Summer is an exciting time throughout the Badger State. It’s when families and whole communities come together for BBQs, Fourth of July parties, and many other outdoor activities. While it’s easy to take for granted, your home’s electrical system plays an integral role in your summertime fun and safety. Hurlburt is your local, expert partner that can help you make electrical improvements safely and cost-effectively.
Let’s explore some of the exciting ways your Wisconsin neighbors are enhancing their properties.
Electrical Panel Upgrades
While your panel is inside of your home, this is where it all begins for safety and meeting your household power demands. Consider St. Croix County where the median construction year for houses is around 1975. That means many houses in the region have electrical panels that are over 50 years old. Even if they still function well, they probably don’t provide the necessary modern amp coverage. The average household needs 150 amps or more. You may need to add additional circuits, and even newer homes may lack whole-home surge protection.
Outdoor Electrical Wiring
Adding circuits to your panel will support more devices and let you extend access outside of your home. You can add outlets to minimize the use of extension cords. We can help you choose outdoor-rated extension cords and surge protector power strips. You can also protect those components with weatherproof electrical boxes that we can install. Our team can even run wiring for decks, patios, sheds, and other outdoor areas.
Outdoor Kitchens
Outdoor cooking is an important aspect of summer life throughout Eau Claire and the neighboring counties. Our team can install dedicated wiring for electrical cooking appliances in addition to powered beverage coolers and outdoor refrigerators. If you’re installing an outdoor kitchen or bar, we can meet all the electrical needs for that space as well.
Outdoor Fans
Outdoor fans are a great way to enhance properties throughout Chippewa County and the neighboring communities. These fans can move significant air volume to make you feel cooler and less humid. Ceiling fans are popular options for enclosed decks and patios. We can also install high-velocity fixed and oscillating fans. There are standalone fans in addition to models that we can attach to decks, posts, siding, and other surfaces.
GFCI Outlets
Wisconsin bases its electrical code on the National Electrical Code (NEC). The NEC requires ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) for most outdoor receptacles. Outdoor outlets are susceptible to rain, condensation, and other moisture. That moisture can cause an electrical shock or even electrocution. GFCI outlets trip when they detect a ground fault and do so quickly enough to prevent most injuries and deaths.
Weatherproof Outlets
Manufacturers design most GFCI outlets for use in the home. That means that most GFCI outlets aren’t weatherproof. We recommend weatherproof outlets specifically. They have gaskets and other seals to create a watertight barrier, which makes them even safer. Weatherproof outlets also withstand the elements better, so you won’t have to replace them as often.
Integrated USB Ports
Modern outlets are available with many integrated features that expand functionality and convenience. These features are available with weatherproof outlets as well. Many homeowners opt for integrated USB ports, which let guests easily charge their phones. Smart weatherproof outlets are an option as well. They can prevent standby power drain and shut off automatically in the event that you forget to do so.
Outdoor Lighting
Another way Pierce County residents are upgrading their outdoor spaces is with lighting. Our team installs safe and efficient lighting for a wide range of outdoor purposes.
Landscape Lighting
Landscape lighting can serve many uses. It can provide the illumination you need at night to enjoy your deck, pool, and other outdoor spaces. You can have safety lighting for steps and paths. You can also use it to enhance curb appeal by highlighting your favorite features of your house and yard. Popular options include uplights/downlights, string lights, and wall sconces.
Security Lighting
Burglary and vandalism rates tend to be higher during the summer months. Outdoor lighting is an effective way to deter unwanted behavior and make your property safer. You can have us install doorbell cameras, including those that can ward off would-be package thieves. Spotlights are an effective way to illuminate specific areas of your property. You can also enjoy 100% coverage with floodlamps that turn on when they detect motion.
LEDs
Our team recommends installing LEDs and switching to them wherever you currently have outdoor lights. LEDs use less electricity and last considerably longer than incandescent bulbs. They better withstand harsh weather conditions and vibrations. LEDs produce less heat, reduce fire hazards, and are less likely to attract insects and other pests.
Solar Power and Battery Backups
Consider upgrading your outdoor lights to systems with dedicated, small-scale solar panels. Such lights can run off solar power almost entirely during the summer. That reduces your electric bill and household carbon footprint even more. Our team can also install battery backup systems that deliver power when sunlight isn’t available. That makes them a practical option throughout the winter months as well.
Smart Home Automation
Smart automation is the future of home functionality and convenience. You don’t have to limit your system to devices inside your home. It can extend to your landscape and security lighting, garage doors, entry doors, outdoor sound systems, and much more.
EV Charger Installation
Many Wisconsin drivers are making the switch to electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in electric vehicles (PHEVs). If you’re an EV driver, a home charging station can lower your charging costs over the life of the vehicle. EV charger installation improves property value and makes a house more appealing to prospective buyers. Many homeowners install their systems in their garages. Still, we can provide cable management upgrades to make the system more accessible to your guests, too.
Whole-Home Generator
The Chippewa Valley and our other service areas in Wisconsin are no stranger to extended power outages. An extended outage can put a damper on your summertime fun and even lead to health and safety issues. They can also result in significant food losses. The best way to protect yourself is a standby generator that will activate automatically when the grid fails.
Our team performs custom generator installations and provides all the maintenance and repair services you’ll need as well. Generators are available in a range of capacities. The smallest generators provide essential coverage, including lighting and refrigeration. Larger models deliver managed coverage that can extend to your entertainment equipment and more.
Electrical Installations and Repairs in Wisconsin
Hurlburt is an established electrical contractor with over six decades of experience. Our company has locations in Eau Claire, Hudson, Menomonie, and River Falls, WI. We’re proud to be a family-owned and -operated and community-driven business. You can count on us for electrical inspections, maintenance, repairs, and installations.
Call us today to learn more about our services and products that can enhance your summer.
