Did You Know?

Did You Know?

The Best Tips & Tricks from Our Expert Electricians

At Town & Country Group, we always have your best interest in mind. We have curated this valuable list of tips and tricks from our expert residential electricians to help you get the most out of your home’s electrical system.

This is a great list to reference when you are experiencing trouble with your electricity. Oftentimes, you can solve your issues on your own with a quick flip of the switch and save yourself the time and money of calling a professional. If your issue is not resolved by any of these tips, of course, give our expert residential electricians a call, and we can fix your electricity quickly and conveniently!

GFCI Outlets/Receptacles SAVE LIVES!

Ground fault circuit interrupter outlets can prevent electrical shock in wet locations. They are required in bathrooms, kitchens, garages, wet bars, crawlspaces, utility sink outlets, and outdoor areas.

  • Test your GFCI outlets each month. To test, press the TEST button. When you do this, the power for this outlet should turn off and the RESET button should pop out. Press RESET button to restore power. If either of these buttons fail to work properly, have a new GFCI outlet installed immediately.
  • It’s a good idea to setup a recurring calendar reminder to test your GFCI outlets each month.
  • Get all the facts about GFCI outlets in this Consumer Product Safety Commission GFCI Fact Sheet.
Smoke Detectors Save Lives & Property!

It is absolutely imperative to have working smoke detectors in your home or business! Nowadays, 96% of all US households reported having at least one smoke alarm, but the key is ensuring that your smoke detectors are working properly.

  • 2/3 of home fire deaths occur in homes with no smoke detectors, or in homes where the smoke detectors weren’t working properly.
  • Only 1/3 of “10-year” smoke detectors actually still work in their 10th year.
  • You should test all of your smoke detectors every month. To test, press the TEST button. The smoke detector should make its loud alert sound, followed by any other smoke detectors in the system.
  • It’s a good idea to setup a recurring calendar reminder to test your smoke alarm system each month.
  • The battery in your smoke alarms should be replaced every year.
  • Replace smoke/carbon monoxide alarms every 8-10 years, or per manufacturer’s recommendations.
Arc Fault Circuit Breakers Save Lives & Property!

An arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) is a type of circuit breaker that will turn off the power when it detects a dangerous electrical arc. If the power isn’t cut, an electrical arc can cause electrical fires.

  • AFCI circuit breakers have been required in all bedroom circuit wiring since 2005.
  • Test your AFCI outlets each month. To test, press the TEST button. When you do this, the power for that circuit should turn off and the RESET button should pop out. Press RESET button to restore power. If either of these buttons fail to work properly, have a new AFCI outlet installed immediately.
Learn How to Map the Electrical Circuit in Your Home

Knowing the pattern of your home’s wiring circuits and how your electrical panel is organized can help you quickly restore your own power when a circuit breaker trips or a fuse blows. This article easily lays out how to map the electrical circuit in your home.

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