Catalyst Electric

Smart technology in the home is advancing at rapid speed. Home technology can help save you money, make life easier and much more depending on the device. Have you thought about adding some smart devices to your home? Today, our electrical contracting company at the Lake of the Ozarks has some suggestions for 3 smart home devices you should install.  #1 Smart Themerosat You may have heard about an adjustable thermostat, but have you heard of a smart thermostat? Sure, your thermostat's main job is to simply regulate your home's temperature but did you know the addition of a smart thermostat can help you save 10-25% annually on your heating and cooling costs? A smart thermostat helps adjust your heating and cooling when you're not home. Plus, a smart thermostat can be regulated from your smartphone, linked tablet, and some voice-activated devices.  #2 Smart Plugs  Smart plugs are becoming more and more popular in homes. With the installation of a smart plug,

Colder weather is here and many of us utilize an electric fireplace as an additional heat source in our homes. Electric fireplaces are great for both heating and adding cozy appeal to our living spaces. Most electrical fireplaces are safe to use but as with any electrical appliance, there are a few safety precautions to take into consideration when in use. Today, our electricians at the Lake of the Ozarks have five safety tips for using electric fireplaces. #1 Keep Objects Away  Even though there is no real fire, you should still exercise caution and keep objects a safe distance away. The heat can be a fire hazard when it comes into contact with a nearby object. Keep objects such as toys, blankets, furniture, and electronics at least three feet away.  #2 Turn off When You're Away  You shouldn't leave your electric fireplace on when you're not home. When you leave your home, it's best to turn off the fireplace. Leaving your electric fireplace unplugged when i

If you are an expecting parent, have you thought about how you plan to child-proof your outlets? Many of your electrical outlets are close to the ground, making them easily accessible for small children to stick objects into the outlets. It's important to take the necessary steps to child-proof your outlets. What you may not know is you have options when it comes to child-proofing your electrical outlets. Read on to learn about a few options from our electricians at the Lake of the Ozarks .   Tamper Resistant Receptacles (TRR) Tamper-resistant receptacles are a great solution for childproofing your outlets. These are specially designed outlets that are designed to keep children from sticking something potentially dangerous into an outlet. These outlets feature spring-loaded shutters that close the receptacle slots when they are not in use. In order to open the shutters, an even amount of pressure must be applied to the outlet, making it very hard for a child to stick anythi