The Electric Connection’s Blog

Plan Your Lighting Renovation with a Santa Monica Electrician

electriccon_july_6Every spring we plan our summers with trips, barbecues and updating the outside of our homes and the landscaping. The summer is filled with time in the sun taking care of the lawn, planting new flowers and creating gorgeous outdoor spaces that draw us outside to enjoy the beautiful weather. As summer nears the end and we think about fall and the coming winter, our attention turns back inside. Now it is time to take another fresh look at our indoor living space and think about the things we can do to make it a little more attractive, functional and comfortable. One of the options you should consider is a lighting makeover completed by an electrician. Santa Monica homeowners can count on The Electric Connection to help them transform their home by simply changing out a few light fixtures.

Gone are the days when a homeowner had to settle for the typical light fixture in the center of a bedroom or no lights in the living room. Today, modern lighting ranges from very bright to subtle and understated. Kitchen lighting has come a long way as well. Track lights are very functional and provide the entire area with a flood of light. An electrician in Santa Monica can install several tracks or one large one that will provide plenty of lighting for your workspace.

Living rooms don’t have to be dark any more when recessed lighting is installed. This type of light will stay out of the way of the flat screen. The lights are flush with the ceiling and will not hang down, blocking your view. Your Santa Monica electrician can install a couple or several lights depending on the size of the room and your personal preference. When you think about your fall projects, add a lighting makeover to the list and give The Electric Connection a call to make it happen.

Adding a Bathroom with California Electrician

electriccon_july_7One of the biggest complaints homeowners have is the lack of bathrooms in the house. Older homes are often only built with one bathroom. In fact, there are plenty of newer homes that are only built with one bathroom as well, but at least three bedrooms. That seems to be an industry standard—three bedrooms and one bathroom. It isn’t enough for most families. Our lives are busy and we simply don’t have the time to wait our turn in the bathroom. Adding a bathroom is one of the best solutions and it will add significant value to your home, while making your life easier. An electrician in California can help you with the electrical portion, while you or your contractor completes the actual construction. The team at The Electric Connection has a professional staff that will help you fulfill your home renovation project in a timely manner.

When you choose to invest in a bathroom addition, you are getting the luxury of designing the room to your needs. You have plenty of choices to make about the size and whether or not you want it to be a full bath or simply a toilet and sink. Once you have made that decision, it will be time to start thinking about the fixtures. You will need a California electrician to take care of wiring the space with outlets and lighting.

If there is one place that needs extra outlets, it is the bathroom. Your electrician will install as many as you need and because it is the bathroom, GFCI outlets will be your best choice. This can protect against electric shock. No matter if you decide to do the construction yourself or hire a contractor, you will need a certified electrician to complete the electrical work. Give The Electric Connection a call today and schedule your bathroom remodel.

5 Ways to Be More Green by Electrician in California

electricon_06_7It feels good to do something good for our neighborhood and the people we spend time with every day, even if it is from a distance. Doing the right thing and helping out in your little corner of the world gives you a sense of belonging, accomplishment and a little pride. You are doing your part to make the world better. You don’t have to be a trailblazer, a celebrity or someone who is given accolades to truly make a difference. An electrician in California has a few tips for you to use that will have a positive impact on the environment. You can leave the world a little greener. Encouraging your friends and family to follow these practices makes your impact that much bigger. At The Electric Connection, we hope to work with you to make things better.

Going green is trendy. It is cool to be green. Check out some of the things you can do in your house to be a little more green.

1-Turn the AC up 2 degrees and the heater down 2 degrees. Use a ceiling fan installed by an electrician to keep the room feeling cool without using nearly as much electricity.

2-Make it a goal to shorten your hot showers by at least 2 minutes everyday.

3-Use a stand to dry your clothes on the patio, deck or even in a room in the house that tends to be warm. An outside clothesline is also an option.

4-Quit leaving your lights, televisions and music players on when you are not using them!

5-Buy a solar charger and use it to charge your cell phone, laptop and tablet. Consider this baby steps to switching to solar power.

Becoming more energy efficient doesn’t necessarily mean you sit in the dark or don’t use hot water. You can still be energy conscientious without really changing the way you do things today. Give The Electric Connection a call if you need a new ceiling fan installed.

Home Safety by Electrician in Glendale

electricon_06_4It is important you not only feel safe in your home, but are actually relatively safe from most things. We know there are always hidden dangers around us. We can be ready to deal with these things and there are a few little things we can do around the house to help alert us to those safety issues. An electrician in Glendale has some safety tips that will make your home safer and make you feel a little more comfortable and safe when you and your family are home or away. The team at The Electric Connection can help you get these safety measures taken care of.

GFCI Outlets

These outlets can prevent electric shock. They are designed to shut off the instant the circuit is interrupted. These outlets are generally placed in bathrooms and kitchen areas. If an appliance comes into contact with water while plugged in, the outlet trips, cutting the current and preventing shock.

Electric Panel Inspection

It doesn’t hurt to have a Glendale electrician take a look at your electric panel. It may not look like much to you, but to the trained eye of an electrician, it can say a lot. You will learn about the condition of your breakers, the panel itself and the wiring that powers your home. If you have been having trouble with tripping breakers, this inspection will help you learn why.

Carbon Monoxide Detectors

All homes should have at least one carbon monoxide detector installed explains an electrician. Glendale homeowners can install the detectors themselves. They are usually battery-powered and can be placed in the home to alert you to carbon monoxide levels that are too high.

Smoke Detectors

You probably already have a couple of these in your home, but it doesn’t hurt to have a couple hard-wired smoke detectors installed as well. You can never be too safe.

Give The Electric connection a call today and schedule your safety upgrades.

It’s the Little Things Explains Burbank Electrician

electricon_06_3Every single day we take about a hundred things for granted. We just assume it will be there and we assume our lives are fairly free from any major risks. We don’t think twice about listening to the satellite radio or playing a video game on the big screen. We run the dishwasher and grab a cold drink out of the fridge. All of these things are dependent on electricity. Not just electricity, but electricity that is coming into the house in a way that doesn’t pose a threat to you or the structure. These little things are extremely important explains an electrician. Burbank residents need to know what to look for and know the signs of trouble. If trouble is spotted, a quick call to The Electric Connection can things fixed right up for you.

Outlets and light switches are far more important to our daily lives than we give them credit for. You probably couldn’t get through a day without touching one or interacting with it in some way. This is why your Burbank electrician wants to make sure it is safe. Some things that indicate trouble are as follows;

  • Hot to the touch
  • Sparking
  • An electrical shock when you plug something in or use an appliance
  • Black marks up the wall around the outlet or switch
  • A crackling noise
  • Smoke or the smell of burning wires
  • Switch or outlet doesn’t work all of the time

Any one of these small warning signs could indicate big trouble. Don’t let the little things sneak up on you says an electrician in Burbank. Be vigilant. Pay attention and never let a seemingly small or innocent problem go unchecked. Give The Electric Connection a call today if you suspect you may have an electrical problem that needs inspection.

Your Dream Home with a Beverly Hills Electrician

electricon_06_2There are hundreds of empty homes on the market in any given area, but those homes generally have their own list of issues that need repaired. You have to put money into the home to make it suitable for you and your family and in many cases, it ends up being you compromise quite a bit just to get into the home. This is why many homeowners choose to have their home built by a contractor. Having a home built is a dream that is not all that hard to achieve with the many financial options available today. Once you get your financing secured, you will need to pick the various contractors for specific duties, like an electrician. Beverly Hills homeowners can rely on The Electric Connection to get their home electrically ready for them.

There is undoubtedly a lot of work that goes into the pre-planning and then ultimately the building of a new home. Along the way, there are going to be a lot of areas where your input will be needed. It is your dream home after all and every detail matters, right down to where your electrical outlets go. An electrician in Beverly Hills can consult with you to get an idea of what kind of needs you have when it comes to your electrical appliances and the kind of technology you use.

If you have an electric car, it is important you talk with your Beverly Hills electrician and get your charging station all hooked up the right way. This applies to things like a hot tub or heated pool as well, which will all require the expertise of an electrician. It is easier and more cost-friendly to take care of these things now. Give The Electric Connection a call today and learn more about their new home construction services.

Hiring the Right Electrician in Los Angeles: 4 Things to Look For

electricon_06_1Anytime you pay money to a contractor, there are going to be risks. Hiring someone for a job may be a source of anxiousness for you as you try to determine who is going to do the best job in a timely, professional manner without breaking the bank. This is a decision that deserves some time. You will definitely need to do a little homework before you hire anybody to complete a big job that actually puts the safety of your home and ultimately your family in their hands. When you need the right electrician, Los Angeles homeowners can count on the team at The Electric Connection to do a job up to code and up to your high standards.

There are 4 things you should look for when you begin your search for an electrician in Los Angeles.

1-Overall good reviews from people who have used the electrician or company in the past. Checking Angie’s List is one way to get some honest reviews from real people. You will likely find testimonials on the business website as well.

2-Ask around. Businesses have a reputation in the community. Talk with neighbors, co-workers and friends to ask if they have a particular electrician they would recommend. They can give you an honest opinion and the little details you won’t hear anywhere else.

3-Every contractor you hire to perform work in your home should be licensed and bonded. This insures your home is covered should something happen during the course of the work and also protects the Los Angeles electrician. Homeowners can check the status of the license by making a quick phone call.

4-A company that has a good record of showing up as scheduled is also important. Everyone has schedules to keep and one person showing up late can throw it all off. Punctuality and the ability to stick with a completion schedule is very important.

If you are in need of an electrical contractor, give The Electric Connection a call and let them take care of your electrical needs.

Electrical Troubleshooting by a Burbank Electrician

Techician looking over a gas furnace with a flashlight before cleaning it.
Techician looking over a gas furnace with a flashlight before cleaning it.

For many people, electrical work in the home is a bit of mystery. If you are not an electrician and have no desire to learn about all things electrical, there is really no need to worry too much about how the lights in your home work or what it takes to make the refrigerator run. Unfortunately, electrical work in the house isn’t full proof. It can fail and if you have no idea why, you will need the services of an electrician. Burbank homeowners can count on the team at The Electric Connection to take care of any electrical repairs.

One of the biggest mysteries surrounding electrical problems is determining exactly what the problem is. A light doesn’t work or an outlet sparks can mean many different things. It takes a trained professional electrician in Burbank to properly diagnose the problem. Faulty electrical work is not something you want to simply but a band-aid on so to speak and ignore. It is imperative there is troubleshooting completed to correctly diagnose the problem. You need to get to the root cause of the electrical issues to ensure it is taken care of the first time.

Faulty wiring or deteriorating wiring may cause one problem today and three months down the road you are dealing with another safety issue. What if you don’t catch it in time? It is crucial you have any electrical issues promptly diagnosed by a Burbank electrician. It is better to be safe than sorry. Don’t take chances with your family’s safety by having them sleep in a home that could be a dangerous electrical hazard. If you are unsure, you can have an electrical inspection completed to give you a god idea of what is going on as well as diagnose any problems that could be quietly lurking behind the walls. Give The Electric Connection a call today to troubleshoot any electrical issues you are having in your home.

Adding Outlets and Switches? Hire Trained Electrician

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Adding Outlets and Switches? Hire Trained Electrician

There is really nothing more frustrating than putting toast in the toaster, walking away and coming back to what you think will be some warm toast only to discover the appliance wasn’t plugged in. When you have to share outlets in the kitchen, bedroom or living room, it is a lot of extra work. You can’t use this if you want to use that or you have to perform some acrobatic maneuvers to reach the one available outlet. Stop the frustration and call a California electrician to give you a hand. You can have new outlets installed so you aren’t forced to constantly plug and unplug appliances. The Electric Connection has a team of electricians that can help you.

Having new outlets installed by an electrician is something many homeowners are taking advantage of. One of the most common outlet additions is one or two installed halfway up the wall in the living room. With the trend in flat screen televisions and surround sound systems being hung directly on the wall, it eliminates the unsightly cords running down the wall. The mid-wall mounted outlet gives the room a much cleaner look. Adding additional outlets to the kitchen to accommodate all of your appliances will make meal prep a breeze and means you can have several helpers in the kitchen using various appliances at the same time!

You can also have additional light switches installed if that is your issue. Walking into a dark hallway when the light switch is at the opposite end can be hazardous. Having additional switches in rooms with two entries is a safety measure you will appreciate. You will be amazed at the difference a little electrical work can do to improve the functionality and safety of your home. Give The Electric Connection a call today and let our electricians help you make your home life a little easier.

5 Ways to Save Electricity this Summer by Santa Monica Electrician

electricon6_5-16Stay cool as a cucumber this summer without running your electric bill sky high and your finances into the ground. Summer is such a fun time of year that we all look forward to those hot days spent at the beach enjoying the warm ocean breeze. Sometimes, the heat is just too much. We all need a break. We don’t want to be warm all the time, especially when we want to relax or sleep. It is natural to turn the AC down a bit so you can cool down after a long day in the sun. unfortunately, every degree you lower the thermostat is more money you are going to be spending. An electrician in Santa Monica wants you to stay cool and comfortable, without breaking the bank. The team at The Electric Connection has been helping customers like you for years and is here to help.

There are some things you can do this summer to help stay cool without taxing the AC. Your Santa Monica electrician says these are tried and true methods.

  1. Invest in some heavy shades for the windows that get the most sun. Draw the shades when the sun is beating down on those windows to help keep it a little cooler in the room.
  2. Consider investing in window tint on windows that face the south. This allows you to see out without allowing the hot sun to heat the room.
  3. Have a few ceiling fans installed by an electrician. Santa Monica homeowners will love the feel of a cool breeze washing over them when they are in bed at night.
  4. Open the windows at night if the temperature is cool. Giving the AC unit a break can save you a great deal.
  5. Try to avoid cooking with the oven during the heat of the day. Use a crockpot instead.

Stay cool this summer without having to pinch too many pennies. Give The Electric Connection a call today to schedule your ceiling fan installation.