Over time, a home that was once top-of-the-line can find itself behind the times. While this might only be a mild concern in terms of convenience, the state of your electrical circuits can potentially be a source of trouble if they are found to be below present day recognized standards. However, an electrician in Santa Monica can certainly evaluate the state of your home’s electrical components and recommend a course of action. Generally speaking, homes that are more than 40 or 50 years are more likely to need an electrical safety evaluation.

Depending on the age of your home, you may need to have some or all of your electrical outlets replaced. Many older homes do not have updated three-prong outlets, and instead might have the older style two prong outlets. Today’s appliances require a third prong for grounding. Besides this, over time wiring can become damaged, and the demands placed on your home’s older electrical system can simply be too much for an older system to bear.

If you need an electrician in Santa Monica to help you determine the electrical safety of your home, a strong list of references and great internet reviews are a good jumping off point for locating an electrician to help you solve any of the most common problems that older homes face.

The Electric Connection is a dependable electrical contracting company that can send a knowledgeable Santa Monica Electrician to your home or business. We will be happy to help you compare your home to today’s electrical standards, examine your home thoroughly, and evaluate the ability of your electrical system to perform under typical conditions as well as any unusually high demand situations.

Visit TheElectricConnection.com for more information and to speak with someone about your home’s electrical system. If you are unsure about exactly what types of upgrades or repairs you might need, we can easily help you out.

Custom Electrical Services has electricians in Altoona Iowa ready to for all your electrical needs.  Need a light bulb changed we can help!  Need your whole house rewired?  We can help!  Custom Electrical Services can handle your Altoona electrical project no matter what the size.  From the simplest of task to the most lavish we can help!

Have a weekend or late night electrical emergency?  We have staff on call 24 hours a day 7 days a week.  You can speak to a live person no matter what the time is at 515-669-3418.  Or if you would like a call back during standard business time you can use are online form submission and we will return your call asap!

Rest assured your electrical project in Altoona will be in the most skilled hands possible with our electricians.  Our electricians take pride in there work and can handle any Altoona electrical project possible.  We have Master and Journeyman electricians on call and ready to help you with your Altoona electrical project today!  Same day service in most cases!

Custom Electrical Services has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.  We take pride in our work and always make customer service a top priority!  Our electricians in Altoona will make sure you are completely satisfied with your electrical project.

Go with who professional contractors and contractors alike choose.  Go with Custom Electrical Services for your next Altoona electrical project.  Custom Electrical Services currently wires over 250 new construction homes in the central Iowa.  From Ankeny, to Norwalk, from Waukee, to Altoona and all of central Iowa.  We cover central Iowa’s electrical needs 24/7.  Some of Iowa’s top general contractors use Custom Electrical Services.

There are few things more chilling than a home burglary. Imagine a stranger rifling through and stealing your possessions – to say nothing of the danger if you or your family members are home at the time of the break-in. Fortunately, you can take steps to deter potential thieves by using outdoor lighting to increase the visibility around your home. Today's inexpensive LED and smart technologies mean that you can create a system that is attractive, efficient and responsive without breaking the bank. Protect your home and your family with some of these outdoor lighting ideas.

A Light in the Darkness

Your outdoor lighting system should include lights near any doors and windows where a person could enter the house. "The biggest thing for any person who can burglarize a home is the ability to secrete movements," a Chicago Police Department spokesperson told the Chicago tribune. "This means darkness.”

Many outdoor lighting systems are easy to install on your own, although a few may require the help of an electrician for new wiring. LED bulbs are an attractive option because they use only about a quarter of the energy of incandescent bulbs and last up to 25 times as long. Some outdoor lights come equipped with a built-in security camera that will not only light up to scare off any would-be burglars, but also capture their image so you can notify police of the suspicious activity.

Stand-alone solar panel lights are a good option for walkways, although they shouldn't be relied on as a home security measure since variations in weather mean they might not always provide enough light to deter a prowler.

Getting Smart About Your Lighting

Smart lighting systems let you control your entire home’s lighting setup from your smartphone, even when you're away from the house. You can adjust timers, motion sensors, dimming functions or manually instruct the lights to come on or off. Certain smart lighting and security systems will automatically alert you when someone is at the door and allow you to talk to them through your phone no matter where you are in the world.

With smart technology, you can also add an extra layer of deterrence by having indoor lights come on for a period of time when you are away, giving the appearance that somebody is home. If you already have a lighting system in place, you can upgrade it to a smart system by swapping in some wireless smart switches and installing a control hub.

A Safer and More Attractive Residence

Lighting up your outdoor space is more than just a way to deter burglars. It can also make your yard look more attractive at night and help visitors safely navigate their way to your door.

If you need help planning or installing an outdoor security lighting scheme, contact your local electrician right away.

Outdoor lighting of many varieties can effectively keep your space well-lit, safe, and inviting for you and your guests. These lights are typically reliable and long-lasting, but if they stop working and leave you in the dark, it can be a frustrating experience. Having an understanding of your lights and their potential issues can help you if you need to conduct outdoor lighting troubleshooting. There are several types of outdoor lights, all with different looks and objectives. Spotlights provide bright, direct light onto a specific area. Uplights are installed at or below ground level to shine upwards onto objects while downlights are installed high in a tree or structure to shine down. Floodlights use a motion sensor to shine directly onto an area when they sense someone there. Path or walkway lights are installed as individual fixtures along a walkway to illuminate it. Solar lights gather energy from the sun throughout the day, then turn on at night. These lights are installed in a variety of areas such as on a home; on a deck;  around a patio, deck, sitting area, or pool; or on the ground. There are also a variety of bulbs including halogen, incandescent, LED (light emitting diode) and bug light, each with their own uses and benefits. Each of these fixtures has several parts and can be susceptible to different issues depending on their parts and assembly. If your lights aren’t working properly, it can be concerning, and create potentially dangerous situations.

water and vinegar to remove residue and keep your lights shining brightly.While some outdoor lighting troubleshooting can easily be done on your own, outdoor lights are complex fixtures that aren’t always easy to diagnose and fix.

7.  Convert the extra closet into a sewing/hobby center.  Install a custom-cut countertop and a little task light… “Viola!” You are done.

8.  Or, maybe you are not done….Why not literally “Knock Her Socks Off” and build her a bigger closet?!

Whether you are building a new closet or updating an existing one, there are specific rules for lighting an enclosed closet space.  The National Fire Protection Association’s National Electrical Code (NEC) sets standards for safety:

Because closets contain flammable material with limited ventilation, strict building codes dictate that specified lighting fixtures must be installed 18” to 24” from walls depending upon which lamp source is being used.  Surface mounted and recessed fixtures must allow for 6”-12” of clearance from any storage space, such as shelving or clothing rods.

♦Of course,these standards are not a problem for Mariah Carey whose closet is as big as a bedroom!

One of the latest changes to the NEC code is the addition of LED (light-emitting diode) fixtures.  LED lighting may cost a bit more, but energy-savings, greater illumination and safety features will prove to be well worth the investment over time.  The quality and adaptability of newer LED lighting makes it an excellent choice for closets and dressing rooms.

9.  Don’t leave Mom in the dark!  Create a cozy corner with a new den floor lamp so she may relax and read, while you watch the ball game! Try a lamp with full-spectrum lighting to elevate her spirits.

10.  Reward yourself:  Clean out the garage and carve out a space for a workshop that is all your own!

People are investing more into floor covering, cabinetry and shelving to make the most of their garage space.    Fluorescent fixtures, track lighting and simple portable lamps are making their way into upgraded organized garage systems.