Category: Electrical

12 Frequently Asked Questions on Electrical Systems by New Homeowners

Jun 08, 2021

12 Frequently Asked Questions on Electrical Systems by New Homeowners

  • Electrical

When you are in the market to buy a new house, so many questions can arise. Even when you do your best to understand how a home operates, there are all kinds of issues that can lurk under the surface. It’s important to ask the right questions about your new home or potential new home during the process. One of the most vital parts of a home is the electrical system. Make sure that you ask the right questions to understand if it’s up to code, how it works, and frequent solutions to problems. Here are some common questions asked about electricity and the answers that will lead you to understand this aspect of a home’s inner workings.

1. What is a GFCI outlet?

 A GFCI outlet is a “Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter.” That doesn’t mean much to someone not familiar with electrical work. For a new homeowner, it’s an outlet that will protect you from electrical shocks because it has a safety in place that shuts off the electrical current if it encounters something it’s not supposed to, such as water or a person’s finger. It can also help to prevent outlet fires. Keep in mind GFCI’s are usually required by law in most places to be installed near water sources in kitchens and bathrooms and anywhere else that water may be present, such as basements or garages.

2. What do I do if an appliance is plugged into a GFCI and stops working, but the circuit breaker is not tripped?

There is a reset button on the outlet that allows you to restart it. All you have to do is unplug your appliance and hit the button. Then plug your appliance back in. It should work after that if nothing is wrong with the circuits.  

3. What is a short circuit?

This can occur in your electrical wiring when there is a low current connection between your fuse box and the device you want to power on. For example, if there is something wrong with the wires that are connecting everything, they might “short” out. The coating on the wire could be worn away, or broken from the breaker to the outlet. Even small animals in the rodent family sometimes chew through electrical wires in your walls. This is usually a problem that needs to be looked at by an electrician because sparks or fire can occur. 

4. Why would the motion sensor light installed outside continuously stay on throughout the night, or constantly turn on and off?

 For the first part of the question with a motion sensor light staying on, it might just be that your sensor is dirty, so it’s triggering it to stay on. That has nothing to do with electricity, but for the second part of the question it might be an electrical issue. The bulb might not be resting securely in the fitting. Try to replace the bulb and see if that solves the issue.

5. Why would a dimmer/light switch plate be warm/hot to the touch?

 If nothing is plugged into the outlet or there aren’t too many items stressing the electrical supply, it’s perfectly normal for it to be a tad warm. The lights tend to do that in a house. In general if it’s too hot to touch, that’s a serious problem. Damaged wires can cause excessive heat on regular switch plates.

For dimmer switches they have a maximum load measured in watts that they are allowed to safely handle. When they are overloaded you should add up the wattage of lighting units and reduce the load or upgrade the dimmer switch.

6. Why are some of the light switches in my house not connected to anything? When they’re flipped on and off, nothing happens. 

 When you move to a new place it can be hard to figure out which switch plate goes to what outlet. To test an outlet, plug something in that makes noise, such as a radio, then turn on the switch to see if it powers up the outlet. When you encounter a mystery light switch with no matching outlet that does anything, you can remove the outlet plate to see if there are any wires inside even connected to it. If there aren’t problems with the wiring being in the right place, you’ll need to trace the circuit, which you’ll probably want an electrician to do.  

7. Why can’t I turn a tripped circuit breaker in my electrical panel back on?

 If you trip a circuit breaker in your new home, give it a few minutes before you try to go down to the fuse box and let it cool down. Then if you press the switch in the circuit breaker and it still doesn’t come on, something could be overloading it. It’s usually a big appliance, like a washer/dryer, refrigerator, other large item, or too many running at the same time. It might be a broken appliance causing it. If not, the circuit breaker might be faulty or broken, needing replacement.

 8. What is an AFCI breaker?

 An AFCI or “Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter” is a specific type of breaker that helps to prevent electrical fires. It achieves this by sensing hazardous electrical arcs. Most arcs are normal and don’t malfunction unless a problem occurs, so having these types of breakers in place can make your new home much safer. 

9. What is a whole house surge protector?

 A whole house surge protector is a good idea since it tames dangerous power surges that can short out your appliances, or computers. Having one in place is ideally suited to areas that experience intense thunderstorms, where lightning might strike utility poles or lines near your home. Often without it these power surges can fry even GFCI plugs in your home.

10. What is the most energy efficient lighting for my house?

The most energy efficient lighting for your new home, according to Energy.gov is light bulbs that hold the “ENERGY STAR” rating on the box. That includes CFL, halogen incandescent, and LED light bulbs. You might pay a little more upfront for these bulbs, but in the long run you’ll save on energy costs.

11. What is the difference between low voltage fixtures and standard fixtures? 

Low voltage fixtures in your home are the ones that sit in the background. That includes chandelier lights, recessed lighting, desk lights, and task lighting. Outside it might be landscape lighting that comes on at night with a timer. Standard fixtures are your larger lamps, main kitchen lights, and bathroom lights. Brighter light that requires a higher wattage is usually considered standard.  

12. Why does my cabinet-mounted microwave occasionally trip my circuit breaker? 

Your microwave might trip your circuit breaker if you have too many appliances on at the same time on the same circuit. The solution here is to not run so many things at once, or move other appliances to different locations in the kitchen that don’t work on the same fuse. Or you can have a GFCI switch for the microwave outlet, which will hopefully trip the outlet and not the entire fuse to the kitchen.

Have any questions about your electrical system? Call McHale’s Today!

Schedule a consultation with a call to McHale’s today!

Read Reviews From Our Happy Customers!

By McHales

5 Reasons to Choose a Home Backup Generator Over a Home Battery Backup 

May 18, 2021

5 Reasons to Choose a Home Backup Generator Over a Home Battery Backup 

  • Electrical
  • Generator
backup generator

Finding the right backup power source for you home can be a tough investigation. With so many different options in a very abundant market, the everyday consumer can become easily overwhelmed. Any time your home loses power, you’re going to want a power source that can keep the appliances in your house operational, from the refrigerator to the microwave to the washing machine. In this case, we can confidently state that investing in a home backup generator is ultimately the right decision to make over a home battery backup. When nature rears its ugly head and takes you off the grid, you want to make sure you’re able to keep you food preserved, your heat, ac, and water running, and your family safe.

Here are 5 reasons why a home backup generator is the right choice to make over a home battery backup: 

1. More Support

Both home backup generators and home battery backups supply electricity to your home when you are taken off the grid, but home backup generators can support many more appliances in your home than a battery backup. Whereas generators steadily output a continuous max amount of power, home batteries can only supply a fraction of the total amount of energy they are currently holding. Batteries do this to protect how long the battery can last. This means only supporting a fraction of the appliances that a home backup generator can support when the power goes out.

To elaborate, each of your appliances requires a certain amount of wattage to operate. A backup generator with 15 kWh of energy will be able to consistently output those 15 kWh’s to your home as long as its hooked up. On the contrary, a battery with the same amount of energy that generator will only be able to output about 20% of that energy, so around 3 kWh. Therefore, on a backup battery, you will have to be a lot pickier on what you decide to power and leave off. Assuming you want to keep your refrigerator running, your options become very limited.

2. Cost Effective

Comparing the costs of generators vs. batteries requires the consumer to consider long term investment. At the preliminary purchasing period, both options seem very similar in pricing. It’s only after you factor installation, consultation, and power inversion that a backup generator becomes the obvious choice.

Whereas you will only need to pay for the installation and the generator itself, getting a backup battery entails buying the battery, the installation, another installation of a power inverter (normally tacking on an extra $2,000), and then any replacements you will have to make in a few years or sooner depending on use. Not to mention, going back to the first point, if you’re trying to get the same amount of output out of your batteries as a generator, you’ll end up paying much more due to the limited kWh output of your regular battery.  

3. Accessibility

Buying a backup battery is a much easier and readily available option to attain for your home than a home battery backup system. The home battery backup market is not yet developed enough to contain any full-scale distributors that have the products ready to go. Finding one is almost equally as difficult as getting it installed in your house. Especially in an emergency, buying a backup battery system is impractical at best.

Meanwhile, home backup generators can be found across the US at local appliance and hardware stores. For instance, a Generac home backup generator is supported by more than 5,200 certified dealers and there is no scarcity of trained installers ready to get one set up in your house at a moment’s notice. They even offer a support network line and a way on their website to find your local dealer. 

4. Longevity

To compare the length of time a backup battery will function next to a backup generator is a true “David and Goliath” situation. Simply put, with proper preparation a generator can last if you need it to with proper fueling. It’s not even a matter of how long, but how many resources you have. On the contrary, a backup battery, assuming a full charge, is estimated to run for 3-5 hours. This sort of duration in the event of an emergency power outage is unacceptable, and will not ensure your safety. Most power outages resulting from hurricanes and other natural occurrences take much longer than 3-5 hours to be fixed, which leaves you in the dark once that time is up. Not to mention the fact that with your home backup battery, you’re only limited to two or three appliances to power, tops. As far as longevity is concerned, there is no real competitive comparison between the two options.

5. Creation vs. Storage

When all’s said and done, the difference boils down to how energy can be continuously created with a backup home generator, whereas a home battery backup system can only tap into stored energy. When that pool of stored energy is depleted, you will be left with not very many options besides some blankets and candles. Meanwhile, if you have a fuel source for your generator, you will have power indefinitely. Generators produce power while batteries distribute it. 

Have any questions about generators? Call McHale’s Today!

Schedule a generator installation with a call to McHale’s today!

Read Reviews From Our Happy Customers!

By McHales

5 Signs You Need to Replace a Circuit Breaker

Feb 25, 2021

5 Signs You Need to Replace a Circuit Breaker

  • Electrical

Circuit breaker replacement can be an economical investment in protecting your home while avoiding damage to your appliances and fixtures and protecting your family.  They are a valuable first line of defense in home safety, but are often overlooked as a solution to real problems.  Your electrical panel is likely hidden in the basement or in a utility closet, well out of sight and thought. However, if you continue to ignore the warning signs and resist checking and replacing a circuit breaker as needed you can experience:

  • Flickering Lights: How annoying is it when you’re eating dinner with the family and the lights keep raising and lowering like in a haunted house? While distracting, you figure you can live with it.  That could be a big mistake.
  • Poor Performance from Appliances: Your stove may bake unevenly or never seem to reach proper temperature.  The dryer might shut off in mid-cycle. You may be convinced that all your kitchen appliances need to be replaced due to strange and inconsistent performance. What a waste of cash if it is simply a circuit breaker that needs to be replaced.
  • Damage to Essential Lights and Appliances:   When circuit breakers fail to control the flow of electricity properly you may experience bulbs that constantly burn out or a microwave that barely lasted past its one year warranty. Overheating can occur, causing lasting damage to coils and computer boards.
  • Potential of Smoke, Fire and Water Damage: When too much power is drawn through a power cord, an electrical fire can result from overheating. Your home could be severely damaged by smoke, water and flame. The cost of failing to check your electrical panel for problems continues to skyrocket.
  • Lower Property Value: When you experience a fire, no matter how small, the integrity and value of the property is lowered. Failing to upgrade electrical service to your home can result in a potential buyer hesitating to put in an offer. They want to purchase a home that is safe and has been maintained.

5 Warning Signs of a Failing Circuit Breaker

  1. Burning Smell In The Electrical Panel: If you smell a burning odor coming from the panel that means wires and insulation have become overheated and are failing to protect your home from an electrical short elsewhere. Don’t wait! Shut off the main power to the house and call an electrician immediately for emergency service.
  2. Breakers Tripping Frequently: A circuit breaker is designed to trip when too much power is being drawn through it to protect your entire home. If a breaker is tripping every time you turn on a particular appliance like the microwave or vacuum cleaner, the breaker may be worn out and ready to fail. An electrician will be able to determine if it’s simply a bad breaker or if you need to add a circuit to your home
  3. Physical Damage: If you notice scorch marks around the breaker, at an outlet or appliances are failing due to melted wires, it’s a good bet that your electrical panel and breakers require immediate service. A melted wire is one step away from your entire house going up in flames. Place that emergency call to the electrician and unplug all fixtures from that circuit.
  4. Breaker Will Not Stay Reset: Probably after several months of resetting a breaker, it simply won’t stay on for any period of time.  The breaker has probably failed. However, your electrician will check the entire circuit to make sure further damage wasn’t done to the wiring.
  5. Old Age: Circuit breakers are designed to last for decades of use. However, if you have a home where the electrical panel has not been serviced in ten years or more, there’s a good chance that there are several breakers ready to fail. Having an electrician inspect your panel is a wise investment.

It doesn’t take a lot of time or money to have failed circuit breaker replacement service. When you invest in preventative maintenance on your electrical panel you will enjoy the following benefits:

  • Peace of Mind: Your home is now a safe environment for your family. You will sleep better when you don’t worry about the house catching fire.
  • Extended Life of Appliances and Fixtures: You can now expect your new refrigerator and cooktop to last for years, until you are ready to renovate again.
  • Improved Convenience: You never realized how much easier life is when lights, appliances and electrical devices work each and every time–simply because you invested in a precautionary repair.
  • Maintains Value of Your Home: Updated service to your electrical panel gives a buyer confidence they are making a good investment.

 

Schedule circuit breaker replacement with a call to McHale’s today!

By McHales

Reasons to Consider a Holiday Fuse Box Upgrade

Nov 12, 2020

Reasons to Consider a Holiday Fuse Box Upgrade

  • Electrical

Reasons to Consider a Holiday Fuse Box Upgrade

Are you planning a staycation for the holidays? If so, then it might be the perfect time for a fuse box upgrade. Because while it might not be the most exciting thing to do with your time and money, upgrading your fuse box or electrical panel is definitely a worthwhile investment. Take a look at our reasons to consider a holiday fuse box upgrade.

Improved safety  

If you have an older home, it was most likely only designed with a few circuits that used a total of 30, 50, or sometimes 60 amps. Today, however, we consume more power because we have far more appliances and devices. That means we place a higher demand on our electrical systems than those old ones are designed to handle. When an electrical circuit overloads, the circuit breaker trips. This interrupts the power supply and prevents the wires or your appliances from overheating and catching fire.

Unfortunately, in older homes, connections are often loose—and that prevents the circuit from tripping, which can lead to overheating wires and cause a fire. Even if you replace the circuit breaker with a larger one, it might not be a safe solution if it’s rated to handle more power than the wire it’s on. 

When you upgrade your fuse box, you ensure that all the wiring, fuses, and circuit breakers are graded to handle the power that your household uses. This eliminates the danger of wiring overheating and causing fires. 

More and more consistent power

As we’ve seen, nowadays we consume more power than ever before. Just think about the number of TVs, laptops, and smart phones every household has compared to even just 20 years ago. Of course, using all this power on a system that’s not equipped to handle it has consequences. Fuses blow more often and need to be replaced. Circuit breakers trip regularly and need to be re-set, for example if you’re running the dishwasher and start the vacuum cleaner. You’ve probably also noticed “brown-outs,” or times when the lights in your home dim if you turn on another appliance. In some cases, you might even notice the lights flickering. 

Replacing your old fuse box with a new one that’s designed to handle all your power needs will ensure that all these small inconveniences are over. Instead of having to drop everything to re-set a circuit breaker when a circuit trips due to you using the coffee maker and toaster at the same time, you’ll be able to enjoy your breakfast in peace and head out to work without any delays. 

Increased home value

If you make the investment to upgrade your fuse box now, it will add significantly to your home’s value, which can be a plus if you’re looking to sell within the next few years. Prospective buyers will see an outdated fuse box as a significant disadvantage—and that will be reflected in how much they’re willing to pay for the home. With a recently upgraded fuse box, the home’s power system being taken care of, which means you can take that into account when setting your asking price. 

Finally, if you upgrade your fuse box before the holidays, then you’ll have the additional security of knowing that your home’s electrical system will be able to handle all of those extra holiday lights!

Thinking of doing a holiday fuse box upgrade? Then call McHale’s today and schedule!

By McHales

Warning Signs of Electrical Wiring System Failure

Jan 31, 2020

Warning Signs of Electrical Wiring System Failure

  • Electrical

Most people are not licensed electricians, so the telltale signs of faulty electrical wiring aren’t always easy to notice. When the issue is literally inside the walls of your own home, the question becomes what exactly you can do that doesn’t involve tearing your walls down. Your house could be old with outdated wiring, or brand new with faulty wiring. You could be living in a house that’s 100 years old, but has been renovated inside and out. It doesn’t always matter when electrical wiring is concerned, faulty wiring can happen anywhere.

Why Should You Be Concerned With Your Electrical Wiring?

Like any type of house maintenance, it’s best to be proactive versus reactive. Taking care of a leak before your floor is warped is just something you do because you know fixing the plumbing is cheaper than fixing your plumbing and your floor. Your home’s electrical wiring can be just like a leaking pipe, only it can be much worse than warped floors and mold. If for example, there’s exposed wire hidden somewhere between drywall and insulation, then at any time this can start a house fire. In 2014, according to the US Fire Administration, almost 25,000 house fires were attributed to an electrical malfunction. A potential fire isn’t the only safety concern; faulty outlets can lead to you or your unsuspecting loved ones electrocuting themselves.

What Are the Warning Signs?

The good news is that if your home has faulty or failing wiring, it’s hard to miss the clues. Some warning signs need you to act quicker than others, especially if you smell something burning or received an electrical shock from an outlet. It’s always important to make sure you have a licensed electrician repair any faulty wiring, as trying to fix the problem yourself can either make the problem worse or someone could get hurt. So what to look for?

  • If your circuit breaker keeps tripping…, you might want to call your electrician. A circuit breaker’s job is to cut the flow of electricity to your house to prevent overheating, thus preventing a house fire. If you’re making constant trips to your circuit breaker, it could either mean you have appliances that are pulling too much electricity out of one circuit (over-loading), there’s a short circuit somewhere either in the appliance or wiring, OR you’re in need of a new circuit breaker.
  • If there’s a persistent burnt smell, something like burnt vinyl or plastic, you should call your electric power company immediately. This could be caused by a short circuit, a loose connection, or faulty wiring.
  • Any discolored or charred outlets is usually a sign of arcing when there’s an electrical breakdown that causes an electrical discharge and burns whatever’s close by. If you find any outlets in such a state, contact your electric power company immediately.
  • Keep an eye and an ear out for flickering, buzzing, and sizzling, if your wiring is safe and functional, then your lights should operate sans the sounds and light show.

Do Any of These Sound Familiar? Don’t Fret.

If you’re facing overwhelming evidence that your house has faulty wiring, then it’s time to call a licensed electrician. The solution might be simply replacing your electrical panel, but if chances are your home has completely outdated wiring, then it’s time for much more labor-intensive maintenance.

  • Replacing Your Electrical Panel. If the issue is simply a malfunctioning circuit breaker, then replacing it should fix your electrical problems. If your electrical panel has only 100 amps, and you live an electrically intensive lifestyle, then the solution may be to upgrade it to 200 amps, which is fairly standard for modern homes. If the issue turns out to be faulty wiring, then an upgraded electrical panel won’t solve the problem.
  • Rewiring Your House. If you have old or faulty wiring, it needs to come out. Old aluminum wiring has a risk of starting fires and overloading your circuit breaker. A licensed electrician will have to remove all the old wiring and replace it with non-metallic (copper) wiring, which is safer, easier to work with, and won’t overheat with the insulation.

Don’t Wait Until You Smell Smoke

Faulty electrical wiring isn’t just an issue of safety, but of lifestyle. Nowadays, modern homes usually need to operate on at least 100 amps, and homes with outdated or faulty wiring usually only run up to 60 amps. Rewiring won’t only get your home up to speed with your lifestyle, but it also increases your house value. Homeowners interested in selling their house will need to make sure their wiring is up-to-date in order to pass inspection. Don’t hesitate, the longer you wait, chances are the more expensive the cost will be.

If you’re unsure your house has faulty wiring, call a licensed electrician to inspect it for you. Be proactive, look for the signs, and fix that hazardous faulty electrical wiring – call McHale’s today!

By McHales

6 Reasons to Get a Standby Generator Installation

Aug 30, 2019

6 Reasons to Get a Standby Generator Installation

  • Electrical
  • Generator
standby generator installation in Pennsylvania by McHale's

Here on the East Coast, we’re the part of America most susceptible to hurricanes. Up here in Pennsylvania, we don’t get as much trouble from hurricanes. However, we can still get hit harder than in the New England area. Because of this, it might be a good idea to call McHale’s and ask about getting a standby generator installation for your home. Having a generator on your property allows you to keep the power on, even during the harshest of storms.

Here are six reasons to call us for a standby generator installation:

 

Increased home value

Installing a generator on your lot gives you peace of mind. However, this also applies to anyone else who decides to live at your home. It’s hard to put a price on safety, but having a standby generator on your lot will still improve your property’s value.

 

Seamless switching

When everything is okay, your standby generator will sit on your property and do nothing. However, when the main power grid goes down, an automatic transfer switch in the generator activates. It cuts you from the main grid, switches your power to the generator, and turns on the generator. This happens in a very short amount of time, so you’ll only lose power for a moment.

 

Safety during emergencies

Having power at your home means you don’t need to leave for any power-related issues. In hotter or colder months, losing your power means you won’t have cooling or heating. When this happens, you might have to go to a hotel so you can live at a reasonable temperature. As well as being inconvenient, you’ll also have to pay money for your stay. Having power means you and your family can stay safe at home.

 

Protection from electrical damage

Even when your home has no electricity, but your electronics can still get damaged. While you’re connected to the grid during an outage, there’s the possibility of violent power surges, spikes, and brownouts. All of these can damage your electronics while you’re connected to the grid. If you have a standby generator during an outage, it’ll keep you off the grid and safe from electrical dangers. It’ll only switch you back to the grid when it has power and has stabilized.

 

Constant electrical power

As you might have guessed, generators let you keep your power during a blackout. Having constant electricity gives you a wide variety of benefits. Among them, you’ll no longer have to worry about your food going bad because the power went out. This can also be very useful if you have medical equipment at your home that needs constant power. 

 

Protection from other damage

There’s more than electrical damage you have to worry about when the power goes out. When you have no electricity, your sump pump can’t function. That means your home is vulnerable to flooding during a rainstorm. Similarly, losing out on your electric heat during the winter can cause your pipes to freeze. If you have a standby generator, all of these systems will stay functioning.

 

What makes McHale’s the best option for buying a generator?

McHales, Inc. is a client-focused plumbing and electrical company that strives to ensure the highest level of customer satisfaction. John Sr. and Anna May McHale started the family business in 1950. Since that time we’ve provided our customers with prompt, dependable service at a reasonable cost. We use quality materials installed by skilled, courteous craftsmen. Now we are into our Third Generation in the business and we are still following John Sr.’s very simple philosophy ” We do what we say we’re going to do!”. That philosophy is still the backbone of the company today. Call McHale’s today to learn more about our standby generator installation services!

By McHales

5 Advantages of a Mini-Split System in Bucks County

Jun 14, 2019

5 Advantages of a Mini-Split System in Bucks County

  • Air Conditioning
  • Electrical

A mini-split (or ductless) air conditioner is one that’s made up of multiple indoor units connected by conduits to an outdoor unit. As the name suggests, these don’t require ductwork, pre-existing or otherwise, to run. This can make them very useful for certain homeowners. Maybe you’re looking for an easy way to cool your home without installing ductwork? Read on to learn about how a mini-split system in Bucks County might be right for you.

Here are 5 advantages of switching to a mini-split system in Bucks County:

 

Small and easy to install

One of the more obvious advantages of a mini-split system is that it takes up less space than other systems. They don’t require ductwork, which can be nice in older buildings, and only require some small pipes and a three-inch hole in a wall to install. They’re so easy to install and non-invasive, installation could take a single day depending on the number of units installed.

 

Versatility

Each outdoor unit can have up to four indoor units which can have individual temperature goals. This lets you have different zones to more thoroughly control your home’s temperature.

 

Energy efficient

Because they don’t make use of ducts, mini-split systems are more energy efficient. Ductwork losses in central forced air systems account for more than 30% of space conditioning’s energy usage. They can lose even more if the ducts are somewhere unconditioned, like an attic. You’ll save money overall by improving your home’s temperature efficiency.

 

Quieter

Ductwork can cause a variety of noises from debris or leaks, like whistling and banging. With a mini-split system, a professional will remove the ducts or seal the air registers. This’ll make your temperature systems much quieter. In addition, the indoor units are quieter than other units due to their lower fan speeds.

 

Increased air quality

With traditional temperature systems, the ducts have to get cleaning on a regular basis. Failure to do so can result in a buildup of dust, allergens, and other nasty stuff. Even if you give them a complete cleaning, you can still leave some stuff behind. With a multi-split system, you won’t have to worry about what’s in your ducts and your home’s air will be fresher as a result.

 

Why choose McHale’s for my home service needs?

McHale’s is a company with nearly 70 years of history helping homeowners around Bucks County. Our family-owned and client-focused company offers free consultations and a state of the art showroom that lets you see our products in a variety of different lighting styles. In addition, our staff includes award-winning Certified Kitchen Designers by The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) & The National Association of The Remodeling Industry (NARI.) If you need prompt home service, don’t bail, call McHale’s! 

By McHales

Electrical Upgrades to Consider in Your Bucks County Home

Mar 29, 2019

Electrical Upgrades to Consider in Your Bucks County Home

  • Electrical

Spring Has Sprung in Bucks County, PA!

Do You Need Electrical Upgrades in Your Home?

How is your homes electrical system working? Is it time for some upgrades? While you’re spring cleaning, don’t forget to show your electrical system some love! Here are a few upgrades to consider:

  1. Wiring. Outdated wiring is much worse than fumbling with an outlet or making the occasional trip to the circuit breaker. If your home’s wiring is old, it puts you at risk of an electrical house fire. Old, outdated wiring is prone to overheat when overloaded. Your wiring is also located between your walls and insulation, and any damaged or exposed wiring can result in starting a fire when in contact with the insulation. 
  2. Electrical Panel. Whether your home is in need of rewiring services, there is still the issue of your electrical panel. An outdated electrical panel is just as problematic as outdated wiring, as it can’t handle your home’s current electrical load. Updating your home’s electrical panel also spares you the risk of a house fire, and can even help you save money your electric bills.
  3. urge Protectors. Whether your home already has surge protectors, or needs them, updating your home’s surge protection is always a good idea. Power surges can be a common electrical problem, but some of them can wind up devastating your sensitive electronics. Surge protectors aren’t built to last forever, and usually after one nasty power surge, it’s time for a new one. Upgrading your home’s surge protection ensures that your sensitive electronics, such as your computers and entertainment systems, won’t be fried during a power surge.
  4. Energy efficient appliances. If you decided to upgrade your home’s electrical system, upgrading your current appliances can help. Major appliances such as your HVAC system and water heater, can eat up a lot of electricity and make for costly utility bills. Upgrading to energy efficient models can not only help cut costs but take a lesser load on your electrical system.
  5. Generator Installation. It’s best to be prepared for a major power outage, especially if you live somewhere prone to power outages. Installing a standby generator prevents most problems that can happen from a lack of power such as throwing out a fridge full of food, thawing frozen pipes, clearing a flooded basement, or replacing damaged appliances from a power surge.

Why Choose McHales?

Our licensed and experienced electricians are ready to solve any emergency electrical repair that your home faces. When you’re experiencing electrical issues in your Bucks County home, give us a call. Every moment counts when it comes to electrical issues! Whether you need repair, maintenance, or replacement, McHales has you covered! 

Call McHales today to schedule your electrical service! 

By McHales

Electrical Maintenance During Winter Weather in Bucks County-$88 Electrical System Check!

Feb 15, 2019

Electrical Maintenance During Winter Weather in Bucks County-$88 Electrical System Check!

  • Electrical
Snow is in the forecast this weekend! It looks like winter isn’t over just yet. Maintaining your home can be tough no matter what time of the year, but the winter season adds a few extra problems such as the risk of ice dams, freezing plumbing, or busted furnaces. Your home depends on electricity to function, which is why maintaining your home’s electrical system should be a top priority.
 
 

How to Winterize Your Home’s Electrical System

Ultimately the best thing you can do during a snowstorm is to stay inside and prepare your home for any potential storms and power outages. To stay safe and comfortable this winter season, here are five ways to maintain your home and its electrical system.
 

Invest in a standby generator.

One of the best ways to prepare your home and maintain your home’s electrical system is to have a backup source of power generation. Installing a standby generator not only ensures you’ll have power during a power outage but that your entire house is insulated and running during the worst of any snowstorm. A standby generator is hooked directly into your home’s electrical system, automatically generating power within seconds of a power outage, and protecting your home’s electronics from any harmful power surges. While a snowstorm might not cause a power outage, it’s better to be prepared than be trapped inside a house without power.
 

Maintain your major appliances.

Your home’s electrical system is complicated, and properly maintaining it can be even more complicated. Taking care of your home’s major appliances, however, can prevent certain electrical problems such as overloading the electrical panel or starting an electrical fire. Routinely inspecting and maintaining appliances such as your furnace, water heater, and refrigerator, can all count toward preparing your home’s electrical system for the worst.
 

Insulate your home.

Your furnace and water heater work hard enough to properly heat your home. If your home is lacking enough insulation, it means your furnace and water heater are running longer than necessary to generate heat in your home. Replacing old or damaged insulation, adding new insulation, and sealing any potential air leaks not only helps keep your home warm and cozy, but it also puts less strain on your home’s electrical system.
 

Rewire your home if necessary. 

Ensuring your home’s electrical system is ready for a snowstorm means thoroughly inspecting your home’s wiring. A fully winterized home with energy efficient appliances won’t make much of a difference if the wiring is old and outdated. If your home’s wiring is reaching the end of its lifespan, it’s important to rewire it as soon as possible. Look for the warning signs. Check for frayed or damaged wires, hot to the touch or burnt outlets, a constantly tripping circuit breaker, dimming or flickering lights, or popping, crackling, or buzzing noises.
 

Update your electrical panel if necessary.

The problem may not be with your home’s wiring, but its electrical panel. Your electrical panel is designed to cut off power whenever there is an overload which can result in an electrical fire. An outdated electrical panel is not only a safety hazard, but outdated, and unable to handle your home’s current electrical load. If your circuit breaker trips often, you experience frequent power surges, or you hear buzzing coming from the electrical panel, it may be time for a replacement.
 

If You Need Electrical Maintenance or Repair in Bucks County, Call McHale’s

Our technicians are ready to help you solve any emergency repair your home faces! When you’re having electrical problems, every minute counts. This is especially important during winter weather, so give us a call as soon as you suspect there may be a problem! Some signs of an electrical emergency are:
 
  1. Burning Smells
  2. Power Outages
  3. Arcing Wires
  4. Carbon Monoxide Detection
  5. And much more during a snow storm!

 

Your safety and comfort are our main concern. We offer an $88 Electrical System Check to help prepare you for weather extremes, as well as year-round electrical use!
 
Call today to schedule your $88 Electrical System Check from McHale’s!
By McHales

Tips to Prepare Your Electricity For Spring

Apr 18, 2018

Tips to Prepare Your Electricity For Spring

  • Electrical
  • Uncategorized

Take a moment to think about how often you use electricity in your home. Every time you plug in an appliance, switch on a light or charge your phone. Because you use your electrical appliances so often, you should give it a little attention here and there to make sure everything is working as it should be. Here are a few tips to keep your electricity working properly and efficiently this spring.  

Spring Electrical Checklist

  • Check your outlets and switches. take a look at these from room to room in your home. Do you see any cracks, damages, or burnt spots? If so, they should be replaced. If any of them are noticeably loose, tighten them. Because they are connected to wires in your wall, repairs should be done by a professional. 
  • Check your cords. Are there any exposed cords or wires in your home? Check for any cracks or frays. These signs of wear and tear can cause shocks or electrical fires in your home. If you have extension cords, try to only use them as needed. 
  • Check your smoke and CO2 detectors. These are essential safety features that every home or business needs to have! For business, commercial, and residential properties, it’s a must. Battery operated models are available, but fire professionals recommend that you have hardwired ones installed. This way, when one alarm goes off, the rest will too. 
  • Check your ceiling fans. These electrical features are often overlooked. most people don’t know that there’s a problem until they stop working altogether. You can test their power and clean the blades. 
  • Check your AC. Your air conditioner should be ready to keep you cool all spring and summer long. Before it gets really hot outside, make sure that it’s working properly. If it needs repairs, now is the time to do it! 
  • Schedule your inspection. Last but not least, don’t forget to schedule your electrical inspection! Routine maintenance is key in preventing major issues down the line, as well as preparing your home for spring. 

What If You Need Repairs? 

If one of our McHale’s professional finds a problem with an electrical feature in your home, we’ll be able to fix it! Our licensed electricians will be able to help you from start to finish. Whether it’s a simple fix or an electrical emergency, call McHale’s. We’ve got you covered! 

 

By McHales