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 SmellAny 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.

Chances are you have at least one smart home device in your home. Nowadays most homes have multiple smart devices whether it be a smart speaker, smart plug, or smart light bulbs. You can find just about a smart version of anything these days – even salt and pepper shakers!

But just because something is labeled “smart”, doesn’t mean that is truly is. Often times homeowners install multiple smart devices over a period of time and then find that those devices create headaches instead of making life easier which is what they are supposed to do. Many times, the devices don’t talk to each other and require separate apps.

It’s safe to say that home automation is on the rise in Sonoma County. However, this means that so is the number of homeowners who think they have the necessary skills to install a variety of smart home systems instead of hiring experts to perform the install.

A smart home professional will help you choose the right smart automation system for your home. They will create a customized home automation solution to fit your unique needs and ensure that it is installed and programmed in a way that will mitigate any future issues.

Summit Technology Group understands what a headache DIY devices can cause. That is why they approach whole home automation in Sonoma County intelligently. When done correctly, a smart home enhances your lifestyle, not hinders it.

[vc_row row_height_percent="0" 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]Just like any other household appliance, your standby generator needs regular care and maintenance. Whether you use an electric generator, a diesel generator, a portable generator or a gasoline generator, make regular maintenance a priority.

Regular maintenance prevents problems. A well-maintained standby generator is safer, more efficient and will last longer. It consumes less fuel, needs less frequent repair, and is less prone to breaking down.

Here are some tips to keep your home standby generator in tip-top shape.

Change Your Standby Generator’s Oil Regularly

Make changing your generator oil a part of your regular maintenance plan. Changing your standby generator’s oil regularly will reduce friction between the different components of the engine, preventing them from overheating.

[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: