With the summer reaching temperatures of more than 90 degrees, your air conditioning has never been more important. Many older homes in New Jersey do not have central air conditioning, causing the inside of your home to become 20-30 degrees hotter than it should be!

Suppose you have been considering purchasing a new home air conditioning or heating system or upgrading your current system. In that case, there has never been a better time. Air conditioning and heating systems are becoming more affordable and energy-efficient than ever.

Always call a licensed Electrical Contractor first!

Before considering a new air conditioning system or furnace, you should always call a licensed electrician, like Leinster Electric. In today's market, engineers have developed even more robust systems that require much more electricity to run, which some older systems may be unable to handle. Our licensed electricians will stop by and thoroughly evaluate your old heating and cooling system circuits so we can determine if your current electrical panel can handle the new load. If you find out that your current panel can not handle it, we can provide options to make it possible.

From 1965 to 1973, aluminum was used in wiring and was sometimes substituted for copper branch circuit wiring in residential electrical systems. Back then, there was a shortage of copper, and it was hard to get. That said, electrical contractors and homeowners started installing aluminum for wiring. After close to ten years of installing this type of wiring, it was discovered that aluminum wiring was not safe.

If properly maintained, aluminum wiring can be acceptable for outside services. Still, many jurisdictions will not allow any aluminum, no matter the circumstances. Aluminum wires are more likely to become defective much quicker than copper due to certain qualities inherent in the metal—neglected connections in outlets, switches, and light fixtures containing aluminum wiring become increasingly dangerous over time. Poor connections cause wiring to overheat, creating a fire hazard and electrical shock.

Problems with aluminum wiring

Aluminum wiring expands and contracts. When current is going through the wire, it heats up and expands. When there is no current, it contracts. After so many of these cycles, the connections at the devices and in the electrical panels will loosen over time, which can cause fires.

Aluminum also oxides or corrodes. If it is misconnected to another type of metal, like copper, it can cause a fire, too. The National Electric Code (NEC) requires that aluminum wire be connected using a special UL-listed device with an antioxidant compound.

Fixtures and devices must all be listed by UL listing authorities, stating that they can be hooked up to aluminum wiring.

Should I purchase a home with aluminum wiring?

It is crucial to know all the facts before buying a home. Homes with aluminum wiring should have a complete rewire due to the dangers associated with aluminum wires in your home. At the very least, all fixtures should be checked, and all receptacles and switches should be replaced in conjunction with UL-listed splicing techniques.

It should be noted that most insurance agencies will not cover homes with aluminum wiring in New Jersey.

Leinster Electric can inspect your home's electrical system and wiring and see if it's adequate to install a new appliance with your current electrical system. We can ensure you have the correct power, voltage, amps, and circuit wiring for your new appliances. We can also ensure you have life-saving devices, such as GFCI/AFCI protection, smoke detectors, and carbon monoxide detectors where needed. We can even replace your old appliances, too! If you plan on purchasing new appliances or remodeling your kitchen, then make sure you contact your neighborhood electrician to evaluate your home's appliance power needs.

Data and networking are essential to the business and home world today. The internet is not getting smaller. It is getting bigger every single day, and one day, everyone is bound to have a computer in their home. For your network to be stable and reliable, you need to hire only the people who can do it properly. Leinster Electric stays up-to-date with all the current technology and regulations. We were experts in the matter. We will use only the highest quality parts and provide a lasting installation.

Data and Telephone Wiring

When your data or telephone line is unprotected, all your information is at risk. At Leinster Electric, we understand how important your privacy is to you. We offer complete data wiring and installation services. We can assist you with data networking cable installation using Cat 5, Cat 5e, and Cat 6, audio and video cabling and wiring, security camera installation, plus more.

Data and Telephone Networking

When Leinster Electric designs and configures your network, we design it with only your business's needs in mind. We accommodate our data networking solutions for growth and expansion potentials. Data networking solutions allow businesses to maximize everything the internet has to offer. Telephone Networking allows businesses to talk freely among all the departments of their company, improving productivity and profit!

Structured Networking and Wiring Solutions

Structured networking integrates your data, telephone, audio-visual, and other equipment into a combined network.

You've done it! You went out and purchased an energy-efficient electric vehicle (EV). But how do you power this thing? Having an electrical charging station at your home will make all the difference in your "refueling." Just a few years back, EVs were dominated by one or two significant names in the industry, and an EV owner would be hard-pressed to find price comparisons or very many options at all.

In recent years, the market has grown to include several manufacturers and the ability to own and install an at-home electric vehicle charger. Leinster Electric has taken the guesswork out of choosing and installing the best charger for your vehicle. Our electricians will work with you to choose the proper equipment for your vehicle, provide professional installation, and accommodate your service needs as they arise.

A new EV charger is a big project, not a do-it-yourself project. Your home's electrical system will need to be assessed to ensure that it can handle the extra load of the charger, with particular attention given to the age of your garage or storage area and its distance from the rest of your home's electricity. Still trying to figure out where to start? If you're interested in purchasing an electric vehicle or are already the proud owner of one of the many options in EV, our customer service associates are just a phone call away!

Many older homes in New Jersey have old-style fuse boxes or panels. If you have one of these older-style fuse panels, you know how inconvenient they can be. Picture it: a beautiful Sunday afternoon; all your friends are over, and you are watching your favorite football team. There are seconds left on the clock, and the quarterback throws the ball, and in mid-air, you wait with anticipation, and what happens? Your TV screen goes blank.

So what happened? If you have one of those fuse boxes, you know exactly what happened: the fuse blew. So you race to your fuse box, locate the bad fuse, take it out, and install a new one. With a snap of a few sparks and a quick whiff of ozone, you are back in business, but by now, you have missed the very end.

The fact is that fuse boxes, although good at the time, are becoming extinct. Most insurance companies won't provide homeowners insurance with homes that have these outdated fuse boxes. You might be curious as to why. If so, then take a minute to read how having a new panel with circuit breakers can benefit you today.

New Electrical Panels – Save the day!

When you compare a fuse box to an electrical panel that has circuit breakers, it just does not compare. Modern circuit breaker panels are built with higher safety standards than outdated fuse panels. Circuit breakers provide more protection than the old screw-in fuses. Circuit breakers protect every device in the house with sensitive circuitry that responds quickly if there is a fault, opening the circuit and eliminating the risk of danger and fire.

There is also excellent protection available in the form of Ground-Fault Circuit Breakers and Arc-Fault Circuit Breakers. Fuses cannot give you protection like a GFCI and AFCI breaker.

Older equipment and wiring within your home did not have to support the modern appliances of today's time. Another common electrical hazard that we see is overloading or doubling up circuits in outdated fuse panels and breaker panels. Unfortunately, this leads to fires or burnt-up appliances and circuits.

You can eliminate this potentially dangerous situation by upgrading the power distribution source in your home by installing a new panel with circuit breakers.

Here are some reasons to upgrade your old fuse panel:

• Reduce the chance of an electrical fire.
• Eliminate doubled-up circuits.
• Eliminate the need to replace fuses or the chance to install the wrong size of fuse, which is a common fire hazard.
• Capacity to add additional circuits in the future.
• Increase the resale value of your home.
• Be able to get homeowner's insurance.

What should I get?

There are many affordable options for replacing your old fuse box. Leinster Electric will give your home a thorough evaluation and will help you decide whether you should have your outdated fuse panel replaced with a modern circuit breaker panel and what size panel you should have for your home.

Upgrading your old, outdated fuse box will ensure you get the most out of your home's electrical system and help avoid electrical hazards. And save your Sunday football game.

Throughout your home, you will often notice plugs in your wall with two buttons on them, a "reset" and "test" buttons. These are called GFCI (or Ground Fault Circuit Interruptor) receptacles, and they prevent you from electrical shock. In newer homes, they are required in kitchens and bathrooms but should be installed in older homes as well, especially anywhere near a sink or water.

The idea behind a GFCI is that the sensor will detect when the current of electricity is not correct or if there is a problem and trip itself to prevent electric shock. These are a great safety feature and an essential update to any home.

GFCIs can be tricky to install, so it is always recommended that an electrician do it for you. The wiring is generally more complex than a standard outlet, and a professional electrician can test that the GFCI is properly working. It also ensures your safety throughout the installation.

Another one of those days? Do you want to go home and relax? If that is the case, consider investing in a hot tub for your home. This investment will be like having a year-round vacation in your backyard, sunroom, or screen room, and it will be a place to escape from the cares of the day. The best part of this vacation is that you can spend it alone, with friends, or with family. All it will require is to sit back and enjoy a nice glass of wine and feel the many therapeutic and health benefits a hot tub can offer.

Before installing a hot tub, you should call a licensed electrical contractor first. Did you know that a licensed electrical contractor is supposed to install the hot tub? Before making any hot tub purchase, contact us for guidance. We will evaluate your entire electrical system to ensure that the hot tub you want to purchase can be installed in your current electrical system, and if not, what modifications might be necessary to accommodate it.

Once Leinster Electric has evaluated your current electrical system, we will install the correct GFCI protection, grounding, and electrical wiring for your new hot tub. Most hot tub installations can be done in as little as one day.

With the many stringent rules and regulations required to be met when installing a hot tub, there is no one better to call than Leinster Electric. We ensure that your hot tub works safely and reduce the high-risk factor of a potentially deadly combination when it comes to water and electricity.

Knob-and-tube (K&T) wiring was an early standardized method of electrical wiring in buildings, commonly used in North America from about 1880 to the 1940s. The system is considered obsolete and can be a safety hazard. However, some of the fear associated with it is undeserved.

K&T wiring is designed to dissipate heat into free air; insulation will disturb this process. Insulation around K&T wires will cause heat to build up, creating a fire hazard. The 2008 National Electrical Code (NEC) requires that this wiring system can not be covered by insulation. Specifically, it states that this wiring system should not be in hollow spaces of walls, ceilings, and attics where such spaces are insulated by loose, rolled, or foamed-in-place insulating material that envelops the conductors.

Many insurance companies refuse to insure houses with knob-and-tube wiring due to the fire risk. Exceptions are sometimes made for houses where an electrical contractor has deemed the system safe.

Here are some tips for those of you with K&T wiring:

• The homeowner or an electrician should carefully remove any insulation surrounding K&T wires.
• Prospective home buyers should get an estimate of the cost of replacing K&T wiring. They can use this amount to negotiate a cheaper price for the house.
• Have the system evaluated by a qualified electrician. Only an expert can confirm that the system was installed and modified correctly.
• Do not run excessive appliances in the home, as this can cause a fire.
• Where the wiring is brittle or cracked, it should be replaced.
• Proper maintenance is crucial.

If you live in a home with K&T wiring, then call the licensed electrical experts at Leinster Electric today, and we will do a complete evaluation of your electrical system and tell you whether or not it is safe. We will also supply you with other options for upgrading your electrical system.

LED lighting is one of the most efficient ways to light your home. Not only is it a fantastic way to go green and save money on your power bill, but LED lights also have a longer life than standard light bulbs while using less electricity overall! Instead of filament bulbs, light-emitting diodes (LEDs) use semiconductors. These semiconductors use less electricity while retaining the brightness of a fluorescent bulb. LED lights provide better color quality while emitting less heat.

A licensed electrician can install LED lighting quickly and efficiently. LED lights can be used for virtually anything, from recessed lighting to outdoor and security lighting. If you don't have under cabinet lights, a licensed electrician can install these in your home. Your entire home can be transformed with just a few simple lighting upgrades. Leinster Electric can update your home with new lighting, saving you hundreds on your power bill every year, so contact us today!

Whether you are a new or long-time customer moving to a new location, Leinster is ready to meet your new construction project's electrical needs.

Are you new to the area? Commercial new construction electrical requirements vary from one city or county to another. With all electric installations in new construction or renovation, an inspection is required, and familiarity with the various guidelines and laws is crucial to your project's success.

As experts in electrical new construction projects, Leinster will walk you through each step from the beginning. From obtaining proper permits from your city or county, reviewing your construction plans, and implementing energy-saving methods to plan submittal and preparing your new project for inspection, our licensed, bonded, and insured electricians are just a phone call or a click away.

Your new construction project's electrical needs can be manageable; let us take the guesswork out of hiring an electrician by providing you with expert installation, timely service, and 24/7 customer care.

Electrical panel upgrades are an essential part of every homeowner's duty today. It does not matter if you have an old, outdated panel or if yours is not up to the electrical code; you must keep your panel up-to-date and safe. Leinster Electric has the skills to do the job right the first time.

Some outward signs that you may need an electrical panel upgrade are flickering lights throughout your home and circuit breakers that constantly trip. All of these are safety hazards that could cause smoke or fire, which could harm you or one of your family members.

So, what is an electrical panel? All the power in your home comes from the utility department first, then to your electric service. From there, it goes to your electric panel and then distributed in wires to different locations throughout your home, providing you power where you need it most.

You may not have an electrical panel with circuit breakers; you may have an outdated fuse box or, even worse, an electrical panel that has lost its UL approval because they have been proven to cause fires. If your home is over 20 years old, and you've never had an electrical panel upgrade, chances are you need one.

A couple of electrical panel manufacturers went out of business because they were forced to close by UL because they made inferior and dangerous products. Unfortunately, many of these panels and breakers are in thousands of homes throughout New Jersey.

Circuit breakers are designed to shut off in a fraction of a second if there is a problem. This protects you and your family from electrocution, electric shock, and house fires. With the old-style breakers, some will not trip under a test load for at least one minute; some did not trip (turn off) at all.

Problems arise from electrical panels for many reasons. We will list just a few below:

• Loose connections
• Burnt connections
• Double tapped circuits
• Old, outdated fuses
• Not UL approved

Creating more space or upgrading existing space is an exciting and challenging project. Choosing to build up or out, add on or tear down? Renovations and remodels require planning, troubleshooting, and patience. You should always hire an electrical professional to remodel even just one room.

Remodeling requires proper electrical disconnection before any demolition can take place. Paying attention to your electrical requirements will save you money ahead of the game and provide the cost savings, energy efficiency, and safety that give you the confidence to move forward.

Leinster Electric knows what it takes from start to finish to accomplish a successful remodel or renovation. An expert will work with you to determine the proper placement of outlets, switches, lighting, and wiring to avoid overloading your existing circuit, electrical interruptions, and safety concerns.

Do your lights flicker on and off? Do your breakers constantly trip? If so, then most likely, you need an electrical service upgrade. There is only one type of electrical contractor you should hire when starting this project, and we will give you a hint: it is not a handyman. Reading the following paragraphs, you can learn how to save thousands of dollars on your upgrade.

Never Pay Twice, and Never Worry About Losing Your Power!

Regarding electrical problems involving your service upgrade, only one person is cut out for the job: a licensed electrical contractor. Do not be fooled by the internet, handyman, or even the do-it-yourself guy just because they can do the job for less. They may show up to do the work and finish it, but what risk are you taking in the end? Your power may not be turned back on. Why? Because only a licensed electrical contractor can do the job. All jobs involving your local power company and building department must be accompanied by a permit, inspected by and signed off by a licensed inspector, and only then will the power company turn back on your power.

Electrical Emergencies? You can count on us!

Leinster Electric is a state-licensed electrical contractor in New Jersey. We will provide our customers with quality installations, emergency service, and fast repairs. We will stop by and leave you with the peace of mind of knowing everyone is safe.

Electrical Service Upgrades! Do I need one?

What is an electrical service? This is where your home gets its power from the utility department. Every single home and business has them. A few different factors, such as where you are located, the age of your home, and what the electrician installed, will determine what type of service you have.

Your home or business will have a meter that tells the utility department how much electricity you use monthly, some means of disconnect, and service entry wiring. You could encounter significant issues later if there is no way to disconnect. The disconnect is a way to shut off all electricity to your home or business in the event of an emergency or if there is ever an electrical problem. Also, your panels and service must be correctly grounded and bonded to ensure it will go straight into the earth if a fault occurs. Proper grounding and bonding saves lives.

What size service do I have on my house?

How is an electrical service determined? By how many amps the over-current protection and wiring are rated for. Other names commonly used for over-current protection are "main fused" or "main breaker"; these devices protect the electrical components that make up your home. Where do I find out how many amps my meter and panels are rated for? You should be able to view this on the panels themselves, but if your panels are old, you may need help to read them. When this is the case, you must call a licensed electrical contractor. Once he arrives, he can open the electrical service and panels to determine what size service you have. This is good because we have often seen incorrect wiring methods with the associated means of disconnect. This is an extreme fire hazard.

What size service is required on my house?

The NEC or National Electric Code requires a minimum of a 100 amp electrical service. Still, it should be noted that most insurance companies require a 150 or 200-amp service to get insured.

Suppose you have been notified by the city, utility department, or your insurance agency that you need a new electrical service. In that case, you may wonder what you should do.

If you have just received a notification or know it is time to get an upgrade, call Leinster Electric. We will be happy to examine your electrical service and give you the exact price down to the penny on how much your new electrical service will cost you. We will also supply you with several options to choose from.

Leinster Electric will also be responsible for getting all paperwork and obtaining all permits to complete the job correctly. We will coordinate with your utility company to get your power back on in no time flat. Plus, you will even have the option for us to install a temporary generator on-site so you can still have some power in your home.