Catalyst Electric

Spring is on the horizon and so is warmer weather! Soon it will be time to clean up your garden beds, fire up the grill, and spend some time outdoors. With spring on its way, it go us thinking about outdoor electrical safety. We often think about the inside of our home when it comes to electrical safety but it’s important to bring that same mindset outdoors. Read on to get a few safety tips for using electricity outdoors.  Short Term  If you are only looking to power something for a couple hours or even a couple days, extension cords will do the trick. However, you should always make sure that you are using extension cords that are designed specifically for the outdoors. You may be thinking that if it's temporary it doesn't matter. However, outdoor extension cords are designed to withstand moisture, sudden temperature changes, and being stepped on. Keep in mind that extension cords should only be used for temporary use. They are not a permanent solution. Also, mak...

There are multiple scenarios that can cause a power outage. Whether you are a business owner or you own your own home, being without power can pose not only an inconvenience but in some scenarios a safety issue. Generators can give you peace of mind during natural disasters and even short power outages caused by storms or fallen trees. Not sure if a back-up generator is a good fit for your home or business? Read on to learn more about installing a back-up generator at the Lake of the Ozarks . Benefits of Having a Backup Generator  There is numerous reason a backup generator could greatly benefit your home or business. When the power goes out, it is not uncommon for it to be out for hours at a time and in extreme cases days at a time. Having a backup generator can help protect your valuable assets and keep your business up and going, even during a power failure.  Home  Power essential appliances and lights  Power protection devices such as alarm syst...

We've seen rapid upgrades in technology over the past ten years. Most of us keep up with new technology like smartphones, tablets, appliances, and large flat-screen TVs but has your home's electrical system kept up with these upgrades? If your home is more than ten years old, it's likely that it hasn't. Read on to find out 3 signs that your outlets are behind the times.  Sign #1 Two Prong Outlets  Problem:  For one, if your home still has two-prong outlets, you won't be able to plug in 3-prong prong appliances and electronics. However, this might be the least of your worries. Two-prong outlets can be a huge safety risk due to electrical shock and risking frying your electronics.  Solution:  You'll need to replace the two-prong outlets with three-prong outlets, but not so fast - in addition to changing out the outlet, you'll need to also rewire the panel with a 3-wire circuit. The prong is for grounding, without rewiring the circuit, you won...

There are a lot of lighting options available for homes and businesses but we often don't think about the choices we have until a light bulb burns out. LEDs are becoming more and more popular and for a good reason! In fact, there are many advantages of switching to LEDs, even if your bulbs aren't burnt out. Read on to find out 4 benefits of switching to LED Bulbs at your home or business.  #1 LED Longevity  One of the most significant advantages of switching to LED bulbs is the lifespan, especially when you compare them to traditional incandescent light bulbs. On average, an LED bulb can last between 50,000 to 100,000 operating hours more which equates to 2-4 times as long.  #2 Energy Efficiency Energy efficiency is another huge advantage to making the switch to LED bulbs. Switching to LED bulbs have the potential to improve energy efficiency by 30-70%. #3 Enhanced Safety  When it comes to all forms of electricity, you should always keep safety...