Trusted Tips and Resources

Trusted Tips & Resources

Trusted Saskatoon Electricians Share 5 Electrical Projects DIYers Should Not Attempt

Choose Saskatoon electricians who have many years of experience in the field. 


5 Electrical Projects DIYers Should Not Attempt

We know people out there in Saskatoon love to DIY, but when it comes to electrical work there are some projects better left to the professionals at Anytime Electric.


1. Replacing Wiring


The main factor when deciding whether an electrical project can be tackled by a DIYer or whether it should be handled professionally is the complexity of the project. Replacing wire is one of the jobs that are simply too complicated for even experienced DIYers. There’s just too much that can go wrong to make DIY wire replacement worth the risk. Faulty wiring leads to electrical shorts that can single-handedly cause a disastrous house fire. According to statistics Canada in 2014, in Saskatchewan, 50% of house fires were caused by electrical appliances or electrical distribution equipment.


2. Repairing or Replacing a Circuit Breaker


Another sure-fire (no pun intended) way to cause serious electrical problems in a home is to mess with the circuit breaker. Circuit breakers might seem simple from the outside, but they’re basically the brains of your house’s entire electrical system and is there to keep you safe. Making a mistake when you’re working on a breaker can cause power surges and damaged wiring throughout the home. Familiarize yourself with your circuit breaker so that you know when it’s not functioning properly and needs repair, but when it comes time to do the actual electrical work, hire a pro.


3. Replacing Burnt Outlets


Replacing outlets on their own is actually fairly simple and should not present too much of a challenge for experienced DIYers. But if an outlet is blackened, burnt, or even hot to the touch, don’t work on it. The issue here is probably related to overheated wires or overloaded circuits. If you just replace the outlet without looking deeper, you’re basically just applying a bandaid to an electrical problem. A professional electrician will be able to accurately diagnose whatever more advanced problem is causing the issue and then repair it correctly.


4. Installing Dedicated Circuits


Some appliances, especially those on the more heavy-duty side, require their own dedicated circuit for power so that they don’t cause the wiring to overheat. If you’re trying to set up a high-wattage appliance in a room without a dedicated circuit to spare, you might be tempted to try and install another one on your own - don’t. Installing a dedicated circuit requires more advanced knowledge of wiring and outlet installation, and if you get any of it wrong you’re just going to end up wasting time and money and creating a potential fire hazard.


5. Installing New Light Switches


Replacing switches that have gone bad or upgrading to a different kind of switch is not all that complicated. Installing an entirely new switch is. Avoid installing a new switch as a DIY project. A professional electrician will be able to do the job much safer and much more efficiently. 



Trusted Saskatoon Brags About Imagery Photography, A Trusted Saskatoon Photographer!

TrustedSaskatoon.com is so proud to partner with Imagery Photography and tell you why as we brag about this Trusted Saskatoon Photographer!

It seems like everyone who runs in “photographic circles” knows Imagery’s founder, Milton Taylor. Milton started Imagery Photography in 1977 out of a desire to be independently successful – and over the past 35 years has become a name that is synonymous with quality and artistry. As you can imagine, a lot has changed in the photographic industry over 35 years – the technology is very advanced as compared to the old equipment and processes. Milton comments,

“There is more to creating a portrait than a magic camera and photoshop skills… our strength is in our experience, our background in technical training, and our ability to understand the fundamentals – lighting, posing, and the mechanics of exposure.” 

Considering that Milton is a Master of the Photographic Arts, we truly believe that at Imagery Photography Saskatoon, you are dealing with the experts!

Your experience with Imagery begins with the initial consultation, where Milton gets to know a bit more about a person, and really listens to what you, the client, want from your session. This is crucial to the success of the shoot because this is where Imagery works with you to discover what style of portraiture will make you the happiest, whether it be journalistic, static, traditional, or environmental.

Listening to their clients is key to their success… Imagery Photography strives to give you the portraits that you will cherish. From this point, you then book your session (with a rain date chosen just in case!), and after that, a client comes back in to sit with Milton for the initial projection. This is where you can review all of the photos in the shoot with your photographic team to choose your favourites. After that, you are emailed your choices to make your final decisions, and then you are ready to order.

We all know that there are different reasons that people do what they do… some do it for the money, some do it for recognition, and some do what they do because they are passionate about it and genuinely love their craft. When we asked Milton what he loves the most about his work, he responded, 

“I love working in the environment, working with 3 or 4 generations of family, and working with young couples in love… you can see the passion people have for each other. Things in life will catch your eye if they catch your heart – these are the things you should pursue.” 

Essentially, Milton sees himself as a historian – and this is where the artistry really comes into play. 

“This work will be seen 50, 60, 100 years from now.”

Imagery Photography works in collaboration with many photographers in the province, hoping to elevate the standards of the industry and the profession as a whole. Milton does quite a bit of mentoring, and the attitude is always that someone once took the time to share knowledge with him, and this is his way to give back to the profession. He states, 

“Having a cake and eating it by yourself is no fun. This is my cake and I’m sharing it!” 

Asked about retirement, Milton always says he’s retiring on the first... the first time he doesn’t enjoy it anymore, that is! Well. here’s to many more years!!!!!

Read the glowing client testimonials from the clients Trusted spoke to on the IMAGERY PHOTOGRAPHY listing in the SASKATOON PHOTOGRAPHY & FRAMING category on the Saskatoon Directory of Excellence for yourself!!

Trusted Saskatoon Furnace & Duct Cleaners at Bridge City Explain Air Duct Cleaning

Trusted Saskatoon Furnace & Duct Cleaners Bridge City Duct Cleaning provides both residential duct cleaning and commercial duct cleaning and furnace maintenance services. Their team is professionally trained, qualified, bonded, and factory furnace and duct cleaning technicians. In their latest article, they discuss how air duct cleaning is done. 

HOW AIR DUCT CLEANING IS DONE

You’ve seen the signs that your Air Ducts need cleaning, but now are you wondering how air duct cleaning is done? What do you need to be prepared for?

The Steps To How Air Duct Cleaning is Done

Step 1: Inspect The Air Ducts

A simple, visual inspection of the ducts leading to the return and supply registers is important for two reasons. First, it’s a step that you can take yourself to assess the level of buildup in the ducts beforehand and confirm the difference after they’ve been cleaned.

Second, a professional duct cleaning is an opportunity for Bridge City Duct Cleaning to check the ductwork for leaks or, in the case of flexible ducts, kinks. It is also a good time to repair and replace damaged ductwork.

Step 2: Create Negative Pressure

Bridge City Duct Cleaning uses large, portable or truck-mounted vacuum collection devices to suck dust and debris out of your ductwork. However, before turning on the suction and scrubbing the ducts, the technicians must perform preliminary steps.

  • First, they hook the vacuum collection device’s large hose to a duct close to the air handler—the heart of your HVAC system. The technician cuts an access hole in the duct, inserts the vacuum hose, and seals where they join as tightly as possible.
(Note that your HVAC system has a supply and a return side—ducts that send treated air into the rooms of the house, and ducts that return air to the air handler. The supply and return sides are separate, and the duct cleaning process is performed on each.)
    • Next, the technician will seal each register with an adhesive cover. This is an important step because even an extremely powerful vacuum collection device will not work if the registers in each room of the house are uncovered.
    • Once the technician finishes these steps, they turn on the vacuum unit. This step creates negative pressure, and particles inside the ductwork will be sucked into the collection device as they are brushed or blown loose.

    Step 3: Agitate The Dust

    Once the system is under negative pressure, the technician uncovers each register and cleans each duct. Technicians use rotating brushes, compressed air tools, and simple vacuum cleaners to ensure dust is dislodged and sucked into the vacuum collection device.

    Step 4: Clean The Rest Of The System

    It is recommended to clean the other components of the HVAC system as well, including the air handler’s blower motor, evaporator coil, and drain pan.

    Cleaning these components, along with cleaning or changing the filter, will improve the air quality in your home as well as extend the life and increase the efficiency of your HVAC system.

    A Bridge City Duct Cleaning technician will perform the job thoroughly and carefully, ensuring that your ductwork winds up clean and undamaged. A thorough cleaning should take three to five hours and this is how your air ducts are cleaned.  

    Call today to book your appointment with Bridge City Duct Cleaning.

     

    Trusted Saskatoon Air Conditioning & Furnace Pros at Gibbon Share How to Save on Your Gas Bill!

    Gibbon Heating & Air Conditioning has been serving Saskatoon and surrounding areas for over 40 Years. They are a "total service" company with trained technicians who are able to provide customers with solutions to all their plumbing, air conditioning, and heating (HVAC) related requirements. As an Independent Lennox Premier Dealer, the Gibbon Heating and Air Conditioning team are proud to provide prompt, courteous, and professional service that is required by Lennox’s Quality standards. They are regularly evaluated through an independent customer satisfaction survey process. They are trained to design, install, service, and maintain home comfort and indoor air quality systems in Saskatoon. In their latest tip, they review how to save on your natural gas bill. Gibbon Heating and Air Conditioning are TRUSTED SASKATOON Air Conditioning & Furnace Professionals.

    SAVE MONEY ON YOUR NATURAL GAS BILL


    Natural gas is an important part of Canada’s energy resources. More than six million Canadians use natural gas to light, heat and cool homes and businesses, to heat water, and for cooking.  Many Canadians have higher natural gas bills than they would like.


    Check for Aging Equipment

    If you are running an old, inefficient boiler or heating system, it may be wasting much of the energy it produces. It may never have had top-notch efficiency, to begin with, or it may have lost some capability with time and wear.

    Blocked Vents and Impeded Airflow

    The arrangement of the furniture and appliances in your home may block vents and restrict airflow. In this case, your natural gas heating system is likely working overtime because it’s much more difficult to heat your home to a comfortable temperature.

    Lower the Thermostat

    Especially in the winter, when gas bills soar, lowering the thermostat by even a couple of degrees can make a difference in your bill, helping you save as much as 5 to 10%. If lowering the heat would make your home uncomfortable in the evenings, try reducing the temperature only at night, or during the day if family members are at work. 

    Invest in a Smart Thermostat

    Have Gibbon Heating and Air Conditioning recommend a smart thermostat for your home. You can program a smart thermostat to adjust the heat to your particular schedule, so you won’t be heating or cooling your house even when no one’s home or everyone’s snuggled in bed. 

    Turn Down the Water Heater

    Some homes’ water heaters are set as high as 140 degrees, but most people don’t need their water that hot. To help save money on your gas bill, check your water heater and see if you can turn the temperature down while still allowing for comfortable showers and warm water for dishes.

    Keep Doors and Windows Closed During the Winter and Open During the Cool Summer Nights

    Along the same lines, be sure to keep doors and windows closed when your natural gas heating system is running. Opening windows and doors is great for cooling off a hot house on summer evenings, but in the colder seasons, it will let valuable heat escape.

    Bundle Up

    Especially in the winter, wearing extra layers helps keep your thermostat settings low and your gas bills reasonable. If you’re wearing a sweater or some cozy flannel pants, you may not even notice that you’ve turned the thermostat down a few degrees. And using extra blankets or down comforters can help keep you warm at night when your thermostat is in its energy-saving mode.

    Natural Gas Check-Up

    Have Gibbon Heating & Air Condition do a check-up on your plumbing, air conditioning and furnace. The check-up may show you how to save money on your Natural Gas Bill.


    Gibbon Heating & Air Conditioning has been serving Saskatoon and surrounding areas for over 40 Years, a “Total Service” company with trained technicians who are able to provide customers with solutions to all Plumbing, Air Conditioning, and Heating/ Furnace (HVAC) related requirements. As an Independent Lennox dealer, Gibbon Heating and Air Conditioning are proud to provide prompt, courteous, and professional service that is required by Lennox’s Quality standards!

    See more of Gibbons Air Conditioning Articles and Tips here.

     Gibbon's Services Include

    "A History of Professionalism, A Foundation of Trust"

    Gibbon Heating and Air Conditioning are TRUSTED SASKATOON Air Conditioning & Furnace Professionals


    Made In the Shade Trusted Saskatoon Window & Blind Pro Compares Faux Wood vs Real Wood Blinds

    Made in The Shade Saskatoon offer their clients an amazing selection at an outstanding value... it is no wonder they have such happy clients. Let them help you with all of your Saskatoon Window Covering needs!

    Made In the Shade are your TRUSTED SASKATOON WINDOW COVERINGS EXPERTS.

    Faux Wood vs Real Wood Blinds

    One of the most commonly asked questions in our industry is: What is the difference between faux wood vs real wood blinds?  The best answer we can offer involves educating our clients on the features and benefits of both selections.

    Our horizontal faux wood blind collections give you the best of both worlds! They have the look of luxurious real wood blinds at a price of about 15 to 25% less. Because faux wood blinds are made from a synthetic material (usually PVC or a polymer), they also offer easy maintenance and care.

    You won’t have to worry about warping, cracking, or splitting in environments of high moisture or high humidity, making this an ideal product for bathrooms, kitchens, garages, kid’s play areas, etc. Available in solid vinyl, or in a composition of vinyl and wood for added strength, faux wood blinds provide superior insulation.

    Wood blinds, on the other hand, offer a warm and inviting look to any decor. Wood has long been associated with strength and aesthetic beauty.

    Both faux wood and real wood blinds come with a decorative valance at the top as a standard feature. Both are aesthetically pleasing choices to dress up your windows! It really comes down to personal preference and/or budget. With either selection, you can’t go wrong. After all, 2″ horizontal blinds continue to be the #1 choice in window coverings across North America for more than a decade.

    Richly stained or painted wood blinds offer a wider selection of colours than faux wood, as well as other upgraded options and features. We often recommend real wood blinds when our clients need to match a particular wood stain or a custom paint trim colour. Keep in mind that there is no comparison between faux stains and the rich beauty of a true wood stain, but we do carry wood grain-like options in our faux collections as well.

    Wood blinds are also an ideal choice for wider windows. Because of the lighter weight of real wood blinds, we can generally accommodate a wider window opening with a single-blind. This is always a preferred choice over two blinds in one window opening!

    You can order your wood blinds with the popular no-holes option to stop light from leaking into your rooms or opt for decorative fabric tapes. Some of their wood blind collections are available with a motorized or cordless option, for ease of operation and child safety. 

    Check out their listing here in Saskatoon Window Coverings to read what their happy clients had to say... Made In the Shade are your Trusted Saskatoon Window coverings experts.


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