The Electric Connection’s Blog

Los Angeles Recessed Lighting

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

recessed lightingYou might be wondering, “why choose recessed lighting?” Well, when it comes to both residential and commercial properties, recessed lighting is one of the most versatile choices for lighting a room. Installed recessed lighting, also known as recessed cans or can lighting, can not only help bring unique lighting to your home but can also stay hidden and blend into the design of your room. It’s highly customizable to fit into any space – even outdoors.

There are many different names for recessed lighting: can lighting, downlight lights, recessed cans. It gets its name from the way it is housed. The housing units for recessed lighting look like cans – it’s metal and cylindrical and recesses into the ceiling.

When to Install Recessed Lighting

It’s best used where hanging fixtures just won’t do but looks good pretty much anywhere. It can also be used to highlight the features in a room as well as use a spotlight. Our customers especially love using recessed lighting in their kitchens to help illuminate the countertops. There are so many options out there, the only hard part is deciding what recessed lighting for kitchen.

Which Recessed Lighting Is the Best

If you’re wondering which recessed lighting to install in your home, consider a few things first…

Decide what you are trying to accomplish. Recessed lighting might not be the best bet for you if you are trying to light a large dining room that features a giant dining room table. For this, perhaps a nice chandelier would be a better fit. Recessed lighting is better used when there is little space.

Figure out how much space you have. Recessed lighting comes in all different shapes and sizes. Determining how much space will allow you to purchase the right fixtures the first time.

Consult with an electrician. Electricians are experts at installing recessed lighting. If you have a project that you’re running into issues with, considering consulting with an electrician to move the project along.

Recessed Lighting Issues

If you are having issues with currently installed recessed lighting, you might need an electrician to come out to take a look. There are many reasons that recessed lighting would not be turning on so it’s best to contact an electrician to have them troubleshoot the problem.

When it won’t work with your design or budget there are alternatives to installing recessed lighting. Consult with an electrician to determine the best lighting fixtures to buy. Be sure to mention where you want to install the lighting, how much space you have available, what your budget is, and the overall look of the room. They will be glad to come up with some options for you to choose so you can have the best looking home around.

The Electric Connection has been advising customers on the best lighting solutions for their homes for over 30 years. Installing recessed lighting in residential homes is our specialty. Be sure to visit our lighting page, here, to learn more about all we have to offer. Do not hesitate to contact us with any questions!

Importance of Bathroom Fans

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

You might be thinking, “do I need a fan in my bathroom?” The answer may surprise you. In addition to keeping the bathroom from getting too hot, a bathroom fan actually has many benefits. The first purpose of installing a bathroom fan is to keep the moisture out of the room. The fans can also help remove odors as well as remove fumes from cleaning materials that might pose health issues.

Where to Install Bathroom Fan

bathroom fanThere is actually a lot that goes into deciding where to install a bathroom fan. If you have a smaller bathroom, this may be an easy decision, but larger bathrooms require some thinking and math. Design architects and builders work hard to ensure that bathroom fans are placed in the right spot not only for safety and proper ventilation but also for the aesthetics.

The most important aspect of finding a place for the bathroom fan is finding the right size fan. So, what bathroom fan do you need? It must be big enough to ventilate your entire room or else it’s purpose is diminished. There is a simple math equation that helps determine the size of fan you need for your bathroom. Simply take the volume of your room (the cubic feet) and then multiply that by 8 (which is the number of exchanges of air per hour). Take this sum and divide it by 60 which will result in the required CFM, or cubic feet per minute, you need for the room.

Once you know which bathroom fan to buy, finding the right spot is pretty easy. Heat rises and the primary function of the fan is to reduce the moisture in the room so the best place for the fan is in the ceiling that is the highest from the ground. You should also place the fan near the element that is creating the most moisture or odor. Do not just place the fan in the middle of the room, it should be placed either over the toilet or the tub. Remember that fans placed over a shower or tub must be rated for where they are located and protected with a GFCI.

When To Install A Bathroom Fan

If you currently do not have a fan in your bathroom, you might want to consider installing one. This will help remove the moisture and unpleasant odors. Without a bathroom fan, you might find yourself cleaning the bathroom more. You might even be faced with a mold problem if the moisture can’t escape properly.

When To Replace A Bathroom Fan

When your bathroom fan starts acting up, how do you know if you need to replace it? Repeated use of any device can cause it to fail over time, but fortunately there are some warning signs to look out for.

  • Odd noises or sounds. Loud throbbing or clanking can mean that the bearings are starting to fail or the blades are not aligned properly. It’s important to realize that most bathroom fans cannot be repaired properly so they must be completely replaced. Since the unit is sealed, it is impossible to grease the bearings so when they stop working the unit must be replaced.
  • Power up time. If you are noticing that the fan is starting slower and slower it may be time to replace it. Sluggish or slow startup times means the unit is starting to fail.
  • No power. When you turn on the fan and nothing happens, this might be a big sign it has failed. If you have access to check for power, do so, but it might be time for a replacement. The electrician you call to replace it can give you a more accurate diagnosis.

Bathroom fans are a great addition to any home, almost a necessary one. Any electrician can help you decide which one to buy and where to place it. Be sure to ask for references before you have an electrician visit your home.

The Electric Connection is proud to serve the people of Los Angeles and the surrounding areas. We have been installing bathroom fans for over 30 years. Our electricians are licensed and insured to bring you the best services in the area. Give us a call today to get on schedule.

Los Angeles Home Electrical Inspection

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

home electrical inspectionThere are certain times when an electrical home inspection is recommended. If you are just purchasing a home it’s a good idea to have it inspected so you can be sure you’re not buying into any major issues. When you have lived in your home for a while or if it is an older home, an inspection is a great idea to ensure that everything is running properly. Finally, if you are adding an appliance or doing any large renovations, you should have you electrical checked out to make sure that it can handle the new technology you’re bringing into your home.

To get the best results, a licensed electrician must perform this home electrical inspection service. The electrician will be able to perform several tests on your electrical system whereas a homeowner or buyer can only visually inspect it. When you hire an electrician for this safety procedure, you can be sure they will have the tools necessary to perform the job as thoroughly as possible.

Why Is A Home Electrical Inspection Important?

The NFPA, or National Fire Protection Agency, reports that between 2007 and 2011 there were more than 144,00 house fires caused by electrical failure. Many of these could have been prevented if a simple inspection had been completed. A home inspection can reveal electrical issues such as deficiencies or fire hazards.

What Does A Home Inspection Consist Of?

Many electricians offer an inspection of home electrical system as a service. Most electricians have a standard checklist for electrical home inspections. It can vary from contractor to contractor but at the least the following should be performed:

  • Verification grounding is present
  • Light bulb wattage verification
  • Inspection of switch and outlet operations
  • Examination of ARCIs
  • Make sure there are no shock hazards present
  • Verification of lighting safety
  • Proof of surge protection
  • Smoke and carbon monoxide detector testing
  • Electrical panel inspection
  • Review of outdoor electrical system

Once the inspection is completed, an electrician will provide you with a detailed report concerning your electrical system. The more serious issues will be listed first. After the inspection is completed, the electrician will walk you through the issues that are present in your home. He or she will provide instructions on how to proceed with any dangerous problems that might be in the report.

Home Inspection for Electrical DIY

A licensed electrician in necessary to have an official report but if you want to just check the safety of your home you can visually inspect the major problem areas.

The first place to look is your electrical panel. This is where your home gets its power from. It’s the grey or metal box that has all the fuses or circuit breakers in your home. When inspecting your panel be sure to note the age, any wear and tear, or any dark or smokey debris. If you notice that the panel is older and outdated, it may be time to have a panel upgrade performed.

Next, check out the wiring in your home. This one might be a little more tricky as most of the wiring inside your walls. If you have an attic or a crawlspace that is easily accessible, see if you can see the wiring that way. Knob and tube wiring or aluminum wiring pose potentially hazardous settings in a home. Be sure to call an electrician to inspect this wiring if you find it.

Any outlets that are near water must be fitted with GFCIs. This includes outside outlets as well as those near sinks or tubs. Be sure to check them periodically to ensure the safety features are working.

Inspecting your home electrical system yourself can save money but will not be as thorough as an official home electrical inspection done by a professional electrician. If you have any concerns, please contact a professional to inspect your home.

The Electric Connection has provided homeowners with safety inspections for over 30 years. We are proud to service the Los Angeles area. Homeowners and businesses are encouraged to call The Electric Connection for their next electrical project. We are happy to help! Learn more about our electrical inspection services here.

House Rewire Warning Signs & Things to Consider

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

los angeles house rewireHow can you be sure that a house rewire is necessary? The wires in your house deliver the electricity throughout your entire home so you need to be sure that you get advice from the experts. Fortunately, there are few things you can check out before you call any electricians out to your house.

The first thing to consider is the age of your home and electrical panel. If your house is over 50 years old, there’s a good chance it needs to be rewired. At the very least you should have the wiring in your home inspected by a professional. Homes over 50 years old may contain knob-and-tube or aluminum wiring. These types of wiring are outdated and can potentially pose extreme dangers.

Other warning signs that you may need a whole house electrical rewire include:

  • Circuit breakers that are tripping frequently
  • Blown fuses
  • A burning smell that won’t go away
  • Sizzling sounds without apparent sources
  • Outlets or switches that look discolored or charred

If you are noticing any of the signs above, it’s probably a good time to call your electrician to schedule an inspection. Many electricians are happy to provide customers with whole house rewire estimates. This can be a very large investment so it’s important to call around to find multiple estimates for the job.

It is fortunate, though, that rewiring a home is usually a once-in-a-generation expense when done right. It’s important to weigh the risks versus the expenses when considering this project. Improper or outdated wiring can cause many issues including fires so it’s a job that shouldn’t be put off too long. A report by the US Fire Administration states that from 2010 to 2014, 45,210 home structure fires involved electrical malfunctions or failure. Annually this led to 420 deaths and over 1,300 injuries. These fires also caused $1.4 billion in property damages.

House Rewire: Things to Consider

You might be thinking, ‘what is a full house rewire?’ Well, it’s much like it sounds. Rewiring a home involved removing as many of the old wires as possible to make room for wiring that is not only new but also up to date. Non-metallic wire, or Romex, is used because it is generally safe and easier to work with. It won’t get hot when it is surrounded by insulation.

The new wiring can be installed by tearing out walls to run the new wires and then sealing the new installation behind drywall. This can be very expensive and may take a bit of time to complete. The fewer walls that need cut the less the job will cost. If the wiring can be run through a crawlspace or attic this is ideal for keeping down the cost.

Another option electricians may choose is to take the wiring and fish it through the walls with rods and thin metal, called fish tape. This is usually used in older homes to keep up the integrity. Instead of tearing down walls, small holes are made and then patched up. Using this method helps preserve the plaster walls.

When a house is being rewired, it is almost always recommended to also upgrade your panel. Older homes generally have a smaller capacity panel but when you rewire your home you’re allowing for more conveniences which might put more strain on your panel. If your home has a 60 amp panel, it’s a good idea to update it to 100 amp. This will allow you to bring more comfort into your home without the worry of tripping circuits.

Whether you need a new light fixture installed or are getting your whole home rewired, choosing the right electrician is very important. Don’t just hire the cheapest person on the market – be sure to do research and get multiple bids from professionals. In the end, it will be worth it to know that your house rewire job was done safely and correctly.

You local electrician at The Electric Connection can perform whole house rewires with ease. Our technicians have the expertise and experience necessary to get the job done correctly and quickly. Click here to learn more about our house rewire services or give us a call at (818) 446-0888.

Finding The Best Electrician in Los Angeles

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

find the best electricianFinding a good electrician can be a tough job especially in a city as big as Los Angeles. There are many repairs around your home that can be done by yourself, but electrical work is something should probably be left to the professionals. Many times electrical work is not an everyday occurrence and most of the time it’s not planned. Home and business owners can often find themselves unsure of where to look to find a reliable electrician that is licensed and insured. It is important to do research and confirm that the electrical contractor you find has the appropriate credentials before making a disastrous mistake.

How To Find The Best Electrician

Finding a qualified electrician to get your job done in Los Angeles may seem like a daunting task but there are many ways to make sure the one you hire is dependable, honest, and true. Follow these steps to find a local electrician near you.

  1. Ask for recommendations. If you are having a lot of work done in your home or business and have found other reliable contractors – ask them if they have anyone in mind for the electrical work that needs to be done. In more emergency situations, ask friends or co-workers if they have any recommendations for electricians. Word of mouth is one of the greatest sources for advertisement. If an electrical contractor has done good enough work to stick out in someone’s mind, they might be a respectable contractor.
  2. 2Talk with your potential electricians. If you’re wondering how to choose the best electrician, make sure to ask a lot of questions and discuss what the electrician can and cannot do. Many electrical contractors specialize in different fields. For example, one electrician may specialize in residential work, while another works more in commercial. Before you bring on an electrician to a project, make sure they have the experience necessary to get the job done.
  3. Inquire for their license number. It is important that your electrician has the proper credentials to work in their state. Every person who performs electrical work in California must have an appropriate license. Ask for their license number and then check it on the State of California Department of Industrial Relation site. If it comes up as not valid, this may be a huge red flag.
  4. Make sure the electrician has insurance. This may not be a requirement for the state but you should choose an electrician that has liability insurance just in case an accident happens on a job site. If damage happens in your home, insurance will help cover it. Workers’ compensation insurance is required when the company classifies its workers as employees. You can always call the insurance provider to make sure that the company’s policies haven’t lapsed.
  5. Look into references. Checking references or reviews is a big must and very helpful. In addition to recommendations, references are another great source of finding out how well an electrician’s work really is. Be sure to ask about the quality of work done as well as if the job was completed in a timely manner. You can contact your chosen electricians to ask for references or check out their reviews. A good electrician will often have a review section available on their website. Yelp and Google are also excellent places to look.
  6. Check for any complaints. There are many websites you can check to see if a complaint was filed against your potential new electrician. Websites like the Better Business Bureau or the Prime Buyer’s Report compile lists of complaints against electricians and show if they were resolved as well as what was done to fix the issue.

Deciding which local electrician is the best for you can seem like a long process but in the end it will be well worth it to know that your new electrician is trustworthy and reliable. Once you have chosen an electrician to perform your job, be sure to take time to leave a review. If you have a positive experience with them, keep in touch so that you can be sure that all future electrical jobs will be completed in a well timed and honest manner.

The Electric Connection has over 30 years of experience working in the Los Angeles area. With 100s of positive reviews and many video testimonials, we are certain we can perform the electrical work you need done on your next project. Click here to learn more about our company or call us at (818) 446-0888.

Lighting 101 by Electrician in Santa Monica

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

If you are redesigning a room in your house, it is important you look beyond the paint color on the walls and the type of flooring in the room. You need to take a long, hard look at the lighting. It isn’t just about replacing tired, old fixtures. It is about making a room pop with the just right amount and right style of lighting. There is no one size fits all when it comes to lighting. Each space requires something a little different explains and electrician. Santa Monica homeowners who are ready to revamp their space with a new lighting look will want to call The Electric Connection to take care of the lighting transformation.

One of the most important considerations for changing up the lighting in the room is determining what the area is going to be used for. This will decide how much and what kind of light you need to make it gorgeous and functional. Using fixtures that match the décor is also an important deciding factor.

Entryways and hallways that have little to no natural light will benefit from lighting directed at the walls and ceilings. Recessed lighting with medium brightness is perfect for these areas says a Santa Monica electrician. Kitchens deserve all the lighting you can put into the space. Bright LEDS on a track lighting system are a perfect choice. You can add some pizazz by installing pendant lights over a center island.

Living rooms are typically best served with a medium to low light scheme. Use table lamps for areas where you need additional light for reading or other focused tasks. Ceiling fans with adjustable lighting are a good choice in this area suggests an electrician in Santa Monica. Have some fun picking out fixtures and then give The Electric Connection a call to have them installed.

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.

10 Reasons to Call a Glendale Electrician

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

Owning a home can be an exciting adventure. However, owning a home comes with the knowledge you are going to have to invest in the home on almost a monthly basis. It doesn’t matter how new your home is, you are going to run into issues that require you to hire professional help to resolve. While many homeowners prefer to handle as much of the maintenance and upkeep on the home themselves, there are time when problems should absolutely be left to the professionals. Anything having to do with electricity in the home should always be left to an electrician. Glendale homeowners can count on The Electric Connection to provide timely, professional service when they need it.

The following are a few reasons to call a Glendale electrician.
1. Installing new ceiling fans or light fixtures.
2. Electrical shorts that are causing breakers to trip on a regular basis.
3. The smell of burning wires or obvious signs of burning on or around light switches or electrical outlets.
4. An installed light fixture in a room isn’t working or only works on occasion. If the lights flicker or make a buzzing or cracking sound you need to call an electrician in Glendale.
5. If you are transforming a room into an office and need additional outlets.
6. An outlet is dead or not working.
7. You are planning a remodel or upgrade to your kitchen.
8. If your home is older and you are concerned about outdated wiring, an electrical inspection is a great idea.
9. You have an electric car and would like to have a charging station installed in your garage.
10. Your existing electric panel is not providing enough electricity to the home to make it fully functional.
These are just a few of the more common reasons to call a professional electrician. When in doubt, give The Electric Connection a call and talk with a professional.

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.

Lighting Tips by Electrician in Glendale

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

Does your home need something different, but you just can’t quite put your finger on it? Maybe you want to give it a facelift or make it feel more inviting. Seeing the same thing day in and day out can get a little old and boring. Your electrician in Glendale has a few tips that may inspire you to switch up the lighting in a room to achieve a fresh, new look. The team at The Electric Connection can take care of the installation once you have chosen your new fixtures.

1. Have a Glendale electrician add dimmer switches to give you more control over the amount of light in the room. You can go from bright and cheery to dim and romantic with the slide of a switch.
2. Pendant lights are a great way to decorate a room while adding light. The pendants come in a wide variety of styles and colors. You can add a little flare to a space with the right pendant. These are great choices over a kitchen island, a reading area or even a mantle. The heights are adjustable which makes them very versatile.
3. Adding undercabinet lighting is an excellent way to bring in focused light that doesn’t crowd a room. Small LED strips mount under a cabinet and are completely out of the way.
4. Focus on your entryway lighting says an electrician. Glendale homeowners will be surprised at the difference this makes. You can go bold with a beautiful chandelier that sets the tone for the entire home.
5. Use chandeliers to create focal points in a room. Chandeliers are not just for the dining room. You can add them to a master suite or a sitting room. The light fixture becomes a functional centerpiece.
Lighting a home doesn’t have to be boring or run-of-the-mill. Have some fun picking out the right fixtures for your home and then call The Electric Connection for the installation.