holiday Archives | Elite Electric, Plumbing & Air

Holiday IAQ Hazards: Identifying and Mitigating Air Quality Risks

The holiday season is a time of joy and celebration, but it can also bring hidden indoor air quality (IAQ) hazards into our homes. From decorations to cooking, several holiday activities can negatively impact the air we breathe. In this blog, our Elite experts will explore some of the IAQ hazards associated with the holidays and provide you with practical tips to identify and mitigate these risks for a healthier and happier season.

Look Out for These Common IAQ Concerns Around the Holidays:

Festive Decorations: Holiday decorations often spend the year in storage, collecting dust and potential allergens. Artificial trees, wreaths, and ornaments can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) when unpacked.

Cooking and Baking: Preparing big holiday meals can lead to increased cooking-related pollutants, such as grease and smoke. Carbon monoxide (CO) can be produced when using gas ovens or stovetops extensively.

Indoor Plants and Greenery: Houseplants and fresh greenery can harbor mold, especially when overwatered. Mold spores can become airborne and affect IAQ if not addressed.

Mitigating IAQ Hazards During the Holidays:

Decorate Mindfully: Before decorating, clean holiday items to remove dust and allergens. Consider investing in live, potted holiday greenery, like Christmas trees, to reduce VOC emissions.

Proper Ventilation: Use exhaust fans while cooking and keep windows cracked to reduce cooking-related pollutants. Ensure gas appliances are well-maintained and vented properly to prevent CO buildup.

Manage Indoor Plants: Carefully monitor the moisture levels of indoor plants to prevent mold growth. Regularly inspect plants for signs of mold or mildew, and remove affected areas promptly.

Regular Cleaning: Maintain a consistent cleaning routine during the holiday season to control dust and allergens. Vacuum with a HEPA filter to capture small particles, and wash bedding and curtains regularly.

IAQ Products: Consider using IAQ products such as air purifiers, dehumidifiers, and humidifiers to maintain optimal air quality. Air purifiers with HEPA filters can help remove airborne particles.

The holidays are a time for joy and togetherness, and by taking a few simple steps to mitigate IAQ hazards, you can ensure that your home remains a safe and healthy haven for you and your loved ones. Our team at Elite is here to help with even more solutions that can help you breathe easier year-round. By staying vigilant and addressing these potential risks, you can enjoy a happy and worry-free holiday season.

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Save Money Without Hampering Your Holiday Decor

Tips For Energy-Efficient Decorations

When people think of the holidays, decorations are likely one of the first things to come to mind. Festive lights, unique ornaments, and other decorative items can instantly put families into the holiday spirit. However, if a homeowner’s budget is already stretched thin due to travel expenses and gifts for loved ones, they may be left wondering how they’ll be able to afford all of it.

Fortunately for homeowners on a tight budget this season, there are plenty of ways to save money when decorating a home. Keep reading to learn more about tips for keeping energy costs down while upping the cheer in the house this holiday season.

Switch to LED Lights

LED stands for a light-emitting diode. LED lights are energy-efficient decorations that save money in a few different ways. This type of light has a much longer lifespan than the typical incandescent holiday bulb, meaning it won’t have to be replaced as often. Also, compared to incandescent light bulbs, LED lights are up to 90% more energy efficient, saving homeowners money on powering them. By reducing electric bills and extending the number of hours Christmas lights work, homeowners have extra cash for the new year.

Instead of burning out at the end of their lifespan, LED Christmas lights fade over a series of hours. This is technically called lumen depreciation. Because they eventually stop working through gradual dimming, LED lights are also considered safer. This is especially true for outdoor Christmas decorations. The actual bulb surrounding the light does not heat up like an incandescent bulb, so the risk of a fire hazard is greatly reduced.

Battery-Operated Christmas Lights Save Money

Rechargeable batteries can also save a significant amount of money around the holidays. Since one battery can be used multiple times, the same decor or light fixtures can be used repeatedly. Many holiday decorations also come in battery-operated form, allowing no extra charges to be added to the energy bills.

Battery-operated Christmas lights are great for adding to decorations like wreaths and garlands, allowing for a seamless look with no plugs and wires going to an outlet. Many festive holiday inflatables are also battery-operated.

Opt for the Most Traditional Lights: Candles

The most traditional holiday lights are candles. They are an inexpensive way to add Christmas decorations that look classic and festive, adding nothing to energy bills. Holiday candles also come in various styles, colors, and scents. Popular scents around the holidays include pine, apple cinnamon, pumpkin spice, and candy cane.

While candles do not use any power, there are still precautions to take. Fire safety is a must, so homeowners should ensure they always have working smoke detectors. Lit candles on multiple window sills may look nice, but leaving a candle unattended is never recommended. Homeowners should also be sure not to put candles too close near flammable materials like curtains and other holiday decorations.

About Elite Electric, Plumbing & Air

Elite Electric, Plumbing & Air have over 25 years of experience serving Port St. Lucie, FL, and the surrounding areas. They provide upfront pricing, personal attention, and on-time arrival. Call them today for electrical or smoke detector services in Port St. Lucie, FL.

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Save Money with the Holiday Decorations This Year!

Consider Energy-Efficient Holiday Decorations This Year

The holiday season is fast approaching, which means many homeowners and their families will be bringing out the holiday decorations if they have not done so already! This also means it is the perfect time of the year to think about ways to save money, given that holiday decorations can make energy bills skyrocket.

One of the best ways to save money is by investing in energy-efficient holiday decorations this year! That’s right, this may not seem like a significant change, but there are many energy-efficient decorations that can save homeowners a considerable amount of money, especially considering that many families have their decorations out for weeks or even months! Continue reading to learn more.

Invest in LED Lights

One of the easiest ways to make holiday decorations more energy efficient is to substitute traditional lights with LED lights. These lights are a very eco-friendly way to still achieve the same lighting effect while saving homeowners a significant amount of money. The cost savings come from two features:

Greater efficiency - less energy is required to achieve the same lighting effect, so there is less energy exerted for the same amount of time spent lighting the decorations.
Longer lifespan - they last even longer, so this efficiency is extended for a long period of time, which extends the time that homeowners can enjoy their cost savings.

Both of these two things save homeowners a significant amount of money. And the great thing is that LED lights are widely available in many stores.

Choose Battery Operated Decorations

Another great way that homeowners can save money is by investing in battery-operated decorations. This one is probably less obvious so let’s take a look at why. The biggest reason battery-operated decorations are so beneficial is that they ultimately reduce the total amount of electricity used.

Instead of drawing the energy directly through electricity, the decorations utilize a battery, which uses less energy overall! Many decorations are battery-operated, and even if they are not, homeowners can probably find alternative versions that are indeed battery operated. They should just be sure to take adequate electrical safety precautions to ensure the batteries are fresh and functional.

Burn Candles - Old School Style!

Now, the two prior sections above require some form of electrical understanding, perhaps even electrical services expertise depending on what homeowners are trying to do. However, there is one last option that will take homeowners and their families back in time: candles! That’s right, this might sound odd, but candles are one of the best ways to save money while still lighting up the home around the holidays.

Not only can these add a sophisticated and elegant touch to the look of the home, but they do not require any power at all, which means that aside from the cost of the candles and lighters, homeowners will not spend a penny more on their electrical bills! Just be sure to take precautions to ensure fire safety!

About Elite Electric & Air

Elite Electric & Air is a full-service electrical company in Port St. Lucie, FL, that believes in always looking out for its customers. With a depth of residential and commercial electrical expertise, their team of experts provides upfront pricing, 24/7 emergency services, and 100% satisfaction guaranteed for each and every one of their clients.

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How to Get a Head Start on Holiday Decorating

Getting Ready for Putting up Christmas Lights

Putting up holiday decorations is a fun way to celebrate the season, but it can also take a lot of time. Homeowners can get a head start on putting up their holiday decorations with the following tips from electrical experts. Using the right kind of lights, double-checking electrical components for safety, and replacing outdated decorations with safer, more eco-friendly ones are just a few ways homeowners can make their holiday decorating go smoothly this year.

What Are the Best Holiday Lights?

There are many different types of holiday lights and electrical decorations to choose from for holiday decorating. LED lights are a popular new invention that offers a more energy-efficient option than traditional string lights.

LED lights use up to 75% less energy than traditional lights, which keeps utility costs low and reduces environmental impact. They last longer and are less of a fire hazard because they do not reach high temperatures even when left on for a long time. Traditional incandescent bulbs can get hot after a while and spark if broken.

LED lights also offer a wide range of color options and styles. The only downside is that they usually cost more than traditional lights. However, considering they save energy, it is a fair trade.

Practice Electrical Safety

Practicing electrical safety when setting up Christmas lights and holiday decorations is essential to preventing accidental electrocutions, property damage, and fires. Potential risks of improperly installed or broken Christmas decorations include house fires, forest fires, electrocution, power system failure, and tripping over wires.

To avoid electrical accidents, homeowners can take some safety precautions. Before plugging in any electrical decoration, the homeowner should carefully inspect it for signs of damage.

Old or damaged electrical decorations should not be used. The larger the electrical decoration is, the more energy is used, so the more of a power hazard it may be. Any internal electrical components should be checked for damage.

To prevent the fuse box from shorting and causing a power outage, homeowners should be aware of how much energy their decorations are using. Surge protectors should be used when more than one decoration is plugged into an outlet. The placement of the chords should also be well thought out to not be a tripping hazard. Water and electricity do not mix, so it is important to keep electrical decorations dry.

How to Be More Eco-Friendly This Holiday Season

In addition to using LED lights instead of incandescent, homeowners can also do their part to be more green this year by incorporating solar power into their decorations. Solar-powered Christmas and holiday decorations charge during the day to light up all night.

This Is a great way to reduce the environmental impact of their Christmas decorations and keep the energy bill low. Solar-powered holiday decorations may cost more than traditional, but the energy savings add up over time.

About Elite Electric & Air

Elite Electric & Air is Jupiter, FL’s go-to home service provider! They are top-rated in their community for their outstanding customer service, friendly staff, and affordable prices. Call today to schedule electrical service!

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Holiday Comforts Include Celebrating in a Comfortable Temperature

Follow These Simple Tips to Keep Your Home Comfortable Through the Season

The holidays are a time of simple enjoyment. Homeowners decorate their homes and make plans to invite family and friends over. One of the things that most people overlook during the holidays is the temperature of the environment that they are providing for their guests. A comfortable temperature and clean air are essential to setting the holiday mood. By following a few simple tips, homeowners can ensure that their home will be a comfortable place of enjoyment this holiday season.

Upgrade Your Thermostat to a Smart Thermostat

Saving money is always important, but it is even more important during the holidays when budgets can be stretched thin. With the holidays come expenses like buying gifts for family and friends as well as hosting holiday parties. To save up before the holidays and reduce heating or cooling costs during the holidays, homeowners can install smart thermostats. Smart thermostats can be used to control the temperature in a home more accurately and save money by not heating or cooling when no one is home. Smart thermostats can be programmed not to run when a home is unoccupied and can even learn a family’s habits using special built-in motion sensors to track their comings and goings.

Smart thermostats are controlled by Wi-Fi, enabling them to be controlled from anywhere via a smartphone app. This is convenient, especially during the holidays when families may go on vacation and forget to change the thermostat. A smart thermostat will often save enough money in the first few months of operation to cover the cost of installation. Installing one today can help homeowners start enjoying the savings right now.

Keep Furnace Filters Clean

Keeping furnace and air conditioner filters clean is the most critical step to maintaining them. Dirty filters lower the performance of an air conditioner by impeding its airflow. This has the unfortunate effect of raising utility bills and decreasing the comfort of a home’s occupants. Dirty filters also allow harmful dust and allergens to build up inside the workings of a furnace or air conditioner that can cause premature failure, leading to expensive repair bills.

Changing the filter on a regular basis will protect an air conditioner as well as improve the air quality within a home. The filter is designed to protect the machinery and keep clean air inside a home. For homes with people that suffer from allergies or other respiratory ailments, keeping clean filters can help keep the holidays more enjoyable for them.

Keep Professionals on Call for Emergencies

Having a professional relationship with an HVAC company can help homeowners get the most out of their central heating and air conditioning systems. A good HVAC contractor will handle service calls in a timely manner and make themselves available after hours for emergencies. Knowing who to call in case of an emergency can make all the difference when it comes to enjoying the holidays.

A good HVAC contractor will also have membership plans available. A membership plan can help maintain HVAC equipment by scheduling routine service several times a year. It may also entitle the member to discounts and priority service when repairs are needed.

About Elite Electric & Air

Elite Electric & Air has been serving Jupiter homes and businesses since 1988. They strive for honesty and professionalism with every service call. Homeowners can take advantage of their partnership plan to help them maintain their equipment throughout the year, and they can also call 24-hours a day for emergency service if the need arises.

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Switching to Holiday Lights That Are Eco-Friendly Helps Everyone!

Are Your Holiday Lights Eco-Friendly?

The holiday season is upon us. With it comes lots of decorations, festivities, parties, and events. While it’s a season of joy and one to look forward to, it’s also a time of the year that can be hard on the environment. Even amidst celebrations, it’s important to be aware of the environment and to try to find ways to protect it.

The good news is that there are a number of things you can do to make your decorations and holidays more environmentally friendly. Here are a few tips to help make your light display more eco-friendly and efficient.

Try LED Indoor Lights

Using LED lights for all of your indoor lighting, including your holiday decorations, is a simple way to make your holiday lights more eco-friendly. LED lights are substantially more efficient than other types of lighting. In fact, they can be up to 80% more efficient that some types of bulbs.

Additionally, they have no toxic elements and a significantly longer lifespan than other bulbs. Finally, they have a better quality of light, which means that you need fewer lights to achieve the same amount of brightness.

All in all, LED lights will help to make it more efficient to light your home while also improving the quality of your light display. It’s an easy way to think about the environment without sacrificing holiday decorations.

Try Solar Powered Lights Outdoors

In addition to using LED lights, consider using solar-powered lights or even solar-powered lasers outdoors. There are more and more lights available on the market that tun on solar power. These lights don’t have to be connected to an outlet. Instead, they are simply powered by sunlight. Get creative with these, and you can have an impressive outdoor display without having to use a lot of energy.

Not only will this make your home more eco-friendly but it will also avoid having a high electric bill over the holidays. Plus, it’s a good way to showcase some creative holiday decorations and, hopefully, to start a trend in your neighborhood.

Have You Seen LED Candles?

In addition to traditional LED lights, there are a number of innovative LED lighting options available, like candles, lanterns, and wreaths. These lighting options have all of the benefits of Light Emitting Diode bulbs - they are efficient, have a high light quality, have no toxic elements, and have a long lifespan - but they add some additional elements to your display.

Keep an eye out for some of these lights, and consider adding some to either your indoor or outdoor display this year. It will give your decorations some variety while still enabling you to be energy efficient.

Hopefully these tips will help you to enjoy your holiday lights while also helping you to be a little more eco-friendly this year. Share these ideas and any others with your neighbors so that everyone can do their part to protect the environment this holiday season.

Electrical services from Elite Electric & Air

For over 30 years, Elite Electric & Air has been providing quality HVAC and electric services to the Port St. Lucie area. With a culture of caring, a 100% satisfaction guarantee, and 24/7 emergency services, they are the team to call for all of your HVAC and electrical needs.