[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_1617919580184{margin-bottom: 24px !important;}"]We are heavily dependent on electricity as it operates our household appliances. A power outage will not just plunge your region into darkness but will render all your electric appliances useless. When your appliances get turned off, it can be potentially upsetting and, at times, even dangerous.

To help you stay safe and avoid inconvenience, we have compiled a to-do and not-do list during a power outage.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text_font="font-728346" text_size="h5" text_weight="600"]DOs[/vc_custom_heading][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1617919647257{margin-top: 8px !important;}"]Stock Up on WaterTo prepare for an announced power outage, stock enough water to last for a few days. Check with your local authorities to be sure if your water is safe to drink. If there is no way of knowing where your water comes from, boil your water to disinfect it. If a hurricane is approaching your area, it makes sense to store extra water for personal hygiene.

Unplug All Sensitive AppliancesUnplug all sensitive appliances such as computers, televisions, and microwaves after a power outage occur to prevent them from damage. Use surge protectors for these devices or have an electrician install a whole home surge protector.

Conserve Your Mobile’s BatteryYour mobile will help you stay connected to the outside world during a power outage. To make your mobile phone battery last longer, turn down the screen brightness and turn-off power-hungry applications and functions such as Bluetooth, Location Services, and WiFi. Turn off your mobile and switch it on only when you need to call someone.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text_font="font-728346" text_size="h5" text_weight="600"]DON’Ts[/vc_custom_heading][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1617919714481{margin-top: 8px !important;}"]Light a CandleCandles can be a fire hazard during a power outage. Plus, they do not give off much light. Instead, use flashlights and battery-powered lanterns.

Get Too Close to Downed Power LinesDo not get close to downed power lines as they could still be live and dangerous even if you don’t notice any imminent warning signs.

[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_1617919288638{margin-bottom: 24px !important;}"]Summit Technology Group is always on the lookout for new products and services that benefit our clients. That’s part of the reason why we’ve been in business for over 50 years. Today is no different. STG is excited to announce that we are now offering full design services, including lighting design.

The decision to offer lighting design came easy to us. After decades of installing lights and electrical work, we came to the realization that good lighting design can enhance lifestyles and even improve health and wellness so they should be readily available to everyone.

Imagine reading your favorite glossy magazine without harsh glare from a lamp. Or switching seamlessly from bright task lighting in the kitchen while you chop vegetables to warm ambient lighting during dinner. The right lighting can help you do better, know better and feel better.

Are you interested in learning how lighting design can enhance your lifestyle and even improve your health and wellness? With our four step process, we make it easy. We offer three packages allowing you to choose the one that fits your project the best – from basic design to custom bespoke.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text_font="font-728346" text_size="h5" text_weight="600"]DISCOVERY[/vc_custom_heading][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1617919308690{margin-top: 8px !important;}"]During Phase 1, we DISCOVER what is important to you. Send us your plans, drawings, and anything that will help us understand the project. Invite us to your Pinterest boards or Houzz Ideabooks; provide us magazine clippings and photos of your current home. We study it all and meet with you using our online video conferencing technology to discuss your goals for the project and share our unique approach to design.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text_font="font-728346" text_size="h5" text_weight="600"]DESIGN[/vc_custom_heading][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1617919333113{margin-top: 8px !important;}"]During Phase 2, we DESIGN a unique digital sketching phase that allows us to imagine multiple possibilities for your home. We build a preliminary set of drawings including lighting plans that show every fixture in the home.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text_font="font-728346" text_size="h5" text_weight="600"]DEVELOP[/vc_custom_heading][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1617919355283{margin-top: 8px !important;}"]In Phase 3, we DEVELOP what works best for you and build fixture allowances that help you budget. We walk through the lighting design room-by-room, updating the plan in real time to fit your needs and measuring it against our own high standards.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text_font="font-728346" text_size="h5" text_weight="600"]DELIVER[/vc_custom_heading][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1617919384988{margin-top: 8px !important;}"]In phase 4, we DELIVER a complete set of lighting plans with measurements and fixture types for your entire project. We also provide buying guides for decorative fixtures like pendants with all the details you need to choose the right lights. We provide guides for architectural fixtures- such as recessed downlights- to simplify your shopping experience.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text text_lead="yes"]Contact us for a private consultation on how lighting design can help you.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[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_1617918566049{margin-bottom: 24px !important;}"]Winter is here. Now is the right time to prepare your generator for the winter months as generators can develop several problems during this cold season. When the temperature drops, the particles of generator fuel can coalesce, making it difficult for you to operate the generator. If your generator has an electric starter, the batteries may lose cranking power.

Low oil shutdown sensors may experience problems in winter. Malfunctioning oil shutdown sensors will prevent the generator from starting.

Here are some tips to prepare your generator for winter.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text_font="font-728346" text_size="h5" text_weight="600"]Inspect Your Batteries[/vc_custom_heading][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1617918591719{margin-top: 8px !important;}"]Before winter hits in full force, inspect your batteries to check whether the lead plates remain coated with sulfate. Make sure the breaker is closed. If it trips, reset it.

Check battery connections; clean and securely tighten them whenever required. To prevent corrosion, apply a battery saver to batteries regularly. If your batteries are on their last legs or have developed a significant problem, replace them.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text_font="font-728346" text_size="h5" text_weight="600"]Check Your Generator’s Fuel Levels[/vc_custom_heading][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1617918622535{margin-top: 8px !important;}"]Make sure your portable generator has enough oil to keep it running. Check the oil level whenever you add fuel to your generator and top off if required. Add fuel stabilizer at least once a year. Always keep a few quarts of oil on hand and continue to check oil levels every 24-48 hours if the generator is running. Consider switching to winter-grade oil designed to reduce friction between different parts.

For permanently installed generators that are connected to natural gas, levels should be fine. For permanently installed generators running on propane, be sure to check your propane tank levels to ensure there is enough.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text_font="font-728346" text_size="h5" text_weight="600"]Inspect Replaceable Parts[/vc_custom_heading][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1617918667539{margin-top: 8px !important;}"]Check your generator’s carburetor, fuel filter, spark plug, and air filter for dirt and damage. Perform inspections at regular intervals during winter. For specific maintenance instructions, refer to your owner manual.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text_font="font-728346" text_size="h5" text_weight="600"]Use an Engine Block Heater[/vc_custom_heading][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1617918717601{margin-top: 8px !important;}"]To keep your engine warm and make sure it performs the way it should in winter, install an engine block heater. There are three types of block heaters: freeze plugs, tank-style heaters, and radiator hoses.

[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_1617917920283{margin-bottom: 24px !important;}"]Power outages can be disastrous, especially if you have a sick person at home who uses an electricity-dependent medical device or assistive technology. If your area experiences frequent power outages, consider a solar battery backup in Sonoma County that will provide backup power when your regular power source fails.

There are several benefits of solar battery backups. A solar battery backup system can help you reduce your carbon footprint.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text_font="font-728346" text_size="h5" text_weight="600"]How Does a Solar Battery Backup System Function?[/vc_custom_heading][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1617917948333{margin-top: 8px !important;}"]When your solar panels produce more energy than you need, the excess energy is stored in your battery. The system utilizes this surplus energy to power your appliances during power outages.

Solar batteries are either AC or DC coupled. In an AC-coupled battery system, the solar inverter converts DC to AC, then a second inverter in the battery converts AC back to DC to be stored in the battery. During a grid power outage, the battery inverter converts DC back to AC to power your loads.

With a DC-coupled battery system, DC is produced by the solar panels and stored in the battery. During a grid power outage, the inverter converts DC to AC to power your loads.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text_font="font-728346" text_size="h5" text_weight="600"]Tax Benefits[/vc_custom_heading][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1617917977249{margin-top: 8px !important;}"]The federal government and many state governments currently provide incentives to homeowners for using solar battery backups. These incentives include federal tax credit and state and utility rebates.

The federal solar tax credit allows homeowners who install a solar energy system in 2021 to deduct 22 percent of the cost of installing the system from their federal taxes.