More than 47,000 house fires in the U.S. are caused by faulty electrical work and wiring each year. Modern living has placed many more demands on the average home’s electrical system than were ever imagined just a few short decades ago. Computer systems, gaming systems, large appliances, and smart systems all draw a lot of electricity and can easily overload a circuit that wasn’t designed for that kind of demand. However, increased electrical demand is just one of several reasons to update your home’s electrical system.

1. Your home is more than 30 years old. Your home doesn’t have to be a century home to have outdated wiring. If it was built before 1985, it’s a good idea to have your old electrical wiring evaluated by a licensed electrical contractor.

2. You frequently trip the breaker or blow the fuse. If you frequently have to reset the circuit breakers in your main electrical control box or replace the fuses, it’s likely a sign that at least one of your electrical circuits cannot handle the demand for power.

3. You need extension cords. If you need extension cords to plug in a desk lamp or (worse) your electronics, you probably don’t have enough wall outlets in your rooms. Older homes often only have one or two outlets per room, less than is needed by most households.

4. Your lights dim or flicker when an appliance turns on. If the lights in your room dim when the furnace kicks in or the refrigerator cycles, this can also be a sign that your old electrical wiring may not be able to safely power your home.

5. Your outlets are discolored. Discolored outlets can also be an indication of unsafe surges in power.

Leaving old electrical wiring in place can be dangerous for you and your family. If you have encountered any of the above situations, it’s a good idea to have an experienced electrical contractor evaluate your home’s wiring.

Kolb Electric has been helping Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC homeowners with all their electrical needs for 90+ years. We have a full staff of licensed electricians with experience on major projects like home rewiring.

Call us at 877 287-1179 to schedule an appointment today.

So you’ve decided to invest in a new air conditioning system: what now? Well, there are a few considerations to make prior to purchasing your new home cooling system, let alone scheduling your air conditioning installation. Remember that this is not the type of decision that you can rush into, at least if you want to enjoy 100% satisfaction with your new AC. The Boston, MA air conditioning installation experts at FB Electrical Services have put together a few tips to help ensure that your service is a resounding success. Contact us today if you are ready to schedule a brand new system installation, or if the time has come to replace your old air conditioner. 

First and foremost in guaranteeing your complete satisfaction with your new air conditioner is, of course, to familiarize yourself with the various systems available for installation in your home. This is not a step that you should gloss over, even if you are expecting to replace an existing system with a similar model. There has been a lot of innovation in the home cooling industry in recent years, and you don’t want to miss out on systems and features that you’d benefit from just because you didn’t take the time to ask questions and do your homework.

Once you decided upon which system you’re after, the next step is to give your budget some serious consideration. A new air conditioner is not the type of investment you want to skimp on. However, you also must be realistic about what you can comfortably afford to spend on your new system. The more efficient an air conditioner is, though, the more costly it tends to be. Only by assessing available funds carefully can you be certain that you are getting the most efficiency for your money.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, pick up your phone and dial our number. The AC installation professionals on our staff know residential cooling systems inside and out. Not only will we help you to find the perfect one for your needs, but we’ll also ensure that it is installed properly every step of the way. Call now to get your air conditioning installation project underway.

We all remember how exciting the world was as a kid. Everything was an adventure, whether it was hide-and-seek in the basement, or riding bikes with our neighbors. Everything was within our grasp and we were invincible. For children, the difference between what is safe and what is dangerous is often hard to distinguish, especially when it comes to electrical safety. Often times, outlets look like fun spaces to put small things, electrical boxes are good hiding spots, and power boxes have fun switches. It is important to teach your kids about being safe around electricity, so here’s some tips on how you can start talking about it with your family.

Start Early

When it comes to safety, the earlier the better. When your kids reach an age where communication is easy and they understand what you say, start talking about how to be safe. When you start an early conversation with your kids, they are more likely to retain that information overtime and be able to recognize a dangerous situation the more it is talked about.

Show Them Around

The more your child can associate the world around them with the words you say, the better it will stick in their minds. Take a tour around the house and point out the electrical sockets, the power cords, the electrical panel, and talk about the safety precautions with each. For example, tell them about how it is not safe to put things in the electrical socket, or not to pull on the power cord.

You can also venture outside to talk about electrical boxes, the power lines, or outdoor outlets. By making electrical safety interactive, your kids will have fun while learning how to be safe.

Make the Information Interesting

The internet has so many valuable resources when it comes to fun safety lessons! Watch a Youtube video with your kids or find different activities online. Making lessons interesting could also be as easy as taking a mini fieldtrip around your house!

Whatever your method, ensure that your kids know the dangers of electricity. Electricity is engaging and powerful, but should still be treated as the hazard that it can be.

It is the rare person who does not deal with electrical appliances today. Most people watch television, turn the oven on to cook food, or simply pop frozen foods into the microwave. With electricity pouring through virtually every home, everyone should be aware of the following electrical safety precautions:

All of these electrical safety precautions should be remembered by adults working with electrical appliances. If you know someone who isn’t aware of any precaution on this list, send them here to learn. It could save a life!

All of our employees, from the customer service representatives who answer your calls, to the licensed electricians who restore safety and functionality to your home, to the warehouse staff who make sure we have the necessary tools, products, and equipment, to the managers and owners who oversee everything, work diligently year-round to assure that your needs are always a priority. We strive to be leaders in the electrical industry as well as in our local communities.