by Gary November 2, 2023
Winter is just around the corner, and as the temperature drops, our reliance on indoor heating increases. A smart thermostat is one of the essential components of a smart home. Smart thermostats not only enhances your comfort and convenience, but they also help you save energy and reduce utility bills.
As your trusted Pasadena electrician, Hillside Expert Electrical is here to guide you through the numerous benefits of including smart thermostats in your smart home devices this winter.
Here's a glimpse into the multitude of advantages these ingenious devices offer:
1. Remote Control at Your Fingertips
Smart thermostats such as the Emerson Sensi come equipped with user-friendly apps that can be easily downloaded onto your mobile devices. These apps empower you to check and adjust your thermostat from virtually anywhere with a data or Wi-Fi connection. Whether you need to raise the temperature while you're at work or lower it during your vacation, it's all conveniently managed through your smartphone.
2. Effortless Scheduling via Smart Thermostat Apps
Gone are the days of manual temperature adjustments on clunky control panels. Smart thermostats such as the SunTouch Command allow you to create personalized heating and cooling schedules directly from the app. This feature not only simplifies the process but also enables detailed temperature management on a weekly basis. It's a practical solution, making it an ideal gift for new homeowners seeking seamless home automation.
3. Significant Savings on Energy Bills
Smart thermostats are not just accurate; they're also incredibly informative. By utilizing the provided manuals and energy-saving tips, these devices help you pinpoint the optimal temperature zones, ultimately leading to substantial savings on your energy bills. Projections from leading brands like Nest and Ecobee suggest impressive savings on both heating and cooling costs, making these thermostats a wise investment.
4. Intelligent Sensors and Long-Term Learning
Some smart thermostats are equipped with movement sensors that detect household activity patterns. These sensors note when you and your family are at home, allowing for efficient scheduling. Additionally, thermostats like the Nest Smart Learning Thermostat can learn your habits over time, adjusting their schedules based on your activity patterns. This long-term learning capability ensures optimal energy usage without sacrificing comfort.
5. Detailed Energy Usage Reports
Smart thermostats provide insightful energy reports, detailing your power consumption and how it has changed over time. These reports come bundled with valuable tips on adjusting temperatures to further save on costs. With this information at your fingertips, you can make informed decisions about your energy usage, promoting both efficiency and savings.
6. Intuitive Design for Easy Operation
Say goodbye to squinting at small, poorly lit screens or fumbling over complex menus. Smart thermostats feature large, clearly visible temperature indicators and intuitive interfaces. This user-friendly design allows you to read and operate the thermostat at a glance, ensuring a hassle-free experience.
Experience the future of home comfort today with a smart thermostat – your gateway to a more convenient, efficient, and comfortable living space.
7. Seamless Integration with Other Smart Devices
The world of smart home devices continues to expand, and smart thermostats are no exception. These devices can seamlessly integrate with a variety of other smart home gadgets, enabling them to exchange information and work together cohesively. From humidifiers to air purifiers, these devices can be controlled through your smart thermostat if they are on compatible platforms.
8. Voice-Controlled Convenience
Thanks to compatibility with voice command technology like Amazon's Alexa, Siri and Google Assistant smart thermostats such as the Honeywell Home Touchscreen Thermostat can be controlled with simple voice commands. Whether you want to raise or lower the temperature, a quick command is all it takes. This hands-free approach adds an extra layer of convenience to your daily routine.
9. Energy Profiles for Optimal Efficiency
Smart thermostats allow you to create energy profiles for your home, taking into account factors such as size, location, and heating/cooling methods. By programming these details into the thermostat, you enable an automated process that streamlines HVAC management, making it more efficient and tailored to your specific needs.
10. Weather Tracking for Adaptive Control
Seasonal changes and unpredictable weather patterns can affect your home's temperature needs. Smart thermostats like the latest offerings from ecobee New Smart Thermostat can track local weather reports and make appropriate temperature adjustments. Whether a heatwave is rolling in or a cold front is approaching, your smart thermostat can adapt, ensuring your home remains comfortable no matter the weather.
Incorporating a smart thermostat into your home isn't just a technological upgrade; it's a lifestyle enhancement. From energy savings to effortless control, these devices offer a myriad of benefits, making them a must-have addition to any modern household.
Take control of your comfort by hiring your trusted
Pasadena Electrician to
install a smart thermostat.
Zinsco Electrical Panels
by Gary | Jan 27, 2023 | Panel Upgrade
Zinsco Panels in Older Homes
Zinsco Electrical Panels, commonly installed in older homes up until the 1970s, have been known to cause fire hazards and may need to be replaced. If your home still has its original wiring, electrical panels, and appliances, you may need to replace these soon to prevent possible fire danger and other issues. Be especially cautious when dealing with older wiring. A panel upgrade may be needed if your home still has the original Zinsco panel.
Are Zinsco Panels Safe?
According to the American Housing Survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau, more than half of all homes in the country were constructed before 1980 and would contain these panels if not replaced already. Zinsco panels often fail to function properly, putting homeowners and their homes at risk of electrical shock and fire. As many as 25% of Zinsco circuit breakers could fail to trip in response to an overcurrent or short circuit, creating a potentially hazardous situation.
Zinsco Box Breaker Box Problems
The electrical boards that have circuit breakers or fuses for all of your home's electrical circuits are referred to as circuit breaker panels. Circuit breaker panels are an essential home safety component. In the event of a power outage or overload, the breaker stops the flow of electricity. If a breaker can no longer trip in the event of an over-current or short circuit, an enormous quantity of power from the outside electrical supply surges into a home's panel and circuits. Once this occurs, it cannot be halted or turned off manually. Electricity will continue to burn until the fuel runs out or the wires melt. The panel could overheat and catch fire, endangering the home and its residents.
Zinsco Electrical Panel Fire Hazard
The old Zinsco panels are problematic due to the usage of aluminum bus bars. If a breaker melts to the panel's bus bar and can no longer appropriately trip in the event of an over-current or short circuit, an enormous quantity of power from the outside electrical supply surges into a home's electrical panel and circuits. Once this occurs, it cannot be halted or turned off manually. Electricity will continue to burn until the fuel runs out or the wires melt. The panel could overheat and catch fire, endangering the home and its residents.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) publishes the National Electrical Code(r) (NEC (r) to give advice for residential and commercial electrical safety requirements in the United States. It is updated every three years to guarantee that people are safe from electrical shocks, fire hazards, and other electrical hazards. However, since aluminum is utilized in these older circuit breaker boxes, the safety requirements do not apply to the Zinsco panels. It cannot assist people who are currently in danger.
Are all Zinsco Panels bad?
According to tests, approximately one-third of Zinsco panels did not trip, according to InspectAPedia. This could be a risky situation given that circuit panel is crucial to regulate the flow of electricity into your home. An older home's Zinsco panel might not be able to handle additional issues that will spring up as you begin upgrading your appliances. For example, the Zinsco panel would not be able to handle the power needed for a new air conditioning unit. When you anticipate needing a lot of power, it's critical to check that your electrical system is current otherwise you may need a panel upgrade.
Zinsco Panel Recall
The issues with the Zinsco electric panel should have led to the recall of the Zinsco panels. However, the company did not recall the panels. Instead, the business was sold in 1973. Then eventually the business shut down, so you can't get in touch with them to get your electrical panel upgraded.
Does your home insurance cover your electric panel?
Please contact your insurance agent if you have any queries about your coverage or if your home cannot be insured because of your panels and circuit breakers.
Zinsco Class Action Lawsuit
In a 2002 class action lawsuit over their hazardous electrical panels, Zinsco and Federal Pacific Electric were found guilty of fraud by the New Jersey Court for failing to test their circuit breakers to ensure they operated by the required standard. According to the Consumer Fraud Act, businesses are required to be transparent and upfront about the testing and goods they use. Companies were unaware of the breaker's existence because of its high failure rate.
New Insurance Policies will consider all Risks
When an insurance company, is presenting you with a policy, they must take all risks into account. Due to the potential for electrical shock, Zinsco panels have a history of starting fires or seriously hurting people. As a homeowner, you are liable for any injuries that occur on your property. This is especially true if you were aware that it was possible that someone could be injured, but you did nothing about it. Zinsco panels are a dangerous product and need to be upgraded.
A Zinsco electric panel can be used to increase the cost of insurance on your home. Even if you locate a firm ready to sell you a policy, your premium for home insurance will most likely be greater than you anticipated. Home inspectors pay special attention to a house's electrical panel since it may pose a safety risk. The inspector will look at the wiring, electrical panels, and outlets. Zinsco electrical panels, which are no longer approved by the electrical code, may cause you to fail a home inspection.
Zinsco Breaker Panel Replacement Cost
A new electric panel costs between $5000 and $7,500. However, if you have an older home, you may require further work. A licensed electrician should replace a Zinsco circuit breaker panel to ensure safety. Replacing the Zinsco circuit breakers may be less expensive than dealing with the added dangers. Licensed electricians should be insured and bonded to ensure that you can trust their services. The safety of your family is more important than the cost of the work. It is critical to make sure that your home is not a fire hazard and that you have adequate insurance coverage. While it is impossible to predict every possible consequence, you can reduce this risk by getting a panel upgrade.
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