John Anello's Blog

As an electrician in the town of Central Greenwich, CT 06830 people always ask me how they can save money. Keep reading to find out what 3 Money-Saving Tools I recommend you should have as a homeowner and how to use it! Non-Contact Voltage Detector Price:$10 to $20 So what is this? It can detect ...

  As an electrician, I can say doorbells are one of the easiest repairs I make.  When I arrive at customer’s homes in Old Greenwich, CT, the first thing I do is ring the doorbell.  What amazes me is the frequency of seeing a handwritten sign on the front door that reads, “Doorbell out of Order.” ...

I was at a customer’s house in Greenwich, CT last week when he was complaining that his furnace was not getting power. I started at the electrical panel and tested each circuit breaker. Each breaker had the right voltage, so I know the problem was not outside the house, and not in the panel.  He ...

The technology of LED light fixtures is rapidly improving in the market.  After the ban of 100-watt incandescent bulbs, the growth of available replacements has ballooned.  75-watt incandescent bulbs are also on the way out, and 60-watt bulbs are next.     When energy-saving light bulbs first cam...

A missing knock out blank is one of the most common electrical problems I see in homes. I see it all the time, and try to correct it. Donald Hester wrote a great article about why this situation can cause problems. Missing knock out plug, no big deal… maybe?    Wenatchee and Quincy Home Inspectio...

In this world where we constantly update our social media profiles, we need to think about what we post and where that information will end up.  Once we upload a photo the entire world has access to it. It could easily be copied, and posted on tons of other websites we have never been to and neve...

After my post last week about USB receptacles (here), I wanted to provide a helpful hint about plugging in USB devices.  USB cords, like any other plug can only be inserted one way.  The problem is that we always try to plug them in the wrong way first.  Then, we rotate them around and eventually...

This is another great article about the importance of GFCI (ground fault circuit interupter) or GFI outlets.  It is important to test them to be sure that they trip when they need to. Manufacturers require that they be tested monthly to ensure proper functioning.   Can I switch my two prong outle...

Reversed polarity is common problem in many homes. Typically, at least a few outlets were changed by someone who was not an electrician, and might have miswired them. Here is a great article about why reversed polarity is a problem. Any time  I inspect a house where an amateur has been doing elec...

3D printing is a new type of technology that is revolutionizing the way we think about our world.  The company leading the way is Makerbot, which manufactures the 3D printers and scanners.  The company has three stores, one of them being in Greenwich, CT.  If you are anywhere nearby that is one r...