Woman checking their electrical panel during a power outage

How to Prepare for a Power Outage

When the winter comes, all kinds of problems can occur with your home. Heavy snow and winds cause trees and other debris to fall or fly around with a ton of force. This can become very troublesome for most power wires that are typically out in the open. A tree or other types of debris can harm the wires and cause a massive power outage within your home area. This can be dangerous and potentially life-threatening if conditions are extreme enough. In this blog, we will be discussing how to prepare your home for outages to best help you in a time of need.

The Biggest Risks from a Power Outage

Power outages can leave you without any power for more than just a few hours, it can be days or even weeks if severe enough. One of the biggest risks you run into with no power is the lack of warmth. With the weather being extremely cold, snowy, and windy this can wreak havoc on your health if left without heat for too long. This causes you to develop extreme illnesses such as pneumonia and hypothermia which can be life-threatening if left untreated long enough. Your home will also be left in complete darkness at nighttime, your food will spoil, and certain necessities such as toilets can stop working.

Depending on your location your phones may not work either with the loss of internet in your area causing you to be completely shut off from the world. Power outages should be taken seriously and if you know a large storm is coming, it would be best to begin preparing in case. After you should always be more prepared than under-prepared.

What Equipment to Have in Case of a Power Outage

There are many different types of equipment you can utilize once the power in your home leaves. Some of these items range from electrical equipment to simple items that become necessary. Items such as a bucket of water, candles, and a good book can go a long way when trying to deal with an outage. Candles are great for light, extra clean water is always useful in case of an emergency, and a book can do a lot of good for entertainment purposes.

Bigger industrial equipment that can do a lot of good is investing in a generator. They have all kinds of generators to best suit your home’s needs. Some are so good you will never notice the power was down to begin with. You can buy a portable generator, solar generator, and even a backup generator that automatically kicks in once power is lost. Investing the time and money to buy the perfect generator will do more good than harm in the long run.

Utilize Brunelli Emergency Services

For more preventive equipment ideas or immediate electrical help with your home, make sure to contact Brunelli.

Installed knob and tube wiring in a home

What to Know About Knob and Tube Wiring

How to Spot and Replace Knob and Tube Wiring

Knob and tube wiring was an electrical wiring method used by electricians from the late 1800s to the mid-1990s. It was considered to be revolutionary for home electricity at the time. However, as time has passed and technology has advanced Knob and tube wiring is no longer used or supported for current-day technology. Its lack of compatibility with current technology and home appliances can lead to numerous problems in your home.

How to Spot Knob and Tube Wiring

If you are currently unsure if you have knob and tube wiring in your home it’s not too late to check. The best areas for spotting knob and tube wiring are within your basement or attic. Simply look around the joists for small ceramic tubes and knobs. If you spot the wiring, you should begin to think about how to replace it. If you do not spot any wiring in these areas that does not mean you are completely free of knob and tube wiring. Sometimes knob and tube wiring can be behind walls from previous homeowners trying to cover up the problem rather than resolving it. The only way to truly tell is by creating a hole in the wall to view the wiring in your home. While this may seem like a tedious task it can help you save thousands in the future by helping you avoid a major incident.

Potential Knob and Tube Wiring Hazards

Going out of your way to spot knob and tube wiring can feel unnecessary or like an overreaction. However, this is not the case knob and tube wiring can present a number of possible hazards for your home. The biggest hazard is the risk of a fire in your home due to wear and tear over time or too large electrical loads from modern appliances. Another common risk associated with knob and tube wiring is the lack of electrical ground. Not having a ground wire can lead to your devices and yourself being severely damaged. Whilst knob and tube wiring isn’t necessarily illegal it definitely has its cons that make it worth avoiding.

Knob and Tube Wiring Effects on Home Value

Knob and tube wiring is obsolete and carries many risks. Therefore, most insurance companies do not insure or renew homes that have knob and tube wiring. Nor, do they make it easy for you to finance a home with knob and tube wiring. Overall it becomes a financial headache that you may have to deal with for quite some time. Knob and tube wiring can potentially lower the overall value of your home as well. Since the cost of rewiring a home is very expensive you would need to deduct the additional cost from your selling price. Since many people stay away from knob and tube wiring it’s important to be transparent with any interested buyers. If you’re thinking of selling your home that contains knob and tube wiring just be prepared for a longer selling period.

How to Replace Knob and Tube Wiring

Knob and tube wiring replacement throughout a home is not an easy job. An ordinary electrician may find many complications and can do more harm than good if not experienced. That’s why it’s important to choose a trusted electrician for the job. Someone like Brunelli Electrician who has been in business for decades has the experience your home needs. With great prices and customer service, it’s no wonder why our customers keep coming back. If you want to replace knob and tube wiring in your home make sure to call Brunelli Electrician today!

short circuit

What Is Considered An Electrical Emergency?

There’s never a good time for an electrical issue to arise, so it’s a good idea to be prepared in the event that one comes up at an inopportune time. One of the easiest ways to do this is to know ahead of time what constitutes an electrical emergency and what can wait until a better time to address it.

It is also important to keep in mind that most electrical work requires a level of expertise and can pose a serious risk to anyone who tries to tamper with it. Not only that, but certain electrical issues can put your home and loved ones at risk if left unaddressed, so it’s good to know when to call in a professional for an emergency.

1. An unexplained power outage

Most power outages have a relatively simple explanation. Whether it’s inclement weather, infrastructural work, or an accident that has knocked out power to an area, your utility company should be able to explain why your power is out. 

However, if your home has lost power, the utility company can’t explain it, and the problem is isolated to just your home, you can consider this an electrical emergency.

2. You find a burnt outlet

If you see brown or black marks surrounding an outlet, this is a clear sign that it has been overloaded. When an outlet is overworked, it heats up and can reach a point where it actually begins to burn. An overloaded outlet should be addressed right away, so be sure to call an electrician about the issue immediately, no matter the hour. 

3. A new noise coming from your circuit breaker

If you notice that your circuit breaker is suddenly making a noise that you’ve never heard before, this could be indicative of a larger issue. The biggest risk in this situation is that your breaker isn’t tripping properly. 

It can be frustrating when a circuit breaker trips, but when this happens it’s actually a good thing. Circuit breakers trip when they sense something is wrong, so the tripping mechanism works to prevent further harm.

If the breaker isn’t tripping, it can leave your home vulnerable to electrical damage. There’s no doubt this is an electrical emergency, so don’t hesitate to contact a professional if this is happening in your home.

4. An electrical issue that can’t be fixed with simple troubleshooting

Sometimes fixing something electrical is as simple as unplugging it and plugging it back in again, wiggling a cord, or ensuring everything is plugged in where it’s supposed to be. But if these easy steps don’t do the trick, you may be dealing with an issue that requires professional help.

If an outlet, appliance, or light fixture isn’t functioning as it should and it’s putting off an unusual noise or smell, it should be considered an emergency and dealt with as quickly as possible. 

Leave it to the professionals at Phillip M. Brunelli Electric

There’s a reason electricians go through intensive schooling, apprenticeships, and additional training. Electrical work can be quite dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing and it’s easy to make a situation go from bad to worse if you try tinkering with the problem in an attempt to fix it. 

Our team at Brunelli offers 24/7 support for any electrical emergencies you may experience. If you are in the midst of an electrical emergency do not wait! Contact our team today.

Steps to Take During an Electrical Emergency

Although no homeowner wants to deal with an electrical emergency, these situations are sometimes inevitable. When you find yourself dealing with a major residential electrical problem, the last thing you want is to be unprepared. As you read this helpful guide, you will learn more about the steps you should take during several common sorts of electrical emergencies.

 

Dealing with an electrical fire:

 

Electrical fires typically happen because faulty wiring short circuits or frayed cords are left too close to soft furnishings, such as draperies. If you experience an electrical fire, the first thing you should do after notifying your local fire department is flip the appropriate switch on the breaker box to cut the power to the appliance that is causing the blaze. 

 

If you are unable to safely get to your breaker box, use a fire extinguisher or attempt to smother the flames with a fire blanket or buckets of water until the authorities arrive. The most important thing to keep in mind during a fire is that your family’s safety must come first! If at any point the fire begins to grow or you feel unsafe, evacuate your residence immediately. 

 

Dealing with electrical shock: 

 

Experiencing electrical shock is generally extremely scary for not only the victim but for any bystanders. If someone in your home gets shocked by an electrical cord or appliance, there are several things you need to know about handling the situation effectively. First, you should not touch the affected individual directly; you too are likely to get electrocuted if power is still surging through the victim’s body. 

 

In the case of electrocution, the best course of action is for you to cut the power at the breaker box if possible. If you are unable to get to the box for any reason, attempt to cut the victim’s connection to the power source instead. This can be done by placing an insulated item, such as a piece of PVC piping, between the electrocuted person and the current. Remember, though, the most crucial thing is to get your local emergency responders to the site of the electrical shock as quickly as possible. They will be able to help the victim. 

 

Dealing with downed power lines:

 

On occasion, storms, tornadoes, and hurricanes cause power lines to fall while they are still live. Coming into contact with one of these lines can be extremely dangerous. If you notice downed power lines on your property, the first thing you should do is contact the authorities in your city or town. They will be able to notify the proper municipal department to remove the lines. It is also wise to keep you and your family members at least 40 feet away from the fallen lines at all times, even if you don’t think they are still live. 

 

Depending upon the type of electrical emergency you find yourself experiencing, you may want to contact an emergency electrician instead of, or even in addition to, traditional first responders. Our professionals at Brunelli offer 24/7 services and are available to assist clients like you whenever you happen to have an urgent electrical problem that requires immediate attention.

4 Common Electrical Problems

If you’re a homeowner, there are certain issues you expect to face from time to time. For instance, plumbing problems, roofing issues, and electrical repairs are to be anticipated. It can, however, be difficult to know how to deal with residential repairs, particularly if you don’t have any prior experience with homeownership. In this guide, Massachusetts homeowners will discover some of the most common electrical problems they are likely to face and how to handle them. 

Regular electrical surges 

Occasional power surges are normal and are often caused by lightning strikes and other natural occurrences. If, however, you and your family frequently experience power surges in your home, you should definitely have a professional check out the issue. Because many Massachusetts houses are historic, old, faulty wiring is a common cause of electrical surges. You could also have a problematic appliance connected to your home’s grid. 

Faulty light switches 

If you have light switches that aren’t working correctly in your house, there are a couple of probable causes. If your home was recently built, the issue may simply be a product of poor construction and low-end materials; a reputable electrician should be able to easily perform the necessary upgrades. If, on the other hand, your house is older and certain switches have never worked properly, they likely went with fixtures that were removed before you moved in. 

Costly electrical bills

If you’ve noticed that your family’s monthly electric bill has been higher than usual recently, you should take some time to consider why this is. Power surges are one cause of overly costly electrical bills; as stated previously, this issue should be dealt with by a professional. Furthermore, evaluate whether or not the members of your household are unplugging appliances when not in use and, if you have an electric furnace, consider the temperature you are keeping it at during cold Massachusetts winters. 

Recessed lights flicker frequently 

Recessed lighting has become extremely common in today’s houses. If your recessed lights often flicker, you should have a professional electrician assess the situation. In all likelihood, the light fixtures are equipped with a safety mechanism that causes them to shut off when they overheat. You probably need to use lower wattage bulbs or have the insulation in your ceiling moved away from the lights. 

 

Remember, it is important for all homeowners to have periodic residential electrical inspections. Many experts recommend having an electrician check your home for any electrical issues on an annual basis. If an emergency arises, contact Philip M Brunelli Jr. Electrician and his team! 

 

5 Things to Know About Home Rewiring

Rewiring a home, particularly if it is an older structure, can be quite a challenge. If you’ve never dealt with electrical wiring before, you probably have a lot of questions about whether or not you can handle a rewiring project on your own or not. After all, wiring can be dangerous and you certainly want to make sure you and your family are safe; safety concerns might have even been the catalyst for your upcoming project in the first place! As you read this guide, you’ll find five key things you need to know regarding home rewiring

Local Regulations

Many homeowners don’t realize that municipal building codes often extend to wiring. Your city or town probably has regulations regarding the number of outlets any given room should have based on its size, what sorts of wiring materials are acceptable, and even whether or not rooms are required to have a certain number of lighting fixtures. Professional electricians should know this information for the areas in which they operate, but it can be significantly more challenging for homeowners to make sure they are meeting all necessary codes on their own. 

A Solid Plan 

There’s a lot of mapping and preparation that goes into successfully rewiring any home. For starters, you will need to “chalk” the positions of any new outlets onto your walls. Then, you will have to determine how the current wiring system needs to be altered to account for these new plug-ins. This entire process typically requires expertise and can be difficult if you’ve never dealt with residential electrical planning in the past. 

Being Aware of Existing Systems

Remember, your home’s walls already have electrical and plumbing infrastructure inside of them. If you don’t know where these various lines are located, there is a risk of damaging them when you start making changes to your wiring. Being careful is absolutely key for both do-it-yourselfers and professionals when it comes to rewiring a house of any age!

A Single Appliance on Each Breaker 

It is wise to only have one appliance per breaker when you rewire your home. Otherwise, the risk of blown breakers is greatly increased. Furthermore, you will need to account for situations in which multiple outlets can control the same light fixtures or appliances; this can complicate rewiring. 

Considering Your New Hardware 

When a home is rewired, new outlets, outlet covers, and switch plate covers are typically also installed. Selecting this hardware can be tougher than homeowners are expecting due to all of the options on the market today! In addition to choosing styles that work with your home’s decor, you will have to, for instance, decide if you want your new outlets to be equipped with standard plugs only or USB ports as well. 

 

When all is said and done, the best choice is to work with Brunelli Electrician & the team to rewire your house. You will be able to rest assured that your project is in good hands and that your family’s safety is not at risk of being compromised. We offer exceptional customer service and take great pride in our work. Contact Brunelli online to discuss your residential wiring job!

How Often Do I Need an Electrical Inspection?

As a homeowner, there are a lot of intangibles that often get overlooked. More so than not, utility maintenance tasks are a number of the issues that pop up with the day to day upkeep of a home. No more than electrical issues, seeing as so many do not understand the workings and layout of electrical systems. For that reason, it is one major aspect of home maintenance you’ll want to do regularly. How often? That requires a bit of knowledge about electrical inspection and repair. For starters, there are a few things to note about electrical safety.

Electrical Safety

There’s a reason specific schools and programs solely focus on electrical work. For one, it is incredibly intricate, with numerous scientific and engineering elements to it. To lay an electrical network in a home, it takes quite a bit of time because each every small part is connected to one another. When one thing goes wrong, everything could come grinding to a halt. Likewise, if one thing is outdated or worn, its danger is spread to all of its connected parts. For that reason, electrical safety is of the utmost importance. Many home fires that occur are electrical related. This makes staying on top of electrical maintenance incredibly important.

On this note, there are a number of homeowners that will argue that you can check things out yourself. Sure, switching a pilot’s light is relatively easy and quick, but major electrical problems are best left up to the professionals. There are a ton of issues that come from mismanagement of the electrical circuit of your home, and even if you follow along with a YouTube video or online tutorial, there are too many intangibles that amateurs do not know about. For that reason, regular maintenance is crucial.

How Often Should I Inspect My Electrical System?

As listed above, doing any sort of your electrical inspection is going to be flawed from the get-go. In order to properly, safely inspect your electrical system, it should be done often and by a professional. On average, homeowners are nearly always behind on regular electrical inspection. For that reason, professionals recommend a checkup at the beginning of the summer and winter. These seasons are both times of extreme weather and conditions, as well as different electrical needs. Checking with Phillip M Brunelli Jr. Mater Electrician and his team twice a year on the condition of your electrical system ensure your home’s safety, as well as everyone living in it.

3 Things You Should Know About Fire Alarm Systems

Nowadays it’s pretty commonplace to have fire alarm systems in most homes. Even pre-war homes and apartments have been retrofitted over time due to fire codes and various building safety ordinance and regulations. Most of the time our fire alarm systems are simply an afterthought – how often do you think about it without those annoying ‘beeps’ to let you know the batteries need changing? It is exactly because of that very reason that we have listed out some good reasons to install or have your system regularly checked on.

 

Safety Is Important, Especially When You Least Expect It

 

It’s easy to sit around and be comfortable with the fact that you have a fire alarm system. After all, what can go wrong as long as you have a fire alarm? A lot, in fact. When a fire will start is anyone’s guess. What’s not entirely left to chance is whether or not you decide to put your fire alarm system through a variety of checks and tests. At least once a month, you should be checking your fire alarm system to make sure the batteries and sound systems operate properly. You never know when a circuit will short and a small house fire might develop.

 

Hard-Wire Systems Are Still Vulnerable And Need Back-Up

 

Making sure your hard-wired systems are not faulty or susceptible to shorting out is an important task. Unless you have a lot of experience working with electrical wiring (and even if you do) it is often best to leave these tasks to an electrician. For the same reason that you trust an IT expert even if you know a thing or two about a computer, it is best to leave the most important (and dangerous) check-ups to the professionals.

 

Fire Alarms Can Reduce Your Insurance

 

A good, reliable fire alarm system can reduce your insurance costs as well as ensuring payout of your policy in case there is a fire. Insurance companies are often relieved to see a pro-active homeowner. Talk to the electrician performing your installation for more information about other insurance cost-cutting safety options such as regular maintenance scheduling, etc.

 

All in all we can understand that fire alarm systems are helpful, however, too many of us write them off as unnecessary – after all, when was the last time you had a fire?  Just like in a casino, however, you shouldn’t gamble based on what has already happened – especially not with your life. Your best bet is to speak with a professional and to have your household electrician regularly perform check-ups on all your systems after installation. This way, you’ll sleep more safely at night knowing your house – and all your memories inside – are covered with protection and insurance. 

Why wait? Contact Phillip Brunelli and his team of electricians operating all over Eastern Massachusetts! Call (508)-400-5571 or request a free quote online!