electrical savings Archives

Ways to Save Money on Electric in Pasadena

Posted on November 30, 2020 | by K Hopkins

Everyone would like to save on the electric bill and if you live in Pasadena, it’s easier than you think. The Pasadena department of water and power offers various residential programs to help reduce those staggering bills while you enjoy a more energy-efficient home or building.

Here are some ways to save money on electricity in Pasadena;

Use energy-efficient appliances

You can get efficiency rebates from the Pasadena department of water and power when you use energy-efficient equipment. For example, the PWP gives a $75 rebate if you buy a new refrigerator and $15 if the refrigerator is bought in Pasadena. Fridges over 4 years old are less efficient than new models, which are 25% better.

Similarly, you will receive $25 for buying a new, energy efficient dishwasher or $30 for a dishwasher that is Energy Star certified. Recent dishwashers can use 30% less water than their older counterparts.

Clothes washer rebates are as high as $300 from SoCal Water$mart and PWP when you use the right models. Aside from the rebates, a high-efficiency clothes washer can use 45% less power and 25% less energy than regular models.

Even toilets are not left out as you can receive a $100 rebate for replacing your regular toilet with a premium toilet, saving over $800 on your electric bill in Pasadena.

More juicy rebates also apply to your HVAC system, pool pump, insulation, sprinklers, laundry system, and so on.

Develop a greener lifestyle

Thanks to technology, there are still various ways to save energy and go green. Electric cars are getting more popular by the day. According to the PWP, you will receive rebates anywhere from $250 – $1000 for purchasing EV vehicles, purchasing EV vehicles in Pasadena, or installing a standard EV charger.

More rebates also apply to buying appliances or green lifestyle tools like electric heat pump water heater, electric clothes dryer, electric ovens, electric pump clothes dryer, and using solar systems.

Get in on low-income programs

Sometimes paying the bill can be tough and Pasadena offers low-income programs to help you save on the bill. The programs include monthly bill payment assistance, free home improvement services, energy savings assistance program, and more.

To benefit from any rebates or programs you would have to apply and make sure you meet the requirements.

Enforcing other tips in power use can also help you conserve energy and get a lower bill.

These include

Use LED lights.
Set your thermostat to low
Wash only when you have full loads
Use your microwave as an alternative to cooking.
Don’t over-dry clothes
Use appliances before 7pm more often.
Unplug appliances from the switch when not in use.
Call Pasadena electrician for an audit to see where you can save more power.

Perks of Installing an Attic Fan

Posted on June 28, 2018 | by Kim Hopkins

An attic fan, or whole house fan, can help to reduce the temperature in your whole home. This fan is installed in the upper level of a house to connect to the attic. The location of the fan should be in the most central part of the house so it can do its job the best. An air-tight installation, as well as a good ventilation system, are also very important factors.

Should you install a whole house fan? A professional electrician can give you more advice on if your home would benefit from such fan. It’s also important to make sure you select the correct make and model for the size of your home. Below are some advantages of installing an attic fan to help you make the decision.

Faster Cooling

The way these fans work is by drawing the hot air from your house into the attic and out through vents. Cool air from outside then replaces the hot attic it removed. This works much faster than an air conditioner as the effects can be felt in minutes. Keep in mind, though, that the attic fan will only work if it is cooler outside than it is inside.

Energy Efficient

Since it uses less power, an attic fan is much more friendly to the environment than an air conditioning unit.

Money Saver

Research shows that a whole house fan can cost only 10-25% of what running an air conditioner costs. It is much, much cheaper. You will see a savings of hundreds of dollars every summer.

The fan itself also costs less than an air conditioner. You can find whole house fans for 10 times less than a central AC system.

Clean Air

Since the whole house fan removes the hot air from inside and brings in cooler air from outside, it also freshens the air. By replacing the air, it can help remove any odors that may be present in your home.

Quiet Operations

When you think of a fan, you may think of a loud, annoying humming sound. Fortunately, with the newer models of whole house fans, you will hardly ever know the fan is on.

Installing an attic fan has many benefits. If you have any questions, you can contact a local electrician for advice with a whole house fan. Install one today to save money and keep your home fresh and cool.

The Electric Connection has been in business for over 30 years. We have installed every type of fan on the market today. Installation of a whole house fan is a piece of cake with us. Give us a call today to get on schedule!

LED Lighting by Pasadena Electrician

Posted on March 31, 2018 | by Kim Hopkins

Natural lighting is typically the lighting of choice in any room. Unfortunately, it isn’t always possible to have enough windows in a space to provide the natural light you need to make a room look bright and airy. Adding more light fixtures helps, but it can’t quite take the place of natural light. Most lightbulbs cast tinted colors in a room, depending on what kind you are using. An electrician in Pasadena suggests you try using LED bulbs to achieve the right amount of lighting. The team at The Electric Connection can take care of any new lighting fixture installations you may need to accommodate the bulbs.

LEDs, unlike the other energy efficient lighting choice, the CFL bulb, are a clear, bright light that is as close to natural light as you can get. Incandescent bulbs tend to cast a yellowish color while the CFL can cast blue hues. Now, you can buy daylight bulbs, but they are not going to be as bright as the LEDs. LEDs are extremely bright and clear says a Pasadena electrician.

One of the biggest benefits to going with the LED lights is the energy savings. This particular lighting choice only uses a fraction of the electricity that the other lighting options use. You get more light with about eighty percent less energy. Another benefit, is the LED lights are cooler, which is especially beneficial in the warm summer months. You can have your lights on and not worry about the light producing heat and making your AC work harder explains an electrician. Pasadena homeowners can expect to pay more at the store for the LED bulbs, but they last nearly twenty-five times longer. That means you will be buying less bulbs in the long run and making up for the cost. If you have any questions or would like new light fixtures installed, give The Electric Connection a call today.

Ceiling Fan Benefits by Glendale Electrician

Posted on December 26, 2017 | by Kim Hopkins

You may not be feeling the chill in January, but having a new ceiling fan installed is a great way to fulfill a new year’s resolution to save a bit more money each month. A ceiling fan not only looks great in a room, it is a great way to save money on your electric bill. An electrician in Glendale, like those at The Electric Connection, can take care of the installation for you. There are plenty of benefits to a ceiling fan beyond the energy savings.

Ceiling fans can help circulate the air in a room, making it feel less stuffy. Warm air rises, which means when you initially walk into a room, it can feel a little cloying with a combination of heat and stale air hovering just over your head. In the summer, you want to have the fan set to pull that air up and out of the living space and into the ceiling area explains a Glendale electrician. This will make the room feel more comfortable, fresher and cooler. When it feels cooler you won’t be tempted to crank up the AC, which is going to run up your electric bill.

In the cooler months, you want all that warm air to be pushed back into the room. You don’t want to be heating the ceiling area. The air you are paying to heat is going to hover high above, leaving the room feeling chilly. Switching the fan blades to rotate in the opposite direction pushes that warm air down says an electrician. Glendale residents will feel warmer and won’t need to turn up the heat. This also helps the electric bill because the thermostat will read the air in the room is warmer and it won’t need to run as often. Give The Electric Connection a call today so you can enjoy the many benefits of a new ceiling fan.

3 Most Effective Ways to Save Energy by Los Angeles Electrician

Posted on December 16, 2017 | by Kim Hopkins

It is always a great time to think about saving a little more money wherever you can. You can make it a New Year’s resolution or simply make a change and a commitment to add a few more dollars to your savings account each month. Whether you choose to skip coffee once a week or carpool, every dollar helps. You can also save money by using less electricity says an electrician in Los Angeles. Here are three of the most effective ways to save energy. You can call The Electric Connection if you have any questions.
1. Your thermostat is going to give you the most control over how much energy you can save. In the summer, turning the thermostat up a couple of degrees (meaning the house is a touch warmer) or turning it down in the winter (meaning the house is not quite as warm), is your best option for saving real money. You can dress a little warmer or a little cooler to be comfortable say a Los Angeles electrician.
2. The next big energy user in your home is the hot water heater. In a nutshell, using less hot water will save you some money. Taking shorter showers, only running the dishwasher when it’s full and washing clothes in cold water when possible are all ways to save.
3. Refrigerators and freezers are the next big energy hog in your own home. While you can’t really do without the appliances, you can make sure they are not costing you more than necessary. Checking the seals, closing the doors when not in use and setting the thermostat to thirty-six to thirty-eight degrees is a good way to save energy explains an electrician. Los Angeles area residents can also invest in a newer energy-efficient model.

If you would like to learn more about energy savings, give The Electric Connection a call today.

Water Heater Install by Beverly Hills Electrician

Posted on October 2, 2017 | by Kim Hopkins

Do you have an old water heater that sounds like a bowl of Rice Krispies when it is time for it to get to work? Maybe it isn’t heating the water as fast as you would like or as hot as you would like. A water heater is one of the most valuable appliances in your home and is used every day. It is important you keep it in good working condition so you can avoid the horrible blowouts that tend to happen when you are gone. When a water heater is old and rusted, the bottoms will fall out or leak and create a flood in your home that can cause extensive damage. It is better to be proactive and replace a water heater before it gets to that point. An electrician in Beverly Hills, like those at The Electric Connection can take care of the job for you.

There has been a lot of advancement in the field of water heaters over the past couple of decades. They are built to last as well as to be more energy efficient. While it may seem like a cost you can do without initially, think of the cost savings you are gaining by purchasing a new water heater that won’t have to constantly run to keep up with your hot water demands. Your Beverly Hills electrician can tell you the water heater in your home is one of the biggest users of electricity.

You can also prevent damage to the floors, carpet and walls of your home should the tank leak because it is giving out. The replacement is a relatively simple task when left in the capable hands of an electrician. Beverly Hills homeowners will appreciate the job being handled by a professional who will ensure the installation is clean and the tank is working. You can count on the crew at The Electric Connection to install your new water heater.

Get Your EV Charging Station Install Los Angeles Homeowners

Posted on May 24, 2017 | by Kim Hopkins

If you are tired of only getting your electric car a small charge with your trickle charger, it is time to make a change. Investing in an electric car is typically done with the intention of limiting trips to the gas station. Unfortunately, many electric car owners are finding they are still having to wait in line at the pump because their electric car did not have a full charge when they left for work or to run errands for the day. That is because the standard charging system that comes with electric cars is slow. Very slow. It can take a full 24 hours to fully charge the car. This is why you need to consider an EV charging station install. Los Angeles electric car owners can depend on The Electric Connection to install the station.

A fast charging system does cost more than the basic, but when you consider the fuel savings, it will pay off. For those driving electric cars with the intention of eliminating the dependency on fossil fuels, a fast charging system is the way to go. Your car will be ready to go when you are. Some models are fully charged in 6 hours, while others will require 8 hours. This is a much more feasible amount of time for you to stay home while your car gets what it needs to keep you going all day.

The charging station can be installed in your garage or carport. Your electrician will take a look at your electric panel to see if it has room for the necessary breaker that will be dedicated to the outlet. If it doesn’t, you may need an electric panel upgrade. Your electrician will let you know what needs to happen. Give The Electric Connection a call today and schedule your install.

Electric Savings Tips for Summer by Pasadena Electrician

Posted on May 24, 2017 | by Kim Hopkins

Have you cranked up the air conditioner yet this summer? If you have, you already know your electric bill is going to jump up. It can be a huge concern for those who can’t afford to pay an exorbitant electric bill, but also can’t afford not to cool down their homes. A cool home is a comfortable home. You need a place to get out of the heat for your comfort as well as your health. There are a few things you can do to help beat the heat and keep your electric bill from skyrocketing. These are some tips from your Pasadena electrician that will hopefully allow you to stay cool without costing you a small fortune. The team at The Electric Connection can answer any of your electrical questions that may arise.

*Stay ahead of the game by blocking the sun as much as possible with heavy curtains or blinds. Keep them closed during the day. This will go a long ways to keeping your house cool.
*Don’t run the dryer or stove during the day whenever possible.
*Replace the old CFL and incandescent bulbs in your home with LEDs. They not only put off less heat, but they use a fraction of the electricity explains an electrician in Pasadena.
*Consider hanging your clothes out to dry on a drying rack in your backyard or your deck.
*Have a ceiling fan installed by an electrician. Pasadena homeowners will appreciate the cool breeze the fan generates as well as reduce the electric bill by keeping the cool air circulating. This will result in the air conditioner running less.
*Set your thermostat a few degrees higher when you are away from the house.

You can still be cool and comfortable at home without running up your electric bill. Follow these tips and be conscientious about your electricity usage. If you need a ceiling fan installed, give The Electric Connection a call today.

Reducing Energy Costs by Glendale Electrician

Posted on April 26, 2017 | by Kim Hopkins

This is the time of year you can get by without running the heat or running the air conditioner all day. It is a great time to save a little cash by reducing your energy costs. As you enjoy this downtime, this is a good time to start thinking about other ways you could reduce your electricity usage in preparation for the hot summer weather. You know its coming, along with the high electric bills that can be staggering after such a lull. Your electrician in Glendale has some tips to help you reduce your energy usage. The team at The Electric Connection can provide you with helpful information as well.

1. Pull out your vacuum and give your vents and filters below the fridge and around your home a good cleaning. Change the filters on your furnace and AC as well.
2. Buy a roll of foam insulation, spray foam or caulking and seal up those drafty areas around your windows. This is going to keep your cool air in during the summer or warm air in during the winter.
3. Have an programmable thermostat installed by an electrician. Glendale homeowners can set the temperature to adjust throughout the day and night. Some of the newer models allow you to use your smart phone to adjust the temperature in your home. If you aren’t there, you don’t need to keep it as cool or warm when you are home.
4. Adjust your hot water heater temperature. You don’t need it to heat water more than 120 degrees. Scalding water is just asking for trouble and is a waste of energy.
5. Go with LEDs. Buy in bulk and change out your old lightbulbs for the energy-saving bulbs. They are just as bright or brighter than the CFLs or incandescent bulbs.

These are things you can get done in a matter of days. All it takes is a little time and effort. It is worth it when you see the savings on your electric bill. If you need new light fixtures to accommodate your new LED bulbs, just call your Glendale electrician. Give The Electric Connection a call today and start saving money.