Residential Solar, Utility Interconnects

I have spent years working on electrical systems in multiple states, counties, cities and small towns. The most interesting thing is the fact that they all follow the NEC, but the truth is that  none of them interpret it the same and they all have their own specialty code or just have decided that they have certain installation methods they allow or don't allow regardless what the code says.

Residential solar production

If you are a homeowner just doing work on your home then this isn't really problem most of the time. But if you are an electrician in the trade moving to another area or even another state to do electrical work, then you will need to find out what the latest electrical installation methods are and what the local inspectors like to see. I have found out the hard way that just because the code allows it, this doesn’t always mean that the inspectors will allow it.

Utility Interconnect for Solar

Sometimes this is because they interpret the code differently, or sometimes its due to that specific geographic location requiring different environmental considerations. This can make certain wiring methods not expectable in that region or area.

Residential Solar Inverter

For example, say you work primarily inland in the pacific northwest but you decided to go to any number of the little beach towns to replace an old service for your brother. You may be in for a surprise. You installed that new meter main on the house, but when the inspector comes to inspect your work they inform you that you can only use stainless steel service equipment. For some of you that may be common knowledge but for others you don’t know what you don’t know.

Save time and money by asking a few questions before you purchase materials, equipment and start a project outside your knowledge area.

None of us know everything. I personally find that the electrical  trade and just technology in general changes so rapidly that I feel like I’m always in a constant state of learning.

 

LED Lighting in Your Home, Saving Money

One of the simplest ways to save money on your electrical bill is to change all your lighting to energy efficient LED bulbs and fixtures. Most homeowners don't realize just how much money they can save just by changing over to LED bulbs a fixtures.




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All the light fixtures in my house were over 15 years old. I can't even imagine how many incandescent bulbs have been replaced over 15 years not to mention the extra energy wasted over that time period. My kitchen had those old can lights with the black baffles, yuck! they were so out dated. What a difference it made to install all new LED can trims. Better yet, they are so easy to replace. There is no need for an electrician to come out, they just screw right into the old bulb socket and your done! They make multiple styles with multiple color spectrums that will brighten any room in your home.






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Garage lights? Yep I changed out all those too!







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I even replaced those old halogen style under cabinet lights. Wow! what a difference it made. The old ones were very hot and yellow in color. I love the new look after changing them and it uses so much less energy.






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Do you have a green thumb? I do, and yes purchased LED grow lights for my garden starts. If live in an area with a short growing season well then you know it is very hard to have a garden without getting your veggies a head start. I haven't yet built a green house but for now I just purchased a couple of these LED grow lights. They are amazing! I grow corn, acorn squash, avocadoes and also in the middle of the winter I even let my house plants get more light during those dark months.





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Less power, great growth



Avocado tree


Speaking of dark winter nights, the old outdoor barn lights were mercury vapor and they really used the electricity! I purchased two new LED barn lights with built in dusk till dawn sensors and I couldn't be happier with how bright they are.

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