The Electric Connection’s Blog

What’s the Fuss About CFLs? Los Angeles Electrician Explains

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

You have seen the news and have heard about the government’s move to make those cheap light bulbs a thing of the past. You are probably wondering why this is necessary and what is all the fuss about these CFLs you have seen in place of those other incandescent bulbs? Your Los Angeles electrician is here to explain why this is one trend you want to be a part of. The team at The Electric Connection can help you make the transition from the outdated bulbs to the new, more energy efficient CFLs.

One of the major complaints about the CFLs is the expense. Yes, they are more expensive. You can expect to pay anywhere from $3 to $5 for a single bulb. Before you let that deter you from jumping aboard the CFL bandwagon, read on. You have probably noticed the bulbs are sold in singles more often than the 4-pack we have become accustomed to buying. When you start using CFLs, you will understand why. The bulbs last 10 times longer than one of the incandescent bulbs. That means instead of changing a bulb every couple of months, you will go a year or more in between bulb changes.

The initial expense is also not so bad when you factor in the savings on your electric bill every month. Assuming $20 of every $100 of your electric bill is for lighting alone, you could save about $15 each month on lighting costs. CFLs use 75 percent electricity than the almost obsolete incandescent bulbs. This also translates to a reduction on energy, which is always a bonus for the environment. If you have an outdate fixture that does not work with CFLs, call an electrician. Los Angeles homeowners can update the lighting in their home and ultimately save money. Give The Electric Connection a call today and start saving money on your monthly electric bill.

Spring Home Electric Safety Inspections by Electrician in Santa Monica

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

We often use the time change as a way to remind ourselves to change the batteries in our smoke detectors. We do this because it is important our homes are protected as well as the people in our homes. In fact, there are plenty of things we do on a daily basis to ensure the safety of our home. One of the things that are often overlooked is the safety of the actual home. What is going on behind the walls? Is the electrical wiring safe? One way you can determine the electrical safety of your home is by calling an electrician in Santa Monica and scheduling an electric safety inspection. The team at The Electric Connection can take care of this for you and help set your mind at ease.

A home electric safety inspection can help identify potential problems before they become serious fire risks. The inspection will give you a better idea of what kinds of dangers are lurking behind the walls. If you live in a home that is more than 50 years old, you could be dealing with some outdated wiring issues. An electrician will be able to tell you if you are due for an upgrade or if your wiring is up to today’s codes.

The electrician will investigate your Santa Monica electrical system and notate any items that could use repair or replacement. You will always have the option of taking care of the repairs immediately or waiting until there is a better time. Some things that are often found on these inspections are the old style outlets in the kitchen and bathroom areas. Nowadays, the standard calls for GFCI outlets to be used in areas that are around water. If you would like to learn more about your home’s electrical system, give The Electric Connection a call today and schedule your home electrical safety inspection.

Why Do Breakers Trip? Electrician in Pasadena Explains

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

Why do breakers trip? Have you ever turned on the vacuum or started the microwave while the toaster was in operation and experienced a tripped breaker? If you have ever dealt with a breaker that trips, you are probably wondering why it happened and want to know what that means for the safety of your home. An electrician in Pasadena is here to explain. You can learn more by calling The Electric Connection.

First of all, it is important to explain what a tripped breaker really is. Your breaker panel is probably located outside or in a hallway or basement area. When a breaker trips, it cuts off all flow of electricity to the outlets and light fixtures that the particular breaker supplies electricity to. When looking at the breaker panel, the tripped breaker will be slightly in the middle instead of all the way left or right. An orange bar is usually used to indicate which breaker has tripped.

As far as why the breaker trips, there are 3 main reasons
• Ground Fault
• Overloaded Circuit
• Short Circuit

An overloaded circuit is probably one of the most common reasons. If your breaker isn’t powerful enough to run several appliances at once, like the microwave, vacuum and toaster, it becomes overloaded and shuts down. You can address this by distributing your electrical draw to different outlets that are run by different breakers or by having your Pasadena electrical system investigated. You may be in need of additional breakers.
A ground fault or short circuit are much more dangerous than an overloaded circuit. Breakers that have bare wires or a bad connection can cause fires. If you don’t see anything out of the ordinary, but are still having trouble with a tripping breaker, give the folks at The Electric Connection a call.

New Chandelier for Enhanced Rooms says Electrician in Glendale

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

There are certain changes you can make in your home that can give it an entirely new look and feel. Sometimes, the simplest thing like a light fixture can take a home from drab and dark to modern and brilliant. One common way of changing the look of a room is by installing a new chandelier. Chandeliers can add an elegant look to a dining room or entrance way. Despite how easy it may seem to simply change out one light fixture for another, the task involves some work with electricity. If you are not familiar with electric wiring, it is best to give the job to an electrician in Glendale. You can count on the team at The Electric Connection to take care of a chandelier installation efficiently and professionally.

One of the joys of owning your own home is being able to decorate it and embellish it to suit your tastes. Lighting plays a huge role in the way a room is presented. Take a trip to your local home improvement store and visit the lighting department. There are so many styles and designs to choose from, the process may take a bit as you envision each fixture hanging in your home. Once you have made your decision, it is time to take care of the Glendale electrical wiring.

An electrician will remove the existing fixture and check the wiring before installing the new chandelier. This is an excellent time to have the wiring evaluated for any signs it may need upgrading. Chandeliers are typically installed with dimmer switches. This gives you the freedom to change the mood in a room by making it very bright or dimming the lights. Your electrician will take care of this during the install process if you would like. If you would like to enhance your home with a new chandelier, give The Electric Connection a call today.

5 Electric Safety Tips by Electrician in Burbank

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

With the spring weather lifting out spirits and encouraging us to get outside and take care of some of the little projects around the house, there are a few things you should know about electricity. Working outside or even inside will likely involve some kind of electricity. It is a good time to remind ourselves of some things we should do to ensure not only our own safety, but the safety of those in our homes and around us. An electrician in Burbank has some tips for you to stay safe this spring. You can count on The Electric Connection to answer any questions you may have about electrical safety.

Tip 1-Never use an indoor extension cord outside. Only use cords that are designated for outdoor use. These are the heavy-duty cords that are round and thick. Indoor cords are typically flat and thin.

Tip 2-To cut down on the use of extension cords outside, hire an electrician. Burbank residents can opt to have additional outlets installed outside to make it easy to plug in various power tools.

Tip 3-Only use the recommended wattage of light bulbs in all of your lights—indoors and outdoors. Keep bulbs away from surfaces to avoid a surface overheating and igniting.

Tip 4-Do not overload an outlet. Large power tools or appliances will typically need to be the only item plugged into an outlet.

Tip 5-If a breaker continually pops or if an outlet feels warm to the touch, call an electrician. In the meantime, avoid using the outlet and the outlet connected to the breaker. These are signs of trouble that can lead to an electrical fire if not handled quickly.

If you have electrical concerns or would like an electrician to take care of some of the items on this list, give The Electric Connection a call today.

Twilight Hours Made Safer with Outdoor Lighting by Electrician in Los Angeles

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

With the beautiful spring weather upon us, it is only natural you would want to head outside and take advantage of the gorgeous weather before it becomes a little too warm to be truly comfortable. Evenings and early mornings are so peaceful. Unwinding after a long day or taking a few minutes in the morning before a busy day kicks off are made a little nicer and safer with the installation of outdoor lighting by an electrician in Los Angeles. You can count on the knowledgeable staff at The Electric Connection to install the lighting in your yard and landscaping.

While twilight or dusk can be rather calming, it isn’t always a good idea to be outdoors when it is so dark you cannot see your surroundings clearly. It isn’t always some predator you have to worry about, but your own clumsiness. Tripping over a stone or some other object in your yard could leave you with a twisted ankle or in some extreme cases, a broken bone. Proper lighting can prevent these kinds of accidents without interrupting the serenity of the scene.

There are two different kinds of outdoor lighting homeowners have to choose from. Solar lighting is fairly quick and simple to install, but does tend to be a little pricier. The other option is electric lighting installed by an electrician. Los Angeles homeowners who have a yard that gets plenty of shade or the area is regularly shadowed by their home during the daylight hours may want to consider the electric lights. Because they don’t need the sun’s powerful rays to recharge, they can be placed virtually anywhere. The wires will be buried to ensure they do not pose tripping hazards and will be protected from rain and snow. If you would like to make your early mornings and quiet evenings a little better, give The Electric Connection a call today and schedule your outdoor lighting installation.

Smoke Detectors Installed by Pasadena Electrician for Safety

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

As you go through your home and do some spring cleaning, you are probably doing some needed updates to your home. While you are taking care of jobs that have been stacking up for months, you should also consider evaluating the safety of your home. Things like smoke detectors are often overlooked. We are so used to seeing them in the corner of the room, you rarely give them much thought, that is until you need them. An electrician in Pasadena can install hard-wired smoke detectors that really can be forgotten about, but will still work. That is important. You can rely on The Electric Connection to send out an experienced electrician to complete the installation for you.

Smoke detectors are typically out of sight, out of mind, until they start chirping to remind you the battery is low. If the chirping is ignored, the battery will die and the smoke detector will become nothing more than a fixture on the ceiling. With hard-wired smoke detectors, you don’t have to worry about the batteries going dead and your home left vulnerable. The smoke detectors are wired directly into your home’s main power. As long as your home has power, your smoke detectors will work. There is also a spot for backup batteries in case of a power outage.

When the Pasadena electrician installs the smoke detectors, you will get the added safety feature of all the smoke detectors being interlinked. When one detector goes off, every detector that is hard-wired will sound. This can add several seconds to your alert time. If you have ever seen a house fire or been involved in one, you know how fast it can go. Every second counts. If you are ready to add an additional layer of safety to your home, give The Electric Connection a call today and schedule your installation.

Why You Need Solar Panels Explains Beverly Hills Electrician

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

If you have been debating whether or not to make the move to solar power, you probably have a few questions and concerns. There has been a lot of attention given to alternative energy as the world becomes more aware of the lack of natural resources. Governments are also promoting solar energy with some perks like tax breaks for those who decide to have solar panels installed. An electrician in Beverly Hills will need to install the solar panels. The electricians at The Electric Connection have experience in this field and can help you rely on the sun for electricity.

Energy costs are going to keep going up. That is a fact we have all accepted, but what if you could keep your hard-earned money in your pocket while doing something good for the environment? Solar panels that harness the sun’s energy are the perfect way to do just that. One of the many points of resistance for those who are considering solar power is the idea they will run out of electricity. You don’t have to worry about that if you are still connected to the power grid. The electric company’s power will be your backup plan for those times when your solar powered system can’t keep up with your home’s demands.

A Beverly Hills electrician will install the panels and the necessary conversion system to transform the sun’s rays into the electricity you need to watch television, take a hot shower or charge your cell phone. You will have the flexibility to choose just how much you want to rely on solar energy. You can have just a couple of panels installed to start out with. Once you get used to solar power, you can upgrade your system to include more panels. If you want to learn more about having solar panels installed, give The Electric Connection a call today.

Gorgeous Outdoor Kitchens with Burbank Electrician

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

With summer just around the corner, it is time to start thinking about those weekend barbecues and all the outdoor entertaining you will want to do. Outdoor cooking is a tradition we love and cherish. It is something we will remember fondly for years to come. There is just something exciting and relaxing about eating a meal outdoors with friends and family. What if you could enjoy an outdoor meal all year? Or, what if you, the host, could join in the conversation while preparing a delicious meal for your guests? You can do both with the help of an electrician in Burbank. The Electric Connection can help you achieve your dreams of cooking outdoors in your own outdoor kitchen.

Outdoor kitchens give you the chance to take the party outside while you are cooking a meal. The kitchens can be a barbecue with a single countertop or a full kitchen complete with center islands, a sink and grill suitable for making an entire meal. A roof over the kitchen area protects your equipment. The walls are left open to allow the fresh air to circulate through the room. Some homeowners choose to have screening material installed to reduce the amount of bugs coming to check out the food.

An outdoor fan is also an ideal fixture for your outdoor kitchen. On hot days, a cool breeze will go a long way to keeping you comfortable while you enjoy your outdoor kitchen. The fan also helps cut down on the bug population. A Burbank electrician will work with you to set up your dream kitchen outside. Electrical outlets are a common addition to the kitchens so you can use some of your favorite appliances outdoors as well. If you are ready to take advantage of the beautiful weather, give The Electric Connection a call today and get started on your outdoor kitchen plans.

Home Maintenance Safety Tips

Posted on | by K Hopkins

Safety should ALWAYS be the foremost concern for anyone who is working on or around electricity. It is critical to recognize and distinguish between repairs, which you are qualified to undertake and repairs that only a professional electrician should handle.

We recommend that you always contact a qualified, licensed electrician to perform any electrical work in your home.

If you do decide to undertake a basic home electrical project, consider the following important safety tips:

  • Always turn off the power to the circuit that you plan to work on by switching off the circuit breaker in the main service panel.

  • Be sure to test wires before you touch them to make sure that the power has been turned off.

  • Test from the black wires to both the grounded box and the white wires. Test from the white wires to the grounded box.

  • Never touch plumbing or gas pipes when performing a do-it-yourself electrical project.

  • Make sure that you are not standing on a damp floor.

  • Be sure to unplug any lamp or appliance before working on it.

  • Take an active role in understanding the condition of your current electrical system, its capacity, limitations, and potential hazards.

Is a permit or inspection required? Many state and local laws require that a permit be obtained prior to the installation of electrical wiring or devices. In addition, an inspection must be performed to ensure the work is safely completed meeting all applicable code requirements.

Projects that require a permit include:

  • Adding or extending a new circuit and/or wiring for central air conditioning, a swimming pool, or a hot tub

  • Installing a receptacle or light fixture where one did not already exist

  • Installation of new electrical panels in the house would require a permit

  • Wiring or re-wiring any new structure such as a house, garage, or shed. Permits are generally not mandated for minor repairs, but work must comply with the version of the National Electrical Code that is recognized by the state or city in which you live.

Projects that do not require a permit may include:

  • Replacing a receptacle where one already exists

  • Replacing a faulty circuit breaker that is the same size/type does not require a permit

  • Replacing or changing a light fixture within the home

  • Installing a phone or coax cable for cable television

If you hire an electrician or contractor to perform work at your home, be sure to confirm that he/she has obtained the appropriate permits, and request an inspection once the work is complete. This protects your family against risk of electrocution and electrical fires—and it is the law!

 

About the Author

David M Specht is the Director of Field Services for Cirtcele Electric, an electrical contracting firm located in Mesa, Arizona, just outside of Phoenix that provides residential, industrial, and commercial electrical services. As a second-generation electrician, he is committed to carrying his family’s legacy of professional service to individuals, families, and businesses in and around Phoenix and the Southwest United States. Mr. Specht is also a pilot and frequently travels to client locations, which puts him in a class few competitors can match. To learn more about David and the services his company offers, visit: http://www.CirtceleElectric.com