Your business’ lighting is critical to its success, and with commercial lighting rapidly changing, you could be light years behind the times. Don’t let your business be left in the dark. Take advantage of the perks of modern lighting!

Buildings constructed just 20 years ago harbor energy-hogging lighting systems in dire need of replacement.  Consider computers built in the 80s and 90s versus today’s models, and that will give you an inkling of how far behind the times your lighting systems are - and you’re not alone. According to the DOE, more than 75 percent of buildings are over 20 years old, collectively wasting more than $50 billion annually by holding on to antiquated lighting systems.

Depending on your business type, 20-50 percent of your electricity budget is sucked up by lighting demands. This means energy-saving improvements could really help manage costs. In fact, with continually improving bulbs, fixtures, and controls, lighting typically provides the highest return on investment among major upgrades. The right combination could pay for itself in three to five years, and save you 25-50 percent annually on lighting energy. How much could you save?

Talk to your Mr. Electric® professional to learn more about benefits and incentives available in your region, including:

The experts at Mr. Electric can help you get things all figured out, from the best lighting options for your business to cost. Our experts have what it takes to assess your current lighting system and needs, damaged/outdated/mismatched systems, inefficiencies in energy use, necessary light levels and color, under-lit areas, and more, to find lighting solutions perfectly matched to your needs – and your budget!

Have a bright idea about your business’ lighting? Contact Mr. Electric today.

1.  Add an accent lamp to your dining room console.  Find an accent lamp that is slender enough for your console table.  Locate outlets behind consoles to keep cords hidden from view.  A single lamp works well for a smaller service area.   Consider a pair of accent lamps for an extra long dining buffet/console table.

“Brittany” from Chelsea House

2.  Dress up a vacant corner and extend your room’s design with an accent lamp on a pedestal.  An accent lamp atop a tall pedestal should stand between 5-6 feet above the floor.

To find the correct height for an accent table lamp by a reading chair:  While you are seated, estimate the height from tabletop to your eye-level.  Choose an accent lamp with a light source at that height.

“Masterpiece” from Butler Specialty

3.  Decorate your patio with a few accent lamps.  Be sure lamps are UL-listed for damp locations when looking for patio accent lamps.

“Brent” from Kenroy Home, suitable for damp locations

For more information on accent lamp applications or to see the latest lighting designs, visit 1800lighting.com.

Juggling the seemingly endless myriad of accessories, appliances and tools that have become commonplace in modern homes can sure be a hassle. Many homeowners find themselves routinely swapping plugs, or using devices like a power strip. While these can suffice in many situations, and offer a (relatively) effective solution, many make the mistake of relying on a power strip too much.

The only thing Kolb Electric takes more seriously than perfect service is safety! We don’t want to see you caught up in an electrical emergency, and to make sure you don’t we’ve built a short list of power strip safety tips. We also have some alternative, and overall superior, suggestions as well!

When deciding to use a power strip, keep these points in mind:

As we said, power strips are fine. In moderation, and as long as you observe proper power strip safety. But there’s a better solution! You aren’t simply stuck with however many outlets are currently installed in your home. Additional outlets can provide a safe, dependable and long-term solution to your electricity needs! The process is quick and simple in the hands of a professional, and will have you set to handle all of our modern lifestyles.

No matter what you require for your home, the experts at Kolb can provide the electrical access you need! We’ve been handling electricity, wiring and appliances for years, providing our consumers with only the absolute best in service, skill and technology. Contact Kolb today to learn more about our services, or to set an appointment!

It may sound like science fiction, but phantom power is very real and it is costing you real money. It isn’t a lot of money, but when you add it up, it can be more than a hundred dollars a year. And let’s face it, every dollar in your pocket helps. Learning how to stop that phantom from stealing your power is easy and your Burbank electrician is here to give you the power you need. Okay, really it is just knowledge, but knowledge is power and The Electric Connection wants to help you keep your hard earned cash in your pocket.

Phantom power is the electricity that is being pulled from anything and everything you have plugged in, whether it is on or not. Just because you are not using your coffee maker does not mean it is not drawing a current. This goes for your cell phone charger as well. Even if you are not charging your phone or laptop, the charger is pulling electricity and running up your bill. One charger or small appliance isn’t going to cost you a lot of money, but take a walk around your house and look at everything that is currently plugged in.

Make a list of things that can be unplugged when not in use. You will see the savings on your electric bill almost immediately. Obviously, it doesn’t make sense to pull out furniture everyday to get to some items, but just focus on the cords that are easily unplugged. If you want more energy savings tips, contact your local electrician. Burbank homeowners may find it is easier to plug several items like your television, DVD player and stereo all into one powerstrip. This makes it easy to turn it off and on without unplugging numerous devices. Give The Electric Connection a call today to find out more.

There are two things that regulate the power circuits in your home: fuses and breakers. Breakers are designed to turn off when they are using too much power, as that will prevent the wiring in your home from burning out. Fuses serve much the same role, though they don’t trip — they simply burn out when they are overloaded. Knowing how to replace fuses and breakers is important, as it will help you to keep the power in your home on at all times.

See, quick and easy to replace both fuse and breakers! If you need an electrician in Austin to come out and help you repair electricity problems in your home, call Bryant Electric Service today at 512-402-8587. One of our friendly service members will answer any questions you may have!