Category: Home Remodeling

3 Homey Mother’s Day Ideas

homey mother's day ideas

Mother’s Day is going to be a little unique this year because many Americans are practicing social distancing. So, if you usually take your mother out for dinner or lunch on this special day, you might want to get a little more creative with how you treat your mom this Mother’s Day. Luckily, the pros at Roman Electric have a few homey/ stay-at-home Mother’s Day ideas that will undoubtedly make your mom feel special!

1. Do Any Housework or Repairs for Her!

If it’s safe and possible, show up at mom’s home and offer to do any housework for her. One of the best ways to make mom happy is to perform acts of service for her. If she has something in her house that needs repair, maintenance or cleaning, help her out or simply do it for her while she relaxes. Here are some common tasks that you can do! To ensure you and your mother are protected, try to wear masks or face coverings and maintain a safe distance.

  • Change Her HVAC Unit’s Air Filter

Changing an HVAC unit’s air filter is one of the easiest ways to maintain it. It improves indoor air quality, prevents costly problems and reduces energy consumption by 5 to 15%!

  • Thoroughly Vacuum and Dust her Home

Help her out with spring cleaning by thoroughly vacuuming and dusting her home. This will not only make her feel appreciated, but it will also ensure her home is free of dust mites, dander and other allergens.

  • Fix Leaks

If your mom has been complaining about any leaks around her house, surprise her by showing up with some tools and offer to fix them for her! Leaks can be incredibly frustrating and wasteful—according to the Environmental Protection Agency, common household leaks can account for 10,000 gallons of water lost a year. By helping your mom fix home leaks, you can make her feel appreciated and help her save on her water bill.

2. Cook for Her/ Send Her Favorite Meal Her Way

Our moms spend so much of their lives cooking our favorite foods for us; it’s only fair that we return the favor. Cook your mom’s favorite meal and drop it off at her place! If you have kids, get them involved too so your mom can get some extra love this Mother’s Day. If your mother lives too far for you to do that, have a meal or even a simple box of chocolates or cookies delivered to her from a shop near her.

3. Give Her a Call!

If your mother lives away from you, the best way you can make her feel special on Mother’s Day is by simply giving her a call. Your mom will feel appreciated just by you and your family trying to stay connected during a time when everyone is so isolated.

The pros at Roman Electric understand the importance of taking care of our families during this uncertain time. The main goal of our business and our services is the comfort and safety of our customers and their loved ones. Call us today at 414-369-3798 to learn more about our HVAC, electrical and plumbing services or schedule a service online. You can also read our message about COVID-19 prevention here.

Proper Lighting for Stairs and Hallways

proper lighting for stairs and hallways

A poorly lit staircase or hallway can be inconvenient and even cause safety problems for you or your family. That’s why it is important to make sure your stairs and hallways are well-lit just like the rest of your house. If you don’t know what lighting you should choose, don’t worry because the pros at Roman Electric are here to help you out. Here is a quick guide on choosing proper lighting for the stairs and hallways in your home!

1. Choose LEDs!

Before you start deciding what kinds of lighting designs or fixtures you want, it’s important to know that LEDs are most likely the best choice. Residential LED lights use at least 75% less energy and can last 25 times longer than standard incandescent lighting. LEDs can also come with dimming capabilities and don’t radiate heat, making them a safer option. So, if you’re planning on changing up the lights in your stairs and hallways, make sure you choose LED lights!

2. Avoid Glare

One of the most common mistakes when choosing indoor lighting, whether it’s for the stairwell, hallway or living room, is picking harsh lighting. Most people do this simply because they want to light up potential dark corners to prevent eye strain and tripping. However, harshly lit areas do more harm than good and don’t make your home seem like the welcoming and warm place that it is. That’s why it’s important to pick softer lighting that is functional AND aesthetically pleasing. The best and easiest way to achieve this is by mounting up wall-sconces. They are easier to maintain, and they illuminate your hallway or stairwell without being too imposing.

3. Use Pendant Lighting

If you want to make a statement, we recommend using pendant lighting. This is a bold way to provide functional and decorative lighting over your stairs and hallways. There are various designs and types of pendants on the market available online as well as in your local home improvement stores. Keep in mind that in some cases pendant lighting might either provide too little or too much lighting in your hallways and stairwells, so consider the structure of your home and your lighting needs.

4. Use Recessed Lighting

Recessed lighting, which is often achieved by “can lights,” has become a common method of indoor lighting because of its versatility.  It can be used to provide accent lighting, create shadows and illuminate specific parts of your home. Consider using “can lights” to provide softer lighting in your hallways and stairwells. This lighting method is an easy and affordable way to achieve a more contemporary feel for your home.

Want More Stairwell and Hallway Lighting Tips? Contact Roman Electric!

We hope this guide on proper lighting for stairs and hallways was helpful. If you have more questions about the ways you can light up your home, get in touch with the pros at Roman Electric! Call us today at 414-369-3798 or schedule a service on our website!

Does Your Home Need Rewiring?

does your home need rewiring

According to a study by the National Fire Protection Association, local fire departments responded to an average of over 44,000 home fires involving electrical malfunction between 2012 and 2016. Electrical fires have resulted in civilian deaths, injuries and billions of dollars’ worth of damage. Issues with electrical panels or wiring around the home, can cause these types of fires. If your home is older, chances are you might have some worn-out, frayed wiring which can potentially be dangerous. If you’re not sure whether your home needs rewiring or not, don’t worry! The pros at Roman Electric will help you figure it out!

1. Does Your Circuit Breaker Trip Often?

The circuit breaker is a great component of your home’s electrical system. It is essentially a safety component, which can prevent potential electrical fires. Whenever electrical wiring has an excess of current flowing through it, the circuit breaker detects it and trips—which means it basically cuts the power. If your circuit breaker has a tendency to trip often though, you might be dealing with a greater problem. Your circuit breaker could be tripping because of the overheating of an electrical appliance, or a short circuit which is the result of improper wiring. Contact your local electricians to learn the source of this problem—it might be because your home needs rewiring!

2. Charred Outlets

If you notice several discolored or charred outlets around your home, you might be looking at the visible effects of a short circuit. Short circuit occurs when a hot wire touches another hot wire or another neutral wire. This creates more heat than the circuit can handle, causing it to shut off. As we mentioned above, short circuits and charred outlets can be the result of loose wiring, causing electrical arcing, which results in a quick spark.

3. Older Wiring

If your home is older, chances are you have old, frayed wiring. You might also have aluminum wiring if your home was built between 1965-1973. It is estimated that 2 million homes built in this time frame have aluminum wiring. This kind of wiring increases the likelihood of electrical fires and other safety concerns. Get in touch with your local electricians to discuss rewiring your home with a safer material!

Benefits of Rewiring Your Home

There are several benefits of rewiring your home:

  • Increased safety

You don’t have to worry about your circuit breaker tripping often or your outlets sparking suddenly. Rewiring your home and replacing any old, frayed wires decreases the chances of electrical fires.

  • Save Money

Believe or not, rewiring your home can save money in the long-run! Replacing faulty wiring with newer wiring can increase overall efficiency.

  • Increase Home Sale Value

By rewiring your home, you can increase your home sale value. Potential buyers could be put off by any issues with the wiring or electrical systems.

Rewire Your Home with Roman Electric

If you are looking for qualified and knowledgeable electricians to rewire your home, look no further than Roman Electric! Call us today at 414-369-3798 or schedule a service online!

 

 

4 Tips for Remodeling Your Home

tips for remodeling your home

The decision to remodel your home is a big one. It involves a significant amount of money, time and energy, but it’s one that pays off in the end. Once the remodel is finished, you’ll be able to enjoy something you’ve always dreamed of – assuming it all goes according to plan.

Because, in the same way that building a home has more steps than you can possibly imagine, a remodel is similarly full of lots of choices and steps. And when you’re knee-deep into the actual process – when there are stray wood panels and handfuls of power tools scattered across the floor – one wrong decision can bring the whole thing to a screeching halt.

That’s why it’s good to have a firm grasp of what you want out of your remodel ahead of time. There are plenty of things to keep in mind, but Roman Electric has four specific tips that will help you out when the time comes to get the remodel underway.

1. Keep the Big Picture in Mind

While it’s easy to get excited and starry-eyed when thinking about all the possibilities your new remodel could bring, don’t let that get in the way of practicality.

As you begin to draw up the plans, be sure to stay extremely aware of how it will affect you and your family down the road. Keep in mind how your AC usage will change, how your electricity consumption may increase, and whether your home will be equipped to handle these types of reconfigurations.

Make sure your contractor explains how your costs will be affected. You’d hate to have a gorgeous new remodel finish, only to be stuck with permanently higher bills!

2. Plan for Emergencies!

Just like with any other well-thought-out plan, a remodel will almost certainly hit a snag somewhere. To prepare for that, add in a small cushion to your budget just in case. Should your remodel go off without a hitch, then you’ll be okay anyway – but if that emergency does happen, you’ll be ready for it!

3. Tune Up the Furnace

This one doesn’t fall under the typical umbrella of “remodeling tips,” but it’s still one that you’d be smart to take advantage of anyway. When your home is undergoing changes, it’s likely going to affect how the air circulates.

By having your furnace tuned up during the remodel, you’ll ensure that you and your family won’t experience any airflow-related problems after it’s done. And since an annual furnace tune-up is recommended anyway, you’ll knock out two birds with one stone.

4. Communication Is Key!

One of the biggest things we stress to people investing in home remodels is to constantly communicate with the contractors performing the job. After all, this is your home, so it only make sense to voice concerns or opinions whenever you feel the need to.

Your remodel is just that – yours. The contractor is there to create a space to your liking, so any time you feel like something is off or isn’t being done the way you like, make sure you let them know!

A remodel is exciting. It can add a jolt of excitement to a place you’ve lived in for a while, and a well-done remodel can turn a boring space into something totally new and amazing. Whatever stage you’re at – whether you’re just considering a remodel or are in the final stages of selecting someone to perform it – don’t look any further than Roman Electric!

We’ve got the tools and expertise to work with you to create a dream home, and we’ll make sure you’re happy every step of the way! Give us a call at 414-369-3798 for more information!

5 Parts of Your Electrical System That Have an Expiration Date

When listing off the items in your home that can expire, often the first suggestions are milk, fruit, eggs, and generally any food. But do electrical panels expire? While these food expiration dates are important, it’s also essential to recognize the parts of your electrical system that have an expiration date. Unfortunately, your electrical system isn’t built to last forever, with some parts eventually reaching the end of their lifespan. And by identifying which parts have an expiration date, you’ll be more prepared when the time comes to replace them.

If you’ve ever had questions such as “do electrical panels expire?”  then you’ve come to the right place! The electrical experts at Roman Electric have detailed 5 parts of your electrical system that have an expiration date. Follow our guide below to better maintain your Milwaukee home!

1. Electrical Panel

Electrical panels (and by extension, circuit breakers) act as the central control of your electrical system. Its function is to feed power into every circuit of your home. But do electrical panels expire?

Yes! After about 25-40 years, it’s recommended to get a replacement. Electrical Panels slowly deteriorate over time, and issues will begin to arise a few decades after installation. Older electrical panels begin to trip more frequently, have less modern safety precautions, and become outdated in terms of electrical capacity.

2. Light Bulbs

There are three types of light bulbs available for your home: incandescent, fluorescent, and LED. Each of these light bulbs has a different lifespan, and we have listed them below:

Incandescent – 1,000-2,000 hours. Incandescent bulbs are also the least energy efficient type of bulb but are the cheapest to purchase.

Fluorescent – 7,000-15,000 hours. These light bulbs have more energy efficiency than incandescent bulbs but less than LEDs. Their price is also between the other bulbs.

LED – 25,000-50,000 hours. These light bulbs are the most energy efficient but have the highest cost.

3. Ceiling Fans

The lifespan of a ceiling fan largely depends on the model you purchase. Cheap, low-quality ceiling fans can last a little as 3 years, while higher-quality can last up to 30 years. With the lifespan range being so wide, you’ll want to do some research before buying a new fan.

4. Smoke Detectors

Most smoke detectors have a lifespan of about 10 years, provided you replace the batteries about once a year. After this expiration date, they begin to lose their accuracy when it comes to detecting smoke. This creates a safety hazard, as your home is less effective in protecting you from smoke and fire. Since smoke detectors are usually installed all at once, it’s recommended to replace every device in your home each decade.

5. Wiring

Electricity relies on wire to safely travel through your electrical system. Therefore, it’s important to maintain and know its lifespan. Although most copper wiring can last up to 100 years, it’s the wiring insulation that can deteriorate. After about 25 years, house wiring insulation can become cracked and damaged, which can lead to exposed wire. This creates a safety hazard, as exposed hot wire has a chance of touching conductive material and creating a short circuit. Therefore, it’s recommended to rewire your home every 25 years to help ensure your electrical system has safe wiring.

Help maintain your electrical system by knowing which components have an expiration date. And contact Roman Electric to have a professional service your electrical panel, lighting, ceiling fan, smoke detector, or wiring. Give us a call at 414-369-3798 for Milwaukee’s leading electrical experts.

Are Smart Toilets Worth It?

Are smart toilets worth the upgrade? While we live in an age where almost every part of our home can be automated via smart controls, upgrading your toilet isn’t the usual first choice. After all, we only use toilets for one function – flushing, so a more expensive variant wouldn’t seem worth it at first. But smart toilets have more benefits than you may realize. And by understanding the benefits, you’ll be able to determine if purchasing a smart toilet would be a good fit for your Milwaukee home.

The experts at Roman Electric are here to answer the question, “are smart toilets worth it?” We have listed some reasons below to help make the best decision for your home.

Automatic Flushing

Never touch a dirty toilet again! Smart toilets have sensors that detect when it is time to flush. This avoids the hassle that is touching a possibly germ-infested handle. Additionally, this helps to save water from excessive flushing, as water levels are being constantly monitored.

Overflow Protection

Speaking of water levels, smart toilets can also help protect against overflowing. Smart toilets can detect when it has become clogged. And when clogging is detected, the smart toilets prevents further flushing from happening. This stops water from overflowing the bowl, which helps to prevent cleaning up the horror that is leaking toilet water.

Self-Cleaning Functionality

Cleaning a dirty toilet is something no homeowner likes to do, which is why smart toilets can do the job for you! Smart toilets can come equipped with self-cleaning functionality. This is done differently depending on the type of smart toilet.

Some smart toilets clean themselves using a wiper blade, while others simply rinse the bowl with water. Other variants can even use UV rays to eliminate parasites and bacteria. However, be aware that you’ll still need to clean a smart toilet manually a few times a year.

Seat Warming Technology

We all shiver at the thought of a cold toilet seat. Which is why smart toilets have the technology for seat-warming. This heat can be adjusted to your preference, with the controls either on a remote or the toilet itself.

Added Water Savings

With the price of a smart toilet more expensive than a traditional one, you wouldn’t expect it to be much of a money-saver. However, this is not the case. Smarts toilets can make your water usage more energy efficient, and eventually may pay for themselves in the long run. But how do smart toilets achieve this?

Smart toilets prevent overuse of flushing. Since they are automatic, they handle flushing needs more efficiently. Smart toilets also monitor the water levels and accommodate the flush accordingly. This means they only distribute the required amount of water for a flush, instead of a set amount used by other toilets. With flushing being tailored to the water level, this helps to save several gallons of water each year.

If you’re having trouble deciding if a smart toilet is worth the purchase, follow this guide from the experts at Roman Electric! And if you’re ready to install a smart toilet in your Milwaukee home, contact Roman Electric at 414-369-3798 for our affordable toilet services.

 

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