Posts

4 Reasons to Install Outdoor Outlets in Miami

/in /by

Miami is known for its beautiful weather, so it is no wonder why you want to spend as much of your time outside as possible. However, we also know this is not something you can do unless you have what you need when you are spending all that time outdoors. Thankfully, we have a solution for you, and it won’t cost you too much in the process.

4 Reasons to Install Outdoor Outlets in Miami

  1. Safety

Okay, so the first thing we want to mention is that all your outdoor outlets should be GFCI outlets. The GFCI outlets will ensure that when the outlets come into contact with any type of moisture, they will automatically shut off. This will prevent an electrical fire from occurring. If you are simply running an extension cord from your home to the outdoors to plug something in, that is not the best way to power anything outside.

  • Home Office

Since so many people are working from home, at least part of the time right now, it is nice to know that outdoor outlets will allow you to work from outside. While you may not want to work outside in the heat of the day, the early morning or late evening hours are perfect for taking your laptop out by the pool. You can easily plug your laptop into one of your new outdoor outlets and never lose anyone during your next virtual meeting.

  • Additional Lighting Options

When it comes to lighting and the outdoors, you really cannot have enough of it. While there are plenty of outdoor lighting options that do not require outlets, there are just as many that do. If you love to celebrate the holidays with lights, or you love the look of string lights hanging in your outdoor seating area, you must install outdoor outlets.

  • Bring Your Cooking Adventures Outside

There are so many features you can install in your outdoor area to create an outdoor kitchen space. However, you do not need a full kitchen to install a new outdoor outlet or two. Even a small refrigerator or small cooking appliance will need the assistance of an outdoor outlet to work properly. We recommend having those outlets installed now, so those cold drinks and snacks are always ready for those days when you are working outside or hanging out with family.

These are four of the many reasons why you must install outdoor outlets in Miami this year. Call us today and let us help you get the most out of the beautiful weather!

Miami Electric Company specializes in installing outdoor outlets in Miami.

Smart Outlet Install in Miami FYI

/in /by

Smart homes are becoming a thing, so do not think you are alone in the search to make your life easier. While you may have already gotten a head start with a home hub, thermostat, and doorbell, you probably haven’t even thought of installing smart outlets yet. However, we want to tell you how these smart outlets can take your smart home to the next level.

Smart Outlet Install in Miami FYI

If you have never heard of a smart outlet before, you should know that these outlets are different than the ones you have in your home right now. These smart outlets will connect to your smart devices and you can access them from anywhere. Therefore, you can access anything that is plugged into these smart outlets from wherever you are.

These smart outlets are the easiest way to control all your smart devices, and other household items, from your smartphone or home hub. This means you can turn lights on or off, start an appliance, and even turn the television off if it shouldn’t be in use. Smart outlets will help you save a lot of energy, because you will never leave items on any longer than they need to be.

What to Plug Into Your Smart Outlets

There are so many things that you can plug into your smart outlets, but a few of the most common ones include:

  • Lamps
  • Holiday Lights
  • Coffee Makers
  • Appliances
  • Humidifiers and Dehumidifiers
  • Televisions
  • Gaming Consoles
  • Space Heaters
  • Anything that is plugged in behind something you cannot pull out every time you want to access the plug
  • Any item that normally goes into standby mode when you are not using it

There are so many different types of smart outlets available and while you can choose any of them, you must be careful before making your purchase.  A smart outlet install in Miami is not cut and dry. The reason for this is some smart outlets will only work with specific hubs. Therefore, you won’t want to purchase a smart outlet that you cannot use your specific home hub for.

A few of the smart outlets don’t require you to use a home hub, so you can consider those if you prefer to simply access everything through an app on your smartphone. You must have a neutral wire to install all these smart outlets, so we recommend giving us a call to install them inside your home. This will ensure your smart outlet install in Miami is done properly.

Miami Electric Company is located in Miami, FL. We specialize in smart outlet installations in Miami, and other cities throughout Miami-Dade county.

Electrical Wiring for Installing a Swimming Pool

/in /by

Have a Miami Electrician Help You with These Electrical Wiring Requirements

With so many potential issues with electricity by swimming pools, we thought we should go over a few things with you. First, there are specific electrical codes we must follow in Miami when installing electrical wires around a pool. These codes mainly follow the National Electric Code. However, what many people don’t know is that these codes change almost every three years. Therefore, it is best to have your electrical around your pool inspected regularly to make sure you are still up to date with the codes.

Underground Wiring

Any underground wiring that you have near your swimming pool must be at least five feet away from your pool. You should never have electrical wires running under your pool.  Water and electrical wiring just do not mix well.

Outlet Receptacles

You are going to need outlet receptacles in place near your pool, so you can plug in your pump and motor. All your outlet receptacles near your pool should be at least twenty feet away from the pool and they must be GCFI outlets. You should also lock these outlets, so no one can try to tamper with them. If you have any non-GCFI outlets in your backyard, none of them should be within twenty feet of your pool.

Overhead Lines

While you may not have any choice of where any overhead lines are, it is best to have utility lines at least twenty-three feet above your pool. If you have communication lines over your pool, they should be at least ten feet. We prefer that swimming pools are not installed under overhead lines, because if a line snaps and falls into the water, the unthinkable can happen. These are many of the electrical wiring requirements you will need to follow when having a swimming pool installed in Miami this year. If you already have a pool, we recommend giving us a call, so we can make sure all your electrical is still up to code. This will allow you to make sure you are safe every time you go for a swim.

Miami Electric Company is based out of Miami, FL and provides Miami electrical wiring and electrician services throughout the city of Miami, FL.

3 Smart Home Features A Miami Electrician Installs

/in /by

There are so many different smart home features available today, and while you can easily set some of them up on your own, others will require you hiring an electrician.  While you may think that it is not worth the hassle of hiring a professional just to make your home smart, remember that these smart home features will make your house safer, while saving you a bunch of time too. 

 3 Smart Home Features A Miami Electrician Installs

  1. Smart Thermostat

There are a couple different smart thermostats on the market, and they are all designed to help you save money on your heating and cooling bill.  These thermostats will know when you are away from home, so they can adjust the temperature inside accordingly. 

  • Doorbells

There are many different doorbells out on the market, and you can choose from a wired option or a battery-operated one.  We recommend the wired option, because then you never need to worry about the battery dying when you need it the most.  Your doorbell will not only alert you to when someone is pushing the button, but also when they are simply walking on your property. 

  • Security Lights and Cameras

There are quite a few options of security lights that have cameras built into them.  Again, you can choose wired or battery-operated for this smart home item.  We love the wired ones, because the batteries can die quickly if the motion light goes on quite often. 

These are three of the many smart home features you may need an electrician for.  However, one of the main reasons you will call an electrician is for upgrading your electrical panel.  After all, with all this new technology, you will be using more electricity than ever before!

If you do not upgrade your electric panel, you may find that your lights flicker and your circuits trip often.  Therefore, if you are seriously thinking about upgrading to many different smart home features, you should call an electrician immediately.  They can give you exactly what you need to keep your home hub going. Also, those new appliances, small appliances, and even those lightbulbs that also act like a speaker. 

We have upgraded many electrical panels for smart home features and installed the three items listed above.  Therefore, we can get things up and running for you in no time at all!

Miami Electric Company is based out of Miami, FL and provides Miami electrician services throughout the city of Miami, FL.

Repair or Replace Your Electrical Panel in Miami?

/in /by

Your electrical panel is not something you want to mess with, because it is one of the leading causes of fires and other property damage.  Therefore, we do not recommend attempting to fix any part of your electrical panel on your own.  With that being said, you should at least know when you may need to have your electrical panel in Miami repaired or replaced. 

4 Things to Keep in Mind when There’s a Chance You Might Need to Repair or Replace Your Electrical Panel in Miami

  1. Flickering Lights

Do your lights flicker on occasion or do they get really dim before brightening back up?  If this is happening in your home, you probably need to have your electrical panel looked at.  Sometimes this can be fixed with minimal repairs, but more often than not a replacement is in order. 

  • Tripping Circuit Breakers

If your circuit breakers keep tripping, it means that your electrical panel does not have the capacity for the number of items you have plugged into that one spot.  An upgrade of your electrical panel will solve this problem for the future. 

  • Malfunctioning Circuit Breakers

If one of your circuit breakers should have tripped, or switched off, and didn’t, then it could be malfunctioning.  This can be very dangerous, because it can start a fire or other serious issue. 

  • Your Electrical Panel Feels Warm

Your electrical panel should never feel warm or even smell hot, so if it does at any time, you must call an electrician immediately.  Any time your electrical panel feels warm means that a fire could start in an instant.  It is best to have someone come out right away, so you and your family are safe.  These are four things to keep in mind when there is a chance your electrical panel needs to be repaired or replaced in Miami.  While some of these issues are minor, a couple are major and can have devastating results if you leave them alone.  If you have any concerns about your electrical panel, or simply want to have it looked at to ensure it is okay for your needs, just give us a call.  We are more than happy to inspect your electrical panel and make recommendations according to what we discover.  Hopefully, we won’t find anything, but if we do, we can fix it immediately, so you and your loved ones are safe inside your own home.

6 Miami Electrical Company Safety Tips You Must Know

/in /by

Electricity may seem harmless, but it is actually quite harmful if you are not careful when using it.  While you are probably already aware that you need to stay away from downed electrical wires, there are a few other safety issues you might not be aware of. 

6 Miami Electrical Company Safety Tips You Must Know

  1. Always Have an Annual Safety Inspection

You may think that annual safety inspections are not worth the money they cost, but in reality, they are very important and worth every penny.  A simple inspection will alert you to electrical issues before they become major. 

  • Know How Your Electrical Panel Works

Everyone should know how to turn the breakers on and off in their electrical panel and it is much easier nowadays than it was decades ago.  If your breakers keep getting tripped, then it is time to call a professional to see what the problem is. 

  • Check Your Outlets

Your electrical outlets should never feel warm, so if they do, you may have some faulty wiring or an electrical overload. 

  • Keep an Eye on Your Lights

If your lights keep getting dim and then brightening back up, or they flicker constantly, it may be time to repair your electrical panel.  While a simple repair might help, it may also end up being time to replace your entire electrical panel. 

  • Limit Extension Cord Usage

Extension cords can be helpful on occasion, but you do not want to use them all the time.  It is difficult for a circuit to determine when to shut off, because it won’t always know when it is overloaded. 

  • Always Keep a Fire Extinguisher Nearby

Electrical fires can be put out by fire extinguishers, but you must have one nearby if you want to catch the fire in time.  We recommend keeping at least one fire extinguisher on each floor of your home and maybe more if you have a larger home.  Everyone in your home should know how to use the fire extinguisher, but it goes without saying that if the fire is really bad, or you are unsure of what to do, that you simply get out instead and call the fire department.  These are six electrical safety tips that everyone should know in Miami.  Hopefully you were aware of them, but if you weren’t, you can now consider yourself more aware when it comes to the subject of electricity and safety.  If you have any other electrical safety concerns, please give us a call, so we can help you out.

Amps vs Watts vs Volts FYI Electric Company in Miami

/in /by

So you want to learn about current? Awesome. There are some basics you should know.

So really, what is the difference between amps, volts and watts? Well, quite a bit actually.

There are some fairly complicated answers to this question but we are going to try answer this question the best we can.

Let’s talk about it in terms of water to make it easier…

If we think of electricity as water flowing through a pipe it can help us understand amps, volts and watts.

Amps would be the volume of water flowing through the pipe. The water pressure would be the voltage.

Watts would be the power (volts x amps) the water could provide (think back to the old days when water was used to power mills).

Now here is the exact definition for each one…

Amps vs Watts vs Volts FYI Electric Company in Miami

Amp is an ampere is the unit for measuring electricity. The accepted standard unit used for measuring how fast an electric current flows is an example of an ampere.

Watt is the basic unit of electric, mechanical, or thermal power in the SI and MKS systems, equal to one joule per second or 10 ergs per second (of a horsepower): for electric power it is equal to one volt-ampere.

Volt is the basic unit of electromotive force in the SI and MKS systems, equal to the electromotive force, or difference in potential, that causes a current of one ampere to flow through a conductor having a resistance of one ohm.

Electricity is the flow of electrons through a conductor like a wire. The rate at which electricity flows is measured as an electric current. The electric current is measured in amps.

So, What makes the current flow? A battery is the source that makes the current flow. This is called voltage.

The watt is a measure of how much power is released each second.

Now, do you understanding of the difference between amps, volts and watts? We hope you do.

If you would like to learn more, let us know.  We would love to help you. We are your one stop electric company in Miami.

Miami Electric Company is located in Miami, FL We specialize in general electricians in Miami.

LED Motion Sensor Floodlight In Miami FYI

/in /by

Are you looking for an LED motion sensor floodlight for your commercial or residential property in Miami? Great! We are here to help you.

There are several different types of LED lights available on the market with a range of features.

One of the most widely used types that are widely used in both commercial and residential settings are LED motion sensor flood lights often referred to as LED Security wall lights.  

Now that you know that, there are multiple options and choices of these lights. So let’s get to it..

What are LED Motion Sensor Flood Lights in Miami?

Good question. LED motion sensor floodlights, are lights that detect motion then turn on for a set period of time.

When an LED motion sensor light detects motion, it automatically switches on. After there is no motion for a particular period of time, it turns off or dims by itself.   Some people will call these security floodlights, because the motion is known to scare off potential burglars or thieves.

What else? The term flood used in the LED motion sensor floodlights indicates the area that will be ”flooded” with the light.

Basically, these lights use a wide beam angle for covering a larger area. This is good, because it will cover more than what is expected.

Why LED Motion Sensor Flood Lights in Miami Important?

There are numerous reasons why you need to rely on these extremely functional lighting products. Have a look at some of them:

Safety

The basic reason why these lights are installed is safety. This can prove to be helpful in preventing the cases of burglary and theft.

Coverage – An LED motion sensor floodlight can cover a wide area due to the wide beam angle they have. The greater area is covered by them, the more protection and safety they provide.

Long Life

As compared to other lighting products available on the market, LED motion sensor floodlights tend to have a longer lifespan.

Low Maintenance

LED lighting products are known as low maintenance lights as, unlike other types of lights, they do not require routine upkeep such as replacement bulbs or ballasts.

Brighter

These lights tend to produce a brighter light as compared to other lighting products type. This makes them perfect for both outdoor and indoor use.

No Mercury

Most of the lighting products available i.e. high-intensity discharge (HID) bulbs, fluorescent bulbs etc. have mercury in them.

It is a toxic substance that is dangerous towards humans and animals. LED motion sensor floodlights do not contain even the tiniest amount of mercury. Hence, they are safe to people and the environment.

No UV

LED motion sensor floodlights do not emit ultraviolet radiations that can prove to be quite harmful. This particular feature of these lights also makes them suitable to be installed in different settings. Now that you are in the know about LED Motion Sensor Floodlights in Miami, let us help you install them. Just send us a message and connect with us.

Miami Electric Company is based out of Miami, FL and specializes in LED motion sensor floodlight installation in Miami.

4 Reasons to Upgrade Your Electrical System in Miami

/in /by

4 Reasons to Upgrade Your Electrical System when Renovating Your Home in Miami

If your home is older, or you are always searching for an empty outlet, you really must consider upgrading your electrical.  While you can do this at any time, it is best to complete it when you are already working on a home renovation.  There are many reasons for this, but we are listing the best ones so you can see why we recommend it at this time. 

4 Reasons to Upgrade Your Electrical System when Renovating Your Home in Miami

  1. Keep Your Home Safe

As with everything else over the years, our need for electricity has increased dramatically.  New appliances, extra tablets, and multiple smartphones require additional outlets, while new lighting may require more switches.  If you do not upgrade your electrical as you are adding these things, then you may find yourself living in a home that is not as safe as it could be.  Electrical fires can start when an electrical panel becomes overloaded and that can cause major issues that will cost more than a simple upgrade. 

  • Saves Time

As you are having your renovation completed, you are going to have wires exposed and your entire home is going to be dusty as well.  You will save a lot of time if you have an electrician come in to replace the wires when the old ones are already exposed.  Plus, instead of cleaning up two messes, you will only need to deal with one. 

  • Save Money

You are going to be spending plenty of money on your house renovation and that might be why you are slightly resistant when it comes to upgrading your electrical.  However, if you are already moving walls and opening things up, there is no point in paying someone else to open them up again when you are finally ready for an upgrade.  Save some cash by tackling both these jobs at once!

  • Meet Current Building Codes

There is an excellent chance that your current electrical panel is not meeting the building codes and that can cause a problem when you go to sell in the future.  Instead of waiting for problems to surface later, when you are ready to move on, nip them in the bud now and upgrade your electrical so you know it is up to code. 

These are four of the best reasons to upgrade your electrical when you are renovating your home in Miami.  We can help you determine if your electrical needs to be upgraded or if it is ready to tackle the extra energy you and your family require. 

3 Reasons to Replace those Two-Prong Outlets in Miami

/in /by

Do You Still Have Two-Prong Outlets in Miami?  3 Reasons to Replace them Now!

When homes were constructed back in the 1920s, contractors only had two-prong outlets available to them.  There was nothing wrong with those outlets at the time, because we weren’t as dependent on electricity as we are now. 

However, fast forward a century and we rely on electricity to charge too many devices to count.  While you may not think you need too many three-prong outlets in your home, there are a couple reasons why you should replace those old two-prong outlets immediately. 

3 Reasons to Replace those Two-Prong Outlets in Miami Now

  1. Two-Prong Outlets are Not Grounded

Since a two-prong outlet is not grounded, you are going to be risking electrocution and even power surges if you keep them around.  The ground wire in the newer outlets prevent surges from occurring and keep you and your home safe, because it will trip the circuit breaker or blow the fuse before the surge can do any damage. 

  • Two-Prong Outlets are Not Up to Code

Did you know that two-prong outlets are not up to code?  According to the newest building codes, all new construction must have grounded outlets installed.  The code has even been recently updated to include the fact that the grounded outlets also must be GFCI if they are near water.  The GFCI will prevent electrical shock if water is anywhere near when a circuit is shorted. 

  • Two-Prong Outlets Do Not Meet the Electrical Needs of a Home

Many homes with two-prong outlets simply do not have the requirements that are needed for the electricity you use on a daily basis.  While those outlets will still allow you to plug something in, the massive amount of electricity running through will heat up the wires.  Those hot wires can cause a fire if you are not careful. 

It is not too difficult to replace two-prong outlets in your home.  Your easiest option is to simply replace the outlets with a three-prong outlet.  However, that will not solve all your safety concerns.  If you truly want your electrical needs met with safety in mind, you must hire an electrician and have them rewire your outlets and upgrade your electrical panel.  This is the only way you are ensured you can plug everything in your home in and have no problems at all. 

If you are finally ready to get rid of those two-prong outlets for good, give us a call and we will help you determine exactly what you need to keep your home safe and providing energy long into the future.