Adding An Electrical Box and Hiding Cables Like A Pro
By Alison Leaderman

All the electronics on the market lately are filling up our homes. There is an increasing need for more electric outlets throughout our homes. Some useful tips on how to create an electrical extension are outlined in this article.

The most common need people have is adding an additional outlet box. They never are where you need them! As with anything electrical, take proper precautions against electrical shocks and know your local codes for proper cable types, shielding plates, etc.

Sometimes it just your lucky day and the room on the other side of wall has an outlet that is very close. Back to back is ideal but even one stud off is not a problem. Just make sure the circuit won't be overloaded by adding an additional set of plugs.

Use a stud finder and find out where the adjacent studs are for where you want to put the outlet box. Depending on the type of box you have, either cut out the proper size hole next to the stud or somewhere in the center. I prefer the renovation boxes with the tabs that are designed to fit in the drywall away from the studs. Align your box hole so it isn't directly behind the other box as two deep boxes won't fit back to back in a two by four stud wall.

If you are within the same studs, it is now a simple matter of running the proper wire or conduit from the old box to the new one. If you need to go one stud over, cutting your hole close to the stud makes it a little easier. From the box hole access, drill a hole in the center of the stud following proper guidelines to maintain structural integrity. Keep the hole size at a minimum and no more than 40% of the stud width.

If instead you want to extend power from an existing box in the room, there are several ways to run the wire between the boxes. One common method is to remove the baseboard trim. Then cut out some of the wall board behind the baseboard and make small notches (not to exceed 25% of the stud width) in each stud or drill holes in the center of each stud to run the cable for the extension. After installing the cable, make sure to use steel plates on each stud if you did notches to prevent any drywall screws from penetrating the wires.

If you drilled holes in the center and come to a corner, it can sometimes be problematic when it is solid. You need to drill a hole from each side until they meet. Then either fish something flexible through the hole or use two fish tapes with a hook on the end and get them to catch. Put lots of lube on the cable and pull it through.

Going around doors is a similar exercise. The best way is to remove the trim molding and usually there is enough room with minimal notching to run the cable around the door.

If you have attic or basement access, there is another way to run new cable. Drill holes through the plate where the existing circuit is and where you want to add an additional outlet. Sometimes you will run into fire stops or cross braces in the middle of the wall. If you are putting in a switch, many times you can get close enough from the switch box hole to drill through the brace. Otherwise you will need to cut out a small section of wallboard and make a notch.

There are a number of safe and effective ways to add electrical outlets throughout your home without damage and lots of work. With the use of smart safety procedures, following local codes, and some electrical work you can have extensions in all of the places your home needs.

Alison Leaderman is in charge of online marketing for Ready Electric Wholesale Lighting and Electrical Supplies business. Ready Electric is a well established electric supply company for contractors and has established an e-commerce website to serve both contractors and the public with discount lighting fixtures.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alison_Leaderman

10 Ways To Cut Your Electric Bill
By Paul W Wilson

One of the major concerns in the world today is depletion of energy. As concerned citizens all of us must make a concerted effort to be conscious citizens and save electricity. Electricity has become integral to life but imagine having to live without power.

Conservation of electricity benefits you personally as you will pay lower bills. Consider:

1. Doing an energy audit. This will tell you how and when you use energy and where the wastage lies. You will be able to make an “energy savings plan” by pinpointing exactly how you can cut back on energy consumption. Some ideas may be as simple as don’t leave the coffee machine on at all times.

2. Think about resetting the thermostat ten degrees lower during the night. If you can do this for say approximately eight hours a day you will save 10% on electricity without sacrificing comfort. Insulate the home in winter by drawing shut the drapes.

3. Check all insulation in the house. If you increase attic insulation to around 12 inches the electricity consumption will reduce by 20 percent.

4. Plant more trees around the house these will cool the house in summer and insulate the house in winter. Studies show that a green cover benefits in many ways.

5. Have all electricity wires and outlets checked for leakage. Check all fuses and appliances.

6. Fluorescent light bulbs are energy efficient. They use 75% less energy than ordinary light bulbs. These have a longer life and contribute to great savings.

7. Use energy efficient appliances. These use less energy and believe it or not a high efficiency refrigerator uses less electricity than a light bulb.

8. When you are away even for a few hours or days you should turn off and unplug all electrical appliances and turn settings on the thermostat, water heater, and refrigerator to the lowest setting.

9. Ensure that you use a water-saving shower head. Water heating costs for a family can be lowered by at least US$ 250 a year.

10. Weatherize your home. This helps reduce heating bills by 20% and cooling by at least 10 percent. Even when building a home or decorating it use weather friendly materials—those that are not good conductors of heat and cold. Install windows and glass panes in the roof in such away that you use sunlight to light up the rooms during day light hours. Make an effort to switch off lights and fans when leaving a room. Ensure that the filters in air conditioners and heaters are always cleaned and free of clog and dust.

If you live an energy efficient lifestyle you will see the numbers on the energy bill actually reducing. The power to cut energy costs is well within your control. It is as simple as only washing full loads and that to in cold water. Use the hot wash option only for very dirty clothes. Cook food only just before you are ready to eat that way you can save reheating costs as well as refrigerating costs of storing the food. Turn the thermostat of the refrigerator to minimum in cold or cool weather. Switch off freezers if they are not in use. Small contributions can all add up to significant amounts of power saved. And, power saved means money in the bank.

Paul Wilson is a freelance writer for http://www.1888Discuss.com/home-improvement/, the premier REVENUE SHARING discussion forum for Home Improvement including topics on exterior home improvement, gardening, decorating, buying and selling, electrical home improvement and more. He also freelances for the premier Mortgage site http://www.1888Mortgages.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_W_Wilson

Should You Get An Electrical Inspection?
By Martin Lukac

You know that when buying a home, a property inspection is vital. But what about an electrical inspection?

According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International, a separate and comprehensive electrical inspection is necessary in many home purchases. The Foundation is a nonprofit organization that promotes electrical safety.

They recommend that any home that is over 40 years old, has had major renovation or major appliances added over 10 years ago or is changing owners receive an electrical inspection.

Your standard home inspection will inspect the property for structural defects, as well as plumbing, electrical and mechanical problems. You should always have a property inspected before closing. It saves you from discovering costly surprises after your name is on the deed.

But keep in mind that the property inspection is a surface inspection. Light switches will be flipped. Wiring in the attic will be looked at. But you should have someone look a little bit further.

What does your electrical inspection mean? It means that someone has checked for loose-fitting outlets, checked the fuse boxes and circuit breakers. Everything electrical is tested and double-checked.

Why should you bother? Electricity is a powerful force that leads to another powerful force -- fire. There are more than 165,000 electrical-related home firs in any given year. On average,900 people loose their lives to these fires each year.

Think about it, when was the last time you checked your electric system. Do you check for frayed or overheated cords? Do you feel your outlets for heat? Do you take care of overloaded circuits? Do you put too high of wattage light bulbs into your lights?

Even if you answered yes, the chances are slim that the seller would. For example, in our recent purchase, a major wiring problem skipped both our and our inspector's attention. If we had an electrical inspection, the problem would have been caught.

Whether or not you are buying, you might want to go ahead and have your home inspected. Call your electrical company and ask if they provide the service. If they don't, they may be able to refer you to a licensed electrician that can.

Just like a property inspection, join the electrician on the tour of your property. Ask questions and have him explain what he is checking and why. The information can help you in the maintenance of your home's electrical system. For example, how many of us know why a breaker keeps flipping and what we should do about it.

If you plan on making changes to the home, such as adding a hot tub or other major appliance, talk about it with the inspector. He or she could offer helpful advice and tips.

Keep in mind that electricity isn't something to play around with. You shouldn't use 100 watt bulbs in a 40 watt fixture. Don't run extension cords heavily all over your home. Check your smoke detectors and replace their batteries regularly. Have your home inspected and prevent any problems before they have a chance to catch a spark.

Martin Lukac, represents http://www.RateEmpire.com, a finance web-company specializing in real estate/mortgage market. We specialize in daily updates, rate predictions, mortgage rates and more. Find low home loan mortgage interest rates from hundreds of mortgage companies! Visit http://www.RateEmpire.com today.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Martin_Lukac

Electrical Tips

As dependency on technology continues to grow, there is an ever increasing demand put on the electrical wiring of your home. Thus you may find yourself in need of an electrician.  Here are a few things to keep in mind if the need does arise:

• 3,900 injuries and 5,300 fires happen every year due to electrical outlet accidents. Older homes are much more prone to deterioration and malfunction. Outlets breakdown and become a danger from heavy use, and from removing plugs at an angle which can cause damage and expose wires. If this is the case have a qualified electrician replace the outlets and bring your old electrical wiring up to current safety standards.
  
  
• While some types of home repair can be done by the home owner to save a few dollars, the work of an electrician is probably best left to someone with proper training and knowledge. When working with electricity it only takes one mistake to cause a fire, personal injury, or death. Electrical contractors are required to know codes and regulations of the National Electric Code when wiring a home or doing any repair work. If you are going to do the work yourself, be sure to cut all the power and unplug any appliances that may be plugged in before you begin.
  
  
• When hiring an electrician, smaller jobs can be estimated over the phone. Most larger jobs are priced at an hourly rate. Thus, as in all cases of home repair, get more than one estimate.
  
  
• If permits are needed to do the electrical work in your home, these should be under the electrician's name and not yours.
  
   
• Be aware of hidden costs that come will electrical work.  Electricians will generally only do the electrical work.  Any holes or other disturbances that need to occur during the course of the job will not be repaired by the electrician.  Have this discussion at the outset so that you know what to expect.