Home Fires Preventable by Electrician in Santa Monica

Posted on November 17, 2014 | by Kim Hopkins

If you have recently purchased or inherited a home, you may be excited to move in and start your new life. Before you do, take a few moments to consider the safety of the home. If it is an older home, it may need some work done to bring the home up to code. An electrician in Santa Monica will need to do an inspection to evaluate the current status of the electrical wiring. From there, you will know what needs to be done to make your home safe and insurable. The team at The Electric Connection has the electrician you need to make this happen quickly.

Recently, the US Fire Administration released some alarming statistics about home fires in the United States. These statistics are based on 2012 numbers.

• Home fires caused more than $5.7 billion in damages
• 2,380 people were killed in these fires
• 12,875 people were injured as a result of these fires
• 14 percent of all home fires were caused by heating equipment (2011 statistic)

When you look at these figures, it is alarming. We depend a great deal on electricity. We don’t want to live without it. You don’t have to. It is about learning to be safe and making sure your Santa Monica electrical work is up to code. Electrical wiring is constantly evolving and being made safer. If your home is more than 50 years old, you probably need an upgrade if it hasn’t been done in the past 10 to 20 years.

Do what you can to make your home as safe as possible by calling an electrician to complete an inspection. Sadly, homes that have had an unlicensed electrician do the electrical work may not be eligible for a homeowner’s insurance payout in the event there is a fire. Don’t risk it! Give The Electric Connection a call today and schedule your electrical safety inspection.

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.

Remodels In Time for Holidays with Electrician in Beverly Hills

Posted on November 16, 2014 | by Kim Hopkins

Are you planning on having lots of family and friends over this holiday season? Maybe you are hosting a lavish party or a quaint dinner party. Whatever the case may be, wouldn’t it be nice if you had a little more space or if your kitchen was setup a little differently to make cooking for a large party easier? There is no better time to remodel your home. Consider it an early gift for yourself. A gift that will add value to your home while making it a little more enjoyable for you to live in. If you are ready to make that basement remodel or kitchen remodel happen, now is the time. Your electrician in Beverly Hills, like the team at The Electric Connection, is here to help.

You will likely need to hire a contractor to do the remodel. It makes it easier and you can keep up with your busy life. A remodel will involve some Beverly Hills electrical work. Whether you are tearing down walls, adding on a room or moving appliances around, you will need an experienced electrician to complete the wiring portion of the remodel. Meet with the electrician and discuss what it is you need. If you need extra outlets on one side of the room or would like data lines in a certain place, communicate that to your electrician.

It is important you choose an electrician who will work well with your contractor. Being licensed to perform the work is also an important factor. Remodels will require permits from your county building department. You want to make sure the wiring passes inspection the first time. By hiring a qualified electrician you can ensure the process will go smoothly and your remodel is finished in time for the holidays. Give The Electric Connection a call today and get started transforming your home.

Reduce Your Los Angeles Electric Bill

Posted on November 15, 2014 | by Kim Hopkins

Wouldn’t you like to keep your hard earned money in your pocket rather than pay it out on excessive electric bills? Californians get used to mild weather, but when those cold temps blow in, they are a real shock to the system. Your first reaction is to reach for the thermostat and crank it up. Unfortunately, if your home isn’t ready to ride out a cold snap, you could be paying double or triple what you really need to be to keep your home warm. These are some tips from your local electrician in Los Angeles to help retain the heat from your furnace in the home and save you money on your electric bill. The team at The Electric Connection is here to help.

• Spend some time adding weather stripping around your doors or windows. It is sold in a roll with self-sticking tape on one side. Simply peel and stick. This one little thing can block cold drafts from coming in as well as prevent your hot air from seeping out. During the summer, you can keep your air conditioned air in and the hot air out.

• If you have sliding glass doors or French doors, consider investing in heavy curtains. Again, these are great for the summer and winter months. You can block the cold by covering large windows with heavy curtains.

• Have your furnace or heat pump maintained. Keeping filters clean and the unit in good working order can save you a lot of money in repair costs as well as keep the unit operating in prime condition.

You don’t have to pay a lot for your Los Angeles electrical bill when you do these three simple things. You can reduce your heating and cooling bills by taking care of the little things around the house. If you have any more questions, give The Electric Connection a call today.

Electrical Troubleshooting with Santa Monica Electrician

Posted on October 22, 2014 | by Kim Hopkins

bigstock-Business-Colleagues-Working-At-43128436 There are times when you may think there is something wrong with your home in general. Your lights may flicker or burn out quickly or you can’t seem to get the toaster to work when it is plugged into a certain outlet. It can be difficult to determine if it is an appliance, a faulty light fixture or just one of those flukes that happens. You need a Santa Monica electrician to help you troubleshoot a problem that could turn out to be an electrical situation that requires a professional to handle. When you need help with the electrical problems in your house, you can count on The Electric Connection to provide you with the service you need in a timely manner.

Flickering lights are actually a signal that there may be some faulty wiring behind the walls that you cannot see. It is important the light fixtures are checked by an electrician. Santa Monica homeowners who notice lights that flicker, intermittently shut off or fixtures that go through bulbs quicker than normal should call an electrician. There is a chance the wiring to the fixture is exposed. This can be a serious risk for an electrical fire.

Breakers that trip often are also indicators of a bigger problem. The breaker may be weakened and need replacing or upgrading. This is something that will need to be evaluated by an electrician. If the home is more than 50 years old, the wiring may be outdated. Cloth wiring was commonly used in construction of homes before 1950. Today, we know that type of wiring isn’t safe and overtime, it can become an electrical hazard.

If you notice anything suspicious or smell burning wires or see black streaks shooting up the wall above an outlet, call an electrician right away. Taking quick action can save you the devastation of losing everything in a home fire. Give The Electric Connection a call today and take care of any electrical troubleshooting needs you have.

Power Outage Tips by Pasadena Electrician

Posted on October 22, 2014 | by Kim Hopkins

lightbulbs (4) Cold weather and winter storms are often to blame for power outages. It seems like when you need your heater the most, it will be rendered useless by a power outage. The power may go out for a number of different reasons. An accident, a severe storm or mechanical failure are all possibilities. You never know what may happen. A Pasadena electrician has some tips for you to keep handy just in case the power goes out this winter. If you have any more questions, you can always call The Electric Connection.

• Unplug your small appliances, computers, Smart televisions, gaming systems and any other items that have sensitive electrical components. Leaving items plugged in could damage them when the power comes back on. A small power surge can fry the electrical components. You can reduce or eliminate this risk by having a whole home surge protector installed by an electrician. Pasadena residents can save themselves a great deal of money on damaged appliances with one of these inexpensive tools.

• Call the power company hotline to determine how long the outage is expected to last.

• Shut the doors to any rooms you are not using to keep the heat in one area. Put on extra layers of clothing to stay warm.

• Pull out flashlights and candles if the power outage happens in the evening. Emergency candles are different than the typical decorative candles and will put out more light.

• Instruct everyone in the house to leave the refrigerator and freezer doors closed. Your food will stay cold for 4 hours in the fridge and up to 24 hours in the freezer.

If the idea of dealing with a power outage does not thrill you, you could always invest in a standby generator. These handy tools will keep your home powered and allow you to continue on with your life without any interruption. Give The Electric Connection a call today to learn more.

Finding the Right Glendale Electrician

Posted on October 22, 2014 | by Kim Hopkins

bigstockphoto_Construction_Worker_2047015 There are times when you simply can’t or shouldn’t do certain repairs around your house. Not everybody is trained or cut out to take care of all the little jobs that arise. You need to hire a professional from time to time. One of the professionals you will likely need on occasion is a Glendale electrician. If you have never used an electrician or have had a bad experience in the past and are looking for a new one, how do you know what to look for? The team at The Electric Connection has been helping folks out for years and is here to help you as well. The following characteristics are what you should look for when you need to hire an electrician to take care of work around your home.

• Good reputation-ask your friends, neighbors and family members if they have used a particular company. What was their experience? Do some checking online as well. Angie’s List is a great place to start.

• Professional-an electrician that shows up at your door should look and act professional. A clean uniform is a good sign of a professional contractor. If you are bringing an electrician into your business, a professional appearance is very important.

• Licensed and bonded-this is an absolute must when hiring an electrician. Glendale residents should only allow contractors into their homes or businesses who have the proper licensing through the state as well as a bond to protect you in case there is any damage done to your home.

• Timely-Cable companies are often joked about because of their lack of timeliness, but it isn’t a laughing matter. You are busy and don’t have hours to sit around waiting for an electrician to show up. You need a company that can give you a set window and stick to it.

If you need an electrician, you can call The Electric Connection and find an electrician who meets all of these standards.

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.

Home Safety Addressed by Beverly Hills Electrician

Posted on October 21, 2014 | by Kim Hopkins

bigstockphoto_Trimming_Electric_Wire_1913494 You will be spending a lot more time indoors over the next few months as we ride out yet another winter. You will want to do what you can to ensure your family is as safe as possible inside your home. There are a few things you can do today to provide an extra layer of safety. Your Beverly Hills electrician is here to help you. You can count on the team at The Electric Connection to provide you with a knowledgeable, experienced electrician to take care of the following safety features for your home.

• Replace your old, standard outlets in the kitchen and bathroom areas with GFCI outlets. These are designed to cut the electricity the second the circuit is interrupted. These outlets are especially handy in areas where water is present, like the kitchen and bathroom. If an appliance is accidentally dropped in water, the breaker will trip, cutting off the electricity and reducing the risk of electric shock.

• Have hard-wired smoke detectors installed. These smoke detectors rely on your home’s main power rather than a battery. Dead or missing batteries in smoke detectors are often to blame for late warnings in the event of a house fire. The detectors are all interconnected so when one goes off, the rest of the alarms are sounded. You will need the installation completed by a professional electrician. Beverly Hills homeowners will feel better knowing the wiring was handled by somebody trained to work with electrical wiring.

• Carbon monoxide detectors are also handy devices that every home should have. If you use natural gas for your heat or have a woodstove, a carbon monoxide detector can warn you to unsafe levels of carbon monoxide in the home.

Your home is somewhere you should feel safe. These rather easy and inexpensive safety features can eliminate some of the risks in your home. Give The Electric Connection a call today and schedule your safety enhancements.