Why You Need a Professional for Smart Home Setup
admin • October 8, 2018

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Smart-thermostat

Yes. Yes you do. That may seem terse, but the fact of the matter is that while you can set up your own internet of things in your home, having a professional do it for you offers enough benefits as to make it a better option. Not convinced yet? That’s okay. Take a look at the more specific reasons below that your smart home would be better off being set up by a professional.

A Professional Knows How Everything Interacts

A smart home is usually not one or two smart appliances, but a network of different systems all communicating and working with each other. Maybe your door lock is connected to your phone, along with your water heater and your lights. Maybe your air conditioner is set to a certain temperature every time you open the front door, so you can come home and enjoy a more comfortable climate at certain times of year. Installing one of these appliances may or may not be something you can do on your own (we don’t recommend messing with your climate control or water heater wiring yourself, for myriad reasons). Installing all of these appliances so they can work together properly, though, is something that only a professional has enough expertise to do consistently.

A Professional Can Do Everything Safely

Some smart appliances carry virtually no risk of doing anything unsafe, even when not operated properly. Plenty of others can make you vulnerable in ways you haven’t thought of, though. For example, setting up your lights with some form of automation might only carry a risk of turning them on accidentally at weird times. A bit of extra cost on the electric bill, but no big deal beyond that, right? What about your doors and locks, though? What happens if your door unlocks while you’re out, or on vacation, and you don’t realize it? You can see how some of these things can be very disconcerting indeed.

A professional technician, though, knows how to install and set up everything so that there’s minimal chance of that kind of thing happening. They also know how to show you how to operate each and every element of your smart home, so you are less likely to accidentally open yourself up to those kinds of things.

A Professional Can Set Everything Up Faster

Anyone who has ever had to assemble or install an appliance knows that it can be an absolute nightmare the first time around. Some smart home appliances and systems are “plug and play” but most of them aren’t. You’re going to need some level of installation and configuration time before you can start making use of them. If you hire a professional to take care of it for you, though, you can be sure that they’ve already done this a number of times before. They’ll be able to get everything up and running faster, which means you won’t have to struggle through hours of instruction manuals yourself.

Anderson Electric Corp. offers full smart home setup services. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with an electrician in Bloomfield, NJ.

Anderson Electric electrician testing electrical panel with a multimeter, wires visible, indoor sett
By George Anderson August 15, 2025
What’s Included in a Summer Electrical Safety Inspection? Summer in New Jersey means rising temperatures — and rising electrical usage. Between air conditioners, fans, dehumidifiers, EV chargers, and outdoor appliances, your home’s electrical system will be working overtime. That’s why now is the perfect time for a comprehensive electrical safety inspection . At Anderson Electric, we help homeowners prepare for the heat by identifying potential risks, fixing hidden issues, and making sure their system is up to code before the busy season begins. Here’s what’s included — and why it matters. Why Get an Electrical Inspection Before Summer? Even if your lights seem fine and your panel isn’t tripping, your system could be under silent strain. Summer adds demand and environmental exposure (like humidity or storms) that can stress aging wires and overloaded circuits. Benefits of a seasonal inspection include: Preventing outages during peak usage Protecting your family from fire hazards Avoiding costly emergency repairs Ensuring your HVAC and appliances run efficiently 💡 Related: Is Your Electrical System Ready for Summer in NJ? → What We Check During a Summer Electrical Safety Inspection 1. Electrical Panel Evaluation We open your main service panel to: Check breaker condition and labeling Look for signs of overheating, rust, or loose wires Evaluate if your panel is properly sized for your summer load (especially important if you’ve added AC units or EV chargers) If your panel is outdated or underpowered, we’ll recommend options for a safe 200-amp panel upgrade . 🔌 Read: 5 Signs You Need an Electrical Panel Upgrade in NJ → 2. GFCI and Outdoor Outlet Testing GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) outlets are essential outdoors and near water — and they should be tested monthly. We’ll: Test GFCIs for fast, reliable shutoff Inspect weatherproof covers and boxes Look for corrosion or loose connections Faulty GFCIs are one of the most common summer hazards near pools and patios. 💡 See our blog: Outdoor Electrical Safety Tips for Summer → 3. HVAC and Cooling Circuit Review Your air conditioner is likely the biggest electrical draw during summer. We’ll inspect: HVAC circuit wiring Disconnect box Breaker capacity Voltage drops when the system powers on We also look for warning signs like dimming lights or buzzing sounds that could indicate overloaded circuits or failing connections. 4. Surge Protection Assessment We check whether your system has adequate protection from lightning or utility surges — which are common during NJ storms. If not, we may recommend a whole-home surge protector , which is installed directly at your panel to shield your entire system. âš¡ Learn more: Why Surge Protection Is Essential in NJ → 5. Grounding and Bonding Verification Proper grounding is key to protecting people and equipment during faults or surges. We verify: Ground rod connections Neutral and ground separation in subpanels Proper bonding of water/gas lines Missing or faulty grounding is a major safety issue — and often goes unnoticed until there’s a serious problem. 6. Smoke Detector and CO Alarm Checks We test hardwired smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms to ensure: Power supply is stable Batteries are functional Units are still within their service life For families spending more time indoors with windows closed and AC running, reliable CO detection is essential. Where We Offer Inspections in New Jersey Anderson Electric proudly serves: Montclair West Orange Livingston Caldwell Verona Bloomfield And surrounding areas Our licensed electricians know local codes, township regulations, and the unique needs of NJ homes. FAQs: Summer Electrical Inspections in NJ How long does an electrical safety inspection take? Most inspections take 60–90 minutes, depending on the size of your home and system complexity. Do I need one every year? We recommend seasonal inspections — especially before summer and winter, when electrical demand peaks. Is an inspection required by law? Not typically, but if you're selling your home or making upgrades (like a new HVAC system), a current inspection may be required for permitting. What if something fails the inspection? We'll provide a clear report with recommendations. You’re not obligated to make upgrades, but we can complete repairs as needed — often the same day. Will this inspection help with insurance? Yes. Many insurers appreciate proof of proactive maintenance and may lower premiums for updated panels or smoke detectors. Keep Cool and Safe This Summer Your family’s comfort and safety shouldn’t be left to chance. Get ahead of potential issues and enjoy a stress-free season with a professional summer electrical inspection from Anderson Electric. 👉 Book Your Electrical Safety Inspection Today →
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