Tag: electrical tips

Free Electrical Over the Phone Help in Los Angeles

Posted on | by K Hopkins

over the phone electrical helpElectrical problems are sometimes difficult to avoid in a home and they can be caused by a lot of factors. For example, some electrical components may develop a certain fault, some parts may get old, or be installed incorrectly in the first place. Home accidents can also cause electrical problems. It goes on and on.

When an electrical problem occurs, homeowners are often advised to reach out to an electrician. If you are usually worried that hiring an electrician will attract a significant cost, then it’s good to know that you might just get the service you need for free with over the phone help.

The numbers say that about 25% of service calls can be avoided with over the phone assistance. Many common home electrical problems are easy to solve without the experts coming all the way to your home.

These electrical problems can be on your wiring, repairs, installations, and so on. Whatever it is, it might just be solved with a free electrical over the phone help.

At the Electric Connection, our in-office electrician is available during call hours to attend to your over the phone needs. Our in-office electrician has years of practical experience, is licensed and qualified to answer any questions and provide the complete assistance you need.

We take troubleshooting seriously and offer you the best help.

Aside from the free electrical over the phone help, we also have a ton of resources and electrical tips you would find useful. Just look around for more blog articles like this and you might find the information you need.

If our in-office electrical observes that your electrical issue might need a service call, you would be informed as well. We assure you of the best customer service, professional and excellent service with your electrical issue, and pocket-friendly prices.

How to Find a Local Electrician with Wide Service Area

Posted on | by K Hopkins

local electricianFinding a local electrician can prove daunting if you don’t know how or where to look. A local electrician is an electrician you can easily find in your area, state, or region. Several electricians have a wide service area that allows them to serve many areas at once as local technicians.

You should never be in a hurry to choose the first local electrician that comes your way. Doing this can lead to loss of funds, unfinished or worse off projects, and stress. Read on to learn tips to find a local electrician with a wide service area and the expertise for quality service.

Don’t hire based on niceness
It might surprise to learn how many homeowners hire an electrician because he is ‘nice’. Experience has taught such homeowners that ‘niceness’ does not guarantee competence. The ideal thing to do is to find ways to vet the electrician’s skills and experience in completing your service.

Word of mouth recommendations – with proof
A reputable local electrician should be well known within the area he serves and even the other service areas. Ask friends, relatives, builders, local contractors, developers, colleagues, or any resident for a recommendation. When you receive this word-of-mouth recommendation, don’t stop there; run the company through online listings to find out more and check out some reviews.

Search online platforms that represent your area
A simple targeted Google search can give you a good list of electricians to choose from. Put this with your former list and sift through to find someone who fits your needs.

Use your service as a factor
Not all electricians possess the skill and certification for specialized tasks. You can search for electricians who can complete your service needs. You can ask the electrician or make the deduction yourself. An example of how this point is important is – hiring a commercial electrician for your home electrical repairs. That won’t end too well.

Find those with same day or next day services
Most local electricians offer this flexibility. You can get your electrical service completed the same day as the service call or the next day. It is a great benefit when you are in an emergency situation.

Ensure the electrician has licenses valid in your location
Certain electrical standards, codes, and rules vary from area to area. When you finally find a bonded, licensed, or insured electrician ask to see the documents to confirm that they are valid and they can operate in your area. It is possible for an unlicensed electrician to be much cheaper but such a way of saving cost can prove risky and ineffective.

When you narrow your choice down to one or two names, take a look at their websites to see other areas they serve, get a sense of their method of operation and experience. Avoid finding local technicians based on the cheapest one. It does not guarantee quality service.

The Electric Connection is a well-known electrical company serving Los Angeles and its surrounding areas. Contact us for your electrical service needs.

How Much Power Do Window AC Units Use?

Posted on | by K Hopkins

air conditioner powerWhen you are not up for the huge investment on a central AC, a window AC may be your next best option. A window AC is typically installed at the window but unlike a central AC, they only service the rooms they are installed in. Only a central AC can cool all or many rooms at once. Read on as we explore what a window AC could mean for your energy bills.

A window AC unit consumes less than 1/3 of the energy used by a central AC. It is a cost-effective option when you have just one or a few window ACs. It is vital to know that the power demands can increase drastically if you install many of these units.

Before installing an AC, it is important to confirm that your electrical system can accommodate the new addition. This is because regardless of the energy-saving capacity of a window AC, it is still more powerful than almost all other units in the home.

A professional electrician can advise you on the installation and equally help to upgrade your panel, create dedicated outlets, and all other electrical components required for the unit. A window AC comes in various sizes and capacity, which also influences the power it consumes. Typically, a standard outlet is suitable for a 115-volt window unit with a 15-amp requirement. However, a larger window unit with between 125 to 220 volts and higher amperage will require a dedicated outlet.

A window unit is cheaper to obtain than other options like a central AC unit and a Ductless unit. But it lacks in the kind of power other air conditioners have.

If you are wondering about other options for AC and cooling, a ductless air conditioner might be a good choice. It costs more than the window unit initially, but it also packs more power. Also, in the long run, a ductless air conditioner saves you more money on the energy bill.

Central AC units are a great option, but they contribute a large chunk to the electric bill. If you must use them, employ energy-saving tips to cut down on energy costs.

Who should install a window AC unit?

Only a professional and licensed technician should install your window AC unit or any other unit. At the Electric Connection, we are experts in installing units like the AC to enhance comfort in your home. You can reach out to us to help you decide on the best energy-saving methods and install your AC unit.

What to Do When Your Outlet Stops Working

Posted on | by K Hopkins

outlet stops workingWhen one or more outlets in the home suddenly stop working it’s easy to assume the worst. Before you panic, it’s good to know that there are some things you can try to solve the problem. However, when these don’t work, be sure to call in the pros.

Tips to troubleshoot your electrical outlet

  • Confirm the problem
    When one outlet stops working out of the blue, confirm that there is a problem. Plug the same appliance to other outlets in the home and another appliance to the suspected outlet and working ones. This helps you identify the faulty outlets and their location. After this is done, unplug all appliances from the dead outlets and mark them for easy identification later.

  • Check the circuit breakers
    Next is to check for a tripped breaker or a blown fuse. The circuit breakers or fuses can be found in the electric panel. The electric panel can be found by following the electrical wires from outside the home to the point where they enter. It is usually installed in the garage, utility room, or basement.

    Check the panel for any breaker whose switch is not in line with the others. Tripped breakers can be reset by taking the switch to an OFF position and then back ON again. Make sure you hear a click in the OFF position before switching to the ON position.

    If the breaker trips again, there is no need to overdo it. Simply call an electrician and avoid using the outlet.

  • GFCIs Check
    The Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter outlets are those strange-looking outlets you see in some areas of the home where there is a higher risk of electric shock. GCFIs protect you from electric shocks by shutting off the power when a leak or unusual electric surge is detected.

    GFCI protected outlets are often labeled to help you point them out, but it is also common for those labels to fall off after some time. Test and reset the GFCI by pressing the reset button. If the GFCI refuses to reset and just keeps tripping each time you press it, stop the action and call a professional at The Electric Connection.

  • Electrical outlet tester
    An electrical outlet tester is like an easy way to troubleshoot your faulty or dysfunctioning outlet. Plug the tester into the outlet and read the light patterns. The tester easily shows if the outlet is mis-wired or improperly grounded.

Safety tips before troubleshooting

  • Ensure that there is no bare wiring from the outlet or the appliance you plug into the outlet.
  • Don’t force the wrong sized or shaped plug into the outlet.
  • Don’t overload your outlets.
  • If the outlet sparks, shut it off and call an electrician.

4 Ways You Can Save on Your Electric Bill Next Month

Posted on | by K Hopkins

save on electric billThe crazy amounts of money most families spend on their monthly electric bills is a problem most households are wondering how to counter. From air conditioners to water heaters almost every equipment in our homes today use electricity. Because of this, the secret to making your electric bills affordable is through ensuring the appliances in your home are not overusing the power.

You have to ensure you are using energy-saving types of equipment. Second, ensure they are correctly utilized to make sure they do not misuse the energy. A faulty outlet can affect the amount of energy being used. The following are ways you can apply in your home to help you save on your electric bill.

  1. Efficiently Insulate Your Home

    You might be wondering why your house quickly loses heat even when the air conditioner is on. This is because the heat generated rises and promptly leaves your home through the various spaces present on the structure. To prevent this from happening, you must ensure your house is correctly insulated, preventing the heat from escaping.

    Without insulation, you will incur extra costs on your electric bill. The air conditioner will have to be working the entire time to ensure the temperature in your home is to your required standard. For proper insulation, you can add items such as fiberglass to your home to prevent heat from escaping. Adding such material will add value to your home while still reducing your electric bill.

    You can also do weather-stripping- which involves sealing operational elements such as windows and doors. Another method you can resort to using is caulking. It involves filling of cracks and opening in between the components in your home.

  2. Use Energy Saving Appliances

    Using energy-saving types of equipment in your home can also help you save on your electricity bill. For example, take into consideration the old models of appliances, they use considerable large amounts of energy compared to the modern types of equipment. Because of this, if in your home you are still using some of these old types of equipment, then it is time you get yourself the modern ones.

    Make sure every equipment in your house saves you energy. From the refrigerator to the water heater ensure they all help you conserve energy. Energy star appliances might be expensive if you compare their prices to other normal appliances, but the amount of money they will help you save will make buying the seem like the best decision you ever made.

  3. Utilize a Programmable Thermostat

    By using a programmable thermostat, you will likely save ten percent of your electric bills. How is this possible? A programmable thermostat prevents your home from losing heat or the cooling effect during seasons with extreme temperatures such as winter and summer. It achieves this by ensuring the temperature is high or low in your home during periods when no one is affected by such a change, for example, when everyone is at work.

    For instance, during the winter season, you can set your thermostat to allow the temperature in your home to rise when everyone is at work. You can then set it to turn on the air conditioner just minutes before the time you usually arrive back from work. This way, you will come back home to a conducive environment. The reduced cooling effect during the day will ensure you save a substantial amount of energy, hence reducing your electric bill.

    By frequently turning your programmable thermostat down during winter and up during the summer, you will be able to conserve energy. If you compare the amount of money you will spend when installing a programmable thermostat and the amount you will save, it is a worthy investment.

  4. Use cold Water for Laundry

    You can save a substantial amount of money on electric bills if you decide to do your laundry using cold water.  This is possible because ninety percent of the energy your washing machine uses is for the heating of water. Consider the number of times everyone in your family does their laundry monthly if you all decided to switch to using cold water, then you will significantly reduce your electric bills.

Final Thought

With regards to saving money on your electric bills, recognize the things in your home that utilize a substantial amount of energy. Items such as washing machines, water heaters, air conditioners, and dishwashers are some of the appliances that use up a lot of energy.

Make sure the models you are using are energy efficient to ensure they do not hike up your electric bill. With your air conditioner, the more you turn the temperature up during the hot seasons, and lower it during the cold seasons, the more you will save in electric bills. The above are ways that will ensure you do not overspend on your electric bills.

Which State Pays the Most for Electricity?

Posted on | by K Hopkins

Many Americans dread opening the energy bill when it comes. With your electric bills spiking all the time, it’s only right to wonder if you are alone in this situation. In fact, you may just wonder if another State might offer you cheaper electricity.

As your reliable electrician technicians, we come through with the information you need to satisfy this curiosity and probably make a decision to move.

Most Expensive States for Electricity (as of June 2019)

Hawaii – Hawaii sits top of the list with 32.45 cents per kWh. Hawaii has the most expensive electricity rates at any time. It relies heavily on petroleum as the main source of power, and this resource is consistently costly. The State is moving towards using solar energy and geothermal energy sources.

Alaska – Alaska’s electricity is like that of Hawaii. The State depends on petroleum liquids as well for their electricity. The rate is 23.51 cents per kWh. And also like Hawaii, Alaska is harnessing geothermal energy sources for renewable energy.

Connecticut – The State has an electricity rate of 23.1 cents per kWh. It is the most expensive state in the Northeast. The State is working towards obtaining electricity from renewable sources.

Least Expensive States for Electricity (as of June 2019)

Louisiana – Louisiana is popular for its oil refineries. Its high number of industries make it one of the highest energy consumers in the country. The electricity rate in the State is, however, 9.66 cents per kWh. It is the lowest dropping below Washington this year.

Arkansas – More than half of the State’s energy is generated from coal. Arkansas has an electricity rate of 10.35 cents per kWh.

Washington – For years, Washington always ranked the lowest in electricity rates. It is the largest hydroelectric power producer in the U.S. The electricity cost is 9.90 cents per kWh.

Why the electricity costs differ by State

Electricity is sourced from the conversion of other raw materials. Hence, the electricity rate for a state usually depends on their raw materials, the cost of converting them to electricity, and electricity use. So, states like Hawaii have expensive electricity rates because they depend on expensive materials like crude oil. Louisiana, on the other hand, depends on one company with several power plants. This makes their electricity cost low. Different seasons also contribute to electricity costs.

What you can do

Not everyone is lucky to live in the States with the lowest electricity costs. Even when you do, who wouldn’t want to beat their electricity bill down to the minimum? Tips you can use to reduce those figures on your bill significantly include:

  • Change your light fixtures to energy saving options; Use dimmers and LED bulbs.
  • Get a smart thermostat; a smart thermostat offers flexibility and control. It helps you save up to 10% of energy.
  • Install ceiling fans; using ceiling fans can save as much as 30% on the bills.
  • Dress the part; Wear light clothes during hot days and thick clothes during cold ones.
  • You can also opt for an audit to know how or where to save from the Electric Connection.

What Uses the Most Electricity in Your Home?

Posted on | by K Hopkins

Home appliances are necessary for comfort and efficiency. They literally make life easier for everyone. The only problem is that they all demand electricity to run and some use up much more power than others. Hence, while you enjoy the convenience of warm water or cool air regularly, your electric bills keep rising higher.

A typical home uses energy in the following way:

  • Air conditioning and heating – 46%
  • Water heating- 14%
  • Lighting – 9%
  • Appliances – 13%
  • TV and other media – 4%

Of course, these numbers might shock you. If you are searching for the best way to cut down on your energy bills, you must start by knowing what uses the most electricity in your home. These big eaters will have to be controlled to help you save significantly. Read on to learn about them.

Air conditioning
The air conditioner is one of the most demanding electrical appliances in the home. On its own, this appliance takes up to 19% of electrical power. It is frequently used during summer months to keep the heat at bay and enjoy cool air.

Saving on the air conditioner can be tough but also easy with the right practices. Start by getting an upgrade to a smart thermostat. The thermostat will make cooling schedules work better to save energy. Wear light clothing in the house and sometimes use cost-efficient methods of cooling. These include opening up a window and using fans.

Water heater
The water heater is used more often than the air conditioner, especially on cold days. We rely on water heaters daily for various needs such as showers, washing dishes, and clothes.

You can save on energy by reducing the temperature of your water heater. Change the presetting to 20 degrees and combine this with other saving tips such as low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators. Take shorter showers and use cold water for washing sometimes. Maintain your unit with a professional electrician to improve its efficiency.

Lighting
Saving on lighting is quite simple and should be almost unnecessary if you have taken the right precautions earlier. Throw out the old-school incandescent bulbs and replace them with LED lights. LED lights last much longer and use far less electricity.

Refrigerator
A typical home refrigerator runs for 24 hours on every day of the week. It only goes off when the power does too. But like any other appliance on this list, the refrigerator consumes as much power as it gives. If you don’t have a refrigerator yet, the good news is you can just buy the new and energy-efficient models. If not, you can employ a few strategies to cut down.

Proper maintenance is important to help your appliances work better and use less power. Clean the vents and coils of this appliance regularly and replace any broken parts like the rubber gaskets. Don’t keep the door open for too long and set the refrigerator’s temperature lower.

All saving tips must be practiced consistently to see results.

What is Grounding and Why is it Important?

Posted on | by K Hopkins

Electricity has come to mean a lot to the world, but while it has proven so vital, electricity is also dangerous. To protect human lives and property from the dangers associated with using electricity, experienced electricians always ensure they ground your electrical system.

Grounding is a common term when it comes to power. It means connecting electrical wires to the ground below your home. We will get to why this is even necessary in a few moments.

Think of grounding like the way humans have to step their feet on the earth to walk. Stepping your feet on the earth connects to a stable surface and helps you walk safely as you should.

This is what grounding means for electricity. After connecting all the appliances and electrical components in your home, each one must be grounded.

Every electric outlet has two main wires. One is the hot wire or active wire which supplies the power, the other is the neutral wire which carries that current back. An additional wire is the grounding wire which can be attached to other electrical devices and connected to the ground bus bar at the breaker.

The ground wire functions as an extra path for the electrical current to pass through and return safely to the ground. The aim is to prevent any danger of electrical shock or fire.

Importance of Grounding

  • Serves as a shock absorber
    Sudden surges of electrical power occur more often than you think. It could be triggered by a storm, transformer malfunction, or when a power demanding appliance picks up. You can observe this in the home when an appliance like the AC comes on; the light flickers briefly.

    Such minor surges can create major problems if the outlets in your home are not grounded. This includes fatal shocks when you touch the appliance. So, grounding prevents all of this by directing any excess charge to the ground where they pose no threat.

  • Stabilizes voltage
    Grounding equips your electrical system to be highly efficient. It helps the appropriate amount of power to be distributed accordingly. This also prevents overloading which in turn protects your appliances.

  • Uses the best conductor
    Why the earth? Why isn’t grounding about connecting excess charges to something else? Well, it is because the earth is a great conductor. Excess electricity will always choose the path of least resistance and the earth presents a safe alternative to your human body.

To know if you are safe and that your electrical system is grounded, you can use the tips below:

  • Check the home outlets. Grounded outlets have three slots, while ungrounded ones have two slots.
  • Older homes may be at risk of being ungrounded compared to modern homes.
  • Call for an inspection from a professional electrician to confirm if you have a grounded electrical system or not. An upgrade can be carried out if needed.

Hearing An Electrical Hum? Here’s How To Fix It

Posted on | by K Hopkins

Electrical hums and buzzes are quite common in the home. The annoying thing about these sounds is that they can be hard to locate and most times they indicate more serious electrical problems.
Before diving into the causes of electrical hum and how to fix it, here are some tips to help you identify the source of the hum.

  • Start by shutting off all the circuit breakers in your home. When you do this an electrical hum should stop, but if the sound continues, it means it has nothing to do with your electrical components. To identify the source of the electrical humming sound, turn the circuit breakers back on one at a time. When you hear it, check all the outlets or appliances connected to that particular circuit breaker.

  • You can opt for using a cheap stethoscope from the drugstore. This works better if you suspect that the hum is coming from an outlet or within the walls. Use the stethoscope to listen through surfaces.

  • If you can get your hands on a good ear trumpet, then you can save yourself a lot of stress. Ear trumpets were once a popular tool used by those with hearing impairment. It gives your sharper hearing. Put the smaller end on your ear and guide yourself around suspected areas until you find the culprit. If you can’t get the real thing, improvise with a funnel, or a rolled piece of paper.

Causes, Sources, and Solutions for an Electrical Hum

  • Lights and other fixtures
    Lights on dimmers are common sources of annoying humming or buzzing sounds. This happens because some dimmers do not actually dim the light they just switch the light off and on at a rate too fast for your eyes to see. This constant cycle leads to a humming sound. The solution is to switch to rough service bulbs or LED lights.

    Fluorescent light fixtures may also make a humming sound and replacing them with a different type of fixture can solve the problem.

  • Mains hum
    A mains hum is a term used to describe the audible sound of alternating current. It is common in appliances with motors and occurs when these motors switch on and off. A mains hum is usually harmless but if it gets louder than normal, consider inspecting the appliance.

  • Circuit breakers
    A circuit breaker can trip when overloaded or when there is an unusual surge or demand for electrical power. Sometimes this can lead to a humming sound from the breaker box, which indicates that a circuit is overloaded. This issue can only be addressed by an electrician.

  • Wiring and outlets
    If you notice the sound is coming from the electrical wiring or an outlet, it could mean improperly grounded wiring or the wiring is producing more volts than it can carry. Both situations are dangerous and must be fixed by a professional electrician.

How to Test a 240V Circuit

Posted on | by K Hopkins

test 240v240V circuits often serve heavy-duty appliances in the home like the dryer, AC, ovens, and water heater. When there is a problem with the circuit or electrical outlet, it becomes dangerous to use them. As a homeowner, a few basic tricks can help you assess your electrical components in the home and make informed decisions about them.

Read on to know how to test a 240V circuit.
A typical 240V outlet carries three slots or openings. There are two vertical or horizontal slots placed side by side with a middle third slot below the first two. The two slots that lie side by side carry 120V each. The third slot connects the outlet to the ground.

You will need a multimeter to complete the next steps. A multimeter measures the amount of volts running through a circuit. To use the multimeter, turn the dial up to 240V and attach the probes appropriately. Ensure that the red and black probes are completely plugged into the correct slots in the multimeter and are not damaged. Avoid touching the metal tips of the probes to avoid an electric shock.

With the multimeter inserted, check the reading displayed on it. Both slots should read 120V each and a total of 240V. If this isn’t the case, then one or both circuits may be faulty.

Reset the multimeter to 120V and switch the probes. Insert the red probe in any of the two vertical slots and the black probe in the ground slot. The multimeter should read 120V; otherwise, that circuit is defective. Repeat this procedure for the second vertical slot.
After testing the circuit and confirming any defect, the best action is to call an electrician to replace, repair, or provide other valid solutions. Practice basic precautions to avoid damage to your circuits or electrical hazards. These include switching off outlets when not in use and keeping them away from water.