A boot camp called Support Ontario Youths is on a mission to support trainees and employers by streamlining and abridging the apprenticeship journey.

Support Ontario Youth works together with various skilled trades and partners with specific organizations to host boot camps for those areas. They not only provide youth training; they also hire experts to train them.

In the electrical boot camp, attendees can experience wiring a wall outlet through hands-on learning and an instructional booklet. Support Ontario Youth brings in positive, accountable, determined youth who have a strong desire to learn.

Electricians who are enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and enjoy teaching are encouraged to apply for a position at the boot camp.

J&P Electrical is a full-service electrical equipment company. At J&P, we supply contractors, end-users, and supply houses with new surplus, quality reconditioned, and obsolete electrical equipment. We also purchase a wide range of electrical equipment such as bus plugs, ducts, panel switches, substations, and transformers. Call us at 877-844-5514 or visit us at https://www.jpelectricalcompany.com.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

With an increase in electrical homes nationwide, the end goal is to use electricity for heating water and living areas, cooking, vehicle charging, and more resulting in a lower reliance on non-renewable energy. A recent report from Pecan Street outlined how roughly 48 million residential homes throughout the United States will require upgrades to transition from fossil fuels. Residential electrification in total could amount to up to $100 billion, with an average cost of $2,000 for each panel.

The report states, “We estimate that more than half of the new homes being built today have electric panels that will not allow for full home electrification.” For 2020, that amounts to roughly 550,000 homes that will eventually face “a needless roadblock to transitioning away from natural gas.”

Existing electrical panels create challenges in the effort to fully-electrify homes through:

• Panel sizing
• Building and energy codes
• Incentives through utilities

According to the report, “If electric panel upgrades are not managed proactively through policy and incentive programs, the cost and hassle have the potential to be an obstacle for millions of consumers trying to electrify their homes.”

Ranging between $1,000 and $5,000, electric panel upgrades can take weeks to accomplish. Some of the hurdles include waiting for permits and hiring an electrician, both of which can take some time. The report suggested utility companies offer incentives for upgrading electrical panels in existing homes to counterbalance these setbacks. State and local governments should also update codes for new construction to require the panels can withstand full house electrification.

The report stated, “This minimum panel size could be a requirement for new construction written into municipal, state, or national electric, building, or energy codes. These policy changes would remove critical roadblocks to full electrification and avoid combustion fuel technology lock-in, which would result in continued greenhouse gas emissions from these fuels for decades to come.”

Looking for electrical equipment for your infrastructure? Contact the electrification experts at J&P Electrical today! We have what you need, at a price you can afford.

J&P Electrical is a full-service electrical equipment company. At J&P, we supply contractors, end-users, and supply houses with new surplus, quality reconditioned, and obsolete electrical equipment. We also purchase a wide range of electrical equipment such as bus plugs, ducts, panel switches, substations, and transformers. Call us at 877-844-5514 or visit us at https://www.jpelectricalcompany.com.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

A preliminary effort of “all-electric” homes is gaining attention in a world where clean and efficient energy is at the forefront of environmental efforts to reduce carbon emissions. If the house is built with the right conditions, it can achieve zero emissions, or net-zero. Utility businesses, contractors, and manufacturers are upgrading, creating, and pioneering technologies to achieve net-zero homes.

Electric homes have been in the spotlight before; they were all the rage from about 1950 to 1970. More than 850,000 houses were considered “Gold Medallion,” a program sponsored by the Edison Electric Institute, advocating General Electric Co. and Westinghouse Electric Corp. The phrase “Live Better Electrically” touted these electric homes that showcased electric washers and dryers, garbage disposals, refrigerators, and furnaces. At that time, coal was not considered unrenewable, and electricity was expensive, so natural gas ousted electric.

In 2015, roughly 25 percent of homes throughout the United States were considered all-electric, according to the U.S. Energy Information Agency. Advocates of all-electric homes have been working diligently to deliver clean electricity as power networks aim to decarbonize.

Justin Margolies is the senior energy research analyst for Slipstream, out of Madison, Wisconsin, which serves 21 states by joining with utilities, local and state governments, regulatory agencies, and other organizations to develop novel solutions to energy challenges. Margolies said, “Electrification can be an all-in or incremental strategy. For new homes, going all-in on electrification makes sense since costs for a gas connection, piping, and fixed monthly charges can be avoided altogether.”

All-electric homes contain programmable mechanics, appliances, and LED lights that are powered without emissions. New homes could forgo natural gas lines thanks to technologies including air-source heat pumps, geothermal heat pumps, heat pump water heaters and dryers, and induction stoves. Homes are typically wired for electric vehicles as well.

Collaboration with other trades is imperative in all-electric houses. Margolies said, “Manufacturers offer installer training for their equipment, utilities offer consumer-facing educational resources, and Energy Star offers valuable information as well. There are also forums such as the Electrify Everything Facebook group that offers a place for contractors and homeowners to exchange technical insights and resources related to home and vehicle electrification. The Illinois Green Alliance is a great source of education, and ComEd has materials and resources for its Electric Homes New Construction program.”

At J&P Electrical, we specialize in providing the electrical equipment you need. Contact us today to learn more.

J&P Electrical is a full-service electrical equipment company. At J&P, we supply contractors, end-users, and supply houses with new surplus, quality reconditioned, and obsolete electrical equipment. We also purchase a wide range of electrical equipment such as bus plugs, ducts, panel switches, substations, and transformers. Call us at 877-844-5514 or visit us at https://www.jpelectricalcompany.com.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

You might have heard about the worldwide shortages that have been sparked by a combination of the global pandemic, weather (freeze) catastrophes in Texas, fires in China, a lack of workers, and more. The supply chain has suffered from these setbacks, causing shortages in various industries such as technology, automobile, furniture, transportation, appliances, and electrical equipment.

Shortages began during the global pandemic, as industries were affected by transportation and staffing issues. However, during the past three months, resin paints have been extremely difficult to acquire. Polyester and vinyl ester are most challenging to obtain, followed by epoxy.

Thanks to a boom in new construction and countless homeowners upgrading due to confinement, demand for paint has been skyrocketing as well. Jim Baird, chief investment officer at Plante Moran Financial Advisors in Kalamazoo, said, “Strong demand is a good problem to have, but that demand is increasingly straining manufacturers’ ability to keep pace.”

Greg McLaughlin, composites manager at Sea Force Center Consoles, said, “Resin distributors are rationing resin deliveries, with large-volume builders first in line. We’re hearing the industry could face a four- to six-week delay in resin products due to the Texas freeze from damages related to processing plants’ piping and fittings.”

 At J&P, we know the supply chain can be unpredictable, which is why we make sure to overstock when possible and plan for times like these. With paint orders being backordered for five months (and counting), things can get a little stressful but rest assured, the quality of our product will not be compromised!

J&P Electrical is a full-service electrical equipment company. At J&P, we supply contractors, end-users, and supply houses with new surplus, quality reconditioned, and obsolete electrical equipment. We also purchase a wide range of electrical equipment such as bus plugs, ducts, panel switches, substations, and transformers. Call us at 877-844-5514 or visit us at https://www.jpelectricalcompany.com.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

Recent records were set for weather-related disasters, with repair costs in the multibillion-dollar range. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has kept a yearly count of floods, heatwaves, tropical storms, hurricanes, droughts, and wildfires since 1980. In terms of frequency and severity, these events have risen exponentially.

In 2020, we saw unprecedented wildfires in the West, six hurricanes in the South, numerous tropical storms, tornadoes, an ice storm with hail the size of softballs, and a derecho windstorm responsible for tearing up crop fields, homes, and businesses across the Midwest. These weather-related catastrophes lead to states of emergency in multiple regions across the United States. Thousands of plants, animals, and people died. Additionally, the monetary repercussions totaled $96 billion.

Conversely, a fruit crop freeze led to disaster in Florida. Combined with a few storms and tornadoes scattered throughout the country, 1981’s financial total for cleanup due to weather-related disasters was a mere $2.9 billion.

Record snowfall, below-average temperatures, ice storms, record-breaking fires, and mass floods have knocked out power across Texas, California, and Michigan so far this year.

Brett Brenner, president of the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI), said, “We’re just not prepared for disasters of this scale. From what we’re seeing in the electrical trades, most of the time, it’s complacency and less-experienced people [DIY homeowners setting up equipment or business owners reusing damaged equipment] coming into the picture that are the cause of injuries. It’s not so much about what we aren’t already equipped to handle.”

Therefore, these unanticipated risks are caused by human intervention rather than climate. ESFI is dedicated to educating the public on what they can do to reduce dangers for themselves and emergency responders such as positioning electrical equipment above flood levels, taking precautions when using generators, evaluating water-logged power-driven gear, and more.

Protection of homes, businesses, employees, and clients is vital to success. By providing the proper equipment, training, and education, disaster zones can be more easily remediated by all. Businessowners and employees share the responsibility of working safely when it comes to disaster relief and daily performance.

Consider the following tips:

• Maintain a cordial, in-person relationship with your insurance provider.
• Ensure employees are well-trained and incentivized to work safely.
• Conduct routine safety meetings.
• Review insurance coverage and business needs on an annual basis.
• Evaluate possible hazards and create plans to recuperate if disaster strikes.
• Create risk management plans based on weather-related emergencies.
• Appoint certain employees to execute specific steps if severe weather occurs.

J&P Electrical is a full-service electrical equipment company. At J&P, we supply contractors, end-users, and supply houses with new surplus, quality reconditioned, and obsolete electrical equipment. We also purchase a wide range of electrical equipment such as bus plugs, ducts, panel switches, substations, and transformers. Call us at 877-844-5514 or visit us at https://www.jpelectricalcompany.com.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

For safe and reliable electrical transmission, bushhogging, seeding, and herbicides are used to control weeds. Along high-voltage power line corridors and local distribution systems, a low profile must be implemented so trees and other tall vegetation do not fall onto lines. Tree branches and shrubbery meeting power lines equals interference sparking outages, wildfires, and other issues. Federal and state requirements are in place, which set guidelines for managing vegetation along power line passages.

Utility companies can manage their own power line vegetation issues based on their rights-of-way (ROWs) beyond basic trimming and mowing. By promoting native low-growing vegetative communities, utility companies can offer safe, reliable operation of infrastructure while simultaneously benefiting local wildlife such as songbirds, pollinators, and more. Additionally, adding low-growing, native vegetation can contribute to corporate sustainability goals, lower the site’s carbon footprint, reduce long-term maintenance costs, and beautify the landscape.

Power line ROWs make up substantial property countrywide, meaning implementing these strategies, called Integrated Vegetation Management (IVM), could provide nearly five million acres of habitat for pollinators and other wildlife. Some of the benefits for wildlife include food sources, shelter, and nesting areas.

Rick Johnstone, president of IVM Partners Inc., explained, “If you use the right techniques and the right chemistry, you’ll restore the habitat that used to be there but hadn’t been allowed to be there due to routine cutting. If you kill the root systems of unwanted species, the seeds in the soil will have a chance to grow.”

According to Johnstone, the typical methods of constant mowing and tree-cutting generally promote regrowth of negative vegetation such as invasive species (aggressive, non-native plants). The relentless re-growth results in frequent maintenance, leading to elevated labor costs.

Instead, IVM is a more enticing practice, as it can deploy appropriate, environmentally-sound, cost-effective methods to control undesirable vegetation. Techniques include bushhogging, mowing, selective tree cutting, herbicide applications, biological controls, and seeding.

“The vegetation pretty much manages itself,” once you get a compatible plant community which usually takes a couple of years, Johnstone said. After that, only periodic treatments will be needed.

J&P Electrical is a full-service electrical equipment company. At J&P, we supply contractors, end-users, and supply houses with new surplus, quality reconditioned, and obsolete electrical equipment. We also purchase a wide range of electrical equipment such as bus plugs, ducts, panel switches, substations, and transformers. Call us at 877-844-5514 or visit us at https://www.jpelectricalcompany.com.

Written by the digital marketing team at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

According to the American Society of Civil Engineers’ 2021 “Report Card for America’s Infrastructure,” the United States received an overall C- grade for the state of its infrastructure. Every spring, the nation’s student bodies, businesses, organizations, and local governments (including federal) receive a report card measuring performance.

The report acknowledges the nation’s inadequately updated infrastructure, including the electrical grid. The American Jobs Plan presented by President Joe Biden will cost roughly $2 trillion. Around $698 billion is set aside for the electrical grid, water systems, broadband, school systems, and more.

Funded by an increase in the corporate tax rate (21 percent increased 28 percent), there are many unknowns about how the plan will pan out through the upcoming months. With significant push-back in the Senate expected, the plan could eventually be scaled back.

Biden said that his vision of “building back better” could lead to the creation of “up to 16 million good-paying jobs,” in his May 6 speech in Lake Charles, LA. Biden described it as a “blue-collar blueprint to rebuild America and supercharge our economy.”

James Farrell, executive director of government affairs for the National Electrical Contractors Association, is a proponent of the proposed plan. He said, “The state of our infrastructure is a mess, and we’re at a major disadvantage in terms of its efficiency, quality, and safety when compared to many developed countries. The American Jobs Plan is a very ambitious proposal that will help rebuild and modernize our nation’s infrastructure, and, if this plan or any infrastructure plan is enacted with significant federal resources, it would be a huge boost to the electrical construction industry.”

Farrell said, among its many benefits, “We anticipate a number of jobs to be created as projects roll out from the infrastructure plan over the next few years, as economic studies show that every $1 billion in infrastructure investment creates 28,500 direct and indirect jobs, providing our economy and American taxpayers with a high return on investment.”

With more electricians exiting the industry than joining each year, electrical contracting is seeing a well-known shortage of skilled labor. By 2024, as many as 85,000 unfulfilled positions will be available, according to recent forecasts by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. The investment proposed in the plan could lead to between $100- to $200-billlion in electrical contracting activity, along with up to 600 million incremental worker-hours.

J&P Electrical is a full-service electrical equipment company. At J&P, we supply contractors, end-users, and supply houses with new surplus, quality reconditioned, and obsolete electrical equipment. We also purchase a wide range of electrical equipment such as bus plugs, ducts, panel switches, substations, and transformers. Call us at 877-844-5514 or visit us at https://www.jpelectricalcompany.com.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

LED lighting is all the rage these days. Add some Ultraviolet (UV) to make UV-LED and voila – an antimicrobial disinfectant perfect for the pandemic. With germs a serious global concern, UV-LED is an easy option for sanitizing.

When LEDs are tuned to wavelengths between 405 to 425 nanometers (nm), bacteria, mold, mildew, and fungi are deactivated and inhibited. The antimicrobial space is full of manufacturers offering UV-LED as a disinfectant for viruses and bacteria.

Jennifer Brons, research program coordinator for Mount Sinai Health System’s Light and Health Research Center in New York, said, “COVID-19 has raised our consciousness regarding germ spread. Disinfection light is getting a renewed look and a renewed R&D.”

The Mount Sinai Health System’s Light and Health Research Center was launched in February and is part of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Their mission is to research the influence of light on mental and physical health. UV disinfection technology is an aspect of study within the center.

Brons and her colleagues selected the least expensive and most widely available UV disinfectant products for their research. The UV-C wavelength was found in tests to be the most effective at bacterial and viral disinfection (roughly 1,000 times more.) Therefore, UV-A is a safer approach as UV-C can be damaging at high levels of exposure.

UV-LED is a newer technology; therefore, other UV-C lighting is being tested by the National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories at Boston University for its ability to immobilize SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. On contaminated surfaces, the manufacturer’s lab testing has shown a destroying rate of 99% against Sars-CoV-2.

UV-LED for water treatment is in high demand. UV-C is used to kill viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens in water within seconds. Oliver Lawal, president and CEO of AquiSense Technologies, said, “We offered a UV-LED water disinfection product five years before anyone else.” The company is also developing applications for air and surface decontamination.

Using light as a disinfectant is helpful to decontaminate germs and viruses within our environment. With more research, light sanitation is positioned for exponential growth.

J&P Electrical is a full-service electrical equipment company. At J&P, we supply contractors, end-users, and supply houses with new surplus, quality reconditioned, and obsolete electrical equipment. We also purchase a wide range of electrical equipment such as bus plugs, ducts, panel switches, substations, and transformers. Call us at 877-844-5514 or visit us at https://www.jpelectricalcompany.com.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

Global warming, climate change, whichever you call it, is a defining issue of our time. Debated and discussed in homes, educational settings, board rooms, and governments worldwide, everyone can agree that fossil-based energy is a significant part of the problem. To circumvent future (potentially more catastrophic) issues, changes must be made. Over 100 countries have committed to net zero economies in the upcoming 30 years, and more are anticipated.

Global cooperation is possible as long as everyone is working toward the same goal. Net-zero is achieved when human-caused emissions are balanced out by removing Global Greenhouse Gasses (GHG) from the atmosphere, commonly known as carbon removal. GHGs originate from fossil-fueled vehicles and factories, for example. By restoring forests, shifting to electric vehicles, phasing out coal plants, or using other carbon-removal technologies, global emissions can be effectively reduced.

Countless changes and upheavals of outdated systems must occur to achieve this global goal, which is where electricity comes in. Electricity has been making advancements in wind and solar energy, and battery storage. The importance of electrification and energy efficiency is highlighted in nearly every country’s “roadmap” to a net-zero economy.

Battery and electric solutions are becoming increasingly prevalent. To support the transition, we will need to make sure existing technologies such as wind and solar batteries are cheap and undergoing innovation. Electric vehicles, heat pumps, electrolysis, and more are just the beginning of this trend. 

To ensure that electricity is efficiently produced and available when needed, we will need strict protocols on data usage and security, which can be addressed by building these requirements in during the design stages.

Investment strategies might start to include Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria, green bond standards, and low-carbon taxonomies. Low-cost money exists in international markets; the energy transition requires significant investment in areas traditional investors might not have ventured. Regulators will be vital to support the transition to low-carbon energy systems to drive out electrification and ensure the most efficient use of power systems. As technology advances, more steps will become clear.

Need an electrical part? Contact the experts at J&P Electrical today.

J&P Electrical is a full-service electrical equipment company. At J&P, we supply contractors, end-users, and supply houses with new surplus, quality reconditioned, and obsolete electrical equipment. We also purchase a wide range of electrical equipment such as bus plugs, ducts, panel switches, substations, and transformers. Call us at 877-844-5514 or visit us at https://www.jpelectricalcompany.com.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com

A new study published by the United States Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory entitled, “Halfway to Zero,” showed that the power sector has unexpectedly reduced emissions throughout the past 15 years.

Projections made in the United States Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) 2005 Annual Energy Outlook estimated that power industry emissions would increase by 27 percent to just above 3,000 million metric tons (MMT) of carbon emissions in 15 years, ending in 2020.

The power sector has dropped 50 percent below initial projections, reaching zero emissions. The carbon dioxide emissions from the power sector in 2020 were 1,450 MMT, which is over 50 percent lower than the original forecasts and also 40 percent of the 2005 levels.

Public policy, markets, and technology have given way to the swift drop, according to the study. Demand for electricity was 24 percent lower in 2020 than what was predicted by the EIA in 2005. Outperforming expectations, wind- and solar-powered energy delivered 13 times more generation in 2020.

Hydropower, biomass, and geothermal are not in the calculations; however, if they were, the study noted that renewable performance is 79 percent higher than projected. Therefore, the total amount of renewable electricity surpassed expectations by an even larger margin.

Not only is this good news for the environment; it is also good news for the economy. The study showed that power supply-related employment was 29 percent more than 2020 predictions. Since the renewable energy division is so job-intensive, more jobs are required per output than fossil fuels, according to the study.

J&P Electrical is a full-service electrical equipment company. At J&P, we supply contractors, end-users, and supply houses with new surplus, quality reconditioned, and obsolete electrical equipment. We also purchase a wide range of electrical equipment such as bus plugs, ducts, panel switches, substations, and transformers. Call us at 877-844-5514 or visit us at https://www.jpelectricalcompany.com.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.