Category Archives: Electrical

Electric cars like the Tesla are rapidly gaining popularity—more so than any car in the industry. At some point, it’s safe to assume that vehicles powered primarily by electricity will be the standard for the automotive industry. Hence, the infrastructure in the U.S. needs to change to support electric vehicles. Electric cars save energy, promote health, and are environmentally friendly, offering several great benefits. If you’re considering purchasing an electric vehicle, you must prepare your home for the change.

Our professional electricians at Tommy’s Electrical Services can provide high-quality electrical vehicle charger installation. We have extensive training and experience working with chargers for all sorts of vehicles on all properties, and we can help you choose the perfect charger for your vehicle.

Regarding residential Tesla and other electric vehicle chargers, installing a Level 2 charger is generally recommended. Here is some basic information about Level 2 charging devices:

Level 2 vs. Level 1 Chargers

Level 1 and Level 2 chargers are what most homeowners have access to. Level 1 electric vehicle chargers use standard household outlets, and it’s common for electric cars to come with Level 1 charging cords that can be directly plugged into your home’s outlets. The downside of Level 1 chargers is that they’re limited to about 120 volts, which can take up to 22 hours to charge your car.

Level 1 chargers are probably not feasible unless your car is a plug-in hybrid.

Our professional Tommy’s electricians recommend Level 2 chargers for residential electric vehicle charging. Level 2 chargers supply 240 volts of electricity to your car, so they can significantly reduce charging times. You can fully charge your car in as few as three to four hours.

Installing Level 2 chargers will probably require some adjustments to your home’s electrical wiring, but our Tommy’s electricians will be able to handle the job.

Benefits of Level 2 Chargers

The primary benefit of a Level 2 charger is the significant reduction in charging time. You’ll be able to charge your car much more quickly, which gives you more flexibility when using your automobile. Your car can easily be fully charged overnight or while you enjoy a meal and complete some household duties.

Level 2 chargers can also help you save money on your electrical expenses. They’ll allow you to charge your vehicle strategically when electrical demand is lower. You can take advantage of lower electrical costs at night, which helps maximize energy savings on an already efficient vehicle.

If you are looking for Outdoor/Indoor Lighting Professionals in Gap, Pennsylvania then please call (717) 823-3757 or complete our online request form.

How Electrical Services Can Transform Your GAP, Pennsylvania Backyard into a Summer Paradise

If you want to enjoy the summertime without having to endure the traffic and cost of getting to the beach or elsewhere, then you might consider just soaking in the sun right in your backyard.

To fully enjoy the time you’ll spend in your backyard, you need to look to a source that might be somewhat unexpected: your electrician. After all, your electrician can help transform your GAP, Pennsylvania home’s backyard into a summer paradise by providing the following services:

Landscape Lighting

The summer days may be long, but they don’t last forever. And nothing puts a damper on your outdoor summer fun like nighttime can as it sends you, your guests, and the party indoors.

Luckily, you can keep the party going as long as you could possibly want it to by calling your GAP, Pennsylvania electrician for outdoor lighting. Outdoor lighting will add beauty to your home while also ensuring that the fun doesn’t stop at sunset.

Hot Tub Wiring

Something about summer just seems to draw us to the water: the pool, the beach . . . and hot tubs, of course — always a fan favorite. But to use your hot tub, you’ll need more than just plumbing: You’ll also need electric.

So, once again, that’s where your GAP, Pennsylvania electrician comes in. If you want to enjoy the summertime water fun right in your very own backyard hot tub, then you’ll need to call your electrician to get that hot tub wired up for you.

Security Lighting

You can’t fully immerse yourself in the fun and enjoyment of summer if you’re not as safe and secure as possible. But if your backyard is dark and accommodating for prowlers, you could be unsafe inside or out should an unsavory character sneak in for a visit.

If you want to continue partying your summer away worry-free, take the unsafely out of your backyard by getting security lighting. Security lighting will help keep you aware of any potential prowlers, helping to keep you and yours safe while you enjoy the paradise that has become your backyard.

If you are looking for Outdoor/Indoor Lighting Professionals in Gap, Pennsylvania then please call (717) 823-3757 or complete our online request form.

Hiring an electrician to check out your electrical wiring in Gap, Pennsylvania, may seem like a hassle at first, but scheduling electrical safety inspections is extremely important to the well-being of your home and family. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) affirms that electrical complications are responsible for more property damage resulting in fires than any other problem.

Hiring a trained electrician to inspect your wiring will alert you to the visible and hidden damage in your wiring, and repairs can be done to correct the problems discovered, preventing an electrical hazard in your home. Homeowners should schedule an electrical safety inspection at least every ten years, but if they rent to tenants, an inspection should be done every five years.

During your electrical safety inspection, your electrician will perform many tasks, such as checking for DIY or outdated wiring, testing smoke alarms, searching for damage from rodents and other pests, scanning for weather damage, testing lights and outlets, looking for uncovered or exposed permanent wires, examining the power box and the main breaker’s amperage, and recommending repairs and replacements.

Don’t rely on your electrician alone. Conduct your inspections regularly so that problems do not persist without your knowledge. Several hazards could lurk in your wiring, including incorrect voltage that could damage your appliances, improper ventilation for your electrical devices, an improperly sized fuse box, or covered wires. Take care of your electrical wiring; it should remain in good condition, eliminating your need to see your electrician before your next inspection.

Electricians advise people to schedule an inspection if the house is over 25 years old or if outdated or DIY wiring is present. You should also have the wiring inspected before you buy a house, after a major storm, and regularly. If you’re due for an electrical safety inspection, contact an experienced Tommy’s electrician at GAP, Pennsylvania Electrician, PA.

If you are looking for Outdoor/Indoor Lighting Professionals in GAP, Pennsylvania then please call (717) 823-3757 or complete our online request form.

Smoke detectors are crucial for the security of your home, property, and personal belongings, so an expert electrician should regularly check them and make any necessary repairs to ensure proper operation and lower fire risks. If you’re looking for an electrical service company you can trust with your Gap home’s electrical system, call Tommy’s Electric, a Pennsylvania electrician, to speak to a skilled electrician about our smoke detector services.

How Do Smoke Detectors Work?

Smoke detectors are small electrical devices that activate alarms when fire or smoke is detected. Homeowners can hire an electrician to install different types of smoke detectors, including photoelectric smoke detectors and ionization smoke detectors. Photoelectric smoke detectors use light beams that will sound the alarms if interfered with by smoke. These smoke detectors are usually placed in bedrooms and kitchens because they work well during electrical fires in walls. Ionization smoke detectors electrically charge the surrounding air, and the alarms sound if the charge changes. These smoke detectors suit areas where a fire could ignite quickly, such as furnace rooms.

Additionally, you can buy smoke detectors using photoelectric and ionization technology and choose between smoke detectors powered by internal batteries or by household currents with internal batteries as a backup. Additionally, your electrician can connect your smoke detectors to your home security system.

Common Smoke Detector Problems

Even if you’re diligent about smoke detector maintenance, these devices are still prone to malfunctioning. Don’t hesitate to contact the trusted electrical service professionals at Gap, Pennsylvania Electrician, if you experience any of the following problems in your Gap home:

• No alarms when there is smoke
• Alarms without any smoke
• Chirping smoke detectors
• No alarms after cleaning smoke detectors

If you are looking for Smoke Detector Professionals in Gap, Pennsylvania then please call (717) 823-3757 or complete our online request form.