ECO ELECTRIC - YES WE ARE OPEN! - Blog

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.

Home Improvement: Great Ideas For Sure Success

8/31/2020

We get called to work on a lot of new homes and also older homes being remodeled. We help with their electrical updates, panels, light fixtures, and general safety! But your house is more than it's electrical system and inner workings. We understand there is so much that goes into making your house a home! So here are a few easy updates you can complete to ensure your success and safety in buying, remodeling and updating!

Before making a home purchase, get a professional to inspect it. It is always good to have a professional and neutral opinion on the home you are interested in buying. A third party professional who offers a completely objective view will ensure that everything that needs to be fixed is found.

You can realize great savings on your kitchen remodel by simply refinishing existing cabinetry, rather than buying new cabinets. For a different look, you can simply replace the doors and hardware or paint the bases. This will modernize your kitchen without you having to spend a small fortune.

Figure out what your home style is prior to fixing up your residence! A clearly defined style allows you to make decisions that are aligned with your vision. Many times people change decorating styles without realizing it. Making adjustments can be very costly.

You can easily make your ceiling look higher. Paint a striped pattern on the wall or get a very tall floor lamp. If you do this in the room, you will make the eyes follow that pattern. The eyes will naturally focus on following all lines upward towards the ceiling, which will seem higher as a result.

If you have a water leak, do not try to fix it by yourself. Just gather a bit of the dripping liquid in a bucket and call someone who knows what they are doing.

Don't select a busy upholstery pattern when you're buying new furniture. If you are buying things that have prints, this will stick you in a rut. Purchase furniture in solid colors and dress them up with your accessories. Experiment with different pattern combinations with your pillows and throws.

Focus on the front porch if you are thinking about home improvements. It's the first thing your visitors see and it gives them a good impression of your house. Make a point to put away any clutter and to install some beautiful new features, such as a light fixture or nice door. This can increase the property value of your home.

Although home improvement can be a difficult and time-consuming process, this doesn't mean that you cannot do it yourself. This is something that everyone can do. This article was designed to help both novices and pros to succeed.

Update Your Home and Saving Money

7/31/2020

Green energy technology benefits your home as well as the environment. You can switch up some things where you live to use less electricity and save money as well. This article teaches you how to quickly use less energy at home.

Switch to water heating systems that use solar power to heat hot tubs, pools and indoor water. When you heat water with natural gas or electricity, it isn't as efficient as using a solar alternative. Some of these upgrades, while more expensive up-front, may qualify for green energy tax deductions. Solar energy can provide cheap hot water. Solar hot-water systems can reduce your energy bills significantly. It is possible to chose between direct and indirect circulation systems. The indirect system is a a great thing to have and you do not have to think about having frozen pipes during the winter.

Shading your windows from direct sunlight can help you use less energy. Additionally, curtains and blinds can enhance the energy-saving effect you achieve. Since your home will become cooler, you will not have to use the air conditioning that much. You will save energy and money as well. Many curtains actually have "energy saving" on the name if you are looking in the right category. They help block out the light and keep in the coolness. In Albuquerque, this can be necessary as our primary weather is sunshine and a good amount of heat. In turn, these curtains can help in the winter as well with keeping the heat in. Here in the 505 we can get pretty heavy snowy and cold weather as well. This investments works for you year around.

Every community offers different energy sources, so research the ones that are available to you. Check how much these utilities cost and any tax breaks or laws before making a decision. You might find that you could save money by switching from an electric furnace to a natural gas one, for instance, or from using municipal water to your own well water. Depending on where you live in the New Mexico area, well-water can be a great option for your pocketbook and the quality of your water.

One small tip is to only use your dishwasher when it is full. This will save you money and energy. Try to refrain from putting small amounts in and running the dishwasher. You'll be shocked at the amount of dishes it can hold. Align the dishes so several can fit inside. This is a tip that doesn't cost any investment and will save you and your family some money!

You do not have to spend a lot of time or money to go green. Saving energy is just a matter of making a few minor changes to how you live. Implement a few of these tips and pass the information on as well. You will be helping your family, your neighbors and the environment as a whole.

Get Out Of The Red And Try These Green Energy Tips

6/23/2020

Cutting back on your electricity usage is probably a lot easier than you may have thought. A few thoughtful changes can minimize your carbon footprint, as well as save money in your bills. The article you are reading will provide you with many ideas that you can carry out in your daily life.

Simply lessening the amount of daily energy consumption can save lots of energy. If an appliance is not in use, unplug it. Television sets and lights should never be left on when not in use. This simple tip will save you money as well.

If you have a farm try some energy saving alternatives. If you have a lot of land, energy companies will pay you for the right to set up a wind turbine on it. The wind turbine will provide free energy without taking up much room. Your neighbors will also benefit from this energy source.

Take the time to clean or replace your furnace every season. Monthly checks will assure your furnace never has to work hard. Also, put filters on vents that dispense warm air. This not only helps keep debris (and kids' toys) from entering heating ducts, which reduces efficiency.

Wash clothes with cold water. Almost 90% of energy used for doing laundry is due to heating the water. Cold water will do the job just as well; all you need is an effective clothes washing detergent. Also, don't wash your clothes until you can completely fill the washer, as this saves energy over time.

If you use heating fuel, ask a professional if you can convert your system to bio-diesel fuel system. Many systems will take a switch to some level of biodiesel without any extra parts or modifications. Biodiesel is great because it is more efficient and produces less pollution that standard oil, which will reduce your carbon footprint.

During the summer, you should try drying your clothes out in the sun instead of using a dryer. The smell of clothes dried in the fresh air cannot be topped. They will feel and smell fresher than machine-dried clothes. Additionally, you will see a noticeable decrease in your utility bills.

Think about the ideas provided in this article, and try to come up with a way to implement them in your home. You will soon start saving a lot of money and help save the environment at the same time. Work at it bit by bit and before you know it your home will be as green as the greenest!

Green energy tips for summer

5/29/2020

When you go green you don't have to hurt your wallet, and it doesn't take a lot of time either. There are numerous changes that you can make to save money and help the environment. Read this article for ways to use helpful green energy!

Instead of blasting the air conditioner to keep cool in summer, wear clothes made from naturally cooling fabrics. Natural materials like cotton repel moisture from your skin and allow it to stay cool. Wear light colors because these will make you warmer and it will be less likely for you to use artificial cold air.

Many people look into solar during the summer months. When you are installing a solar energy system, you want to be sure the batteries you will be using to store the solar power are situated as close to the solar cells as possible. This helps prevent power loss in the cables. It also lowers the possibility of shading the cable cells and lessening their output capacity.

Summer can be hot and not just for us but for our appliances also. Keep your refrigerator well maintained. Refrigerators constantly use energy to maintain cooler temperatures. If it is not properly cared for, it will use much more energy than it needs to. Make certain to clean the dust that surrounds heating coils periodically. Make sure the door seal is clean and also tight.

Other general tips that can help save energy include being mindful of your dishwasher! This is a year-round tip. Wait until your dishwasher is full before running it if you want to save energy. Don't run it with only two or three dishes inside. The dishwasher can actually fit a lot of dishes when loaded correctly. Properly place your dishes in it so you can fit as many as possible. Dishwashers consume a similar amount of water and electricity regardless of whether it contains one dish or 20. When you run a dishwasher, use the 'energy-saver' setting so dishes can air-dry.

If you want to have hot water, but at a lower cost, then check into solar energy. Install a water heating system that uses solar power. Your choices include an indirect or direct circulation system. The indirect system is best if you don't want to worry about your pipes freezing in the winter.

Everyone can benefit from the use of green energy in their home. It saves money on electrical costs, just by a few changes like turning off the light when the room is empty.