Kick Off Summer the Right Way By Hosting the Best Backyard Party!

Memorial Day is more than a long weekend—it's the unofficial start of summer and the perfect excuse to throw the ultimate backyard bash. Whether you're firing up the grill, playing cornhole with friends, or lounging in the sun, the right outdoor technology can turn your casual get-together into an unforgettable celebration. From jaw-dropping visuals to immersive sound and ambient lighting, today’s outdoor entertainment systems are designed to keep the fun going all weekend.

Ready to take your party to the next level? Let’s explore how outdoor TVs, backyard audio, and landscape lighting can make your patio the ultimate holiday hangout.

Embrace Holiday Cheer Early with a Multi-Room Audio System

Summer is coming to a close. Back to school is upon us, and the fall season will fly by. Before we know it, it’ll be the holiday season. The holidays can make the months of November and December hectic as you buy gifts, decorate, host parties, and so much more. It’s never too early to start holiday preparation, which is why now is the perfect time to think about installing a multi-room audio system in your Sonoma, CA, home. A home audio system has benefits year-round, allowing you to listen to your favorite media in any room, and it especially comes in handy around the holidays. Keep reading to see three examples of how a multi-room speaker system can help you spread holiday cheer.

3 Tips for Achieving Whole Home Automation and Integration in Your Smart Home

In a way, smart homes function as the human body does. They are a collection of systems working in unison. When one fails, the rest can suffer. With the holiday season upon us, is your home ready for some fun?

At Summit Technology Group, whole home automation is the goal for our residential projects in Healdsburg, CA. To achieve it, we collaborate with architects, designers, and GCs to turn our clients’ smart home dreams into a reality.

From security and surveillance to access and lighting control systems, we know your home works best when its technology is designed, installed, and monitored by professionals.

Here are three tips for achieving full system integration and automation in your own home.

A Battery Storage System Saves Solar Power for When You Need It the Most

We know it’s hard to imagine, but the holidays are upon us. Before we know it, family and friends will be gathering for celebrations that last long into the evenings. Are you ready? One of the aspects homeowners may only consider once it's too late is the power that keeps the lights, heat, and entertainment up and running.

In addition to extreme weather events, power outages can occur when PGE proactively turns off electricity in the interest of public safety. Of course, sometimes it’s simply mechanical failures, like in May 2022, when 1,500 homes and businesses lost power in Santa Rosa after an underground cable failed. Statewide rotating power outages may also become more common as temperatures rise and create more frequent extreme heat events.

The good news is that integrating a battery storage system into your Santa Rosa, CA, home can keep your home up and running, reduce your reliance on the power grid, and lower your energy bills. Let’s explore the makings of a battery storage system.

Around 30,000 electrical fires are reported from different parts of the country each year. These fires are estimate to cause $1.1 billion in property damage and kill more than 300 people.

Some common causes of electrical fires are faulty electrical outlets, old appliances, overloaded light fixtures, and old wiring. In most cases, homeowners notice several signs of electrical problems before an electrical fire breaks out.

Every homeowner should watch out for these red flags and take corrective action in a timely manner.

Burning Smell Any unusual burning smell near an electrical appliance could mean that there’s something amiss. Your wiring could have become so hot that it might have started burning the plastic cover. If you ignore the problem, the heat from your wiring could start a house fire.

If you notice a persistent burning smell coming from a device, stop using it and turn it off. Unplug the device, switch off the power point, and call an electrical service in Santa Rosa immediately.

Thinking of a Residential Solar Install? Here’s Why Now Is the Time to Do It!

Do you hesitate when people talk about putting solar panels on their roofs? Perhaps, you wonder if there’s real value in doing it. You may ask yourself, “Can I really save money and energy on a residential solar install?” In this blog, we’ll focus on the many benefits you enjoy with a solar panel system on your home in Healdsburg, CA.

Summit Technology Group has been installing them on homes and commercial buildings for many years. So, we’ve seen firsthand how property owners benefit from these systems. Keep reading to learn five reasons why installing a residential solar system could be the right choice for you.

SEE ALSO: How You Can Save With a Home Energy Management System 

Update Your Home with New Light Switches from Summit Technology Group

A lighting system is one of the most important features of any home. Light not only makes a home livable but also impacts a homeowner's daily life. A lighting system requires wiring throughout the house, connecting lights and power outlets to various switches and dimmers. It’s one of the most crucial stages of home design and should only be done by a trusted company with proven experience.

Whether upgrading your Coeur d’Alene, ID, home’s lighting system or installing one into a new build, Summit Technology Group has the expertise to put you in complete control of your lighting. Keep reading to see what we can bring to your light switch installation project.

Elevate the time you spend outside with an intuitive landscape speaker system

Have you been enjoying your time outside this summer? Whether you relax on your patio, exercise in the pool, or play with your children in the backyard, going outside can benefit your overall well-being and mood. If you are less than enthusiastic about getting fresh air, or even if you live for the outdoors, one way to liven up your time outside is with an audio-video system.

Discover three unique ways to use your outdoor audio system in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho!

Create Stunning Lighting Scenes in Every Room

Lighting is one of the most important aspects of our daily lives and is often taken for granted. When you have control over the lighting in your home, it enhances the way you perform day-to-day activities. Lutron lighting control allows you to control all the lighting in your home in unique ways, greatly enhancing utility, comfort, and aesthetics in your Coeur D'Alene, ID or Sonoma, CA, home. Read on to learn more about Lutron light control for your home.

Enjoy Invaluable Family Time this Season In Your Personal Home Theater

The holidays are a special time, reminding us of what’s most important: quality time with family and friends. So many families love watching holiday movies together, and what better place to watch do that than in a dedicated home theater? You can bring some festive snacks, dim the lights, and enjoy all of your favorite holiday movies in your custom theater. Keep reading to see how a home theater installation can elevate your Bodega, CA, home this holiday season and year-round.

Keep Your Smart Home Up and Running with an Energy Storage System

In May 2022, California energy officials issued a warning, preparing residents for potential blackouts as the state’s energy grid faces a possible summer shortfall. Challenges include planned power outages, wildfires that cut off transmission lines, extreme heat events, and drought.

The good news is that California leads the U.S. in generating renewable energy and is the top producer of solar and geothermal energy. More good news: At Summit Technology Group, we provide homeowners in Healdsburg, CA, with a home energy storage system that ensures they have power despite California's energy grid shortfalls.

These are easily managed and less expensive than homeowners imagine. Let's explore what they entail and how to ensure your home is up and running during an outage.

How to Protect Your Home When Blackouts Occur 

Living in California certainly has its benefits. Beautiful weather, blue oceans, idyllic beaches, and majestic mountains are some of the many pleasures we enjoy. And, if you’re a luxury homeowner, it’s likely that you also enjoy smart technologies, such as automated lighting, motorized shades, a home theater, and other luxurious creature comforts. 

But here’s where your comfort and peace of mind are compromised—California’s notorious rolling blackouts. While they may seem like minor inconveniences, they can actually cause damage to your electronic devices and appliances through power surges. 

Keep reading to see how our electrical wiring company in Napa County, CA, can protect your valuable equipment with a whole-home surge protector. 

Smart Home Automation Offers Effortless Control of Lighting and Entertainment

That time of year has arrived to Healdsburg, CA! Soon, friends and family will arrive at our doorsteps, and holiday parties will be in full swing. While it's a great time of year, it can also bring increased stress with more on our to-do plate than time allows. This year, consider taking some of the pressure off with a smart home automation system.  At Summit Technology Group, we partner with Control4 and Lutron, leaders in home and lighting automation. Together, we can make your holidays more enjoyable. Let’s look at how these systems can help you get through the season of giving with your holiday spirit intact.

[vc_row row_height_percent="0" override_padding="yes" h_padding="3" top_padding="3" bottom_padding="3" back_color="color-xsdn" overlay_alpha="50" gutter_size="3" column_width_percent="100" shift_y="0" z_index="0" shape_dividers=""][vc_column column_width_percent="100" gutter_size="3" style="light" overlay_alpha="50" shift_x="0" shift_y="0" shift_y_down="0" z_index="0" medium_width="0" mobile_width="0" width="1/1"][vc_column_text]Power outages are not only inconvenient but are also becoming more frequent. Whether caused by a natural disaster or inclement weather, a power outage can bring your life to a grinding halt. An outage can last a few minutes, a few hours, or even a few days. Luckily, a little planning and preparation can go a long way towards mitigating the impact of a power outage.

If your area experiences frequent power outages, consider investing in a solar system with backup battery. A typical battery backup system stores energy produced by solar panels for later use. Modern backup batteries are much more energy efficient and more affordable than their predecessors.

However, there is a limit to the amount of energy that a solar battery can store. If your budget allows, consider investing in a generator and a solar battery. Once your solar battery exhausts its charge, your generator will power your household equipment while you recharge your battery. You can opt for a natural gas, diesel or propane powered generator.

Here are some things to consider when buying a solar battery:

• Depth of discharge
• Round-trip efficiency
• Battery capacity and power
• Battery life and warranty

Things to consider when buying a generator:

Prepare for Power Loss With These Solutions

Over the past decade, California has become a spark plug for wildfires throughout the dry summer and fall months. If you live in the Glen Ellen, CA area, you should be prepared for power outages due to PSPS or wildfire.

Losing power during wildfire season doesn't necessarily mean you're in immediate danger. Local power companies will shut down power lines that pass through high fire-threat areas to prevent igniting new fires. However, this practice means you could be without power fordays or even weeks during wildfire season. But no worries! With our power outage solutions, you can maintain a luxurious lifestyle even through an extended loss of power. Keep reading our blog to discover your options!

[vc_row row_height_percent="0" override_padding="yes" h_padding="3" top_padding="3" bottom_padding="3" back_color="color-xsdn" overlay_alpha="50" gutter_size="3" column_width_percent="100" shift_y="0" z_index="0"][vc_column column_width_percent="100" gutter_size="3" style="light" overlay_alpha="50" shift_x="0" shift_y="0" shift_y_down="0" z_index="0" medium_width="0" mobile_width="0"][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1602265942866{margin-bottom: 24px !important;}"]Your electrical service panel houses several circuit breakers that distribute electricity to different parts of your home. Over time, the service panel may become corroded, or dust may settle on different components. Dust, debris, or loose connections can cause your electrical panel to malfunction, putting your business or home at risk for tripped circuit breakers and power outages. To steer clear of these issues, maintain your electrical service panel regularly.

Electrical contractors in Sonoma County recommend having the service panel inspected and maintained by a contractor at least once every three years.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text_font="font-728346" text_size="h5" text_weight="600"]Why Maintain Your Service Panel?[/vc_custom_heading][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1602265966910{margin-top: 8px !important;}"]Your electrical service panel is the central distribution point for delivering electricity from the utility company to switches, outlets, and appliances in your home. A faulty electrical panel will not just damage electrical appliances connected to it, but can also pose a safety hazard.
Breakers and lose wires can cause overheating. If you do not move quickly to address the problem, it will snowball into a major concern, and you may end up spending a ton of money on expensive repairs.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text_font="font-728346" text_size="h5" text_weight="600"]What is Done During a Maintenance Session?[/vc_custom_heading][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1602265989759{margin-top: 8px !important;}"]During a maintenance session, your electrician will check for signs of rust, wear and tear, and corrosion. The professional will clean the different components of your panel.
They will check all necessary connections and conduct a thermal check to detect high temperatures, one of the most common indicators of electrical problems.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text_font="font-728346" text_size="h5" text_weight="600"]Signs Your Electrical Service Panel Needs to Be Maintained or Replaced[/vc_custom_heading][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1602270774692{margin-top: 24px !important;}"]

Frequent Panel Tripping Does your circuit breaker trip frequently? This can be an indicator that you are using more appliances than your circuit can accommodate. An electrical panel trips off to prevent the wires from overheating. If you are facing the problem, have your breaker replaced.
Flickering Lights If your lights flicker when household appliances are in use, there could be a connection problem. If an appliance operates but seems to have a diminished output, there is a possibility that your circuits are overloaded. This is an indicator that your panel is outdated and is unable to handle the load.
Burning Smell or Discolored Outlets If your service box has a poor connection, a huge amount of power will be generated in a small area. When the heat rises, you can smell burning. Overheating can cause your outlet to become discolored. This is a serious issue and requires immediate attention.

[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text text_lead="yes"]Summit Technology Group is a leading electrical contractor in Sonoma County. We provide end to end turnkey electrical services. Whether you are planning to wire your new home or want to have your electrical panel maintained, our team has got your covered. To discuss your project with one of our experts, call 707-542-4773. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Our Team Delivers Top-Notch Electrical Services for Your Smart Home

If there’s one thing a smart home needs for its many solutions and technologies to perform properly, it’s consistent and reliable electricity. If your home’s wired systems aren’t up to par, then your smart home will certainly suffer from it. However, diving into your electrical wiring and cabling on your own can be quite daunting – we don’t recommend a DIY route and its potentially costly consequences.

Instead, work with a trusted electrical company like Summit Technology Group for your home’s electrical rewiring services and beyond! You can rest assured that our team will take care of every aspect of your project. Want to find out more about what our services entail? Keep reading on below.

Does Your Solar Panel System Make You Eligible for Savings?

A solar panel system on your home in the North Bay, CA, comes with many benefits including energy independence, reducing your carbon footprint, and saving money on your utilities. Your solar panels may be able to save you even more money if you’re eligible for a solar tax credit! Keep reading to learn more about available solar tax credits and to see if you’re eligible for a tax return credit next tax season.