A quick glance at the news this week shows that solar panel installation, innovative solar technologies, and solar plants are taking off all over the world. Here is a quick look at some of the good news about solar energy:

– A team of Australian scientists have demonstrated supercritical steam can be harnessed in solar power plants, representing a dramatic increase in efficiency. Supercritical steam exists when steam is highly pressurized and is good news for large scale solar power plants that use mirrors to focus sunlight to heat water and create steam to turn turbines.

– India and China, two of the most populous countries in the world, are rolling out and finalizing plans to make solar power an integral part of their infrastructure. As both of those countries climb further into industrialization, they consume more resources. Integrating solar power now will help them reduce their impact on the environment.

– The EPA is setting new standards for carbon emissions for states to meet in the next few years and many people are curious about how industry and governments can meet these new benchmarks. Wind and solar panel have shown remarkable ability to create clean energy and generate jobs, both critical concerns.

Of course, these stories all stand against a background of home solar panel installation, which is still a viable way for you to reduce your environmental impact and control your energy costs at the same time. As energy costs continue to climb at an average rate of fiver percent a year, your savings will increase every year as you continue to use a clean source of energy.

We’ve been helping people like you realize their dreams of solar power and energy independence for years, with favorable deals on solar leasing and long term financing to get you started today. If you’ve dreamed of your own solar array, don’t hesitate to call us and make it happen.

If the bulbs in your fixtures aren’t easily replacable, you may need to buy new ones if you want to upgrade to more energy efficient lighting. Ultimately it will be worth the up-front investment either way, since you can save so much both in your energy bill and in replacement costs when you use LEDs or other similarly long-lasting solutions.

While some people like to own a house as soon as possible, it isn’t always practical. If you live in a rental, never fear! With just the right amount of ingenuity, you too can experience the joys of great lighting. Even if you aren’t allowed to tamper with the hardwiring, you can add more temporary fixtures such as battery operated puck lights under your kitchen cabinets or some really trendy plug-in lamps.

We’ve touched a bit on the subject of Do It Yourself solutions in the past. Mostly making mention here or there of when it is, and is not, a good idea. But at Kolb Electric, your safety is always our absolute primary goal. So rather than leave it at a mention, we wanted to take some time to tell you some important points. 

We support all kinds of on-your-own projects. It’s a great way to get a new skill set, or polish one you already have. Plus, nothing beats that feeling of accomplishment you get from creating or building something all on your own. But when it comes to DIY electrical work, we would firmly call it a really bad idea.

It really comes down to one major point: harm. It is entirely too easy to cause harm to yourself, to others, or to your personal property. If you follow along with our blog, you may remember a point we made in the article about “What It Takes To Become An Electrician”. In that post, we mentioned that anyone pursuing an education in electrical work pay very close attention to the safety aspects of learning.

This is because electricity, by nature, is highly volatile, and can be hard to predict without training. It only takes one, single misstep and suddenly you, or your home, is on fire. There are plenty of articles out there on how to wire an outlet, or replace a ceiling fan, but please be aware that 1) these articles are rarely comprehensive and 2) reading something and doing it are two very different things.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has stated that roughly 400 domestic electrocutions occur every year. And of the estimated 360,900 residential building fires reported, the leading cause is electrical issues and mistakes. We really want to nail home the point that this kind of work takes training and experience to work well. Without these two things, you risk:

Fires that result in catastrophic property loss can even be caused by incorrect bulb wattage, so please keep in mind that something as intense as rewiring should be handled by a trained and certified professional.

Next time you need electrical work, trust in the certified professionals at Kolb to get the job done right! Don’t risk yourself, and your investments on a personal side project. Contact certified electricians today to learn more about our comprehensive electrical services.

Access Lighting is a family owned and operated business committed to providing an extensive inventory of affordable lighting with an outstanding selection of bath vanity lights, kitchen fixtures, foyer and hallway lights, reading lamps, pendants and decorative wall sconces.

Experience the magic of modern design, a fusion of classic shapes, eternal materials and elegant finish options.

Visit a Capitol Lighting showroom or shop online at 1800lighting.com to view the latest innovations and enjoy promotional values on spectacular lighting and home accents from Access.

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Furnish your entire home with the finest illumination from Access Lighting.  From ceiling fixtures and wall lighting, energy-efficient outdoor lighting to outstanding pendants with Italian Art Glass, the latest styles from Access are available at Capitol Lighting.  Transform your home with eco-friendly lighting designs and take advantage of Earth Month savings  and the guaranteed lowest prices at 1800lighting.com!