Your Dream Home with a Beverly Hills Electrician

Posted on June 25, 2016 | by Kim Hopkins

There 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.

Bringing Beverly Hills Homes into the 21st Century: Why It’s Time to Upgrade Your Electric Panel

Posted on April 25, 2016 | by Kim Hopkins

At The Electric Connection, we’ve spent over 40 years helping Los Angeles homeowners navigate the complexities of their electrical systems. Lately, we’ve been spending a lot of time in Beverly Hills, where the charm of older, historic architecture often hides a common problem: an electrical system that simply wasn’t built for the modern world.

If you’re finding it difficult to charge your laptop, run the microwave while the coffee maker is on, or if you’re constantly hunting for an extension cord just to use your favorite chair, you aren’t alone. Our lives have been streamlined by incredible technological advances, but many of our homes are still stuck in the 20th century.

Is Your Electric Panel the Culprit?
Most people aren’t electrical experts, and that’s okay! But when a light switch stops working or a breaker pops frequently, it’s easy to dismiss it as a fluke. In reality, these are symptoms of a larger issue with your electric panel.

The panel is the heart of your home’s electrical system. It takes power from the utility company and distributes it through various breakers to different rooms. If your home was built 30 or 40 years ago, it was likely designed to handle a fraction of the electronics we use today. Back then, builders didn’t have to account for high-powered appliances, smart home systems, and the dozens of gadgets we plug in daily.

The Warning Signs
How do you know if it’s time to call a Beverly Hills electrician for an upgrade? Look out for these red flags:

Frequent Tripping Breakers: This is the most common sign that your panel is overloaded or the breakers have become weak over time.
Flickering Lights: If your lights dim when the AC kicks on or when you use a hair dryer, your panel is struggling to keep up with the demand.
Fuses Instead of Breakers: If your home still uses a fuse box, it’s definitely time for an upgrade. Modern circuit breakers are much safer and more efficient.
A Lack of Outlets: If you’re relying on power strips and extension cords to get through the day, your current system isn’t meeting your needs.

Why Upgrade?
Upgrading your electrical panel isn’t just about convenience—it’s about safety and freedom. When we perform a panel upgrade, we’re doing more than just swapping out a box; we’re giving you the ability to live in the 21st century without worry.

A new, higher-capacity panel allows you to:

Add New Circuits: Install that new EV charger, a high-end kitchen appliance, or a dedicated home theater system.
Increase Safety: Modern panels include advanced safety features that older systems lack, significantly reducing the risk of electrical fires.
Enhance Home Value: In a market like Beverly Hills, an updated electrical system is a major selling point for any property.

Trust the Experts
At The Electric Connection, our team of certified electricians can inspect your current setup and determine if a full upgrade is necessary or if we can simply add a few outlets to meet your needs. We believe in providing prompt, dependable service to ensure your home remains a safe haven for you and your family.

Don’t let an outdated panel hold you back. If you’re tired of “unplugging this to plug in that,” give us a call today at (818) 446-0888 to schedule an inspection. Let’s bring your Beverly Hills home up to speed!

Brightening the Office with an Electrician in Beverly Hills

Posted on March 24, 2016 | by Kim Hopkins

Spending long hours every day inside a dingy office can be taxing. It wears on your eyes and your psyche. While natural light is often preferable, it isn’t always a possibility. That doesn’t mean you stay in the dark. There are things you can do to brighten up the office and make it a little more inviting to work in. Clients will also appreciate a brighter, more lively space as well. A brighter office is only a phone call away. An electrician in Beverly Hills, like those at The Electric Connection, can help transform that once dark space into one that is nice and bright.

There are many different lighting options besides the typical fluorescent bulbs that tend to be the standard in many office buildings. That yellow glow can be difficult to cope with day in and day out. There are some serious benefits to updating the lighting in your office explains a Beverly Hills electrician.

New lighting that is energy efficient can save money on the electric bill
Reduce the glare on screens, which improves employee productivity and moral
Brighter spaces make for a better workspace in general

It doesn’t take much to make a space look more inviting when you change the lighting scheme. If you are not sure what your options are, you can consult with an electrician. Beverly Hills office owners will appreciate getting some expert advice from people who know the business. There is new technology that is changing the ways homes and businesses are lighting their spaces. LEDs are the wave of the future. They are bright, energy efficient and they won’t heat the place up, which is especially important during the summer months. Call The Electric Connection today and bring your office up to date with latest in lighting technology.

Upgrading to Recessed Lighting with Beverly Hills Electrician

Posted on February 9, 2016 | by Kim Hopkins

Are you one of those people who enjoys watching home makeover shows? If so, you may be feeling inspired and want to make some changes to your own home. On those shows, they make it look so easy. A person hands over the reins to a professional designer who then hires contractors to do the work and within half an hour a home is given an overhaul. In real life it isn’t quite that easy and is definitely not that fast, but you can give your home a makeover without going through a lot of trouble. You will need an electrician in Beverly Hills to make it happen. The crew at The Electric Connection can help you transform your home by simply replacing some outdated lighting.

If you have watched those shows, you have probably noticed they tend to favor recessed lighting in places like the living room and kitchen. The lighting is sleek and makes the room look bigger by simply leaving the ceiling area clear. When you install light fixtures, you lose several inches of space, that can make the area look smaller. When a Beverly Hills electrician installs recessed lighting, sometimes referred to as can lights, you are creating an area that makes it feel more open and the ceiling will feel and look higher.

This is a simple fix that you actually can have done in a single day. You would be amazed at the difference the removal of hanging lights and chandeliers will make in an area. It is very cost effective and you can add as much light as you want by talking with your electrician. Beverly Hills homeowners will have a number of different design options to choose from. Your choices are absolutely not limited. Give The Electric Connection a call today to schedule your home makeover that starts with the lights.

Commercial Lighting Jobs by Electrician in Beverly Hills

Posted on December 9, 2015 | by Kim Hopkins

Corporate restroom. Shot with Canon 30D and Canon 24-105L lens.

One of the many aspects of owning a business includes the overall look of the building, inside and out. While bottom line profit numbers are a priority, you also must do what you can to ensure your business looks great and has plenty of lighting. Lighting also plays a huge role in the overall safety of your building for your customers as well as your employees. When you think about lighting, think about your electrician in Beverly Hills. At The Electric Connection, we understand the needs of your business and will ensure you get the best, most professional service team.

Your lighting needs indoors may not seem all that important until you see the results of newer fixtures. Your business can also save money by using more energy-efficient lighting systems, which of course adds to that bottom line. Whether you are revamping the area your customers see or redoing the employee work area, you are sure to get some great tips from your Beverly Hills electrician. Adding directed light in customer areas or brighter lights in employee work spaces will help the business overall. Dark, dingy spaces are unattractive and can actually strain an employee’s eyes as well as negatively impact their mood. You want happy employees, which will ensure you have happy customers.

Another area you may not pay a great deal of attention to is the restrooms. Believe it or not, many customers will judge a business based on the cleanliness and overall attractiveness of their bathrooms. This is an easy fix with the help of an electrician. Beverly Hills business owners can give their public restrooms a face lift by simply changing up and the light fixtures and brightening up the space. A bright bathroom looks cleaner and bigger. Do your business a favor and give The Electric Connection a call today and schedule your lighting upgrade.

Safe Extension Cord Usage Tips by Beverly Hills Electrician

Posted on November 21, 2015 | by Kim Hopkins

With winter here, you will probably be decking your halls. That requires electricity in places you don’t normally need it. You will also want to add more light strands than you have outlets for. What do you do? You pull out the extension cords and get busy. However, extension cords are not always safe. There are rules you should follow when it comes to using extension cords to power your decorations or that space heater by the couch. Your electrician in Beverly Hills has some helpful safety tips for you. You can call the crew at The Electric Connection to learn more.

The most important rule is to only use extension cords designed for the outdoors outside. These cords are insulated and can withstand the rain and cold. Indoor extension cords do not have the same insulation and can short out if it rains explains your Beverly Hills electrician. You can identify the cords by looking at the information printed on the cord or simply by checking to see if it is round or flat. Round cords are generally outdoor and flat are indoors.

Extension cords should not be run along high traffic areas. You don’t want them being walked on, which could damage the cord and result in a short. Do not overload the extension cords either. If you are running something big, like an inflatable, it should be the only thing plugged into the cord. Always keep in mind, extension cords are not a permanent solution. If you need more outlets, call an electrician. Beverly Hills homeowners can rely on The Electric Connection to listen to their needs and find a solution.

Preparing for Power Outages with Beverly Hills Electrician

Posted on October 23, 2015 | by Kim Hopkins

As the temperatures get cooler, Californians are going to be turning on the heat. Cold nights means a lot more people are going to be relying on their furnaces and space heaters to take the chill off. These things are electricity hogs and can quickly tax the power grid. This combined with poor weather in general can lead to a power outage. The outage may last a couple of hours of be much longer and really wreak havoc on your daily schedule as well as basic duties like making a meal, cleaning the house or taking a hot shower. Your Beverly Hills electrician has some tips to help you prepare for a temporary power outage. The team at The Electric Connection knows how much of an inconvenience living without electricity can be and hopes to help you ride it out in relative comfort.

*Your best option is to have a standby generator installed by an electrician in Beverly Hills. This ensures you always have a back up source of power and never have to go without. The generators are enclosed in a box, which helps reduce noise. You won’t have to worry about your neighbors complaining about the noisy generator.

*Putting together a kit that includes essentials like spare batteries, flashlights, emergency candles, matches and a solar charger for your phone and other gadgets will save you a lot of frustration. The solar chargers are relatively inexpensive and ensure your phone, laptop and tablet will get charged.

*Put together a little box of goodies that you can eat without worrying about heating the food up. Things like crackers, energy bars and a couple cans of beans will give you something to munch on while you wait for the power to be restored. Don’t forget the manual can opener.

Power outages are rarely very long, but even an hour without electricity can throw you off a bit. Avoid dealing with it by talking with an electrician. Beverly Hills homeowners who invest in a standby generator will never have to worry about eating cold beans for dinner. Give The Electric Connection a call today to learn more about generators and preparing for power outages.

Fall Outdoor Lighting with Beverly Hills Electrician

Posted on September 16, 2015 | by Kim Hopkins

The 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.

Understanding the Cost of Plugging In by Beverly Hills Electrician

Posted on August 25, 2015 | by Kim Hopkins

Have 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.

Importance of Outdoor Outlets by Beverly Hills Electrician

Posted on July 20, 2015 | by Kim Hopkins

The summer time is great for hanging out outside with friends and family. Backyard barbecues, pool parties and chatting into the wee hours of the night are all a part of making memories. Your memories likely include some electricity. Yes, it seems strange and completely off base, but electricity can make your backyard summer days a little more comfortable and convenient. Maybe you need to plug in your docking station or maybe you need to charge your phone or laptop. You don’t want to be cooped up inside or leave your phone behind. You need an outdoor outlet or two. An electrician in Beverly Hills is here to explain the importance of having outdoor outlets places around your yard and patio area. The team at The Electric Connection can answer any more questions you may have about the convenience.

Homes are required to have at least one outdoor outlet in the front of the house and another in the back. This is really not enough to keep up with today’s technological world. If you have electric weed eaters or hedge trimmers, you will be forced to use several extension cords to reach the far corners of the yard. This can be dangerous as well as frustrating. A Beverly Hills electrician can make your landscaping duties a little easier and safer by installing a few more outdoor outlets to cut down on your need for so many extension cords.

Outdoor outlets also make it much easier to light up your yard for the holidays. Overloading a circuit is a common issue when you try and connect several strands of lights or decorative yard items on one outlet. This is actually a fire hazard that can be avoided with one call to your electrician. Beverly Hills homeowners will appreciate the freedom and flexibility several well-placed outdoor outlets gives them. Give The Electric Connection a call today and schedule your installation.