Updating Pool Lighting with Beverly Hills Electrician

Posted on March 24, 2015 | by Kim Hopkins

With spring upon us and summer just around the corner, you are probably itching to get the pool uncovered so you can host the first pool party of the season. Before you do that, you may want to consider upgrading, adding or replacing your existing pool lights. Pool lights add a certain quality to a pool while providing a layer of safety. However, there are several lights to choose from and you need to know which lights are best for your needs. An electrician in Beverly Hills has some tips for you to use when choosing your pool lights. If you have any other questions, you can call The Electric Connection.

There are two main options available for your pool lighting needs; in-ground and above ground. The above ground option is the cheapest. The in-ground tends to be a favorite simply because it provides a more uniform look.

Above Ground Options

Floating pool lights are inexpensive and do not require a Beverly Hills electrician to install. Simply pop the lights in the pool and it is done. The lights are festive, but they can interfere with swimming. You will also not have the benefit of the lights being stationary. It seems they tend to congregate and float to one area of the pool. For soft-sided pools, there are magnetic lights that stick to the side. These are again very easy to install and reliable.

In Ground Options

LED bulbs are extremely bright and will last for around 10,000 hours. The lights are sealed in a waterproof housing. You can expect the bulbs to last anywhere from 10 to 15 years depending on how often the lights are used. Fiber optic lights are another option. However, they do tend to be much more expensive and the bulbs do not last nearly as long. In either case, you would need the pool lights installed by an electrician. Beverly Hills homeowners need to hire a professional to ensure the lights are installed safely and do not pose an electrical hazard. Give The Electric Connection a call today to schedule your pool light installation.

Understanding Light Bulbs with Los Angeles Electrician

Posted on March 24, 2015 | by Kim Hopkins

If you have ever went to the store to buy new light bulbs for the home or garage, you have probably been a little surprised to see an entire aisle filled with a variety of bulbs. It can be a little overwhelming. What kind do you need? Are your current light bulbs adequate or should you be using something else? When you start to read packages and look at various price points, it can all become a little confusing. The cheaper the better seems like a good plan, right? Wrong. You need to understand the differences in light bulbs and what they mean to you and your home. An electrician in Los Angeles, like those at The Electric Connection, will explain.

Incandescent Bulbs

These are the old bulbs we all became used to. You could by a pack of 4 bulbs for around a dollar. Unfortunately, they were simply not energy efficient explains an electrician. Los Angeles residents may be surprised to learn those bulbs would only last about 2 years if you used the bulbs only 3 hours a day. Most of the energy the bulbs used produced heat, which ends up being a fire hazard. These are the bulbs that have been phased out. Yes, you can still buy the smaller incandescent bulbs for your fridge and certain lamps, but they are no longer mass produced.

Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFLs)

These are the bulbs that have replaced the incandescents. They have that swirl shape that makes them difficult to put into some light fixtures and they do take a few seconds to heat up to their full power. The lights are extremely energy efficient and use 75 percent less electricity than the incandescent bulbs. You can save a great deal of money on your electric bill by switching to these bulbs. They also last about 5 times longer. If you have a light fixture that will not accommodate, consider having it upgraded by a Los Angeles electrician. Give The Electric Connection a call today and schedule your lighting upgrade.

Flickering Lights Explained by Beverly Hills Electrician

Posted on February 23, 2015 | by Kim Hopkins

Have you ever been sitting there reading a book and noticed the lights flickering? Maybe you thought it was just your eyes or it didn’t really happen. It wasn’t your eyes. It was very likely your lights. So, why do your lights flicker? A Beverly Hills electrician is here to explain flickering lights and what it means to you and the safety of your home. You can always call the professionals at The Electric Connection if you have more questions or concerns about flickering lights.

It is important to check to see if it is just the light in the living room that is flickering or if it is lights throughout the house that are getting darker and brighter.

Some reasons that your lights flicker are as follows.

1-Bad weather. If there is strong winds or a lightning storm raging, your lights may flicker. This is normal and often an indicator the power may go out.

2-Power to the house is fluctuating. The problem may be with the power coming into the house. You may notice flickering lights during peak hours. This is because there is a higher demand on the power grid than what the grid can handle.

3-If it a single light that is flickering, you may have a problem with the switch or the wiring to the light fixture. This is something that needs to be investigated by an electrician. Beverly Hills homeowners need to understand that a single flickering light is often an indicator of a bigger problem. The bigger problem can lead to an electrical fire.

If you have noticed a single light or random lights flickering at different times, it is a good idea to have an inspection performed by an electrician. This will tell you if there is a problem you need to worry about or you if you simply have a bulb that needs changed. Give The Electric Connection a call today and schedule your inspection.

Outdoor Lighting Repairs with Los Angeles Electrician

Posted on February 23, 2015 | by Kim Hopkins

Are you looking forward to backyard barbecues and evenings outside on the patio this spring? Although southern California doesn’t have to worry about some of the issues that winter normally causes the rest of the country, this winter did bring a pounding of rain that likely affected your outdoor equipment. Your landscape lighting may not have fared so well and before you can really enjoy those warm spring and ultimately summer evenings in the backyard, you need to have your lighting fixed. This is something you can have a Los Angeles electrician do for you. The team at The Electric Connection is here to help you get your yard and the landscaping back in shape for another beautiful spring season.

Overtime, the wiring in the electric lights erodes and you may notice some lights are not working or they flicker. This is something you will want to have taken care of before the entire string of lights shorts out. Depending on the problem, it may be able to be repaired by an electrician. Los Angeles homeowners can opt to have newer, more energy-efficient lights installed in their landscaping or stick with the older ones and just have them repaired. Updating the outside lights is like giving your landscaping a facelift. You can add more dramatic lights to showcase a blooming flower garden or highlight a new water feature.

If you have been considering getting new landscape lights or want to expand the scope of your existing lights by adding new ones or possibly brighter ones, now is the time to do it. Spring will be here before you know it and the hustle and bustle of the summer will quickly follow. Get your outdoor lighting taken care of today so you are ready for that first barbecue. Give The Electric Connection a call today and schedule your lighting appointment.

Upgrading Your Business’s Lighting with Electrician in Los Angeles

Posted on January 14, 2015 | by Kim Hopkins

electrician in Los Angeles can help you bring your business into this electric world filled with brilliant LEDs and attractive lighting. The team at The Electric Connection is ready to help you transform your business by adding and updating your old lighting.

As a business owner, it is important you present a professional appearance in all things. You will want to hire somebody who looks as professional as your image. An electrician doing work in your business should be wearing a uniform that identifies the electrician as a separate employee, but yet, just as professional. When you are meeting with your electrician, you will want to point out what it is you want. The electrician will go about telling you the best way to bring your business’s Los Angeles electrical up to modern times.

If you simply want brighter lights in your work space or maybe you want to add a few more lights to the front of the building to attract clients, discuss this with your electrician. There are plenty of options for you to choose from. You can go with recessed, track or the super bright LED lights. Once you have made a decision about what you want to have done, give the crew at The Electric Connection a call and schedule your lighting upgrade. You will be impressed by the results your new lights have on your business.

New Chandelier–New Room Says Electrician in Pasadena

Posted on November 16, 2014 | by Kim Hopkins | 2 Comments

It is amazing to see the difference a single light fixture can make in your home. A drab entryway and a dull dining room are transformed with the addition of a gorgeous chandelier. You can go big and dramatic or keep it simple and classy. There are so many styles and sizes to choose from you will find the perfect chandelier to create the look you are going for. You will want to have your new chandelier installed by an electrician in Pasadena, like those at The Electric Connection.

Chandeliers are often used as statement pieces in a room. They manage to set the mood in a room simply by being on. If you are going for romantic and quaint, a gorgeous chandelier with some low-wattage bulbs is perfect. Most chandeliers are equipped with dimmers that give you the freedom to turn the lights on maximum power or keep them muted. Large chandeliers equipped with numerous lights are perfect for creating an open and inviting atmosphere, which is why they are often put in large rooms or entry ways. The bright lights encourage revelry and lift the spirits.

Because there is some Pasadena electrical work involved, it is always a good idea to leave the installation to a professional. It is simply too risky to try and install it yourself if you are not familiar with the intricacies of electrical wiring. It would be a disaster to go through the process of hanging the chandelier only to have it not work or to be wired wrong and create a dangerous electrical hazard.

You can hit your typical big box home improvement stores to find the perfect chandelier or check out specialty lighting stores. Once you have found the perfect chandelier for your home, give The Electric Connection a call to schedule the installation.

Perfect Home for You with Electrician in Burbank

Posted on November 16, 2014 | by Kim Hopkins

If you have ever looked for a house with the help of a realtor, you were probably asked to give them your wish list. Once you handed it over, you were probably told something along the lines of you will have to compromise or give this up for that. Your dream home is your vision. To truly have the home of your dreams at a price that works for you, you may need to build it from the ground up. This is the only way you can decide how many rooms you can have and where those rooms are located in the house. New home construction is an excellent way to make sure your dream of owning the perfect home for your family is a reality. You will need the services of an electrician in Burbank to help make it all happen. The team at The Electric Connection has the experience you need when it comes to making sure your dream home is not only beautiful, but wired correctly and safely.

When you choose to go with new construction rather than a turn-key ready home, you are getting the luxury of giving your input every step of the way. It isn’t only the countertops and flooring you will get to choose. You will get to talk with your electrician about what kind of lighting you want in the home as well as outlet placement and data line installation. Building a home around your needs and your wishes ensures the home is exactly what you want.

Working with an experienced electrician to complete all of the Burbank electrical requirements will give you peace of mind your home is being built up to today’s current standards. Take some time researching electricians before you make a hiring decision. You can always count on The Electric Connection to provide you with an experienced electrician who will get the job done right.

Holiday Lighting Issues Addressed by Burbank Electrician

Posted on October 21, 2014 | by Kim Hopkins

heat_related2 (14) Although the holiday lighting season is still at least a month away, you are probably already digging around and planning your decorations for the season. Maybe you have already pulled out some of your Halloween decorations that require electricity and realized you are going to need some work done before it is time to pull out the twinkling lights. A Burbank electrician has some tips for you before you start plugging in your lights this year. If you have any questions, you can call The Electric Connection for help.

One of the most important rules of stringing lights together is not to connect more than three strands of lights. Doing so could overload the circuit and cause the breaker to trip. If you have a shortage of outlets, consider hiring an electrician. Burbank residents can have outdoor outlets installed that are designed to withstand the weather. The additional outlets outside are handy to have all year round. You won’t have to worry about running extension cords.

Speaking of extension cords; only use cords that are approved for outdoor use. Do not use cords that are damaged or have some of the protective insulation covering missing in areas. Wrapping the area with tape to compensate is never a good idea. Invest in the proper extension cord. A cord with several outlets is helpful. However, do not get carried away with hooking up numerous strands of lights are large yard ornaments. If the breaker trips, it is a sign the outlet is overloaded. Move some of your lights to a different outlet.

Outlet power stakes are a great option and many of them are equipped with timers and remote controls that allow you to turn on your lights without ever stepping foot outside. The power stakes are designed to protect the outlets from wet weather.

If you are ready to get your home ready for another holiday season filled with pretty lights, give The Electric Connection a call today.

Fight Winter Blues with Electrician in Pasadena

Posted on September 10, 2014 | by Kim Hopkins

heat_related2 (5) As you prepare to spend a lot more time indoors this winter, it is the time to think about making some home improvements that will make your home a little more comfortable and appealing. If you are going to be holed up inside your home, you want to make it as inviting as possible. Sometimes, a little facelift can totally change the look and feel of a room. A new coat of paint, refinishing the floors and adding new lighting are fairly inexpensive home improvement projects that breathe new life into your old space. If you have ever dreamed about a shiny, glass chandelier in your foyer or dining room, now is a great time to make that dream come true with the help of an electrician in Pasadena. The team at The Electric Connection can help you make your goal of adding new lighting a reality.

Chandeliers range from very basic to very elegant. You will get the freedom to choose the perfect fixture for your home’s personality. Spend some time choosing the right chandelier that is functional as well as aesthetically appealing. Once you have chosen the perfect chandelier, give you electrician a call to discuss placement.

If there is an existing light fixture in the room, it is a fairly easy job of switching the old light out and installing the new chandelier. If there isn’t an existing fixture, you will need to have an experienced electrician take care of any Pasadena electrical wiring needed to power the light. This will be discussed with you. At the time of installation, it is a good idea to have a dimmer switch installed as well. Some chandeliers are equipped with several lights can really brighten up an area. You may not always need that much light. A dimmer will give you the ability to adjust the lighting based on your needs. Give The Electric Connection a call today and schedule your chandelier installation.

Outdoor Lighting Options by Electrician in Santa Monica

Posted on August 13, 2014 | by Kim Hopkins

photo_23_20050923 We love to decorate our landscaping with various ornamental trees, gorgeous flower beds, fountains and various statues. Unfortunately, with the daylight hours already getting shorter, it isn’t always easy to showcase your hard work without adequate outdoor lighting. Homeowners have several choices when it comes to finding the perfect way to highlight various areas in the landscaping. An electrician in Santa Monica has some tips for you to use when choosing the right lighting for your yard. You can call The Electric Connection to learn more about outdoor lighting options.

Solar Lighting

Solar lights are great for those areas of your yard that need soft lighting and get at least 8 hours of full sunlight a day. They are easy to place and are free of wires. Outlining a flower garden or pathway through the backyard or from the driveway to the front door are great ways to use solar lights. However, this particular type of light is not a good idea for areas that are shady or close to the house where they will not get full sun exposure.

Electric Lighting

Electric lights come in a variety of styles and sizes. They can be placed throughout the landscaping, but it will be necessary for you to pay close attention to the Santa Monica electrical requirements. Electric lights in the landscaping are perfect for shady areas that the solar lights are not ideal in. You will need to bury the wiring and have it wired into your home’s main power. A switch can be installed that allows you to turn the lights off and on manually or you can opt to have a timer installed that will take care of everything.

If you would like to have electric landscape lighting installed around your home, give The Electric Connection a call today and schedule your installation.