Tag: los angeles electrician

Great Tax Return News for EV Owners!

Posted on | by K Hopkins

If you purchased an EV between 2018 – 2019 or plan to buy one in 2020, we’ve got exciting news for you!

Congress recently enacted a retroactive federal tax credit available to electric vehicle owners. If this is you, you’re eligible to receive this credit of 30% of the purchasing and installation cost of an EV charging station.

Residential owners can expect a credit of up to $1,000 while commercial installations can receive up to $30,000. This credit originally expired in December of 2017 but has been extended through December 31, 2020.

Lost your paperwork for your charger installation? No sweat! If The Electric Connection of Los Angeles installed your EV charger, just give us a call at (818) 446-0888 or email us at service@electricconnection.com and we’ll be happy to help out!

Check out the US Department of Energy’s website for more information on the tax credit.

Want more information on how you can obtain this credit? Take a look at IRS Form 8911 by visiting the IRS Forms and Publication website. (Reference Public Law 116-94, Public Law 115-123, Public Law 114-113, 26 U.S. Code 30C and 38, and IRS Notice 2007-43(PDF))

The Electric Connection Earns 2019 Angie’s List Super Service Award

Posted on | by K Hopkins

The Electric Connection Earns 2019 Angie’s List Super Service Award
Award reflects company’s consistently high level of customer service

Los Angeles, CA, 2/6/2020 – The Electric Connection is proud to announce that it has earned the home service industry’s coveted Angie’s List Super Service Award (SSA). This award honors service professionals who have maintained exceptional service ratings and reviews on Angie’s List in 2019.

“Service pros that receive our Angie’s List Super Service Award represent the best in our network, who are consistently making great customer service their mission,” said Angie’s List Founder Angie Hicks. “These pros have provided exceptional service to our members and absolutely deserve recognition for the exemplary customer service they exhibited in the past year.”

Angie’s List Super Service Award 2019 winners have met strict eligibility requirements, which include maintaining an “A” rating in overall grade, recent grade and review period grade. The SSA winners must be in good standing with Angie’s List and undergo additional screening.

The Electric Connection has been listed on Angie’s List since 2005. This is the 15 year The Electric Connection has received this honor.

Service company ratings are updated continually on Angie’s List as new, verified consumer reviews are submitted. Companies are graded on an A through F scale in multiple fields ranging from price to professionalism to punctuality.

For over two decades Angie’s List has been a trusted name for connecting consumers to top-rated service professionals. Angie’s List provides unique tools and support designed to improve the local service experience for both consumers and service professionals.

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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. There’s plenty of competition throughout Los Angeles, but we make it our policy to treat our customers the way we would want to be treated. That has gained us a great reputation. We’ll provide you with quality work at honest prices.

Free Electrical Advice

Posted on | by K Hopkins

We are only able to provide advice to residents and business owners in the Los Angeles area. Please call us at (818) 446-0888 for more information.

over the phone electrical helpThe electrical system of a building is important to its function and efficiency. But with so much use to bear and the factors involved with getting a solid electrical system, electrical issues and questions often occur. Not every electrical issue or question comes at a financial cost. You can get free electrical advice that directly answers your immediate minor need.

At the Electric Connection, our professional electricians are always available to receive your calls and provide consultation free of charge during office hours. These are experts with great troubleshooting experience who can answer all questions.

For further insight to help you solve your electrical needs without any charge please look to our informative posts here.

For over the phone quotes on your electrical services, also reach out to us with this contact information (818-446-0888).

  • What electrical jobs are safe for you to perform?

Electricians are trained to assess risks and prioritize safety. In all situations, it is always better to call an electrician but at the same time, there are a few simple electrical jobs you can perform. These include:

  • Replacing a fuse
  • Changing an electric bulb, tube, or starter in a fluorescent light fitting
  • Resetting a circuit breaker or safety switch

It is important to be well informed before undertaking any of these tasks. Also, take precautions such as turning off the electricity supply and avoiding injury.

  • What electrical jobs are not safe for you to perform?

If you get tempted to DIY any electrical tasks, it should be none of the following:

  • Changing pre-existing electrical wiring
  • Changing the plug on a lead
  • Repairing any of your electrical appliances
  • Electrical wiring installation
  • Replacing light switches or powerpoint
  • Why use a licensed electrician?

Several people die yearly from electrical accidents that could have been prevented if handled by a professional and licensed electrician. A license helps you rest easy with the assurance that the electrical technician knows what he is doing.

How Can I Find a Good Local Electrician in Los Angeles

Posted on | by K Hopkins

search los angelesFinding an electrician is easy but finding a good electrician can be tough if you don’t know where to start.

Los Angeles is a booming city and like other cities similar to it, you get a good dose of the good, the bad, and the ugly on a regular basis. However, the right information can save you all the trouble especially when it comes to your electrical system.

The benefits of not hiring just any electrician but a good local electrician in Los Angeles include:

  • Better assurance of your electrical safety
  • Professional service
  • Proper pricing and value for your money

Here are some top tips on how to find a good local electrician in the bustling City of Los Angeles.

  1. Do a search through Angie’s List and other similar platforms
    When you are looking for a good electrician, you have to look towards someone or a company that is reputable. Gaining information on the reputation of a contractor or company can involve a lot of factors but a search through Angie’s List, HomeAdvisor, Better Business Bureau and more can give you some insight on the company or contractor you are looking to hire. Learn more about them from these platforms.
  2. A recommendation is not all you need
    Have you ever hired someone your relative or friend claimed was a nice guy only to receive poor quality work? Yes, it happens and it only goes to show that hiring a good electrician has to do with more than your relatives’ recommendation or the fact that the contractor ‘seems like a nice guy’. Always weigh the appropriate factors first.
  3. Can the electrician explain his task in plain English?
    We have all met those contractors that can’t or won’t explain what they are doing. They might say you wouldn’t understand or speak gibberish till you give up trying to understand. When you meet such electricians avoid them because chances are they don’t really know what they are doing. A good electrician will be able to explain his task in plain English.
  4. Don’t hire based on price
    Going with the cheapest price is often the worst mistake you can make when deciding on an electrical technician to hire. The best way to identify and avoid a ridiculously cheaply priced service is to shop around. Find out what two or three contractors will charge for your electrical needs. If you get quotes such as $50, $100, $150, and $100 from four technicians then you should be suspicious of the $50 one. Getting value for your money is more important than been scrooge. It hardly ends well.
  5. License
    An electrician must have a license, but there are different types of license. A journeyman license is one and there is also a master electrician license. A good company should have both electricians and licenses. Peruse the license thoroughly to ensure it wasn’t rented and that both electricians and mostly the master electrician actually works for the company.

    6. You can also skip all of this and contact us at The Electric Connection where you get only the best electricians with professional service.

Why Hire a Professional Los Angeles Electrician

Posted on | by K Hopkins

hire los angeles electricianThe right question should be, why not hire a professional Los Angeles electrician? L.A is a beautiful city with lots of action, celebrities, and so on to take up your time and energy. Why include DIY electrical projects to the mix?

Just in case you are wondering what’s so special about hiring a professional electrician in the most populous California city, here are several reasons.

  • Save on cost

    • Have you ever tried to do something on your own and ended up buying a part that wasn’t needed or didn’t fit? That was money you could have saved or used for another purpose. Hiring a professional electrician who knows what he’s doing when he sees your electrical system can help you avoid wasteful spending like that.

  • It’s comforting

    • When you go to the hospital to see the doctor, don’t you feel safe knowing that he is experienced and trained for his job? How would you feel giving yourself treatment or prescription? You could have a headache just thinking of how unsure you are with what you are doing. It’s the same with hiring a professional electrician. You feel safe and comfortable knowing you hired someone with all the training and knowledge. You won’t fret at night wondering if something would go wrong with what you did.

  • Prevent accidents and house fires

    • Taking on an electrical project without training or proper knowledge can lead to mistakes. Electricity may seem friendly because it’s such a huge addition to our lives, but it is dangerous when not handled properly. A mistake can cause electrocution (mild or life-threatening). It can also cause a fire.

  • Efficient work

    • A professional electrician’s work will be smooth, neat, effective, and satisfactory. You can get exactly what you want or need. The right professional makes sure your work lasts as long as it should to save you cost in the long run.

  • Protect your appliances.

    • A professional electrician knows what you need to protect your home. They can upgrade your wiring, install surge protection, identify an electrical fault, and so on.

When you need to choose a professional electrician in Los Angeles

Now that these benefits have you convinced, you must wonder what to do when you need to choose a professional electrician in Los Angeles.

Start by getting proof of their certification and license. Check past clients for their experience and long-term results. Check reviews. Check customer service, costs, and more. There are several electricians in Los Angeles, but finding quality and superior service for pocket-friendly prices is vital.

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.

Can I Upgrade to a 200 Amp Service?

Posted on | by K Hopkins

panel upgradeIn the past, many homes could get away with using at most a 60 – 100 Amp service. But as technology evolves every day and homeowners are exposed to more and more appliances, 100 Amps can no longer cut it for most homes.

Knowing if you can upgrade to a 200 Amp service panel involves considering a few key points. Stick with these lines to learn more.

You can upgrade to a 200 Amp service under the following conditions:

You need more electrical power
Have you added or do you plan to add any new appliance in your home? If so, don’t be in a hurry to upgrade your panel. Check the amount of power needed by this new appliance. Several appliances require a moderate amount of power that do not need you to make drastic changes to your panel. While power-hungry appliances like an Air conditioner will need much power to operate.

Hence, if you are adding appliances such as cell phones, LED TV, and an incandescent light bulb, there’s no need to worry. Appliances like an air conditioner, electric clothes dryer, electric range, or hot tub can be a reason to upgrade your amp service.

Your home is old
Older homes usually have a lower amp panel and the electrical wiring can be worn out from years of use. This limits the efficiency of your home and certainly calls for an upgrade. You will need a professional electrician to inspect your electrical system and inform you about the status of your wiring.

You want a safer electrical system
100 Amp may not trip breakers now but it is cutting it too close for electrical safety. When you have a larger amperage like 200 Amps, the unused extra serves as a buffer that is safe and flexible for your system. With a 100 Amp panel in a modern home, half of your safe capacity is taken up from simply switching on one appliance. If there’s an issue and you are lucky, the breaker will trip. In older homes, any unlucky situation involving a 100 Amp panel can trigger an electrical fire.

You want efficiency and room to grow
A 200 Amp service guarantees greater efficiency of your home. It gives you room to grow at any time you choose. You might not need it now, but who says you won’t want a backyard pool in the future? Or perhaps a basement bar or one of these power-hungry devices you do not have now?

The electrician says so
The most dependable way to know if you can upgrade to a 200 Amp panel is to ask an electrician. A professional electrician will check your current electrical system and give accurate advice on what is needed. If you do need an upgrade the electrician can provide that as well.

A panel upgrade is a serious project so be sure to hire only a licensed, qualified, and insured electrician. Reach out to us here for this service and more.

How to Upgrade Electrical Panel in a Home

Posted on | by K Hopkins

los angeles panel upgradeThe electrical panel in the home is where your electricity is distributed. Some electrical technicians describe the panel as a box of switches and wires. It is where you can find the individual breakers responsible for sending power to specific parts of the home. Most times when there is an electrical problem, homeowners use these switches to turn off or turn on the power.

Electrical panels are upgraded occasionally for several reasons. This upgrade can occur once in 10 years or as stated by a professional electrician. Some older panels are upgraded because of capacity. Modern panels now offer 200 amps to homes while older ones range between 60 and 100 amps. This is hardly sufficient for the contemporary homeowner who needs more power for appliances.

An electrical panel upgrade can be messy and expensive. If you are wondering how to upgrade the electrical panel in your home, here are two ways.

A Classic DIY
There are comprehensive texts that show homeowners how to upgrade the electric panel in the home. First, you would need to get a permit to attempt such a complex electrical project. If you do not do this, you might be persecuted for it. The next step is to equip yourself with screwdrivers, screws, torch, and a voltmeter. Open up the panel to study where the circuits lead to in your home. Turn off the mains electricity and remove all the circuits from the panel. Exercise extreme caution to avoid an electrical accident. Screw the new electrical panel to the wall and wire it up as before with the older panel. Put the circuit breakers in place. If you want to enlarge any circuit wires, wire them directly into the breaker. It is also possible to add more wires to extend the circuit. When this is complete, turn the power on. You would also need a building inspection to confirm that everything is working as it should.

A classic DIY is not impossible, but it is not the best option. Several things can go wrong when attempting to upgrade the electrical panel yourself. Look to the second method listed for a safer solution.

Hire a Professional Electrician
There are a few problems around the home a regular homeowner can handle. Things like a clogged sink may be easy to solve with a plunger or drain cleaner. Electricity is a job that requires training, skill, knowledge, and experience. Only a licensed electrician should work on electrical problems in the home. Upgrading the electrical panel is no small task. The panel is a powerful distributor of electricity that requires expertise from anyone. Taking on a DIY can lead to serious problems like an electrical fire, loss of lives and property. However, if a professional electrical is hired to upgrade the panel you can be sure of a safe process that leaves you with a reliable electrical system.

A licensed electrician from The Electric Connection would complete the upgrade in a little time and get it right so there are no further issues.

How to Rewire a House without Removing Drywall in Los Angeles

Posted on | by K Hopkins

open wall showing wires

Rest assured that you are not the first or the last to ask about rewiring a house without removing the drywall.

Rewiring a house can make your heart skip a bit. Homeowners react this way because aside from the high costs, an electrical rewiring project usually means tearing down walls and making a big mess that the exhausted homeowner is left to deal with. But time has proven that this process can be highly disruptive and even costlier for the homeowner.

Hence, some opt for repair services or using the old, faulty wiring as it is. Of course, this is dangerous and your electrician will advise you against it.

Thankfully, there is an alternative to tearing down walls. It is possible to rewire your home without removing the drywall. How? With skill, the right tools, and cost. To do this, you will need an experienced electrician or comprehensive information on the process.

An experienced electrician can inform you of the process and carry out the rewiring easily. The method used by the electrician is to find a crawlspace to feed the wire through the wall. We have discussed the stages below.

Planning and Preparatory Stage

After an inspection carried out by the electrician, planning becomes necessary. Not removing the drywall means you will need a new way to access the old wires and run new ones.

In this first stage, the electrical technician will require a plan showing or depicting the circuitry of the wires to be removed and another for the replacement.

Get a detailed plan of the old circuitry and what runs where. This drawing will help you see beyond the walls. Next, draw a similar plan for the new wires, and while it doesn’t have to be identical, seeing both plans helps know what to expect.

Determine the best route for removing the old wires and running new ones. Also, measure the amount of wires you will need.

Ideally, the only routes to take in rewiring your home without removing the drywall is through the attic or crawl space between floors. The attic usually has more space.

Part of preparing can also include creating room for the wires to slide through by removing some insulation. Any clutter that stands in the way has to be removed as well.

Discarding the Old Wiring

Before doing anything with the wires, be sure to shut off the power to the house. This is for your electrical safety as you work.

Removing the old wiring is also not as simple as just pulling them out. Some wires may be stapled to the wall and you could end up creating a short circuit problem. The wires must also be recycled properly.

Take out the old wiring from the crawl space. For tricky spots, you can pull the wires from inside the room and patch that drywall later.

With the old wiring out of the way, feed the new wires through a pre-cut opening in the wall.

Running the new wiring will probably be a two-man job, so be sure to have someone else to help.

Keep track of everything you do and follow the plan from before.

What can make a house rewire without removing the drywall successful?

  • Get help. You can hardly complete the process alone, even as a professional electrician. So have someone around to help feed the wires to you.
  • If you need to open drywall, patch the spot by covering it with paper joint tape and a joint compound. Leave the compound to dry for up to an hour.
  • Measure your wiring and make sure you have enough.
  • Go in with a bright flashlight.

Taking Precaution
Since you won’t be taking the regular technique of pulling down drywall for rewiring, you must ensure the new cables are extra tight or clamped down.

This rewiring technique is usually faster and more efficient as a two-man job, where one person feeds the wire and another catches it to secure the wires.

To get this done in your home, hire a skilled electrician with experience on the job. It is often better to consider referrals from people who had similar work done in their home.

It is important not to attempt this yourself or hire someone less skilled. You can reach us at The Electric Connection to put an end to your worries and complete this project. Our electrical technicians guarantee a stress-free rewiring for your home.

Learn more about house rewires:

What is involved?
How much does it cost?
How to prepare?