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An AFCI (Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter) is built for protection from fires that are inflicted by arcing faults. An arcing fault frequently happens within wires/cords that are not in good condition, which is often caused when wire insulation is punctured by hanging pictures or cable staples, outlets that are inadequately installed, cords that are stuck in doors or beneath household items, furniture that is pressed up onto plugs, natural aging, and cord exposure to heat vents and sunlight. On the other hand, a GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) is built to prevent you and your family from getting intense electric shocks. A ground fault is an electric path that unintentionally diverts current to ground. This happens when a circuit leaks current. If someone's body creates a path to the ground for the leakage, they can be seriously electrocuted.

Knob-and-tube wiring was a popular method of electrical wiring in buildings in North America from about 1880-1950. This method is known to be obsolete and it has the potential to be a safety hazard if handled incorrectly. During inspections, InterNACHI inspectors should ensure that they disclose knob-and-tube wirings. The Electrical Safety Authority suggests employing a Licensed Electrical Contractor if you've got knob and tube wiring in your house. You should tell the contractor to check the health of the knob and tube conductors. It's important to ask for a home electrical system assessment. This is not the same as a standard home inspection because it solely addresses electrical. To make sure you're safe, the contractor might suggest replacing the wiring.

Stab-Lok panels are very dangerous as they do not function properly as circuit breakers. Circuit breakers are used to stop damage from being inflicted to your electrical systems by disrupting the stream of electrical current when there's a short circuit, overload, or other type of fault. The purpose is to shield your electrical systems from harm and help track electrical errors. The Consumer Product Safety Commission ran tests which prove that these panels have a rate of failure that is too high to accept. Their tests show that 1 in 3 fail. The circuit “breaker” - the switch meant to disrupt current flow, doesn't work correctly in these panels. They aren't suitable for tackling problems such as short circuits and overloaded circuits. Since the breakers might not do their job when an issue is detected, damage can be caused to the home electrical systems and increase the risk of starting an electrical fire. We highly recommend a service panel change.

There are many factors that might cause your alarm to sporadically chirp without a consistent pattern. The first cause is having a loose or improperly installed battery. Make sure that you've got the right type of battery, that the use-by date is no more than 5 years away, that the battery is totally "snapped in", and that the battery compartment door is shut. The second cause is from environmental conditions. It can be caused by humidity, excess airflow, and extreme temperatures. If the alarm is properly installed and the environmental conditions aren't a concern, then you can try resetting the alarm to solve the issue. If that doesn't work, you may need to replace the alarm.

Yes, LED bulbs are up to 90% more efficient than incandescent bulbs.

Yes. It's important to not ignore a circuit breaker that continues to trip over and over again. This is a common indicator that one of your circuits is being overloaded. Your circuits can only take up to a certain amperage level. Once it exceeds that amperage, you are at risk for an electrical fire. In order to fix the problem, we might suggest you upgrade your electrical panel if your home is 40+ years old. Today, the average household consumes much more energy than older generations. Another thing we might suggest (depending on your home) is a comprehensive rewiring of your home or an electrical panel update. You might simply require another circuit and circuit breaker.

Yes. However, you need to ensure that the electrical box is correctly braced and prepared for the weight/torque of the fan you're looking to acquire. It’s the right course of action to have a professional electrician install your ceiling fan for optimal safety and functionality.

No. Aluminum wiring is safe as long as it's correctly connected without damage to the wire. The Ontario Electrical Safety Code allows the installation of aluminum wiring. The ESA recommends copper pig tailing as some devices are not aluminum compatible.