Miscellaneous Articles

Ceiling Fans Ceiling fans are a good way to move air in a room. They do not cool the room, but can make you feel cooler from the air movement. In the summer the fan can be set to move air down to feel a breeze. Because of this cooling effect, the air conditioner can be set to a slightly higher temperature to save energy.

How to Install a Ceiling Fan The standard height for ceiling fans is about 8 feet from the bottom of a fan to the floor. On an 8 foot ceiling, a fan should be mounted at about 7 feet. Refer to the installation instructions to determine the recommended height of a particular fan.

Batteries A battery converts chemical energy to electrical energy. Batteries are used for power on a wide variety of portable items and come in many sizes. They are commonly used in flashlights, cell phones, automobiles, portable electronics, appliances etc. There are different types of batteries including alkaline, NiCad, Lithium-ion, coin, button, and more.

Automotive Batteries Automobile batteries contain lead plates in a bath of acid and can deliver several hundred amps for starting an engine. An automobile has an alternator that charges the battery when the engine is running. Automobile batteries are not meant for deep discharge, this could damage the battery.

Electrical Questions Question: I want to purchase a ceiling light fixture that advertises it can only accommodate a 60 W bulb maximum. I would like to know if it is possible to re-configure the wiring of the fixture to accommodate a 150 Watt bulb?

How to Choose an Electrician Who do you think should do the work for your next electrical job?

A. A licensed (and bonded) electrician.

B. A licensed and (bonded) handyman.

C. An electrician or maintenance person who does side work.

D. Yourself, someone in your family, a friend or neighbor.

Electrical Safety Electrical safety is most important. Practicing proper electrical safety will greatly reduce the chance of electrocution or fires. No one wants to be the one responsible for a fire, serious injury, or death because of improper electrical work or safety.

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How to Replace a Ceiling Light Fixture Ceiling mounted fixtures are mounted directly to an electrical outlet box that is above the ceiling. This fixture can only be placed directly under the outlet box. This type of fixture has a base and a cover.

Extension cords are commonly used for a variety of electrical devices. This page will show how to use the right type of cord, for different devices.

How to Replace a Wall Light Fixture Wall mounted light fixtures are usually mounted on the wall above the sink in the bathroom(s). They are mounted over an electrical outlet box inside the wall and usually have two or more mounting screws to hold the fixture to the wall.

The Smart Home What is a smart home and how do I set one up? Switches, locks, thermostats, lights, and more can be controlled remotely and can be programmed for on/off.

How to Rewire a Lamp Whether a lamp cord is damaged or the switch does not work, there are a few options for wiring your lamp or replacing the socket assembly. You can take it to a lamp store, find someone who specializes in this, or do it yourself. Lamp kits and lamp replacement parts are available at home improvement stores.

Rewire a Lamp Instructions These instructions will show you how to replace a cord. Whether you want to replace the socket, the switch, the cord, or everything in the lamp, the following instructions will cover these topics.

Home Inspections Home inspections are a part of the home sale process. They are usually done sometime after a purchase agreement is signed.