This rainy season, watch out for hazardous storms that could put your Destin home in danger. In more powerful storms, you might experience a power outage. Power outages can leave you and your family in the dark about what to do next.

You don’t always know how long your outage will last or when you can get an emergency 24/7 electrician down, so it’s always good to prepare in case this happens to you. Gulf Coast Electric wants to share 5 power outage safety tips from our team of experts.

Monitor Alerts

Watch out for any local weather reports using your phone, television or radio. Your internet service will cut out during a power outage, so it’s important to use other devices to check for live updates. You can sign up for local alerts and other warning notifications on your phone. Get texts or calls right to your phone in case of a power outage emergency.

Only Use Flashlights

Getting everyone in your household a flashlight will help you navigate through the darkness while the power is out. Candles cause unnecessary fire hazards and don’t provide enough light for each room. Create a space for flashlights and extra batteries for you and your family for the next heavy storm.

Prevent Power Overloads

Power surges after your power comes on can cause serious damage to your home. To prevent power overloads, unplug your appliances and electronics while the electricity is still out. Turn off your utilities when your local officials instruct you to do so or when you believe you might have damage to these appliances.

If you’re worried about your food spoiling, keep your fridge and freezer doors closed until the electricity comes back on. Food in your refrigerator will keep your food cold for about 4 hours while a freezer can keep food frozen for 24-48 hours depending on how full it is.

Protect your home from the dangers of power overloads by unplugging your appliances when the power goes out.

Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Rainstorms cannot only knock out your power, but they can also cause gas leaks in your home. Don’t use a gas stove in your home during a power outage. Using gas stoves, generators or charcoal grills inside your home can cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Install carbon monoxide detectors in your home and use gas appliances outside away from any windows if you need to.

Prepare For The Next Power Outage

Once that power comes back on, you can rest easy knowing that your electricity is back and running again. When the power comes back on, you can check to see what foods made it through the storm. Any food warmer than 40 degrees Fahrenheit should be thrown out. This is also the same for medication that should be refrigerated. Contact your doctor for a new supply if your medication has gone unrefrigerated for longer than 24 hours.

From here, you can start stocking and restocking an emergency kit for the next power outage. This includes nonperishable food and extra batteries. You can never be too sure when the next one will come!

Contact Gulf Coast Electric For Destin Electrical Services

If you find any electrical problems after a storm or need electrical maintenance, contact our team! Gulf Coast Electric offers services for new and returning clients who want to protect their homes with an extra layer of electrical safety. Contact us for a consultation today!

DIY home improvement projects can be great for building technical skills. Homeowners can safely repair specific minor electrical issues if they are willing to take on the task. However, some projects may be dangerous to complete without the help of a professional electrician. 

Although it can be tempting to try, the process of electrical fan installation has many risks and can be a danger to do on your own. 

Gulf Coast Electric prioritizes customer safety and has compiled this guide on why self-installation can be hazardous. 

Risks of Self-Installation

Altering electrical wiring is hazardous. It may seem cheaper to tackle the task on your own, but the dangers of self-installation may be just as costly as hiring a licensed electrician. 

Unstable Fans Lead to Ceiling Damage

Replacing or adding a new light fixture requires a hole cut in the ceiling. The measurements required must be precise for the hole to hold the fan. Ceiling boxes are also necessary to secure a fan to the ceiling. 

Without the proper support, ceiling fans can become wobbly and fall without warning. Not only will this damage the fan itself, but it will likely cause craters and cracks to appear in the ceiling. These issues cause unnecessary and expensive repairs avoided with the assistance of a professional electrician.

Faulty Wiring Can Cause Fires and Electrical Injury

Electrical fan installations require intricate wiring to function correctly. Ceiling fans have different wiring methods, depending on the type of fan. Improper wiring can lead to electrical fires and significantly damage your home. Without the proper safety measures, incorrectly connected wires can cause severe electrical injury. 

Extensive Electrical Code Regulations 

The National Electrical Code is the standard for safe electrical installations. Professional electricians are familiar with the local electrical requirements in buildings and homes. Those unfamiliar with their local electrical requirements risk installing ceiling fans unsafely or violating electrical codes in their area. 

Benefits of Hiring an Electrician 

Apart from ensuring that a fan is correctly situated, electricians can usually install ceiling fans in a short time period. Electricians take the proper safety measures into account and meet the standards required from your local electrical code. Electricians are licensed to help you, making the electrical fan installation process much less stressful. 

Taking Price Into Account

Price is an important factor for most homeowners. DIY home improvement projects are tempting to take on, especially if they assist in saving money. However, installing a ceiling fan yourself might be more expensive than hiring a professional to do it for you. 

Homeowners may have to purchase appliances for fan installation that electricians use daily. Some of these appliances include: 

1. A ladder
2. Measurement tools
3. Various pliers
4. Saws 
5. Electrical tape

Additionally, installing a ceiling fan requires a lot of time and patience. Homeowners have lots of responsibilities and the amount of time fan installation takes can be just as costly. Hiring an electrician to install a ceiling fan can help to save you both money and time. 

How Can Gulf Coast Electric Help? 

If you aren’t sure about ceiling fan installation, the Gulf Coast Electrical team is here to help! We’re here to answer any questions you might have about the process. At Gulf Coast Electric, we aim to provide superior service while putting your safety first. Contact us today to learn more about your options for electrical fan installation!

It goes without saying that a house or business would be incomplete without proper electrical wiring. It’s an essential part of modern life, and for this reason, most electricians recommend delegating major electrical services or repairs to the pros.

However, there are some electrical wiring tips that every home or business owner would benefit from knowing!

Below, Gulf Coast Electric outlines the top 4 things everyone should know about their electrical wiring. Keep reading to learn more about basic wiring terms as well as how to recognize the most common wiring problems!

Copper vs. Aluminum

Since the beginning of the nineteenth century, copper has been the traditional wiring material for most homes. However, in 1965, the United States saw an increased demand for copper due to the Vietnam War.
Consequently, copper became increasingly scarce and its price soared. Electricians had to come up with cost-effective solutions as a result, and that was aluminum.

While aluminum can get the job done, it doesn’t come without risks. When heated, it expands significantly more than copper. And if your cables grow and shrink too much, they may become loose over time.
This is just one of the many issues that can arise from aluminum wiring.

If your residential or commercial building has aluminum wiring, our electricians at Gulf Coast Electric recommend scheduling a partial rewire or full rewire. That way, you don’t risk dealing with any potential fire hazards.

Understand GFCI

According to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) is a circuit breaker that’s designed to cut off electricity in the event of a ground-fault. This happens when the grounding path from a tool or electrical system is broken. A GFCI monitors the amount of current going to and coming from your home equipment. If there is an imbalance in the current, the GFCI will shut it off to prevent a fire.

Most homes today have GFCI outlets already installed, especially in areas where there is water. In fact, GFCIs are required by the National Electric Code (NEC) in all kitchens, bathrooms, crawl spaces, unfinished basements, garages, and outdoor receptacle locations.

However, if you’re building a new home or perhaps have an older home that doesn’t have GFCI outlets, then Gulf Coast highly recommends having them installed.
Damp environments can make you vulnerable to harmful electric shock; however, using a GFCI outlet significantly reduces your chance of injury.

Electrical Wiring Labeling & Color Coding

All electrical wiring typically has markings on its insulation that provide important information about the wiring. This includes:

· Wiring name
· Insulation type
· Wire size
· Wire material
· Number of wires contained
· Special ratings

In addition to the markings, electrical wiring often uses color-coding. The colors are determined by the size of the wires within the cable as well as the amperage rating of the cable. White-sheathed NM cable, for example, is rated for 15-amp circuits, whereas yellow NM cable is suited for 20-amp circuits.

Be Careful with DIY Projects

Gulf Coast understands that it may be tempting to take on electrical wiring projects on your own instead of contacting an electrician in order to save money. However, electrical wiring within a building is a complex network of wires and outlets. With little or no electrical wiring experience, it might be difficult to distinguish between wires.

Wiring problems can cause electrical fires, arc faults and electrocution, among other dangerous consequences. As a result, rewiring your home or company yourself is never a good idea. If you’re unsure about how to go about a wiring issue, we recommend getting help from a trustworthy electrician. The money you might save is not worth the potential safety hazards.

Have Electrical Wiring Issues? Contact Gulf Coast Electric!

Not sure how to go about an electrical wiring issue in your Destin home? Gulf Coast Electric is ready to help! Our electricians have provided electrical repairs for the Florida area for more than 80 years. We are committed to providing cost-effective, reliable electrical services through a dedicated and responsive workforce. Contact us today!

As adults, avoiding electrical dangers is second nature, but curious kids do not know about electrical safety. We live in the “golden age” of technology, meaning we use and run more electronic devices in our homes on a daily basis than ever before.

Mismanaging energy use and incorrectly using the system/appliances are also on the rise, which can quickly create hazards. Accidents related to electricity can include minimal or multi-organ injuries and, in extreme cases, death.

Teaching your children about electrical safety in your Destin home will protect them from injuries while keeping your system working efficiently. Gulf Coast Electrical prioritizes Destin electrical safety, so use these tips and techniques to prevent accidents and encourage your family to safely use electricity.

Electrical Safety Tips For Children

Setting strict electrical safety rules helps create a base of knowledge for your kids about electricity. Write them down, talk about them together and keep the rules somewhere they are seen often and easily, so kids know how important they are.

Common household electrical safety rules for children:

• Keep fingers and objects away from outlets
• Water and electricity don’t mix — keep electronics away from water and wet hands
• Before you use new electronics, ask an adult for help
• Never yank on a cord to unplug it
• Don’t plug a lot of things into an extension cord or power strip
• No power lines — don’t climb trees or fly kites near them
• Stay away from fallen, broken or sparking wires and transformer boxes

Helping your little ones understand how electricity works is the best way to make sure they follow the rules. Plenty of videos, games and books are available online to act as fun, free resources. You can use them to set the groundwork with your kids, together. So you can spend quality time with them while they learn lessons about electrical hazards, safety and other excellent tools.

General Tips On Electrical Safety

Because we spend so much time at home using devices, we cannot overstate the importance of household electrical safety. Learning to use your electronics properly keeps them working effectively, without overworking the system, and prevents electricity-related accidents.

Keep your family safe using these tips:

• Ensure that no more than one heat-producing device is plugged into an outlet at any given time, like a hairdryer, coffee-maker, toaster etc.
• Plug all major appliances, like ovens, fridges and laundry machines, directly into the wall, not into an extension cord or adapter.
• When you aren’t using an appliance, unplug it to reduce energy use, save money and prevent other appliances from electrical surges.
• Always avoid running cords under rugs, carpets and doors to prevent tripping, fire hazards and other electrical accidents.
• Use the recommended wattage indicated on lamps and other light fixtures at all times to reduce the risk of overheating and energy waste.

In addition to promoting household safety, following these basic tips will also reduce your energy use and save you money on your utility bill.

Eliminate Household Hazards

Although electricity is a great tool that has transformed technology to create our modern world, it can easily become dangerous when used improperly. If you are concerned about the safety of your family around your home’s electrical system, call our team today.

Serving residential and commercial properties in Destin, Panama City, Niceville and the surrounding areas since 1980, Gulf Coast Electrical is ready to provide you with award-winning service. We perform general repairs, installations, maintenance, 24/7 emergency, inspections and other specialty services.

Don’t take a chance with electrical protection for your loved ones — call us today!

We all know that electricity is vital to our homes. But another component that’s just as important as electricity is our home’s electrical wiring.

While copper is the standard electrical wiring material, some homes are wired with aluminum. If your home or business has aluminum wiring, then it needs special consideration. Use this guide by Gulf Coast Electric to learn more about aluminum wiring and whether it’s safe to use in your Destin home. 

Why Does My Home Have Aluminum Wiring? 

As mentioned above, most homes today have copper wiring rather than aluminum wiring. In fact, copper has been the standard wiring material for homes since the early 19th century. So, you might be wondering, why would a home have aluminum wiring in the first place? 

In 1965, copper was in high demand due to the Vietnam War. As a result, copper grew scarce and its prices skyrocketed. This forced home builders to look for cost-effective alternatives. Aluminum was cheaper than copper and abundant in supply, so it became the next best option.

The Problem With Aluminum Wiring

Since then, we’ve learned that while aluminum is good at conducting electricity, it has hazardous qualities. For one, it expands much more than copper when heated. And if wires expand and contract too much, your wires can loosen over time.

Loose wiring exposes the metal inside your wires, causing a plethora of issues such as oxidation, corrosion, warping and weak outlets. Not only that, but all these issues can lead to electrical resistance as well. And once resistance increases, so does the heat inside your wires.

Excess heat in electrical wiring poses a serious fire hazard. In fact, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) states that homes with aluminum wiring are 55 times more likely to have a wire connection that reaches “fire hazard conditions.”

How Can I Tell If My Home Has Aluminum Wiring?

Finding out if your home has aluminum wiring should be fairly easy. First, check when your home was built. According to the CPSC, if it was built between 1965 and 1974, then there’s a high chance it has aluminum wiring. 

You can tell for sure by checking your home’s electrical panel or electric cables that run through the basement or garage. There should be markings on the cables that say “Al” or “aluminum” every few feet. 

You can also look for exposed wiring in unfinished parts of your home such as your basement, attic or garage. 

What to Do If Your Home Has Aluminum Wiring

If you’re considering a home that has aluminum wiring, or your home already has it, don’t worry! There are a few options to help you deal with aluminum wiring. Here are the main ones:

Partial Rewire

As the name suggests, a partial rewire is when only a portion of your home’s electrical wiring is updated. A partial rewire is less expensive than a full rewire, less invasive and protects your home much more than before.

A partial rewire targets wire connections, which is where most problems happen. This is typically done by attaching a piece of copper wire to the ends of the aluminum wire at connection points. This process is also known as “pigtailing.”

Full Rewire

This option is the most effective way to fully prevent the risks of aluminum wiring. By removing every trace of aluminum, your home is significantly safer and less prone to fires. But because this option requires so much time and upheaval, it’s also very costly. 

Contact Gulf Coast Electric!

Regardless of what avenue you choose, we recommend having a qualified electrician evaluate your entire electrical system. A thorough electrical inspection ensures that all connections are tight and are working safely. Our qualified technicians at Gulf Coast Electric can help answer any questions related to aluminum wiring, copper wiring or wiring in general. Contact us today to protect your Destin home wiring today!

Most commercial electrical issues happen behind our businesses’ walls, making them difficult to trace and understand. Taking the time to familiarize yourself with some of the most common electrical problems for commercial buildings will give you a sense of what kind of issue you might be dealing with. To help, Gulf Coast Electric has compiled a quick list of the most common commercial electrical wiring issues you should know about! 

Loose Wiring 

If you have loose, faulty wiring at your switches or outlets, it likely is due to poor installation. One way to tell if this is an issue in your business or facility is to check for burning or sizzling sounds. If you hear these sounds, it’s important to not let too much time pass by. Ask a certified electrical technician to look at the source of the sounds (or smells) as soon as possible. Loose wiring is known as an electrical fire hazard.

Old Wiring 

Like all other types of technology, wiring experiences wear-and-tear, even if we can’t see it happening. Just because our wiring is behind walls and “out of sight, out of mind,” doesn’t mean it isn’t working hard to maintain our comfort everyday!

Old wiring is another very common issue within the commercial electrical world. This issue isn’t always a localized one, either – a lot of the times, old wiring can cause issues all the way from your meter box to an outlet. 

If your business or facility is running in an old building, it’s important to ask an electrician to check the health of your wiring annually. This saves you the hassle of having to ask for an emergency evaluation which can take longer than you’d like.

Circuit Overload

Circuits overloads take place when you exceed the rated load for a line of electricity. For example, a circuit might have three outlets but that doesn’t mean it can handle that many loads of power-draining simultaneously. Over time, this can lead to a tripped circuit breaker, which is caused when too much electric current flows through a given line. 
If you are unsure what a circuit breaker is, think of it as a device made to protect your electrical system. It shuts off automatically when there is too much electricity. If you find your circuit to trip repeatedly, it might be time to call your electrician to see if there can be stronger outlets that can sustain multiple devices or appliances at once. 

Light Switches and Bulbs

 
Common throughout all residential and commercial buildings, flickering lights are a telltale sign that you’re experiencing electrical problems and that they shouldn’t be ignored. However, for most electricians, light switches that no longer work suggest loose wiring. This, again, shows the importance of scheduling maintenance annually to check the state of your electrical system. An electrician will help you find the root of a problem that started as one flickering light and then turned in a costly repair. 

Contact Gulf Coast Electric today!

Do you suspect your commercial facility or building is experiencing some electrical issues? Don’t wait – call Gulf Coast Electric to help you get to the bottom of the problem! Our goal is to help you run your electrical systems smoothly and efficiently in residential and commercial spaces! Contact us today for all your electrical wiring questions and learn more about our services!

When it comes to energy efficiency, many homeowners fail to take into account their home lighting. Oftentimes the light bulbs used in lighting fixtures can have an impact on your energy bills. So, which are the best for energy savings? Which may end up costing you more?

At Gulf Coast Electric, we encourage Destin energy efficiency so all homeowners in the area can enjoy lower electric bills. That’s why we’ve come up with a helpful guide to help you choose the best light bulbs for your home. 

Can Certain Light Bulbs Really Save You Money?

Something as simple as changing the light bulbs in your home’s lighting fixtures can help save you money on your energy bills. 15 percent of your average electricity use each month is devoted solely to lighting. 

This may not seem like much, but it adds up in the long run. Energy-efficient options are typically one of the best ways to lower your energy bill. In addition, turning off lights when not in use is another great way to save money. 

Energy-Saving Light Bulbs

Did you know you could save about $225 on your yearly energy bills just by switching to LED bulbs? Think about how many lighting fixtures you have in your home. That’s a lot of electricity in use daily. Now, think of how much you could save if all of these fixtures used energy-efficient light bulbs. 

LED bulbs labeled with the ENERGY STAR seal of approval have earned the right to be called energy-efficient. These safe and high-quality light bulbs can be found at your local hardware or department store. They use up to 90 percent less energy than traditional light bulbs and even last 25 percent longer.

Best of all, they don’t cost much more than a traditional light bulb. They even come in a variety of colors for mood lighting. With 40W, 60W, 75W, and 100W options, LED bulbs are a great way to cut down on your energy bill.

Light Bulbs to Avoid

If a light bulb doesn’t have the ENERGY STAR logo, it probably isn’t worth your money. Not only will this bulb eat away at your electricity, but it’ll die much sooner than an LED bulb. These are typically cheap, low-quality light bulbs that may not even produce much light. 

Incandescent and halogen light bulbs are the least energy-efficient choices on the market. Their high wattage may produce a bright light, but it’ll cost you much more on your energy bill. Additionally, because these bulbs fade quicker, you’ll be spending more to replace them. 

LED bulbs have such a good lifespan that they’re preferred for areas such as garages and basements, as they can be left unmaintained for years to come with proper use. You won’t get that kind of quality or longevity with bulbs not approved by ENERGY STAR. 

Trust in the Home Energy Professionals

When it comes to electricity, the electricians at Gulf Coast Electric know how to safely and effectively get the job done. Whether you’re looking for increased energy efficiency or system maintenance, we’re the ones to rely on. Contact us today!

For many, working from home has presented a variety of opportunities as well as challenges. Knowing how to properly set up the electrical wiring in your home office can have a lasting impact on your productivity and never leave you feeling disconnected.

The team at Gulf Coast Electric is prepared with a list of the best tips and tricks to successfully wiring the electrics in your at-home office space. 

Do You Have Enough Outlets? 

Electricians generally aren’t fans of extension cords. Not only are they an eyesore and take up unnecessary space, they can also be dangerous if not used properly. Extension cords have been known to overheat and spark electrical fires, so using proper outlets will always be the better option.

To avoid the use of them, do a quick assessment of how many outlets you would need to properly power your home office. If the amount you need is more than the amount you have, an electrician can be called to install more in optimal spaces. A professional might even suggest installing USB outlets that offer more plug-in options and increase the functionality of power outlets.

Connect Your Computer

Different outlets may be used all over your home office, but it’s important that your desktop computer has its own dedicated circuit. Computers use a lot of power and energy, so refrain from having them share an outlet with another device to avoid blowing a fuse, tripping a breaker or losing power altogether. 

This necessary safety feature isolates your computer’s use of power from other large devices such as TVs and refrigerators. 

Consider Investing In A Power Conditioner

While this gadget isn’t a necessity, it does add an extra layer of protection to all of the devices using power in your office space. A basic conditioner may be purchased at a local electronics store and is used to sterilize energy before it reaches the devices that are plugged into it. They are used to prevent high voltage and keep your gadgets safe from faulty energy waves.

Get a Reliable Internet Connection

While Wi-Fi is the most common resource for internet connection, it isn’t always stable. Because you will require a hefty amount of internet access to successfully work in your office space, installing hard-wired internet is suggested for stability and strength. 

Every-Day Tips

While a professional is needed to perform outlet installations, there are basic, everyday tasks you can do to keep your home office devices running at their best.

Unplug appliances when they aren’t being used

Keep cords from running near doors and windows, under rugs or carpets

Ensure your smoke detector is up-to-date

Inspect cords for damage regularly

Don’t overwork outlets

Book A Home-Wiring Electrician

If you aren’t certain that your home office is ready for all the energy it’s going to need, schedule a home visit with an experienced electrician. These professionals deal in specialty wiring specifically for in-home use, so they can make sure you have all the resources you need to be productive as you work from home. 

For all electrical services for your home office and more, call the pros at Gulf Coast Electric.

At Gulf Coast Electric, our professional, certified electricians are here to offer our clients superior services, but we also understand that some people prefer to complete some home projects on their own. 

DIY projects can be fulfilling and beneficial for homeowners ambitious enough to take them on, but certain projects can be tricky and pose a risk to your safety. In particular, DIY electrical repair should be approached cautiously. Electrical repair, in general, can be very complicated, and if you aren’t a trained professional, trying to perform electrical repairs on your own can be extremely dangerous. 

Home Electrical Repairs That You Can Complete Yourself

While repairing your home’s electrical wiring and appliances will typically require professional assistance, there are some DIY electrical repair projects that you might be able to tackle alone. Take a look at the following common home electrical repairs that should be fairly easy to DIY:

Movable or Detached Outlets

A loose electrical outlet that moves around in its box is a safety hazard. Outlets that move around easily or become detached within their boxes can quickly lead to a loosening of electrical wires and larger– and more expensive electrical problems. 

Luckily, loose outlets are an easy, DIY fix. Take the following steps to repair a loose outlet:

1. Turn off the power leading to the specific area surrounding the outlet 
2. Utilize a voltage tester to ensure that power is no longer running to the outlet
3. When the voltage tester no longer detects power running through the outlet, unscrew the outlet’s cover and remove the outlet itself
4. Reposition the outlet so it’s more stable and in-line with your wall. You may need to purchase additional materials (ex. outlet shims) from your nearby home improvement store if the outlet has moved too far into the wall 
5. After repositioning the outlet, screw it back into its box and, once you’re sure it’s stabilized, screw the outlet cover back on

A Dead Doorbell

Problems with your doorbell could stem from a variety of sources such as your doorbell’s button, wiring, transformer or chime. When performing a DIY repair on your doorbell you should first inspect the button for any corrosion or debris. If corrosion or debris within the button isn’t the problem, you can detach the wires and tap them together to check for sparks and touch a multimeter tester to the chime and transformer terminals to see if those components are working properly.

Problems With Your Electric Stove 

If one of the burners on your electric stove is malfunctioning or not heating up properly it might mean you have a bad burner, a bad socket connection or a faulty switch. 

To repair an issue with a particular burner on your electric stove you should first try to switch the burner out with another burner on your stove that is working. If that burner doesn’t work in the new position, it could be an issue with the socket for that area of your stove. In that case, you should inspect the socket. If it looks burned or charred then you should replace the socket with a new one to remedy the problem. To change the socket you should:

1. Unscrew the old socket from your electric stove
2. Unscrew the wires from the old socket
3. Screw the wires into your new socket
4. Screw the new socket into your electric stove

If the socket doesn’t look scorched or corroded, then your burner may not be working due to a faulty switch. You can test the switch for the burner yourself using a multimeter tester or seek out professional electrical repair services. At Gulf Coast Electric we offer electrical repair in Destin as well as a range of residential and commercial electrical services.

Frayed or Broken Extension Cord Ends

Extension cords can be fairly expensive and are usually sturdy, but sometimes the ends can bend, wear out and break. Luckily, you can fix extension cords that have become frayed or broken near the ends on your own! You can complete this DIY electrical repair by cutting off the damaged plug/end, cutting the insulation jacket, stripping the wires, twisting the wires back tightly and then screwing them back into the end of the plug. 

You can also look up a detailed video with further instructions on how to perform each step and repair the extension cord properly. 

Contact Us

If you aren’t sure whether you should attempt any at-home electrical-related repairs or aren’t confident enough to do so, contact us at Gulf Coast Electric. We offer a variety of electrical repair services and can provide electrical system maintenance to prevent the need for repairs altogether. If you’re looking for electrical repair in Destin visit our website to connect with a professional and plug in to superior service!

A 50-point inspection is a home inspection designed for new homeowners who would like to know the condition and safety of their electric system, whether they’re in a new home model or an older home. 

Keep reading to find out what Gulf Coast Electric looks for when conducting a 50-point electrical audit. 

Home Inspectors vs. Electrical Service Technicians

Home inspectors are qualified professionals who will come into your home to visually inspect the structure and components. While there, they will look for any immediate or potential problems that may harm you or your family. Upon completion, a written report will be provided to you with a description of any problem areas that may have been found. The report may also include recommendations for further evaluation. 

Some areas included but are not limited to: 

• Structural elements
• Safety
• Grounds
• Roof
• Exterior surfaces
• Attic 
• Appliances
• And more 

Electrical inspections involve a comprehensive review, as well as a checkup of the electrical connections and wiring installed into your home. It is important to note that these inspections help to prevent fire damage, death, injuries and property damage from happening. When buying a new home, it’s important to have an electrical audit performed. Roughly 50% of home fires are caused by electrical failures due to malfunctions in electrical distribution or lighting equipment. 

Benefits of an Electrical Inspection 

Inadequate or outdated electrical wiring poses a potential fire hazard. It’s important to have a professional electrical audit of the wiring in your home at least once a year to prevent problems and give you peace of mind. 

What are the benefits of an electrical inspection?

• Your home will be kept safe
• You’ll put money back in your pocket
• Malfunctions will be avoided
• Your system will maintain efficiency 
• You’ll be up to date on electrical standards

Electrical inspections also help homeowners who have bought an older home or gone through new renovations. If you’re noticing any of these symptoms, you should consider electrical services. 

• Invisible ground rod
• If your home was previously owned
• Rust, corrosion or water exposure in electrical panel
• Your lights flicker or dim more than occasionally
• Discolored outlets and light switch faceplates
• If your circuit breakers or fuses trip or blow often

Schedule An Electrical Audit in Florida Today

If you’re in the process of buying a new or used home or notice any of the signs mentioned above, don’t hesitate to call on Gulf Coast Electric today!