Tag: How To | NextGen Electric

Heat Tape: Prepare NOW!

July 23, 2018March 27, 2017 by Next Gen

This year’s winter weather was one for the record books! If you’re in the Pacific Northwest, we are still holding our breath hoping that summer is just around the corner. Many home and commercial building owners had to deal with challenges when removing snow and ice from roof tops. Of course, that’s the time when we all think, “I wonder if heat tape would be helpful right now”.

If you’re not familiar with heat tape and its benefits, I’m going to tell you right now…call an electrician NOW to get it installed onto your roof. Yes, I know we’re heading into April and enjoying the nice (snow-free) mild weather, but now is the time to be thinking of next year’s snow and ice potential.

How Does It All Work?

When the joy of winter hits us, our roofs and gutters host massive amounts of snow and ice. When the sun is out and snow starts melting, the dripping water needs a path to drain off the roof. Heat tape can melt a channel in the underside of the snowpack on your roof and give water a route to drain out. And heat tape installed in gutters and downspouts allows water to drain away from the roof, rather than getting plugged up by a dam of ice.

*DISCLAIMER*

Be sure to keep an eye on your roof throughout winter for ice damming. If blocks of ice buildup under the snow, that could indicate inadequate insulation. Ice dams and icicles hanging from the roofline is a possible indication of not enough insulation in the attic. That’s an entire other conversation! However, if you do the air sealing and insulation work to begin with, the need for heat tape on the roof is drastically reduced.

How Does This Effect My Energy Bill?

Yes, those that have heat tape installed on roofs or in gutters to help prevent winter ice dams may find their energy bill heating up a bit. However, using a heat tape timer can help make the system run more efficiently when it’s needed, and turns it off automatically when it’s not needed.

The best time to run heat tape is during the day, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. whenever snow or ice is sitting on the roof. Heat tape is not effective enough to sufficiently melt ice during cold evenings, and it will just waste power all night long. The goal is to run heat tape only enough to keep a channel cut in the snow or ice.

There Are Cool Tricks To Help Saved Money When Using Heat Tape:

Installation of a heat tape system with a manual toggle switch will easily turn on the tape only when it’s needed, and switch it off later.

Tying the heat tape system into the building’s automation controls so the heat tape only operates when the air temperature is above 32 degrees and the sun is out.

A good rule of thumb if you keep things “old school” is to mark your calendar for mid-April or making a note to turn off heat tape at the breaker switch after the last big spring snow.

Next Gen Electric is always here to answer any questions regarding prepping your home or commercial building for cold weather. We offer FREE estimates and always provide education to help you stay successful. Give us a call today!

Home Generators: Preparing For Severe Weather

July 23, 2018November 28, 2016 by Next Gen

Winter weather in the Pacific Northwest can be unpredictable. Due to snow, ice, and high winds, downed power lines are to blame for power outages that can last for hours or days. Warm weather months is generally free from such harsh and long-term outages, however powerful thunderstorms can cause similar devastation.

A home generator is not only a convenience, but can be a life line for those that encounter loss of power throughout any season.

Braving The Cold

The thought of a power outage may bring positive memories. Thoughts of gathering everyone in the living room to play board games by candle light or tell stories with flashlights. It may even feel a little like camping. However, in cold weather, this type of togetherness could get old pretty quickly. It’s hard to have fun and create fond memories when you’re chilled to the bone. Even with today’s fireplaces, most of them aren’t built to heat entire rooms, only providing so much heat to go around.

Winter outages are known for kicking homeowners out, forcing them to retreat to hotels, friends, or family’s homes while repairs are made. You may be up for the trip, but what about your home? Your pipes could freeze causing thousands of dollars in damages. What about your pets? They may not be able to join you on your mini trip, and many small animals are able to survive intense cold.

Financial Hardships

Beating the heat in the summer may be harder than it sounds. You may be able to cool off by sleeping in the basement for a couple days, if you have one, but your home may not be so lucky. Not only would you miss your home amenities like a microwave and cell phone charger, but after 24 hours, your freezer will produce spoiled food. If you have more than one freezer, that’s just more food to worry about.

Today’s generators can run on propane gas or gasoline and can be installed with a transfer switch so they come on after a power outage regardless if you’re home or not. That way, if your home loses power while you’re away, you’re home and everything in it will be safe.

Protect yourself, your family, and your home by investing in a home generator and allow Next Gen Electric to provide the installation. We’ll be happy to provide new or updated outlets for your generator to ensure you’re ready for any season.

Halloween Electrical Safety Tips

July 23, 2018October 31, 2016 by Next Gen

For most of us, Halloween and decorating with lights indoors and outdoors is the kick off to the holiday season.

As you and your family celebrate Halloween with elaborate decorations, fun costumes, and candle lit displays, Next Gen Electric wants to make sure you are equipped with the following electrical safety tips to help you and all your little trick-or-treaters remain safe.

Always select/create costumes, decorations, and accessories made from flame-resistant, flame-retardant, or non-combustible materials.
Toss out the flame candles and use flashlights or battery-operated candles when decorating your home including your outdoor lighting: Jack-O-Lanterns, and other outdoor displays.
Carefully inspect each decoration before use. cracked, frayed, or bare wires can cause serious electric shock or start a fire.
Plug your outdoor decorations into circuits protected by a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) to prevent electric shock.
Are your electrical decorations you plan to use outdoors are marked “For Outdoor Use”? If not, ditch them and get outdoor graded décor.
Keep your electrical cords out of high-traffic areas, including doorways and walkways, to minimize tripping hazards.
Don’t nail or staple light strings or extension cords. They cause damage to the cord’s insulation and can create fire and shock hazards.
Don’t forget to turn off your electrical decorations and put out any open flames before leaving your home or going to bed.

Next Gen Electric is your electrical and solar expert. We have over 15 years of experience supporting homeowners to stay safe while connected in their home.

Give us a call today for any electrical or solar needs!

ReplacingYour Smoke Alarm FAQ’s

July 23, 2018October 12, 2016 by Next Gen

Did You Know That Your Smoke Alarm Has An Expiration Date?

It does!

Every smoke alarm has a manufacturer’s date. According to the National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code (NFPA 72), it’s required that all smoke alarms be replaced within 10 years of that date. Actually, the manufacture’s instructions for most smoke alarms state that they are to be replaced when they fail to respond. This could be BEFORE their expiration date of 10 years.

What does that mean for you?

It’s Time To Check Your Smoke Alarms!

Be sure to walk around your home and check all smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms for their manufacture’s date. This can be found either on the side of the alarm or the back cover. In order to check, you’ll need to remove the alarm from it’s base on the ceiling. To do this, twist the alarm counter-clockwise.

It’s best to replace the alarm with the same manufactured alarm so that no other assembly is required. The new alarm from the same manufacturer can be placed on the ceiling or wall plate with no problems. However, if you’re replacing the old alarm with a different manufacturer, you will need to remove the old ceiling plate and install the new one included with your new alarm. Once you’ve replaced your new alarm, be sure to test out the unit by pushing the center button to make sure it’s working correctly.

If your alarm is hard-wired into the ceiling, but sure to take extreme caution to keep everyone safe. If you know how to work with electrical wiring, follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Otherwise, contact a qualified electrician.

Next Gen offers FREE consultations for any electrical service and we are happy to replace your old smoke alarms including testing them. Give us a call today to schedule your appointment.

For a more detailed and step by step demonstration of these steps, watch our how-to video “Don’t Wait, Check The Date”.

Keeping Organized On The Go

July 23, 2018August 11, 2016 by Next Gen

Between the office, paperwork, and appointments, there are a lot of things to juggle while on the job. One of the most important aspects of Next Gen’s organization starts with our work vehicles.

You may think of a commercial vehicle as transportation from place to place, but it’s actually a key element of success. Electrical contractors are constantly on the go and many of us work right out of our vehicles. A work van is one of the biggest financial investments and ensuring that it is well organized has massive benefits.

An organized work van is the foundation on which a successful business is built. It’s essential to transport the people and tools you need to get the job done. If your vehicle is in disarray, you run the risk of money and equipment loss and you may unintentionally endanger your technicians.

How can an organized van benefit your business?

Safety

A clean organized van keeps everything and everyone safe. Loose tools in the back of your van are dangerous to both you and your equipment. In the event of a sudden stop, unrestrained tools can become dangerous causing damage and possible injury.

Try organizing your equipment with partitions, storage modules, and drawers to keep your van cargo areas neat and safe. I found great deals and smart options at American Van.

Inventory

Organization also helps you manage your supply inventory. When your tools and equipment stay in the same place, it’s easy to know when something should be restocked or replaced. Keep track of everything up-front to avoid the need to re-purchase expensive tools.

In addition to proper organization, it is a good idea to map the contents within your van and clearly label each drawer, shelf, and cabinet to improve inventory management. There are systems out there that are super cool and user friendly. I’ve really enjoyed using Platt In Motion from Platt Tools. Their system allows me to print off bar code labels from their app online. I can track any items purchased from their store and see what inventory is lacking in my supply. However, if you’re looking to keep it simple, just stick a piece of masking tape on each storage unit and record the name. Not only will this aid in organization and inventory, but with labeled equipment, you can save a lot of time in your search for the tools you need and get the job done quicker.

Branding

When a customer sees your work van pull up in front of their home, they instantly form a first impression of your company. Keep your vehicle organized and clean (inside and out) to ensure your first impression is a good one. An organized van signals professionalism and demonstrates that customers can rely on you to get the work done quickly and efficiently.

Ultimately, a well-organized van will save you both time and money. The less time you have to spend on the hunt for the necessary tools for a job will increase the productivity and efficiency of your company. Take time out of your busy schedule to clean and organize your work vehicle. Just 10 minutes a day will help to increase your productivity and security. Don’t be surprised if you also get more work! Word of mouth is the most common and effortless marketing tool you can use. With a clean and organized work vehicle enabling you and your company to be better focused at the great work you do, take notice of more and more customers coming your way.

How To Clean Solar Panels

July 26, 2018April 21, 2016 by Next Gen

Solar panels are generally self-cleaning, but in particularly dry areas or where panel tilt is minimal, dust and other substances such as bird droppings can build up over time and impact on the amount electricity generated by a module. Grime and bird poop doesn’t need to cover an entire panel to have an effect.

Tips for cleaning solar panel glass:

Safety First

Follow the procedure in your manual for shutting down the system before commencing cleaning. For safety reasons, it’s also wise to clean your panels from the ground if possible. A good quality soft brush and a squeegee with a plastic blade on one side and a cloth covered sponge on the other coupled with a long extension can make for the perfect tools allowing you to stay on the ground. Use a hose with a suitable nozzle to allow the stream of water to reach the panels. NOTE: If cleaning your panels from the ground is not possible, do not attempt to access your rooftop unless you have the appropriate safety equipment and training. If you don’t; hire a suitably qualified professional instead.

Time of Day

Clean your panels on an overcast day, early in the morning or in the evening. If the sun is beating down on the panels, any water used can quickly evaporate and dirt will become smeared. Early morning can be a particularly good time for cleaning as dew that has settled on the panels overnight will likely have softened grime; meaning you’ll need to use less water and less energy to clean your solar panels. If the panels are dry, before tackling the modules with water, brush off any loose materials first – this will make cleaning easier and faster.

Materials

Don’t use metal objects or harsh abrasive products for removing caked on materials – scratching the glass on a solar panel can affect its performance as scratches will cast shadows. Avoid using detergents if possible as these may streak the glass of the panel. Use of abrasive powders also risks scratching the panels. Given the nature of good quality solar panel glass, clean water and a little scrubbing with a coarse cloth covered sponge or soft brush should remove the most stubborn grime. Plastic scourers may also be used. If your mains-supplied water is hard (mineral-rich) and rainwater is available; use that as a final rinse; then squeegee dry. If hard water is all you have, just be sure to squeegee well as mineral-laden water can form deposits on glass as it dries.

Dealing with Oily Stains

Oily stains can occur in some installation scenarios, such as if you live near an airport and are under a flight path or if you live adjacent to and downwind of a major roadway frequented by trucks. If oily stains start appearing on your panels; isopropyl alcohol can be used as a spot-cleaning substance..

The final word on solar panel cleaning:

The old saying “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” applies – in most residential installation scenarios, solar panel cleaning just isn’t worth the bother – or the potential danger if accessing your rooftop. Unless dirt is clearly visible or performance is noticeably impacted; simply let nature do the job for you.