Most homeowners in Los Angeles who buy an electric car, like a Nissan Leaf or Chevy Volt, will want to purchase a special charger that allows them to charge their vehicles overnight. This is called a “Level 2 Charger.” It can take a Nissan Leaf, with a range of 100 miles, from empty to fully charged in about eight hours. A Chevy Volt hybrid, with an electric battery range of 40 miles, takes about four hours. Click here for more on Level 2 chargers.

Important Note: A few days ago, on April 27th, L.A. DWP announced a rebate of $2,000 to homeowners who install a Level 2 charger and a special electric meter as part of a DWP research project on charging electric vehicles. This rebate will result in a significant price reduction on charger installation. Call me for more info (800) 990-9490.

Of course, it would be more convenient to be able to recharge your car (electric vehicle or “EV”) with the speed of going to a gas station. Such chargers, “Level 3” are already available, but so far, only in Japan. Level 3 chargers fully charge a Nissan Leaf in 15-30 minutes…and cost about $45,000 installed. When they come to the U.S., they will most likely be installed for electric trucks and for fleets of company cars. But they will also be installed in the U.S. in shopping malls and gas stations. Shoppers and travelers will be able to top off their batteries in a relatively brief stop.

An even faster system is currently being built in Israel. A Palo Alto company called “Better Place” is building a network of “carwashes.” Only, when you drive your EV in, instead of getting a wash job, your spent battery is pulled out and within a few minutes, is replaced with a fully charged battery.

Better Place is also considering construction of car charging networks in Denmark and Hawaii. It’s focusing on small self-contained locations, what it calls “islands.” So, it probably won’t be coming to Los Angeles any time soon.

The good news is that the pressure to be fully charged when leaving home will ease as chargers increasingly are installed in public places. In Los Angeles, Level 2 Chargers are already available for a fee in train stations, LAX, the Burbank Airport, the L.A. Convention Center, and other public places. Some businesses, like Costco in Burbank and in Canoga Park, have also installed Level 2 chargers. Click here for an up-to-date map of public EV chargers near you.

Soon, more businesses and shopping malls will begin installing Level 2 or Level 3 chargers as an inducement for shoppers. Workplaces will be installing them as an employment benefit. We’re only at the beginning of a changeover to electric cars. With the federal government setting the goal of one million EVs on the roads by 2015, and with incentives provided by the State of California as well as L.A. DWP, charging your electric vehicle is going to get easier and faster.

For more about my company, The Electric Connection — all the stuff you wanted to know but were afraid to ask — click here. If you’re interested coupons for electrical work, for example $50 off installation of a Whole House Surge Protector in the L.A. area, click on our coupon page.

Throughout the years, we’ve added many great Father’s Day gifts to our extensive selection of LED products. Because the list is constantly growing, we decided to narrow it down to our top 10 best-selling gifts for dad. Our ideas range from LED products for task, leisure, and work lighting to vehicle LED bulbs and strips. They’re long-lasting, energy-efficient, and are sure to brighten dad’s day.

If you have been thinking about a kitchen remodel and are finally ready to take the plunge, you will need to find an electrician in Pasadena. Construction is something that should be left to the professionals as well as the electrical wiring that will need to be completed. Even if you are doing a light remodel and doing the work yourself, the electrical work will still have to be completed by a certified professional. If you are not familiar with electricity, you should never attempt to handle it. It is simply not worth the risk. You can rely on The Electric Connection to provide an electrician who has the experience and knowledge you need.

During a kitchen remodel, you will likely want to have any wiring upgraded to make sure it is up to the latest codes. This will include installing GCFI outlets that are safer for use in the kitchen. Along with the outlet upgrade, you can add additional outlets that seem to always be in short supply in the kitchen. One of the best parts of remodeling your kitchen is having a say in what will work best for you and your electrical needs.

A remodel will typically include new light fixtures as well. This is the really exciting part. If you haven’t seen a brand new kitchen in a while, you will be amazed at the various lighting that is available. There are some gorgeous track lighting fixtures that will fulfill your Pasadena electrical needs. Another handy feature is the under-the-counter lights that are quickly becoming very popular. Some use LEDs, which are energy efficient and shed plenty of light on the spaces that tend to be shielded from the standard ceiling lights.

If you are ready to schedule your kitchen remodel, give The Electric Connection a call today to set up an appointment.

Cutting your electrical bill by a few dollars here and there gives you a sense of satisfaction that you are making a difference in your monthly budget as well as doing a little something good for the environment. There are some things in our homes that are major energy users, Your furnace, air conditioner, water heater and refrigerator are all things that you need, but are costing you money. You have probably seen plenty of information about how to make your furnace, AC and water heater a little more energy efficient, but do you know how to make your fridge a little easier on the budget? An electrician in Beverly Hills has a few quick tips to help you save money on your electric bill by making your refrigerator less of an energy hog. You can can always count on the team at The Electric Connection to answer any questions you may have about saving electricity.

*Your refrigerator should not be near heat sources. Put your microwave, coffee pot and toaster oven on a counter away from the fridge. If your fridge is currently next to your stove, consider doing a minor remodel to move it.

*It may seem like a no-brainer, but do what you can to limit the amount of times and length of time you open the fridge. Tell the kids to pick what they want and shut the door!

*Do regular maintenance on the coils behind your refrigerator. Use air or a broom to dust off the grime from the coil behind your refrigerator. The build up can effect the efficiency. If you are not sure what you are doing, give an electrician familiar with Beverly Hills electrical work a call.

*A full refrigerator will be more energy efficient. Do what you can to keep your fridge full and you will save money. .

These quick tricks can help you save electricity while prolonging the life of your refrigerator. Give The Electric Connection a call if you have any more questions.