What You Should Look for in an Electrician

Hiring an electrician is not something you should ever take lightly. Improper wiring or the use of substandard circuit breakers can cost you a lot of money in damages which range from fires to electrocution. But how do you determine whether a service provider is right for the job? There are seven important things you need to look at.

1.     References: Statistically, about 67% of people searching for electricians rely on word of mouth. This is because the responses are based on the experience of the respondents and not biased information from a firm that wishes to attract more clients. Listen to what different respondents have to say about the electricians in your area. Even so, no matter how popular a firm is, only hire an accredited service provider.

2.     Registration: Professional training can only teach an electrician so much. Much of the work he does is based on experience and his grasp of the wiring concept. To make sure the person you are about to hire is a qualified tradesperson, ensure he is registered with Registered Competent Person Electrical. This registration shows he has proven his competence by passing an independent assessment. 

3.     Quotations: There are no fixed guidelines on how much a service provider can charge for his services. To avoid being overcharged, experts recommend that you get at least three quotations from three reputable electricians. This will help you know how much your project will cost. This is the only way to find a competitive price.

4.     Qualifications: Apprenticeship is dominant in the electrical world. Most service providers learn from other qualified electricians. As much as this is acceptable, you have to ensure the person you are about to hire has passed an independent assessment. He has to be registered and have a permit to work in your region.

5.     Accreditation: Another important thing you should look for is the accreditation of the service provider. Being accredited means the service provider is competent to handle your project. There are several schemes provided by such organizations as NAPIT and ELECSA among other accreditation bodies. The important thing is to ensure the accrediting body is recognized.

6.     Insurance: It is always better to be safe than sorry. There are always risks involved in every project. An expensive piece of equipment may be destroyed by a power surge during installation or poor wiring may lead to fires while the electrician is still working. When such damages occur, you don’t want to be the one footing the bills. To keep your finances safe, ensure the service provider carries public liability insurance. This will protect your family if anything goes wrong.

7.     Certification: When the work is done, the electrician should issue a certificate to confirm the work meets all the safety standards. This certificate will come in handy in case something goes wrong in the future.

There are many other areas you have to consider before bringing an electrician onboard. The most important thing is to ensure you hire someone with good communication skills and a proven track record for exceptional services. Do not be shy to ask for a warranty on the work.

Posted By: Blackstock Electric http://blackstockelectric.com 

Do You Need to Replace your Electrical Wiring? Find Out

When was the last time you hired an electrician to assess your home’s electrical wiring just to make sure it’s in proper condition? While some faults in electrical wiring are not easy to take notice of, they could cause dangerous predicaments. Sometimes the overloaded circuits can damage the insulation behind your walls. That’s why it’s up to every homeowner to investigate old wiring and look out for any warning signs. If you have any doubt about your home’s electrical wiring, it’s worth the investment to have a certified electrician examine the entire system just to be sure everything is in order.

One of the things you should be on the lookout for is the way your circuit breakers are functioning. If they are going out regularly then there could be a problem. Circuit breakers are designed to trip when the circuit is overloaded. Fuses are also designed to offer the same kind of protection but the only major difference is that they have to be replaced when they blow out. Circuit breakers will trip but still work. Eventually they will have to be replaced but you must notify your electrician if the breakers go out often.

Flickering or dimming of lights is not normal. This is one thing many homeowners fail to notice. Good wiring will rarely flicker because it has been properly installed and the circuit breakers are in proper working order. If you notice this problem whenever you try and use appliances in your home then it could be a sign of faulty wiring. Have an electrician step in and perform the necessary inspections.

The other area where you should be looking at is where your outlets and light switches are located. Can you notice any charring or discoloration? That’s a dangerous situation that shouldn’t be ignored. You need to have the electrician replace the outlet or switch and inspect your home’s wiring for any underlying issues. In most cases, a short can occur on a switch that has faulty wiring or when there’s a loose connection. Some of these issues can be fixed fast by a professional electrician so there’s no need to panic.

If you notice an acrid smell in your home, it could be that your electrical wiring is on fire. This is a situation that needs an emergency electrician to be contacted right away. Even when the wiring is inside a wall, it can still cause fire. You need to turn off your home’s main electrical supply until the electrician comes. Don’t try to plug in any electrical device when you notice a burning smell close to the wiring.

Most importantly, have an electrician repair any shocking switches and outlets in your home. Living in a house that has shocking switches is quite unpleasant and it also risks your wellbeing. You can have an electrician replace the outlet or switch or even inspect the entire wiring and find out if there’s an underlying problem. It’s always a good idea to consider the necessary repairs than waiting until something goes terribly wrong.

Posted By: Blackstock Electric http://blackstockelectric.com

Landscape Lighting Increases Your Curb Appeal

High quality landscaping can add so much to a home or business, especially when the landscaping brings color and creativity to the forefront. When a homeowner or business owner takes the next step and adds landscape lighting, the result has the potential to be phenomenal.

Landscape lighting really enhances attractive landscaping, and can make ordinary landscaping stand out and turn into attractive landscaping. Adding landscaping isn't necessarily all that difficult or even terribly costly, but the curb appeal which good landscape lighting adds is undeniable.

Adding landscape lighting can even enhance winter landscapes, accentuating trees, bushes, and even ornaments that really add to the visual affect that makes landscaping so appealing. Introducing landscape lighting to existing landscaping is a project that is definitely worth consulting with a professional. Having landscape lighting installed professionally can help you avoid some very common mistakes that detract from the landscape instead of enhancing it.

Having your landscape lighting professionally installed will open up your options for landscape lighting more than most people realize. Professionals have a very critical eye for landscape and landscape lighting and can easily pull forth the best qualities to highlight while introducing you to your best option for you landscape lighting.

The installation of landscape lighting can be done at the time of having landscaping completed or landscape lighting can be added to existing landscaping. Having the landscape lighting added to landscape as it is being completed allows the landscaper an extra margin of creativity, creating the landscape lighting as an original part of the overall landscaping. Adding landscape lighting to existing landscaping may sometimes require a few transplantations and perhaps the addition of a few extra plants, but most of the time landscape lighting can be added to existing landscaping without rearranging anything. However, if you've been considering making a few additions or changes to your existing landscaping, doing so while installing landscape lighting is the perfect opportunity.

Homes with landscape lighting attract more attention than homes without landscape lighting. The better the landscape lighting, obviously, the more attention the homes or business will attract. Accent lighting and landscape lighting can bring forth a very different night time beauty that was previously overlooked. During the darker winter months, landscape lighting can add a value of warmth to the look of the home or business, which will make it appealing and inviting. During the summer months when the landscaping is in full bloom, landscape lighting will accentuate the best and most appealing parts of your landscaping while creating a very attractive and even festive look to the home or business.

Businesses that take the time to install landscape lighting are much more appealing than businesses that don't. This additional appeal attracts clients and customers, especially those businesses which are open after dark even if for only part of the year. When a business is exceptionally appealing to clients and customers, they tend to attract regular and repeat business. Landscape lighting can be part of that attraction. There is a visual sense of calm that people associate with landscape lighting. That visual sense of calm make clients and customers feel at ease about coming inside and spending some time or money.

Homes with landscape lighting are more appealing as well. Whether you are considering selling a home, having family and friends over, or simply want to make your home a nicer and more comfortable environment, landscape lighting can absolutely deliver what you're looking for. Homes which are up for sale that have landscape lighting attract more potential buyers than homes without landscape lighting.

Professionally installed landscape lighting can offer a home or business owner variable options to enhance the qualities they believe are the most appealing while allowing a professional landscape lighting expert to make unbiased recommendations. This ensures that your landscape lighting will be more than adequate, it will be phenomenal. Don't choose a landscape lighting professional carelessly. Often professional landscape lighting experts can offer you examples of their work, which in turn can give you confidence that you are hiring the very best in landscape lighting.

Having landscape lighting installed is a huge home or business improvement that will have noticeable effects right away. It is highly recommended to have your landscape lighting professionally installed and professionally maintained. Professional installation of landscape lighting is easy and adds value to a home or business without much effort and no inconvenience. Landscape lighting adds curb appeal faster than almost any other home or business improvement.

Bill Dittman is President of Custom Landscape & Irrigation, an acclaimed commercial and residential landscaping contractor located near Houston, Texas. Dittman serves residential and commercial clients in many Houston suburbs. Visit http://www.customlandscapeandirrigation.com to learn about his See It Before You Buy It approach to landscaping.

Posted By: Blackstock Electric http://blackstockelectric.com

How to Use Landscape Lighting to Transform the Outdoors

Lighting your landscape is probably one of the most challenging home renovations you’ll ever have to do. It gets tough because outdoor areas are lit differently during the day and at night. There are also so many outdoor spaces that you may want to light. You may consider lighting the pathways or draw attention to a particular object or area in your landscape. So in general, landscape lighting requires a lot of planning.

Determine the purpose

First, you need to understand why you have decided to lighten the backyard. Do you simply need to illuminate the area for security reasons? Do you want to create a relaxing and romantic feel in your backyard? Understanding what drove you to invest in landscape lighting will help you identify the best lighting features. You may want to lighten up a path that leads to your garden in order to mark its boundaries. Sometimes lighting the area where your water fountain or pond is located will give the backyard a completely different look.

Decide on the areas that need lighting

There are basically 3 types of lighting for you to consider: overall lighting, task lighting and accent lighting. Overall lighting is basically where you want to illuminate the entire space. This is usually done for security reasons. There are lighting fixtures which are beautifully designed to illuminate a large space. When you choose outdoor fixtures remember to check the lifespan and energy consumption of each bulb. Look for fluorescents that come in a variety of colors and are designed to consume less energy. LED lights are way better because they have a longer life and consume very little energy.

Task lighting on the other hand is used for specific purposes. It can be used to light a path or a secluded pond in your backyard. It can also be used to light up your swimming pool area. Accent lighting is meant to draw attention to a specific area or object. It uses spotlights or floodlights to create this effect.

Problems with landscape lighting

Remember that outdoor lighting comes with its fair share of challenges. It’s important to understand these from the get go. Positioning and shielding must be carefully considered when choosing the best landscape lighting in order to prevent glare. Areas like paths need to be well lit in order to enhance security and safety. Other areas that need to be well lit include the entries, driveway and steps.

Landscape lighting must also be properly installed. Poor installation can lead to light pollution and also create glare. Make sure the lights are positioned correctly so that you don’t end up wasting energy and time in outdoor lighting. You can also use reflectors on your bulbs in order to ensure light is concentrated on areas where you want.

You should also opt for low-wattage bulbs because they consume less energy and also provide proper illumination. Other features that you can invest in when installing outdoor lighting include timers and motion sensors which help to conserve energy and also enhance security. 

Posted By: Blackstock Electric http://blackstockelectric.com

Common Mistakes To Avoid In Exterior Lighting

Exterior lighting is important as it boosts security, adds beauty and safety to your property. But most people still install exterior lights disregarding quality, efficiency and function. Being knowledgeable on where to put the lights and the types to use is very critical. Mistakes can be costly in the long run and give visitors to your property the wrong first impression. Below are some vital considerations when installing exterior lights.

Failing to consider function

We've seen this in many homes: people install lights on the driveway that are directed to the driver's eyes instead of illuminating the entrance to the garage. It is important to identify the focal points before installing exterior lighting and aim the light towards that point.

Trying to highlight every area

Not every part of the landscape or garden needs excess illumination. You can consider installing landscape lighting to target specific prominent features of your garden or landscape. Aim the light down to the areas you want illuminated to avoid overkill.

Ignoring money-saving light fixtures

There are certain fixtures and timers that can help you save on exterior lighting. For instance, you can get exterior lights with times that go on and off depending on a schedule. The timers will not only help you to save on the cost of energy but also to enhance security in your home whenever you are away on vacation.

Over-lighting

Over-lighting is not only annoying to your neighbors but it's expensive and contributes to pollution. If your main concern is security, instead of over-lighting your home's exterior, consider investing in motion detectors. The exterior lights should be subtle and provide just enough illumination to enhance safety and beauty. To avoid over lighting, you can use dimmers which adjust the level of light in your exterior as the evening approaches.

Failing to consider landscape features

If you have a good garden which you'd like to flaunt using exterior lighting then choose the locations and type of lights that will bring out its beautiful features. Also make sure you don't put lights in areas that are difficult to reach. The lighting fixtures should not interfere with regular maintenance like pruning. Make sure they are out of the way.

Installing exterior lighting without a plan

Most importantly, installation of exterior lighting should be done after formulating a proper plan. A plan will help you to assess issues like costs, the types of lighting available and the areas where to install them in order to avoid oversights. You shouldn't consider just your immediate needs like the cost of lighting when doing the installation. Consider also the service life of the light elements and bulbs used.

Overlooking environmental challenges

The other major challenge when installing lights outdoors is the insects. Insects are generally attracted to bright lights so you have to make sure you position the lights in the right manner. There are lights that are designed to discourage insects. You can ask an expert electrician to recommend lighting fixtures that are best suited for your garden, driveway or landscape.

To fully understand your electrical needs, a lighting designer factors in aesthetics with functional aspects.This is where Blackstock Electric, with over 15 years of practical experience, comes in handy. With several niche specializations, we cater to a plethora of electrical services and needs.http://blackstockelectric.com

Five Tips for Finding a Reputable Local Electrician

Electrical projects of any kind and at varying levels of complexity take time, preparation and solid skills. Setting out to do electrical work on your own isn't wise, and can be against city or county codes, if you don't have a background and professional certification in this field. You should hire a certified electrician.

Hiring an electrician isn't a one step process, either. Here's five simple pointers to keep in mind when hiring one.

Step 1. Know what you need done before you contact a potential electrician, if at all possible.

This is crucial since electricians usually charge by the hour rather than on a project basis. If you neglect this step, you can burn through a lot of money needlessly while the electrician is trying to figure out exactly what they need to do rather than getting right to work on the project.

Now granted, there will be times when you don't know what needs to be done due to the nature of the project, but in most cases it's best to have a clear understanding of what needs to be done before calling the electrician.

Step 2. Does the electrician possess right qualifications to get the job done correctly? Are they licensed to do electrical work and are they insured?

This is a very important step. And it demands your full attention. It's essential they are licensed and insured. The reason this is vitally important is you are trusting them to work on your home or business where the safety of your loved ones or employees depend on the consequences of their work. Be certain they know what they are doing by requesting to see their up-to-date license to perform electrical work in your area.

Step 3. Don't choose your electrician based on price alone.

The principal reason being you normally get what you pay for. If an electrician is bidding a lot lower on a job than other local electricians, it's usually a good sign that you may not getting the same quality service as an electrician that charges more. This is not always the case, but most of the time this is true.

Step 4. Does the electrician offer any type of warranty on their work?

Just to clarify and explain that a bit, when electricians offer a warranty of any kind, it's a good sign they are a quality electrician. You definitely don't want to be stuck with an electrician that doesn't stand behind their work.

Step 5. Always ask them for references from companies or homeowners they've done work for in the past.

Additionally, ask them if you can contact these references and be sure to follow through with contacting them. You can learn a lot about an electrician's work and reputation by talking to their past customers.

Finally, be sure to follow these steps while reviewing several electricians for the job. Doing this will help you find the best electrician in your area for your electrical project. By following the tips above you should easily find a great electrician that can get the job done on time, within budget and to your satisfaction.

Always use due diligence when choosing a local electrician. If you are looking for a Chula Vista Electrician [http://chulavistaelectrician.com] be sure to visit ChulaVistaElectrician.com [http://chulavistaelectrician.com] for a list of reputable electricians in the Chula Vista, California area.

Posted By: Blackstock Electric http://blackstockelectric.com

Light Up Your Home

Copyright © 2014 Danny Blackstock

The importance of good lighting cannot be emphasized enough. Interior lighting adds mood and character to a room, making it look more colorful, vibrant or even bigger or smaller. Exterior lighting is far more practical in helping people see and notice their surroundings better as well as add depth to the outdoors. 

To fully understand your electrical needs, a lighting designer factors in aesthetics with functional aspects such as power usage and building design. 

Electrical Services 
You need to find an electrician who will take care of all of your wiring and repair needs, be it commercial or residential. For safety and reliability, there are various services such as storm water repair or setting emergency backup generators. After installation, should something go wrong, they should offer troubleshooting and repair services. 

A remodeled home is just like a new house and needs fresh wiring. This can be tricky as it is subject to what the previous electrician did. See if your electrician specializes in rewiring services to allow you to remodel your home with ease and reinstall all safety mechanisms. 

Light Up Your Outdoors 
Using adequate lighting can help in significantly reducing maintenance costs as well as improving the safety of patrons. Use LED lighting to result in better visibility conditions. 

Landscape lighting is a great way to express yourself and explore your creativity. It helps you light up your outdoor private garden or fountain with style and finesse. You need the optimum blend of style and energy efficiency to tailor make your designs, ensuring that your house exudes your personality. Additionally, look up the essentials of exterior lighting and pick out a lighting system that works best for you. 

Added Fittings 
To keep you cool during a hot summer's day, you should ask your electrician about ceiling fan installations. They should determine your needs based on the weather conditions as well as the ventilation around the house and help you pick a fan plan. Additionally, to ensure there is constant and continuous power supply, they should also install backup generators. 

In case of wrongful wiring that has resulted in a variety of electrical problems, make sure they carry out rewiring services and electrical troubleshooting. They should cater to all your electrical needs, even if it is something as small as adding extra outlets or installing exhaust fans to panel replacements and basement settings. 

Your local electrician should offer a wide range of electrical services to you and for your housing needs whether it is domestic or commercial. Do not take your electrical needs lightly.

To fully understand your electrical needs, a lighting designer factors in aesthetics with functional aspects such as power usage and building design. This is where Blackstock Electric, with over 15 years of practical experience, comes in handy. With several niche specializations, we cater to a plethora of electrical services and needs. http://blackstockelectric.com

Posted By: Blackstock Electric  http://blackstockelectric.com

Important Features In New Kitchens

Important Features In New Kitchens

Whenever people walk into new kitchens, they're bound to notice several fixtures that stand out
from the rest. Most likely, you would also use these fixtures more often than any other.

Cabinets

Prominent cabinets are perhaps the true hallmark of modern kitchens. Despite having been in
existence for many years, recent innovations and design variations have produced highly efficient
and aesthetically appealing storage spaces.

The choice of cabinet finishing will definitely play a critical role in the overall look of your
kitchen. For instance, classic wood finishing would create a rustic look within the cooking space.
Therefore, choice of cabinet should not just be based on utility, but also its aesthetic value.
Otherwise, you might end up with a horrible look, despite having adequate storage space.

Sinks

You might not really notice the sink at first glance, but you're sure to use it much more
frequently than most other fittings. Hence, your choice of sink will be largely skewed towards
utility rather than aesthetic appeal.

The first consideration of an appropriate sink is its size. It should provide adequate space for
cleaning all your utensils. In fact, the Australian Standard AS DR01314 - Draft for Design,
Construction and Fit Out of Food Premises expressly dictates that the largest item to be washed
should be able to fit in the sink. Although this directive applies to commercial premises, it
would be quite convenient for you to have a large enough sink at home.

Placement of the sink would also affect its utility and also contribute to the overall look within
your kitchen. In some instances, it may be placed on the island rather than the wall unit, where
it's normally situated. However, the important aspect is that it is easily accessible during the
food preparation process.

Counter Tops

Counter tops are a uniquely prominent feature within the cooking space. They provide a key focal
point that enhances the kitchen layout. Various types of materials can be used to achieve this.

Granite is one such material. Apart from bearing uniquely dazzling features, this material is also
quite strong with the capacity to effectively resist chipping and cracking. This makes it quite
popular among many home owners (a 2008 survey by Stone World revealed that a majority of customers
(55%) preferred granite over synthetic stone (12%)). However, the only drawback with this material
is its porous crystalline structure. Fortunately, the fissures (small spaces) can be covered up
through regular sealing.

Quartz also works well on counter tops. This material can be found in numerous color variations
including: apple green, fire-engine red, black, cream and earthy brown. It actually has a higher
rate of hardness compared to granite and resists chipping and cracking better. Moreover, it is
non-porous and repels such stains as wine, coffee, oil or vinegar; hence, making it easy to clean.
What this means, is that you benefit from all the qualities of stone and laminates, simply by
having quartz counter tops. No wonder a 2013 Natural and Manufactured Stone Products Industry
Report indicated that quartz products were outpacing the overall industry growth.


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Jeremy Foxe loves creating beautiful and functional kitchens. His choice of fixtures always comes
from Apollo Kitchens, a leading kitchen manufacturer in Australia. The professional team at Apollo
has the capacity to cater to all your kitchen installation and renovation needs. Visit
http://www.apollokitchens.com.au/new-kitchens-nsw.html to see more detailed information about new
kitchens and designs .

Posted By:  Blackstock Electric http://blackstockelectric.com

Three Advantages of Hiring a Local Electrician over a Big Corporate

There are advantages to hiring a local electrician who is not part of an agency or corporation versus hiring an electrician that works for a big corporate company. It is best to research local electricians online, through people you know, and through a directory of electricians.

You should take time to research credentials so that you get the best electrician for the job. Once you find a list you can compare the electricians and can compare to a big corporate agency to see what is best. Consider that there are positives and negatives to choosing either an electrician or a big corporate.

The first advantage is price. A local electrician can decide how much to charge while an agency may have set prices and no way to bargain it down. You can look at multiple electricians and find out who is willing to offer you the best price for the job. Some electricians maybe willing to bargain with you as they will be happy to have your business if business is slow, which it might be with the economy? Consider multiple ones as price may be different due to different ways of doing the job (i.e. tools they use, etc.) Sometimes you might have to pay a little more for services but it may be worth it depending upon the electrician's experience.

The next advantage of hiring a local electrician is that they are more than likely more experienced than an agency. Considering that low level electricians or electricians with little experience can work in a corporate company under others but are not able to work on their own. It is still important to research credentials of electricians to make sure they have the experience you are looking for and also ask them what they do best in terms of their electrical work.

The last advantage is knowing that a local electrician should be licensed. Make sure to research the electrician to make sure their credentials match up with what they should have. A corporation can have people that are not licensed working as apprentices.

Do You Want The Right Electrician For The Job? Electrician in Croydon [http://www.poultonselectrical.co.uk/] Can help you with all your electrical requirements.

Posted By: Blackstock Electric http://blackstockelectric.com

Attic Ventilation is Especially Important in the Summer Months

Attic Ventilation is Especially Important in the Summer Months

Attic ventilation is important at all times of the year. Many homeowners often think that attic
insulation is the most important part of keeping their home cool. While the insulation in your
attic is important to help keep your property warmer in the cold winter months and cooler in the
hot months of summer, attic ventilation plays an extremely important role too.

What is attic ventilation and how does it work?

Attic ventilation really isn't rocket science, but it's surprising how misunderstood the concept
actually is - by property owners and even some builders and construction companies. Many people believe that the purpose of attic ventilation is to let out the hot air which builds up in the
summer. While this is definitely part of the benefit of attic ventilation, it certainly isn't the
whole story - not by a long shot.

·        In the warm summer months adequate attic ventilation will help to keep your attic nice and cool.

·        In the colder winter months an attic with adequate and correct ventilation will be kept
drier and free from moisture - the ventilation also helps to reduce the development if ice dams.

·        Attic ventilation makes your property more comfortable, protects against structural damage and helps to reduce your energy consumption and energy bills, whatever time of the year. More comfort for fewer dollars - what could be better?

Why is Attic Ventilation Especially Important in the Summer Months?

You probably notice that the upstairs rooms in your property feel warmer in the hot summer months. Cast your mind back to physics class - the lighter, hot air rises as the denser, cooler air falls (remember that?) - and while it is true, this is only part of the story. The knowledge that heat rises is a good start, but there is much more to it than that. For example, there's also the downward migration of the summer heat.
Picture a hot, summers day - they will be here before you know it. So, what happens on a hot summer's day? The radiant heat generated by the sun pushes down onto the roof and causes the materials in the roof to heat up, which conducts the heat as it travels through the roof and down into the attic area of the house. As the temperature in the attic rises, this heat is radiated through the floor of the attic and into the upper rooms of the property, and so it goes on . . . The downward migration of the heat - which all started from the sunshine pouring onto the roof.

So how does attic ventilation help?

Take a look at the differences between a typical temperature of a home which does not have attic ventilation and the corresponding temperatures of a property which does.
If the outdoor summer temperature is 90 deg F (equivalent to 32 deg C):

·        The roof sheath temperature could rise as high as an incredible 170 deg F (77 deg C)

·        The temperature of the attic floor could be as high as 140 deg F (60 deg C)

·        The temperature in the rooms below is, at best, extremely uncomfortable and, at worst,
unbearable

While we can all put up with a little discomfort occasionally the problem is compounded during the summer when one hot day follows another, and another, and another. . . The temperature in the property can soon become unbearable if the property does not have adequate attic ventilation.

If your attic does not have ventilation, or inadequate ventilation, then the heat which has been accumulated during the day will not be able to be lost during the night, and a well-insulated property can actually exaggerate the problem. A well ventilated attic will be able to dissipate the extra heat during the cooler hours of darkness and stand prepared for the following morning's sunshine.

So what can a homeowner do in this sort of situation? Of course, the immediate reaction is to try some cooling solutions such as switching on fans and air conditioning systems. However, the hotter it gets the more energy is consumed trying to keep cool and comfortable.

Properties without adequate attic ventilation are opened up to other sorts of problems too. For example, you may not immediately be able to notice what's happening on the roof, but it will be happening just the same. The prolonged and excessive heat in the roof materials can cause all sorts of deterioration problems, such as weakening and distortion, which can even lead to a leaking roof over time.

Remember that the price of replacing or repairing a roof is much more costly than making sure that your property has sufficient attic ventilation. While it is important to have attic insulation, there needs to be a direct correlation between the amount of insulation you have in the attic and the amount of ventilation that is available. An
insulated attic will hold on to even more heat than an uninsulated attic, which increases the necessity for attic ventilation. The solution to this problem is certainly not to reduce the
amount of insulation in your attic - it is simply to balance the equation with adequate attic
ventilation.

Whereas ventilation in the attic cannot help to prevent heat from transferring from the roof of the property into the attic, it can significantly minimize the detrimental effects. Well placed and fitted ventilation will provide cooler air in a flow on the underside of the sheathing of the roof. This air flow will effectively take the heat away before it has the chance to radiate onto the floor of the attic. You must ensure that there is a uniform flow of cooler air to prevent hot spots from developing, which can ultimately reduce the effectiveness of your attic ventilation.

Make sure that your attic ventilation is adequate before the hot summer months arrive, and you'll not only feel more comfortable but also save a significant amount on your energy bills - a real win/win situation for everybody.


----------------------------------------------------
Chase Insulation began originally as an Austin insulation company. Over time we have grown to provide a vast array of home insulation and attic ventilation solutions to a diverse clientele. For new construction, home improvement or remodeling an existing building, we provide energy-saving attic insulation solutions backed by quality workmanship. See how Chase Insulation can help you by visiting http://www.chaseinsulationaustin.com

Posted By: Blackstock Electric  http://blackstockelectric.com

Top Ways To Make Your Home Eco Friendly

Top Ways To Make Your Home Eco Friendly

We all want to do our part to protect the environment, but without a large paycheck, that can be
seem difficult, if not impossible. But doing your part doesn't have to be hard. Small steps add up to a big difference, you just have to know which ones to take. 

Use less water. 

Saving water is all about small steps, here are a few that will help save big.

- Shut off the water while you brush your teeth
- Take showers that are a minute or two shorter
- Only flush the toilet when you need to
- Only run full loads of laundry and dishes
- Buy from sustainable producers. These are farmers, ranchers, and other producers that use
techniques that pollute less and use less water. You can do some research online or ask at your
local organic market to find these products.

Use less energy. 

If you don't have the money to buy a hybrid car or convert your house to solar power, you can make a big difference with small changes.

- Buy energy efficient appliances. They may be more expensive, but make up for the increased cost in lower energy bills.
- Unplug chargers when you're not using them. Cell phone and other chargers use up powers even if there's nothing attached to them.
- Put devices with remotes, like T.V.s, VCRs, and stereos, on a power strip and turn it off when
you're not using them. These devices use a lot of power to run the remote receiver even when the device is off.
- Walk or ride your bike for short trips. 
- Buy local products. It takes energy to transport food and other products across the country.
Buying local not only supports your local economy, it helps them use less energy.

When it comes to saving energy and water, it's a great idea to get the kids involved. You can even make it a game. Have them track how much water and electricity everyone is using. You can compete to see who uses the least water. You can often count on your kids to help keep you on track when given the task. 

Reuse. 

Most of us know the three R's: reduce, reuse, recycle, but when we work on conserving, we often leave reuse out of the picture. While you can often find tips on how to reuse common products from other people, what you need most is creativity. With a little thought there are many items around your home that can be reused - toilet paper holders can be used to sow seeds for the vegetable patch. And old yogurt containers can be cut into strip to make plant labels. Old food jars can be refilled with homemade foods or can make great impromptu vases. Use environmentally friendly products. When you go to the grocery store, you probably see more and more "natural" or "eco friendly" products every time. There are generally two big problems with these products: 1. Just because they're more natural than regular products, doesn't mean they're entirely natural. 2. They're often expensive.

If you want inexpensive, natural, safe products, why not just make them yourself. Vinegar is a
great way to clean and disinfect glass and other surfaces. Need to remove stubborn stains? Just add some baking soda to your vinegar cleaner. Some quick searching online will lead you to hundreds of other natural safe home-made cleaning products.

We all knowing that going green means better for the environment, but it's also better for you.
Conserving resources also helps save you money, which is something most of us are happy to live with.


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Posted by: Blackstock Electric  http://blackstockelectric.com