Tag: pasadena electrician

How Long Can A Pasadena House Rewire Take?

Posted on | by K Hopkins

pasadena town hallWhen it becomes necessary to rewire your Pasadena house, you might have several questions about the project. One of the first things homeowners want to know is how long the house rewire takes. It’s important to know this, especially because of the disruptive nature of the project.

What happens during a house rewire?

A rewiring project involves replacing damaged or old wiring in the home with new and updated wiring. If you’re extending or renovating your home, you will need both new wiring and improvement on the existing wiring.

Depending on your specific needs the Pasadena house rewire can also involve upgrading your electrical panel and new installations.

The project is messy and involves two stages. In the first stage, old cables and wiring are removed and new ones installed. The second stage is where everything is properly fitted and made live.

Full home rewires usually happen when the house is empty. But for some homeowners, it’s preferable to stay in one room while the work goes on in other rooms.

At the end of a rewiring project in your Pasadena home, you will have a reliable electrical system that can serve your needs as a modern home.

How long can a house rewire take?

Several factors affect how long a house rewire may take. They include:

  1. Scope of work – Rewiring may mean changing your electrical wiring for a new one, but the scope of work often differs for every home. If you live in an old home, you might need an electrical panel upgrade, new installations like changing outlets, GFCI, and so on. Even for modern homes, an electrical panel upgrade can become necessary for higher capacity. Faulty electrical components will also be repaired during a house rewire. So these make up the scope of work that influences how much work is to be done plus how long it would take.
  2. Will you stay in the home during the project? – A Pasadena house rewire can move much faster if you vacate the home during the project. Staying in the home means the electrician will have to restore power every night or even while working in the day. It’s a bit more stressful having to limit the work environment during rewiring and this can slow down the work.
  3. Size of the property – A single room rewire can be completed much faster than an entire house. Houses with smaller sizes also take less time than bigger houses to complete a full rewire.
  4. The number of contractors working – It takes more than one electrical contractor to complete a house rewire and the bigger the scope of work or size of your home, the more electrical contractors you’ll need. The number of electricians can affect how long the work takes. More electricians typically mean the project moves faster.

Other factors include time taken for preparation and so on. A full house rewire takes an average of 5-10 days or more to complete. Only your electrician who has seen the home and knows what is involved can give you a more specific time range for your project.

Pasadena House Rewire Tips

Posted on | by K Hopkins

electrician pulling wires through wallIf you stay in your Pasadena house long enough – especially an old home – you will have to rewire sooner than later.

A house rewire comes with benefits that outweigh the complexity of the project.

It helps to reduce the risk of life or property in your Pasadena home, renew your electrical connections, and bring your home up to today’s electrical codes. Rewiring your home can even help you save on things like your home insurance premium, the electrical bill, and future electrical spending.

Here are some quick things to note about a Pasadena house rewire-

  • This project differs greatly from your usual electrical needs in that a house rewire usually takes a few days.
  • House rewiring is not a suitable DIY project because it’s complex and dangerous for inexperienced hands.
  • Within the time of your house rewire, different parts of the house will be without electricity.

Tips for rewiring your Pasadena home-

Upgrade the electrical panel

This might already be part of your house rewiring project, but if not, you should consider it. Upgrade your electrical panel to one with a larger capacity. This can save you money and the stress of actually doing it all over again in the long run. If your home is an old house, it might run on a 60amps panel which is dangerous and insufficient for a modern house needs. ‘

Upgrade to at least 100 amps but up to 200 amps is much better as a way of future-proofing your wiring.

Think months to years ahead.

House rewiring in Pasadena isn’t something you do often. Rewiring a home is only necessary under certain conditions that often take a long time. So it’s best to get it right now. Consider future-proofing your home by thinking ahead to appliances you might install with time. Homes are growing smarter if anything so, wiring for WI-FI, sound, lighting, pool, gadgets, and so on can be included. Discuss this with your electrician before the project starts.

Don’t hire just anyone

The electrician in Pasadena you hire will determine the success of the house rewire. For your safety and to get value for your money – because house rewires do cost significant sums – make sure you don’t hire just anyone.

Hire a licensed electrician who is recommended by others. Ensure that the electrical contractor is familiar with your case. If you live in an old home, hire someone who has rewired old homes. Get a detailed contract and proof of certifications like insurance before signing and paying the deposit.

Get the installations right

The electrician must include some basic installations during a house rewire. They include three-pronged outlets, GFCIs, and dedicated circuits. Don’t cut corners on these as they are relevant for your safety.

Figure out clean up

You will probably have a messy home on your hands after the house rewire. You can avoid this by planning ahead. Discuss with your electrician about clean-up as some contractors can make arrangements for that. If not, plan to either DIY or hire a cleaning team.

 

LED Lighting by Pasadena Electrician

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

Natural lighting is typically the lighting of choice in any room. Unfortunately, it isn’t always possible to have enough windows in a space to provide the natural light you need to make a room look bright and airy. Adding more light fixtures helps, but it can’t quite take the place of natural light. Most lightbulbs cast tinted colors in a room, depending on what kind you are using. An electrician in Pasadena suggests you try using LED bulbs to achieve the right amount of lighting. The team at The Electric Connection can take care of any new lighting fixture installations you may need to accommodate the bulbs.

LEDs, unlike the other energy efficient lighting choice, the CFL bulb, are a clear, bright light that is as close to natural light as you can get. Incandescent bulbs tend to cast a yellowish color while the CFL can cast blue hues. Now, you can buy daylight bulbs, but they are not going to be as bright as the LEDs. LEDs are extremely bright and clear says a Pasadena electrician.

One of the biggest benefits to going with the LED lights is the energy savings. This particular lighting choice only uses a fraction of the electricity that the other lighting options use. You get more light with about eighty percent less energy. Another benefit, is the LED lights are cooler, which is especially beneficial in the warm summer months. You can have your lights on and not worry about the light producing heat and making your AC work harder explains an electrician. Pasadena homeowners can expect to pay more at the store for the LED bulbs, but they last nearly twenty-five times longer. That means you will be buying less bulbs in the long run and making up for the cost. If you have any questions or would like new light fixtures installed, give The Electric Connection a call today.

Electrical Home Safety Checklist by Pasadena Electrician

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

It is a good idea to give your home an electrical inspection every month to identify any potential hazards. It doesn’t take a lot of time and can become a part of your normal routine once you know what you should be looking for. Often times, the signs of an electrical problem are in plain sight, but many people simply don’t know they are warning signs and they are ignored. Your electrician in Pasadena wants you to be safe and has a quick checklist for you to follow. If you would like an electrical inspection by a professional, you can call The Electric Connection.
1. Start by looking at every light switch in your home. This is fairly straightforward. Look at the wall surrounding the switch. If you observe browning around or on the switch plate, it is a problem. Look on the wall to see if there are any black streaks as well. Do this for every outlet cover in the home as well. It’s a good idea to even check the outlets that are covered by furniture explains a Pasadena electrician.
2. Turn on a light switch and listen closely. A humming sound or something that sounds like a bowl of Rice Krispies is a warning sign and the light or outlet should not be used. Turn off the breaker to stop all electricity from flowing to the potentially hazardous switch.
3. Are all switches and outlets working properly? A light fixture that doesn’t turn on, even with a new bulb could have an electrical short. Outlets that only work on occasion are also hazards.
4. Does an outlet feel loose or wiggle when you are plugging in appliances? This is another problem that needs to be immediately addressed by an electrician. Pasadena homeowners will want to stop using the outlet until it is fixed.

This quick checklist can catch a problem before it becomes a serious shock hazard or an electrical fire. Give The Electric Connection a call today to remedy your electrical issues.

Electric Panel 101 by Pasadena Electrician

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

You have probably seen it a hundred times, but how much do you really know about your home’s electric panel? If you are having some difficulties with the electric in your home, you probably know the electric panel is, because you have dealt with tripping breakers. So, just what does the electric panel mean to you? An electrician in Pasadena, like those at The Electric Connection, will give you a brief overview of an electric panel and why it may be time to upgrade your existing panel to prevent any further electrical problems in the home.

The electric panel is the main source of electricity for your home. It is the hub. The electricity flows from the main power pole outside into the electric panel. From there, one main breaker is used to essentially direct the flow of traffic to the many smaller breakers in the panel explains an electrician. Pasadena homeowners that seem to be tripping breakers likely have too little electricity coming in for their power needs. When the breaker trips, it is usually due to it being overloaded.

Having a Pasadena electrician install more breakers to help lighten the load on one particular breaker is an excellent option. An additional breaker can support additional outlets in a room that will keep one breaker from supporting all the electrical demands. However, in order to do this, there must be enough electricity coming in through the main breaker. If there isn’t, you will need to upgrade the panel to bring in more electricity from the outside pole. This is something that can be determined by an inspection. Give The Electric Connection a call today and have your electric panel inspection done to see what you can do to make your home a little more functional for you and your needs.

Bad Outlets by Pasadena Electrician

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

Electrical outlets are so common in a house, they can be easy to overlook. Because we all know how important electricity is to our daily lives, it makes sense you would want to make sure it is there when you need it. You also want to make sure it is safe. Electricity is a necessity, but it is risky when not used properly or when the wiring moving the electricity through the house is damaged or faulty. It isn’t all that uncommon to come across a bad outlet in a home explains an electrician. Pasadena homeowners can rely on the professional team at The Electric Connection to take care of any bad outlets around the house.

There are a few key signs you need to know so you can identify a faulty outlet before it becomes a serious problem.

1. Black streaks that shoot up the wall or down are a bad sign. If possible, turn off the breaker to the outlet and call an electrician in Pasadena to replace the outlet right away. An outlet that has these streaks can cause a fire whether there is anything plugged in or not.
2. If you smell burning wires, which tends to have a metallic, rubber smell, cut power to the outlet and call for service.
3. If an outlet doesn’t work at all, it is likely because the wires have either become disconnected or have no electricity running to them. Both are bad signs and need attention.
4. Snapping, crackling or other sounds coming from within the wall where the outlet is placed could be a sign of slow burning. Cut the power and get a Pasadena electrician to take a look at the wiring.
5. Outlets that are loose and wiggle need to be securely fastened to keep the wires from jiggling loose and possibly sparking a fire.

If you have noticed any of these signs, give The Electric Connection a call to take care of the problem for you.

Basement Game Room by Pasadena Electrician

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

Have you always dreamed of having a nice, comfortable man cave? Or maybe you have teen kids living in the house who would love an area that can gather. If your basement is sitting empty and filled with nothing but boxes and cobwebs, it is time to consider a basement remodel. This is a great way to add value to your home while making your home more functional for your family. An electrician in Pasadena, like those at The Electric Connection, want to help you make the most of every square foot possible.

There are many possibilities when it comes to utilizing your basement as actual livable square footage. An office, game room, craft space or even a play area are all great ways to make your house feel much bigger. Imagine being able to clear out a crowded bedroom by placing extra toys, shelves and what not in a beautiful living space downstairs. Your Pasadena electrician can work with your contractor to ensure you have plenty of outlets, proper lighting and even phone and data lines. Having recessed lighting installed during the construction process is an excellent way to maximize ceiling height in a basement.

It is important you leave all of the wiring to an electrician. Pasadena homeowners will want to ensure their remodel is safe and up to code. This is also a great time to get an idea about the condition of your existing wiring as most of it tends to be exposed in the basement. Depending on the size of the area and what exactly you hope to achieve with your remodel, it may be necessary to add additional breakers to your electric panel. If you are thinking about making the most of your basement, give The Electric Connection a call today and get an idea of what will be needed for your electrical requirements.

Wiring Hazards to Watch for by Pasadena Electrician

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

It can be difficult to know when the wiring in your home is not up to today’s current safety standards. It is a concern for many homeowners because of the serious dangers involved with faulty wiring. Home fires are often the result of bad wiring and in many cases, the homeowner wasn’t even aware there was a problem until it was too late. It only takes a small spark to cause a devastating fire. A spark happens when wires touch and in the right circumstances, the insulation pushed against the wires will go up in flames. Your Pasadena electrician has some information that can help you identify these hazards. You can always rely on the service at The Electric Connection for professional electrical help.

Some of the biggest clues are as follows;

*The age of the home. If it was built before 1960, you are likely dealing with outdated wiring—unless you know the electrical has been updated by an electrician in Pasadena.

*Flickering lights could mean a short. Shorts are bare wires that are not connected properly and could create a spark, igniting a fire.

*Outlets that don’t work suggest the wiring behind the outlet is not connected, which could be a serious fire hazard.

*Breakers that constantly trip for no obvious reason could mean a number of things, but it is always best to have it investigated.

*If you notice the smell of burning wires, which tends to be very distinctive, you have a problem that needs checked out.

These are some of the more obvious signs. If you suspect your wiring isn’t safe, call an electrician. Pasadena homeowners will appreciate an inspection by a professional that can identify any potential problems, making your home safer. Give The Electric Connection a call today and schedule your electrical inspection or have your faulty wiring repaired right away.

Why We Love Recessed Lighting by Pasadena Electrician

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

Recessed lighting has been a trend in new home construction for the past decade or more. It only seems to be getting more popular with home renovations as more people discover the benefits to the sleek lighting system. People may also be unaware of some of the variations of recessed lighting that are available. It really is a great way to light up your entire home. Your Pasadena electrician has a few points for you to consider as you think about updating the lighting in your home. The team at The Electric Connection can answer any other calls you may have about installing recessed lighting throughout your home or in a single room.

1. The reflective can that surrounds the actual lamp helps direct the light, making it appear much brighter. Instead of light flooding the area, it is directed in one space. A single bulb in a recessed lighting can looks significantly brighter than a traditional fixture.
2. There are different sizes of cans, which means you can tailor the size of the fixture to your needs.
3. You can choose from a variety of trims to match your décor explains an electrician. Pasadena homeowners can choose a reflective trip or ring around the light or go with one in a particular color. This is one way to make a room unique and showcasing your personal style.
4. Most recessed lighting fixtures are compatible with LED bulbs. This a great way to save electricity and take advantage of the brighter, cleaner light of an LED.
5. You can choose an “eyeball” trip, which allows you to direct the light in a particular direction. This is especially handy in living rooms and dens when you don’t want a light shooting directly on you. This style is perfect for highlighting artwork in a room.

Your electrician in Pasadena can help you pick the right light for your needs by offering some tips. Once you are ready to update your lighting, give The Electric Connection a call to have it installed.

When Light Fixtures go Bad by Pasadena Electrician

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

pasadena electricianIt is a real bummer when something around the house breaks and it isn’t an easy fix. Things like a broken toilet, busted pipe or anything to do with the electrical in the house require someone with knowledge and experience to fix the problem. Things that are necessary, like plumbing and light fixtures cannot be ignored. They are an intricate part of the way your home runs. If you have a light fixture that is not working or just isn’t working for your needs, give your Pasadena electrician a call. You can rely on The Electric Connection to send out a certified electrician to take care of the removal of the old fixture and installation of the new one.

Here are some signs a light fixture is not working as it should and needs to be replaced:

*Flickering lights or lights that randomly turn off and on are one sign. This could just be an indicator of loose wiring. In either situation, the fixture needs to be inspected and possibly replaced by an electrician in Pasadena.

*Light bulbs seem to be blowing at a much faster rate than they should.

*You put a brand new bulb in and it won’t light up, even after you have tested the bulb in a different fixture.

*You flip the switch and nothing happens. This is more likely a problem with the switch, but again, it is always best to have it checked out by an electrician. Pasadena homeowners can avoid serious problems simply by paying attention to electrical problem warning signs.

If you suspect you have a light fixture that is not working, it is time to do something about it. Light fixtures are relatively inexpensive. It is better to be safe than sorry. Give The Electric Connection a call today and schedule your light fixture replacement.