Electrically Safe Workplace

Creating a Safe and Efficient Workplace

Let’s face it, this time of year is busy for everyone. The end of year preparations begins as we get ready for taxes, tie up projects and still try to celebrate the holidays. As a family owned electrical business, Nipper Electric knows the challenges business owners face during this busy season. We want to get your business running smoothly and safely during the holiday season. From outdoor security lighting to indoor alarms, a few changes and adjustments can make all the difference.

Safety Always Comes First

Creating a safe environment for your staff and clients is always priority number one for any business owner. Double check these important safety measures.

• Prevention Measures- Businesses and offices must keep their fire alarms, smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors working and up to date. Using the right alarms in the right areas can not only save your business, but also the lives of your employees and clients.

• Emergency Plans– Your company should have multiple, clear and visible fire emergency plans. These plans should be easily read and understood to make sure that everyone knows where to go in the event of a fire. There should also be clear plans for other disasters such as flooding or tornadoes.

• Emergency Lighting– Solar powered lights or generator backed emergency lighting should be installed professionally. These emergency lights will get everyone to safety in the case of an emergency. They will also cut down on panic and confusion should anything shut off lighting.

• Appropriate and Active Security Lighting– Security lighting needs to be well placed and up to date. Have lighting in the following areas:
  
  • All Exits and Entrances – This is where most crimes occur. Make sure the area is well-lit and free of debris.
  
  
  • Parking Lots– To help both with crime prevention and to help with pathway lighting.
  
  
  • Hallways– Hallway security lighting can help deter criminals and keep clients and employees safe.
  
  

Make sure lighting is not too bright or too dim. Overly bright lighting creates shadows and dark spaces where criminals can hide. Lighting that is too dim makes visibility difficult and can help criminals as well.

• Alarms- A properly installed alarm can scare away intruders, alert the authorities, and give your staff vital extra minutes to escape or hide.

Efficiency is Always Effective

All offices strive to be effective and efficient. Efficiency helps productivity and creates a positive atmosphere for both employees and clients. Here are a few small things that can boost efficiency in your office.

• Proper Lighting- Having appropriate lighting can greatly increase productivity and lower operating costs. Lighting that is too dim will make employees and customers tired and make them strain to see work or products. Bright lighting that is blinding can cause headaches. Look into LED conversions for more affordable lighting that is also comfortable.  You can also install timers and dimmers to help save even more money.

• Comfortable Temperature Settings– A lot of offices and businesses struggle with finding the right setting for workspaces. Every office is different, but a programmable thermostat can help you trim your electric bill while still keeping the temperatures comfortable. People are more productive in a comfortable setting. A setting that is too hot often makes people lethargic while one that is too cold can have them preoccupied with getting warm.

• A Special Space to Regroup and Refresh– Every office needs a place for employees to recharge during the day. It could be a break room, conference room, or courtyard. Whatever type of recharging area you have, consider including a flat screen TV, comfortable seating, and comfortable lighting. Try to keep work out of this room as much as possible so your staff can fully refresh and regroup before they return to work.

• Generators- Generators are not just for emergencies, though they are important tools during any unexpected crisis. These machines can also create surplus power for your office. Even more importantly, generators can help back up your data so nothing is ever lost or damaged.

Small Changes Make Big Differences

Even just a few small changes can make a big difference in your office or business. Always put safety first, for your staff and your clients. Don’t forget to include comfortable lighting, temperature and a nice place to relax. You’ll soon find your staff and customers are happier and busier than ever. If you have any questions about your commercial or municipal electrical needs, call Nipper Electric right away at 757-842-1710.  You can even make an appointment online, we can’t wait to hear from you.

Electrically Safe Workplace

Under Cabinet Lighting

We Install Under Cabinet Lighting in Virginia Beach, Norfolk & Chesapeake, Viriginia

For many kitchens, lighting can be tricky to design. You want to provide proper lighting to help with food preparation but also create a relaxing and beautiful atmosphere. Under Cabinet Lighting can create safe lighting and comfortable beauty in your kitchen. Nipper Electric provides the Virginia Beach area with trusted electrical services, including:

• Under Cabinet Lighting Installation


• Lighting Design Options


• Free Estimates


• Receptacle Installations


• Rewiring


• Electrical Troubleshooting


• Energy Efficient and Green Electrical Options


• Experienced and Licensed Electrician

There have recently been an increase of articles providing top tips to improve your home’s value. Updating and adding kitchen lighting is one of the most common tips across all, where homeowners will boost value of their home without braking the bank.

The Norfolk and Virginia Beach area is our home too. We work, play and live here. It is a joy and privilege making each home and office we serve, more electrically efficient, safer and comfortable.

What is Under Cabinet Lighting?

Just like it sounds, under cabinet lighting installations are lights that have been placed under cabinets. These lights create a focused lighting option over counter spaces and workspaces.

Under cabinet lighting should be as slim and low profile as possible. You’ll still want plenty of room to complete kitchen tasks. You’ll also want lights that are focused but not too bright. There are many different options to choose from to get just the right lighting for your kitchen or workspace.

• LED– LED under cabinet lights come in multiple options. They can be easily installed light strips, plugins or wired lighting, with our without dimming. Strips are easier to install and use batteries but don’t last as long as your plugins or wired lighting. LED wired installations cost more money in the beginning but save more money as you use them. LED’s are being most popular in recent years due to lower energy consumption and low heat output. Most common are:
  
  
  

  • LED rope or tape
  
  
  • LED recessed trims
  
  
  • LED under cabinet lights
  
  

• Halogen– Halogen lights come in many different sizes and varieties for under cabinet lighting. Most often, they are puck containers wired into the cabinetry. Halogen lights create softer pools of warm lighting, making them perfect for layering in any room. Depending on your task, you may feel that they are not bright enough. However, halogen lights last longer and cost less after initial installation costs.

• Flourescents-Traditionally popular, fluorescent under cabinet lighting can be more difficult to change due to unusual light bulb or tube sizes. They are also less energy efficient than Halogen or LED lights. The light that is given off is also less attractive than either Halogen or LED lighting. These light were very popular a decade ago, but recently fluorescents are being replaced with all recessed LED or Halogen cans.

Each of these options can be used with dimmers to make them more flexible for lighting needs. They can also be layered to create the perfect kitchen lighting design.

In Cabinet Lighting

While you’re thinking of under cabinet lighting, it’s important to consider the option of in-cabinet lighting. These lights are placed sleekly inside cabinets. They can be used in glass cabinets to showcase favorite items or even in pantry cabinets and under sinks to provide better lighting for hard to see areas. Pucks or light strips are usually used for in-cabinet lighting and display lighting. In cabinet lighting is great for kitchen cabinets, pantries, studies, offices or any place you store a lot of items.

Professional Virginia Beach Kitchen Lighting

Whatever option you choose, under cabinet lighting can save you money and add value to your home. Nipper Electric is ready to help you with your under cabinet lighting installations. Let us make your home safe and functional. Call us today at 757-842-1710 to get your under cabinets lighting done right. Or you can make an appointment online. We will help you find the perfect lighting design for your kitchen.

 

Our Services

RESIDENTIAL ELECTRICAL SERVICES

Aluminum wiringBathroom exhaust fansCarbon monoxide detectorsChandelier InstallationDimmer InstallationDock Electrical WiringFan installationsFlat screen TV installationElectrical TroubleshootingGenerator InstallationLandscape lightingLED Light ConversionLighting upgradesOutdoor security lightingPanel upgradesPathway LightingPool and hot tub wiringPool Light ReplacementPower OutageRecessed LightingReceptacle installationSolarTrack LightingVehicle charging stations

COMMERCIAL ELECTRICAL SERVICES

Service repairsLighting ballastsPower polesRelampingDedicated circuitsTehnical troubleshootingLighting installation

Under Cabinet Lighting

Safety Tips for Your Holiday Season

Keep Your Home Safe During This Busy Season

Holiday Season is right around the corner. Family and friend will start gathering together to enjoy seasonal treats from Halloween to New Year’s Eve. Unfortunately, this busy time of year comes with quite a few hazards. Nipper Electric loves the holidays in Virginia Beach. We want to be sure you and your loved ones enjoy a safe and happy holiday season this year and every year. To help you protect your family and friends, we’ve prepared a quick guide to follow while cooking.

Top Cooking Safety Tips

Home fires increase during the holiday months, particularly from cooking. When you start cooking or preparing for big holiday gatherings, make sure your keep this checklist handy.

• Make Plenty of Space to Work– Clutter creates dangerous situations. Too many items in the kitchen can cause nasty falls, melting utensils, even start a fire. Prepare your workspace, get rid of everything you don’t need and leave the decorations to other areas of the home.

• Don’t Overload Receptacles- A regular plug or receptacle should be used carefully, particularly in the kitchen. Too many appliances plugged in can damage the receptacle and cause sparks, tripped circuits and overheating. If you don’t feel like you have enough receptacles or your receptacles aren’t convenient, Nipper Electric can safely and quickly install extra receptacles to handle the appropriate load.

• Divide and Conquer- If you have a lot of dishes on your menu, delegate and/or cook ahead. A lot of side dishes can be easily prepared before the big day then reheated deliciously right before meal time. You can also delegate other dishes to guests. Doing a little at a time before the meal will not only be safer, it will also take a lot of stress off of you.

• Focus! Focus! Focus!- Don’t try to do too many things at once. This includes watching TV or entertaining guests while cooking. But especially, never ever leave cooking unattended. This is the number one cause of kitchen fires.

• Crowd Control- Too many cooks in the kitchen is a big mistake. Try to have other activities for your guests if they are going to be in your home while you are preparing the meal. If you have different people helping in preparations, have stations for everyone with everything they need. This will keep you from tripping over each other or possibly burning or scalding anyone while cooking.

• Smoke Alarms & Carbon Monoxide Detectors- Make sure your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are up to date and ready to go! It only takes a couple of minutes and could save your life.  If you don’t have either or both of these, your professional electrician in Virginia Beach can quickly install them. They will make sure the alarm fits your home and is placed in the right place. Be sure to design a fire escape plan for all your guests.

• Exhaust Fans-  When you’re doing a lot of cooking, a properly installed exhaust fan is vital. These devices will help you keep steam, smoke, and general odors from overwhelming your home. They also protect your walls and surfaces from mold and deterioration.

Keep Your Holidays Safe As You Cook

Holiday meals are favorites we look forward to all year long. From pumpkin spice to yule logs, we just can’t get enough of these seasonal dishes. Make sure your home stays safe while you entertain your guests with careful preparation. If you have any questions or concerns about your home’s electrical or if you need to add some safety measures, Nipper Electric is here to help.  We have provided trusted electrical services to the Virginia Beach area for over 15 years. Call us today at 757-842-1710 or schedule an appointment online. We can handle any job, no matter how big or small.

Safety Tips for Your Holiday Season

Top Electrical DIY Dangers

Professional Electricians Provide Safety First

Many people love to do DIY projects around the house. While doing it yourself can be a great hobby, electrical projects come with many dangers. Nipper Electric offer a wide range of commercial and residential services to keep you from worrying about these dangers. We are dedicated to keeping you safe, so we’ve compiled a list of the biggest electrical DIY dangers.

Top Dangers in Electrical DIY Projects

• Wrong Wires– Using the wrong wire for a project can really cause problems. If the wire gauge is too small for the electrical flow, the wire can become overheated. Overheated wires can cause:
  
  
  

  • Melted Insulation
  
  
  • Sparking
  
  
  • Exposed Wires
  
  
  • House Fires
  
  

• Junction Box Mistakes–  One of the most common mistakes that electricians find are floating or hidden junction boxes. Junction boxes must be properly supported to prevent sparking. If you have a junction box that is floating, it can create an opportunity for wires to rub against each other. Rubbing wires cause sparks, sparks cause fires. Hidden junction boxes occur often when people cover up the boxes during remodeling or renovation projects, then you have a junction box that isn’t accessible.

• Electrical Tape and More Electrical Tape– There is no doubt that electrical tape can come in handy. However, there are a lot of instances where electrical is used improperly or over-used. When you have electrical tape holding together twisted wires, you run the hazard of creating loose connections. These loose connections can lead to overheating. Electrical tape is not a substitute for proper wiring, so be sure you have a professional electrician check your wiring for you.

• Inspection and Codes– Professional electricians make it their business to know the latest codes and understand inspection requirements. Often, electricians find DIY projects that don’t follow electrical code. When the owner goes to put a house on the market, they’ll find that they are in for a lot more work before it can pass inspection.

• Missing GFCI Outlets– Any area near water needs a GFI or Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter receptacle or outlet. These outlets are able to stop a nasty shock before they begin by sensing a change in the level of electricity flowing through the outlet. The GFCI outlet quickly shuts down the circuit, usually in less than 1/10th of a second.  A lot of do it yourselfers don’t think to put in a GFCI outlet outside, near sinks, or near windows, where frost can melt and create dangerous situations. Nipper Electric offers a variety of receptacle installations that will meet your needs.

• Lost Time and Money– This isn’t a danger, but it is an issue that comes up time and time again. Many ambitious DIY projects end up with an electrician repairing damage or finishing the project. Homeowners start the project then get too mixed up or busy to finish it. Even worse, they improperly install something and the project needs to be repaired in order to be safe. In the end, people find that they would have spent less time, had less stress, and saved a lot more money.

When It Comes to Electrical Projects, Stay Safe with Professional Help

Electrical projects of any size are often best left to the professionals. Besides the obvious damage and dangers improper wiring can bring to your home, the entire electrical process requires a skilled and experienced hand. Leave your electrical projects to your trusted Virginia Beach electrician at Nipper Electric.  We will work with you to provide clear-cut pricing and a finished project you can trust. Call us today at 757-842-1710 with your latest project ideas. You can also make an appointment online in the comfort of your home. We can handle any job, big or small.

Top Electrical DIY Dangers

Fall is the Time to Get Ready for Winter

Professional Electricians Keep Your Home Safe In all Weather

As the season changes and weather turns cooler, it’s the perfect time to get your home prepared for winter. Make a fall cleanup part of your seasonal plans every year with the help of a professional electrician, like Nipper Electric. Our experienced and licensed team of professional electricians can get your home winter ready with a fall checkup. Your safety is our top priority, so we’ve come up with a few tips to help you get winter ready before it’s too late.

Avoid Electrical Issues By Preparing For Winter Now

Along the Virginia Beach coast, the weather can be unpredictable during winter. Snowy days mixed with the moisture from the ocean can create dangerous ice conditions. The last thing you want during these winter storms is to have an electrical issue. Here’s the best way to prepare for winter with a fall cleanup and checkup:

• Check for Loose or Long Branches– Iced over branches can become heavy overnight. When these branches snap, they can land anywhere. On your car, on your roof, or even across power lines and cables. Be sure the branches surrounding your home are healthy, trimmed, and short enough for winter. If the branches intersect or are close to power lines or cables, alert your electric company.

• Look for Cracks, Tears, and Erosion- Electrical cables, wiring, outlets, and connectors wear down over time. Be sure to look for any cracks or corrosion on electrical surfaces. Have them repaired immediately. You could be saving a life. Take a close look at the following areas:

• Meter Boxes


• Weatherheads


• Cables


• Outdoor Outlets


• Electrical Panels


• Indoor Outlets


• Indoor Appliances

• Keep Your House Heated- It’s important to save money on heating, but a moderate temperature is important. Pipes will freeze and burst when you have lower temperatures. Just keep the thermostat above 65 degrees. You can invest in a programmable thermostat to help you both save money and monitor the temperature.

• Inspect Your Generator, Or Get One Installed- Generators are a lifesaver when winter weather strikes. If you have one, have a professional electrician inspect it before winter. If you don’t have one, consider putting one in. Here are just a few benefits to having a generator:
  
  • Prevents Pipes Freezing
  
  
  • Saves Food
  
  
  • Provides a Safety and Warmth During Emergencies
  
  
  • Helps Back Up Data on Computers
  
  
  • Can Help Prevent Damage to Appliances
  
  

• Make Sure Heating Sources Are Clear- Heating areas like vents or radiators need to be clear of all clutter. Blankets, curtains, clothes, and other items should be placed away from all heating sources. These items can become too hot and catch fire when no one is looking.

• Have Detectors Installed- It is so important to have both smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors installed and ready for winter. With more indoor activities, holiday cooking, and toasty fires in the fireplace, the risk of both fires and carbon monoxide poisoning increases. Have a professional like Nipper Electric install the right detectors in the appropriate space to keep you safe.

Trusted Electricians in Virginia Beach Keep You Safe

Nipper Electric remains the area’s trusted electrician. We offer multiple services as well as phone estimates and clear cut pricing. The safety of our neighbors and friends here in Virginia Beach is very important to us. If you have any concerns or would like to schedule a repair or electrical checkup, call us at 757-842-1710. We are here to get you ready for winter. You can even make an appointment online while you relax.

Fall is the Time to Get Ready for Winter