The push for solar power is growing stronger and with good reason. There are several benefits that solar power offers and many homeowners have gained from these benefits. If you’ve been dragging your feet on looking to solar for your electrical needs, you are missing out! Solar panels have a lot to offer your home.

Solar power systems derive clean, pure energy from the sun. Installing solar panels on your home helps combat greenhouse gas emissions and reduces our collective dependence on fossil fuel. Here are a few more benefits that you will get by installing solar panels on your home:

Solar Panels Help Save You Money.

How much can you save on your electric bill with solar panels? Depending on the sun exposure we receive here in Virginia, solar energy could save you well above $100 a month. Multiply that savings times the length of a typical solar panel warranty (25 years) – and that’s some serious cash!

Solar Panels Pay for Themselves.

Panels purchased in cash typically pay for themselves in less than 10 years courtesy of lower electricity costs. In some states, like here in Virginia, as little as five years to pay for themselves. The more sun exposure your solar panels endure, the more they will pay for themselves!

You can Start Saving from Day One.

Solar purchase power agreements (PPAs) and solar leasing has made it possible for homeowners to go solar for little or no money down.

Many homeowners choose to finance their solar panels with one of the “pay-as-you-go” financing options. This means that a third-party company – the solar provider – owns the solar system and takes care of installation, maintenance, monitoring and repairs. You simply pay the solar provider for electricity – less than you would`ve paid the utility company.

As of June 2013, 75% of all American homes have access to pay-as-you-go solar.

Solar Panels Add Value to Your Home.

Solar panels lower your home’s electricity costs, increasing its attractiveness to potential buyers. How much? A National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) study showed homes with solar panels sell 20% faster – for 17% more!

Taking Advantage of Solar Energy Offers Tax Incentives.

As of 2009, there is no cap on the Federal Solar Tax Credit, giving you access to up to 30% of total system costs back, including equipment and installation. State, local, and utility incentives may also be available in your area, as well as Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs). Use them while they last – they could cut your costs in half!

Solar Panels Benefit the Environment.

We know that the majority of homeowners choose to go solar because it makes good sense from a financial point of view. That being said, the environmental benefits are also clearly worth mentioning.

The U.S. places second in the world in annual carbon dioxide emissions at 17.9%, right behind China. You can go a long way in lowering your carbon footprint by replacing utility power with clean electricity from solar panels.

A solar panel system can really help you lower your carbon footprint. In fact, the installation of a typical residential system offsets carbon dioxide emissions the equivalent of driving a car for 100,000 miles.

Christmas is upon us again and more than any other time of year, it’s the time of year where people put strain on their electrical system.  The lights on your house and the beautiful decorations you’ve been storing in your attic finally are brought out and plugged in for your friends and neighbors to view and appreciate.  And, of course, the vast majority of homes you visit have at least one Christmas tree.  Since most of these things are electrical, it’s probably not a surprise to you that, as a top Dallas electrician, I start getting a lot of calls this time of year.  Though it’s always nice to have the business with Christmas so close, I thought it’d be great to share with ways to avoid wiring problems with your Christmas decorations this year:

 In general, there are a few important tips that can help you avoid wiring problems.  If your lights look frayed or dangerous, they should always be replaced or repaired before using them, frayed wiring are hazardous.  You should take care that your electrical source is safe before you even begin the installation process.  To avoid the potential for overloads, you should have dedicated circuits installed for your holiday decorations.

Most importantly, you should never try to supply power for your lights without contacting a top Dallas electrician to help you install the necessary equipment and make the necessary safety precautions.  Short cuts are potentially dangerous. I can remember one example where a customer had supplied power to their lights by splicing an extension cord directly into their circuit breaker box!  Even worse, they’d shut the breaker box door, pinching the cabling!  Left unchecked, even if this hadn’t started a fire, damage from a power surge or overload could have easily destroyed their whole breaker, meaning they’d have to spend thousands to repair the damage at the absolute worst time of year!

Although the weather is still not exactly perfect for spending time outdoors, there is not time like the present to start getting ready for those outdoor get-togethers. As you sit outside and enjoy your patio this summer, things tend to get a little too hot for comfort on some of those hottest days. A cool breeze is always a welcome addition when you are sitting in the heat. An electrician in Pasadena is here to offer you a solution to your outdoor heat issues. You can rely on The Electric Connection to provide you with an electrician who is professional and able to take on the job.

An outdoor ceiling fan is an excellent way to keep the outdoor heat from becoming stifling. The fans are specially designed to be suitable for the outdoors without shorting out. There are a couple of different kinds of fans for you to choose from. The type you choose will depend on where you live and where you want to have the fan hanging.

There are fans designed to withstand the harsh, salty air for those who live very close to the ocean. The other two types of fans are wet fans that are designed to tolerate rain. This is the fan you will want to have your Pasadena electrician install if you plan on having the fan hang in an area that is exposed to the elements. If your fan will be placed in a covered deck, you can get away with a less-protected fan. You will need to have an electrician complete the wiring portion of the outdoor ceiling fan installation. A switch to turn the fan off and on can be included during the installation process if you choose. Give The Electric Connection a call today and schedule your appointment to have your fan installed.

Your generator can literally be a lifesaver during an emergency, providing you with power, light, and heat when a disaster strikes or a blizzard renders your neighborhood powerless. However, in order for it to do its job effectively and efficiently, it has to be ready to go on a moment’s notice.

This means that it should be tested routinely, and repaired when needed. The good news is that if you do need repairs, we are here to help. But in what cases would you need this service? Keep reading for 3 reasons your generator may need repair.

The longer your generator lasts, the more likely it is to spring a leak from a hose, line, or storage pan. The leak may come in the form of oil or fuel depending on what type of generator you have. Or, it may even be the coolant, which is designed to keep the engine block from overheating. If you ever spot any puddles around your generator, give our professionals a call right away.

If generators sit too long without being used, the battery can become drained, and problems can develop with other components of the engine as well. If your generator struggles to start up or if it runs fitfully, then it is time to call for service.

When our technicians come to inspect your generator, we’ll take a close look at the wires, buttons, and other electrical components. If they show any sign of damage, the unit should be repaired. These signs can include frayed wires, loose connectors, buttons that stay stuck when you press them or even overloads that shut the generator down when you need it.

The best way to determine if your generator needs repairs is to schedule annual maintenance, but also to conduct a visual inspection yourself at least every few months. It’s also a good idea to run it for 15-30 minutes to listen and look for any trouble it may seem to have.