The weather in the Medford, Oregon, area is starting to cool down as we transition from summer to fall. As the temperatures fall, homeowners will inevitably become more reliant on their electric appliances. To help you secure the safety of your home this season, look at the following fall electrical safety tips.

Use Space Heaters With Caution

Space heaters are a good means of warming a room without using your heating unit. However, space heaters can present a fire hazard if you don’t use them carefully. You should always ensure that there is nothing flammable anywhere near the space heater and refrain from plugging a space heater into an extension cord.

Examine Your Extension Cords

When the holidays arrive, you will probably need to get out the extension cords to plug in your exterior and interior lights. Before you start decking the halls, be sure to check the cords thoroughly for any signs of damage and ensure that the ones you want to use outside are weather-rated. Much like space heaters, electric blankets are another appliance that you should refrain from putting anything flammable near when in use.

Examine Your Outdoor Electrical Equipment

Inspect your outdoor electrical equipment that you plan on using when the temperatures get chilly. Look carefully at each device for any signs of wear and don’t forget to examine their power cords.

Sweep and Rake Leaves

Leaves that contact electrical sparks can easily catch on fire. When the leaves start falling, make sure they are nowhere near exterior electrical outlets, power chords, or lights.

Check and Test Smoke Alarms

Because you’ll be using more of your electrical appliances when the weather is colder, make a point to check your smoke alarms to ensure they are functioning correctly.

Be Cautious When Using Electrical Appliances Outside

There will ultimately be more moisture in the air in the autumn than in the summer, so be sure that any electrical appliance you plan to use outside is weatherproof. If you have any outdoor electrical outlets, cover them with bubble covers to prevent rain from getting in.

Properly working electrical services are important to keeping your business open, and your employees productive. Winters Electric has experience working in commercial buildings, tending to maintenance, repairs, and replacements as needed. Whatever help you need, Winters Electric will provide quality workmanship and stellar customer service. Let us help you with your Medford business’s electrical needs.

Electrical Panel Upgrades

Just like the one at your home, your building’s electrical panel is one of the central aspects to supplying power to your building. Overloaded panels can lead to fire, electrocution, loss of electricity, even higher energy bills. As such, you need to perform regular maintenance or upgrade your panel, as necessary.

Winters Electric will conduct an inspection of your business’s electrical system, checking for safety and insurance requirements and seeing if your panel is due for an upgrade. If it is, we can perform the necessary work with minimal interruptions, letting your work run safely and smoothly.

Security Lighting

Security lighting helps discourage criminal activity, protecting your business from lost inventory and revenue. We will conduct an evaluation of the inside and outside of your building, and then give you our recommended plan for how to best set up security lights. When you’re ready to go, we can help you set up your system and help keep your assets safe.

Code Consulting

Part of any commercial operation is keeping up to date with all codes required to hold a business license. If you need to adjust your electrical wiring or just want to make sure your building follows compliance standards, we can conduct an inspection and repair any areas that need it, letting you focus on growing your business.

Special Lighting and Remodeling

Lighting can play a role in how potential customers view your business space, so you want to have the best setup possible. Winters Electric can add accent, track, and other types of specialty lighting to help give your building the desired feel. Thinking of remodeling an area? We can help manage any electrical installations or adjustments necessary.

As a business owner, you have plenty of things to think about. Don’t worry that your electrical system isn’t up to date. Trust Winters Electric to provide quality service for all your Medford commercial electricity needs.

When you need electrical services in Medford and southern Oregon, then you can count on the technicians at Winters Electric. Locally owned and operated, our licensed and insured team provides comprehensive services for all types of electrical needs. Count on us for a job well done.

Residential Services

Working electricity in the home is important to comfortable living and a safe home. Winters Electric provides services for solutions to problems, building new homes and renovations, and our team of skilled technicians can handle any service needs, including:

• Electrical panel upgrades
• Outdoor landscape lighting
• Ceiling fan installation
• Smoke and carbon monoxide alarm maintenance and installation
• Swimming pools
• Specialty lighting

When it comes taking care of the electrical needs in your Medford Home, count on Winters Electric to have the skill and knowledge to handle it all.

Commercial Services

Commercial building and business owners have their own considerations to think about when it comes to electricity. In addition to keeping the power running to all areas of the building, they also need to comply with all building codes and keep after-hours security in mind. Winters Electric can conduct necessary inspections to electrical panels and other parts of the system to ensure everything is in working order. When you want to renovate or add specialty lighting, we provide those services as well.

Generator Repair

Generators can be a great benefit when your home or business doesn’t have access to regular power, especially during inclement weather. When you need generator installation, maintenance, repair, or replacement, trust Winters Electric. We serve as an Eaton electric contractor, bringing the best electrical generators on the market to you.

24-Hour Emergency Services

When you have an electrical emergency, you don’t want to waste your time trying to get in touch with an electrician who isn’t providing service. Winters Electric can handle all forms of electrical emergencies quickly and efficiently. Whether it’s a faulty outlet or a power outage, we provide 24/7 services to help restore your home and keep you safe from potential damages.

No matter your needs, Winters Electric is here to serve your Medford home or business. If you have a problem, reach out to us – we provide free estimates, upfront costs, and top-quality service, every time.

Homeowners in Medford, Oregon, recognize how much they depend on their air conditioners and fans when the temperatures begin to rise. Unfortunately, the appliances we depend on the most are not immune to the effects of aging, so it is important for homeowners to prepare for any unexpected malfunctions when the hottest months of the year arrive. Take a look at the following two most prevalent electric issues homeowners experience in the summer to prepare in advance for any problems that may arise.

Surges

A power surge happens when your home undergoes an increase in electrical currents. Household appliances such as air conditioners and refrigerators need large amounts of power to function, making them prone to cause surges. Surges might also occur because of defective wiring within a home. Lightning strikes are another potential cause for power surges, and they also have the power to ruin electronic appliances such as televisions and computers.

Keep in mind that an extremely powerful surge can incite a fire within a matter of minutes. Homeowners can decrease the chances of a power surge harming their homes and appliances by purchasing surge protectors and power strips.

Over-Loaded Circuit Lines

When a home is wired accurately and properly, all rooms will have the correct wiring and circuits relying on the specific watt usage in each room. As an example, bedrooms and living areas in a home usually have appliances such as fans, alarm clocks, and lights, which all require lower amp circuit lines. Since kitchens and laundry areas in a home tend to have appliances like air conditioners, washing machines, and refrigerators, they need higher amp circuit lines to sustain higher energy usage. If you over-amp any of these circuit lines until they surpass the volume they are designed to handle, they will eventually cause the power in a room to go out.

Over-amping circuits are common problems in the warmer months when people use additional cooling devices in rooms that were not wired to handle that much power. You can prevent tripping your electrical circuits by being mindful of where you plug in devices and being aware that you can’t just add another window air conditioner without risking overloading the lines.

Carbon monoxide is a silent, odorless killer, persistent in many homes today. Health issues associated with carbon monoxide poisoning often go undiagnosed due to their similarity to other illnesses. Without a carbon monoxide detector, your family could be exposed to this potentially deadly gas without you even being aware there is a problem. Installing carbon monoxide detectors in your home can save you and your family from illness or death.

The Problem by the Numbers

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, between 1999 and 2010 there were over 5,100 deaths from unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning. As homes become better sealed for energy efficiency, any carbon monoxide in the house is less likely to escape, leading to greater numbers of problems. The most significant risk of poisoning comes for those who are over 65 years of age and those suffering from breathing and lung problems. In addition to the deaths from carbon monoxide, many thousands of illnesses occur each year.

Health Risks From Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide displaces oxygen in the blood, leading to serious health problems when with significant amounts of carbon monoxide get into the bloodstream. Common symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include headache, nausea, and vomiting. It is easy to see how these symptoms could be mistaken for other health problems before carbon monoxide becomes apparent as the source of the issue. Those with heart problems may see their conditions worsen with large amounts of carbon monoxide exposure, and even otherwise healthy individuals may develop heart problems when exposed over a long period.

Carbon Monoxide Detectors Save Lives

The benefits of having a carbon monoxide detector may be obvious; however, simply grabbing a box off the counter at the local hardware store may not be enough to protect your home. There are varying levels of detection available in retail stores, and it is not always obvious which is best for your home. Additionally, different detectors must be installed at different heights to provide the appropriate levels of alert. If not installed correctly, these detectors may provide little or no benefit to your family. Having an electrician determine the best detector for your home and professionally install it is the best way to ensure that your home is safe from this deadly gas.

We are approaching the end of a long winter, and spring is near once again. Spring is one of the best times of the year for enjoying the benefits of ceiling fans in your home, which makes now the perfect time to think about installing some. Ceiling fans offer many benefits and make a lasting contribution to your comfort.

Add a Touch of Style

Ceiling fans come in several stylish choices. You can choose from many different lighting accessories that will make a room shine. The fan’s blades contribute to the aesthetics of a room as well, and there are a multitude of colors and styles from which to choose. From modern looking stainless-steel blades to fans with the appearance of large leaves, you can find a ceiling fan to complement the style of any room.

Energy Savings

Ceiling fans are best at saving on cooling costs. A fan operates by making you feel cooler, rather than providing a great deal of cooling to the room. Air conditioners spend a lot of energy to bring the temperature of a room down to more comfortable levels, while a ceiling fan can make a slightly warmer room feel more comfortable. Often, a ceiling fan alone is enough to make the room feel great, and can save you money all season long.

Modern Convenience

Technology has come a long way since the early days of the ceiling fan. While you can still find fans that simply hang from the ceiling, providing light and air circulation, many modern ceiling fans come equipped with other conveniences.

Ceiling fans now often operate from a remote control that allows you to adjust the fan speed and turn the lights on or off from the comfort of your couch or bed. Some of these are accessible via an app that controls adjustments to your fan from your phone or other mobile device so it doesn’t matter if you lose the remote. Some ceiling fans now offer Bluetooth-connected speakers, so you can turn your fan into a source of music for a room as well.

Whatever choice you make, the ceiling fan is a great addition to almost any room and will add to comfort and pleasure in your home. Make sure to have your fan installed by a certified electrician to ensure safety and optimal functioning.

As winter looms and creatures big and small head indoors, make sure your home’s electrical system is ready to face the increased load brought on by winter. Here are some tips for what you should do to stay safe in your home.

1. Inspect outlets to see if there are any loose plugs. These can overheat and lead to a fire.
2. Test all ground fault circuit outlets to ensure they properly reset when the test button is compressed.
3. In homes with small children, shield all outlets with safety covers. Tuck away wires that might get pulled, but do so in a way that doesn’t increase the wires’ heat exposure.
4. Check all your electrical cords to make sure they are in good condition. Avoid using electrical tape to fix these wires; replace them with new ones.
5. Assess light bulb wattage throughout your home. You don’t want the wrong wattage in a fixture. This also is a good time to switch out old bulbs for energy-efficient models, such as LED.
6. Conduct tests of all smoke and carbon dioxide or monoxide detectors. Take the time to replace all the batteries with fresh ones. If you find a faulty detector, get it changed immediately. If the detectors are hardwired, you may need an electrician to help with those that are non-functional.
7. Be mindful of overloading plugs with power strips and extra lights. As convenient as it is to have all your decorative lights on a single switch, this increases the risk of an electrical fire. Make sure any power strips or extension cords used meet the minimum requirements for any lighting you plug in.
8. Exchange older decorative lights for newer, safer, more energy efficient LED lights. This reduces your electric bill and reduces the risk of a fire because of the reduced power requirements.

Give Winter Electric a call if you have any questions or need your electrical system inspected or replaced.