Electrical Articles

Portable vs Standby Generators: Which Is Better in Omaha, NE?

March 6, 2026

Power outages are typically unexpected. A strong summer storm rolls across Douglas County, or ice builds up on power lines in the winter. High winds sweep through the area, and suddenly, neighborhoods in the area lose power. When this situation happens, your home can go from comfortable to stressful quickly. Soon, you realize how much…

The Differences and Uses of GFCI and AFCI Outlets

February 13, 2026

Given the similarity of the names of the systems, many people struggle to understand the differences between GFCI and AFCI outlets. This understandable issue also sometimes leads to the mistaken notion that these critical safety systems are interchangeable. Homeowners need to know how GFCI and AFCI outlets work, what their differences are, and where to…

Should You Be Using Space Heaters With Outdated Electrical Panels?

January 20, 2026

As the winter chill sets in, you may find that your home has some cold spots that your heating system just doesn’t seem to get to. Using a space heater can be an easy way to add quick warmth to those locations. However, if you have an outdated panel box, you may be considering whether…

Do You Need a Permit for a Home EV Charger in Omaha or Lincoln?

December 5, 2025

Adding an EV charger to your Lincoln or Omaha, NE home is a great way to increase your property’s value. Level 2 home EV chargers help drivers save time and money. With your own charging equipment, you’ll have full control over your charging costs and your battery’s health. You can also avoid long waits at…

Your 2025 Electric Bill: What OPPD & LES Rate Changes Mean in Lincoln

November 19, 2025

Nebraskans are lucky to have some of the lowest average electricity rates in the country, but this unfortunately may not be the case for much longer. Both the Omaha Public Power District (OPPD) and the Lincoln Electric System (LES) changed their residential electricity rates in 2025 and may institute another rate increase in 2026. LES…

How the Adoption of the 2023 NEC Affects Nebraska Homeowners

September 24, 2025

The National Electrical Code (NEC) is updated every few years with new regulations or changes to existing regulations that are designed to improve electrical safety and avoid certain types of hazards. In 2024, Nebraska became one of a growing number of states to adopt the 2023 NEC, which is currently the latest version. While most…

What You Need to Know When Installing an EV Charger at Home

July 15, 2025

Electric vehicles are quickly becoming a practical choice for many households, for sustainability, long-term savings, and convenience. With that shift, more homeowners are exploring how to install an EV charger at home. Whether you’re preparing for your first electric car or trying to make charging more efficient, understanding the types of chargers, installation requirements, and…

Differences Between A Power Strip and A Surge Protector

June 2, 2025

Modern homes rely on more electronics than ever, such as smart TVs, gaming systems, mobile devices, computers, routers, and high-efficiency appliances. While power strips and surge protectors may look similar, only one is designed to safeguard your electronics and home from damaging electrical surges. If protecting your electronics is important, you can take this a…

How Tariffs Will Impact your HVAC, Plumbing, and Electrical Costs

May 23, 2025

If you’ve been keeping an eye on rising prices for home services and materials, you’re not alone. As 2025 rolls onward, the constant back-and-forth of tariff-related announcements has caused a lot of chaos and stress. While we can’t control what the administration does, read this John Henry’s Plumbing, Heating, Air, and Electrical guide for a…

Why Professional EV Charger Installation Matters

May 20, 2025

Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming more popular than ever, thanks to their eco-friendly design, lower fuel costs, and growing variety of models. As more drivers make the switch, the convenience of charging at home has become a major consideration. While many assume that home EV chargers must be installed by the dealership, that’s not the…

Why Are GFCI Outlets Important for Home Safety?

March 15, 2025

Modern electrical systems have features like circuit breakers that are designed to make the system much safer. While circuit breakers are extremely useful, they can protect only against electrical overloads, not another dangerous issue known as a ground fault. This is why having GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) outlets in some places in a home…

Signs Your Home Needs an Electrical Panel Upgrade

February 15, 2025

Your electrical panel is the nerve center of your home’s electrical system. It’s where electricity enters your home from the outside power grid, and your home’s main circuits pass through it. It’s perhaps the most important part of your home’s electrical system, so you need to make sure it’s in good shape and look for…

Understanding the Options for Childproofing Your Home’s Electrical Outlets

January 9, 2025

Being a parent to a young child or even having young children in your home always carries some risks. One of the biggest risks is that a child may try to stick something in an electrical outlet and get seriously shocked or even suffer fatal electrocution. In the U.S. alone, nearly 2,500 children a year…

Safe Use of Electrical Decorations During the Holidays

November 24, 2024

Electric decorations are an important part of making holidays more joyous and festive. However, you must prioritize safety when using decorations with electrical connections to avoid electrical risks, fires and other accidents. There are many types of electric decorations to choose from. Here are some tips to ensure you use them safely. String Lights String…

A Homeowner’s Guide to Electrical Safety Tips While Decorating for Halloween

October 27, 2024

When the weather starts to chill back down and the leaves turn a beautiful reddish-orange hue, it’s time to enjoy some fall festivities. One of the most notable of the season is Halloween. If you want to decorate your Lincoln, NE home to impress, there are some electrical safety tips that you’ll want to keep…

Electrical Safety Tips for the Fall Season

September 18, 2024

The fall season typically features shorter days, crisper temperatures and unpredictable weather. This generally means that you’ll keep the lights on longer, turn up the heat and contend with outdoor appliances getting covered in rain or perhaps a bit of early-season snow. If you’re not careful, you could be putting yourself at risk of an…

How to Install Outdoor Lighting Safely

August 22, 2024

Outdoor lighting can make a major difference in terms of your home’s curb appeal and even increase its value. Adding outdoor lights to your house can also improve your home security and ensure that you can safely walk around at night without needing a flashlight. In this article, we’ll explain the basic process for installing…

How to Protect Your Home from Electrical Surges

July 5, 2024

An electrical surge can do serious damage to homes in the Lincoln and Omaha, NE areas. The repair costs associated with this issue can quickly become expensive. Insurance companies sometimes cover some of the repair needs, but homeowners usually pay much of the costs out of pocket. Surges can also lead to an increased risk…

Outdoor Electrical Safety Tips for Summer

May 7, 2024

As your family prepares to spend more time outside during the summer months, you’re likely moving patio furniture and pulling out the old grill. However, your preparation shouldn’t stop there. Taking care of outdoor electrical safety is a must to keep you and your family safe throughout the long summer season. Get Greenery Trimmed Back…

The Importance of Grounding in Electrical Systems

March 27, 2024

Updated: 3/17/2025 Electrical circuits may break or malfunction for several reasons, including power surges following lightning strikes. When a circuit malfunctions or breaks, electricity can stray out of the electrical system and flow elsewhere, including your body or other equipment. Grounding prevents this dangerous phenomenon by providing a path of least resistance for the fault…

How to Choose the Right Light Bulbs for Your Home

February 15, 2024

There are several lighting options for your Lincoln home, and you want to ensure that you choose the best bulbs for all of them. In addition to wattage, you also have to consider the color temperature, bulb type and multiple other factors. Exploring the various considerations will ensure that you choose bulbs that offer the…

Understanding the Basics of Home Electrical Panels

January 18, 2024

Your home systems rely on a lot of electricity which makes it essential to know the basics of how your electrical panel works in your home. What do you do if your appliances stop working? Did a breaker trip, or is there something else going on? In this short guide, we will go over the…

7 Types of Electrical Outlet Upgrades To Consider

October 31, 2023

Updated: 04/02/2025 The humble electrical outlets that you have throughout your Lincoln, NE, home probably don’t get much attention. However, much of your daily life would be impossible without them. You couldn’t use small appliances. You couldn’t charge your smartphone or use your computer. And you couldn’t turn on a lamp to light rooms in…

8 Energy-Efficient Lighting Options for Your Lincoln Home

September 25, 2023

Turning the lights on in your Lincoln, NE home shouldn’t fill you with dread. You don’t have to wile away your hours in darkness just to keep your energy bill down. Instead, you can enjoy the mood-setting comfort and limitless convenience of a flexible layered lighting plan. From task lights and under-counter lighting to wall…