As we near the end of summer, we’re still contending with temperatures in the 90 degree region. As a result, we are using our air conditioners for the majority of the day, every day. This puts a lot of strain on your electricity, which is probably reflected on your summertime utility bills. The good news is, there are a number of ways in which you can save energy, and thus reduce your electric bills. We’ve cited a few examples below.

This is a task that should be done at least on a yearly basis—bi-annually if you have a heat pump. You’ll hear some companies tell you that you can or should only have AC maintenance done before the cooling season begins. The truth is however, that AC maintenance can be done at any time of the year (though it is true that HVAC technicians are busier and harder to schedule at peak temperatures).

Preventive maintenance allows our technicians to fully inspect and clean your AC system, and make recommendations for any repairs that might be needed. When your system is effectively cleaned and repaired, it performs more efficiently, and therefor doesn’t use up as much energy as it normally would.

The Department of Energy estimates that 75% of the electrical use by your electronics occurs when those electronics are actually not in use. While there may only be a small amount of electricity used by each component, it adds up. We recommend that you plug each of your electronics into a power strip, and then when they aren’t in use, turn the power strip off.

This is a maintenance task that you can do on your own, at least every 3 months while your system is in use. If you have significant contaminants in your home, such as pet dander or cigarette smoke, then you should up this to once a month. If your air filters are clean, then your air conditioner won’t have to work as hard or run as long to do its job, which means it won’t be using up as much energy as usual.

It just makes sense to remodel a home to suit your needs rather than try to find a new house that will accommodate your desire for a home office or additional living space. A basement remodel is an excellent way to add a lot of living space without having to buy a whole new house. These jobs are best left to the professionals. However, there are plenty of handy folks who can complete some of the basic construction needs. One thing that should never be handled by someone who is not trained and certified is the Burbank electrical requirements that will be necessary. It is best and often required by city code to hire an electrician like those at The Electric Connection to complete the job.

There are too many things that can go wrong when somebody who is not familiar with the dangers of electricity attempts to wire outlets and lighting for a new space. An electrician in Burbank will be able to safely complete the wiring up to code. This is typically necessary to secure home owner’s insurance. It also gives you peace of mind knowing the job is done right and there were no crucial steps missed that could lead to an electrical fire.

During the construction process, you will be able to talk with the electrician and explain what your electrical needs are. If you are remodeling a room into a home office, you will likely want more outlets than a typical room would have. A brighter light fixture may also be warranted. If you hire a contractor to complete the remodel, you will certainly get to have a say in all of this. If you are taking on the bulk of the work yourself, make sure you meet with your electrician early on in the planning process to ensure things will go smoothly. Give The Electric Connection a call today to start discussing your home office addition.

Hurricane Sandy is making her presence known in MD, DC, and VA. Downed trees, flooding, and even snowfall are causing serious problems for people in the area. Millions are without power throughout the Northeast. Hurricane Sandy is not the first, nor will it be the last, powerful storm to hit the area. This is a perfect time to consider investing in a home or commercial standby backup generator, which is a permanently installed fixture.

Kolb Electric is a leading installer of home standby backup generators. This type of generator is permanently installed on a gravel bed or concrete pad next to your house. The benefits of investing in a home standby backup generator include:

Here at Kolb Electric, we’ve also completed numerous commercial standby backup generators. We’ve heard the same thing over and over again from business owners in the area in terms of what they’re looking for in a backup generator:

Standby backup generators allow homes and businesses to continue normal, everyday operations. Hurricane Sandy is a real wakeup call to MD, DC, and VA that the area is vulnerable to inclement weather conditions. To protect your home or business from future power outages, contact Kolb Electric to schedule a home or commercial standby backup generator installation.