Active Electric are Trusted Regina Electricians and they get it right the first time, delivering all electrical services including installation, upgrade, and repair solutions. In their latest Trusted Regina electrician tip, they share the news that they are an authorized dealer for Gemstone Lights in Regina.    

Active Electric are your TRUSTED REGINA ELECTRICAL EXPERTS

10 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD GET GEMSTONE LIGHTS IN REGINA 

Gemstone Lights offer many fun ideas and opportunities to make your home or business more awesome. Below is a list of 10 reasons we think you should consider when purchasing our Smart Outdoor Lighting Solution.

1. North American Owned & Manufactured

Gemstone created their own proprietary products that you cannot find or buy off the shelf. They aim to be the best lighting company the market has ever seen. At Gemstone Lights, they constantly strive to make their products better each time which the team at Active Electric love because we get the best of the best.

2. Mesmerizing Animations- 11+ Patterns

Currently, they are 11 different types of patterns you can choose from that will make your home look awesome. Within each of those patterns, you have limitless options to create almost anything you want.

3. True Warm White!

This is an absolute customer favorite! LEDs are phenomenal and powerful, but even more amazing is the ability to use a soft white that can give your home a subtle ambiance. This color is perfect for a warm summer evening playing in the dark!

4. Individual Waterproof Connectors

You probably have seen the strip light look on hotels or restaurants which is showing up on homes now. From a tech standpoint, the long strip of lights is exactly that, strips connected to each other. What sets up Gemstone Lights differently is that they don’t utilize the strip set up for a few reasons. Gemstone lights are waterproof and individually connected to handle the seasons, but more than that, they are easy to replace should one become faulty. It usually takes longer to put a ladder up than to change the actual LED! Waste is minimized this way and customers love that they know they have more control.

5. Architectural Lighting

Each LED on your home is individually controlled which gives you more control and versatility. This allows you to create some awesome lighting patterns with endless ideas. Now you can create an amazing architectural look and feel using any colors you desire.

6. Set Multiple Timers

Gemstone Lights has created timers for your system that can turn on and off your lights or patterns whenever you want. You simply choose the date, time, pattern and turn it on. Customers like being able to turn on lights at a certain time during the mornings and turn off when they want. You can even use the architectural lighting options to turn on certain lights at certain times which gives you lots more control.

7. Low Profile Design

It is very important to create a look that blends into your property. Gemstone thought long and hard about how the LEDs show and we believe that they created the best low profile design available on the market. When your lights are turned off, you don’t get the hang-down look out of place like look like others.

8. Bumper to Bumper Warranty

Gemstone Lights offers a strong 2-year warranty. Their LEDs are graded to 50,000 hours which will give you a longer shelf life than other lighting products by a large margin. They stand behind their products 100%.

9. Custom iOS & Android App

Use custom programmed iOS and Android apps designed specifically for the Gemstone Lights system. The investment customers make to get into a Gemstone Lights system outweighs the alternatives. For example, the average person who buys LED lights for Christmas will spend around $200+. Those lights will give you a specific shelf life as the manufacturing is not designed to last long term. Those companies want you to buy more lights over and over!

The cost to replace the bad “strands” of lights is not worth it so customers, feel obligated to buy more lights, and by then, the colors don’t match. Customers will get into the trap of buying them all over again.

Factor in the cost to pay someone to hang them AND take them down for you each year. That can range from $300- to $800+ depending on the size of your home. That’s just Christmas too!

With Gemstone Lights, having lights year-round with our permanent solution gives you way more use and time to use it to the fullest. Now you can add in additional holidays, seasons, birthdays, architectural lighting and more!

10. Your lights will be cooler than your neighbours!

Lol. Fact. Far too often we hear from customers' neighbours who finally say, “my neighbour has them and we want them too!”

Bonus! Control your system from anywhere using Gemstone Cloud technology!

Whether you are on vacation or at home, you can control your lights remotely on your mobile device  

If you’re interested in a free no-obligation quote for Gemstone Lights, contact the team at Active Electric today! 

ACTIVE ELECTRIC are TRUSTED REGINA ELECTRICIANS 

Trusted Regina Insurance experts at Campbell and Haliburton Insurance Inc have been in the community for over 50 years. They know it is customer service and knowledge that counts when you are in need of an insurance company in Regina. Campbell & Haliburton Insurance, myCH.ca, dedicated insurance brokers in Regina can assist you with finding the plan that works best for you. In their latest Trusted Regina Insurance Tip, they explain all the ins and outs of auto insurance.

Auto Insurance Explained by Daryl at Campbell & Haliburton

So you’ve moved to Saskatchewan. Fantastic! From one transplant to another let me say “Welcome!”  It is a great place to live, work, and raise a family. But can I be honest? Sometimes our auto insurance can seem just a little confusing. When I moved here years ago I was confused... and I’m in insurance! Let me walk you through what auto insurance terms you will hear most often as well as what they mean.

Auto Insurance Terms

SGI

One of the most common terms you will hear in the world of Saskatchewan auto insurance is “SGI.”  SGI stands for Saskatchewan Government Insurance. This is our provincial auto insurance company. They started back in 1945 and are still going strong! Through the SGI Auto Fund, they are responsible for things such as issuing driver’s licenses and providing you plate insurance and registration. They are also the ones you will turn to if you have an insurance claim. In order to get a driver’s license or to plate your vehicle, you will need to go through SGI. To do this you will normally need to go to a Motor License Issuer. Okay, so what is an issuer?

Motor License Issuer

There are motor license issuing offices in virtually every city, town, and village in Saskatchewan. Larger centers such as Regina or Saskatoon actually have quite a few. But even most smaller towns and villages have at least one. To find the office nearest you go to: https://www.sgi.sk.ca/issuer.

The issuer's office is where you will go to actually renew your driver’s license or to register the plate for your vehicle and to get insurance. Issuing offices are run independently, each having its own staff, hours of operations, and locations, however, each one has the same strict guidelines that they need to follow. SGI clearly spells out what can and cannot be done and how it is to be done. They also provide training and ongoing support to their issuers. This protects you because it means the advice that you receive at one issuer's office should be the same as what you receive at another no matter where you are in the province.

You will occasionally hear people referring to their issuing office as “SGI” as in “I’m at SGI getting my plates renewed.” That’s not strictly true, but issuers are certainly agents of SGI and acting on SGI’s behalf.

Driver's License

In order to operate a motor vehicle in Saskatchewan, you need to have a valid Driver’s License. The license you use to drive. It also spells out what type of vehicle you can drive. Your license will show if you are able to drive a car or light vehicle, a motorcycle, school bus, or large transport truck. In order to obtain a driver’s license, you will need to pass a test that has both a written and a driving component. Obtaining a license for a higher class of vehicle requires higher requirements still. More specialized driving training is required in order to operate semi-trucks and motorcycles. People, such as myself, who have moved to Saskatchewan from other provinces or countries may be eligible to have their driver’s license transferred. Your motor license issuer will be able to tell you exactly what documentation you need in order to do this.

Plates

When you register a vehicle in Saskatchewan you also purchase insurance, often called “plate insurance.” This is different from other provinces. In most cases, Saskatchewan’s plate insurance provides you with $200,000 of third-party liability and with $700 deductibles. There are exceptions to this, such as trailers, snowmobiles, and some large trucks have different limits. But for most cars, trucks, SUVs, and minivans this is what the plates will provide.   

Deductibles

A deductible is an amount that you need to pay in the event of a claim. If you are at fault in an accident, if you are the victim of a hit and run, or if you have the misfortune of a hail claim or have your vehicle vandalized, you would be responsible to pay your deductible. In most cases, the deductible that you get with your plate insurance is $700. Your vehicle registration will show what your deductible is.

Auto Insurance: Liability 

Your plate insurance also provides you, in most situations, with $200,000 of coverage. Liability insurance provides coverage if you cause damage to someone else’s property or if you injure someone else. For example, if you were driving and hit another vehicle, your $200,000 of liability would pay to cover their damages. $200,000 is the minimum required by law in Saskatchewan.

All Saskatchewan plated vehicles are insured through SGI and carry basic plate coverage. You are able to have your driver’s license or plate insurance renewed at any SGI issuing office in the province.

Extra Insurance

Some people choose to purchase additional insurance. For many people driving with $200,000 of liability insurance, while sufficient to satisfy the law, is just too low. They want to increase that to $2,000,000, or $5,000,000 or even more. Others want to lower their deductibles. For them, while paying $700 is not enough to bankrupt them, it is enough to be an inconvenience. So they purchase an additional policy to lower their deductible. Others travel distances on gravel roads and are concerned about damage to their windshield. Still, others who purchase a brand new vehicle and want to protect their investment with replacement cost.

These are all additional coverages that are available. However, lower deductibles, higher liability, or replacement cost coverage are not part of your basic plate insurance coverage. For these, you need a separate policy. While you are able to renew your plates or driver’s license at any SGI issuing office, your extra insurance would be renewed only through the location it was originally purchased from.

Terms, Terms, Terms

Here is where you will hear a number of terms thrown around. Auto Pak, Package Policy, or Auto Extension Policy are among the most common. Some of them are specific names that specific insurance companies use. Auto Pak, for example, is a term that is specific to SGI CANADA.

Wait? What? SGI CANADA? I thought you said SGI?

SGI through their Auto Fund is responsible for basic plate insurance. SGI CANADA is an entirely separate company from SGI Auto Fund. SGI CANADA is a private insurance company that provides home insurance, commercial insurance, and additional auto insurance. While it shares part of the name and is a sister company, it is nonetheless, a separate company from SGI.

Auto Insurance, So Many Choices

Consumers have a choice of if they want additional insurance or not and if so, which insurance company they want to use to provide it to them. While the basic plate insurance is always through SGI and is a mandatory requirement in order to operate a motor vehicle, the additional insurance can be from one of a number of companies. While you can go to any motor license issuer to plate your vehicle or renew your driver’s license, you purchase any additional insurance through an insurance agent or broker.

Broker or Motor License Issuer?

Insurance offices often have two separate functions. Many of them have a motor license issuer designation. This means that you can do the majority of your SGI transactions there. But they also have an independent broker component. While that might sound confusing, it can actually make your life easy with one-stop shopping.

How Does Auto Insurance Work?

Say you purchased a vehicle and need to insure it and you come to our office at Campbell & Haliburton. The first thing that you will do is speak with one of our motor license issuers to assist you in plating the vehicle. Once that is done you have purchased the basic insurance required to drive. There is no need to go any further if that is all you are wanting... However, you may want to head down the hall to one of our brokers who can talk with you about any additional coverages that you might need, whether lower deductibles, replacement cost, or higher liability. They will provide you with a quote and if you agree you can purchase the additional insurance without ever need to leave the building.

Now as you walk out the door, you do so with the assurance that you are covered for what auto insurance you need. If you don’t have an insurance broker and want to talk to someone who is truly passionate about your insurance, contact us at Campbell & Haliburton Insurance. We would love to talk to you.

- Daryl Arendt, Office Manager & Licensed Insurance Broker

Our Trusted Regina Insurance Agents at Campbell & Haliburton have your best interests and safety in mind and our commitment to customer service is one of the pillars of our business. We also know insurance inside and out, so please contact us for all of your insurance needs and we will be more than happy to help ensure what you value most is protected.

Campbell & Haliburton's doors opened in 1957. Since then, they have seen run-away inflation, recessions, and now, a global pandemic. Through it all, their doors have remained open as they are committed to providing outstanding service to you. No matter what the next years and decades bring they have committed to continue to stay open to serve you.

Campbell and Haliburton Insurance are a Trusted Regina Insurance provider.

They offer many different insurance policies to protect the most important areas of your life including:

• Home Insurance

• Auto Insurance

• Condo Insurance

• Tenant Insurance

• Farm Insurance

• Commercial Insurance

• Life Insurance

• Travel Insurance

Campbell & Haliburton is a Trusted Regina Insurance Provider.

Active Electric Regina Electricians get it right the first time, delivering all electrical services including installation, upgrade, and repair solutions. Active Electric are your TRUSTED REGINA ELECTRICAL EXPERTS

Active Electric Tip About How To Reduce Your Electrical Bill

Few people enjoy spending money unnecessarily but many of us spend money on our electrical bill that could have been saved by making a few simple changes.  Many of us are using more power than ever, with kids back and forth from an online school or you working possibly from home.

That is why Active Electric, has provided these easy-to-follow licensed electrician tips for lowering your electric bill.  Active Electric is passionate about keeping our clients safe and saving them money on electrical services, which is why they offer a variety of residential and commercial electrical services. Reducing electricity usage has the added bonus of being good for the environment, so you can save money and feel good about doing it!

Tips to Conserve Electricity

While there are some big changes that you can make to your home that will save on electricity, like upgrading to energy-efficient appliances or installing solar panels, there are also many smaller changes and tricks that can be employed to conserve energy. Some tips to reduce energy usage include:

Switch to LED Lighting

LED bulbs use much less power and last longer than conventional light bulbs and they are available in a variety of colours and styles.

Optimize Operation of Dishwashers and Laundry Machines

Most electrical providers decrease the cost of electricity during off-peak hours, like early morning or nighttime. Running heavy power-using appliances during this time, rather than at peak hours, can save you a lot of money. Also, only run these appliances when you have a full load to reduce the time that they are operating.

Keep Your Thermostat Steady

Drastic increases or decreases in temperature create an unnecessary electrical strain. Keep your thermostat steady within two or three degrees.

Use a Thermal Wrap on Your Water Heater

Water heaters are one of the biggest consumers of electricity, so insulating your water heater to prevent heat loss will reduce electricity expenditure.

Clean and Replace Filters

Air filters on appliances and ventilation gather dust and debris and the more clogged they get, the more power it takes to get air moving. Clean the filters on your dryer, furnace, fridge, and air conditioner to help them use less electricity.

Turn Off the Lights

Just turn off the lights every time you leave a room. Leaving any electrical device or light on when you are not in the room is wasteful.

Insulate Doors and Windows

A lot of heat can move through doors and windows, even when they are closed. Be aware of open doors or windows and install the proper weather stripping and insulation to minimize heat loss.

Read a book or get outside

What we do for entertainment can have a massive effect on our electricity bills. A television consumes more electricity than a reading lamp. Pursuing hobbies that do not use as much electricity will also typically help you to stay healthier!

Dust N Shine Cleaning Services is a TRUSTED REGINA MAID AND CLEANING SERVICE.

 6 Things You Should Clean More Frequently

Staying Covid, cold and flu-free this season comes down to a few simple tactics: 

1. First, get a flu shot. 
2. Second, steer clear of co-workers who hit the office sniffling and coughing. 
3. And third, know the places where viruses and bacteria tend to hang out and how to properly clean these things—so you can drastically reduce your odds of accidentally buying yourself a week in bed with body aches and a fever. 

1. A Shared Computer

Anything that gets a lot of direct contact with hands and fingers tends to have a scarily high concentration of germs, and all it takes for you to contract something is touching the mouse or keyboard and then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Even if it’s only used occasionally by one or two people in your household, wipe it down before each use with an alcohol-based towelette designed for cleaning electronics, says Gerba.

2. The Refrigerator Door

Whether it’s in your home or the one in the office break room, this handle gets a lot of play all day, says Gerba. And if there are even microscopic bits of food on it, bacteria and viruses can feed and multiply. Once a week (or daily if someone in your household is sick), rub a disinfectant wipe up and down the entire length of it, especially in any tiny grooves. “A disinfectant spray works too, but studies show that the disinfectant from the wipe stays on the surface longer, so it’s more effective,” says Gerba. “With a spray, we tend to wipe it away quickly with a paper towel rather than let it sit and kill bugs.”

3. The Inside of Your Car

Run a disinfectant wipe over your vehicle dashboard weekly, which accumulates germs thanks to the heater or AC blowing them there, says Gerba. Cup holders are also germ hangouts, thanks in part to the food residue you can’t even see. “If you have a child car seat, wipe that down, too, because kids are always sick and touching various parts of it,” says Gerba.

4. Your Remote Control

You’ve heard reports that these are crawling with germs in hotels. But even in your own house, it’s one of the germiest surfaces, says Gerba. Everyone touches it all the time, especially when they’re eating, and that leads to bacteria and virus growth. Give it a wipedown weekly with an alcohol-based electronics cleanser.

5. Your Purse

Not only are you constantly touching the handle or strap, but you end up leaving it on a dirty restroom floor or store counter more than you think, and these areas have huge germ traffic. When you bring your bag into your house, you risk spreading anything you’ve picked up to yourself or family members. Spray or wipe it daily (or whenever you use it) with a fabric-safe sanitizing spray and paper towel, and hang it on a hook when you’re home so microbes can’t be tracked through the rest of the house.

6. Your Cell Phone

Considering all the handling it gets via germy, food-laden hands and fingers, and the fact that food helps bugs thrive, it’s a miracle this device doesn’t actually grow mould. It’s begging for a weekly cleansing with an alcohol-based cleaner meant for digital devices, suggests Gerba

Contact Dust N Shine for your free estimate today!

Dust N Shine Cleaning Services is a TRUSTED REGINA MAID AND CLEANING SERVICE.

Bergens Auto Body is a local family collision repair business and from the moment you walk in the door you will be treated like family! 

They are proud to have an amazing 80 Years Auto Body Experience, and they have been serving Regina Auto Body needs for over 30 Years....they have a loyal customer base that simply wouldn't think of going anywhere else. Bergen's Auto Body are a  Trusted Regina Auto Body Shop, they offer courtesy cars to their clients and they specialize in foreign vehicles. In their latest Trusted Regina Auto Body Tip they share information on paint matching. 

BERGEN'S AUTO BODY SHARE A HANDY BACK TO SCHOOL VEHICLE CHECKLIST

Back to school checklists aren't just for school supplies of books and papers.  Bergen's Auto Body also wants to remind you that your vehicle needs to be back to school ready as well. 

Are you sending a son or daughter off to University with a car? Or will they be driving to and from high school?  Is your carpool schedule starting up, with your kids in the car, plus a few extras? Make sure you have our Back-to-School checklist for your vehicle completed as part of your school preparation this year, you’ll be glad you did!

Just a reminder to make sure all maintenance and safety items are checked and ready to go.  Look over this checklist and make sure your (or your child’s) car is ready to go!

• Check your oil level and condition. You have heard it before, but we all need a little reminder to keep up the maintenance on our cars (myself included!)  This is the most basic maintenance item to check off.  If you let go too long, having little to no oil can cause extreme engine damage (often requiring total engine replacement!).  All cars need adequate oil to keep moving parts lubricated and to keep engine friction to a minimum, so keep up on your oil changes!
• Headlights and brake lights. Be sure your lights are operational – brake lights that are burned out are a ticketable offence.  For safety, you need to be able to see and be seen.
• Brakes. Do they stop your car quickly and immediately?  Are you hearing any grinding during braking?  Brake pads or shoes (and the rotors or drums that they press against) are a “wear” item and are intended to be replaced when they become thin.  Extremely hard brake pads may last a long time, but they can be squeaky and noisy and could wear drums and warp rotors prematurely.  Brake pads should be replaced, and rotors machined, periodically to keep them wearing evenly and braking smoothly. Make sure you have them checked by an expert auto technician.
• Tires are your vehicle’s only contact with the road. Will they provide the traction you need to corner and stop in rain or slick road conditions and are they appropriate for the road conditions where you or your student will be driving?  Check the tread. If your tread is less than 2/32” the tire should be replaced. Check for correct tire pressure
• Not sure where to find your tire pressure? Look on the sticker on the driver’s side door jamb or in your owner’s manual.

•  Check your windshield wiper fluid. Visibility is vital to driving safety – be sure you are able to clean your windshield quickly if you are hit by a big bug or run into dust or (oh no!) snow.
• Fluid levels and condition. Coolant and transmission fluid keeps your engine and transmission cool and lubricated.  Levels should be checked periodically to make sure there is adequate fluid with no leaks in the system.  Coolant should be changed every 50-100,000 miles (or every 4-5 years).  Transmission fluid should be flushed and filled every 40-60,000 miles (please check your Owner’s Manual for recommendations specific to your vehicle).  Brake and power steering fluids should also be monitored and topped off or changed as needed.
• Test and clean the battery. Is the battery adequate to start your vehicle consistently, and run all of the electrical systems in your car?  Batteries may need to be replaced every 3-5 years and offer little to no warning that they are failing.  Check the date of the battery (located on top). Corrosion should periodically be cleaned off battery posts and cables to maintain an amperage level and a good electrical ground.
• Proof of insurance.  Make sure your student has the current auto insurance card inside the vehicle or in their wallet or purse.  You may want to add Roadside Assistance to the policy if they will be going to University out of town.
• Emergency kit for the car.  Get one inside the vehicle if you don’t already have one.  Find one with a set of jumper cables included in case a battery fails.  Many kits also include instructions printed on the bag for the cables.  Or if you have a kit already, be sure that it is updated with any medication, and other first-aid items that may have been used previously.  Be sure it is well stocked and with items needed for the part of the country you or your student will be taking the vehicle.

• Jack and spare tire.  Be sure they are in the vehicle and the spare is in good shape.  You don’t want to need either and find them missing if you have a flat tire. Also, make sure everyone driving  knows HOW to change a tire ( and where to find the spare)

Bergen’s Auto Body & Collision Centre, treat you like family and that means w work hard to give your vehicles back to you properly and most importantly safely!