We installed another ceiling fan for a client in Duluth, Georgia. This client had tried installing it themselves at first, but realized the electrical box was not sufficient for the new fan. That’s when they contacted me. I talked to them about why fans need a properly rated heavy duty electrical box, not the builder grade light fixture box that was currently there. So, we changed that out too. Why Are Ceiling Fan Rated Electrical Boxes the Right Choice? Ceiling fan electrical boxes that are UL-listed for mounting you fan, will say on the box: “For Use With Ceiling Fans.” It's not recommended that you use standard boxes for installing them. Having a UL-listed electrical box for your fan means it's built to work with the force that comes from a rotating fan. More Reasons to Use Ceiling Fan Rated Electrical Boxes: Can hold up to 70 pound fans. Come in different sizes and and shapes: including a 1/2-inch-deep "pancake" type and a standard 2-1/8 inch deep box. Are usually round but can be octagonal Cost more that standard electrical boxes Can be mounted directly (with four screws) to a ceiling joist or wood blocking, or they can attach to adjustable braces spanning between ceiling joists.

Our customer contacted us for a quote to install recessed lighting in the basement of their home. This dark room had no overhead lighting. Before we gave our quote, we discussed with the client how the room would be used. For this size and shape (square) of room, we specifically recommended installing four 6" LED wafer lights (with 5 color options) in each corner of the room along with a dimmer switch. Our suggested options would allow the client to choose options from warm to cool colored lighting - this works well to fine tune the lighting as it reflects off the color of the walls. The dimmer switch provides the added option of more or less light for work, projects, or social occasions. The customer contacted us after receiving estimates from several other companies in the area (our service areas), and chose our company's lighting plan which saved roughly 20% over the other companies' bids. We were able to complete the job with minimum drywall repair. Why Use Recessed Lighting in Your Basement? If ever there were a perfect match of lighting fixture and space, it's this one. Recessed lights work so well in basements. Fitting flush with the ceiling, it lends a clean, streamlined look to a room. It can increase the amount of light in a room, highlight artwork, or open up spaces so they look and feel bigger. This is also great way to light your space without worrying about endless lamps or mounted lights. In larger rooms or open floor plans, unless you want to place lamps in the middle of your room, larger spaces might be left with darkened centers. The more lamps you need, the fewer outlets you’ll have left open for other uses. With fewer lamps crowding your rooms, another benefit you’ll enjoy when you add recessed light fixtures is the feeling of having more space. Whether you plan to sell your home now or in the future, recessed lighting is a great way to add value to your home and attract potential buyers. Recessed, flush-mounted lighting can boost your home’s resale value. How is good lighting important to our health? Appropriate lighting can reduce eye fatigue and headaches, which makes completing tasks easier. In particular, good lighting ergonomics can prevent computer vision syndrome (CVS), which is a type of eye strain that occurs when you use a computer for a long period of time. CVS symptoms include: Blurred and double vision. Other benefits of good lighting Ambient lighting helps evenly light a space. Good lighting can: Set the mood. It can brighten up a whole room. When paired with color, it can open up a space. A light-colored space will feel much larger. When a light illuminates a wall, the room is going to look much bigger and more open. Add a sense of comfort Help guests have a more enjoyable experience

This Roswell client wanted better lighting, including a ceiling fan, than their builder grade flush mounted lights. After searching for help on google, they found our company and contacted us. This home is a brand-new home build and came with your standard builder grade flush-mount dome light fixtures. Things to Check When Changing from A Flush Mounted Light Fixture to a Fan The wall switch plate may need to be rewired. Ninety percent of modern fans, like a Fandelier, come with remotes, so the wall switch plate needs rewiring to better work with the remote. The electrical box may need to be switched out for a heavier duty one. All new homes are required to have heavy duty electrical boxes in all bedrooms. Older homes, however, often do not. Hire someone who is able to understand the difference between the two types of electrical boxes. You don't want a fan falling out of the ceiling a year after the installation because it is hooked to the wrong type of electrical box. What Kind of Ceiling Fan Can You Choose? Standard - these most commonly feature four or five blades and can come with or without a light kit included in the center. They typically extend from a down rod – a metal pipe that connects the fan’s mounting brackets to the motor housing – which allows them to be mounted on both flat and sloped ceilings. Low-Profile - these are commonly referred to as hugger fans or flush-mount ceiling fans and provide the air circulation you need but are built to accommodate lower ceiling heights (eight feet tall or less). ENERGY STAR® Rated - Save money on your electric bill by choosing ENERGY STAR ceiling fans. To be given an Energy Star rating, the fan must use 20-30% less energy than what federal standards require. ENERGY STAR fans come in both standard and low-profile varieties. Many energy-efficient ceiling fans also incorporate LED light features. Dual - Get twice the comfort in a bold, even industrial look with a dual-motor ceiling fan. These fans have a central motor housing attached to two horizontal rods. Each rod supports an adjustable fan head, complete with a motor. Look for a dual-motor ceiling fan with light kits to make the space both bright and breezy. Smart - These come packed with smart features you’ll love. Smart ceiling fans are available with and without light kits and allow for remote control from your smartphone or tablet. Outdoor - Your patio, backyard deck, or lanai is a valuable living area in your home, and exposure to the elements brings its own set of challenges. Outdoor ceiling fans are crafted of strong and durable materials designed to hold up to moisture, making them perfect for use in a room that doesn’t get direct rain but may experience a lot of humidity and moisture, such as a sunroom, lanai, or outdoor living area. Damp rated - These are suitable for areas that aren’t coming in contact with direct water but may be exposed to humidity and indirect moisture. They are perfect for a covered patio, screened porch, or covered outdoor kitchen. Wet-rated - These are built for direct exposure to rain, snow, and even humid and salty ocean breezes. They can be installed in outdoor rooms with direct exposure to the elements. Why Did This Client Choose Knightly Services? This client was looking to upgrade their lighting, found me through Google and asked for a quote. Within 3 days, I was able to inspect the project, at their home, figure out what would be needed and give them a quote. Because of the lateness in the day, I scheduled the work for three days later. From start to finish, it was less than a week. Changing out a builder grade flush mounted light for a ceiling fan, often means replacing the original electrical box with a heavier duty, ceiling fan rated box. Because I am a licensed electrician, I know how to assess what needs changing both for local code and safety reasons. Also, by default I rewire the wall switch plate that is hooked to the ceiling fan so that the remote can better work with the ceiling fan.

Should you be concerned about your home's lighting and security around the entrance to your home? This Roswell client contacted us because some of her outdoor lights were not working properly. After a conversation about it, I discovered her worries about the lights not working proper had more to do with her own sense of security. Her husband had recently passed away, and talking some more, we decided that a two-fold strategy: 1) install a new front door Ring Camera Doorbell and 2) install a front of driveway Ring Camera Flood Light would work for her situation. I purchased the products for both and then installed them on the same day. Why do we need security lights? Here are the top reasons why you need to have security lights around your home: Illuminating driveways, backyards, pathways, steps, porches and around the rest of your home will help to eliminate the possibilities of injuries for you and your loved ones One of the greatest benefits in installing outdoor lighting is to improve home security. By adding bright lights around the exterior of your house, you can guarantee shadows and dark corners are brought to light in the late hours of the night. This makes it easier for you, neighbors and security cameras to notice unwanted night time visitors. When you install exterior security lighting, it's an investment towards your home's overall value. It will add to the overall appraisal value when you are looking to sell your home. It can reduce your cost in home insurance. Many insurance companies offer discounts or deductions on premiums for homeowners who have installed security lighting outside their home. This Roswell client kindly left us a 5-star Google Recommendation: “Very pleased with the installation Knightly Electrical (Ryan Smith) did for me. He offered some excellent advice on issues that need attention. I will definitely use for future needs.”

This Roswell client found us through reviews from other clients on Nextdoor. She needed 8 new outdoor fixtures installed around the outside of her home as well as adding a new Ring Doorbell system for security. What Was It Like to Work with Knightly Electrical Services? We thought you might like to hear it from the client's perspective: "Their office was easy to work with and the appointments for the quote and getting the work done were kept and times were exact with a 30 min notice before arrival. "Ryan was knowledgeable, professional and kind and his work and cleanup were A+. Install was perfect and he set-up the ring doorbell on my phone as well - what a nice extra step! Pricing was good and I look forward to using them again in the future." - Lori F., Roswell, GA Need to update your outdoor fixtures or doorbell for security? Contact us.

While replacing all of the siding on the front of their house, this Marietta client began thinking about the best layout for new front porch lighting. The front door area originally had no lights at all. On first thought, the client thought about installing one single large Led light on the front porch. After contacting us for a quote to install the front porch lighting, and after we looked over the area, we talked about how two smaller lights would better distribute the light over the porch instead of having a single "spot light" effect from one light. We installed two Halo 4-inch color changing LED Wafer Lights. What are Some Advantages Of Installing Outdoor Lighting at Your Home? Outdoor lighting adds curb appeal. Installing outdoor lighting improves the look around your home: Aesthetic Beauty: Lighting makes your home look more inviting and warm, so that it's more attractive to potential buyers if you ever thinking about selling. Security: In our post, Concerned About Your Front of Home Lighting and Security? we talked about how outdoor lighting makes your home safer. Versatility And Creativity: Great lighting creates a specific mood in your home. It highlights features of your home, and can create interesting effects that are not visible during the daytime. Increased Functionality: helps you see better in your backyard, around your home, and when walking to and from your car. What to Think About When Purchasing Outdoor Lighting Are you getting best quality for your money? Is it a dependable brand name? Is it approved? Does it have a warranty? Are you looking for both style and durability? Want to read another story where we added exterior lighting?

Today I noticed an existing Federal Pacific electrical panel while working on a client's project in Roswell. These electrical panels are instantly noticeable by their red breaker style design. It needed to be replaced. These panels are instantly noticeable by their red breaker style design. If you have one of these panels still in your home, contact me today. What's the Big Deal? Federal Pacific Electric (FPE) panels have gained notoriety over the years for several safety concerns and issues, which is why they are often considered "bad" and have been the subject of numerous recalls, investigations, and legal actions. The company that made them was shut down in the 1990's due to a class action lawsuit. Here's why: Faulty Circuit Breakers: The primary concern with FPE panels is that their circuit breakers may not reliably trip when there is an overcurrent or short circuit, which is their fundamental safety function. This means that in the event of an electrical fault, the circuit may not disconnect, potentially leading to electrical fires and other hazards. Deficient Testing and Certification: In the 1980s, investigations revealed that FPE conducted fraudulent testing of their circuit breakers, claiming they met safety standards when they did not. This raised significant doubts about the reliability of their products. High Failure Rates: Numerous independent tests and studies conducted over the years have shown that FPE circuit breakers had a much higher failure rate than other brands. This unreliability poses a significant safety risk. Aging and Deterioration: FPE panels installed in homes are often quite old today. As electrical components age, they can become more prone to problems and failures, compounding the inherent safety issues. Lack of Replacement Parts: Finding replacement circuit breakers for FPE panels can be challenging because FPE is no longer in business, and their products are not readily available. This can lead to homeowners resorting to used or refurbished breakers, which may not be reliable. Fire Hazards: There have been documented cases of electrical fires linked to FPE panels and breakers. These fires can be devastating and life-threatening. Failure to Meet Current Safety Standards: FPE panels and breakers do not meet current electrical safety standards, which have evolved and become more stringent over the years. This makes them incompatible with modern electrical systems and safety expectations. How Can a New Electrical Panel Benefit you? Increased Electrical Capacity: One of the primary reasons for upgrading an electrical panel is to increase its capacity. Modern households often have more electrical appliances and devices than older systems can handle. An upgraded panel allows for the safe use of additional appliances without overloading the system. Improved Safety: Older electrical panels may have outdated technology and may not meet current safety standards. Upgrading to a newer panel can reduce the risk of electrical fires, shocks, and other safety hazards. Energy Efficiency: Our Leviton smart capable electrical panels are designed to improve energy efficiency. You can monitor exactly how much electricity each circuit is using at what time, and learn to lower the amount of electricity you use. Over time this will lead to lower energy bills as the system operates more efficiently. Home Value: An upgraded electrical panel can increase the value of your home. Potential buyers are often willing to pay more for a home with a modern electrical system that doesn't require immediate upgrades or repairs. Need help with your home or business electrical needs? Contact your knight, Ryan Smith with Knightly Electrical Services at 770-243-5706!

Have you ever had a breaker trip on your electrical panel? One Johns Creek client contacted us with a breaker that needed diagnosing. After performing several different electrical tests (including ohming out the circuit and MEGH testing the wires), I replaced the tripping breaker that day. How to self-diagnose breakers? Did you know that you can have self-diagnosing breakers now? New breakers known as Arc Fault Breakers come with computer chips inside the breaker that tell you exactly what's going on when they trip. A Cumming client contacted us about an Arc Fault breaker that had been repeatedly tripping on him for over a year. When I arrived and reset the breaker, the little red light on it blinked 6 times. That told me the breaker self-diagnosed its self and had gone bad. A simple breaker swap and I had his kitchen outlets back up and running again! Need help with your home or business electrical needs? Contact your knight, Ryan Smith with Knightly Electrical Services at 770-243-5706!

So how did we end up replacing this home’s ground wire in Cumming? (Check out our service area.) Originally, this client contacted us about replacing the electrical panel. We always do an inspection during the initial phase of quoting a project. During this inspection we found this client’s ground wire system for his home was not up to date. Code requires two 8ft ground rods saved 6 ft apart. This client’s home needed an additional rod and additional wire. Having an up-to-date ground wire system provides safety by helping to disperse lightning strikes, and quickly disperse high voltage events that might occur in your home. This helps guard against damage to your TV, computers, and other devices or appliances that depend on electricity. Why Update Your Ground Wire? When you don’t have proper grounding with your electrical system, overloads can fry circuits on your electronics, start a fire, or shock you. Grounding your electrical system is an important part to having a safe home. Correctly installed grounding wire can prevent electrical shocks or fires in your home or office. A need to have more electronics. Cell phones, tablets, internet, in home offices mean many homes 30 or more years old need updates to the electrical system and potentially a new or upgraded ground wire system. How Can You Know If Your House Has Faulty Ground Wiring? Here are few common ways to diagnose whether your electrical ground wire is faulty: Strobing lines on your TV or desktop computer monitor. Humming or buzzing in your home stereo or TV audio system. Unexpected shocks when you touch metal appliances, trim, or pipes. What does it cost to update the ground wire for an entire house? Costs range from adding a second grounding rod for around $699.  If your house is in need of a whole new grounding system this can cost in the neighborhood of $2500. We are more than happy to offer a free onsite estimate. Is installing ground wire necessary in residential wiring? Electrical systems need grounding wire to prevent short circuits. During a short circuit, a ground wire connection provides current with a safe, low-resistance path, usually through a conductive material such as metal pipe, to prevent harmful discharges.

Smoke detectors need replacing every 10 years, and this new Cumming client contacted us when they had reached the end of line with their smoke detectors.  With the new Kidde smoke detectors I installed, they won't even have to replace smoke detector batteries for the next 10 years! Where Should Smoke Alarms Be Installed? Installing smoke alarms is a critical first step for the early detection of a fire in your home and is the leading lifesaving device in home fire safety. Fires happen in a variety of ways and could start in any room of your house. But no matter where or how, installing a smoke alarm is a first key step toward keeping your family safe. How Often Do You Test Smoke Detectors? Test smoke detectors monthly and batteries for regular ones need to be replaced at least yearly. About 90 percent of homes in the United States have smoke detectors. However, 20% of smoke detectors installed in those homes do not work because of dead or missing batteries. How Do Smoke Alarms Work? Smoke alarms detect fires by sensing small particles in the air using a couple of different kinds of technologies. Once they detect those particles above a certain level, they signal the alarm to sound so that you and your family can get to safety and call 911. Safety Tips from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) First, install smoke alarms in every sleeping room and outside each separate sleeping area. Make sure you install alarms on every level of the home including the basement. It is best to use interconnected smoke alarms so that when one smoke alarm sounds, they all sound. Test all smoke alarms at least once a month. Press the test button to be sure the alarm is working. A closed door may slow the spread of smoke, heat, and fire. Working smoke alarms are an important part of a home fire escape plan.

Imagine sipping your morning coffee or hosting a dinner party on your deck, surrounded by the crisp winter air but comfortably warm under the gentle glow of electric heaters. I recently had the pleasure of completing a project that brought warmth and comfort to a valued customer’s back yard deck. This Alpharetta (our service area) client contacted me to add two infrared electric heaters to their back yard deck. I hardwired the heaters with on/off switches, as well as smart switches which allows you to turn the heaters on and off from your cell phone. I also upgraded their electrical panel to help with the added electricity needed for the outdoor heaters. I installed two 6000 watt Infratech heaters. I use these because they are made from high quality stainless steel and will last a long time. Two major considerations I use when I assess adding outdoor heating: First, I determine: does the electrical system that’s already in place have the capacity to handle the load of additional heating? If not, the electrical system will need to be upgraded to make sure everything is safe. Second, I always consider the client. I know heaters can cost a lot of electricity to run.  So, I usually provide a couple different options including dimmer switches for the heaters, and automatic shut off timers so when the football game is over, and the client goes inside, the heaters don't stay on all night long, adding unnecessary costs next electrical bill. Adding outdoor heaters opens up a world of possibilities, including being able to enjoy the beauty of your outdoor space during chilly winter days. So don’t let the weather dictate your outdoor plans, choose Knightly Electrical Services and experience outdoor comfort like never before! With my years of experience, I can assess your outdoor space, recommend the perfect heating solution, and handle the installation with precision and safety in mind.

This Peachtree Corners client contacted us to install a home car charger outlet for his electric vehicle as well as a whole home surge protector. We installed a Charge Point EV home charger and a whole home surge protector. What Needs to be Taken into Consideration when Installing a Home Car Charger? In addition to the charging outlet, you'll need a whole house surge protector. The National Electrical Code requires all homes since 2020 to have whole home surge protectors installed. Local ordinances are also starting to require GFCI protected car charger outlets. Why Did This Client Call Knightly Services? He had already asked another electrician to do this job, however there are several reasons this client called us. The other electrician he had used for years: kept changing his schedule wasn't showing up when he said he would. made the client order his own parts for the project waited so long to install it, that the $80 surge protector the client had ordered was unable to be returned when it wasn't compatible with his electrical panel We send automated text message reminders of arrival times, and call the client 30 minutes ahead of arrival. We also carry all of the materials necessary for the job on the truck. This customer left a 5-star review for this service "Ryan installed a level 2 EV charger for us and whole house surge. Great experience as he communicates well, is organized and on time. Highly recommended!" - Mike D Am I Eligible for a Rebate with the Power Company? If you qualify, we will help you set up a $250 rebate from Georgia Power for your car charger installation. Call today for your electrical needs: 770-243-5706! Our friendly staff is here for you!