Home Additions with Glendale Electrician

Posted on August 25, 2017 | by Kim Hopkins

Adding on to your home to make it a little bigger and more accommodating for you and your family’s needs is a typical part of home ownership. Sometimes, you buy a smaller house or a house that isn’t quite what you want with the intention of remodeling it to suit your needs. This is often a cheaper solution and gives you a little more say in what the addition looks like. If you are considering adding on to your home or transforming that big closet into a second bathroom, you will need the services of an electrician. Glendale homeowners can call The Electric Connection to assist them with their home remodeling needs.

Plenty of people choose a DIY approach when it comes to home remodels. Those with some basic carpentry experience can knock out walls or install sheetrock. However, it is never okay for anyone, besides a certified Glendale electrician, to deal with any of the electrical wiring required for the addition. The risk associated with dealing with electricity are far too great and not worth the few extra dollars you may save. Your homeowner’s insurance will also negate any coverage in many cases if the wiring was not completed by a certified electrician.

It is far easier and will give you peace of mind to have an electrician in Glendale take care of new wiring as well as the installation of new light fixtures. This ensures the job is done right and you will know the addition is safe. In most counties and cities, the addition you put on your home will require permits. The inspector will need to inspect any electrical wiring completed. Don’t risk the job not being done right the first time. Give The Electric Connection a call today and schedule your new addition electrical job.

Do You Have Enough Light? Beverly Hills Electrician Answers

Posted on July 23, 2017 | by Kim Hopkins

Are you tired of feeling like you are living in a cave? Or maybe your home seems to be overly bright to the point you have to close the curtains or leave the lights off to save your eyes. How do you know when you have enough light? An electrician in Beverly Hills has a few tips to help you determine how much light should be in a room based on what that room is used for. Certain areas, like the kitchen or bathroom, are going to need more light while other rooms are best with lower light. The team at The Electric Connection can help you take care of adjusting the amount of light in your room once you have decided what you need.

There are a few terms you need to know before we get started. Foot candle is the brightness of a bulb one foot away from the source. Lumens is going to be the number of foot candles multiplied by the square footage of the room. It’s easier than it sounds explain a Beverly Hills electrician.

*Bedrooms typically need about 10 to 20 foot candles
*A kitchen needs anywhere from 30 to 80 depending on how much light to prefer.
*A hallway only needs about 10 foot candles
*A living room does best with 10 to 20 foot candles

Now that you know what you need for each space, multiply your needed foot candles per room by the square footage of that room. For example, your living room needs 20 foot candles and it is 200 squre feet, you would need 4000 lumens. Check the lumens on a particular bulb and you will know if you need more light fixtures. You can add a lamp, track lighting or some recessed lighting to get the light you need by calling your electrician. Beverly Hills homeowners can call The Electric Connection to have more light fixtures installed.

Chandelier Upgrades by Santa Monica Electrician

Posted on July 23, 2017 | by Kim Hopkins

Would you like to have your entryway lighting fixture be one that screams elegance while being functional? If you have always marveled at the homes in magazines or featured in some of those renovations you see on television, you may have noticed the entryway is generally very dramatic. It sets the tone for the home. If you have been longing for a similar update in your home, it can start now with the installation of a gorgeous chandelier by an electrician. Santa Monica homeowners can count on the crew at The Electric Connection to complete the installation.

A chandelier is really a statement piece in a room. You can often let the light fixture act as the only piece of décor and skip adding any artwork. There are many different styles and sizes to choose from, ensuring you will find one that perfectly suits your needs explains a Santa Monica electrician. Do a little shopping online and do what you can to visit the lighting department of your store. The fixture you choose should complement the space, without completely overwhelming it. Large is great, but too large and it will make the space look smaller.

Your next consideration is the amount of light that is actually produced with the chandelier. An electrician in Santa Monica recommends LED bulbs, simply because they are much more energy efficient. You can generally have the chandelier installed with a dimmer switch that allows you to turn up or down the intensity of the bulbs if you have went with a fixture that may be a little too bright for all occasions. However, a dimmer switch will typically not work with a fixture using LEDs—yet. The technology is likely coming, but we aren’t there yet. Give The Electric Connection a call today and let us get your new chandelier installed for you.

Why We Love Recessed Lighting by Pasadena Electrician

Posted on July 22, 2017 | 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.

Electric Safety for Outdoor Projects by Glendale Electrician

Posted on July 22, 2017 | by Kim Hopkins

Summer is the time of year when you want to be outdoors doing something. It is a great time to make your outdoor living space a little better or maybe to build a space. Fixing the deck, taking care of loose fence panels or maybe building the kids that playhouse they wanted are all great ways to spend a couple of days off. Using power tools to complete those jobs makes it a little easier and faster. However, your Glendale electrician wants you to always be safe when working outdoors with electricity. The team at The Electric Connection has a few tips to ensure you stay safe while working on your outdoor projects.

1. Only use an extension cord that is rated for use outside. These will generally be orange, round and have a 3-prong outlet. The cord should be in good condition with no frayed or exposed wires.
2. Don’t use power tools if it is raining out or the ground is wet.
3. Do not string more than one extension cord together says an electrician in Glendale. You will lose a little electricity and risk damaging your power tools by trying to use a low current.
4. Make sure your outdoor outlets are protected from the weather. The outlets should also have ground fault circuit interrupters. If they don’t call an electrician. Glendale homeowners can have new, safer outlets installed that will protect them from an electric shock.
5. Pay attention to your surroundings. If there are powerlines over head, be extremely careful when moving ladders or carrying tools that may come into contact with the lines. If you are going to do any digging, call your electric company to have a quick inspection for any buried cables.

Outdoor projects are a fun way to spend your summer days. Don’t let a project turn into a safety nightmare. If you have any questions or need those outlets installed, give The Electric Connection a call today.

What Uses the Most Electricity? Los Angeles Electrician Reveals Answer

Posted on July 22, 2017 | by Kim Hopkins

If you have a goal to use less electricity in your home, you need some information to help you make the best choices. Saving electricity can save you money while lessening your impact on the power grid and using resources. There are little things you have heard for a long time that can help save on electricity, but how much are you really saving? If you want the biggest bang for your buck, you need to know what electrical devices in your home are sucking the most electricity. An electrician in Los Angeles has the answers you need. If you have more questions, feel free to call The Electric Connection.

1. Your air conditioner or furnace is by far the biggest energy hog in your home explains a Los Angeles electrician. Turning the AC up a couple of degrees and relying on a ceiling fan can save you a great deal of money in the summer. Dress in layers in the winter and lower the thermostat to save money.
2. The water heater is the next big offender. Shortening the length of your showers, turning off the water when you are wiping down counters and lowering the temperature on the water heater can all reduce your energy usage.
3. Your clothes washer and dryer are right up there. Only wash full loads and when possible, use cold water. Air drying your laundry when possible can save you a significant amount of money.
4. Lighting is the next big one and is probably one of the easiest to manage. If you haven’t done it yet, switch your bulbs to LEDs says an electrician. Los Angeles homeowners will be pleased to learn LEDs use a fraction of the energy of a traditional bulb.

These are your four main culprits. Find ways to reduce their usage and you can save big on your electric bill. Give The Electric Connection a call if you need a new ceiling fan installed.

How to Be Greener by Beverly Hills Electrician

Posted on June 23, 2017 | by Kim Hopkins

beverly hills electrician It is hard to miss the condition of our planet and the fact that resources are being depleted at a rapid rate. Even if you are not convinced the earth is headed for destruction, you have to feel the pinch in your wallet at the rising cost of certain necessities like electricity and water. These resources are being stretched thin. If you have ever heard of the green movement or noticed business and products touting they are going green, you may be intrigued. If you would like to get on board the green movement, there are a few small things you can do to contribute. Your electrician in Beverly Hills has a few tips that will help you go green while saving money on your electric bill.

Get rid of those old and outdated incandescent light bulbs. Go with LED when you can. LEDs will last much longer and only use a fraction of the electricity of the old bulbs.
Take shorter showers. Shaving off even a few minutes from your hot shower can reduce the amount of hot water you use by several gallons explains a Beverly Hills electrician.
Use a ceiling fan, especially in the summer, to circulate air through your home. This will reduce the demand on your air conditioner, which will save you money by using less energy. If you don’t have one or could use more fans installed throughout the house, call an electrician. Beverly Hills homeowners will appreciate the cool breeze a fan brings.
Stop washing small loads of laundry and half full loads in the dishwasher. Wait until you can do full loads to save water and electricity.
Turn off the drying cycle on your dishwasher. The dishes will air dry. Use a towel if there are any spots of water left.

Going green doesn’t mean you have to use solar energy or walk to work. Every little bit helps. Give The Electric Connection a call today if you need a new ceiling fan installed.

When Light Fixtures go Bad by Pasadena Electrician

Posted on June 23, 2017 | by Kim Hopkins

pasadena electrician It 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.

Symptoms of a Bad Electric Panel by Glendale Electrician

Posted on June 23, 2017 | by Kim Hopkins

glendale electrician Electrical problems in your home can be tough for the average person to diagnose. You only know the symptoms and not the cause. Some symptoms can indicate a whole slew of potential problems, making it difficult for you to determine what exactly is wrong. You could be dealing with a minor problem with an appliance that has nothing to do with your home’s electrical or it could be something far bigger. The best option is to rely on an electrician in Glendale to diagnose the problem. You can call the team at The Electric Connection to set up an appointment for an inspection. From there, one of the trained professionals can determine the exact cause and what is needed to fix the issue.

There are a few warning signs that can help point to a bad electric panel that will need to be upgraded or replaced by a Glendale electrician.

*Breakers seem to trip often and without any real cause. This could indicate a bad breaker or signify a much bigger problem happening within the electric panel.

*If you smell burning wires coming from the general area of the panel, you have a serious problem and need to call an electrician. Glendale homeowners will want to avoid using electricity in their home until the panel can be checked out.

*If a breaker is reset after tripping, but it trips again a few minutes later, it is likely a problem with the electric panel.

*A panel that is more than 20 years old should be inspected just to make sure it is still operating safely. There are some panels that have been proven to be dangerous. These were installed in the 80s and early 90s. Your Glendale electrician can tell you if your panel is one of the brands known to cause issues.

If you are simply not sure whether your electric panel is safe, call The Electric Connection for an inspection to determine if there is anything to be concerned about.

Out with the Old Electrical by Burbank Electrician

Posted on June 23, 2017 | by Kim Hopkins

burbank electrician Did you know the electrical outlets and light switches in your home can go bad over time? They may not have any obvious signs of wear, other than some yellowing, but they can certainly become dangerous if not taken care of. Outlets and switches are easily overlooked in a home because they are so common. We take the fixtures for granted and tend to ignore them altogether, which can be extremely dangerous. We may be overlooking warning signs that indicate there is a fire hazard brewing or an electrical shock waiting to happen. An electrician in Burbank can change out your old outlets and switches to ensure your home is as safe as possible. You can rely on the team at The Electric Connection to get the job done right.

Homes that are older than 20 years or so are not likely equipped with the much safer GFCI outlets in the kitchen and bathroom areas. This should be a job at the top of your Burbank electrician‘s list. These outlets can help prevent an electric shock if an appliance happens to come in contact with water. A typical outlet would allow a short circuit, which could cause a fire or shock a person who was touching the appliance. The GFCI outlet will instantaneously cut power to the appliance the very second the circuit is interrupted, preventing a shock or a fire.

Light switches that are loose or feel warm to the touch should be replaced as well. Over the years of turning the switch off and on, the tiny wires that connect it to the main power can loosen. If you suspect this may be the case, have the switch inspected by an electrician. Burbank homeowners will feel much safer with updated outlets and light switches in their home. Give The Electric Connection a call today and schedule your appointment.