Chapple Electric Blog
What You Need to Know About Your Electric Panel
Oct 09, 2020
A home’s electrical panel is the kind of thing that most people don’t typically think about, that is until they really have to, and then suddenly it becomes one of the most important things in your home! At the very least, be certain that your electrical system is a part of your initial home inspection when buying a new property. Faulty electrical wiring isn’t just extremely expensive to fix but it may even pose a significant fire risk. Location is Key Your electrical panel is probably located in your garage, basement, utility room, laundry room, or possibly even ... Read more...Energy Efficient Lighting Switch
Oct 09, 2020
In the past decade or so there has been an evolution of the light bulb, going from the standard incandescent light to a variety of new lighting elements that save you money and energy. If you have ever stood next to or under a regular light bulb for long enough you know how inefficient they really are, and the heat they put off. The government has a great incentive for us as consumers to switch out our old light bulbs and fixtures for more efficient ones. If you visit energy.gov/savings, you can determine what rebates you are eligible for in your area, and you can also contact Chapple... Read more...Home Trends: Unique Kitchen Lighting
Sep 24, 2020
Some trends are temporary while others are permanent. Not only is lighting in the kitchen becoming a trend, but it can help you increase your home value as well. So what exactly is the trend in kitchen lighting? Lighting that stands out! The trend is commonly seen when paired with a bar or kitchen island. Hanging lights above the kitchen bar or island can not only help illuminate the room and that area in particular, but it’s become more of a centerpiece in the space. The trend shows that not only are the lights a centerpiece that attract the eye, but ... Read more...Tricks, Treats & Safety Make Halloween a Scream!
Oct 08, 2020
As Halloween approaches, you should take the time to evaluate the safety of your indoor decorations and elaborate outdoor displays in order to help prevent fires and accidents from happening. The following collection of Halloween safety tips is offered by our electricians in the hopes of helping you keep your family safe this year. Choose Costumes and Decorations Wisely Look for decorations, costumes, and accessories that are labeled flame-retardant and/or flame-resistant. Non-combustible materials will keep your family and visitors safe and secure because they are designed to minimize the r... Read more...Should I Upgrade My Outlets?
Oct 09, 2020
If your electrical outlets are old, warped, damaged, or malfunctioning, it may be time to replace them. Old outlets wear out over time, diminishing their effectiveness or even putting you in danger. For something we use every day, most of us probably don’t understand outlets very well. Normally, that doesn’t seem like a big deal… but it can become a big deal if something’s wrong. If you don’t understand how outlets work, it’s harder to know when they aren’t working properly… and when they need to be replaced. Here’s ... Read more...Tips for Preventing Circuit Overload
Oct 09, 2020
Summer is winding down and fall is upon us and this means an extra long winter with alot of overload on our house. Overloading your electrical circuits can damage your appliances, cause power outages or even a fire. Here are a few things to consider to prevent overloading your circuits. What Is an Overload? An overload is when you have too many things running on one circuit. More specifically, it is when the electrical demand on the circuit is more than it is designed to provide. In your kitchen, this may only occur when you have guests over. You might be plugging... Read more...7 Ingenious Ways to Use LED Lighting
Oct 09, 2020
Lighting has come a long way from its origins as a way to extend the working day. Today, thanks to the versatility of technology, lighting has become a key component of interior design. It helps us accentuate and reveal the beauty of our homes, while also providing functionality. Light emitting diodes (LEDs) are tiny light sources that require less energy and are more durable than traditional incandescent light bulbs. They can also be fashioned into different shapes and emit far less heat than traditional bulbs, making them suitable to put in places you would never have thought to put a light... Read more...Outlet Placement in Your New Build
Oct 09, 2020
Although people who opt to build their home instead of buy one already on the market work closely with an experienced builder, contractors, and designers, sometimes some details get overlooked. It’s not until long after they’ve already moved in that they realize they should have made themselves part of the discussion when it came to certain things, including places to access electrical power in the home. To avoid having to use extension cords and power bars, take the time to think through where you’d like to be able to easily access electricity in your new home. Here a... Read more...Not Your Granny's Smoke Detector
Aug 31, 2020
Round. UFO-like. Able to eat through a 9-volt battery in a single month. Annoyingly difficult to disengage when you burn the bacon. A smoke detector is still a smoke detector, right? Not so much. Smoke alarms have come a long way in recent years, so if you’re still using the same kind of smoke detector your Granny had in her house when you were growing up, you’re missing out on a lot - both in safety and technology. First of all, smoke detectors can expire Check for a date on the inside of the alarm, next to the battery, or stamped on the back. Expired smoke detectors aren&rsqu... Read more...How To Test A Smoke Detector
Aug 31, 2020
Installing a smoke detector is an inexpensive way to protect you and your loved ones from getting caught in a dangerous situation. It is important to remember, though, that smoke detectors can only help you if they are functioning properly. If not maintained properly, your smoke detector could fail you when you need it most. Performing a Safety Test Step 1 Warn family members. Unless you are trying to conduct a fire drill, you should let everyone in the home know that you will be testing the smoke detector so that they will not feel frightened when t... Read more...Parking Lot Lighting: What You Need to Know
Aug 17, 2020
Although a well-lit parking lot is essential for a good business, many companies neglect to think about their parking lot lighting. But just like a clean, organized interior, the exterior of your building reflects the company and its values. You want customers, employees, and associates to view your building as a warm, inviting place. When the parking lot is barely lit, it lowers the customers’ confidence in the business and lowers the number of customers visiting at night, which will impact your weekly sales. You also need to consider that just one incident of theft, harassment, o... Read more...Fire Safety Checklist
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Jul 14, 2020
Everyone in your family has a role to play in your home’s fire safety. Most importantly, kids should be familiar with how smoke detectors sound and what your home fire escape plan is. The checklists below can help prepare you and your family. PARENTS' CHECKLIST Are the batteries working in all your smoke alarms? Does your home have interconnected smoke alarms (when one sounds, they all sound)? Do you test the batteries in the smoke alarms at least once a month? Does your family have a home fire escape plan that includes two ways out of each room? Does your entire fami... Read more...Stay Cool While Saving Energy
Jul 14, 2020
Take time to incorporate these strategies to help you save energy during the summer when the weather is warm and you are trying to keep your home cool. Some of the tips below are free and can be used on a daily basis to increase your savings; others are simple and inexpensive actions you can take to ensure maximum savings through the summer. Get a bright idea Ditch those ancient incandescent light bulbs, which give off 90 percent of their energy as heat. Instead opt for cooler, more efficient alternatives like CFLs or LEDs. Give your HVAC some TLC Change your filter regularly to ensure... Read more...14 Must Read Safety Tips for Camping
Jun 29, 2020
Every year, more than 30 million Americans leave the comfort of their homes to sleep in a tent, RV, or simply under the stars. There are lots of reasons to rough it on a good-old fashioned camping trip, from physical health benefits to stress relief. (Who needs a Tempur-Pedic mattress when there’s a sleeping bag?) In order for a safe, comfortable, and exciting experience with Mother Nature, learn all the camping electrical safety dos and don'ts to fully enjoy the Great Outdoors! Before you leave on your trip, follow these tips and plan to gather the necessary supplies to hel... Read more...Out-of-the-Box Gift Ideas for Dad
Jun 10, 2020
If you are trying to find something special for Dad that isn’t socks or a tie, let us give you some out-of-the-box suggestions for gifts that Pop can really use. Naturally, we have some lights in mind but there are several different gifts you can get for the father-figure in your life. Save Him Some Cash What better way to say “Thanks, Dad” than to line his pockets with... Read more...Summer Electrical Safety
Jun 09, 2020
It’s important to remember while enjoying the summer weather, while outside or around the home, that there could be a variety of electrical hazards lingering. While not obvious at first, these issues could cause very serious (and potentially fatal) injury through electric shock. Our team at Chapple Electric has created a list of common outdoor and indoor hazards to be aware of. Summer Outdoor Electrical Safety Power Line Safety Stay away from power lines with your body, toys, sticks, or anything an electrical current could travel down. Power lines transport ... Read more...What is Directional Boring and When Do I Need it?
May 29, 2020
Not long ago, the only way to install new piping underground — or even make simple repairs — was to tear apart the ground and ruin the landscape in a time-consuming trench digging process. With the advent of horizontal directional boring, the entire process has been revolutionized. No longer do you have to deal with large crews digging up the ground for weeks or even months to get a single job done. The most common uses of directional drilling is to install pipes, conduits, or cables in areas where traditional open cut construction is difficult to achieve. Directional drill... Read more...Electrical Panel Upgrades
May 20, 2020
A faulty electrical service panel in a home or buisness places it in danger. The service panel is where the main power line from outside a home enters and is routed throughout the electrical system. The panel also disconnects circuits if excess electricity flows through them by tripping circuit breakers. If the panel starts to malfunction to the point that it can no longer function correctly, not only will it risk shutting down all electricity to the home or business, it will put it at risk of electrical fires. You may be surprised by how many new appliances and gadgets ... Read more...Mother's Day Gift Ideas to Light Up Her Life
May 04, 2020
Many extended families aren’t currently able to spend time together in-person these days. That doesn’t mean Mother’s Day is cancelled or on hold. In fact, it may just be more important than ever! There’s no better way to show her how much you care than creative home-lighting ideas this Mother’s Day. Here are some great creative lighting ideas you might not have thought of as gifts for mom. If your mom loves to read books, a wall light might be the perfect gift for her. Wall-mounted reading lights come in a large assortment... Read more...Think Spring: Your Electrical Checklist
Apr 08, 2020
It’s time to start spring cleaning projects, and while there’s plenty to do, we suggest another area — your home electrical system. After all, when it comes to electricity, some simple preventative maintenance can save you from electrical shock and fire hazards. Here’s some ideas to help you keep your power system as spring fresh as the rest of your home. Kitchen Make sure all countertop appliances are plugged into a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlet. If your home doesn’t have GFCI outlets installed near water sources—such as in the bathro... Read more...About Chapple Electric
Chapple Electric LLC is a second generation, family owned company that was started in 1978 by our founder, Charles Chapple. What started out as a small 2 man operation doing residential electrical repairs has now become a large commercial, residential and industrial electrical contracting company, which operates with several crews across the state of Michigan. From the very beginning, complete customer satisfaction has been the cornerstone of our success and longevity.Chapple Electric is one of Michigan's most trusted names in electrical repairs, installation and upgrades. Since 1978, we have been committed to excellence in design, workmanship, competitive pricing and customer service.
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Why Choose Chapple Electric?
At Chapple Electric, we know that the electrical system is the lifeblood of any structure. How that system functions can either enhance or hamper the comfort and productivity of its occupants. In order for the electrical system to function properly, it must be designed and tailored to the owner's needs and usage, correctly installed and be backed by a service team available 24 hours a day 7 days a week.To ensure this happens, you need to work with a company that's on top of the trade. One that knows electrical systems inside and out, and is in step with all the current codes and standards for the profession as well as the latest in technological and product advances. A company that has the professional staff and experience to design, build, deliver, install and maintain a system that's done right. Read More
Our Location
Corporate
- 11220 Torrey Road
- Fenton, MI 48430
- Phone: 810-691-6921