Can I Install Solar Panels on My Roof? (Answered)

If you’re considering solar panels, you should be aware that your roof will need to be suitable for the installation. You’ll also need to determine if you have enough sun exposure to justify the upfront costs.

Solar panels are relatively lightweight, but the racking system adds some weight. Make sure that your roof can handle the extra stress.

1. Check Your Roof’s Suitability

Before you decide to install solar panels on your home, it is essential that your roof is suitable. This means that it must be strong enough to hold the additional weight of the panels, and that it has sufficient space to accommodate the solar panel array. The best way to determine this is to have a professional conduct an inspection of your roof.

There are a few things to consider when evaluating your roof’s suitability for solar power:

One of the most important factors is its orientation. Solar panels must be oriented in the right direction to capture maximum sunlight for energy generation. Ideally, they should face south (for houses in the Northern hemisphere) or east or west, depending on your climate. In addition, shading is a significant factor. Shade from trees and other structures limits the amount of sunlight your roof receives, thereby decreasing your energy production capacity. Professionals such as these Toledo roofers will be able to assess your roof’s shading issues and recommend solutions.

The type of roofing materials on your roof also affects its suitability for solar panels. Composite and asphalt shingle, tile, and steel-clad roofs are all good candidates for solar power. However, if your roof is made from a different material, it is best to consult with a professional to make sure the mounting hardware is compatible with your roofing system.

In addition, if your roof has signs of degradation or damage, you should not consider installing solar panels. This is because the panels are very heavy, and may cause structural damage to your roof if they are not mounted properly.

2. Check Your Home’s Energy Use

Before you start installing solar panels on your roof, it’s essential to evaluate your home’s energy use. This will help determine how much power your solar system will produce. Taking steps to reduce your energy consumption will also lower your electricity bills.

The shape and inclination of your roof will also impact how well your solar panels work. Ideally, your panels should be oriented …

Read more

Find a Reliable Electrical Repair Specialist for Your Electric Instruments

Musical instruments have evolved through the years. The discovery of electricity has produced several musical instruments that rely on it to create sounds with the use of instrument amplifiers and loudspeakers or sound boosters. The instruments are useless and cannot be heard without these devices.

Some of the well-known musical devices that use electricity are the electric guitar, electric piano, electric bass and Hammond organ. These instruments were invented between the years 1929 to 1935. A musician or composer cannot produce quality sounds or music without the aid of these instruments. Coupled with computer software and hardware, the electric musical devices produce quality sound in recording studios.

For a musician who uses any of these instruments, he/she requires wires to plug the guitar or piano to an outlet. Wires can either be low carbon iron wire, high carbon wire, or copper alloy wire.

An electric instrument costs more than those which do not use electricity. You cannot just plug it into an outlet and risk a short circuit. You need to ensure you have the right electrical installation that can power your instrument. Otherwise, you end up wasting your valuable investment.

Before using any electrical instrument or device, you need to have your wiring inspected by a professional electrician or electrical contractor. This is a must!

And don’t hire just anyone. You need to find the best person to do the job. Here are several factors you need to consider before deciding on an electrical contractor.

  1. License or certification

An electrical contractor cannot practice without a valid license. This is a guarantee to prospective customers that they can do the job safely and correctly.

Politely ask to see the license to check if it is current. The license would also indicate if the electrical repair you need help with is within the electrician’s capability.

  1. Qualifications and experience

Do your research and find out how long the electrician has been in the business. An electrical contractor who has been in the industry for many years would already have a lot of experience. Also, ask if they are accredited for certain services. They should also comply with national standards for electrical safety.

  1. Reputation

The internet has sites that offer customer reviews on various services and products. Get to know your electrical contractors from these sites. The best ones often have honest reviews from satisfied customers.

  1. Fair rates

Get at least three …

Read more

What to Look for in a Musical Instrument Repair Center

A professional musical instrument repair center’s ultimate goal is to make your musical instruments sound, look and feel the way it should be! No one should settle for anything less.

Local electrical expert – electricianatlanta.net ensures the following:

* Expert and excellent service

An instrument repair job requires one to have the necessary education or specialized knowledge, training, and a genuine interest in doing repairs. It’s easy to say “I want to become a musical instrument repairman,” but if you do not have the mindset, it will be useless.

Professional technicians often learn from the best in the business through apprenticeships before venturing on their own. This gives you the assurance that you’re entrusting the job to an expert.

* Utmost care in instrument handling

A musical instrument is a prized possession. Musical instrument repair people understand this and take care of your instruments when you let them do the job. They work on an instrument with due care, at the same time, consider the time it has to be completed.

* Competitive prices

Whenever you need musical instrument repairs, you must only trust the best in the business. They would be happy to check your instrument and evaluate the repair it needs. They discuss the repair in great detail including the parts you may need to pay for, so you’ll know what to expect. They also provide free estimates.

When requesting for a quotation, consider the regular services they offer as well as specialized services, rates for which are often higher but the quality is unquestionable.

* Complete and readily available replacement parts

It’s too much hassle if you broke your musical instrument and required immediate repair so you can use it, but you end up waiting because no replacement parts are available. Professional repair centers ensure you do not encounter this problem with them by stocking parts of almost all instruments they repair.

* Authority to repair from musical instrument manufacturing giants and sellers

If you need to get a repair, you should always go to centers that are trusted by large manufacturers and dealers. Their expertise is evaluated thoroughly before getting recommended to handle repairs. Taking it to authorized repair centers also ensure you do not void your instrument’s warranty.

Recommended centers also often have ties with many factories so that they can acquire original parts, even logos.

* Guaranteed work

Every work should be ensured. Don’t …

Read more

Qualities of a Good Technician for Electronic Musical Instruments

There’s a huge selection of musical instruments, and one cannot be knowledgeable enough to repair each one. However, this should not prevent you from pursuing your dream of becoming a musical instrument technician.

There are only a few schools that offer classroom instructions for musical instrument technicians. Most instructions come from apprenticeships under the tutelage of professional repairmen. Learning is hands-on and an individual wanting to learn should have the interest and mechanical abilities.

Some dream of becoming musicians themselves but could not play that well. They sometimes end up as instrument technicians – this way, they enjoy both worlds: doing what they love and earning from it.

Aside from these characteristics, there are several other qualities employers look for in aspiring musical instrument technicians.

  1. One should have a clear sense of hearing. It is a necessary skill in fine-tuning instruments. Without it, the instrument will not perform as expected.
  2. The ability to do mechanical repairs is also a must. Despite your dream of becoming a technician, if you do not have basic repair skills or if you are not mechanically inclined, you may not be a good fit. After all, repair is the entirety of the work you will be doing.
  3. Ability to play instruments is another necessary skill. How would you know if an instrument is working properly if you do not know how it works? You need to play it when you test it to see if everything has been fixed.

Focus on what instrument you want to learn to fix. If you’re into rock music, doing electrical guitar repairs is a good choice.

  1. You must have a genuine interest and love for musical instruments. As mentioned, you will be encountering musical instruments every day as a technician. You have to love the job for you to enjoy it. Otherwise, it will just be a job that allows you to pay for rent and groceries.
  2. You should be able to use machines needed for fixing instruments. You have to learn how to use them because you cannot complete major repairs without using equipment or tools specifically designed for instruments.
  3. You must be trainable. A company hiring someone inexperienced spends time with him to teach him the necessary skills required to do the job, as well as doing it according to company standards.

A technician’s average earning is estimated at $9 to $55. The demand for them is …

Read more

Tips on How to Care for Musical Instruments

Parents are often advised to encourage a child’s creativity and passion. Some children become interested in music and musical instruments at an early age, and parents are just happy to know they have a budding musician in the family.

Young music players should be trained to exercise due care in handling their instruments – it does not only teach them to become responsible, but it also shows their continued excitement to pursue their love for music.

Teach them early about instrument care, so their tool could serve them at a very long time.

Here are a few important tips to remember when maintaining musical instruments:

  • Place the instrument back in its case when not in use. The case would help prevent scratches or dents from harming the device. Regularly check on zippers, handles, hinges, and locks if they’re working properly.
  • Wipe off fingerprints and dust from the instrument before putting it back in its case.
  • Keep your instrument secure. Don’t leave it unattended, especially if it’s outside its case.
  • Never place anything on top of the instrument.
  • Observe room temperature in places where you leave or store your musical piece. Extreme temperatures can damage it. For example, leaving your instrument inside your car for a long period exposes it to too much heat or cold.
  • Allow your instrument to adjust to room temperatures, particularly in cases of extreme heat or cold.
  • Entrust the repair and maintenance of your instrument only to experts. Do not try to fix it on your own and end up damaging it further. There will often be trained musical instrument repair experts in your area or within your locality.
  • Ensure valuable instruments against theft or damages.

Different instruments require different care. Check out the list of instruments below to know the specific care your instruments require.

String Instruments

  • Avoid zippers or buttons, even jewelry, from getting in contact with your instrument or risk getting scratches on it.
  • Refrain from touching the varnished parts of the instrument.
  • Buy an instrument polish and apply once or twice a month to prevent residue build up. Never use any household cleaner as it could cause damage.
  • Wash your hands before replacing strings. Don’t replace them all at once, but replacements must be done at least once a year. If your strings often break, it’s probably time to bring it to an expert repairman for maintenance.
  • Use tuning pegs after
Read more