Outlets are seemingly innocuous parts of any home. They blend right into the walls and we hardly even know they are there. We often hide them with furniture or décor and never give them a second thought until we need to plug something in or unplug a device. It isn’t like we give them daily inspections or even monthly evaluations. Why would we? They do nothing. Or do they? Those outlets are not always as innocent as they may look. Sometimes, they are extremely dangerous and when you hide them, they can get away with a lot and you won’t know until it is too late. An electrician in Burbank wants you to be wary of those outlets and pay attention to any warn signs that indicate something may not be right. The team at The Electric Connection can give you more detailed information if you need it.

Burning wires have a very distinct, acrid smell. If you ever smell something a little off in the home and it seems like it is coming from a wall, you probably have a serious fire hazard explains a Burbank electrician. Plugging in and unplugging cords over and over puts stress on the tiny wires that give the outlet electricity. They can become loose. They touch each other or the insulation and slowly burn. This is how home fires are started. Other obvious signs of trouble are; *The outlet feels hot or the wall around the outlet feels hot

Don’t ignore your outlets says an electrician. Burbank homeowners need to call The Electric Connection right away if they suspect there is any trouble.

It seams that as the year progresses each season comes with its own positives and negatives. We have been fortunate to have a very beautiful spring so far, and looks like we will be in for a very hot summer. This means that we should all be getting out our sunscreen and turning up our air conditioning units. But if you want to save money on your energy bill this spring and summer, check out some of these tips that can help you cool down on a budget. 

When it is hot outdoors and the warm air is trying to come in, you don’t want to start creating your own warm air inside. Turning on the oven or stove in your kitchen will start to give off additional heat that you then attempt to reduce through the thermostat control. You can avoid this battle of temperatures through proper meal planning and using the BBQ. This will help you to keep the thermostat where it is without using additional electricity to fight energy use!

At night it tends to cool down, but a hot bedroom can lead to a restless sleep. These dark hours are an opportunity for you to save money by eliminating those additional cooling devices. To keep yourself as cool as possible at night without out electrical devices, use cotton sheets. Cotton provides breathability and allows the heat to escape. Seasonal bedding like this is an energy smart decision. Use flannel/fleece for winter, and cotton for summer.

Instead of powering up your AC unit to cool your entire home, try using small, oscillating fans in strategic places to keep you cool. If you are sitting on your couch in the living room then this is the only room that needs to be cooled. Turn a fan toward you and enjoy. It is much cheaper to power one or two small fans than an entire AC unit.

This is a simple fix that can certainly help those with large windows in your home. While your summer view may be beautiful, the sunrays will beam in an heat up your living space. Close your blinds to keep it out and you will notice a significant decrease in temperature. At night when the sunsets you can open them back up and even open the windows to let the cooler breeze through. This way you can still enjoy a nice evening and take advantage of your views.

While we love electricity as it has allowed us to live comfortable lives, we should use it wisely as it can increase our monthly bills. If you are interested in installing energy efficient light bulbs, AC units, or improving your home electrical bills, contact Expert Electric at 604-681-8338. Our licenced electricians can identify where you can save your money the most.

By Clarissa Allison | January 13th, 2017

Homeowners have always wanted to bring another time to life. Many of us want our homes to feel like a peaceful getaway echoing a country retreat, or to act as a transport to a different (note: picturesque) period of time. Unlike many design trends, the New Farmhouse style marries both of these desires and blends them smoothly. New Farmhouse doesn’t boast the same masculinity as straightforward Neo-Industrial nor is it a predictably dated Shabby Chic look, although some elements can cross-over. Finding the right items to achieve this scheme can be confusing, so we’ve compiled a few recommendations for the ideal lighting fixtures to complement your new design project.

The Kitchen

2015 Holiday Gift Guide Series. Last week we looked at great ideas for the custom bobble heads designed to look like the recipients are a fun gag gift that is guaranteed to be one-of-a-kind.

If your active grandparent hasn’t discovered the outrageously fun sport that I can only describe as a cross between tennis and ping pong, then gifting them with their own bluetooth tracking tag that hooks onto your keyring (or anything you find yourself losing often) solves the problem brilliantly. Use this little gadget to locate your phone with the push of a button. Or, locate your keys using an app on your smart phone. 

But what if your grandparent doesn’t have a smart phone or device? Get them one! My parents love to sit down with their tablet and look at photos of my children that we send them digitally. You can find tablets and e-readers for less than $100 these days.   

As we age, eyesight diminishes and adequate lighting becomes more important than ever. If your grandparent enjoys curling up with a good book, reading the morning newspaper, or knitting sweaters, a stylish night lights that match their decor or motion activated this one in the shape of a tree ring. There are a number of online resources that will help you uncover your ancestry. Once you’re finished, a battery operated Blurb.com or head down to your local drugstore to have your book made.

Do you have an epic entertainer in your family or circle of friends? Come back next week to get great ideas on holiday gifts for your favorite host or hostess.

*Prices and availability are subject to change.