You have probably heard or seen some strange acronyms on some electrical items and have been left a little stumped. In the past, a bulb was a bulb and an outlet was an outlet. Not anymore. Advancements in our knowledge about electricity have made the way for safer and more efficient ways to use it, resulting in things like CFLs and GFCIs. Don’t be alarmed if you don’t know what those things are. An electrician in Fort Lauderdale will explain what they are and why they are better. The team at Elcon Electric can answer any additional questions you may have.
CFLs
Compact florescent light bulbs are the bulbs you see that have a spiral shape to them. These bulbs are a little more money up front, but they are ideal because of the energy savings they afford. CFLs use about 75 percent less electricity that the standard bulbs. This a huge cost savings for you and a major bonus for the environment. With rising electricity costs, it is imperative we look to save as much as we can.
GFCIs
These are the outlets that have the two little buttons in the middle of the fixture. Grounded fault circuit interrupters are designed to keep you safe in the kitchen and bathroom. When something is plugged in and comes in contact with water, you risk electric shock. However, with these outlets, the breaker is tripped the millisecond the circuit is interrupted, preventing electric shock. These outlets will need to be installed by an electrician. Fort Lauderdale residents can choose to have just the kitchen and bathrooms upgraded or outlets throughout the house. GFCIs can also prevent fires from electrical shorts in appliances that are plugged in that may have frayed wires.
If you would like to upgrade your home to the safer GFCIs, give Elcon Electric a call today.