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Electrical Fire Prevention

Electrical Fire Prevention

Inadequate electrical capacity is mainly due to increasing the number of devices that consume electricity in your home like new heating and cooling equipment, frost free refrigerators, clothes dryers, water heaters, electric ranges and ovens, dishwashers, and other powerful electric motor driven tools and appliances. As you add devices to your home, the power supply may become inadequate. If you have indicators like fuses or circuit breakers tripping, or lights dimming, it’s time to carefully look at your circumstances before equipment failure, fire, or other problems arise.

Top 5 Causes of Inadequate Power in Your Home

Limited service panel capacity

When the overall demand from total electrical devices is greater than what the panel is able to supply, the main service panel will likely fail, frequently. Excess demand indicates that the panel rating is less than needed or the panel might be limiting capacity because it has no space left for more fuses or circuit breakers. In either case it’s time to make a circuit map to calculate demand and compare it with the capacity of the main panel to supply. If you find the power demand is less than the capacity and there is no room for more breakers, then a sub-panel might be the answer. Conversely, if the overall demand is greater than the main panel ability to supply, then you will need a licensed electrician to install a new main panel.

Overloaded circuits

Another use for the circuit map is to determine if demand on the circuits are greater than the amperage rating of the circuit controlling it. It is important to note peak demands of appliances that may draw more power on starting and create a power surge that trips the breaker. A power surge that doesn’t trip the breaker is indicated by lights dimming when an appliance turns on. Appliances that produce surges should have their own separate circuit designed to tolerate the surge. To prevent the risk of fire do not exceed the safe amperage of the circuit. Blown fuses or tripped breakers indicate an overloaded circuit. Do not replace breakers with ones of higher amperage just because they fail. Instead run a new circuit from the main panel that is within the supply capacity.

Insufficient number of outlets

A general recommendation is to have at least one outlet for every 12 feet of wall, ground fault interrupted outlets in bathrooms and exterior walls, one outlet for each counter top in the kitchen, or as required by local codes. The most obvious indicator that more outlets are needed is when you start to use multi-outlet extension cords on a regular or permanent basis. Most low cost extension cords are not designed to carry heavy amperage demanded of permanent wiring. Excess loads may cause overheating and fire. Computer workstations can require outlets for more than two devices from a single dual receptacle wall circuit. Older CRT monitors and laser printers can cause surges when they are turned on. The best solution is to supply the required outlets on separate circuit(s) designed to exceed the demand. The next best option is to use a fused and surge protected uninterrupted power supply (UPS) to protect your equipment. UPS are now available for less than $100 and can protect your computer investment from power problems better than anything else. The less expensive power bars and extension cords run risks of equipment damage or fires if the circuit is overloaded.

Inadequate feeder lines

Older houses may have original two-wire feed lines from the power company’s nearest utility pole. One of the wires is hot, delivering 110-115 volts and the other is neutral. Obviously these lines will not power 240 volt appliances nor is the amperage likely able to power more than a few newer appliances at a time. The electric company should replace the two wire system with a three wire system at their own expense. Since you will have to pay an electrician to install a new service panel, use your circuit map and any expansion plans to determine future demand, then size the new panel capacity accordingly.

Overtaxed transformer

In older high-density neighborhoods electricity demands over time have increased. In some cases the transformer serving the area may not have been increased to meet the growth in demand. Although the power companies are required to scale up supply according to demand, it is wise to check into the matter before paying to connect a larger service.

If you live an energy efficient lifestyle you will see the numbers on the energy bill actually reducing. The power to cut energy costs is well within your control. It is as simple as only washing full loads and that to in cold water. Use the hot wash option only for very dirty clothes. Cook food only just before you are ready to eat that way you can save reheating costs as well as refrigerating costs of storing the food. Turn the thermostat of the refrigerator to minimum in cold or cool weather. Switch off freezers if they are not in use. Small contributions can all add up to significant amounts of power saved. And, power saved means money in the bank.

Article source: http://www.wiringhelp.com/electrical/electrical-safety/prevent-home-electrical-fires.html

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Overall excellent service, from beginning to end, we called STS Electric and got the information we needed in terms of the scope of the job, pricing and time it will take to complete it. It was within our budget and time frame so we decided to hire them for the job. They were super efficient, no headache, came in, scoped everything and start the work, they were done in a few hours and everything worked out perfect. Thanks.
I highly recommend STS Electric. The guys were great. They explained everything to us & did the job in a timely fashion.
⁠The team came to install my ev charger. They were fast and very kind. Would definitely call them again.
If you live in the Chicago area, I strongly suggest you look no further for your electric needs but to go with the best company I have ever worked with. From the office staff, supervisors and technicians are rated 10 out of 5 if that was possible. An amazing service rendered and as a very satisfied customer they will stay with me for all future projects.The detailed and precision of this service was unbelievable. Knowledgeable, courteous and detailed customer care was a plus for me. I had no worries when worked began because I felt I was in safe hands. The results were flawless. I am a very satisfied customer and recommend to all.
STS Electric arrived on time and quickly resolved our electrical problems, and replaced 2 Ring camera/lights devices. I will continue to use him when I need help with electrical issues.
Being first time EV owners, we had quite a bit to learn about the process of getting an EV charger installed in our home garage. Ana was very responsive and arranged for a same day in person consult. Our project manager, Sam, was both friendly and extremely knowledgeable, we appreciated that he took his time with us as we had many questions. After we decided to proceed, they scheduled us within the same week. Our electrician Francisco did great work and finished the project in one day. He even performed the drywall himself. Highly recommend this company!
Sam and the team were great and promptly completed the outlet installation and integration
My STS electrician experience was fantastic, I had them come in to do a few different projects and they were great. I love how the communication (for me, from Ana) is clear, kind, and concentrated on my needs; I love how the guys who came (for me, Francisco and Juan) were talented, kind, listened to my concerns, and just plain got the job done! I'm getting these guys back to do more work, but for now I'll say: You're in good hands.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words. We appreciate your business and look forward to working with you.
Response from the owner:Thank you for the stellar rating! We are thrilled to know you had a great experience with us. We look forward to serving you again in the future!
Response from the owner:Thank you for the 5-star rating! We're glad to hear you had a great experience. If there's anything else we can do for you, please let us know!
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for the 5-star rating! We're delighted you had a great experience with our service. If you ever need assistance in the future, please don't hesitate to reach out.
Response from the owner:Thank you for the 5-star rating! We're delighted to hear that you had a positive experience with us. If you ever need any assistance in the future, feel free to reach out.
Great job always available for quick repairs if needed. Was talked to like a human, which I value.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We're thrilled to hear that you appreciated our service and communication. Your satisfaction is our top priority, and we're always here to help whenever you need us. Looking forward to working with you again in the future!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your 5-star rating! We're thrilled to know you had a great experience. Your feedback is truly appreciated.
The technicians worked diligently and everything was completed to my satisfaction and on schedule. The manager Ana was transparent and answered all my questions. She was courteous and professional. Thank you!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful review! We are thrilled to hear that you were satisfied with the service and that everything was completed to your satisfaction and on schedule. Our team, including our manager, always strives to be transparent and professional. We appreciate your feedback and look forward to serving you again in the future.
Response from the owner:Thank you for the 5-star rating! We appreciate your feedback and support. We're thrilled to know that you're satisfied with our service.
Very communicative, clean work
Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We're thrilled to hear that you appreciated our communication and the quality of our work. It was a pleasure serving you, and we look forward to assisting you in the future.
I couldn’t have had a better experience not only were they thorough they found so many urgent issues that needed to get repaired without breaking the bank. They were in communication twice a day to give me updates. Super reliable and skilled. I am definitely going to asking for their services once I am ready to make smart home updates!!!! Bid applause goes to Ana, Sam, Javier, and Josue. Not sure what would have done without them!!!!
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your kind words and for sharing your experience with us. We are thrilled to hear that you found our services thorough and reliable. Our team takes pride in staying in communication and ensuring that important issues are addressed in a budget-friendly manner. We look forward to assisting you with smart home updates in the future!
Response from the owner:Thank you for the 5-star rating! We appreciate your feedback and are thrilled to know that you had a positive experience with us.
It’s a very serious and very responsible and the work is very good quality, the team are very hard working I would recommend to everyone. They are affordable, I was satisfied with the work they did, 100% would recommend
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your kind words and for recommending us! We are thrilled to hear that you are satisfied with our work and found our team to be hardworking and responsible. Providing quality and affordable services is our top priority, and we couldn’t be happier to see that reflected in your experience. We look forward to serving you again in the future!
Sam saved me a ton of money !! Partial power went out. Sam recommended calling ComEd first. Problem was a bad electric meter. Power up and running. Net cost to me $ 0.00
Response from the owner:Thank you for taking the time to leave a review and for sharing your experience! We're thrilled to know that Sam was able to guide you effectively and help you resolve the issue at no cost. We always strive to provide honest and helpful advice. Should you have any further electrical needs in the future, don't hesitate to reach out to us!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your 5-star rating! We're thrilled to know you had a great experience with us. If you have any feedback or need assistance, feel free to reach out. We look forward to serving you again!
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for the 5-star rating! We're thrilled to know you're satisfied with our services. Please feel free to reach out if you need anything else.
STS Electric has been a life savior for me! Their electricians are attentive, friendly, and dedicated, always going above and beyond to address the customers needs. I called on a Monday, and was able to get 2 - 3 electricians on the job on Tuesday, the very next day and scheduled throughout the week.

They've done all my rewiring for me, and they do the job in a timely manner. When they work, they put plastic everywhere to make sure my belongings stay clean and not so dusty.

The supervising electrician, Sam, has been absolutely wonderful. He explains everything step by step to me in laymans terms that I can easily understand. Ana who schedules and deals with the finances is super nice and dedicated as well! And the electricians Francisco and José were also very communicative about what work they were going to do and ensured that all my outlets, switches, and new fixtures were located exactly where I wanted them to be with electrical code compliance in mind.

STS Electric is the type of business I know I can rely on in a pinch. Just a really great team with high quality workmanship. I highly recommend this company!
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your kind words and for taking the time to share your experience! We're thrilled to hear that our team was able to provide you with the service you needed and that you found our work to be timely and considerate of your home. We always strive to go above and beyond for our customers, and it means the world to us to know our efforts are appreciated. Your recommendation is an incredible compliment, and we're grateful to have earned your trust. We look forward to being there for any future needs you might have!
Response from the owner:Thank you for the great review and relying on STS Electric for your all electrical services.
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for the wonderful 5-star rating! We're thrilled to hear you had a great experience with us. We look forward to serving you again in the future.
STS really took care of us! Sam and Ana were so attentive and understanding with a very difficult situation. Their advice and expertise allowed my fiance and I to feel safe and taken care of. The service team was also very professional and did a great job. Thanks STS team!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear that our team provided you with attentive and professional service during a challenging time. It's fantastic to know that Sam and Ana's expertise helped you feel safe and well taken care of. We appreciate your kind words and look forward to assisting you again in the future.
Response from the owner:Thank you for the 5-star rating! We are thrilled to hear that you had a great experience with us. If you have any additional feedback or need assistance in the future, feel free to reach out. We appreciate your support!
Super happy with the work done by STS Electric. I called first thing in the morning and they were able to be here by noon. I blew a circuit in the middle of the night and smelt burning. They were able to quickly identify the issue, separate circuits and run new wiring making me once again feel safe and secure in my home. Highly recommend!!!
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your feedback! We are thrilled to hear that we were able to address your electrical issue promptly and make you feel safe in your home. Your recommendation means a lot to us and we look forward to assisting you with any future needs.
Response from the owner:Thank you for the 5-star rating! We're thrilled to know you had a great experience with us. If there's anything more we can do for you, please let us know. Looking forward to serving you again!
Response from the owner:Thank you for giving us a 5-star rating! We're delighted to know you had a positive experience with us. Your support means a lot and encourages us to continue providing excellent service. If you have any further feedback or need assistance, feel free to reach out. We look forward to serving you again. Have a great day!
Response from the owner:Thank you for the 5-star rating! We're delighted to know that you had a positive experience with us. We look forward to serving you again in the future.
Response from the owner:Thank you for leaving us a 5-star rating! We're thrilled to know you had a positive experience with us. We look forward to serving you again in the future.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your positive rating. We're thrilled to know you were satisfied with our service. If you need any more assistance or have questions, feel free to reach out. Have a great day!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your 5-star rating! We truly appreciate your support and are glad to know that you had a positive experience with us. If there's anything else we can assist you with, please feel free to reach out.
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for the 5-star rating! We’re thrilled to hear that you had a great experience with our services. Your support means a lot to us, and we look forward to serving you again in the future.
Response from the owner:Thank you for giving us a 5-star rating! We're thrilled to hear that you had a positive experience with our services. Your support is greatly appreciated, and we look forward to assisting you again in the future.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your 5-star rating! We are thrilled to know that you had a great experience with us. Your feedback motivates us to keep providing top-notch services.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your 5-star rating! We are glad to know you had a great experience with us. We look forward to serving you again in the future.
Response from the owner:Thank you for the perfect rating! We're glad to know you had a great experience. We look forward to serving you again.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your 5-star rating! We are thrilled to hear that you had a positive experience with us. Your feedback motivates us to continue providing excellent service. We look forward to serving you again in the future.
Response from the owner:Thank you for the 5-star rating! We're thrilled you had a great experience. If you need any assistance in the future, feel free to reach out.
Response from the owner:Thank you for the 5-star rating! We're thrilled to know you had a great experience with us. We look forward to serving you again in the future.
Response from the owner:Thank you for the 5-star rating! We're glad to know you had a great experience with us and appreciate your support.
Response from the owner:Thank you for the 5-star rating! We appreciate your support and are glad to know you had a great experience with us. We look forward to serving you again in the future.
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Overall excellent service, from beginning to end, we called STS Electric and got the information we needed in terms of the scope of the job, pricing and time it will take to complete it. It was within our budget and time frame so we decided to hire them for the job. They were super efficient, no headache, came in, scoped everything and start the work, they were done in a few hours and everything worked out perfect. Thanks.
I highly recommend STS Electric. The guys were great. They explained everything to us & did the job in a timely fashion.
⁠The team came to install my ev charger. They were fast and very kind. Would definitely call them again.
If you live in the Chicago area, I strongly suggest you look no further for your electric needs but to go with the best company I have ever worked with. From the office staff, supervisors and technicians are rated 10 out of 5 if that was possible. An amazing service rendered and as a very satisfied customer they will stay with me for all future projects.The detailed and precision of this service was unbelievable. Knowledgeable, courteous and detailed customer care was a plus for me. I had no worries when worked began because I felt I was in safe hands. The results were flawless. I am a very satisfied customer and recommend to all.
STS Electric arrived on time and quickly resolved our electrical problems, and replaced 2 Ring camera/lights devices. I will continue to use him when I need help with electrical issues.
Being first time EV owners, we had quite a bit to learn about the process of getting an EV charger installed in our home garage. Ana was very responsive and arranged for a same day in person consult. Our project manager, Sam, was both friendly and extremely knowledgeable, we appreciated that he took his time with us as we had many questions. After we decided to proceed, they scheduled us within the same week. Our electrician Francisco did great work and finished the project in one day. He even performed the drywall himself. Highly recommend this company!
Sam and the team were great and promptly completed the outlet installation and integration
My STS electrician experience was fantastic, I had them come in to do a few different projects and they were great. I love how the communication (for me, from Ana) is clear, kind, and concentrated on my needs; I love how the guys who came (for me, Francisco and Juan) were talented, kind, listened to my concerns, and just plain got the job done! I'm getting these guys back to do more work, but for now I'll say: You're in good hands.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words. We appreciate your business and look forward to working with you.
Response from the owner:Thank you for the stellar rating! We are thrilled to know you had a great experience with us. We look forward to serving you again in the future!
Response from the owner:Thank you for the 5-star rating! We're glad to hear you had a great experience. If there's anything else we can do for you, please let us know!
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for the 5-star rating! We're delighted you had a great experience with our service. If you ever need assistance in the future, please don't hesitate to reach out.
Response from the owner:Thank you for the 5-star rating! We're delighted to hear that you had a positive experience with us. If you ever need any assistance in the future, feel free to reach out.
Great job always available for quick repairs if needed. Was talked to like a human, which I value.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We're thrilled to hear that you appreciated our service and communication. Your satisfaction is our top priority, and we're always here to help whenever you need us. Looking forward to working with you again in the future!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your 5-star rating! We're thrilled to know you had a great experience. Your feedback is truly appreciated.
The technicians worked diligently and everything was completed to my satisfaction and on schedule. The manager Ana was transparent and answered all my questions. She was courteous and professional. Thank you!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful review! We are thrilled to hear that you were satisfied with the service and that everything was completed to your satisfaction and on schedule. Our team, including our manager, always strives to be transparent and professional. We appreciate your feedback and look forward to serving you again in the future.
Response from the owner:Thank you for the 5-star rating! We appreciate your feedback and support. We're thrilled to know that you're satisfied with our service.
Very communicative, clean work
Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We're thrilled to hear that you appreciated our communication and the quality of our work. It was a pleasure serving you, and we look forward to assisting you in the future.
I couldn’t have had a better experience not only were they thorough they found so many urgent issues that needed to get repaired without breaking the bank. They were in communication twice a day to give me updates. Super reliable and skilled. I am definitely going to asking for their services once I am ready to make smart home updates!!!! Bid applause goes to Ana, Sam, Javier, and Josue. Not sure what would have done without them!!!!
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your kind words and for sharing your experience with us. We are thrilled to hear that you found our services thorough and reliable. Our team takes pride in staying in communication and ensuring that important issues are addressed in a budget-friendly manner. We look forward to assisting you with smart home updates in the future!
Response from the owner:Thank you for the 5-star rating! We appreciate your feedback and are thrilled to know that you had a positive experience with us.
It’s a very serious and very responsible and the work is very good quality, the team are very hard working I would recommend to everyone. They are affordable, I was satisfied with the work they did, 100% would recommend
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your kind words and for recommending us! We are thrilled to hear that you are satisfied with our work and found our team to be hardworking and responsible. Providing quality and affordable services is our top priority, and we couldn’t be happier to see that reflected in your experience. We look forward to serving you again in the future!
Sam saved me a ton of money !! Partial power went out. Sam recommended calling ComEd first. Problem was a bad electric meter. Power up and running. Net cost to me $ 0.00
Response from the owner:Thank you for taking the time to leave a review and for sharing your experience! We're thrilled to know that Sam was able to guide you effectively and help you resolve the issue at no cost. We always strive to provide honest and helpful advice. Should you have any further electrical needs in the future, don't hesitate to reach out to us!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your 5-star rating! We're thrilled to know you had a great experience with us. If you have any feedback or need assistance, feel free to reach out. We look forward to serving you again!
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for the 5-star rating! We're thrilled to know you're satisfied with our services. Please feel free to reach out if you need anything else.
STS Electric has been a life savior for me! Their electricians are attentive, friendly, and dedicated, always going above and beyond to address the customers needs. I called on a Monday, and was able to get 2 - 3 electricians on the job on Tuesday, the very next day and scheduled throughout the week.

They've done all my rewiring for me, and they do the job in a timely manner. When they work, they put plastic everywhere to make sure my belongings stay clean and not so dusty.

The supervising electrician, Sam, has been absolutely wonderful. He explains everything step by step to me in laymans terms that I can easily understand. Ana who schedules and deals with the finances is super nice and dedicated as well! And the electricians Francisco and José were also very communicative about what work they were going to do and ensured that all my outlets, switches, and new fixtures were located exactly where I wanted them to be with electrical code compliance in mind.

STS Electric is the type of business I know I can rely on in a pinch. Just a really great team with high quality workmanship. I highly recommend this company!
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your kind words and for taking the time to share your experience! We're thrilled to hear that our team was able to provide you with the service you needed and that you found our work to be timely and considerate of your home. We always strive to go above and beyond for our customers, and it means the world to us to know our efforts are appreciated. Your recommendation is an incredible compliment, and we're grateful to have earned your trust. We look forward to being there for any future needs you might have!
Response from the owner:Thank you for the great review and relying on STS Electric for your all electrical services.
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for the wonderful 5-star rating! We're thrilled to hear you had a great experience with us. We look forward to serving you again in the future.
STS really took care of us! Sam and Ana were so attentive and understanding with a very difficult situation. Their advice and expertise allowed my fiance and I to feel safe and taken care of. The service team was also very professional and did a great job. Thanks STS team!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear that our team provided you with attentive and professional service during a challenging time. It's fantastic to know that Sam and Ana's expertise helped you feel safe and well taken care of. We appreciate your kind words and look forward to assisting you again in the future.
Response from the owner:Thank you for the 5-star rating! We are thrilled to hear that you had a great experience with us. If you have any additional feedback or need assistance in the future, feel free to reach out. We appreciate your support!
Super happy with the work done by STS Electric. I called first thing in the morning and they were able to be here by noon. I blew a circuit in the middle of the night and smelt burning. They were able to quickly identify the issue, separate circuits and run new wiring making me once again feel safe and secure in my home. Highly recommend!!!
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your feedback! We are thrilled to hear that we were able to address your electrical issue promptly and make you feel safe in your home. Your recommendation means a lot to us and we look forward to assisting you with any future needs.
Response from the owner:Thank you for the 5-star rating! We're thrilled to know you had a great experience with us. If there's anything more we can do for you, please let us know. Looking forward to serving you again!
Response from the owner:Thank you for giving us a 5-star rating! We're delighted to know you had a positive experience with us. Your support means a lot and encourages us to continue providing excellent service. If you have any further feedback or need assistance, feel free to reach out. We look forward to serving you again. Have a great day!
Response from the owner:Thank you for the 5-star rating! We're delighted to know that you had a positive experience with us. We look forward to serving you again in the future.
Response from the owner:Thank you for leaving us a 5-star rating! We're thrilled to know you had a positive experience with us. We look forward to serving you again in the future.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your positive rating. We're thrilled to know you were satisfied with our service. If you need any more assistance or have questions, feel free to reach out. Have a great day!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your 5-star rating! We truly appreciate your support and are glad to know that you had a positive experience with us. If there's anything else we can assist you with, please feel free to reach out.
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for the 5-star rating! We’re thrilled to hear that you had a great experience with our services. Your support means a lot to us, and we look forward to serving you again in the future.
Response from the owner:Thank you for giving us a 5-star rating! We're thrilled to hear that you had a positive experience with our services. Your support is greatly appreciated, and we look forward to assisting you again in the future.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your 5-star rating! We are thrilled to know that you had a great experience with us. Your feedback motivates us to keep providing top-notch services.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your 5-star rating! We are glad to know you had a great experience with us. We look forward to serving you again in the future.
Response from the owner:Thank you for the perfect rating! We're glad to know you had a great experience. We look forward to serving you again.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your 5-star rating! We are thrilled to hear that you had a positive experience with us. Your feedback motivates us to continue providing excellent service. We look forward to serving you again in the future.
Response from the owner:Thank you for the 5-star rating! We're thrilled you had a great experience. If you need any assistance in the future, feel free to reach out.
Response from the owner:Thank you for the 5-star rating! We're thrilled to know you had a great experience with us. We look forward to serving you again in the future.
Response from the owner:Thank you for the 5-star rating! We're glad to know you had a great experience with us and appreciate your support.
Response from the owner:Thank you for the 5-star rating! We appreciate your support and are glad to know you had a great experience with us. We look forward to serving you again in the future.