Every commercial space, whether it’s a hotel, restaurant, office, department store, small shop, school, or hospital, can benefit from switching to LED lighting. LEDs are energy-efficient alternatives to halogen, and Universal LED Bulb Finder to search by bulb type, or browse our site to see hundreds of lighting options.

There are many LED recessed lighting options for existing can lights, eyeball lights, or other recessed commercial applications. Traditionally, recessed fixtures contain either a PAR halogen bulb or a BR incandescent bulb. These bulbs are available in several different sizes, and each type has its own set of features. BR bulbs typically have wide flood beam patterns and allow for more of a gradual fade of light. LED replacement PAR and BR bulbs have those same features but with increased energy efficiency and longer life spans. Complete LED fixture replacements, such as downlights, are also an option.

When it comes to commercial lighting, one of the most popular fixtures is the fluorescent panel light with T8 tubes. These panels offer little in the way of quality lighting. Hot spots are visible even through their textured lenses, and the light that they emit has a yellow-green hue. CRI), which is the key to showing the true colors of objects and surroundings. They emit crisp, clear illumination with no visible hotspots, and you won’t have to worry about replacing them for a very long time.

It’s no secret that a well-lit sign will stand out more than one that is poorly lit. LED sign modules are available in many different intensities and colors to illuminate signs, light boxes, marquees, and channel letters. Because LED bulbs can last up to 25 times longer than incandescent or halogen alternatives or approximately five times longer than fluorescent tube lights, the need for replacements is few and far between.

While many home improvements are well-suited for DIY projects, electrical work requires the skill and experience of a fully licensed electrician. The potential for injury and damage to your home from improperly-installed electrical circuits and fixtures is too great to risk doing the work yourself. In fact, we’ve written about the many dangers of DIY electrical wiring before.

To avoid issues and keep your home running properly, you’ll need to hire a qualified Maryland electrician. Experienced electrical contractors can help you properly install new outlets, wire a new addition or remodeled room, install a ceiling fan, and so much more.

Finding a qualified electrician among the large number of choices in the Maryland can seem daunting. However, there are several good places to look for Maryland electricians whose work you’ll be happy with.

Once you’ve found a few qualified electricians, you can narrow down your list by looking at only those who are licensed in the State of Maryland. You’ll also want to check out ratings on review sites, how many years the company has been in business, and available service offerings—such as 24-hour electrical service.

At Kolb Electric, we have a full staff of licensed Maryland electricians with experience in a variety of home repair and construction projects. To learn more about finding a qualified electrician in Maryland and/or to schedule an appointment with our experts, call us at 877 287-1179 or fill out an online contact form today. Check out our reviews to see what makes us a great choice for any project!

Spring brings with it a myriad of home repair and remodeling projects, many of which require electrical wiring or installations. Unfortunately, it is also a prime season for contractor scams, including those that involve so-called electricians. Learning how to spot these con-artists can help ensure you don’t get taken advantage of—keep reading to see our tips!

Knowing the tell-tale signs of electrical scams is key to recognizing these ne’er-do-wells early and sending them on their way without any of your money in their pockets. Below are just a few that should alert you of possible electrician scams:

At Kolb Electric, we employ only the most skilled and trust-worthy electricians. We’ve been helping Maryland, Northern Virginia, and Washington, DC area homeowners for over 90 years and have built a reputation based on our honest, reliable service. We understand that electrical terms can be confusing to most homeowners, so we make sure we take the time to explain everything that’s needed for your project—and the cost—before we start any work.

Since the advent of the incandescent (and even before), quality of light has been on the tip of everyone’s tongue. Regrettably, that quality has mostly been unfortunate. When incandescent lights were the only choice, the early 20th century population complained about the glare and the possible dangers of electricity.

Case in point: on an episode of Downton Abbey (Masterpiece’s smash hit about an elite family living on an estate in the early 1900’s), the prim and hilarious Dowager Countess laments the new electric lamps:

“Such a glare! I couldn’t have electricity in the house – I wouldn’t sleep a wink. All those vapors seeping about. Feels as if  I were on stage at the Gaiety.”