Benefits of Track Lighting with Pasadena Electrician

Posted on May 25, 2015 | by Kim Hopkins

There are numerous lighting options you have when it comes to upgrading and updating your home. The standard light in the center of the room is no longer the only option. In fact, it is a rather dated look. You can update your home and give it a more modern look by simply changing out a light fixture. Of course, this will require handling electrical wiring, which should always be done by an electrician in Pasadena. Don’t risk trying to do it yourself and causing some serious damage to your home or injuring yourself. The team at The Electric Connection is here to help and can take care of your lighting update.

Track lighting offers numerous benefits and looks great too! If you are unsure of what track lighting is; it is several lights fixtures on a track that is on one circuit. The track can be a straight line, a U shape or a curved shape. You can choose to have 2 lights or 4 or more. Your Pasadena electrician can help you determine just what track lighting structure is best for you and your needs.

One of the major benefits of track lighting is flexibility. You can light up an entire room with a single fixture. You have the freedom to choose just how many lights you use and direct them where you need the light the most. Another benefit to track lighting is the fact many are designed to use LEDs. LEDs will save you a great deal of money on your lighting bill. They are extremely bright and use a fraction of the electricity of a standard light bulb or even a CFL bulb. You will want to have the track lighting fixture installed by an electrician. Pasadena homeowners will feel better knowing they are getting a professional installation job. Give The Electric Connection a call today and schedule your track lighting upgrade.

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.

Hiding Home Entertainment Wiring with Pasadena Electrician

Posted on March 25, 2015 | by Kim Hopkins

With flat screen televisions the new norm in home entertainment systems, those large, wooden entertainment centers are being phased out. Now, it is much easier to simply hang the television on the wall and free up quite a bit of space in the living area. Unfortunately, those entertainment centers provided a nice camouflage for all of the wires that go along with your media equipment. Your Pasadena electrician has a few tips to help you make it all look a little cleaner and less disorganized. If you need help installing or organizing your electrical cords, you can always call The Electric Connection.

Cord Organizers

Your first step is to tidy up the cords that have a lot of length left. These can turn into a tangled mess on the floor that can ultimately become a hazard. Kids and pets will love the cords and could electrocute themselves or yank the television down. Consider using cord organizers, which are small plastic cases that keep cords wound up and out of sight, or use cable ties to keep the extra length in check.

Hide the Cords

Hide the cords under the equipment, behind the shelf or stand the equipment is on or if using a flat screen, behind the television. You can also find nifty covers that run the length of the wall. The covers hide the cords and can be painted to match your existing wall.

More Outlets

Many older homes have outlets that are close to the floor. Consider having an electrician in Pasadena install an outlet higher up on the wall for you to plug your flat screen into. This will keep you from running the cord down the wall.

In a Closet

Consider hiding your electrical wires and cords in a closet or pantry. This will need to be taken care of by an electrician. Pasadena homeowners can successfully put all of their necessary equipment in this small space, keeping the room clean and tidy. Give The Electric Connection a call today to take care of your home entertainment needs.

3 Ways to Make Your Fridge Cost Less by Pasadena Electrician

Posted on February 24, 2015 | by Kim Hopkins

It is always nice to have a little extra change in your pocket. Sometimes, when the cost to buy gas or groceries always seems to be going up, it can be tough to find that change. You could start cutting down on your electric bill by following these handy tips from your Pasadena electrician. Every extra dollar helps and by making your refrigerator a little more energy efficient, you will be doing something good for your checking account and the environment. The team at The Electric Connection wants to help you and is ready to answer any questions you may have.

1-Do what you can to keep your refrigerator as full as possible. Don’t be so quick to toss out the little bit of milk in the jug to clear out some space. Space takes more electricity to cool. A full fridge will maintain its temperature better than an empty fridge.

2-Avoid putting the toaster microwave, coffee pot and if at all possible, the oven next to the fridge. You want to limit the heat near your fridge. If you are heating it up from the outside, it will make the fridge work that much harder to keep cold. If you need to move your fridge, considering hiring an electrician. Pasadena residents who want to renovate their kitchen to keep the fridge away from the hot appliances will need an additional outlet.

3-Make sure there is a couple inches between the wall and the back of your fridge. Keep the coils dusted. Lint, cobwebs and dust will clog up the filters on the refrigerator and make it have to run more often and work harder to function properly. Keep it regularly maintained and you will extend the life of the appliance and reduce your electricity usage.

Give The Electric Connection a call today if you need a new outlet for your fridge.

New Chandelier–New Room Says Electrician in Pasadena

Posted on November 16, 2014 | by Kim Hopkins | 2 Comments

It is amazing to see the difference a single light fixture can make in your home. A drab entryway and a dull dining room are transformed with the addition of a gorgeous chandelier. You can go big and dramatic or keep it simple and classy. There are so many styles and sizes to choose from you will find the perfect chandelier to create the look you are going for. You will want to have your new chandelier installed by an electrician in Pasadena, like those at The Electric Connection.

Chandeliers are often used as statement pieces in a room. They manage to set the mood in a room simply by being on. If you are going for romantic and quaint, a gorgeous chandelier with some low-wattage bulbs is perfect. Most chandeliers are equipped with dimmers that give you the freedom to turn the lights on maximum power or keep them muted. Large chandeliers equipped with numerous lights are perfect for creating an open and inviting atmosphere, which is why they are often put in large rooms or entry ways. The bright lights encourage revelry and lift the spirits.

Because there is some Pasadena electrical work involved, it is always a good idea to leave the installation to a professional. It is simply too risky to try and install it yourself if you are not familiar with the intricacies of electrical wiring. It would be a disaster to go through the process of hanging the chandelier only to have it not work or to be wired wrong and create a dangerous electrical hazard.

You can hit your typical big box home improvement stores to find the perfect chandelier or check out specialty lighting stores. Once you have found the perfect chandelier for your home, give The Electric Connection a call to schedule the installation.

Power Outage Tips by Pasadena Electrician

Posted on October 22, 2014 | by Kim Hopkins

lightbulbs (4) Cold weather and winter storms are often to blame for power outages. It seems like when you need your heater the most, it will be rendered useless by a power outage. The power may go out for a number of different reasons. An accident, a severe storm or mechanical failure are all possibilities. You never know what may happen. A Pasadena electrician has some tips for you to keep handy just in case the power goes out this winter. If you have any more questions, you can always call The Electric Connection.

• Unplug your small appliances, computers, Smart televisions, gaming systems and any other items that have sensitive electrical components. Leaving items plugged in could damage them when the power comes back on. A small power surge can fry the electrical components. You can reduce or eliminate this risk by having a whole home surge protector installed by an electrician. Pasadena residents can save themselves a great deal of money on damaged appliances with one of these inexpensive tools.

• Call the power company hotline to determine how long the outage is expected to last.

• Shut the doors to any rooms you are not using to keep the heat in one area. Put on extra layers of clothing to stay warm.

• Pull out flashlights and candles if the power outage happens in the evening. Emergency candles are different than the typical decorative candles and will put out more light.

• Instruct everyone in the house to leave the refrigerator and freezer doors closed. Your food will stay cold for 4 hours in the fridge and up to 24 hours in the freezer.

If the idea of dealing with a power outage does not thrill you, you could always invest in a standby generator. These handy tools will keep your home powered and allow you to continue on with your life without any interruption. Give The Electric Connection a call today to learn more.

Fight Winter Blues with Electrician in Pasadena

Posted on September 10, 2014 | by Kim Hopkins

heat_related2 (5) As you prepare to spend a lot more time indoors this winter, it is the time to think about making some home improvements that will make your home a little more comfortable and appealing. If you are going to be holed up inside your home, you want to make it as inviting as possible. Sometimes, a little facelift can totally change the look and feel of a room. A new coat of paint, refinishing the floors and adding new lighting are fairly inexpensive home improvement projects that breathe new life into your old space. If you have ever dreamed about a shiny, glass chandelier in your foyer or dining room, now is a great time to make that dream come true with the help of an electrician in Pasadena. The team at The Electric Connection can help you make your goal of adding new lighting a reality.

Chandeliers range from very basic to very elegant. You will get the freedom to choose the perfect fixture for your home’s personality. Spend some time choosing the right chandelier that is functional as well as aesthetically appealing. Once you have chosen the perfect chandelier, give you electrician a call to discuss placement.

If there is an existing light fixture in the room, it is a fairly easy job of switching the old light out and installing the new chandelier. If there isn’t an existing fixture, you will need to have an experienced electrician take care of any Pasadena electrical wiring needed to power the light. This will be discussed with you. At the time of installation, it is a good idea to have a dimmer switch installed as well. Some chandeliers are equipped with several lights can really brighten up an area. You may not always need that much light. A dimmer will give you the ability to adjust the lighting based on your needs. Give The Electric Connection a call today and schedule your chandelier installation.

Dream Big with Electrician in Pasadena

Posted on August 13, 2014 | by Kim Hopkins

homeSafetyInspect Your home is constantly changing and evolving. It is one of the things that makes home ownership fun. It is exciting to sit down at night and look around your home and your yard and think of the different things you could do to make it a little better. The definition of the perfect home is always a little different and it can change from year to year. If you have some big plans that you would like to see happen in and around your home, you need an electrician in Pasadena. The Electric Connection has been around for years; helping homeowners just like yourself turn their home into their dream home with various projects and upgrades.

It doesn’t matter if your dreams are big or small, your electrician can help. It may be something as simple as adding a few outlets to your kitchen or installing a beautiful center island to make your meal prep easier and more efficient. Sometimes, you may have no idea where to start or what is actually needed to make one of your dreams a reality. This is why you need the help of somebody familiar with the ins and out of Pasadena electrical work.

Your job will be to communicate what it is you want to achieve and then an electrician will give you a free electrical estimate to let you know what kind of costs you can expect to incur. Keep in mind, the electrician will be providing the electrical portion of the job. You will need to do any actual renovating and construction yourself or hire a carpenter to take care of that part. You will want to choose an electrician who will work with your contractor while ensuring your electrical needs and desires are taken care of. You can count on The Electric Connection to provide you with an experienced electrician. Give us a call today.

Whole Home Surge Protection by Pasadena Electrician

Posted on July 28, 2014 | by Kim Hopkins

tool (7) Weather is so unpredictable, even trained weather people struggle to accurately predict storms and the strengths of those storms. It just makes sense to prepare for anything in order to keep your life as normal as possible. Power outages and power surges are very common during high winds, heavy rainfall and of course thunderstorms. A Pasadena electrician can help you protect your appliances, computers and televisions with the installation of a whole home surge protector. If you have never heard of one of these devices, give The Electric Connection a call to discover how they can save you hundreds of dollars by preventing damage to your electronics.

Every single day, there are power fluctuations in your home. This may be caused by large appliances like a refrigerator or air conditioner kicking off and on or things that are happening around the area. These minor power surges are not always noticeable, but they are damaging the sensitive electrical components in each of your devices. This can shrink the life expectancy of certain high-dollar appliances like your refrigerator, well pump, freezer and even the stove. More sensitive devices like computers, smart TVs, and gaming systems are easily damaged by these minor power surges.

Large surges can wipe out a computer board in an instant. Every electrical device has a board. When this happens, the appliance or gadget is ruined and will likely cost hundreds of dollars to repair. All of this can be avoided with a surge protector installed at the electric panel by an electrician. Pasadena homeowners can purchase a whole home surge protector for a couple hundred dollars. The investment could save hundreds, possibly thousands of dollars in damaged electronics. Lightning and power surges are part of our world. It makes sense to spend a little money now to prevent a lot of damage and hassle in the future. Give The Electric Connection a call today to schedule your installation.

Pool Installation Requires Electrician in Pasadena

Posted on July 10, 2014 | by Kim Hopkins

If you are thinking about beating the heat this summer with a new pool in your backyard, you will need to hire an electrician in Pasadena to complete the wiring. A new pool is an exciting toy that will lead to hours of fun for the whole family and of course, family friends. There are plenty of tools needed to keep your pool clean and safe to use. Tools like filters, pumps and heaters if desired, all require electricity. Water and electricity do not mix so it is important an experienced electrician, like those at The Electric Connection, complete the wiring for the pool to ensure it is safe. Even if you are choosing to go with an above ground pool, there is still some electrical that will be needed to operate the filter and pump.

The following are some of the things that will need to be addressed when bringing your pool up to Pasadena electrical codes.

*Depth of the wiring must be buried at least 18 inches for PVC conduit or 6 inches deep for EMT conduit. Your electrician can discuss this in more detail with you.

*Your pool will need a dedicated breaker and outlets to run on. The outlet needs to be no closer than 6 foot from the pool’s edge and no farther than 20 feet from the pool. This is the receptacle that will be used to power your filtration system, pump, heater and an automatic pool cover if you choose.

*Lighting inside the pool and around the pool area will also need to be installed by an electrician.

If you home’s electric panel is already maxed out, you may need to have a sub-panel installed to run the various equipment needed to keep your pool in tip-top condition. Give The Electric Connection a call and schedule an appointment to discuss your pool installation needs.