ECO ELECTRIC - YES WE ARE OPEN! - Blog

Electrical Tips For Summer

6/3/2021

The summertime is filled with many outdoor activities involving general home and yard maintenance along with fun activities like BBQs and pool parties! With these events can come general electrical hazards. Here are a few tips specific to summer that can help you and your family stay safe and continue to have a fun-filled season.

Pools & Hot Tubs:
The easiest way to keep your family safe when operating a pool or hot tub is to make sure that all outlets involved in powering your pool or hot tub are grounded and inspected by a licensed electrician for safety. Another way to prevent electrocution or injury is to cover all your outdoor outlets with a water protectant cover. When operating a pool or hot tub make sure that any devices you are using around the area are battery operated and not powered by an outlet. This will reduce the likelihood of any electrical shock while using your pool. Additionally, having a licensed electrician inspect your wiring for your pool or hot tub annually is a good precaution to take.

Water & Electricity:
We all know these two don't mix.. but when we are working our tail off in the yard and the summer heat we can overlook simple hazards. When plugging in an appliance make sure the cord, nor the outlet are wet. Look around you and the situation to make sure there is no standing water or puddles near where you are plugging in your outdoor appliance. When using an outdoor appliance that requires an extension cord you should only be using outdoor extension cords. Other extension cords designed for indoor use will not be able to handle the weather or strain that outdoor activities bring. This could cause damage or fraying of your cord and possibly lead to a hazard.

Stay safe this summer and keep your eyes peeled for these possible hazards! Most accidents can be avoided by simply slowing down, paying attention to your surroundings, and asking a professional for help when an electrical situation seems tricky. Call Eco Electric to talk to a licensed electrician about proofing your home!

Creating a safety plan

5/6/2021

At Eco Electric our expertise is electrical and keeping your electrical up to code. But we also care deeply about safety. We help our customers stay protected from electrical fires and hazards but also want to educate our customers and others on what to do if a fire, electrical or otherwise, breaks out in their home. We've got some tips on building a plan of action for you and your family to get everyone out safe and sound.

Include all children and family members that live in the home in building your safety plan. Even if you think your child may be young still include them, you never know what might stick! If you can, have the kiddos draw out the safety plan so they visually understand.

Next, identify all possible escape routes within the home and within each room. Each room should have a way to obviously get out of the door but also a window. Explain to those included in your safety plan that some escape routs might be blocked with fire, smoke, or debris and to think critically when trying to evacuate the house. If you live in an apartment, make sure the plan shows the location of stairwells that lead downstairs to building exits.

Draw out your home and exit plan options on a large piece of paper. If you have blueprints of your home use these to trace over. If you don't, make your drawing as accurate as possible to the layout of your home. Circle where your major exits are and draw a line from each room where the nearest exit may be. Include window escape options as well.

Create a designated meeting space for all family members to congregate outside of the home. This should not be a backyard or alleyway. This should be in the front of your home at a safe distance from the building where emergency services can reach you but you are not in the way of their defusing the fire.

Make sure all of the children have memorized your address to tell emergency services. Ensure they have a neighbor that they feel comfortable with to ask to call 911.

Talk about what to do in the immediate moments following the conclusion that a fire is happening in the home. Here are some things you need to do right away.
Remember to stay calm.

Yell "FIRE, FIRE, FIRE" several times to alert anyone in the house that may still be sleeping.
Get out of the home immediately to call 911.
Go directly to the designated meeting place.

Hopefully, these tips help kickstart your families safety plan. Of course, you should have one for fires but you should also have one for other natural disasters that might be prevalent in your area such as tornadoes, floods, or hurricanes. We care about everyone's safety so if you are worried your home's electrical might cause a hazard for you or your family call Eco Electric today and we will get you on the right and safe track.

Electrical Checklist: Fire & Safety: Checklist continued!

4/7/2021

This checklist is based around fire and safety hazards and ways to prepare your house and your family. We recommend looking this checklist over at least every few months and including your family! If you are looking for help with your electrical safety questions or notice that you are experiencing any of these issues below call Eco Electric for your Albuquerque area needs! Read on and keep an eye on any electrical hazards!

Have you developed an action plan with your household in the case of an emergency (electrical or otherwise)?
A plan of action for you and your family is imperative when it comes to safety. We all think that we would know what to do if there was a house fire or an electrical outage but the truth is, we don't know what we will really be capable of until we are in that situation.. and NOBODY want's to be in that situation. It's easy to put these thoughts on the backburner of life but electrical and outside hazards are a very real danger. Just as you have an insurance plan for your home, you need a plan of action for the people IN your home. Make a list of the natural disasters likely in your area and inside your home and create evacuation and action plans based on your homes layout and shelter options.

Are you using the correct wattage light bulbs for your light fixtures?
Many lights require specific light bulbs and even different wattages. This is imperative to not only running each light at it's optimum capacity but also for your safety. For example many standing lamps take 3-way lightbulbs. These may be different than what your ceiling fan takes and it's important to distinguish the difference. Standing lamps like this that do not receive the appropriate lightbulb are at risk for sparks and ultimately fires. Because these sparks are electrical and all your homes electrical is connected, they can be harmful to both your safety and the entire electrical system of your home.

Have you installed tamper resistant receptacles in households with young children?
When it comes to baby-proofing your home, restricting access to cleaning supplies, sharp objects, and outlets are at the top of the list. Outlets that are not baby-proofed can be harmful to not only the little ones, but normal folks as well. With that being said it's imperative to cover your outlets with tamper resistant shields to ensure NOTHING enters the outlet that shouldn't be there.

Have you inspected all of your electrical cords, extension cords, plugs, and electrical devices for damage?
It's a good rule of thumb to check your electrical extensions cords, plugs and devices for damage at the change of every season. Electrical extension cords are designed to be specifically made for indoor use or outdoor use. Be mindful of which ones you are using for what project. Inspect your plugs and electrical devices for damage or wear and tear that might result in sparks or fires.

If you look into these things and notice something odd or hazardous call Eco Electric immediately! It is up to you to keep an eye on your household and ensure it's safety but we are here to help in any way we can.

Electrical Checklist: Outlets & Switches

3/3/2021

Whether you are prepping for a DIY project or going through the checklist monthly, which we recommend, this list is imperative to follow! You should be keeping your eyes on these things all month long as each of these bullet points, if not working correctly, could lead to bigger problems. If you are looking for help with your DIY questions or notice that you are experiencing any of these issues below call Eco Electric for your Albuquerque area needs! Read on and keep your eyes peeled on your outlets and switches.

Are they warm to the touch?
If your light switches are warm to the touch this means you could have a dangerous situation on your hands with wires heating up and eventually creating a fire hazard. This same warning goes for outlets!

Is there an unusual smell?
If you ae noticing a burning plastic or dead animal smell but cannot determine the source, it could be your electrical wiring! Scary we know! When electrical wiring in your outlets or switches start to burn it can emit a rancid smell that is hard to detect. One would never think of this smell emitting from their outlets or switches so they do not check there. However, if this is happening it can be very dangerous. Turn off all power and call a professional immediately!

Are you relying on extension cords?
Extension cords should never be used as a long-term fix for your lack of outlets. If not cared for properly or if outdated they can be a fire hazard.

Are they discolored?
This could mean a short or spark has already happened. If your outlet looks black or ashy on the face of it this means there was likely a spark when connecting or disconnecting a plug. This should be of your highest concern as it is a warning sign of a potential hazard.

Are your outlets holding the prongs you plug in?
Outlets loosen over time. This is a common happening but that doesn't mean you have to live with it. Outlets are easy to replace whether you have a professional do it or simply replace the outlet yourself.

Are they working as intended?
Generally, if your light switch is no longer turning your light on or off, there's been a disconnect. If your outlets are no longer providing you with power, it is time to replace them or look into a deeper issue with your electrical.

Do you have enough?
Older homes were built before our modern day technological needs were as great as they are now. Because of that our outlets and breakers can be limited. Call a professional to get new outlets added to your home!

We hope this checklist helps you and your family keep your electrical needs up to date and keep your home safe and running efficiently! Call Eco Electric for a quote. We are also available day and night for any emergency electrical needs in the Albuquerque area.

Interior design - lighting

2/4/2021

We all love a good update to our home. Some can be drastic while others can be small. Sometimes those small changes can lead to big results in how your home looks and feels to you and those visiting. One of these changes that can be made is the lighting in your home. This can make a huge difference in the mood and feeling of your home. Here are a few types of lighting you can look at getting...

General or Ambient Lighting
This is the most simple lighting a home can have and is basically used to compliment natural light. It provides general lighting for a home with no specific accents or direction.

Task Lighting
This is used for a specific area whether it be a work station, a kitchen or possibly a studio this type of lighting allows for a stream of light to populate one area only.

Accent Lighting
This type of lighting is commonly used to accentuate different features of a home or an object. It has the capability to shift the vibe of a home and draw people's eyes to artwork, feature walls, bars or full rooms.

Surface Lights
These are exactly what they sound like. They are mounted at the surface of a ceiling or wall. These can be used in hallways or bedrooms, somewhere not a lot of intense light is needed.

Pendant Lights
These are light fixtures that hand down usually in an entry way, over a kitchen table or over a bar or kitchen space. Higher vaulted ceilings are usually needed for these to work properly in a home.

Recessed Lights
This form of lighting has become very popular as it is a hide-away light. You cannot see the bulb unless looking directly up. These are lights that have been recessed into the ceiling and can create a great atmosphere for a den or living room area.

Track Lights
Track lights are popular because they are movable and customizable. These vary in style and length but generally there are multiple light bulb heads that run along one track. You can move them to accentuate areas you need light most. These are common for lighting artwork or even in your kitchen where you might have multiple working spaces.

Landscape Lighting
Between bullet lights, flood lights, motion sensor lights, deck lighting and everything in between there are plenty of options to light the perimeter of your home. This can help create the mood you want for your back yard or front yard. This type of lighting is a double win as you can help create a vibe you want and also help keep your home secure. Things like perimeter and motion sensor lighting can discourage any unwanted visitors on your property.

Eco Electric is here to help with all of your electrical needs and can update your home to it's full lighting potential. These changes can make a huge difference in your home and accentuate the amazing parts of your house. Call for a quote today!

Electrical Tips for the Winter:

1/14/2021

Space heaters:
When space heaters are turned on they should be 3 feet away from anything you DON'T want to catch fire. This includes blankets, drapes or furniture. Space heaters can be great to heat up your office or bedroom but be mindful of how you are plugging them in. Don't use extension cords to run your heater instead plug it directly into the outlet to avoid hazards.

Be wary of electric blankets:
Electric blankets are a good way to warm up and also save a little money on your heat but when overworked they become dangerous. Watch out for poking wires or frays as they can lead to electrical sparks. This is NOT ideal with you wrapped up in it! If you have suspicions its best to buy a new one.

Vacation & leaving the house:
If taking off for vacation or just leaving the house for a few days make sure to unplug all appliances. A faulty spark is the last thing you need when you are not present to help stop any damage.

Bonus tip: when leaving make sure your fossettes are either slightly running or your heater is turned on to the low setting ensuring your pipes will not freeze while you are gone.

Consider generator installations and repairs:
Winter can wreak havoc on our homes and many winter/snow storms barrel through all of New Mexico and even Albuquerque without much warning and can impair our electrical and home. Think about getting a generator for your home (kept outside and away from your home as some emit carbon dioxide). Call Eco Electric to get set up with the right one for you!

Outdoor extension cords:
After Christmas, we have oodles of extension cords and outlets we have been utilizing. Be mindful of which ones are which! Outdoor extension cords are built differently to withstand the weather and sun. Remember, you can use an outdoor extension cord inside, but you should not use an indoor extension cord outside. So label them and box them up accordingly!

Look at getting the pros:
Things happen with our electrical whether an outlet goes out, light switch stops working or breakers keep tripping. No matter what might be happening call the pros at Eco Electric to get it taken care of. Taking it into your own hands can cause more damage in the long run.

Protecting Your Home & Electrical from Rodents

12/7/2020

In the winter animals like mice or rats, squirrels and snakes seek out food and shelter and they might find it in your home! The risk you run with mice and rodents into your home is not just one of health. There are many reasons to keep your home and outside of your home clear of these animals.. cleanliness being the main factor. But also your electrical wiring to your home can suffer. They can find your electrical wiring to look quite tasty and will chew through them at a rapid pace. Not only does this harm you but above-ground cables are also putting animals at risk of electrocution! While we don't want them in our home, we also do not want them to suffer! Here are some tips that will help to cut down on these events.

Tip 1: Clean up!
When looking to protect the inside of your home, keep your kitchen and home clear of food items and dirty plates left out. Stagnant water is also an attraction for mice and other rodents. It might be a smart to dump the dogs water bowl out each night as this is when they are most active and running around. For the outside of your home, clear away overgrowth, vegetation and trash, those things can attract rodents looking for food and shelter. Remember that pests attract other pests!

Tip 2: Seal up!
Try to close all openings around and in your home using materials that cannot be nibbled by mice or other rodents. Don’t underestimate the smaller holes, a mouse can enter an opening the width of your finger and insects can get into even smaller spaces. In that case, prevention never hurts and sealing these openings can avoid pests from moving around your home easily.

Tip 3: Monitor!
You may not see mice and rodents in your home but that does not mean they are not there. They can often be found by their droppings. Keep an eye out for small droppings likely in your kitchen or pantry area as this is where their food source is. You will also likely hear them. If you hear faint scratching or movement in areas that do not render movement normally you might have a mouse problem! Say you hear scuffling behind your oven.. this definitely isn't the kids! Call an exterminator and start sealing your home up properly.

Tip 4: Winterize!
The main cause of these intrusions are animals looking to get in from the cold. Just like you they are looking for food and warmth. Winterizing your home will help with this. Resealing windows and doors, winterizing your swamp cooler, and ensuring all vents are covered to the outside will not only help you stay warm but will prevent future problems with rodents.

Tip 5:Extract Immediately!
Remember that pests attract other pests! If you know you have a mouse issue in your home call your exterminator immediately. They have humane ways of disposing of these animals and will also show you where they are possibly getting into your home if you do not already know.

Remember, mice in your home can not only be a health issue but a safety issue! Electrical wire damage is neither good for you or the little mouse chewing on them! Keep your homes internal wiring safe by getting ahead of these issues before they happen. With these tips you should have a calm and quiet Christmas season!

pt 2: Working from home & your house

11/6/2020

In our last article we spoke about the nature of working from home and some of the challenges we are all facing. We included some electrical and general tips and tricks to help you acclimate to these changes! The changes are not going away for Albuquerque NM or many places across the country anytime soon so we are here to give you even more ideas on how to make your home and space productive and efficient! See these tips!

Where your office is: Most times our homes are not built to replicate that workflow, office space, productive feel. They are places of relaxation and family time! Turning the tables on this can feel strange and hard to manage. The first step to creating your at-home office is picking the room that has the least distractions. Your living room may be the most comfortable but comfort doesn't always lead to productivity. Adding a desk to a corner in your bedroom may be more suitable. If you have an extra guest bedroom or front-room space that isn't used often this would be ideal.

Lighting: The next step after choosing the perfect room in your home is lighting it! Whether it is updating your old overhead light that is giving you that yellow-ish glow, or adding more standing lamps around your desk area, it is important to have a vibrant and light workspace. Without this people tend to become sleepy and unable to concentrate. Your eyes will also thank you, staring at a bright computer screen with no other light in the room can be highly damaging.

Avoid overloading outlets: It's easy for your at home office to get overloaded quickly. You might be using just one or multiple extra devices that you have to keep plugged in consistently. These might consistent of your work computer, personal computer, work phone, personal phone, printer, scanner etc.., depending on the type of work you do. Call Eco Electric to take a look at your electrical outlet, extension cord and power cord set ups. We will be able to spot a hazard you might not even think of. Plus we will be able to help you either add new outlets or set things up in a way that is non-hazardous. We are always here to help.

Regularly inspect electrical cords and extension cords for damage: The cords you are using for your at-home set up might be brand new, they also might be ones you have found around your house, attic, garage or cupboard in a pinch.. they might be old, damaged or possibly compromised by water exposure. Although the 20 year old extension cord is at your disposal and cheap to use, it may be a great hazard to your work, appliances and the safety of your home! If a cord looks as though it has been exposed to weather, rodents or looks outdated beyond your recognition (aka you do not remember buying it) it is safest to go purchase a new one.

Place work papers and files at least 3 feet away from heat sources: It's winter! And many of you are using small space heaters or other sources to keep your new-found office space warm. Make note that if your space heater is closer than 3 feet to any flammable office materials it is extremely dangerous! We suggest keeping a filing cabinet rather than loose leaf papers around and never put them on the floor or near your heat source.

We hope these extended tips help you build your new ABQ Home Office Headquarters! When it comes to your homes electrical there is nothing more important and there's nobody better to help than Eco Electric. Call us today!

Working From Home & Your House

10/5/2020

All around the country, world and even in Albuquerque NM, a large percentage of employees are working from home due to our nations circumstances. Sometimes we are prepared for changes like this and other times we find ourselves and our homes lacking. For a home that is underprepared electrically it can become a frustrating and unproductive place to work. We are here with electrical and general tips to help you and your home thrive in this new situation!

Outlets: Updating
Are your electrical outlets equipped to power a small office? At-home offices differ in size and function. Some may need a printer, home computer, and separate work cell phone. You might be even able to double all of these if your spouse is also working from home. All of these things will need to be functioning properly and continually charged for both of you. If your electrical outlets are not ready to handle this power supply needed you may find yourself tripping breakers, getting low charges, and playing three card monte with your electronics to get a charge.

Call Eco Electric and we can make sure all outlets are updated and secured properly. If you are using a power strip we can make sure your outlets can handle this power supply. We are here and ready to help give you the best at-home office space possible and that means having all your office supplies up and running at full-charge.

Outlets: Placing
n some situations you might be able to use one single laptop to work from home. Consider this a blessing! Although you may only need one charging station that outlet may not be where you'd like it to be. For us to work from home efficiently we have to be comfortable and distraction-free. If your optimal office space is missing your optimal outlets let us know! We can add outlets where you need them so you are not shuffling around the house finding the perfect spot.

When you do find the perfect spot you still might be lacking in power supply. A lamp, phone charger and computer charger on one outlet can start to get dangerous if your outlets are not up to code or are outdated in model. A loose outlet can also interrupt your power supply without you even knowing it. On-and-off again appliance charging can leave your office space feeling like guess-work. Can you take the laptop with it being fully charged? You deserve to know with full confidence and you deserve the best home office. Let us help you create it!

Utilities:
With you and possibly a spouse working from home, your utility bills will be higher than they were previously. Neither you or your partner are leaving the house for 8 hours a day anymore and that leads to high utilities. Be expecting this! If your electrical is outdated these costs can be unnecessarily high. Call Eco Electric to see how you can get your electrical bill as low as possible in a time where cutting costs can be the upmost importance!

We hope these tips will give you what you need to work from home at your optimal level. Call today to get a quote on updating your home!

Getting your home winterized

9/30/2020

The Albuquerque winter weather rolling in and we all could use a few tips and tricks on how to prepare our homes and businesses for the cold and wind. Here are a few things to start thinking about before the first cold weather storm officially hits!

With all the energy we use and produce from inside our homes and businesses, it is important that that heat isn't escaping through our creaky doors and windows. A leak in your window seal or a unsealed door can lead to heat going out and energy bills going up! Re-sealing windows and weatherizing your front, back and patio doors will help your electrical and heating bill become more affordable and your home become more reliable all around.

Another version of your energy or electrical going out is it actually going out! Eco Electric works with generators and can install one for your home and business. Some businesses can not afford to have a hard storm hit, knocking them off the grid. This isn't plausible for places that have other people or other businesses relying on them! So call Eco Electric to get your generator set up. It is better to be safe than sorry!

With the snow, wind and cold that Albuquerque often experiences wires can be knocked loose in or around your home. Eco Electric is here for all repairs and safety trainings on how to handle your home or business when hit with a strong wind. We also specialize in circuit breaker repairs so if you find yourself being totally in the dark, you can call us night or day!

Needing some extra heat? Sometimes that can mean extra electrical additions to your home whether it be extra outlets or floorboard heaters. We can update your entire electrical in your home ensuring that you have all the energy you need to keep your family comfortable. This is a common need for older homes who have less outlets than newer-built homes these days. This might need an update to your electrical panel as well. We are well equipped for all updates and can even give your family training on how to handle your panel and other electrical outlets in the home. Let us know and we can customize your house to your electrical needs.