What to Look for in a Los Angeles Electrician

If you are in need of an electrician in the Los Angeles area, you have probably picked up the yellow pages or headed to your favorite search engine to wade through the listings. It is hard to pick the right one. How do you know which Los Angeles electrician to choose? At The Electric Connection, you won’t have to worry about what you are going to get when you make that first phone call. Here are some things every homeowner or business owner should look for when they are trying to hire the right electrician.

Reputation

A solid reputation is important. Past customers will be able to tell the real story about a company. Look for reviews online and verify the business with the Better Business Bureau. Angie’s List is another great place to check out an electrician’s reputation.

Clean

You take pride in your home and are likely a little picky about who you let in. You want a company who employs people who will respect your home and clean up after themselves. Presentation of an employee is also important and says a lot about the company’s image. Clean, nice-looking uniforms are always a plus. This is especially important if the work is going to be in a business where customers will see the electrician.

Honest

When dealing with any Los Angeles electrical work you want to ensure you are dealing with somebody who is being honest and up front with you. You don’t want to be paying for work that is not completely necessary. An honest electrician will tell you what needs to be fixed and what is optional but recommended. This gives you the option to decide what is best for you or your business.

At The Electric Connection, we pride ourselves on all of the above qualities and would love to help you with your electrical needs.

Property Management Handled by Electrician in Glendale

Property owners have a responsibility to their tenants to keep a house or apartment in good working order. This includes the electrical portion of the home. Property owners or property management companies have to be on call 24 hours a day to handle any emergency. And because of that, you need an electrician in Glendale who is also ready to take your call anytime, day or night. At The Electric Connection, we understand that need and make sure there is always somebody to take your call. During business hours, a live person will answer the phone and after hours, there is an on call service number available.

It is crucial to any property owner they have a company they can rely on to take care of every electrical problem, whether it is big or small. It is also very important a person can rely on an electrician to make the best call to fix a problem. In most cases, the property owner will not be on the premises when the electrician goes out to investigate a Glendale electrical situation. Because the property owner, not the tenant, will have the final say in what repairs are made, it is very important there be an open line of communication between the electrician and the management company or the owner. If an electrician realizes a diagnosis of a problem may take several hours, it should be communicated up front before any work commences.

There is also the sensitive nature of telling a tenant too much about the situation. Of course some information is necessary, but ultimately, it is up to the owner or manager to choose how much a renter knows. You will want to make sure you hire a company who employs electricians that are friendly to tenants, without divulging too much information. If you are in need of a company to service your rental properties, give The Electric Connection a call today.

Electrical Estimates Save You Money Says Electrician Glendale Residents Know

If you have been thinking about getting a specific job done around your house, but have always hesitated because you don’t know how much it costs, we can help. As with any job you need to hire somebody else to complete, you want to have an idea of what it is going to cost. So how do you get an electrical estimate from an electrician? Glendale homeowners can call The Electric Connection and talk with a member of our team. Although it is virtually impossible to give an exact quote, especially over the phone, it is possible to give a pretty good estimate if you know exactly what it is you need like a fixture installed or an outlet replaced.

If you need an estimate about a problem you are having in the house, but are not entirely sure what that particular problem is, things change a bit. An electrician will need to do some testing and diagnosing before an estimate can be given. The time it takes to do this can vary depending on the situation. However, the electrician should give you the fee for hourly rates and explain material costs. Although it is impossible to give exact estimates, an electrician can certainly give you an idea of the problem once found and the cost to fix it.

If you know you need a bigger job, like an electrical panel upgrade, this is something you will want to get an estimate for beforehand. This protects you from getting an astronomical bill after a job is completed that catches you off guard. Always talk with the electrician. Glendale residents will want to make sure they are only hiring a certified, competent electrician to complete any electrical jobs. The Electric Connection has licensed and bonded electricians and would love to help you get your next electrical job completed. Give us a call today.

10 Tips to Save on Your Electric Bill by Electrician in Pasadena

Even if your electric bill isn’t really a problem for you, just imagine what you could do if you shaved it down just a tad. A few more dollars in your pocket could be put towards your retirement nest egg, save up for that new big screen television you have been wanting or maybe just going out for a nice dinner. It is your money, do as you please. There are always ways to save here and there and your electrician in Pasadena has a few simple tips you can start doing today, to get you one step closer to that nest egg. The Electric Connection has been helping customers for years with energy savings.

1-Cook with small appliances when possible. Use a toaster oven, skillet or slow cooker.
2-Use cold water to run the garbage disposal.
3. Clean the filter on your refrigerator and freezer at least twice a year for maximum efficiency. Defrost the freezer at least once a year.
4. Only run full loads in the dishwasher, washing machine, and dryer. Use warm or cold water to wash clothes with.
5. Use CFL bulbs in place of halogen light bulbs.
6. Rely on a ceiling fan to circulate air and adjust temperature in the home up or down by several degrees. This is a job for your electrician. Pasadena homeowners who rely on their ceiling fans instead of the air conditioner or furnace can save a great deal of money.
7. Turn off all lights when you don’t need them.
8. Unplug small appliances when not in use to prevent phantom energy from being stolen.
9. Install dimmer switches on your lights to reduce the amount of light created and reduce the amount of electricity used.
10. Use a timer to control outdoor lighting to only come on at dusk and turn off at dawn.

These are just a few tips. You can call The Electric Connection to begin saving money today by installing a ceiling fan and dimmer switch.

CFL Lights Save on Electric Bill Explains Electrician in Glendale

As you walk around your house trying to find ways to save a few dollars here and there on your electric bill, you may be overlooking the obvious. Your current light bulbs. You have probably seen the more expensive light bulbs in the spiral shape in the stores but may have passed over them in favor of the less expensive bulbs. Your electrician in Glendale is here to tell you, you may be costing yourself more money by choosing those cheaper bulbs.

The experienced professionals at The Electric Connection can answer any questions you have about energy savings. One of the easiest things you can do is to start changing out your current halogen bulbs for the more energy efficient Compact Florescent Bulbs or what are simply referred to as CFLs. A CFL uses 75 percent less energy than the old standard bulbs.

Your light usage in your home probably accounts for maybe $20 on an average $100 monthly electric bill. So, if you replace each of your current energy hogging bulbs with CFLs, you could potentially safe about $15 on your electric bill. While that is not a massive amount of savings, it will certainly add up. Don’t be fooled by the word florescent. There is no eerie yellow or green glow. They are available in a variety of colors depending on your preference. If you have more questions, you can ask your electrician. Glendale residents may also want to consider replacing outdated lighting fixtures with more modern energy efficient fixtures.

This is a job for a certified electrician. While there, the electrician can install dimmer switches on lights that do not need to be at full power all of the time. These dimmers give you the freedom to have just a little light or a lot, depending on what your needs are. Call The Electric Connection today to learn more about dimmer switches and how they can help you.

Chandeliers Improve Your Home Says Electrician in Burbank

There are plenty of things you can do to breathe new life into your home. One of the things that can really change the way a room looks and feels is by changing up the lighting scheme. As technology advances, lighting options do as well. No longer are we forced to endure the boring lights of yesteryear. We have lots of options to use light to open up a space. Hallways, entranceways, and dining rooms can all benefit from the addition of a chandelier. This is a job for an electrician in Burbank to handle. You can rely on the friendly staff at The Electric Connection to help you infuse your living space with light.

A beautiful, glittering chandelier in your dining room can add a touch of elegance without redoing the entire space and buying a new dining set. Lighting is everything and a new chandelier handpicked by you can make a room feel warm and inviting. Shabby chic, vintage, modern and antique are just some of the options a homeowner has to choose from when it comes to picking the perfect light. There are numerous sizes of chandeliers as well. Do not assume the fixtures would be too big for a small space. Take your time to do some browsing and pick the chandelier that best fits with the theme of your particular room.

Because of the electrical work involved with installing a new chandelier, you will definitely need a licensed electrician. Burbank residents will want a dimmer switch installed with the chandelier as well. This is especially true for larger chandeliers with numerous light bulbs. While the additional light is great for some things, it can be a bit overpowering for an intimate meal. If you are ready to have your new chandelier installed, give The Electric Connection a call today.

Electric Outdoor Lights for Winter Months Explains Electrician in Los Angeles

As summer comes to a close, it is time to get ready for the fall cleanup season. This is a great time to have your outdoor lighting inspected, revamped or replaced by your electrician in Los Angeles. Summer storms and typical wear and tear will often result in broken lights or bulbs that need replacing. Although you may not be planning on spending as much time outside during the cooler months, lighting provides safety as well as enhances the appearance of a home. At The Electric Connection, we know how important it is to maintain a gorgeous landscape no matter how cold it is outside.

This is also a great time to review your current lighting scheme and make adjustments to areas you may have noticed were a little more shadowy than you would prefer. Take the time to note these areas and then call your electrician. Los Angeles homeowners have plenty of options when it comes to creating a beautiful, well-lit landscape.

Maybe you have taken advantage of some of the end of season sales and need some help hooking up that beautiful new water feature. Or maybe you have a new piece of yard art that deserves some special lighting to highlight it during the shortened days.

While you do have the option of using solar lights, winter months make it very difficult for the lights to charge. They will often go dark before the sun rises due to the limited amount of charging time allowed during the shorter days. For this reason, many people opt for outdoor lights that are electric. They tend to be more reliable and will stay illuminated throughout the entire night. If you would like to learn more about having electric lights installed in your landscaping give The Electric Connection a call today.

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.

Safety inspections Offer Peace of Mind Says Electrician Pasadena Residents Know

If you have just recently purchased a home or have concerns about the home you currently live in, you can call to have an electrical safety inspection. These inspections are performed by a knowledgeable electrician who can identify any potential hazards you may have in your home. It is always a good idea to have an inspection upon moving into a new home. It essentially gives you a peek behind the walls so you know exactly what you are getting into.

These inspections will need to be performed by an electrician. Pasadena residents can call The Electric Connection to have one of these assessments performed. If your home is older or if you have noticed some issues like tripping breakers, flickering lights or dead outlets, it is crucial you have an electrician come out. The electrician will also be looking for outdated electrical work that should be replaced to meet today’s current standards. Over the years, technology has given us safer methods of bringing electricity into our homes. You will feel safer knowing your home is up to code and as safe as possible.

There are some serious hazards that can be lurking in the walls that could end up starting a fire if left unchecked. These hazards may go unnoticed until it is too late. In many cases, there are some warning signs like the ones mentioned above and in other situations the problem goes undetected until it is too late.

During an inspection, the electrician will evaluate the home’s wiring for fraying or breaking along the line. The entire process is relatively short and inexpensive. Once the inspection is complete, you will get a report from your electrician. Pasadena homeowners will rest easy once they know the condition of their home’s wiring. Any problems that have been identified should always be fixed immediately. This is something The Electric Connection can help you take care of. Just give us a call today.

New Home Construction with Electrician Glendale Residents Trust

Having a home built from the ground up is an exciting adventure that many future homeowners dream about for years before it finally becomes a reality. In many cases, people choose to do a lot of the construction with their own two hands or with the help of some friends. This can be an extremely rewarding experience for the person who has construction know-how.

Once you get some of the basics established in your new home construction plan, you will need to call an electrician. Glendale residents can trust The Electric Connection to install new wiring, outlets, lights, and electrical panels needed in new home construction.

The electrical portion of home building should never be handled by somebody who is not a professional electrician. The potential for mistakes is too great when a non-certified person is wiring the home. This could lead to electrical fires or costly repairs in the future. Start your project the right way with a person who knows the proper way to complete the job and can adhere to strict building code guidelines.

If you have hired builders, you will still have the chance to pick your electrician. Glendale homeowners will need to pick a company who has a skilled, knowledgeable staff with a good, solid reputation. Don’t leave an important decision like this up to any contractor to decide.

Part of building your own home is having it designed to meet your specific needs. You will have the chance to talk with your home designer about where you want electrical outlets and how many you want to have. If you will be installing a hot tub or electric car charger, this is the time to do it and your electrician can ensure your electrical panel is adequate to support these needs. If you would like to learn more about hiring The Electric Connection for your new home construction project, give us a call today.