These days, many of us are pretty attached to our smartphones. And with good reason! We can keep in touch, check email, get directions, play games, view the weather forecast… you get the idea. One of the latest trends is “smart homes” – and those can be controlled by your phone as well!

What exactly is a smart home?

A “smart home” is a house that has some or most electrical features set up so that they can be controlled from your screen, remote, or smart device. So rather than having to turn on/off manually, or adjust any settings, you can make these changes remotely – from another room of your house or even when you are away from your home. This is called whole house automation, and we’ve been implementing it for happy clients for years.

Vacation season is upon us! But before you pack your bags and head out the door, have you thought about how to protect your house while you’re gone? Ryan Electrical Solutions can give you peace of mind in knowing your home is safe, even when you’re away.

But first, remember these easy, yet often overlooked tips…

When it comes to electrical repairs, hiring a professional will almost certainly be your best bet. Whether you’re looking for a minor electrical repair or looking to install whole home automation (and everything in between), it’s important to choose the right electrical contractor for the job.

Here are a few things to consider:

Safety

Working with electricity is no joke! One misstep can lead to disastrous results, like getting shocked, electrocuting yourself or someone else, or setting a fire. Even if you make it through the project unharmed, you could inadvertently install faulty wiring, which is the leading cause of house fires in the U.S. This is not a job for a newbie, and it’s really not a DIY project! Certified electricians will already have the necessary equipment on-hand and will know how to use everything safely. They can ensure your project is up to code and won’t cause you problems down the road.

Although Illinois weather has been playing a nasty joke on us this year, spring is here, and warmer weather is on the horizon (finally)! The arrival of spring weather means we’ll be spending more time outdoors, so let’s enjoy it to the fullest! And where better to enjoy it than from the comfort of your own backyard? Artful landscape lighting and complete audio/visual systems for your deck or patio are just a couple of ways you can enhance your outdoor experience this season.

Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Exterior Accent Lighting

You work hard to make your house and yard look first-rate, but then night falls and no one can see it or use the space! A few well-placed exterior lights can highlight your home’s architectural features, which not only enhances the beauty of your home, it increases safety. Your house will appear more inviting when welcoming guests, and you can be sure no one will trip over a paving stone or miss a step. Simple accent lighting, such as deck lights or pathway lighting, can make a significant difference in the appearance of your home’s exterior.

March brings sneak peeks of warm weather, tricking you into thinking spring is on its way – but don’t be fooled! Icy weather can still hit at any time, especially in the temperamental Midwest. And once spring is here, strong thunderstorms roll in quickly leaving huge power outages in their wake. Is your home or business ready for when your power goes out?

Tips to Prepare for a Power Outage

You never know when extreme weather will hit, so it’s best to be prepared. Depending on where you live, it could take several hours to several days for power to be restored after an outage. In your home, this means spoiled food in your refrigerator (which can be expensive to replace), interruptions to your daily routine, and safety issues as you stumble around in the dark. If you run a home business, the impact is more severe.