Author: J & S Electrical Contractors

Interior restaurant and bar lighting is essential to customer experience. It impacts how your patrons will feel as well as how the food appears and must therefore appeal to their senses. Focusing on fixture designs and not functionality is one of the biggest mistakes to avoid. While lighting must integrate with architecture and interior design, defining the purpose of the space and how it is used is critical to proper illumination. Simply put, setting the right mood promotes comfort, a longer stay and bigger order.

Our experienced commercial electricians share 3 tips to help you create a lighting plan that will make your restaurant more appealing to your customers.

1. Color temperature: Every light source has a different color temperature. Even the subtlest difference in white or yellow, for instance, can impact whether or not your customers enjoy the meal. What is the right temperature? It depends on how the space is used. Warm hues are preferable for dining as cooler colors give of greenish hues which can make the food look unpalatable. Research also shows that amber lighting in bars helps people relax and encourages them to drink more.
2. Brightness: Dim lights are likely to have your patrons fumbling in the dark while going too bright makes the environment harsh and uncomfortable. Once again, lighting intensity depends on purpose and the mood you want to create. Soft lighting for instance, creates a romantic atmosphere for a cozy meal. A night club will have different lighting from a restaurant that is also a dance venue.
3. Placement: Now that you have selected the right color temperature and brightness, the final step is lighting placement. Getting it right is important both for highlighting interior design as well as functionality. Tables typically have overhead lighting. While bars have soft lights, it is also important to make them seen from the opposite side. Dance and the stage areas require enough lighting to see other dancers and performers as well as the band or DJ. In our experience multiple layers of adjustable lighting contribute to a successful design. You can control illumination to suit different occasions or times in the day. LED solutions are ideal as they are energy efficient and help control your overheads.

At J & S Electrical Contractors, Inc., we offer a full range of commercial electrical services for the hospitality industry. From restaurant and bar lighting to refrigeration equipment, our tailored solutions can help you improve your bottom line. For over 25 years, restaurant owners as well as industrial plant managers in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and across the country depend on us for a wide variety of electrical, commercial and mechanical contractor services.

Ask us for a custom plan to improve customer experience while lowering your energy usage and maintaining a safe workspace. Our commercial electricians are fully licensed, certified and up-to-date with technology and safety codes. From installation to maintenance and emergency repairs, you can count on us for cost-efficient electrical solutions.

Call us at 215-633-8330 to learn more about our electrical services. Or request a quote online for your commercial and industrial projects.

Essential to food operations and grocery stores, commercial refrigeration equipment operates round-the-clock and contributes to high energy bills. According to the US Department of Energy (DOE), commercial refrigerators typically consume up to 17,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity and large ones around 38,000 kilowatt-hours. Selecting energy-efficient models and making a few operational changes can make a significant difference to your energy bills.

In this article, our experienced commercial electricians share 7 tips to help reduce your energy usage on refrigeration:

1. Make sure there is adequate space around the equipment: Proper air flow over the heat exchange coils increases efficiency and helps maximize equipment lifespan. Avoid placing refrigerators near prime cooking appliances that emit heat.
2. Keep the refrigeration system clean: Making sure the condenser and evaporator coils are dust-free helps improve heat transfer, thus lowering the amount of energy used. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for equipment maintenance.
3. Ensure that gaskets have a tight seal: This prevents warm, humid air from entering the refrigerator that makes it work harder to keep the inside cool. The cooler your refrigerator, the less energy and wastage of food!
4. Turn off door heaters: Only keep them on when condensation is visible on the doors. Installing adaptive controls which turn on and off automatically when necessary reduces your effort and energy bills.
5. Install motion sensors for case lighting: Also consider upgrading to LED lighting in refrigerators. In addition to consuming less energy and lasting longer, they give off less heat.
6. Add night covers or curtains: This prevents refrigerated air from escaping so your commercial refrigeration equipment does not have to run at full power after business hours.
7. Install automatic door closers for walk-in coolers: This prevents loss of energy from open doors. Never prop open the doors either.

In 2014, the DOE announced new standards which aimed at making commercial refrigerators and freezers 30% more efficient. Replacing old equipment with newer energy efficient models will deliver savings on every bill. Products with the Energy Star label are, on an average, 20% more efficient than standard models.

At J & S Electrical Contractors, Inc., we offer a full range of commercial electrical services including refrigeration equipment installation, upgrades and repair. Our tailored solutions for improving energy efficiency have helped hundreds of clients significantly lower their operational expenses. For over 25 years, plant and facility managers depend on us for a wide variety of electrical, commercial and mechanical contractor services.

Ask us for a custom plan to lower your energy usage and maximize equipment service life. Our commercial electricians are fully licensed, certified and up-to-date with technology and safety codes. From installation to maintenance and emergency repairs, you can count on us for cost-efficient electrical solutions.

Call us at 215-633-8330 to learn more about our electrical services. Or request a quote online for your commercial and industrial refrigeration projects.

GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) protected receptacles are critical to ensure safe operations in institutional and commercial kitchens, and wet bars. Poorly maintained electrical appliances, damaged electrical cords, wet floors and lack of electrical safety training for employees results in the risk of electrical shocks in kitchens. GFCI protection has therefore, become mandatory. The National Electrical Code (NEC) requires that all receptacles (including 15- and 20A, 125V receptacles) be GFCI-protected, irrespective of whether they are located in countertop areas. More sensitive than circuit breakers, they act faster to protect you, your staff or patrons from electric shock which causes burns, heart arrhythmia or nervous system damage, even death. Kitchens in restaurants, hotels, schools, churches, dining halls, and similar facilities must have GFCI protection.

GFCI Protection vs Regular Circuit Breakers

It is important to understand how GFCI and regular circuit breakers work. Standard fuses and circuit breakers protect the wiring and electrical system from a fire in the event of an overload, but they are not adequate to protect people. Also, the current required to trip a regular circuit breaker is many times greater than the amount needed to inflict a fatal shock.  The GFCI on the other hand, is specifically for protection from electrocution, not fire. The device typically kicks in as little as 1/40^th of a second, potentially saving you or your staff from electric shock.

Types of GFCI Protectors

There are two types of GFCIs. GFCI receptacles are most common and similar to a regular wall outlet. GFCI circuit breakers replace traditional ones and provide protection to all receptacles on that particular circuit. An experienced commercial electrician can help you evaluate the pros and cons of each to make an informed decision. Test your GFCI receptacle or circuit breaker every month to ensure it is working properly.

At J & S Electrical Contractors, Inc., we offer tailored solutions to install GFCI protection for the outlets in your institutional or commercial kitchen. Our expertise with design and installations helps optimize safety and energy efficiency. For over 25 years, plant and facility managers in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and across the country depend on us for a wide variety of electrical, commercial and mechanical contractor services.

Ask us for a custom GFCI installation plan to protect your business. Our commercial electricians are fully licensed, certified and up-to-date with technology and safety codes. From installation to maintenance and emergency repairs, you can rely on us for cost-efficient electrical solutions.

Call us at 215-633-8330 to learn more about our electrical services. Or request a quote online for your commercial and industrial projects.

Are you considering installation or upgrades for your parking lot lighting? A well-lit commercial property provides a welcoming space for your clients. It also promotes employee and visitor safety by preventing accidents and deterring criminal activity. Our expert commercial electricians share 5 important points to consider when formulating an efficient parking lot lighting plan.

1. Evaluate your needs or current lighting: Intensity, uniformity, color, energy-efficiency and cost are important aspects of lighting design. For existing lighting, survey the light levels to determine what changes need to be made.
2. Determine how much light is adequate: This is largely dependent on the type of business you run. An auto dealership and retail complex might want brighter parking lot lights than an office building that is largely unused after-hours.
3. Maintain uniformity: Typically, the distance between lighting fixtures is responsible for uneven lighting. Presence of trees and other types of landscaping can also make the task more difficult. Your commercial electrician might have some suggestions on how to overcome landscaping obstacles. For existing lights, map out high and low illumination areas to pinpoint where changes are required.
4. Consider cost-efficient LED lighting: LED lamps start up instantly and provide up to 100,000 hours of light. They can be replaced easily, and the design flexibility supports retrofitting fixtures to existing poles. In addition to maintaining consistent light intensity and temperatures for the lifespan of the lights, you also get added safety with shock and vibration resistant fixtures.
5. Invest in surge protection: Your commercial electrician can identify and install the right surge protection device (SPD) which will withstand spikes and save you thousands of dollars in damages to your newly-installed parking lot lighting.

At J & S Electrical Contractors, Inc., we offer tailored solutions to install or upgrade parking lot lighting in your commercial or industrial facility. Efficiency, safety and creating a good impression on your customers form the basis of our lighting plans. For over 25 years, plant and facility managers in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and across the country depend on us for a wide variety of electrical, commercial and mechanical contractor services.

Ask us for a custom parking lot lighting plan that will highlight your business while keeping your energy costs in check. Our extensive experience with light level and load calculations, and fixture layout design expertise contribute to efficiently-lit outdoor and indoor spaces. Our commercial electricians are fully licensed, certified and up-to-date with technology and safety codes. From installation to maintenance and emergency repairs, you can rely on us for cost-efficient electrical solutions.

Call us at 215-633-8330 to learn more about our electrical services. Or request a quote online for your commercial and industrial projects.