pursue electric lights.

A Timeless StyleIn the post-Victorian era, brass chandeliers shimmered with crystal drops and porcelain lamps were embellished with colorful floral themes. For members of the British aristocracy, the early 20th century was a time of elegance, luxury and opulence.

A quick glance through the latest designer catalogs are ample evidence that the decor of previous eras are still hugely popular. The style can easily be recreated with antique brass desk lamps. In contemporary homes, an elegantly crafted modern light fixture can give you the look of the most treasured antique.

picture light would also do the trick.

If you’re not prepared for them, electrical repairs can be painful. And while certain things are obvious, sometimes it can be tricky to decide whether or not you need to call an electrician. Here are eight reasons people commonly call Kolb Electric:

Your circuits constantly trip – do your lights flicker every time you run the microwave? Can you not run more than a few electronic devices at a time? This may be a sign that your circuits are overloaded and are drawing more electrical current than they can provide. A heavy up should take care of the problem.

You have power strips everywhere – don’t have enough outlets? We can take care of that! Using too many power strips can overload your electrical system and can create a fairly serious fire risk. Call Kolb Electric to install additional circuits to keep your home safe.

You’re running extension cords under your carpets – running extension cords all over the house presents a couple different hazards. Not only are they easy to trip on, but they’re also not things you should be stepping on. Kolb Electric can install additional outlets so you’ll always have power where you need it.

Your light switches feel warm to the touch – warm or hot switches, or switches that shock you, should definitely be checked out. While it could mean your circuits are just overworked, it could also be a sign of something more dangerous.

You have aluminum wiring — according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, homes built before 1972 that have aluminum wiring are 55 times more likely to create fire hazards than homes with copper wires.

Your lights flicker — do your lights seem to flicker or dim whenever your air conditioner, washing machine, or other large electrical device turns on? If so, call Kolb Electric! Our licensed electricians will assess your home’s circuits and make improvements to prevent these problems from continuing in the future.

You own a number of expensive electronics — you may already have surge protectors to take care of your expensive desktop computer or stereo system, did you know that an electrician can install a whole-house surge protection unit to make sure that all of your electronics are safe? Consider calling an expert and feel safe and sound at home.

You’ve never upgraded — if it’s been 25 years or more since you upgraded  your home’s electrical system, then you may be living with a sub-par one. Call an electrician so he or she can help move you into the modern era with a new system that will be more accommodating to the needs of today’s world.

If you need electrical troubleshooting in Maryland, Virginia, or Washington, DC, don’t wait—call Kolb Electric today!

There are so many things to love about the coming holiday season. Great food, great company, family, festive decorations; we couldn’t be more excited! But there’s a not so great factor attached to it all, too. That hefty electric bill you’ll be seeing. Looking for ways to keep your costs at a minimum this holiday? The expert electricians at Hoffman Electrical can provide some easy fixes!

Our professionals have been proudly serving Tampa and Clearwater, Florida for years now. When it comes to quality and top-tier service, we’re the name to know in electrical! And as  apart of our great service, we’re always looking for ways to help out. If you want to reduce your energy costs this season, we’ve got the solutions you’ll be happy to know.

Do your lights flicker regularly? When you turn on your dishwasher or any other heavy appliance, do your lights dim briefly? Not only is this frustrating, but it could be the sign of a more serious electrical issue. While most people simply tolerate flickering lights, it’s best to understand what can cause flickering lights and why it’s important to get it corrected as soon as possible!

If your lights are flickering, contact the electrical experts at Kolb today! We’ve been servicing the Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia area since 1925, so we have plenty of experience in fixing all of your electrical issues! 

A flickering light can simply be caused by a loose or defective bulb. This is about the only cause of flickering that a homeowner should attempt to fix on their own. With the light turned off (and fully cooled!), gently remove the bulb from the socket and inspect it. The glass bulb should be firmly affixed to the metal base—if it wiggles in the base at all, it’s defective and needs to be replaced. If the bulb is good, screw it firmly into the socket and test it for flickering. If it still flickers, another problem exists.

If the lights flicker at a certain time, or at a regular interval, pay attention to your other electrical demands during that time. An HVAC unit, clothes dryer, or other large appliance can put a heavy demand on your electrical service. If the lights flicker when other appliances kick on, there may be a problem with the appliance or service wiring. This is more than a nuisance—increased current draw can cause wiring, connectors, and breakers to heat up, presenting a real risk of fire. Even without the risk of fire, appliances that have to struggle to draw power can suffer damage to motors and other expensive components.

Defective wiring is another common cause of flickering lights. Undersized breakers, loose connectors, or damaged wires can all cause intermittent current losses. If your home has a mixture of copper and aluminum wires, special connectors must be used where the two types of wires meet. If the wrong connectors were used, they can corrode, causing flickering and other problems. Any defects in your home’s wiring can create a risk of fire or electrocution, and can render safety features like breakers and GFCIs ineffective.

If your lights are flickering, contact the electrical experts at Kolb today! We’ve been servicing the Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia area since 1925, so we have plenty of experience in fixing all of your electrical issues!