When you think of electrical work, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? We’d like to think that Kolb Electric is the first thing that pops up. But hey, we’re realists. You think of stress, you think of frustration, and mostly think of the money involved. With this in mind, it can be pretty easy to want to contact that “friend of a friend” that dabbles in electric work, right?

Well, the experts at Kolb would like to have a little talk about that. And not just the DIY buddy you may have; we’d like to discuss disreputable and unofficial Baltimore electrician “companies” as well. Trust our word we we say these kinds of solutions can do more harm than good!

Need an electrician in Baltimore? Save the stress and contact Kolb Electric!

We’ve discussed this at length in the past, so we’ll stick to the cliff notes here. Disreputable electricians in Baltimore are any that lack current, in-state licensing. Those that carry no official, genuine documents, and those that operate from unmarked vehicles. These types of companies also often ask for cash up front, and are just as likely to disappear as to do the project they were hired for.

When you’re looking to hire electricians in Baltimore, keep in mind that you’re putting a huge amount of your personal assets and heath on the line. By dealing with a company that isn’t recognized, you risk:

Beyond dodging all of those issues we listed above, working with professional, certified electricians will net you:

If you’re looking to hire electricians in Baltimore that can provide you with peerless, effective electrical services, look no further. Contact the experts at Kolb today to set your appointment!

Using air ducts in order to distribute both heated and cooled air throughout a building is one of the most common ways in which homeowners choose to keep their homes comfortable all year long. Doing so, of course, means that your air ducts are in play throughout the entire year. Are you certain that yours are in the condition necessary to perform their job precisely as intended? If not, give FB Electrical Services a call today. We are more than happy to thoroughly test your air ducts so that you know what kind of shape they are in. Once we have completed your duct testing in Somerville, we can go about resolving any problems that we may find with your air ducts. That way, you can heat and cool your home at peak performance and efficiency levels.

When you stop and think about it, you have likely seen very little of your air duct system. For the most part, your ductwork is hidden from view. The last thing that you want to do, though, in terms of your ductwork, is to develop an “out of sight, out of mind” attitude in regards to their condition. Leaky ductwork is one of the main sources of energy loss and low efficiency in many homes, and it is also one that professional duct testing can help to pinpoint the source of. When we test your air ducts, we can determine with certainty if it is compromised, and we’ll have the information we need in order to right whatever wrongs we may find.

Spirited lighting designs are trending toward the dark side, and that’s not just because it is Halloween.  Style spotters and top designers are embracing bold fashions and dramatic hues.  Take a look at the top three themes in the world of illumination…

1.  Deep, Dark Hues:  It is said to be a sign of the times that we are embracing rich, dark colors.  From politics to cultural rebirths, a positive vibe is in the air and we are changing it up with dramatic designs and darker hues.

“Momento De Mori” from Shannon Koszyk’s dramatic collection for Currey and Company features an Antique Nickel skull, black base and Inky Black parchment shade.

2.  A Cleaner Contemporary:   The ease of clean contemporary goes hand-in-hand with energy-efficiency and LED illumination.  From intricate geometric cutouts to textured Mercury glass compositions, the call for contemporary design has never been greater.

“Sovereign” table lamps from Dimond Lighting showcase Antique Mercury glass combined with energy-efficient LED illumination.

3.  Fearless Fashions and Surprise Twists:  Engaging new mediums run the gamut from natural palm leaf panels to a fusion of slate and metal.  Experimenting with hundreds of different textures, organic and synthetic materials, designers are coming up with new lamp shades, lamp bases and chandeliers that offer a magnificent blend of elements.  Novel lamp styles are making the A-list from designers who are not afraid to take a risk!

“Free Fall” from Kenroy Home introduces natural slate within a rugged iron lamp base for a statuesque presentation.

Lighting showrooms are abuzz with new lamps and chandeliers for the holiday season.  From High Point to Hong Kong, top lighting vendors are giving us plenty to celebrate.  Visit a Capitol Lighting showroom or 1800lighting.com to see the latest fixture fashions.

Regardless of bends, twists, or turns, Example of a cut line on LED strip lights

2. You will now have two LED strip lights. Carefully peel back the end portion of the paper strip covering the strip’s adhesive backing, and then remove the 3M VHB adhesive from the solder pads on the bottom side of one of the strips. The strip with its adhesive peeled back will be the top strip when soldered.

5. Align the non-tinned strip segment (strip with adhesive removed) directly over the newly tinned pads, and apply heat. Hold the soldering iron in place until the solder remelts and begins to flow. To strengthen the bond and improve visual appeal, a small portion of solder can be added to the top pad.

The LED strip lights are now connected, and power should flow through the entire length of the strip.

The following steps demonstrate how to split and solder a run of non-weatherproof two-conductor or connecting wires. Peel away the blue wire so that only the positive (red), negative (black), and control (green) wires are left.

*No wires should be peeled away if you’re joining single-color or standard RGB light strips.

3. Properly heat your soldering iron. For best results, clean and tin the tip of the iron immediately before soldering. To tin the iron, touch solder to both sides of the iron’s tip.

4. Next you will need to tin the solder pads on both ends of the split strip light. When soldering, always apply heat to the target area on the strip and not directly to the solder. Once sufficient heat has been applied to the area, start introducing solder.

The LED strip lights are now connected, and power should flow through the entire length of the strip.

The following steps demonstrate how to split, solder, and reseal a

3. Follow steps two through five located at the top of this post for soldering a standard RGB strip light.

4. To reseal the strip light, apply

The LED strip lights are now connected, and power should flow through the entire length of the weatherproof strip.

Your home is your safe haven and your castle. It likely contains treasures you would rather not lose as well as the precious lives of your family members. There are a few things you can do to add a layer of safety to your home. Your Glendale electrician has some ideas for preventative measures you can take to protect your home. The team at The Electric Connection is ready to help you implement these options.

1-Install security lights that include motion sensors. When motion is detected, the lights will turn on and flood the area with light. Light often deters would-be burglars. It can also scare away animals that may be a nuisance. The lights and motion sensors are ideal to have in your driveway and front walkway as well so you won’t have to worry about walking to the door in the darkness.

2-Installing camera for surveillance can help give you peace of mind when you are not home. Many surveillance systems can be viewed via an app on your smartphone. The cameras will need to wired into your home’s electrical panel, which will require an electrician. Glendale homeowners will be able to check in on the kids and the family pets from anywhere.

3-Landscape lighting or bright spotlights is an excellent idea for any yard. You want a well-lit yard for safety as well as a security measure. If you happen to be out and about when the sun is down, you don’t want to trip over stray toys left outside or veer off a path. Electric landscape lights are ideal and can be set on a timer to come on when dusk falls and to turn off when the sun starts to appear on the horizon.

Give The Electric Connection a call today and schedule the installation of your home security measures.