Electric Company Archives -

July 1, 2019July 1, 2019

Electrical Safety and Childproofing Measures for Your Home

Hidden and Not-So-Hidden Dangers of Electricity in the Home

Awareness is Key!

The natural curiosity of children can lead to harm if you do not childproof your home for electrical safety and teach them the basics about the power of electricity and the potential dangers it holds.

As many as 2.5 million children are injured or hurt by hazards within their own home each year.

The O’Grady Companies, your Frederick County, MD electrical contractor company, cares about you and your family; sharing helpful electrical safety tips to keep you and your family safe.

Keep in Mind

Electricity flows through water easily. Since our bodies are 70 percent water, electricity can travel through your bodies.
Power cords and appliances can be as dangerous as electrical power lines if proper safety precautions are not followed.
Electricity has the power to cause shocks, burns, and be deadly.

Outlets

Be sure to block unused outlets by using childproof caps and changing to solid cover plates.
Do not place any object other than the appropriate size plug into an outlet.
Never overload outlets with multiple adaptors or power strips. Simply relocate cords instead.
Never pull an electric plug out of the wall outlet by yanking on the electric cord.
Never stick fingers or any other objects into an electrical outlet or light bulb socket.
Worn, frayed or damaged electrical cord should be unplugged, discarded, and removed from reach.

Appliances

Unplug kitchen and other appliances and stow cords safely away from reach of pets and young children.
Never place any electrical appliance near water such as sinks, bathtubs, pools, or jacuzzis.
Electrical appliances should never be operated with hands that are wet or while standing in water.
Unplug an electrical appliance prior to cleaning it.
Be sure to keep any flammable or potentially combustible materials (clothes, curtains, toys, etc.) at bay from radiators, space heaters, heating vents, and other heat sources.

Safety Outdoors

Do not try and get an item that is stuck or tangled in a power line – call the power company.
Never climb utility poles.
If there is a fallen electrical wire, stay away from it. Call the power company to report the downed wire or call 911.
Call 911 immediately when an object or person is in contact or touching a wire that is down.
Take extra care when carrying a ladder or pool skimmer to avoid touching overhead electrical wires.
Never climb trees that are near power lines or have power lines running through them.
Steer clear of any power lines when flying a kite or carrying Mylar or helium-filled balloons on strings.
Never throw objects at or onto electric power lines.
If a friend, family member or pet is in contact with a downed electrical line or any type of electrical equipment, call 911 immediately.
Never go swimming during an electrical storm.
Do not fly model airplanes or any remote-controlled toys near overhead power lines. Play with these in open fields or park areas.
If you are operating an electrical tool, using an electrical appliance or playing with an electrical toy outside, stay at least 10 feet away from any wet surface or pool area.

If you have any additional questions or concerns about the electrical safety of your home, give the best electricians near you a call. We’ll be happy to answer or come out for a home inspection to ensure all your electric and wiring is up to code and there are no hidden dangers.

You can never be too cautious when it comes to electrical safety and awareness. Just reviewing these points can potentially stop an accident or save a life.

June 14, 2019June 14, 2019

Energy Saving Tips for Maryland Residents

Implementing some of the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) and other expert’s energy saving tips below, Maryland residents can save big over time. With the money saved, you’ll wonder why you didn’t do some of these sooner

An Easy Path

Brrr. Use cold water in top loading washing machines and you can save money (up to $63+ a year) and save energy. Cold water formulated detergents like Tide, Gain, and 7^th Generation get your clothes just as clean in cold water.

Who knew? A plasma TV left plugged in can cost big in a year – $159.76 big! Wow! So, it’s a money-saver to unplug your TV when not in use.

Cut it short. Low-flow showerheads can achieve substantial savings -between 25% – 60%! Taking short showers and bank the extra savings!

Little Changes Can Mean Big Savings

Bright Idea! CFLs last up to 10 times longer than incandescent and use 75% less electricity! This can save up to $65 over the lifetime of the light bulb.

Turn it down. Turning your water heater temperature to the warm setter of 120 degrees saves energy and is also safer for the family, reducing the risk of scalding.

Do the math. For 8 hours and turning your thermostat back 10% – 15% – you can save as much as 10% on your energy bill AND that’s can add up to a substantial annual savings.

Fawn over your fan. Ceiling and window fans provide not only added cooling and better circulation, but it allows you to raise the thermostat so you can cut down on air conditioning costs and save energy.

Lights out. With the average household dedicating 11% of its energy budget to lighting; turning off lights when not in use is definitely a bright idea! Wasted energy = wasted money.

Get the Whole Family on Board

Pump it up. Pump up your tires and pump up the gas mileage savings by 3% with properly inflated tires. Who knew?!

Fun and savings. Spend your savings on a different type of fun when you to unplug your gaming system when not in use. A game console left plugged in can cost roughly $25.73 a year.

Don’t forget about the laptop! Laptops cost too, when left plugged in – an estimated $15.90 annually.

Pass Along the Tips and the Savings

Dracula’s Summer. Since windows account for 10%-25% of your energy bill and during the summer your AC has to work hard to cool the hot air from those sunny windows – shut the curtains and the shades. Give your AC and your energy bill a place to rest. 😉

Keep it full. Not only will your family love you, but you will also save when you keep your fridge temperature between 37 and 40 degrees (F). AND … keep your refrigerator full because it allows less cold air to escape when the door is open.

By following just a few of these practical and simple energy saving tips, you can make your home run more efficiently and save money. Be sure to also schedule a yearly maintenance check on your heating and air so you keep your systems in tip-top, energy-efficient shape!

Consider as well, the O’Grady Companies now offers certified thermography services for both homes and businesses. This is a preventative maintenance procedure on your electrical panel that can detect problems and save you money!

May 11, 2019May 13, 2019

Upgrade Your Kitchen with Under Cabinet Lighting

Under cabinet lighting is the most exciting and memorable finishing touch for your upgrade, remodel, or brand new kitchen or bar.

You have meticulously chosen the perfect paint colors, carefully installed complimentary cabinets and countertops, and upgraded to appliances that even Jane Jetson would be envious of, now don’t miss the final exclamation point … under cabinet lighting! It’s the little things that mean the most sometimes and this can bring you from ‘stellar to stunning’ in the flick of a switch!

There are many lighting choices to explore and compare.

Under cabinet lighting gives a warm, low light that highlights your kitchen features and task areas when you don’t need or want bright lights. To guide midnight snackers or early risers, the blare will be kept at bay. Aesthetically speaking, under cabinet lighting is exquisitely beautiful when reflected against granite or stone countertops, as the lighting highlights the various mica flecks and additional subtle glimmer from natural materials.

Oh, what to choose, what to choose …

Puck Lighting

True to the name, puck light resembles the design of a hockey puck lights cast focused light on special design features such as the faucet ensemble or the custom backsplash. This is a type of recessed lighting.

Under cabinet Strip Lighting

Also recessed, under cabinet strip lighting are sleek and slim and in LED or fluorescent strips. Rope lighting is also another option; however, the light is not as powerful so you may need to rely more on overhead lighting.

LED

LED lighting is energy efficient, so you won’t worry about the lights remaining on for extended periods of time. You can also consider motion detecting sensors to have the lights come on by themselves or dimmer control to adjust the brightness level.

A homeowner can install under cabinet lights; however, having a certified electrician install this for you is a wise choice. This affords you the peace of mind that best lights for your needs are chosen with the proper wattage, any unsightly wires go unseen, and everything is correctly installed.

Kitchen design enhancement with under cabinet lighting

With the added benefits of under cabinet lighting from beauty to practicality, it is definitely something you don’t want to overlook. So get with your designer and Frederick, MD electrical contractors, the O’Grady Electric Companies and showcase your new design in the perfect light!

March 31, 2019April 14, 2019

Find the Right Residential Electrical Contractor

You love your older home. You’ve outgrown your current home, but not the location. Now, you’re thinking about renovating, an addition, a build-out, or an expansion so you can stay where you are and have your home meet your needs and your growth. You realize now is the time to find the right residential electrical contractor.

For older homes, it’s important to get a reputable, certified electrician near you. They will assess your current electrical needs and provide an estimate for updating old wiring and bring everything up to code making it safe for you and your family.

For build-outs and expansion, a local residential electrical contractor can help make your dreams a reality. Plus, they always have a good connection (pun intended ;)) with other qualified and reputable contract workers.

A few things to be on the lookout for:

Know if your electrician is licensed and insured

A good guide to follow is that an electrician (or any contractor) who took the time to get the proper insurance values his trade and clients. This means that he makes the relevant investment to deliver great service. This also affords you additional comfort knowing you are completely covered in the event circumstances go awry.

Ask a neighbor who did their exterior lighting.

Ask family and friends

People you trust are the best resources! They can steer you in the right direction or steer you away from potential mayhem. If you like your neighbors outdoor or landscape lighting, bring over coffee and have a chat. Get the name of reputable residential electricians from those around you – you’ll be glad you did.

Look for customer reviews to find a reputable residential electrical contractor.

Search for reviews

The internet is an open book when it comes to finding out about companies and their goods and services. Look at the reviews on a company’s social media profile (Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, etc.) and on their Google Business profile. These platforms allow people to share their experience and give honest feedback. Look for high levels of engagement on social media as well. Note if they have good feedback and conversations with their clients and answer questions timely, addressing all issues.

Find out the pricing of the electric company you’re considering

‘To be forewarned is to be forearmed’ – no truer words. No sticker shock when you do your homework. Compare prices and read the fine print; this will help guide you in making the best decision based on your needs and budget. Price should not be the focused factor in your decision; however, it does help you assess the value in accordance with your budget.

O’Grady Electrical Companies is the residential electrical contractor Frederick County residents rely on. No matter what your electrical needs are, we have the right solution, at the right price, give us a call!