Surge Protectors Save Money Explains Beverly Hills Electrician

Posted on June 27, 2013 | by Kim Hopkins

Summer months are notorious for power surges and outages due to the high demand for power air conditioning units place on the grid. Outages are definitely inconvenient, but they can also be very costly to you. If you are not home during an outage and cannot unplug sensitive electrical equipment like your computer before the power comes back on, a surge could destroy the computer. Surges are common when the power is restored. Surges can also occur during a thunder storm. Again, storms happen anytime and you know to unplug items during a storm, but what if you are not there?

Your electrician in Beverly Hills can help you protect your appliances and sensitive equipment by installing a whole-home surge protector. The staff at The Electric Connection These devices are installed on the outside of the home at the breaker panel and help regulate the electricity that comes into the home. When a surge hits, the devices deflect it away from your expensive appliances.
As a second line of defense, it is strongly recommended computers and video equipment be plugged into a surge protector inside the home. These are the long strips with several outlets, which you can install yourself.

Another option to consider is the equipment on the outside of your home. Things like your air conditioner unit, hot tub or pool pump are all at risk of electrical surge Your Beverly Hills electrician can talk with you more about how you can protect the costly equipment with exterior surge protectors.

Surge protectors are an investment that can ultimately save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars in replacement costs. You never know when a power surge will hit. It just makes sense to be protected all the time. Call The Electric Connection to schedule your appointment for whole-home surge protection today.

New Hot Tub? Electrician in Beverly Hills Explains Electric Panel Upgrade Needs

Posted on June 14, 2013 | by Kim Hopkins

When you plug something into an outlet in your home, you probably don’t really take the time to think about where the electricity to power your appliance comes from. You plug it in, it works. But, what do you do when it doesn’t work?

Homeowners are constantly making improvements to their home. This may include upgrading or installing a new air conditioning unit, replacing the old fridge with a newer, more family-friendly model or adding a hot tub to the backyard. If you have already made these investments or are considering making them, you should contact your electrician. Beverly Hills residents can rely on the professionals at The Electric Connection to provide fast, friendly and knowledgeable service.

An electrical inspection will be needed to determine whether or not your existing electrical panel can handle these much larger items. Hot tubs, AC units and larger power tools will need more power than the typical appliance. If you have a newer home, it is a fairly simple process for an electrician to install the outlet needed to power the new item.

Older homes may need an electrical panel upgrade to support the electricity demands. An additional breaker may need to be added. In fact, this is may apply to newer homes as well, depending on the service that was put in during construction of the home.

If you have already hooked up a new refrigerator or stove and notice you seem to be tripping breakers, it is likely you need an upgrade. This is a sign there is too much draw on a breaker or that a breaker is weak. An electrician in Beverly Hills will be able to determine what the problem is during the inspection. If you are ready to take care of those tripping breakers or have more questions about what it takes to get your new appliance properly wired, give The Electric Connection a call.

Cloth Wiring Explained by Electrician in Los Angeles

Posted on June 13, 2013 | by Kim Hopkins

Are you living in a home that was built before 1950? If so, you may have a potential fire hazard on your hands that you cannot see. Wiring in older homes is often an antiquated system know as insulated cloth wiring. While it may be perfectly safe in some houses, it can lead to problems down the road. If you are not sure if you have cloth wiring, you will want to call an electrician. Los Angeles homeowners can rely on The Electric Connection to provide prompt service.

An electrical safety inspection will determine whether your home has cloth wiring and whether or not it should be replaced. If you are noticing problems with the power in your home, like lights flickering, outlets not working and etc…it may be an indication the protective cloth around the wires is fraying. Overtime, the cloth becomes brittle and decays. This ends up leaving bare wires that can certainly become a major risk.

Your electrician in Los Angeles will be able to advise you the best course of action to take. If you are planning to do any remodeling or upgrading light fixtures, it is highly recommended you replace the old wiring in your home. During the inspection, the electrician can also check for the old knob-and-tube wiring. This is more common in homes built before 1935. This type of wiring involved the use of ceramic tubes and knobs. It is not safe and is not allowed in new construction anymore.

If you suspect your older home may have either one of these types of wiring, it is certainly better to be safe than sorry. Home fires started by faulty wiring are a preventable tragedy. The professionals at The Electric Connection are ready to help you make this big decision. Give us a call today to schedule your inspection.

Custom Lighting to Save Money by an Electrician Pasadena Residents Trust

Posted on May 28, 2013 | by Kim Hopkins | 1 Comment

When you have something you are proud of displayed in your home or your office, you likely want to create a display that accentuates the item. Sometimes, you need the perfect lighting scheme to accent a piece of art, a work station or a meeting area. A simple light bulb in a fixture may not be enough. Have you thought about custom lighting?

You may be surprised to learn that custom lighting is often more energy efficient than the old standard fixtures and bulbs. Whether your goal is to light up a specific area with bright light or simply to create a soft glow, you will want to contact an electrician. Pasadena home and business owners can call on The Electric Connection to help establish a lighting scheme that fulfills your wants and needs.

The possibilities are endless when it comes to creating a design that suits your style and is functional. Your electrician can install recessed lighting, track lighting or a gorgeous chandelier-type fixture. Under counter LED lighting is a great way to shed light on countertops and costs very little to operate. While you are thinking about installing new fixtures, you may also want to talk about dimmer switches with your electrician. Licensed Pasadena electricians at can install dimmers throughout your home or office with very little trouble.

The installation of a dimmer switch can help save money on your electric bill, while giving you the freedom to control how much light is emitted at any given time. These are great for dining rooms, hallways and bathrooms. When you combine a dimmer switch with energy efficient CFL bulbs, you are really maximizing your new fixture. By reducing the amount of light being emitted from your bulb by 25 percent, you are creating a 25 percent savings. Give your friendly electrician, The Electric Connection, a call to see how you can start saving money.

Upgrade and Add Electrical Outlets with an Electrician Glendale Families Depend On

Posted on May 28, 2013 | by Kim Hopkins | 1 Comment

It can be extremely frustrating to rearrange your home based on where your outlets are. Trying to strategically place furniture so you don’t block outlets is futile. This applies to your kitchen as well. Maybe you have to unplug the toaster to plug in the coffee maker. There never seems to be enough outlets. It isn’t safe to run electrical cords all over your home and it is certainly not attractive. So what can you do?

Well, you can move, which is probably not really feasible nor is it a very good idea to put your home on the market because you don’t have anywhere to plug in your coffeemaker. Before you make any rash decisions, call an electrician. Glendale homeowners do not despair! Call The Electric Connection to help solve your outlet shortage.

You will likely need an electrical inspection to determine whether your home can support more outlets or if you will need a panel upgrade. Don’t worry about trying to determine this yourself. This is what your electrician is there for. If an upgrade is needed, this is a task a qualified professional can handle for you.

In some cases, you may want to upgrade your outlets. This is a really good option for people who own older homes and the wiring may be fraying or outdated. You can have an inspection to determine whether or not you need a whole-home upgrade completed by an electrician. Glendale homeowners will want to ensure their home is safe and this is one way to do that. During the assessment, you can talk with the electrician about adding outlets.

We all rely on power, and we want it where we can get to it safely and easily. Because of the safety hazards associated with electricity, you will want to leave this job to the professionals at The Electric Connection. We’re ready to serve you!

Electrical Troubleshooting by Electrician in Beverly Hills

Posted on May 27, 2013 | by Kim Hopkins

Have you ever turned on a light only to have it not work? Sure, we all have. Our first response is to turn off the switch and replace the bulb. But, what if the light still doesn’t work? Or what if the brand new bulb blows out as soon as you turn it on? This is a problem that may be one of your first signs of electrical trouble. Prior to the light going out for good, did it seem to be flickering? Outlets that have black marks around one of the prong holes or black anywhere around the outlet are definitely a cause for alarm.

Do not wait to see if the problem fixes itself, call an electrician. Beverly Hills homeowners can call The Electric Connection for an electrical inspection. It is always a good idea to have a complete electrical safety inspection to determine if the problem is isolated to one area or a major problem throughout the home. It could simply be an outlet with a loose wire or a faulty light fixture. In either event, the professional can take care of these quick fixes for you.

In more serious cases, especially in older homes, a complete wiring replacement may be needed. This is definitely a job for an electrician. Beverly Hills homeowners do not want to take any chances with their family’s safety.

Faulty wiring is a leading cause of home fires. You can help protect your investment as well as your family and all of those irreplaceable items in your home by getting a qualified electrician to do some troubleshooting. Identifying problem areas before they become a major catastrophe can save you a great deal of trouble, grief and money.

Not to mention, isn’t the peace of mind knowing your home is safe worth the call? Give the Electric Connection a call today and set your mind at ease.

Outdoor Lighting Made Easy by Electrician in Los Angeles

Posted on May 27, 2013 | by Kim Hopkins

With the summer months fast approaching, you are likely more than ready to get outside to enjoy the warm summer nights. After a long winter of being cooped up inside, outdoor picnics and get-togethers are just what you need to celebrate the gorgeous weather. To truly enjoy your outdoor space, you need adequate lighting. This is where landscape lighting comes in to play.

There are literally hundreds of options when it comes to lighting up your lawn, garden and patio. If you are keen on a specific theme, you will certainly be able to find a lighting scheme that suits your needs perfectly. If you have toiled long and hard in the flower bed or created a magnificent focal point in your landscaping, you will want to show it off. A strategically placed spotlight or lights that emit soft light are ideal for highlighting those areas you have worked so hard on. This is when you will need an electrician. Los Angeles residents can rely on The Electric Connection to help make their boring nighttime landscape into something absolutely stunning.

Properly placed lights can be used to accent the areas of your yard you want everybody to see and enjoy as well as provide adequate lighting for outdoor parties. However, lighting is not all about appearances. Safety is dramatically enhanced when proper lighting is placed along pathways and in dark corners where things that go bump in the night may be lurking. You want to feel safe in your backyard, and having a well-lit space certainly helps.

Los Angeles electrical needs will require an experienced and qualified electrician to install the lights. In many cases, homeowners prefer to have their landscape lights on a dedicated circuit. This is a job that an electrician will need to complete. Call The Electric Connection today to schedule your landscaping project.

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

Posted on May 14, 2013 | by Kim Hopkins

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

Ceiling Fan

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

Kitchen Exhaust Fan

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

Oscillating Fans

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

Picking the Right Commercial Electrician in Glendale

Posted on May 14, 2013 | by Kim Hopkins

Businesses cannot afford an interruption in their equipment use and faulty wiring or wiring that is not adequate could ultimately cost the business money. Lighting that does not work properly is also bad for business. It reflects negatively on the establishment and could very well turn customers away. If you want to avoid lost revenue, you will need to fix any electrical issues promptly. The Electric Connection is one business who understands your needs and has the experience necessary to do commercial work.

Picking the Right Electrician for Your Commercial Job

When looking for a commercial electrician, you want to ensure your business is represented by somebody who is professional and courteous. In many cases, the electrician will be in sight of customers and may need to interact with them from time to time. You will want to pick a company whose technicians are neat and tidy. The last thing you need is an individual who is disheveled and making a mess of your space. Another important tip when it comes to choosing an electrician in Glendale is to consider your budget. It is important to get quotes about a job before you hire anybody.
Time constraints seem to be more important when planning a commercial electrical job in comparison to a standard residential job. Although both are equally important, commercial jobs tend to require more strict time frames. This needs to be addressed when choosing an electrician. Glendale business managers and owners will also want a company who has a good rapport with contractors if the job is a renovation project or construction of a new building.
Contractors and electricians will have to work together and coordinate in order to get the job done according to schedule. Any electrician who will be performing work should be licensed, bonded and insured. It doesn’t hurt to check the company rating with the Better Business Bureau as well.

Remodeling Jobs Best Left to Electrician in Burbank

Posted on May 14, 2013 | by Kim Hopkins | 1 Comment

You have been tossing around the idea for years, and now the idea of remodeling your home is finally a reality. What an exciting time for you! Whether you are getting a brand new kitchen, complete with the latest and greatest appliances, or adding on that bedroom your expanding family so desperately needs, you will need an electrician. Burbank homeowners who are the DIY kind of person will need to think twice before trying to tackle such a big, technical job.

Why You Need a Professional

There are several reasons you may decide to do most of the remodeling work on your own, with cost typically being the biggest motivating factor. There is certainly nothing wrong with saving a few dollars on a remodeling job, but there are some things that need to be left to the professionals. Electrical wiring is one of those things.

Most building codes require a permit be obtained for any rewiring. Inspections will also be performed. A person who has no real knowledge of electrical wiring will likely be unable to perform the work up to code. You could end up costing yourself more money in the long run if an electrician in Burbank has to remove everything you did and start over. You are looking at money wasted in material that will need to be replaced.

There are certainly some minor jobs that you could do, as long as you have an idea of how to go about it safely. Replacing outlets or light fixtures is easy enough if you understand basic electricity work. However, adding outlets or the wires needed to put in light fixtures is best left to the trained professionals.

Although you may think you are saving yourself money, you are risking your safety and the safety of your family by trying to do a job that requires a professional. The Electric Connection has the experience to take care of these things for you.