The Electrical Blog

This past Sunday was the first official day of fall. For many of us, fall is a busy time as we juggle work schedules, busy after-school activities, family commitments, and more. Even with all of the hustle and bustle of the week, it’s still important to stop and take time to breathe.

Sometimes, taking time means choosing to make time. Here at Berwick Electric Co., we make an effort to remind our staff members and our clients of the value of simply taking time. Here are some reflections on the importance of taking time:

Take Time TO THINK…

It is the source of power.

Take Time TO PLAY…

It is the secret of perpetual youth.

Take Time TO READ…

It is the fountain of wisdom.

Take Time TO PRAY…

It is the greatest power on earth.

Take Time TO LOVE and BE LOVED…

It is a God-given privilege.

Take Time TO BE FRIENDLY…

It is the road to happiness.

Take Time TO LAUGH…

It is the music of the soul.

Take Time TO GIVE…

The days are too short to be selfish.

Take Time TO WORK…

It is the price of success. 

This fall season, we hope that you take some moments to pause and reflect on what is important to you.

We really care,

The first taste of cooler temperatures during last week’s rains served as a great reminder that winter is just around the corner. Although fall is an excellent time for things like pumpkin spice lattes, football games, and gorgeous scenery, it’s also a great time to think about preparing your home for winter. This fall, we encourage you to think about how to maximize your home’s energy efficiency for winter savings. Here are some tips for staying warm and toasty this winter without destroying your budget.

Sealing up leaks can help save on winter energy costs. Image Source.

1. Seal up any leaks. One of the most obvious and easy ways to begin winterizing your home is to check windows and doors and for any leaks in the seals around them. You can easily fix leaks with weather strip material or caulk. This article from moneytalksnews.com also recommends sealing outside vents to dryers, baseboards, and the spaces around window air conditioning units.

2. Eliminate drafts. Even if you seal up leaks around doors and windows, drafts can still seep in underneath outside-facing doors. This article from The Daily Green reports that as much as five to 30 percent of energy use can be reduced by eliminating drafts. A simple way to block cold air is by using a door stopper. If you have a creative side, you can even make your own to look like a snake or another animal. Click here for a guide to make your own door stopper.

3. Install a programmable thermostat. Another simple way to help cut winter energy costs is by installing a programmable thermostat. Set the thermostat to a lower temperature at night and when your home is empty. According to this article, lowering the temperature by just one degree in your home can save three percent on your energy usage.

4. Prepare your hot water heater. When winterizing your home, your hot water heater might not be the first thing that comes to mind. However, it’s important to include it in your winterization checklist. To save money on energy, lower the temperature on your water heater. This helpful resource also recommends draining off a bucket of hot water from the heater once every year. Doing so helps to remove sediment that can impair the heater’s long-term use.

5. Add more insulation. One of the best places to install additional insulation is your attic. The recommended amount of installation is 12 to 15 inches. For a great “how-to” tutorial on installing attic insulation, watch this helpful video from This Old House. In addition to adding insulation your attic, you can even insulate pipes. Simply secure pipe foam around pipes using duct tape.

6. Switch out your air filter. When optimizing your home for winter energy savings, switching out your air filter is a must. Dirty, clogged air filters result in higher utility bills. A good schedule for swapping out your air filter is every three months, according to this article. Luckily, you can pick up a new air filter at nearly any hardware store.

We hope that you enjoy the fall season, and that you find these home winterization tips helpful! Do you have any other helpful, energy-saving tips? If so, we encourage you to share them in the comments box below.

For Wendy Campbell, helping to find cures for blood cancers like leukemia is personal. Wendy, service billing coordinator for local electric company Berwick Electric Co. (BEC), is part of BEC’s team of walkers to participate in the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) annual Light the Night benefit.

The BEC Light the Night walk team. From left: Doug Berwick, Ruth McGuire, Susie Kellogg, Terri Parker, Wendy Campbell, and Bill Tuten

“My father was diagnosed with Leukemia several years ago,” Wendy explained. “[He] is doing marvelously well now, for which I am very thankful.”

According to the LLS, someone is diagnosed with a blood cancer every four minutes, and every 10 minutes someone dies from a blood cancer. Thanks to the efforts of the LLS, which has funded nearly $1 billion in cancer research since it was founded, cancer therapies (including chemotherapy) have given many hope for survival. In addition to funding research for cures, the LLS also provides vital assistance to those affected by blood cancers, including patient aid, co-pay assistance, and support and educational programs.

“This disease [leukemia] is outrageously expensive to treat, and my father is lucky to have insurance to cover it,” Wendy said. “Many others are not as fortunate, and so I participate in every opportunity I get to support this organization [LLS] that is helpful to so many.”

BEC will join other organizations and individuals in the Light the Night walk on Thursday, September 19th, at Pioneers Museum. To learn more about Light the Night, click here.

Note: This article was originally published in Fresh Ink on Thursday, September 12.

There’s never a dull moment around the Berwick Electric Co. office. Between consistently delivering outstanding service to customers and managing large-scale projects, Berwick’s project managers (PM) enjoy tackling new challenges. Today we invite you to take a peek inside an “average” day for a Berwick Electric PM, as Terry Schneider shares what he enjoys about his work.

Project Manager Terry Schneider

The PMs at Berwick Electric wear a lot of hats throughout the day. From creating estimates and proposals to managing jobs, manpower, and material, no two days are exactly alike. “Working as a project manager is a lot like putting together about 10 to 15 puzzles per day,” Terry explained. “I never totally finish one before I move on to another,” Terry joked. “The goal, though, is to have them all completed by the end of the day.”

Consistently putting the pieces together is what keeps Berwick’s standard of service at the top. “Last night I stayed a little bit later than normal to finish some drawings and estimates,” Terry said. “Whenever possible, I try to walk away from the day with a clean slate. This enables me to meet the challenges of the new day head-on.”

After 44 years in the electrical industry, Terry still looks forward to learning new things every day. “The electrical industry is continually changing,” Terry said. “I enjoy challenge, and I’m definitely never bored. I like to keep my mind active,” he added. “For example, the technology and equipment that we use is always changing. Innovations in LED technology, programmable timers, and other equipment present an opportunity to learn new aspects of my job.”

For all the changes that come with the territory, some things stay the same. “For most of the PMs at Berwick Electric, coffee is a staple,” Terry laughed. “Although I don’t drink it every day, I’ll have some when I really need it. Today was one of those days for me!”
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If you’re looking for excellent electrical service, we encourage you to give us a call at 719-632-7683 or request service online by clicking here.

For nearly five years, Berwick Electric's talented electricians have had a hand in remodeling the Evans Army Hospital at Fort Carson. And, when it comes to constructing a state-of-the-art hospital for doctors, nurses, and patients, the Berwick team enjoys the challenge. To learn more about Berwick’s projects at Evans Army Hospital, we recently spoke with Project Manager Tony Cerciello about the “ins” and “outs” of the project. Tony has over 25 years of experience in the electrical industry, and he has worked on a variety of projects including medical, high tech, government, and others. Keep reading below to learn more.

BEC Project Manager Tony Cerciello

Berwick Electric (BE): Can you describe the scope of Berwick’s involvement in the Evans Army Hospital renovations?
Tony Cerciello (TC): Well, we are currently finishing up alterations to the fourth floor surgery recovery unit and the fifth floor behavioral health unit. Both floors were completely gutted and remodeled. The behavioral health unit is especially important, as more soldiers need mental health care post-Afghanistan and Iraq.

In addition to these floors, Berwick is also working on a 15 KV substation for the power plant that powers the hospital. This substation will power two new chiller units that provide cool water for the hospital’s air conditioning. Prior to working on the fourth and fifth floors of the hospital, Berwick also performed work for the emergency room remodel, as well as the clinics on the second and third floors of the hospital.

BE: What are some of the unique challenges involved in working in a hospital.
TC: With this project, one of the main challenges was managing construction inside of an operating hospital. A main concern with completing construction inside of an operating hospital is infection control. Working alongside the general contractor, we established infection-control barricades. We used an air machine to create a negative air pressure inside of the construction area to prevent any dust particles from escaping.

BE: What benefits will the new upgrades bring the hospital?
TC: Nearly all of the hospital’s interiors have been upgraded to current standards, both electrically and aesthetically. It’s almost like having an entirely new hospital. This is a great benefit to the many military families that the hospital serves.

BE: Is there anything else that you’d like to add?
TC: Yes. I’d like to thank Dave Lenz, Berwick Electric’s foreman who has been onsite at the hospital for five years. He’s done an excellent job handling the Evans Army Hospital projects alongside other projects. I’d also like to thank Brad Burkett, Danny Porter, Dan Sternthal, Paul Heinzen, along with many others, who have worked hard to uphold Berwick’s great reputation. It's also been a pleasure to work with Fort Carson, Bryan Construction, and the hospital staff.

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Berwick Electric Co. enjoys working closely with owners and contractors to implement key electrical systems for construction projects. To learn more about Berwick’s construction services, please click here.  

Electrical problems can be quite disruptive. Although the majority of electrical problems require professional attention, there are a few, simple problems that you can identify and fix yourself. To help save you time and money, here are some quick fixes to simple electrical problems.

Outlet covers are easy to replace.

1. A loose outlet cover. It you have trouble plugging your appliances into a loose outlet, you can most likely take care of the problem yourself. According to this article, outlet covers are relatively inexpensive at any department store. Save yourself the expense of calling an electrician, and simply use a screwdriver to swap out the old outlet cover for the new one.

2. An outlet with no power. If an outlet does not provide any power, don’t call an electrician just yet. First, try resetting the corresponding breaker in your breaker box. Resetting the breaker is accomplished by pushing the handle all the way to the "off" position, and then pushing the handle to the "on" position. In most cases, this will fix the problem right away. If the power still doesn’t work after resetting the breaker, then call an electrician.

Light bulb wattage should fit the fixture.

3. Incorrect bulb wattage. In Josh Garskof’s article for This Old House Magazine, he describes a problem that many people have without realizing it – overlamping. Installing a lamp with a higher wattage than what is recommended by the manufacturer  causes the fixture to produce too much heat (the maximum recommended wattage is normally stated on a sticker inside of the fixture). This causes the thermal protective device in the fixture to open or "cycle" with the heat of the lamp. In other words, this causes damage to the fixture and the surrounding metal. Because this situation is a potential fire hazard, it should be avoided at all costs.  So, be sure to check the wattage limit on a light fixture before installing a light bulb.

We hope that you find these simple tips relevant and helpful. If you run into an electrical problem that requires professional attention, we encourage you to call Berwick Electric Co. at (719) 632-7683 or click here to request service online.

Martha Bynum

Berwick Electric Co. is known for its family-oriented environment; and, when a long-time staff member leaves or retires, it is similar to saying goodbye to a family member. This Friday, the Berwick team will wish Martha Bynum farewell as she heads into retirement. For nearly 20 years, Martha served as the service billing coordinator for Berwick Electric. After her departure, service billing coordinators Rhonda Kahn and Wendy Campbell will have big shoes to fill. We invite you to learn more about these talented ladies by reading below.

When Berwick Electric needed to fill a critical position in its billing department 19 years ago, they found a great fit in Martha Bynum. “It’s hard to believe that I’ve spent nearly two decades here at Berwick,” Martha said. “I’ve really been very proud to work with a group of people who are very happy to provide excellent customer service.”
Although Martha will be missed, she is genuinely looking forward to her retirement. “I’m excited to have more time to garden, read and go hiking and biking with my dog,” Martha said. “However, I will definitely miss the people that I work with.” 

Rhonda Kahn

Originally from south Texas, Rhonda Kahn has nearly 26 years of experience in the construction field. “I really enjoy working with the variety of people and situations that I encounter on a daily basis here at Berwick,” Rhonda explained. “Outside of work, I enjoy camping, riding ATVs and snow mobiles, and hunting. I also have one daughter.”

Wendy Campbell

Wendy Campbell, originally from Ft. Collins, Colo., will work alongside Rhonda as a service billing coordinator. Although Wendy has tried her hand at a variety of careers, she has nearly 20 years of accounting experience. “I enjoy math. There’s always a consistent way to get the answer,” Wendy said. “When I’m not working, I like to jet ski and go boating with my husband and three kids. I also love animals and raise pheasants, quail, and fainting goats. It’s a lot of fun!”

We are very thankful for all of the years that Martha contributed such great work, and we wish her a fabulous retirement! We are also very pleased to welcome Rhonda and Wendy to the team, and we look forward to strengthening the reputation of excellent customer service for which Berwick Electric is known.

The office atmosphere at Berwick is a little different than most – the family environment lends itself even to having an office pet. Owned by Berwick Director Jim Peterson, Daisy is a regular fixture around the office. Daisy’s laid-back and faithful personality bring joy to all she encounters. Keep reading below to learn more about Daisy!

Daisy is part of the Berwick Electric family.

Birthday: Daisy was born around September 2002, and she was adopted by the Petersons in 2004.

Daisy plays in the snow.

Breed: Although Daisy is not one primary breed, she is a mixture of French Bulldog, Collie, Shetland Sheepdog, and Belgian Tervuren.

Personality traits: Daisy is very protective, loyal, smart, and she is very good with the Petersons’ grandchildren. She has also been known to be a bit delusional, thinking that she can take on bears, bobcats, and coyotes. She enjoys taking smaller dogs under her wing to “mother” them.

A creature of habit, Daisy loves routine and enjoys going to work. Her favorite part about the “workday” is lunch time, when she gets her daily bone at noon.  Daisy also loves treats, especially the ones from the local UPS driver.

Daisy is very loved, and if you stop by the office, you just might have the pleasure of meeting her!

In the electrical world, power quality is important. And, we’d be willing to bet that power quality is important to you as well. If you’ve ever had a computer power-down in the middle of an important task, or if you’ve ever sustained equipment damage due to power loss, you know the importance of power quality. In a nutshell, power quality is the strength and efficiency of the power that keeps your home or business running. Below are some common signs that your power quality may be slipping.

Have poor power quality? Enlist the help of a specialist.

1. Your electric bill seems too high. If your electric bill seems a bit outlandish for your power needs, consider a power quality analysis, which will determine whether or not you’re using energy efficiently. “When there are many personal computers, adjustable speed drives, or other equipment that draws in current in short pulses, the power distribution can be negatively affected,” Tim Prime, Berwick Electric’s vice president of industrial projects explained. “Each customer’s needs are different. My job is to find a creative, effective solution to fit any budget.”

2. Computer crashes. If your computers frequently crash, or your computers freeze often, you may have some power quality troubles. Take note of how often this happens, and how many pieces of equipment you had running at that time; then, communicate the info to a power quality specialist.

3. Power supply failures, dropped telephone calls, and flickering lights. All of these items may be symptoms of poor power quality. If they happen frequently, the energy in your home or office is most likely not being distributed efficiently.

If any of these issues are common-place in your home or business, enlist a power quality specialist to install dedicated circuits and ensure proper grounding and power conditioning. Here at Berwick Electric Co., our in-depth understanding of electrical technical factors helps us to design creative power quality solutions for you. To request service, call (719) 632-7683 or click here.

It’s the start of the week and chances are you can use a nice giggle! Here are some chuckle-worthy electrical jokes to lighten your spirits. Enjoy!

Start your weekend off right with a good laugh.

Q: What is an electrician's favorite ice cream flavor?
A: Shock-o-lot!

Two atoms were walking down the street one day, when one of them exclaimed, "Oh no - I've lost an electron!" "Are you sure?" the other one asked. "Yes," replied the first one, "I'm positive."

Q. When an electrician joins the military, who does he report to?
A. GENERAL ELECTRIC!

Q: Why are electricians always up to date?
A: Because they are "current specialists."

Q: Why was the light switch mad?
A: Someone flipped him off.

Q: What did the baby light bulb say to the mommy light bulb?
A: I love you watts and watts!

Have a great week!