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Holiday Lighting

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

 

LED decorative lights are a fantastic option for your home decorations this Halloween, Thanksgiving and Holiday Seasons. They are safer than non-LED lights, consume less power and produce less heat. There are numerous types for both indoor and outdoor use.

 

Tips for Your Outdoor Holiday Lighting:

 

1. Be sure to plug your holiday lights into an outlet that is protected with a GFCI receptacle.

GFCIs are there for safety, they’re particularly important outdoors since rain or any water present where electricity flows can become a serious electrical hazard or safety concern. GFCIs protect anyone who gets anywhere near the lights in wet conditions from the chances of an accidental shock.

2. Consider installing an additional receptacle in a location near to where you plug in your holiday lights.

Many people use extension cords to get power to their holiday lights, which may be hazardous when the extension cords aren’t adequately protected, instead of using extension cords, another option is to add a receptacle or receptacles at the location where the lights plug in so that they can connect directly to a receptacle rather than an extension cord.

3. Consider putting in a switch or time clock for your outdoor holiday lights

Rather than having to plug in and then unplug your Holiday lights each night, it’s a lot easier to set your lights up on either a switch or a time clock that automatically turns them on and off each day. Switches, especially timer switches, can make your holiday lighting easier and pleasant to manage.

Give us a call if you’d like our help with any of you holiday lighting needs. We’re here to help!

 

 

 

Installing Recessed Lighting for Dramatic Effect

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

los angeles recessed lightingRecessed lighting can make an old room stunning again. By installing recessed lighting, you can make any room in your home look and feel brand new. Most people think you need to have access to the attic or tear up the ceilings to install new lighting, but that actually isn’t the case! With the help of a professional electrician, you can install recessed lighting in any room of your home.

If you’re thinking about adding new recessed lighting in your home but don’t want to create a mess, you’re in luck. A licensed electrician can help you get recessed lighting installed with no hassle at all. The only clean up necessary is a little bit of patching work. With a simple, small slot cut into the ceiling, an electrician is able to thread the wires through. This helps complete the project with minimal damage to your home.

Recessed lighting, or canned lighting, is a great way to accent different areas in a room. It’s great for kitchens to help illuminate different countertops but can be used in really any situation. This type of lighting is made of metal light housings that are installed just about the ceiling. The only thing visible is a small trim and a little bit of inner baffle. They are usually from 3″ to 6″ in diameter.

Canned lights are best used in situations that required illumination only, rooms with low ceilings, and in areas that require waterproofing. In addition to use in the kitchen, showers are a great place to install recessed lighting. It’s usually unwise to use them in situations that require a directional light or near insulation.

It’s best to discuss all of your concerns with your electrician before starting a new lighting project. They will help you understand what type of lighting is best in every area of your home. The electrician will tell you what you need and where you need it. When you work with a professional electrician, you can be sure that your next lighting project will be completed efficiently and correctly.

The Electric Connection of Los Angeles has been providing homeowners and businesses alike with expert electrical services for over 35 Years. We’ve built a company of highly experienced, certified electricians to serve your electrical needs.

Need Your House Rewired? Check These Signs

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

house rewire signs, outlet fireHow important is it really to make sure your house has adequate wiring? In the United States, fire departments across the country respond to over 25,000 home electrical fires every year. The U.S. Fire Administration has reported that these fires have caused 28- deaths, 1,125 injuries, and over $1 billion in property loss and damage.

The major cause in these house fires? Improperly installed outlets and receptacles, interior home wiring, and other miscellaneous home wirings.

These numbers may seem staggering, but there are simple steps to prevent your home from being another statistic. Schedule an appointment for a professional electrician to visit your home to check out the wiring. It may seem like a big expense to have your home completely rewired with a new panel installed, but considering the alternatives, it’s better to play it safe than sorry.

Fortunately, there are warning signs telling you if you need a house rewire. Your electrical system will often show you in advance that things are wrong. Below we have included a list of the signs to look out for.

  • Frequently blow fuses or breakers tripping
  • Overloaded electrical panel
  • Lights flickering or dimming randomly
  • Discolored or hot to touch switch plates, cords, or plugs
  • Frequently burned out light bulbs
  • Strange noises, such as sizzling or buzzing
  • Strange smells, such as a burning smell
  • Sparks when plugging things into outlets
  • Loose outlets
  • Insulation that is cracked or cut
  • Shocks when touching a cord

Other than warning signs, there are other situations that may call for a house rewire. It’s a good idea to have an electrician come out to check on your electrical system every few years. If your home is older than 40 years old or you have had any major renovations or remodels, you may need to have a new panel upgrade to support the use. Below are some other situations you may need a rewire.

  • Relying on extension cords to supply power
  • The use of ungrounded, two-prong outlets
  • The presence of aluminum wiring

Even if you are not experiencing any of these warning signs or solutions, an electrician can give you more details on the state of your electrical system in your home. If you haven’t had it checked in a while, be safe and call an electrician today.

The Electric Connection has been providing the Los Angeles area with house rewires and panel upgrades for over 30 years. If you are experiencing any issues, please call us today!

Can Recessed Lighting Touch Insulation

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

recessed lighting installationA good look and design might not always be associated with efficiency. As homeowners, we want to be proud of our homes and we want to show them off to family, friends, and neighbors. The lighting in our homes should be modest unless you’re trying to display a beautiful lamp. The ideal range of an energy bill is low but that doesn’t mean we should cut corners.

Recessed lighting is a great choice if you want unobtrusive and energy efficient lighting but it can become very got. When turned on, a recessed light fixture produces a lot of heat inside the housing. This, in turn, makes the housing, which is located inside the ceiling, hot itself. Since recessed lighting is installed inside the ceiling, there is a chance that it may come into contact with insulation. This can often lead to fire hazards if not installed properly.

Fortunately, there is a solution. IC-rated recessed can lights are built with an outer wall that protects against any combustions that may occur if insulation were to come into contact with the housing.

What if you already have recessed lighting installed?

If you are unsure what type of recessed lighting you have installed and are worried it may be a potential fire hazard, it might be best to contact a local electrician. The electrician will be able to determine if the lighting you have is IC-rated, if it’s too close to the insulation, and if you need new lighting installed. You can also check yourself. Simply find the tag on the housing unit to see if it says “Type IC” or “Non-IC”. If you’re lighting is IC-rated, you are good to go. If not, you need to find out if it is too close to the insulation or not. If you have an accessible attic space, you can do this easily. If not, it may require a little more finesse.

If you do not already have IC-rated recessed lighting and the fixtures are close to the insulation, you have two choices: remove the insulation or contact an electrician for help. Unfortunately, removing the insulation might not be the best solution as you are messing with your home’s environment. Contacting an electrician for advice is the best bet here. They will be able to provide you with solutions that best fit your needs and that will keep your home safe.

The Electric Connection has been installing all types of lighting in the Los Angeles area for over 30 years. We have technicians providing excellent electrical services all over the city. If you need recessed lighting installed or have any questions, please feel free to contact us.

What Does An Electrician Do?

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

Los Angeles Electrical ContractorWorking as an electrician you can expect to do everything from installing to maintaining all electrical and power systems found in homes, businesses, or factories. If you take a look a the wiring or control equipment found in a structure, there’s a good chance, as an electrician, you will be working on it. Wherever electricity flows, you can find an electrician.

Like many fields, electricians often specialize in different areas, such as commercial or residential, installation or maintenance. For example, an electrician specializing in construction can often be found installing wiring for new buildings or homes. Residential electricians often focus more on homes and apartment buildings, whereas commercial electricians focus on working in buildings, such as offices or stores. It’s not uncommon to specialize in a multitude of things as well.

There are many tools an electrician must use throughout their day. For example, when an electrician is installing new wiring, you can see them using conduit benders, screwdrivers, pliers, and wire strippers. To test the wiring, tools such as voltmeters or ammeters are used. These tools are used to ensure the job is safe to start and safely completed.

When performing electrical maintenance, the work varies from day to day. There are many different components of electrical items so it greatly depends on where that electrician is working that day. Residential electricians will often provide a variety of jobs for homeowners, such as rewires or new ceiling fan installations. Commercial electrical jobs are more intense and require a bit more training. These electricians will be found repairing motors, transformers, or generators. A great skill that a commercial electrician also has is advising on which equipment works well together and which will cause hazards.

If you are considering becoming an electrician, be prepared to work indoors and outdoors, as well as inside attics and underneath homes. Work can be very strenuous sometimes and require the lifting of heavy items which standing and crouching for long periods of time. There are great risks of shocks, falls, and cuts if you’re not careful or know what you’re doing.

Each state varies in what is necessary to become a journeyman electrician. Schooling and testing and required in order to get your license. Many companies offer jobs as helpers for those who do not yet have their license. This will give a junior electrician the experience necessary to take the next step. You can also learn a lot by working with a professional electrician.

Working as an electrician can be a tough job but can be very rewarding work. To see a homeowner happy with a new installation or to see your work admired by customers can be a great feeling. Electricity runs the world so there should be no shortage of electrician jobs in the country.

The Electric Connection has been providing electrical services to the Los Angeles area for over 30 years. We are proud to provide homeowners and businesses with excellent services. If you need any electrical work done in your home or business, please contact us.

3 Ways to Utilize Recessed Lighting

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

los angeles recessed lightingWhen you are considering what types of lighting to use in your home, it’s important to think about how best to highlight the best features of a room, create an atmosphere that is inviting, and improve the functionality of a room. You need to choose the best mix of lighting to give your room the most life. Recessed lighting is an excellent way to create an inviting and functional room that is sure to keep you and your family happy.

How is recessed lighting best used?

Recessed lighting has many functionalities and can be used in pretty much any room in your home. We have compiled a list of the three best ways to utilize recessed lighting. Read on to learn more!

Bathroom Lighting

When you think about lighting your home, you might overlook the bathroom. Common homes have one single light overhead which can be inadequate for lighting the different areas in your bathroom. Using recessed lighting in your bathroom can bring style and functionality to your space which can help you both relax and unwind as well as get ready for a night out.

You can use recessed lighting in the bathroom in more than just the ceiling. Place the light fixtures around a mirror to create the perfect bathroom mirror. When used with other types of light fixtures, recessed lighting can help create a very even and shadow-free lighting that normal ceiling light fixtures cannot.

Since recessed lighting has housings that can get wet, they are ideal for inside the shower or over a tub. Add an additional light inside your shower to see better when getting clean.

Dramatic Effect

If you have artwork you want to show off in your home, recessed lighting gives you the perfect opportunity to do so. Recessed lighting can give you that perfect dramatic effect when lighting photos or sculptures.

Certain fixtures have movable parts. With adjustable recessed lighting trims, you can angle the light in whichever direction you wish. This gives you more ways to light your home.

Kitchen Lighting

Many kitchens are very underlit leaving it hard to see when cooking or entertaining. Lighting can be an afterthought when you are focusing on creating the perfect kitchen setting. Recessed lighting can be the perfect solution for a kitchen’s needs. It can be placed overhead of a preparing area so you can have the best view of what you’re working on. Combined with other types of light fixtures, you can have the best kitchen around.

There are many ways to utilize recessed lighting in your home – these are just three examples. If you have any questions about the type of lighting needed for your home, consult with a professional electrician today.

The Electric Connection has been providing lighting services to the Los Angeles area for over 30 years. We would be happy to provide you with an idea of what best works for your home. Give us a call during business hours to speak with a specialist!

Purchasing Your Next Extension Cord

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

purchasing an extension cordWhether you’re at home or work – it doesn’t matter – we all find ourselves facing the problem of being too far away from an electrical outlet. You may want to charge your phone while using it while sitting on the couch, but the nearest outlet is across the room.

This is usually due to the fact that when houses are constructed, the crew is only thinking about making them large and spacious to allow it to be filled up with furniture and appliances. In the process, the addition of additional outlets is forgotten which creates a great inconvenience.

Many of our devices are portable, which means the cords used to charge them can be very short. Luckily there is a solution: extension cords.

Extension cords are the savior to electrical gadgets and devices when it comes time to charge. These cords allow for a smooth and uninterrupted distribution of power even when an electrical outlet is far away from where we need it to be.

It can also be very helpful when one or more electrical appliance needs to be used in the same room. Extension cords can supply power to all your devices so you can watch TV, use your computer, and play a DVD all at the same time.

At work, when you are giving a presentation, you can find an extension cord helpful as it connects the mic, computer, and protector to a power source. It’s very easy to see how extension cords have quickly become a very important part of modern life.

When looking for your next extension cord, it’s important to determine what exactly you need out of it. There are many different factors in choosing an extension cord. You may need one for length or one to use with multiple devices. Be careful choosing an extension cord if you are looking to use it mainly outdoors – there are ones designed specifically for indoor or outdoor use. Extension cords also come in a variety of different colors as well as have features such as lights when power is running through.

In order to determine which extension cord is right for you, right down every time you have needed a power source but it was too far away or when you have needed an additional power source but all the existing outlets were occupied. This should help you determine what type of extension cord to buy.

The Electric Connection of Los Angeles has been proud to serve the area for over 30 years. Our electricians are experts in the field and provide our customers with excellent advice and services. If you have any questions, please contact us at (818) 446-0888.

Best Outdoor Lighting for Homes

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

Best Outdoor LightingTaking on a new lighting project can be difficult and confusing. You need to decide what type of lighting you want to use. Then figure out which fixtures work best in each room. Do you want dimmable lighting? How about lighting on timers? There’s a lot of decision making that goes into a new lighting project.

Outdoor lighting is a completely different story. While there are safety concerns when changing the lighting inside your home, you have to deal with the climate changes outside. All lighting outside must use outdoor-rated fixtures. This means that it must be fit for use with all the weather changes. If it rains, it needs to be safe from water. While it sounds like a difficult task, when an outdoor lighting project is completed, it can be very rewarding.

Which Outdoor Lighting To Install?

Choosing what type of outdoor lighting you want to install is the first step. Decide what you are trying to accomplish with your lights. Do you want to highlight your landscape features? Is your walkway too dark and you need more security? Or do you just want to see your friends’ and family’s faces while enjoying a nice evening on your patio? Figuring out your objective will help narrow down the best outdoor lighting to install.

When to Install Outdoor Lighting?

The best time to install the lighting outdoors depends, again, on what type of lighting you need. A simple fixture on a wall can be added at any time. If you’re looking to highlight your garden and want to hide the wires, the best time to install it would be before you plant your next prize-winning rose bush. This way you can hide all the wire underground without disturbing your beloved plants. An electrician can better guide you after taking a walk through of your outdoor space.

Why Choose Outdoor Lighting?

There are a lot of reasons to install outdoor lighting. These range from wanting to show off your new garden or to entertaining family and friends. Your outdoor space can become almost like a new room in your home when properly lit. Here are some reasons why you might want to add lighting to the outside of your home.

  • Safety and security
  • Highlight features of your yard
  • Entertaining friends or family on a patio
  • Lighting the pool for a nighttime swim
  • Another decorative device

You can see there are a lot of reasons to install outdoor lighting at your home. To figure out which outdoor lighting is best for you, consult an electrician. They will be able to help you decide what works best for your outdoor space and your budget.

The Electric Connection in Los Angeles has been providing electrical services to the people in and around the city for over 30 years. We are happy to help pick out what outdoor lighting for your pool or yard is the best. We offer many different lighting services. Our office is open Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm. Please give us a call if you have any questions at (818) 446-0888.

Los Angeles Electrician Reviews

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

los angeles electrician reviewsIf you need a panel upgrade or new wiring in your home, you need to find the best Los Angeles electrician possible. It may seem easy to install an outlet or repair a light fixture, but it’s best to go with a professional. Los Angeles is a big city with lots of options when it comes to electricians. How can you be sure you’ve found the best one for you?

When should you call an electrician near you?

Actually, if you need electrical work done on your home or business, there’s very little reason not to call an electrician. Working with your electrical system can be very dangerous. It’s possible to get a shock that can seriously injure or fatally hurt you. Below is a list of situations a professional electrician in Los Angeles should be called to your home:

  • Lights flickering
  • Outlets overloaded
  • Frequently tripping breakers/circuits
  • Old outlets

If you feel any hesitation at all performing an electrical job in your home, please call a local electrician. Licensed electricians have the skills, tools, and experience to complete electrical jobs correctly and safely.

Finding electrician reviews in your city is easy! In fact, all you have to do is simply Google, “electrician reviews Los Angeles” and you’ll have a wide variety of search results to choose from. Many electricians use third-party websites to display and collect reviews. Websites such as Yelp, HomeAdvisor, Angie’s List, and even Google allow customers, much like yourself, to leave reviews after an electrician has completed a job. Read over the reviews to make sure they are a competent contractor who can complete your job.

You can also usually find electrician reviews on their respective websites. Most electrical contractors have a website that displays their services, company information, and reviews left by other customers. While you’re on their website, be sure to find out how to contact them. It’s best to ask electricians questions before you schedule them to come out and do work. Here are some helpful questions to ask before starting a job with your new electrician:

  • Are you licensed, bonded, or insured?
  • What is your warranty process?
  • Do you offer free estimates / how much will my job cost?
  • Can you perform this type of work?

Never, ever hire just anyone before asking questions about your job and finding out if they are a professional. Be sure to do your research before deciding on your next electrician. Los Angeles electrical projects need to be handled with care – make sure to choose wisely!

The Electric Connection of Los Angeles is proud to have provided the Los Angeles area with electrical services for over 30 years. Located in Tujunga, CA, The Electric Connection has many crews of electricians traveling all over the Los Angeles area performing EV charger installations, panel upgrades, house rewires, and more. If you need an electrician, Los Angeles, give The Electrician Connection a call today! Our dispatch team is in the office Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm to answer any questions you might have and get your next electrical project scheduled.

Los Angeles Recessed Lighting

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

recessed lightingYou might be wondering, “why choose recessed lighting?” Well, when it comes to both residential and commercial properties, recessed lighting is one of the most versatile choices for lighting a room. Installed recessed lighting, also known as recessed cans or can lighting, can not only help bring unique lighting to your home but can also stay hidden and blend into the design of your room. It’s highly customizable to fit into any space – even outdoors.

There are many different names for recessed lighting: can lighting, downlight lights, recessed cans. It gets its name from the way it is housed. The housing units for recessed lighting look like cans – it’s metal and cylindrical and recesses into the ceiling.

When to Install Recessed Lighting

It’s best used where hanging fixtures just won’t do but looks good pretty much anywhere. It can also be used to highlight the features in a room as well as use a spotlight. Our customers especially love using recessed lighting in their kitchens to help illuminate the countertops. There are so many options out there, the only hard part is deciding what recessed lighting for kitchen.

Which Recessed Lighting Is the Best

If you’re wondering which recessed lighting to install in your home, consider a few things first…

Decide what you are trying to accomplish. Recessed lighting might not be the best bet for you if you are trying to light a large dining room that features a giant dining room table. For this, perhaps a nice chandelier would be a better fit. Recessed lighting is better used when there is little space.

Figure out how much space you have. Recessed lighting comes in all different shapes and sizes. Determining how much space will allow you to purchase the right fixtures the first time.

Consult with an electrician. Electricians are experts at installing recessed lighting. If you have a project that you’re running into issues with, considering consulting with an electrician to move the project along.

Recessed Lighting Issues

If you are having issues with currently installed recessed lighting, you might need an electrician to come out to take a look. There are many reasons that recessed lighting would not be turning on so it’s best to contact an electrician to have them troubleshoot the problem.

When it won’t work with your design or budget there are alternatives to installing recessed lighting. Consult with an electrician to determine the best lighting fixtures to buy. Be sure to mention where you want to install the lighting, how much space you have available, what your budget is, and the overall look of the room. They will be glad to come up with some options for you to choose so you can have the best looking home around.

The Electric Connection has been advising customers on the best lighting solutions for their homes for over 30 years. Installing recessed lighting in residential homes is our specialty. Be sure to visit our lighting page, here, to learn more about all we have to offer. Do not hesitate to contact us with any questions!