Monday, September 19, 2016

Be extremely prepared for a power outage.

The late days of summer/ early days of fall tend to bring some severe thunderstorms with them. With severe thunderstorms it can cause widespread power outages. Regardless of the duration of the power outage, you should make sure your family is very prepared when the power goes out. Since September is National Preparedness Month

Stock up! - Keep a stock easy to make meals that don't require electricity to repair. Meals like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, cans of soup, cans of fruit. When you stock up plan to feed each member of the family, including pets, for three days without power. Be sure to keep a manual can opener around as well. Invest in battery powered fans or heaters so that you can stay comfortable during any season!

Think through your powered life - Everyday you use electricity in ways that you take for granted. When you lose electricity all these conveniences quickly turn into struggles. You should take a few minutes to learn how to disconnect your garage door opener so your car is not trapped. Also make sure you have car chargers for your cell phones so whenever you go into your car, you can charge up your cell phone. Have a battery powered radio on hand so you can hear updates on local weather reports and other important news. Don't forget most importantly stock up on some extra batteries.

Write it down - It is so easy to become reliant on technology. Make sure you take  few moments to write down family and emergency contact information. Be sure to include numbers of your local electric company as well as gas company. It is very important you take the time to correctly label circuits and fuses in the fuse box to help identify any blown fuses.

Make the most of the slow life - Stock up on a few game boards and other forms of entertainment that do not require electricity. Board games, books, cards can help keep the children entertained and even yourself.

Prep your first aid kit - Having a first aid kit is essential part of being prepared for a power outage. Be sure to have the basics as well as any special medications your family needs. If anyone in your household requires medical equipment that is electrical powered, please take the time to think about investing in a Genearc home standby generator.

Power outages are very inconvenient, but unfortunately a common experience in the late summer / early fall months. Be sure to be prepared before the power outages happen. If you are not interested in taking all that action, consider investing in a Generac home standby generator.  We are a Generac power pro dealer with 5 factory trained technicians. Give us a call and we will give you a FREE in-home estimate.

Quality Electric Service 
609.861.1409



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Thursday, August 18, 2016

Getting your home ready for Fall!

With Summer wrapping up, now is the perfect time to prepare your home & summer home for the fall! Below are some easy and simple tips will help you make some quick fixes around the house to ensure your home is ready for the cooler season. If you can't do some items yourself, just call a professional and they can help! By prepare both your inside and outside will make your home feel clean and organized for the fall.

Inspect your roof:
Check your roof for any damage that may have been caused by summer storms. Replace shingles to avoid a leaking roof or further damage.

Wash all rugs and carpets:
Give your home a clean feel by washing the carpeting and rugs.

CHECK YOUR SMOKE DETECTORS: 
Replace the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and test to make sure they are working properly.

Clean out your refrigerator and freezer: 
Go through the refrigerator and freezer to get rid of any expired food. Also reorganize the food and clean the shelves.

Check your home's insulation:
Inspect the insulation and replace any wet or damaged pieces.


CHECK OUT ELECTRICAL OUTLETS:
Check your electric outlets for potential fire hazards, such has frayed wires or loose-fitting plugs.

Test your sump pump: 
To avoid flooding in your home, test your sump pump to make sure it is draining properly.

All these tips are great especially if you have a summer home and are trying to close it up for the year. Follow these steps and everything should be just fine! If you have any issues with your electrical outlets or smoke detectors don't hesitate to give us a call and we will surely be glad to help!

Quality Electric Service 
609.861.1409



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Friday, November 13, 2015

Get your generator prepped for the winter!

Winter is well on its way. So does that mean you are prepared for the worst-case scenario of a power outage? If not, you could be facing cold days and cold nights without power in the event of  severe winter storm. That means now is the time to start prepping your generator to make sure you're ready for when the worst happens. It's better to be safe then sorry.

How to prep your generator:


  • Make sure all indicator lights are function properly and listen to make sure your generator runs its weekly exercise test
  • Keep the space around your generator clear of debris such as leaves and grass
  • Never put anything on top of the generator
In addition to these checks you can do on your own, it is important to have your standby generator serviced by an authorized dealer, like ourselves. Quality Electric Service has been Generac's #1 Dealer in South Jersey. Give us a call today to purchase your service agreement!

Quality Electric Service 
609.861.1409



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Thursday, August 13, 2015

Summer cooling tips

We all know how hot summer can be and in return that raises our electric bills. Quality electric has some tips that can help lower those bills and keep your home nice and cool!

Some home repair tips:
             -  Repair and weatherstrip air leaks in the home; about 10-25% of energy used to cool homes escapes via leaks.
             - Increase your attic insulation if the joists are showing. Recommended level: R-38 or 10-16 inches blown.

Your Thermostat

  • - When you're home, set your thermostat to 78 degrees.
    Install ceiling fans to circulate cool air throughout the house.
    -
    Maintain consistent temperatures.
Vents and Windows 
     - Shade your windows with light-colored shades to reflect heat.
     - 
Close draperies and shades on south-facing windows to block sunlight and heat during the day.
     -  Install awnings on windows that get excessive sun in the late afternoon.
    -   Move furnishings away from floor or return air vents.

Quality Electric Service 
609.861.1409

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Thursday, July 30, 2015

Summer Energy Saving Tips!

The hot summer weather is here with temps in the upper 80's to 90's and high humidity make you eager to stay cool. This can lead to some hefty energy bills most times. But did you know you can save money on their summer bills by following these energy tips to reduce electric usage in the home.

- Install a clean air conditioning filter on a regular basis in the summer and replace or clean it monthly. Dirty filters cause the equipment to work harder and use up to five percent more energy.
- Set the air conditioner thermostat at 78 degrees. Each degree below 78 adds about eight percent to your cooling costs.
- Set your thermostat at a higher temperature while you're away from your home. This way the air conditioner won't be on as often while you're out.
- Preform heavy housework chores in the cooler time of the day (laundry, baking etc)
- Keep direct sunlight out as much as possible. Consider light-colored roofs, outside walls and drapes.
- Weatherstrip doors and windows to prevent expensive air leaks. Make sure all windows and doors are closet when the air condition unit is operating.
- The attic should be properly ventilated to prevent excess heat build-up, which causes your cooling system to work harder,

If you need any electrical work done to make your electric bill more efficient. Give Quality Electric a call and we can help!

Quality Electric Service 
609.861.1409
 
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Friday, June 19, 2015

Time to Reassess Your Security Lighting

What's more important than your home's structure? The people and special belongings in it. With that in mind, one of the most important things that you can do to protect your loved ones and belongings is to install the right kind of outdoor security lighting for your home. Properly planned security lighting has been proven to deter burglars. 
A big misconception about outdoor security lighting is that the brighter the light, the better the chance is of deterring a burglar. Unfortunately, many people are unaware that bright lights outside on a driveway or front yard can create shadows around your house whereburglars can potentially hide. So, you want to know what the next-best alternative is? The answer is simply to use a lower level of light - or even decorative or landscape lighting. There are many ways that you can have fun with this as there are so many different styles of lighting fixtures for your yard and porch to choose from. Not only will the lights serve as security lighting, but they will also give a nice, new, updated look to your home. So goahead and have some fun with your outdoor security lighting!
The most important places to have lights are at all possible entrances on the first floor, including windows, doors porches or deck door-walls and garage entrances. It's also a good idea to have a light shining on all keyholes around the outside of the house. When it comes to selecting the types of bulb  try incandescent lights, as they are easy to maintain. Keep in mind that they are least energy-efficient type of bulb.
Adding a heat- or motion-sensing feature to your security lights is an excellent, energy-saving feature that will cause any uninvited guests to quickly run away when a light is suddenly shone on them! Lights with motion sensors turn on when they detect any movement, so if you live in an area with a lot of wind or animals, you may want to consider a sensitivity adjuster for your light so that the light does not go on and off all the time. Heat-sensing lights work in a similar way and turn on when the sensor detects body temperature heat.
Don't forget about some of the other benefits to outdoor security lighting: They make it easier for guests to find your home at night and they make it easier for you to pull in and out of your driveway at night.
Did you want to install outdoor security lighting? Give us a call we will do it for you!

Quality Electric Service 
609.861.1409

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Friday, June 5, 2015

What will you do when a hurricane or severe storm strikes?

We are now into hurricane season and Quality Electric likes to make sure that all of our customers are safe and prepared in case anything comes our way. Most of you may plan on staying in your home during a Hurricane or Tropical Storm, so you should make sure you have basic emergency kit. A short list is below.
  • Water: One gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation. 
  • Food: At least a 3 day supply
  • First aid kit
  • Whistle: To signal for help
  • Dust Mask: Help filter contaminated. 
  • Cell Phone
One of the most valuable pieces of equipment you could have that will help you during and ater the storm is a home standby generator. A Generator will run your whole house. It will keep your refrigerator and or freezer operating so you will have food to eat and will not have to throw away your food and purchase more. It can be a life saver. A home standby generator will go far in making the transition time from hurricane strike to full recovery a much more comfortable and bearable process. It may just be time to invest! We give FREE in-home estimates!

Quality Electric Service 
609.861.1409
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