OBOT Energy

Why DIY Electrical Work is a Dangerous Idea

Thu, 16 Jun 2016 15:11:31 Z

"I can do this electrical work myself and save money," you tell yourself. Homeowners can occasionally get a romantic idea of themselves as weekend warriors: trips to the home improvement store, researching tutorials on YouTube, and rolling up their sleeves to make their dream home a reality. There’s nothing wrong with any of that, until it comes to electricity. Electricity is inherently dangerous and if a job isn't done right, the danger of electrocution or fire is multiplied exponentially. The cost of hiring an electrician is far less than the price you pay if something goes wrong with your amateur electrical work. DIY'ers who venture into the electrical world as part of their home improvement projects rarely come away with a positive experience because DIY electrical work is a really bad idea.

Here are a few reasons why:

It’s Very Dangerous

Possibly the most important reason for not DIY'ing electrical repairs is that performing electrical work on your own is downright dangerous. Shoddy work can result in accidental electrocution of yourself or others within your home, which could be fatal. Simply put, it’s not worth saving a little bit of money when you could continue to be alive come Monday morning. It’s as simple as that.

It’s Often Ineffective, and Expensive

Unqualified electrical work, even when it doesn’t cause injury or damage, has a high probability of premature failure, shorting, or necessitate extensive repairs later on. Unless you have experience as a licensed electrician, performing electrical work within your own home is highly inadvisable.

It Can Cause Fires

Electrical fires are among some of the most devastating to homes and buildings and lead to billions of dollars in damages per year. According to a report by the National Electrical Manufacturer’s Association, the annual cost of damages, deaths, and injuries due to electrical fires totals $3.4 billion per year in the United States alone. Firefighting officials cite electrical fires as one of the leading causes of injuries to firefighters each year, suggesting that nearly 60 percent of all injuries to firefighters occur as a result of electrical fires.

It’s Not to Code

All aspects of electrical work--from wire nuts to cable connectors--are governed by very strict codes. There’s a reason why electrical codes for buildings and structures exist, and if your own DIY electrical work isn’t up to current standards, you may render your homeowner’s insurance invalid. So even if your “handiwork” holds up for a while, any damage that occurs in the future won’t be covered by your insurance. Saving a few bucks in the short term may cost you much more later on. If a fire loss claim results from wiring you installed, the company may classify you in a higher risk category, or in some cases your insurance company may fail to honor your claim entirely.

So remember – if you think you need a professional for your electrical repair, it's likely that you do. It’s better to bring in a professional electrician to ensure your electrical project is safe and reliable for the long-term integrity of your home or office building. When your project calls for a professional touch, contact the professionals at Obot Electric today.

Image Source, labeled for reuse.

8 Benefits of LED Lighting

Tue, 17 May 2016 11:58:10 Z

LED bulbs are the latest advancement in lighting, and offer a great alternative in replacing your current halogen or standard lights. Below is a list of ways that having OBOT Electric install LED lighting in your home can save you time, energy and money:

8 Benefits of Installing LED Lighting:

Energy Efficiency
On average, a standard 50W halogen lamp turns 90% of electricity used into heat, with only 10% of that energy converted into light. LED Lights use only 15% of the energy a standard halogen uses, providing up to 85% of the light output. And because they put off no heat, they reduce cooling expenses and can be used in much more areas.
Long Life Span
LED Lights have the benefit of a super long life span of up to 80,000 hours which means you can cut maintenance costs. LED lamps last up to 8-10 times longer than standard halogen lamps making them an ideal replacement. If you have a hard-to-reach light fixture, LEDs are ideal because you won't need to go to the trouble to replace them as often.
Improved Durability
LED's have no filaments, and contain no glass components, so they are not vulnerable to vibration or breakage like conventional bulbs, making them a great solution for sports facilities, outdoor areas, and more. And since they don’t emit heat, you can install them in more areas safely.
Compact Size
LED Light bulbs can be as small as 2mm, making them ideal for fitting into hard to reach and compact areas. Architectural features in your home can be highlighted with LED lighting
Fast Switching
LED Lights will start at full brightness, instantly, every time, therefore there is no need for backup lighting. LED Lights are a benefit because they switch on and off instantly making them ideal for flashing signs, traffic signaling and automotive lights, compared to standard compact fluorescent lights which fade in and out or flicker.
Safety
Most LED lights operate at low voltage so are cool to touch and much safer to handle during installation and maintenance and can be exposed to rain and snow.
Environmentally Friendly
The benefit of LED Lights is that they are an eco-friendly form of lighting as they do not contain mercury or other harmful gasses or emit any harmful UV rays. For example, a 13w LED light emits 68% less CO2 than a standard 40w incandescent bulb running 10 hours per day.
Energy Savings= Reduced Utility Cost
You may not think that a light bulb contributes very much to your overall energy costs. But to the contrary, lights that you use often in areas like your kitchen, bathroom or bedroom will utilize a considerable amount of energy because of the frequency and length of time they are used. By reducing the overall energy use from your lighting, you can reduce your ongoing utility costs. This doesn’t even take into account the replacement of the bulbs, which you won’t be doing nearly as often as you would with standard halogens.

For more information about LED installation service offered by OBOT Electric, or to learn more about the manufacturers we represent, contact us today!

4 Tips for Choosing a Qualified Electrician

Fri, 01 Apr 2016 13:13:42 Z

If you have a little knowledge regarding electrical work, you can easily change light bulbs and adjust your breaker when you've got too much plugged in. However, for pretty much any electrical work beyond that, you need to hire a qualified, licensed, and certified electrician. This includes even the smallest of tasks, like installing an additional power outlet or light switch.

Why hire the professionals at OBOT Electric? Because a professional electrician can make all the different to the quality of the work done, while also ensuring you are safe from all electrical hazards. But, how do you choose the right electrician, and what makes them qualified? Here are 4 ways to ensure you are choosing a qualified electrician for your project.

Time for a Little Research
When it comes to choosing the right electrician to handle your electrical work, it is important to perform a little research. You can start by searching the internet for a few electricians and list them down or you can ask friends or family members to refer you someone they know who can perform a professional job. Regardless of the research, it is vital you search for electricians that are certified and have the license to perform electrical work in your home. This ensures you get the best and nothing less!
Browse Their Website
Once you have shortlisted a few electricians, take a look at their websites to gain a little more information. This includes searching whether or not they are a local electrician and provide services in the local area of Seattle and the Greater Puget Sound. If not, look elsewhere to avoid being charged for the electrician to travel for the job. Apart from this, browse through the testimonials on the websites to gain vital details regarding the quality of job done and the level of consumer satisfaction. You can look for deals, work examples, or discounts offered by each electrician.
Are They Licensed and Insured?
While browsing their website, don’t forget to check whether or not the electricians are licensed, insured, and certified. Keep in mind the law states you must have a licensed electrician to perform electrical services in your home or business. This way, you can ensure all tasks done are guaranteed with 100% satisfaction. Hiring an electrician who carries insurance also protects you in circumstances where an accident occurs or there is any damage to your property during the work. So, if you find an electrician that can perform the job YOU need done, check if they are insured and licensed. If not, extend your search!
Do They Have References?
Most electricians have the ability to work on a wide range of projects (including commercial electrical tasks). And, the best ones have references for those projects. So, when it comes to choosing the right electrician, ask the ones you have shortlisted for a list of references. If they have no problem giving you the information, it means they have a good reputation. However, if they ignore giving you the references, don’t trust them, as they might have something to hide. A wiser option would be to look elsewhere till you find a company that is completely honest in providing services and PROOF of their quality work.

Find an electrician that offers the same price quote and then get your electrical work done! However, be wary of workers who ask for full payment upfront! Why? This suggests cash flow problems that aren’t exactly good for any person or business. Keep in mind you should only pay the full amount if you are completely satisfied the job done is correct and meets all safety standards.