the power in your home.  If you can, also turn the electricity off for the room in which you are working, using the fuse box. Double-check that the power has completely stopped flowing by using a voltmeter on the outlet or switch. Once the electricity is off you can start to work on the switch.

2. Use a screwdriver to remove all of the screws holding the switch plate to the wall.  Keep these screws in a safe place as you will need them later on.

3. Disconnect the wiring from the box.  Remember to unscrew the grounding wire before removing the box from the wall.

4. After the box is taken out you will see three wires: one black, one white, and a separate ground wire that is usually copper or green.  These wires connect to the dimmer plate in the same way that they did to the old switch plate.  Connect them to the dimmer plate and use pliers to secure them.

5. Carefully place the box and wires back into the wall and screw in the new dimmer switch. Once the switch is back in place you can turn the electricity back on and start using your new dimmer!

Need Help Lighting Up Your Home?

If you have more questions about how to install a dimmer switch you could talk to a professional electrician.  The easiest, fastest way to get in contact with reliable local electrical companies is to use TalkLocal. Just tell us what issue you’re having, your location, and availability, and we’ll connect you with up to three electricians in your area who can help you out.

Downed power lines are dangerous, and are often the cause of fires and electrocution. Power lines can be taken down during severe storms and particularly high winds. A fallen tree could also knock out the power to an entire neighborhood. Here is how to report downed power lines in your area.

1. Ensure that the issue actually is a downed power line. The power lines are the long black wires that are connected to the wooden poles. If they are on or close to the ground, then they are down. Do not walk near the power lines. If down, the power line is carrying an electrical current, and you may be at a higher risk of electrocution.

2. Keep yourself and others away from the power line. If you are in your car, do not get out, and put on your hazard lights to warn other drivers of the risk.

3. Immediately call the police or emergency services. Downed power lines need to be blocked of immediately to avoid any risk of injury.

4. Report the downed power line in as much detail as possible. Tell the exact area of the downed power line. If you don’t know the area, describe the area’s landmarks and buildings. Also give a detailed description of the position of the downed power lines.

5. Call the electrical company with the detailed report of the downed power line.

Finding a Professional Electrician

If you need help finding a professional electrician in your area, there is no better place to turn than Seva Call. Seva Call is a free service that will connect you with up to three professionals in your area, saving you the hassle of searching and calling yourself.

The electrical outlets in your bathroom are probably the most used in the house.  Electrical toothbrushes, hair dryers, straighteners, curlers, air fresheners, and chargers all need outlets when you are getting ready for your day.  When the bathroom outlets don’t work you find yourself in a serious pickle.  You will need to address this issue as soon as possible because otherwise you will be extremely inconvenienced.

What to Do If Your Outlets Don’t Work

1. Unplug everything from the outlets.  You don’t want to short out your various bathroom appliances.

2. Check your breaker panel because any number of tripped breakers could cause the outlets to stop working.  You will need to reset them to see if this helps the situation.

3. Bathrooms usually have ground fault circuit interrupter outlets (GFCI) which can trip as a result of being around the hot water vapors of a shower or a bath.  Make sure these outlets haven’t been tripped because otherwise you will need to reset them as well.  Sometimes home builders will skimp out on the GFCI requirements.  They may install less GFCI’s than usual and connect more loads than there should be. As a result of this the GFCI’s could become overloaded and trip.

4. A GFCI receptacle is smooth and rectangular with two pushable buttons between the outlets.  One button is a test and the other is the reset.  If tripped, you will need to push in the popped out reset button.  This type of protection device is needed for all bathrooms, garages, kitchens, etc., so if the trip is not in the main breaker you should look for the GFCI receptacle.

Further Assistance

If you have more questions about tripped breakers and why your bathroom outlets don’t work, you should try to talk to a professional electrician.  The easiest, fastest way to get in contact with reliable electricians in your area is to use TalkLocal. Tell us what you’re looking for, and we will connect you with the right professional, quickly and completely free of charge.

The following are the top 5 reasons to buy a generator. If you are going back and forth debating whether or not it is worth the money to buy a generator, this article is for you.

Top 5 reasons to buy a generator

1. You live in a natural disaster-prone area. If you live in a region that may be damaged as a result of hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, snow stores, or ice storms, purchasing a generator may well be worth the money. Living without power and electricity for extended periods of time can be difficult, and even traumatic. It can be increasingly difficult to purchase a generator when you need it if everyone else is running to the store to purchase a generator during the storm’s aftermath.

2. Occasionally there will be that tree that falls over and disrupts power to your home. You may be temporarily without power until the electrical company can come out and fix the power lines.

3. Camping is an opportune time to use a generator. While truly roughing it without a power source can be fun for camping, a generator allows you to enjoy some of the comforts of home in your campsite.

4. A backup generator is a great go-to power source if you need emergency power for a business as well. We most commonly think of generators being useful for our homes during emergencies but a generator can also be key within the business world. What happens to your backup digital storage when the power goes out? A generator may save you from losing a whole lot of data.

5. Take a generator with you while you are boating. This can be a lifesaver if you run out of electricity when you are out in the middle of the water.

Further Assistance

Take care of yourself and your loved ones and consider buying a backup generator. If you need a generator installed or have questions about cooling, check out TalkLocal. You will be connected for free to up to three electricians in your area who will have all of the information you need to get you started with your new generator.

During a power outage of any sort, it is best to be prepared. If you find that you are already experiencing one, however, here are some tips to remedying the situation.

Dealing with electricity can be dangerous and deadly, so be sure to take the following precautions before addressing a partial power outage in a house:

There are two main reasons for a partial power outage in a house. The first is an easy and free fix, while the other may cost money, but can’t be done without a professional.

Circuit breaker flipped

Check to make sure none of the circuit breakers have flipped or a fuse has blown. If an appliance has caused a power surge, a blown fuse or flipped circuit could be the cause. If you believe this might be the problem, first unplug the device which threw the circuit and then check the box. All of the tabs should be on the same side. If one is flipped the wrong way, or even partially so, try flipping it off and back on again.

Lost a phase

If this doesn’t restore your power, you may have what electricians call “lost a phase,” where one of the two 120V wires has stopped working for one reason or another. In this situation, you could either call the electric company or a local professional. Either option may cost a decent amount of money, but it is not worth losing your life or home trying to fix this problem on your own.

Further Assistance

If you are worried about trying to find the right professional for you, TalkLocal is a free service that can really help. We will connect you with up to three local electricians who will be able to help you out.