TFC Electric Inc.

These Long Island winters seem to just be getting colder and colder as the years go on. When you bundle up in sweatpants and sweatshirts under a bunch of blankets to stay warm, you may consider adding an electric blanket to the mix for extra comfort.

If that’s your plan, it’s essential that you follow these electric blanket safety tips to avoid injury or danger.

Don’t Use Electric Blankets Without Covers

Every electric blanket and heating pad comes with a protective cover, and with a good reason. If you try to use the blanket without the cover, you could easily burn your skin or cause a nearby blanket to become too hot and catch fire. Never use an electric blanket without the cover — if you lose it, don’t use the blanket until you have another cover.

Always Check the Wires First

If the wire that plugs in your electric blanket is at all damaged — cut, torn, frayed, etc. — you risk getting electrocuted or started a fire if you use the blanket. Either have the wire replaced or get a new blanket.

Never Cover Your Electric Blanket

Your electric blanket should always be the top layer when you’re using it. If you place other blankets or items on top of the electric blanket runs the risk of it overheating. Don’t sit on top of the blanket or lets pets lay on it.

Don’t Fold Electric Blankets While They’re On

You won’t get double the heat by folding your electric blanket — you’ll just risk the blanket overheating or catching fire.

Turn Electric Blankets Off Before Sleeping

You should never leave your electric on while you’re sleeping. To avoi injury or other danger, always turn it on before going to bed.

For all your electrical needs in Suffolk County, trust the experts at TFC Electric! With over 24 years of experience, you know you can trust us in your home!

Technology has changed a lot over the past few decades, and that’s showing no signs of slowing. When you decide to upgrade your computer, TV, or other device, you shouldn’t just toss the old system out onto the curb — electronics need to be disposed of the proper way. Here’s how you can get rid of electronics safely.

Go To a Hazardous Waste Facility

Since a lot of electronics contain materials that aren’t safe for the environment, you shouldn’t — and often can’t — just put them out on the curb for your everyday trash collector to pick up. Instead, find a hazardous waste facility to take your electronics back so they can be properly disposed of.

Find a Trade-In Program

A great way to safely get rid of your electronics, and make a little money in the process, is by trading them in. Many trade-in stores or programs will give you a credit or cash in exchange for your electronics that they can sell themselves.

Find a Recycling Program

Many electronic stores will have a recycling program that encourages people to giv back their unwanted electronics. While most take anything from old batteries to televisions, just give them a call to make sure they accept what you’re planning on dropping off.

Sell Your Old Electronics

Just because you don’t want a laptop or cellphone, it doesn’t mean someone else won’t. Try selling your old electronics online or to friends — just make sure to completely wipe your personal information from the devices first.

Donate Your Devices

If you’re just upgrading to a new version of your device, but your current models are in good shape, consider donating them. There are plenty of charities and non-profit organizations who would appreciate gaining a new computer to help with their operations.

For all your electrical needs in Suffolk County, give the experts at TFC Electric a call! With over 24 years of experience, we have the knowledge and skills needs to get your home’s electrical system up to code and completely safe.

Whether it’s your first time or you’re going onto your fourth house, selling your home can be a stressful process. Between finding a buyer, doing all the paperwork, and preparing to move into your new home, you have a lot to worry about. We’re sorry to add it to the list, but there’s something else you should take concern over — your electrical system.

Certain electrical issues can ruin your resale value of your home, leading to your getting less money for your home or your home not being purchased at all. Luckily, all of these issues can be fixed so you have a smooth buying process.

Old Wiring Systems

If you haven’t updated your wiring system in a while, you’re putting your home at risk of fires — something new buyers won’t take lightly. You should update your wiring and make sure your system is properly grounded to avoid any safety issues.

Inadequate Service

Especially if you have an older home, your electrical system may not be properly equipped enough to handle today’s power needs. That can lead to power shorts and outages as well as higher electricity bills. No buyer is going to want to deal with that.

Outlet Issues

If the majority of the outlets in your home are two-pronged ones, you need to replace and update them. Two-pronged outlets aren’t properly grounded, not to mention, most electronics use three-pronged plugs nowadays.

Your resale value will also decreased if you don’t have enough outlets in your home. You should have multiple, three-pronged outlets in each room, especially bedrooms and bathrooms, that are in convenient locations.

Bad Circuit Panels

If your home’s circuit panel is outdated, improperly sized, or poorly repaired, you’re going to have a hard time convincing someone to purchase your home. Before putting your home on the market, you should update your circuit panel.

For help getting your home ready for resale, give the experts at TFC Electric a call! With over 24 years of experience, we have the knowledge and skills needs to get your home’s electrical system up to code and completely safe.

Have you always dreamed of owning a restored, antique home? We don’t blame you. With the charming architectural design and decor older, antique houses tend to have, calling one your home definitely has its appeal.

However, before you get comfortable in your antique home, it’s vital to have your electrical work inspected, and more importantly, have your home rewired. Here’s why.

Old Electrical Systems Can’t Handle Today’s Power Needs

Back when these homes were built, potentially decades or centuries ago, people didn’t use nearly a fraction of the electricity they do today — they simply didn’t have the need. Nowadays, you have large appliances, entertainment devices, device chargers, and more, all of which require a lot of power.

Older electrical systems weren’t designed to meet these power needs, so you’ll likely experience frequent circuit breaks, shortages, and power outages. We doubt you want to deal with that.

Old Electrical Systems are Inefficient

Since the older electrical wiring in antique homes will constantly have to work harder to meet your power needs, it’ll put a greater strain on your home and run up your energy bills in the process.

New wiring and electrical panels are better designed to meet your needs and work efficiently, so you can have lower electricity bills each month.

Old Electrical Systems are a Fire Hazard

The older electrical wiring is, the more likely is it for the wires and fuses to be worn down, frayed, or otherwise damaged. This creates a greater risk for electrical fires to start in your antique home and puts you and your family in danger.

When you rewire your home, you reduce the risk of fires and other safety hazards, since your needs electrical system will be in better condition.

With 24 years of experience, TFC Electric Inc. can help update the wiring and electrical work in your home. Since 1994, we have been serving Suffolk County with any and all electrical needs. Call us today at 631-589-2800 for more information.

As a homeowner, you want to protect your investment and keep your property and your family safe. While we’re sure you’ve taken measures such as good locks on your doors and even adding an alarm system to your home, there are a few other measures you can take to ensure proper safety. A great thing you can do is add security cameras to your home so you can always see what’s going on.

Types of Security Cameras

Motion-Sensing

If you don’t have a lot of storage space on your computer or other devices that will be saving your video recordings, motion sensor cameras are perfect. They only record when something is moving in their frame, so you won’t have endless hours of a still image of your lawn taking up space on your drive.

Nightvision

As the name implies, these cameras are meant to record in dimly lit and dark areas. They are often found outside, so you can spot any intruders that may sneak up on your house in the middle of the night.

Tilt Cameras

While some cameras stay fixed on a certain scene, tilt cameras have the ability to change direction, zoom, and focus on other elements. This can either be done remotely or by hand from your phone, depending on the camera model you choose.

Benefits of Security Cameras

Safety

First and foremost, security cameras help keep your home safe. Many intruders are wary of targeting a home that has security cameras that could catch them in the act.

Proving a Crime

If your home is broken into, security footage from your cameras can help prove someone is the perpetrator in court. Rather than have to rely on circumstantial evidence, you can have black and white footage that clearly shows the guilty party.

With 24 years of experience, TFC Electric Inc. can help install the best electrical work for your home. Since 1994, we have been serving Suffolk County with any and all electrical needs. Call us today at 631-589-2800 for more information.

When it comes to lighting your home, you have lots of options. There’s general lighting for large rooms, accent lighting to add flair, and task lighting for various workspaces. However, there is another type of lighting that you shouldn’t turn a blind eye to: motion sensor lights.

There are a number of benefits to motion sensor lights, all of which will probably convince you to add a few around the interior and exterior of your home.

They Reduce Energy Usage

How many times have you turned on your outside floodlights but then forgot to turn them off? That could make for a lot of energy consumption that you’ll only realize when you get your monthly electricity bill. Motion sensor lights will turn off after a certain amount time if they don’t detect movement, lowering your energy usage and keeping those bills tolerable.

They Help Guide You

If you or the kids come home at night, it’s not always easy getting from your car to your front door in the dark. Rather than fumble your way around your yard, motion sensor lights will help give you a clear path of light and make it to your front door without tripping over rand lawn decorations.

They’re Good for Crime Detection

Just like you’d want to see where you’re going in your yard, you’ll likely want to see if any unwelcome guests are lurking around too. Motion sensor lights cannot only spot potential danger, but they can deter potential home invaders from breaking into your home for fear that they’ll be seen in the spotlight.

With 24 years of experience, TFC Electric Inc. can help install the best lighting for your home. Since 1994, we have been serving Suffolk County with any and all electrical needs. Call us today at 631-589-2800 for more information.

Have you ever tried to start your car on a cold winter’s day, but all it does is sputter a few times? That’s because the cold temperatures and the dry air they cause can sometimes prevent electrical components from performing properly.

The same can be said for the electrical components in your home. The cold affects your electronics in many ways, none of which are that convenient.

Cold Weather Brings Dry Air

Too dry of air can put extra stress on your electrical system and prevent your circuits from connecting properly, leaving you with shoddy power or no power at all. Sometimes, this can be remedied by adding a humidifier to your home and balancing out humidity levels.

People Use More Power During Cold Weather

Heating systems and space heaters run all the time during the winter as are electronic entertainment systems  — think about how much more likely you are to stay home and watch a movie during winter than you are in summer.

With a higher demand for electricity, you’re more likely to experience a power outage when it’s colder outside than you are during other times of the year.

Solar Panels Can Be Limited During Winter

When the temperature outside drops, we’re more likely to experience bad weather that blocks out sunlight. This can prevent solar panels from working at their best, leaving homeowners without enough power for their homes.

If you want to keep your home well-powered and prevent the cold weather from affecting your home’s electricity, ask the experts at TFC Electric for help. Since 1994, we have been serving Suffolk County with any and all electrical needs. Call us today at 631-589-2800 for more information.

When you start decorating for the holidays, what’s the first thing you usually grab? If you’re like most people, it’s your holiday lights! But don’t go tossing strands wherever you want. In order to prevent any electric issues or fires, you need to be aware of the places you shouldn’t place holiday lights.

Outside

Well, some of them. Not all holiday lights are meant to be used outside. Whether it’s because of the kind wiring or the type of bulbs used for those lights, hanging them up outside can risk electrocution or fire. Check your lights to ensure they’re safe for outdoor use. If they’re not, use them to decorate inside.

On Flammable Trees

Most artificial trees are designed to be non-flammable nowadays, but if you have an older tree, it may be susceptible to catching fire if holiday lightbulbs cause it to get too hot. Replace any older, artificial trees with a newer, non-flammable one before hanging lights on it.

Your real tree could also be flammable if you don’t keep it well-watered. Dry trees are the most common cause for holiday-related fires. If you don’t think you can keep your tree hydrated, don’t hang any lights on it.

On Fabrics

We often see some people lay lights across a fabric table runner, but that’s rarely wise. The bulbs on your holiday lights get hot, and if they create too much heat against your fabric or any other nearby flammable items, they could start a fire. It’s best to keep lights a foot or two away from any fabrics.

 

With 24 years of experience, TFC Electric Inc. can help you keep all the members of your family safe from electrical harm. Since 1994, we have been serving Suffolk County with any and all electrical needs. Call us today at 631-589-2800 for more information.

As the holiday season approaches, you’re probably starting to unpack all of your lights and decorations to begin decking the halls. Before you start your holiday overhaul, you need to be careful when it comes to your electrical decorations — mainly, your lights.

While you’re untangling all of your twinkling holiday lights, you need to stop and think — how many holiday lights can I string together?

Lighting Factors

In order to avoid overloading your outlets or blowing a fuse, you should factor these things into stringing together lights.

The Type of Bulb

This also includes the size of the bulbs. Difference sizes of bulbs use more or less electricity, so that affects how many different sets of lights you should string together.

Other Electronics

If you have other appliances, such as a TV or lighting fixture, running on the same circuits as your holiday lights, that will limit the amount you should string together.

Numbers

There’s a little bit of math involved here, but it’s not too heavy. Take the voltage of your outlet (most standard home outlets are 120 volts) and multiply it by the amps of your circuit. The number you get is your wattage, or the amount of electricity your circuits can handle.

Once you have that number, compare it to the amount of wattage used by your holiday lights. You should only aim to use 80% of your wattage, so you may have to take one string of lights off the strand.

Typically speaking, most circuits can handle around five to six strands of lights, but it’s better to break them up a bit so you don’t risk overloading your outlets.

With 24 years of experience, TFC Electric Inc. can help you keep all the members of your family safe from electrical harm. Since 1994, we have been serving Suffolk County with any and all electrical needs. Call us today at 631-589-2800 for more information.

Thanksgiving is one of the best and most delicious times of the year. With all the family together and yummy food being served, there are very few reasons anything negative needs to happens on this day. However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t issues at all. These are some of the most common electrical issues we’ve seen happened on Thanksgiving that you should do your best to avoid.

Overloaded Outlets

To no one‘s surprise, there will probably be a lot of pictures taken on Thanksgiving. Between the necessary food shots and the multiple cousin selfies, all those pictures are going to cause people‘s phones to die pretty quickly. When that happens, they will all rush to charge them, which can lead to your outlets being overloaded with power. Not only can overloaded outlets short and stop working, but they can be up a potential safety risk as well.

Electric Stove Issues

With all the hustle and bustle that goes on during Thanksgiving, you’d be surprised how often, and easily, someone would throw a dish towel, accidentally, onto a burning electric stove. This causes the towel to burn and potentially catch fire, leading to a big fiasco. Make sure to keep any flammable or burnable objects far from your electric stove for everyone’s safety.

High Electric Bills

Like we said, there’s a lot going on on Thanksgiving. Between charging phones, running electrical appliances, and all your lights being used, Thanksgiving can cause you to end up with a very high electric bill. Keep your bill low by turning off all appliances when you’re not using them and using power strips for smaller appliances to completely cut the power and avoid vampire electricity.

With 24 years of experience, TFC Electric Inc. can help you keep all the members of your family safe from electrical harm. Since 1994, we have been serving Suffolk County with any and all electrical needs. Call us today at 631-589-2800 for more information.