Tag: electrical tips

Power Outage Guidelines Provided by Electrician Santa Monica Relies On

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins | 1 Comment on Power Outage Guidelines Provided by Electrician Santa Monica Relies On

Rolling power outages can be a royal pain. It seems like they strike just when you have put dinner in the oven or sat down to watch your favorite television show. Typically, the blackout is over within a few hours and life goes back to normal. However, those few hours without power will require you to do a few things in order to ensure everything powers back on normally when the electricity is back on provided by your electrician. Santa Monica residents should consider writing this list down and keeping it handy. You can always call The Electric Connection if you would like a more detailed explanation about anything on the list.

First and foremost, ensure your family is safe. If anybody is in darkened rooms, calmly guide everybody into one area to wait out the power outage. This will help keep you occupied and hey, it can actually make for some excellent family time. No lights, no electronics means no distractions!

1-Unplug all of your small appliances and electronics. This will prevent damage from happening when the power does come back on. When electricity is restored, power surges through the lines and can damage to things like computers, game consoles and even televisions.

2-Tell everybody to stay out of the refrigerator and freezer. Leaving the doors closed will preserve the cool temperatures inside the spaces and keep your food safe. You can expect your refrigerated foods to stay fresh for 4 hours without electricity and up to 24 hours in the freezer.

3-Open the doors and windows to allow airflow through the home says your electrician. Santa Monica residents will appreciate a cool breeze to help keep the air from becoming stagnant during a power outage.

If you would like more information about what you should do when the power goes out, give The Electric Connection a call today.

GFI Outlets Explained by Electrician in Pasadena

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

As technology moves forward, our knowledge of electricity and our ability to make it safer for us to use has also advanced. One of the latest and greatest things we have at our fingertips is GFI outlets. You have probably seen these in some buildings and maybe even a few new homes. The National Electric Code has made these outlets a standard. Kitchens, bathrooms and other areas that are near water like pools and spas are all required to have GFI outlets in place instead of the standard outlets. If you are not sure if you have one of these, call The Electric Connection and we would be happy to explain. You can also read on and learn a little more about what they are.

Your electrician in Pasadena will explain exactly what GFI outlets are. These outlets look different than the standard ones you have seen for decades. There are 2 buttons in the center of the outlet. 1 red and 1 black. These are to test whether the outlet is working and the other is to reset it.

GFI or Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters can prevent against electrocution in the event a person is standing or touching water while using an electrical appliance. The GFI detects the very millisecond the electricity is no longer flowing along its proper second. As soon as it detects the break, it cuts power to the appliance, thus preventing a terrible accident. This is where the reset button comes into play. Simply reset the outlet after the situation has been made safe.

This is a fairly simple precaution you can take today to prevent a serious, life-threatening accident in the future. If you would like to learn more about replacing your existing outlets with GFIs, call an electrician. Pasadena residents can rely on The Electric Connection. We have a knowledgeable staff ready to help make your home a safer place. Give us a call today.

5 Energy Efficiency Tips from Electrician Santa Monica Residents Trust

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins | 1 Comment on 5 Energy Efficiency Tips from Electrician Santa Monica Residents Trust

We all want to save a little money and these days, it is more prudent than ever to do whatever we can to save a few dollars in the family budget. As you look at your budget and think of ways to cut costs, you have probably laid your eye on that electric bill a time or two wondering how you could make it just a little less. If this is you, then try these tips from your electrician Santa Monica home and business owners can save a few dollars by following these simple things.

1-Replace your halogen lightbulbs with CFL bulbs. The bulbs cost a bit more initially, but they are more energy efficient and they will last 13x longer than the cheaper bulbs, which actually makes them cheaper in the long run.

2-Stop phantom energy draws by unplugging appliances, cellphone chargers, and electronics when they are not in use. These draw very little energy, but when you add up the 10 to 20 things that are probably plugged in right now, it certainly adds up quick.

3-Replace appliances with energy efficient appliances. This is a big investment at first, but overtime it will save you money. Look for those with the Energy Star sticker.

4-Install a ceiling fan to cut down on the heating and cooling needs. This is a job for your electrician. Santa Monica residents can turn up or down the thermostat a couple of degrees and rely on the ceiling fan to circulate the air.

5-Only run full loads in the dishwasher and washing machine. This cuts down on the frequency in which you run the appliance and therefore, can save you a few dollars.

If you would like more tips on how you can save money on your electric bill, give The Electric Connection a call today.

Coping With a Power Outage, Tips from Electrician in Glendale

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

It is inevitable, no matter where you live; you are likely to experience a power outage from time to time. The outage may last anywhere from a few minutes or a few hours and in some extreme cases, they can last for days. You never realize how much you depend on power until it is gone. Every task you do is somehow connected to power. Although you know you can always rely on the power coming back on, what do you do in the meantime? Your electrician in Glendale has some tips for you to follow when the power does go out. The Electric Connection’s reliable staff is always here to help you during power outages and the aftermath.

Unplug all of your computers, gaming consoles, televisions and other electronic devices. This is important to

Leave the Thermostat Alone Says Electrician in Burbank

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

Are you one of those who loves the idea of summer, but you hate the heat? Enjoying the warm weather while you are spending a day at the beach or enjoying a picnic with family in the great outdoors is one thing, but what about when you are tired of the heat? After a long day at work or a long day in the sun, you are probably hoping for some relief from the sweltering temperatures.

You probably thought it was a waste of money to run the air conditioner all day while you were out. You would be right, but now that you are back home, you are wishing you would have left it running and running up your electric bill. Your electrician in Burbank has some valuable tips to help you stay cool without wasting a ton of cash on your electric bill.

1-Don’t turn the AC up and down. When you get home and it is hot in the house and you crank the AC down, you will cause the unit to run constantly as it works to cool your home. This is hard on the air conditioning unit and will counteract any savings you thought you were creating by turning it off during the day. Instead, set the AC to 78 while you are away. If you can, leave it there.

2-Invest in a few fans. Ceiling fans are excellent, inexpensive ways to stay cool during the summer. If you do not currently have one, call your electrician. Burbank residents can call The Electric Connection to have a qualified, trained professional install one of these cost-saving devices in your home.

3-Close the windows before you leave. Pull the shades and shut the windows. You don’t want the sun heating up the room. You will be surprised at how well your house will stay cool when the sun is kept out.

If you are interested in learning more about how you can save on your electric bill, give The Electric Connection a call today.

3 Cost-Saving Tips for Staying Cool from Your Electrician in Santa Monica

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

Spring is always a good time to give your heating and air conditioning unit a break as well as your pocketbook. Summer is just around the corner and those electric bills will jump once you start using your air conditioner on a regular basis. The hot weather does not need to cost you a fortune to stay cool. There are a few things you can do to keep your home comfortable without setting the AC at 72.

Ceiling Fan

An electrician in Santa Monica can install a ceiling fan to help reduce your electric bill. The fan stirs the air, preventing it from getting hot and stagnant. The nice cool breeze will help cool you as long as you have the fan blades spinning in the right direction. It’s always best to hire a licensed electrician install your fans since they would have sufficient knowledge about electrical wiring. Typically, fans are sold with a kit with all the supplies needed to install it. The Electric Connection is reliable and can complete the job for you in a timely manner.

Kitchen Exhaust Fan

Use an exhaust fan in the kitchen to pull out the hot air. If you do not have one, these are available for purchase at most hardware stores. If the space is already available in the range hood, this is a quick replacement job. However, it’s always best to leave it up to a certified  electrician. Santa Monica residents know cooking in the summer heat is tough. When possible, use the microwave, stovetop or even better, barbecue!

Oscillating Fans

These are available at almost any store and use less electricity than an air conditioning unit. Simply moving the air around the home works to keep it cooler. Anything you can do to lessen the burden on your AC will save you money on your total electric bill.

Fire Prevention Tips From Your Beverly Hills Electrician

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

If you are living in an older house, you may notice some outlets do not work all the time. You may experience the problem of when you plug things in; the plug is loose and falls out easily. Another common occurrence is a black mark on one side of the outlet. All of these problems are indicators you need a Beverly Hill electrician to come out and take a look.

There are several reasons why an outlet may not be working properly. Typically, it can be attributed to loose wires disturbing the connection. It could also be due to rodents using the wires as chew toys. In any case, loose wires and a faulty electrical outlet are a serious safety hazard. Those wires are a fire waiting to happen.
In most cases, all that is needed to remedy the problem is a replacement of the outlet. This is a job you can do on your own if you have knowledge about working with electricity. You will need to make sure you cut the power to that outlet before even attempting any work.

If you are not sure how to check for loose wires, you are not alone. This is a job an electrician in Beverly Hills can certainly help you with. There is no need for you to mess around with electric wiring if you are uncomfortable and unfamiliar with the basics.
The electrician will check the outlet for power with a volt meter. From there, the electrician will pull outlet away from the wall and check the wiring. In some cases, especially with older homes, it is a good idea to have an electrical inspection completed to check for other wiring issues that could potentially be dangerous fire hazards.

If the electrician determines it is simply a case of loose wiring, it is an easy fix and you get peace of mind. Call The Electric Connection in Beverly Hills to arrange an appointment.

Advice from an Electrician in Glendale – Lowering Electric Bills

Posted on | by K Hopkins

Spring has sprung. This means more days where it gets a little warm and you may need some air conditioning—but not so warm that you can count on turning off the heater for the year though. While your utility bills may be a bit lower in springtime than in other times of the year, it is still a concern. One of the best ways you can keep those utility bills even lower is by sealing your home against temperature loss. This does not cost much and is something you can do yourself—though a Glendale electrician may be able to provide advice if you find yourself with questions.

Sealing your home is one of the most effective means of keeping down energy consumption—this not only lowers your utility bills, it can reduce your reliance on fossil fuels too. Consider these tips as a great place to get started:

  • Weatherstrip all exterior doors. This helps reduce air leaks. Air leak is a problem even if the door looks like it fits tight. Did you realize that a 1/8 of an inch crack around all four sides of an average door allows as much air in as a 5 x 6 hole in the middle of the door?
  • Weatherstrip the garage door as well. These often leak even worse.
  • Plastic sheeting on your single pane windows will keep the temperature more consistent inside your home.
  • Check your basement and attic for holes you may not know about. Sometimes these are caused by wildlife. These are prime areas for leaks and the change in temperature that occurs in the basement or attic can affect the temperature of your whole house.
  • Talk to an electrician in Glendale, such as The Electric Connection, about other steps you can take to reduce leaks and lower your electric bill. The amount you save can be significant!

Electrician Santa Monica Gives Tips To Prepare For a Power Outage

Posted on | by K Hopkins

No matter why it happens, it is annoying. The power does go out on occasion and while you may want to contact an electrician in Santa Monica like Electric Connection, you will have to spend some time without power. However, if you prepare ahead of time and keep these tips in mind, dealing with a loss of power will be just an annoyance, not a major issue.

  • Create an emergency kit – This can include items like a flashlight, radio and batteries, bottled water, non-perishable food, blankets and items to pass the time.
  • Prepare for your needs – If you need certain medication or rely on equipment for life-support, make certain you prepare ahead. You may even be able to contact your utility company and make sure your home is treated as a top priority in case of an outage.
  • Know a good water source – Think about things like ice that could melt, water hidden in a water heater or pipes in your and other places that you may not immediately think about.
  • Keep food safe – If the power goes out, try not to open the fridge or freezer if possible and the food will last longer. After the power comes back on, remember—when in doubt, throw it out.
  • Be cautious if you have a generator and do not run it in wet conditions. This will help you avoid electric shock.
  • Protect yourself from drastic temperatures. In cold weather avoid getting wet and in hot weather dress as cool as possible and stay out of the sun.
  • Know when to say when. You may not want to leave your home during a power outage, but if you are dealing with a long term outage, you may be safer and more comfortable in an emergency shelter.

As you can see, there are many ways you can prepare yourself for a power outage. One of the best is to talk with the experts at Electric Connection, the electrician Santa Monica residents rely on to help them during a power outage or for installation and repairs.

Electrican in Pasadena Gives Tips to Save Energy During Computer Use

Posted on | by K Hopkins

One of the biggest energy hogs in your home or office is the computer and the peripherals attached to it. Luckily, there are many ways that you can save energy in your daily life by just making a few simple changes. If you are interested in more extreme changes, contacting The Electric Connection, your best resource for an electrician Pasadena knows and trusts, may be the best step. However, for now, next time you are using your computer, consider these simple tips to reduce your electric usage. (Read More)

  • Turn off your monitor if you will not be using the computer for 20 minutes or more.
  • Turn off the computer system itself if you will not be using the computer for 2 hours or longer.
  • Attach the monitor, printer and system itself to a power strip. Then, if you are not using the system for a long period of time, you can shut the entire strip down and prevent them from using power even when shut off.
  • Remember that turning off your equipment not only save the electricity the equipment uses itself, but it also reduces your home cooling costs because PC’s put off a large amount of heat.
  • Using the computer’s sleep mode or power management feature can make a big difference. ENERGY STAR estimates that using these features regularly on your computer can save you up to $50 a year on electric bills.
  • Do not confuse a screen saver with an energy saver. Screen savers may actually use more energy than not using one and power-down features do not always work hen you have a screen saver activated.

As you can see, these are very simple ways that you can save electricity and save money. Talk with an electrician in Pasadena from The Electric Connection and find out if there are other things you can do to save on your bill each month.