About Glenn_G

Posts by :

Apr 9 2015

Solar Power Installation Timing

Timing Your Solar Power Installation.

With spring officially upon us and Florida’s long, sunny, summer days approaching, you may be considering a solar system installation now to let the sun be your utility provider. Solar power generation is part of the solution to lower electrical generation costs. Solar power generates clean energy and helps to reduce your individual carbon footprint as well.

Residential solar power generation is no longer more expensive than traditional fossil fuels. Indeed, it is cheaper. So, a residential home solar can save money month after month while providing a better future for the planet and generations to come. That said, the real issue is not whether you should or should not install a solar power system on your home, but when.

Major home solar installation companies, such as Sunrun, claim that the timing for you to install a solar system couldn’t be better. They point out that through 2016, you can take advantage of a federal tax credit that lets you write off up to 30% of the cost of buying and installing a solar system. They also suggest that there are also many programs available that allow homeowners to go solar with $0 down.

But, as always, the devil is in the details. According to Sunrun, On average the total cost of solar installation can be between $15,000 to $29,000 for average sized systems sized between 4kW and 8kW. The go solar with $0 down contracts typically let you pay for the electricity you use at a 20% discount from your current utility rate being charged by FP&L.

For the average Florida homeowner, it would take a lot of years to justify the installation, even if electrical rate rise. But, what if utility rates fall? Homeowners locked into a long term contract such as described above would pay dearly for their bleeding edge technology.

Future Solar Power Installation Costs.

And, that scenario is highly likely. According to Giles Parkinson, founding editor of RenewEconomy.com.au, “Solar Costs Will Fall Another 40% In 2 Years.” After reading that article and others, I am inclined to believe that now is not the perfect time to install a solar power system on a home in Florida. The time will come, but it is not now.

Would you like a complimentary…no obligation …project consultation? Please feel free to call for more details. Mobile: 772-263-2333.

By Glenn_G • Solar Power • • Tags: Residential solar power

Feb 15 2015

Electricians LED Price/Cost Analysis

LED Price/Cost Analysis.

As an electrician and Martin County electrical contractor, one of the topics I am asked about often is whether LEDs are worth the investment. Circumstances dictate the correct answer. Many factors have to be considered in making that decision. To a large extent the answer is about “pay me now or pay me later.” It’s about upfront cost vs. long term economic savings. There are vast technological differences between incandescent bulbs and light-emitting diode (LED). Yet, light is light. When you flip the switch, whether LED or incandescent, all you get is light.

A light-emitting diode is a type of solid-state lighting that uses a semiconductor to convert electricity into light. LED bulbs can be six to seven times more energy efficient than conventional incandescent lights and cut energy use by more than 80 percent. Unlike incandescent bulbs, which release 90% of their energy as heat, LEDs use energy much more efficiently. A recent Energy Department study determined that LEDs have a much smaller environmental impact, compared to incandescent bulbs. They also have an edge over compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) in regards to those same factors. Good-quality LED bulbs can have a useful life of 25,000 hours or more — meaning they can last more than 25 times longer than traditional light bulbs. That is a life of more than three years if run 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

So what’s not to like? It’s about price—LEDs cost more, significantly more, though cost is trending decidedly downward.

LEDs: a cost-benefit analysis.

Like all the decisions you make, you need to analyze if the higher cost of LED lighting up front is worth it in the long term. A LED lighting system can cost three times what a traditional T8 fluorescent tube system costs. But you have to factor in your application and maintenance costs. LED lighting has won acceptance in outdoor applications because it is more rugged and low maintenance. Fluorescent lighting is the current standard for overhead lighting in homes, offices, warehouses and retail establishments.issue.

Many retailers use halogen spotlights to showcase displays, but halogen burns “hot” and needs frequent replacing. LEDs also provide bright directional light and last a very, very long time, saving on labor as well as energy. Extended use interior lighting paybacks can be in the 2-4 year range when LEDs are substituted. The new LED technology has better performance and more light output than ever before.

If you are investing in your home or office, and plan to be there for a long time, the higher cost of LEDs makes sense. But if you are renting, or expecting to move in a few years, you might not want to pay more for the most efficient lighting technology. Because LEDs give you the most value where you need light the most, you can always consider a combination of LED and other types of bulbs.

By Glenn_G • Electrical Contractor, Retrofit Lighting •

Feb 4 2015

Heat Pumps for Martin County Homes

For the Treasure Coast in general and Martin County in particular, heat pumps are an excellent energy-efficient alternative to furnaces and air conditioners. Because Martin County seldom sees extended periods of sub-freezing temperatures, its residents can take advantage of heat pump technology.

Similar to a refrigerator, a heat pump uses electricity to move heat from a cool space into warm space. During the heating season, heat pumps move heat from the cool outdoors into your warm house; during the cooling season, heat pumps move heat from your cool house into the warmer outdoors.

Because they move heat rather than generate heat, heat pumps can provide up to four times the amount of energy they consume. If you heat with electricity, a heat pump can trim usage by as much as 40 percent. High efficiency heat pumps with variable speed air handlers can also dehumidify better than standard single capacity units, resulting in less energy usage and more cooling comfort in summer.

The energy efficiency rating for a heat pump has two values. The SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) indicates how efficiently the appliance will cool your home. The second is the HSPF (heating season performance factor) that describes its seasonal heating efficiency.

Heat pumps with higher SEER and HSPF ratings will save more energy. The Treasure Coast’s climate is sub-tropical, so models with a variable-speed air handler will remove more humidity in the summer, run more quietly, and reduce summertime energy bills. Since our heating season is short it’s better to select a higher SEER than a higher HSPF, if purchase cost is an issue.

Right Sizing for Heating and Cooling Equipment.

Getting the right size heat pump for your home is a very important process. It makes as much difference to the comfort of your home and the durability of the system as getting the right heat pump model or finding the electrician for the job.

Fixed-capacity direct exchange (DX) space conditioning systems, whether heat pumps or A/C systems, cycle on and off to meet space cooling loads. During system start up, there is a several-minute period during which the cooling coil becomes progressively colder. Sensible capacity recovers to 90% in about one minute while latent capacity takes longer to recover. Therefore, during the first several minutes of each ON cycle, both capacity and efficiency are diminished. During the OFF period, sensible and latent cooling energy stored in the air handler unit (AHU) and ductwork is lost to ambient surroundings.

The number of ON/OFF cycles per day and the proportion of the time that the system is OFF then affects system efficiency. Right-sizing reduces the number of cycles. Over-sizing increases the number of cycles per day and shortens the length of each ON cycle. Therefore, the percentage of the time that the system is operating at full capacity and efficiency is decreased. While a FC system may cycle on and off 50-75 times per day, a VC system may cycle on and off only 10-15 times per day.

Oversizing Variable-Capacity Heat Pumps.

Research performed in a South Florida lab house found that right-sizing fixed capacity (FC) heat pumps produces seasonal and peak energy savings while over-sizing variable-capacity (VC) heat pumps produces seasonal and peak energy savings, for both cooling and heating periods. These results support current state codes and primary standards such as Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) Manual S to right-size fixed capacity systems, but challenges them to allow over-sizing variable-capacity systems. ACCA currently allows up to 15% over-sizing for fixed and variable-capacity units. They have recently begun a review process to allow variable capacity systems to be over-sized by no more than 30%, however there is evidence presented that supports considering a much higher limit of perhaps 100%.

By Glenn_G • Heat Pumps, Martin County, Treasure Coast •

Jan 15 2015

Electrical Safety

Electrical Safety In the Home Matters.

As a Master electrician and life long resident of Martin County I had seen the damage that electricity can cause when electrical safety measures are ignored. Believe me, electrical safety in the home matters.
Goodiel Electric is dedicated to promoting electrical safety in the home, school, and workplace. To that end, I welcome the opportunities this site provides to engages in public education campaigns to prevent electrical fires, injuries, and fatalities. Many people are unaware of the potential electrical hazards present in their home, which makes them more vulnerable to the danger of electrocution.

Whether you’re a consumer looking for ways to ensure safety in your home, a teacher in search of educational tools, or an industry professional working to create a safe working environment, Goodiel Electrics’ website should offers the resources you need.

The new year is upon us and we encourage people to keep electrical safety in mind as they strive for improvement in 2015. People make New Year’s resolutions with the hopes of improving their quality of life. There is no better way to do that than by making sure your homes are free of electrical hazards.

The video above demonstrates the installation of a combination-type arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI). If an unintentional ground is created this safety device detects the current drain and shuts off your electrical power to its circuit. These devices are different than circuit breakers which protect wires from overheating and sparking. A circuit breaker doesn’t protect you from electrocution, whereas a GFCI can. Most electrical codes now require a GFCI device for newer homes. Older home may have only circuit breakers. If you don’t know if your home has a GFCI or grounding for your appliances, you should find out before dealing with any electrical wiring project.

For your home safety, learn the basics of how home heating and electrical systems work, and making sure they are properly maintained:

Always have a qualified, licensed professional install stationary space heating equipment, water heaters or central heating equipment according to the local codes and manufacturer instructions.
Install smoke and carbon monoxide alarms on every level of your home and inside and outside each sleeping area.
Have your furnace cleaned and inspected annually by a licensed, qualified professional.
Be sure circuit breakers and fuses are correctly labeled with their amperage and the rooms, circuits, or outlets they service.
Have a qualified, licensed electrician replace your standard circuit breakers with combination-type arc fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs), which provide enhanced electrical fire protection.
Make sure ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) are installed in your kitchen, bathrooms, workshop, basement, garage, outdoors, and any other areas where water and electricity are likely to come in contact.
Examine electrical outlets and replace missing or broken wall plates to ensure that wiring and components are not exposed.
Childproof your home by installing tamper resistant receptacles (TRRs), to prevent childhood shock and burn injuries from tampering with a wall outlet.

By Glenn_G • Arc Fault Breaker Replacement, Electrical Safety • 2

Sep 23 2014

Jensen Beach Electrician

Your Jensen Beach home is your cherished asset. It’s not only where you live but also an important investment in your future. When you hire a Jensen Beach electrician to work at your home, you’re putting a lot of trust in their hands. At Goodiel Electric we appreciate that trust and recognize our responsibilities. Just as Jensen Beach is your home, it is ours as well. That is one reason why we take extra care of our customers and offer exceptional workmanship.

Quality work is our trademark and our goal is complete customer satisfaction. No matter what size the tiling job, we take measures to ensure that it’s done perfectly. We treat each and every customer as we treat a friend. The job isn’t finished until you tell us that it’s absolutely perfect.

We aim to make the remodeling experience pleasant for you. As your Jensen Beach neighbor, we want to keep our relationship friendly and professional. We take great pride in our work and make it a practice to let the client know how the job is progressing. When it’s finished, we want you to brag about it to all of your friends!

A Reputable Local Electrician You Can Trust.

Goodiel Electric has a proven track record of jobs completed to perfection and of happy Jensen Beach customers. With hundreds of jobs under our belt, Goodiel Electric’s growth over the last few years is due to our reputation as a most-trusted Jensen Beach electrician. Our commitment to quality workmanship and customer service is second to none. Our reputation is based on the fact that we give realistic quotes and stick to schedule. Whatever your electrical contracting needs, we will get it done on time and in the manner that we promised. We know that our Jensen Beach customers lives are busy too.

About Our Electrical Contracting Service.

Goodiel Electric does not hire sub-contractors. As a family owned and operated business, we value our reputation to highly. We only hire Jensen Beach electricians who meet our rigorous standards. We have strict hiring guidelines, as well as training and testing that continue throughout an electrician’s career with us.

We know that you have lots of options to choose from when hiring a Jensen Beach electrician. But we believe that we offer more value than our competition. We go the extra mile to make sure that you’re happy.

By Glenn_G • Electrician, Jensen Beach •

May 4 2014

Electrical Contractors’ Commitment

St. Lucie County Electrical Contractor and Master Electrician

If you are looking for someone who will produce the highest quality workmanship at a competitive price, I am your man. Call today to request a free job consultation.

Would you like a complimentary…no obligation …project consultation? Please feel free to call for more details.

Goodiel Electric LLC – For A Great Deal Call Goodiel Electric – Electrician
Glenn Goodiel
Mobile: 772-263-2333
Florida License – EC13005097
Call Goodiel Electric for a Great Deal.

Call master electrician and Jensen Beach, Florida based electrical contractor Glenn Goodiel for all your electrical service needs.

In Saint Lucie County, Goodiel Electric LLC services Port Saint Lucie, St. Lucie West, Tradition, Torino, Tesoro, Lake Charles, Lake Forest, Magnolia Lakes, PGA Village, The Vineyards, St James Golf Club, The Cascades, Fort Pierce, and the unincorporated areas of St. Lucie County, Florida.

By Glenn_G • Electrical Contractor, St. Lucie County, Treasure Coast • 0

Apr 12 2014

Smoke & Fire Alarm System

Residential Fire Alarm System Installation

One of the most important fire safety devices in a home is a smoke and fire alarm system. Several studies have concluded that when working smoke alarm systems are present, the chance of dying from the fire is cut in half. Smoke alarms currently in place have saved thousands of lives, but several problems exist. First, the 12% of homes without alarms have more than half of the fires; second, it is estimated that a third of the smoke alarms in place are not working, often due to failure to replace a worn out battery; and third, many homes do not have as many smoke alarms as are needed to protect the occupants properly.

By Glenn_G • Fort Pierce, Home wiring, Port St. Lucie, Smoke/Carbon Monoxide Detectors, St. Lucie County •

Apr 8 2014

Electrical Contractor vs Electrician

I am an enigma; I am us. I describe myself as an electrician and electrical contractor. But no, I can not be both. According to the universally accepted authority on such things, Wikipedia, an electrician is an entirely different creature than an electrical contractor.

They say “An electrical contractor is different from an electrician; an electrician is an individual tradesman and an electrical contractor is a business person or company that employs electricians. Both usually hold licenses and insurances to properly and safely operate a business…” I feel like I meet both description, but Wikipedia will have none of that.

So, according to Wikipedia, I am one or the other. I can not be both. The fact that I am the owner of Goodiel Electric, LLC, a Jensen Beach electrical contracting company, must then make me an electrical contractor. That seem reasonable to me, but not to other authorities. In fact, the search engine giant Google.com claims that the business, Goodiel Electric, LLC, can not categorize itself as an electrical contractor, but will allow it to categorize itself as an electrician.

They say “Categories describe what your business is, not what it does or what it sells.” Their system will allow Goodiel Electric, LLC to be categorized as “electrician” or “contractor”, but not as an “electrical contractor” Their system will not except “electrical contractor” as a business category. My solution to that was to list Goodiel Electric, LLC as “electrician” and “contractor.” Google.com was perfectly happy with that, as was I.

The strange thing about Google’s obsession in this instance is that now a search on the phrase “Jensen Beach Electrical Contractor” produces a Google Places listing for Goodiel Electric, LLC. I can live with that.

Goodiel Electric LLC For A Great Deal Call Goodiel Electric – Electrician
Glenn Goodiel
Mobile: 772-263-2333
Florida License – EC13005097

For a Great Deal, call Goodiel Electric.

Master Electrician and Jensen Beach, Florida based Electrical Contractor

In Saint Lucie County, Goodiel Electric LLC services Port St. Lucie, St. Lucie West, Tradition, Torino, Tesoro, Lake Charles, Lake Forest, Magnolia Lakes, PGA Village, The Vineyards, St James Golf Club, The Cascades, Fort Pierce, and the unincorporated areas of St. Lucie County, Florida.

By Glenn_G • Electrical Contractor, Electrician, Fort Pierce, Port St. Lucie, St. Lucie County •

Apr 4 2014

Master Electrician Certification

Master Electrician Certification in Florida

An electrician’s quest to attain master electrician certification is a long and expensive process. An electrician must be licensed by the state in which they work. Florida follows the National Electrical Code ( NFPA 70) and it recognizes three categories of electrician: apprentice, journeyman and master electrician.

St. Lucie and Martin County require a license to work, as do some municipalities. In St. Lucie County licensing is required in both Port St. Lucie and Fort Pierce. In Martin County licensing is required in Jensen Beach, Stuart, Palm City and Hobe Sound.

The Apprentice Electrician

The lowly apprentice electrician is a beginner or trainee who works under direct supervision of a master electrician. An apprentice must work from three to six years under direct supervision of a master electrician, and pass a written test to attain journeyman status. Only then can he legally work by himself without direct supervision.

The Journeyman Electrician

A journeyman is licensed to work by himself, without direct supervision. He can installing wiring, outlets and fixtures; and do service work and troubleshooting. A journeyman cannot pull permits, but must work under permits issued to a master electrician. A journeyman follows a master electrician’s plans and directions. A journeyman’s duties may vary; Some do mostly residential work, while others mainly commercial or industrial installations. Journeyman training combines hands-on work with education on basic electricity. In all cases, he/she must also have some classroom education on the National Electrical Code and basic electricity in a technical school or program affiliated with the National Joint Apprenticeship Training Council. After all these requirements are meet, he can take apply for Master Electrician certification.

The Master Electrician

A master electrician has typically from three to six years working as a journeyman and also has to be educated in the fundamentals of electricity, building codes, project management and safety regulations. A journeyman can take classes for master certification at an educational institution or through an industry training program and must pass a test to be licensed as a master electrician.

Goodiel Electric

Based in Jensen Beach, Goodiel Electric offers a range of electrical installation services to Martin and Saint Lucie County and to its Treasure Coast communities.

Glenn Goodiel, the owner of Goodiel Electric, is a state-licensed master electrician, holding a Florida unlimited electrical contractor certification and license. He has extensive experience in residential and commercial construction.

By Glenn_G • Electrical Contractor, Fort Pierce, Master Electrician, Port St. Lucie, St. Lucie County, White City •

Mar 17 2014

Stuart Florida, FPL and Me

Stuart Florida

The history and economy of Stuart Florida is closely tied to Florida Power & Light, a major contributor to the extraordinary development of Martin County and Florida itself. Since the mid seventies, with the construction of FPL’s St. Lucie Plant (units1 & 2), located on Hutchinson Island, its presents has influence many life style choices of Stuart, Florida residents.

Literally on Stuart Florida’s doorstep, FPL’s construction of the St. Lucie Nuclear Power Plant on Hutchinson Island became the most significant construction project in Stuart’s history. Florida Power & Light commissioned the station in 1976 and through out the remaining century continued expanded construction of nuclear electric power production capabilities.

By Glenn_G • Treasure Coast •