When asked this question, most homeowners respond with "serviced?....", or sometimes a blank stare.
Electrical systems in a home are some of the most overlooked and neglected out of all the home's systems. It is very common for little or no thought to be put into what is powering the lights, appliances, AC systems, home theaters, computers, vacuum cleaners, etc. etc. There are no filters to change, motors or bearings to be greased, or no pipes to be flushed. Everything's okay as long as it works when you plug it in, right?
Here is a word about electrical safety from Vernon T. Houchin, a retired St. Louis Fire Department Captain.......
Electrical accidents and fires cause personal injury to homeowners and millions of dollars of damage to homes throughout America each year. These tragedies are often the result of poor installation, outdated components and systems that have not been maintained.
To protect homeowners, organizations such as the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) provide and continually update electrical standards for homes just like yours. These are standards that organizations like the NFPA recommend to protect you, your home and your family from fire and electrical shock.
The electrical industry is constantly improving with new technology to make your home more energy efficient and safer. The electrical codes are constantly being updated to reflect that technology and many of the advancements in the last few years have outdated many wiring methods used in the past. If your home hasn't been updated with the newest standards, you may be staring a potential hazard right in the face.
Electrocution and fire are real threats. For example, from 1992 to 2001, electrical problems accounted for 407,606 fires, 3,406 deaths and $7,858,700,000 in damages in the United States. (Source: Statistics from the U.S. Fire Administration's Fire in the United States, 1992-2001, Thirteenth Edition.)
With homeowner education, improved safety standards and programs like the Home Protection Plan, homes are safer. I urge you to consider these plans. Many fires and electrical deaths are caused by factors that could have been avoided with regular maintenance.
-Mr. Houchin was also president of the Retired Firefighters Association, Vice President of Local 73 International Firefighters Union, and Legislative Chairman of the Firefighters Benefits Committee.
When was the last time you had a qualified electrical professional examine your home's electrical system? Have you ever? If not, it's a good possibility you "may be staring a potential hazard right in the face".
Similar to your car, your electrical system needs routine maintenance. Changing the oil, the filters, having the brakes serviced, and other routine maintenance for your vehicle not only helps extend its life, but it also reduces the risk of you and your family dealing with breakdowns and even accidents. Like your car, your electrical system is an active system. Electricity flows from the power company into your main service, where your meter is located. From there, it goes into your panel where all the circuit breakers are located. From the circuit breakers, it distributes through wiring ran in the walls and ceiling to all of your outlets and switches, ultimately powering up everything that makes modern life so convenient. As the electricity flows through the wiring, heat is generated. The wires continually heat, then cool, then heat up again. Over time, this process begins to break-down the electrical systems components and wiring, causing a hazardous condition. Old wiring can form breaks in the insulation, allowing power to "leak" through if another current carrying substance comes in contact with it. Circuit breakers internal mechanisms that cause the breaker to "trip"(or shut off power if a short or surge takes place to prevent fires) began to degrade over time and may delay to shut off power, or worse, not shut it off at all if a short or surge takes place! This can result in an electrical fire.
Our mission at Advantage Services is to protect you and your family from the threat of electrical hazards and to ensure your continued comfort and safety. When you call us out for service, you'll have the opportunity to get your electrical system into tip top condition and in line with the current electrical standards. By making that choice, you'll be protecting your family today, and in the future.
But we want to take your protection a step further. We're proud to present you with the opportunity to protect your family and home as a member of our Home Protection Plan. When you join in the Home Protection Plan, you'll gain the peace of mind that comes from knowing the most professional electricians in our community are protecting you and your family.
Here are the Home Protection Plan benefits:
1. Priority Service.
As a Plan Member, you go straight to the front of the line when you call for service.
2. Electrical Safety Inspection and panel tune-up.
Your family's continued safety is our top priority. We will do a safety inspection for you on the day you sign up, and every year we will return to your home to perform a complete, written electrical protection inspection to spot any new problems areas before they become a hazard to you and your family. We will also perform a complete panel tune-up that will help to extend the life of your electrical panel plus decrease the risk of untimely breakdowns and hazardous situations.
3. Service Satisfaction Commitment.
We promise you'll be satisfied with any service we perform in your home for as long as you"re a Home Protection Plan Member.
4. Exclusive Specials.
From time to time, you'll be able to take advantage of exclusive offers and discounts we make available only to our Plan members!
5. A Home Value Booster.
Your Home Protection Plan is also transferable to a new owner if you sell your home, and the peace of mind that is brings is a huge selling point! Or, it can move with you if you stay within the Las Vegas Valley or Boulder City.
6. Safety Savings.
You receive a 10% discount on the products and services needed to bring your home up to the minimum standards of the National Fire Protection Association and keep you and your family safe in the future. The $79.00 service call fee is also waived if you are a Home Protection Plan member.
There are many benefits to the plan, but the most powerful fact may be knowing that you and your family are safe.
This safety and peace of mind, as well as the benefits, is all available to you for only $9.95 per month.
Today, you have the opportunity to ensure the safety of your home and family. Call us at (702) 541-8600, and ask for David Lund, our service manager. He can answer any questions you may have, and can book an appointment to perform a safety inspection on your home. If you feel that you may be living with a potential fire hazard in your home, don't delay; call today.
