Tag: light fixtures

House Rewire Warning Signs & Things to Consider

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

los angeles house rewireHow can you be sure that a house rewire is necessary? The wires in your house deliver the electricity throughout your entire home so you need to be sure that you get advice from the experts. Fortunately, there are few things you can check out before you call any electricians out to your house.

The first thing to consider is the age of your home and electrical panel. If your house is over 50 years old, there’s a good chance it needs to be rewired. At the very least you should have the wiring in your home inspected by a professional. Homes over 50 years old may contain knob-and-tube or aluminum wiring. These types of wiring are outdated and can potentially pose extreme dangers.

Other warning signs that you may need a whole house electrical rewire include:

  • Circuit breakers that are tripping frequently
  • Blown fuses
  • A burning smell that won’t go away
  • Sizzling sounds without apparent sources
  • Outlets or switches that look discolored or charred

If you are noticing any of the signs above, it’s probably a good time to call your electrician to schedule an inspection. Many electricians are happy to provide customers with whole house rewire estimates. This can be a very large investment so it’s important to call around to find multiple estimates for the job.

It is fortunate, though, that rewiring a home is usually a once-in-a-generation expense when done right. It’s important to weigh the risks versus the expenses when considering this project. Improper or outdated wiring can cause many issues including fires so it’s a job that shouldn’t be put off too long. A report by the US Fire Administration states that from 2010 to 2014, 45,210 home structure fires involved electrical malfunctions or failure. Annually this led to 420 deaths and over 1,300 injuries. These fires also caused $1.4 billion in property damages.

House Rewire: Things to Consider

You might be thinking, ‘what is a full house rewire?’ Well, it’s much like it sounds. Rewiring a home involved removing as many of the old wires as possible to make room for wiring that is not only new but also up to date. Non-metallic wire, or Romex, is used because it is generally safe and easier to work with. It won’t get hot when it is surrounded by insulation.

The new wiring can be installed by tearing out walls to run the new wires and then sealing the new installation behind drywall. This can be very expensive and may take a bit of time to complete. The fewer walls that need cut the less the job will cost. If the wiring can be run through a crawlspace or attic this is ideal for keeping down the cost.

Another option electricians may choose is to take the wiring and fish it through the walls with rods and thin metal, called fish tape. This is usually used in older homes to keep up the integrity. Instead of tearing down walls, small holes are made and then patched up. Using this method helps preserve the plaster walls.

When a house is being rewired, it is almost always recommended to also upgrade your panel. Older homes generally have a smaller capacity panel but when you rewire your home you’re allowing for more conveniences which might put more strain on your panel. If your home has a 60 amp panel, it’s a good idea to update it to 100 amp. This will allow you to bring more comfort into your home without the worry of tripping circuits.

Whether you need a new light fixture installed or are getting your whole home rewired, choosing the right electrician is very important. Don’t just hire the cheapest person on the market – be sure to do research and get multiple bids from professionals. In the end, it will be worth it to know that your house rewire job was done safely and correctly.

You local electrician at The Electric Connection can perform whole house rewires with ease. Our technicians have the expertise and experience necessary to get the job done correctly and quickly. Click here to learn more about our house rewire services or give us a call at (818) 446-0888.

Lighting 101 by Electrician in Santa Monica

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

If you are redesigning a room in your house, it is important you look beyond the paint color on the walls and the type of flooring in the room. You need to take a long, hard look at the lighting. It isn’t just about replacing tired, old fixtures. It is about making a room pop with the just right amount and right style of lighting. There is no one size fits all when it comes to lighting. Each space requires something a little different explains and electrician. Santa Monica homeowners who are ready to revamp their space with a new lighting look will want to call The Electric Connection to take care of the lighting transformation.

One of the most important considerations for changing up the lighting in the room is determining what the area is going to be used for. This will decide how much and what kind of light you need to make it gorgeous and functional. Using fixtures that match the décor is also an important deciding factor.

Entryways and hallways that have little to no natural light will benefit from lighting directed at the walls and ceilings. Recessed lighting with medium brightness is perfect for these areas says a Santa Monica electrician. Kitchens deserve all the lighting you can put into the space. Bright LEDS on a track lighting system are a perfect choice. You can add some pizazz by installing pendant lights over a center island.

Living rooms are typically best served with a medium to low light scheme. Use table lamps for areas where you need additional light for reading or other focused tasks. Ceiling fans with adjustable lighting are a good choice in this area suggests an electrician in Santa Monica. Have some fun picking out fixtures and then give The Electric Connection a call to have them installed.

LED Lighting by Pasadena Electrician

Posted on | 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.

10 Reasons to Call a Glendale Electrician

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

Owning a home can be an exciting adventure. However, owning a home comes with the knowledge you are going to have to invest in the home on almost a monthly basis. It doesn’t matter how new your home is, you are going to run into issues that require you to hire professional help to resolve. While many homeowners prefer to handle as much of the maintenance and upkeep on the home themselves, there are time when problems should absolutely be left to the professionals. Anything having to do with electricity in the home should always be left to an electrician. Glendale homeowners can count on The Electric Connection to provide timely, professional service when they need it.

The following are a few reasons to call a Glendale electrician.
1. Installing new ceiling fans or light fixtures.
2. Electrical shorts that are causing breakers to trip on a regular basis.
3. The smell of burning wires or obvious signs of burning on or around light switches or electrical outlets.
4. An installed light fixture in a room isn’t working or only works on occasion. If the lights flicker or make a buzzing or cracking sound you need to call an electrician in Glendale.
5. If you are transforming a room into an office and need additional outlets.
6. An outlet is dead or not working.
7. You are planning a remodel or upgrade to your kitchen.
8. If your home is older and you are concerned about outdated wiring, an electrical inspection is a great idea.
9. You have an electric car and would like to have a charging station installed in your garage.
10. Your existing electric panel is not providing enough electricity to the home to make it fully functional.
These are just a few of the more common reasons to call a professional electrician. When in doubt, give The Electric Connection a call and talk with a professional.

Electrical Home Safety Checklist by Pasadena Electrician

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

It is a good idea to give your home an electrical inspection every month to identify any potential hazards. It doesn’t take a lot of time and can become a part of your normal routine once you know what you should be looking for. Often times, the signs of an electrical problem are in plain sight, but many people simply don’t know they are warning signs and they are ignored. Your electrician in Pasadena wants you to be safe and has a quick checklist for you to follow. If you would like an electrical inspection by a professional, you can call The Electric Connection.
1. Start by looking at every light switch in your home. This is fairly straightforward. Look at the wall surrounding the switch. If you observe browning around or on the switch plate, it is a problem. Look on the wall to see if there are any black streaks as well. Do this for every outlet cover in the home as well. It’s a good idea to even check the outlets that are covered by furniture explains a Pasadena electrician.
2. Turn on a light switch and listen closely. A humming sound or something that sounds like a bowl of Rice Krispies is a warning sign and the light or outlet should not be used. Turn off the breaker to stop all electricity from flowing to the potentially hazardous switch.
3. Are all switches and outlets working properly? A light fixture that doesn’t turn on, even with a new bulb could have an electrical short. Outlets that only work on occasion are also hazards.
4. Does an outlet feel loose or wiggle when you are plugging in appliances? This is another problem that needs to be immediately addressed by an electrician. Pasadena homeowners will want to stop using the outlet until it is fixed.

This quick checklist can catch a problem before it becomes a serious shock hazard or an electrical fire. Give The Electric Connection a call today to remedy your electrical issues.

Lighting Tips by Electrician in Glendale

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

Does your home need something different, but you just can’t quite put your finger on it? Maybe you want to give it a facelift or make it feel more inviting. Seeing the same thing day in and day out can get a little old and boring. Your electrician in Glendale has a few tips that may inspire you to switch up the lighting in a room to achieve a fresh, new look. The team at The Electric Connection can take care of the installation once you have chosen your new fixtures.

1. Have a Glendale electrician add dimmer switches to give you more control over the amount of light in the room. You can go from bright and cheery to dim and romantic with the slide of a switch.
2. Pendant lights are a great way to decorate a room while adding light. The pendants come in a wide variety of styles and colors. You can add a little flare to a space with the right pendant. These are great choices over a kitchen island, a reading area or even a mantle. The heights are adjustable which makes them very versatile.
3. Adding undercabinet lighting is an excellent way to bring in focused light that doesn’t crowd a room. Small LED strips mount under a cabinet and are completely out of the way.
4. Focus on your entryway lighting says an electrician. Glendale homeowners will be surprised at the difference this makes. You can go bold with a beautiful chandelier that sets the tone for the entire home.
5. Use chandeliers to create focal points in a room. Chandeliers are not just for the dining room. You can add them to a master suite or a sitting room. The light fixture becomes a functional centerpiece.
Lighting a home doesn’t have to be boring or run-of-the-mill. Have some fun picking out the right fixtures for your home and then call The Electric Connection for the installation.

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.

Can Lighting Explained by Santa Monica Electrician

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

There are always going to be trends in home building. One of the hottest trends that has been around for a while and doesn’t seem to be losing any popularity is the installation of can lighting throughout the entire home. Can lighting, also referred to as recessed lighting, has many benefits. If you are unsure what the lighting is or would like to learn more about it, a Santa Monica electrician is here to explain. The team at The Electric Connection can answer any additional questions you may have on the subject.

Can lighting gets its name from the can-shaped housing unit that slides into the ceiling. The housing is completely hidden within the ceiling. The only thing a person sees in the room is a trim piece that is flush against the ceiling. The bulb is inside the ceiling, which means you lose no headspace. This can make a room appear much larger explains an electrician in Santa Monica. Unlike standard light fixtures that only provide light in the center of the room and take up about six inches of head space, the can lights can be placed throughout the room. You can also use the more energy-efficient CFL or LED bulbs in the fixtures.

You can choose to have the lights directed at a wall to highlight a particular piece of art or aimed directly into the room. Another bonus with this type of lighting is you can choose how much lighting you want in a particular space. Can lighting is safe to use in bathrooms as well explains an electrician. Santa Monica homeowners who like the control over how much light is emitted can have a dimmer switch installed as well. There are many reasons why recessed lighting has become so popular. If you would like to upgrade your old lighting to this style, give The Electric Connection a call today.

Choosing the Best Lighting with Los Angeles Electrician

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

If you have recently acquired a commercial property, one of the first things you will want to address is the lighting in the place. There are many different lighting types based on what you need and what the property is going to be used for. There is no one-size-fits all when it comes to lighting. You have plenty of options and in many cases, updating the lighting can save you money on the electricity bill. An electrician in Los Angeles, like those at The Electric Connection, can help you decide what is right for your new property.
Gone are the days when you were stuck with plain, often garish fluorescent lighting that can be rough on the eyes and even rougher on the way a room looks. Nowadays, we are lucky to have daylight tubes that can replace the old fluorescent lights. Those fixtures are best in an office space or area where bright lighting is needed and natural light is not an option explains a Los Angeles electrician.
Having directed light via a track lighting system is a great option for small areas that need more light in certain places, like over a workstation. This gives you the freedom to not only direct the light, but to choose the wattage of the bulb as well. Track lighting isn’t just for the kitchen! Another lighting option that is regularly seen in homes, especially new construction, is recessed lighting. This is an excellent choice for keeping the ceilings clear of any hanging light fixtures. It makes a room feel bigger and once again, you have control of how much light. Some options include being able to direct the light against a wall or into a room explains an electrician. Los Angeles property owners can take a look at the different lighting options and then give The Electric Connection a call to schedule their lighting renovation.

Dangers of DIY Electrical by Santa Monica Electrician

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

There is a real sense of pride and satisfaction when you take on a task that is daunting and challenging and you actually pull it off. Taking on a do-it-yourself task can be fun and rewarding. You learn a lot and you get the experience of working with your hands. Sometimes, DIY projects can be great and other times, they end up being complete failures you can laugh off. However, there are some DIY jobs you should never attempt. Anything that puts your life at risk or risks the overall safety of your home is simply not worth it. Electricity is no joke. If you have a job that requires electrical wiring, it is best left to a certified electrician. Santa Monica homeowners can count on the team at The Electric Connection to take care of any electrical repairs or new installations.

Electrical repairs or installing new light fixtures may seem simple enough on the surface, but one small mistake could be extremely dangerous. It isn’t worth the risk. Always call an electrician in Santa Monica to handle the electrical side of any DIY project and you can take credit for the rest. In many cases, a DIY project that involved electricity is against county and city codes. Permits are generally required for remodels and renovations, which will need an inspection.

You want your home to be safe and don’t want to have to worry about an electrical short due to faulty wiring. This can be avoided by letting a Santa Monica electrician take care of that part of the project while you focus on picking on the new fixture or putting on the paint. Have fun with your next DIY, but always remember safety first and give The Electric Connection a call to handle any electrical work that goes with the project.