Many factors go into building a new home — is calling a residential electrician to help with electrical outlet placement on your to-do list? As the team at Craftsman Electric in Cincinnati, OH explains, accounting for proper outlet placement during the design and building process will ensure that you have safe and convenient electrical access when it’s time to move in.

It’s worth noting that the National Electrical Code already offers some important guidelines that every residential electrician must adhere to regarding electrical outlet placement. No part of the wall should have a horizontal distance greater than six feet from the nearest outlet. This ensures that homeowners won’t need to use lengthy extension cords to plug in electronics or appliances.

However, some parts of the house will require a higher number of outlets, such as the kitchen and living room. After all, you’ll often need to plug in several kitchen appliances at once, and the living room will need outlets for entertainment centers and other electronics.

While bathrooms and bedrooms may not need many extra outlets, one rule of thumb is essential for proper outlet placement: your residential electrician should install outlets close to the area where appliances and electronics will be used. If you charge your phone on a nightstand, install outlets near the bed.

In the bathroom, placing an outlet in a location where you won’t have to stretch your hair dryer’s cord across the sink will greatly lower your risk of an electric shock. By carefully considering where and how you’ll be using electricity, you’ll ensure all your outlets are conveniently placed.

If you’re in need of a residential electrician to help with electrical installation or repair work, turn to Craftsman Electric. As a recipient of the Angie’s List Super Service Award, you can trust their team to leverage their 30+ years of experience to take care of any task. To learn more about their electrical services, visit them online or call (513) 891-4426.

Electrical work is something that most people don’t know a lot about. That’s why finding a trustworthy electrical contractor is so important when you have a job to get done. Craftsman Electric, knows a few things about home electrical repairs and installations.
Located in Cincinnati, OH, Craftsman Electric has been offering reliable electrical service for over 33 years. According to the team, doing your homework before hiring an electrician can help ensure that you’ll be happy with your results. Here are a few things to consider when looking to hire an electrician:
• Their Level of Expertise: Anyone can advertise residential electrical services; however, not all residential electricians have the same level of expertise. For example, at Craftsman Electric, all technicians are certified with Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) of Cincinnati, which is an organization that promotes ongoing training and specialization. Craftsman Electric has also received Angie’s List Super Service Award for seven years straight, so you know you are in professional, reliable hands when working with them.
• What Kind of Warranty They Offer on Their Work: It is reassuring to know that the company you’ve hired can back their work up. That’s why you should always know what is covered under the warranty. Be specific when inquiring about a company’s warranties since they cover parts, labor, or both for a predetermined amount of time.
• How Much Experience the Company Has: Experience is important in the electrical repair business since the longer the company has been in business, the more likely their contractors know the ins and outs of different jobs. Every electrical job poses different challenges, which is how experienced contractors hone their craft. Look for companies that have been in business for years since this is a sign people trust their work and keep coming back for service.
From rewiring an existing building to residential or commercial new construction, the professionals at Craftsmen Electric are the area’s most experienced and knowledgeable electricians. With over 33 years of experience serving Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, you don’t have to hesitate when you need home electrical repairs. To schedule your free estimate, or for more information on their services, call Craftsman Electric at (513) 891-4426 or visit them online.

Craftsman Electric loves electricity – including Christmas lights and decorations. Christmas lights, twinkle lights or fairy lights as they are called, have come a long way over time. We want to make sure you keep your family and friends safe this holiday season from short circuits, injuries and electrical fires. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), an average of 150 homes are burned, with 8 people killed and 14 people injured every year due to incorrect use of holiday lights. Don’t let this happen to your home and family—before you deck the halls, the windows, the trees and the bushes with tons of lights, consider that you may need to install new circuits for Christmas lights, even if your decorating plans are modest, but particularly if you have more ambitious plans.

In some areas Christmas lighting has become a fierce competition among neighbors. This is always a treat for anyone lucky enough to ride through these neighborhoods. If you are one of those using an excess of lights for your festive display remember to prevent electrical overload during the holidays. Be safe as you hang up your awesome Christmas or other Holiday lights in your home or yard. Enjoy and be careful this season by following these steps:

• Make sure your electric panel can handle your holiday lights.
• Always read and adhere to product safety labels.
• Make sure your power source comes from a GFCI outlet. This type of outlet will shut the circuit off if there is an overload. If you’re not sure call Craftsman Electric or a licensed electrician to help.
• For outside lights and extension cords, always use ones that are meant for outdoor use, and are waterproof or water-resistant with a tag marked underwriter’s lab (UL). These lights meet national industry standards with the American National Standards Institute.
• Before setting up any Christmas lights, plug them in to make sure all the bulbs are working.
• Replace burned-out bulbs promptly with the same wattage bulbs. Unplug any light strings before changing bulbs.
• Keep extension cord connections above ground and away from snow and water.
• Tape cords where there might be potential walking hazards.
• Don’t let cords be so long that they pile up.
• Don’t overload extension cords.
• Never pull the cord from electrical outlets. Pulling on the cord can damage the cord’s wire and insulation and even lead to an electrical fire.
• Throw out any broken, cracked, frayed or bare wires, loose connections, or damaged lights.
• Turn your lights off when you leave or go to bed at night.

One last thing you will want to consider as you gear up for the holiday lights: you can save electricity by using newer LED lights over the standard holiday lights. They need far less electricity to glow. Just to compare: One strand of 50 standard mini lights requires about 20 watts, while one strand of 70 LED mini lights doesn’t quite need 5 watts. That’s 20 extra lights, and a whole lot less power consumption. Depending on the condition and usage on your circuits already, you still may want to consider installing new circuits for Christmas lights.

Craftsman Electric Contractors can help you avoid electrical fires or shock that can be caused by inadequate outlets. Call us to see if your electric panel meets your electrical needs so your family stays safe this holiday season. Keep your investment protected. Call us for a free estimate at 513-891-4426 and have a licensed electrician help you get ready for the holidays and Christmas lights!