But Iowa has us and the rest of the country beat when it comes to percentage of electricity demand provided by wind. Their wind power farms set a record of 20% of state electricity needs in the second quarter of 2011, with 4,000 megawatts of installed wind farm capacity.

In terms of total generation, the top wind power state is Texas, with 9,000 megawatts of installed capacity. Of course, Texas has a lot more people than Iowa, so wind power accounts for a lower percentage of its electric needs.

After the 2008 financial crash, the wind power industry, along with a lot of the economy, declined. However, it’s now on the upsurge. According the American Wind Energy Association, “7,354 megawatts of new capacity was under construction nationally by July 1, more than at any time since the third quarter of 2008.”

(Information for this article provided by Care2 newsletter and Brian Merchant, a Treehugger blogger.)

For information on how you can use your electricity more efficiently and save money, click on my tips.

Kim Hopkins

CEO, The Electric Connection

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You wouldn’t just let any old person in your home, would you? Of course not! That same philosophy should apply when choosing an electrician.Our Texas electricians go through background checks, exams, and multiple interviews before joining the ElectricMan team.

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ElectricMan Inc. is one of Dallas’ most trusted electricians. Nick Schaeffer, Mr. ElectricMan himself, has quite the resume for a master electrician. He started the company by himself in 2004 and hasn’t looked back since! For more information about Electricman’s list of electrical repair services, please visit www.ElectricManInc.com

There are instances where NEC and other regulators recommend dedicated circuits for certain loads. Typical loads to put on individual branch circuits include sensitive electronic equipment such as computers. In addition, water heating systems, large appliances, and other high capacity loads that zap power require a dedicated circuit.

Run cables all the way to the main service panel and avoid connecting to other existing circuits. The same conductor size should be used throughout the branch circuit.

Electric water heaters, HVAC equipment, hot tubs and other appliances should each have a nearby disconnect that is easily visible and accessible. The power disconnect can be provided by the main or sub panel breaker, a dedicated switch, or a power cord that can be unplugged.

The branch circuits should have adequate current carrying capacity, adequate and grounding.

Typical branch currents include:

Dimmer switches block varying amounts of electrical current from flowing into your lights. Not only does this save energy, it can also help extend the life of your lights! The amount of energy saved is, of course, not guaranteed, and savings may vary  depending on factors such as how much you dim the lights, how long they are dimmed, and which types of bulbs you choose. Ultimately, this means that you get to save money on your energy bills.

If you can’t install dimmer switches in every room, try to install them where you can get the most bang for your buck – typically in master bedrooms, kitchens, dining rooms, hallways, and living rooms.

Call us or contact us online to learn more about the savings opportunity offered by dimmer switches.

Whether you want to watch a movie in the family room or host a dinner in the dining room, dimmer switches can enhance the atmosphere and set the mood. By dimming the lights, you can create a romantic or cozy setting. Also, if you have young children or guests over who aren’t familiar with your home, dimming the lights at night allows them to find their way around.

A dimmer will make light bulbs last longer—the softer the light, the longer the bulb lasts. You can add between three and four years to a bulb’s life with proper dimming.

If you want to install dimmer switches in Maryland, Virginia, or Washington, DC, call Kolb Electric! We’ve been serving the MD, VA, and DC area since 1925. You can count on our experienced electricians to get the job done right the first time.