The electric vehicle (EV) revolution is here. As vehicle manufacturers and consumers gravitate towards the many advantages of EV’s we are seeing a dramatic increase in the need for home and business EV charging solutions.
If you’re considering adding an EV charger, there are some important details to consider:
EV Chargers
Charging capacity – how fast do you want or need to be able to charge your EV? Typical charging circuits for the home range in size from a simple 120 volt / 15 amp standard wall outlet that gives you about 7 miles per hour of charge up to a 240 volt / 60 amp charging circuit that can give as much as 40+ miles per hour of charge – much of this also varies depending on what kind of EV you have and what its max charge rate is.
Load – how much new load will your existing electrical system support? If you have a 100 amp service it is often the case that a service upgrade is needed to support larger charging solutions.
Grounding and surge protection – often overlooked as part of an EV charger install, but a very important detail. For all of our EV charging systems we highly recommend a whole house surge protection device (TVSS). The EV is the single largest investment that most homeowners will connect to their electrical system. Just like with computers and AV equipment, taking real steps to protect your EV from lightning strikes and over current surge events is one of the best investments you can make to sustain the life of the vehicle.
At Artisan Electric we want to do our part to educate you and guide you through the process of adding an EV charging solution. We have completed over 50 of these installs from the simple to the complex and everything in between. If you are considering an EV feel free to give us a call and set up a free estimate to make sure you have what you need to make the most of the experience.
Hello Friends and realtors and home buyers – a quick PSA today reposted from Kerry Brown at A-Z home inspections.
Bootleg Ground
This is a very serious and illegal condition. We see it all the time from shady home flippers and home sellers. It makes most plug checking devices used by inspectors to test outlets read “correctly wired / grounded”.
Make 100% sure you get a home inspection and that your home inspector is removing cover plates in each room to see how things are wired and to verify the type and condition of the wiring – MANY DO NOT DO THIS.
If you are curious if your home has bootleg grounds, contact us today at 765-414-3913 or fill out our contact form to set up a service call!
Welcome to October! This week’s toolbox talk is all about giving back to everyone that has believed in our company and the way we do business and overall helped contribute to our success here at Artisan Electric. During the month of October if you see any of our Artisan Electric job signs around town, stop and take a selfie with our sign and tag us on Facebook to receive a gift card for a free cup of coffee!
It’s Juice Time! Are you ready for the 2021 Business Expo?
Come see what all the buzz is about and meet the A-Team! Greater Lafayette Commerce’s Business Expo is September 15, 2021 at the Tippecanoe County Fairgrounds from 11 am to 4 pm. There is no cost to attend and you may even get some free snacks & swag!
Stop by our booth 411 and check out the 4-1-1 of what’s going down with the A-Team!
Do you or someone you know have an electric ceramic or glass kiln that needs maintenance or service? We have over 25 years of experience working with kilns, from a basic thermocouple replacement all the way to full rebuilds and reconstructions.
Maybe you are thinking of getting your first kiln, upgrading to a larger kiln, or adding a second or third unit to your set up. We can help evaluate your electrical systems and needs to size and install new kiln circuits.
Adding accessories like kiln vents or a kiln hood – we do that too!
When you think about kiln maintenance and service, think Artisan Electric!
Surviving, growing, improving, and adapting over time is no small task for any small business. The construction business is a tough industry, with only about 25% of companies in this sector making it to their 10th year. As we we reflect upon events like the 2008 crash, unstable elections, and a global pandemic we know we are lucky to be in the place we are today as a team and a company.
We have some big things in the works for 2021 / 2022 and look forward to sharing some very exciting news with you soon. In the meantime, Artisan Electric is excited to present to you a sneak peak of our new company promotional video! This video will be featured on the new City of West Lafayette website community page as the exclusive electrical contractor. From there it will be used for TV, web, and media spots for the coming year.
A big thanks to our team members, The City of West Lafayette, CGI Productions, People’s Brewing Company, and several of our other clients who worked with us during the shoot.
Finally, we appreciate the support and continued business from all of our loyal customers who believe in our company and the way we do business.
Today’s real estate market is flooded with buyers. We want to make sure that you make the most informed decision on buying (or selling) a home and get the most out of your investment. We are beginning to see a lot of pressure on buyers and sellers to waive the home inspection to make their offer stronger and to speed up the closing process. When the home inspection is waived, it means the buyer will not be able to hold the home sellers responsible for making repairs. Now while this could make the buyers offer more attractive, this has the potential to hide or otherwise neglect any potential damages or immediate repairs.
A full home inspection includes a qualified inspector coming to the house and evaluating dozens of key areas in the home and checking for possible damages and issues. Today we will discuss the
Knob and Tube Wiring
electrical category of the inspection and what your home inspector will evaluate in the home. Your inspector will evaluate the electrical panel in the home, check visible wiring conditions, ensure all light switches and outlets are in working condition and that the home has the appropriate GFCI outlets installed in the home. One common finding on inspection reports for older homes is knob and tube wiring. This wiring is distinguishable due to the electrical wires being anchored by ceramic insulting knobs passing through ceramic tubes as pictured to the right. This turn of the century wiring method was commonly used in the US from 1880 to the 1930s. This wiring method is ungrounded, often buried in insulation, is not rated for moisture, and overall is outdated.
Most home insurance companies will not insure a home with knob and tube wiring. Too often we see homeowners who recently bought a home and the insurance company will require the knob and tube be replaced within 60 days. If the homeowner cannot replace the knob and tube within 60 days they cannot obtain homeowners insurance and thus cannot obtain the mortgage. This is an unavoidable repair and it is best for a buyer or seller to obtain a home inspection prior to closing so we can help guide you through this process incase major repairs like this come up. We would rather you find out these repairs prior to closing so you know what you are dealing with before committing to a large investment.
The A-Team
Do you know if your home has knob and tube wiring? Are you looking to sell or buy a home? While we do not offer full home inspections, we do offer full electrical home inspections. We will come and do a deep dive on the electrical in the home and provide you with a detailed report of our findings and quotes on any repairs necessary. While a full electrical home inspection is not necessary to buy or sell a home, it is a great way for clients to be more informed on their investment and help prepare them for any costs or safety needs along the way. Feel free to reach out to us to discuss all your electrical needs at 765-414-3913.
It’s Friday! You know what that means…. It’s Toolbox Talk Day!
Is it okay to paint over your outlets and switches? The short answer is no, we discourage this. Painting over your devices can cause fires due to paint being conductive and causing poor connections. It can hide the flaws and defects that an existing outlet or switch may have, and let’s be honest… it does not look good and makes working on them difficult. If you or someone you know has outlets or switches that have been painted over, give us a call and we can come up with a plan to install new happy outlets!
When was the last time that you cleaned your exhaust fans? If you don’t remember or have never cleaned your exhaust fans, tune in to this weeks toolbox talk to learn more about when to clean your fans, what to look for when it is time to call an electrician, and what kind of fans are needed for certain rooms in your home or business.
With the winter cold snaps we have been getting in the Midwest this time of year we thought a quick space heater safety talk would be timely. Check out our weekly toolbox talk below and subscribe to our channel to learn more!
