The Electric Connection’s Blog

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.

Outlet Replacement Isn’t a DIY Says Burbank Electrician

Posted on | by K Hopkins

electriccon_july_3Doing things around the house is a satisfying chore. Sure, it can be a lot of work and it may not have the same finished quality as a professional, but you can still look at the walls you painted, the pavers you put down or the new sod outside and acknowledge you did a great job. Those are all jobs that have some wiggle room when it comes to following the rules. You don’t have to worry too much about your safety or the safety of your home if you made a few minor mistakes. That cannot be said of any of those seemingly little projects around the house that involve electricity. You can’t take the risk of messing with the electrical work in your home if you are not properly trained. You must hire an electrician in Burbank, like those at The Electric Connection.

The risk of you hurting yourself doing something that appears simple, like changing out an old outlet, is very high when you don’t know what you are really doing. It isn’t a time for guess work or “good enough.” It needs to be done right. In fact, if you happen to make a mistake that results in a fire, your homeowner’s insurance may very well refuse to pay the claim. The very fact that the outlet resulted in a fire can be blamed on trying to handle a job that should have been taken care of by a certified electrician. Burbank homeowners don’t need the hassle and stress worrying the DIY job they did is done correctly.

It may seem like an expense you can avoid, but it is always best to be safe than sorry. Hiring a Burbank electrician will give you peace of mind that the job is done right and you can feel safe in your home. The cost of the electrician is well worth it when you look at the grand scheme of things. Give The Electric Connection a call today and schedule any electrical jobs you have been thinking about doing yourself.

What’s Spinning Your Meter? Los Angeles Electrician Explains

Posted on | by K Hopkins

electriccon_july_1Have you ever walked outside the house where your electric meter is mounted and heard a strange whirring noise? Was it the sound of the little hands on your frantically spinning around and around? If so, you were probably instantly alarmed. Every turn on that meter is costing you money. Your electric bill is going up right before your very eyes. How can you stop the wheels from spinning quite so fast? An electrician in Los Angeles is going to tell you how. At The Electric Connection we understand that every dollar counts and if you can keep a few more in your pocket things will be much better for you.

The following items are some of the biggest energy hogs in your home that are causing that meter to spin like crazy. Some you can control and others are just a part of life explains a Los Angeles electrician.

1-The refrigerator is costing you money. If you have invested in an energy efficient refrigerator, you are ahead of the game, but even those use a lot of electricity. The key is to make it use less by making sure the filter on the bottom and behind the refrigerator is clean.

2-A hot water heater is also going to cost you. You can limit how often it runs by shortening your hot showers and only washing full loads of dishes. Using the cold or warm setting on the washer is another way to cut back on hot water usage.

3-The air conditioning unit is probably one of the biggest culprits causing your meter to spin explains an electrician. Los Angeles residents definitely need to stay cool in the summer, but keeping the thermostat turned down too low isn’t really necessary. You can save some money on your electric bill by having a ceiling fan installed. The fan will circulate the cool air and create a slight breeze that makes you feel cooler.

Give The Electric Connection a call if you have any questions or would like to have a ceiling fan installed in your home.

Plan Your Lighting Renovation with a Santa Monica Electrician

Posted on | by K Hopkins

electriccon_july_6Every spring we plan our summers with trips, barbecues and updating the outside of our homes and the landscaping. The summer is filled with time in the sun taking care of the lawn, planting new flowers and creating gorgeous outdoor spaces that draw us outside to enjoy the beautiful weather. As summer nears the end and we think about fall and the coming winter, our attention turns back inside. Now it is time to take another fresh look at our indoor living space and think about the things we can do to make it a little more attractive, functional and comfortable. One of the options you should consider is a lighting makeover completed by an electrician. Santa Monica homeowners can count on The Electric Connection to help them transform their home by simply changing out a few light fixtures.

Gone are the days when a homeowner had to settle for the typical light fixture in the center of a bedroom or no lights in the living room. Today, modern lighting ranges from very bright to subtle and understated. Kitchen lighting has come a long way as well. Track lights are very functional and provide the entire area with a flood of light. An electrician in Santa Monica can install several tracks or one large one that will provide plenty of lighting for your workspace.

Living rooms don’t have to be dark any more when recessed lighting is installed. This type of light will stay out of the way of the flat screen. The lights are flush with the ceiling and will not hang down, blocking your view. Your Santa Monica electrician can install a couple or several lights depending on the size of the room and your personal preference. When you think about your fall projects, add a lighting makeover to the list and give The Electric Connection a call to make it happen.

Adding a Bathroom with California Electrician

Posted on | by K Hopkins

electriccon_july_7One of the biggest complaints homeowners have is the lack of bathrooms in the house. Older homes are often only built with one bathroom. In fact, there are plenty of newer homes that are only built with one bathroom as well, but at least three bedrooms. That seems to be an industry standard—three bedrooms and one bathroom. It isn’t enough for most families. Our lives are busy and we simply don’t have the time to wait our turn in the bathroom. Adding a bathroom is one of the best solutions and it will add significant value to your home, while making your life easier. An electrician in California can help you with the electrical portion, while you or your contractor completes the actual construction. The team at The Electric Connection has a professional staff that will help you fulfill your home renovation project in a timely manner.

When you choose to invest in a bathroom addition, you are getting the luxury of designing the room to your needs. You have plenty of choices to make about the size and whether or not you want it to be a full bath or simply a toilet and sink. Once you have made that decision, it will be time to start thinking about the fixtures. You will need a California electrician to take care of wiring the space with outlets and lighting.

If there is one place that needs extra outlets, it is the bathroom. Your electrician will install as many as you need and because it is the bathroom, GFCI outlets will be your best choice. This can protect against electric shock. No matter if you decide to do the construction yourself or hire a contractor, you will need a certified electrician to complete the electrical work. Give The Electric Connection a call today and schedule your bathroom remodel.

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.

It’s the Little Things Explains Burbank Electrician

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

electricon_06_3Every single day we take about a hundred things for granted. We just assume it will be there and we assume our lives are fairly free from any major risks. We don’t think twice about listening to the satellite radio or playing a video game on the big screen. We run the dishwasher and grab a cold drink out of the fridge. All of these things are dependent on electricity. Not just electricity, but electricity that is coming into the house in a way that doesn’t pose a threat to you or the structure. These little things are extremely important explains an electrician. Burbank residents need to know what to look for and know the signs of trouble. If trouble is spotted, a quick call to The Electric Connection can things fixed right up for you.

Outlets and light switches are far more important to our daily lives than we give them credit for. You probably couldn’t get through a day without touching one or interacting with it in some way. This is why your Burbank electrician wants to make sure it is safe. Some things that indicate trouble are as follows;

  • Hot to the touch
  • Sparking
  • An electrical shock when you plug something in or use an appliance
  • Black marks up the wall around the outlet or switch
  • A crackling noise
  • Smoke or the smell of burning wires
  • Switch or outlet doesn’t work all of the time

Any one of these small warning signs could indicate big trouble. Don’t let the little things sneak up on you says an electrician in Burbank. Be vigilant. Pay attention and never let a seemingly small or innocent problem go unchecked. Give The Electric Connection a call today if you suspect you may have an electrical problem that needs inspection.

Your Dream Home with a Beverly Hills Electrician

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

electricon_06_2There are hundreds of empty homes on the market in any given area, but those homes generally have their own list of issues that need repaired. You have to put money into the home to make it suitable for you and your family and in many cases, it ends up being you compromise quite a bit just to get into the home. This is why many homeowners choose to have their home built by a contractor. Having a home built is a dream that is not all that hard to achieve with the many financial options available today. Once you get your financing secured, you will need to pick the various contractors for specific duties, like an electrician. Beverly Hills homeowners can rely on The Electric Connection to get their home electrically ready for them.

There is undoubtedly a lot of work that goes into the pre-planning and then ultimately the building of a new home. Along the way, there are going to be a lot of areas where your input will be needed. It is your dream home after all and every detail matters, right down to where your electrical outlets go. An electrician in Beverly Hills can consult with you to get an idea of what kind of needs you have when it comes to your electrical appliances and the kind of technology you use.

If you have an electric car, it is important you talk with your Beverly Hills electrician and get your charging station all hooked up the right way. This applies to things like a hot tub or heated pool as well, which will all require the expertise of an electrician. It is easier and more cost-friendly to take care of these things now. Give The Electric Connection a call today and learn more about their new home construction services.

Hiring the Right Electrician in Los Angeles: 4 Things to Look For

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

electricon_06_1Anytime you pay money to a contractor, there are going to be risks. Hiring someone for a job may be a source of anxiousness for you as you try to determine who is going to do the best job in a timely, professional manner without breaking the bank. This is a decision that deserves some time. You will definitely need to do a little homework before you hire anybody to complete a big job that actually puts the safety of your home and ultimately your family in their hands. When you need the right electrician, Los Angeles homeowners can count on the team at The Electric Connection to do a job up to code and up to your high standards.

There are 4 things you should look for when you begin your search for an electrician in Los Angeles.

1-Overall good reviews from people who have used the electrician or company in the past. Checking Angie’s List is one way to get some honest reviews from real people. You will likely find testimonials on the business website as well.

2-Ask around. Businesses have a reputation in the community. Talk with neighbors, co-workers and friends to ask if they have a particular electrician they would recommend. They can give you an honest opinion and the little details you won’t hear anywhere else.

3-Every contractor you hire to perform work in your home should be licensed and bonded. This insures your home is covered should something happen during the course of the work and also protects the Los Angeles electrician. Homeowners can check the status of the license by making a quick phone call.

4-A company that has a good record of showing up as scheduled is also important. Everyone has schedules to keep and one person showing up late can throw it all off. Punctuality and the ability to stick with a completion schedule is very important.

If you are in need of an electrical contractor, give The Electric Connection a call and let them take care of your electrical needs.