Is it time to update your outlets? This may not be the easiest question to answer! Your outlets are a fairly commonplace thing in your home—usually if they’re not acting up, they’re pretty much ignored. Unfortunately, by the time you get to the place where your outlets are acting up, you could be putting yourself in danger of a serious electrical malfunction or fire.

So what are some signs that you need to update your outlets? Let the experts at Kolb Electric answer!

There are a few sure-fire signs you need new outlets.

Along with these signs, you could need a new outlet for any of the appliances listed below. If your home isn’t wired to appropriately power them, you could experience frequent tripped breakers!

Did you get what you really wanted during the holidays this year? Maybe that new smartphone you've been eyeing, or that extra-big HDTV? Perhaps you even got a new laptop or tablet. Whatever your favorite gift was, if it plugs into the wall, it could be at risk of electrical surge damage.

Power surges happen all the time, and homeowners usually aren't even aware when they occur. That's because the typical power surge won't completely fry a gadget or appliance -- but it might do a small, imperceptible amount of damage that slightly shortens the life of the device. Add up hundreds of these surges over time, and you could be talking about years of life shaved off of your favorite electronics.

Where Do Surges Come From?

If you think of surge protection as a safeguard against damage from lightning strikes, think again. Surges caused by direct lighting strikes to a home are rare and usually so destructive that a surge protection system can't mitigate all the damage.

Most surges begin and end in your own home, and are generated by a major appliance starting up. Have you ever noticed the lights briefly dimming when the air conditioner kicks on? That's a sign of a power surge. These are the types of surges that damage your electronics one tiny bit at a time.

Other surges may originate at the electrical utility and travel along the power lines into your home. And during bad weather, it's much more likely that you'll get a surge because a fallen branch took down a power line than to experience a direct surge from a lightning strike.

Get Yourself Protected

Surge protection strips or adapters can offer critical protection for select devices, but this isn't the ideal solution. First of all, these adapters are often clunky and bulky, and they can only be used to protect a few things at a time.

They're also delicate, and can be rendered ineffective with just a single major surge. If there's no indicator light that shows whether surge protection is active, you may think you're protected when really you're not.

Whole-home surge protection is the best solution for the protection of all the devices and appliances in your home. Wired into your main electrical panel, a whole-home surge protector extends that protection to every outlet in your home, as well as to major appliances like your air conditioner and refrigerator. These devices can also withstand numerous surges and last for years.

If you're interested in getting this level of protection for the appliances and devices in your home, reach out to a licensed local electrician today for a no-obligation consultation.

Solar power is something many people automatically assume is not right for them. There are some misconceptions out there about what it means to rely on solar power versus the power provided by the electric company. 20 to 30 years ago, living off the grid was reserved for those who wanted to be completely independent in some desolate area. Times have changed and solar power is becoming a very affordable option for those who live in the suburbs as well as the outskirts of town. All that you need is a little knowledge and an electrician. Santa Monica residents can do some research to learn more about solar panels and how they work and then give The Electric Connection a call to learn more about the installation process.

Solar panels are not necessarily the giant rectangles you remember from a decade ago. Nowadays they are smaller (although the larger ones are still an option) and can be mounted directly to the roof of a home. Another popular misconception is the cost of installation. It isn’t as much as it used to be. And when you factor in the cost savings of solar energy, it truly does pay for itself overtime. It is also important to consider the impact solar energy has on environmental preservation. There are plenty of tax breaks offered to those who choose to invest in solar panels as well.

This installation process should be completed by an experienced electrician. Santa Monica residents may be tempted to try and save a few dollars by doing the installation themselves, but that is not recommended. One popular option homeowners have for solar energy is the leasing of solar panels. This option is affordable and you will see immediate cost savings on your electric bill. If you would like to schedule your own solar panel installation, give The Electric Connection a call today.