Here we'll be posting tips and tricks that can help make life easier, save money, and use less energy.
Some of it might be common sense; some will help clarify the technical aspects of the electrical components in your home; and, some will be specific for the type of things we experience here on the Big Island of Hawaii.
If at any time you have a question regarding one of our entries, feel free to post a comment. We'll review and get your comment, as well as an answer, posted on the site. Or, if you have a question that we haven't yet addressed, you can email us your question and we'll post it here.
Thursday, February 4, 2010 at 11:21AM If you installed a new solar system at your home or business in 2009, be sure to dowload the latest tax forms so you can take advantage of the federal and state tax incentives.
Friday, August 7, 2009 at 8:51AM The other day, through one of our service technicians, a question was brought up by a customer that made me realize that there's probably not many people that fully understand what exactly a watt is. Everyone knows that a 100W bulb is brighter than a 60W bulb, but that's probably the extent of it.
A watt is not a measure of how much light is produced by a bulb. That would be a lumen. A watt is a simple measurement of how much power/energy is consumed in one hour.
For example, a 100W bulb will burn 100W of power in one hour.
This helps when looking at your utility bill and getting a better understanding of what you're paying for; but, more on that later.
-Byron
Tuesday, August 4, 2009 at 10:59AM Whatever you call it, Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter, GFCI or GFI, it could save your life. You may have seen them, those funny looking outlets with the "Test" and "Reset" buttons on them. They are there for a reason. The National Electrical Code requires them to protect against electrical shock. You can find them in wet locations, such as, bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms and outdoors.
How do they work? They work like a circuit breaker, only faster. A circuit breaker will usually trip when you recieve a shock, but it may not act fast enough to protect you from harm. A GFCI outlet is more sensitive and acts faster than a circuit breaker or fuse and is thus an important safety feature.
To protect you and your family, make sure you have GFCI's installed at proper locations in your house. For peace of mind consult a licenced electrician with all your electrical concerns.
Mahalo,
ED