5 Ways to Save Electricity this Summer by Santa Monica Electrician

Posted on May 24, 2016 | by Kim Hopkins

Stay cool as a cucumber this summer without running your electric bill sky high and your finances into the ground. Summer is such a fun time of year that we all look forward to those hot days spent at the beach enjoying the warm ocean breeze. Sometimes, the heat is just too much. We all need a break. We don’t want to be warm all the time, especially when we want to relax or sleep. It is natural to turn the AC down a bit so you can cool down after a long day in the sun. unfortunately, every degree you lower the thermostat is more money you are going to be spending. An electrician in Santa Monica wants you to stay cool and comfortable, without breaking the bank. The team at The Electric Connection has been helping customers like you for years and is here to help.

There are some things you can do this summer to help stay cool without taxing the AC. Your Santa Monica electrician says these are tried and true methods.

Invest in some heavy shades for the windows that get the most sun. Draw the shades when the sun is beating down on those windows to help keep it a little cooler in the room.
Consider investing in window tint on windows that face the south. This allows you to see out without allowing the hot sun to heat the room.
Have a few ceiling fans installed by an electrician. Santa Monica homeowners will love the feel of a cool breeze washing over them when they are in bed at night.
Open the windows at night if the temperature is cool. Giving the AC unit a break can save you a great deal.
Try to avoid cooking with the oven during the heat of the day. Use a crockpot instead.

Stay cool this summer without having to pinch too many pennies. Give The Electric Connection a call today to schedule your ceiling fan installation.

Upgrading the Home’s Electrical with Santa Monica Electrician

Posted on April 25, 2016 | by Kim Hopkins

When you are a homeowner, there seems like there is always something you can or want to do around the house to make it a little better. It is part of owning a home. Home improvement projects are fun and rewarding whether you are tackling them yourself or hiring a professional team to take care of the heavy lifting so to speak. There doesn’t ever seem to be an end to the things you can do to make your home a little better, safer and more valuable. One of the things that people tend to overlook because it isn’t always obvious is the electrical system in the home. An electrician in Santa Monica will tell you that despite it’s relative anonymity, it is probably one of the most important elements of your home. The team at The Electric Connection has been making homes a little safer for decades and they can help you as well.

You may not have any obvious problems, but unless you have an inspection, you truly don’t know what hidden dangers may be lurking behind the walls. Once you have an inspection by a Santa Monica electrician, you will be given a list of minor or potentially major fixes you can make to make your home a little safer.

Your upgraded electrical doesn’t have to be all about safety standards if your home is already in good electrical shape. It can be something as simple as adding a couple of outlets to a room so you can make it into a home office or gaming area. Maybe you want to change up the lights or add ceiling fans. This can all be handled by your electrician. Santa Monica homeowners will appreciate the promptness and professionalism they will receive when they call The Electric Connection to upgrade their home’s electrical.

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

Posted on April 25, 2016 | by Kim Hopkins

You 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.

Quick and Easy Ways to Lower Your Electric Bill by Pasadena Electrician

Posted on August 25, 2015 | by Kim Hopkins

Your electric bill may not be a problem for you, but wouldn’t it be nice to have a few more dollars in your pocket every month? Imagine if you could save even ten dollars every month. You could set it aside and put towards a fund to buy something that you have been wanting or buy an extra latte. No, it isn’t a lot, but you never know when a little extra cash will come in handy. And, it isn’t just ten bucks. It could end up being much more if you follow these tips presented by your Pasadena electrician. The team at The Electric Connection is here to help you find out how you can save.

*Your biggest energy hog is going to be your air conditioner or furnace in the winter. You don’t have to cook or freeze, but you can turn it up a bit in the summer and down a bit in the winter. Throw on a comfy sweater during the winter so you can keep your furnace setting lower. In the summer, keep the blinds closed and run a ceiling fan to help stay cool without cranking the AC up.

*Lighting is the second biggest use of electricity in your home explains an electrician. Pasadena homeowners can slash their electric bill by turning off lights when not in use. Switching to LEDs is another quick and easy way to save some cash.

*Turning down your water heater a few degrees will also save you a great deal of money. If you are not sure how to do this, call an electrician in Pasadena to take care of it for you. Most people are heating water to a temperature they can’t actually use and end up turning on the cold water to cool it down.

These three quick ways can save you money every month. You will see the savings on your next electric bill. Give The Electric Connection a call if you have any questions or need help taking care of any electrical issues.

Save Money and Save the Planet with an Electrician in Los Angeles

Posted on June 19, 2015 | by Kim Hopkins

Every month we hear more about our failing earth. Whether you buy into all of the theories or not, it isn’t hard to deny the abuse we impose on Mother Earth. We know things are reaching a breaking point. It is time to make some changes before things get so bad, there is no going back. Although it may seem like a daunting task to save the world, you don’t have to look at the big picture. Focus on your little corner. Focus on making a few changes around your house and you can save the planet that way. Every little bit helps. An electrician in Los Angeles has some tips to help you do just that. The team at The Electric Connection wants to help you do what you can by providing electrical services.

Check out some of the ways you can save money while saving the planet.

1-Switch to CFLs. Don’t put it off. Using less electricity will save you money while reducing the demand on natural resources.

2-Look into having your home switched to solar power. There are numerous tax breaks and incentives for homeowners who are willing to make the change. A Los Angeles electrician will hook up the system and you will start saving money on your electric bill in the first month.

3-Make your home heating and air conditioning more efficient by sealing up cracks around your windows and doors. Have a ceiling fan installed by an electrician. Los Angeles homeowners can reduce the demand on their furnaces and air conditioning units with ceiling fan installation.

4-Be conscientious when showering, brushing your teeth or running the washer or dishwasher. Conserve water by taking shorter showers, turning off the water while brushing and only running the washer when it is full.

Be kind to the planet and your wallet. Follow these quick and easy tips. If you need a ceiling fan installed or have questions about solar energy, call The Electric Connection today.

Outdoor Kitchen Lighting with Pasadena Electrician

Posted on April 21, 2015 | by Kim Hopkins

This summer is the time to plan plenty of outdoor events including backyard barbecues. If you have been thinking about having that new outdoor kitchen installed, now is the time to do it. Being able to stay outside with your guests as you prepare a fantastic feast is a luxury you can only get when you have an outdoor kitchen. Your outdoor kitchen would not be complete without electricity and lighting. You will need an electrician in Pasadena to help fulfill your dreams of cooking outdoors with all the modern conveniences of your kitchen. The team at The Electric Connection can help you achieve that dream.

One of the most important factors of your outdoor kitchen is the lighting. Many cookouts are held in the evening hours when things are a bit cooler because the sun is setting. With the setting sun, you will have less natural light. You don’t want to burn your meal and will definitely want adequate lighting for the cook. This can be installed by a Pasadena electrician. LEDs are an excellent choice and can be installed over the grill area to ensure the cook can see clearly.

Your counters, seating area and the walkway will also need to be adequately lit. You can choose to have lights installed along the pathway or have several large fixtures installed by an electrician. Pasadena homeowners have a number of different outdoor lighting options. You can choose soft lighting for the dining area or make it fun and festive with brightly colored lantern lights hanging over the seating area. Your first step is visiting your local home improvement store to check out what you can do or give your friendly electrician a call. The team at The Electric Connection can help you come up with the perfect lighting scheme for your outdoor kitchen.

Energy Savings at the Office with Electrician in Burbank

Posted on January 15, 2015 | by Kim Hopkins

We see plenty of tips and tricks for residential electric company owners that are meant to help save them money, but what about business owners? Businesses face the same issues as residential customers. When electric rates rise, businesses lose money from their bottom line. In order to keep the bottom line healthy or just to save a few dollars that could be put to use in other areas, it is important managers and employees learn a bit about energy savings. An electrician in Burbank, like those at The Electric Connection, has some tips that can help you lower the electric bill while lessening the demand on the power grid. It is a win-win situation.

*On Fridays, turn off power strips and unplug things like the coffee maker and other small appliances in the office. This will help reduce the phantom power that is drawn even when appliances, computers and other equipment are not in use.

*Install motion sensors in the copy room, bathrooms and supply rooms that are not always in use and do not always need to have lights on. The sensors detect movement and will automatically turn the lights on when somebody enters the room and shuts the light off when a person leaves the room.

*Switch your lighting to LED. This is a huge energy saver and you will see savings on your next Burbank electrical bill. Track lighting is common in offices. These fixtures are typically equipped to handle the energy-efficient LEDs. If you need to upgrade your existing lights, talk with your local electrician.

*Make sure to regularly maintain the fans on your computers. Keeping the computers dust free helps them run better and will ultimately lose less energy. This also applies to the coils on the office refrigerator and the furnace filters. Dust isn’t just unsightly—it costs you money!

If you have any questions or would like to schedule a lighting upgrade in your office, give The Electric Connection a call today.

Reduce Heating Costs with Los Angeles Electrician

Posted on October 21, 2014 | by Kim Hopkins

bigstockphoto_radiator_721238 Southern California residents are fortunate in the fact the winters are fairly mild, but you will need to run the heater from time to time. You can save a lot of money on heating costs by following these tips presented by your Los Angeles electrician. The team at The Electric Connection can help you get your home ready for what very well may be a very long, cold winter.

Keeping your house warm can be difficult if it isn’t properly insulated. Do your best to make sure your attic space is insulated. Another helpful tool to keeping in the air you pay to heat inside where you want it is by adding weather stripping around doors and windows. This will take care of those cold drafts that seep in around the spaces. The stripping includes sticky tape that is easily peeled off and stuck to the door and window jams. It is fairly inexpensive, but can save you a great deal of money on heating AND cooling costs. It won’t be visible and can also reduce the sound that comes through those small cracks.

Another option that is very helpful during the cooler months as well as the summer months is a ceiling fan installed by an electrician. Los Angeles residents can help reduce heating costs with the installation of a ceiling fan. The fan blades will push the hot air that rises up to the ceiling back down into the living space. The hot air in the room will keep the thermostat from kicking the furnace on repeatedly. This is where the cost savings is. Your ceiling fan can also act as a light fixture in the room. Remote controls are an option if you have high ceilings. If you are ready to take the next step in fighting high heating bills, give The Electric Connection a call today.

Energy Savings Tips by Electrician in Santa Monica

Posted on September 11, 2014 | by Kim Hopkins

bigstockphoto_Electrical_Meter_1042644 We can always find ways to save a few extra dollars, but sometimes it can be little difficult to pinpoint exactly where those savings are to be had. You may look at the budget over and over and still keep coming up with the same bottom line. An electrician in Santa Monica can help you discover a few ways you could cut your electric bill without dramatically changing your lifestyle. If you ever have any questions or concerns about these tips, you can call The Electric Connection to ask more questions.

1-Get rid of any of those remaining incandescent light bulbs. They are costing you money. You can shave 20 percent off your electric bill simply by relying on CFL and LED bulbs that are much more energy efficient. They tend to be a bit brighter as well.

2-Have a ceiling fan installed in a central room of your house. This will help circulate hot and cold air produced by your furnace or air conditioner. Ceiling fans run on a fraction of the electricity of a heating or air conditioning unit. It is a good idea to have the fan installed by someone familiar with Santa Monica electrical codes.

3-Ask every member of the household to shave off 2 minutes from their average shower time. This can save a lot of money on your electric bill by reducing the demand put on the hot water heater. You could also turn down the thermostat of the water heater by about 5 to 10 degrees and save even more money.

4-Unplug any appliances, computers and electronics when they are not in use. When you leave for the day or go to bed at night, unplugging your electronics can save you money on wasted phantom power.

Give The Electric Connection a call today to have your ceiling fan installed or to learn more about energy savings.

Small Jobs for Electrician in Burbank

Posted on August 11, 2014 | by Kim Hopkins

bigstockphoto_Electrician_Industrial_Panel_2009627 As we prepare for fall and eventually winter, there are probably plenty of jobs you need to get done in the house. We often focus a lot of our time and energy on the outdoors during the spring and summer months and the indoors gets neglected. The following tasks are some things you will want to take care of with the help of an electrician in Burbank. The team at The Electric Connection will make sure your tasks are taken care quickly and professionally.

GFCIs

Ground fault control interrupters are excellent safety features to add to your kitchen and bathroom areas. The outlets prevent against electric shock when an appliance comes into contact with water. The second the circuit is interrupted by contact with water, the electricity to the circuit is automatically cut off. This can prevent the person holding the appliance from being shocked.

Smoke Detectors

The standard smoke detector you have in your home may not be quite as safe as you would think. These battery powered smoke detectors must have fresh batteries in order to work properly. There is also the risk of not hearing a smoke detector down the hall or in another room. Hard-wired smoke detectors are a better option. They are wired directly into your home’s main power and are interconnected. When one alarm is sounded, all the alarms will go off. This can add several minutes to your escape time.

Ceiling Fans

Ceiling fans are an excellent way to circulate warm air in the winter and cool air in the summer. There is some minor Burbank electrical work involved that can be taken care of by an experienced electrician. Ceiling fans are energy efficient and can save you money on your electric bill.

If you would like some help taking care of these small, but necessary upgrades around your home, give The Electric Connection a call today.