If you are building a new home, the wiring is typically done as the home is being built.

If your home is older, a wiring update will be needed to install an entertainment system.

Although this type of wiring may seem easy, it is still a project that requires professional electrical experience.

A professional electrician has the tools to fish the wires through the walls, put in any outlets you may need and set up everything without unsightly wires running everywhere.

Call a professional, licensed, insured electrician so that the job gets done without any major problems and you and your family can enjoy your new system without any headaches or safety concerns.

Additionally, a new class of plug and play products has emerged which require little if any installation for uses like garden lighting, shed lighting, or even cell phone charging.

Comprehensive systems span grid-tied, hybrid, and off-grid installations. All of these systems involve mounting of solar panels in the sunniest location possible, typically on a roof or other structure facing in a southerly direction. Often these systems involve an inverter, which converts the native 12v dc current from the panels to 120v ac to power traditional household needs, though for some of the simpler off-grid installations, homeowners may choose to eliminate the inverter, and go with a pure 12v DC setup. Installation for most comprehensive systems will involve your roof and your residential wiring. For that reason it is a good idea to either thoroughly educate yourself in this area, or involve a professional installer or electrician.

The following summarizes a number of the options available today.

Grid-Tied Solar Systems

This is the easiest, and most popular, way to get starting in PV power. These systems simply tie into your existing home power system and the utility grid. If your array generates more energy than you use, the energy is sold back to the power grid and creates a credit for you. The advantages of these systems are the relative simplicity and lower initial cost. A system like this typically requires a few panels, some wiring boxes and disconnects, and an inverter. The inverter converts the electricity from your panels to power that your home and the grid can use.

One of the disadvantages of this system is that there is no storage. If you experience frequent blackouts and need backup power, this system won’t work because it does not store the solar power. This system is also not feasible for remote cabins and cottages that don’t have a nearby power grid.

This system also requires a interconnection agreement with the local utility. This outlines just how the connection to the grid should be made and what the inspection schedule is. It is generally advisable to get your power company involved early on for a grid-tied system. Since there are often incentives and rebates in place from the state and the utility, its well worth the call.

Hybrid Solar-Generator Systems

For off-grid and back-up power applications, most folks turn to a hybrid system. The hybrid system usually consists of a PV array, a charge controller, a battery bank, an inverter, and sometimes a tertiary power source such as a wind turbine or a gas generator. These systems are fairly complex and require a high level of expertise to design and install. With the popularity of off-grid living, however, there are more and more packaged systems for people to choose from. These systems will provide power if the grid shuts down and can still sell power back to a grid if desired.

The biggest disadvantage of these systems is the cost and complexity. The battery bank requires regular maintenance and must be replaced long before the panels are done generating. They are also fairly expensive. These costs, however, are often a better alternative to the cost and hassle of bringing in grid power to remote locations.

Off-Grid Solar Dependent Systems

For cheap power in remote locations, often these systems are the only choice. They generally consist of a small battery bank, a charge controller, and a solar array. People with these systems choose to use all DC appliances so as to avoid the cost and inefficiency of inverters. These systems have the advantage of lower initial cost. The batteries are still an issue for maintenance cost. And there is no backup power if weather doesn’t allow the panels to charge the batteries.

Plug and Play Kits

If you need a small power source for your cottage, RV, or to take with you into the wilderness, there are great options out there. There are solar power kits that include the panel, the electronics, instructions, and all the wiring you need to get started. For example, a kit could power a little stereo, light, and charging your phone down at the boathouse or out in the barn. Or they can keep your RV battery charged as you travel around the country. You’ll need a screwdriver, the ability to follow instructions, and a sunny place for the panel. Many of the kits start at less than $100 and for $500 you can get a nice little system and expand it later.

Exterior Lighting

Lighting the exterior of your home used to be tricky because you had to find a way to get power to the lights. But with the advancement in renewable power technology, these has gotten a lot easier. Solar garden lights, security lights, and area lights now come completely integrated with panel, battery, electronic eye, and lights. Installation is usually as easy as hanging a picture and the prices start at less than $50. So whether you are trying to put some accent lights in your garden, shed some light in your tool shed, or trying to brighten those dark steps, lights powered by the sun are a great alternative.

Home and Garden Decor

For your outdoor spaces, solar fountains lend a soothing touch to any setting. All they require is a little water and a sunny spot and they can surround you with pleasant sounds or keep your pond aerated. Solar lamp post lights lend a nice touch to any entry area and tell your arriving guests you have good taste and care about the planet.

For one-stop shopping for all your solar needs, including solar panels, solar kits, and extensive educational resources, visit Solar Sphere.

The US Consumer Products Safety Commission (US CPSC) investigated this threat in the 1970s and found that many home fires were caused by overheated connections involving aluminum wiring.

The weakness is not with the wire itself, but rather in the wiring junctions and connections between the aluminum wire and things like light fixtures, switches and outlets. While aluminum is an excellent conductor of electricity, it expands and contracts more than copper and is much more prone to corrosion at connection sites; this can cause increased resistance in connections, which, put simply, means more heat that can lead to fire.

During the 60s and early 70s, it was more economical to wire homes with aluminum than copper. As a result, a number of homes during this time period were wired with aluminum, many of which were “tract”-type homes. The US CPSC estimated that approximately two million homes were wired with aluminum between 1965 and 1974.


The best way to determine if your house has aluminum wiring (and the condition of that wiring) is to hire a professional building inspector or a professional electrician. They can do things like open your electrical panel, inspect plug and fixture connections, or find and inspect electrical junctions. These types of operations, especially when they involve potentially faulty aluminum wiring connections, carry a risk of electric shock, so they should be approached professionally and with extreme caution.

Aluminum Wire Casings

A homeowner may get an indication of whether they have aluminum wiring by looking at the insulating jackets of the wiring in an exposed place such as a crawl space, basement, attic or garage.


Such indications include printed letters such as “KAISER”, “ALCAN”, “ALUMINUM”, “AL/2”, typically appearing every several feet along the wires. The image to the left shows examples of such markings.

If you discover your house does have aluminum wiring, one choice is simple; hire a professional electrician. After they perform a thorough examination, you will have three options, according to the CPSC


      1. Emergency-only temporary measures


      2. Rewiring your house


      3. “COPALUM” crimping every connection with copper wire

Some of the symptoms that you are in an emergency situation with aluminum wiring include hot outlet covers, lights that flicker, burning smells, or smoke. If you observe any of these, you should call a professional electrician immediately. The best measure to deal with such an emergency is to decommission the failing connections by turning off the circuit or capping wires. If the connection is essential, in the interim period prior to permanent measures, your electrician may replace an outlet or switch with a newer unit specifically labeled “for aluminum wiring”. They may also perform a temporary splice of copper to a fixture or outlet, known in the trade as a ‘pig tail’. Note, the CPSC specifically states that such measures are only to be used in a temporary emergency situation.

Emergency Measure Only!

The best option is to eliminate all aluminum wiring by rewiring the home with new copper wire. The old aluminum wiring will simply be orphaned. This is a relatively expensive option, depending on the size and complexity of your home, but it is the best and safest option. Any qualified electrician may perform this task.


In some cases, such as in multi-family construction or in single story homes on poured concrete slabs, it may be extremely complex to re-wire a home. In this case, or where economics require a less costly approach, there is another option. This is to crimp short pieces of copper wire to the aluminum at every connection using a specific tool called a COPALUM crimp connector.  Then, the copper is fixed to receptacles, switches, appliances, etc. It is a good idea to replace all switches and receptacles at the same time, as these are relatively inexpensive.


The COPALUM crimp connector and associated materials (pictured below) are only manufactured by one company. Originally, that company was AMP, inc., but as a result of mergers and acquisitions, the current company is TYCO. It is important that your electrician uses this specific tool and is certified and trained to do so.

COPALUM Crimper and Connector

Luckily, aluminum wiring is becoming increasingly rare as time passes. Should you encounter this wiring in a home you own or are considering for purchase, it is important to deal with this in a method approved by the US Consumer Products Safety Commission. For more information, see the original publication by USPSC.

As long as we’re not sitting in the dark, we rarely think about the quality of the lighting.

But good lighting design is more than just chasing away the shadows. Effective lighting can transform spaces and make them multifunctional.

If you’re remodeling, building a new home or just wondering why you’re struggling to read the newspaper, you’ll want to learn more about making your home’s lighting design more effective. Read on to learn more about the types of lighting and how to effectively implement them.

The Different Types of Lighting

Lighting is broken down into different functional categories based on its intended use. Effective lighting is all about matching the potential uses of a room with the kind of lighting that will best illuminate and/or highlight those functions. Lighting professionals often refer to this concept of different types of lighting as “layers” of lighting.




There are several different types or categories of lighting:

• Ambient
• Task
• Accent
• Decorative




Ambient lighting refers to the overall general light that fills a space. It doesn’t have any specific purpose other than to allow us to see and function in whatever room or space we’re in.


Task lighting is used to illuminate specific areas for the purpose of performing certain functions, like reading or food preparation. It’s usually a focused form of lighting and its location is usually specific to the place where you do the task.


Accent lighting highlights features, architectural elements or art that might adorn a room. It provides an interesting visual effect to features in a room or highlights and draws attention to characteristics within the space.


Decorative lighting turns the focus onto the light fixtures themselves. This form of lighting is intended to be the focal point rather than a source of illumination, though it might still serve as a form of ambient, task or accent lighting. Visual and artistic elements of the light fixture and how it casts the light are primary to how effectively it illuminates the space.




One thing to keep in mind is that these different layers of light can serve more than one function. Overhead recessed lighting in a kitchen, for example, can serve the role of general ambient light as well as task lighting, depending on its location and focus. Artistic pendant lights might serve as both decorative lights and task lights over a kitchen island.

Using more than one type or “layer” of light is what makes your home’s spaces more functional and the lighting more effective.




The Importance of Quantity, Location and Controls

Good lighting design obviously means having the right kind of lighting, but it’s more than that. The location of the lights, how many you use and their controls are equally important in achieving good lighting.

Choosing the right quantity of lights is essential for making any room live up to its potential. The concept of a single ceiling light for an entire kitchen (or any room for that matter) is antiquated and inefficient from an illumination point of view. Sufficient light fixtures are necessary to ensure there will be enough light for the room. An electrician can help you determine the quantity of fixtures you’ll need for your space if you’re unsure.

The location of light switches is also important. Placing them at convenient spots relative to the normal traffic flow pattern will make for more convenient use of the space. If you’re planning a remodeled space, think about the convenient spots for the light switches. This is particularly important in larger spaces where there are several points of entry. Qualified electricians and lighting designers can help you with this aspect of lighting design.




Get Involved in your Home’s Lighting Design


Finally, realize that you don’t have to be a lighting designer to make sure your home has good lighting. While the help of qualified lighting designers and electricians are certainly valuable, don’t just abdicate all responsibility to them.

Get involved with the design. Tell them how you use your space and what you plan on doing there. Review the plans for a remodel or new home and ask questions so you’ll understand where the lights and their controls will be. Ask yourself if the plan makes sense and gives you the light you’ll need.

Think green, too. Compact fluorescent lights (CFL) are more efficient than incandescent bulbs. LEDs (light emitting diodes) are even more efficient than CFLs. Choosing lights that are more efficient helps the environment, lowers your home’s electrical bill and reduces it’s overall cost of ownership because you’ll replace bulbs less frequently.




The more knowledgeable you are about the principles of good lighting, including the kinds of fixtures that are available and the roles they’re suited for, the better you’ll be at effectively lighting your home. You’ll also be more informed when working with lighting professionals.


Regardless of whether you do it yourself or get some help, your home’s lighting will be better because you did your homework.




Robert Levesque is publisher of HomeStyleChoices.com, a home design resource for helping you choose products and services when remodeling or building a new home.

One way to obtain this reduction in utility costs is with the use of solar electric panels.

The solar panel absorbs the light during the day and works to power your home.

It is not advisable to eliminate your electric supply.

By adding the solar electric panel to your home, you can use the solar power until it is used up, at which time the home electrical supply will start up and keep your home running until the solar panel is recharged.

You need to choose the correct size, since if the size is not correct you might not see enough savings in your electrical bill. The solar electric panel must be installed in the right position on the home to work and function properly.

If you decide to do the installation yourself, you will need to find the sunniest part of the house. This is where you will want to install the solar panel. Keep in mind that you have to do the wiring and hook up to the power supply in the home.

If you hire a professional, licensed and insured electrician, you will ensure that the job gets done correctly.

The NEC states the minimum guidelines for safety standards for any wiring and electrical work.

All professional electricians need to know all the guidelines of the NEC to receive a license.

The NEC is updated every three years.

Every community has additional code regulations. All electrical work must be done to meet the code of your particular community.

Inspectors, engineers, electrical contractors and electricians adhere to the guidelines of the National Electric Code (NEC).

Time is entirely too limited and valuable.

Using Email to communicate quickly while on the move or multi-tasking seems like a no-brainer.

Messages regarding booking new jobs, connecting with old clients or conversing with employees can be sent and received in a matter of minutes.

Utilizing Email for communication can help your business to run smoothly by saving you time and energy. However, if not approached and crafted properly, your Email correspondences could be sending out the wrong message about you or your business.

The following tips on etiquette in electronic communication will ensure that all of your business Emails are clear, competent and received successfully.

Include:

• An E-mail Subject
This first, vital step will set the tone for the rest of your Email. The subject of any message should be brief and directly indicative of what the rest of the Email will concern. An Email subject like “A Question for You” is much more vague and less informative than a subject such as “Question on Presentation Materials.”

• A Proper Salutation
You should never begin an Email without a clear, appropriate greeting, such as “Dear, Hello or To Whom It May Concern.” Starting a message with the first sentence of the Email body seems rushed and unprofessional. In a business-related Email, addressing your audience with “Mr. or Ms.” is typically recommended. You may move to a first name basis after repeated contact, but sticking to this rule initially will ensure that you are maintaining your sense of professionalism.

• Your Name and Title
Identification is important. If you do not explain who you are and on whose behalf you are writing, a reader may be quick to dismiss the message. When sending a business-related Email, it is advisable to communicate using an Email address that includes your name or your business name, as it gives more credibility to your purpose.

• The Purpose for Writing
After introducing yourself to the reader, the next step is to explain why you are writing. The message should be concise, uncomplicated, and to the point. The purpose for writing should be clearly spelled out immediately following your introduction. Any relevant details can be explained after stating your purpose for writing. Additionally, if a response or action is required on the part of the reader, this should be spelled out at the end of the Email body.

• A Detailed Signature
A signature will be the finishing touch on your Email and is often where readers will look if they want to reach out after reading the message. An effective signature for a business Email should contain an appropriate closing salutation, such as “Sincerely” or “Best Regards,” and include your full name, title, organization, and phone number. It might also be helpful to include a fax number or company website as well.

Exclude:

• An Information Overload
Keep your messages focused on one issue at a time. Addressing too many points in one e-mail might overwhelm the reader, making him or her more likely to abandon the message. Often times, if an Email includes multiple questions, your reader may respond to one point, but ignore another. Sending separate Emails about multiple issues is more effective than sending one message overloaded with information.

• Nicknames, Slang, Business Lingo or Abbreviations
When crafting an Email, your ultimate goal should be ensuring that your audience receives and understands the message as clearly as possible. Using nicknames, slang, business lingo or any other abbreviations with which your audience may not be familiar can lead to confusion on the part of the reader, especially if you are writing to a consumer who is not familiar with industry terminology.

• Angry Emails
Work can undoubtedly become frustrating at times, however, it is important to keep these frustrations out of your Email correspondences. Once you send an angry or negative Email, there is no way to get that message back. Another error commonly made when communicating electronically is writing in all capital letters, which is generally considered to be the equivalent of yelling. Be sure to take the time to review what you are sending and consider how your audience is going to react to the message.

Remember:

• To Edit Your Emails
No Email should be sent without proofreading the text you have written. Regardless of what type of business you are running, adhering to the general standards of grammar, spelling, and punctuation is absolutely vital to guarantee successful communication. An unedited Email filled with typographical and grammatical errors indicates that the author did not put any thought or effort into the creation of that message.

• To Keep Your Messages Neat and Tidy
What your message looks like on the reader’s screen has a significant impact on how your reader will respond. We recommend using a clear, simple, black font such as Time New Roman or Arial at 12-14 point. Often times, people skim Emails rather than reading them in detail, so breaking up the text using bullets and spacing will make the message more reader-friendly. Creating a bullet list is often more effective than writing a lengthy paragraph, as an important point can often be missed in a large block of text.

• To Manage Your Inbox
An unruly Inbox is one of the precursors to unsuccessful electronic communication. If your Inbox is overflowing with read and unread messages, the likelihood of missing an important message is increased. Use folders to save and organize your Emails once they are read, sort your Emails by priority to ensure the most urgent matters are handled first, and set reminders for yourself to complete important tasks. Keeping your Email organized will help you handle communications more efficiently.

The effort you put into writing business Emails can be indicative of the care you put into all of your business endeavors.

Be sure to make the right impression on your employees, customers, and colleagues by crafting understandable, thoughtful, effective electronic correspondences.