Get matched with top electricians in Roland, AR

Your heating and cooling systems cost you the most on your electric bill and make up 50% of your bill on average. Your washing machine, dryer, oven, and stove contribute significantly to your electric bill as well. Lights, fans, and smaller electronics add up, but aren’t the biggest energy consumers. You can reduce your power usage by setting optimal temperatures on your thermostat and investing in energy-efficient appliances.

Before you start doing anything else, you must call your electric company to confirm their process. It is technically their meter that you’re moving, so there’s really no such thing as free rein. Moving the meter generally involves disconnecting power from the utility company, disconnecting the cables that run into your electrical panel, and dismounting the meter assembly. Once uninstalled, a handyperson will remount and reconnect the wiring in its new location.

The color of your cable will help you to identify its function. In the U.S., the National Electrical Code (NEC) designates the color code for electrical cables. “Hot” cables are black, red, and blue. In cases of higher voltage lines, orange might also be used to indicate a hot cable. White or gray indicates a neutral, and green or green with a yellow stripe indicates a ground.

While circuit breakers are designed to be reset after tripping, there isn't a strict countdown to when they will fail. The primary danger lies in a breaker tripping multiple times in a short period without allowing the components to cool down. Theoretically, a standard breaker might handle around 50 trips caused by simple overloading. However, this number can be much lower in practice. For instance, a high-current fault could damage a breaker to the point that it needs replacement after only two resets. Repeatedly resetting a breaker that trips frequently exacerbates the underlying problem by causing the electrical components, wires, and the breaker itself to overheat. This can lead to permanent damage, cause the breaker to trip unnecessarily in the future, and increase the risk of an electrical fire. If a breaker trips every few minutes, you should leave it in the 'off' position and call a qualified electrician for an inspection.