We deal with a lot of historic properties, both on the commercial and residential sides of the business.  On thing that comes up on a regular basis is the question of what to do with those original fixtures when doing updates and remodeling.  In many cases it may be in the best interest of the project to rewire and restore these old fixtures rather then replace them.  Here are a few things for you to consider while making those decisions:

1)  Many historic fixtures can be rewired and grounded to be made as safe as any new fixture you might purchase.  We typically can replace all the wring and lamp sockets in most of these fixtures without changing their appearance.

2)  Replacement reproduction parts, missing glass and “finals”, new shades and trims, and decorative chain can all be fabricated or bought now for these projects.  We even have suppliers who can match and remake the old “slumped” glass panels and faceted hanging “jewels” for fixtures.  We can even costume cut and replace stained glass panels!

3)  To maintain that vintage look we can get new UL listed lamp cord that still has the old tweed cloth covered outer casing – we can even get vintage reproduction cord ends and switches.

4)  On the commercial side of things we can re-build old florescent fixtures / outdoor lanterns / signage lighting / goose necks / and old shop fixtures, using  modern parts and materials to make the efficient and safe.  We can even convert old gas fixtures to electric or refurbish old gas fixtures to be actual working gas lights again!

5)  We typically recommend that the original finish, know as the patina, be left undisturbed on a fixture – particularly if it is of historic value.  However – if we need to take it back down to metal, get it bead blasted and structurally repaired, then stat from scratch with a new powder coat or plating we can do that as well.

Here are some pictures of some fixture projects we have had in the shop – lets us know if there is anything we can help you with!

In this day an age of low bids, trunk slammers, poor workmanship, and a general lack of professionalism in the trades finding the right folks to do work with can be a challenge.  It comes as no surprise that we get asked for contractor referrals all the time.  Naturally this leads to us keeping a list of referable, reliable, trustworthy companies that can deliver a quality product and keep to a time table.  Here is my “GO TO” list – the people that I  have come to trust, who consistently meet my expectations and take great care of our clients.  I will personally vouch for these companies – this is my A-TEAM when it comes to local small contractors.

The A – TEAM

BRENNECO Plumbing (765-448-6190) > Randy Lynch

MECKO’S Heating and Cooling (765-447-7555) > Dave Mecklenburg

ARNIE COOK Roofing – residential and commerical roofing / windows / siding (765-420-7663) > Arnie Cook

ARTISAN ELECTRIC (765-414-3913) > That’s me – Chris Voglund

HAGUE QUALITY WATER – water conditioning equipment sales and installation (765) 538-2549 > Steve Sidel

HENERY POOR LUMBER – building materials / custom wood / kitchen and bath supply (765) 474-1388 > Jay Andrew

KIRBY RISK SUPPLY – all things electrical / lights / fans (765) 448-4567

CARPENTER’S PAINTING – exterior paint and restoration (765) 430-5560 > Bryan Carpenter

R.DOUGLAS PAINTING – high end interior paint (765) 412-4621 > Gaius Douglas

ECODOMIA – steel frame homes / general contractor (765) 418-7117 > Chris Xioufarides

SIMON CONSTRUCTION – general contractor (765) 567-2764 > Sam Simon

ISSAC LAWSON – kitchen and bath specialist / handy man (765) 413-7516 > Issac Lawson

WYATT COMMUNICATIONS - phone and com tech support and supply (765) 447-6545 > Bill Wyatt

TRI-TECH CONSTRUCTION – commercial buildings / cement work / crane service / overhead doors (765) 448-7994

KJG ARCHITECTURE – full service architects and engineers (765) 497-4598 > Kelly Good

K.L. SECURITY ENTERPRISES – fireproof data and document storage 1-866-867-0306 > Johnny Klemme

AMERICA’S ELITE CARPET and FLOOR CARE – all things floor cleaning (765-296-7234) > Mark Harbison

BECK’S AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE CENTER – all things car and truck (765) 447-9459 > Robert Hancock

MAXIMUMMEDIA - media / web / graphic design and consulting (765) 413-8923 > Noah Mattern

JP VIDEO PRODUCTIONS - all things video (765) 269 – 9692 Jay Patzschke

IS PHOTOGRAPHIC - all things photo (765) 420-9621 > Dave Mason

AUTO GLASS EXPRESS – all things auto glass (765) 446-7900 > Ron Whitaker

EDGE IT SOLUTIONS - all things IT (765) 807-6121 > Ryan Edgell

If you have any questions about who to use for a project or how to find the right contractor for a job let me know – I am happy to help!   Also please feel free to check back in from time to time as we are always updating the list as a local resource.

Best Regards – Chris Voglund

WOW… this is super awesome people!  Thank you so much for your support, trust, and business – we could not do this with out you (really, we have to sell work to eat).

If you have some extra time and can make it out to the reception it would be great to see you.

Best Regards,

Chris Voglund

Spring is here… and not too far down the road we will be suffering thru the dog days of summer, and the fight to stay cool and comfortable in our homes.

That brings us back to my old friend the ceiling fan.  I love fans… they are efficient, they are eco-friendly as compared to the manufacturing and use of AC systems, they extend the season you can keep the AC turned OFF, they help with winter heating (by as much as 25% in an old home), and with all the options available today they can add a real statement to a home.

So what do they actually cost to run you ask… here is a quick break down on costs for use of each of these appliance loads, based on a 12 hour run time per day with current average electrical rates.  This in only meant to be a base line – the cost of running Window AC units and Central Air can go up or down form this dramatically based on the age of the equipment, the efficiency of the system.

COST PER DAY TO RUN

Ceiling Fan = ($.10)
Window Air Conditioner = ($1.63)
Central Air System = ($4.30)

Ceiling fans are very efficient – they use about as much power as a 100 watt light bulb to run.  If you have any questions about applications or installations we would be happy to take a look.  We get our fan products thru Kirby Risk – and in most case these better units come with a 5 to 10 year motor life warrantee.

Surge protection is the kind of thing that no one wants to think about or spend money on, until the worst happens.  It’s not “cool” and is not the kind of thing thing that comes up in causal conversation at the gym.  “Say Bob, what kind of surge protection you running these days”, just kind of weird ah?

Stay with me here… let’s say its spring time, and you just went out and bought that wall hung 60″ LCD High Definition TV you have been drooling over all winter.  Maybe a little gift to yourself for making it to spring – after all it’s baseball season right?  We both know you got a bundle of money tied up into your new toy; and if you dropped the change on home theater components to go with it you very well may have a months wroth of wages into “your system” – yet some how you have convinced yourself that YOU NEED THIS and that your wife will approve.  It’s OK – we all do it.

With spring also comes squirrels… starving from winter and more then a little wound up.  Still, its cold at night – and that big metal thing behind your house is warm year round, good place to take a nap if your a squirrel. Then it comes… first that unnatural electrical arching sound, then the lights flicker for a few seconds – wait for it, and BA-BOOM!!!  Hours later the power is restored and you find yourself sitting in front of your new TV – head in your hands, crying.  You knew it was smoked as soon as you tried to turn it on.  Yet you keep trying, on, off, on, off, on, off – “come on, you can do it”.  Like any good tech user you head to your computer to look for some answers on Google – surly it is just a fuse or something.  then you realize how bad of a day it is really going to be  – computer is fried too, lost everything on the drive.  UGH!

Now your old friend surge protection is looking pretty good

Here is a link to a company that makes a full line of products we really like, PANAMAX.  We can assist you with small point of use systems for an entertainment center or computer – all the way up to whole whose or whole office electrical system protection units *TVSS*.

These days we are surrounded by portable spas, inexpensive all-in-the-box inflatable pools, hot tubs, spa garden tubs, steam baths, and any number of new water related play time products.  Electricity and water typically do not play nice together… when you take a vessel, fill it with water, then wire it up with more then enough electrical potential to cook and elephant you have created a uniquely dangerous situation.  In my experience most people take this for granted, and tend to make the assumption of  “it must be safe” or they would not sell it, right?

All of these types of products MUST be  GFCI protected.  The National Electrical Code has complete section of the code book (2008 NEC – Article 680) dedicated to this topic.  Everything from little wading pools to that fancy new pond your thinking about putting in this spring.

I found this CPSC write up on the subject I thought I would share.  In the end, what it comes down is that if it mixes WATER and ELECTRICITY you need to be very careful.  Please take some time to find out about how and when to use the proper GFCI protection for your application.

TO PREVENT ELECTROCUTION:

• Install GFCIs
  • On underwater lighting circuits operating at more than 15 volts.
  • On all electrical equipment used with pools, spas and hot tubs, including heaters operated on 240-volt circuits.
  • On all outdoor receptacles and any indoor receptacles that could potentially be used to power electrical appliances within 20 feet of the water’s edge.
  • In accordance with applicable local codes and the NEC.
• Test GFCIs monthly to assure continued protection. Infrequently used and portable or cord-connected GFCIs should be tested before each day’s use.
• To test a GFCI:
  • Plug a nightlight into the outlet and turn it on.
  • Press the “TEST” button. Did the light go out? If not, replace the GFCI.
  • Press the “RESET” button. Did the light come back on? If not, replace the GFCI.

05/14/03

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Consumers can obtain this publication and additional publication information from the Publications section of CPSC’s web site or by sending your publication request to info@cpsc.gov.

This document is in the public domain. It may be reproduced without change in part or whole by an individual or organization without permission. If it is reproduced, however, the Commission would appreciate knowing how it is used. Write the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Office of Information and Public Affairs, 4330 East West Highway, Bethesda, MD 20814 or send an e-mail via CPSC’s On-Line Form.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from thousands of types of consumer products under the agency’s jurisdiction. The CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard. The CPSC’s work to ensure the safety of consumer products – such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals – contributed significantly to the decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.

To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call CPSC’s hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC’s teletypewriter at (301) 595-7054, or visit CPSC’s web site at www.cpsc.gov/talk.html. To join a CPSC email subscription list, please go to https://www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.aspx. Consumers can obtain this release and recall information at CPSC’s Web site at www.cpsc.gov.

Hey friends – we are getting ready to run a series of print ads targeting future clients with vacation property and lake / river homes.  Here is our new ad, tell us what you think?

Batteries, batteries, batteries – there is no escaping the vortex these days.  From small portable consumer electronics like cell phones, cameras, and ipods; to portable tools, batteries for back up UPS systems for computers and sump pumps,  to cars, trucks, and heavy equipment – the battery industry is alive and well.

We recently came across an excellent source for battery information and replacement products that we want to share… best part is that company is based LOCALLY right here in Otterbein, IN.

Please take a moment to check out the Gizmobatteries.com store and their Battery TIP Blog for products, disposal information, tips (like how two get more go juice for your cell phone), and those hard to find specialty batteries!!!

The deadline for the $8,000 first time home buyer benefit that the federal government is offering is set to expire on April 30th – 2010. This means you are going to see A LOT of home deals get legs in the next few weeks… and with home deals come home inspections.

Since these deals are going to be time sensitive a lot of people are going to be pushing hard to “make the deal” work.  It is just these types of situations that lead to hurried work, unethical behaviors, and home owners getting taken advantage of by contractors (what, this never happens right).

So, if you or anyone you know is involved with the buying or selling of a property and finds themselves in need of electrical services please have them give us a call. We don’t play favorites, we don’t play price games, and we don’t take bonuses from buyers, sellers, realtors, or home inspection companies to MAKE a deal go the right way or get a job.  If you need a first, second, or third opinion – YOU CAN TRUST US to give it to you straight.  You have my word on it.

Best Regards,
Chris Voglund & the Artisan Electric Team