(HIT) – Homeowners looking to add the latest technology for greater comfort, enjoyment and safety while lowering their energy costs can tap into their local electrical contractors.
With more than 20 percent of households in the U.S. reported to have some form of electronic control system by the end of 2015, more homeowners are adopting wireless networks while home product manufacturers continue to build connectivity into everything from washing machines to door locks.
“Electrical contractors’ particular qualifications, skills and training can help homeowners add comfort while boosting their homes’ energy efficiency and lowering their utility bills,” said John Maisel, publisher of Electrical Contractor magazine at www.ecmag.com, published by the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), Bethesda, Md.
Electrical contractor activities for homeowners may include:
- Comprehensive energy audits: to identify and correct some of a home’s most critical energy issues that utility representatives and home performance contractors may overlook, including checking wiring and electrical service panels to determine if they are overloaded and determining load peaks and valleys.
- Lighting controls: including photosensor controls that turn off when the daylight is sufficient, motion sensors that fit into standard wall boxes and switch off the lights when nobody is around, wireless controls, digital lighting management; helping with compact fluorescent (CFLs) and light-emitting diode (LEDs) during the incandescent phase-out.
- Wireless technology: lead by Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, electrical contractors can help make decisions on a variety of home applications, including computer networking, gaming and movies, home office, appliance and energy management, smartp
