As the world’s population has grown and technology has expanded, our dependence on our electrical systems has become higher than ever. Because of this, each home must use more and more electricity in order to maintain life as they are accustomed to. While this brings many great things, such as simplified everyday tasks and a variety of entertainment options, it also means that we are contributing to many harmful environmental practices on a greater level. In order to combat this, the US Government has created the Energy Star rating to certify appliances that meet a certain level of energy efficiency and usage. When upgrading your appliances, it is highly recommended that you choose these energy efficient models to both reduce your carbon footprint and lower your energy bills.

What Does Energy Star Mean?Whether your appliance requires special installation by an electrician in Pasadena, or if you can just plug it in and go, an Energy Star rating means that the equipment that you are installing is high quality, energy efficient and built to last. There are a variety of rules and regulations set out to help determine whether an appliance meets these standards. Each appliance’s performance and energy consumption are measured against the current standards in order to make this determination. As a result, you can be assured that any Energy Star Appliance that you purchase will be much more efficient than a similar unit that is not rated.

In addition to your standard appliances, such as refrigerators, air conditioners, dishwashers, ovens, washers and dryers and heating systems, you should also be on the lookout for more mundane Energy Star rated items such as light bulbs. These bulbs and other products are tested in the same manner that your appliances are to ensure that they meet a high standard. For more information on reducing energy consumption, or for help upgrading your electrical system to handle new appliances, give us a call at The Electric Connection. Click here to visit our website.

Infuse outdoor entertaining with a festive air by garlanding your gazebo, patio awning or deck railings with popular Bulbrite string lighting. It brightens up your outdoor vistas after sunset with the warm glow of vintage elan. Try connecting several strings together to create a border that keeps the dark at bay, or use a single string as a decorative accent in a seating area or your barbecue station. Because it’s so portable and versatile, it’s a great do-it-yourself hack that works in all sorts of settings.

Rope lighting really jazzes up outdoor living space with a minimum of fuss. This kind of string lighting works great in unobtrusive places like below a handrail cap to or around the edge of your deck to frame your spaces with a warm, welcoming glow. If you wish to create a more celebratory vibe, place rope lighting in plain sight like you would holiday lights, encircling structural posts with festive glimmer.

LED strip lighting is another option that saves energy while instilling your outdoor atmosphere with a distinctive verve. LED strips from WAC Lighting and Koncept are rated for use in damp places, as long as they are not exposed to the weather. Get creative with your deck lighting by incorporating strips of various lengths in covered areas like your deck or patio. Use led step lighting from some of our most popular manufacturers, including Kichler and Sea Gull Lighting, to improve visibility as well as aesthetics.

Use light as a medium to paint your landscape and make your carefully manicured plantings and special features pop at night. When you are planning your backyard lighting scheme, be sure to bring some of the following areas into focus:

• Gates and entryways

• Footpaths

• Stairs

• Fountains, waterfalls, ponds

• Statuary

• Seating areas

Solar landscape lights from Kenroy Home cast soft haloes along pathways or beside garden benches, creating an aura of enchantment. You can position solar lights as far from an electric power source as you wish, so they are ideal for the far reaches of your backyard.

Strategically placed spotlights show off your most distinctive flower beds, trees or shrubs to their best advantage while providing attractive pockets of brightness that banish shadowy corners, making your backyard more welcoming. You can also hide spotlights behind shrubbery but aim the light toward the sky, backlighting plantings while illuminating the perimeter of your home or patio. Keep in mind, though, that too much light can be as ineffective as too little. Think Cinderella’s castle rather than Times Square.

When the party is over and it’s time to retire, you can rest easy knowing that your motion sensor lighting is keeping vigil, ready to reveal any interlopers in your personal space. Wall sconces from Designers Fountain do more than just decorate your porch, deck and patio beautifully. They serve double duty as security features while your family sleeps. For locations where utility takes precedence over decorative appeal, select from our Craftmade security lights, and get the coverage you need to feel secure all night long.

PRO TIP: Ensure your outdoor light array works perfectly by using timers. You will have one less task to remember, and your landscape will always appear in its best light.

Are you in need of an electrician serving the Pleasant Hill Iowa area?  Look no further.  Custom Electrical Services, central Iowa’s residential and light commercial experts has electricians in Pleasant Hill.  There electricians are available for all your Pleasant Hill electrical emergencies no matter the time of day or night.

From the simplest of electrical projects to the most lavish.  Custom Electrical Services will provide top notch electrical service for your next Pleasant Hill electrical project.  There electricians are serving Pleasant Hill around the clock.  From replacing a light bulb to rewiring your entire home there electricians in Pleasant Hill can handle the task!

Have a older breaker box, fuse box, or electrical panel in your home?  Have one of the electricians in Pleasant Hill come out to inspect it to insure everything is in working order.  Brands like FPE or Federal Pacific Electric have been know to cause fires.  Custom Electrical Services replaces dozens of FPE breaker boxes each year in Pleasant Hill, Des Moines, and surrounding communities.  If you have an FPE panel we recommend you call an licensed and insured electrician to have it replaced.  Not sure what brand your electrical panel is?  Call us today to set up a time to have your electrical panel inspected by a trusted professional.

With residential homes and commercial buildings demanding more and more electrical power to run todays electronics its no wonder your tired, overloaded, or weak circuit breakers trip.  Have an electrician come out to your Pleasant Hill home to run new circuits and dedicated circuits to your heavier appliance loads.  We can even install a whole house surge arrestor or surge protector in your electrical box to help protect your entire home or business from electrical surges.

Homes built prior to 2008 did not come with tamper resistant or child proof outlets installed.  Today current code requires that all outlets or receptacles in a dwelling come with tamper resistant plugs installed.  Some other businesses such as child care facilities, and some health care facilities require these life saving child proof outlets installed as well.  If you do not have these new style receptacles installed in your Pleasant Hill home please call today to have an electrician in Pleasant Hill provide you with an upfront cost to replace them.

1. Look for Energy Smart products and ENERGY STAR labels

2.  Invest in the best ceiling fans to provide cooling in summer and better warm air circulation during the cold, winter months.

3.  Opt for the latest automated systems, lighting controls and cool new switches.

4.  Accessorize with LED nightlights in hallways and bathrooms.

5.  Play it safe.  Keep clutter to a minimum and task light to a maximum.

Show off your fashion-forward, good sense—get rid of inefficient, old-fashioned incandescent light bulbs.  Why wait until January to comply with new lighting codes and requirements? Get a jump-start on making your home and office environments more energy-efficient now.  Replace old bulbs with new energy-efficient halogen, CFL (compact fluorescent) and LED (light emitting diode) bulbs.

Check out the latest energy-saving solutions in home lighting and accessories:

Under-cabinet LED strip lights and tape lighting.

LED Christmas lights and novelty lamps.

Tabletop candlelight and energy saving low lights.

Energy Smart outdoor lights.

ENERGY STAR-qualified ceiling fans.

BE CEILING FAN SAVVY

“The National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) annual survey of consumer preferences indicates that ceiling fans are one of the Top 10 most likely products to include in new construction.” –www.enlightenmentmag.com/ceiling-fans/ceiling-fans-come-of-age

Ceiling fans—especially those with ENERGY STAR-qualified AC motors and the latest DC fan motors* –will provide significant cost savings on monthly electric bills when used in conjunction with your heating and cooling systems:

•In warmer climates, you may lower your air-conditioning thermostat a few degrees and maintain the same cooling comfort by adding an energy-efficient fan.

•In cooler climates, you can save on heating costs and electric bills by lowering the thermostat and operating ceiling fans in the reverse mode to push warmer air down from the ceiling.

* “Saving an additional 70 percent in energy has made the DC motor ceiling fan the biggest advance in this industry,” according to Jeff Dross, Corporate Director of Education and Industry Trends, to enlightenment Magazine (August 8, 2013).

The latest ceiling fans and decorative portable fans include Traditional, Retro, Rustic and Futuristic designs.  Get expert advice and personalized attention:  Professional lighting consultants at Capitol Lighting will help you to custom-design ceiling fans and lighting control systems for your home or office space.

Experience illustrious energy-saving illumination and comfortable eco-friendly air circulation with the most affordable, energy-saving light fixtures and ceiling fans.

INVEST IN THE BEST ENERGY-EFFICIENT LANDSCAPE LIGHTING

New Kichler landscape lighting products are the go-to choice for energy-efficient landscape lighting that is luxurious and affordable.  Cost-saving outdoor light fixtures accommodate LED lamps, as well as CFL and halogen.

Creative concepts in landscape lighting include Kichler’s TaskWork LED Tape Lighting.  Available in an outdoor/wet version, these LED lights are sleek and ultra-low profile.  They are versatile, easy to install and affordable.  This highly flexible, 24-volt tape is fully dimmable and comes in a variety of color options and convenient lengths up to 20 feet.

Kichler-The Premium Choice in Landscape Lighting TM  , offers decorative path lights, accent lights, specialty items, transformers, LED lamps and accessories for residential and commercial lighting applications.

For more information on LED lamps, energy-efficient landscape lighting and cost-saving light fixture applications, visit with a professional lighting consultant at Capitol Lighting or check out the latest energy-efficient landscape lighting, ceiling fans and light fixtures at 1800lighting.com.

May your days be merry and bright and may all your Christmases be in the right light.