If thunder roars, go indoors! Severe Weather Tips

The Severe Weather months are coming and you should be prepared. Most severe storms strike between May and July. Before the storm season sets in you should prepare for a storm and know how to stay safe.  

A thunderstorm is considered severe if it produces hail at least 1 inch in diameter or has wind gusts of at least 58 miles per hour. Heavy rain from thunderstorms can cause flash flooding and high winds can damage homes and blow down trees and utility poles, causing widespread power outages.   

You should always be prepared for a severe storm. Start by learning about your community's emergency  warning system for severe storms. Pick a safe place in your home for household members to gather during a thunderstorm. This should be away from windows, skylights and glass doors that could be broken by strong winds or hall. You should also make a list of items to bring inside in the event of a severe thunderstorm.   

What should you do? Always listen to local news or NOAA Weather Radio for emergency updates. Watch for signs of a storm, like darkening skies, lighting flashes or even increased wind. If a severe thunderstorm warning is issued take shelter immediately. If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be in danger from lighting. If thunder roars, go indoors! The National Weather Service recommends staying inside for at least 30 minutes after the last thunder clap. Avoid electrical equipment and telephones. Use battery-powered TVs and radios instead. Shutter windows and close outside doors securely. Keep away from windows. Lastly, Do not take a bath, shower or use plumbing.

After the storm you should never drive through a flooded roadway. You should stay away from storm - damaged areas to keep from putting yourself at risk from the effects of severe thunderstorms. Continue to listen to NOAA weather Radio or your local radio and television stations for updated information or instructions. (Such as, access to roads or some parts of the community may be blocked off).  Always stay away from downed power lines and report them immediately.

Think safety and keep you, your family and pets safe!

Quality Electric Service
www.qualityelectricservice.com
609.861.1409

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Severe Storm Safety Check List

Severe Storm Safety Checklist


It's that time of year again Storm Season. Meteorologist are predicting an active storm season this summer, as more widespread warm air prompts unstable conditions in parts of the country.
The time to prepare for severe summer storms is before they hit. Backup power is one way to be ready for storms, but there are many steps you can take to protect yourself and your family when the weather turns particularly nasty.

♦ Build an Emergency Kit. A basic emergency kit will help you keep your family safe and healthy in the event of a disaster. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends having at least two-weeks’ worth of the following supplies:
- Water, one gallon per person for both drinking and sanitation
- Food, non-perishables (refer to Generac’s Hurricane Preparation Shopping List) and a manual can opener for food
- Battery-powered or hand crank radio and extra batteries
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- First Aid kit
- Whistle to signal for help
- Moist towelettes, and garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
- Wrench and pliers to turn off utilities
- Cell phone and portable charger

♦ Stay in Touch. Download an application to your smartphone that can notify people where you are, and whether or not you are safe. The Red Cross has several free apps available in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store.

♦ Get Gas. You may need to evacuate in the event of a hurricane, or run a portable generator. Fill up your car or gas tank before the storm hits to avoid long lines.

♦ Know Your Evacuation Plan. Each community has an evacuation plan. It’s important to know the route to safely evacuate the area in the event of an emergency. Having an alternate route can also be beneficial.

♦ Locate the Nearest Shelter. Learn the location of the nearest shelter. If you have pets, make sure to identify pet-friendly shelters.

♦ Prepare Your Home. Bring in outside items if they can be picked up by high winds, and clear gutters of debris.

♦ Have Backup Power Available. If you don't own an automatic backup generator, you should consider purchasing one. Have no electric can be an inconvenience and some times life threatening. We give free in-home estimates for Generac Generators. Give us a call today! 609.861.1409

Quality Electric Service 

www.qualityelectricservice.com

609.861.1409

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Getting your pool ready for summer?! Pool safety tips!

You may not hear about it on the news, but electrocutions are a definite possibility in a swimming pool. After all, swimming pools have electrical components that power the pumps, filtration systems, and even pool lights. As a pool owner, you do your due diligence to ensure the water is safe to swim in and that there is just the right balance of chemicals. While you are doing all the normal routine maintenance, do not forget to have your electrical systems checked and maintained too.

Electrical work should always be left to an electrician, especially when it comes to a swimming pool. You know what they always say about water and electricity, the do not mix at all. When you are swimming in a large amount of water, the risk of electrical shock from  faulty wiring and equipment is much greater.

Here is what we can do to ensure your pool's electrical systems are safe:

Updating Pool Lights: Outdated or faulty pool lights are a high risk for electrical shock. If your swimming pool is older getting new lights installed will meet safety standards to ensure they do not get short circuited.

Inspect: We can inspect all electrical components to make sure they are in good condition. This will involve examining the wiring on our lights, swimming pool filtration system and the pump. If you are thinking about buying a house with a pool, have an electrician inspect it first.

Repairs if Needed: Electrical repairs and replacements are complex jobs. We can efficiently repair any bad wires or unsafe electrical systems to ensure maximum safety for your pool.

Call 609.861.1409 to schedule an appointment today! We offer pool system inspections and can help you upgrade your pool's wiring so that you can keep it safe this summer!

Quality Electric Service 

www.qualityelectricservice.com

609.861.1409
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Do you like so save money? A Whole House Surge Protector can do that!

A surge protector is designed to help keep your electrical equipment safe from any voltage spikes. It regulates the voltage within your electrical devices so that it is always at a safe level for your equipment. Surges happen a lot more frequently than homeowners may think. When they do occur you will want a whole-house surge protector to protect your appliances and devices.

Power Surges can occur for numerous reasons. Perfect examples are lighting storms or downed power lines. But, lightening is far from the most common cause for power surges. In fact, 60 to 80 percent of surges happen because of major appliances in the home. (Air condition units, dryers or even your refrigerator. Sometimes surges can happen through the day without the homeowner knowing it. As the surges continue, they take their toll on expensive appliances like computers, printers, Tvs, air conditioning units, furnaces and more, causing them to break prematurely.

Below are the a few benefits of having a Whole House Surge Protector

• Reduced Replacement or Repair Cost: Power surges can shorten the lifespan of your appliances and electrical devices, a whole house surge protector can decrease the damage done to those items over time - reducing how often you pay to repair or replace them. 
• Reduces Maintenance Costs: How often do you have to maintain your home's systems, such as heating or cooling? You may encounter more maintenance expenses because of surges in your power. By installing a surge protector, you could limit the number of service calls you put out each year. 
• They Are Affordable: Whole house surge protectors are very affordable. They can be installed the same day which means you can start protecting your home for a fraction of the the cost you may incur to repair one of your appliances. 

If you think you want a whole house surge protector. Give us a call at 609.861.1409. We do sell and install them. 

Quality Electric Service 

www.qualityelectricservice.com

609.861.1409
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Standby Generators Improve Resale Values

Over the past years the popularity of home standby generators have soared as there are more power interruptions have increased. According to the Electric Power Research Institute, over 500,000 people lose power every day in the United States. The causes of the outages include bad weather, vehicle accidents, digger errors and system malfunctions. As power companies try to bring back power as fast as they can, people still suffer without air condition, heat, lighting or refrigeration. Even after the outage has ended, some homeowners are forced to deal with molds that formed while the air was not running or pipes that froze due to lack of heat.

The inconvenience of being without power has lead many homeowners to take action. While owners of automatic standby generators enjoy fresh food, lights and television, many people are still in the dark about the benefits of these units, especially the improve home resale value they provide.

According the Remodeling magazine 2014 Cost Versus Value Report, standby generators can provide up to 76.9% of a return on their cost. Standby generators are consider a piece of equipment that makes homes more comfortable and secure.  In the competitive real estate market a generator can be the deciding factor in a sale.

Standby generators differ from the smaller portable ones. After the power goes out, portable generators must be manually started and connected to appliances through extension cords. A standby generator, on the other hand is completely automatic and operates hands - free. The unit is wired into the homes electrical panel, eliminating extension cords. Unlike portable generators that mist be taken out of storage and kept away from water, a standby is permanently installed outside the home. It begins powering heat, air condition, and well pumps moments after utility power fails. This means when it senses utility power has returned it safely shuts itself down and returns to standby mode.

While portables run on gasoline and require frequent and problematic refueling, an automatic generator is connecter to a home's propane or natural gas supply, eliminating any messy refueling. But the ease or owning a standby generator extends beyond hands - free back up power and a reliable fuel supply. A standby provides security to a home even when the owner is away, and they are much quieter than portables as they are designed with a sound - attenuated, weather - proof enclosure.

The numerous rewards that are a result of owning a generator include security and savings. Whether they are home or not, owners have confidents that an automatic standby generators will keep their property safe and mitigate damages by preventing losses, reducing insurance premiums and improving the resale value of a home.

If you are interested in a Standby generator, give Quality Electric Service a call. We are South Jerseys only 5 Star Elite Power - Pro Generac Dealer. Never feel powerless again!

Quality Electric Service
www.qualityelectricservice.com
609.861.1409

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Learn how to save energy at the office!

Are you the owner of an office of business? Do you get a headache each month when the electric bill comes in the office mail? Paying utilities for your workplace can be an additional financial strain for businesses. Learn how to conserve electricity, maximize energy efficiency and save cots for your company.

1. Turn off appliances when not using them.
If possible, unplug office machines and /or turn off power strips at night or over the weekend. You can save energy by applying this to your office computers, printers, fax machine and paper shredders. Even when they're not currently in use, these appliances still pull a small amount of electricity from the wall when they're plugged in. It may sound like nothing but when added together, these small steps add up to big electricity savings. 

2. Install motion sensors.
An easy way to save electricity is by turning off lights in rooms that are not being used. For example, do you really need the lights on in an empty conference room? Sometimes when people are in a hurry they may forget to switch off a light before they leave. An easy way to fix this is by installing motion sensors or timing on your lights. The lights will turn off when they no longer pick up movement in the room and will turn on as soon as someone walks in. 

3. Switch to LED
Not only are LED lights more durable and long-lasting, but their environmental impact is far smaller than both fluorescent and incandescent bulbs. LEDs use significantly less electricity and have an energy efficient rating of 80% versus incandescent which operate at about 20%. While fluorescent lights are better than traditional incandescent bulbs, they still do not compare to LEDs. 


4. Consider using your surroundings to maximize office lighting.
Sometimes, saving electricity does not even require you to change a light bulb. You can utilize natural light to keep your workplace brighter without installing extra lights. Make the best use of windows and skylights. This will allow you to rely less on artificial lighting throughout the day. Additionally, switching to a lighter paint color can be helpful. Lighter colors reflect more light, while darker colors absorb it. 

Saving electricity does not have to be difficult! If you have any questions please don't hesitate to give us a call!

Quality Electric Service 

www.qualityelectricservice.com

609.861.1409

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Should You Invest in a Generac Standby Generator?

An Automatic Standby Generator has many benefits, especially during the summer months. Here are some reasons for being prepared for hurricane season:

Things get uncomfortable fast.
An hour without air conditioning can be excruciating. Can you imagine having no AC for days, even weeks? An Automatic Standby generator will provide the electricity needed to keep your home or business comfrotable.

Perishable foods won’t last long.
 An Automatic Standby generator can keep your refrigerator and freezer running. Depending on the severity of a storm, you may need the food that’s in your fridge — especially if you can’t get to a store.

Ease of Use
An Automatic Standby Generators is easy to use. You do not even have to be home when the power goes out! -- your generator will just automatically turn on as soon as there is a power failure! This ensures your comfort and safety throughout the hurricane season.

Help During Emergency Situations
Standby generators can be useful during emergency power situations throughout the year. Power problems can occur anytime due to natural disasters or breakdown of our antiquated electrical grid. If you live in an area that suffers from fluctuating power situations then an Automatic Standby Generator can help by providing electrical energy for your various needs, and your investment this summer will serve you for years to come.You can call Quality Electric Service for Generac standby generator-related needs. We make sure to provide the right generator solutions for our customers.

Quality Electric Service 

www.qualityelectricservice.com

609.861.1409

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