Backup Generators: How to Stay Prepared for Summer Storms

May 9, 2025

Summer storms result in an increased risk of power outages. Outages can easily occur due to issues like lightning striking the local power grid or major wind gusts breaking tree branches and knocking down power lines. While most outages don’t usually last very long, it only takes a few hours without power for food in a refrigerator to spoil. Having to use candles and flashlights to see when your power is out and not being able to run your air conditioning system are just some of the other inconveniences that power outages can cause. The best way to make sure

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A Guide to LED Lighting Options for Every Room

April 8, 2025

In 2023, government regulations finally ended the long, distinguished career of the incandescent light bulb. That cemented LED lighting as the primary option in every home, office, and commercial building. However, that doesn’t mean every home has fully transitioned to LEDs. You may still have an array of halogen, fluorescent, and even incandescent bulbs lighting your home. Before you can replace them all, you must understand how LED lighting works so that you can choose suitable new LED lights. Here’s a complete guide to LED lighting options for every room in your home. LED Lighting Types

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Why Surge Protectors Are Essential in Oshkosh, WI Homes

March 8, 2025

In Oshkosh, there are thunderstorms 30 to 40 days per year on average. When there’s thunder and lightning, you need to protect your home and its electronics from power surges, and one of the best ways to do that is by using a surge protector. However, how essential are these for managing the excess electricity of lightning strikes? In our guide, we’re going to explain why surge protectors are an essential part of Oshkosh’s home life. How Surge Protectors Work Surge protectors work by limiting the amount of voltage that can reach your devices and

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How to Tell If an Electrical Panel Replacement Is Due

February 1, 2025

Your house’s electrical panel is a critical system for both safety and functionality. While electrical panels often deliver decades of use, homeowners need to know when the time for a replacement has come. Here are the most common scenarios that lead to electrical panel replacements. Panel Overload An overloaded electrical panel poses serious risks to your household’s safety. When too many devices draw power through an electrical panel, the results can be blown fuses, tripped circuit breakers, shocks, and electrical fires. Your home will often show warning signs before a critical failure occurs. You might notice

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New Year, New Savings: Best Electrical Upgrades for Your Home

January 9, 2025

The new year is a great time to give your home an energy-efficient upgrade. Not only will electrical improvements make your home more functional, but they’ll also help you save some cash and reduce your impact on the environment. Whether you’re looking to lower your utility bills or make your home more eco-friendly, a few simple changes can make a big difference. The possibilities are endless, and you can choose from upgrading lighting to investing in smart thermostats. At Black-Haak in Fox Valley, WI, we’re passionate about helping homeowners make smart electrical choices that benefit their

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Is Whole Home Surge Protection Worth It?

December 20, 2024

If you sit for a minute and think about all the things that you have plugged into the electrical system in your home, it can be quite mind-boggling, to say the least. Unfortunately, all it takes to damage those items is a power surge running through the electrical grid. A whole home surge protector is something worth considering to mitigate your risk of experiencing electrical problems. What Is a Whole home Surge Protector? A surge protector is an electrical device that’s specifically designed to absorb excess electricity and divert it to a grounding system. There are

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What Are The Signs of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning?

November 22, 2024

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, tasteless, and colorless gas that is highly toxic to humans and animals, sometimes causing death. Here at Black-Haak, we consider carbon monoxide the silent killer because it can go undetected without proper safety initiatives. Thankfully, we can prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Understanding the warning signs of poisoning can save the life of someone you love. What Is Carbon Monoxide? Carbon monoxide is a byproduct of burning fossil fuels such as wood, coal, natural gas, and gasoline. It can come from engines, fireplaces, fuel furnaces, and stoves. When inhaled,

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Electrical Panel vs. Breaker Box: What’s The Difference?

October 18, 2024

When it comes to electrical systems, many people are at least somewhat familiar with electrical panels and breaker boxes. However, there is often a bit of confusion as to what exactly they are and what sets the two of them apart. All buildings have a main electrical panel, which is often also referred to as the service panel. In most cases, the breaker box is just a part of this panel. However, older electrical systems sometimes have the breaker box in a separate location from the service panel. Some buildings also have an electrical sub-panel that is separate from the

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Instances When You’ll Be Glad You Have a Backup Generator

September 19, 2024

In today’s world, it is easy to take the convenience of electricity for granted. A power outage can disrupt your daily routine, compromise your home’s safety, and even endanger your health. That is why being prepared with a reliable backup generator is more important than ever. If you are still weighing the decision, here are nine reasons why having a backup generator can make all the difference. 1. Medical Systems For many households, reliable electricity is more than a convenience. People rely on electrically powered medical systems for life-sustaining care, and even more rely on these

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Where Should My Smoke Alarm Be Located?

August 19, 2024

Every house should have smoke alarms because they are vital life-saving equipment. When set up and maintained correctly, they sound an alarm before a fire even starts, giving you and your family valuable time to get out of the house. The proper positioning of smoke alarms is crucial to ensuring their effectiveness. Importance of Proper Smoke Alarm Placement The key to saving lives in the event of a fire is installing smoke alarms in strategic locations around the house. The right positioning of smoke detectors allows them to promptly identify a variety of smoke sources

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