Residential Electrical Services

When it comes to handling electricity, the last thing you want to attempt is the “do-it-yourself” method. Whether you’re considering a remodel or a new home build one of the first things you should consider is who you’re going to have manage the electrical installation, upgrade or electrical repair.

Avoid slip-shod wiring jobs that could put you and your home at risk, turn to the experts Thanks to a decade of experience in the industry and professional licensing, you can trust that you and your home will be in the best of hands.

the following residential electrical services:

• New home electrical installation

• Kitchen and bathroom remodeling

• Electrical upgrade

• Electrical repair

• Circuit breaker installation

• Electrical wiring repair

• Exterior lighting installation and repair

• Interior lighting installation and repair

• Panel upgrades

• Receptacle repair

Whether you’re considering a major remodel or building a new home, one of the most important things on your to-do list will be to find an electrician you can trust offer professional electrical services to residential, commercial and industrial clients From electrical upgrades to accommodate a kitchen or bath remodel to electrical improvements like recessed lighting, you can count on our professionals to get the job done right.

Electric for the following electrical services:

• Residential elecctrical services

• Commercial electrical services

• Industrial electrical service

• New construction electrical services

• Kitchen and bathroom remodeling electrical

• Electrical remodeling

• Service change/ electrical upgrade

• Generator installation

• Electrical design

• Electrical repairs

• Electrical wiring

• And more!

REMODEL YOUR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM?

READY TO Craft a Custom Electrical System for Your Commercial Building?

business owner, the success of your company is your top priority. If electrical issues in your building are impacting your business You can count on us to handle your commercial electrical installation and repair needs so that you can focus on your running your company

BENEFITS OF HIRING a qualified ELECTRICAL

You can count on us to take care of all of your commercial electrical installation needs

You should choose us because:

We offer free estimates on all of our commercial remodeling electrical services.

We have experience reading and working on plans from electrical print sets.

We’ll customize our services to fit your schedule, your needs and your budget.

Electrical Remodeling

When done by a professional, electrical remodeling takes time but can completely transform how your home or commercial space functions. If you live or work in an older building and need re-wiring or other remodeling services

has helped numerous clients make their homes or places of business function better and run more efficiently. We offer free estimates for new panels and re-wiring projects, and are available to give thorough consultations right in your home.

provide the following electrical remodeling services in Marietta:

Ceiling fan installation

Re-wiring

Security systems

Smart home installation

Renovations

Electrical additions

exceptional service and unmatched workmanship for electrical projects of all sizes. We respect your time and your home, which is why all of our workers always show up on time and perform our job with minimal disruptions.

we address important home safety issues such as power surges, faulty smoke detectors, carbon monoxide leaks, and more by providing our customers with informative safety tips and practical solutions to common household electrical issues.

There are five important safety devices that we believe should be in every home:

Arc fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs) – When electrical wiring or devices are overheated or damaged, electrical fires can occur. AFCIs replace circuit breakers, giving your home a higher level of protection from these fires by shutting down your home’s electricity quickly before a fire starts.

Tamper-resistant receptacles – Tamper-resistant receptacles replace wall outlets in order to protect children from burns or electrical shock when they put their fingers or objects into the outlet. Protect your children and hire a licensed electrician to childproof your home with these devices today!

Carbon monoxide (CO) alarms – CO alarms should be installed in every room where someone sleeps and on each level of your home. Be sure to test these alarms monthly to ensure they are working. If you need carbon monoxide alarms installed, we can get the job done right away.

Smoke alarms – Smoke alarms save lives! Test to see if your alarms are working, and if not, we can install the highest quality alarms on the market.

Ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) – These devices protect people from electrocution by monitoring the flow of electricity through a circuit. GFCIs are typically installed in the kitchen, bathroom, and garage.

Residential Remodeling

Electrical is the backbone of every residential remodel. Do you have a major remodel project or just a simple add on? We can help. Whether you are looking to add custom interior or exterior lighting, add additional power, convert a room to a home theatre, add on to your existing structure and more, be sure to call us to help you put the correct electrical plan in place.

Ready to tackle that new addition you’ve always talked about? We’re well versed in all phases of new construction and additions, and we work to make your project happen fast. We realize that additions can be difficult for families to work around, so depend on us when you are ready to get it done right and done fast.

Do you need to update your building with a modern look or energy efficient lighting? Do you have a new tenant moving in and need a reliable contractor to get the work done on time and on budget? provided our commercial clients with such dependable service that they refuse to use anyone else. Let us show you how we can get your next project done on time and on budget.

COMMERCIAL RENOVATIONS AND REMODEL PROJECTS

Should your business require a refresh requiring renovations and remodel your existing interior or exterior spaces we will partner with you to keep your project on time and on budget with precision and professionalism.

services include:

New Installation or Relocation of Computer Cables and Data Lines

Electrical Planning, Design and Consultation

Lighting Replacements

Lighting Upgrades and Retrofits

Emergency Lighting New Installation, Repair or Replace

Office Space Renovations

Restaurant Equipment Service Upgrades

Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

Electrical Panel Installation and Upgrades

Boardroom Lighting

Bathroom Lighting Upgrades

Energy Efficient Lighting Upgrades

Office and Warehouse Projects

Spa and Beauty Salon

Hotel Room Upgrades

Retail Space Upgrades

equipped to handle all of your electrical needs for your commercial renovations and remodel requirements quickly, safely and professionally.

Brighten up blindspots.

Pathway Lighting

Light every step you take. Pathlights are perfect for driveways, walkways and gardens while Steplights illuminate decks and stairs.

Outdoor Mounted Lighting

Shine a light from up high with mounted lights. Illuminate large areas like the driveway and backyard with Floodlights for security and safety. Or focus on a single area like a porch or shed with Spotlights.

Smart LED Lightbulbs

Enjoy the flexibility of energy-efficient smart LED bulbs. Simply screw into compatible lamp sockets for smart control from anywhere.

Hardwired lights give you nonstop power around the clock. Battery-operated lights can be placed almost anywhere. And solar lights offer added convenience.

Connected Devices

Connect to select Ring devices to see what’s happening from a single dashboard and control them with one simple app.

HOME IMPROVEMENT: REPLACING OUTDOOR LIGHT FIXTURES

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve wanted to learn how to re-wire something electrical.  Like, a light fixture, a fan, an outlet.  But I’ve been a little chicken because my mind always goes directly to imagining a billion watts of current, shocking my body….leaving me lifeless on the ground.  I’m not kidding.  I’ve been a little wimpy to do anything electrical because it sorta freaks me out.

Maybe you’ve done this before and it seems pretty simple.  But I always thought we should hire an electrician for such jobs.

I’m going to show you the process of replacing our back porch light……because it was smaller and easier to manipulate while taking pictures.

First of all, start unscrewing/untwisting/un-clipping your old light fixture.  Everyone’s is a little different…..so do what you need to, to remove yours from its mount

Now, you should see some plastic caps covering your wire ends.  There should be black wires, white wires, and some copper colored ground wires.  (Again, yours may be a little different……but black and white seem to be pretty standard.  But the ground wire could be another color.)  Unscrew them right off and then untwist the wire ends.

How to Design Your Landscape Lighting

Landscape lighting is the ideal way to add drama, beauty and allure to your home exterior at night

Form Ideas for Your Landscape Layout

Walk the landscape during the day and night to select key focal points: A stoic oak tree, a tall, handsome palm, a majestic group of juniper shrubs. Or hardscape feature a stone wall accented with fine travertine capstones, a carefully crafted facade, or even water features. These are all great examples to give you an idea of what to look for when it comes to focal areas of your landscape. These are the main visual features, and the first level of light in the landscape. Once the key focal points are defined, lighting can then be selected for other areas of the landscape, such as pathways leading through a garden, deck areas, porches and driveways.

Make a Sketch of the Landscape

Next, it’s time to sketch a drawing of the landscape. Begin the sketch by drawing a perimeter, adding buildings, decks, benches, trees, shrubs, vegetation, and decorations of any significance in the garden. Highlight all of the key focal points defined in Step 1, along with the approximate height and length of those objects. Draw in any existing landscape lighting. This will help you choose between a 120V or 12V landscape lighting system in the next steps.

Select Your Landscape Lighting Fixtures

It’s important to select the right fixtures for each designated area of your application. There are two key questions to answer here: Do I have an existing landscape lighting system? and How large is my layout?

Accent, flood and in-ground landscape fixtures by WAC Lighting can be controlled for color, beam width and brightness levels–though more on this later.

WHAT LIGHT FITTINGS SHOULD WE INSTALL OUTDOORS WHEN IT RAINS AND IT’S WET?

It’s raining. This is not abnormal here in the UK, especially during this time of the year, but this changes everything. Less time spent outside, more time spent indoors, and if possible, minimise the trips through the rain. Take the bus, drive, or take the train, so that your day won’t be ruined by the rain. That is, unless you love rain and you’re a hardcore outdoors person, in which case go for it!

When it rains outside and we have a wet and humid weather we need to be extra careful with what kind of lighting we use outdoors. There’s such a thing as IP rating, the international protection rating, which says what kind of lights can be used outdoors (especially in this country!).

IP44 rated light fittings are good for wall ligthing (especially if they are covered by a roof extention or something), but it is best for a light fitting to be IP65 rated, that is, to be waterproof and sealed for any dust and water particles.

Waterproof Wall Lights for Outdoor Lighting

There is a wide range of wall lights, but not all can be used outdoors; it is recommended to install a wall fitting that is at least IP44 rated so that water would not reach the electricals, or even an IP65 or IP67 waterproof fitting (to be more secure).

Also, depending on where do you want to mount the light fitting – whether by the entrance of the house, the side wall of the house, behind the house, on the garden wall, etc – there are all kinds of fittings that are suitable.

HOW I CONVERTED AN INDOOR PENDANT LIGHT FOR OUTDOOR USE

When I began planning the decorations for our patio renovation, I knew I wanted a pair of outdoor pendant lights hanging over our new dining table. But I couldn’t find any outdoor lights that spoke to me. I checked out hardwired lights, plug-in lights, and solar powered lights. I just didn’t love what I saw. Finally, I happened upon the perfect light for my space—a basket-style pendant with a gray wash wicker material.

I was very motivated to make a pair of these basket-style pendant lights work in my outdoor area. So after a bit of sleuthing I had everything I needed to make it suitable for outdoor use. Check out how I converted the light, and maybe you can do the same thing in your outdoor living space!

Supplies:

-Polyurethane (or Polycrylic if you’re spraying something white, as Polyurethane will slightly yellow)

–Weatherproof pendant light cord

–Staple gun or cup hooks

–Weatherproof extension cord (optional depending on your needs)

My light came with a pendant kit meant to be hardwired into the ceiling. It would have been much more economical to just buy pendant shades that I liked, but alas. The heart wants what it wants. I couldn’t use the light as it was, because it wasn’t rated for outdoor use. An exterior light needs to be weatherproof, considering all of the electrical components. Additionally, the materials used on the shade were not meant to withstand rain and sun, so they needed attention too.

Weatherproof your shade. If your shade is made of metal, it should be galvanized or else be powder coated to withstand moisture. Otherwise, it will rust. If it is fabric, you should waterproof it or it will mildew. My shade was made of metal and rattan (like a wood/reed material), so I needed to seal it with a decent coat of polyurethane to keep any moisture from soaking into it. I sprayed about four somewhat thick coats of polyurethane and allowed it to dry.

Generator Transfer Switches: Benefits for Your Home or Office

Today, more and more homes and office buildings are installing permanent generators that can operate all or most of the appliances and electrical items in the building. The use of permanent whole-house generators has become necessary as people are more dependent upon electronics than ever before. For example, even fireplaces, stoves and phones now require electricity so having a power outage can make it literal impossible to stay in your home or office building. Of course, if you have installed a whole house generator or if you have installed a generator for your office environment, you need to be able to use your generator. Generator transfer switches allow you to do just that.

What are Generator Transfer Switches?

Generator transfer switches are switches that are used to switch the source of power to your home. Typically, power enters your home through a main power line from your electric company. The power is then distributed to all of the items in your house that require electricity so those items can operate. When the power goes out, however, you need to change the source of the power. Instead of drawing from the power line that gets electricity from the utility company, you need to draw power from the generator and transfer that power to the appliances and items in your home or office. Of course, when the power goes back on, you will then need to do the reverse and switch back to having your power come from the electric company.

When making the switch from generator power to power provided by the electric company, it is important that power from the generator does not travel back out and down the main line that is required to bring power in from the electric company. This line is meant only for power to come in and it can be dangerous to have power from the generator travel out. A generator switch makes sure that this does not happen. A generator transfer switch has an “Off” position that the user must switch to before the switch from generator to electric-company power is made. This ensures that the power is completely off before the change is made so that no power travels the wrong way down the power line to cause damage

Benefits of Generator Transfer Switches

Generator transfer switches provide many benefits. The most significant and important benefit is that they make the use of a generator safe. In many locales, you are required to have your generator transfer switch installed by an electrician, which helps to go an extra step further in ensuring the safe use of your generator in your home or office.

Generator transfer switches can also make the use of your generator much more convenient. It is possible to opt for an automatic generator transfer switch so that when the power goes out, the source of your power can switch automatically over to your generator and you will not lose power to the important systems in your home. Automatic generator transfer switches so have the advantage not just of safety but also of maximum convenience as well.

What Does The Transfer Switch Do?

In simple terms, a transfer switch is a permanent switch that connects to your power box that changes the power load between two sources. For permanent sources of backup power, this happens automatically when the first source of power becomes unavailable. This is ideal because it seamlessly keeps the energy flowing with minimal delay. In the case of a generator for residential whole house power use, the generator is plugged into the transfer switch located on the circuit panel. When the generator is turned on, the transfer switch changes the load from grid power to the generator.

What Generators Need A Transfer Switch?

Standby generators for homes and businesses almost always need one. Since they are always waiting for when the power goes down, it is important to have this extra piece of equipment to keep the power flowing without downtime. However, portable generators don’t strictly need a transfer switch, but it is usually a good idea. The biggest benefit of having a transfer switch in a residential setting is that you gain the ability to power things up via your circuit breaker panel instead of having to use extension cords. This includes hardwired devices, such as your dishwasher, hot water heater, air conditioning, and ceiling fans. All you have to do is plug the portable generator into the transfer switch and you’re good to go!

How a Transfer Switch Works

Skipping the transfer switch and connecting your portable generator directly to your electrical service panel could fry appliances, endanger utility workers who might be working on power lines, or damage your generator. Plus, you don’t always know when power is restored, unless you see your neighbors’ lights go on.

A transfer switch lets you easily and safely power what you need most—your refrigerator, your furnace or boiler, a sump pump, and more. Think about it: Power to these devices can come from your utility or your generator but not both. The transfer switch works by having a dedicated set of switches for each of the circuits you want to power.

With a transfer switch (about $500 to $900 to install, including labor), you’ll have one connection to make—plugging one end of a cable into the portable generator and the other into a dedicated box connected to the transfer switch.

How Does a Manual Transfer Switch Work?

When the power goes out, everything will go dark if you have a manual transfer switch. You’ll need to grab your flashlight and go out to the generator to start it manually and connect it to the transfer switch. Then you’ll need to switch your home or business over to receive power from the generator. When utility power comes back on, you need to manually switch the power back to the utility company and turn off the generator.

How Does an Automatic Transfer Switch Work?

As the name implies, everything is automatic with this type of transfer switch. The power may go out for a second or two, but the transfer switch senses this and automatically signals your generator to start up. Then the transfer switch connects your home or business to the generator. When utility power comes back on, the transfer switch disconnects the power supply from the generator and shuts the generator back off until the next power outage occurs.

What is the difference between an interlock and a transfer switch?

An interlock needs a human to operate it. They cost less, in general.

A transfer switch can be (and usually is) automatic. They cost more, in general.

An interlock setup can usually feed power to any circuit in the panel (but if you overload the generator input the generator breaker will trip.) This is also controlled manually, by the user turning other breakers off and on.

A transfer switch setup can only feed specific circuits, since automatic operation means there’s nobody to turn off circuits to shed load, so the loads connected to the generator must be less than or equal to what the generator can supply, if all are operating.

Reasons You Need to Upgrade Your Home Electrical System

The electrical systems in a home are usually ignored by most people—until something goes wrong, at least. When a home electrical system suddenly fails, that’s when people start to take notice and try to find ways to fix it. However, it can pay to hire electrician services to make some electrical upgrades to your home sooner rather than later.

To Bring Your Home Electrical System up to Code

Building codes may vary from one year to the next, and new safety standards may have been implemented since your home electrical system was installed or updated last. Performing an electrical upgrade can help bring your home’s wiring back in line with current building codes.

To Prevent Fire Hazards

When electric system maintenance falls behind, there is a risk that frayed wires and other issues can create fire hazards. So, one reason to upgrade your home electrical system is to minimize fire risks.

To Meet the Power Needs of New Appliances

The average household consumes a lot of energy—and that amount is likely to rise as more and more modern technologies rely on electricity. In fact, according to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), “In 2017, the average annual electricity consumption for a U.S. residential utility customer was 10,399 kilowatt hours (kWh), an average 867 kWh per month.”

To Add New Outlets for Added Convenience

Here’s a common problem: you want to move your TV to a different wall, but there aren’t any outlets near where you want to put it. Maybe the house is old enough that electrical outlets weren’t a major concern or the designer had a specific layout in mind that you don’t want to conform to. Either way, the lack of electrical sockets is going to be inconvenient for your plans.

Smart Electrical Upgrades for Home Remodelers

If your home needs a makeover, or you’re simply planning to upgrade your decor, appliances or any other aspect of your living quarters, now is the best time to consider upgrading your home electrical system, as well. Home repair and remodeling projects often require some electrical work. As long as the electrician is on hand, you can usually save the cost of a service call by adding to the job as needed If you haven’t planned electrical upgrades, a quick look around your house might convince you that you should. Do you have receptacle outlets overburdened by multi-plug strips? Are your lamps and fixtures connected to extension cords? Does every three-prong plug need a two-prong adapter? These and other warning signs indicate a real need for electrical improvements. Unfortunately, many homeowners wait until a problem occurs, and only then do they think to call in an electrician. But there’s along list of reasons why you should inspect and improve your electrical system-before an accident or service breakdown occurs

Is your service adequate? Many older homes still operate with seriously outdated 60-amp electrical service-and sometimes with just a few fuses or circuit breakers to protect the entire system. Newer homes often have 100-amp service panels, but even this minimum requirement set by many current codes may fall short of your present or future needs. Consider upgrading service to 200 amps.

Size for extra demand. If you’re installing a major electrical appliance, like an electric wall oven, a microwave oven, a double-wide refrigerator or central air-conditioning, you’d better think about the additional power it may need. While a salesman or installer might tell you that your system can handle the load, be smart and ask your electrician for a second opinion.

What’s the correct wire size? Electricians often install 14-AWG wiring during renovations, which is adequate for most home uses. But heavier 12-AWG copper wire is a better choice because it’s more energy-efficient and you won’t have to upgrade all over again if you install appliances or fixtures with greater electrical loads. The cost difference for upgrading to 12-AWG copper wire is minimal. If you’re adding a room extension or building a new home, it’s a good idea to install 12-AWG wire (or larger, depending on the needs of each circuit).

Consider special needs. Different rooms in a home serve different purposes-an important consideration when you’re planning improvements, especially where electrical work is involved. Family rooms, home offices and home theaters generally need more circuits, more outlets, and built-in or plug-in power-surge protection. Outlets in kitchens, baths, garages and outdoor areas require ground-fault circuit interrupters, or GFCIs. And you don’t have to wait for a major renovation to add protection-you can install many safety devices yourself, such as outlet caps, switch guards and wire shields in nurseries and children’s playrooms.

ELECTRICAL UPGRADES

When you need electrical upgrades to your home, count on the electricians at Home Furniture, Plumbing & Heating for expert service. Electrical upgrades to your home aren’t the first thing that you might think about when you consider a remodeling project. After all, it’s much more interesting to think of adding an extra room or upgrading your kitchen appliances and countertops. However, upgrading your wiring can be an extremely beneficial thing to do, and in some cases, it might be a safety priority.

REASONS YOU MIGHT NEED AN ELECTRICAL UPGRADE

You might need upgrades to your wiring or other electrical systems in your home for many reasons, but here are some of the most common.

COMMITMENT TO CUSTOMER SERVICE

No matter what electrical upgrades you need, the electricians from our Kankakee store are here to make sure you get the job done right. Our commitment to customer service means that you get the following when you choose Home Furniture,

FRIENDLY, RESPECTFUL SERVICE

We aim to be both friendly and respectful in the way that we interact with you at all times. We want you to feel comfortable and at ease, and we want you to feel that your questions and comments will always be heard and answered.

ELECTRICAL UPGRADES YOU MIGHT NEED

Re-wiring your home

New electrical panel

Electrical outlets

Dedicated computer circuits

Fixtures and lighting

Breakers and fuses

Outlets and switches

Surge protection

Signs You Might Need an Electrical Panel Upgrade

The electrical panel is an essential component of your home’s electrical system. Within the panel are circuits, which carry electricity throughout your home to outlets, lights, and appliances. The number and size of the circuits determine your home’s electrical capacity.

The first step in the upgrade process is determining your home’s electrical load. Do you have enough amps to meet your electrical needs? If you think about electricity like water flowing through your home, an amp is the rate at which electricity flows. A few decades ago, 60 amps was enough to suit the needs of the average American household. Today, 100 amps is standard in the average home, with larger homes that use a lot of electricity needing 150 to 200 amps.

Signs of Electrical Problems in Your Home

Be on the lookout for any of the following signs of a possible problem. If your home is experiencing any of these issues, call a professional to inspect your electrical system, because it might be time for an electrical panel upgrade.

Electrical shocks. Mild shocks and tingling can mean that the wiring is defective or that it was improperly installed. If this is the case, there’s a risk of ‘electrical leakage’ when you touch the switch or outlet.

Burning odors or sparks. The occasional spark is not unusual, but large or frequent sparks can be signs of deteriorated wiring or a faulty circuit. Also pay attention to warm or discolored outlets. Whether the cause is faulty wiring or an overloaded circuit, you’ll want to talk to an electrician about these issues.

Updating Your Electrical System

When was the last time you checked up on the condition of your electrical system? If it has been a while, then now is the right time to inspect it. Don’t just assume that different elements of your electrical system such as the electric cables and explosion proof enclosures are working fine as they have a tendency to wear out after a few years. If you live in an old house or if your current system is unable to meet your family’s power needs, then it is time to update your electrical system.

How to Update your Electrical System?

The first step is to upgrade your panel by bringing more power from the utility to your home. You can replace the existing meter and circuit breakers to allow it to handle more power or replace an electrical panel or circuit breakers that are obsolete, damaged or dangerous. Doing this enables your electrical system to have more power to distribute without affecting the wiring inside the home.

The second step includes adding extra circuits that can distribute the power to your rooms and appliances.

Updating the system may also include adding new electrical outlets and replacing the used cable, old cable wires and receptacles.

There are a number of reasons why malfunctioning, old or faulty wiring represents a huge problem for a few reasons. Some of them include:

An old electrical system creates a fire hazard, putting you and your loved ones at risk. One of the biggest causes of house fires is bad wiring. When the wiring becomes exposed or heated or when sparks are created, materials around it get ignited which eventually leads to a big fire.

The risk of electrocution increases. If the wiring gets old and there are signs of wear and tear, then the electrical current won’t be transferred properly. The insulation may have holes in them. In both these cases, there will be a serious risk of electrocution.

The lifespan of your electrical appliances will be cut down significantly as the faulty wiring won’t be able to manage the power in a safe manner, as it once did, and it may short your appliances. Further, the faulty wiring and electrical system may not have the capacity to support modern appliances which will cause your washing machines, dishwashers and microwaves to wear out quickly.

Call in the Professionals

If you think you are good with power tools and can manage upgrading on your own, brush that thought away. It is never a good idea to go down the DIY route when it comes to handling electricity. Always call in the professionals and let them deal with the problem professionally. Do not put your life at risk by trying to do it on your own — you never know what can go wrong.

One of the major benefits of updating your electrical system is that your home and family will be protected from fire hazards that are mostly caused by overloaded circuits. Additionally, all your modern appliances will also be safe and protected from inefficient power distribution and other problems caused by outdated electrical systems. You can even increase the resale value of your home by updating the electrical system. So, do not procrastinate or ignore an electrical system upgrade even though it is an expensive affair.

Must-Know Outdoor Lighting Tips

With summer in full swing, you’re probably spending most of your time enjoying the great outdoors—and that likely includes relaxing in your backyard, or hosting friends for a dinner alfresco. Don’t let the fun stop once the sun goes down just because your outdoor lighting is nonexistent or inefficient. Not all outdoor lighting is created the same, and it requires more than just putting up a wall light or some string lights and calling it a day. To create ambience, it’s all about choosing the right type of lighting fixture for your backyard. Luckily, Michael Murphy, Interior Design and Trends Producer for Lamps Plus, is here to help. Here, Murphy breaks down the different types of outdoor lighting, where to place fixtures, how to calculate how much lighting you need, and much more. Use his tips and you’ll be able to enjoy those fun summer nights even more.

Include These Three Types.

Make sure to incorporate the three basic types of lighting: ambient, task, and accent. Ambient lighting can be achieved through hanging lights, post lights, and wall lights. Task lighting includes pathway lights, plus deck and security lights. And you can get accent outdoor lighting with landscape kits and spotlights. “For a small patio and a modest budget, consider string lights, solar spotlights, or LED candles,” Murphy says.

Calculate.

Before you start shopping, you’ll need to figure out exactly how much lighting you need. “To determine how much light a space requires, try this quick calculation: multiply the square footage of the area you want to light by 1.5 to get a rough estimate of the total wattage required,” he says. “For example, 100 square feet of space would require 150 watts.”

Plan Ahead When Choosing Fixtures.

Observe your space and take measurements so you don’t choose fixtures that are too large-scale. “Check the size and position of a fixture before you buy using a simple piece of paper,” Murphy says. “Use a paper template to determine exact placement to review the size before buying. For either the front porch or the back patio, the size of an outdoor wall light should be approximately one-third the height of the door.” You’ll also want to make sure you’re choosing sturdy lighting, one that’s made of high-quality and weather-resistant materials.

Use LEDs.

“They use far less energy than halogen or incandescent bulbs,” he says. “Plus, they are almost maintenance-free, so you won’t have to change bulbs.”

Outdoor Lighting Buying Guide

Add beauty and security with outdoor lighting. Our guide helps you understand outdoor lighting fixture types and functions so you can choose the best and safest accent lighting, post lighting and deck lighting for your home.

What Is Outdoor Lighting?

Outdoor lighting includes a variety of light fixtures that address and improve exterior home security and safety. Additionally, these outdoor lighting fixtures highlight landscaping and architecture at night and come in a variety of styles and finishes.

Power and Performance

With options ranging from hardwire flood lights to plug-in dusk-to-dawn lights to even solar motion lights, you can find the perfect outdoor flood lights for your landscape and the exterior of your home.

Solar-powered outdoor lighting draws the energy it needs to make the lights operate from sunlight. Though this option can cost more for the initial purchase and setup, you can ultimately save on your energy bill. Be sure to install the solar panels in areas that receive sufficient sunlight, and avoid dark and shadowy areas of your home.

Security and Flood Lights

Security and flood lights are broad-beamed, high-intensity lights designed to flood large areas with light. As a result, these fixtures are often used as a preventive measure to reduce criminal activity and increase feelings of safety, especially when equipped with a motion sensor that causes the light to illuminate when movement is perceived

Outdoor lighting buying guide

Stay safe and have fun with our garden lighting options

Enjoy your garden after dark by introducing some outdoor lighting. It not only helps you move around your space safely, illuminating paths and changes in level, it can also help create an atmosphere for socialising or dining. Be it for fun family parties; romantic, intimate dinners or quiet, relaxing time alone. And with such a range of designs on offer, garden lighting can become an attractive feature to complement contemporary or more classic garden styles

So whether you’re looking for a permanent solution, or ones that can be put up and taken down as and when you need them, we have lighting options to help you make the most of your outdoors space.

What area do you want to light?

The area in need of lighting often determines what lighting type would work best in this space. So, if you’re looking to light up a path for example, this would require navigational lighting that helps people stay safe and easily follow the route, rather than a decorative alternative that might only illuminate a portion of the path. So, have a think about your space and how you use it to shape your lighting design.

Do you want your lights to be portable?

When it comes to whether or not you can move your outdoor lighting around, power source plays a large part. Fixed, electrical lights need to be connected to the mains making them the ideal choice if you want lighting close to the house. Whereas candles, battery or solar-powered lighting have no restrictions and can be moved around as, and when, you like. So, if the area you want to light is a distance from your home, or you want to be able to adjust your lighting based on what you’re doing, choose one of these options.

Electrical lighting

Mains power provides consistent and uninterrupted lighting which will burn brightly and for us long as you want it to. Being a permanent fixture, it has to be fixed into place and be properly fitted.

DIY Outdoor Lighting Tips for Beginners

No Electrical Experience Necessary

Since most outdoor lighting is low voltage, it’s safe and easy enough for any DIYer to install. In fact, the only special tool you’ll need is a wire stripper. Find out what’s trending in outdoor lighting before embarking on your project.

Install Underground Wiring After Planting

To prevent accidental cutting of wiring for ground-level fixtures, install wiring after your landscape has been planted. That way you won’t accidentally chop through it with a shovel. Also, don’t install wiring in digging areas like garden beds, and be sure to bury low-voltage wire at least 6 in. below the surface

How It All Fits Together

A low-voltage system has three parts:

The transformer plugs into a nearby GFCI-protected outlet and reduces 120-volt current to 12 volts.

The low-voltage cable carries current between the transformer and the light fixtures.

The light fixtures get connected to the cable with wire connectors made specifically for outdoor use.

Keep Your Fixtures; Upgrade Your Bulbs

For decades, halogen lights reigned supreme in low-voltage outdoor lighting systems, but LEDs have all but replaced them because they cost less to operate and last much longer. But you don’t have to tear out all your old halogen fixtures to enjoy the benefits of LEDs—retrofit bulbs are available. Just be sure to replace each halogen bulb with equivalent wattage and the same base type. Expect to pay about four times more for an LED bulb, but they use less energy and you’ll get up to 20 years of life from one compared with only two or three years from a halogen

Don’t Overlap Pools of Light

The purpose of most deck lighting is ambience, and professional outdoor lighting designers say it’s best not to create overlapping ‘pools’ of light on decks and patios. So avoid mounting fixtures too close together. For decks, choose fixtures that cast a 4- to 5-ft. pool of light. Keep them 30 in. up off the deck’s floor and space them up to 10 ft. apart. Overlapping lights on deck stairs and walkways can be a good thing, however, by providing enough light to help people avoid tripping

The Best Ways to Light the Backyard

Assessing Your Yard’s Needs

Darkness needn’t put a damper on backyard activities like swimming and barbecuing. By installing backyard lighting, you can keep the party going long after dusk, boost outdoor ambiance, and protect your property from unseen threats.

The three main types of backyard illumination are safety lighting to deter prowlers and improve navigation, landscape lighting to accentuate garden features, and accent lighting to put the focus on the hardscape. Ultimately, you’d want all three types in your backyard to achieve different lighting levels for different needs—and within each of these categories, there’s a variety of lighting choices. So let us shine a light on the best backyard illumination options, so you’ll know what to put in your outdoor space

Security Lighting

Security lighting, generally the brightest backyard lighting, is safety lighting to illuminate large areas and scare off would-be burglars or destructive animals. Powered by standard, 120-Volt current, this lighting is installed high spots such as the eaves or above a garage to cast wide beams of light down onto main walkways or the backyard fence entrance.

Our Pick for Security Lights

Available in bronze or white, the Revolve 270° Triple Head (available at amazon.com; $69) blends in with your home’s trim when positioned on the eaves or the underside of a covered patio. But you’ll know that this wired light is there when you approach: Its three optical LED lights produce a powerful 2400 lumens to light up your landscape as bright as day for up to 100 feet for as long as you choose. And, when placed at the corner of the eaves, the rotating optics on the Revolve can be adjusted to light up two sides of the house.

Path Lighting

Path lighting is soft to moderately bright safety and landscape lighting designed to help you navigate walkways while attractively highlighting them. Install it on the ground along both sides of main walkways from the back door to your fence door, along stepping stones from the main walkway to a backyard feature like a fountain, and/or around flower beds to emphasize their contours.

How To Choose The Right Electrician For Home Maintenance

The importance of maintaining your home electrical system cannot be understated. If you fail to either check the condition of your wirings and fixtures or address electrical problems immediately, you’re bound to encounter accidents and damages in your home. That’s why you need to hire the right electrician to conduct regular maintenance.

Why DIY Electrical Maintenance May Be Dangerous

Some people resort to doing the electrical work themselves due to cost. While it’s true that tapping the services of an electrician may incur additional expenses, embarking on DIY electrical maintenance work may prove to be more costly.

Lack of knowledge and experience: Professional electricians are trained to handle most of the home electrical issues, and their troubleshooting skills are far better than the average homeowner. For instance, flickering lights may have other underlying reasons other than a busted bulb.

High safety risk: It’s easy for a regular homeowner to disregard safety when it comes to electrical work. In contrast, most electrical contractors have complete personal protective equipment when they work on electrical systems.

Choose one who has local recognition

If you don’t know any electrician in your area, ask around or do a quick search on reputable electrical contractors. Electricians with glowing reviews and overwhelmingly positive feedback are your best bets. In addition, look for an electrician or electrical company that has recognition locally for excellence in service.

How to Choose the Right Electrical Contractor for Your Business

In this industry, technology is constantly evolving. When you’re in the market to hire a new electrical contractor, it’s obviously crucial that who you hire is trustworthy and abreast of all the changing technology and stays up-to-date. When your electrical contractor is ahead of the curve, your business will not only become more efficient, but you’ll save money, too. Here’s what to look for when choosing the right electrical contractor for your business

New Certifications

Certifications let you know that your electrical contractor has received and understands the latest developments in the field. But there are more than just certifications for installing and maintaining electrical equipment, there are also certifications for doing these things safely. You and your employees have probably undergone some form of basic OSHA safety training. The right electrical contractor company will undergo a more rigorous, specialized OSHA–30 certification, which means that the employees of that company have received 30 hours of training centered around things such as current common electrical hazards, personal protective equipment, hazardous locations, and proper wiring methods. Be sure to ask your prospective companies if their technicians have undergone OSHA-30 training. This will be a sign to you that the company is not only doing things to the highest standard, but they’re doing it safely as well.

They Recommend ARC Flash Studies

An ARC flash study is a complete examination of your electrical system. It helps assess the level of risk in your workplace. These studies ensure that your factory is completely compliant with local, national and even international standards by finding issues with your electrical system and bringing them to your attention, and allowing you to fix them. It also helps to ensure the safety of your employees and protects your equipment (as well as your building) by identifying maintenance needs such as poor connections, neglected equipment and contamination, all of which could lead to short circuits and fires

They Provide Lift Training

Sometimes, electrical equipment and wires are located up out of safe reach, even with the use of a ladder. In these instances, lifts are often used. But not just anyone can use one. Lift equipment requires special training. The employees of your electrical contracting company have this training. You may not be able to, or need to, call the company every time you need something addressed. The right electrical contractor will provide lift training so that some of your employees can operate a lift properly and take care of smaller needs.

They Conduct Regular Safety Meetings

Sure, there’s a safety handbook. And everyone knows the basic rules. But, even so, someone might forget something, or do something they find easier, but is not necessarily safe. Not only that, but there are periodic updates to the safety regulations. It’s important that everyone is aware of these safety updates, and on the same page about proper safety procedures and protocols. In order to do this, your electrical contracting company should conduct regular safety meetings throughout the year. This helps to ensure that no matter who is sent out to your company, they will all adhere to the latest, proper regulations.

types of maintenance strategy, which one to chose?

Maintenance is carried out following detection of an anomaly and aimed at restoring normal operating conditions. This approach is based on the firm belief that the costs sustained for downtime and repair in case of fault are lower than the investment required for a maintenance program. This strategy may be cost-effective until catastrophic faults occur

Maintenance carried out at predetermined intervals or according to prescribed criteria, aimed at reducing the failure risk or performance degradation of the equipment.

Maintenance carried out by integrating analysis, measurement and periodic test activities to standard preventive maintenance. The gathered information is viewed in the context of the environmental, operation and process condition of the equipment in the system. The aim is to perform the asset condition and risk assessment and define the appropriate maintenance program.

Maintenance based on the equipment performance monitoring and the control of the corrective actions taken as a result. The real actual equipment condition is continuously assessed by the on-line detection of significant working device parameters and their automatic comparison with average values and performance. Maintenance is carried out when certain indicators give the signaling that the equipment is deteriorating and the failure probability is increasing.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT ELECTRICAL SERVICE FOR YOUR FACILITY

As your company grows, the number of electrical issues you face increases proportionately, and choosing the right kind of electrical contractor for your facilities becomes increasingly important. Have you ever wondered whether it’s best to choose an on-call or on-site maintenance plan for your facility?

Why Use a Dedicated On-Call Electrician?

Having an on-call electrician means that when there’s an issue, a dedicated electrician familiar with your site will arrive quickly — typically within two hours.

On-Site Electricians Provide Fast, Site-Specific Responses

Having one or more on-site electricians is typically only advantageous for larger facilities that have enough electrical work to keep at least one full-time electrician occupied.

The cost of having an on-site electrician may be a consideration, but for large facilities, the risk and costs associated with not having an electrician onsite during an emergency is typically much greater.

For example, at a large New York City facility hosting a major event, an electrical cable was accidentally cut by an unrelated construction project. The mishap cut the power to the event, but the on-site electricians responded immediately, repairing it with minimum downtime and little disruption.

CHOOSING AN ELECTRICIAN FOR YOUR ELECTRICAL REPAIRS

When it comes to electrical repairs, you always need to choose a licenced and qualified electrician. Not only is this the safest and most effective way of getting quality electrical repairs, it is also the law. There are many electrical specialists throughout Queensland, however, and this can make choosing an electrician difficult.

CONSIDER YOUR NEEDS IN TERMS OF ELECTRICAL REPAIRS

The first thing to consider when looking for an electrician is your needs. Electrical systems vary in size and design between different applications. For example, large-scale commercial electrical systems will be far different to the domestic electrical systems that are installed in most homes. By considering your personal needs in this regard, you can help refine your search for the best electrician.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF ELECTRICAL REPAIRS REQUIRE DIFFERENT APPROACHES

With so many different types of electrical systems, it can be challenging to find the right electrician for you. If you can refine your electrical problem into one of the categories below, however, you will have a good starting point. Ideally, you could find an electrician that specialises in a diverse range of areas, as this normally suggests that they are skilled in their field.

Commercial electrical repairs are unique, as they involve specialised electrical systems. Because shops, retail spaces, restaurants and other such commercial buildings require specific and tailored electrical set ups, they often need specific and unique electrical repairs. If you require electrical repairs in your commercial premises, then you should look for an electrician who offers commercial electrical repair services. If they offer these repairs specifically, then you can rest assured that they will have the knowledge, experience and tools necessary to complete the job to a high standard of quality.

Residential electrical repairs are the most common and they can involve anything from appliance installation to rewiring jobs. It is important, for your safety and the safety of your family, that you find a licenced and qualified electrician to undertake your residential electrical repairs. A good way to find a reliable and reputable operator is to look at some testimonials or reviews on their website. As well as this, you should have a look at the services they offer and ensure that they are well suited to addressing your electrical repair needs.