Replacing or repairing outlets and switches isn’t for every do-it-yourselfer. Aside from the risk of exposing yourself to shock or fire, the very system of cables and wires makes an outlet job seem intimidating – and you don’t want to end up with a hazard in your home, or a costly mistake that a professional must correct.
For those reasons, you may consider an electrical contractor in St. Louis to be a sound investment.
Outlet replacement begins with knowing what type of equipment best suits the need. Your electrical contractor will tell you that an outlet consists of connections for two wires – a “hot” and a “neutral.” These two wires should not touch each other, but circumstances (like a rodent chewing through insulation) can cause that to happen. For much-used outlets in like the ones in the kitchen, bathroom or home exterior, a ground fault circuit interrupter – also called a GFI or GFCI – monitors the currents from hot and neutral, and if it detects any irregularity, it will trip the circuit. This helps protect you from shock or fire.
Switch replacement is often an opportunity to upgrade as well. Ask your St. Louis electrician about installing an dimmer. You can also find new technology that controls the amount and duration of light coming from your fixtures, automatically activates light sources when people enter the room, or comes with hand-held remote controls.
Thermostat replacement is a great option if your thermostat is more than 15 years old. Today’s affordable programmable thermostats offer a range of energy-saving options driven by sensors that control your HVAC’s circuitry. A qualified electrician is your best resource to install a programmable in your home. After that, you can set the thermostat to heat or cool your house just before you get home from work; or use a “vacation” mode to save energy if you leave the house for several days.
A helping hand
Between the trips to the home-improvement center, the tools to assemble, and all the printed schematics to follow, a do-it-yourself project can get time-consuming. A skilled, insured handyman brings the tools — and the experience — right to your home. If time and hassle are factoring into your design decisions, a St. Louis electrical contractor can be your single source for all your circuit and outlet jobs – and many related tasks, like fixing a drafty window or dealing with leaky faucets.
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