Active Electric are Trusted Regina Electricians and they get it right the first time, delivering all electrical services including installation, upgrade, and repair solutions.

Active Electric are your TRUSTED REGINA ELECTRICAL EXPERTS

Experiencing Power Outages?  Active Electric Shares A Tip on Why You Should Install a Generator

When most people think of generators, they tend to think about things such as construction sites and those who are turning to off-grid solutions for everyday living. The fact is, however, that more and more people are choosing to install generators in their homes and businesses.

A generator will power your home through power outages caused by storms, other weather, or man-made problems.  Generator installation is on the rise, be a part of the community and be prepared.  Below are a few reasons home generators can be a practical, cost-effective solution at your home or business.

Emergency Preparedness

Storms not only have damaging wind and rain that can knock down power lines, in some cases, but they also spawn tornadoes that can do even more damage to the power grid.  Power generators ensure you have access to electricity in emergency situations. Storms, rolling blackouts, and damage to power lines are just a few of the things that can come about when you least expect them. Having a power generator in place before these problems occur means you never have to worry

Furthermore, if a disaster were ever to occur, scrambling to find a power generator may be the last thing you want to do.

Backup Power For Home Appliance & Medical Devices

When the power is out, appliances shut off. Usually, worst-case scenario is having to reset clocks and power devices back on when electricity becomes available. Some appliances however have consequences. Food storage for instance can constitute a problem if refrigerators and freezers become inoperable for any substantial amount of time, as many items can spoil in just a few hours at room temperature.  

A much more serious reason to have a power generator on standby is the need for home medical devices. Equipment such as a CPAP machine for those suffering from sleep apnea, electrical hospital beds and chairs for those with mobility issues, heart monitors, dialisis machines and more are all dependent on electricity without fail. When you depend on one of those, you cannot tolerate the risk of a power outage.

Using a generator in a storm can preserve food, it can keep damaging mold from growing in your house from a lack of air-conditioning. A generator can let you operate pumps to keep your home from succumbing to water damage from flooding. It can allow your business to keep running during a power outage and prevent profit losses.

In cases where these devices are present, it is a good idea to have a power generator on standby that is dependable and will not let you down. This is a situation where you will want a professionally installed system that you know you don’t have to worry about.

Safety and Security

As many security experts in Regina will tell you, one of the first things many home intruders often do with the increasing presence of home cameras and security is cut the power of a home. In the absence of backup power or batteries, this will not only turn off the lights but shut down cameras and alarms preventing anyone home or away from that there may be an intruder.

Permanent power generators that automatically turn on with power loss can mitigate these concerns, and ensure continued security and monitoring in the event of a blackout or loss of power.

What type of generator do you need?

If you are only interested in keeping a refrigerator going and perhaps a few small appliances, a portable generator is the best. If you have a home or business and want to keep the air conditioner and all the electric powered items going, then a stationary (standby) generator is best. This generator should be installed by a licensed electrician to ensure it works correctly when a power outage occurs.

Portable Generators

These types of generators are much less expensive than their permanent counterparts. However, they are completely dependent upon your presence.

You have to manually start the generator and, if you have to use it for any length of time, monitor the gas consumption. 

Furthermore, a portable generator must be no closer to your home than ten feet, because of the carbon monoxide emissions. At the same time, you will want to house it in an enclosure that keeps it safe from the elements but also allows for free movement of air.

If you are using a portable generator in an emergency situation, it’s likely that it will only be able to power the most important appliances in your home. They simply are not big enough to handle the brunt of everything from appliances, televisions, lighting and everything else. Plan to downplay your energy output if you will be depending on a portable.

Permanent Placement Generators

You can find these in many different sizes, but all in all the expense will be more. The main reason for this is that you are paying for more peace of mind. Should you need to leave your home for vacation or business for a few days, you can rest assured your generator will take care of any random power outages. 

They are very quiet, much safer than a portable generator and, should you decide to sell your home, they can bring about 50% of their original cost in the sale.

The downside to permanently placed power generators is that they need maintenance every two years. However, with that maintenance, the reliability can be determined, and if there are needs such as medical equipment involved, the peace of mind is absolutely priceless.

If you are considering a home generator, and need assistance with electrical or infrastructure to ensure the safety and reliability of your investment, feel free to contact us for cost estimates and recommendations. 

If you are ever uncertain about a potential electrical issue in your home please contact Active Electric and one of their qualified professionals would be happy to help.  They also provide Free quotes! 

ACTIVE ELECTRIC are TRUSTED REGINA ELECTRICIANS -  Check out his listing here in REGINA ELECTRICIANS on the Regina Directory of excellence!

What options are there for sunroom flooring?

Sunroom & Screen Room Flooring For a Perfect Oasis 

When it comes to installing or refurbishing sunroom flooring, you have a handful of options. Not all sunroom installations will include an option for flooring, so you’ll need to consult a contractor for your flooring needs. If you’re converting a spare room, deck, or porch into a sunroom know that sunrooms are a whole different animal from the rest of your home. Because they are exposed to the elements, albeit gently, as well as to traffic coming from outside, sunroom floors need to be sturdy and fade- and moisture-resistant. Picking out a sunroom flooring type can be challenging, especially if you want to use the room year-round. Floors here need to keep from overheating and burning bare feet when the sun is beating down hard, but they should also absorb some sunlight to warm the room come wintertime.

As with most things, each type of flooring has its advantages and its drawbacks. It’s all about picking the material that will work best for your needs. 

Carpet

If your sunroom also doubles as a playroom for your children, then the carpet might be a good choice. Low-pile is typically best, as it will be easier to clean in a room as busy as this one.  Additionally, carpet offers a wide range of colours and patterns, making it easy to coordinate with your home. 

Tile

Tile is without a doubt one of the most popular choices for sunroom flooring.  Between ceramic, slate, or natural stone, different tiles can completely change the look of this space.  It’s durable, easy to clean and can easily be matched with any existing furniture.  As an added bonus, it can help keep the temperature in a sunroom comfortable during the warmer months.

Hardwood

Another classic choice for a sunroom is hardwood flooring.  With a wide range of choices between species and stains, wood flooring provides warmth underfoot and the home-style look many homeowners seek.

Flooring Tips to Keep in Mind

• Three season rooms generally aren’t insulated, so choose flooring that will help keep the space warm during the winter months as long as possible. 
• Flooring in screen room additions should be durable and be able to withstand the elements since they are exposed to the elements all year round.
• If you install carpet in your sunroom, stick to a thinner pile and make sure your windows have proper UV protection.
• Treat wood flooring with an oil-based stain to prevent sun damage. Many home improvement stores have wide selections of these stains
• Regardless of the option you choose, make sure to clean and maintain your flooring regularly to extend its life and maintain its appearance.

Active Electric are Trusted Regina Electricians and they get it right the first time, delivering all electrical services including installation, upgrade, and repair solutions.

Whether it's hanging a ceiling fan, installing a custom-designed landscape lighting system, installing a state of the art home theater system or rewiring a commercial structure, or other electrical services, you can call Active they are here eager to help and no job is too small! Customer service is always their top priority and they should be your first call for a Regina Electrician! 

Active Electric are your TRUSTED REGINA ELECTRICAL EXPERTS

Why Do My Breakers Keep Tripping?

There are a variety of causes that could trigger a circuit breaker. Some of these causes are fairly harmless but others could be putting your home in danger. For this reason, it is important to know the common causes of a tripped circuit.

Breakers can trip for a variety of reasons, and it is always important to know the cause of a tripped breaker. If your breakers are continuously switching, make sure that you contact an electrician. Some of the most common causes of tripped circuits include:

Overloaded Circuits

The most common cause of a tripped circuit breaker is an overloaded circuit. Circuit breakers are designed to trip when too much power is being drawn, as this can cause overheating and lead to a fire or damage all of the electrical devices plugged into the circuit. When something is plugged in that draws too much power or when multiple appliances are plugged in that overload the circuit, the breaker trips. If your breakers are tripping, check to see what is plugged in. 

Problematic devices could include vacuums, air conditioners, space heaters, hairdryers, and corded tools.

Short Circuits

A short circuit occurs when a hot or live wire comes in contact with a neutral wire somewhere in the circuit. This usually occurs at an outlet, light fixture, or switch. Short circuits can be incredibly dangerous, as they create massive amounts of heat. 

Short circuits are the most common cause of electrical fires.

Ground Fault Surges

Similar to short circuits, ground fault surges occur when two wires cross when they are not supposed to. When a hot or live wire comes into contact with a ground wire, the edge of the box, or any other grounded source more power than the circuit can handle will begin to flow through the system and a ground fault surge occurs. 

If not handled properly, this can lead to electrical fires and electrocution, so a licensed electrician should always be called.

If you are ever uncertain about a potential electrical issue in you home please contact Active Electric and one of their qualified professionals would be happy to come out and take a look.  They Also provide Free quotes! 

ACTIVE ELECTRIC are TRUSTED REGINA ELECTRICIANS -  Check out his listing here in REGINA ELECTRICIANS on the Regina Directory of excellence!

Bergens are a local family business and from the moment you walk in the door you will be treated like family! 

They are proud to have an amazing 80 Years Auto Body Experience, and they have been serving Regina Auto Body needs for over 30 Years....they have a loyal customer base that simply wouldn't think of going anywhere else. Bergen's are an SGI Accredited Regina Auto Body and Collision Repair shop  , they offer courtesy cars to their clients and they specialize in foreign vehicles. They are a part of the Auto Body Category. In our latest article we share that Bergens are an OEM Certified Auto body & collision Repair shop in Regina, and what that means to you!  

Bergen's Auto Body & Collision Centre Ltd. has been officially Certified by Certified Collision Care

Certified Collision Care is a non-profit consumer advocacy organization for maintaining the right tools, equipment, training, and facilities necessary to repair the participating Automaker brand vehicles according to the manufacturer's specifications. In achieving their Certification, Bergen's Auto Body & Collision Centre Ltd. is now an integral part of the most advanced repair capable and efficient collision repair network in the world. 

Adding to their credentials, Bergen's Auto Body & Collision Centre Ltd. is officially Certified by Certified Collision Care, Fiat Chrysler, Kia, and Nissan Canada. 

To become Certified by the various Automakers, Bergen's Auto Body & Collision Centre Ltd. passed the rigorous Certification process essential to help ensure a proper and safe repair of the new generation of advanced vehicles. Less than 5 percent of body shops across the nation are able to meet the stringent requirements to become officially Certified and recognized. The Certified network is made up exclusively of best-in-class collision repair businesses that have met or exceeded the strict requirements of the Certification program. 

According to Bergen's Auto Body & Collision Centre Ltd. Owner, Jonathan Bergen,

 "This certification supports our reputation for superior customer service serving our community. We are your neighbors and friends, so it is important to provide our customers with the peace of mind that their vehicles are being repaired correctly by highly trained professionals that care about them." 

The Certification criteria are based upon auto manufacturer requirements. These are critical to ensure the vehicle fit, finish, durability, value and safety following an accident. As new model vehicles are being introduced that use light weight high strength materials and advanced technology, a proper repair according to manufacturer specification is even more important than ever to ensure the passenger safety and proper performance of the vehicle. 

Auto manufacturers want to ensure that consumers have the option of Certified Collision Repair wherever they live, work, or travel

 "Consumers need the confidence and peace of mind to know their vehicle is being repaired by a shop that has what it takes to ensure the vehicle safety. Bergen's Auto Body & Collision Centre Ltd. is officially a Collision Care ProviderTM," said Scott Biggs, CEO of Assured Performance Collision CareTM. "They represent the standard by which all other body shops are measured."

About Certified Collision Care: 

Certified Collision Care is the Canadian division of Assured Performance Network, the largest network of OEM Certified repair providers in the world with over 2,800 Collision Care Providers participating, and administers the Canadian Nissan Certified Collision Repair Network, Mopar Certified Collision Repair Facility, Kia Certified Collision Repair Centre and Ford National Body Shop Network Certified programs. Visit www.certifiedcollisioncare.ca for more information.

Bergen's GUARANTEE that you will be treated to both friendly service and quality workmanship....and after speaking to their clients we can definitely say that they do all they claim and all in a style all of their own!

Bergen's AutoBody & Collision Centre are TRUSTED REGINA AUTO BODY EXPERTS...and they are waiting to help you. Fan them on Facebook here and be assured that they will look after you ..you can TRUST them..we Guaranteee it!