Chapple Electric Blog


Should I Upgrade My Outlets?

 

Feb 10, 2021

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&r... Read more...

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention

Feb 10, 2021

As temperature continue to drop and winter is in full effect, remember to check the batteries in your carbon monoxide (CO) detector. If you don’t have a battery-powered or battery back-up CO alarm, now is a great time to buy one. More than 400 people die each year in the United States from unintentional, non-fire related CO poisoning. CO is found in fumes produced by furnaces, vehicles, generators, stoves, lanterns, gas ranges, or burning charcoal or wood. CO from these sources can build up in enclosed or partially enclosed spaces. People and animals in these spaces can be poiso... Read more...

ELECTRICAL SAFETY TIPS FOR THIS WINTER SEASON

 

Feb 17, 2021

When the weather turns cold, many homeowners lean on electrical devices to keep their home cozy and warm. Unfortunately, many portable heating units pose fire hazards if safety standards are not adhered to. In fact, the National Fire Protection Agency claims that over 40% of home fires involve space heaters. as the temperature drops, Chapple electric's expert electrical team wants you and your family to stay safe this winter by following these tips: Keep Flammable Items Away From Heat Sources Seek to remove any flammable items from around your heat source... Read more...

Generators...Do I Really Need One?

Jan 14, 2021

Unlike noisy and inconvenient portable generators that you have to lug out and set up in the event of an emergency or outage, standby generators offer convenient backup power that is always at-the-ready, and capable of kicking-in within seconds of power loss with little to no attention from you. What makes them so darn convenient? The setup. Standby generators, professionally installed with an automatic transfer switch, sense when power stops flowing to your home, transferring power to your standby system automatically to ensure minimal power interruption. When power from the electrical ... Read more...

Shocking Electrical Tips

 

Jan 14, 2021

Electrical Fire Prevention: Be prepared. Stay safe.  Electrical fires were one of the leading causes of fire-related deaths in the past five years.  However, simple safety tips and regular home maintenance can reduce the risk of electrical fires, keeping you and your family safe.   Prevent Electrical Fires at Home: The Basics You can help prevent electrical fires at home simply by using your home’s electrical system properly. Look around for electrical hazards in your home and correct them. Certain items can expose you and your family to the risk of fire, ... Read more...

Deck the Halls Safely

 

Nov 17, 2020

  Ready to decorate your yard Griswold style? Before any Lampoon-like disasters, you may want to reconsider upgrading your breaker box. A most wonderful time of the year for house fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), each holiday season an average of 150 homes are burned, 8 people killed, and 14 injured due to incorrect use of holiday lights. Before you deck the halls – deck your wall with a new electrical panel All those lights covering your roof, windows, trees and bushes might not seem as powerful as your jumbo-size snow blower, but multi... 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...

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

 

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...

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...

Information from Us on COVID-19

Mar 23, 2020

An Update  At Chapple Electric, we help protect what matters most, and nothing is more important to us than the safety of our customers and employees. As the coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to impact our communities, we are following guidance from the CDC, national and local governments. As a company that is in the life safety business, we are always working to help keep you and our employees safe, healthy and protected.  24/7 Support Keeping our customers and employees protected is our top priority. To date, there have been no interruptions to our service. We are taking ext... Read more...