Electrical safety is of utmost importance to keep your family and loved ones safe at home. You can be assured of electrical safety through GFCI outlets. GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) outlets have three holes: two of the holes are for neutral and hot wire and the third hole in the middle of the outlet serves as a ground wire. If it experiences any change in the electrical flow in the circuit, it will immediately cut off the flow of electricity.

GFCI outlets are important, especially when the electrical outlets are positioned close to water. Installing GFCI outlets in your kitchen, bathrooms, laundry rooms, etc., is a good idea. Apart from being an essential preventive measure, the law also requires you to have GFCI outlets installed throughout your home. According to National Electric Code (NEC), all homes must be equipped with GFCI protection. Initially, it was only required for you to install GFCI outlets near water only but this requirement has been extended to cover all single phase outlets of 125 volts in recent years.

Let us now understand why GFCI outlets are essential in every household.

3 Reasons to Install GFCI Outlets

Electrical shocks and electrocution are the major risks that you can be exposed to through electrical devices at your home. This becomes a bigger concern if you have kids who can unknowingly touch the appliances and get a shock. A GFCI outlet helps in preventing shocks and electrocutions as it has a built-in sensor that monitors the inflow and outflow of the electricity from any appliance. If a live wire inside the appliance comes in contact with the metallic surface of the appliance, you will get a shock when you touch it.

Homeowners are always looking for ways to  lower their energy costs, and we can’t really blame them for wanting to do so. There are so many ways to go about conserving energy – both large and small – and we’re here to help you with some  ideas. It’s important to remember that even small changes can go a long way, so if you’re on a budget, don’t worry. Not every change requires a green gadget or a pocket full of cash. Simply altering a routine can have a serious impact on your annual energy costs.

We know that this can be a daunting process, because the opportunities are endless! This is why we’ve compiled five simple ways to lower energy costs.

It’s back to school time here in Arlington! Finally we get that cooler weather and lower humidity we’ve been begging for all season long. But with winter on our heels, there’s about to be a greater need for electricity use in the home. Is your home prepared to meet your increased electrical needs safely?

At Kolb Electric, we’re always about solutions. Whether you need wiring, electric outlet replacement, or even a heavy-up, we’re there to help! Let’s take a look at some of the most-used appliances and electrical sources in the home for winter, and how you can be sure you’ve got safe access to power.

With summer fun over, we have to find a lot of new ways to enjoy our homes, and many of these require access to electricity. Mostly this is totally fine, but there are some cases where you might run into some safety snafoos and snags (particularly in older homes).

At Kolb Electric, we eat, sleep, and breathe electricity. Well, not literally, but you catch the meaning. No one knows the industry like our certified electricians, and patrons have been depending on Kolb for superior service for decades! Contact us today to learn more about electrical services in Arlington, or to set an appointment for your back-to-school electrical service needs!