With the cold setting in, have you put down to flickering lights? You may be asking yourself if your electrical system is up to the task of what the coming days will bring. Or perhaps you are in some doubt as to whether it is safe to put a space heater in its usual place.
We at Paxton Electric can put those questions to rest. As a locally owned and operated business with over 20 years of experience in the Greater Rochester area, we are licensed, insured and on hand to assist. For any matter of home electrical safety, pick up the phone at (507) 710-1448.
In Southeastern Minnesota the fall season alters one’s use of electricity. The shorter days mean more time inside, the holiday lights come out and so do the heaters from storage. Your system has to work harder for it all; some forethought now is the best way to stave off trouble once winter is upon us.
Why make a point of checking your system this fall
You will find your habits change in a hurry when the weather turns. There is a shift from cooling to heating, and from an evening outdoors to having more devices plugged in indoors. It is a heavier load for your wiring, outlets and panel to bear.
All too often a homeowner does not give his electrical system a thought until there is an issue. Then a breaker will trip or an outlet quit working in the dead of a cold snap. A couple of checks done in advance will keep that from turning into an emergency.
On the subject of space heaters and such
They are the source of most electrical problems in the home during the fall. They are power hogs and putting one in the wrong place is apt to damage an outlet or overload a circuit.
When you are using extra heating equipment, consider the following:
- Make sure to plug the heater into the wall, not a power strip or extension cord
- Put three feet between the heater and curtains, furniture or other flammables
- Do not have it on a circuit with other appliances of high draw
- See to it the cord is not frayed before you turn it on
- Switch them off on leaving the room or at night
Should the breaker go every time the heater is on, let it be a signal to call us rather than keep resetting it.
A look at your cords and power strips
Rearranging things and putting away seasonal stuff is a good opportunity to examine your outlets and cords. A warm outlet or a damaged cord is something to pay heed to.
Be on the lookout for:
- Scorch marks or an outlet that is warm
- Cords with tape on them, or that are cracked and frayed
- Plugs that are loose and will not stay put
- An overloaded power strip
- Any hint of a burning smell by a switch or outlet
These are fire risks. Our certified technicians will see to any repairs needed to worn wiring or outlets to keep the home secure.
Dealing with power loss and storm season
The storms of fall and early winter have been known to leave parts of Olmsted County and environs without power. Surge protection is a safeguard for your appliances should the power come back in a sudden way. And a backup generator makes a long outage much more bearable. Through our Paxton Backup Power Systems we install generators to keep your home running even when the grid is down. Plan for it before the first big storm.
Holiday lighting
Before you put up a string of outdoor lights, make certain they are rated for the job and your outside outlets are in order. Too many light strings on one circuit is a mistake made all too easily in the fall; a bit of planning will see you avoid it.
Let Paxton Electric put your mind at ease
There is no substitute for a professional opinion when it comes to the safety of your family. We serve Rochester, Byron, Stewartville, Pine Island and all of Southeastern Minnesota. Be it a panel check, a new surge protector, an outlet in need of repair or a generator for the winter, we are here for it.
Our pricing is straightforward and honest, with nothing hidden, and we stand behind what we do with a 100% guarantee. To set up a fall check and face the winter without worry, ring us at (507) 710-1448.
