It is the time of year parent’s relish—back to school. Summer has come to an end and it is time to gear up for fall sports and cooler temperatures. It is time to open the windows and enjoy the cool breezes that freshen the home and break up that stale humid air that has been trapped inside all summer long. Along with the cool fall temperatures comes the pesky flies. There is a way to keep your house cool, even on those warm days, while creating enough of a breeze flies won’t want to hang out for long. A ceiling fan will help stir the air in your house, giving you that fresh feeling you have longed for all summer and help deter flies. It is time to get a ceiling fan installed by an electrician in Los Angeles like those at The Electric Connection.

A ceiling fan is a fixture that not only serves multiple purposes, but it also looks great in any room. Your fan will help keep you cool in the summer, warm in the winter and give the entire room a nice, fresh feeling. You are probably wondering how a fan is going to keep you warm. Well, when your furnace is on or you have your woodstove going, the heat is floating up to the ceiling. That doesn’t do you any good explains an electrician. Los Angeles homeowners do not want to waste electricity or wood by heating the ceiling.

A ceiling fan helps to push the hot air down into the room, making the room and you warmer. In the summer, the breeze feels nice and the spinning blades pull the hot air up to the ceiling where you won’t feel it. A Los Angeles electrician can explain more about how this works. Give The Electric Connection a call today and schedule your ceiling fan installation.

Looking to buy or rent the perfect vehicle for your summer vacation? You might want to consider going electric. From reducing carbon emissions to improving air quality and limiting noise pollution, electric cars are a great alternative to regular vehicles and can save you money on gas! The benefits of an electric car surpass the benefits of other vehicles while helping the environment. Here are a few reasons why using an electric car will be great for your summer vacation!

Greener Alternative

According to EPA estimates, transportation accounts for 28 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, 80 percent of that belonging to automobiles and trucks. How much are you contributing? While electric cars produce slightly higher manufacturing emissions than traditional vehicles, after you consider vehicle manufacturing, fuel combustion and fuel production, the carbon footprint of an electric vehicle is nearly half that of its gas-powered cousin – 300g CO2e/km for the average gas vehicle versus 180g CO2e/km for electric. This protects not only the environment, but your wallet as well!

Increase in Charging Stations

The number of charging stations available for electric cars across the U.S. is increasing in response to the surge in popularity of electric cars. More than 9,500 electric stations and over 24,000 charging outlets are available across the country, searchable by zip code. Since 2010, more than 18,000 stations have been added, including free, pay-as-you-go and monthly subscription style services. Many states are also rolling out tax incentives to increase accessibility to charging stations at home and during travel.

Electric vs. Gas Power

Powering electric cars is cheaper than fueling cars that operate on gasoline. Solar and time-of-use (off-peak) electricity pricing also decreases the costs of operating electric vehicles, and available government grants and tax incentives can greatly reduce the sticker price. Add to that the fact that electric vehicle prices are continuing to fall while gasoline prices continue to rise, and you’ve got a recipe for some serious saving!

No Tailpipe Emissions

Nearly all credible researchers believe that electric cars, even in coal-dependent regions, have a smaller environmental impact than conventional vehicles. In regions with a strong grid mix of renewables—such as hydro, wind and solar—or for electric car drivers with home solar, the emissions benefits are dramatic. You can expect some analysts to argue the opposite. But it’s undeniable that electric cars don’t have a tailpipe, and therefore provide a real benefit to improving air quality for you, your family, and your community.

Home Recharging

If you decide to purchase an electric vehicle, there’s a good chance you’ll never have to go to the gas station again. All you have to do is pull into your garage or driveway, reach over for a plug, and push it into the charging inlet. It’s very convenient and takes all of about 15 seconds. Wake up the next morning, and you have a car ready to go another 80 to 100 miles—or double that, depending on the model. That’s plenty for everybody except interstate travelers. (The charging task can be more difficult for people living in condos and apartments, but access to multi-family and workplace charging is improving every day.)

Renting an electric vehicle for your summer vacation could save you a lot of money and trips to the gas station. This will leave extra money in your pocket for other fun things to cross off your vacation bucket list. Who knows? You may end up loving your experience with an electric vehicle that you’ll probably buy one when you get back from your vacation!

Flickering lights do not always signify a serious issue with your electrical system. What’s more important to note is which lights flicker and how. This is a relatively common issue that can have a variety of explanations. To get a better idea of how to address your flickering lights, tailor your solution to the specific situation.

If none of the above apply, try investigating the light switch itself next. Switch the light on and off a few times to see if the flickering dies down. If not, you may have a faulty switch that needs to be replaced by an electrician. Similarly, if you replace the bulb on a plug-in lamp and it still isn’t working, try plugging the lamp into a different outlet. It’s possible that the issue could be stemming from the socket. This type of issue should also be troubleshooted by a professional, as in-depth electrical work can be dangerous.

If you’re not sure what might be causing the problem, it’s wise to call a licensed electrician to check it out. The tips above can help you narrow down what might be going on, but doing risky electrical work yourself isn’t recommended.

According to OSHA, “Safety related work practices shall be employed to prevent electric shock or other injuries resulting from either direct or indirect electrical contact.”  *   This OSHA rule helps to enforce national guidelines regarding  Arc Flash Protection.

The type of protective outer wear worn depends on the level of flash risk. While working in the lowest risk levels, personnel must wear flame-retardant clothing. The level of protection gradually increases to include rubber gloves and other specialized clothing.  As the  level of risk increases employees must don a specified number of layered, flame-retardant clothing under a multi-layered flash suit complete with hood and gloves.

*OSHA 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 1910, Subpart S

The Denver electricians at Piper Electric Co., Inc. regularly perform arc flash studies in accordance with OSHA regulations to determine the degree of danger involved in industrial settings. The analyses are performed as a means of understanding and preventing possible arc flash hazards. In keeping with National Electrical Codes and OSHA requirements, an electrical engineer surveys the breaker panels, fuse panels, panel boards and switch panels along with motor control centers and panels in the facility. Following the evaluation and calculations, each location receives an ANSI arc flash warning label.  This marking can be generic or very specific, whichever is more relevant. Future revisions of the NEC standard may require more detailed information on this label.  At minimum the label should contain enough information to determine the area where conditions exist that only qualified workers should enter.