Author: Dr. Neha Venkataraman

Okay, story time. Picture this: you’re in your kitchen, ready to finally make that Pinterest-worthy smoothie, and—bam! The blender won’t start. You check the plug, the switch, your whole vibe—and nothing. But hold up, the real kicker? Your GFCI outlet is dead. You try pressing the reset button—nothing. Nada. Zilch. Cue the internal panic. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone, and it doesn’t have to end in disaster. But the truth is, a non-resetting GFCI outlet can be a total party pooper. Before you start dialing an electrician or throwing things out of frustration, let’s walk through why that…

When I first heard of a “shunt trip breaker,” I thought it was some sci-fi gadget that made lights flicker during dramatic moments. Turns out, I was totally wrong (and a bit embarrassed).In reality, a shunt trip breaker is a practical, unsung hero in electrical safety. If your gadgets rely on constant power, you need to know what happens when things go wrong. That’s where the shunt trip breaker comes in to save the day. Curious about what it does and how it works? Stick with me, and you’ll see why this device might just become your new go-to for…

Alright, confession time: I used to think the electrical code for outlets was something only electricians cared about. I mean, who has time to read those mind-numbing pages of rules and regulations, right? But after a few… interesting experiences with outlet malfunctions in my own home (cue the flickering lights and tripped breakers), I realized—oh, wow, I actually need to know what this stuff means. It wasn’t just about avoiding electrical disasters; it was about ensuring my safety, my home’s integrity, and avoiding that awkward phone call to an expensive electrician. So, if you’re anything like me—brushing off electrical code…

I’ll admit it—I’ve been known to put off some home maintenance tasks. Oops! Like the time I discovered a crack in my living room ceiling and ignored it for way too long. But when it came to selecting electrical panel locations for my home, that’s one task I didn’t take lightly. After all, messing with the electrical panel is no joke. It’s the heart of your home’s power system, and where you put it is more important than you might think. Imagine this: You’re sitting on the couch, chilling after a long day, and suddenly, the lights flicker. You jump…

Okay, so picture this: You’re sitting in your cozy living room, maybe watching your favorite show or deep in thought, when out of nowhere, your lights start doing this weird, strobe light effect. It’s not cute. It’s not cute at all.  At first, I thought it was just some random glitch. But no. It kept happening. And let me tell you, after a few times, I was seriously over it. I mean, who needs an impromptu rave session in the middle of the night? I did some digging, and turns out, there’s a reason for flickering lights—and it’s not always…

Imagine this: You’re in the kitchen, about to make your morning coffee, when a strange, pungent odor hits you from the electrical outlet. At first, it’s faint, but soon enough, it’s unmistakable. It smells like fish. You might wonder, “Is my outlet cooking something?” or “Did I leave old food in the fridge?” Don’t blame your leftover sushi just yet. That fishy smell is a sign of something more serious, and it’s not something you should ignore. Trust me, I’ve been there. The first time I noticed it, I thought I was losing my mind or that my nose was…

There’s that moment when you walk into your kitchen or basement and realize… your furnace or stove isn’t working. Panic sets in—“Did the pilot light go out?!” As if it’s a secret you’ve been kept out of. Trust me, I’ve been there. One winter, after what felt like a week of arctic weather, I found myself bundled up like an overstuffed marshmallow, Googling: How do you know if your pilot light is working or out? And after all the confusion, I figured it out. So, here’s your cheat sheet to solving the mystery—no Ph.D. in plumbing required. Let’s get real:…

Have you ever wondered what it means furnace short cycles and why your home never quite feels warm enough?  Last winter, I walked into a client’s home and immediately noticed it was colder than expected. Her furnace kept starting and stopping every couple of minutes. If your furnace keeps shutting off too soon, you’re likely dealing with a short cycling issue. As someone who’s worked on countless HVAC and electrical systems, I can tell you this: short cycling is more than just annoying—it’s expensive and damaging if ignored. What Is Furnace Short Cycling? Furnace short cycling is when your heating…

Alright, I’ve got a confession to make: last summer, my air conditioner started making this weird buzzing sound. I thought it was just me being paranoid. But as the noise grew louder and more obnoxious, I started to panic.  After all, it’s way too hot to survive without AC, and I wasn’t ready to drop a bunch of cash on an expensive repair. But here’s the thing: If your AC is buzzing like a broken lawn mower, don’t ignore it. Trust me. It could be trying to tell you something. So, why is my air conditioner making a buzzing noise?…

Okay, let’s set the scene: You’re at home, and suddenly, your favorite lamp decides it’s had enough of your lighting needs.  It’s flickering, short-circuiting, or maybe it’s just dead altogether. No big deal, right? You’ll just go ahead and fix it.  Image source: The Spruce But wait, before you start pulling wires, there’s one question you should absolutely know the answer to: What color is the ground wire on a household circuit? Trust me, you don’t want to be that person who starts yanking at wires without a clue about the color code because electrical work is not something you…