Updating Your Kitchen with Electrician in Los Angeles

Your kitchen is probably the most important room in your house. In most floor plans, it is also one of the most visible areas. Because of this, most people like to keep their kitchen modern and of course, gorgeous. If you are thinking of selling your home anytime soon, the kitchen is typically the place your realtor will advise you to invest in. Thankfully, you can hire an electrician in Los Angeles to help you with a kitchen makeover. The team at The Electric Connection has a staff of well-trained and professional electricians who will make your dream of an updated kitchen a reality.

A complete kitchen update would typically include new appliances. Depending on the age of your home, you may need some upgrades to your Los Angeles electrical system. While the electrician is there, it is a good time to have additional outlets installed. It seems like there are never enough outlets for all of the appliances we use to make our lives easier. Your electrician would also be able to update your old outlets with the much safer GFCIs. These outlets reduce the risk of electrical shock due to water coming into contact with electricity.

If you are not ready to do a complete makeover, you can opt to simply have your lighting fixtures updated. This is a much more economical option while still giving you dramatic results. You would be amazed at the difference new lighting can do for a room. You have plenty of choices when it comes to choosing a new light for your kitchen. Take a trip to your home improvement store or lighting store to see the variety of options available to you. When you find the lights for you, give the team at The Electric Connection a call today and schedule your kitchen update.

New Lighting, New Look by Santa Monica Electrician

It is a good time to consider updating the existing lighting in your home. It is one way to quickly update the look of a room without getting into a big project that involves remodeling, painting or even buying expensive furniture or new carpet. A new light fixture is a quick and fairly inexpensive fix to add new life to your home. A Santa Monica electrician will need to complete the installation of your new fixture. You can always count on the team at The Electric Connection to take care of your home lighting upgrade needs.

With the phasing out of incandescent bulbs in favor of CFLs, you may need to update your light fixture. There are some old lamps and ceiling lights that are not suitable for the CFL bulbs. And although you may need to spend a little money to get your home up to date, it will ultimately save you money in the long run on your electricity bills. There are plenty of different styles of light fixtures for you to choose from. You don’t have to worry about being stuck with the old standard, center of the ceiling light fixture that you will find in millions of houses. You will be amazed at how unique the designs of today truly are.

Because there is some wiring involved, it is best to leave the fixture change to your electrician. Santa Monica residents will want to make sure the fixture is installed up to code and by having an electrician complete the work you can feel confident knowing it is wired correctly. If you are ready to transform your dull lighting into something beautiful, head to your local home improvement store and pick up your new fixtures. Once you have your new lights, call The Electric Connection and schedule your installation.

What’s the Fuss About CFLs? Los Angeles Electrician Explains

You have seen the news and have heard about the government’s move to make those cheap light bulbs a thing of the past. You are probably wondering why this is necessary and what is all the fuss about these CFLs you have seen in place of those other incandescent bulbs? Your Los Angeles electrician is here to explain why this is one trend you want to be a part of. The team at The Electric Connection can help you make the transition from the outdated bulbs to the new, more energy efficient CFLs.

One of the major complaints about the CFLs is the expense. Yes, they are more expensive. You can expect to pay anywhere from $3 to $5 for a single bulb. Before you let that deter you from jumping aboard the CFL bandwagon, read on. You have probably noticed the bulbs are sold in singles more often than the 4-pack we have become accustomed to buying. When you start using CFLs, you will understand why. The bulbs last 10 times longer than one of the incandescent bulbs. That means instead of changing a bulb every couple of months, you will go a year or more in between bulb changes.

The initial expense is also not so bad when you factor in the savings on your electric bill every month. Assuming $20 of every $100 of your electric bill is for lighting alone, you could save about $15 each month on lighting costs. CFLs use 75 percent electricity than the almost obsolete incandescent bulbs. This also translates to a reduction on energy, which is always a bonus for the environment. If you have an outdate fixture that does not work with CFLs, call an electrician. Los Angeles homeowners can update the lighting in their home and ultimately save money. Give The Electric Connection a call today and start saving money on your monthly electric bill.

Why Do Breakers Trip? Electrician in Pasadena Explains

Why do breakers trip? Have you ever turned on the vacuum or started the microwave while the toaster was in operation and experienced a tripped breaker? If you have ever dealt with a breaker that trips, you are probably wondering why it happened and want to know what that means for the safety of your home. An electrician in Pasadena is here to explain. You can learn more by calling The Electric Connection.

First of all, it is important to explain what a tripped breaker really is. Your breaker panel is probably located outside or in a hallway or basement area. When a breaker trips, it cuts off all flow of electricity to the outlets and light fixtures that the particular breaker supplies electricity to. When looking at the breaker panel, the tripped breaker will be slightly in the middle instead of all the way left or right. An orange bar is usually used to indicate which breaker has tripped.

As far as why the breaker trips, there are 3 main reasons
• Ground Fault
• Overloaded Circuit
• Short Circuit

An overloaded circuit is probably one of the most common reasons. If your breaker isn’t powerful enough to run several appliances at once, like the microwave, vacuum and toaster, it becomes overloaded and shuts down. You can address this by distributing your electrical draw to different outlets that are run by different breakers or by having your Pasadena electrical system investigated. You may be in need of additional breakers.
A ground fault or short circuit are much more dangerous than an overloaded circuit. Breakers that have bare wires or a bad connection can cause fires. If you don’t see anything out of the ordinary, but are still having trouble with a tripping breaker, give the folks at The Electric Connection a call.

New Chandelier for Enhanced Rooms says Electrician in Glendale

There are certain changes you can make in your home that can give it an entirely new look and feel. Sometimes, the simplest thing like a light fixture can take a home from drab and dark to modern and brilliant. One common way of changing the look of a room is by installing a new chandelier. Chandeliers can add an elegant look to a dining room or entrance way. Despite how easy it may seem to simply change out one light fixture for another, the task involves some work with electricity. If you are not familiar with electric wiring, it is best to give the job to an electrician in Glendale. You can count on the team at The Electric Connection to take care of a chandelier installation efficiently and professionally.

One of the joys of owning your own home is being able to decorate it and embellish it to suit your tastes. Lighting plays a huge role in the way a room is presented. Take a trip to your local home improvement store and visit the lighting department. There are so many styles and designs to choose from, the process may take a bit as you envision each fixture hanging in your home. Once you have made your decision, it is time to take care of the Glendale electrical wiring.

An electrician will remove the existing fixture and check the wiring before installing the new chandelier. This is an excellent time to have the wiring evaluated for any signs it may need upgrading. Chandeliers are typically installed with dimmer switches. This gives you the freedom to change the mood in a room by making it very bright or dimming the lights. Your electrician will take care of this during the install process if you would like. If you would like to enhance your home with a new chandelier, give The Electric Connection a call today.

Home Maintenance Safety Tips

Safety should ALWAYS be the foremost concern for anyone who is working on or around electricity. It is critical to recognize and distinguish between repairs, which you are qualified to undertake and repairs that only a professional electrician should handle.

We recommend that you always contact a qualified, licensed electrician to perform any electrical work in your home.

If you do decide to undertake a basic home electrical project, consider the following important safety tips:

  • Always turn off the power to the circuit that you plan to work on by switching off the circuit breaker in the main service panel.

  • Be sure to test wires before you touch them to make sure that the power has been turned off.

  • Test from the black wires to both the grounded box and the white wires. Test from the white wires to the grounded box.

  • Never touch plumbing or gas pipes when performing a do-it-yourself electrical project.

  • Make sure that you are not standing on a damp floor.

  • Be sure to unplug any lamp or appliance before working on it.

  • Take an active role in understanding the condition of your current electrical system, its capacity, limitations, and potential hazards.

Is a permit or inspection required? Many state and local laws require that a permit be obtained prior to the installation of electrical wiring or devices. In addition, an inspection must be performed to ensure the work is safely completed meeting all applicable code requirements.

Projects that require a permit include:

  • Adding or extending a new circuit and/or wiring for central air conditioning, a swimming pool, or a hot tub

  • Installing a receptacle or light fixture where one did not already exist

  • Installation of new electrical panels in the house would require a permit

  • Wiring or re-wiring any new structure such as a house, garage, or shed. Permits are generally not mandated for minor repairs, but work must comply with the version of the National Electrical Code that is recognized by the state or city in which you live.

Projects that do not require a permit may include:

  • Replacing a receptacle where one already exists

  • Replacing a faulty circuit breaker that is the same size/type does not require a permit

  • Replacing or changing a light fixture within the home

  • Installing a phone or coax cable for cable television

If you hire an electrician or contractor to perform work at your home, be sure to confirm that he/she has obtained the appropriate permits, and request an inspection once the work is complete. This protects your family against risk of electrocution and electrical fires—and it is the law!

 

About the Author

David M Specht is the Director of Field Services for Cirtcele Electric, an electrical contracting firm located in Mesa, Arizona, just outside of Phoenix that provides residential, industrial, and commercial electrical services. As a second-generation electrician, he is committed to carrying his family’s legacy of professional service to individuals, families, and businesses in and around Phoenix and the Southwest United States. Mr. Specht is also a pilot and frequently travels to client locations, which puts him in a class few competitors can match. To learn more about David and the services his company offers, visit: http://www.CirtceleElectric.com

Lighting Options Explained by Electrician in Burbank

If you are thinking about updating the existing lighting scheme in your home you may not realize there are a lot of different options to choose form. Nowadays, the standard single light fixture in the center of a room is outdated. There are so many new and exciting ways to light up your house. You will be amazed at what an electrician in Burbank can do with your current boring lighting scheme. The staff at The Electric Connection is here to help you transform your home into one that is bright and inviting.

Track Lighting

This is a great option for a kitchen or living room. Several lights are mounted along a track that runs straight or in a U-shape. The lights can be directed at different angles allowing you the freedom to light up a whole space with just one switch. You will have the freedom to choose the wattage of each bulb. This is like having 4 lights without the extra fixtures.

Recessed Lighting

These lights are great for areas where you don’t want anything hanging and getting in the way. It also has a very clean look that many people find desirable. The lights are mounted into the ceiling making them flush with ceiling. You can choose to have several lights installed that will light up an entire room without ever getting in the way of hanging pots and pans or hanging plants.

Undercounter LEDs

These are excellent options for bringing light into the dark areas of your home. Under the counter LEDs can be installed by an electrician. Burbank homeowners will be able to use their countertops freely without worrying about blocking the overhead light and risking an injury.
If you would like to learn more about the different lighting options or would like to schedule your appointment to have your lighting updated, give The Electric Connection a call today.

Telecommute with Help of an Electrician in Los Angeles

If your job involves you working in an office every day, have you considered working from home either on a full time or part time basis? With gas prices rising, more people are choosing to work from home and telecommute rather than pay the money for gas and deal with the frustration of sitting in traffic. There are plenty of other benefits from working out of your own home along with a few tax breaks. You will need an electrician in Los Angeles to help you make the transition from driving to work every day to walking across the hall to your office. The team at The Electric Connection is ready to help you make that happen.

If you already have a spare room you can transfer into your workspace, you are already halfway there. Your initial investment will be fairly low. If you need to add on an additional room to your home or build a separate structure, your initial investment will be a little higher, but in the end you can rest easy knowing you have made an investment in your home.

Part of the renovation process will include adding additional outlets, phone lines and installing a light fixture that is suitable for office work. This will all need to be handled by an electrician. Los Angeles residents will have the ability to decide where the outlets will be placed. Sometimes, it is convenient to have outlets placed higher up on the wall rather than common placement near the floor. You will also have the ability to decide where the data lines will be located. Your electrician will complete the install and leave your new work space looking like a professional office that you will feel comfortable working out of. Give The Electric Connection a call today and get started on your home office.

Transforming Dark Spaces to Inviting Areas with Electrician in Burbank

Your home is yours to do with as you wish. There is no one size fits all and you will likely want to customize it to suit your needs. That is one of the joys of owning your home. You can paint the walls any color you choose and can use each room to suit your needs. Sometimes, there is a lot of extra space in the home that is going to waste. Your basement and the attic are often used as storage, but what if you could transform the area into a more comfortable storage space or even a living space? With a little help from a contractor and an electrician in Burbank, it is usually possible. You can feel confident when you call The Electric Connection that you will get a knowledgeable, experienced electrician to help you realize your dreams of more living space in your home.

If you just want to turn your storage space into a place that is a little more inviting, it is a good idea to have new lights installed by an electrician. Burbank residents will appreciate being able to see everything they have stored away. Often times a single light in the center of the space is all that is provided. This leaves the corners dark and tall shelves will block the light from really spreading out. An electrician can install new lighting to brighten up the space and make it much more user friendly.

You can also transform your basement into a man cave complete with outlets and light fixtures that make it much more habitable. An attic space is also a great place for a reading nook. You will need a couple of outlets to plug in fans, cell phone chargers or lamps. If you are ready to get the most out of your home, give The Electric Connection a call today.

Spring Home Improvement with Electrician in Los Angeles

If you are in the mood for a little spring cleaning or home improvement, you are likely looking around your home and thinking you could use some new lights. Lighting can make or break a room. Dark, dingy lighting can make a room look small or even outdated despite new furniture or a nice coat of paint on the walls. An electrician in Los Angeles can help give your room a facelift. You can count on The Electric Connection to provide you with a knowledgeable electrician who has the experience needed to make it happen.

Your dining room, kitchen or even your bathroom will be transformed with the installation of a new light fixture. It is amazing to see how different a room can look with just the right lighting. Your kitchen should be bright and inviting. Bright areas are ideal when you are working with sharp knives and need to see ingredients as well as read labels. There are plenty of options when it comes to enhancing your kitchen workspace. Track lighting is an ideal option.

Because electricity is involved, it is best to leave the Los Angeles electrical work to a professional. It isn’t a good idea to try and wire in a new light fixture if you are not trained for it. Not only do you risk your life, but you risk the safety of your home. A fixture that isn’t wired correctly may work initially, but overtime, it can be a serious fire hazard.

While you are thinking about upgrading your lighting, take a look at your living room as well. You can use track lighting or the more popular recessed lighting. This is an ideal option for the newest trend of mounting flat screen televisions to the wall. This insures your view will not be obstructed by a hanging lamp. If you would like to get started on your spring improvement plan, give The Electric Connection a call today.