In last week’s blog we talked about portable emergency generators for homes in. This week we will explore “smart circuit generators”.
If you run a home business or you are caring for an elderly parent or other person experiencing ongoing medical issues “smart circuit generators” can insure you will have adequate power to fulfill your needs whenever your power is out.
Smart Circuit Generators
The best way to compare the difference between emergency portable generators and smart circuit generators is to compare them to your thermostat. Emergency portable generators are like an ordinary thermostat. They can turn circuits on and off and can power only a predetermined number of circuits no matter how much power is being used. Smart circuit generators are more like a programmable thermostat. Smart circuit generators combined with smart automatic transfer switches can power your entire electrical panel. When your system is close to the overload point its’ “Digital Load Management” (DLM) technology will automatically shut off 2 or more high load circuits until your demand for power decreases. It will then repower the shut down circuits. This DLM technology can also rotate high demand appliances. For instance, if your home has 2 air conditioners, the smart circuit standby generators will automatically alternate when the 2 air conditioners can run. The advantage to “Smart Circuit Generator” is that they cost significantly less than a whole house standby generator while providing the capacity to run your entire home
Another less expensive way to use “Smart Circuit Generators is to use an “Essential Circuit” transfer switch with your generator. These transfer switches are set up to run 16 circuits that you consider essential to your home’s operation. These 16 circuits will always remain energized when your home is without power. The smart automatic transfer switch will also energize the rest of the circuits in your main electrical panel. If the generator being used approaches an overload condition the non-essential circuits are shut off causing a mini power outage in your home. The number and frequency of these mini-outages will depend on the size of your generator and your electrical usage
The sizes of these generators are usually between 8KW and 12KW and are usually powered by natural gas or propane which makes their use much more convenient. There are also models available that will run on gasoline or diesel fuels
This is the second part of our three part series. Next week we will discuss whole house standby generators, installation & safety issues
Since our recent storm many Connecticut residents have been inquiring about generators for their homes in Guilford, Madison and Branford. Some even rushed out to buy one during the storm only to find out that it did not do what they had expected. Here are some guidelines to make sure you choose the right generator for your home.
There are two types of generators best suited for residential applications: portable emergency generators and standby generators.
This article will discuss the portable generator options. Portable emergency generators can be identified by their size.
- Medium gas generators typically range from 3,000-5,000 watts. These generators will power your refrigerator, sump pump if you have one, furnace fan and a few lighting circuits. This size can be used with an extension cord but a manual transfer switch is preferable. Although these generators are the most economical, if your drinking water comes from a well this type may not have enough wattage to power your well pump.
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The next portable option can be described as large portable emergency generators. These range in size from 6,000-9,000 watts. These generators can power up to 10 circuits and can energize multiple rooms, appliances and your well pump but not your central air conditioner. These generators are best utilized with a manual transfer switch.
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The third option can be classified as X-Large portable emergency generators and can deliver 10,000 watts plus. These generators will run your whole house including your central air. They are generally electric start but they do not start automatically. This size generator is best installed with a sub panel and a manual transfer switch.
Generator Fuel
Most portable emergency generators are gasoline powered. If you have natural gas or propane available at your home you should choose a generator that will run on natural gas or propane. This tends to be more convenient since you won’t have to worry about refilling a gas tank.
Our next blog will discuss standby residential generators, installation and safety tips.
Hiring a Guilford remodeler to alter your home is a lot like hiring a new employee for a company. You have access to a lot of great looking resumes that show a lot of promise about a person. However, you don't really know for sure if that person will be a good fit for the company until you sit down and have an interview with him or her. The same is true when hiring a remodeler or contractor. Before you simply hire someone to work on your project, take the time to sit down and talk to get a better idea of who that person is. And while sometimes even conducting an interview isn't enough, there are some common warning signs that you should stay away from a particular remodeler or contractor. Here are a few of them:
- If the contractor's name, phone number, address or credentials cannot be verified, there is a good chance that he is hiding something from you. This is a good sign not to continue working with him.
- If the contractor tells you that you are entitled to a "special deal for a low rate" by using your home for advertising
purposes, there is a good chance he is trying to scam you. There is nothing wrong with him asking permission to put a sign in your yard, but do not buy into the "special rate" scheme.
- If the company cannot or refuses to provide you with any references, stay away. Chances are this means that they know their previous customers have nothing good to say about them.
- If you cannot verify insurance or license information, that's a big red flag to stay away. All reputable businesses should be able to do so.
- If the company wants you to pay the entire amount up front, be careful. Most companies will ask you to pay a down payment but not the entire amount in advance.
- If you cannot find the company in the phone book, with the Better Business Bureau or with a local trade association, something is undoubtedly fishy about them.
When you do sit down with a contractor, be aware of whether or not he is being vague or hesitant to answer questions. Also, if he refuses to show you work he has done in the past, that is another sign that something is wrong. Almost all contractors love to show off previous work. Finally, studies have shown that your initial gut feeling is usually very accurate. If you don't feel comfortable with someone, don't hire him.
In today's fast paced world, we have come to expect everything instantly. We have immediate access to almost anything with the internet. We can order food over the phone and have it delivered in minutes. We can even buy a giant 55-inch TV and have it the very next day.
However, there are still some things that need to take time. Building a new Guilford custom home or remodeling your current home is one of those things. There is a particular order in which everything must be done, and it is a process that cannot be rushed. Most of the time, simply bringing in more people to help will not speed along the process.
It is understandable that you want your project to be done as quickly as possible so that you can relish in your new home. It can be tough to wait day after day for the building of your home to be complete, or to finally be done with the messy and noisy process that is remodeling. You would prefer not to have to deal with it any longer than you have to.
As Guilford builders, we want to complete your project quickly as well so that you can get back to your normal everyday routines, and we can move on to our next job. But we would prefer to do the job right first. We take pride in our craft, and our reputation hangs in the balance on every job we do. And we would much rather be remembered for our quality than our speed. After all, once the job is complete, you will be living in your new home for a long time and will appreciate the detail and quality for many years.
In order to get a clear idea of how long your project is going to take, it is a good idea to set up a realistic schedule with your Guilford contractor. Be clear on what your goals and objectives are so he can give you a timeline of what will need to be done. Be sure to ask him about anything that may cause a delay so that you will be fully prepared for everything.
Something that people always want to know is how much it costs per square foot to build a custom home in Guilford. We wish there was a "one size fits all" answer to that question, but when it comes to building a custom home, there are a lot of 
variables that can affect pricing. Simply asking for the price per square foot of a custom home is a little too general because there are usually three elements that determine cost. These three elements are intricacy of design, quality of finish and size.
Intricacy of Design - If you want your home design to be more complex it will take more labor time which will increase your costs. A home with several stories, curved staircases and angled walls will undoubtedly cost more than a typical rectangular house. If you want some extra detail in your custom home, be sure to discuss the extra labor costs with your contractor before you begin.
Quality of Finish - You might be surprised how many people do not think about how the quality of the material used in building a custom home in Guilford can greatly increase the cost of the overall project. For instance, if you decide to use wood rather than vinyl, the price will go up. Make sure you know the cost of the materials you use so that you aren't surprised by the final total later.
Size - This one may seem a bit obvious, but a 7,000 square foot home is going to cost more than a 3,000 square foot home. Keep in mind the proportions of additions for a larger home as well. A porch on that 7,000 square foot home is probably going to be bigger (and therefore cost more) than a porch on the 3,000 square foot home.
To sum up, it is impossible to give one answer to the question, "What does it cost to build a custom home in Guilford?" There are too many factors that go into building a house that can vary the final cost. This is part of the reason why you want to find a contractor you can trust when constructing a new home because he/she will be able to work with you in determining a close estimate of the cost.
If you have any further questions about cost or pricing for a Guilford custom home, contact us and we would be happy to assist you.
I'm sure you've heard the saying, "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." Well, that old phrase could not be truer when it comes to Guilford home remodeling. While your remodeling project overall may seem daunting, it becomes easier once you break it down into a series of easily achievable steps and goals. In the case of home remodeling, the first few steps are especially
crucial because they can make the difference between having a good remodeling experience or a frustrating one.
Step #1 - Determine Why You Want to Remodel Your Home - While this may seem obvious, many people get involved in big remodeling projects and halfway through realize they aren't sure why they decided to do it. There are typically two big influential factors that make people want to remodel: aesthetics and comfort. People usually want their home to either look more pleasing or be more convenient. Or, a combination of both.
Before you even begin planning the layout of your remodel, figure out exactly what your goal is. Are you going for something that provides better lighting? More open space? Do you want to give your home a certain feel? Are there structural issues that need to be thought about?
Determining what your overall objectives are will help to make your renovation process go smoothly because you will have a clear idea of what your "big picture" is for your home.
Step #2 - Get Inspired - It is often difficult for people to explain to builders or contractors precisely what they want. Begin by doing some side-work of your own. Check out some home design publications to find what styles and features you like. If you like the design of some of your friends' homes, check those out again and ask if you can take some pictures. Another simple way to get inspired is to get online and check out some remodeling sites.
Step #3 - Budget Your Project - Okay, so this isn't the most exciting thing to do, but it is very important. You don't want to end up spending a lot more than you had planned to just because you didn't take the time to budget your spending. You might have to try several times to get a plan and a cost that you are happy with. You might find that you need to make a few compromises, or you might see that it is worth it to spend a little extra to get something you want. Any good contractor can assist you with your budgeting. Be sure to get a very specific cost estimate from your contractor that you both sign as well.
Step #4 - Choose the Right Contractor - This is an especially important step because once you start your project, you will be spending a good deal of time with your contractor. You'll want to work with somebody you know you can trust, somebody you think will understand your goals and follow through on them.
While there are many more steps you will have to take before your project is complete, let these first four help you to start your thousand-mile journey on the right foot.
Are you considering a remodeling project in your home in Madison, Branford or Guilford, CT? Perhaps it’s time to remodel the bathroom or kitchen. Maybe you’ve finally decided to add that addition to your home. Good for you! But before you begin any remodeling job, it’s important to know how to hire a remodeling contractor. And it’s important to hire the right remodeling contractor for the job. You’ll want to hire someone who can make the most of your environment. The following is a checklist of things to consider when finding the right contractor for your remodeling project.
Number 1: Be sure to plan your remodeling project properly. When you know what you want done and can explain it clearly to your remodeling contractor, both you and your contractor are less likely to misunderstand each other, preventing time and cost overruns.
Number 2: Remodeling your CT home can be stressful. Take a lot of the stress out of the equation by conducting phone interviews with several remodeling contractors. You need to make sure that they’re qualified and registered contractors/remodelers. Ask them if they take on projects of the scope and size of your project. Ask them if they are willing to provide you with not just customer references but also financial references from suppliers or banks. Ask them how many other projects will they have going at the same time as your project. You don’t want their time to be spread too thin. And ask them how long they’ve worked with their subcontractors.
Number 3: Next, it’s time to meet with some of the contractors that you interviewed over the phone. Solicit written bids. Then evaluate all aspects of each bid, including the scope of work, references, time frames, price and warranties.
Number 4: Make certain that your potential contractor is registered. Ask for each contractor’s license number. You can find out if a contractor is registered in Connecticut by clicking on the following link: https://www.elicense.ct.gov/, or call (860) 713-6135 and request an inquiry form. Complete the form and return it to the State of Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (http://www.state.ct.us/dcp) at:
165 Capitol Avenue
Room 110
Hartford, CT 06106
Phone: 860-713-6000
Fax: 860-713-7239
You will be notified if the individual is registered in Connecticut.
Number 5: If your remodeling contractor hires workers to work on your remodeling job, you’ll definitely want to verify that he provides his workers with worker’s comp coverage. You can verify this important information by clicking the following link: https://www.ewccv.com/cvs/.
Number 6: Learn if there have been complaints registered about your remodeling contractor. Is he a member of the Better Business Bureau? Click here to see his BBB report: http://ct.bbb.org/Find-Business-Reviews/. You can also learn about possible complaints filed against your contractor at the State of CT Department of Consumer Protection by clicking here: http://www.ct.gov/dcp/cwp/view.asp?a=1629&q=274414. Ensure that your potential contractor does not have a history of disputes with his customers.
Number 7: Ask for references and call each one of them. Try to visit your potential contractor while he’s on a job site… particularly if the homeowner is home and you can discuss their job with you. Ask them if they’re happy about your potential remodeler’s work and work ethics.
Number 8: Look for the warning signs of a scam. Steer clear of contractors who give references that can’t be verified. Also, if he gives you an offer that sounds “too good to be true,” the chances are that the offer really is too good to be true. Watch out for high pressure sales techniques such as offering a special price if you “sign today.” Additionally, if he won’t provide you with a written contract, he isn’t sincere. Find yourself a new remodeling contractor.
I hope the information posted in my first blog post has been helpful to you. Please call me at 203-444-5967 if you have any questions or you would like to interview me for your next remodeling job.
-George Mordecai
203-444-5967
Mordecai Construction Services: Building and remodeling homes in Madison, Branford, and Guilford, CT for over 35 years.