Tag: electrical tips

Electric Savings Tips for Summer by Pasadena Electrician

Posted on | 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 | 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.

Power Saving Tips by Burbank Electrician

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

This winter is shaping up to be a cold one, even in areas you wouldn’t expect it. It can throw a wrench in your budget when you get an electric bill that is significantly higher than you are accustomed to. Running the heater all day and night is going to cost you. There are some things you can do to reduce your power usage throughout the winter to help offset the usage of the furnace. Your electrician in Burbank can help you do just that with these power saving tips. The team at The Electric Connection can provide you with more details about energy saving tactics.

1. Hold a family meeting. Make it clear that everyone needs to be a little more energy conscientious and make the effort to conserve.
2. If you are decorating for the holidays, consider investing in LED lights. They use far less electricity and are much brighter. More bang for your buck!
3. Give the lights inside the home an upgrade to LEDs as well. A Burbank electrician can change out old light fixtures to the newer ones that use the LED bulbs.
4. Encourage your family members to shorten their showers by at least 3 minutes. This will save you some cash by reducing how often your hot water heater needs to fire up explains an electrician. Burbank homeowners can invest in a number of different energy efficient water heaters.
5. When you turn on the heater, be frugal. You can set it at 72 and still be comfortable. If you are chilly, put on a sweater and some warm socks. Take the opportunity to enjoy some hot chocolate under a warm blanket.

Saving money doesn’t mean you have to dramatically change your lifestyle. A few simple tricks and you can balance the budget. Turn on the heat and rest easy. If you need any future tips or need those new LED fixtures, give The Electric Connection a call today.

Prevent Holiday Lighting Disasters by Santa Monica Electrician

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins
Overloaded electrical power strip with Christmas lights in background
Overloaded electrical power strip with Christmas lights in background

If you are a fan of a certain holiday movie that focuses on one man’s goal to have the brightest house in the neighborhood, you probably remember the web of electric wires and cords that posed a serious risk. In the movie, it was funny. In real life, it is no joke. It can be deadly or at the very least cause a home fire that could destroy everything and even spread to other homes in the neighborhood. Electricity should always be handled with the utmost care explains an electrician in Santa Monica. The team at The Electric Connection has a few tips to ensure your holiday lights do not cause a blackout or a fire.

1. Check the cords before you wrap them around a tree or put them outside. Make sure there are no broken areas that expose the wiring and could let moisture in.
2. Only use the proper extension cords designated for outdoors.
3. Do no overload an outlet by plugging in more than a few sets of lights. If you notice some of the lights are not working after you tested them, there is a good chance the outlet is overloaded explains an electrician. Santa Monica residents can call to have more outlets installed if their electric panel has the room to accommodate additional outlets.
4. Do your best to keep your cords out of the way. You don’t want them become tripping hazards or being wore done and posing an electric hazard.
5. Keep the number of strands you connect together to a minimum. Ideally, you should never connect more than three strands.

Your Santa Monica electrician suggests you invest in LEDs that are very bright, but use very little electricity. This is a way for you to get the full effect of a thousand lights, but only have to use a few hundred that use the energy of maybe 100. Your electric bill and your house’s power will thank you. You will also feel safer knowing you are not creating an electrical hazard. Give The Electric Connection a call today if you need extra outlets installed or have other questions.

Hiring a Santa Monica Electrician: 3 Tips

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

electriccon_09_6If you have any kind of remodeling project, home improvement or need some electrical maintenance around the house, you will need to hire an electrician. Santa Monica homeowners have a big decision to make. It can be a little stressful and you may feel like you are rolling the dice. Will you get a great, solid electrician or will you get someone who is a fly-by-night untrained person who will leave you in worse shape than you started? It can be difficult to call and make an appointment if you don’t know where to start. Well, your first call should be to The Electric Connection. You can rest assured you are getting a professional service.

How do you know? The following 3 tips will help you pick the right electrician in Santa Monica.

1. Always check to make sure anybody who is going to perform work in your house is licensed and bonded. A license means they have met certain requirements by the state. Bonded means they have insurance should there be an accident where they are injured or your house suffers damage.
2. A professional appearance may not seem like a big deal, but it gives you an idea of the work ethic of the person working in your home. You want to make sure your house is left neat and tidy. A big mess isn’t going to make you happy.
3. Your Santa Monica electrician should be known for their timeliness as well. You have a busy life and cannot afford to wait for someone to show up or wait for them to finish a job. You need the work to be completed as close to the schedule as possible with the understanding little hiccups do happen.

If you need a quality electrician, you can rest assured each member of the team at The Electric Connection will meet each of these requirements.

Extension Cord Safety Tips by Santa Monica Electrician

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

electriccon_08_6

Using an extension cord now and again is pretty common around the house. You may need it to run some power tools in the shop or run some yard equipment. In the house, you may need to use an extension cord as a temporary fix to an increased need for an outlet in an area of the house that is currently without. Extension cords come in handy around the holidays when you need to plug in the various decorations you put out in the yard and around the house. While the extension cords are relatively safe, there are a few other things you need to know to ensure you are using them correctly. An electrician in Santa Monica has some safety tips for you. If you have any questions, you can call The Electric Connection.

1-An extension cord is a temporary fix. It isn’t meant to become a permanent outlet. If you need more outlets, call an electrician. Santa Monica homeowners can request to have additional outlets installed around the home, inside and out.

2-Do not run the cords across main pathways in or out of the house. Not only do they pose tripping hazards, but they will also wear down. An exposed wire is an electrocution or electric short and fire waiting to happen. Run the cords along a wall. If it must cross a pathway, use a cord protector to keep it from being directly stepped on.

3-Do not plug several extension cords in together to reach an area. Buy the right cord for your needs from the very start.

4-Your Santa Monica electrician reiterates the need to use outdoor extension cords for outdoor use. Don’t use a flat cord that is designed for indoor use in the outdoors. They are simply not built to withstand the elements and you risk an electric shock or the device shorting out and potentially starting a fire.

Extension cords are handy to have around in a pinch, but make sure you use them correctly and follow these safety tips. Give The Electric Connection a call if you would like a more permanent fix to your electrical needs.

Electrical Safety Tips by Beverly Hills Electrician

Posted on | by K Hopkins

electriccon_july_2This world is full of danger. Every where we turn there is another risk, but as long as we follow the rules and respect the safety guidelines, things are generally okay. One of the things we know is dangerous, but never really think about how dangerous it can is electricity. Electricity is a part of our of our life in every little thing we do. We tend to take electrical safety for granted. An electrician in Beverly Hills is here to tell you that while technology and various codes and guidelines have made it relatively safe, it is important to follow the guidelines that have been established regarding electrical safety. The team at The Electric Connection wants you to be safe as well.

Here are some electrical safety tips your Beverly Hills electrician wants you to know and follow.

1-Never overload an outlet. Outlet additions that allow you to plug three items into one outlet instead of just one are risky. Don’t use an extension cord to plug in several items on one outlet for an extended period of time. If you need more outlets, consider have more installed by an electrician.

2-Do not use indoor extension cords outside. They are not insulated well enough to withstand the elements. An electric short can happen resulting in fire or electrocution.

3-Extension cords should not be placed in pathways. Stepping on a cord will break it down and possibly cause the wiring to short out or a person could be electrocuted. Extension cords should be laid against a wall or use a cord protector to keep the cord from being damaged.

4-Water and electricity do not mix! If you do not have GFCI outlets in the kitchen and bath areas, consider having them updated by an electrician. Beverly Hills homeowners will be adding a layer of safety in an area where electricity and water are at an increased risk of coming into contact with each other.

Give The Electric Connection a call today and schedule your new outlet installation or outlet upgrade.

5 Ways to Be More Green by Electrician in California

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

electricon_06_7It feels good to do something good for our neighborhood and the people we spend time with every day, even if it is from a distance. Doing the right thing and helping out in your little corner of the world gives you a sense of belonging, accomplishment and a little pride. You are doing your part to make the world better. You don’t have to be a trailblazer, a celebrity or someone who is given accolades to truly make a difference. An electrician in California has a few tips for you to use that will have a positive impact on the environment. You can leave the world a little greener. Encouraging your friends and family to follow these practices makes your impact that much bigger. At The Electric Connection, we hope to work with you to make things better.

Going green is trendy. It is cool to be green. Check out some of the things you can do in your house to be a little more green.

1-Turn the AC up 2 degrees and the heater down 2 degrees. Use a ceiling fan installed by an electrician to keep the room feeling cool without using nearly as much electricity.

2-Make it a goal to shorten your hot showers by at least 2 minutes everyday.

3-Use a stand to dry your clothes on the patio, deck or even in a room in the house that tends to be warm. An outside clothesline is also an option.

4-Quit leaving your lights, televisions and music players on when you are not using them!

5-Buy a solar charger and use it to charge your cell phone, laptop and tablet. Consider this baby steps to switching to solar power.

Becoming more energy efficient doesn’t necessarily mean you sit in the dark or don’t use hot water. You can still be energy conscientious without really changing the way you do things today. Give The Electric Connection a call if you need a new ceiling fan installed.

Home Safety by Electrician in Glendale

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

electricon_06_4It is important you not only feel safe in your home, but are actually relatively safe from most things. We know there are always hidden dangers around us. We can be ready to deal with these things and there are a few little things we can do around the house to help alert us to those safety issues. An electrician in Glendale has some safety tips that will make your home safer and make you feel a little more comfortable and safe when you and your family are home or away. The team at The Electric Connection can help you get these safety measures taken care of.

GFCI Outlets

These outlets can prevent electric shock. They are designed to shut off the instant the circuit is interrupted. These outlets are generally placed in bathrooms and kitchen areas. If an appliance comes into contact with water while plugged in, the outlet trips, cutting the current and preventing shock.

Electric Panel Inspection

It doesn’t hurt to have a Glendale electrician take a look at your electric panel. It may not look like much to you, but to the trained eye of an electrician, it can say a lot. You will learn about the condition of your breakers, the panel itself and the wiring that powers your home. If you have been having trouble with tripping breakers, this inspection will help you learn why.

Carbon Monoxide Detectors

All homes should have at least one carbon monoxide detector installed explains an electrician. Glendale homeowners can install the detectors themselves. They are usually battery-powered and can be placed in the home to alert you to carbon monoxide levels that are too high.

Smoke Detectors

You probably already have a couple of these in your home, but it doesn’t hurt to have a couple hard-wired smoke detectors installed as well. You can never be too safe.

Give The Electric connection a call today and schedule your safety upgrades.

Is Your Electric Meter Spinning? Glendale Electrician Provides Energy Savings Tips

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

electricon4_4-16You know that little meter outside your home that is fairly unattractive and unnoticeable until you hear it making a scary sound. The sound is the little dial spinning around and around. That dial spinning represents your money flying out the door. The dial is measuring the amount of electricity you are using in your house. A spinning meter can be a little scary and you will be dreading the next electric bill. When you think about this summer, it is easy to really get concerned about how much it will cost you to keep your home cool. An electrician in Glendale can help you manage your spinning meter and help keep some of that money in your pocket. The team at The Electric Connection is here to help.

These are 5 ways you can help limit your electricity usage and keep your electric bill down.

1-Make a commitment to set your thermostat at about 74 this summer. That is a comfortable temperature and you can maximize it by using a ceiling fan installed by a Glendale electrician to help stir up a breeze and circulate the cool air.

2-Buy a laundry rack and dry a few things outside on the patio to cut down on how often you use the dryer.

3-Be more conscientious about the amount of hot water you use. Don’t leave the faucet running while you wipe down cupboards or rinse dishes. Shave a few minutes off your shower time as well.

4-Switch out your old bulbs for the much more energy friendly LEDs. These tiny little bulbs use a fraction of the electricity of the standard bulb. You can also use CFLs. In some cases, you will need to have your light fixtures upgraded by an electrician. Glendale homeowners will appreciate the new look an updated fixture brings to a room.

5-Buy new curtains and blinds to use as sun shields this summer. It will help keep your home warmer and save on cooling costs.

Give The Electric Connection a call today to install that new light fixture or ceiling fan so you can start saving money on your electric bill.