The Electric Connection’s Blog

Avoid House Fires with Electrician in Burbank

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

electriccon_09_3A home fire is one of the most terrifying, disastrous events that can happen to a homeowner. Losing everything is a fear that many of us have. We take steps to insure our family members can escape a home should the unthinkable happen by installing smoke detectors. While it is no secret a home fire can be devastating, some may not be aware of how preventable a home fire truly is. An electrician in Burbank can help you prevent a fire in your home. If you would like to learn more, the team at The Electric Connection can help.

Holiday Lighting

Sadly, at a time when homeowners are trying to be festive, they are putting their homes at risk with holiday lighting. The problem is overloaded circuits can create heat and/or a spark. For those that use real trees, the trees can dry out and become tinder. The smallest spark can set off a fire. Light strands that are in poor condition are another huge risk. Always inspect your lights before stringing them up. If you need to upgrade circuit breakers to accommodate your lighting needs, call a Burbank electrician.

Cooking Fires

Everybody has experienced a stove top fire at least once. Unfortunately, some of those minor fires can quickly turn into huge fires. It is important you practice caution while cooking. Having a smoke detector installed can alert you to any pans that may start smoking, giving you the chance to extinguish a fire before it becomes a big one.

Electrical Wiring

Faulty wiring is a huge issue and is almost always going to end badly. If you suspect your wiring is outdated or possibly substandard, call an electrician. Burbank homeowners can call to have an electrical inspection to identify any potential hazards. This is your chance to head off any issues before they become a major, potentially life-threatening problem.

Call The Electric Connection today and schedule your electrical inspection to give yourself peace of mind about the safety of your home’s wiring.

Dimmer Switches Save Money Says Pasadena Electrician

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

electriccon_09_5Sometimes, it truly is the little things that make a difference. When you are relaxing at home after a long day at work, you don’t necessarily want or need full on light. Maybe your eyes are tired and you just want a little light to sit by. That isn’t possible if you only have a single switch that has the lights full on or all the way off. A dimmer switch can eliminate that problem. It gives you full control of the light emitted from your bulbs. It is a quick and easy fix that can be taken care of by your electrician in Pasadena on a single visit. The professional staff at The Electric Connection can take care of your dimmer installation.

There are plenty of reasons you should have a dimmer switch installed.

*Save money on your electric bill. When you have things like chandeliers with several bulbs in them and each of those bulbs is on full power, you are going to run up your electric bill. With numerous bulbs, you rarely need each of them at full power. A Pasadena electrician can install a dimmer switch that lets you control how much light you shed. The lower the light, the more money you will save.

*Extend the life of your bulbs. You can make your lightbulbs last longer when you use a dimmer switch. As you know, some lightbulbs can get rather expensive. Making a bulb last a year or more will save you money while doing something great for the environment.

*Freedom to use your lights to set the mood is a huge perk to having a dimmer switch installed by an electrician. Pasadena homeowners will appreciate the ability to turn the lights down low to create an intimate, quiet setting or turn the lights on full power when it is necessary.

Dimmer switches are an affordable way to create an entirely new look in every room of your home. If you need a new fixture to accommodate your dimmer switch, this is an easy fix for an electrician. Give The Electric Connection a call today and schedule your dimmer switch consultation.

Fall Outdoor Lighting with Beverly Hills Electrician

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

electriccon_09_2The air is changing, the kids are back to school and it won’t be long before we embark on the busy holiday season. With the rush to get the kids to school, attending various sports events and keeping up with life in general, your landscaping and upkeep will likely take a back seat. With summer coming to an end, outdoor barbecues and family football games will be few and far between. However, on those rare events when you do have some downtime and want to enjoy the outdoors, you will need outdoor lighting. Your electrician in Beverly Hills can help you with that. The team at The Electric Connection knows how important your time is and is ready to help you take care of your outdoor lighting project.

With the fall and winter seasons, daylight is in short supply. Having adequate outdoor lighting becomes a necessity. It isn’t something you can actually do without. A Beverly Hills electrician can complete the installation of electric lights around your landscaping and in areas where there is high traffic. Your front walkway area, driveway and back patio or deck are all places that will be a little safer and more inviting with light. Lighting up your shrubs is also a safety measure that ensures animals and humans are not lurking in the darkness.

Solar lights are quick and easy, but they simply do not provide the steady, bright electric lights that are installed by an electrician. Beverly Hills homeowners will appreciate the clean look a professional installation brings. The ease of having a timer installed on the lights is another benefit to hiring an electrician. A timer ensures the lights are on when you get home. You don’t have to walk through the dark to turn them on. Give The Electric Connection a call today and schedule your outdoor lighting installation.

Updating the Kitchen with Los Angeles Electrician

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

cap_09With fall on the horizon and all of your outdoor duties winding down, it is time to take a look around the inside of your house. Fall and winter means there will be plenty of opportunities for indoor entertaining. Your kitchen is the center of that entertainment and you will want to have it in excellent condition as you prepare for holiday feasts and celebrations. A kitchen upgrade, update or remodel is an excellent way to get you ready while improving the value of your home. You will of course need an electrician in Los Angeles to help you with your kitchen update. The team at The Electric Connection is familiar with all aspects of remodels and upgrades and ready to help.

There are plenty of little things you can do that will give your kitchen a more modern look while making it more functional. You don’t always have to go with a huge remodel that includes putting in new cabinets and countertops.

*Lighting is a huge factor in the overall look and feel of a room. A Los Angeles electrician can replace old lights and add new ones that brighten up the space while making it look brand new.
*New appliances are another way to give a kitchen an entirely new look. With new appliance installation, it is a good idea to have the old outlets and breakers inspected by an electrician. Los Angeles homeowners will want to make sure their new appliances will last a while and having the proper electrical connections will help.
*Hardware on the cabinets is another quick and easy trick to making a kitchen look a little different. This is a quick job you can do yourself in just a few hours.

*Adding LED lighting under the cabinets is an excellent way to brighten up your countertops and give your kitchen a whole new look.

Kitchen upgrades are always appreciated by the cook in the house. Anything to make meal prep a little easier and enjoyable will be accepted with gratitude. Give The Electric Connection a call today and schedule your kitchen upgrades.

Transform Your Home with an Electrician’s Help

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

Do you know one of the quickest ways to transform a room? Changing the lighting is one way to give a room an entirely new look without having to change the furniture or paint the walls. Of course, doing those two things will create a very dramatic effect. An electrician can help you achieve a new look in a single day. It is that simple. All you need to do is call The Electric Connection.

Creating a whole new look by changing out a single light fixture is actually a lot of fun. Head to your favorite home improvement store and spend some time browsing the lighting section. Looking online at different lighting techniques will also help give you some ideas of what you may like. When you are thinking about a lighting change with the help of a qualified electrician, consider these things;

What is the primary activity in the room; reading, watching television, entertaining, eating, cooking?
Is there artwork that you want to highlight?
Is there plenty of natural light?
How high is the ceiling? Would a hanging light be in the way?
Do you want the light to be a focal point or statement piece?

Talk with your electrician about what you are looking for in a new lighting scheme. Your electrical contractor can give you some valuable advice about what will work best and what should be avoided. Lighting has come a long way in the last 20 years. You are not longer relegated to the standard fixture in the middle of the room. There is recessed lighting, track lighting, brilliant chandeliers and a variety of unique fixtures. Along with the different styles of fixtures, you also have the option to switch to the energy-saving LEDs, which your electrician can explain in more detail. Give The Electric Connection a call today and schedule your lighting transformation.

Are Sparking Outlets Dangerous? Santa Monica Electrician Explains

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

electriccon_08_6Have you ever plugged something into an outlet and sparks fly—literally? Little sparks or a lot of sparks accompanied by a popping sound can be scary and it shouldn’t be taken lightly. There are minor sparks and major sparks. An electrician in Santa Monica will explain why outlets spark and what it means for you and your safety. If you have any more questions, you can call The Electric Connection.

A blue arc that occurs when you first plug in an appliance, is not generally cause for concern. You are seeing that blue arc because the appliance is immediately drawing electricity from the outlet. The electricity that is flowing through the wires behind your walls and to the outlet is moving pretty quick. When you make that connection between appliance or lamp and outlet, it is kind of like static electricity explains a Santa Monica electrician.

Now, a spark that happens while an appliance is plugged in is a serious concern. This means there is a break in the connection somewhere along the line. It may be the cord to the appliance or it could be the wires to the outlet. Bare wires that come into contact with each other or touch anything else can spark, causing a fire. This is an issue that should be repaired immediately by an electrician. Santa Monica homeowners should shut off the breaker to the outlet that is sparking and call for service.

Another cause for sparking could be water. If an appliance comes into contact with water, the water interrupts the flow of electricity and creates a spark. This is obviously very dangerous. Water and electricity do not mix—ever. Consider having GFCI outlets installed in areas where water and electricity are in close vicinity to each other, like the bathroom or kitchen. Give The Electric Connection a call today and schedule your outlet repair.

Electrical Inspections Explained by Glendale Electrician

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

electriccon_08_4If you have recently purchased a home or are in the home-buying process, you know there are a series of inspections that are required or recommended. One of those inspections may be an electrical inspection by a certified electrician in Glendale. The inspection is designed to give you an inside peek at what lies behind the walls of a home. If you have lived in your home for some time and have never had an electrical inspection, it may be a good idea to have one done. The team at The Electric Connection can help you get that scheduled.

If you have never seen an electrical inspection or are unsure as to what they encompass, this information will help you understand a bit more.

A Glendale electrician will inspect the electric panel, the breakers and look at the wiring that is visible in the panel. The electrician may also remove a light switch cover plate and have a look to see what the wiring looks like. If you have any exposed wiring in the attic or basement, make sure you point it out for the electrician. Glendale homeowners who have exposed wiring will want to have it taken care.

Once the inspection is complete, the electrician will write up a report about the findings. If there are things that are hazardous, they will be outlined and explained. Electric hazards should be resolved as soon as possible. Your electrician will also note things that are not necessarily hazardous yet, but should be taken care of at your earliest convenience. Any code violations will be pointed out. In some cases, failure to have a house brought up to code leaves you vulnerable should there be a fire or injury caused by wiring that is not up to code.

Give The Electric Connection a call today and schedule your electrical inspection whether you are buying, selling or plan on staying in your house for years to come.

Quick and Easy Ways to Lower Your Electric Bill by Pasadena Electrician

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

electriccon_08_5Your electric bill may not be a problem for you, but wouldn’t it be nice to have a few more dollars in your pocket every month? Imagine if you could save even ten dollars every month. You could set it aside and put towards a fund to buy something that you have been wanting or buy an extra latte. No, it isn’t a lot, but you never know when a little extra cash will come in handy. And, it isn’t just ten bucks. It could end up being much more if you follow these tips presented by your Pasadena electrician. The team at The Electric Connection is here to help you find out how you can save.

*Your biggest energy hog is going to be your air conditioner or furnace in the winter. You don’t have to cook or freeze, but you can turn it up a bit in the summer and down a bit in the winter. Throw on a comfy sweater during the winter so you can keep your furnace setting lower. In the summer, keep the blinds closed and run a ceiling fan to help stay cool without cranking the AC up.

*Lighting is the second biggest use of electricity in your home explains an electrician. Pasadena homeowners can slash their electric bill by turning off lights when not in use. Switching to LEDs is another quick and easy way to save some cash.

*Turning down your water heater a few degrees will also save you a great deal of money. If you are not sure how to do this, call an electrician in Pasadena to take care of it for you. Most people are heating water to a temperature they can’t actually use and end up turning on the cold water to cool it down.

These three quick ways can save you money every month. You will see the savings on your next electric bill. Give The Electric Connection a call if you have any questions or need help taking care of any electrical issues.

Understanding the Cost of Plugging In by Beverly Hills Electrician

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

electriccon_08_2Have you ever looked around your home and really taken a look at the outlets? Probably not. It isn’t something we spend a lot of time thinking about or focusing on. We need something and we plug it in and it is forgotten. Unfortunately, all that stuff that is plugged in is costing us money whether we are using it or not. It is a little difficult to tell just what it is that is draining the electricity and running up the electric bill. An electrician in Beverly Hills is ready to explain it to you so you can better manage your energy consumption. It is important to realize that everything that is plugged in is pulling electricity, whether it is on or not.

Let’s look at some of the most common appliances in a home and see just what they are costing you. You will be surprised by some explains your Beverly Hills electrician.

*Your television uses about 5 watts plugged in, but not on. That adds up to about .37 a month.

*Your DVD player is using about 4 watts, which costs about .29 per month.

*The microwave when not in use, uses about 3 watts for a total of .22 per month.

*The XBOX, Playstation or Wii is actually only pulling about 1 watt while it is plugged in costing you a grand total of .07 per month.

*A cable TV converter or box is a big one, it is costing you .80 per month by pulling in 11 watts.

These are just a handful of the most common devices in a household. Now, most households have more than one TV, cable box and DVD player says an electrician. Beverly Hills residents that want to save even a couple of dollars on the electric bill can unplug these items when not in use and save a little money. For more information, call The Electric Connection today.

Is Outdoor Recessed Lighting a Good Idea? Pasadena Electrician Answers

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

electriccon_07_5With the latest trend of installing recessed lighting in the interior of a home, many homeowners are wondering if the lights are a good option for outside as well. Recessed lighting offers many benefits and it just makes sense to take advantage of the latest and greatest lighting systems on the inside and outside of your home. The fixtures can be installed by an experienced electrician in Pasadena in a single day typically. That means you will be enjoying your new outdoor lighting that evening! You can call The Electric Connection to find out how soon you can schedule your lighting installation.

Check out some of the benefits to having recessed lighting installed on the outside of your home by a Pasadena electrician.

They don’t take up any room
They can light up dark spaces along stairways and under roofs
LEDs make it possible to place the lights almost anywhere
Lights are flush and do not hang down, interfering with plants or at risk of being broken

Hiring an Electrician

Although the lights are fairly simple to install, it is best to have the installation completed by a professional electrician. Pasadena homeowners won’t have to worry about ensuring the lights are properly insulated from the elements. There is also an issue of the light touching insulation. There will need to be a hole cut into the home to install the light and it is important it does not create a fire hazard by touching wires or insulation.

There are several styles of lights to choose from. You will want to choose one that is right for your needs. Recessed lights with reflective trims tend to be brighter and are a great option for areas that are particularly dark. Check out your home improvement store to get an idea of what you want and then give The Electric Connection a call and schedule your installation.