Battery technology has already made our lives more portable and convenient. From the disposable alkalines you used to use to power your Walkman to the modern rechargeable batteries in your cell phone and laptop, they allow us to take our work, entertainment and communication systems on the go. But batteries might have an even grander destiny: they could revolutionize the way we generate and use energy all throughout the home. Read on for a glimpse into our battery-powered future.

From Electric Cars to Your Living Room

Leading the charge into the brave new world of batteries is Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla Motors. Musk recently launched Tesla Energy, a suite of batteries designed to facilitate flexibility for consumers and ultimately pave the way to an energy grid that doesn't rely on fossil fuels.

"Our goal," Musk said at a press conference, "is to fundamentally change the way the world uses energy."

Tesla used its expertise in designing batteries for electric cars to make batteries bigger and more powerful. The company’s new lithium-ion batteries are optimized to enable “homes, business, and utilities to store sustainable and renewable energy to manage power demand, provide backup power and increase grid resilience,” the company promises.

Energy at Any Time of Day

Because Tesla’s new battery technology allows residential and business users to store electricity until it’s needed, it creates the opportunity to purchase electricity during off-peak time, easing the stress on our electrical grid. It also helps users get more out of sustainable but intermittent fuel sources like wind and solar.

If the technology catches on, consumers can take better advantage of utility time-of-day pricing. Some utilities in North America sell electricity at cheaper rates during nights and weekends, when there is less demand. A homeowner could therefore charge a battery at night and use it during the day, which saves money for them and reduces the generation cost for the utility company by smoothing out the demand.

Furthermore, as solar and wind technologies become cheaper and more viable, the ability to store their output means that they can further cut into the market share of fossil fuels like coal and natural gas, reducing human impact on climate change.

Keep the Lights On and the TV Running

Another advantage of the enhanced storage potential is that homeowners will still have power in the event of a blackout or other disruption to the power grid. And people who want to go off the grid entirely with solar energy can do it without worrying about running out of power during the night.

The batteries are expensive, starting at $3,000 for residential models. If the program takes off, the price should fall and ever-better technologies will be developed to improve storage, capacity, transmission and other specifications.

For now, the Tesla batteries look like a useful, if expensive, addition to the energy-conscious homeowner's arsenal. If prices do continue to fall, however, the batteries could transform into something truly revolutionary.

Illumination from Varaluz Lighting is not only good for you; the company’s creative and artistic compositions are eco-friendly, too!

Contemporary designer lights, over head lighting and accessories from Varaluz are composed of at least 70 % recycled or reclaimed steel and decorative glass compositions are crafted from 100% recycled materials. The “eco-luz” label indicates Varaluz designs are committed to preserving a healthy planet, while providing ingenious artistry for the home.

At Varaluz, company designers believe lighting – from modern lights, to green lighting to contemporary lighting – should not only be interesting, but sustainable. From outdoor wall lighting and mirrors to chandeliers and table lamps, Varaluz Lighting features an eclectic mix of elements uniquely fashioned into highly functional works of art.

For up-scaled modern glamour or edgy transitional sophistication, Varaluz delivers contemporary designer lights and over head lighting designs to elevate your style with eye-popping and imaginative innovation.

Have more fun with home illumination and enjoy the latest marvels from Varaluz Lighting…

Check out the latest lighting compositions from Varaluz at 1800lighting.com and all Capitol Lighting showrooms.

If you have ever owned a property with florescent lighting, no doubt you have in some way dealt with a ballast. Fluorescent lights are incredibly common, especially in homes and business buildings. A ballast is a tool that regulates the current in a circuit. For fluorescent lights, it regulates and limits the current running through the tube. Without a ballast, your florescent lighting would not be able to handle being connected to high voltage power. Your lamp would overheat and burn out in a second since the current would increase too quickly.

Commercial lighting is typically more intense than residential lighting. Because of the intensity needed to light up large factories and warehouses, commercial lighting produces a stronger magnetic influence and more heat than the lamps you use at home. If you own a business and have florescent lights installed, it is essential to call a professional Atlanta electrician to handle it. Without the proper light ballast or installation procedure, you could have a fire hazard on your hands.

If you are experiencing flickering or humming coming from your fluorescent light, it could be a warning sign of an old ballast. The typical lifespan of a light ballast is 20 years, but poor light bulbs or cold air can cause the lifespan to reduce greatly.

When a ballast needs to be replaced, and you don’t know what you are doing, it is in your best interest to always call a professional. Electrical work can be incredibly hazardous and if you do not possess the proper training you could severely injure yourself.

Are you looking for a Des Moines electrician for your next project?  We service all of Des Moines and surrounding communities.  We offer upfront pricing so you know what the job will cost before the work begins.  Have an electrical emergency?  We have electricians on call to handle your electrical emergencies and accept credit cards for those unexpected repairs.

Our electricians are highly trained seasoned professionals.  They can give you a price on the jobsite and in most cases perform the work at the same time if you choose.

Custom Electrical Services performs thousands of jobs in and around the Des Moines area.  They can handle any electrical job from the simple to the most lavish.  Some common request are code updates, new panels, add recessed or can lighting, LED upgrades, under cabinet lighting, smoke alarm replacements and or installations, whole home surge protection, hot tub wiring, pool wiring, landscape lighting and more!  Note that all of there great services are not listed as they can perform almost any electrical task.

Want to schedule your next electrical service call?  Schedule online at schedule electrical service call 24 hours a day 7 days a week.  Need an electrician after hours?  They  have electricians on call 24/7 and your call is answered by a live person no matter the time of day or night at 515-669-3418.

Custom Electrical Services has local trusted electricians.  They have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.

Schedule an estimate online today!