A GFCI is an abbreviation for a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter. It is a specially designed outlet normally used in locations where moisture can accumulate, such as kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry areas to protect you from electrical shock. A GFCI measures the resistance on the “positive” and “negative” loads connected to it, and if there is more resistance in either of the 2 loads, the GFCI trips. The GFCI has a built-in circuit breaker to reset once the problem has been resolved.

Most of the electricity in your home is used by the heating and air system and to heat the water in your home. Make sure your heating and cooling systems are running efficiently and central systems are checked twice a year. By installing the most energy-efficient rated equipment, you will save money over the lifetime of the equipment. You could also install a programmable thermostat that will operate your systems more effectively, thus saving run times of your system and saving money. Cutting back on your shower duration can affect your bill. Another thing that could cause increases in your electric consumption would be a bad breaker or loose connections at the breaker box. Having trained Charles R Morton Electric experts check it could minimize some costs. To keep your equipment running efficiently, keep heating and cooling air ducts clean and outdoor equipment free from dirt and other debris. Energy conservation not only saves our resources, but saves you money.

Go to your main electrical panel, usually located in a garage or carport area on the opposite side of the wall from your electric meter. If you are in an apartment setting the panel is usually in a closet or storage room. Open up the panel to reveal the various circuit breakers. The ‘tripped’ breaker will not be in either the on or off position, but rather in between. Sometimes a small red portion of the breaker will be exposed to show you the tripped breaker. To reset it, just push the switch to the off position and then back to the on position. You should hear a snapping sound and feel some resistance. In the event that the circuit continues to trip, there may be an excessive load on the circuit. Correcting the overload should solve your problem. If that doesn’t work, contact Charles R Morton Electric for an evaluation.

Be patient – utility companies generally know when outages occur and promptly begin the restoration process. However, if you notice that you are the only house on the block without power, please call Charles R. Morton Electric for repair service immediately. In either case, safety is first and foremost. Only use a flashlight for emergency lighting, never use candles. You should always keep fresh batteries in a battery-operated radio for use in extreme weather. Turning off any electrical equipment you were using when the power went out will minimize surges in your lines. Avoid opening your refrigerator or freezer. Leaving one light on will help you know when power has been restored. If you are using a generator, never use it inside of your home or garage.

Many areas allow a home owner to do their own electrical work, provided they take out the proper permits and have the work inspected by the proper authorities. The safety of your family and your home should always be considered before you undertake any electrical work. Charles R. Morton Electric suggests that you call a professional unless you have the proper training, and we provide detailed quotes for all of your electrical needs.

The quickest and easiest way to save energy in any building is by making sure your lighting system is as efficient as possible. There are many options available to make your lighting more efficient, from retrofitting existing fluorescent fixtures, to replacing old fixtures with new energy efficient solutions. This could mean using fluorescent bulbs where high bay metal halide or high pressure sodium fixtures were used previously, or even using LED technology to improve lighting levels as well as reduce energy usage. Charles R. Morton Electric can give you the right information and work with you of getting all the incentives available in your area to improve your lighting.

Today’s homes are more advanced and filled with electronics than they have ever been, and we are increasingly dependent on not only the electronics, but the ability to easily charge them. Whole Home Surge Protection provides protection to all the electrical equipment in your home from surges and spikes that can be created outside or even inside your home. It acts just like the high quality power bars we often buy for our entertainment systems or our computer systems, but instead it protects all the devices in your home. This means it protects the electronic components of refrigerators, freezers, washers, dryer dishwashers, coffee makers and anything else that wouldn’t traditionally have protection. We recommend whole home surge protectors be installed in all homes to protect all the electronics.