We all understand why solar energy is so well-embraced nowadays. Many of us are fortunate enough to live in parts of the country where we enjoy a great deal of sunshine. Let’s take advantage of what nature has to offer — and it’s free!

There are many other reasons to consider the move to solar energy. While some reasons are very obvious, such as the financial and environmental considerations, there may be other reasons you had not considered.

Taking advantage of the sun’s energy is wonderful for the environment. One of the major solar benefits is the fact that it is clean, green and free. It’s a great way to reduce your carbon footprint, there are no greenhouse gasses and no other resources are required.

Given the many positive benefits of why solar energy is good for the environment, there remains those that still ask, “why go solar”?

Here are 5 reasons why solar energy is good:

Eliminate and Even Reduce Energy Bills

Households in Southern California can expect to gain up to $40K in benefits from energy produced by a typical 5KW solar panel system. The weather is very well-suited to solar energy production and the resulting solar benefits. Families find that installing solar panels is a beneficial addition to their household because it can significantly help reduce electricity bills. Some residents even find that their energy bills drop — another reason why solar energy is important.

Oklahoma is another region with vast amounts of sunshine throughout the year. The Oklahoma Renewable Energy Council considers solar panel energy a highly viable form of renewable energy.  
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Solar is a Great Investment

Did you know that solar panels can increase your home’s value? Homes with solar panels sell 20% faster and these homes that are built with solar panels increase sales price by up to $17,000.

Another investment consideration is the fact that solar panels can free you from fluctuating and increasing energy prices? One of the reasons why solar panels are a valuable asset is that we can calculate how much electricity will be generated, the price and average over the course of 10 or 20 years.  

In addition, California and Oklahoma offer great solar rebates. This can offset the cost of solar significantly. Take advantage of these while they still last.

Create Energy Independence for Yourself and the U.S.

Solar power allows you and the U.S. to increase your energy efficiency, which is one of the many reasons why going solar is important. As we improve our ability to generate electricity from the sun, you can protect yourself against price fluctuations. Become energy independent. Help reduce our dependence on foreign energy.

Power Generation

As a homeowner or business, you can generate free power with a solar panel system. Even if you are not able to produce all the energy you consume, you will still reduce your utility bills.  

Utilizing solar energy is important because it harnesses the sun’s power without waste or emissions, unlike fossil fuels. This natural process is called photovoltaics. Energy from the sun is infinite and free. It can be harnessed easily and then turned into power. Be your own power generator and maybe even sell back to your local authorities.

Solar Panels are Easy, Reliable and Durable

Years ago, shopping for solar panels was difficult, but today, many understand why solar energy is important and as a result, solar panels have become even more popular. Also, there are no moving parts, so it is difficult to damage them. Even if your solar panels are damaged, many come with a warranty that may cover serious damage.

If you are interested in saving energy, call Fitzgerald Electrical Services today! Our professional staff are more than happy to explain the solar panel installation process as well as educating others of the benefits of going green. Don’t wait! Start saving energy and decrease those energy bills today!

When looking for qualified electricians in your area, we always want to ensure we are getting the quality work done to our home for a reasonable price. Selecting which licensed electrician near you can be a tedious process, but we have come up with things to look out for when making your decision. ​

​Finding an Electrician in Your Area

Online search engines are a great start to finding a qualified electrician in your area. Neighbors, local friends, and a quick search will yield a lot of results.

In the search, you will want to collect as much information as you can about the electrician especially pertaining to the type of job. Does the electrician have experience with this type of job? Does the electrician work independently or with a company? These are questions you’ll want to consider in finding electricians in your area.

Fitzgerald Electrical Services has two convenient locations, so if you're looking for a licensed electrician near you in San Diego or an electrician near you in Oklahoma, we're here to solve all of your electrical issues!
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Electrician Qualifications
There are three types of electrician qualifications: apprentice, journeyman, and master electrician.

An apprentice electrician is on their way to becoming a fully licensed journeyman electrician. Apprentices typically learn from other journeyman electricians and master electricians through programs under a union or trade organization.

The other electrician qualification categories are journeyman electricians and master electricians. A journeyman electrician has completed an apprenticeship and has become licensed, but has much less experience than a master electrician. Think of it as a journeyman electrician has a driver’s permit, while the master electrician has a driver’s license.
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A journeyman electrician is required to receive a two-year degree or complete a certificate in electrical courses. A journeyman electrician must also have 8,000 hours of supervised experience under a master electrician whereas a journeyman electrician must pass a licensing exam.
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A master electrician is certified to supervise apprentice and journeyman electricians, to own a private electrician business, and to work as a licensed electrician contractor. The license must be renewed every two years and master electricians are required to continue education in order to remain licensed.

When you are looking for an electrician, you will want to hire a master electrician to ensure quality, safety, and craftsmanship.

Selecting a Licensed Electrician Near You

In the search for a licensed electrician near you, the most important factor to consider is whether or not the electrician is licensed, bonded, and insured. This protects you from unnecessary costs and stressors should something go haywire in the house. A properly licensed, bonded, and insured electrician or electrician company will ensure safe and effective work.
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Do not base your decision just on the quoted price. Ask the licensed electricians near you about their guarantees and corrections in case any other work would not meet applicable standards.

Fitzgerald Electrical Services has two convenient locations, so whether you're looking for a licensed electrician near you in San Diego or an electrician near you in Oklahoma, we're here to fix all of your electrical problems!

Looking for an Electrician - Pricing

When looking for an electrician, keep in mind the quote prices. Is there a call-out charge? Is there an hourly rate? Are all materials included in the original quote?

Ensure you receive an itemized breakdown when you get your job estimate. Get estimates in writing so you can reference them when looking for other electrician quotes. This will ensure the electrician will stick to their pricing and you can ensure you are getting the best price for the work needed.

How to Find a Trusted Electrician

How do you find a trusted electrician? View the electrician or electrician company on Better Business Bureau to find out whether there are any complaints or negative reviews. Also source Yelp, Google reviews, and other review sites to see additional feedback. Do take this with a grain of salt considering online customer testimonials are not always reliable. Since not all information on the web is factual or accurate, you should consider word of mouth reviews as well.

Do not be afraid to ask the electricians in your area such as Fitzgerald Electrical Services about typical jobs and what kind of jobs they have handled in the past.

 Last week, we focused on the progress of the Holiday Inn - Diamond Bar project. This week we'll take a look at the Holiday Inn - Palmdale job. Fitzgerald Electrical Services, Inc. has been contracted for the renovation of the guestrooms and corridors of this five floor hotel. This modernization includes new devices, energy efficient LED lighting and new PTAC units in the rooms and also Title-24 compliant LED lighting throughout the corridors. We are currently finishing up the fifth and fourth floors on time and within budget. If you're currently looking for an Electrical Contractor that can handle all of your needs, look no further than the pictures in this post for concrete evidence of the Quality Craftsmanship anyone can expect from Fitzgerald Electrical Services, Inc. Contact us today! 

The Holiday Inn - Diamond Bar job is wrapping up as the finishing touches are being applied (We've included several pictures below for reference). With several jobs coming up and many more currently being bid on, Fitzgerald Electrical Services looks to continue its' strong growth over the upcoming months, providing each and every customer with the Quality Craftsmanship we are known for. ​

Post by Christian Fitzgerald