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Electrical
Take Measures to Get Your Perfect Light Fixture
Construction How-To, Electrical, Lighting, Remodeling
Lighting is the finishing touch to a room’s design. It is the element that changes the mood of the room and gives life to the space. There are many options for home lighting, and it can be intimidating to think about making the right decisions for each room. The American Lighting Association (ALA) can help with a listing of local […]
Six Simple Ways to Save Energy
Construction How-To, Electrical, Energy Efficiency
Do Your Part (the Lazy Way)
Ceiling Fixtures for LED Bulbs
Construction How-To, Electrical, Lighting
Upgrade your lighting options with energy-efficient LED technology. By Larry Walton Photos by Mark Walton
Installing a Ceiling Fan
Construction How-To, Electrical
How to Install a Ceiling Fan By Matt Weber
Steps for Painting Electrical Plates
Construction How-To, Electrical, Painting, Remodeling
By Rob Robillard Paint your electrical plates to match your wall color.
Electrical 101 for the Homeowner
By Clint C. Thomas, Esq. Photography by Zoe Thomas Electrical work, like everything else in life, can run the gamut from very basic to extremely complex. It is helpful for every DIY-minded homeowner to have at least a basic understanding of electrical work. This article will attempt to reveal some of the mystery surrounding the maze of wiring that […]
“Smart” Meters Coming to a Neighborhood Near You
Electrical, Insulation and Energy Conservation
Rick Tempchin Executive Director, Retail Energy Services Edison Electric Institute Electric utilities are replacing analog meters with digital “smart” meters across the country, creating improvements in monitoring usage and enabling a two-way communication link between utilities and consumer homes. The old familiar meter, requiring a meter reader to measure a home’s electricity use every month, is being phased out. A […]
What is Cat 6 Wiring?
DIY Questions and Answer, Electrical
Q: What is Cat 6 wiring? A: Whereas you’re probably familiar with Cat-5 wiring, which is used for cable television among many other things, augmented Category 6 copper wiring, commonly referred to as Cat-6a, is its big brother. Cat-6a wiring was once preferred for commercial office environments but is now being implemented more and more for residential use. Cat-6a […]
Installing a Ceiling Fan
Ceiling fans are both functional and decorative. They are particularly useful in the summer, since they effectively reduce energy usage while creating a cool breeze. They can also be used in the winter to gently pull heated air away from the ceiling where it tends to collect. Light kits can be added to increase the […]
Split-circuit Receptacles
A split-circuit receptacle, as the name suggests, has a different power source for each plug-in outlet. You can identify a split-circuit receptacle because the connecting tab will be broken on the hot side and different hot wires connect to each hot terminal. Stop! Always turn off power to the circuits you are working on—and remember that there are two circuits […]
