Tag: burbank electrician

Complete Burbank House Rewire

Posted on | by K Hopkins

electrician rewiring a house in burbankThe thought of a complete home rewire can be worrying to some homeowners. But it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

A complete Burbank house rewire can be less complicated than you think. Hence it’s important to know what to expect and how you can make this project go as smoothly as possible.

When would you need a Burbank house rewire

Regardless of where you live, the factors that make a complete house rewire necessary are always the same. And in most cases, it’s impossible to realize your home needs rewiring until certain problems occur or you are undertaking projects like remodeling or addition.

You would need a Burbank house rewire under any or most of the following conditions;

  • Lights flicker when you turn on power demanding appliances
  • You have old-fashioned wiring like cloth-covered wiring, fuse boxes, knob-and-tube wiring, and so on.
  • There are signs of overheating at the socket outlets
  • You are remodeling, renovating, or adding a new room.
  • Breaker trips frequently or more than normal
  • You are adding new demanding appliances
  • After an inspection by a licensed electrician who confirms your wiring is worn out.

What happens during a Burbank house rewire?

  • Things can get messy around the house because home rewiring projects can be disruptive. There will be wires, drywall and ceiling been cut into, and much more.
  • Electricians often rewire in two stages. The first is fixing wiring and cables, and the second is installing everything connected to a socket or switch.
  • You won’t have power for a while. The electricians will shut off electrical power to the home for safety purposes while working.
  • You don’t have to leave your home while it’s being rewired. You can move from room to room or live nearby if you can’t deal with the mess.
  • It can take anywhere between 2-10 days to rewire your home depending on how large your home is.
  • Rewiring gives you the chance to future proof your home.

What does it cost to do a house rewire?

With a project like this, you might have already guessed it can dig deep into your pocket. The cost of house rewiring can differ depending on factors such as;

  • Your location
  • If the house is occupied or vacant
  • Size of your home
  • Age of your home
  • The electricians you hire

It’s possible to spend up to $3000 rewiring a home in Burbank and much less when the factors come into play.

What if my home is already rewired?

It’s possible to discover that your home has already been rewired and is still in good shape for your use. The best way to tell is to call an electrician for an inspection, but if you’re just buying the home, you can look out for signs such as;

  • Fabric covered wiring
  • Old-fashioned Fuse box
  • Old round pin sockets.

If your home does need a complete rewire, there are benefits in store for doing it. Rewiring your home with professional electricians helps you stay safe, fixes grounding issues, and gives you the capacity you need as a modern homeowner.

 

Install a Tesla Charger in your Burbank Home

Posted on | by K Hopkins

tesla chargerAs an EV owner, you are going to need a solution to charging your electric vehicle at your convenience. While Burbank offers up to 42 public charging stations across various sites, you might still prefer installing a Tesla charger in your Burbank home. We have put together all the information you need to do this easily and affordably.

What Charger Should I Buy?

This is often the most common question first time EV drivers ask. Various electric car electric chargers serve diverse purposes. Your options include mostly a level 1 and level 2 charger for home charging stations. The level 1 chargers comprise a 120-volt cord that can be plugged in regular home outlets. They are best for drivers who drive less than 30 miles in a day. Level 1 chargers are the slowest charging at 3-5 miles per hour. Hence, if you drive over 30 miles in a day, you might want to consider a faster charger which is usually level 2. Level 2 EV chargers use a 240-volt cord and dedicated outlet that often have to be installed by an electrician. This charger charges at 10-20 miles per hour.

The Best EV Chargers in 2020

One of the best things about electric charging stations for your Burbank home is that you have a wide range of options. Here’s a list of various top chargers in 2020 and how they compare against each other.

  1. JuiceBox Pro 40A

This charger is a US-made, powerful, 10kW charging station suitable for indoor and outdoor use. It includes an app that gives you control of everything from notifications to scheduling, energy metering, and LED charging light indicators. It is Wi-Fi equipped and portable in structure and appearance. The JuiceBox Pro 40A can either be plugged into an outlet or hard-wired. It is compatible with Amazon Echo/Alexa.

  1. ClipperCreek HCS-40P Plugin

The HCS-40P Plugin is also US made and popular for its durability. It is a level 2 charging station suitable for outdoor use and with the special inclusion of a 3-year warranty. It is a hard-wired charger with a 7.7kW power output. Just like most EV chargers on the market, it has a compact build.

  1. Siemens VersiCharge Home Charger

The brand provides 3 models of this charger, which are hardwire, universal, and smart grid. The hardwire models are the most affordable of the 3. Each model is a level 2 charger with 72kW power output. They are easy to install and use.

EV Charger Incentives in Burbank

By installing a level 2 EV charger in Burbank, you become eligible for a rebate from Burbank water and power (BWP). To apply you must be an active BWP electric customer. Burbank EV owners who charge their vehicles at home/at night can also enjoy the time of use (TOU) electric rate. TOU rates vary across different times of the day and are mandatory for those who apply for the EV charger rebate. The rates are optional for residential customers.

EV charger installations in Burbank should be done by an experienced electrician. The cost of the installation can be anywhere from $200 to $1000, depending on your EV charger needs.

Home Installation of Electric Car Chargers by Burbank Electrician

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

Having an electric car can be very freeing. You aren’t forced to head to the gas station several times a week or pay out the cash for fuel. The cars are environmentally friendly and continue to increase in popularity as more people discover the benefits to driving electric cars. With more people choosing to buy an electric for their next car purchase, those charging stations seem to become harder to find when you need one while at work or running errands. This is why it is a good idea to consider having your own fast charging station installed at home. An electrician in Burbank, like those at The Electric Connection can complete the installation for you.

Before the new charging station can be installed, you will need to have a quick electrical inspection by a Burbank electrician. While most cars come with a trickle charger that allows you to plug your car into almost any standard outlet in the garage, a fast charging station, also referred to as a Level II, will need it’s own dedicated 240-volt outlet. This is not common in most garages or carports, which means you will need to have the outlet installed by an electrician. Burbank homeowners may also need an electric panel upgrade to support the additional outlet.

While this may seem like a lot of work up front, the investment is worth it. You won’t have to worry about relying on gas for your electric car or searching for a charging station when you are short on time. You will have the peace of mind knowing when you head out for the day, your car is fully charged even though you only had it on the charger overnight. Give The Electric Connection a call today and schedule your charging system installation to gain even more freedom from the pump.

Electrical Safety Tips You Don’t Know by Burbank Electric

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

We all know electricity can be dangerous, but we also all know we take it for granted. We assume our homes are safe and free of electrical hazards because we haven’t ever had any real trouble. Becoming complacent or not fully understanding how electrical hazards are created or how electrical fires occurs can be dangerous. It is important to know some of the more common electrical safety tips that are often taken for granted. Your electrician in Burbank has a few reminders that may seem obvious to some, but for others, it will be a real eye-opener. You can call the team at The Electric Connection if you have any questions.
1. Don’t overload an outlet. Just because you can buy one of those devices that transforms your basic outlet into one that gives you four or six openings, it doesn’t mean you should try and fill plug in six appliances. Overloading can lead to overheating and ultimately spark a fire.
2. Don’t use a 100-watt bulb in a light fixture that is designed for a 40-watt max. If you need more light, have a new one installed by an electrician. Burbank homeowners can also use LED bulbs for a brighter light in their old fixtures.
3. When unplugging anything from an outlet, grip the cord by the rubber base. Never yank the cord out of the wall. Yanking can loosen the wires that secure the outlet in place in the wall, which can lead to an electrical hazard. Constantly yanking the cord can damage the cord and create an electrical shock hazard as well.
4. Don’t run cords under a rug. Cords should never be stepped on. This can cause the plastic coating to break down and fray, creating a serious shock hazard. You can have an outlet installed by a Burbank electrician or have a light fixture installed to eliminate the need for the cord under the rug.

Basic safety can save lives and prevent a home fire. Call The Electric Connection today if you need to have an electrical hazard mitigated.

Stay Cool and Comfortable with a Ceiling Fan says Burbank Electrician

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

If you are gearing up for a hot summer this year, one thing you will want to make sure you have ready to go is a ceiling fan. Having one of these very handy tools in your bedroom over your sleeping area and in the living area can make a huge difference in your comfort level. Let’s face it, when you are hot and miserable, relaxing or sleeping is impossible. No one likes to feel that way and a lack of sleep and ability to unwind can affect your daily life, including your ability to function at work. An electrician in Burbank is what you need so you can have a lovely ceiling fan this summer. The team at The Electric Connection is ready to help.
Ceiling fans need to be chosen based on the size of the room they will be going in. If the room you are planning on installing the fan in has vaulted ceilings, you will need an extension bar as well as a remote control. This allows you to control the speed of the fan as well as turn the light off and on from the couch or even while you are lying in bed. An extension bar brings the fan lower into the room for maximum effectiveness explains an electrician. Burbank homeowners will want to read the minimum and maximum square footage of a room the fan is designed for. You don’t want a fan that is too small that will be ineffective and you don’t want a massive fan in a small room that is unattractive.
You will enjoy the cool breeze the fan will create in the room. Using a ceiling fan can also save you some money on your electric bill explains a Burbank electrician. Give The Electric Connection a call today and schedule your new ceiling fan installation before the warm weather is here.

Beautiful Outdoor Lighting by Burbank Electrician

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

It may be hard to think about sitting outside right now and your landscape lighting may be the farthest thing from your mind, but this is a great time to consider revamping your current outdoor lighting. With fewer chores to do outside, you can spend some time focusing on the coming spring and what you would like to do with your yard. One improvement that can make a huge difference is the installation of new outdoor lighting by an electrician in Burbank. The team at The Electric Connection would love to help you get your landscaping ready for spring.

There are many ways you can enhance your outdoors with lighting. Adding lights to fenceposts is a great way to light areas that would normally be in the dark. This can provide additional safety and security in those areas. Adding motion-sensing security lights to the backyard, driveway and any other areas that hold high-value items is another excellent way to make your home a little safer says an electrician. Burbank homeowners can have the lights professionally installed to ensure it is done right and is safe. In many situations, it will be necessary for a new breaker to be installed in the breaker box to run the new outdoor lighting.

Another lighting option that you may want to consider are spotlights. The spotlights can be directed at ornamental bushes, a flagpole or a water feature in the landscaping. This transforms your entire yard into a thing of beauty while adding a layer of safety. You can have some fun with the lighting as well. Adding twinkle lights or colored lights that dance over water features are another option you can discuss with your Burbank electrician. Spend some time finding what works best for you and then call The Electric Connection and schedule your new outdoor lighting installation, so you are ready for spring.

Extension Cord Safety Tips by Burbank Electrician

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

This is the time of year we tend to pull out the extension cords in order to get ready for all of our holiday lighting needs. It is fun to decorate and to compete with the neighbors for the brightest house on the block, but it can be risky if you are not careful. These are a few tips provided by an electrician in Burbank that can help keep your home safe this holiday season as you light it up. If you have concerns, you can always call the team at The Electric Connection to ask for an electric inspection.

1. Do not run extension cords across your driveway where it will be ran over.
2. Only use the round outdoor cords outside. The flat cords are not properly insulated and cannot handle the outdoor weather.
3. If you find you are having to leave windows open a crack to plug in the cords, consider have new outdoor electrical outlets installed by an electrician. Burbank homeowners will appreciate how much easier it is to decorate with outlets readily available.
4. Always unplug the extension cords when they are not in use. Do not leave them plugged in and “live” with nothing plugged in to the cord.
5. Do not string more than one extension cord together. If one isn’t long enough, buy one that is.
6. Do not overload an extension cord by plugging in more than three strands of lights connected together.
7. For indoor cords, make sure the cords are not in a busy walk area. Never run them under rugs explains a Burbank electrician.
8. Do not use a cord that has visible signs of damage. Electrical tape around a frayed cord is not safe. Discard the cord and buy a new one.

Have fun and be safe decorating your home this season. Give The Electric Connection a call if you need more outlets or have electric safety concerns.

Bold Lighting Schemes by Burbank Electrician

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

We all have a unique style. Some people loathe being part of the mold. They want to be different and step outside of the box. This applies to the way they dress and the way they decorate their personal spaces. When you own your own home, it is all about expressing yourself with your favorite color pallets, artwork and even furnishings. Another way you can help bring your personality and style into your home is by choosing some bold, innovative lighting schemes with the help of your Burbank electrician. The team at The Electric Connection is here to help you make your personal style stand out.

You are no longer relegated to the standard light fixture in the center of a room or forced to rely on colored bulbs or quirky lamps to express your style. An electrician in Burbank can help bring out your personal style with a variety of installed light fixtures that are functional and bold or classic and elegant. It is all up to you. You can have several lights or a single one. That’s part of the joy of designing your space—you have all the power. You can choose how bright, how dark and how funky your lighting scheme is.

Once you have come up with what you want, you need to call your electrician. Burbank homeowners will need to trust the expert when it comes to the wiring and installation of each of the fixtures. You can ask for dimmer switches to be installed or a wallplate with several light switches that give you the freedom to control the lights from one place in the room. The possibilities are endless. Do some shopping around and find the fixtures that call to you. Then, give The Electric Connection a call today and schedule your new lighting installation.

Managing Your Electricity by Burbank Electrician

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

When something is readily available and seems like it will never run out, we tend to overuse. This is the case with the electricity in our homes. We feel confident knowing we can flip a light switch and have light or turn on the coffee maker and it will work. Rarely is their a need to give a second thought to what we have plugged in in our homes. Electricity is endless—for the most part. However, every little bit we use, whether we need it or not, is costing us. What if you could be a little more mindful and manage your electricity a little better with these tips from an electrician in Burbank, like those at The Electric Connection.

It doesn’t take a lot of effort to reduce the amount of electricity you use on a daily basis explains an electrician. Burbank residents can save a few dollars up to much more by following these quick and easy suggestions.

1. Unplug your cell phone, laptop and tablet chargers when they are not in use. If you can, unplug the toaster and other appliances when they are not in use. Anything that is plugged in will draw a small current of electricity. When you look around your home, you will see that adds up fast.
2. Do what you can to take shorter showers. Even cutting your average shower by a couple of minutes every day adds up to an average of fifteen minutes for the week. Again, the less hot water you use, the less your hot water heater has to work to replace the hot water.
3. Switch out those old bulbs in each of your light fixtures with LED bulbs says a Burbank electrician. This is a quick and easy bill to cut the amount of electricity you use to light your home in half—maybe more.
4. Only run your dryer when it is full. This also goes for the washing machine and dishwasher. Wait another day and do one full load versus two half loads. Quick easy and huge energy saver.

If you would like to learn more about energy efficiency and how an electrician can help you make those changes in your home, call The Electric Connection.

Backup Generators Explained by Burbank Electrician

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

Have you ever had to go without electricity? If you have done so when you are camping, it is a little different. Going without electricity in your home for a few minutes isn’t so bad, either. It is when a power outage extends on for hours or even days following some kind of major disaster or accident that things get to be problematic. If you would rather avoid sitting in the dark for more than a few minutes, you will want to consider investing in a backup generator explains an electrician. Burbank homeowners can get peace of mind and a sense of safety and security when they have a standby generator installed. The team at The Electric Connection can take care of the installation process for you and answer any questions you may have.

Standby generators are similar to portable generators in the fact they generate electricity. However, unlike a portable generator, they do not need to be wheeled out from a garage or shed. You don’t have to run extension cords to various appliances. The standby generators are a fixture of your home. They are hard-wired into your home’s main electric panel by a certified electrician in Burbank. When the power goes out, a switch will trip and generator will fire up on its own.

This means, if you aren’t home when the electricity goes out, you don’t have to worry about the food in your fridge spoiling because you weren’t there to turn on the generator. The standby generators can be much safer because you don’t have to go out in inclement weather to fire the thing up as well explains a Burbank electrician. If you would like to learn more about this type of generator and what size you would need for your home, give The Electric Connection a call today.